In the course of the modern and contemporary history of Korea, some foreigners have made remarkable contributions to our society and culture in different ways by undertaking a wide range of Korean studies and literature. Starting with the 17th century, Dutchman Hendrick Hamel published “Hamel’s Journal and a Description of the Kingdom of Korea 1653-1666”…
So you’ve been going steady with your Korean partner and it’s finally time to meet his or her family over a Korean dinner. You’re nervous because you want to make a good impression and show them that you care about Korean culture. You’ve been practicing your chopstick skills all week but you wonder what else…
August 15 is a very important holiday and historic day for Koreans known as 광복절 (Gwangbokjeol, literally meaning “the day the light returned”). This holiday celebrates the day that the Republic of Korea was established after South Korea was liberated from its occupation from the Japanese colonial rule. Today, we hang Korean flags outside buildings…
While dol ostensibly is a festive party centered around the birthday child, it is larger than that…It is a tribute to the generations who came before me and survived enough birthdays of their own to bring this very moment into life. For Korean parents, there are few events in their child’s life that take on greater significance…
If you are looking to improve your Korean and haven’t heard of Eggbun yet you need to download the app now! As someone who’s tried so many different ways to learn Korean- watching Youtube videos, completing workbooks, listening to podcasts, etc- I’ve found that Eggbun is the answer, and in my opinion the best app…
“Unbeknownst to Kim himself, he accomplished the considerable feat of making Korean genre painting widely known around the world,” When the ports of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) opened to the rest of the world in the late 19th century, travelers, diplomats, missionaries and merchants flooded in, all curious to find out more about the life…
In western countries, women take a shower immediately after childbirth. They have a regular diet, start walking around, and go out in the cold weather. On the other hand, Korean women are advised not to take a shower for a week or more. They are not allowed to put their hands in cold water. For…
“Seoul is ‘beyond’ – on the leading edge of technology, music, fashion, cosmetics, and food – it’s THE spot guaranteed to entertain even the most discriminating of adolescents.” If your family contains one or more opinionated teenagers, the South Korean capital of Seoul might be the perfect destination to appease the most discerning members of…
“What’s your sign?” is a question commonly asked in the Western world. But in East Asian nations like South Korea, you’re more likely to hear, “What’s your blood type?” That’s because for the past century, many Koreans have associated different blood types with specific personality characteristics that determine one’s likability, romantic compatibility, and even health…
[Read to the end 💔] Mother’s Day has this Korean American mom reminiscing about all of the wild and crazy things my mother used to tell me over the years. You can say it was a hodgepodge of old wives tales, superstitions or just plain old common sense embellished, Korean style. Here is a compilation…