• Black dragon = 흑룡 (transliteration: heugl yong)
  Black dragon year = 흑룡 해 (transliteration: heugl yong hae)

• A useful list of Korean Lunar New Year greetings is posted below and on my Scribd account: http://scr.bi/ApdZkF.
• And, easy to follow directions for 윷놀이 are posted on my Scribd account: http://scr.bi/zVfWU0 . (Note: 윷놀이 is a traditional Korean game played on 설날. It is played with family, and is popular with kids and adults alike.  윷놀이 is played with four wooden sticks, four tokens, and a board. Playing this game ensures harmony with nature, as the sticks represent the four seasons.)

I hope you enjoyed 설날 as much as I did—I embed myself into as many 설날 activities as I could this year. On my quest to be “more Korean”, I did the following:

• Cooked 떡만두국; duk mandu guk
  (Details & a recipe are listed in our previous blog article titled, Korean New Year: A Traditional Soup Recipe.)
• Wore a new outfit
  (It is customary in Korea to wear a new outfit on 설날 for “new beginnings”!)
• Cleaned my home
  (It is customary in Korea to clean your home on 설날 Eve.)
• Brought my shoes indoors
  (Bringing shoes indoors on 설날 Eve prevents restless spirits from “filling shoes”.)
• Played 윷놀이 with a group of adults and children!
• Wore a Hanbok, i.e., tried one on!
  (Most modern South Koreans will not wear a Hanbok on 설날, but parents will often dress their young children in Hanboks on 설날.)

If you have any questions, or if you would like to share your thoughts or photographs with this community, please post them on this blog—or send me a “tweet” via Twitter. You might meet a new friend! : )

P.S.  Next week, I will write about Korean Calligraphy!

2012 Year of the Dragon.

As the holiday season is quieting down in the Western world, the Eastern world is gearing up for Lunar New Year. Although Koreans celebrate both Solar and Lunar New Years, Lunar New Year is one of Korea’s most important traditional holidays. Traditional holidays are called 명절 (transliteration: “myeong jeol”). In our previous blog article, we discussed that Lunar New Year is called 설날 (transliteration: “Sohl-nahl”), with the literal meaning roughly translating to, “new day”.

설날 is a three-day public holiday in Korea; public holidays are called 공휴일 (transliteration: gonghyu- il). The holiday begins on 설날 eve; this year, 설날 lands on January 23^rd.  The 2012 three-day holiday will be from January 22^nd to January 24^th. Most Korean business are closed on 설날 eve and day, as most of Koreans travel to visit family members and elders. This is the busiest travel time of the year in Korea.

Will you celebrate 설날? If so, what are your plans? (Note: Next week, I will write about how I celebrated 설날!)

Many Korean businesses give 설날 calendars to their employees and customers; most of these calendars include both the solar and lunar cycles. Today, Korea abides by the solar calendar; but some traditionalists rely on the lunar calendar to determine birthdays, etc. In Korean, the (Gregorian) solar calendar is called 양력 (transliteration: “yang nyeok”), and the lunar calendar is called 음력 (transliteration: “eum nyeok”).

As 설날 approaches, Koreans enjoy festive décor donning the zodiac animal associated with the new year. This year, 2012, will be the year of the dragon; the fifth animal in the zodiac cycle. The dragon symbolizes courage, change, and hope! The 양력 has 12 zodiac animals; each animal represents a year, in a 12-year cycle.

Zodiac Animal Statues at The National Folk Museum in Gyeongbokgung, Korea.

The 12 zodiac animals in the 음력, in cyclic order:
Rat (쥐, jhi)
Ox (소, soh)
Tiger (호랑이, ho-rang-i)
Rabbit (토끼, toki)
Dragon (용, yong)
Snake (뱀, behm)
Horse (말, mahl)
Sheep (양, yang)
Monkey (원숭이, won-soong-i)
Rooster (수탉, soo-tahk)
Dog (개, gae)
Pig (돼지, deh-ji)

Most Koreans, when asking for your age, will ask you for your birth year. But, it can be fun to ask, “Which zodiac animal were you born under?” Here’s how to say it in Korean, “당신은 무엇 조디악 동물 아래에 태어 났죠?” (transliteration: “Dahngshi neun myo jodia dongmuhl nahdeh tay-oh nah-jho?”)

