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Welcome to bookicooki

Welcome to bookicooki, a blog about Korean culture and everyday life, written from the perspective of a Korean living in Korea.

I write about the Korea I know through everyday life—raising a family, sharing meals, experiencing seasonal traditions, and watching old customs continue and change in modern Korean life.

Here, you'll find stories about food, family culture, traditions, history, seasonal customs, and the small habits of everyday life that Koreans may take for granted but international readers may find interesting or unfamiliar.

Some articles explore the history or cultural background behind these traditions, while others come directly from my own experiences and observations.

My goal with bookicooki is simple: to help you understand not only what Koreans do, but also why we do it.

If you've ever seen something in Korea and wondered, “Why do Koreans do that?” I hope you'll find an answer—and a little piece of everyday Korea—here.

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Korean Chili Peppers – Types, Spice Levels, and How to Choose the Right One

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. To be honest, the rooftop garden is my husband’s dedicated project. He finds a lot of simple pleasure in watching his plants grow day by day. Since moving to a house, he takes care of watering and catching bugs, while I only enjoy the best part—harvesting with my two kids! 🔎 Korean Chili Peppers Spiciest pepper: Cheongyang pepper 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 Mild and great for eating raw: Green chili (putgochu), cucumber pepper Best for adding heat to dishes: Cheongyang pepper Best for color and seasoning: Red chili (used in kimchi and chili powder) Calories: about 30 kcal per 100 g Key nutrients: vitamin C, antioxidants, capsaicin Spice L...
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Korean Names Explained – Structure, Meaning, and Trends

Korean names reflect the structure of family and given names, the meanings of Hanja characters, and the influence of different time periods. This post explains how Korean names are formed, what meanings the characters carry, and how naming trends have changed across generations. ⚡ How Korean Names Work Korean names usually start with the family name (last name), followed by the given name . Most family names are one syllable, such as Kim, Lee, or Park . Given names are typically two syllables and may have meanings based on Hanja (Chinese characters) . Names often reflect parents’ wishes, personality traits, or values . Modern names are becoming softer, more unique, and sometimes use pure Korean words instead of Hanja . If you're new to Korean names, understanding the order and meaning can help you avoid common confusion. 1. Structure – Family Name, Given Name, and Generational Tradition Korean names are usually written with the...
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Korea’s Founding Story: The Myth of Dangun, the Bear and the Tiger

⚡ What Is the Dangun Myth? The Dangun myth is one of Korea’s best-known founding stories, recorded in the Samguk Yusa . It tells how Hwanung came down from heaven, how a bear became a woman, and how Dangun was born and founded Gojoseon. Gojoseon is traditionally said to have been founded in 2333 BCE, and today this story is usually understood as a symbolic origin story that explains Korean identity and cultural values. A Quick Summary of the Dangun Myth The Dangun myth explains the origin of the Korean people and the birth of Gojoseon, Korea’s first kingdom. This story was not written down from the beginning. It was passed down orally for a long time before being recorded during the Goryeo period. The Samguk Yusa was compiled by the Buddhist monk Iryeon in the Goryeo dynasty, and it contains many legends, folk traditions, and historical accounts. The story includes Hwanung, a bear and a tiger who wish to become human, and Dangun, who later founds Gojoseon. Th...
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