글

7월, 2025의 게시물 표시

Tigers in Korean Culture – From Myths to Modern Stories

이미지
From a mythic tiger to a smash-hit movie character K-pop Demon Hunters seems to be everywhere these days—people can’t stop talking about it. It’s so popular that even my pastor mentioned it once during service ;) At home, my child has probably watched it more than ten times, and on car rides we end up looping “Golden” and “Sodapop.” In my previous post, I looked at the bear and tiger in the Dangun myth. With the tiger character “Derpy” from K-pop Demon Hunters gaining so much love, I wanted to talk about tigers in Korean culture today. In the simple version of the myth, the bear endures and becomes human, while the tiger gives up and returns to the mountains. Today’s story follows how the tiger survived in the Korean imagination—taking on many forms—and became a special symbol. Fierce and formidable In premodern Korea, people called the tiger the “mountain lord,” sangun (산군), the master of the mountains. Tigers roamed our ranges commonly up through the Joseon era, so people...
자세한 내용 보기

Korean Chili Peppers – Heat Levels, Types, and Health Benefits

이미지
Last spring, we planted 12 chili pepper seedlings on our rooftop garden. It was fascinating to watch how the spice and texture changed depending on the weather. Today, let’s explore five popular types of Korean peppers you can easily find in stores, along with their surprising health benefits. 1. Growing Peppers at Home – Watching the Heat Develop This spring, we planted about 12 chili pepper seedlings in our small rooftop garden. We didn’t expect much, but my husband faithfully watered them and kept the bugs away—and now we’re harvesting nearly 500g a day. They’ve grown surprisingly well! At first, the peppers weren’t spicy at all, and their texture was soft and tender. But as the summer heat rolled in, they started to get firmer and more flavorful. We found ourselves biting into spicier peppers more and more often. Apparently, peppers produce more capsaicin—the spicy compound—when they’re stressed by heat and sun exposure, as a way to protect themselves. They also lose mo...
자세한 내용 보기

Korean Names – Name Structure, Meaning, and Trends

이미지
Korean names carry deep meaning through their structure and Hanja (Chinese characters). In this post, we’ll explore how names are constructed, what each character means, and how naming trends have changed over generations. 1. Structure – Family Name, Given Name, and Generational Tradition A typical Korean name has one syllable for the family name and two or sometimes three syllables for the given name. Although simple at first glance, these few characters carry surprising depth. In many families, names include a generational syllable shared among siblings or cousins to reflect lineage. This system helps distinguish the relative order within families and symbolizes the continuation of tradition. 💡 To sum up, here are some common features of Korean name structure : 1-character family name + 2- to 3-character given name (usually 3 total) Use of generational characters or shared syllables in families Balance of sound, meaning, and harmony is valued in naming Alt...
자세한 내용 보기

Hangul – Its Creator, Scientific Principles, and Historical Journey

이미지
King Sejong created a writing system that anyone could easily learn. In this post, we explore the background, principles, and historical journey of Hangul, the Korean alphabet. The Creator of Hangul Hangul was created by King Sejong, the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. Before its invention, Koreans had to use Chinese characters, which were difficult to learn. King Sejong was deeply concerned that common people couldn’t express themselves in writing. So in 1443, he devised a new writing system, and in 1446, it was officially published under the name Hunminjeongeum . Hunminjeongeum means “the correct sounds for the instruction of the people.” The name itself shows that the writing system was designed with a practical purpose—to help the people. While King Sejong led its creation, scholars from the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon) helped organize and refine it. King Sejong is remembered as a ruler who pursued equality in language through his compassion for the people. The...
자세한 내용 보기

Korean Samgyetang for Boknal – Meaning, Recipe, and Calories

이미지
When my child fell ill, I cooked samgyetang to comfort her—and found comfort for myself too. More than just food, samgyetang is a bowl of warmth and care, especially during Korea’s hottest days. This post introduces Korea’s beloved summer health soup and how to make it at home. Samgyetang – Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup for the Hottest Days Just a few days ago, our younger child came down with a fever—39.5°C. She was coughing all night, throwing up, and too tired to eat even her favorite treats. She usually loves jelly and chocolate, but this time, she refused everything. I ended up making samgyetang to help bring back her appetite. Thankfully, she took a few bites, and that alone was comforting. While caring for her, I was also exhausted myself. I needed something nourishing too. Chicken is easy to get, reasonably priced, and something kids enjoy, so it felt like the right choice. Cooking didn’t feel like a chore this time—it felt like love. Why Do Koreans Eat Samgyetang in...
자세한 내용 보기

