Hangeul Day - The Korean Alphabet Day

Hello, it's been a while!

Last month on Friday, October 9th, was a special day for Koreans.
Yes, true, students in Korea got a day off from school and work. For me, who's in Baltimore, I had to go to class and face the exams. :(

On that day, Koreans celebrate what is known as Korean Alphabet Day, or Hangeul Day. Hangeul (한글) is the Korean alphabet used in the Korean language today.

What is so special Hangeul? Why celebrate the alphabet?

From the old days, native Koreans have been using the pictographic Chinese characters for writing. Indeed, the Chinese characters are beautiful like a work of art, yet it was quite complicated. 

Chinese Characters

Even if the royalty and the nobles were able to read and write with the Chinese characters, the majority population could not. The rate of illiteracy increased and hindered the education of the common people. 

Sejong the Great (reign: 1418-1450)

In the year 1443, the Korean (Joseon Dynasty, at that time) monarch Sejong the Great lamented about the lack of pure Korean written language, and established a group of scholars to create a new alphabet. 

It was then in 1446, three years later, when Sejong announced the creation of the official alphabet of Korea, known as "Hun-min-jeong-eum" (훈민정음), 

Early written document of Hun-min-jung-eum

Although different from the modern Hangeul used today, Hun-min-jung-eum was utilized by many commoners, who could finally learn to read and write. Unfortunately, the creation of these new letters sparked controversy within the royal court, as officials argued that it was barbaric to create a new alphabet contrary to the given, traditional Chinese letters.

The modern name "Hangeul" came a few centuries later, in the 20th century during the Japanese Annexation (1910-1945). A scholar and independence movement leader named Ju Si-gyeong emphasized the importance of the Korean language for the freedom cause. He recollected and confirmed the usage of proper Hangeul, which are now used today. 

 Scholar Ju Si-gyeong

So that was a brief summary and history of Hangeul. As you may have seen in history, the language reflected on the wisdom and national spirit of Korea. It provided the uniqueness and special beauty that a country could ever have, and Koreans feel pride in it. 

Here in JHU, the Korean Students Association held an event in honor of Hangeul Day. They wrote people's names in Korean, which is pretty nifty and cool for non-Koreans. I mean, how awesome is it to see your name written in a different language? 

KSA permitted me to hold the poster for a photo :)

Meanwhile in Seoul, South Korea, people celebrated their proud language in various ways. As an honorary mentioning, Bomin Song (the same YCC student who created the logo) wrote a few Korean phrases with her calligraphy skills. As always, I was amazed by her talent!

"Hangeul Nal" (Korean Alphabet Day)

Once again, happy Hangeul Day!

YCC Website (Korean): http://www.yccworld.or.kr/front_ycc/index/index.php?q=

YCC email: ycc@icworld.or.kr

YCC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ycc.officials

YCC (Baltimore): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Cultural-Corps-Baltimore-Branch/883939185035654?fref=ts

HQ Adress: Jongro-gu Bukchon-ro, 137-13, Seoul (Samcheong-dong 27-26)

(Adress in Korean: 서울 종로구 북촌로 137-13 (삼청동 27-26) 

Phone Number: 02-3210-3264

한명의 교황, 그리고 여러 문화가 하나가 된 그 날

Note: this is written for the Korean YCC members back in Seoul, so I wrote this post in Korean. I'll try to write an English version in the near future. 

청문단 여러분, 안녕하세요? 볼티모어 지부장 김현준 입니다. 오랜만에 블로그를 써서 올리네요. 

미국 시각으로 9월 27일, 일요일이었습니다. 한국에 계신 여러분은 아마 추석 명절이라고 고향에 내려가 가족과 함께 시간을 보내며 맛난 송편과 음식을 많이 드셨으리라 믿습니다.

여기 미국에서는 추석 명절을 보낼 수 는 없었으나, 저는 대신 특별한 경험을 하게 되었습니다. 볼티모어 보다 북쪽에 있는 펜실베니아 주 필라델피아에 성지 순례하러 갔습니다. 이유는요?

바로 프란치스코 교황님을 보기 위해서였습니다. 교황님이 처음으로 미국에 오셨는데, 마침 볼티모어와 가까운 필라델피아로 오셨다고 하네요. 그리하여 존스 홉킨스 대학교 가톨릭 단체와 함께 교황님을 뵈러 순례길에 올랐습니다. 

