Korean Culture Book

  

Guide to Korean Culture

 

Title                        : Guide to Korean Culture

Publisher               : Korean Culture and Information Service

                                  Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism

Year                        : 2009

Thickness             : 268 pages

                Our world has been hectic since “K-Pop fever” spread. Even in Indonesia, it almost became the first favorite music choice. It has been getting intense by some concerts which Korean idol groups held in Indonesia. Big Bang, Super Junior, SNSD, T ara, TVXQ and so on are become the world icon. Either old or young generation is fascinated by their performance. The K-Pop fever is symbolized by its boy or girl band. Indonesian young generation is going crazy in idol boy band. They totally love their idol, they do anything to express their loves. Enrolling some Korean courses for example, is one of their struggle in order to show how much they love Korea. They also practice Korean modern and traditional dance or song, practice to make Korean dishes, they even go along with Korean style (fashion), and so on. It is true that Korea can become one of the Asian Tiger and success in the world wide after the condition of being buried at World War II. In the World War II many people thought that Korea would not go forward and it would become the only poor country in East Asia. There was even someone, one of the sociologist at that time, he said “it will take 100 years to recovery this country to be better”. It showed how underdeveloped it was. But now, those statements are nothing, Korea now is very different. By their hard-work, they can make their goal faster than people thought.  Korean makes true the unbelievable thoughts of people. Now the world has realized that Korea is becoming one of the Asian Tiger. It is not only about K-pop which is getting popular nowadays, it is also about Korean culture, including its high technology system. There are many people all over the world, including Indonesia learn and know much about Korean culture. They are interested in learning it.

Therefore the publisher of this book (Guide to Korean Culture), Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, at 2009 edition stated that over long history, Koreans have developed a vibrant culture with unique customs that can be found throughout the peninsula and in distant lands where Korean communities continue to pass down traditions.

From its topic, this book was published by the title “Guide to Korean Culture” in order to tell people or reader about Korean culture and lives. So that they can get more knowledge about Korean Culture and love it well.

The publisher of this book used this word, “Korean Culture”, to express people what things which Korea has, either it is about traditions, customs, and so on. It also becomes the way to tell people in details about Korea.

The concept of this book indicates the texts and also the pictures which have essential role in explaining other topics or themes that still related to the Korean culture.

By the explanations whether it is texts or pictures which indicates the topics, it is true that Korea truly has many things in culture, for example about inheritance from Korean kingdoms such as temples (bulguksa temple), Pagodas (Seokgatap, Dabotap), Royal Ancestral Shrine (it enshrines the spirits tablets of its king and queen), Tripitaka Koreana (is the oldest and most comprehensive compilation of Buddhist scriptures in existence today),  Changdeokgung Palace(one of five palaces in Seoul), Hwaseong Fortress and so on which became UNESCO list. Not only about the treasure, this book also tells us about Hangeul (Korean alphabet), printing heritage, traditional music instruments, Mask and Mask dance-Dramas, Korean traditional food, Korean Ginseng, Korean dress, Personal Ornaments, Embroidery, Gardens, Decorative coloring used on Buildings, Patterns, Folk Painting, Paper Crafts, Korean Sports, and Korean Seasonal Customs. Those are very detail explanation in this book.

The specialty of this book will appear when we read, enjoy, and understand the text of each chapter.  This book used English but the reader mostly will enjoy reading it because the publisher did not use the hard-understanding English. This book also was enriched with many pictures, so that the reader will not be bored when they read it. Furthermore, the publisher can explain each topic in details and deep explanation. It was supported with the pictures which were attached in every page.

The existence of this book is very acceptable for people who now get the K-Pop fever especially. Moreover the book explained in depth about Korean Culture, all about Korea. It is expected to give us the benefits and enjoyments in learning Korean tradition or culture. It is also hoped becomes the guide for people in the world especially in Indonesia, so that they can learn and get more knowledge and experience about Korean culture.