korea a maiden love: 28 août 2009

vendredi 28 août 2009

gifts tells the cultural story of korea

Here are some gifts sent to me by the English and the French as the German and the Arabic service of the kbs world radio from seoul the soul of aisa
You know look at this traditional gifts they were as pearls of the Korean handmade arts
They tell me more than a story
And they show more than a picture of the traditions of korea the land of the bright sun and the blissful morning
Wow this ornament gives the felling if am in the heaven where a Korean nymph seat nearby me and tell me the story of Korean ancestors
The chopsticks makes me feel that a day a will be there in korea and surly I will eat the delightful kimchi
And this and that and many many gifts tell me in every time and in every season that korea is so pure and unique a world of wonders that I must see it by my Owen eyes
See by your eyes and feel the perfume of hangkok

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Bindaetteok

Bindaetteok first appears under the name binjatteok in the Eumsik dimibang, a cooking encyclopedia written in the 1670s by Mrs. Jang, the wife of a public officer. The dish was originally prepared by frying a mixture of water-soaked and ground mung beans, pork, bracken fern, mung bean sprouts, and cabbage kimchi. This food uses honey for seasoning, and meat was put on the bindaetteok. Rich people ate meat and poor people ate bindaetteok. Therefore, this dish was called bindaebyeong (貧乏餅; literally "poor person's pancake").
the ingredients are 1/2 cup mung beans, soaked overnight 1 large egg 1/4 cup cabbage kimchi 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil 1/4 tsp salt Meat, usually beef, can also be added as an ingredient. In Korean restaurants, this dish is served with a small side serving of dipping sauce made of soy sauce, minced green onions, chili pepper flakes and some vinegar.

sanjo

Sanjo is a style of traditional Korean music, involving an instrumental solo accompanied by drumming on the janggu, an hourglass-shaped drum.
Sanjo was first developed around 1890 by Kim Chang-jo (1865-1920), for the gayageum. Thereafter, it was expanded to other traditional Korean instruments, including the geomungo and Korean flutes. Its early development was informed by other genres of traditional music, including pansori, sinawi, and the performances of Korean shamanism.
Daegeum sanjo, played on the daegeum (a traditional Korean transverse flute) was developed in the 1920s. It has since become one of the most popular forms of sanjo. Its leading practitioner today is Yi Saenggang.
Sanjo is traditionally identified as a form of minsogak, or folk music.

korean Fish and seafood dishes

A bowl of gejang, marinated crabs in soy sauce and plates of various banchan (small side dishes).
Fish and shellfish have always been a major part of Korean cuisine because of the oceans bordering the peninsula. Evidence from the 12th century illustrates that commoners consumed a diet mostly of fish and shellfish such as shrimp, clams, oysters, abalone, and loach, while sheep and hogs were reserved for the upper class.
Both fresh and saltwater fish are popular and are served raw, grilled, broiled, dried, and served in soups and stews. Common grilled fish include mackerel, hairtail, croaker, and Pacific herring. Smaller fish, shrimps, squid, mollusks and countless other seafood can be salted as Jeotgal. Fish can also be grilled either whole or in fillets as banchan. Fish is often dried naturally in order to prolong storing periods and enable shipping over long distances. Fish commonly dried include yellow corvina, anchovies (myeolchi) and croaker. Dried anchovies along with kelp form the basis of common soup stocks.
Shellfish is widely eaten in all different types of preparation. They can be used to prepare broth, eaten raw with chogochujang which is a mixture of gochujang (chili pepper paste) and vinegar, or used as a popular ingredient in countless dishes. Raw oysters and other seafood can be used in making kimchi to improve and vary the flavor. Salted baby shrimps are used as a seasoning agent known as saeujeot for the preparation of some types of kimchi. Large shrimp are often grilled as daeha gui (대하구이) or dried, mixed with vegetables and served with rice. Mollusks eaten in Korean cuisine include octopus, cuttlefish, and squid.

hanji paper from korea

Korean paper
Korean paper or hanji is the name of a traditional paper art form originating from Korea. There are two basic divisions of hanji, a two dimensional and a three dimensional. Two dimensional hanji uses paper of various colors to create an image in a similar format as a painting, however the paper itself is folded and crumpled making the image stick up from the paper it is adhered, but the image itself is only a 2 dimensional likeness, although there may be depth to some of the elements. 2 dimensional hanji are typically framed much like a painting.
Three dimensional hanji is similar to paper mache, in that it attempts to make sculpture type objects which may stand unsupported.

Buddhist cuisine

Korean temple cuisine refers to a type of cuisine that originated in Buddhist temples of Korea. Since Buddhism was introduced into Korea, Buddhist traditions have strongly influenced Korean cuisine as well. During the Silla period (57 BC – 935 AD), chalbap (, a bowl of cooked glutinous rice) yakgwa (, a fried dessert) and yumilgwa (a fried and puffed rice snack) were served for Buddhist altars and have been developed into types of hangwa, Korean traditional confectionary. During the Goryeo Dynasty, sangchu ssam (wraps made with lettuce), yaksik, and yakgwa were developed, so spread to China and other countries. Since the Joseon Dynasty, Buddhist cuisine has been established in Korea according to regions and temples.
On the other hand, royal court cuisine is closely related to Korean temple cuisine. In the past, when the royal court maids called sanggung, who were assigned to Suragan (hangul: 수라간; hanja; the name of the royal kitchen), where they prepared the king's meals, became old, they had to leave the royal palace. Therefore, many of them entered Buddhist temples to become nuns. As the result, culinary techniques and recipes of the royal cuisine were integrated into Buddhist cuisine.

Ssireum

Ssireum is a Korean wrestling style and is the traditional national sport of Korea.[citation needed] In the modern form each contestant wears a belt that wraps around the waist and the thigh. The competition employs a series of techniques, which inflict little harm or injury to the opponent: opponents lock on to each other's belt, and one achieves victory by bringing any part of the opponent's body above the knee to the ground.
The history of Ssireum started around the same time that communities started to form. To protect themselves, primitive societies learned to use wrestling styles as a form of self-defense. During this period, when grappling was the predominant form of combat,[citation needed] various other techniques were developed. As civilizations began to evolve, Ssireum became a military art. The sport continued to be played and used for military purposes. Ssireum is the oldest of traditional Korean sports and is depicted in wall paintings in the royal tombs of the Goguryeo kingdom (37 BC to 660 AD). Gakjeochong murals show that wrestling in Korea dates back as early as the pre-Three Kingdom era. “Book of Later Han,” a Chinese document that was written before the history of the Three Kingdoms also has records of Ssireum, evidencing that Ssireum has been practiced even during prehistoric times.
Ssireum first gained widespread popularity during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Evidence of this is shown through the genre pictures of Kim Hongdo (see the above picture, Sangbak). In traditional life, Ssireum was a popular activity on the Korean holiday of Dano, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and tournaments are held in the summer and autumn. However, Ssireum competitions were also held on other days such as the Third Day of the Third Moon, the Eighth day of the Fourth Moon, Buddhist All Souls’ Day, etc. The townspeople would gather sharing in their joy and release mental and physical tensions resulting from the strenuous work that lasted from spring to fall. In the past, the traditional prize for winning a tournament was an ox, a valuable commodity in agriculturally-oriented society, which symbolized the strength of the contestant.

