Archive for the year 2011
Hwachae Posted by Ginny on May 6, 2011
Hwache (화채) is a term used to refer to a type of traditional Korean drink that is made of fruits. Subak Hwachae (수박화채) is one example of this type of drink. “Subak Hwachae” is a watermelon drink. This drink is very popular in the summer months because it’s a cool drink that includes watermelon, ice…
Korean Festivals in May Posted by Ginny on May 4, 2011
The month of May is a merry time for festivals in South Korea. Have you been to the Yeoncheon Jeongokri Paleolithic Festival (연천전곡리 구석기축제)? I love this festival because you can learn about how Paleolithic people lived, through live demonstrations. The festival will start on May 4th and end on May 8th. It will take…
Korean Royal Couples Posted by Ginny on Apr 30, 2011
With the wedding of William and Kate in England, interest in the royals is at an all time high. Since the royal wedding in England, I think the question on people’s minds is on whether William and Kate will live happily ever after. As you know, Prince Charles and Diana’s fairy tale wedding did not…
Korean Mask Dances Posted by Ginny on Apr 28, 2011
There are certain traditional Korean mask dances that are considered by the Korean government as important cultural assets of Korea. One of these mask dances is called Bongsan Talchum (봉산탈춤). It’s a dance that originated from the Bongsan region in Hwanghae Province (황해도). Korean mask dances are often performances that satirize different classes of Korean…
Hey Toad Posted by Ginny on Apr 25, 2011
There is a Korean children’s song about a 두꺼비. A 두꺼비 is a toad. Here’s a video you can sing along to: 두껍아 두껍아 헌집 줄게 새집 다오 (dugguhba dugguhba huhnjip julge sehjip dao) [Hey toad, hey toad, I’ll give you an old house, you give me a new house] 두껍아 두껍아 헌집 줄게 새집…
Korea’s Greatest Military Leaders Posted by Ginny on Apr 18, 2011
There are always a few individuals who have placed the welfare and safety of the Korean nation before themselves. These notable people are generals, admirals, or military commanders who have risked their lives to protect the Korean nation from being invaded and ultimately destroyed. There are too many of these selfless individuals to list, but…
Kim Il Sung’s Birthday Posted by Ginny on Apr 15, 2011
April is the month of Kim Il Sung’s birthday. Kim Il Sung (김일성) is the father of Kim Jong Il (김정일). Kim Il Sung was the man responsible for creating North Korean policies that would continue in his son, Kim Jong Il’s reign. Kim Il Sung is dead now, but despite all the years that…