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Korean Traditions

Sat, September 30, 2023 | 20:43

(63) The Unwanted Guest

(63) The Unwanted Guest

In the late 19th century it wasn’t uncommon for Westerners to encounter women — grandmothers and mothers — wandering the streets with small sick children on their backs.

2012-03-02 15:56

(63) Learning dishonesty

(63) Learning dishonesty

Many of the early Western visitors to Korea were impressed not only with the exoticness of the “Hermit Kingdom” but also with the average Korean’s honesty. One such man was William R. Carles, a member of the British diplomatic service.

2012-02-28 17:08

(62) Tooth and stone

(62) Tooth and stone

Many of the early Westerners to Korea during the late 19th and early 20th centuries had mixed impressions of Koreans. Described as a “fine and stalwart race of men” who were “tall and well formed” with a “physique infinitely superior to that of either the Chinese or Japanese” the Koreans were, nonetheless, looked down upon for their perceived unhygienic practices and outright...

2012-02-24 15:54

(61) A weighty issue

(61) A weighty issue

During the late 19th century it was considered a sign of good prosperity to be heavy. The heavier one was the more likely he or she had money. Judging from the size of many of the early Western visitors to Korea, it is easy to imagine that the average Korean was convinced all of these foreigners were filthy rich.

2012-02-21 16:03

(60) Ghouls, saints in Korea

(60) Ghouls, saints in Korea

During the turbulent period following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95), Joseon Korea was plagued with unrest and crime. Some of these crimes were quite bizarre

2012-02-17 18:24

Did you know that... (59) Monsters amongst us

Did you know that... (59) Monsters amongst us

During the Joseon era, foreigners and their ideas were often viewed with suspicion. These suspicions, frequently exaggerated, escalated into violence; such was the case of the baby riots in 1888.

2012-02-14 18:47

Did you know that (58) ... Tragic love stories from Joseon

Did you know that (58) ... Tragic love stories from Joseon

Judging from the tales associated with Joseon Korea’s 13th king, Myeongjong (1534-1567), romantic relationships were often filled with tribulations and death.

2012-02-10 17:39

Did you know that ...(57) Frank Cowan lands in Korea

Did you know that ...(57) Frank Cowan lands in Korea

Did you know that one of the first Americans (not associated with the military or fishing industry) to visit Korea was Frank Cowan: a doctor, butterfly collector, newspaperman and fraud?

2012-02-07 18:53

Did you know that... (56) The battle of the nuts

Did you know that... (56) The battle of the nuts

In the past, nuts were an important part of the Lunar New Year and the weeks following it. During the Joseon period, residents of Seoul would walk across the city’s small bridges on the night of the first full moon. It was believed that a bridge had to be crossed for each year that a person had lived so as to ensure that they would not suffer diseases in their legs and feet ...

2012-02-03 18:30

(55) Kite battles in Joseon

(55) Kite battles in Joseon

For two weeks, following the Lunar New Year, the hazy gray skies of Joseon were filled with kites. These square-shaped kites were constructed of thin pieces of bamboo and covered with tough paper with a hole in the center and were generally tail-less.

2012-01-31 19:09

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