Visit South Korea touristic attraction through the web

Tourism in South Korea refers to the tourist industry in the Republic of Korea. Over six million foreign tourists visited South Korea in 2006. Foreign tourists spent $2.92 billion on sightseeing that year and foreign spending on business trips came to $2.31 billion. South Korea ranked 31st in tourism revenues in 2006. Most non-Korean tourists come from Japan, China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong. The recent popularity of Korean popular culture in these countries has given international tourism a boost. Seoul is the principal tourist destination for non-Korean visitors.Popular tourist destinations outside of Seoul include Seorak-san national park, the historic city of Gyeongju, and semi-tropical Jeju Island. Travel to North Korea is not normally possible except with special permission, but in recent years organised group tours have taken South Korean nationals to Kŭmgang-san mountain.The majority of the South Korean tourist industry is supported by domestic tourism. Thanks to the country's extensive network of trains and buses, most of the country lies within a day's round trip of any major city. International tourists come primarily from nearby countries in Asia. Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan together account for roughly 75% of the total number of international tourists. In addition, the Korean wave has brought increasing numbers of tourists from Southeast Asia.International tourists typically enter the country through Incheon International Airport, near Seoul, which in 2006 was found to be the world's best airport. Some others enter through the country's other international ports and airports, particularly Busan.Through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and its constituent Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the South Korean government works actively to support tourism within South Korea. This is promoted so as to boost the local economy, reduce the drain of funds overseas, and to improve the country's international image. The KTO aims to attract 10 million inbound visitors to South Korea by the year 2010.The most South Korean touristic attraction are the South Korea's most famous historical tourist attractions include the ancient capitals of Seoul, Gyeongju and Buyeo. Most international tourists come to Seoul, to experience both the classical and modern aspects of Korean culture.A number of natural landmarks are important tourist attractions. The biggest of these are the peaks of the Baekdudaegan, particularly Seorak-san and Jiri-san. In addition, the caves of Danyang and Hwanseongul, and beaches such as Haeundae and Mallipo are popular attractions.Apart from Jeju, South Korea's many smaller islands also play an important role as tourist attractions. Excursion ferries are quite common along the south and west coasts, and also to Ulleung-do off the east coast. Limited tourism to the Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo) has grown in recent years.Most local districts hold several annual festivals to bring in tourists from elsewhere in the country. Some famous examples include the Boryeong Mud Festival and the Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival.Tourists love to visit many houses that are ancient.So if you want to log on the Official Site of Korea Tourism Org.: Korea, Sparklng WidgetWhich iswww.visitkorea.or.kr/ena/.../AK_EN_1_2_4.jspOr log onhttp://english.visitkorea.or.kr/or log onwww.sparklingkorea.org/too find Tourist and Hotel Information for South Korea

bulguksa temple

Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is home to seven National treasures of South Korea, including Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo (Blue Cloud Bridge), and two gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. The temple is classified as Historic and Scenic Site No. 1 by the South Korean government. In 1995, Bulguksa was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Seokguram Grotto, which lies four kilometers to the east.
The temple is considered as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom. It is currently the head temple of the 11th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

Seoraksan

Seoraksan is the highest mountain in the Taebaek mountain range in the Gangwon province in eastern South Korea. It is located in a national park near the city of Sokcho. After the Hallasan volcano on Jeju Island and Jirisan in the south, Seoraksan is the third highest mountain in South Korea. The Daechongbong Peak of Seoraksan reaches 1,708 metres (5,603 feet). The Taebaek mountain chain is often considered the backbone of the Korean peninsula.

The national park attracts many national and international tourists all year round, but the main season for Seoraksan national park is autumn. The autumn colours in the area are considered amongst the most beautiful in Korea. The red and yellow forest is interrupted by rocks and small mountain streams flow amidst this. During the rainy season in summer—especially after a typhoon—these streams can swell.

Perhaps the most visited part of the mountain is the main entrance valley to the National Park, a fifteen minute drive from Seokcho city. The valley runs west to east with a paved road leading up to the park's entrance gate. This valley contains many beautiful sites and is well worth a day visit.

The Yukdam waterfall and the Biryeong waterfall are located on the left side of the valley, about a forty minute walk from the main car park. Ulsanbawi is a rock formation in the Seoraksan national park. The shape of Ulsanbawi is unique in the area. To reach the rocks you need to follow a hiking path and climb over 800 steps (it's actually 888 steps according to locals). On the way there, there are two temples and a spherical rock (Heundeulbawi)which is located on top of a larger rock. This rock is about 5 metres (16 feet) high and can be moved with some effort. Thousands of people have already tried to push down Heundeulbawi, but nobody gets further than waggling the rock.

According to the legend Ulsanbawi comes from the city of Ulsan in the south east of Korea. As Kumgangsan was built, Ulsanbawi walked to the north as the representative of the city. Unfortunately Ulsanbawi arrived too late and there was no more room. Ulsanbawi was ashamed and slowly trudged back to the south. One evening the rock went to sleep in the Seorak area. Ulsanbawi felt it was so beautiful around there that it decided to stay for good.

At the end of the main valley is Biseondae, a rock platform in a stream. Above the stream is a difficult to reach cave, which offers clear views of the surrounding rock formations.

A bit father from the entrance is the Valley of a Thousand Buddhas , the primary valley of Seorak Mountain, also sometimes referred to as Seorak Valley. The valley was so named because the rock formations that line its sides resemble a line-up of Buddha statues.

pansori

A popular form in Korea during the 19th century, pansori featured satires and love stories. A full story, madang , is so long that it usually takes hours to complete. One example is the "Song of Chunhyang" which takes over eight hours to perform, without a break. A madang consists of certain alterations of aniris and changes.

Only five of the original twelve pansori madsurvive today. Those five are Heungbuga, Simcheongga, Chunhyangga, Jeokbyeokga and Sugungga.

In a pansori performance, the kwangdae sings, standing with a folding fan held in one hand. The fan is waved to emphasize the singer's motions and unfolded to announce changes of scene. The gosu gives rhythm not only by beats but also by chuimsa, verbal sounds. A chuimsae can be a simple meaningless vowel, but short words of encouragement are also given. The audience is also supposed to give chuimsae during the performance, similar to kakegoe and the shouts of "Olé" during flamenco performances.

Pansori has been compared in impact to the American Blues. There are various singing styles, such as the more "feminine" sopyonje of south-western Korea (inspiration of the film Sopyonje) and the more "masculine" tongp'yonje.

UNESCO proclaimed the pansori tradition a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 7, 2003.

tteok

Tteok spelled also ddeock, duk, dduk, ddeog, or thuck) is Korean cake made with glutinous rice flour (also known as sweet rice or chapssal), by steaming. Normal rice flour can be used for some kinds of tteok. There are hundreds of different kinds of tteok eaten year round. In Korea it is customary to eat tteok guk (tteok soup) on New Year's Day and sweet tteok at weddings and on birthdays. It is often considered a celebratory food and can range from rather elaborate versions with nuts and fruits down to the plain-flavored tteok used in home cooking. Some common ingredients for many kinds of tteok are mung bean, red bean, and sweet red bean paste, Korean mugwort, jujube and other dried fruits, sesame seeds and oil, sugar, and pine nuts

ginseng

Ginseng is each of eleven species of slow-growing perennial plants with fleshy roots, in the Panax genus, in the family Araliaceae. It grows in the Northern Hemisphere in eastern Asia (mostly northern China, Korea, and eastern Siberia), typically in cooler climates; Panax vietnamensis, discovered in Vietnam, is the southernmost ginseng found. This article focuses on the Series Panax ginsengs, which are the adaptogenic herbs, principally Panax ginseng and P. quinquefolius. Ginseng is characterized by the presence of ginsenosides.
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is not a true ginseng, but a different plant that was renamed as "Siberian ginseng" as a marketing ploy; instead of a fleshy root, it has a woody root; instead of ginsenosides, eleutherosides is the active compound. Eleutherosides are classified as another adaptogen.
Both American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) roots are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants,[citation needed] and in the treatment of type II diabetes, as well as sexual dysfunction in men. The root is most often available in dried form, either whole or sliced. Ginseng leaf, although not as highly prized, is sometimes also used; as with the root it is most often available in dried form.
This ingredient may also be found in some popular energy drinks: usually the "tea" varieties or functional foods. Usually ginseng is in subclinical doses and it does not have measurable medicinal effects.[citation needed] It can be found in cosmetic preparations as well, with similar lack of effect.
Ginseng root can be double steamed with chicken meat as a soup. (See samgyetang.)

