Blogpost 2- Korean Idenitiy + tourism

In Korea, the Korean identity is created through the arts, culture and heritage sites. In addition, this helps the county to promote tourism. Such examples of these heritage sites are the Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung Palace. Not only are there such sites, there are also cultural art performances such as Miso that promotes the Korean culture.

Gyeongbokgung is main palace of the Five Grand Palaces that was built by the Kings of the Joseon Dynasty.  As for the Changdeokgung Palace is one of the Five Grand Palaces. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in the year 1997.

Cyeongbokgung Palace

Changdeokgung Palace

These cultural heritage sites help to promote the rich heritage in Korea as they portray the history and culture of Korea. This, being an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is able to attract many visitors. These visitors include both the locals and foreigners. Therefore, Korea uses this opportunity to promote tourism.

There are many visitors at the Changdeokgung Palace

Other than these interesting sites, there are some cultural performances such as the Korean musical we saw, Miso. Miso is a Korean musical based on a traditional Korean love story. In this musical, the traditional Korean drums and traditional Korean dances are being displayed. It is also said to be Korea’s number one tourist attraction.

Similar to the palaces, this arts cultural performance attracts both locals and foreigners. There were subtitles in different languages such as English and Japanese. This allows the foreigners to understand the storyline of the musical. In addition, the performers in the musical wear the traditional Korean costumes.

I feel that Miso is able to portray the arts and culture of Korea very well. Also, as there are subtitles in different languages, tourists are also attracted to watch it.

In conclusion, the arts, cultural and heritage sites in Korea helps create a Korean identity by portraying the Korean cultural and heritage in these sites. The Koreans are then able to learn more about their cultural and heritage, creating a Korean identity. Korea also uses this Korean identity to promote tourism. Tourist can come to Korea to visit these arts, cultural and heritage sites and learn more about the Korean identity.

 

Blogpost 1 - Jongmyo Shrine & The National Folklore Museum of Korea

During the ABM Korea Study Trip, we visited many interesting places from Insadong to the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Out of these many places, I enjoyed the Jongmyo Shrine the most. In addition, I got to learn many things from the Shrine.

Jongmyo Shrine

The Jongmyo Shrine has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995. It is the oldest and most authentic royal shrines to have been preserved. It is a shrine where the tablets of deceased kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty are kept.

Jongmyo Shrine was built in 1394, when the Joseon Dynasty moved their capital to Hanyang which is also the present Seoul. However, the shrine was burnt down during the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. The reconstruction of Jongmyo Shrine was then completed in 1608.

Personally, I felt that Jongmyo Shrine looked similar to the Palaces. However, the colours of roof of the palaces are brighter compared to the roof of the shrine’s, which is plain and simple. Also, the roofs of the palaces have corners that turn upwards, whereas the shrine’s roof is flat. I enjoyed the tour of the Jongmyo Shrine as we got to see and learn many things. For example, we got to see the different parts of the shrine and what each place was used for.

A board showing different places of the shrine

Another interesting thing is the path that the kings walk on. The platform for the king to walk on is raised.

This picture is taken from the worm’s eye view of the platform on which the kings walk on.

Jongmyo Shrine has attracted many visitors. These visitors include both the Koreans and foreigners. To cater to this many tourists, they have included tours of the shrine in many different languages such as, English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. In addition, the tour guides are dressed up.

The tour guide, dressed up, explaining to us in English.

We also got to visit many museums in Korea. My personal favourite was the National Folklore Museum of Korea.

The National Folklore Museum of Korea

 I enjoyed this museum the most as it was uniquely interesting as their exhibitions are mainly about Korean everyday life and how they used to live in the past. Other than having a children’s museum, they also have an outdoor museum which is just as interactive for the children. For example, they have an olden day coffee shop and people are able to actually go in, sit down and have a cup of coffee. In addition, they also have other olden day shops like a photography shop and a clothing store.

An olden day coffee shop outside the museum

An olden day photography shop

Overall, I enjoyed most of the places we visited, but the Jongmyo Shrine and The National Folklore Museum of Korea were my personal favourites.

-Natasha Mok, ABM T02 (: