Traditional Korean music includes both the folk and court music styles of the Korean people.Korean music is on Buddhist and native shamanistic beliefs. Buddhist and shamanistic dancing and shamanistic drum music are extant as it is a melodic and dance music called Sinawi.
Traditional Korean music can also be divided into at least four types of genres: courtly, aristocratic, scholarly and religious.
Korean Folk Music
Korean folk music is varied and complex, but all forms maintain a set of rhythms (called Jangdan) and a loosely defined set of melodic modes.
The folk songs of various areas are categorized under Dongbu folk songs, their vocal styles and modes are limited. Therefore, currently scholars are attempting to categorize the Dongbu folk songs further based on different musical features. These songs are mostly simple and bright. The folk songs of other regions are mostly musically simple but the folk songs of the Namdo region, where the famous musical genres pansori and sanjo were created were rich and dramatic. Some Namdo folk songs are used in pansori or developed by professional singers and are included as part of their repertories. Jeju folk songs are sung on the Jeju Island. They are more abundant in number than any other regional folk songs, and approximately 1600 songs are transmitted today. Jeju folk songs are characterized by their simple and unique melodic lines and rich texts.
Court Music
Korean court music is to preserved the date which can be traced to the beginning of the Choson Dynasty in 1392. It is now very rare or except for government-sponsored organizations like The National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts.
There are three types of court music.
They are called Aak, is an imported form of Chinese ritual music, and another is a pure Korean form called Hyang-ak and the last one is a combination of Chinese and Korean influences which is called Dang-ak.
Link for traditional songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swPKBQzjZ0Q
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
K-POP
K-pop represent Korean pop music in short form and it is also refer as GaYo or KaYo music, specifically from South Korea. Many of these artists or groups such as Super Junior, Girls' Generation, Beast, Wonder Girls, SHINee, Boa and many more had been very popular in other countries not just South Korea. The popularity of K-pop is often considered a part of the rise of the Korean Wave, the recent surge of popularity of contemporary South Korean culture in Asia.
K-Pop first appeared in the 1930s. The genres for K-pop are Pop, Hip-hop, R&B, Dance-pop, Bubblegum pop, Electropop and other various style.
The instrument often used are guitar, bass guitar, drum kit, synthesizer, sequencer, turntables, samplers keyboards and drum machines.
The instrument often used are guitar, bass guitar, drum kit, synthesizer, sequencer, turntables, samplers keyboards and drum machines.
Some links to some popular kpop groups pictures:
http://i47.servimg.com/u/f47/12/67/70/51/snsd_n10.jpg
http://static.allkpop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/20100504_wondergirls2differenttears_01-460x460.jpg
http://static.allkpop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/20090121_cnblue-e1264054018232-460x388.jpg
http://krnloop.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/shinee-ha-sang-baek-designer.jpg
http://static.allkpop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/20100504_wondergirls2differenttears_01-460x460.jpg
http://static.allkpop.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/20090121_cnblue-e1264054018232-460x388.jpg
http://krnloop.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/shinee-ha-sang-baek-designer.jpg
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Hanbok (traditional korean dress)
Hanbok is the traditional Korean dress.It is often characterized by the vibrant colours and simple lines without pockets.The Hanbok is worn during semi-formal or formal traditional festivals and celebrations and it is wore by women.A Hanbok is characterized by a two-piece outfit without pockets and buttons that is closed with strings, belts or cords. Men traditionally wore a "jeogori" (jacket), "baji" (trousers) and "durumagi" (overcoat) with a hat, belt and pair of shoes. The women wore a jeogori with two long ribbons tied to form a knot, a full length, high-waist wrap-around skirt called "chima" and"beoseon" (white cotton socks), and boat-shaped shoes.
The 5 different components of the Hanbok
The five different components are Jeogori, Chima, Baji, Po, Jokki and Magoja.
Jeogori
Jeogori is the basic upper garment of hanbok , which has been worn by both men and women. It covers the arms and upper part of the wearer's body. The basic form of the Jeogori is gil, git, dongeong, goreum and sleeves.
