Passport to
Korean Culture
Korean Cluture and Information Service
Ministy of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Enjoying Life in Korea
1. Currency and Prices 9 2. Shopping 12
3. Efficient Public Transportation 17 4. Housing 21
5. Special Days 26
Korean Food
6. Unique Flavors of Kimchi 31 7. Koreans and Rice Cakes 35 8. Table Manners 38
9. Five Dishes Non-Koreans Like Best 41
Contents
Part I
Korea Today
Popular Culture and Hallyu
10. The “Korean Wave” and Pop Stars 46 11. TV Dramas 49
12. Chungmu-ro and the Film Industry 52 13. Korean Pop Songs outside Korea 56 14. Taekwondo 59
15. Football and the Red Devils 62 16. B-boys and Namsadang 66 17. Samullori and Nanta 71
Leisure
18. Koreans at Leisure 75
19. Norae-bang and Jjimjil-bang 78 20. Tourist Attractions 81
Seoul City Tour
21. Seoul City Tour 88 22. Museums 96
Part 2
Korea in History
In Pursuit of the Korean Heritage
1. Hanbok 103 2. Major Holidays 106
3. Traditional Life Experience 110
Elegant Tastes of the Korean People
4. Classical Music 115 5. Traditional Dance 119 6. Graceful Pottery 123
Contents
K o rea T o d ay
Part I Part 3
Korea and Its People
Korea in the World
1. Geography, Climate and Population 129 2. The People 133
3. Spoken and Written Language 136 4. Emerging Multicultural Society 140 5. Korean Enterprises and Economy 142
A Glimpse of Korea
6. UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in Korea 146
Enjoying Life in Korea 1. Currency and Prices 2. Shopping
3. Efficient Public Transportation 4. Housing
5. Special Days
Korean Food
6. Unique Flavors of Kimchi 7. Koreans and Rice Cakes 8. Table Manners
9. Five Dishes Non-Koreans Like Best
Popular Culture and Hallyu
10. The "Korean Wave" and Pop Stars 11. TV Dramas
12. Chungmu-ro and the Film Industry 13. Korean Pop Songs outside Korea 14. Taekwondo
15. Football and the Red Devils 16. B-boys and Namsadang 17. Samullori and Nanta
Leisure
18. Koreans at Leisure
19. Norae-bang and Jjimjil-bang 20. Tourist Attractions
Seoul City Tour 21. Seoul City Tour 22. Museums
Part I
Korea Today
Enjoying Life in Korea
Currency and Prices
The Korean currency is called the Won ( ), and Korean money consists of banknotes in four denominations ( 1,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 50,000) and coins in six denominations ( 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500). However the 1 and 5 coins are virtually unused today because of their very small value. Historical fig- ures, cultural treasures and important symbols are featured on the notes and coins.
The Appearance of Korean Money
Sin Saim-dang was the mother of Yi I, one of Korea's most famous Neo-Confucian scholars).
She was an accomplished artist who was partic- ularly famous for her paintings of nature sub- jects such as flowers and insects. Her image graces the largest-denomination Korean bill, 50,000-won note, for her adorable motherhood and faithful wifehood.
King Sejong (r. 1418-1450), the 4th monarch of the Joseon kingdom (1392-1910) appears on the 10,000 note. He is credited with the invention of the Korean native script, Han-geul, a project that was carried out with the help of selected scholars. He was also very much interested in the promotion of science, and many important inventions were created during his reign, includ- ing a rain gauge and sundial.
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The portrait of Yi I (1536~1584, pen name: Yulgok) appears on the 5,000 note.
He was one of the most prominent scholars in Joseon and an accomplished statesman who is acclaimed for his tireless efforts to fight political corruption in his time.
The person who appears on the 1,000 note is another great Joseon philoso- pher, Yi Hwang (1501~1570, pen name: Toe-gye). He was a leading scholar in the study and development of Neo-Confucianism.
The Manchurian crane, a symbol of longevity, wealth and fame, is depicted on the front of 500 coin, while the 100 coin features the portrait of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545~1598). He brought key victories to Korea during the Imjin War (1592~1598), utterly defeating invading Japanese naval fleets with his "turtle ships," the world's first iron-clad war vessels. The obverse of the 50 coin bears the image of a rice stalk, emphasizing the importance of Korea's agrarian tradition. Dabo-tap, a four-storied stone pagoda at Bulguk-sa (tem- ple in Gyeongju) is on the face of 10 coin. The pagoda is consid- ered one of the finest examples of stone masonry from the Silla king- dom (57 BCE-935 CE), was desig- nated Korean National Treasure No. 20, and was included on UNESCO's World Heritage list in 1995.
Korean Housing and Transportation Expenses
Housing is rather expensive in
Apartment: typical housing
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Part I Korea. A 2009 study by the Office of Statistics
showed that the average household income was 39,150,000 (US$1.00 = 1,150) in 2008, and individual households managed to save an aver- age of 9,530,000. A 100m2 apartment costs at least 560 million in Seoul. Thus, the typical salaried worker in Seoul would have to be in his late 60s before he could afford to buy his own home. In other words, most Koreans cannot own their house in Seoul without help from parents or someone else.
On the other hand, public transportation in Korea is relatively inexpensive. The taxi meter starts at 2,600, and increases at 100 incre- ments. The basic fares of Seoul subways are between 1,000 and 1,300, while the bus costs 1,000 to rise. You get a significant discount when using a rechargeable transportation card and transferring between bus lines, the bus and subway or between subway lines.
What 10,000 Buys Today
Ten thousand won is enough to buy two servings of Chinese noodles in bean sauce (jjajang-myeon), or five orders of spicy rice cake (ddeogbokki). With the same amount of money, you can get a bowl of rice mixed with assorted vegetables (bibim- bab), along with a cup of coffee. If you are not hungry, 10,000 will get you 30 min- utes at a singing room (norae-bang). And if you go in the daytime, when business is slow, the proprietor may let you sing a while longer. For the health-conscious, a trip to the dry sauna (jjimjil-bang) will cost no more than 10,000, while playing elec- tronic games or web-surfing at a PC parlor costs only 1,500 per hour.
Cappuccino & Pastry :
$6.90 in Seoul, $6.50 in Tokyo,
$5.20 in the US U S m i l i t a r y personnel sta- tioned at differ- e n t l o c a t i o n s worldwide were surveyed on the relative
cost of living. According to that report, a cup of cappuccino and a piece of pastry costs around $2.75 in Italy, $4.00 in Germany, $5.25 in the US, $6.00 in the UK or Seoul,
$6.50 in Tokyo and over $9.00 in Okinawa. Although the coffee was pricy in Seoul, a Big Mac was priced at US$4.38--as opposed to $5.68 in the US, $6.28 in the UK, $6.41 in Tokyo and $9.94 in Naples. A half- liter of draft beer can be had in Seoul for $2.52, but you have to pay
$2.88 in Germany, $3.20 in the US and $5.43 in Tokyo for the same thing.
