Culture of Korea

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This article is about the traditional culture of Korea. For the modern culture, see Culture of North
Korea and Culture of South Korea.

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 Dancheong, decorative paintings on a building
at Gyeongbok Palace

Lotus lantern festival

The traditional culture of Korea refers to the shared cultural heritage of the Korean Peninsula.
Since the mid-20th century, the peninsula has been split politically between North and South,
[1][2][3][4]
resulting in a number of cultural differences. Before Joseon Dynasty, the practice of Korean
[5][6]
shamanism was deeply rooted in the Korean culture.

Contents
[hide]

 1Traditional arts
o 1.1Dance
o 1.2Painting
o 1.3Crafts
o 1.4Ceramics
o 1.5Music
 2Lifestyle
o 2.1Homes
o 2.2Gardens
o 2.3Clothing
o 2.4Cuisine
o 2.5Tea
o 2.6Festivals of the lunar calendar
o 2.7Beliefs

 3World Heritage Sites

o 3.1Jongmyo Shrine
o 3.2Changdeokgung
o 3.3Bulguksa
o 3.4Tripitaka Koreana and Haeinsa
o 3.5Hwaseong
o 3.6Namhansanseong
o 3.7Historic Monuments and Sites in
Kaesong
 o 3.8Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa sites
o 3.9Gyeongju Area
o 3.10Complex of Goguryeo Tombs
o 3.11Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
o 3.12Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and
Yangdong
 4See also
 5References
 6External links
Traditional arts[edit]
Main article: Korean art
Dance[edit]
Main article: Korean dance

Jinju geommu
Music, there is a distinction between court dance and folk dance. Common court dances
are jeongjaemu (정재무) performed at banquets, and ilmu (일무), performed at Korean Confucian
rituals. Jeongjaemu is divided into native dances (향악정재, hyangak jeongjae) and forms imported
from Central Asia and China (당악정재, dangak jeongjae). Ilmu are divided into civil dance (문
무,munmu) and military dance (무무, mumu). Many mask dramas and mask dances are performed
[7]
in many regional areas of Korea. The traditional clothing is the genja, it is a special kind of dress
that women wear on festivals. It is pink with multiple symbols around the neck area.
Traditional choreography of court dances is reflected in many contemporary productions.
Taekkyeon, a traditional Korean martial art, is central to the classic Korean dance. Taekkyeon, being
a complete system of integrated movement, found its core techniques adaptable to mask, dance and
other traditional artforms of Korea.
Painting[edit]
Main article: Korean painting

Korean horseback archery in the fifth century

The earliest paintings found on the Korean peninsula are petroglyphs of prehistoric times. With the
arrival of Buddhism from China, different techniques were introduced. These techniques quickly
established themselves as the mainstream techniques, but indigenous techniques still survived.
There is a tendency towards naturalism with subjects such as realistic landscapes, flowers and birds
being particularly popular. Ink is the most common material used, and it is painted on mulberry paper
or silk.
In the 18th century indigenous techniques were advanced, particularly in calligraphy and seal
engraving.
Arts are both influenced by tradition and realism. For example, Han’s near-photographic "Break Time
at the Ironworks" shows muscular men dripping with sweat and drinking water from tin cups at a
sweltering foundry. Jeong Son’s "Peak Chonnyo of Mount Kumgang" is a classical Korean
[8]
landscape of towering cliffs shrouded by mists.

Crafts[edit]
Blue and White Porcelain Peach-Shaped Water Dropper
from the Joseon Dynasty 18th century
Lacquer drawer with mother-of-pearl inlay, at
the National Museum of Korea in Seoul
There is a unique set of handicrafts produced in Korea. Most of the handicrafts are created for a
particular everyday use, often giving priority to the practical use rather than aesthetics. Traditionally,
metal, wood, fabric, lacquerware, and earthenware were the main materials used, but later glass,
leather or paper have sporadically been used.
Ancient handicrafts, such as red and black pottery, share similarities with pottery of Chinese cultures
along the Yellow River. The relics found of the Bronze Age, however, are distinctive and more
elaborate.
Many sophisticated and elaborate handicrafts have been excavated, including gilt crowns, patterned
pottery, pots or ornaments. During theGoryeo period the use of bronze was advanced. Brass, that
is copper with one third zinc, has been a particularly popular material. The dynasty, however, is most
prominently renowned for its use of celadon ware.
During the Joseon period, popular handicrafts were made of porcelain and decorated with blue
painting. Woodcraft was also advanced during that period. This led to more sophisticated pieces of
furniture, including wardrobes, chests, tables or drawers.
Ceramics[edit]
Main articles: Korean pottery and porcelain and Celadon