Gil (길) is the large section of the garment in both front and back side and git (깃) is a band of fabric that trims the collar. Dongjeong (동정) is a removable white collar placed over the end of the git and is generally squared off. The goreum (고름) are coat-strings that tie the jeogori.Women's jeogori may have kkeutdong (끝동), a different colored cuff placed at the end of the sleeves. There are several types of jeogori according to fabric, sewing technique, and shape.
Chima
Chima refers to "skirt" which is also called Sang (裳) or Gun (裙) in Hanja. The underskirt or petticoat layer is called Sokchima. Goguryo women wore a chima first, and then they wear a Jeogori over the Chima by covering its belt.
Baji
Baji mean pants which are used as today modern trousers.
Po
Po is referring to an outer robe, which is mostly wore by men. Durumagi is a variety of Po that was worn to protect the cold. It had been widely worn as an outer robe over Jeogori and Baji.
Jokki and Magoja
Jokki (조끼) is a type of vest while magoja is an outer jacket. Magoja is wore at time to protect cold weather of the region. It is good to keep warmth and it is easy to wear it. Magoja does not have git, band of fabric that trims the collar unlike Jeogori and Durumagi. Magoja was originally a male garment, but later became a unisex clothing. The magoja for men has seop (overlap column on the front) and its length is longer than the women's Magoja, so its both sides of the bottom are open. A Magoja is made of silk and is adorned with one or two buttons which are usually made from amber. In a male Magoja, buttons are attached to the right side on contrary to female Magoja. At first, women wore the Magoja for style rather than a daily outfit. Especially Kaeseong people used to wear it a lot too. It is made out of silk and the color of Magoja for women tends to be a neutral color to harmonize with other garments such as Jeogori and Chima which are worn together. In spring and autumn, a pastel tone is used for the women's Magoja, so that wearers could wear it over a Jeogori for style. As for men's Magoja is worn during spring and summer which colours are jade, green, gray and dark grey colours.
(Hanbok worn by woman)
The 5 different components of the Hanbok
The five different components are Jeogori, Chima, Baji, Po, Jokki and Magoja.
Jeogori
Jeogori is the basic upper garment of hanbok , which has been worn by both men and women. It covers the arms and upper part of the wearer's body. The basic form of the Jeogori is gil, git, dongeong, goreum and sleeves.
Gil (길) is the large section of the garment in both front and back side and git (깃) is a band of fabric that trims the collar. Dongjeong (동정) is a removable white collar placed over the end of the git and is generally squared off. The goreum (고름) are coat-strings that tie the jeogori.Women's jeogori may have kkeutdong (끝동), a different colored cuff placed at the end of the sleeves. There are several types of jeogori according to fabric, sewing technique, and shape.
Chima
Chima refers to "skirt" which is also called Sang (裳) or Gun (裙) in Hanja. The underskirt or petticoat layer is called Sokchima. Goguryo women wore a chima first, and then they wear a Jeogori over the Chima by covering its belt.
Baji
Baji mean pants which are used as today modern trousers.
Po
Po is referring to an outer robe, which is mostly wore by men. Durumagi is a variety of Po that was worn to protect the cold. It had been widely worn as an outer robe over Jeogori and Baji.
Jokki and Magoja
Jokki (조끼) is a type of vest while magoja is an outer jacket. Magoja is wore at time to protect cold weather of the region. It is good to keep warmth and it is easy to wear it. Magoja does not have git, band of fabric that trims the collar unlike Jeogori and Durumagi. Magoja was originally a male garment, but later became a unisex clothing. The magoja for men has seop (overlap column on the front) and its length is longer than the women's Magoja, so its both sides of the bottom are open. A Magoja is made of silk and is adorned with one or two buttons which are usually made from amber. In a male Magoja, buttons are attached to the right side on contrary to female Magoja. At first, women wore the Magoja for style rather than a daily outfit. Especially Kaeseong people used to wear it a lot too. It is made out of silk and the color of Magoja for women tends to be a neutral color to harmonize with other garments such as Jeogori and Chima which are worn together. In spring and autumn, a pastel tone is used for the women's Magoja, so that wearers could wear it over a Jeogori for style. As for men's Magoja is worn during spring and summer which colours are jade, green, gray and dark grey colours.
