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Tue, December 6, 2022 | 03:38

The earliest students of Korea and 'things Korean'

The earliest students of Korea and 'things Korean'

In late 1884, there were only a handful of Westerners residing in Seoul. Some of these men were recognized later as experts on “things Korean.” Men like William George Aston, a British diplomat, who studied and learned Korean while in Japan in preparation for being assigned to Korea in 1884.

2022-06-11 10:28

Born on the fifth day of the fifth moon

Born on the fifth day of the fifth moon

In the late 19th century, books written in English about Korean history were often more amusing than informative because they were filled with inaccuracies, folktales, myths and deliberate deceptions. Horace N. Allen, an early American missionary doctor and later the American representative to Korea, was fond of amusing foreign readers on the peninsula - as well as those abro...

2022-06-05 17:07

Celebrating Dano in 1900

Celebrating Dano in 1900

To the foreign visitor (and many younger Koreans), Dano is possibly one of the least-known Korean holidays. Even in the late 19th century, when it was well celebrated in Korea, it was rarely mentioned by Westerners in their letters home.

2022-06-04 12:51

'Let there be light' for Joseon Court

'Let there be light' for Joseon Court

In late November 1886, William McKay, a 23-year-old Scottish American, his wife Anna and their infant son Willie arrived in Jemulpo to help “enlighten” Joseon - at least the palace - with electricity. McKay was brought to the peninsula as an “electric light teacher” and his primary responsibility was to set up the power plant purchased by the Korean government from the Edison...

2022-05-29 08:56

Dragons in the Palace

Dragons in the Palace

For many young foreign diplomats, Seoul in the late 1880s was a wild and exciting adventure. It was, of course, filled with political intrigue and assassinations; the main players were disgruntled court officials, members of the royal family and, reportedly, even the supernatural.

2022-05-22 14:30

Shocking treatment: Electricity in 19th-century medical treatment

Shocking treatment: Electricity in 19th-century medical treatment

In the summer of 1877, a new type of medicine was introduced into Korea. Dr. Yano, a Japanese naval surgeon, established a hospital in Fusan (now part of modern Busan) where he treated not only the Japanese residents of the enclave but also Koreans from the surrounding regions. At first, many Koreans distrusted this foreign doctor and his new medicines, but, upon hearing glow...

2022-05-21 09:00

The open secrets of Korea's 'namsadang' art troupes

The open secrets of Korea's 'namsadang' art troupes

In the late 19th century, large itinerant troupes of male entertainers - known as “namsadang” - roamed the Korean countryside providing the people with a brief respite from their everyday lives through acrobatics, music, dance and puppet plays. They have been described as the “voice of the common people,” as the performers were commoners themselves.

2022-05-15 08:37

Folk entertainment at a village festival in 1957

Folk entertainment at a village festival in 1957

In 1957, Richard Rutt - an Anglican missionary - wrote a series of anonymous articles for The Korea Times in which he described his life in a small village near Pyeongtaek. He was a master storyteller and his narratives were vivid, humorous and filled with detail which granted his readers the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of Seoul and relax in the simplicity of ...

2022-05-14 08:50

The 1893 wreck of the Russian warship, the Vitiaz

The 1893 wreck of the Russian warship, the Vitiaz

In early April 1893, the Russian warship, the Vitiaz (Valiant Warrior), departed Japan for Korea - its mission was to survey the coast along the eastern side of the peninsula so that the Russian government could update its charts. The previous charts were about forty years old and were filled with inaccuracies.

2022-05-08 14:56

Jemulpo tennis tournament in 1902

Jemulpo tennis tournament in 1902

One of the first foreign sports to be introduced into Korea was tennis. In the spring of 1884, the American minister, Lucius Foote, and his wife Rose had a tennis court constructed at the American Legation in Seoul. About a month later, a tennis court was set up in Fusan (modern Busan) by the Western employees of the Korean Customs Service.

2022-05-07 09:34

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