[edit] Modern science and ginseng
It has been difficult to verify the medicinal benefits of ginseng using science, as there are contradictory results from different studies, possibly due to the wide variety and quality of ginseng used in studies. High-quality studies of the effects of ginseng are rare.
Ginseng is promoted as an adaptogen (a product that increases the body's resistance to stress), one which can to a certain extent be supported with reference to its anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties, although animal experiments to determine whether longevity and health were increased in the presence of stress gave negative results.
A comparative, randomized and double-blind study at the National Autonomous University of Mexico indicates it may be "a promising dietary supplement" when assessed for an increase in quality of life .
A recent study at the University of Hong Kong has identified Ginseng to have anti-inflammatory effects. The study found that out of the nine ginsenosides they identified, seven could selectively inhibit expression of the inflammatory gene CXCL-10.
P. ginseng appear to inhibit some characteristics associated with cancer in animal models; nevertheless, this effect is unclear in humans. A randomized, double-blind pilot study noted ginseng appeared to reduce fatigue in cancer patients.
There are references in literature, including authoritative compendiums, that show interactions with ginseng. Herbalist Jonathan Treasure of the United States National Institute of Mental Health traces the growth of misinformation on an alleged adverse herb-drug interaction between the monoamine oxidase inhibitor phenelzine and Asian ginseng (P. ginseng C.A. Meyer). This originally was mentioned in a 1985 editorial by Shader and Greenblatt in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. Shader and Greenblatt devoted a couple of lines to the case of 64 year-old woman who took an undisclosed dose for an undisclosed time of a dietary supplement product called “Natrol High” while concurrently taking phenelzine 60 mg qd. She experienced symptoms of “insomnia, headache, and tremulousness”. Treasure contacted Natrol by email and discovered within ten minutes that there was no P. ginseng in the formula, but instead Eleutherococcus senticosus which was then called by the popular name "Siberian ginseng" and it was given in a subclinical dosage mixed with a variety of other herbs. The purported interaction effects are well-known side effects of phenelzine alone, which had been given in a high dosage and are not at all suggestive of Eleutherococcus. However this misinformed article with a misidentified herb has been picked up in literature searches, megastudies and is now documented by conventional medical authorities such as Stockley’s, and is repeated in several botanical monographs e.g. World Health Organization (WHO 1999).

taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. It is the world's most popular martial art in terms of the number of practitioners.Gyeorugi , a type of sparring, has been an Olympic event since 2000.
In Korean, tae (Hangul, hanja) means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon (Hanguh,hanja ) means "to strike or break with fist"; and do (Hangul, hanja:) means "way" or "method"; so "taekwondo" is loosely translated as "the way of the foot and fist" or "the way of kicking and punching".
Taekwondo's popularity has resulted in the varied development of the martial art into several domains: as with many other arts, it combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, meditation and philosophy. Taekwondo is also used by the South Korean military as part of its training.
Formally, there are two main styles of taekwondo. One comes from the Kukkiwon, the source of the sparring system sihap gyeorugi which is now an event at the summer Olympic Games and which is governed by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). The other comes from the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). There is also a more recent form called Songham Taekwondo or the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) and other variations of it such as STF (Songham Taekwondo Federation) and WTTU (World Traditional Taekwondo Union).
Separate from the various taekwondo organizations, there have been two general branches of taekwondo development: traditional and sport. The term "traditional taekwondo" typically refers to the martial art as it was established in the 1950s and 1960s; in particular, the names and symbolism of the traditional patterns often refer to elements of Korean history. Sport taekwondo has evolved in the decades since then and has a somewhat different focus, especially in terms of its emphasis on speed and competition (as in Olympic sparring), whereas traditional taekwondo tends to emphasize power and self-defense. The two are not mutually exclusive, and the distinctions between them are often blurred.
Although there are doctrinal and technical differences between the two main styles and among the various organizations, the art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, employing the leg's greater reach and power (compared to the arm). The greatest difference between various styles, or at least the most obvious, is generally accepted to be the differing styles and rules of sport and competition. Taekwondo training generally includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks. Some taekwondo instructors also incorporate the use of pressure points, known as jiapsul, as well as grabbing self-defense techniques borrowed from other martial arts, such as Hapkido and Judo.

do you know that in south korea there is A dish made with dog meat

The consumption of dog meat in Korea dates back to antiquity. The primary dog breed raised for meat, the nureongi (누렁이), differs from those breeds raised for pets which Koreans may keep in their homes. For those who consume dog meat, they usually do so during the summer months in either roasted form or prepared in soups. The most popular of these soups is gaejang-guk (also called bosintang), a spicy stew meant to balance the body's heat during the summer months; followers of the custom claim this is done to ensure good health by balancing one's gi, or vital energy of the body. A 19th century version of gaejang-guk explains that the dish is prepared by boiling dog meat with scallions and chili powder. Variations of the dish contain chicken and bamboo shoots. While the dishes are still popular in Korea with a segment of the population, dog is not as widely consumed as beef, chicken, and pork.

talchum

Talchum is a Korean dance performed while wearing a mask and singing. It is not just a dance performed by masked dancers but also a drama with masked characters portraying persons, animals or supernatural beings. These folk dramas reflect the antipathy and resentment felt by the common people towards the nobility, due to the latter's harsh and severe treatment of the commoners.
Mask dance dramas share fundamental characteristics, even though it varies slightly according to region and performer. They are based on a sense of rebellion felt by the common people toward the reality of their lives. Their basic themes are exorcism rites, ritual dances, biting satire, parody of human weaknesses, social evils and the privileged class. It appeals to its audiences by ridiculing apostate Buddhist monks, decadent noblemen, and shamans. Another popular theme is the conflict between an ugly wife and a seductive concubine. With regional variations, the mask dance drama was generally performed on the First Full Moon, Buddha's Birthday on the Eighth of the Fourth Moon, Dano Festival and Chuseok. It was also performed at festive state occasions or at rituals to supplicate for rain. The enthusiastic participation of the audience is the most remarkable feature of Korean mask dance drama. There is little distinction between the actors and the audience toward the end of a performance, as they join together in robust dance and bring it to a finale.
Mask dance dramas have been transmitted from all parts of the country. There are about thirteen different types of Talchum ― Hwanghaedo province's Haeseo style, such as Bongsan, Gangnyeong, the Eennyul Mask Dances; the Gyeonggi-do province's Yangju Byeolsandae, Songpa Sandae Mask Dances; the Gyeongsangnam-do province's Suyeong Yayu, Dongnae Yayu, Ggasan Ogwangdae, Tongyeong Ogwangdae, Goseong Ogwangdae; Gyeongsangbukdo province's Hahoe Byeolsandae Nori; Gangwon province's Gwanno Mask Dance; and the Namsadangpae (Male Itinerant Entertaining Troupe of the Northern Line) Deotboegichum Mask Dance. Among those, the Bongsan Talchum and Songpa Talchum are most well-known. Songpa Talchum settled in the area about 200 years ago and at that time it was performed on traditional Korean holidays. The Bongsan Talchum was passed on from the Haeseo area and was played in May.

the korean masks

Korean masks have a long tradition, with use in a variety of contexts. They were used in war, on both soldiers and their horses; ceremonially, for burial rites in jade and bronze and for shamanistic ceremonies to drive away evil spirits; to remember the faces of great historical figures in death masks; and in the arts, particularly in ritual dances, courtly, and theatrical plays. The present uses are as miniature masks for tourist souvenirs, or on cell-phones where they hang as good-luck talismans.
The often horrifying or grotesque masks were used in shamanistic practices for their ability to evoke fear, and humour, in ceremonial rites. The masks were often made of alder wood, with several coats of lacquer to give the masks gloss, and waterproof them for wearing. They were usually also painted, and often had hinges for mouth movement.
Typically one sees the following some of which are designated as national cultural properties.
Hahoe Byeolsin gut is a kind of exorcist play while performers wear mask such as yangbantal (nobleman), bunetal, seonbital (scholar), gaksital (bride), chorangital, halmital, jujital (head monk), jungital (monk), baekjeongtal (butcher), and imaetal.

