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Wed, December 7, 2022 | 23:35

Lunar New Year: A time for 'manly sport'

Lunar New Year: A time for 'manly sport'

The city walls and nearby hills were covered with a great mass of white-clad Koreans staring down into a vacant lot with nervous anticipation. In harsh voices bets were made between the men, sealed with drinks of alcohol and punctuated with hoarse laughter, while children pushed their way eagerly to the front for a better view of the impending stone battle.

2022-01-29 09:27

Views of Jeju from the Past: Challenging the Mountain Spirit: Part 6

Views of Jeju from the Past: Challenging the Mountain Spirit: Part 6

When Charles Chaille-Long, the secretary of the American Legation in Seoul, traveled to Jeju Island in 1888, he toyed with the idea of climbing Mount Halla, but the island's governor quickly made it clear that it was a bad idea.

2022-01-23 09:04

Views of Jeju from the Past: An Island of Stones: Part 5

Sharks and Dogs: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 4

The Haenyeo: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 3

Views of Jeju from the Past: Part 2

Views of Jeju from the past: Part 1

Views of Jeju from the Past: An Island of Stones: Part 5

Views of Jeju from the Past: An Island of Stones: Part 5

Up until the latter part of the 19th century, many Western sailors regarded Jeju as a mysterious island surrounded with myths and legends, exaggerations and fabrications and steeped with danger - a place to avoid at all costs.

2022-01-22 09:35

Views of Jeju from the Past: Challenging the Mountain Spirit: Part 6

Sharks and Dogs: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 4

The Haenyeo: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 3

Views of Jeju from the Past: Part 2

Views of Jeju from the past: Part 1

Sharks and Dogs: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 4

Sharks and Dogs: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 4

While the female divers (haenyeo) may be the iconic symbols of Jeju Island's past, they were not the only ones to go to sea - the men went at night. In 1888, Charles Chaille-Long, the secretary of the American legation in Seoul, reported “the islanders are, of course, fishermen, and use for their trade a sort of double decked raft, a curious arrangement, great numbers of whic...

2022-01-16 09:18

Views of Jeju from the Past: Challenging the Mountain Spirit: Part 6

Views of Jeju from the Past: An Island of Stones: Part 5

The Haenyeo: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 3

The Haenyeo: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 3

The Haenyeo: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 3

Arguably, the most iconic image of Jeju Island in the 20th century was the haenyeo - the women divers. They were portrayed in newspaper and magazine articles in almost mythical prose - the sirens of the sea able to dive to great depths who did most of the work while their husbands stayed safely home with the children.

2022-01-15 09:26

Views of Jeju from the Past: Challenging the Mountain Spirit: Part 6

Views of Jeju from the Past: An Island of Stones: Part 5

Sharks and Dogs: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 4

Views of Jeju from the Past: Part 2

Views of Jeju from the past: Part 1

Views of Jeju from the Past: Part 2

Views of Jeju from the Past: Part 2

It is often said that Jeju Island possesses three things in great abundance - wind, rocks and women. While there is a great deal of truth to the statement, it was not the wind nor the rocks that attracted outside attention - it was the women.

2022-01-09 09:00

Views of Jeju from the Past: Challenging the Mountain Spirit: Part 6

Views of Jeju from the Past: An Island of Stones: Part 5

Sharks and Dogs: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 4

The Haenyeo: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 3

Views of Jeju from the past: Part 1

Views of Jeju from the past: Part 1

Views of Jeju from the past: Part 1

With the increased difficulty in traveling abroad due to the pandemic, many foreigners residing in Korea (as well as Koreans) are flocking to Jeju Island for their holidays. Travel to the island is extremely convenient - merely a short flight - but it hasn't always been that way.

2022-01-08 09:37

Views of Jeju from the Past: Challenging the Mountain Spirit: Part 6

Views of Jeju from the Past: An Island of Stones: Part 5

Sharks and Dogs: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 4

The Haenyeo: Views of Jeju from the Past Part 3

Views of Jeju from the Past: Part 2

Joseon royal family politics: A deadly gift

Joseon royal family politics: A deadly gift

Nestled quietly in the center of downtown Seoul, Unhyeon Palace is probably the least-known of the palaces and royal residences in the city. It is a juxtaposition of the past and the present. The modern displays distract from the beauty of the buildings and the present serenity contrasts sharply with its Machiavellian past. This palace was the royal residence of Heungseon Dae...

2022-01-05 09:03

It's only a game

It's only a game

In the late 19th century, chess was popular with Westerners in the open ports of China, Japan and Korea. Many of these Westerners prided themselves with their prowess on the chessboard, and some of the regional English-language newspapers in Japan even published accounts of the tournaments and games.

2022-01-04 17:39

Christmas in Korea in the 19th century: Santa and Christmas trees: Part2

Christmas in Korea in the 19th century: Santa and Christmas trees: Part2

Starting in 1890, Christmas became one of the largest social events held in Seoul by the Western community. Unlike the previous decade, when the Western residents of Seoul were mainly single missionaries and diplomats, there were now families with small children and they brought with them the familiar holiday traditions of Santa Claus and Christmas trees.

2021-12-26 09:38

Christmas in Korea in 1880s: politics and parties: Part1

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