Culture in South Korea Korean Culture K-Festivals K-Wave Traditional Arts Modern Arts Korean Culture Korean culture has been constructed by harmonious coexistence of traditional styles of thousands of years and of modern life. For this reason, on the one hand art & craft works, festivals and architecture that have been experienced for generations, on the other hand lifestyles and modern art forms based on high technology can rise together. Language In Korea, the official and spoken language is Korean. The discussions on whether it is a part of Ural-Altaic languages (in which Turkish also takes place) and whether it has a relevance to Japanese still continues. Nevertheless, Korean is accepted as an isolated language that owns its own language family. While Chinese alphabet Hanja had been used to write in Korean until 15th century, after King Sejong (1418-1450) it has been revised an alphabet called Hangeul to make reading & writing easier. Today, both alphabets are taught at schools. Religion All religions in Korea are under the constitutional protection. According to the research held in the country, where diverse religions are practiced in peace and mutual respect, in 2007*; 46% of the total population has no religional affiliation. For the rest, 29% is Christian (18% Protestant), 23% is Buddhist, and 1% is Shamanist. And also there is a small amount of people practicing Islam. Sanctuaries of every religion, fused in Korean traditions, are appealing touristic places with their highly aesthetic architectures. Traditional Housing A traditional Korean house is called a hanok. A hanok creates a living space based on the coexistence of man and nature. Since Korea has hot summers and cold winters, the 'Ondol,' a floor-based heating system and 'Daecheong,' a cool wooden floor style hall were devised long ago to help Koreans survive the chilly winters and to block sunlight during summer. These primitive types of heating and air-conditioning were so effective that they are still in use in many homes in Korea. Traditional Outfit Hanbok is the unique traditional attire of Korean people. Before the arrival of Western-style clothing one hundred years ago, hanbok was worn as everyday attire.Hanbok is now only worn during national holidays or weddings. The beauty of hanbok is in its clean, artistic lines and its vibrant colors. Hanbok was not considered complete unless worn in the appropriate traditional manner. However, in recent years, the wearing of hanbok has become greatly simplified and modernized. The designs are endless but are divided into a few major styles; formal and lifestyle, adults and children, female and male, as well as seasonal. The price normally falls in the range between 100,000 and 300,000 won, although the fabric and accessories used will make a huge difference in the price tag. In addition, hanbok has been gaining a lot of attention from international consumers thanks to many hallyu dramas and films portraying the costumes. Famous shops frequented by visitors are located near Insa- dong and Samcheong-dong, all close to major tourist attractions. Traditional Music Koreans have the unique characteristic of lyrical sensibility, using music to express their emotions. Traditional Korean music can be divided into music listened to by the royal family and by the commoners, each differing greatly in style. Jongmyo Jeryeak, royal ancestral ritual music, the representative royal court music played during ancestral rites, was solumn and splendid. In contrast, the commoners who wished to overcome the difficulties of the working class usually sang folk songs and pansori, a traditional Korean music that narrates a themed story. With a distinct, inimitable sound, rhythm, and singing technique, pansori was designated as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO. Folk Dances Korean people have inherited a great variety of folk dances such as salpurichum (spiritual purification dance), gutchum (shamanic ritual dance), taepyeongmu (dance of peace), hallyangchum (idler’s dance), buchaechum (fan dance), geommu (sword dance), and seungmu (monk’s dance). Of these, talchum (mask dance) and pungmul nori(play with musical instruments) are known for their satirical targeting of the corrupt aristocracy of Joseon and their close connection with rural communities, which had long been the bedrock of Korean culture and tradition. Most performances are presented in a marketplace or on the fields and involve drumming, dancing, and singing. K-Festivals Festivals have utmost importance in Korea, where hundreds of special events take place in whole year, involving cooking, dance, music, theatre. The Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism has selected 41 representative festivals as the most prominent Korean