So, “당신은 무엇 조디악 동물 아래에 태어 났죠?”

Look at the chart below to determine your birth year’s zodiac animal. And remember, if you were born in January or February—you will have to reference the 음력 to see when 설날 began during your solar birth year. For example, if you were born on January 1^st, 1990, you are a snake.

Lunar Zodiac Animal Chart

Many Koreans plan matchmaking, weddings, and childbirth around a particular zodiac animal year. The Year of the Dragon is supposedly a luck-filled year, especially for childbirth! If you would like to know more about the 2012 Dragon Year predictions, The Korea Blog explained it wonderfully, here: http://bit.ly/zc9IEO. I enjoyed reading about the symbolic significance of dragons in Buddhism, Korean culture, and Korean art!

I hope you have a wonderful Lunar New Year, and a prosperous Year of the Dragon! “Happy New Year!”/“새해 복 많이 받으세요!” (transliteration: “Say hey bok mahn ee bahd euh sae yo!”)

Many Koreans celebrate both solar and lunar New Years. Lunar New Year is called 설날 or the transliteration, “Sohl-nahl”. And, the literal meaning roughly translates to, “new day”. 설날 will be celebrated on January 23^rd; it will be the year of the water dragon!

But first, let’s celebrate the solar New Year! On January 1^st (solar New Year), most Koreans celebrate by eating a traditional rice cake soup called 떡 국 or the transliteration, “duk guk”. Many Koreans add stuffed dumplings called 만두 or the transliteration, “mandu” to 떡 국; this soup is called 떡 만두 국 or the transliteration, “duk mandu guk”. Both soups are symbolic. The white 떡 represents new beginnings, or an “in with the new”. And, 만두 is usually stuffed with old kimchi representing an “out with the old”.

So, 떡 만두 국 is symbolic for the age-old saying, “Out with the old, and in with the new!”

떡 만두 국 is easy to make, and recipes vary (from using beef or chicken broth, to adding beef or omelet slices). Most ingredients are readily available at Korean grocery stores. Here is a simple recipe for 떡 만두 국:

Ingredients:
4 cups— water 물 (mul)

In a large pot, boil 4 cups of water and 2 cups of chicken broth.

Bring to a boil, and then add 12 pieces of mandu (frozen or thawed) and 1 cup of sliced rice cake pieces (frozen). Let the soup come to a boil.

Allow the soup to boil for about 3 to 5 minutes. While the soup is boiling, add 2 stalks of sliced green onions and all spices: (2 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of pepper, and 2 teaspoons of sesame oil).

Turn the heat down to a low simmer; ensure that the sliced rice cake pieces are soft. If the rice cakes are soft  and floating on top of the broth, the soup is done!

떡 만두 국

Using a big ladle, spoon the soup into bowls. Then, garnish each bowl of soup with a handful of crumbled roasted seaweed. Pour a little bit of sesame oil on top for extra flavor. Serve with kimchi! Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Korean folk paintings, known collectively as 민화, or the transliteration, “minhwa” were the common people’s art form in the late Joseon Dynasty (17^th – 19^th centuries), a pinnacle period of quality and quantity of painting in Korean history. During this era, artists illustrated their love for their people and country with an emphasis on realism. The most popular 민화 portray animals, particularly 호랑이들. 호랑이들 were depicted as “silent, but expressive”, alluding to a feared and revered beast.

호랑이. Mid-18th century, Joseon Dynasty National Museum.

민화, along with its 호랑이 motifs, remain important aspects of Korean identity and culture—influencing Korea’s contemporary art.

Last week I went to the opening reception of “Tiger-Silence”, an exhibit at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea’s Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. I took a seat in the back of the room, making fast friends with another Korean-American girl who said she was, “obsessed with tigers.” I asked her, “Would you be able to translate for me, if I become confused during the presentation?” She said, “I am Korean-American, but I do not speak fluent Korean. I will try my best.”