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Shopping
Shopping is one of the great pleasures awaiting travelers to Korea. Shopping venues are diverse, including the traditional open markets, fish markets and department stores. People go to these places not only to shop but also to discover the latest fads and trends.
Variety of Markets
No trip is complete without a visit to the local marketplace. Traditional markets that carry local specialties are always tourist attractions for their uniqueness, unlike the modern discount stores or department store.
Gyeongdong Shijang
The massive (some 100,000m2) Gyeongdong Shijang (Market) is in Seoul's Jegi- dong (District). This market formed in 1953, after the Korean War, with vendors coming together spontaneously to buy and sell hot peppers, garlic, wild greens and herbs. As such, it became a center for buying ingredients for Oriental herb medi-
Ingredients for Oriental herb medicine at Gyeongdong Market
cine. One of the great benefits here is the low prices. Pricing is not set, and people can still haggle on unit prices and get volume discounts. This is a place where you can feel the warmth of common folk, Koreans of the most genuine kind.
Namdaemun Shijang
East of Namdaemun (the Great South Gate in Seoul) is a huge marketplace, visited each day by some 450,000 to 500,000 people. On a site of more than 40,000m2 are 58 buildings that collec- tively house over 9,000 shops, with 97,000m2 in total floor space. Here you can buy clothes, fabrics, kitchen uten-
sils, home appliances, foodstuffs imported goods and many other items, retail or wholesale, at very attractive prices.
Shoppers are not only local but also from America, Europe, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. A major item found here is children's clothing; in fact 90% of all the children's clothing in Korea passes through here. The advantage for buyer and seller is the elimination of middle men, meaning lower prices without compromis- ing quality. The market opens at 11:00
AM and closes at around 3:00 AM the following day. Late at night, the place remains crowded with retailers and wholesalers from all over the country;
the hustle and bustle is a memorable experience for any visitor.
Dongdaemun Fashion Town
The area near the Great East Gate (Dongdaemun) has long been a popular
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Dynamic and lively Namdaemun Market
Buying clothes at Dongdaemun Market
retail and wholesale market, especially for garments. Recently modern high-rise build- ings (Migliore, Doosan Tower, APM) that cater to the garment trade were added, and a so-called
"fashion town" has emerged. In the vicinity, shoppers are treated to live performances by young artists who want to show off their skills.
This is Korea's largest retail/wholesale district, with 26 shopping malls, over 30,000 specialty shops and some 50,000 manufacturers clustered together to trade in garments, textiles, footwear, sportswear & accessories, electronic goods, office supplies and toys. Nearby are many shops carrying wedding dress- es as well as other items for weddings such as cloth, bedding, kitchen utensils and traditional Korean clothing (han- bok).
Noryang-jin Fish Market
The huge fish market in Seoul's Noryang-jin district originally begun as
Noryangjin Fish Market
Modern high-rise Dongdaemun Shopping Malls
the "Gyeongseong Fish Market" at Uiju-ro, near the Seoul Railway Station in 1927. Some 370 dif- ferent marine products, including live or frozen fish, are sold wholesale through auction. The products are delivered from all parts of the coun- try. The auction starts at 1:00 AM for shellfish, 1:30 AM for fresh fish and 3:00 AM for live fish.
People can also buy individual fish for cooking or sashimi at low prices. The daily transaction vol- ume averages around 330 tons of marine prod-
ucts, worth some 1 billion. More than 30,000 people and 5,000 vehicles visit the market daily, and some 100,000 tons of products are sold here annually.
Traditional Moran Market
The market at Seongnam-dong in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province is held every fifth day, on the 4th, 9th, 14th, 19th, 24th and 29th of each month. This is probably Korea's most popular "5-day market," drawing some 50,000 people each time it opens. The merchants total about 2,000 (1,200 registered members and some 800 non-member vendors). The market is divided into several sections that specialize in medicinal herbs, garments, flowers, grain, shoes, marine products, vegetables, food, pet dogs, poultry, and sundries. Visit the food section and you can eat gener- ous portions of traditional rice soup with blood sausage, noodles and pork head in a simple yet inexpensive setting. Sometimes you will also be treated to street entertainment reminiscent of traditional times.
Yongsan Jeonja Sang-ga
The Yongsan Electronics Mall (Jeonja Sang-ga), in Yongsan-gu, deals in person- al computers, computer peripherals and other electronic and electric goods.
Clustered together in this area are large buildings (Jeonja Land, Seo-in Sangga, Terminal Jeonja Sangga and others) with multiple vendors. Computer buffs can
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Part I Market Websites :
Gyeongdong Market:
http://www.kyungdongmart.com Dongdaemun Fashion Town:
http://www.dongdaemunsc.co.kr Noryangjin Fish Market:
http://www.susansijang.co.kr Moran Market:
http://www.moranjang.org/
Other Shopping Centers
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either have their own PCs assembled here or purchase do-it-yourself parts.
Department Stores & Other Large Retailers
Koreans around the country today fre- quently shop at large retailers that carry everything from food and clothes to home appliances, and consumer electronics at attractive prices. They are usually conve- niently located near public transportation and offer plenty of parking space. The sales area is spacious and pleasant, and the stores remain open till late evening.
Some of the better-known ones are E- mart, Lotte Mart and Home Plus.
Department stores (Lotte, Hyundai, Shinsegae, Galleria and others) are for high-end luxury goods.
Yongsan Electronics Mall
Department store
Efficient Public Transportation
Rapid, and convenient, public transportation is an integral part of life in Korea, to include buses (local and intercity), subways, taxis, trains (regular and high- speed) and airplanes. However the subway systems are limited to Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju and Incheon, and not every city is directly connected to the high-speed rail service (KTX).
Popular Bus Routes
The most frequently used public transportation in Korea is the bus, with some six million passengers daily in Seoul alone. Bus riding became even more popular in the capital after the introduction of bus-only
lanes in July 2004, which made the service much faster and more reliable.
Recently, a monitor system has been added at bus stops to
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Accessing Bus Information You can find bus timetable at each bus stop. On the Internet log onto bus.seoul.go.kr for information on b u s a n d s u b w a y s e r v i c e s ( b u s stops, timetables, routes). Getting information by phone: First press 1577-0287, then 7 + bus stop num- ber + #; or route number + #.
Using the transportation card Most people in Seoul pay their fares with the transportation card rather than in cash. The cards are honored on buses and subways as well as in taxis. The benefits of using the card include discounted basic fare and f r e e o r d i s c o u n t e d t r a n s f e r s . Recently, convenience stores and p a y p h o n e s h a v e a l s o b e g u n accepting these like cash. They can be purchased or reloaded at conve- nience stores, kiosks, subway sta- tions and the mini-kiosks at bus stops.
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Bus-only lanes
Bus information monitor
provide information on the estimated arrival time of each bus.
