What I know about Korean Culture (part 1)

Glamour, Luxury and Beautiful. Three words which can be used to describe what Korea is. Korea is one of superpower country in Asia which rely on agriculture sector. Furthermore, Korea also invented their product in global market. Such as fashion, cosmetic, and artworks. In the present, Korea has numerous company which listed as world class company based on basic materials, consumer goods, consumer services, financials, industrials, oil & gas, telecommunications and utilities.

 

Mostly peoples around the world only know about Korea Industry, especially entertainment industry such as KPOP and drama. Behind the giant industry, there are several things they have ignored, It’s about korean history and culture. Peoples usually know about Korean culture through watching drama on tv or by following their bias (idol) activity through social media. Therefore, in this article i would to share about Korean culture based on my experiences.

Housing

Square shaped Hanok

Korean traditional house called Hanok. Hanok first used in Three Kingdoms period (Baekje, Silla, and Geoguryeo) through the late Joseon Dynasty. It’s consist of Ondol and Giwa. Ondol is housing heating system which have described on my previous article. Smoke and heat generated from the low-lying kitchen stoves were channeled through flues built under floors. Ondol usually combined with wooden floors. The main materials of traditional houses were clay and wood. While Giwa is black-grooved roof tiles which usually made from red clay.

Hanok were formed from one big room which divided in certain parts. First, is the biggest part which usually used to accommodate the men and family guest. The second part is room for women and children. The third part is used belongs to the servants. The last part usually divided into two or three parts which used to be kitchen and bathroom. All of this part enclosed within a wall. Behind the house there is an ancestral shrine of the family. Outside of the house there is a lotus pond. But it’s rarely found in the present. As time goes by, the form of Hanok is modified in various shape. Modern Hanok rather use simple ceramic rectangular floor than the wood. Different with old hanok which is developed into L-shaped. Later Hanok became U-shaped or square shaped centered around a courtyard.

to be continued