A celadon incense burner from the Goryeo Dynasty with

Korean kingfisher glaze
The use of earthenware on the Korean peninsula goes back to the Neolithic. The history of Korean
Ceramics is long and includes both Korean pottery a later development after the traditional use of
coils and hammered clay to create early votive and sculptural artifacts. During the Three Kingdoms
period, pottery was advanced in Silla. The pottery was fired using a deoxidizing flame, which caused
the distinctive blue grey celadon color. The surface was embossed with various geometrical
patterns.
In the Goryeo period jade green celadon ware became more popular. In the 12th century
sophisticated methods of inlaying were invented, allowing more elaborate decorations in different
colours. In Arts of Korea, Evelyn McCune states, "During the twelfth century, the production of
ceramic ware reached its highest refinement. Several new varieties appeared simultaneously in the
quarter of a century, one of which, the inlaid ware must be considered a Korean
[9]
invention." Neither the Chinese nor the Japanese had produced inlaid celadon, which was unique
to Goryeo wares. William Bowyer Honey of the Victoria and Albert Museum of England, who after
World War II wrote, "The best Corean (Korean) wares were not only original, they are the most
gracious and unaffected pottery ever made. They have every virtue that pottery can have. This
[10]
Corean pottery, in fact, reached heights hardly attained even by the Chinese."
White porcelain became popular in the 15th century. It soon overtook celadon ware. White porcelain
was commonly painted or decorated with copper.
During the Imjin wars in the 16th century, Korean potters were brought back to Japan where they
[11]
heavily influenced Japanese ceramics. Many Japanese pottery families today can trace their art
and ancestry to these Korean potters whom the Japanese captured by the thousands during its
[12][13][14]
repeated conquests of the Korean peninsula.
In the late Joseon period (late 17th century) blue-and-white porcelain became popular. Designs were
painted in cobalt blue on white porcelain.
Music[edit]
Main article: Music of Korea

Pungmul
There is a genre distinction between folk music and court music. Korean folk music is varied and
complex, but all forms maintain a set of rhythms (called 장단; Jangdan) and a loosely defined set of
melodic modes. Korean folk musics are Pansori (판소리) performed by one singer and one
drummer. Occasionally, there might be dancers and narraters. They have been designated an
[15]
intangible cultural property inUNESCO's Memory of the world, and Pungmul (풍물) performed by
drumming, dancing and singing. Samul Nori is a type of Korean traditional music based on Pungmul,
and Sanjo (산조) that is played without a pause in faster tempos. Nongak (농악) means "farmers'
music".
Korean court music can be traced to the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty in 1392. Korean court
musics include A-ak, Dang-ak andHyang-ak. Korean music is still played and sung a lot.

Lifestyle[edit]
Homes[edit]
Main article: Korean architecture
Traditional house, hanok (한옥)

Traditional farmer's house; Folk Village, Seoul

Korean traditional houses are called Hanok (Hangul:한옥). Sites of residence are traditionally
selected using traditional geomancy. Although geomancy had been a vital part of Korean culture
and Korean Shamanism since prehistoric times, geomancy was later re-introduced by China during
the Three Kingdoms period of Korea's history.
A house should be built against a hill and face south to receive as much sunlight as possible. This
orientation is still preferred in modern Korea. Geomancy also influences the shape of the building,
the direction it faces and the material it is built of.
Traditional Korean houses can be structured into an inner wing (안채, anchae) and an outer wing (사
랑채, sarangchae). The individual layout largely depends on the region and the wealth of the family.
Whereas aristocrats used the outer wing for receptions, poorer people kept cattle in the sarangchae.
The wealthier a family, the larger the house. However, it was forbidden to any family except for the
king to have a residence of more than 99 kan. A kan is the distance between two pillars used in
traditional houses.
The inner wing normally consisted of a living room, a kitchen and a wooden-floored central hall.
More rooms may be attached to this. Poorer farmers would not have any outer wing. Floor heating
(온돌, ondol) has been used in Korea since prehistoric times. The main building materials
are wood, clay, tile, stone, and thatch. Because wood and clay were the most common materials
used in the past not many old buildings have survived into present times.
Gardens[edit]
Hyangwonjeong, a garden inGyeongbokgung, Seoul
The principles of temple gardens and private gardens are the same. Korean gardening in East
Asia is influenced by primarily Korean Shamanism and Korean folk religion. Shamanism emphasizes
nature and mystery, paying great attention to the details of the layout. In contrast to Japanese and
Chinese gardens, which fill a garden with man made elements, traditional Korean gardens avoid
artificialities, trying to make a garden "more natural than nature".
The lotus pond is an important feature in the Korean garden. If there is a natural stream, often a
pavilion is built next to it, allowing the pleasure of watching the water. Terraced flower beds are a
common feature in traditional Korean gardens.
The Poseokjeong site near Gyeongju was built in the Silla period. It highlights the importance of
water in traditional Korean gardens. The garden of Poseokjeong features an abalone-shaped
watercourse. During the last days of the Silla kingdom, the king's guests would sit along the
watercourse and chat while wine cups were floated during banquets.
Clothing[edit]
Main article: Hanbok
See also: List of Korean clothing