The low fare is another reason why bus ride is so popular. You also receive a discount on the basic fare as well as on transfers between bus lines, or bus and subway lines.
Rapid Subway Service throughout Greater Seoul
The Seoul Metro offers fast, inexpen- sive and convenient services via 11 lines that connect virtually every destination.
For instance, Line 1 is connected with Line 2 at Seoul City Hall Station; Lines 1 and 4 intersect at Seoul Railway Station, and Lines 5 and 9 serve the international and domestic air terminals at
Subway information is available on Seoul Metro homepage.
(http://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/)
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Inside a Seoul Metro train
Seoul Metro platform
Gimpo. The subways are safe and reliable, unaffected by road traffic congestion.
The basic rate starts at 1,000- 1,300.
The subway will get you to most tourist attractions downtown as well as throughout the Greater Seoul Area, extending as far as Soyosan in the north, Yangsu in the southeast and Sinchang in the south. On the subway you pay only half what a regular train costs; for example, the subway takes you to Onyang Hot Springs for only 3,500. The Seoul Metro is a truly attractive way to get around on weekends to areas within the Seoul city limits as well as out into Gyeonggi and Chungcheong Provinces.
Multiple Taxi Types
Taxis are readily available in Korean cities. The basic fare starts at 2,600, and the meter increases at 100 increments. The cost of taking a taxi in Korea is much lower than fares charged in most other countries. You may catch taxis on the street or call them to come to your
location (in which case you pay an additional 1,000 won if the total fare is less than 10,000). The fare can be paid in cash or with either a transportation card or credit card. A free interpretation service is available for communi- cation with taxicab drivers.
In Seoul, "water taxis" also run on the Han River, providing shuttles during rush hour or used by individuals or families for tourism or fun.
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Using International Taxis International taxis are fast becoming popular among foreign visitors in Seoul. The drivers speak English, Japanese and/or Chinese, providing friendly service. You may reserve an international taxi by contacting the Call Center (1566-2255) one hour in advance, any time, 365 days a year.
F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , l o g o n t o www.internationaltaxi.co.kr
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Regular taxi
High-speed Rail (KTX) Express Buses
The KTX (for Korea Train eXpress) high-speed rail serves many major Korean cities. The KTX began operation in April 2004, connecting Seoul with Busan (Gyeongbu Line) in 2 hours and 40 minutes and Seoul with Mokpo (Honam Line) in 2 hours and 58 minutes, facili- tating one-day business or sightseeing trips.
Tourist companies take advantage of the fast and pleasant KTX trains in their package tours. Night trains with sleeping cars are also in service.
Meanwhile, express buses run between all the cities and are a very popular form of transporta- tion. The Gyeongbu, Guma, Yeongdong and Honam lines depart from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal, while the Seoul Nambu and East Seoul Terminals also offer similar services.
Using KTX
Advance tickets for KTX can be pur- chased either from automatic ticket machines installed at train and sub- way stations or from travel agents.
You may also purchase your ticket online by logging onto the Korail homepage at: http://www.korail.
com/.
Using Express Buses
East (Dong) Seoul Terminal: (02) 446-8000 or http://www.ti21.co.kr/
Seoul Nambu Terminal: (02) 521- 8550 or http://www.nambutermi- nal.co.kr/
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KTX (for Korea Train eXpress)
Housing
Residential lifestyles are diverse in Korea today, ranging from the traditional hanok to high-rise apartment complexes and ultra-modern mixed-use buildings.
Koreans may choose to live in a private home (either traditional or Western-style), low-rise apartment, high-rise apartment or unit in a mixed-use building, depend- ing on their taste, financial status and purpose.
Traditional Houses
The traditional-style private dwellings in Korea are called hanok, which have evolved over time. However a certain basic tradition remains: The hanok has a wood frame, walls and floor of clay, and either thatched-straw or tiled roof. As such, the structure "breathes," allowing the proper amount of ventilation yet blocking the winter chill. The interior is not too humid in the summer rainy season and warm in winter. The ondol heating system in the floor is highly efficient, and an open area with wooden floor is built between the two bedrooms to serve as a living room that is cool in summer. The ideal placement is facing south, which allows more sunshine in the winter while avoiding the most intense rays of the sun in the summer.
Hanok Revival
The hanokbegan to disappear in large numbers during the 1980s, as Koreans flocked to the more convenient apart- ments or Western-style single family dwellings. Recently, however, the traditional Korean home, with its environment- friendly features, has again
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Jeonju Hanok Village
become popular among the health-conscious.
Some of Korea's younger architects are now designing hanok-style offices for government offices (at the lowest administrative level--dong),
Hanok, exterior and interior with open floor Ondol: Korean-style
Hypocaust System
The traditional ondol system is a series of under-floor flues that con- vey heat from wood burned in a fire pit. The flues are covered by thin stone slabs that can retain heat for several hours. Of course the system has evolved over time. For example, the fuel first changed from wood to coal briquettes and then boilers were adopted to supply and circu- late heated water under the floor via plastic pipe. The heated floor is the main reason Koreans have had a preference for sitting on the floor.
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dental offices and apart- ments.
The interior of these struc- tures has a rounded appear- ance, with wooden beams, pillars, and living room floor.
The windows and doors papered with traditional paper (hanji), providing the atmosphere of the original hanok. The hanok-style apartment is becoming popu- lar for its combination of tra- ditional elegance with mod- ern convenience. The adobe-covered walls, hanji-papered windows and doors, traditional latticework and classical motifs on the ceiling, inner court instead of veranda or balcony, and open living-room with wooden floor add up to a cozy dwelling. The popularity of the hanok look is boosted by concern for good health and a desire to recover traditional values.
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Part I Experiencing the Feel of
Hanok
Hanok Cultural Center homepage:
http://www.bukchon.seoul.go.kr Jeonju Hanok Village is located in P u n g n a m - d o n g a n d G y o - d o n g , Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. About 700 hanok remain here, maintained by the provincial and municipal gov- ernments, and now being developed as a tourist attraction. The home- page: http://www.hanok.jeonju.go.kr
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Single-family Homes (Dandok Jutaek)
Single-family houses in Korea have their own gates and yards. The inside fea- tures are similar to other types of housing: living-room, bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom. Young people prefer apartments for their convenience and low mainte- nance, while families with children like the privacy of homes with their own yards.
Today, Koreans are increasingly moving into private homes outside the large urban areas. One advantage of these rural dwellings is the small garden.
High-rise Apartments
High-rise (15+ stories) multi-unit housing called "apartments" in Korea (or con- dominiums in the West because they are owned, not rented) are found throughout Korea. More than half (52.7%) of the population live in apartments and 68.9% say they prefer them to other types of housing. The first apartment buildings were constructed in the 1960s to ease the housing shortage in large cities. Since then, apartment design and quality have improved greatly. The growing urban popula-
Single-family home (Dandok Jutaek)
tion and scarcity of residential land have also contributed to apartment boom.
