Korean Culture (한국 문화)
From Hanboks, to traditional ceremonies in Korea, here are the things to know about Korean culture. (한복에서부터 한국의 전통 의식까지, 여기 한국 문화에 대해 알아야 할 것들이 있다.)
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Dojang: The Korean Name Stamp from History and Meaning to Where To Get One
If you’re living in Korea and you’ve ever wondered why the area to put your signatures on forms is so small, the answer is the dojang. I’m sure I’m not the only one that went from a full name signature to just using my initials when signing everything from bank books to contracts after moving to Korea. Wondering what that name stamp is every Korean person seems to have when they go to sign a contract? Let me fill you in. In Korea, a dojang (도장) is a seal or stamp with one’s name or signature. Whether you want one for legal purposes in Korea or if you are just…
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The Korean Moon Jar: What It Is and Why It’s Iconic
The world of ceramics is filled with treasures that span centuries and cultures and Korea is a country that has an immense history with ceramics in a variety of forms. The Korean moon jar is a uniquely beautiful piece of Korea’s ceramic culture and stands as an iconic symbol of simplicity, elegance, and cultural significance. These unique porcelain vessels, with their milky white glaze and distinctive shape, have captured the hearts of artists, collectors, and connoisseurs for generations and more recently, thanks to RM of BTS, a new and younger generation of people around the world have learned about the iconic moon jars. Get ready to learn about the iconic…
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Crows, Shamanism, and Jeju Island with Joey Rositano
While thousands of people visit Jeju Island in South Korea each month and visit the hot spots and beautiful beaches, there are few that have become as intrigued with the Shamanic practices and rites unique to the Korean island as Joey Rositano. There is more to the island famous for idyllic views and Korean honeymooners than many tourists ever realize. Learn more about Rositano’s latest project called ‘Scattering’ which explores the fascinating and puzzling connection between crows and humans in the Shamanic ceremonies in the Darakut village of Jeju Island. Learn more about the fascinating book called ‘Scattering’ and the writer, researcher, and photographer, Joey Rositano: *All photos in this…
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Children’s Day in Korea: What It Is and How To Celebrate
Children’s Day (어린이날) is a major public holiday, or “red day”, in South Korea that falls in the spring in Korea each year. Yes, a whole day to celebrate the kids! Can you imagine? If you’re living in Korea and want to know how to celebrate Children’s Day with your family, or perhaps don’t have kids and want to know what to avoid on Children’s Day, then this is the info for you. It’s a day off of school for kids and a day away from work for salaried workers. Here is everything you should know about Children’s Day in Korea. Get ready to learn more about Children’s Day in…
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Tipping In Korea: The Complete Guide to Tipping Culture, Etiquette, and When It’s Actually Rude
I was out for lunch with an old Korean halabeoji, or grandpa, I’ve known for about a decade. He’s the kind of man who orders soju at noon without hesitation and insists you join him even if you have work afterward. We go to all kinds of restaurants together and he acts like he knows everyone everywhere. He might honestly. On this particular day, he did something that genuinely surprised me. On the way out, he tipped the restaurant staff. Then he tipped the valet who brought his car around. Tipping in Korea is not the norm. But it happens, and knowing when it’s appropriate, when it’s unnecessary, and when…
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How To Celebrate the Year Of The Rabbit In Korea
Happy New Year! 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, a black rabbit to be precise, and rabbit’s are a sign of longevity, peace, and prosperity so this is looking like it will be a year of hope and fruitfulness. In Korean, this year is called “Gyemyonyeon”, 계묘년, with “Gye” meaning black, “myo” meaning rabbit, and “nyeon” meaning year. The year of the Black Rabbit is associated with the heavens. So, what does the Year of the Rabbit mean? And, how can you celebrate the Year of the Rabbit in Korea? Here’s what you need to know… What to know about the Year Of The Rabbit in Korea: (This post…
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Traditional Korean Medicine: Hanyak, Sasang, and Medicinal Herbs
With a pretty traditional Korean mother-in-law, I’ve been given a variety of more holistic remedies over the years and as someone who is more inclined toward holistic medicine over modern, I’m okay with that. But, there’s a lot to know and remember and a lot to know when it comes to Hanyak, Hanbang, and Sasang. There is so much to learn when it comes to traditional Korean medicine. I have to wager a guess that people of yore had little booklets or something that they kept all of the info on the plants around them listed because there’s just so much information. With that in mind, I’ve put together a…
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Dancheong: What the Colors on Korean Temples and Palaces Mean
If you’ve ever sat in awe looking up at the beautifully decorated and colorful traditional palaces or temples in Korea like I have, then you’ve probably noticed the elaborate details and wondered what it all means. The colorful facades and intricate details are beautiful and the traditional Korean decorative coloring, or dancheong (단청), might take you back to your childhood days of staring at the tortuous Magic Eye books looking for some hidden meaning. There might not be a 3D illusion to find, but there is more symbolism than you might realize. Learn everything you need to know about dancheong: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain…
