Sunday, September 30, 2012

Taegeukgi Korea's national flag

                 National Flag - Taegeukgi



The Korean flag is called Taegeukgi.
 Its design symbolizes the principles of the yin and yang in Asian philosophy. The circle in the center of the flag is divided into two equal parts. The upper red section represents the proactive cosmic forces of the yang. Conversely, the lower blue section represents the responsive cosmic forces of the yin. The two forces embody the concepts of continual movement, balance, and harmony that characterize the sphere of infinity. The circle is surrounded by four trigrams, one in each corner. Each trigram symbolizes one of the four universal elements: heaven, earth, fire, and water.




National Symbols of the Republic of Korea The National Flag - Taegeukgi Korea's national flag, Taegeukgi, consists of a taegeuk circle in the center and four trigrams - geon (heaven), gon (earth), gam (water), and ri (fire) - in each of the four corners, set against a white background.

The white background symbolizes brightness and purity and reflects Koreans’' peace-loving national trait. The taegeuk circle at the center symbolizes the harmony of yin (blue) and yang (red). It represents the concept that everything in the universe is created and developed through the interaction of yin and yang.


The four trigrams surrounding the taegeuk circle denote the process of yin and yang undergoing a spiral of change and growth, and are named geon, gon, gam, and ri.

These four trigrams, in combination with the taegeuk circle at the center, produce a harmonious, unified appearance.

As such, Taegeukgi, centered on the taegeuk design favored by the ancestors of Korea, embodies the ideals of the Korean people, who have long pursued creation and prosperity as universal principles.

Friday, September 28, 2012

The Korean thanksgiving day - Chuseok


Literally meaning "autumn evening," Chuseok is one of the two major traditional holidays in Korea.
It is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, during the harvest season when the moon is full and the grains and fruits are all ripened.

Chuseok has long been the day on which Koreans thank their ancestors for the year's harvest by offering them rice, fruits and other things from the harvest bounty, and by sharing their abundance with family and friends. This day is also referred to as hangawi, which means the very middle of August, or August 15th according to the lunar calendar.


It comes when the moon is full and brightest, and it was picked to thank the ancestors because in traditional Korea, where farming was the main foundation of society, the moon symbolized the earth and the goddess of all life.


The practice of celebrating Chuseok dates back to the early Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. - A.D. 935).
In the year A.D. 32, King Yuri of Silla ordered women from six local towns in Gyeongju, the capital of the ancient dynasty, to be divided into two teams and to engage in a weaving competition over the period of one year from July 15 until August 14 the next year.

The team that had woven the most cloth by the date we now know as Chuseok was declared the winner.
The losing team would then prepare a large celebration - filled with dancing, eating and singing - for the victors. Although the outcome of the competition was for the winner to be served by the losing team, everyone enjoyed the feast, celebrating with songs and dance.

This year, Korea's most famous traditional holiday of Chuseok falls on September 14 of the solar calendar.
During the holiday, there will be a mass exodus from cities as millions of Koreans return to their ancestral hometowns to reunite with their families and to pay homage to their forebears.

People visit the tombs of their ancestors on Chuseok.On Chuseok day, people perform ancestral worship rituals early in the morning.  The traditional ceremonies of beolcho, charye, and seongmyo are faithfully practiced by a large portion of the Korean population.


On the morning of Chuseok, songpyeon (a type of Korean rice cake prepared with rice or non-glutinous rice powder that is kneaded into half-moon shapes and filled with sweet filling) and food prepared from that year's fresh harvest are arranged to give thanks to the ancestors through the charye (ancestor memorial service).  After the charye, the family members sit down together at the table to enjoy some delicious food.

Then, they visit the tombs of their ancestors and make a formal bow of gratitude, a practice known as seongmyo, and then they trim plants, cut the weeds and clean the area around the tomb, the practice called beolcho.

After the rites, people play folk games like ssireum, Korean-style wrestling, and tug-of-war during the daytime, while they do moon-greeting and ganggang-sullae dance (Korean circle dance) on Chuseok evening.

Ganggang-sullae dance In the ganggang-sullae dance, groups of girls form a circle and start moving clockwise and then counterclockwise around a solo singer who dances and sings the refrain, "ganggang-sullae," in the center of the circle, which means "watch your surroundings."


There is no clear record of how the circle dance began, but it has been circulated that it was created during the invasion of Korea by Japan in 1592.

 Back then Admiral Yi Sun-shin ordered the women of a nearby village to build fires on the mountaintops and to dance in rings around the flames in a strategy to make the Japanese believe that the Koreans had a greater number of soldiers at hand than were actually present.

In a word, Chuseok is supposed to be the season of abundance, generosity and sharing.
To live up to that spirit of sharing and generosity, four major palaces in central Seoul, public parks with royal tombs, and other cultural sites are open at no cost during the holiday.

