South Korea

South Korea

Introduction to South Korea

South Korea, located in East Asia, occupies the southern part of the Korean peninsula, bordering North Korea, the East Sea, East China Sea, and Yellow Sea. It covers about 45% of the peninsula's land area and has its capital in Seoul.

South Korea and North Korea face each other in a 150-mile demilitarized zone (DMZ), established by the 1953 armistice. The DMZ, which follows latitude 38° N, marks the military cease-fire line from the Han River to Kaesong.

Brief history of Korean 

Around 668, Korea's multiple kingdoms unified into a single dominion, maintaining political and cultural independence for over a thousand years, culminating in the Choson Dynasty.

  After enduring Japanese and Manchu invasions, Korea resisted outside contact, leading to a 250-year period of peace and limited travel for its citizens.

In the late 19th century, Western powers like Britain, France, and the United States attempted to establish trade and diplomatic relations with Korea, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

COLONIAL PERIOD

Japan, China, and Russia fought for control over the Korean Peninsula in the early 20th century. Japan occupied the peninsula in 1905 and annexed it in 1907. Despite industrialization, Korea suffered repression, including forced labor during WWII and the forced sexual service of "comfort women."

KOREA DIVIDED

After Japan's 1945 defeat, the US and Soviet Union divided Korea into two zones: South Korea, led by anti-communist Syngman Rhee, and North Korea, led by Kim Il Sung, with Pyongyang as its capital.

KOREAN WAR

South Korea's independence in 1950 led North Korea to invade, involving US and UN troops. The Korean War, lasting 2 million lives, ended in 1953, leaving the peninsula divided into a demilitarized zone.

PARK CHUNG-HEE

South Korea maintained a close relationship with the US, involving military, economic, and political support. Initially a republic, limited political freedom was granted in 1961. Under Park's regime, South Korea experienced rapid industrial development and economic growth.

MILITARY RULE TO DEMOCRACY

Park was assassinated in 1979, and Chun Doo-hwan took power, leading to a military uprising. Martial law was lifted in 1981, and Chun was elected president. In 1987, he was removed due to popular dissatisfaction and international pressure. Roh Tae-woo won the first free presidential election

SOUTH KOREA TODAY

South Korea, affluent in East Asia, ranks behind Japan and China in economy, with a mountainous majority and urban centers.

The capital of South Korea, Seoul, is home to more than 25 million people, or about 50 percent of the country’s population

In early 2018, South Korea welcomed athletes from around the world to the Winter Olympic Games.

North and South Korea agreed to march under the same flag at the Olympics, indicating a partial thaw in their relations.

Introduction to Korean Culture

         Korea's traditional culture, shared before 1945, has been divided between North and South Korea since mid-20th century, resulting in cultural differences. Korean shamanism was deeply rooted in Korean culture before the Joseon dynasty.

Clothing 

Hanbok, a traditional Korean dress, has been worn since ancient times as a social status marker. Traditionally white, it was worn for uniforms, special occasions, and ceremonial purposes. The hanbok was traditionally a wedding dress dating back to the 14th century. However, with K-Pop music, interest in Korean culture has increased, with groups like BTS, Bl, it is worn for formal occasions, but its everyday use has declined.

Cuisine

Korea's staple food is rice, with rice, barley, and beans being the main crops. Fish and seafood are also important due to its peninsula. Traditional Korean food features fermented recipes, pickled fish and vegetables, and kimchi, pickled vegetables with vitamins and minerals. Side dishes, such as kimchi, pickled radish, soybean sprouts, glass noodles, cucumber salad, and seasoned spinach, are commonly served with meals.

01. Ceremonial, ritual and temple foods

Korean cuisine has developed ceremonial and ritual foods, used at various occasions. Ceremonial foods are used at milestones like 100 days, first birthdays, weddings, and sixtieth birthdays, while ritual foods are used at funerals, ancestral rites, shaman offerings, and temples. Rice cakes are essential for ceremonies.