Gimbap

Gimbap or kimbap is a popular Korean "fast" food [1] made from steamed white rice (bap) and various other ingredients, rolled in gim (sheets of dried seaweed) and served cold in bite-size slices. Gimbap is often eaten during picnics or outdoor events, or as a light lunch, served with danmuji or kimchi.
The basic components of gimbap are rice, meat or other protein-rich ingredient, and a large variety of vegetables, pickled, roasted, or fresh. Traditionally, the rice is lightly seasoned with salt and sesame oil/perilla oil. Popular protein ingredients are fish cake, crab meat, eggs, and/or seasoned beef rib-eye. Vegetables usually include cucumbers, spinach, carrots, and danmuji (pickled radish). After the gimbap has been rolled and sliced, it is typically served with danmuji or kimchi.

Jongmyo jerye

Jongmyo Jerye or Jongmyo Daeje is a rite held for worshipping the late kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty in Jongmyo Shrine, Seoul, South Korea. It is held every year on the first Sunday of May. The Jongmyo rite is usually accompanied with the court music playing (Jerye-ak) and dance called Ilmu or line Dance. Jongmyo Jerye and Jeryeak were designated as the first of South Korea's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2001.
The Jongmyo rites originated from the ancient Chinese era. They were practiced in Korea for the first time in Silla era and preserved from the Goryeo Dynasty to the last Korean Dynasty of Joseon. Along with the ceremony for praying to the Gods of Earth for bountiful crops, it is considered Korea's highest-ranked rites. These practices have been lost in China but Korea still preserved it well.
The Jerye procedures were divided into three parts. It is regarded as Korea's highest-ranked ritual, so it was held strictly and solemnly. The first part is the procedures to invite and greet the spirits. Most of the rites are held by king, officiants and his family. The first part's procedures are jagye (purification). Chwiwi is the part when the king and choheongwan (people who bring the wine for offering rituals) take the position into the chamber of the shrine. Then they wash their hands for greeting the spirits (gwansewi). In the Cheonghaengrye and Singwanrye rituals, they begin the rite of greeting the gods of Heaven and Earth by offering wine.
The second is rituals for entertaining the spirits. It is started the rites of Jinchan, which serves 63 kinds of foods to the spirits. Then the king begin to serve the first wine offering to the ancestral rites (Choheonrye) followed by Aheongwan (Crown Prince) and Jongheongwan (Prime Minister). This ritual is followed by rite of reciting the prayer paper by people called Daechukgwan. Aheonrye and Jongheonrye are the rites of the second and third (last) of wine offering.
The third part is the last rites which are held to send off the spirits to heaven. Eumbok is an occasion of sharing foods and wine to the officiants. The Cheonbyeondu is the rite of removing all the foods served for the spirits. In Songsin, the Choheongwan and other officiants bows four times to send off the spirits to heaven. Mangryorye is the last rite held by burning the prayer papers and the king is reported by the Heongwan and Daechukgwan that the rituals and services are completed and all the officiants withdraw.

Banchan

Banchan (also spelled panch'an) refers to small dishes of food served along with cooked rice in Korean cuisine. This word is used both in the singular and plural. The most famous banchan is kimchi.
Banchan are set in the middle of the table to be shared. At the center of the table is the main course, such as galbi or bulgogi, and sometimes a shared pot of stew. Bowls of cooked rice and soup are set individually. Banchan are served in small portions, meant to be finished at each meal. They can be replenished during the meal as they are finished. Usually, more formal meals have more banchan. The Jeolla province is famous for serving many more kinds of banchan in a single meal

joseon baekja

Joseon white porcelain or Joseon baekja refers to the white porcelains produced during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). White porcelains were preferred and praised than any other porcelains during the time to represent Confucian ethics such as frugality and pragmatism.[ In overall, Joseon ceramics undergone numerous transformations during the five hundred year period and is generally divided into three major periods; the early, the middle, and the late period. Although the chronology of Joseon ceramics differs between scholars, three major events affected kiln production; the influence of the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592 and 1597, the establishment of Bunwon (hangul hanja), government-subsided kilns at Bunwon-ri, Gwangju near Seoul in 1751, and the privatization of Bunwon in 1884. Joseon white porcelains are characterized by the beauty of unpretentious forms, understated decoration, and subtle use of color, reflecting the ideals of Confucian state.

information to know about korea

the korean Culture
Traditional music, dance and painting reflect the artistic talents of the Korean people, expressed over 5000 years of history. Today contemporary art is as common as the ever-popular traditional arts.

Traditional Korean music, gugak, has shared cultural roots with that of China and Japan. Music is divided into court music and folk music. Dances are divided in the same way and the slow graceful gestures reflect the influence of Confucianism.

Painting is very different from that in the west. It attests to the conditions of life, with strong colors representing strength, humor and pleasure. Modern artistic currents harmoniously blend eastern and western influences. Koreans are very proud of their tradition of making ceramics such as the subtly beautiful celadon porcelain of a unique blue-green, or white porcelain.

the Religion in korea
Most Koreans are Buddhist, though - unusually for Asia - Christian religions also have a significant presence, with 20% Protestants and 5% Catholics. There is a small but important Shamanic presence, brought long ago from Siberia.

the korea Habits and Customs
There are several rules of etiquette you should know: Bow when you meet a stranger, making your bow lower if the person is elderly. Even if you're on a simple pleasure trip, business cards are highly recommended (offered at the beginning of every conversation.) Show an interest in any a card offered by the person you're speaking to, and take time to examine it carefully. Once this first hurdle has been crossed, effusive greetings are not necessary.

Koreans are simple and friendly. A gift is appropriate if you're invited to a private home. It is presented and received using both hands. Shoes are removed when entering a private space (no bare feet: socks are preferable), as well as many restaurants, where you'll often sit on the floor. Restaurants bills are not shared: either one is a host or guest. Don't fill your own glass at table: wait until your neighbor does it, and do the same for him. Food is never picked up with the fingers: chopsticks (metal, not wooden) are provided for that purpose and a spoon is used for rice.

Koreans are quite superstitious and many still are influenced by ancient Shamanistic beliefs. If you get to know a Korean well, he may express friendship by inviting you to share certain foods or simple rituals that are imbued with a "magical" symbolism.

Jeogori and chima and baji and po and the jokki and magoja

Jeogori is the basic upper garment of the 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 a jeogori consists of gil, git, dongjeong, goreum and sleeves. Gil is the large section of the garment in both front and back side and git is a band of fabric that trims the collar. Dongjeong is a removable white collar placed over the end of the git and is generally squared off. The goreum are coat strings (ribbons of fabric) attached to the breast part to tie the jeogori. Women's jeogori may have kkeutdong , a different colored cuff placed on the end of the sleeves. There are two jeogori that may be the earliest surviving archaeological finds. One from a Yangcheon Heo Clan tomb is dated 1400-1450 , while the other was discovered inside a statue of Buddha at Sangwonsa Temple (presumably left as an offering) that has been dated to the 1460s.
The form of jeogori has changed over time. While men's jeogori remained relatively unchanged, women's jeogori dramatically shortened during Joseon dynasty, reaching its shortest length at the late nineteenth century. However, due to reformation efforts and practical reasons, modern jeogori for women is longer than its earlier counterpart. Nonetheless the length is still above the waist line. Traditionally, goreum were short and narrow, however modern goreum are rather long and wide. There are several types of jeogori according to fabric, sewing technique, and shape.

