Bridge Paperzine

05/06/2014

27/05/2014

"Arirang, lyrical folk song in the Republic of Korea"

Arirang is a popular form of Korean folk song and the outcome of collective contributions made by ordinary Koreans throughout generations. Essentially a simple song, it consists of the refrain ‘Arirang, arirang, arariyo’ and two simple lines, which differ from region to region. While dealing with diverse universal themes, the simple musical and literary composition invites improvisation, imitation and singing in unison, encouraging its acceptance by different musical genres. Experts estimate the total number of folk songs carrying the title ‘Arirang’ at some 3,600 variations belonging to about sixty versions. A great virtue of Arirang is its respect for human creativity, freedom of expression and empathy.

Everyone can create new lyrics, adding to the song’s regional, historical and genre variations, and cultural diversity. Arirang is universally sung and enjoyed by the Korean nation. At the same time, an array of practitioners of regional versions, including local communities, private groups and individuals, actively lead efforts for its popularization and transmission, highlighting the general and local characteristics of individual versions. Arirang is also a popular subject and motif in diverse arts and media, including cinema, musicals, drama, dance and literature. It is an evocative hymn with the power to enhance communication and unity among the Korean people, whether at home or abroad.


Arirang Concert IU - Arirang
http://youtu.be/FGXzJE-QC0Y

131027 아이유 진도아리랑 아리랑 유네스코 인류무형문화유산 등재1주년 기념음악회

14/04/2014

Korean Culture: Chopsticks

One word that defines Korean food culture is definitely chopstick.

Chopstick works like fork in Western food culture and is popular among most Asian countries.

More than 14 billion people around the world use chopsticks and each country has its own unique chopsticks. For instance, China is used to using long and thick chopsticks whereas Japan is accustomed using even-shaped ones. Korean chopstick has the shortest and thinnest appearance compared to those two countries.

While using chopsticks, people use their palm and finger muscles. For most Westerners who mainly use forks, two out of one Westerner’s hand muscles are not developed compare to people who use chopsticks in their daily lives.

Whether they like it or not, most people in Asia use chopsticks and their hand motions and muscles develop naturally. As a result, Korea, China, Japan, and other East Asian countries like Vietnam and Taiwan has lots of craft masters who professionalize in hand-made products.

Using chopsticks is a good exercise for your hand!

http://youtu.be/XpB3VoNzPfA

Korea is one of countries which preserved its unique culture throughout long history. This video introduces Korean culture.

04/04/2014

Monday, April 7, 2014

YEOL LECTURE is proudly holding an open-lecture for foreigners currently residing in South Korea!

< Hangeul: Philosophical and Linguistic Principles, Lecturer: Robert J. Fouser >

The lecture will be on principle and usage of Korean language with detailed description on how King Sejong created Korean.

Please join us and enjoy the free lecture! (Additional Korean Won 10,000 will be charged for lunch service)

Due Date: April 4, 2014

- Description
This presentation will begin with a discussion of life and accomplishments of King Sejong the Great (1397-1450, r. 1418-1450), the creator of Hangeul.
The presentation will then discuss the philosophical and linguistic principles behind Hangeul that reflect King Sejong’s search a perfect system for Korean. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of King Sejong the Great’s efforts to promote the use of Hangeul during the final years of his life.

- Bio
Robert J. Fouser is an associate professor of Korean as a second language education in the Department of Korean Language Education at Seoul National University. He writes and frequently on topics related to Korean language and culture.

- Directions
Venue
Education room (1st floor), Seoul Museum of History, Shinmunro
Time: 11:30 A.M. to 13:00 P.M
Lunch Fee: 10,000 won(Sandwich & drink)
*Donation receipt can be issued * Reservation for lunch is required
Payment: KEB a/c #631-000503-181 (YEOL) or at entrance
Contact (Registration required)
Email: [email protected]
T: 82-2-735-5878, 82-2-736-5868
F: 82-2-736-5878
www.yeol.org

전통문화 보호를 위한 비영리 재단법인 예올(이사장 김영명)은 오는 7일 오전 11시 30분, 2014년 영어강좌 ‘예올 렉쳐(YÉOL L...

04/04/2014

Hanbok: Korea’s Traditional Clothing

Hanbok is traditional Korean-style clothes. Its delicate curve and vibrant colors add up to the beauty of sophisticated Hanbok.

