traditional

Jeonju

Jeonju 전주 is the Ancestral home of King Yi Sŏng-Gye 이성계, known as King Taejo 태조, the founder of the Joseon 대조선국 dynasty. This dynasty united (or conquered) Korea for over 5 centuries from 1392 until 1910, when Japan annexed Korea after years of fighting, including two wars on Korean soil. Jeonju is sacred toContinue reading “Jeonju”

Weddings in Korea Part 2

Yep, I said yes to a second wedding after promising never again, but when my co-teacher asked me, I did not have the heart to tell her no. So I woke up early on a Sunday, the weekend after the first wedding, to hop on a bus and take it two hours to the otherContinue reading “Weddings in Korea Part 2”

Weddings in Korea Part 1

After the last wedding I attended/was a part of, I promised myself I would never participate in another one again. Don’t get me wrong, I genuinely believe that it’s an honor to be invited and participate in a wedding. Having a deep bond with someone, even semi-obligatory because they are a blood relation, is specialContinue reading “Weddings in Korea Part 1”

Olle Market 올레 시장

My first memory of going to a market was the Dixie Flea Market in Waterford, Michigan. My grandparents, mom, dad, and brother dug through the antiques and purchased fresh vegetables from the farmers in the summers. I remember the chaos of people walking around, the stalls piled sky-high with junk and treasures, and I rememberContinue reading “Olle Market 올레 시장”

Naganeupseong

The Traditional folk village Naganeupseong 낙안읍성 located in Jeollanam-do thirty minutes by taxi or an hour and a half by a rural bus that only has one running on the line outside of Suncheon 순천. This village has the feel of a renaissance festival that meets the Henry Ford Village in Detroit but Naganeupseong isContinue reading “Naganeupseong”