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Opinion

Blogs

Tue, March 9, 2021 | 01:25

Wary tale about the use of straw

Wary tale about the use of straw

A little over a century ago, straw was an invaluable material on the peninsula. It was used to cover houses and make bags, mats, clothing (especially shoes and hats) and funeral shrouds, and to ward off evil spirits in the forms of dolls and sieves - especially around the Lunar New Year.

2021-03-07 09:04

Unflattering views of Fusan in 1917

Unflattering views of Fusan in 1917

Ray Jerome Baker, an American photographer and lecturer, traveled to Japan and Korea in the summer of 1917. After a short stay in Japan, he traveled by train from Kobe to Shimonoseki where he caught the steamer/ferry bound for Fusan (modern Busan) - it was his intention to catch the train in Fusan and take it to Seoul and then travel on to China.

2021-03-06 09:28

Daeboreum's lesser-known traditions

Daeboreum's lesser-known traditions

There are many traditions associated with Daeboreum including walking the bridges so that your legs will remain healthy, eating nuts to make your teeth healthy and prevent skin diseases, kite and stone battles - tests of manhood and village pride - and even the act of kindness by not feeding your dog so that it won't be bothered by flies during the summer. These are relativel...

2021-02-28 10:13

Daeboreum of 1887: Saving the moon

Daeboreum of 1887: Saving the moon

Daeboreum of 1887: Saving the moon

On the evening of Feb. 8, 1887, Seoul was awash with excitement. It was Daeboreum, the first full moon of the lunar year, and the citizens of Joseon's largest city and capital were busy with their holiday preparations. This year's was not a normal Daeboreum, for it was also the night of a partial lunar eclipse and, according to Homer Hulbert - one of the earliest American Eng...

2021-02-27 09:35

Daeboreum's lesser-known traditions

Kim In-sik: The Pyongyang Incident of 1898

Kim In-sik: The Pyongyang Incident of 1898

Joseon officials in the late 19th century were often described by Westerners (and probably a lot of Koreans) as corrupt, ill-mannered and cruel. There was a great deal of tension between these officials - often due to politics, but money was also a cause for contention - and it wasn't uncommon for them to use Machiavellian-maneuvers to advance their own positions and do away ...

2021-02-21 09:12

Lee Sueng-euk: The Secret Royal Inspector

Lee Sueng-euk: The Secret Royal Inspector

In early 1897, eight young men quietly left Seoul on a secret mission for the king. These men were Amhaeng-eosa (Secret Royal Inspectors) and had been dispatched “to different provinces to look after the condition of the people and to administer justice to immoral classes.” As their name implies, they traveled in secret (sometimes in disguise) until they arrived at their targ...

2021-02-20 09:40

Clair B. Woodford: Whitley County miner in 19th Century Korea : Part 2

Clair B. Woodford: Whitley County miner in 19th Century Korea : Part 2

Life at the Oriental Consolidated Mining Company's [OCMC] gold mining camps in northern Korea could be extremely difficult - especially for families. It was an isolated region with little interaction with the outside world leaving the mining community no other option but to entertain itself.

2021-02-14 09:40

Clair B. Woodford Whitley County miner in 19th Century Korea : Part 1

Clair B. Woodford Whitley County miner in 19th Century Korea : Part 1

Clair B. Woodford Whitley County miner in 19th Century Korea : Part 1

On January 17, 1901, a group of young men from Whitley County, Indiana began one of the greatest adventures of their lives - a three-year-contract as supervisors at the gold mines in northern Korea owned by Oriental Consolidated Mining Company (OCMC). One of these men was Clair Byrum Woodford, a handsome youth with blue eyes and brown hair.

2021-02-13 14:30

Clair B. Woodford: Whitley County miner in 19th Century Korea : Part 2

Age is just a number

Age is just a number

For many of us, birthdays are not a cause for celebration - in fact, they are something we try to forget. However, living in Korea, we are constantly reminded of our age as it plays such a vital role in social interactions. Depending on age, we speak to people in different manners and address them with different titles. It can also lead to some serious misunderstandings and h...

2021-02-07 09:18

America's first encounter with Joseon happened by chance

America's first encounter with Joseon happened by chance

On January 28, 1853, the residents of Busan were alarmed by the appearance of “a big foreign ship” - nearly 40 meters long with two decks and three masts. Hanging from one of the masts was a strange red, white and blue flag - it was one that had never been seen before by the Koreans.

2021-02-06 11:56

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