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Traditional Korean Funeral Practices: Burial Mounds Pt. 1

Traditional Korean funeral practices are extremely complex. They stem from a tradition of Shamanism, Buddhism, and strict Confucian guidelines. Here is a simplified breakdown of traditional Korean funerals and the…

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The Deranged Prince and Wailing at Changdeokgung

Korean Royal Palaces are symbols of this country’s monarchical past and now stand proudly as its most notable landmarks. Nevertheless, these palaces, despite countless renovations, have stood for hundreds of…

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Murder from Beyond the Grave: The Legend of Two Sisters

Korea has fairly rich folklore with a variety of stories that were spread during the Joseon period. Most famous among Korean folklore are mystical stories related to murders. In this…

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Seokpajeong Seoul Art Museum: Where History meets Art

Calling all those who hold art near and dear, as well as lovers of historical sites! Seokpajeong Seoul Art Museum is the place for you! With over 600 years of…

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The Cruelest King of Joseon Dynasty: Yeonsangun

There are some rulers who enter the history books for their cruelty. Among them, Ivan the Terrible (the Russian tsar in the 16th century), Caligula (Roman Emperor from A.D. 37…

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The Path of a Joseon Scholar: Donamseowon

Have you ever wanted to experience the life of a Joseon dynasty scholar? Well, Donamseowon is a historical Confucian Academy and one of Korea’s many UNESCO World Heritage sites. This…

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K-Pop History: The Birth of K-Pop

You probably know the boy group BTS or the girls from Black Pink, right? Maybe you also know previous K-Pop generations such as Girls Generation, or Super Junior. But do…

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Joseon’s Tragic Love Story: King Jeongjo and the Court Maid

The legendary love story between King Jeongjo and Uibin Seong recently made its way onto our screens through the K-Drama Red Sleeve Cuff. Interestingly, the drama was an adaptation of…

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The Dreadful History of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress

Suwon is famous for its incredible fortress. In 1997, Suwon Hwaseong Fortress was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. However, there is quite a tragic story behind the creation…

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The Grand Palaces: Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung

Introduction Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung and Gyeonghuigung are the five grand palaces located in Seoul. All of them were constructed during Joseon dynasty. (Joseon dynasty is the last and longest…