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Wed, May 23, 2018 | 10:39

Culture > Korean Traditions > Did you know that ... >

(122) A king's flight: attempting Gojong's escape

According to Isabella Bird Bishop, an elderly Englishwoman who traveled extensively throughout Korea in the mid 1890s, “The year 1896 opened for Korea in a gloom as profound as that in which the previous year had closed.” She was referring to the ruthless assassination of the Korean queen by members of the Japanese legation and discontented Koreans in the previous October an...

Did you know that ... | 2013-02-22 16:55

(121) Curiosity of the cat

Up until the last decade or so, cats have been the pariahs of the pet community. Cats were often the subjects of abuse not only from young mischievous Korean boys who threw stones at them but also from the adults who viewed the cats as malignant spirits ? harbingers of evil, disease and death.

Did you know that ... | 2013-02-06 18:53

(120) The Great Joseon smokeout

In 1997, economic disaster roared through Asia spreading ruin and despair. One of its victims was Korea, which was forced to accept the assistance of the International Monetary Fund, a fact that is still somewhat bitterly remembered.

Did you know that ... | 2013-01-25 19:09

(119) The French defilement of the Han River

In the past, many people were extremely superstitious of natural events they could not explain at the time. Comets and solar and lunar eclipses were often viewed with apprehension and fear by the general Korean public.

Did you know that ... | 2013-01-18 19:32

(118) Korean chickens ― guardians from evil spirits and disease

Did you know that Korea’s humble chicken has a noble past? There are legends that chickens played a key role in the birth of some members of the royal families of the Kingdom of Silla (57 B.C. 935 A.D.). One king was said to have been born from a huge egg while another noble was found in a golden chest guarded by a chicken.

Did you know that ... | 2013-01-16 17:55

(117) Child kings

On July 25, 1849, King Heonjeong, Joseon’s 24th monarch, died. His death left the nation in a horrible state. Although he had ruled (in name) for some 15 years, he was only 21 at his death and had no heir to pass on the monarchy. There was only one option, for the Dowager Queen to adopt a distant relative and proclaim him king.

Did you know that ... | 2013-01-04 18:17

(116) Keeping demons at bay

If you are reading this then the feared prophesized apocalypse of Dec. 21, 2012, has quietly passed. Like many of these failed doomsday prophecies it will be remembered with some degree of amusement.

Did you know that ... | 2012-12-21 16:38

(115) Venery and the sin of transgression

Dr. Horace N. Allen, the first American missionary doctor in Korea, declared that “venery [was] greatly indulged in” throughout the country. He noted that the average Korean married at a very early age and plural marriages were the common rule. In addition there were concubines and a “class of 'dancing girl’ prostitutes.”

Did you know that ... | 2012-12-14 18:26

(114) Chinese criminals in Joseon (2)

William Franklin Sands, a young American employed first with the American legation in Seoul and later by the Korean government, described Jemulpo in the 1890s as “an unattractive entrance to a great adventure.” Jemulpo was filled with opportunities. Some Westerners were there in government service such as sailors and diplomats, some were there to convert the masses, while oth...

Did you know that ... | 2012-12-07 16:10

(113) Pearl Harbor and Korea

The Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese armed forces caught not only the American military by surprise but also the Western community in Seoul. It appears that in the morning hours of Dec. 8, Horace and Ethel Underwood were the first to learn of the attack. The previous evening they had celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and were up early listening to their...

Did you know that ... | 2012-12-05 19:09

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