Look for Answers to Your Curiosity in `Korean Culture Series

By Seo Dong-shin

Staff Reporter

Have you ever wondered why Koreans have a bowl of red bean porridge on `Dongji' or winter solstice? Or what those lying in a tomb from the 6-7th century Goguryeo Kingdom period might have wished for when they had mountainous landscapes painted on the tomb walls?

If you have, but could not find reliable answers from those around you, your search is over. There are now informative books that give accurate answers to such questions.

The Korea Foundation last month completed a series of publications explaining cultural traditions to foreigners with a string of English books. It is the first installment in the ``Korean Culture Series.'' Each book was written by an expert screened by the foundation's advisory committee, consisting of university professors with extensive knowledge in a particular area.

Beginning in May 2005 with the first in the series, ``Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea,'' the installment consists of nine books that were published by Hollym. The last two, published last month, were ``Buddhist Sculpture of Korea'' and ``Buddhist Architecture of Korea,'' respectively.

Questions regarding seasonal customs, for