Chima
Is the formal term for a "skirt."

Baji
Is the formal term for "pants."

Po
Po is a generic term referring to an outer robe or overcoat, which was worn mostly by men since the Goryeo period until the Joseon period. 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. It is also called jumagui, juchaui, or juui.

Jokki and magoja
Jokki is a type of vest while magoja is an outer jacket. Although jokki and magoja were created at the end of the Joseon Dynasty in which the Western culture began to affect Korea, the garments have been considered parts of traditional hanbok. Each is additionally worn over jeogori for warmth and style. Magoja was an originally Manchu style clothing, but was introduced to Korea after Heungseon Daewongun, the father of King Gojong returned from from his political exile in Manchuria in 1887.Magoja derived from magwae that he wore at that time to protect cold weather of the region. It was good to keep warmth and easy to wear, so that magoja became popular in Korea. It is also called "deot jeogori" (literally "an outer jeogori") or magwae.
Magoja does not have git, band of fabric that trims the collar , goreum (tying strings) unlike jeogori and durumagi (overcoat). Magoja was originally a male garment, but later became a unisex clothing. The magoja for men has seop (섶, overlapped column on the front) and its length is longer than women's magoja, so that its both sides of the bottom are open. A magoja is made of a 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 women's magoja.
At first, women wore the magoja for style rather than as a daily outfit and especially Kaeseong people used to wear it a lot. It is made of a silk and the color 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 worn during spring and summer, jade, green, gray, dark grey were used.

hanbok

Hanbok (South Korea) or Chosŏn-ot (North Korea) is the traditional Korean dress. It is often characterized by vibrant colors and simple lines without pockets. Although the term literally means "Korean clothing", hanbok today often refers specifically to hanbok of Joseon Dynasty and is worn as semi-formal or formal wear during traditional festivals and celebrations. Modern hanbok does not exactly follow the actual style as worn in Joseon dynasty since it went through some major changes during the twentieth century for practical reasons.
Throughout history, Korea had a clothing tradition of duality, where rulers and aristocrats adopted different kinds of foreign styles, while the commoners continued to use a distinct style of indigenous clothing that came to be known as Hanbok today

pusan international film festival

Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), held annually in Busan(also Pusan), South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. The first festival, held from September 13 to September 21, 1996, was also the first international film festival in Korea. The focus of the PIFF is introducing new films and first-time directors, especially those from Asian countries. Another notable feature is the appeal of the festival to young people, both in terms of the large youthful audience it attracts and through its efforts to develop and promote young talent. In 1999, the Pusan Promotion Plan was established to connect new directors to funding sources.
the program of the festival
The Pusan International Film Festival is organised in various sections:
Gala Presentation : Gala Presentation screens master cineastesnew or the year most-talked-about films, or world/international premieres.
A Window on Asian Cinema : A showcase of brand new and/or representative films by the talented Asian filmmakers with their diverse point of views and style.
New Currents : The only international competition section featuring the first or the second feature films by the future leading directors of Asian cinema.
Korean Cinema Today : Selected Korean feature films are shown in two sub-sections Panorama and Vision. These two spectrums will recognize the current production trend of Korean cinema and anticipate its future.
Korean Cinema Retrospective : Re-shedding on the history of Korean cinema by spotlighting the films by a certain notable director or a significant theme.
World Cinema : A presentation of new works by world renowned filmmakers along with the year best films that will help in understanding of the recent trend in world cinema.
Wide Angle : A section dedicated in showing the outstanding short films, animation, documentaries, and experimental films presenting different and distinct vision via broader cinematic viewpoints.
Open Cinema : A collection of new films, combining both art and mass popularity, along with internationally acclaimed works, are shown at the unique outdoor screening venue.
Flash Forward : Flash Forward is set to discover yet-surfaced cineastes and create buzz among the young film generation. This section is an eclectic collection of first or second films of up-and-coming filmmakers from non-Asian countries.
Midnight Passion : Midnight Passion presents films of diverse genres selected for entertaining value from all over the world to meet the audience at night.
Special Programs in Focus : A retrospective and/or a special showcase of films by a certain notable director or genre.
http://www.piff.org/intro/default.asp

the delightful korea green tea

the first time a had drank the korean tea remain to the yaer 2005 when the english service of the kbs world radio sent me a set of the korea green tea really drinking the korean tea is like being in a journy through the korean tradition of the tea ceremony
The first historical record documenting the offering of tea to an ancestral god describes a rite in the year 661 in which a tea offering was made to the spirit of King Suro, the founder of the Geumgwan Gaya Kingdom (42-562). Records from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) show that tea offerings were made in Buddhist temples to the spirits of revered monks.
During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the royal Yi family and the aristocracy used tea for simple rites. The "Day Tea Rite" was a common daytime ceremony, whereas the "Special Tea Rite" was reserved for specific occasions. Toward the end of the Joseon Dynasty, commoners joined the trend and used tea for ancestral rites, following the Chinese example based on Zhu Xi's text formalities of Family.
Stoneware was common, ceramic more frequent, mostly made in provincial kilns, with porcelain rare, imperial porcelain with dragons the rarest. The earliest kinds of tea used in tea ceremonies were heavily pressed cakes of black tea, the equivalent of aged pu-erh tea still popular in China. However, importation of tea plants by Buddhist monks brought a more delicate series of teas into Korea, and the tea ceremony. Green tea, "chaksol" or "chugno," is most often served. However other teas such as "Byeoksoryung" Chunhachoon, Woojeon, Jakseol, Jookro, Okcheon, as well as native chrysanthemum tea, persimmon leaf tea, or mugwort tea may be served at different times of the year
The Korean tea ceremony or darye is a traditional form of tea ceremony practiced in Korea. Darye literally refers to "etiquette for tea" or "day tea rite" and has been kept among Korean people for a few thousand years. The chief element of the Korean tea ceremony is the ease and naturalness of enjoying tea within an easy formal setting.
Tea ceremonies are now being revived in Korea as a way to find relaxation and harmony in the fast-paced new Korean culture, and continuing in the long tradition of intangible Korean art.

Doenjang

Doenjang is a traditional Korean fermented soybean paste. Its name literally means "thick paste" in Korean.
To produce doenjang, dried soybeans are boiled and stone-ground into coarse bits. This paste is then formed into blocks, which are called meju (메주). The blocks are then exposed to sunlight or warmth. They are then dried; this exposure to the air allows Bacillus subtillis to begin the fermentation process. The Bacillus subtillis reproduce consuming soybean protein and water in the meju, the soybean blocks. Production of spores by the bacteria results in an unpleasant ammonia smell during the fermentation. One to three months later, depending on the block size, the meju are put into large opaque pottery jars with brine and left to further ferment, during which time various beneficial bacteria transform the mixture into a further vitamin-enriched substance (similar to the way milk ferments to become yogurt). Liquids and solids are separated after the fermentation process, and the liquid becomes Korean soy sauce (Joseon ganjang; 조선간장). The solid, which is doenjang, is very salty and quite thick, often containing (unlike most miso) some whole, uncrushed soybeans.
While traditional homemade doenjang is made with soybeans and brine only, many factory-made variants of doenjang contain a fair amount of wheat flour just like most factory-made soy sauce does. Some current makers also add fermented, dried, and ground anchovies to accentuate the doenjang's savoury flavour.

the flag of south korea

The flag of South Korea, or Taegeukgi has three parts: a white background; a red and blue taegeuk ("Taijitu" or "Yin and Yang") in the center; and four black trigrams, one in each corner of the flag. King Gojong proclaimed the Taegeukgi to be the official flag of Korea on March 6, 1883.
The four trigrams originate in the Chinese book I Ching, representing the four Chinese philosophical ideas about the universe: harmony, symmetry, balance, circulation. The general design of the flag also derives from traditional use of the tricolor symbol (red, blue and yellow) by Koreans starting from the early era of Korean history. The white background symbolizes "cleanliness of the people." The taegeuk represents the origin of all things in the universe; holding the two principles of "Yin", the negative aspect rendered in blue, and "Yang", the positive aspect rendered in red, in perfect balance. Together, they represent a continuous movement within infinity, the two merging as one.

