Mitz Sai Lynn B. Dulce Sept.

30, 2019
Grade 8 Diamond
KOREA

Culture
Despite the political unrest that resulted in the
division of the region, these two countries still
share the same culture and traditional values.
Korea is divided by boundaries, but still united by
culture.

Korea is greatly influenced by the Chinese and

Japanese cultures. This influence can be seen by
Confucianism, which established many
traditions that can be seen in modern Korea
today. These traditions include the ethical code
of conduct in social life and showing respect to
the elders and family.

Koreans also believe in sincerity and loyalty and follow certain codes of conduct while
meeting, eating, praying and even celebrating. At times when many other cultures would
shake hands, Koreans bow. They bow as a sign of gratitude and respect to the person they
are meeting.Historically, Chinese and Japanese influences were seen in South Korean art;
aesthetic concepts and motifs were shared

Korean music and arts were linked to natural cycles and religion, giving rise to a folk culture
in rural areas that are still considered popular

‘Gangnam Style’ by Psy, a South Korean musician, achieved worldwide fame in 2012. The
song refers to the Gangnam District of Seoul, a trendy, classy area, equated with London,
Paris or Hollywood

Foreign influences have produced a fast food and coffee culture in recent years, especially
within Seoul

0Language has altered with the introduction of some Western phrases such as ‘eye
shopping’ (window shopping)
 Geography
Geographically, South Korea is located on the
southern part of the Korean Peninsula below the
38th parallel of latitude. It has coastlines along the
Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea. South Korea's
topography consists mainly of hills and mountains
but there are large coastal plains in the western
and southern parts of the country. The highest
point in South Korea is Halla-san, an extinct
volcano, which rises to 6,398 feet (1,950 m).

It is located on South Korea's Jeju Island, which is

located south of the mainland.. The climate of
South Korea is considered temperate and rainfall is heavier in the summer than in the winter
due to the presence of the East Asian Monsoon. Winters are cold to very cold depending upon
altitude and summers are hot and humid.

The relationship of korean music

to their culture and geography.

On a map the Korean peninsula, which comprises the countries of North Korea
and South Korea, looks like a finger pointing from the top of China down to the
lower part of Japan. Thus, one would expect its music to reflect its “bridge”
position between two such powerful traditions. The movements of foreign,
particularly Chinese, armies and cultures are indeed major factors in Korea’s
tradition. But beneath these reflections lies a deeper core of indigenous musical
styles that, at first hearing, seem most strange to the ear of listeners with
preconceived notions as to what East Asian music sounds like.
A possible additional factor in the growth of Korean music is the region’s position
as a peninsula jutting out from Manchuria and from the native ground of many
Mongolian hordes. Archaeological sources indicate that various Mongol peoples
from northern Asia did indeed occupy areas of Korea from at least 2000 BCE, and
Chinese writings show that their people and armies were active in Korea from the
period of the Chinese Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) on. Obviously, a study of
Korean music contains riches extending far beyond its geographic borders.