LEARNING KOREA

July 17 - (제헌절) Korean Constitution Day “Jehunjul”...

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 23:03:14 -0400

July 17 - (제헌절) Korean Constitution Day

“Jehunjul” or Constitution Day in South Korea takes place on July 17 each year. It celebrates the exact day that the Korean Constitution was put in effect since 1948. The date was deliberately chosen to match the founding date of July 17 of the Joseon Dynasty.

The South Korean constitution lays out a basic framework for the Korean government and lists the basic freedoms of the people.

The main attraction during Constitution Day does not include any particular festivities, but citizens usually participate in marathons. They run the long distance race on the streets of South Korea as an indication of their solidarity and respect for this National holiday. A memorial service is also performed on July 17th of each year and it serves to profess the protection of the Korean Constitution in light of democracy.

In 2008, however, Constitution Day was officially taken away from the public sector as being a non-working day, following the restructure of laws regarding the public sector with a 40-hour work week. It is still a national holiday for commemoration.

Constitution Day was the day when South Korea and North Korea became divided. It is not a day that many individuals want to remember since they are being separated from their families who live in other parts of Korea.

This particular day is mostly a reminder of the political impact that was created due to South Korean government’s decision to become their own entity.

(Sources: KoreanClass101.com, Korean Language Blog, Ekke@flickr)

South Korea’s National Flower: 무궁화 (Mugunghwa) : Rose...

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 09:36:29 -0400

South Korea’s National Flower: 무궁화 (Mugunghwa) : Rose of Sharon

Rose of Sharon has been treated very important in South Korea for centuries. It is considered as a heavenly flower since ancient times. Mugunghwa is also attached to South Korea itself as referred by Chinese as ‘where Mungunghwa blooms.’ Mugunghwa is also mentioned in 애국가 (Aegookga) or ‘The Patriotic Song’:

무궁화 삼철리 화려 강산 (Mugunghwa samcheolli hwaryeo gangsan) - “Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of beautiful mountain and river land”

Since Mungunghwa has been very important in South Korean culture, it is officially considered as the national flower after the Japanese colonial rule.

South Korea’s Coat of Arms

Wed, 04 Jul 2012 09:07:50 -0400

South Korea’s Coat of Arms

Google Doodles for South Korea

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 05:52:42 -0400

Google Doodles for South Korea

Google Images: 자장면 (Jajangmyeon) - Black Bean Noodles

Tue, 29 May 2012 01:22:09 -0400

Google Images: 자장면 (Jajangmyeon) - Black Bean Noodles

기생 (Gisaeng) or Kisaeng, also called as 기녀 (ginyeo), were...

Mon, 28 May 2012 09:34:32 -0400

기생 (Gisaeng) or Kisaeng, also called as 기녀 (ginyeo), were Korean female entertainers or sometimes prostitutes. They are mostly considered as the Korean counterpart of Japanese geishas.

Kisaeng were artists mostly hired for the royal court but were spread throughout the country. Kisaeng write poems, play music, and also dance. They received intense training during their childhood from which they possibly inherited from their mother, or sold from a poor family. Despite their service, they had inferior status in the society.

One of the most popular Kisaengs is 황진이 (Hwang Jin Yi), known for her talent, wit, and exceptional beauty.

NOTE: Images are from random sources available through Google Images.

Gi-eokeun itjeodo shimjang-eun gi-eokhanda

Mon, 28 May 2012 01:03:58 -0400

Gi-eokeun itjeodo shimjang-eun gi-eokhanda

바닷가 (Badatga) : Beaches in South Korea ☻ 속초 - Sokcho ☻ 경포대...

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:34:48 -0400

바닷가 (Badatga) : Beaches in South Korea

☻ 속초 - Sokcho

☻ 경포대 - Gyeonpodae

☻ 낙산 - Naksan

☻ 구룡포 - Guryongpo

☻ 을왕니 - Eurwangni

☻ 대천 - Daecheon

☻ 무창포 - Muchangpo

☻ 변산 - Byeonsan

☻ 중문 - Jungmun

☻ 협재 - Hyeopjae

☻ 해운대 - Haeundae

☻ 상주 - Sangju

멜로디와 리듬

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:50:00 -0400

멜로디와 리듬:

멜로디와 리듬 : 한국어 노래 모음

Melody and Rhythm : A Korean Songs Collection

Do you listen to Korean Music? Follow this blog. ^^

얼짱 (Eoljjang) or Ulzzang literally means “best...