02. Royal court cuisine (surasang)

Surasang, a traditional court cuisine, is now accessible to the entire population, featuring dishes like ssambap, bulgogi, sinseollo, kimchi, bibimbap, and gujeolpan.

03. Tea

Tea, originally used for ceremonial or herbal medicine, is enjoyed in Korea in various forms like fruits, leaves, seeds, or roots, with five distinct tastes.

Festivals

The traditional Korean calendar, based on the lunisolar calendar, includes 24 turning points (jeolgi) and is rooted in Korean culture, but is fading in modern lifestyles.

The Gregorian calendar was officially adopted in 1895, but traditional holidays and age reckoning are still based on the old calendar, with older generations celebrating their birthdays according to the lunar calendar.

Seollal, the traditional Korean New Year, is the largest festival in Korea, along with Daeboreum, Dano, and Chuseok, all celebrated according to the lunar calendar.

for the examples 

                     Seoul Lantern Festival

           Andong Mask Dance Festival

           Jeonju Hanji Culture Festival

           Busan International Film Festival

          Taebaek Mountain Snow Festival 

Fine arts

 Ceramics

Korean ceramics, popular during the Goryeo period, evolved into white porcelain in the 15th century, influenced by Imjin wars, and later blue-and-white porcelain, renowned for their graciousness and unaffected nature.

Crafts

Korea's unique handicrafts, primarily metal, wood, fabric, lacquerware, and earthenware, have been renowned for over a millennium, making Korean furniture one of the most sought-after exotic styles worldwide, discovered by the West in the late 1940s and 1950s.

Dance and martial arts

Korea's court dances are divided into jeongjaemu and ilmu, with mask dramas and traditional clothing. Taekkyon, a martial art, is central to classic Korean dance and is adaptable to other art forms.

Painting

The Korean peninsula's early paintings date back to prehistoric times, with petroglyphs, Buddhism, and Goguryeo tomb murals showcasing naturealism, ink, calligraphy, and seal engraving. Joseon period saw new genres

Music

Korean folk music, including Pansori, Pungmul, Samul Nori, Sanjo, and Nongak, is a complex genre with a set of rhythms and melodic modes. Court music, dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, includes A-ak, Dang-ak, and Hyang-ak. Both forms maintain a loosely defined set of melodic modes and are considered intangible cultural properties.

Religious beliefs

Korean shamanism, also known as musok, is an ancient religion practiced by female practitioners called mudang or mansin. Despite stigma, many seek help from mansins. Despite political turmoil, shamanism remains strong, with festivals and kut preserved as cultural heritage.

Buddhism and Confucianism were introduced to Korea through cultural exchanges with Chinese dynasties. Buddhism was suppressed during Joseon, replaced by Confucianism, exemplified by seonbi scholars.

Influence of Buddhism on culture and traditions

Buddhism has become an integral part of Korean culture, influencing both secular and non-Buddhist Koreans. A 2005 survey showed that about a quarter of South Koreans identified as Buddhist, but the actual number is ambiguous. 

Buddhism is now considered a philosophy and cultural background rather than a formal religion, making it deeply influenced by secular believers and non-Buddhist Koreans. In North Korea, while Buddhists account for 4.5% of the population, over 70% are influenced by Buddhist philosophies and customs. 

Buddhism was introduced to Korea from Former Qin in 372, 800 years after the death of Gautama Buddha. Buddhism was initially accepted but faced extreme repression during the Joseon era, where Neo-Confucianism overcame Buddhism. Buddhist monks helped repel Japanese invasions and asserted their religious identity through reforming traditions and practices. 

The younger generation of monks developed the ideology of Mingung Pulgyo, or "Buddhism for the people," which focuses on common men's daily issues.

World Heritage Sites

       

South Korea boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites that reflect its rich history and cultural significance.

Jongmyo Shrine...🖋

The Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is dedicated to the spirits of the Joseon Dynasty royal family. Influenced by Korean Confucian tradition, it hosts an annual Jongmyo jeryeak, an elaborate court music performance. Built in 1394, it was rebuilt in 1608.