Even Dogs Don’t Catch Summer Colds – Korean Proverb, Samgyetang, and Prevention Tips

이미지
It started out as an unexpected day. My child caught a summer cold and couldn’t go to daycare, and my day took a turn I hadn’t planned for. In that pause from our usual busy routine, I found myself feeling gratitude and comfort once again. Today, I want to share with you a Korean proverb, the story of making samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), and some tips for preventing summer colds. “Even in May and June, even dogs don’t catch colds” A lighthearted Korean saying teasing anyone who gets sick in the hottest season Last night, my younger child grew restless, waking up often with a cough. I thought to myself, “This is going to be a long night—please let tomorrow be uneventful.” But in the morning, they threw up what they had eaten, and I knew we’d be spending the whole day together at home. I had given fever medicine at dawn, but the fever still hadn’t gone down. On our way back from the clinic, I stopped by the market with my child, who had little appetite. The colors, sme...
자세한 내용 보기

Oi Sobagi Recipe – Crisp and Flavorful Korean Cucumber Kimchi for Summer

이미지
On days when the heat feels suffocating and your appetite disappears, nothing beats a refreshing plate of Korean cucumber kimchi, Oi Sobagi. Crisp on the outside, flavorful on the inside—this is the summer dish that keeps your chopsticks moving! Crisp and Flavorful – The Charm of Oi Sobagi, a Korean Summer Kimchi It’s the height of summer in Korea. These days, it’s so, so, so—so hot that I don’t even want to step outside. You instantly understand the phrase “can’t breathe from the heat.” When it’s this hot, I lose my appetite and feel sluggish. That’s exactly when Oi Sobagi becomes the perfect side dish! There are a few kinds of kimchi that remind me of summer, but my absolute favorite is Oi Sobagi. The signature crunch of cucumber, the refreshing taste, and the gentle umami flavor—this dish has it all. I actually make it year-round, not just in summer… but let’s keep that between us. Hehe. It might feel like a lot of work—salting the cucumbers and making the stuffing—bu...
자세한 내용 보기

Hanok in K-Dramas – The Moon Embracing the Sun, 100 Days My Prince, Kingdom

이미지
I wanted to share the beauty of hanok, so I’ve chosen three historical K-dramas to introduce. These shows feature not only traditional houses but also beautiful hanbok, Korean aesthetics, and unforgettable stories. I’m genuinely excited to recommend them, and I hope this post brings you joy as well! Discover the Essence of Korean Tradition through Historical Dramas When I was in school, history—whether local or global—never clicked with me. It felt heavy and complicated. But as I got older, those same stories became endlessly intriguing, and now period dramas are among my favorite things to watch. In historical K-dramas, the sight of hanok and hanbok is pure visual delight. Watching characters share meals, exchange glances, or fall in love beneath tiled roofs reminds me that, across centuries, people’s lives and emotions have always had the same rhythm. These days, spotting a real hanok isn’t so common—even here in Korea. While many in dramas are built sets, the way actor...
자세한 내용 보기

Top 3 Hanok I’ve Visited in Korea – Jeonju, Andong, Damyang

이미지
There’s something about hanok that slows me down—in the best way. Last week, I read a book about traditional Korean houses, and it brought back memories of the hanok I’ve personally visited. Today, I’d love to share three places where I once sat on a wooden floor, felt the breeze, and let the world quiet down—Jeonju, Andong, and Damyang. How have you been? Life with two kids keeps me busy, but I’m grateful that my oldest and I have a weekly ritual of going to the library. That little pocket of quiet time has become something I look forward to. Last week, I picked up a picture book about hanok and was reminded of just how thoughtful and wise the structure of these homes is. And then, memories began to surface—places I’d been, marus I’d sat on, breezes I’d listened to in silence. So today, I want to share three hanok destinations that still live gently in my memory. Jeonju Hanok Village – The Streets I Still Remember Many people know Jeonju Hanok Village as a popula...
자세한 내용 보기