Hanbok

Hwarot, bridal robe

Bride's Robe (Hwalot), 19th century,Brooklyn Museum
The traditional dress known as hanbok (한복, 韓服) (known as joseonot [조선옷] in the DPRK) has
been worn since ancient times. The hanbok consists of a shirt (jeogori) and a skirt (chima).
According to social status, Koreans used to dress differently, making clothing an important mark of
social rank. Impressive, but sometimes cumbersome, costumes were worn by the ruling class and
the royal family. These upper classes also used jewellery to distance themselves from the ordinary
people. A traditional item of jewellery for women was a pendant in the shape of certain
[which?]
elements of nature which was made of precious gemstones, to which a tassel of silk was
connected.
Common people were often restricted to undyed plain clothes. This everyday dress underwent
relatively few changes during the Joseon period. The basic everyday dress was shared by everyone,
but distinctions were drawn in official and ceremonial clothes.
During the winter people wore cotton-wadded dresses. Fur was also common. Because ordinary
people normally wore pure white undyed materials, the people were sometimes referred to as
the white-clad people.
Hanbok are classified according to their purposes: everyday dress, ceremonial dress and special
dress. Ceremonial dresses are worn on formal occasions, including a child's first birthday (doljanchi),
a wedding or a funeral. Special dresses are made for purposes such as shamans, officials.
Today the hanbok is still worn during formal occasions. The everyday use of the dress, however, has
been lost. However, elderly still dress in hanbok as well as active estates of the remnant of
aristocratic families from the Joseon Dynasty. Though this may be changing with something of a
[16]
modern interest in the traditional dress among some of the young.

Cuisine[edit]
Main article: Korean cuisine

Bibimbap
Rice is the staple food of Korea. Having been an almost exclusively agricultural country until
recently, the essential recipes in Korea are shaped by this experience. The main crops in Korea are
rice, barley, beans and Gochujang (hot pepper paste), but many supplementary crops are
used. Fish and other seafood are also important because Korea is a peninsula.
Fermented recipes were also developed in early times, and often characterize traditional Korean
food. These include pickled fish and pickled vegetables. This kind of food provides
essential proteins and vitamins during the winter.
A number of dishes have been developed. These can be divided into ceremonial foods and ritual
foods. Ceremonial foods are used when a child reaches 100 days, at the first birthday, at a wedding
ceremony, and the sixtieth birthday. Ritual foods are used at funerals, at ancestral rites, shaman's
offerings and as temple food.
A distinguishing characteristic of Temple Food is that it does not use the common five strong-
flavoured ingredients of Korean cuisine--(garlic, spring onion, wild rocambole, leek, and ginger), and
meat.
Kimchi is one of the famous foods of Korea. Kimchi is pickled vegetables which contain vitamins A
and C, thiamine, riboflavin, iron, calcium, carotene, etc. There are many types of kimchi including
cabbage kimchi, spring onion kimchi, cucumber kimchi, radish kimchi, and sesame kimchi.
For ceremonies and rituals rice cakes are vital. The colouring of the food and the ingredients of the
recipes are matched with a balance of yin and yang.
Today, surasang (traditional court cuisine) is available to the whole population. In the past vegetable
dishes were essential, but meat consumption has increased. Traditional dishes
include ssambap, bulgogi, sinseollo, kimchi, bibimbap, and gujeolpan.
Tea[edit]
Main article: Korean tea
Originally tea was used for ceremonial purposes or as part of traditional herbal medicine. Some of
teas made of fruits, leaves, seeds or roots are enjoyed. Five tastes of tea are distinguished in Korea:
sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent.
Festivals of the lunar calendar[edit]
Main article: Korean calendar