Korean cuisine

Korean cuisine (Korean: Hanguk yori, 한국요리, 韓國料理; or Hanshik, 한식, 韓食) as a national cuisine known today has evolved through centuries of social and political change. Its roots can be traced back to myths and legends of antiquity. Originating from ancient agricultural and nomadic traditions in southern Manchuria and northern Korean peninsula, Korean cuisine has evolved through a complex interaction of the natural environment and different cultural trends.
Ingredients and dishes vary by province. There are many significant regional dishes that have become both national and regional. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated in different variations across the country in the present day. The Korean royal court cuisine once brought all of the unique regional specialties together for the royal family. Meals consumed both by the royal family and ordinary Korean citizens have been regulated by a culture of etiquette that is unique to Korea.
Korean cuisine is largely based on rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables, and meats. Traditional Korean meals are noted for the number of side dishes (banchan) that accompany steam-cooked short-grain rice. Kimchi, a fermented, spicy vegetable dish is usually served at every meal. Korean cuisine usually involves rich seasoning with sesame oil, doenjang (fermented soybean paste), soy sauce, salt, garlic, ginger, and gochujang (red chili paste)

geography of south korea

Geography of South Korea

South Korea is located in East Asia, on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula jutting out from the far east of the Asian land mass.
The only country with a land border to South Korea is North Korea, lying to the north with 238 km of border running along the DMZ. South Korea is mostly surrounded by water and has 2,413 km of coast line along three seas. To the west, is the Yellow Sea, to the south is the East China Sea, and to the east is the Ulleung-do, and Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo in Korean) in the Sea of Japan (also called East Sea).
Geographically, South Korea's land mass is approximately 100,032 square kilometres 290 square kilometres of South Korea are occupied by water.

the history of korea

This article is about the history of Korea, up to the division of Korea in the 1940s. See History of North Korea and History of South Korea for the post-World War II period, see the links at the bottom of this page.
The history of Korea stretches from Lower Paleolithic times to the present. The earliest known Korean pottery dates to around 8000 BC, and the Neolithic period began before 6000 BC, followed by the Bronze Age around 2500 BC. According to the Samguk Yusa and other Korean medieval-era records, the Gojoseon (Old Joseon) kingdom was said to be founded in 2333 BC, eventually stretching from the peninsula to much of Manchuria. By 3rd Century BC, it disintegrated into many successor states.

In the early Common Era, the Three Kingdoms (Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje) conquered other successor states of Gojoseon and came to dominate the peninsula and much of Manchuria. The three kingdoms competed with each other both economically and militarily. Goguryeo and Baekje were more powerful for much of the era, especially Goguryeo, which defeated massive Chinese invasions. Silla's power gradually extended across Korea and it eventually established the first unified state to cover most of Korean peninsula by 676, while former Goguryeo general Dae Jo-yeong found Balhae as the successor to Goguryeo.
Unified Silla itself fell apart in the late 9th century, giving way to the tumultuous Later Three Kingdoms period (892-936), which ended with the establishment of the Goryeo Dynasty. After the fall of Balhae in 926 to Khitan, much of its people were absorbed into Goryeo.
During the Goryeo period, laws were codified, a civil service system was introduced, and Buddhism flourished. In 993-1019 Khitan Liao Dynasty invaded Goryeo and were repelled. In 1238, the Mongolian Empire invaded and after nearly thirty years of war, the two sides signed a peace treaty.
In 1392, the general Yi Seong-gye established the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) after a coup. King Sejong the Great (1418-1450) promulgated hangul, the Korean alphabet.
Between 1592-1598, Japan invaded Korea, but was eventually repelled with the efforts by the Navy led by Admiral Yi Sun-shin, resistance armies. In the 1620s and 1630s, Joseon suffered invasions by the Manchu Qing Dynasty.
Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea out of China's sphere of influence into its own. In 1895, Empress Myeongseong was assassinated by Japanese agents. In 1897, Joseon was renamed the Korean Empire (1897-1910), and King Gojong became Emperor Gojong.
Nevertheless, In 1905, Japanese forced Korea to sign the Eulsa Treaty making Korea a protectorate, and in 1910 annexed Korea, although neither is considered to be legally valid. Korean resistance to the Japanese occupation was manifested in the massive nonviolent March 1st Movement of 1919. Thereafter the Korean liberation movement, coordinated by the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in exile, was largely active in neighboring Manchuria, China and Siberia.
With the defeat of Japan in 1945, the United Nations developed plans for a trusteeship administration by the Soviet Union and the United States, but the plan was soon abandoned. In 1948, new governments were established, the democratic South Korea and Communist North Korea divided at the 38th parallel. The unresolved tensions of the division surfaced in the Korean war of 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea.

south korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK) (Korean: 대한민국) and often referred to as Korea, is a country in East Asia, located on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. Also known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", it is neighbored by China to the west and Japan to the east, bordering North Korea to the north. Its capital is Seoul, the second largest metropolitan city in the world and a major global city. South Korea lies in a temperate climate region with a predominantly mountainous terrain. Its territory covers a total area of 100,032 square kilometers and has a population of almost 50 million, making it one of the most densely populated regions in the world.
South Korea is a presidential republic consisting of 16 administrative divisions. Archaeological findings show that the Korean Peninsula was occupied as early as the Lower Paleolithic period. Korean history begins with the founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BCE by Dangun. Following the unification of Three Kingdoms of Korea under Silla 668 CE, Korea went through the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty as one nation until the end of the Korean Empire in 1910. After liberation and division, South Korea was established in 1948 as a democracy. Following the Korean War, the South Korean economy grew significantly, transforming the country into a major global economy. This is known as the Miracle on the Han River and the country became one of the Four Asian Tigers.
South Korea is a developed country and a full democracy. It is a High-income OECD member, having the fourth largest economy in Asia and the 15th largest in the world. South Korea is the world leader in innovation among major economies and a leader in technologically advanced
goods such as electronics, automobiles, ships, machinery, petrochemicals and robotics, headed by Samsung, LG and Hyundai-Kia. It is a member of the United Nations, WTO, OECD and G-20 major economies. It is also a founding member of APEC and the East Asia Summit, and a major non-NATO ally of the United States. In the 21st century, there has been increased interest in Korean culture throughout Asia.

the korean tourism in the world market

Korea unveiled a set of measures to strengthen its leisure and tourism industry as part of its efforts to reduce the country¡¯s ever-growing service deficit.Korea has been registering a chronic deficit of its service account, which includes overseas spending, mainly due to increased overseas tourism and educational spending. The service account shortfall in the first half totaled $10.6 billion, compared with $8.9 billion a year earlier. In 2006, Koreans spent more than 10 trillion won ($11.1 billion) on overseas tourism in 2006, raising concerns over the nation¡¯s worsening service account deficit.The government said it is mulling offering tax breaks for owners of farmland who invest their land to build public golf clubs. Along the tax breaks, the government is also considering deregulating golf club operation laws and coming up with comprehensive measures to reduce construction costs and secure profitability for new golf club builders.The domestic golf industry¡¯s price competitiveness is weak compared to China or Japan, according to the Finance Ministry, which has lead to a rise in golf trips to nearby countries.The government also plans to build six additional ports in Incheon, Jeju Island and other areas to be used exclusively for luxury cruise ships. It also plans to secure more port calls for foreign-based cruise lines. Korea currently has one such port.Foreigners spent $2.92 billion on sightseeing in Korea last year, and foreign spending on business trips came to $2.31 billion, government data showed.