Also during the entire holiday period, entrance is free of charge at national museums for those wearing the traditional Korean costume, Hanbok.

Ahead of Chuseok slew of shows in store
Celebrating Chuseok, the Korean thanksgiving, many traditional performances and folk games are prepared in various parts of Busan.
At some of Busan’s main tourist attractions Mt. Yongdu Park, Geumgang Park and Busan National Gugak Center, there are Korean traditional folk performances prepared, providing an opportunity to enjoy Korean culture.

At Mt. Yongdu Park there is the Woori Garak Woori Madang performance and traditional folk plays on every weekend at 3 p.m. This is where tourists can experience the unique traditional cultural arts of Busan citizens.


As main performances samulnori (tradition instrumental music), Dongnaeyaryu, Dongnae Hakchum (crane dance), talchum (mask dance), pan gut, jazz and Korean traditional music, percussion concert are prepared. At the Busan Folk Art Center a traditional folk game hanmadang is prepared every fourth Sunday.

Just before Chuseok on Sept. 23, Oct. 28 and Nov. 25 the folk plays and games will be available. Busan National Gugak Center has prepared “Woori Sori Woori Chum” (“Our sound our dance”) Chuseok special performance at the main theater on Sept. 29 and 30.

At this performance Dongnae Hakchum, traditional instrument ensemble, gayageum (string instrument) ensemble and janggu (Korean drum) are included. Outside of the theater there is a zone where you can play the Korean traditional instruments, play traditional folk games and take photographs at Chuseok photo zone. The tickets are 8,000 won ($7).

Opening Film Information[ Cold War ]- 17 th Busan international film festival

Here is a mole in the police waging a war on crime, tipping off a criminal gang. Then, why the mole communicates secretly with the gang? What is their purpose? Cold War talks about a story different from other typical crime films in the course of uncovering the inner enemy. It is difficult for the audience to predict what is the purpose of the mole and this is how Cold War announces the arrival of a new type of crime film made by young blood.




Five Hong Kong police officers are kidnapped. As the chief of police affairs is on business trip, two deputy chiefs, Sean Lau and M.B. Lee, set out to solve the case. They are in competition for the chief position and distrust each other. Lee first takes charge of the case as the acting chief but comes to a dead end. Lau, who then takes over the case, falls prey to a plot. The two end up being under ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) investigation. Although the case is solved after many twists and turns, war on crime still goes on. This film highlights the rivalry between Lau and Lee in the process of solving the case or how the case about external war is influenced by internal conflict. It is related to overconfidence, thirst for fame, and lust for power. In other words, this film closely looks into the conflict between human innate desire and conscience rather than the rivalry between good and evil. That is why Cold War is a well thought-out crime film and, at the same time, an excellent psychological film.



DIRECTOR * Longman LEUNG
Leung is an award-winning Art Director/Production Designer, whose credits include (2009) and (2010), while Luk is a sought-after First Assistant Director

with over 15 years of experience on films like (2006) and (2008). is their passion project. With internationally renowned producer Bill Kong shepherding the project, Leung and Luk have gathered together an impressive ensemble to collaboratively create the most exciting police action film to come out of Hong Kong in recent years.
* Sunny LUK
Leung is an award-winning Art Director/Production Designer, whose credits include (2009) and (2010), while Luk is a sought-after First Assistant Director

with over 15 years of experience on films like (2006) and (2008). is their passion project. With internationally renowned producer Bill Kong shepherding the project, Leung and Luk have gathered together an impressive ensemble to collaboratively create the most exciting police action film to come out of Hong Kong in recent years.



DIRECTOR Sunny LUK / Longman LEUNG /COUNTRY Hong Kong, China / Date of Production 2012 / Running Time 102min / Color / Format DCP / Color


*BIFF Theater 10-04 19:00
* Haneulyeon Theater 10-05 19:30
* Megabox Haeundae M 10-08 10:00
* Megabox Haeundae M 10-11 19:00

Fun in Busan, Galmaet-gils for foreigners waves takes breath away

Fun in Busan, Galmaet-gils for foreigners
                                          Scenery of pines and waves takes breath away


      How about taking a walk enjoying the beautiful fall of Busan.
                                                                      The photograph is tourists walking in Songdo.


There are roads where you can experience deep inside of Busan, which is Galmaet-gil. The word Galmaet-gil comes from the city bird galmaegi (seagull) and the word gil (road). Galmaet-gil is a road you can feel the “higher and wider” Busan like the flight of the bird. “Galmaet-gil 700 li” is made of nine courses, 20 divisions that add up to 263.8 kilometers (164 miles). As the autumn approaches nearer, here are some recommended Galmaet-gils for visitors to Busan.