Daeboreum
[17]
The traditional Korean calendar was based on the lunisolar calendar. Dates are calculated from
Korea's meridian. Observances and festivals are rooted in Korean culture. The Korean lunar
calendar is divided into 24 turning points (절기, jeolgi), each lasting about 15 days. The lunar
calendar was the timetable for the agrarian society in the past, but is vanishing in the modern
Korean lifestyle.
The Gregorian calendar was officially adopted in 1895, but traditional holidays and age
[17][18]
reckoning are still based on the old calendar. Older generations still celebrate their birthdays
according to the lunar calendar.
The biggest festival in Korea today is Seollal (the traditional Korean New Year). Other important
festivals include Daeboreum (the first full moon), Dano (spring festival), and Chuseok (harvest
festival).
There are also a number of regional festivals, celebrated according to the lunar calendar. See
also Public holidays in North Korea and Public holidays in South Korea.
Beliefs[edit]
Main articles: Korean shamanism, Korean Buddhism, and Korean Confucianism

Haeinsa
The original religion of the Korean people was Shamanism, which though not as widespread as in
ancient times, still survives to this day. Female shamans or mudang are often called upon to enlist
the help of various spirits to achieve various means.
Buddhism and Confucianism were later introduced to Korea through cultural exchanges with
Chinese dynasties. Buddhism was the official religion of the Goryeo dynasty, and many privileges
were given to Buddhist monks during this period. However, the Joseon period saw the suppression
of Buddhism, where Buddhist monks and temples were banned from the cities and confined to the
countryside. In its place a strict form of Confucianism, which some see as even more strict than what
[19]
had ever been adopted by the Chinese, became the official philosophy. Korean
Confucianism was epitomized by theseonbi class, scholars who passed up positions of wealth and
power to lead lives of study and integrity.
Throughout Korean history and culture, regardless of separation, the traditional beliefs of Korean
Shamanism, Mahayana Buddhism and Confucianism have remained an underlying influence of the
[20]
religion of the Korean people as well as a vital aspect of their culture. In fact, all these traditions
[21][22]
coexisted peacefully for hundreds of years. They still exist in the more Christian South
[23] [24][25]
and in the North, despite pressure from its government.

World Heritage Sites[edit]

There are a number of designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Korea.
Jongmyo Shrine[edit]
Main article: Jongmyo
The Jongmyo Shrine was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1995 and is located in
Seoul. The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of the ancestors of the royal family of the Joseon
Dynasty. It is heavily influenced by Korean Confucian tradition. An elaborate performance of
ancient court music (with accompanying dance) known as Jongmyo jeryeak is performed there each
year.
When it was built in 1394 it was to be one of the longest buildings in Asia. There are 19 memorial
tablets of kings and 30 of their queens, placed in 19 chambers. The shrine was burnt to the ground
during the Imjin wars, but rebuilt in 1608.
Changdeokgung[edit]
Main article: Changdeokgung
Changdeokgung is also known as the "palace of illustrious virtue". It was built in 1405, burnt to the
ground during the Imjin wars in 1592 and reconstructed in 1609. For more than 300 years
Changdeokgung was the site of the royal seat. It is located in Seoul.
The surroundings and the palace itself are well matched. Some of the trees behind the palace are
now over 300 years old, besides a preserved tree which is over 1000 years old. Changdeokgung
was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997.
Bulguksa[edit]
Main article: Bulguksa

Seokguram Grotto
Bulguksa is also known as the temple of the Buddha Land and home of the Seokguram Grotto. The
temple was constructed in 751 and consists of a great number of halls. There are two pagodas
placed in the temple.
The Seokguram grotto is a hermitage of the Bulguksa temple. It is a granite sanctuary. In the main
chamber a Buddha statue is seated. The temple and the grotto were added to the UNESCO World
Heritage list in 1995.
Tripitaka Koreana and Haeinsa[edit]
Main article: Haeinsa
See also: Tripitaka Koreana
Haeinsa is a large temple in the South Gyeongsang province. It was originally built in 802 and home
[26]
to the Tripitaka Koreana wood blocks, the oldest Buddhist wooden manuscripts in the world. The
carving of these wood blocks was initiated in 1236 and completed in 1251. The wood blocks are
testimony to the pious devotion of king and his people.
The word Tripitaka is Sanskrit and stands for three baskets, referring to the Buddhist laws of
aesthetics. The Tripitaka Koreanaconsists of 81'258 wood blocks and is the largest, oldest, and most
complete collection of Buddhist scripts. Amazingly there is no trace of errata or omission on any of
the wood blocks. The Tripitaka Koreana is widely considered as the most beautiful and
accurate Buddhist canon carved in Hanja.
The site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995.
Hwaseong[edit]
Main article: Hwaseong Fortress
See also: Korean fortress