A building that has both resi- dential and commercial space is called jusang-bokhap (mixed- use) and an example of the greater versatility in modern architectural design. The com- mercial facilities typically occupy the second through fourth floors, and the upper stories are resi- dential.
Such buildings are usually very high and centrally located for convenience of transportation.
Thus they command good view, especially on the uppermost floors, and the floor space is flex- ible. They often come with a swimming pool, bowling alley, indoor driving range or health club for residents to enjoy.
Townhouses & Low-rise Apartments
Townhouses (or yeollip jutaek, "row houses") are defined as having no more than 4 stories and floor space totaling over 660m2 per building, while low-rise apartments ("villas") are 3-5 stories. The townhouses are aimed at lower income groups; the unit sizes are usually smaller and maintenance fees are low. The price and quality of "villas," on the other hand, varies widely.
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High-rise Jusang-bokhap buildings
Special Days
People in every country have special days within the lifecycle. In Korea these are the child's first birthday (dol), the wedding day, the 60th birthday, and the day of the funeral.
Dol
A baby’s first birthday party has been a special event since early times to express gratitude for the baby's surviving its first twelve months. Infant mortality was high in traditional times, when medicine was still undeveloped. Today, families still throw a big party for friends and relatives when their child reaches one year old. The highlight of the auspicious occasion is when the baby is put in front of a table that has various items arrayed on it (for boys: a book, paper money, sheet of paper, ink brush, ink- stick, and bow & arrow; for girls: a pair of scissors, yardstick and needle are in place of the bow & arrow). The baby that picks up the money first is expected to grow up to be rich, while selection of the book or brush signifies the destiny of a future scholar or high-ranking government official, while the bow or arrow would suggest a future general. Today, a cake sometimes replaces the traditional dis- play, and the party itself is held at a hotel or a restaurant. The well-wishers are given small gifts together with pieces of rice cake.
Dol table and celebrating family
Wedding Ceremony
To Koreans, a marriage is not just a union of a man and woman but also the union of two families. In tra- ditional times, the bride- groom-to-be went to the house of the bride-to-be for the wedding ceremony and then spent the first three days there before bringing his bride to his own home.
Today, however, Western-style ceremony (with some modifications) is preferred to the traditional type, and it is held at a wedding hall, hotel, or church. Prior to the wedding, the couple are busy preparing many things not only for the wedding itself but also for life as newlyweds. Of course, invitation cards are mailed to relatives,
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Pyebek at traditional wedding ceremony
Modern wedding ceremony
friends and colleagues, and special photos are taken in advance, many of which are outdoors. Professional wedding planners are frequently consulted as well.
Immediately after the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds are to change into tra- ditional hanbok, and the bride formally greets her new parents-in-law with deep bows in a ceremony called pyebek. Traditionally, a folding screen is set up in the room, with the father-in-law sitting in the east and mother-in-law in the west. The bride bows four times, offering some simple food, and in response the in-laws throw jujubes onto the bride's traditional skirt (chima), expressing wishes of a happy marriage and many children.
Hwegap (60th Birthday)
Hwegap (or hwan-gap or suyeon) is a big celebration on the day one turns 60 (or 61 according to the Korean sys- tem). The 69th birthday (Korean age 70), called gohui, is also a special celebration but not as much as hwegapis.
The significance of 61 is that it completes the 60-year zodia- cal cycle. In traditional times, surpassing 60 years of age was considered a special blessing. The children offer their parents glasses of wine or liquor expressing wishes for an even longer life.
Funerals and Condolences
Koreans remain heavily influenced by Confucianism, which stresses the magnitude of key four ceremonies: the coming-of-age, marriage, funeral, and sacrifices to deceased ancestors. The funeral is considered as important as the wedding. Funerary cus- toms have changed over time, influenced particularly by the contemporary reli-
Gohui : 69th birthday party
gion and philosophical value system.
The deceased were virtually always buried from prehistoric times to about the 7th century CE, when the Three Kingdoms Period ended. The influence of Buddhism as the state religion spread the practice of cremation for the next seven centuries or so. Then, the importance of burials returned in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when Confucianism prevailed, and has remained the mainstream custom until the present. In recent years, however, funerary customs have begun to diversify once again.
In the past, funerals were usually held at the home of the deceased, but now simplified ceremonies are more commonly performed at a funeral parlor attached to a hospital. Condolences are expressed in different ways according to one's faith.
A Buddhist would offer two bows, while a Protestant would say a silent prayer and present a flower.
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Funeral bier, traditional funeral procession
Korean Food
Unique Flavors of Kimchi
No discussion of Korean food is complete without mentioning kimchi. This indis- pensable part of the Korean diet is rich in lactic acid bacteria and nutrients, and has attracted global attention as a health food. Today, kimchi is enjoyed in many countries.
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Essential Part of Every Korean Meal
The origins of kimchi can be traced back at least 1,300 years, starting out simply as salted vegetables. Then pickling methods were devel- oped, and various spices were added. Chili pep- pers were introduced to Korea in the 16th century and gradually became popular, contributing to development of today's hot and spicy kimchivari- eties.
Diverse Varieties of Kimchi
The Kimchi Field Museum in Seoul has docu- mented 187 historic and current kimchi types.
Experiencing Kimchi
Event : The Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Properties organizes events for visitors to experience aspects of traditional Korean culture.
Date : All year round Venue : KOUS (Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul) Korea House (Pil-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul)
Duration : 2-3 hours Admission : Free
Application : Reserve by phone ( T h e a p p l i c a t i o n f o r m c a n b e downloaded.)
Information : Tel: (02)566-7037, 5951-2; Fax: (02)566-6314, 5954 e-Mail: sunnykous@naver.com
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Different varieties are served according to the season and region, and the vari- eties are determined by the main veg- etables and seasonings used.
Popular in spring are tongbechu kim- chi (whole-head Chinese cabbages), nabak kimchi (sliced radishes in brine), jjokpa kimchi (scallions), minari kimchi (dropwort). Early summer brings oisobak kimchi (fresh cucumbers), oiji (pickled cucumbers) and yeolmu kimchi (young radishes with the radish greens), followed by gaji kimchi (eggplant) and sigumchi kimchi (spinach) in late sum- mer.
Autumn varieties include bechu geot- jeori (unpickled cabbage), ggakttugi (cubed radish), chongkak kimchi (young radishes), and godeulbegi kimchi(a kind of lettuce). Winter kimchi types such as tongbechu gimjang kimchi are well fer- mented to last a long time.
Other winter favorites are seokbakgi (radishes sliced in large pieces), bossam kimchi (stuffed cabbage) and oyster kimchi.
Different regions have their own specialties, like godeulbegi kimchifrom Jeolla, bossam kimchi from Gaeseong and ggakttugi from Gongju. Generally, people in the north tend to use less salt and chili pepper in their kimchi than those in the south do. The use of fish sauce is more common in the south as well.