During the opening reception, the embassy’s spokesperson narrated a film that showcased various 민화 호랑이 paintings. All of the paintings portrayed realistic, but stylized 호랑이들; some 호랑이들 were illustrated with hats and people-like personas. Apparently, this genre is uniquely Korean. This historical montage was an introduction to the exhibit’s focal point, Im Taek Jun’s contemporary art— his 호랑이들.

“Check out the artist, Im Taek Jun.”, I said quietly. Im Taek Jun (임택준) is an inviting man with a quiet and playful confidence, i.e., tiger-like. Mr. Im has been a Korean contemporary artist since the late 1980s. He dresses as if he were a Joseon dynasty commoner in traditional baggy pants called 바지, or the transliteration “paji”. He also wears his hair in a topknot called a 상투, or the transliteration “sangtu”; married men during the Joseon Dynasty would wear 상투두개. His contradictions are endearing; his traditional garb and modern art.

Im Taek Jun; he is inspired by tigers.

Mr. Im then took center stage and discussed his journey in creating his 21^st solo exhibit, “Tiger-Silence”. He does not speak English. A translator reiterated his words to a mostly Anglo-American audience. He said, “I am always expressing creativity in different ways; I am a performer and a painter. I brought my 호랑이 paintings from Korea to share with the world. I would like you to see the playful side of the 호랑이.” While smiling, he also said, “I played, smiled, and cried with these 호랑이들 [I painted]. Be a part of the art work, as I am.” His whimsical, child-like smile did not need translation.

After the opening introductions, everyone was invited to eat dinner that was catered by a local Korean restaurant. My new friend and I gobbled up elaborate plates of Korean food 한식, or the transliteration “hansik”!

With full stomachs, we then walked upstairs to the exhibit. I weaved through the crowd, and observed each 호랑이 painting.

Im Taek Jun and his son, Chae Ho, were politely observing us, while we were observing the호랑이들.

Mr. Im’s 호랑이들 are modern, colorful, and yes— playful. He reinterpreted Korea’s 호랑이들 with a modern twist of “humorous satire”. I reminded myself of the traditional Korean 민화호, the 호랑이들. I mentally juxtaposed traditional and contemporary호랑이들: the Joseon Dynasty’s feared and revered 호랑이들; and Mr. Im’s friendly and colorful 호랑이들.

Here are some of my favorite pieces of the exhibit:

 I wanted to ask Im Taek Jun many questions. I approached him with a formal bow. I forgot to bring my Korean language diary with collected words and phrases; I usually carry it with me as a security blanket. I froze. I said, “Welcome to the U.S. I admire your work.” He gave me a blank, but friendly stare. I flagged down the translator in a very ungraceful manner; “Um, pardon. I am having a difficult time trying to ask Mr. Im questions regarding the symbolism of his paintings.” The translator said, “Oh, I am sorry. I thought you spoke Korean.” She kindly translated our conversation, which ended with smiles and a few formal bows.

After mingling, my new friend and I decided to invite Im Taek Jun and his son on a tour of Washington, D.C. We casually asked his son, Chae Ho, who said, “Thank you for the kind invitation. Facebook me, and we can figure something out.”

A few days later, we all met up at in the L’ Enfant area and went to the few museums. At the Natural Museum of History, we saw a taxidermal 호랑이 suspended from the ceiling; in unison, we all said “ho-rang-i”.

After perusing the museums, we went on a short hike to find hamburgers. Out from the cold, we sat, ate, and conversed. My stunted Korean was enabled by my friend’s intermediate Korean. She was my bridge. I asked, “Mr. Im, what does ‘Tiger-Silence’ symbolize?” He said that in our modern world, many people talk without meaning. He wanted to make a statement with a “silent tiger” exhibit, explaining that a silent 호랑이 has a quiet confidence.

Ironically, I thought of how it has been decades since anyone has seen a real 호랑이 in Korea. In a way, 호랑이들 were silenced in Korea with extinction. But through art, the tiger speaks silently.

After our very American outing, we exchanged very American hugs. Mr. Im invited us to his studio in Korea. I felt very Korean.

If you would like to see Im Taek Jun’s 호랑이들, his exhibit “Tiger-Silence” will be displayed at the Korean Embassy’s Cultural Center in Washington, D.C. until January 7, 2012. If you go, I would love to know what you think!

