CULTURE
Korean
society is based on the tenets of Confucianism, a system of ethics
developed in China around 500 BC. Confucianism is big on devotion
and respect - for parents, family, friends and those in positions
of authority. Confucius also emphasised justice, peace, education,
reform and humanitarianism. Many Koreans attribute their country's
remarkable success in recent decades to this attitude. In modern
Korean society, Confucianism is most noticeable in relations between
people. The Five Relationships prescribe behaviour between ruler
and subject, father and son, husband and wife, old and young,
and between friends. If you fall outside any of these relationships,
you do not, effectively, exist. Many travellers to Korea find
the locals rude: they're probably not; chances are they just haven't
noticed you. Once you're introduced to someone, you'll fall within
the rules for friends and things will start looking up.
The South
Koreans have turned their hand to just about any art form you
can name. Traditional music is similar to that of Japan and China,
with an emphasis on strings. The two main forms are the stately
chongak and the folksier minsogak. Among the folk
dances are drum dances (mugo - a hectic, lively court dance
where the participants wear drums around their necks), mask dances
(talchum), monk dances (seungmu) and spirit-cleansing
dances (salpuri).
The most
important work of Korean literature is Samguk Yusa, written
in the 12th century by the monk Illyon. Recent literature has
had a dissident twist to it, with lots of work being produced
by student protesters and Taoist-style ecologists. Koreans also
consider their language an art form, and are particularly proud
of their script, hangeul.
South
Korea is also strong in the visual arts. Traditional painting
has strong Chinese and calligraphic elements, with the brush line
being the most important feature. Most traditional sculpture is
Buddhist, and includes statues and pagodas - one of the best Buddhas
is at Sokkuram. Shamanists do a great line in woodcarving. Seoul
has several art sculpture parks, where modern sculptors show their
works. Seoul is also a showpiece of modern and traditional architecture,
including the city gates and the Chosun-era Gyeongbokgung Palace.