Recently, fusion dishes that include kimchi have been developed and are becom- ing quite popular among Koreans and non-Koreans alike.
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kimchi ddeok
kimchi bun
Nutritional and Health Benefits
Koreans have developed many fermented foods such as soybean paste, soy sauce, fermented soybeans and kimchi. The fermentation process kills bacteria and regular consumption of fer- mented foods can strengthen the immune system. Kimchi is rich in vitamins minerals and dietary fiber yet low in calories. Some studies sug- gest that regular consump- tion of kimchican inhibit cancer growth.
Why Spicy
Koreans generally are not fond of oily or sweet food. When they do eat it, they like to follow with kimchi, because the spiciness feels refreshing. Actually, chili pepper contains capsicine, which burns fat and stimulates the appetite while reducing the need for salt in flavoring.
Storage and Flavor
The same type of kimchi will taste different depending on the temperature at which it is fermented and stored. Optimal flavor and nutrition is normally achieved by fermenting kimchifor 2-3 weeks at 2-7oC and then storing it at 0-5oC. Allowing kimchi to freeze can detract from the flavor, so Koreans traditionally kept their winter kimchiunderground. Nowadays, refrigerators have been developed specifi- cally for storing kimchi.
kimchi refrigerator
Koreans and Rice Cakes
Ddeok rice cake (sometimes with mil- let, beans, squash etc. added) has long been an integral part of Koreans' lives.
This is evidenced by the many well- known expressions involving ddeok:
"Eating ddeok while lying down" (a very simple task); "The ddeok in another's hand always seems bigger" (jealousy);
"The ddeok in the picture" (pie in the sky) and many others. No Korean cere- mony involving food is complete without rice cake, and ddeokbokki (broiled and seasoned sliced rice cake with meat, eggs and other ingredients) is a very popular snack.
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A Culinary Tradition from Ancient Times
About 200 kinds of ddeok are available today in assort- ed shapes and colors. The principle ingredient, shape, stuffing, and color may vary by region.
This popular snack has probably been around in some form on the Korean Peninsula for close to 3,000 years. Grindstones and stone mortars for pounding grain have been found dating from as early as the 7th and 8th centuries BCE, showing that agriculture was already established. Bronze Age implements with several holes at the bottom on each side appear to have been used for steaming grains.
From ancient times, the Korean people have made ddeokfor sad occasions such as funerals such as happy moments such as weddings. Sharing rice cakes among neighbors and friends was a way to foster a community spirit. Even today, families who move into a new neighborhood typically prepare ddeok to pass around as a way to greet the new neighbors.
Occasions for Ddeok
Ddeokhas been so closely related to all walks of life that it would be difficult to understand Korean people's lives without understanding the symbolic signifi- cance. Rice cakes are served at weddings, birthdays and other family events as well as on seasonal holidays. The type depends on the occasion and/or season.
Different grains and other ingredients, including flowers and fruits, can be used.
In traditional times, the royal family had luxurious ddeokprepared according to a unique recipe.
Modern-style ddeok
Taking Ddeok to the World
Korean ddeok contin- ues to evolve with chang- ing tastes, providing a healthier alternative to sweets and fast food.
Today, rice cakes are sometimes served the way sandwiches are.
Some are pre-made for instant cooking in a microwave oven. Now packaged and preserved, ddeokis also exported.
Ddeokbokki is a popular Korean snack that was once restricted to royal court cuisine. The original ddeokbokkiwas seasoned with soy sauce. Today's spicy ver- sion appeared in 1950, when the Korean War broke out, and is now enjoyed by everyone. The dish now includes ddeok, sliced and broiled; meat and eggs. It is seasoned with hot bean paste and some sugar instead of the soy sauce. Some like it with cheese.
A variation called "rabokki" (for "ramyeon+ ddeokbokki") may come with cream sauce or chili sauce instead of hot bean paste, catering to foreigners' tastes. hese days, the DdeokbokkiFestival is helping to further promote the dish among non- Koreans. (For more information, visit www.topokki.com.)
Learn How to Make Ddeok
The Ddeok Museum exhibits some 200 different varieties of Korean-style rice cakes along with instruments for shaping them. You can learn ddeok-related cus- toms, participate in ddeok-making, and enjoy eating some of the delicious rice cakes, too. (For more information, visit www.tkmuseum.or.kr.)
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Ddeokbokki : a popular Korean snack
Table Manners
Sometimes we experience embarrassment when we do not know the proper table manners when drinking or dining with people in foreign countries. Of course Koreans have their own sets of rules, which are particularly important when we are eating or drinking with the elderly.
Dining with Elders
In traditional times, upper-class people were served at individual tables, begin- ning with the eldest. Now, however, Koreans share the same side dishes on the same table together.
The senior-most position at the middle of the table, on the side farthest from the room entrance. The eldest person is always allowed to sit down first and start eat- ing first. As a guest, etiquette dictates that you thank the host before starting and after finishing. As a junior, you are expected to keep your posture correct and should not place your spoon and chopsticks on the table (indicating that you have finished eating) until the eldest done so. The eldest is also first to leave the table.
Do not use a spoon to take from the side dishes (which are shared by all), and do
Family dining together
not hog the side dishes you like most. In the past, keeping silence at the table was considered a virtue, but now polite conversation is normal. Try to use your spoon and chopsticks quietly and do not hold both in your hand at the same time. Of course you should avoid eating noisily or blowing noisily on your soup to cool it off.
Table-setting
The rice bowl goes on the left side of the diner, and the soup is on the right. The spoon is placed to the immediate right of the soup bowl, followed by the chop- sticks. Any dish containing fluid is placed nearer to the diner, while the other dish- es are farther away. Dishes with food cut in smaller sizes are nearer than the dishes with larger pieces are.
Drinking Etiquette
Traditionally, the junior was expected to offer a drink to the senior, holding the cup with both hands and on knees before filling his/her own cup. Today, the ritual has been simplified simply using both hands. The cup is held with the right hand,
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Traditional table-setting
while the left is placed underneath the cup. You should receive a drink from a senior with both hands and then turn your head a little to the side before drinking. Never refill another's cup before it is completely empty.
Tea Etiquette
The teacup should be placed on a tray that is then put on a tea table before being filled and served on a saucer. The cup handle should be toward the tea drinker's right, and the teaspoon is to the immediate right of the cup. As soon as the cup is empty, it should be removed from the table.
Tea should be drunk in silence; the cup is held in the right hand, while the left hand supports it underneath. If the tea is too hot, simply allow it to cool, instead of blowing on it; do not sip the tea with the spoon. Once finished, put the cup aside and thank the hostess.