If you are not able to visit Washington, D.C., you can visit Mr. Im’s blog (where all of his artwork is listed): http://blog.daum.net/upcloud2 .

Questions for you:

What do you think tigers symbolically represent?

And, what do you think of Korean traditional art vs. Korean contemporary art?

Below are key words, a useful sentence, and a helpful grammatical tip:

Key words:

Tiger— 호랑이; ho-rang-i

Tigers— 호랑이들; ho-rang-i deul

Art (as a whole)— 예술; yesul

Art (specific artwork)— 미술; misul

Traditional— 전통; jeontong

Modern/Contemporary— 현대; hyeondae

Art painting— 미술그림; misul geulim

Korean folk art— 민화; minhwa

A useful sentence/phrase (Fill in the blank with a noun.):

“I like _______________.”—

“나는_______________ 좋아하다”; “Naneun _______________ joh-ahada.”

A helpful grammar tip:

When speaking in plural form, there are two possible word attachments:

들; deul (added at the end of a word; used for people and animals)

두개; dugae (added at the end of a word; used for objects)

It’s harvest time in Korea, and autumn (October to early December) is the only season persimmons are plentiful. If you live in Korea, you will see them being sold everywhere—from outdoor markets, grocery stores, to subway stations. For about 1,000 won, you can buy four to five persimmons. An affordable and healthy treat, persimmons are rich in potassium, magnesium, and vitamin A.

A persimmon 감, or the transliteration “gam”, is a Buddhist symbol of transformation. Before the persimmon is ripe, it’s green and very bitter. But, it changes its color to a vibrant orange and is very sweet when ripe. This “bitter to sweet” symbolic fruit is mostly eaten when ripe.

There are two types of persimmons found in Korea. One type is a hachiya persimmon 떫은감, or the transliteration “tteolbeun gam”; this translates to “sour persimmon”. A 떫은감 has a deep orange flesh, is acorn shaped, soft, and is often mistaken for a tomato at first glance. Once ripe, it’s soft and sweet with a lot of pulp. Eating one can get a bit messy! You can bite right into one, mash a few up, or make jam.

Another type is a fuyu persimmon 단감, or the transliteration “dan gam”; this translates to “sweet persimmon”. A 단감 has a light colored orange flesh, is round with a flat bottom, and has a crunchy pumpkin-like flavor. You can eat them when they are almost ripe, with or without its skin. The fuyu persimmon is my favorite variety because it’s eaten like an apple and isn’t as messy and sticky as the hachiya.

Fuyu persimmons were in full bloom this autumn on Dobong Mountain, a popular hiking destination near Seoul.

Even if you don’t care for persimmons, their rich colors definitely “spice up” Korea’s landscape in a beautiful way! Persimmon trees 감 나무, or the transliteration “gam namu” are found throughout Korea, particularly in mountainous regions.

Many Koreans eat ripe and dried persimmons. Year round, Korean markets and grocery stores carry dried persimmons 곶감, or the transliteration “got gam”. The word 곶 translates roughly into the English definition, “to skewer”. The traditional way to dry persimmons is on skewers; think: shish kebob persimmons! 곶감 are very sweet! You can also  use dried persimmons to make a popular dessert punch called 수정과, or the transliteration “sujeong-gwa”. 수정과 has a spicy ginger, cinnamon flavor; it’s revered as an acid-reflux and nausea reducer. Emily Kim of www.maangchi.com has a very easy to follow YouTube video and step-by-step instructions on how to make this traditional Korean tea: http://bit.ly/TLS8a.

Enjoy the last days of autumn! I am drinking a hot cup of 수정과!

Below are keywords and a correlating sentence. For simplicity, the progression from one word, to two words, to a simple sentence is listed below.

One word—
Persimmon:  감 ,”gam”

Two words—
Persimmon tree:  감 나무 , “gam namu”

A simple sentence—
“A persimmon tree is beautiful.”, “감나무 가 아름답다”, “Gam namu ga aleumdabda.”

References: Photos provided by Kelly West Mars Photography.