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In Korea, the name Shim Cheong immediately brings one word to mind for many people: hyo , or filial devotion. Even today, Koreans sometimes jokingly call a daughter who takes especially good care of her parents “Hyonyeo Shim Cheong” — “Filial Daughter Shim Cheong.” You may not remember the last time you read the story, but most Koreans instantly understand what the expression means. So, who is Shim Cheong? And how did a girl from an old Korean tale become so closely associated with devotion to one’s parents? Who Is Shim Cheong? Shim Cheong is the main character of The Tale of Shim Cheong (Simcheongjeon) , one of Korea’s best-known classic stories. Here, Shim is her family name and Cheong is her given name. The original author and exact date of the story are unknown. It was passed down in different forms over generations, resulting in many versions with variations in their details. At the heart of the story are Shim Cheong and her blind father, commonly called...

There’s a scene in foreign movies that often catches a Korean viewer’s attention: someone comes inside wearing the same shoes they wore outdoors, puts their feet up on the couch, or even lies down on the bed with their shoes still on. Of course, not everyone outside Korea wears shoes at home. But whenever I see a scene like that, I can’t help noticing the shoes. I think many Koreans would have the same reaction. Seeing outdoor shoes on a bed just feels very unfamiliar to us. In Korea, taking off your shoes at the entrance is such an ordinary part of coming home that most of us rarely stop to think of it as a cultural practice. So where did this custom come from, and why has it remained such a strong part of Korean life? 1. Ondol and Korea’s Floor-Based Way of Living Traditionally, much of daily life in a Korean home took place close to the floor. People sat on the floor to talk and eat, and at night, they would spread out bedding and sleep there. This way of living...

If you are living in Korea for the first time, taking out the trash can be surprisingly confusing. You cannot simply put everything into one bag and leave it outside. General waste goes into designated garbage bags, food waste is collected separately, and recyclable items need to be sorted by type. For people who have lived in Korea for years, this is just part of everyday life. But if the system is new to you, even figuring out which bin or bag to use can take some getting used to. So how does waste sorting work in Korea, and why is trash separated this way? Household Waste in Korea at a Glance General Waste Household waste that cannot be handled as food waste or recycling → designated volume-based garbage bag Food Waste Food scraps that can be separately collected and processed as a resource → designated food-waste disposal system Recyclables Items that can be recovered for recycling → separated by material Some items, including bu...

On the morning of August 15, you may notice something different as you walk through a Korean neighborhood. Korean national flags, known as Taegeukgi, hang from apartment balconies and house windows, while rows of flags line major streets. It is Gwangbokjeol (National Liberation Day of Korea) , one of South Korea’s national holidays. For Koreans, August 15 is a familiar date on the calendar. But if you are new to Korean history and culture, you might wonder: What exactly happened on this day, and why is it called Gwangbokjeol ? Gwangbokjeol Date: August 15 every year Korean name: Gwangbokjeol What it commemorates: Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945 What kind of day is it? A national holiday and public holiday in South Korea What you may see: Taegeukgi displayed at homes and along streets, an official government ceremony, and other commemorative events 1. What Is Gwangbokjeol? Korea was under Japanese colonial rule ...

In Ji’an, Jilin Province, China, stands a massive stone monument nearly six meters tall. Carved into its surface is the story of a king who ruled Goguryeo about 1,600 years ago. That king was Gwanggaeto the Great . In Korea, King Gwanggaeto is best known as the ruler who greatly expanded Goguryeo’s territory and influence. But who was he? How did he transform Goguryeo after becoming king, and why is his story still remembered more than 1,600 years later? A replica of the Gwanggaeto Stele at the Independence Hall of Korea. The original, nearly six-meter-tall monument stands in Ji’an, Jilin Province, China. Its full height was difficult to capture in a single photograph. Photo © BOOKICOOKI. King Gwanggaeto in Goguryeo History Born: Around 374 Reigned: 391–412 Kingdom: Goguryeo Father: King Gogukyang Son: King Jangsu Best known for: Expanding Goguryeo’s territory and influence Major legacy: The Gwanggaeto Stele ...

About 2,000 years ago, warriors on horseback rode across the northern reaches of the Korean Peninsula and beyond. Fast-moving cavalry and mountain fortresses built on rugged terrain became some of the most recognizable features of their kingdom. That kingdom was Goguryeo . If you only picture South Korea on a modern map, the scale of Goguryeo may come as a surprise. Beginning in the northern Korean Peninsula, the kingdom expanded across areas that are now part of North Korea and northeastern China, including parts of present-day Liaoning and Jilin. Goguryeo lasted for roughly 700 years and grew into a major power in Northeast Asia. So where did Goguryeo begin, and how did it become so powerful? Goguryeo at a Glance Founded: 37 BC Founder: Jumong Main regions: Northern Korean Peninsula and parts of Manchuria Duration: About 700 years (37 BC–AD 668) Peak period: Reigns of King Gwanggaeto and King Jangsu Known for: Cavalry warfare, mountain fo...

In the afternoon, it is common to see children in white uniforms walking through Korean neighborhoods or climbing into academy vans. To a first-time visitor, it may look as though a special taekwondo event is taking place. In reality, this is simply part of an ordinary weekday for many Korean children. Taekwondo may be Korea's best-known traditional martial art, but for children today, it is also one of the country's most familiar after-school activities. They go there to exercise, spend time with friends, learn discipline, and sometimes stay safely occupied until their parents finish work. So why do so many children in Korea learn taekwondo, and what actually happens inside a Korean taekwondo academy? Taekwondo in Korea at a Glance Many Korean elementary school children attend a taekwondo academy after school . Classes teach physical skills along with respect, discipline, confidence, and social skills . Children usually practice basic movements, ...