# 1. Amnam Park~ Jeollyeongdo~ Taejongdaegil   
                                                  ( 17.8 kilometers, eight hours )

Start from the Amnam Park, which is famous for the natural forest, a gift of nature and coastal scenery you  ill soon be walking along the Songdo Coastal Walk connected with Tech Road and pedestrian overpass.



The old pine trees and waves make up one fantastic scenery. Walk along the Songdo Beach, the Korea’s first beach opened in 1913 and pass by Namhang Bridge that recently opened.


The scene from Namhang Bridge is awe inspiring. Walk along the Jeollyeong coastal walk in the speed of Jeollyeongma a horse that is so fast that shadows are broken apart then you will reach Mt. Jungni and Taejongdae. While walking along the bended road up above the uniquely shaped rocks and the coastline, you will be fascinated by the breathtaking view.


 Taejongdae is marvelous and fantastic, good enough to say that all the coastal scenery beauties of Korea are gathered here. The pedestrian walk is on 100-meter height under the Yeongdo Lighthouse. Pick up some boiled sweet potatoes as snack for the course and pay respect to the ancient scholar Jo Eom, who first brought sweet potatoes to Korea via Yeongdo after receiving them in Tsushima, Japan, during the Joseon Tongsinsa mission in the Joseon Dynasty.



* How to get there:
     Take bus No. 9-1 or 71 to get to Amnam Park, where the course begins. From the end of the course,
         take bus No. 101.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Korean sound and dance for your enjoyment at Busan National Gugak Center

National Gugak Center exciting Saturday stage offers folk music concert

Busan National Gugak Center hosts the Saturday program “Our Sound Our Dance” every Saturday 4 p.m. at the main theater. The program is designed to help participants experience Busan’s intangible cultural heritage and tradition music through intangible culture asset No. 3 “Dongnae Hakchum(   Cranes dancing rhythm)   ” as well as other folk songs, pansori and court music.





This offers pride to the Busan City and South Gyeongsang region visitors and to provide unique and various items to foreign tourists. On Aug. 18 a song from Shimcheongga, or folk tale of a filial pious daughter, where Shimcheong drowns in the water, and its seven items such as the salpuri dance, or traditional shamanist dance, and gayageum duet are prepared.

                                               
                                          Dongnae Hakchum ( Cranes dancing rhythm)

                       

On the fourth week creative pansori group Badaksori’s “Dream of ChickensFly” will be put on stage.


Tickets are 8,000 won ($7) for all seats. A 50 percent discount is available to teenagers, elderly over age 65 (with one company), disabled people (two companies) and children from multicultural families. Group visitors with over 20 people can receive a 20 percent discount.


* Information: Busan National Gugak Center (+82-51-811-0040)

Monday, September 24, 2012

Best film festival of Asia ,The 17th Busan International Film Festival

         The 17th Busan International Film Festival
                                                     will be held from October 4th to 13th



a)  Period : Oct. 4 (THU) – 13 (SAT), 2012

b) Screening Venue
     * 37 screens at 7 theaters
             - Centum City: Busan Cinema Center, CGV, Lotte Cinema, Community Media Center,
                     Sohyang Musical Center
            - Haeundae: Megabox Haeundae
            - Nampo-dong: Megabox Busan Theater
c) Screening
     * Total of 304 films from 75 countries
     * 132 World & International Premieres
              - 93 World Premieres (66 Feature Films, 27 Short Films)
              - 39 International Premieres (34 Feature Films, 5 Short Films)
              - All New Currents and Flash Forward screenings are World & International premieres
     * 30 APM projects
    * Asian Cinema Fund (ACF)
              - 8 Script Development Fund projects, 6 Post-production Fund projects
              - 17 AND Fund projects



Korean Cinema Retrospective
      SHIN Young-kySpecial Programs in Focus


Special Programs in Focus
     The Eternal Travelers for Freedom: Sergei PARAJANOV and Mikhail VARTANOV      - afghanistan National Film Archive: The Rise from the Ashes
     - Poland in Close-up: The Great Polish Masters
     - Arturo RIPSTEIN : Four Stories of Captive Minds
     - Cinema Archaeology
     - Special Screening

Handprinting / Master Class

* Handprinting  
           Each year the Busan International Film Festival selects distinguished film professionals for its 
          handprinting ceremony to honor their outstanding contributions to world cinema.