The tombs of the rulers of Silla

The tombs of the rulers of Silla are all located within the boundaries of Gyeongju. The identity of the ruler is known in many cases, particularly for the later rulers. However, many of the older tombs found in the Royal Tombs Complex cannot be conclusively tied to any ruler. Partly for this reason, many of the tombs are known by the names of notable artifacts excavated there. One example of this is the Heavenly Horse Tomb, where a mudflap bearing a celestial horse motif was found.
Not all of the Silla-era tombs are royal. The tomb of the general Kim Yu-sin is located on one of the low mountains surrounding Gyeongju Basin.
A notable tomb outside the usual historical precincts of Gyeongju is that of King Munmu, d. 681, who was buried at sea just off the coast of Yangbuk-myeon. Munmu, the first king of Unified Silla, instructed that he should be buried there so that he could become a dragon and protect the Silla coastline.

Travelers call Incheon best airport

Incheon International Airport in South Korea was named the best airport in the world in a worldwide passenger survey released Tuesday by the Airports Council International.
Asian airports dominated the survey, which is conducted annually by the organization that is composed of almost all the world's airports, although Canada made a strong showing, with Halifax taking one of the top awards.
Second place in the world went jointly to Singapore and Hong Kong,while third place went to Kuala Lumpur. The prizes were awarded at the Geneva-based organization's annual meeting, held this year in Abu Dhabi.
Incheon dominated the survey, taking two of the three top worldwide categories, "Best Airport 2005 Worldwide" and "Most Improved Airport 2005," with Vancouver and Singapore taking second and third place in the most improved category. Halifax, in Nova Scotia, won the third top category, "Best Domestic Airport 2005."
Only one U.S. airport made the lists, with Denver placing third in the Americas section of the "best airport by region" and third among airports with more than 25 million passengers per year.
The survey was based on more than 100,000 detailed passenger surveys at the 66 major airports that entered the annual contest this year.
Judging was based on 11 categories of service quality, like courtesy, cleanliness, clear signage, parking, ground transportation and service offerings like dining, shopping and computer services. The organization said passengers placed the greatest value on "pleasant ambience and high-quality service."
The best airports by region were Halifax, Ottawa and Denver in the Americas; Incheon, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur in Asia and the Pacific; Brussels and Copenhagen, followed by Zurich and Helsinki in Europe; and Dubai, Cape Town and Durban in the Middle East and Africa.
The best airports in categories organized by traffic volume were Halifax, Ottawa and Malta for airports with an annual passenger count of up to 5 million; Nagoya, Christchurch and Helsinki for airports handling 5 million to 15 million passengers; Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Brussels and Copenhagen for airports handling 15 to 25 million; and Incheon, Singapore, Hong Kong and Denver for airports handling 25 million or more.

Deoksugung

Deoksugung, also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces that was inhabited by various Korean royalties until the Japanese occupation of Korea around the turn of the 20th century. The buildings are of varying construction, including some of natural sugi, painted wood, and stucco. Some buildings were built in Western style.
In addition to the traditional palace buildings, there are also an art museum, forested gardens, and a statue of King Sejong the Great at Deoksugung. The palace is located near the City Hall Station.

The Global Fair & Festival 2009 Incheon, Korea

The Global Fair & Festival 2009 Incheon, Korea is an international event taking place in Incheon, the third largest metropolitan city in Korea, beginning on August 7th and running through October 25th for a period of 80 days.
Incheon is home to the country's international airport and an international seaport. The metropolitan city is also the first city designated by the Central Government as a Free Economic Zone. Three areas in the city, Yeongjong, Cheongna, and Songdo have been designated as the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ). The Songdo Free Economic Zone is where the Global Fair & Festival 2009 Incheon, Korea will be held.
The Global Fair & Festival 2009 Incheon, Korea is a comprehensive fair & festival with a variety of international exhibitions, conferences and events.

i love the myth of the Korean Drama 'Winter Sonata'

There's a new craze sweeping Japan for Korean entertainment. It all began with the hit series called 'Winter Sonata' earlier this year. The TV drama is spawning a whole new interest in Korea.
An extraordinary letter arrived at the Japanese Embassy in Korea in early June. A middle-aged Japanese woman, named Junko, sent this letter in a desperate hope to let the makers of the popular Korean TV drama "Winter Sonata," know how much the hit production had touched her life.
Originally aired in South Korea in 2002, the series depicts the turbulent relationship of two high school sweethearts.
The Japanese broadcasting company NHK began airing it in April and says it has received over 20,000 positive responses, many from women in their 40s and 50s.
"Since the 2002 World Cup Soccer Games, Japanese people have been showing a growing interest in Korean culture. I think the great success of 'Winter Sonata' in Japan is just one example of that. Not only are Korean dramas and movies popular among Japanese viewers but Korean language courses are also high in demand."
The popularity of "Fuyusona," which is the nickname the Japanese have given the show, has spilled into other mediums.
NHK's publishing arm has already sold 860,000 copies of the novel that is based on the screenplay as well as 280,000 program guidebooks and 150,000 DVDs and videos.
"Japanese women infatuated with the Korean TV melodrama 'Winter Sonata' have caused the number of Japanese group tourists to South Korea to soar by nearly 50 percent since last October. The tourists visit locations in Seoul and the mountainous eastern province of Gangwon where scenes of the drama were shot."
These organized groups are called "Fuyusona" tourists and their numbers are expected to reach as many as 200,000 by the end of this year.
"When I first watched the drama, I only had a mere interest because it was something new and different from Japanese dramas. But now it has moved me so much that I came to Korea with my daughter to have a firsthand experience of Korean culture."
'Destiny of Love' is a Japanese drama currently aired on Fuji TV. What separates this production from other Japanese dramas is its topic.
'Destiny of Love' deals with a third-generation Korean girl living in Japan and her identity struggle, the kind of topic that has hardly been touched on in major Japanese programs.
Many entertainment critics in Japan say this could mean the Korean wave has taken the relationship between the two countries to another level of sharing and understanding.

The Seokguram Grotto in the Bulguksa temple complex.

South Korea's most famous historical tourist attractions include the ancient capitals of Seoul, Gyeongju and Buyeo. Most international tourists come to Seoul, to experience both the classical and modern aspects of Korean culture.
A number of natural landmarks are important tourist attractions. The biggest of these are the peaks of the Baekdudaegan, particularly Seorak-san and Jiri-san. In addition, the caves of Danyang and Hwanseongul, and beaches such as Haeundae and Mallipo are popular attractions.
Apart from Jeju, South Korea's many smaller islands also play an important role as tourist attractions. Excursion ferries are quite common along the south and west coasts, and also to Ulleung-do off the east coast. Limited tourism to the Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo) has grown in recent years.
Most local districts hold several annual festivals to bring in tourists from elsewhere in the country. Some famous examples include the Boryeong Mud Festival and the Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival.
Tourists love to visit many houses that are ancient.

