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What Is Gwangbokjeol? Why Korea Celebrates August 15

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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 ...
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Who Was Gwanggaeto the Great? The Powerful King of Goguryeo in Ancient Korea

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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 ...
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What Was Goguryeo? The Ancient Korean Kingdom Known for Its Powerful Cavalry

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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...
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Taekwondo in Korea: Why Do So Many Children Learn It?

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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, ...
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Beyond the Classroom: Inside Korea's Hagwon (Private Education) Culture for Elementary Students

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When people think about education in South Korea, one of the first things that often comes to mind is the hagwon (private academy) . But if you visit an elementary school in Korea around dismissal time, what you'll notice first isn't fierce academic competition—it's the long line of vans waiting outside to pick up children. In many countries, kids head home or go to sports clubs after school. In Korea, however, it's common for their afternoons to continue at an English hagwon, a taekwondo academy, a piano school, or another after-school activity. So what does an ordinary afternoon look like for a Korean elementary school student? This was my child's weekly schedule during first grade in Korea. As my child grew older, the schedule gradually changed to focus more on activities they truly enjoyed. Korean Elementary School Afternoons at a Glance Many children head to hagwons, after-school programs, or school care classrooms onc...
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Daycare or Kindergarten in Korea? – Why Many Parents Reconsider Their Choice Around Age Five

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Korean 5-Year-Old Crossroads: Daycare vs Kindergarten When Korean children enter the "five-year-old class," parents face a major educational turning point, even if the child is happy in daycare. The options expand to three main paths: staying in daycare, moving to a regular kindergarten, or choosing an expensive English kindergarten. This decision isn't about age, but about finding the environment that best suits the child's unique personality and developmental stage. Rather than seeking the "best" school, parents look for the "right fit" for their child's current needs and future happiness. Many parents outside Korea are surprised to learn that Korean families often rethink their child's education before elementary school even begins. A child may be perfectly happy at their current daycare, yet around the time they turn five by Korean reckoning, many parents find themselves in deep deliberation. Should they stay put...
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Why Do Koreans Eat Pajeon and Makgeolli When It Rains? – The Story Behind Korea's Rainy-Day Tradition

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Pajeon and Makgeolli on Rainy Days Rain once gave farmers a natural break from working in the fields. Jeon could be made easily with grain flour and vegetables already available at home. Makgeolli was a familiar traditional drink closely connected to farming life. The crisp, savory taste of pajeon pairs well with cold, lightly tangy makgeolli. The sizzling sound of jeon is often compared to the sound of falling rain. Freshly cooked Korean pajeon served with makgeolli, a classic pairing many Koreans enjoy on rainy days. Whenever it rains, the smell of Korean pancakes cooking in oil drifts through our quiet neighborhood of detached houses. I can never tell which home it is coming from, but on rainy days, the savory aroma of jeon somehow seems to travel between the houses. As soon as raindrops begin tapping against the window, you may hear someone in Korea say: “Should we have pajeon today?” For many Koreans, rainy weather naturally brings pajeon and m...
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