A frontal view of the west gate and watch tower

Hwaseong is the fortification of the city Suwon south of Seoul in South Korea. Its construction was
completed in 1796 and it features all the latest features of Korean fortification known at the time. The
fortress also contains a magnificent palace used for the King's visit to his father's tomb near the city.
The fortress covers both flat land and hilly terrain, something rarely seen in East Asia. The walls are
5.52 kilometres long and there are 41 extant facilities along the perimeter. These include four
cardinal gates, a floodgate, four secret gates and a beacon tower.
Hwaseong was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997.
Namhansanseong[edit]
Main article: Namhansanseong
See also: Korean fortress
[27]
Namhansanseong became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.
Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong[edit]
Main article: Kaesong
[28]
The Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.

Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa sites[edit]

Main article: Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
The sites of Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage in
2000. These sites are home to prehistoric graveyards which contain hundreds of different megaliths.
These megaliths are gravestones which were created in the 1st century B.C. out of large blocks
of rock. Megaliths can be found around the globe, but nowhere in such a concentration as in the
sites of Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa.
Gyeongju Area[edit]
Main article: Gyeongju Historic Areas
The historic area around Gyeongju was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage in 2000.
Gyongju was the capital of the Silla kingdom. The tombs of the Silla rulers can still be found in the
centre of the city. These tombs took the shape of rock chambers buried in an earthen hill, sometimes
likened with the pyramids. The area around Gyeongju, in particular on the Namsan mountain, is
scattered with hundreds of remains from the Silla period. Poseokjeong is one of the most famous of
these sites, but there is a great number of Korean Buddhist art, sculptures, reliefs, pagodas and
remains of temples and palaces mostly built in the 7th and 10th century.
Complex of Goguryeo Tombs[edit]
Main article: Complex of Goguryeo Tombs
The Complex of Goguryeo Tombs lies in Pyongyang, Pyong'an South Province, and Nampo City,
South Hwanghae Province, North Korea. In July 2004 it became the firstUNESCO World
Heritage site north of the 38th parallel.
The site consists of 63 individual tombs from the later Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of
Korea. It was founded around northern Korea and Manchuria around 32 BC, and the capital was
moved to Pyongyang in 427. This kingdom dominated the region between the 5th and 7th century
AD.
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty[edit]
Main article: Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong[edit]
Main articles: Hahoe Folk Village and Yangdong Folk Village
Korean Customs and
Beliefs
written by: Tarun Goel • edited by: Elizabeth Stannard
Gromisch • updated: 4/20/2015
Although the Korean state is divided into two
different countries, traditional culture and customs
are shared by both the countries. Music, dance,
painting, literature and crafts are important parts
of the Korean culture. The customs of the Korean
people are discussed in detail in this article.
 Korea – Divided by Boundaries,

United by Culture
Until 1948, Korea was a single country on the world
map but political unrest resulted in a division of the
region into two countries with different political
ideologies. However, culture and traditional values
of the region still bind these two countries with
each other. The Korean language is spoken in both
the countries and a similar family system is
followed in both countries. Globalization has made
certain changes to the family patterns and social
structure, predominantly in South Korea because of
its flexible policies, which is not the case with North
Korean politics. As good and old habits die hard,
both the Korean countries are still deeply rooted in
their culture and traditions. Influenced by the
philosophical brilliance of Confucius, Koreans
believe in family, community and society, unlike
western ideology of individualism.