세월호 유족을 만나 위로하시는 교황님

작년 2014년 여름에도 교황님이 처음으로 한국에 오셨지요? 그 때 세월호 사건으로 고통을 겪는 유족들을 만나며 노란 리본을 달고 아픔을 함께 나누신 분입니다. 심지어 어떤 이가 교황님께 "중립을 지키게 그 노란 리본을 떼라"라고 하였더니 명언을 하셨습니다.

"인간적 고통 앞에서 중립을 지킬 수는 없습니다"

이렇게 훌륭한 분이 직접 집전하는 미사에 함께 할 수 있어서 더 없는 영광이었습니다. 미사를 드리는 곳에 도착할 때 사람들이 바글바글 했습니다. 다 교황님을 보려고 나온겁니다. 

필라델피아 도심에 모여든 사람들

교황님이 나타나자 수 많은 사람들이 환호를 지르며 일제히 박수를 보냅니다. 교황님은 쑥스러운 미소를 띄며 손을 흔들었습니다. 예수의 사도인 베드로의 후계자라고 불리는 교황이지만, 참으로 겸손한 모습을 보이셨습니다. 그렇게 사람들의 뜨거운 환호가 끝나고 드디어 미사가 웅장한 음악과 함께 시작되었습니다. 

웅장한 입당 성가

청문단 여러분이 이걸 읽으며 조금 의문점이 생길겁니다. 왜 지부장은 청문단과 관련 없는 종교 내용을 올리는가?

왜냐하면 이 교황 집전 미사도 하나의 문화 교류를 보여줬기 때문입니다.

일단, 이름부터가 벌써 교류를 보여줍니다. 가톨릭 (Catholic)이란 단어는 그리스어 καθολικός (katholikos) 에서 나왔는데, "보편적" "세계적" 이라는 뜻입니다. 따라서 가톨릭 교회란 보편적인 교회를 의미합니다. 이 교회는 단 하나의 민족이나 인종을 받아들이지 않고, 여러 민족과 인종과 함께하지요.

청문단 역시 문화 교류를 하는데 보편적인 마음을 가지고 있어야겠지요? 다른 문화와 접촉하며 차이만을 보는게 아니라 하나의 세계적인 조화를 이루는 것입니다.

미사 중에 기도와 강론, 복음서를 읽을 때도 다른 나라 언어가 제각각 쓰여졌습니다. 어떤 때에는 영어, 또 다른 때에는 라틴어나 스페인어, 그리고 심지어 프랑스어와 중국어, 필리핀어도 나왔었습니다. 정확하게 알아들을 수 는 없어도, 미사는 항상 똑같은 형식이라, 무슨 얘기를 하는지는 알아 들을 수 있었습니다. 세계 각국의 사람들은 언어의 차이에도 불구하고 헷갈림 없이 다 같은 마음으로 기도를 할 수 있었습니다. 

라틴어로 부르는 자비송, 대영광송

그런데 제가 제일 인상 깊게 봤던 장면이 하나 있었습니다. 미사 장소로 걸어가고 있었을 때와 미사 드리는 장소에서 봤습니다. 라틴 아메리칸계 순례자들이 있었는데, 그들은 자신들의 전통 음악과 언어로 찬양가를 부르고 있었습니다.

이들이 하느님에 대한 찬양가를 부를 때, 지나가던 몇몇 순례자들도 같이 들어와서 춤추고 노래 했습니다. 유럽계 백인과 흑인, 황인 등 하나, 둘씩 들어오며 여러 인종이 모였습니다. 남녀노소, 국적과 인종의 경계도 없이 모이는 모습을 보는데 작은 감동을 느꼈습니다. 문화와 인종이 아직 갈라져 싸우고 있는 이 시대에, 같이 한 마음, 여러 문화들이 하나가 되어 노래하고 춤 추는 모습이 아름다웠습니다. 이런 것 또한 문화의 교류와 조화가 아닐까요?

여러 민족과 문화가 모인 라틴 아메리칸계 순례자들의 노래와 춤

성령의 인도를 받으며 온 세상에 사랑과 평화를 전파하는 프란치스코 교황님이 하나의 글로벌 지도자라는 생각이 들기도 합니다. 교황님의 겸손함과 사랑이 넘치는 카리스마에 세계 각국 사람들은 하나로 모여 함께 하느님을 찬양합니다.  프란치스코 교황 뿐만 아니라 전에 계시던 요한 바오로 2세와 베네딕토 16세도 세계 각국을 돌아다니며 복음을 전하면서, 여러 사람들을 하나를 만들어 조화를 이루는 모습을 보였습니다.  