Bulgogi

Bulgogi is made from thin slices of sirloin or other prime cut of beef. The meat is marinated with a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic and other ingredients such as scallions or mushrooms, especially white button mushrooms or shiitake. Sometimes, cellophane noodles are added to the dish, which varies by region and specific recipe. Before cooking, the meat is marinated to enhance its flavor and tenderness.
Bulgogi is traditionally grilled, but pan-cooking is common as well. A practice common at Korean barbecue, whole cloves of garlic, sliced onions, and chopped green peppers are often grilled or cooked at the same time. [3] This dish is sometimes served with a side of lettuce or other leafy vegetable, which is used to wrap a slice of cooked meat, often along with a dab of ssamjang, or other side dishes, and then eaten as a whole.
Bulgogi literally means "fire meat" in Korean (this refers to the cooking technique—over an open flame—rather than the dish's spiciness) The term is also applied to variations such as dak bulgogi (made with chicken) or dweji bulgogi (made with pork), although the seasonings are different.
There is a bulgogi fast-food hamburger sold at many Korean fast food restaurants. The hamburger patty is marinated in bulgogi sauce and served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and sometimes cheese. It is similar to a teriyaki burger in flavour.

the seoul fablouse traditionel market( Dongdaemun Market )

look at this market where you can find the beautiful korean handmade products look at this market where you can find the beautiful korean handmade products Dongdaemun Market or Tongdaemun is a market and shopping center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is the largest shopping center in South Korea . It opened in July, 1905 and was originally located in Yeji-dong (예지동 禮智洞) whose name literally means "a neighborhood for learning politeness", so the market was first called Baeugaejang (배우개장, market for learning).
Dongdaemun Market is located near Dongdaemun of which it takes its name. In total the market has 26 shopping malls situated over 10 blocks, 30,000 speciality shops, and 50,000 manufacturers . The market sells goods ranging from just about everything but notably silks, clothes, shoes and leather goods, sporting goods, plumbing and electronics, office supplies, fortune tellers, toys and food areas specialising in Korean cuisine.
The market was traditionally a night market and wholesalers once operated from 1:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Now, the area is open for 18 ½ hours a day from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., with some stores open 24 hours a day, although most stores close on Mondays and holidays. or Tongdaemun is a market and shopping center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It is the largest shopping center in South Korea . It opened in July, 1905 and was originally located in Yeji-dong (예지동 禮智洞) whose name literally means "a neighborhood for learning politeness", so the market was first called Baeugaejang (배우개장, market for learning).
Dongdaemun Market is located near Dongdaemun of which it takes its name. In total the market has 26 shopping malls situated over 10 blocks, 30,000 speciality shops, and 50,000 manufacturers . The market sells goods ranging from just about everything but notably silks, clothes, shoes and leather goods, sporting goods, plumbing and electronics, office supplies, fortune tellers, toys and food areas specialising in Korean cuisine.
The market was traditionally a night market and wholesalers once operated from 1:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Now, the area is open for 18 ½ hours a day from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., with some stores open 24 hours a day, although most stores close on Mondays and holidays.

KBS World Radio your daily window to south Korea

KBS World Radio is the official international broadcasting station of South Korea.KBS World Radio, the voice of Korea, is the nation's sole foreign language promotional broadcast of Korea for the entire world. Its maiden transmission was aired in a 15-minute English broadcast back in August 15, 1953 under the station name "The Voice of Free Korea". The station was renamed "Radio Korea" in March, 1973. To avoid confusion with a Los Angeles radio station KZAN 1300 AM "Radio Korea" (Now KMPC 1540 AM), the station again renamed 'Radio Korea International', in August 1994. KBS confirmed the renaming was "in a bid to better reflect the station's increasingly globalized mission."By providing a variety of accurate and up-to-date programs and news on Korea's politics, economy, society, culture and traditions to its audience and netizens, KBS and KBS World Radio seek to strengthen friendly ties and the international understanding of Korea among people in the global community. In addition, it provides a bridge between Korea and the 6 million or so overseas Koreans who are missed by their loved ones back home.KBS World Radio now broadcasts in Korean, Japanese, French, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Indonesian, Arabic and German as well, for a total of 11 languages.KBS World Radio's programs are carefully chosen for the audience - from accurate and up to date news to programs that portray the full spectrum of emotions and instill pride in Koreans all over the world:Spearheading efforts for peace and a unified Korean peninsula through in-depth programs that deal with the relationship between the two Koreas.Broadening the understanding of Korea through programs that introduce its tradition, culture and natural beauty.Publicizing Korea to the world through our music.Conveying real experiences in and around the country through interviews with foreign visitors to Korea.Initiating active participation with the audience to achieve an interactive program model.In order to provide the best possible reception to its audience, KBS World Radio transmits directly from domestic facilities, as well as by means of program exchange with Canada and the UK and through relays to Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.KBS World Radio also concluded program exchange agreements in April, 1990 with RCI (Radio Canada International) and with the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) in May, 1995 in order to provide clear and reliable reception to its audience in both the Americas and Europe.In addition, to expand its broadcasting capacity, it has leased facilities in Rampisham, England in June, 2003, which commenced relay transmission of its Arabic broadcasting to improve Korea's relations with the Middle East and with countries in northern Africa.To overcome the limitations of short-wave transmission and as preparation for the digital age, it started operating its website in November, 1997.Visit the official site web of the kbs world radiohttp://world.kbs.co.kr/english/

kimchi

gimchi, kimchee, or kim chee, is any one of numerous traditional Korean pickled dishes made of vegetables with varied seasonings.
Kimchi varieties are determined by the main vegetable ingredients and the mix of seasonings used to flavor the kimchi. The most popular type of kimchi is the baechu (also known as Chinese cabbage) variety but there are many regional and seasonal varieties. Popular variants include ggakdugi which is a kimchi made with cubed radish, pa-kimchi (made with scallions), chonggak-kimchi and oisobagi (hangul: 오이소박이), a cucumber kimchi with hot and spicy seasoning. Kkaennip (hangul: 깻잎) kimchi features layers of perilla and other spices.
Kimchi is very spicy and can also be exceptionally sweet. Kimchi is made of various vegetables and contains a high concentration of dietary fiber, while being low in calories. One serving also provides up to 80% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C and carotene. Most types of kimchi contain onions, garlic, and peppers, all of which are salutary. The vegetables being made into kimchi also contribute to the overall nutritional value. Kimchi is rich in vitamin A, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), calcium, and iron, and contains a number of lactic acid bacteria, among those the typical species Lactobacillus kimchii.
The magazine Health named kimchi in its list of top five "World's Healthiest Foods" for being rich in vitamins, aiding digestion, and even possibly reducing cancer growth. However, some research focused on high-sodium dietary dependence has found overconsumption of kimchi and doenjang (hangul: 된장) to be a risk factor in gastric cancer (most likely due to nitrates and salt) while unfermented alliums and unfermented seafood were found to be protective factors.One oncological study found one type of kimchi to be a protective factor against gastric cancer while two other types of such high-sodium kimchi as dongchimi (hangul: 동치미) were risk factors.
One study conducted by Seoul National University claimed that chickens infected with the H5N1 virus, also called avian flu, recovered after eating food containing the same bacteria found in kimchi. However, the veracity of these results has been questioned due to the very small sample size of only a handful of chickens and the fact that no subsequent research supported the claims. During the 2003 SARS outbreak in Asia, many people even believed that kimchi could protect against infection, although there was no scientific evidence to support this belief.However, in May 2009, the Korea Food Research Institute, Korea’s state food research organization, said they had conducted a larger study on 200 chickens, which supported the efficacy of kimchi in fighting off avian flu.

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