         - SHIN Young-kyun / Actor / South Korea
         - WAKAMATSU Koji / Director / Japan
         - Arturo RIPSTEIN / Director / Mexico
         - Agnieszka HOLLAND / Director / Poland

 * Master Class
         Note to the world-renowned directors' life and film philosophy
         - WAKAMATSU Koji / Director / Japan
         - ISOMI Toshihiro / Art Director / Japan
         - Arturo RIPSTEIN / Director / Mexico


Cinema Talk Beyond Cinema

     Cinema Talk Beyond Cinema will provide a back-story for film history with the support of visual aids to 
      enhance audience discussions.
     Tony RAYNS : The Secret History of Korean Cinema in the 1990s
     David GILMOUR: The Film Club: A Memoir
    JEONG Jae Seung : Cinema, Inspiration for an Scientist



Korean Classical Cinema Screening

BIFF Square in Nampo-dong will bring back meaningful Korean Cinema classics. Audiences have the opportunity to watch the oldest existing Korean film, Turning Point of the Youngsters (Cheongchun-ui Sibjalo), the first Korean musical film Hyperbolae of Youth (Cheong Chun Ssang Gog Seon) and Four films showing Busan in the 50s to 70s will be screened as well.

Screening Service for Kids and Senior Citizens

Six films for kids from 7-year-olds to elementary school students as well as special services for seniors (over 60-year-old) are programmed to provide enjoyable festival experience for all audiences in different age groups. Asian Film Market


Asian Film Market
Major Asian Sales Companies' Participation Most Asian major sales companies registered for the Asian Film Market: Toho, Toei, TBS, NTV, GAGA and Kadokawa from Japan, and Distribution Workshop, Golden Network Asia, Edko, Emperor from Hong Kong. Also, North American companies like Myriad Pictures, Cinema Management Group, and Cinemavault will hold their sales booth.Publication Contents Pitching Event - Book To Film

In order to link the publication and film industries, the Asian Film Market will introduce a Publication Contents Pitching Event. It will help diversify cinema content and help revitalize the market. KOFIC Industry Forum

Korean Film Council (KOFIC) will host the KOFIC Industry Forum under the theme of "International Co-production" during the Asian Film Market

Asian Cinema Fund

AND Publishes Asian Documentary Today
AND Partners with Al Jazeera English for a Workshop Project
AND Partners with Cinelan
World Documentary Exchange (WDE) Broadens Its Network



Busan Cinema Forum

BCF sails again for the critical understanding of the new world cinema. The theme of this year's edition is "Politics of Film Restoration and Preservation in the Digital Era." BCF will offer participants a grand networking platform by facilitating an in-depth discussion on cinema aesthetics and the film industry.

Asian Film Academy 2012

The Future of Asian Cinema Gathers at Busan
Asian Film Academy is a 18-day educational program, where the young film professionals from all around the world gather and participate. The fellows will take parts in various programs including two-short film production program and master classes with the invited masters and professionals from each field.
Launching of Asian Actors Academy
As a newly created sector of the Asian Film Academy (AFA), the Asian Actors Academy (AAA) is a project dedicated to producing global Asian actors through various acting lessons and training.

Sergei PARAJANOV Special Exhibition

Sergei Parajanov's film posters, his art-works and photos are showcased. This rare opportunity was assisted by the Parajanov museum in Armenia.. Busan Office 3rd Floor, BIFF HILL, Busan Cinema Center, 1467 Woo-Dong, Haeundae-Gu, Busan 612-020, Korea Tel. 82-1688-3010 Fax. 82-51-709-2299

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Chungnyeolsa enshrined the soul of patriotic ancestors



Chungnyeolsa Shrine in BUSAN enshrines the spirits of the patriotic forefathers who fell while fighting the Japanese invaders during the 1592 Japanese Invasion.

The beginning of the Chungnyeolsa is as follows : The Songgongsa was built on Nongju mountain to enshrine the Dongnae Magistrate, Song Sang Hyeon, by Magistrate, Yun Hwon in 1605. It became to be hold a memorial service annually to admire Song Sang Hyeon who sacrificed himself for his country in the Japanese Occupation(1910-45).

After then, the name of Songgongsa was changed to the Chungnyeolsa by a proposal of Lee Min Gu in 1624 ( the 2nd year of the reign of King Injo ). The Dongnae Magistrate, Yun Mun Geo insisted that its location was not right because the shrine was too small, damp and noisy. Thus it was moved into its present location in Allak-li. After then a large shrine was built with halls and eastern and western room. It was called Allakseowon. The yearly memorial service was not held permitted during the Japanese Occupation.
The Japanese thought that it encouraged Korean Independence. A memorial hall and Sau(room to enshrine ancestral tablets) were left in disrepair during the Japanese Occupation.


The ancestral tablets of 91persons, who fell in battle in the Busan area, were enshrined. Now a memorial service is held annually on May 25 by the citizens of Busan. Chungryeol Shrine was first built in 1605 (the 38th year of King Seonjo) by Yun Hweon, governor of Dongnaebusa then, to honor Sir Song Sang Hyeon, governor of Dongnaebusa, who died fighting Japanese invaders. The shrine was initially located on the Nongju Mountain near the south gate of Dongnae-eup Mount Fortress and was called Songgongsa Shrine, which kept Sir Song’s spirit tablet. People pay him respect by holding a memorial service every year.