Clinking the glasses and Cheers
Tea ceremony
Five Dishes Non-Koreans Like Best
A survey by Korean Traditional Food Research Institute concluded that the top favorite Korean dishes among non-Koreans are (in descending order): bibim-bap (vegetables & beef on rice), samgye-tang(boiled chicken stuffed with rice & gin- seng), galbi-gui(grilled beef ribs), gimbap (rice wrapped in dried laver) and sun- dubu-jjige (spicy stew of soft tofu & shellfish). Other favorites on the survey are hobak-juk (pumpkin or squash porridge), naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles with vegetables, egg & beef), japche(potato noodles with beef & vegetables), bul- gogi(thinly sliced beef marinated in soy sauce & grilled), haemul pajeon(pancake with green onion, shell-
fish & other seafoods), baechu kimchi (picked &
spiced Chinese cabbage), and hobak ddeok (pump- kin or squash cake).
Bibim-bap
Bibim-bap (mixed rice) has long been popular in Korea because it is simple yet nutritious, and is now a popular in-flight meal for international travelers.
Various vegetables are arranged on top of steamed rice. The diner then mixes the ingredi- ents all together and adds red pepper paste and
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Jeonju bibim-bap
sesame oil to taste. Often, a stone bowl (dolsot) is used because it helps to keep the ingredients warm until one finishes eating.
Bibim-baphas many variations, depending on the region of Korea where it is served. Jeonju is famous for bibim-bap featuring fat soybean sprouts.
Recently, a huge bowl of bibim-bap was served to a crowd in New York City at an event attended by the Mayor. The scene of New Yorkers enjoying the Korean dish was televised.
Samgye-tang
Samgye-tang (ginseng-chicken soup) is especially popular for energizing the body the hottest days of summer. A Cornish hen is stuffed with glutinous rice and boiled in a broth of Korean ginseng, dried jujubes, garlic, and ginger. The dish is particularly good for the stomach and liver.
Galbi-gui
Galbi-gui (grilled beef ribs) is one of the most popular Korean meat dishes.
Bibim-bap
Ingredients: 200g of rice, 50g of bean sprouts, 50g of squash, 50g of cucumbers, 40g of carrots, 30g of balloon flower root, 30g of bracken, 1 m u s h r o o m , 2 0 g o f s h r e d d e d radish, salt, soy sauce, vegetable oil, sesame oil, salted sesame powder and garlic
Steaming the Rice
Let the rice soak in water for 30 min- utes before heating. Put in the bean sprouts and place the lid on just before cooking is finished. When r e a d y , s t i r t h e r i c e w e l l b e f o r e scooping it into bowls.
Namul is a general term for greens, herbs and wild vegetables seasoned with salt, vinegar and sesame oil.
The name of the dish may vary slightly depending on what vegeta- bles are used and how they are pre- pared. Virtually any type of veg- etable, herb, or green can be used, and the parts can include the roots, l e a v e s , s t e m s , s e e d s , s p r o u t s , petals, and fruits. They can be pre- pared as an individual namul or mixed.
tip
Samgye-tang (ginseng-chicken soup)
(Pork ribs, both marinated and fresh, are also popular and cost less than beef ribs.) The key to delicious beef ribs lies in tenderizing the meat and removing the fat.
Therefore, the ribs are marinated in soy sauce mixed with rice wine, garlic and pepper for about 30 minutes. They are grilled at high heat, as cooking them slowly will making the meat tougher and harder to digest.
Gimbap
Gimbap is a handy snack to take along on picnics, hikes and other outings.
Steamed rice is lightly salted and mixed with other ingredients and rolled in gim (thin sheets of dried laver). The rolls are then sliced. Gimbap looks similar to Japanese sushibut the taste and ingredients are different.
The basic ingredients are rice, meat or some other protein source (fish cakes, crab meat or eggs) and various vegetables (cucumbers, spinach, carrots, pickled
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Galbi-gui (grilled beef ribs)
radish). Personal taste will determine the recipe. After rolling and slicing, the gimbap is typically served with a pick- led radish known as danmuji.
Traditional gimbapcomes in round slices, but nowadays it may be wrapped into triangles or squares. Other variations include mini-gimbap, "naked"
gimbap(rice is on the outside) and chungmu gimbap (rice only--to be eaten with kimchi).
Sundubu-jjige
Sundubu-jjigeis a stew with soft bean curd (dubu in Korean, tofuin Japanese). The soft bean curd may be less nourishing than the regular one, but its texture is popular with older people, and the fla- vor is widely liked.
The stew (jjige) of soft bean curd, clams, mushrooms, soy sauce, salt and pickled shrimp is cooked in an earth- enware bowl. For variety, other ingredients may be added such as kimchi, mixed seafoods, or short-necked clams.
Gimbap
Sundubu-jjige with mixed seafoods
Popular Culture and Hallyu
The "Korean Wave" and Pop Stars
Popular Korean culture has gained global attention. Generally called Hallyu ("Korean Wave") its popularity has been spreading in an increasing number of countries. Naturally, more people in these countries want to know about the Korean language and Korean culture.
Hallyu : Global Interest in Korean Culture
Interest in popular Korean culture began to surge in Southeast Asia in the late 1990s, driving foreign interest in things Korean. Momentum grew after the release of a hit album by the Korean pop group HOT and the term Hallyu was widely adopted by the Chinese media. Korean TV dramas began to be exported to China in 1996, followed by Korean pop songs two years later. The Korean Wave has con- tinued to spread to Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, the US, Latin America and even Arab countries. Today, Hallyu has come to include global interest in Korean food, electronics, dramas, music and movies. This phenomenon has helped to promote the Korean language and culture around the world, and many more students are learning Korean as a second lan- guage.
Introduction of Hallyu
Korean singers as well as actors and actresses have become popular Hallyu stars in most Southeast Asian countries as well as in China.
“My Sassy Girl” poster
Movie and TV Stars
A Japanese survey on Korean stars ranked (in descending order) the most popu- lar actresses Choi Ji-wu ("Jiuhime" in Japan), Jeon Ji-hyeon, and Lee Young-ae;
and actors as Bae Yong-jun, Lee Byung-heon, Kwon Sang-wu, Chang Dong-keon and Hyun Bin. Japanese interest in Bae Yong-jun and Choi Ji-wu was sparked by the TV drama "Winter Sonata," the biggest hit overseas for any Korean TV series.
The success of "Winter Sonata" was due to the poetic nature of the script as well as the music and scenes on the theme "first love." Bae became so popular that his Japanese fans nicknamed him Yonsama and remained devoted to him.
The film was shot on Nami Island, near Chuncheon, and the set became a very popular destination for Japanese visitors to Korea.
Bae Yong-jun
Bae debuted with the TV drama "Salut D' Amour" in 1994, and became popular in his role as a student of a future movie director in "A Sunny Place of the Young." His popularity continued in both Korean and Japan with "First Love," "Did We Really Love," "Winter Sonata" and "The Story of the Great King and the Four Gods." He has also starred in the full-length movies "Untold Scandal"and "April Snow."
