Even though South Korea is a very modern country, there are many traditional practices that still take place and are appreciated to this day. During my time here, I have been able to see and experience many different traditional activities, from music performed in traditional clothing to woodblock printing, pottery making and taekwondo. These experiences have really helped me understand Korean culture better, how traditions are passed down and how they are adapted over time, even in a fast-paced and changing society.
Here I’ve learned about several important traditions:
Music: I observed traditional music performed by a musician wearing a 한복 (hanbok), which is traditional Korean clothing, while playing the flute. This type of performance reflects Korea’s musical history and the importance of artistic expression. The music is soft and a little slow, making it a very calming and relaxing experience.
Woodblock printing: I was also able to see and practice traditional woodblock printing. This involves printing Korean in 한자 (hanja), which is a traditional system of writing that uses Chinese characters. It uses black ink, and the design is carved into a block instead of being written with a brush.