Yi Min Gu, a government official, requested the king to change the name of the shrine, and King Injo granted his request in 1624 (the 2nd year of his rule) and changed Songgongsa to Chungryeolsa Shrine.

In 1652 (the 3rd year of King Hyojong) Yun Mun-geo, governor of Dongnaebusa then, felt the shrine was too small and damp and was too close to the fortress gate, being subject to too much noise. Also, he felt that it was necessary to teach young scholars the scholarship and fealty of Sir Song Sang-hyeon, which would remain exemplary to future generations. Out of these necessities, the shrine was moved to the current location in Anrak-dong. After the shrine was newly built, two additional buildings were built in the east and west for the purpose of holding classes, and the shrine was subsequently renamed Anrakseowon (Anrak School).


But during the Japanese occupation, Japanese rulers felt that the memorial services held in February and August every year as well as the education given at the school fostered the national spirit, and the Japanese interfered with the shrine activities. Over the period of 36 years of Japanese occupation, the shrine building and the sanctuary building in which the spirit tablet was housed were not maintained but fell into disrepair.

During the period of purification from 1976 to 1978 of Japanese influence, the shrine was renovated to the current condition. Ninety two tablets of the forebears who died or who rendered distinguished service to their country during the Japanese invasion in 1592 in Busan are venerated on May 25 by Busan residents in a memorial service.

In 1592, Japanese soldiers attacked the Dongnae-eup Fortress, demanding that Sir Song Sang-hyeong let them pass through, meaning surrender. Sir Song threw a wooden board at the Japanese, on which his statement was inscribed, “It would be easier to die fighting than let you have passage.” and fought till death.

Cultural property : Busan Tagible Culturl Property No.7
Designated on June 26, 1972
Location : 838, Anrak-dong, Dongnae-gu, Busan
Telephone number : 051-523-4233
Website : cys.busan.go.kr

Friday, September 21, 2012

Busan museum in Busan Metropolitan City

                  Busan museum  intraduce



Since its opening in 1978, our museum has grown oldwhen compared with other public museums in many places all over the country However, as time went by, the museum became inadequate to be a symbol of Busan which is growing into a global city. It became insufficient to be a pride of it's citizens due to its aged and limited facilities.

For this reason, in 2002, efforts were made to satisfy the citizens' desire for culture through new construction of 2nd exhibition building based on the relics that had been secured by means of excavations, donations and purchases, etc.

The remains collected and exhibited in the museum are important materials that show the character of history and culture of Busan from the prehistoric times to the present age. In addition to this, they are not only the evidences that shows us who we are but also the treasures that create the wisdom, revealing to us the path that we will proceed .

In the future, we will continue to make our museum achieve its function and roles as a comprehensive museum through collections, preservations, studies and exhibitions of traditional cultural materials related to our community. We will also runa program for a variety of educations and cultures that will satisfy the citizens. This way, we will make the museum as an open history and culture space that is favored by all of us.

By revitalizing the exchanges both home and abroad in various ways, we will also work diligentlyso that the museum may be the place matching its status of Busan, the largest port city in Northeast Asia.


    Prehistory Room
Because of its natural and environmental factor surrounded by water on three sides, Busan area began to be inhabited since the Late Paleolithic Period (20,000~15,000 B.C.), and there are many relics and remains related to this. Many kinds of chipped stone implements have been excavated from the Jwa-dong and Jung-dong historic site throughout the entire area of Haeundae, including stone axe, jjikgae, milgae, geulgae, stone blade, etc., which can be assumed to be the ones that existed around 15,000~20,000 years ago, we can see that Busan area began to be inhabited at least since the Late Paleolithic Period.



Around 12,000 years ago, the glacial epoch ended and the Neolithic culture began to develop. From around 7,000 to 8,000 years ago, the Neolithic people began to live in the Busan area, along the coast where abundant marine resources were available. They left behind shell mound, settlement sites and tombs, and various artifacts including comb-patterned pottery, fish spear, fishing hook, stone axe, shellfish bracelet and era ring, stone and bone tools, etc., and the typical remains are the Dongsam-dong Shell Mound and the Beombang relic, etc.

Around 3,000 years ago from now, the new cultural factors focusing on Mumun pottery and bronze ware and rice farming came into the Busan area from the northern area, the rice agriculture was introduced into the region bringing about the Bronze Period. The people of this period, dwelling on river banks and on hilly districts, left behind many relics related to farming, which include the housing sites of Banyeo-dong, Oncheon-dong and Nopo-dong as well as the dolmens of Gamcheon-dong and Gadeok-do and Jo-do shell mound.