함께 순례하러 간 홉킨스 동기들 (왼쪽부터: 지부장, Irene, Elizabeth)

저 역시 작은 교류를 했습니다. 마침 같이 가는 친구들과 이야기를 나눴는데, 이들도 다 다른 지역에서 온 친구들이었습니다. 사진 중간에 있는 Irene Vargas 는 페루에서 왔으며, 오른쪽에 있는 Elizabeth Konopacki 는 시카고에서 온 폴란드계 사람이었습니다. 제각각 언어와 문화를 소개하며 서로를 알아갔습니다. 

순례길 위에서 셀카 한장 (왼쪽 두분은 가톨릭 단체 단장. 오른쪽은 Irene)

존스 홉킨스 가톨릭 그룹 단체 사진 (팔을 높이 치켜 든 분이 접니다 ㅎㅎ)

물론 우리 청문단은 교황님처럼 세계 각국을 돌아다니며 전파하지는 않겠지만, 그 분 처럼 세계를 하나로 만들어가는 일을 하고 있지요. 지금도 계속 한국에 찾아오는 외국 손님들을 맞이하고 우리나라의 문화를 알리고 또 손님들의 문화를 배우며 조화를 이루고 하나가 되고 있습니다. 교황님의 카리스마와 매력에 모여 하나가 되어 하느님을 찬양하는 민족들처럼, 청문단도 한국의 매력을 보이며 외국 손님들을 환영하고 하나로 모아 세계화를 이루어내는 것이 어떨까요?  

교황님과 셀카!!!! (는 훼이크)

창조주의 은총을 받은 교황님 한 분으로 이 날 여러 문화와 인종이 하나가 되었습니다. 청문단원들에게 교황님도 세계화를 보여주는 롤 모델이라고 불릴 수 있겠지요?

젊은이들이여! 하느님이 선물로 주신 재능과 능력을 숨기지 마십시오! 더 위대한 꿈을 가지십시오!

                                                                                                      -교황 프란치스코

YCC Website (Korean): http://www.yccworld.or.kr/front_ycc/index/index.php?q=

YCC email: ycc@icworld.or.kr
YCC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ycc.officials
YCC (Baltimore): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Cultural-Corps-Baltimore-Branch/883939185035654?fref=ts
HQ Adress: Jongro-gu Bukchon-ro, 137-13, Seoul (Samcheong-dong 27-26)
(Adress in Korean: 서울 종로구 북촌로 137-13 (삼청동 27-26) 
Phone Number: 02-3210-3264

Introducing New Logo and Its Creator

This morning, I received an exciting message from a YCC student. Along with the words "Grab it when it is still hottttt!!!", she sent me a beautiful picture of words in the style of Korean calligraphy, written by her!

The calligraphy above is written: "Youth Cultural Corps Baltimore Branch"
Next to the calligraphy is a stamp that she personally created to prove it is her work.

Allow me to introduce the creator of this new logo.

This is Bomin Song, a student attending Seoul National University Girls' Middle School. She is part of the Youth Cultural Corps, working as a tour guide and offering free tours to foreign visitors in historical sites (currently, she works at Deok-su Palace). She dreams of becoming a writer, which motivated her to become an expert calligrapher too. She is poetic and loves to write poems with her Korean brush.
Not just poems, but even writing in general.

She also has her pen name 백호랑이 (meaning "White Tiger"), which is stamped in red next to work.

"Even this time will pass away" (Bomin Song, 2015)

Earlier in the summer, I met her working at Deok-su Palace while I was visiting and leading YCC students around the historical sites of Seoul. Her last name "Song" got my attention, since that was my mother's surname. I guess I might have felt a familial connection. After adding her on Facebook, I saw photos of her calligraphic writings uploaded by herself on her timeline. And I'll be honest: I was flabbergasted by such skill and creativity. One may expect such old-fashioned writing styles to come from an elder or some old person, but these were works of a young student.

"Don't be greedy, child" (Bomin Song, 2015)

Calligraphy is foreign to many westerners, so it is even intriguing. As I created the blog and Facebook page for the YCC Baltimore Branch, I felt that there should be a good logo that captures the eyes of foreign visitors. Right away I knew that calligraphy would do the trick. And I knew who to call.

After contacting her, Bomin sent me a first copy of her calligraphic work.

It was written: "Youth Baltimore Branch". She forgot that it was suppose to be written as "Youth Cultural Corps" instead of just "youth". Regardless, it was beautiful and eye-capturing, so I kept it for records.

In exchange, I promised to buy her a meal for her and her group of YCC tour guides, and a bag of Salt & Vinegar potato chips.