Women’s Hanbok is consisted of the upper garment (jeogori) and long skirt. It emphasizes the feminism of women by highlighting the curve. Modern style Hanbok usually has a skirt that is more comfortable to move so it has developed into a clothe that both possess beauty and comfort
How about trying on a beautiful Hanbok this Spring?

http://youtu.be/vCDEmSJcD38

한국의 전통의상인 한복.
풍성한 곡선에 화려한 색감이 더해진 한복은 단아하고도 우아한 자태를 풍기는 고유의 의상입니다.

여자의 경우, 짧은 상의(저고리)와 긴 하의(치마)로 이루어져
상체는 짧고 슬림하며 하체는 길고 풍성한 실루엣을 만들어줍니다.

또한 현대의상에 비해 하체의 폭이 넓기 때문에 행동과 움직임을 편하게 할 수 있어
아름다움과 편안함을 모두 갖춘 의복이라 할 수 있습니다


봄날처럼 싱그럽고도 아름다운 한복,
입어보고 싶지 않으세요?

8 Celebs Wearing Hanbok: http://tinyurl.com/l72a233 Today's Traditional Hanbok: http://tinyurl.com/ldstahq Website: https://sweetandtastytv.com/ Facebook: ht...

31/03/2014

Spring flowers are now blooming in Korea!

27/03/2014

We are expecting a light yellow dust storm on Thursday, March 27.

It is best not to participate in outdoor activities when yellow dust storm begins and make sure you put on masks to avoid dusts and drink lots of water.

Make sure you take special care of your health during the yellow dust storm and fine dust season.

25/03/2014

“Korean Names that make foreigners laugh out loud"

24/03/2014

[Discontinuing Authorization Certificate (Active X)]

Authorization Certificate was first adopted in 1999 in South Korea.

Many people had to install the program in order to engage in electronic transaction service and unlike the hope that it will secure personal information, it resulted in spreading unwanted virus in personal computers and people often had to restart the computer over and over again to install the program.

Some experts argued that Korea should abolish the Authorization Certificate using Active X 5 to 6 years ago, but the system is still deeply rooted in Korea’s major online banking system.

Recently, president Park Geun-Hye mentioned problems about Authorization Certificate system and the government is looking for alternative measures.

The reform is starring from allowing foreigners to engage in online banking without having to install or get issued an Authorization Certificate; the Korean government is looking for ways to improve the use of online transaction.

We hope that this measurement soon adapts to all Korean nationals too in order to eliminate discomforts coming from installing unwanted Active X programs.

21/03/2014

After a long winter that didn’t seem to end, spring is finally here!

Certainly, one of the best ways to spend the beautiful spring in Korea is to enjoy walking along spring flowers and cherry blossom trees.

How about participating in diverse flower festivals this year in multiple regions in Korea to celebrate long-awaited spring?

------------------------------------------------------

[ 10th Yeouido Spring Flower Festival ]
Friday, April 18, 2014-Tuesday, April 22, 2014

[ Everland Tulip Festival 2014 ]
Friday, March 21, 2014- Sunday, April 27, 2014

[ 15th Gurye Cherry Blossom Festival ]
Saturday, March 22, 2014- Sunday, March 30, 2014

[ Jinhae Gunhang Festival ]
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 – Thursday, April 10, 2014

17/03/2014

[An Jung-geun: A Korean Independence Activist who sacrificed his life for his country]

An Jung-geun assassinated Japanese Prime Minister Ito Hirobummi on October 26, 1909 at the Harbin Railway Station in China.

A Korean independence nationalist, An Jung-geun was quoted as saying, “The reason why I killed Ito was to maintain peace in East Asia and also to avoid further conflict between Korea and Japan. I hope two countries to remain in peace and become a good example to other countries. I have ventured to commit a serious crime, offering my life for my country. This is the behavior of a noble-minded patriot.”

The Assassination of Ito Hirobumi remains important in the history of Korea. Recently a Russian film company has released an international advertisement on selling a video that captured the moment of assassination for a large amount of money.
The video shows the moment when Ito Hirobumi arrived at the Harbin Station, greeted and welcomed by people, and suddenly being shot and slowly dying.

The company is asking the video for 150,000 Ruble (about $4000 USD) and $77,200 for possession of monopoly.

Until now, several contents and films were made to reenact the specific moment; however, this video is the first to show the exact moment of an important historical event. We are thrilled to watch the actual film recorded exactly as it happened.