Samhan/Three Kingdoms Room
Around the latter half of the Bronze Age, because of the inflow of iron culture from China, the Samhan society(B.C. 2C~A.D. 3C) began to be formed. From this time, Busan area came into a full-scale historical age, and the Dokro kingdom was established, which was one of the Byeonhan 12 kingdoms. As the typical relics of this age, there are Dongrae shell mound and Naeseong relic, and the tomb relics are located in Bokcheon-dong, Guseo-dong and Nopo-dong. As for the cultural phenomena in this age, there appeared new earthenware called wajil earthenware and the deotneol tomb as well as the various instruments and weapons made of iron material.

    

Facing the turbulent era when the use of ironware was generalized and wars were happening frequently, the small kingdoms of Samhan united allied with other neighboring small kingdoms or unified with them. The Dokro kingdom in Busan allied with Gaya kingdom located in the Gimhae area, becoming part of Geumgwan-Gaya, sharing the culture from 4th century to early 5th century. However, after the 5th century, as the Geumgwan-Gaya declined and Silla advanced here, the Silla culture became established. All the relics of Three Kingdom era known to this date are tombs, including the Ancient Tombs of Bokcheon-dong, Oryundae, Dugu-dong, Imseok-dong, Danggam-dong, Hwamyeong-dong, Deokcheon-dong, Banyeo-dong, Goejeong-dong and the Yeonsan-dong Ancient Tombs.

Unified Silla Room
Silla that had unified the Three Kingdoms began to execute the Ju Gun and Hyeon System by reorganizing the local government system in 685(5th year of King Sinmun) for the purpose of centralized authoritarian ruling. As the local government system has been organized, the social atmosphere got to be different from the time before the unification.

Busan, which was in the outskirts of the unified Silla was incorporated into Dongnae-gun, a part of Yangju, and named Dongnae in 751(16th year of King Gyeongdeok), which is derived from Chinese characters. In connection with Busan, some records and stories came to us, including a record that the Silla kings visited Dongrae hot spring several times and a story that Choe Chi-Won came to Haeundae to rest there, who was frustrated when his suggestion to reform the political system was rejected by Qeen Jinseong. During this time, as Buddhism spread, Beomeosa (temple) was built in Busan, too, where are still the 3 Story Stone Tower and Stone Lamp, etc. Beomeosa, one of the 10 Hwaeom-sect temples, is said to be initially built in mount Geumjeong in 678(18th year of King Munmu) and rebuilt in 830(10th year of King Heungdeok). Around this time, the first roof-tiled building was built, too. The relics of Unified Silla that remain in Busan include many items related to daily life such as earthenware kiln, etc.

Goryeo Room

After the unification of Later Samguk(Three Kingdoms) by Goryeo(918~1392), Busan became a remote place far from the center of politics. As a result, when compared even with the neighboring area like Ulsan, Yangsan, etc., Busan became politically neglected in the early Goryeo era. The Dongrae-gun, which was a Ju Hyeon where was a local officer dispatched from the central government even in the Unified Silla, lost its status early in Goryeo, being incorporated into Ulju(Ulsan) in 1018(9th of King Hyeonjong), and the Gijang and Dongpyeong hyeon that belonged to Dongrae-gun was incorporated into Ulju and Yangju(Yangsan) respectively.

But after the middle years of Goryeo, especially under King Uijong's reign, Busan produced many relatively important persons such as Jeong Seo who composed Jeong Gwajeong-gok, the Song of Jeong Gwajeong', gradually becoming an important area in politics. Also according to its geographical condition, its approximation to coastal areas and a large river, the importance of Busan gradually emerged struggling through the periods of Mongol resistance, Sambyeocho(three units of remnant resistant Korean soldiers) resistance, and the Japanese invaders domination on the southern and western coasts. Thereafter in Joseon Dynasty, it emerged to the front of history as a gate for entering into friendly relations with Japan.

Joseon Room

From the end of the Goryeo period to the early Joseon period, the damage caused by waegu was very extreme. Busan, very close to Daema-do, the stronghold of waegu was located in the most important place, responsible for the defense at the forefront. For this reason, a jin (barracks) and Gyeongsang-jwasuyeong(Naval Headquarters of Gyeongsangdo Province) were established in Busanpo in 1397(6th year of King Taejo), and it emerged as a very important city militarily.