 A Korean Family
Family is the most important part of Korean society
and they lead a family oriented life where the
father is the head of the family. Families following
Confucius and his teachings firmly believe that the
father must take care of the health, shelter, food
and marriage of his family members. Hierarchical
structure is evident in a conventional Korean
family. The eldest son will help his father in all the
family matters, must obey his father and follow his
decisions. The old school says that womenfolk
must not indulge in decision making and only
males must handle the external affairs. However,
this thinking pattern is changing with time as more
and more women are emerging as leaders,
business executives and teachers. Individual
dreams and needs are secondary and family
welfare is the first and foremost goal of every
family member. Confucius and his teachings have a
deep impact on Koreans and that's why they
believe in duty, loyalty, honor and sincerity.

 Korean Beliefs and Practices

Koreans believe in sincerity and following protocols
while meeting, eating, praying or even celebrating
is very important. Let us have a look at different
Korean etiquette in this section of the article.

Bowing is equivalent to the handshake in Korean

culture. Bowing means showing gratitude and
respect to the person you are meeting with. The
younger generations have blended the western
culture with their native culture by shaking hands
after bowing to each other.
Gifts have remained an integral part of their
culture; however, gifts are always given according
to the capacity and affordability of the other person
because Koreans firmly believe in reciprocating.
The quantity or numbers also add value to your
gifts; seven is considered as a lucky number so
anything in multiples of seven will be accepted
heartily. However, they avoid giving anything that
falls in the multiple value of four because Koreans
consider four as an unlucky number. Red, yellow
and pink colors denote happiness and prosperity in
the Korean culture. The use of white, black or green
colors for wrapping is offensive and must be
avoided.

Korean food and drinks add flavor to their

traditional lifestyle and rice malt served
withkimchi is their specialty. Cold
noodles, bibimbap, bulgogi and dakgalbi are some
of the world famous Korean dishes. However,
dining and eating means following a strict protocol.
No indoor farewells, the removal of shoes before
entering the house or dining room, and most
importantly, only male hosts will serve the drinks.
Buddhism is the main religion in Korea and its
teachings reflect in Korean lifestyle, culture and
arts. Numerous Buddhist statues, monuments and
temples have been included in the National
Treasure and Monument list by the
government. Yungdrung is major symbol of Korean
Buddhism and it can be seen outside temples and
religious places in Korea.
Korean culture is incomplete without pottery and
ceramics. Pottery is Korea's cultural emblem and it
started thousands of years ago. Today, celadon, a
Korean blue-glazed pottery, is famous all over the
world. This pottery style was passed on to the
Japanese by the Koreans.
A Korean marriage does not mean the union of
two individuals only, but also the unification of two
families and two different lifestyles. Matchmaking
with the help of matchmakers (Eui Hon), wedding
parade on a pony, bowing to the members of
family (Gyobaerye), couple drinking from the same
cup (Hapgeunrye) and bridal procession (Wugwi)
are major rituals of a traditional Korean marriage.

Traditional clothes are the pride of the Korean

people. Hanbok is the name given to traditional
Korean attire. It is worn in marriage ceremonies,
family functions and traditional festivals. It is also
the official government and national dress in Korea.
People of all ages wear it with pride because it is
one of the emblems of their cultural identity.
Knowing and understanding these customs is
important because while visiting the country, you
must abide to their rules and customs; otherwise,
you might end up in an embarrassing situation
because western practices and customs are totally
different from the customs of the Korean people.

Korean Culture

Korean culture is very interesting and full of

wonderful traditions. It is a magical place where you
find both perfect peace and harmony, but
unfortunately wars and tragedies as well. Korean
culture rarely falls short of amazing. Use the table
below to quickly jump to the section you are
interested in.

Geography Language Major Cities Traditional Korea

Religion Holidays Education People

Geography

Korea is a small penninsula on the far East side of

Asia. It is between China and Japan. It is connected
to mainland Asia in the North. It is separated from
China and Russia by the Yalu River and the Tuman
River. Between Korea and Japan is the East Sea. To
the West between Korea and China is the Yellow
Sea. The size of Korea is roughly 1,000 kilometers in
length.

Korea is a divided country. At the End of World War

II in 1948, Korea was divided at the 38th parallel.
This resulted in North Korea and South Korea. North
Korea became communist, while South Korea did
not. (This was based on the deal at the end of the
War, dividing the country in two just as Germany had
been). North Korea is also known as the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea, and South Korea is also
known as the Republic of Korea. South Korea, or the
Republic of North Korea is slightly larger in physical
size, while South Korea's population size is about
twice as large as North Korea's population size. The
fact that this division occurred has left both North
and South Korea on the bridge of war.
Language

The Korean language is shared between both North

and South Korea and is part of the Altaic language
family. There are various dialects but the language is
generally understood everywhere. 65 million people
speak the Language, with 45 million speaking it in
South Korea. The language is considered one of the
best and most well planned languages in history.
Hangul is the Korean name of the language. The
alphabet was created by King Sejong in 1446. The
alphabet is extremely easy tolearn, which gives
Korea one of the highest literacy rates in the World.
I once heard this childrens story about the language.

