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Opinion

Columnists

Personal space and social distancing

When I prepared for my first visit to Korea, I read a passage in a cultural education guide about Koreans' understanding of personal space. Americans, as readers likely know, have an exaggerated conception of personal space.

2020-04-07 18:41

Facing down coronavirus

Since my column a month or so ago, the Coronavirus pandemic has spread to global proportions. Many nations, including South Korea and the United States, are grappling with this virulent strain.

2020-03-24 17:20

Rites of spring

Let's talk about a trilogy of Korean festivals that herald and celebrate spring, its coming and flowering. Samjinnal, Hansik or Hanshi, and Dano are Asian holidays, also Chinese, found in Korea. While I don't think they surpass other yearly festivals in popularity, they help us understand the agricultural roots of traditional Korean culture. They also involve many fun activities and learning.

2020-03-10 17:18

Chopsticks

I don't know about you, but I still struggle with chopsticks. They fall between my fingers. I can't pick up an egg. I've improved over the years, but I still drop food on occasion. And I think Korean chopsticks are the hardest to use. Let's talk about chopsticks and Korea a bit.

2020-02-25 17:16

Wuhan coronavirus panic

The Chinese people and the world remain gripped by panic about the Wuhan virus. A virulent strain of coronavirus, referring to the shape of the virus' molecules, the Wuhan virus has stricken tens of thousands and killed nearly a thousand so far. The overreaction outside China concerns me.

2020-02-11 18:07

China's influence on S. Korea

It's hardly an easy matter. South Korea's position as a middle power between China and the United States I mean. It's not easy to navigate a nation and society between two powerful rivals. I want to talk about the influence of China on South Korea in the present context. It's a presence that poses challenges and opportunities.

2020-01-28 17:34

Winter rites

I'd like to discuss Korean ceremonies held during the winter months: Seollal, Daeboreum and what I'll call the new gwageo (study for civil service exams). The first two represent the lunar calendar and Korea's family and agricultural traditions. I'm sure the latter will surprise. However, winter is a time of hunkering down for academic and other pursuits. Let's explore Korean New Year's customs and the civil service exams.

2020-01-14 17:50

Durumi and the elders

The words of the song, “Auld Lang Syne,” written by the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns, tell me something atypical this year. I'm thinking of the elders' return to self-sufficiency, a goal worthy of invigorated national efforts in 2020, including in South Korea. I'm thinking Korea's elders represent the beautiful red-capped crane or durumi.

2019-12-31 17:38

Arirang

When I played the clarinet in high school, the concert band often performed a Korean folk song. This was long before I thought anything about Korea, made lifelong Korean friends, understood the Korean struggle for democracy, or visited Korea. But the song remained with me, as it's a different form of harmony imprinted on my memory. I later learned the song's proper title.

2019-12-17 17:48

Korean textiles

Korean textiles are beautiful and special keepsakes for me. Of many forms and varieties, I'd like to share a few thoughts about my experience of fabrics and patterns. Arguably an important part of any culture, Korean textiles also tell us a lot about Korea and her society. When I visit Korea, I marvel at vivid colors that decorate so many Korean palaces, buildings, artworks, and designs. Beautiful colors, bright and subdued hues, and interesting patterns mark Korean textiles. These days, many depictions of bojagi or wrapping clothes appear online, in Insadong and other art haunts of Seoul an...

2019-12-03 17:23

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