On a cold January morning in 1890, twenty‑five‑year‑old Seo Jae‑pil stood in a Washington, D.C., courtroom and took the oath that made him the first Korean to become a citizen of the United States. In exile from his homeland, where the government had killed most of his family members, the young man had already lived…
Above: Korean refugees wait to board the SS Meredith Victory. On a frigid December day in 1950, as communist forces pushed toward the North Korean port of Hungnam, tens of thousands of Korean civilians gathered in desperation while American forces prepared to evacuate. With UN soldiers, weapons, and military equipment to load, they had no…
What is Gwangbokjeol? August 15, 2025 marks a historic milestone for South Korea: the 80th anniversary of Gwangbokjeol (광복절), also known as the National Liberation Day. Gwangbokjeol, which translates to “Restoration of Light Day”, celebrates Korea’s independence from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule on August 15, 1945. To many Koreans, the restoration of independence…
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.…
Korea Independence Movement Day, or the March 1st Movement [Samiljeol (삼일 운동)] first occurred on March 1, 1919, and was one of the earliest recorded public displays of Korean resistance to Japan’s colonization of Korea from 1910 to 1945. Celebrated as a holiday today, this day was a pivotal turning point in Korean history. Origin…
Celebrate Asian American Heritage Month by learning Korean American history. This webinar is facilitated by author, educator, and speaker, Dr. Stephanie Han, and brought to you by the Council of Korean Americans and the Chinese American Heritage Foundation. Watch Part 1 of Learning How Korean Americans Shaped History: Watch Part 2 of “How Korean Americans…
The saga of King Sukjong, Queen Inhyeon, and Concubine Jang Hee Bin (sometimes spelled Hui-bin) is one of the most famous episodes in the 500-year-long history of the Joseon dynasty. Filled with palace intrigue and passionate love affairs, the story of the 19th king of Joseon, his virtuous queen, and one of the most infamous…
In theory, anyone who could pass state examinations had a chance of advancing their station in life. Education is a big deal in Korea. Korean students are known to spend endless hours outside the classroom in tuition centers, supplementing their normal curriculum with extra-curriculars and test preparations. It’s not uncommon for many Korean students to…
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…