Story of the Language

You can also read up - in more detail, about the

history of the language below.
Hangul on Wikipedia

Many Koreans also study English. It is taught from

very early on in school. Many signs will be in both
Korean and English. If you visit Korea, do not be
worried if you do not know much of the language.
You will learn what you need quickly and many
Koreans will be able to speak some English.
Major Cities

Seoul is the capital and most important city of South

Korea. It is very city-like and could be compared to
New York City. There is plenty to do there, especially
at night. Shopping stands are open during the night
and it isn't a quiet place at night either! There is
always something to do anytime of the day.
For more information on Seoul, click here.
There are also five other major cities; Pusan,
Inchon, Kwangju, Taejon, and Taegu. Seoul is a
highly populated city with 11 million people. Within a
very small area near Seoul and surrounding cities,
there is approximately 20 million people.
Traditional Korean Society

Although South Korea is modernizing extremely fast,

it still holds on to many traditional values and the old
way of life. Where there are not highly populated
cities, there are rural area's which are still relatively
poor, and still follow traditional ways of life. In cities,
millions of people live in apartments, but in the rural
area's you will find traditional housing. Also, even
though the cities are headed toward very modern
times, people still hold onto some traditional values.
One thing that guarantee's this is the language. The
language has traditional values of social status and
respect built directly into it. Words change
depending on who you are speaking with. This will
keep traditional values always present.

Religion
Buddhism

Buddhism is one of the older religions in South

Korea. It comes from the Mahayana branch of
Buddhism, similar to China and Japan. It's influence
in society has declined recently, but there are still
many Korean's that practice Buddhism. The pictures
above are of various temples that followers will visit.

Christianity

Christianity has become more and more popular in

recent years in South Korea. Christianity was
introduced to Korea by the Jesuits in China.
Catholics spread very quickly, but were persecuted
by the King who perceived it as a threat. Protestants
began to enter Korea in the late 19th century. Some
of the world's largest churches will be found in
Korea.

Holidays
Korean New Years

There are actually two Korean New Years. This is

because Koreans go by two calenders; one being
the same people use in the West, and the other
being the lunar calender.
The Korean New Years based on the Western
calender is similar to our New Years in the United
States. It is a big national holiday in Korea as well,
and occurs on January 1st just like it does here.
During this holiday, many relatives get together to
share time together and talk. In Korea, there are
some old traditions that some people will still follow.
One is to visit the oldest member of the family and
bow toward them to show respect and to wish them
a long life (this would occur on New Years Eve). The
following day on January 1st people will pay respect
to ancestors by offering food and wine. This
ceremony is called Jaesa. At the beginning of the
ceremony, the names of the ancestors are pinned to
a board. The oldest family members bows and offers
the wine to the ancestors who have passed away.
Then, the names are burned. Later in the day,
relatives talk about old times and eat food. The
traditional food usually eaten on New Years Day is
Duk Gook, a type of soup. Kimchi is always present.
The other New Years Day is the Lunar New Years. It
is usually around February. People wear the
traditional clothes called Hanbok. It also is a day
relatives may get together. People will exchange
gifts, and the children will definitely be happy
because they are usually given money on Lunar
New Years. Sometimes the Lunar New Years and
the Solar New Years are pretty common and involve
similar traditions. The main idea behind it all is to
wish everyone a happy new year, good luck in the
new year, same as everywhere else in the world, as
well as pay respect to those who have passed away.
If you plan on visiting Korea during either of these
times, book ahead!
Independence Day

Similar to our July 4th Independence Day, the

Korean Independence Day represents when
Koreans declared themselves independent from
Japanese rule. It is on March 1st every year, and
began in 1919 when the declared themselves
independent from Japanese rule. Japan had taken
over Korea in 1910. For the next 9 years, Koreans
would live a hard life under Japanese control. Since
they declared independence, every year they
proudly stand for their independence from all foreign
rule, just as we do here in America on July 4th.
Chuseok

