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Thu, February 27, 2020 | 20:54

Footsies, dalliances and an adventurous Italian's missionary position (Part 1)

Footsies, dalliances and an adventurous Italian's missionary position (Part 1)

Many early Westerners living in Korea in the late 19th and early 20th centuries published accounts of their lives. Naturally, they often portrayed themselves in heroic roles and exaggerations were fairly common. One of the strangest accounts came from Paolo dall' Aquila, a dashing Italian working with the Korean Customs Service in the late 1890s and early 1900s.

2020-02-22 10:58

Marooned in the East Sea

Marooned in the East Sea

In the spring of 1902, a Japanese fishing schooner - perhaps escaping an approaching storm or looking for provisions - anchored off a small and thought-to-be uninhabited island near Wonsan. The crew were startled when they were suddenly approached by a “wild monster with shaggy hair.” They quickly returned to their schooner and made their way to Wonsan where they reported the...

2020-02-17 10:04

Seeking love in Wonsan

Seeking love in Wonsan

In 1898, Korea's largest and most important port on the eastern side of the peninsula was Wonsan. Described as “the most attractive of the treaty ports,” Wonsan was divided into two sections: the Korean city (with 20,000 inhabitants) and the foreign settlement.

2020-02-16 15:19

Picture the past: It's war! Russians flee Korea

Picture the past: It's war! Russians flee Korea

One of the first battles of the Russo-Japanese War took place in Korea on February 9, 1904, at Jemulpo (modern Incheon).

2020-02-09 09:30

Picture the past: Historic Busan Revealed through Russian postcards

Picture the past: Historic Busan Revealed through Russian postcards

During the late 19th century, Busan - then generally known as Fusan - was frequently called on by Russian ships traveling between Vladivostok and ports in China and Japan. Despite the number of Russian visitors, the port never really developed a Russian community.

2020-02-08 09:49

Huge Jeju serpent demands virgin sacrifice

Huge Jeju serpent demands virgin sacrifice

Governor Lee Hyeong-sang (1702-1704) is often blamed for the destruction of the shamanistic shrines and Buddhist temples of Jeju Island. He especially seems to have disliked snakes - slaying the snake at Gwangjeong Shrine and, according to one legend, the great serpent at Sa Gol Cave at Gimnyeong.

2020-02-02 09:39

No horsing around: Dismount or die!

No horsing around: Dismount or die!

In the past, riders were often forced to dismount from their horses when encountering Korean noblemen. Even in death, royal personages demanded respect be shown and people were forced to dismount near royal tombs. Failure to do so earned the offender a stern admonishment, a sound paddling or death - depending on the official and his mood.

2020-02-01 12:13

Rats, false teeth, toothache: Rodent tales of terror

Rats, false teeth, toothache: Rodent tales of terror

Many years ago, when I first arrived in Korea as a young soldier, I was warned by one of my superiors to be careful when trying to buy toothpaste in the Korean village near our base. He warned me that the Korean word for toothpaste sounds very similar to the word for rat poison and any mistake in pronunciation could be fatal. I have never forgotten his warning and am, even no...

2020-01-26 08:45

Cholera carnage: Deadly rat spirit ravages 1886 Seoul

Cholera carnage: Deadly rat spirit ravages 1886 Seoul

In June 1886, cholera appeared in Fusan (modern Busan). Its arrival was dreaded but not totally unexpected by residents as it had already wreaked havoc in Japan. Characterized by horrible cramps - which many of the superstitious believed to be a malevolent rat-like spirit clawing its way through its victim's legs in an effort to reach the heart - the disease was extremely pai...

2020-01-25 10:23

Who let the dogs out? Bones of contention for early foreign community

Who let the dogs out? Bones of contention for early foreign community

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Westerners living in Korea kept dogs. They were used in hunting, for protection and companionship. For many, they were treated almost like family. But not everyone liked dogs - especially Horace N. Allen, the American Minister to Korea.

2020-01-19 09:57

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