Based on your encounter with Korean names, you might have been wondering if all Koreans share the same handful of last names—Kim, Lee, Park, or Choi. Diving deeper into the anatomy and conventions around Korean names, there’s a lot more that a Korean name can tell you than you think. Korean last names or family…
As New York City basks in the glow of its annual Art Week, one of the oldest galleries in NYC is playing host to the US debut of one of Korea’s most exciting young artists, Doowon Lee. “Doowon and the Golden Fish Submarine Arrive in New York”, transforms ACA Galleries into a portal of good…
Wedding Season I am getting married in Korea this fall. As a Korean Adoptee marrying a Korean national, my partner and I have had a lot of conversations about the cultural differences between American and Korean weddings. There’s so many beautiful and meaningful aspects to both. For our weddings in each country, we have decided…
Happy Year of the Wood Snake! The Korean Zodiac is a repeating cycle of 12 years, with each year being represented by an animal and its reputed attributes. It is based on the lunar calendar and this year’s New Year’s Day, or Seollal, falls on January 29, 2025. Seollal is a time of joy, family…
Happy Korean New Year! Celebrating the New Year, also known as Seollal (설날), is a serious matter for Koreans. So much so that we often celebrate it twice a year – first on the Gregorian calendar New Year’s Day (shinjeong) on January 1st. Then once again on the Lunar New Year’s Day (gujeong), which lands…
Chuseok 2024 is on September 17. Get to know the essentials for food, family, and fun. What is Chuseok? Chuseok (추석), also known as Hangawi, marks a zenith in the Korean calendar, rivaling only the lunar New Year in its cultural significance. Often likened to Thanksgiving, this festival is observed on the 15th day of…
The jar’s curves are full yet simple. Its white color is pure but not cold, and its glaze shines warmly without being flashy. The humble Korean moon jar has captivated the world and is experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity. The international craze for moon jars first started in the UK. It began in 2006,…
Three Giants of Joseon Art Jeong Seon, Kim Hong-do, and Shin Yun-bok are among the most representative painters of Korea’s Joseon period, a 500 year dynasty which lasted from 1392-1897. These artists’ works reflect the customs, landscapes, and spirit of Joseon, marking an important era of Korean painting history. Their works are fundamental to Korean…
There is a scene in an episode of the sitcom Kim’s Convenience, where a father asks his daughter’s date when the Korean War started, just to test the suitor’s Korean-ness and make sure he is worthy of a date with his daughter. Passing a test like this may not be a concern for most people.…
Walking into a Buddhist temple for the first time, I was blown away by the blanket of color hanging overhead. The sun bounced off endless rows of paper lanterns, creating an ethereal kaledioscope of color that swayed gently in the May breeze. With such a vibrant atmosphere, everyone’s spirits seemed to lift as they entered…