cultural tourism festivals: 3 Premier Festivals, 7 Best Festivals, 10 Excellent Festivals, and 21 Up- and-coming Festivals. These festivals are attracting more international visitors year by year. For detailed info on festivals in Korea, please click here. Global Festivals Boryeung Mud Festival The Boryeong Mud Festival, which is organized continuously since 1997, is one of the most attractive festivals that accommodate the largest number of international visitors. During the ten-day festival period, tourists enjoy mud wrestling, mud sliding and even swimming in the mud mega tub. In the evening, music and fireworks continue the party on the beach. Andang Mask Dance Festival Traditional Korean masks named “tal” and traditional dances… The Andong Mask Dance Festival, which takes place in the bulletins and reports of international news network like CNN and BBC, is held between well-preserved Andong Hahoe Folk Village and Mask Dance Park. These dances are an important part of Korea’s heritage, in particular the byeolsingut talnori dance, which has been designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset of Korea. Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival has a very historic background. Koreans soldiers lighted some lanterns in the Jinjuseong Fortress Battle during Japanese invasion in 1592, as a military strategy to prevent Japanese troops progression on Namgang River. Floating lanterns, the parade of lanterns, gaejesik (lighting of lanterns in remembrance of the Jinjuseong Fortress Battle veterans), an exhibition of the world’s traditional lanterns are major attractions. Premier Festivals Gimje Horizon Festival Gimje Horizon Festival is held since 1999 in the very heart of the Honam rice bowl. The festival aims to show the importance of Korea’s farming culture, which is a foundation of the nation, with the theme of sky and land meeting at the horizon. During the festival, visitors can attend to kite-flying, rice-farming, catching grasshoppers, Korea Straw and Plants handicraft, making rice over an open fire. Hwacheon Sancheon Ice Festival Trout, ice, and snow… The Ice festival, Hwacheon Sancheoneo (Mountain Trout), can be told in these three words. The region, known as the first area in Korea that freezes over in winter, attracts 1 million visitors during this festival. Ice fishing, exhibition of ice sculptures, ice football, and skiing are among the activities of this popular ice festival Mungyeong Traditional Chasabal Festival Mungyeong Traditional Chasabal Festival takes place at Mungyeongsaejae Open Set in Gyeongsangbuk-do, an area famous for traditional ceramics. Chasabal in Korean means “tea cup”. Your visitors may be able to join in traditional tea ceremony and pottery-making programs, operated by local artisans. Best Festivaller Gangjin Celadon Festival Gangjin area had risen as a celadon production site between the 10th and 14th centuries. Today, 16 kilns that remain active produce the most precious celadon in Korea. The Gangjin Celadon Festival is an extraordinary event to experience the celadon production Damyang Bamboo Festival Located within a forest of 2.4 kilometers of bamboo, this festival is full of activities celebrating the beauty and function of the bamboo plant. More active visitors can test their skills during some of the festival’s scheduled river sports, such as ‘Log Rafting’ and ‘Water Bicycling’. After working up an appetite, visitors can please their palate with some of Damyang’s famous cuisines and other world foods featured at the Cultural Experience Center. Muju Firefly Festival Muju, a natural habitat for fireflies and the marsh snails the fireflies feed on. The Muju Firefly Festival takes place in this pure environment and offers many attractions and activities but the highlight of the festival starts after 8:00 pm when the fireflies begin to light up the night sky. Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival attracts people from all over the world, especially the ones who are those interested in healing properties of plants. In the fall, Jirisan (one of the South Korea's most famous mountains) hosts hundreds thousands of people who come to harvest the medicinal herbs of the region. Visitors may taste medicinal foods, and may choose plant species and experience traditional remedies as well. The festival is also a celebration of Fareast medicine by artistic performances. Icheon Rice Festival Icheon is famous for producing the best rice in Korea. In fact Icheon rice is so good that it used to be served to the kings of Korea in the past, and is still highly thought of today. The Icheon Rice Culture Festival celebrates its famous rice and also the local agricultural practices. Jarasum International Jazz Festival Jarasum International Jazz Festival