Archive for August, 2010
Korean Directors Posted by Ginny on Aug 30, 2010
Korean films are starting to receive some attention on the international stage. Part of this is due to clever marketing, but there is the fact that some of the greatest Korean directors are making these films. Bong Joonho (봉준호) is a talented director. Two of his films that he made while he was a…
The Gumiho Posted by Ginny on Aug 25, 2010
There is a new Korean drama out called 내 여자친구는 구미호, which means “my girlfriend is a nine tail fox”. The drama is currently being broadcasted by SBS and stars Lee Seung Gi (이승기) and Shin Min Ah (신민아). Shin Min Ah plays the role of a Gumiho (구미호). A gumiho is a legendary nine…
Korean Martial Arts Posted by Ginny on Aug 19, 2010
Taekwondo (태권도) is often more widely known as the premier Korean martial art form of fighting. There are for certain other Korean martial art forms, but they are less known throughout the world. Kuk Sool Won (국술원) is a hybrid martial art form that combines techniques from a variety of martial art forms. Tang Soo…
Before…to begin….to start Posted by Ginny on Aug 16, 2010
The construction ~기 전에 can be used to mean “before I do something I ___” 운동하기 전에 옷을 갈아입었어요 = Before I exercised I changed my clothes (운동하기 = [I] exercise. 전에 = before. 옷 = clothes. 을 = particle. 갈아입었어요 = changed) This construction can also be used in the future tense : 밥을…
The Five Grand Palaces Posted by Ginny on Aug 13, 2010
If you want to view a bit of art, culture and history, visit the “Five Grand Palaces” in Seoul (서울). 창덕궁 or Changdeok Palace, means “Palace of Prospering Virtue”. Changdeok Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because the features of the Palace blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Some of the natural features…
Jorim Posted by Ginny on Aug 10, 2010
Jorim (조림) refers to a type of dish that is prepared by letting the dish simmer in a thick sauce or soup. Here are some examples of Korean dishes prepared in this way : 장조림 are thin beef strips simmered in soy sauce. First beef is boiled in some water and when the beef…
Korean Instruments Posted by Ginny on Aug 7, 2010
Way before guitars and violins were introduced to Korea, Korean music was dominated by traditional Korean stringed instruments such as these: A Gayageum (가야금) is a twelve stringed instrument made of wood. A Geomungo (거문고) is a six stringed instrument plucked with a bamboo stick. A Haegum (해금) is like a two stringed fiddle played…