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Korean Traditions

Wed, September 27, 2023 | 23:49

Pansori singer Kim Jun-sun completes first full episode

Pansori singer Kim Jun-sun completes first full episode

The 26-year-old pansori singer Kim Jun-su completed a full recital of "Sugung-ga" at the KB Haneul Round Theater of the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul, Saturday. He performed the pansori piece, which is South Jeolla Provincial Intangible Cultural Property No. 29-4. It is known for its humorous style, featuring personification of animals such as a terrapin and a ra...

Kwon Mee-yoo | 2018-03-27 16:57

Donkeys in Korea

Donkeys were once a source of pride in Joseon -- at least according to Horace Allen, the U.S. minister to Korea, who wrote: “Formerly, when a man had attained a certain rank he might ride a donkey. This gentle animal therefore became the pride of the hearts of the lesser officials. A donkey with a good loud bray and a tendency to exercise his vocal organs was most highly priz...

2018-03-26 18:50

Honoring Confucian sages [PHOTOS]

Honoring Confucian sages [PHOTOS]

Sungkyunkwan University students perform a traditional Korean dance “palilmu” during a grand ritual in honor of Confucius and Confucian sages called “Seokjeon” at the school’s shrine, Daeseongjeon, Monday. The performance is designated as Korea’s 85th Intangible Cultural Asset.

Choi Won-suk | 2018-03-26 15:29

Hit by high rent, Insa-dong loses its identity

Hit by high rent, Insa-dong loses its identity

Hong Soo-hi, the owner of Koohasanbang, Insa-dong's oldest remaining “pilbang” or ink brush store, deplores the fact the cultural heritage street is no longer what it used to be.“There's nothing to see,” the 70-year-old complains as he prepares instant coffee behind the counter. “That's why most tourists just leave after a quick glance.”

Lee Suh-yoon | 2018-03-25 18:02

Pansori meets contemporary dance in 'Red Cliff'

Pansori meets contemporary dance in 'Red Cliff'

The dynamic battle of Red Cliffs became a performance combining "pansori" (Korean traditional narrative music) and powerful choreography at the Jeongdong Theater in central Seoul.While traditional pansori is commonly decried as outdated and boring these days, the Jeongdong production condensed the contents to 90 minutes and added contemporary choreography.

Kwon Mee-yoo | 2018-03-18 17:16

Clash of superstitions

By Robert Neff In May 1899, superstition and modernization clashed in the streets of Seoul. The country was suffering from a severe drought and some Korean leaders, who objected to modernization, used the superstitions of the common people to blame the American-owned Seoul Electric Railway for the lack of rain. They insisted the electrical wires interfered with the spirits go...

2018-03-16 17:04

Why Seoul expats choose Korean names

Why Seoul expats choose Korean names

A Brazilian executive at a major South Korean brewery made headlines Tuesday when he announced that he now had a Korean name. Oriental Brewery CEO Bruno Cosentino is now Ko Dong-woo. The brewery, owned by Brazilian-Belgian transnationalbeverage and brewing company AB InBev, said Tuesday Cosentino got the Korean name from a professional naming office. The name was chosen after...

Ko Dong-hwan | 2018-03-07 17:55

[Joseon Images] Sokchon: sport of New Year

Joseon ImagesSokchon: sport of New Year

In late February 1891, the streets of Seoul -- especially the Jongno area -- were battlefields for young boys. The combatants, some as young as eight, were divided into two teams of roughly the same size and armed with small wooden clubs and bags of polished stones. They participated in “sokchon” (stone battles) -- traditionally held 15 days after the Lunar New Year.

2018-02-28 16:34

Joseon's white elephant

Joseon's white elephant

On Feb. 22, 1411, an exotic gift from Japan arrived in Joseon Korea. It was an elephant -- the first on the peninsula. It undoubtedly excited great interest in the capital and people vied for the opportunity to view this wondrous creature. But not all were impressed. In December 1412, former court official Lee Woo, visited the site where the great beast was kept. Mocking its ...

2018-02-21 18:16

'Samguk Sagi' to be elevated as national treasure

The Cultural Heritage Administration said Wednesday that two books “Samguk Sagi” and “Samguk Yusa” will be elevated in status to national treasures. This marks a significant milestone given that it is the first time a documented piece of “Samguk Sagi” is being designated as a national treasure.

Kwak Yeon-soo | 2018-02-21 16:39

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