Choi Ji-wu
Choi made her debut as an MBC TV actress in 1994 and gained pop- ularity from her work in the movies "Everybody Has Secrets," "The Romantic President" and "Nowhere to Hide" in 2002. Her leading role in the TV dramas"Stairway to Heaven" and "Winter Sonata," catapulted to the greatest fame. She also starred in the TV dramas "Beautiful Days" and "Truth."
Lee Byung-heon
Dramas and movies starred in by Lee have achieved great popularity in Asia, and recently he received attention worldwide with his appear- ance in the American movie "GI Joe: the Rise of Cobra." His most important movies to date include "Bungee Jumping of Their Own," "Joint Security Area," "AK o rea T o d ay
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Bittersweet Life" and "The Good, the Bad, and the Weird."
Lee Jun-ki
Chosen as the top Hallyu star in China recently, Lee is also gaining strong popularity in Japan with the movie "King and the Clown." His other major works include"Virgin Snow," a joint Korean and Japanese movie, and "Iljimae."
Jang Nara
Jang started out as a singer and has become a popular TV and movie actress in Korea, Taiwan and China In China she was awarded a top prize as a singer and appeared in the Chinese TV drama "The Mischievous Princess" with other top Chinese stars.Lee Young-ae
Lee starred in the TV drama"Dae Jang Geum" and is now one of the most popular actresses in Asia and Middle East.
She has also starred in "Joint Security Area,"
"Last Present," "One Fine Spring Day" and
"Sympathy for Lady Vengeance."
Rain
The singer Rain has been chosen as one of the 100 most influential persons in the United States. He gained his popularity not only as a singer but also from his work in TV dramas. He appeared in "Sangdoo! Let's Go to School" in 2003,"Full House" in 2004 and "A Love to Kill" in 2005, of which "Full House" won great popularity in China.
Bae Yong-jun Choi Ji-wu
Lee Byung-heon Lee Jun-ki
Lee Young-ae Jang Nara
Rain
TV Dramas
Koreans love watching TV dramas, seeing movies and listening to music. Of the three TV dramas probably take up the largest part of their time. Korean TV compa- nies now spend a hefty budget on dramas. Some of more successful ones are exported, helped by the influence of Hallyu.
Characteristics of Korean Dramas
Chinese dramas tend to focus more on the stories and Japanese dramas emphasize the inner workings of the characters. On the other hand, Korean dra- mas are more about the personalities involved than the story. For instance, "Dae Jang Geum" received overwhelming popularity from viewers for its detailed expression of a woman trying to do her best in her specialty. People seem to draw satisfaction from such dramas as "Dae Jang Geum" and "Winter Sonata" by iden- tifying themselves with the stars and sharing feelings with them. Perhaps the biggest reason Korean dramas are popular in China and Japan is that the audi- ence can relate to the character of, for example, someone who can overcome vari- ous hardships in the pursuit of a dream for herself and her family. Korean produc- tions are also highly rated for their sophistication in expressing human emotions.
The Top 5 Hallyu Dramas
The five most popular Korean-made dramas in Japan are "Winter Sonata," "Dae Jang Geum," "Stairway to Heaven," "Beautiful Days" and "Hotelier."
"Winter Sonata," Starring Bae Yong-jun and Choi Ji-wu
This is a tale of three persons bound together in the name of "first love." They met, sepa- rated and were re-entangled by the net called "family." The story unfoldsK o rea T o d ay
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through a mysterious interweaving of relationships surrounding them: Junsang;
Yujin; Sanghyuk; and Minhyung, who resembles Junsang. Besides the romantic aspects, the drama captured fans' hearts with its memorable scenery and music.
"Dae Jang Geum," Starring Lee Young- ae
This fictional story is based on the life of a woman during the reign of Jungjong (1506- 1544) in Joseon, a male-dominated traditional society. Jang Geum becomes the top royal chef through her strong willpower and drive. She then learns medicine after overcoming various hardships and finally is appointed the first female royal physician. "Dae Jang Geum"means "Chief Female Royal Physician," the title bestowed upon her. It tells, for the first time, the story of a significant woman's suc- cess. Many people also loved the drama for its detailed coverage of royal cuisine in Joseon.
"Stairway to Heaven," Starring Kwon Sang-wu and Choi Ji-wu
This drama was purportedly made to give meaning to "loving someone fully, overcoming antagonistic social customs and taboos." It is a tragic story of hopeless, forbidden love between a man and woman. Their love is pure, hardly imaginable, yet surely such a love can exist somewhere. The drama awakens the viewers to their own feelings, never revealed to another.
Korean TV Dramas Going Global
The popularity of the Korean dramas has spread to the Middle East, where "First Love," introduced in 1997 and starring Bae Yong-jun, was a big hit. ore recently,
"Taejo Wang Geon" has become popular in China, Japan and the Middle East.
"Dae Jang Geum" Popular in UAE and Iran
People in the Middle East have been also caught onto the Hallyucraze. Dubai TV, the state-run broadcaster in the UAE, has been televising "Dae Jang Geum,"
"My Name is Kim Sam Soon" and "I'm Sorry, I Love You" since 2005. "Emperor of the Sea" and
"I'm Sorry, I Love You" are particularly popular among young people. In Iran, "Dae Jang Geum"
received a rating of over 90%, sparking greater interest in Korea and the Korean language.
Middle Eastern viewers prefer family-based sto- ries, as they usually watch TV as an entire family.
That is one reason Korean TV dramas are so well received in this region.
"The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince"
"Princess Hours" and "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince" have become very popular in Southeast Asia because these dramas and the stars' fash- ion styles show how Korean youth now live. "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince" has been exported to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. In addition, the Hongdae branch of 'The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince," where the drama was filmed, is drawing crowds from inside and outside Korea.
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A scene from "My Name is Kim Sam Soon"
A scene from "Princess Hours
A scene from "The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince"
Chungmu-ro and the Film Industry
Korean movies are now shown both domestically and overseas. Korea is excep- tional in that over 50% of the domestic film market is made up of home-made productions. Korean films, along with TV dramas and pop songs, are at the heart of Hallyu, enjoying great popularity in China, Taiwan, Japan and elsewhere.
Chungmu-ro: Birthplace of Korean Film-making
Hollywood was the base for most of the American film industry for many decades. The Korean film industry was primarily based in Seoul's Chungmu-ro area, adjacent to Myeong-dong, from the late 50s through the 1980s, Here, film directors, actors and actresses worked with a cluster of film companies and cine- mas. In the 1990s, film companies began moving to southern Seoul (Gangnam), but many still remain around Chungmu-ro.
Films in Hallyu
Until the late 1990s, few Korean films were successful outside the country.
"Christmas in August", directed by Huh Jin-ho and released in 1999, was the first to receive significant attention in Hong Kong. The next year, "Swiri" sold well in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. In 2002, "My Sassy Girl" obtained excellent results in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, and Korean film
had firmly joined the Korean Wave.