And a waegwan(Japanese trading and living quarter), an equivalent to today's trade mission, was set up in Busanpo as an important gateway to Japan for Korean-Japanese diplomatic relations. The waegwan was also established in Dumupo and Choryang later. And Busan was also the origin of the trip of the tongsinsa (mission) that was regarded as a formal diplomatic mission dispatched to Japan. Therefore Busan in the Joseon period served as one of the most important points for diplomacy and trade

The Dongrae, which was the center of Busan area, had various kinds of government office buildings in Eupseong including hotels, Dongheon, etc. And close to Eupseong, there were many education institutions like Siseoljae, Dongrae Hyanggyo, Anrakseowon, etc., and it had the function as the center of administration and education.

Korea-Japan Relationship Room

As the Japanese pirates, who had been rampant since the end of Goryeo period, continued to pillage the southern provinces, the Joseon government opened three waegwan(Japanese trading and living quarter) in 3 ports (Busan, Jinhae, and Ulsan) so that they could buy the daily necessities without looting any more. In waegwan, a variety of facilities were built including wharf, hotel, warehouse, etc., and the number of Japanese people staying for a long period gradually increased. When the control over waegwan by Joseon was reinforced, the Japanese in waegwan, who were dissatisfied with this, gave rise to the Sampo War in 1510 under the assistance of the chief of Daemado.


Thereafter, small and big battles occurred repeatedly and the tension between the two nations was intensified, and finally the Imjinwaeran(the Imjin War) broke out in 1592, with Japanese troops invading Joseon. Busan suffered a lot of desctructions for a long time as it was the place invaded by Japanese army for the first time, or passage for the diplomats to hold the meetings for peace talks, or the place for the Japanese troops to remain, or the invasion route of Jeongyujaeran, etc. After Imjinwaeran ended, both countries normalized the diplomatic exchanges with each other, and waegwan was provided for the diplomats and merchants of Japan to exchange with Joseon counterparts. Late in Joseon period, waegwan was provided only in Busan. Various kinds of facilities were built in Busan, which were necessary for diplomatic relations and trades with Japan, many Japanese diplomats and merchants visited Busan. When Joseon diplomats went to Japan, they left for Japan from Busan.

The role of the chief of Dongrae, who controlled over Busan, got to be important, and the role of the following officials became greater, including Jwasusa of Jwasuyeong who was responsible to defend the coast in this area and the Cheomsa who ruled over each Jin like Busanjin, Dadaejin, etc.

Living Culture Room

The Dongrae market is a 5 day interval market opening on every 2 and 7, which is in the center of the village, where many kinds of goods produced in neighboring villages for trading in Dongraebu are gathered. The main product of Dongrae was a tobacco pipe. There were many handicraft manufacturing places to make tobacco pipes in Dongrae, and such tobacco pipes from those manufacturing places were distributed all over the country through the market day. The famous goods in such market included seaweed and hair tail of Gijang, wild edible greens of Cheolma, pear and hemp cloth of Gupo, melon of Yeonsan-dong, bamboo goods of Geumsa-dong, anchovy of Haeundae, sweet persimmon of Yangsan, vegetables of Gimhae and dropwort of Eonyang.

The Dongrae merchants who worked based on the Dongrae market place were the most prominent big tradesman throughout the country together with the Gaeseong and Uiju merchants. They had control over the market with large capital and strong system, leading not only the commerce in Joseon but also the trade with Japan. However, they were gradually squeezed out of the market after opening of a port with a central place of Japanese people being created, of which business district being expanded during the Japan’s colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Thereafter, the function of Dongrae market gradually decreased as its transportation service was inconvenient when compared with other markets.


Fork Room

The traditional folk culture in the Busan area have been carried on to today’s life of Busan citizens, but many of them have disappeared as the environment changed. Among them, some old artistic talents that are flower of folk ceremonies permeated with philosophy of life designated as intangible cultural properties for preservation and succession.

The songs that were sung in the sea while catching fish became the Jwasuyoung-eobangnori and Dadaepohurisori, and the song enjoyed while arduous farming in cooperation with one another became a folk game called Suyeongcheongnori. And the masque that is only in Busan, which prays for bountiful year and peace, Suyeong-Dongrae Yaryu was played. The Gutgeori rhythm and Deotbaegi dance became the base of folk games. The Gutgeori rhythm is free from short and rapid melody as if it reflects the thick line, the crude but easygoing character of Busan people, and the Deotbaegi dance is freewheeling only with standard big form.

The folklore of Busan has a dance rhythm that we can enjoy according to the beat having ties that can be fastened and loosened, leading the folk game to the peak. The folklore of Busan is the character that does not tolerate the illicit power as shown in the bitter satire of Yangban in the Deulnoreum.


Modern Times Room

Starting from the exclusive settlement developed immediately after the opening of the port in 1876, many facilities were developed to enforce colonial exploitation. Japanese people plundered the land and houses owned by the people of Joseon. The people of Joseon resisted the economical invasion in many ways, including the introduction of new education, revitalization of both modernization and national education, establishment of commercial system and banks, etc. But since the annexation of Joseon by Japan in 1910, the independent modernization by our people failed.

