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South Korean Culture
The present day South Korean culture is an offshoot from the
traditional Korean cultures but it is distinctly different from
the North Korean one. Like every country South Korean culture too
has lots to say in terms of mores, folklores, culinary art,
traditions, beliefs etc. For anyone traveling through the country
it will be a unique educational experience with lots to learn
throughout the length and breadth of the country. Though the
common belief is that South Korean culture is deep-rooted yet it
has not been able withstand the influx of western customs and
culture into the society. This is noticeable in the way
multi-generation households have given way to nuclear families.
The best way to learn about a culture is through its language.
Korean is the official language of the country and it is also
widely spoken abroad. It is said that if you know the language of
the country you can feel its pulse too.
Another fascinating thing about the South Korean culture is the
beliefs and customs of the people. The religion of South Korea is
secular in nature and it accepts all other religions with open
arms. Though South Korea is mainly dominated by the Buddhist
religion, there is a considerable of Confucianism and
Christianity. It is tolerant towards other religions such as
Hinduism and Judaism. If you understand the common beliefs,
customs and Korean religion in a nutshell then you will also
understand the aspirations, dealings and emotions of the South
Korean people.
The South Korean people are known to be very warm and friendly but
you run a risk of offending the natives if you are not sure of the
etiquettes of the land. There are no such hard rules and
regulations but certain do’s and don’ts that you need to follow
when you are on Korean land. The foreign travelers might need a
little bit of time to get used to these but an aberration from the
accepted etiquettes is generally frowned upon. Showing respect to
elders and refusing the first offer of a second help are just
examples of such etiquettes.
South Korea has also made its mark in architecture which is
visible from the lovely palaces and high-rise buildings. In the
world of Arts and Craft the country has excelled in Calligraphy
paintings, Tiger Chase paintings, earthenware and stoneware.
From folk songs to contemporary music, South Korea has it all. It
has the traditional musical numbers including the ‘Chong-ak’ which
is a composition meant for the nobles only. ‘Sogak Music’ is more
energetic in nature. The festivals also have their own theme
music. But if you are wondering that South Korean music is all
about hymns and rituals then think again. Because Modern Korean
music is definitely topping the charts in SE Asia and singers like
Joey has already made her mark in the international music scene.
The Korean dance forms are generally traditional in nature and a
bit ritualistic. They have the folk dances, court dances, the monk
dances and the famous spirit-cleansing dances.
The country has made reasonable progress in the fields of
painting, pottery and sculpture. The Korean Art is a mixture of
traditional and contemporary art. The National Museum in Seoul has
great pieces of art forms. The types of pottery pursued are
Earthenware, Stoneware, Whiteware and Celadonware. In a nutshell
it can be concluded that Korea has successfully blended
traditional and modern culture with a great success.
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