Do you know 'Yushukan'? This column is supposed to mainly deal with cultural topics, traditional and modern heritage. However, the last one in May was an exception because it was about an episode in which former chancellor of Germany reprimanded Japan and advised it to be..
Chancellor Schmidt scolds Japan In May, 1995, former President Roh Tae-woo attended the Inter-Action Council Meeting in Tokyo. His 5-year term ended in February, 1993, and he was ready to play a visible role, as the first former Korean president, in this international arena of re..
The Koreans are coming, again "The Koreans Are Coming" was the headline on the cover of the June 6, 1977 issue of Newsweek magazine.
Constancy and change in tradition In early April, some 20 artisans of traditional Korean crafts will board a plane for Italy. Many of them are holders of the government's Intangible Cultural Heritage title. Most have spent their lives doing the same old-fashioned handicrafts inc..
A true story of 'hanok' Foreigners often praise traditional Korean houses or hanok. Long-time residents here sometimes rue the disappearing of old ``things Korean villages, thatched roofs, Korean costumes, good old habits and caring relationship among people. Yes,..
In defense of accordions In retrospect, I have kept on doing some things just for my own fun throughout my career, even if in secret.
Intelligence test for leadership This years presidential election, like the many previous ones, will be remembered for its many unprecedented phenomena. On Feb. 25, 2013, when the new president gets down to business after her inauguration ceremony, I hope to see a totally new ch..
Two very special exhibitions Here are two impressive episodes I recently heard about two men who helped bring Korean cultural treasures home from China and Japan, resulting in them now being on display in special exhibitions.
Live or experience a life? Recently I stayed one night at Seongyojang Manor the best remaining example of a hanok house that once belonged to a family of nobility during the Joseon Kingdom.
Where is tradition? What comes to your mind when you hear the term Korean traditions? What are the keywords of traditional Korean culture? As we are celebrating the traditional thanksgiving holidays of Chuseok, these questions come to my mind once again.
Restoring piece of Korean Empire Although I never studied at Harvard, I heard many years ago that every Harvard student learns two simple but useful questions among other things.
Serious turn for hallyu 3.0 We know that the recent media buzz about ``Korean culture conquering Europe through a few young Korean pop groups is quite an exaggeration.
'Matjip' — gourmets eateries Among the incredible diversity of traditional Korean cuisine, I am particularly amazed at the variety and sophistication of rice cakes (tteok) and noodles.
Joseon folk arts champions While Koreans had the talented hands to create remarkable artifacts, it was the Japanese who had the eyes to appreciate their value.
Stories to tell about cultural heritage Several years ago, while traveling in the United Kingdom, I had the opportunity to test a long-held question of mine. Depending on the interpreter, how differently can cultural heritage be interpreted? While at a castle in Cardiff, Wales, I decided..
Hallyu and mutual respect It was truly an accident. I was listening to a speaker talk about hallyu, the Korean cultural wave thats making its way around the world.
Music for Korean unification When people first meet the easiest and surest way to lay the foundations for warm mutual understanding is sharing a nice meal. The same is true in diplomacy.