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Suneung: Korea’s Brutal College Entrance Exam Explained
Come autumn in Korea, you’ll start to hear about Suneung (수능) and if you don’t know what all the jazz is about, you might wonder what the big deal is. A test? Didn’t we all take tests in high school when we were kids? We did… but this is a little different. Get ready to learn all about the Korean Suneung, or College Entrance Exam. Whether you’re looking for example English questions on the Suneung to learn about all of the drama every year or what to give a student about to take the Suneung, or maybe why planes aren’t allowed to fly while the test is being given, you’ll…
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Korean Mother of Pearl Lacquerware (Najeonchilgi): What It Is and Where To Buy It
I LOVE najeonchilgi (나전칠기) and think it’s an underrated gift from Korea that I wish more people knew about. Najeonchilgi, or mother-of-pearl lacquerware in English, is beautiful and has an amazing history behind it. This Korean handicraft used to be really popular in Korea but has gone out of fashion over the years which has decreased the number of craftsmen making it now. That, though, has also increased the value. Want to get your hands on some beautiful Korean souvenirs? You can buy them in Korea but also while you’re abroad and I’m going to tell you how to make sure you get an authentic piece of Korean mother of…
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Korean Chopsticks: Why They’re Metal, How To Use Them and Proper Etiquette
One of the first things travelers notice when they sit down to eat in Korea is that their chopsticks are metal, not the wooden or bamboo ones they’re used to at Asian restaurants back home. It’s a small thing but it changes the experience noticeably thanks to the weight, the grip, the feel against the fingers. Using metal chopsticks is an altogether different skill from wooden ones, and it takes some adjustment. The reasons Korean chopsticks are metal go much further back than most people expect. The history runs from royal poison detection to a post-war government policy, and the story makes the chopstick sitting next to your bowl of…
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Korean Eating Etiquette: 8 Rules Before You Sit Down
The food is served and you are ready to dig in… but wait, do you know good table manners in Korea? I’ve made plenty of mistakes around the dinner table in Korea, chief among them tapping my father-in-law’s soju glass when he poured his own drink. I’ll get to that story later. There is a lot to know about eating in Korea and I should add that a lot depends on who you’re eating with. I’ll get to that later too. Anyway, you’re ready to eat in Korea. Before you do, let’s learn the Korean eating etiquette so you can dig right in. What to know about Korean table manners: (This…
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Modern Hanbok Guide: Where To Buy Modern Hanbok Online & In Seoul
Modern Hanbok is one of the biggest fashion trends in Korea right now, and one that’s been quietly building for years before the rest of the world caught on. Traditional Korean silhouettes, updated with lighter fabrics, simplified cuts, and contemporary color palettes that you can actually wear day to day. I have five Hanboks myself: one traditional, four modern. Once you have one, you tend to end up with more. You might have already seen modern Hanbok without realizing it. BTS members have worn Leesle. BLACKPINK wore Danha Seoul in the “How You Like That” music video. Tilda Swinton wore Tchai Kim. These aren’t just celebrity endorsements, they reflect a…
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How To Celebrate The Year Of The Tiger In Korea
Happy New Year! 2022 has begun and with it the Year of the Tiger, the black tiger to be precise. In Korean, this year is called “Iminnyeon”, 임인년, with “Im” meaning black, “in” meaning tiger, and “nyeon” meaning year. Korea is known as the “Land of tigers”. Tigers, which once roamed the Korean peninsula, are so ingrained in Korean history and folklore that you’ll even see Korea depicted as a tiger… it just takes a little imagination. So, what does the Year of the Tiger mean? And, how can you celebrate the Year of the Tiger in Korea? Here’s what you need to know… What to know about the Year…
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12 Things You Should Know About Pepero Day
Oh Pepero Day (빼빼로 데이), the Korean holiday that you might love or love to hate. I guess it depends on whether you like the Korean snack, Pepero, though. If chocolate covered cylindrical cookies are your jam, then this is a holiday for you! Do you know how many romantic holidays there are in Korea? More than 12. Learn about the other romantic holidays in Korea here. Come November, snack shelves in Korean convenience stores, grocery stores, and every other store, feature a substantial number of this popular Korean snack item. Want to know more about this romantic holiday in Korea? You’ve come to the right place. Here are 12…
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Squid Game: Every Korean Game From Seasons 1 and 2 Explained
Something about Squid Game struck a nerve worldwide. It became the No.1 show on Netflix globally, was picked up for a second season, and spawned a real-life competition series in “Squid Game: The Challenge.” If you haven’t watched it yet, get on it. One of the most interesting things about watching Squid Game is that the games are real. They are Korean children’s games, some still played in schoolyards today. This guide covers every game from both seasons, what each one is, how to play it, and the Korean context behind it. (By no means do I suggest playing these games to the death. But the perfectly acceptable, childlike-wonder versions…