(Hanbok worn by woman)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Korean's Cuisine
Korean cuisine is known as a national cuisine today as it has evolved through centuries of social and political change. From its ancient agricultural and nomadic traditions, Korean cuisine has evolved through a complex interaction of the natural environment and different cultural trends.
All sorts of different ingredients and dishes can be found in many provinces. There are also many significant regional dishes that have been changed to both national and regional. Many dishes that were once regional have been eaten by other countries today. The Korean royal court cuisine also brought all of the unique regional specialties for their own meals too. Meals consumed by the royal family and ordinary Korean citizens have been the same as that is the culture of etiquette that is unique to Korea than the other countries.
Korean cuisine is largely cooked from rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables and meat and as for traditional Korean meals, which are being consumed by some side dishes with steam-cooked short-grain rice. Kimchi is usually served in every meal as it is a culture for them to eat it but not everyone in Korea eat kimchi for every meal. Some commonly used seasons in Korean cuisine include sesame oil, doenjang (fermented bean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes and gochujang (fermented red chili paste).
Kimchi
All sorts of different ingredients and dishes can be found in many provinces. There are also many significant regional dishes that have been changed to both national and regional. Many dishes that were once regional have been eaten by other countries today. The Korean royal court cuisine also brought all of the unique regional specialties for their own meals too. Meals consumed by the royal family and ordinary Korean citizens have been the same as that is the culture of etiquette that is unique to Korea than the other countries.
Korean cuisine is largely cooked from rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables and meat and as for traditional Korean meals, which are being consumed by some side dishes with steam-cooked short-grain rice. Kimchi is usually served in every meal as it is a culture for them to eat it but not everyone in Korea eat kimchi for every meal. Some commonly used seasons in Korean cuisine include sesame oil, doenjang (fermented bean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, pepper flakes and gochujang (fermented red chili paste).
Kimchi
Monday, July 19, 2010
History of South Korea
The History of South Korea formally begins with the establishment of South Korea on 15 August 1948, although Syngman Rhee had declared the establishment of it on 13 August because Korea was then divided to the 38th parallel north in accordance with a United Nations arrangement as the war had ended with the Japanese and was administered by the Soviet Union in the North and in the United States in the South. The Soviets and Americans were unable to agree on the implementation of Joint Trusteeship over Korea and this was leaded in the 1948 with two separate governments, each claiming to be the legitimate government of all of Korea and eventually it was led to a war in Korea. In the end Korea was separated into countries which are called North and South Korea.
After the separation, South Korea's subsequent history is marked by alternating periods of democratic and autocratic rule. Civilian governments are conventionally numbered from the First Republic of Syngman Rhee to the contemporary Sixth Republic. The First Republic, arguably democratic at its inception, became increasingly autocratic until its collapse in 1960. The Second Republic was strongly democratic, but was overthrown in less than a year and replaced by an autocratic military regime. The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Republics were nominally democratic, but are widely regarded as the continuation of military rule. With the Sixth Republic, the country has gradually stabilized into a liberal democracy.
Since its inception, South Korea has seen substantial development in education, economy and culture. Since the 1960s, the country has developed from one of Asia's poorest to one of the world's wealthiest nations. Education, particularly at the tertiary level, has expanded dramatically. It is said to be one of the "Four Tigers" of rising Asian states along with Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
After the separation, South Korea's subsequent history is marked by alternating periods of democratic and autocratic rule. Civilian governments are conventionally numbered from the First Republic of Syngman Rhee to the contemporary Sixth Republic. The First Republic, arguably democratic at its inception, became increasingly autocratic until its collapse in 1960. The Second Republic was strongly democratic, but was overthrown in less than a year and replaced by an autocratic military regime. The Third, Fourth, and Fifth Republics were nominally democratic, but are widely regarded as the continuation of military rule. With the Sixth Republic, the country has gradually stabilized into a liberal democracy.
Since its inception, South Korea has seen substantial development in education, economy and culture. Since the 1960s, the country has developed from one of Asia's poorest to one of the world's wealthiest nations. Education, particularly at the tertiary level, has expanded dramatically. It is said to be one of the "Four Tigers" of rising Asian states along with Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
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