The impressive economic advancement of Korea, which is marking the ‘visit Korea year and hosting the G-20 economic summit in November, has a rich history. Most of its festivals are celebrated between April and October. It is also well known for its progressive technology and futuristic architecture and design. Its IT, mobile and semiconductor industries are famous around the world. It is a country where past traditions are interconnected with modern thinking.
Why are North and South Korea still divided when Germany and many others have unified? Korea was liberated from Japanese rule in 1945 into two at the 38th parallel, and Russia took control of the North and the United States the South. The Korean War started in 1950 and the demarcation zone, marked out at the time the two sides reached a deal in 1953, became the current North-South border, says our guide.
The geography of Korea, a peninsula jutting out from the world’s largest continent, has contributed greatly to the development of unique Korean characteristics. The foundation for the country’s culture and arts is the Korean identity — a combination of traits associated with continental and island peoples.
Throughout many millennia, Korea has interacted with the predominant continental cultures of Asia despite its peripheral location in the northeast. Remarkably, while accommodating major religions and traditions of other Asian regions the country has developed a truly distinct culture in many aspects, which some people call the “centrality of the Korean culture.” Koreans are proud that their country has given them freedom to practice religion.
Under this topographical influence, the Korean people came to develop a peace-loving yet dynamic character that has created a contemplative yet vibrant, optimistic yet sentimental culture.
UNESCO has recognized the unique value and the distinct character of Korean culture by placing a number of Korean treasures on the World Heritage List. Buddhists constitute the country’s majority, followed by Christians. Muslims form a single digit percentage in Seoul that boasts at least nine major mosques.
In 1995, UNESCO added to its list Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, both in Gyeongju in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Haeinsa Temple Janggyeongpanjeon — the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks in Gyeongsangnam-do province, and Jongmyo, the Royal Ancestral Shrine in Seoul. Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul and Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon were entered on the list in 1997. In 2000 two additional Korean treasures were added to the list — the dolmen sites of Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwado, and the Gyeongju Historic Areas, the capital of the ancient Silla kingdom (57 BC-935 AD), where innumerable cultural treasures and historic sites are carefully preserved.
In 2007, UNESCO named Korea’s volcanic island Jejudo and its lava tubes a natural property of outstanding beauty, which bears testimony to the history of our planet. In 2009, some 40 royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty were added to the list. They had been built according to the ancient theory of divination based on topography, known in English by its Chinese name Feng shui. Gyengbokgung is the oldest palace of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), which is at the northern end of Sejongno Street. On its grounds stands the National Folk Museum of Korea, where we saw visitors browsing the unique cultural and historical traits of Korea and the lifestyle of the bygone era. Seoul has been the center of politics, economy, culture and transportation of Korea for six centuries since King Taejo, the founder of the Joseon dynasty, who moved the capital here in 1394.
While music and dance play an integral role in all traditional theatrical performances, Korean drama has its origins in prehistoric religious rites. A good example of this classical theatrical form is the masked dance Sandaenori, a combination of dance, song and narrative punctuated with satire and humor. In fact, Korea abounds in cultural facilities of all levels and categories where people can enjoy exhibitions and stage performances throughout the year.
Of the three basic elements of life — food, clothing and house — the change in dietary habits has most significantly affected Koreans. Korean food is nutritious and many dishes are partly fermented. Consequently, it is considered healthy and a good defense against cancer. Rice still remains the staple of most Koreans, but among the younger generations, many prefer Western-style food. Rice is usually accompanied by various side dishes, mostly seasoned vegetables, soup and meat. A Korean traditional meal is not complete without ‘kimchi’, a mixture of various pickled vegetables such as Chinese cabbage, radish, green onion and cucumber. Certain types of kimchi are made spicy with the addition of red chili pepper powder while others are prepared without red chili peppers or are soaked in a tasty liquid. However garlic is always used in kimchi to add to its flavor.
Hanbok has been Korea’s traditional costume for thousands of years. Before the adoption of Western clothing 100 years ago, Hanbok used to be everyday attire. Men wore a jeogori (jacket) with baji (trousers), while women wore a jeogori and chima (wrap-around skirt). Today, Hanbok is mainly worn on days of celebration or special occasions such as weddings and birthdays.
Korean gardens attempt to recreate natural landscapes with hills, streams and fields. They are usually small in scale, but strive toward an ideal harmony of nature and man. The principal idea is to raise the garden from nature with the least possible disturbance because nature, in the Korean mind, is already a perfect and absolute entity that regenerates and sustains life.
Koreans enjoy a variety of sporting activities and games. Taekwondo is the country’s traditional martial art developed 2,000 years ago. “It’s for everyone to learn and it teaches defensive and offensive moves using hands and feet. It’s a sport that trains the body and the mind,” says a Taekwondo trainer. It has been an official Olympic sport since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
There is plenty of entertainment in Seoul. One of the longest running is Nanta Theater, which has daily shows. Watching a Nanta show is fun and exciting. Nanta is performed using kitchen utensils, pots, pans, garbage cans, broomsticks chopsticks, and some especially exciting vegetable chopping on blocks with sharp kitchen knives. This wild and funny percussion performance has won international awards and acclaim. Chongdong Theater, Korea’s first repertory theater that presents the country’s traditional performing arts series, is another daily event that attracts theatergoers.
Seoul is also a shoppers’ paradise. From the Itaewon intersection, this special tourism zone stretches all the way past the Hamilton Hotel to Hannam-dong. It is lined with about 2,000 shops dealing in traditional and the latest in fashion and style, as well ethnic restaurants and eateries. One can see foreign residents and tourists crowding this district throughout the day.