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:25:00 -0400

얼짱 (Eoljjang) or Ulzzang literally means “best face”. From the Korean words 얼굴 (Eolgool), which means “face”, and a slang term 짱, which means “best”, came the slang term for a popular culture called 얼짱 (Eoljjang).

Ulzzang is usually used as a noun referring to a person with a pretty face (male or female) that gained popularity through the internet and some contests. Ulzzang is also related to subculture with unique fashion statement and is now popularly known as Korean fashion or K-pop fashion. Many celebrities from the entertainment industries were ulzzangs.

P.S.

Sorry I forgot to leave credits to people who have these photos available through tumblr. Here they are:

taehoondaily

addicted-to-t-ara

fy-parkjiho

fuckyeahcoiismodels

ulzzzang

ulzzanglurve

mighty-ulzzang

asianorangepeel

orizuka

고마워요!

Google Images: 김치

Wed, 23 May 2012 11:16:07 -0400

Google Images: 김치

광역시 (Gwangyeokshi) : Metropolitan Cities ► 부산 (Busan) ► 대구...

Wed, 23 May 2012 03:07:15 -0400

광역시 (Gwangyeokshi) : Metropolitan Cities

► 부산 (Busan)

► 대구 (Daegu)

► 인천 (Incheon)

► 대전 (Daejeon)

► 광주 (Gwangju)

► 울산 (Ulsan)

Google Images: 한복

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:23:10 -0400

Google Images: 한복

애국가 (Aegookga) - The Patriotic Song : The South...

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:15:45 -0400

애국가 (Aegookga) - The Patriotic Song : The South Korea’s National Anthem

동해 물과 백두산이 마르고 닳도록
하느님이 보우하사 우리나라 만세

REFRAIN:

무궁화 삼천리 화려 강산
대한 사람 대한으로 길이 보전하세

남산 위에 저 소나무 철갑을 두른 듯
바람서리 불변함은 우리 기상일세

*REFRAIN

가을 하늘 공활한데 높고 구름 없이
밝은 달은 우리 가슴 일편단심일세

*REFRAIN

이 기상과 이 맘으로 충성을 다하여
괴로우나 즐거우나 나라 사랑하세

*REFRAIN

Until that day when
Mt. Baekdu’s worn away
and the East Sea’s waters run dry,
God (sky) protect and preserve our country!

REFRAIN:

Roses of Sharon and Three thousand Li
of splendid rivers and mountains full;
Great Korean people, To the Great Korean way
stay always true!

As the pine atop Namsan Peak stands firm,
unchanged through wind and frost,
as if wrapped in armour,
so shall our resilient spirit.

*REFRAIN

The Autumn skies are void and vast,
high and cloudless;
the bright moon is our heart,
undivided and true.

*REFRAIN

The Autumn skies are void and vast,
high and cloudless;
the bright moon is our heart,
undivided and true.

*REFRAIN

NOTE: DO NOT PLAY THIS SONG IN PUBLIC.

기분 (Gi-boon) or Kibun is an important factor to consider in...

Tue, 22 May 2012 03:08:50 -0400

기분 (Gi-boon) or Kibun is an important factor to consider in Korean culture when it comes to relationship. Kibun has no exact English translation. But it is mostly related to terms like pride, face, mood, mind, or feelings.

Kibun is one of the core values related to harmonious relationships. Hurting one’s kibun is similar to hurting one’s pride and losing dignity. Damaging kibun gives negative impact to one’s mental and physical health. And one way to avoid hurting one’s kibun is telling a ‘white lie.’ Also, one must have a good 눈치 (Noon-chi) to asses kibun.

The flag of South Korea, or Taegeukgi (also...

Tue, 22 May 2012 00:20:54 -0400

The flag of South Korea, or Taegeukgi (also spelled Taegukgi in convention) has three parts: a white background; a red and blue taegeuk in the center; and four black trigrams, one in each corner of the flag. These trigrams are carried over from the eight trigrams (Pal Gwae), which are of Chinese origin.

The general design of the flag also derives from traditional use of the tricolour symbol (red, blue and yellow) by Koreans starting from the early era of Korean history. The white background symbolizes “cleanliness of the people”. The Taegeuk represents the origin of all things in the universe; holding the two principles of yin and yang in perfect balance; the former being the negative aspect rendered in blue, and the latter as the positive aspect rendered in red. Together, they represent a continuous movement within infinity, the two merging as one.

Google Images: South Korea

Mon, 21 May 2012 23:23:56 -0400

Google Images: South Korea