Chuseok is the same as our "harvest moon." It takes

place on the 15th day of the 8th month going by the
lunar calendar. It is a day where the full moon
appears larger and may look orange. This holiday is
celebrated in many asian countries.
Christmas

Since Christianity took hold in Korea, Christmas has

been a growing holiday there as well. It is a little
different than here in the west though. Many young
people will use Christmas as a day to go out and
party and then will spend New Years with their
family, which is just the opposite of many Western
families.
Children's Day

I just thought I would list this holiday because it is a

holiday that should be introduced everywhere! On
Children's Day, May 5th of every year, children are
given money for free and taken on outings.
Hangul Day

Hangul Day, also known as Hangul Proclamation

Day and Korean Alphabet Day, is on October 9th in
South Korea and January 15th in North Korea. It is
just a day to celebrate the creation of the language!
Valentines Day, White Day, and Black Day

All of these are related!

Valentines Day is on February 14th, as it is here. On

Valentines Day, girls will give chocolates and other
gifts to the guys. It is similar to our Valentines Day
but is more one-sided.
So, what should be done? White Day was created.
On White Day, one month later on March 14th, guys
will give more expensive chocolates and gifts to the
girls. These chocolates come in white boxes. This
way it isn't so one-sided!
But what about the people who feel left out on those
days because they have nobody to give chocolates
to? That is what Black Day is for! On Black Day,
another month later on April 14th, people who have
nobody all get together with their friends and eat
JaJang Noodles, which are black in color. It is not as
popular as Valentines Day and White Day, but it is
still celebrated by some people!
Education

Korean society places great importance on obtaining

a solid education, and as such everyone strives to
be as educated as possible. For the school system,
it consists of 6 years primary school, 3 in middle
school and high school, and 4 years at a college.
After that, there are post-graduate degrees just like
we have here in the US. Because education is of
such great importance, parents will try to get their
children into the best school possible. This leaves
some schools in Korea nearly impossible to get into
(i.e. similar to trying to get American kids into private
schools and ivy league schools, but even more
sought after). With the school system, it is somewhat
opposite of our system in the United States. In the
United States, it is fairly easy to make it through
High School but many people struggle in college. In
Korea, students work like crazy in high school trying
to get into a college. Colleges are much more
difficult to get into (And one other reason for this is
they aren't quite as abundant as they are in the US).
Once in college, life is a little easier, but students still
study more than the majority of students in America.
For Koreans, their whole early education is based
around getting into a good college. That is what the
parents want, and once you do that, parents will
be extremely happy.
Education in the English language has become quite
common in Korea in recent years. Students begin
studying English in elementary school and continue
for the rest of their education. Many educated
Koreans will know at least some English now, so do
not be worried if you visit Korea and only have
limited Korean knowledge :) You should be able to
find someone who can help you.
People

A few basic facts about Korean people. They are

generally known for their darker complexion and
high cheek bones. As a race, they can be extremely
nice as long as you treat them with respect.
However, just keep in mind that some cultural
differences are involved so you may consider what
they do as rude but they do not mean anything
personally by it, it is simply thousands of years of
tradition. One example of this may be with the older
Koreans. Everywhere older people are respected,
but in Korea they are highly respected. Sometimes
they may appear to be pushy or rude to you, but it
really is nothing personal :) Just a different place.
The people truly are nice and helpful. If you need
help and understand little Korean, they will help you.
They love when you want to learn the language and
will help you with that as well.
Some Koreans may still be stubborn and
independent (I mean no disrespect!). Some are still
very grouped (independent, but grouped.) What I
mean is it hasn't been long since Korean's came out
of the whole dynasty deal. You may find a lot of
generalizations about each 'dynasty', such as the
Lee Dynasty, Park, Kim, etc...and most of them are
true! There are distinct characteristics that hold true,
so older Koreans will ask a lot of questions about
family backround.
If you travel there, you may get looks and feel
awkward sometimes, but this is only natural because
most people there are Koreans and asians, so any
other race may stand out. That is nothing personal
either :) I promise! You really should go sometime
and enjoy it! It will definitely be worth the visit.

One common fact that many people never

understand properly deals with birthdays. If you
speak to an Asian online, you may get confused
when discussing ages and what grade in school and
everything. This is because birthdays are a little
different. Korean people will generally have an age
of 1-2 years older than someone elsewhere who
was born in the same year. When a Korean is born,
they are automatically considered one year old.
Many Koreans then consider themselves one year
older on January 1st.