Jindo Arirang Posted by Ginny on Apr 4, 2011
There are a couple of Korean folk songs that are called Arirang (아리랑). One Arirang song in particular that we will listen to is the Jindo Arirang (진도 아리랑). The Jindo Arirang is from Jindo Country (진도군) and is one of my favorite Arirang songs. If you’re wondering what Arirang means, it’s a name of…
Korean Fortresses Posted by Ginny on Mar 29, 2011
If you look at Korean history, there are times in every era when the Korean people had to defend its territory from invaders. One way the Korean people defended its borders was to build a fortress. It’s an impressive feat for a fortress to remain to this day, because many of them have been damaged…
Korean Flowers Posted by Ginny on Mar 27, 2011
As the weather gets warmer in Korea, people begin to look forward to the beautiful flowers that will bloom in the spring. In Korea, people have traditionally associated the beginning of spring with the blooming of forsythias. In Korean Forsythia is called genari (개나리). Up close these flowers are yellow and have four petals, but…
Korean Proverbs Posted by Ginny on Mar 21, 2011
There are some useful Korean proverbs that you can use in everyday life. These proverbs are high frequency proverbs, so you’ll probably hear them a lot if you haven’t heard them already. Korean proverbs often use very vivid and extreme situations to prove a point. This proverb below is one fine example: 하늘의 별 따기(Haneulwi…
North Korean Cities Posted by Ginny on Mar 17, 2011
North Korea is a country shrouded in mystery because very few outsiders have had access into the country. We have some idea of what some places look like from the hidden footage that has managed to leave the country. There is the notion that North Korea is a barren and impoverished country, which is probably…
Korean National Anthem Posted by Ginny on Mar 14, 2011
The Aeguka (애국가) 동해 물과 백두산이 마르고 닳도록 (Donghae mulgwa baekdusani mareugo daldorok) Until the day when the waters of the East Sea run dry and Mt. Baekdu is worn down, 하느님이 보우하사 우리나라 만세 (Haneunimi bouhasa urinara manse) May God protect and preserve our nation 무궁화 삼천리 화려강산 (Mugunghwa samcheonli hwaryeogangsan) Three thousand Li…
Buddhist Temples of South Korea Posted by Ginny on Mar 12, 2011
There are many Buddhist temples in South Korea. Here are a few you might want to see: Jogyesa (조계사) is a major temple in the capital city of Seoul. When the lantern festival comes around, the temple is decorated with many colorful lanterns. The temple attracts thousands of visitors from the Seoul region. Yongjusa (용주사)…