Beyond K-pop and kimchi
There is more to South Korea than meets the mainstream eye, discovered one reporter
- Published: 6/06/2010 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: Brunch
In the past decade, South Korean pop culture has become a big hit in Thailand - so much so that the country's name has become synonymous with beauty, trends and romance. The pop culture has won the hearts of many Asians, especially Thai teens, but if you ask a group of Koreans what they are most proud of about their nation, you would hear them answer with pride - their history and traditional culture.
ANCIENT: The Seokguram Grotto, a Unesco World Heritage site.
And if you have been to South Korea, walked down a typical street and seen a slice of real Korean life, it would not be hard to see why. A Western influence and globalisation is visible in the tall buildings and modern shops of the big cities, but the majority of the country has retained its old charms for centuries. TV series might depict Western-leaning ladies in dolly curls and dudes in suits dining out at fancy restaurants and driving expensive cars, but in reality, the vast majority of Korean people still prefer home-cooked dinners with their family. In fact, outside Seoul, restaurants are not easy to come by. Different to what the Wonder Girls portray, real Korean women do not always wear fancy clothes, and despite being very talkative throughout my flight from Thailand to Korea, the female passengers made sure their blankets were neatly folded and placed back on the seat before they left the plane.
In other words, the traditional Korean lifestyle is even more charming and interesting than the popularised version we see in the mainstream media. Their nationalism and patriotism are indeed impressive. Although some ancient buildings and statues were destoryed in the many wars and invasions the country has endured, the beauty remains the same in the hearts of the people. If you ask a Korean to tell you the name of the food you are eating, you will be given full explanation of what it contains, how it is made and how healthy it is for you. If you point at an old building and ask what it is, you will hear its history in detail. It seems like history and culture are permanently imprinted in their minds, and they are more than willing and ready to share them with visitors, like a good host would to a house guest.
STAR GAZING: Cheomseongdae observatory, the oldest observatory in East Asia.
Korea is one of the oldest countries in the world, and it was home to one of the longest reigning dynasties in history. The Silla Dynasty (57BC to 935AD) is still the longest running state in Korean history and was one of the most developed civilisations in the world at the time. Its influence is still seen in its hometown, the city of Gyeongju, more than 1,000 years later. Despite the numerous wars of the past in which much physical damage was done, many cultural relics can still be seen scattered throughout the area, earning the city the nickname "the open museum".
One of its wonders is the underwater tomb of the Great King Munmu, which is the only underwater tomb in the world. The king had specifically asked to be buried at the very spot where four rocks form a cross-type water channel and the centre is hollowed like a pond. "When I die, cremate my body. Then I will be a dragon in the Eastern Sea to protect Silla," are known to be the last words of the king.
Gyeongju, when compared with other popular travel cities such as Seoul and Jeju, might sound less familiar to Thai tourists, but Korean series fans are sure to have seen its beauty while watching the period series Queen Seondeok. The namesake of the series is a significant person in Korean history. For one, it shows how forward-thinking the nation was, as not many countries had a female ruler at the time. One of the most unique features of the Silla Kingdom is that it had not one, but three female rulers, while no other dynasty in the history of Korea had even one.
WATERY GRAVE: Underwater tomb of the Great King Munmu, the only underwater tomb in the world.
Another importance of Queen Seondeok's reign is its astronomical advancement. One might not associate Korea with being a pioneer in astronomy, but the oldest observatory tower in the East is, in fact, right in Gyeongju. Cheomseongdae astronomical observatory was built during the reign of Queen Seondeok. It is a highly scientific building and each brick and stone has a symbolic meaning. The tower is built out of 362 pieces of cut granite, representing the 362 days of the lunar year (in the ancient Korean calendar) stacked in 27 layers to represent the fact that Queen Seondeok was the 27th ruler of Silla.
It was also during this dynasty that Buddhism was developed and adopted in lifestyle, architecture and belief. Silla's strong Buddhist nature is also reflected by the many remnants of Buddhist architecture, stone figures and carvings abundantly found in Gyeongju. Bulguksa temple and Seokguram Grotto were designated as World Cultural Heritage sites by Unesco - a gallant recognition of the city's superior historical and cultural revelance.
Although Thailand and Korea do not border geographically, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has long been established. For example, Thailand was the first among the Asian countries to assist Korea during the Korean War by sending 1,273 Thai soldiers and medical volunteers.
ARTSY: Even the bus stop in Gyeongju does not miss out on a touch of traditional art.
This year, Bangkok will play host to the "Bangkok-Gyeongju World Culture Expo", to be held from November to December at Sanam Luang, National Museum, National Theatre, Thammasat University's Main Auditorium and Silpakorn University's Arts Centre. Throughout the 50 days, the activities, jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture and the World Expo Organising Committee of the Republic of Korea, aim at celebrating the culture of both countries, and will involve original arts and dance, an international art festival, cultural exhibitions, concerts, film festivals, film animation, tourism public relations programmes and a handicraft exhibition and sale.
Gyeongju World Culture Expo was first organised in 1998 and has since become a representative brand. It has been held four times in South Korea and once in Cambodia. The event in Bangkok will be its second international outing.
As a precursor to the event, the Buddhist Culture Forum was held in Gyeongju in April with an aim to promote and present the close Thai-South Korean tie. Under the concept of Buddhism in Thailand and South Korea, the event was attended by monks from both countries, government authorities and Thai veterans who fought in the Korea War.
The theme of the forum was "The significance of Buddhist cultural exchange and co-operation between Korea and Thailand". Kim Gwang-Yong, chairman of the organising committee of the expo, said it might also contribute to promoting academic research and cultural industries including educational institutions, cultural performances and tourism in the future.
The highlight for the Thai veterans was the Yeongsangjae ceremony, the most magnificent and impressive Buddhist ritual for the Koreans meant to inspire the spirits to return to the pure land. The ritual was specially held to honour the 129 Thai soldiers who died in the Korean War, as well as to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the war.
DRAMA: A parade celebrating the success of Korean movie ‘Queen Seondeok’ in Gyeongju.
The forum included academic discussions about the significance of Buddhist cultural exchange and co-operation between the two countries for raising historical and cultural awareness. The history of Buddhism as a major cultural tradition is central to both histories, despite the differences in introduction, process and background. Although Thailand has maintained the Theraveda tradition while Korea the Mahayana, both countries share the common nature of applying religious faith and loyalty towards the monarch in its architecture.
Phrakhrupalad Suvathanavachirakun of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, who attended the forum as a Thai monk, said that Buddhism is one of the many similarities the two countries share.
"Buddhism is part of South Korea and Thailand, making it easier for the two cultures to understand each other. Our religious contributions go a long way back. In South Korea, Bhikkunis [female monks] are very strong and many of them have helped fight for their rights in Thailand," he said.
"Buddhism in South Korea can be traced back thousands of years, and Gyeongju is as much a Buddhism hub in South Korea as Ayuttaya is in Thailand," he added. "Although, at present, the majority of South Koreans are Christian, they respect Buddhism as the root of their beloved culture. In South Korea, Buddhism is not just a religion - it is their history. In that sense, everything in Gyeongju is both historical and religious, and it has been well-preserved until today."
The event not only features the religious ties between Thailand and Korea, but also other aspects of the long-lasting relationship, including art, culture, tourism and more. Booths from other participating countries will also be present. The 50-day event will run from Oct 29 to Dec 19. For more information about the expo, contact Happy Korea by KTCC on 02-539-5770 or visit
About the author
- Writer: Napamon Roongwitoo
- Position: Outlook Writer
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