During the colonial ruling by Japan, they were gradually making Busan their colonial city through port reclaiming work, street planning, maintenance of road network and introduction of electric train, etc. In addition to this, they exploited the raw materials and labors by construction of modern industrial facilities. In the mean time, the Joseon people resisted the colonial ruling by Japan in many ways, including shouting for national independence, organizing laborer group for each industry as well as many kinds of social groups. The Imperial Japan violently oppressed the resistance of Busan people and fostered some pro-Japanese group to break up the Joseon people. The colonial education by Imperial Japan provided to achieve this purpose completely obliterated national education of Joseon to provide only their own education to make Joseon people as their own Emperor’s people.

Present-Day Room

The first 8 years from 1945 when Korea became independent from Japan’s colonial ruling to 1953 when the Korea War ended is a short period within the 5,000 years of Korean history, but its historical events imply that Korea was passing through a transition era which would last throughout the century. Before the overflowing excitement of liberation subsided, Koreans had to suffer a disruption by conflicting ideologies, a war, and then the fixation of the division of the land.

The division, unification, ideology and foreign power and others are the terms to which we are still accustomed, and those problems still remain unsolved. In the history of 8 years after liberation, Busan was in the center of changes. Our people felt firsthand the liberation of our own nation through the wave of repatriating people flowing into Busan port. In Korea War, which was the cause for the beginning of a full-scale division period after the chance to establish independent unified country came to an abrupt end, Busan was in the center of history, as the provisional capital and haven for the refugees who had gathered from all over the peninsula.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Paths of Empress Heo's Wedding


Paths of Empress Heo's Wedding
We're on a search for places to the story of the marriage between Korea's King Kim Suro and the Indian-born Empress Heo. You are entering the "GaYa" period as you join this tour.

Portrait of King Kim Suro                                               Portrait of Empress Heo



          Sawangseok, with the mark of the statue of the Buddha with a cobra.




Storytelling
In 46 AD, King Kim Suro of Karak and Empress Heo of Ayuta in India were married.
Preceding the mythical love story of " Romeo and Juliet" by some 1,500 years, the story of King Kim Suro and  his Empress is a happier one, as evidenced by their 10 sons and 2 daughters and the fact that they lived together for 145 years.

Lovers from around the world will be inspried by this romantic tale, as they visit Mangsando where the arrival of the Empress was eagerly anticipated, Heongguksa where the royal couple spent their first night together,  and the tombs where the King and the Empress continue to lie side by side.


* Mangsando
Here is where Yucheongan rode his fastest to look out to sea to check whether a ship had arrived,
on the King's command .


-- way to Mangsando : You can get here by taking Metro Line 1 at Busan station, getting off at Hadan station and transfering to bus No.520 bound for Yongwon, in jinhae .




** Yujuam ( Yujugak)

It is said on that on object of the Empress was thrown overboard into the sea and became Yujuam.



*** Heongguksa ( Heongguk temple)

This is the place where the King and the Empress are said to have spend their wedding night after receiving
the blessing of the mountain god . It is also said that the King named the mountain " Myeongwolsan (Bright Moon Mountain)"by comparing her beauty with the moon and he founded " MYEONGWOLSA" around there. A stone figure showing a cobra supporting a statue of Buddha was discovered here.





**** Royal tombs of King Kim Suro and Empress Heo.
The Pasa Pagoda which she brought from Ayuta has been preserved here for 2,000 years. A twin fish pattern greets visitors at the gate of the tomb, encapsulating the mystery of ancient times.
Tomb of King Kim Suro

                                                            Pasa pagoda

       Looking around
     * Geoga Bridge and Busan New Port
       The port, a major logistics hub in North East Asia , and the Bridge/ Tunnel fixed link connecting
       Busan and Geoje Island, are symbols of Busan's dynamism and bright future.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Grandma’s Corbicula Soup , Halmae Jaecheopguk of Gwanganri Busan

                  Halmae Jaecheopguk






Grandma’s Corbicula Soup, which has 50 years of history, has maintained traditional tastes for a long time.

Fresh corbicula is boiled in the soup to double its unique and savory taste. Bibimbab mixed with greens,

delicious- looking steamed mackerel and egg rolls are outstanding along with corbicula soup.




Infomation

address: Suyeong-gu, Gwangnam-ro, 120th Avenue8
phone: 051)751-7658

subway: Line 2 Geumryeonsan Station exit 1, Gwangan Station exit 5 / 1.5km (15 min walk) (behind Marina Hotel)

 website:  lwww.할매재첩국.kr

time : 24 hours closed on 1st and 3rd nights and Lunar New Year’s and Chuseok holidays