Hallyu and Korean Films
Hong Kong-made films once domi- nated the Asian market, but Korean- made films have made significant inroads, riding the Hallyuwave along with TV dramas and pop songs. The Korean movies are popular for their
"Swiri" poster "Christmas in August" poster
solid story lines and diverse genres, appealing to a wide audience. Bolstering their success has been the international interest in Korean TV dramas in many Asian countries since the late 1990s. Korean TV actors and actresses also appeared in the movies, and their fame has boosted box office sales in several Asian countries. One good example is "April Snow", starring Bae Yong-jun. The film was produced with Japanese viewers in mind; it was sold to Japan even before completion and then went on to perform well in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.
Hallyu Films in Different Countries
Exports to Japan, now the largest market for Korean film, started with "Swiri,"
followed by "My Sassy Girl," "Joint Security Area," "Too Beautiful," "Old Boy,"
"Everybody Has Secrets," "TaeGukGi: Brotherhood of War," "Windstruck," "Untold Scandal," "King and the Clown," "The Most" and "April Snow." "A Moment to Remember," starring Sohn Ye-jin and Jeong Wu-seong, is the most successful Korean film in Japan to date.
Exporting films to China is restricted by law, but pirated DVDs of "My Sassy Girl"
were a big hit. Formal film exports to China have not been successful but Korean- made movies are second only to American movies in pirated editions. Meanwhile, Korean films remain popular in Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.
Excellent Directors and Genre Diversity
The popularity won by Hallyu and Hallyu stars since the 1990s undoubtedly played a key role in giving the Korean film industry its current global success.
More importantly, however, many creative and competitive film directors began to
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"April Snow" poster
come onto the scene from the mid- 1990s. They have ensured successful production, diversified the film genres, brought a better balance to the mix, and elevated the overall quality of Korean cinema.
The remarkable growth attained by the industry in the new millennium has been recognized with awards to Korean film
directors Pak Chan-wook, Im Kwon-taek, Kim Ki-duk and Lee Chang-dong at such major festivals as Cannes, Venice and Berlin, elevating the global stature of Korean-made films.
Director Kim Ki-duk became known to American and European audiences with his "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring," while director Hong Sang-soo is noted for his excellent ability to express desire, discomfort and other aspects of the human psyche in this works. Director Im Kwon-taek, who was awarded at Cannes for "Painted Fire," also directed "Seopyonje" and "Chun Hyang," works that have made him known as the best director for expressing the Korean culture and spirit in film. Meanwhile, direc- tor Kang Jae-gyu, who began as a top screen- writer in Chungmu-ro, brought a boom to Hallyu films with "Swiri," fol- lowed by such block- busters as "Silmido" and
"TaeGukGi: Brotherhood of War." He is the most successful director in terms of production and
Film director Im Kwon-taek Film director
Pak Chan-wook
"Old Boy" poster "Chun Hyang" poster
box-office sales.
Another young but prominent film director is Bong Jun-ho, who directed "The Host," which became a world hit outside Asia. Director Pak Chan-wook followed up his acclaimed "Joint Security Area" with a fresh and unique series that includes "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance," "Old Boy" and "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance." Since then, he also clinched the Jury prize at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival. His "Old Boy" has been sold to about 60 countries, solidifying world recognition of the Korean film industry.
Korea to Asia & Beyond
Korean films bring a new dimension to Hallyubeyond TV dramas and pop songs, expanding the market in Asia. Korean movies are, on their own strengths, now making rapid progress in markets outside Asia. "Il Mare," "The Host," "Old Boy"
and "A Tale of Two Sisters"
received Hollywood recognition
and are now being remade. Korean movie stars Lee Byung-heon, Jeon Ji-hyun and Rain are active in Hollywood, and Korean film directors have been invited to Hollywood to make films. Korea has become an important player in the global film industry and holds international film festivals for everyone from the world to enjoy.
K o rea T o d ay
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Korea
T h e P u s a n I n t e r n a t i o n a l F i l m Festival, now considered one of the world's top 10 international film fes- tivals, is one of several such events held in Korea.
Pusan International Film Festival (www.piff.org)
Chungmuro International Film Festival in Seoul (www.chiffs.kr) Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (www.pifan.com) Jeonju International Film Festival (www.jiff.or.kr)
Gwangju International Film Festival (www.giff.org)
tip
Posters of award-winning films at film festivals
Korean Pop Songs outside Korea
The news of Dongbangshinki's possible breakup dismayed fans in Korea, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. All of Asia is now the stage for Korean pop songs and pop singers. Hallyustarted out
focused on TV dramas, then expanded to movies.
Korean pop songs are now the main driver of the Korean Wave.
Korean pop songs have evolved for nearly a century.
"Trot (from "foxtrot," which influenced its simple beat) is the oldest form of Korean pop music. It developed in the years before and during the Japanese occupation.
The genre helped to comfort the sorrow of an oppressed people. In the 1970s, Korea was hit by a wave of songs sung by long-haired folk singers playing acoustic guitars and wearing blue jeans. Various new genres (rock, ballads, hip-hop) came and went through the 1980s and 1990s. In the new millennium, Korean pop songs became Asian pop songs and the world pop songs.
Korean songstress BoA released her first single in Japan in 2001 and has subsequently been the top artist on the Oricon chart countless times with sale of more than 10 million discs in
Japan alone. "Tell Me Your Wish," the second album
released by the all-girl band Girls' Generation, topped the Thai pop charts for four weeks. Meanwhile, SS501, a Korean boy band, released three albums in Taiwan, and they all topped one of the famous charts there. Songster Rain and Wonder Girls, a pop diva group, have advanced into the United States, while f(x), a 5-girl group, received mass media attention from many Asian countries even before its debut.
Rain
General Trend of Idol Groups
The leaders in Hallyupop songs are idol groups, which mainly perform hip-hop and dance music. They focus more on rhythms and unique dance moves than lyrics and melodies. Despite their adolescent appearance, the members empha- size sex appear with unconventional costumes, makeup and dance. Many of the bands are multi-national. Hangkyeong, a member of the 13-member boy-group
"Super Junior," is Chinese and Victoria of "f(x)" is also Chinese. They are emerg- ing not only as singers but as part of the popular culture. Sidelines such as fash- ion, games, books and TV program are being produced in tandem with these groups.
Idol Group Singers
D o n g b a n g s h i n k i
This 5-member boy- group ("Asian Popularity"
in Korean) made its debut in 2003. Not only tall and good-looking, the members have been evaluated highly for their singing and danc- ing. The name varies from country to country:
in Japan, Tohoshinki; in
Chinese region, Tong Vfang Xien Qi; in the English-speaking region, TVXQ.
The group has released 8 singles and 4 albums in Korea, 28 singles and 4 albums in Japan, and 1 single in the US and China--all in their respective lan- guages.
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