Changdeokgung...🖋

Changdeokgung, also known as the "palace of illustrious virtue," was built in 1405, burned in 1592, and reconstructed in 1609. Its surroundings and palace are matched by over 300-year-old trees and was added to UNESCO World Heritage in 1997.

Bulguksa...🖋

Bulguksa, also known as the Buddha Land temple, was built in 751 and features numerous halls, two pagodas, and a granite sanctuary called Seokguram Grotto. It was added to UNESCO World Heritage in 1995.

Hwaseong...🖋

Hwaseong, a 1796 Korean fortification in Suwon, South Korea, features a palace and 41 extant facilities. Completing 5.52 kilometers of walls, it covers both flat and hilly terrain and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997.

Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries...🖋

Sansa are Buddhist mountain monasteries in southern Korea, characterized by an open courtyard and four buildings. Established from the 7th to 9th centuries, they contain numerous remarkable structures, objects, documents, and shrines, serving as sacred centers of faith.

Sports and recreation

South Koreans are sports enthusiasts, with martial arts like tae kwon do and belt-wrestling like ssireum being popular. They dominate short-track speed skating, have professional baseball and football leagues, and their national parks attract hikers, campers, and skiers.

 Examples    
                  Baseball
                  Taekwondo
                  Badminton

                  Archery

Education

South Korea's education system includes compulsory primary and middle school, with most children enrolled. Graduation from college or university increased after World War II, but requires competitive entrance exams. Most prestigious schools are in Seoul, including Seoul National University, private Korea University, Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, and Sookmyung Women's University. Overseas study, particularly in the United States, has grown in popularity in recent centuries.

Languages 

South Korea has one official language: Korean, although Japanese, English and Mandarin are widely spoken and understood. Korean is a language isolate, meaning that it’s a language that is unlike any other, living or dead. Korean has its own grammar system, vocabulary and alphabet: Hangul script.

Modern cultures

South Korea's contemporary culture, rooted in ancient Korean culture, has evolved from its traditional roots. Industrialization, urbanization, and westernization have led to changes in lifestyles, with a concentration of population in major cities and depopulation of rural areas. Korean cultural elements, particularly popular culture, have become prominent global cultural forces.

Culture of North Korea

North Korea's cultural expression preserves its past, removing capitalist elements. Popular arts, literature, music, and dance express unique Korean spirit, with ethnographers restoring proletarian forms and encouraging collective consciousness.

Culture of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture

Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture uses Mandarin Chinese and Korean as official languages, referred to as "West Korea" and "The Third Korea" due to North and South Korean culture. The Museum, built in 1982, houses over 10,000 exhibits.

Why Is Korean Culture So Popular?

Korean culture, renowned for its traditional K-pop acts, cinema, dramas, and cuisine, is increasingly popular globally due to its diverse appeal.

What's Behind Korean Pop Culture?

Korean pop culture's success can be attributed to its cultural exports, which have significantly contributed to its popularity in recent decades.

K-pop

K-pop, a significant cultural export in Korea, is renowned for its catchy melodies, intricate dance routines, and exceptional production quality, complemented by visually appealing visuals.

K-pop idols, known for engaging with fans and enduring demanding schedules, face criticism and illegal activities. Popular groups include BTS, BLACKPINK, EXO, TWICE, and Red Velvet, offering diverse music options for fans

K-dramas 

K-dramas are popular Korean television series known for their character-driven plots, romantic themes, and stunning cinematography and aesthetics. While known as K-dramas, they cover a wide range of emotions and can be funny, dramatic, or tense. Popular Korean dramas include "Descendants of the Sun," "Boys Over Flowers," "Goblin," "Crash Landing on You," and "Itaewon Class".

Korean Cinema

Korean cinema, spanning genres like thrillers, historical epics, art films, and comedies, is renowned for its thought-provoking social commentary and impactful performances. It resonates with international audiences due to its cross-cultural and universal appeal.

       Oldboy (2003)

        Parasite (2019)

       The Handmaiden (2016)

       The Handmaiden (2016)

        The Host (2006)

       I Saw the Devil (2010)