A few days later, which was today, she sent me her second copy. And I LOVED it.

I purposely asked her to also add in her pen name stamp, since I felt that it was best to honor her work by crediting her. Also, the stamp was a good representation of how Korean traditional stamps looked like.

I tried to make the logo myself, and ultimately failed to the point that even my grandmother (a skilled calligrapher herself) would be disappointed and would consider disowning me.

But I'm glad that Bomin was willing to help me out and create the logo herself, despite her busy schedule as a student in Korea. I really can't thank her enough.

Now, YCC Baltimore Branch has its new, official logo! Hurrah!

Bomin, if you're reading this: Thank you thank you so much for this awesome new logo! I am honored that you wrote this for me, and the YCC Baltimore Branch will cherish this logo forever. I'll be sure to show you my gratitude once I return to Korea-hopefully in the winter-with a nice hot meal and bags of salt & vinegar potato chips ;)








YCC Website (Korean): http://www.yccworld.or.kr/front_ycc/index/index.php?q=
YCC email: ycc@icworld.or.kr
YCC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ycc.officials
YCC (Baltimore): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Cultural-Corps-Baltimore-Branch/883939185035654?fref=ts
HQ Adress: Jongro-gu Bukchon-ro, 137-13, Seoul (Samcheong-dong 27-26)
(Adress in Korean: 서울 종로구 북촌로 137-13 (삼청동 27-26) 
Phone Number: 02-3210-3264

Korean Traditional Instruments (featuring Uptown Funk performed with traditional instruments)

Uniqueness in a country's culture can be found in various aspects. One of the notable aspects is music. The tunes, the instruments, the vocals...all of them create that unique aspect of culture through music.

Korea has its own form of music, which is known as "Guk-ak". It is basically Korean Traditional Music. The music normally contained instrumental, folk, or ritual chants.

Take a look at this performance, performed by the Korean National Gukak Center. The music performed is called "Sujaecheon" (수제천), normally played in a royal court.

To those who first listen to Korean traditional music, it may feel peculiar and awkward; however, listen to it carefully, and you could probably feel the majestic royal court of Korea with the king walking down the aisle, followed by his royal officers and guards.

This is one of the examples of more traditional Korean music. Some even take traditional instruments and play modernized music too.

Here is one example:

This is performed by Sorea, a famous Korean traditional fusion band group. The music is the well-known "Maps" by Maroon 5.

I'm not quite a "Guk-ak" expert myself, but I play some of the Korean traditional instruments too.

This next video was performed using Korean traditional instruments by myself, with the famous hit "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson (Don't worry, I didn't sing, since I'm a horrible singer - failed a cappella auditions twice)

(Please note that the picture in the video is humorously anachronistic)

There were three instruments I used that were traditional: Taepyongso, Kayageum, and Danso.

The Taepyongso (태평소) is a trumpet-like instrument, with a reed resembling to that of an oboe. In this song, it slightly sounded like a saxophone. This instrument came into Korea through trade around the Goryeo dynasty, probably from the Middle East. The instrument was modified and changed into what it looks like today. It has a loud sound, and is normally used during royal processions and sometimes for folk.

The Kayageum (가야금) is a string instrument, played by plucking the strings with one's fingers. It is part of the long zither instrument family in East Asia. This instrument was created by Woo-reuk, who was ordered by the king to do so around the 6th century. The sound is soft and calm, and is loved by many Koreans today. It was also used in court and even folk music.

And finally, the Danso (단소). Danso is a wind instrument made normally from bamboo. Although it is positioned as if one is playing a clarinet during performance, the lips are positioned as if playing the flute. That probably explains why it has that flute-like sound.
It is unknown when it was created, with apocryphal beliefs that it derived from China.

If you're ever interested in learning more about Korean traditional music, let me know and I'd be happy to give you more sources and info. :)




YCC Website (Korean): http://www.yccworld.or.kr/front_ycc/index/index.php?q=
YCC email: ycc@icworld.or.kr
YCC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ycc.officials
YCC (Baltimore): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Cultural-Corps-Baltimore-Branch/883939185035654?fref=ts
HQ Adress: Jongro-gu Bukchon-ro, 137-13, Seoul (Samcheong-dong 27-26)
(Adress in Korean: 서울 종로구 북촌로 137-13 (삼청동 27-26) 
Phone Number: 02-3210-3264

A Warm Welcome and Introduction

A Warm Welcome

Hi, my name is Brian Hyunjun Kim, director of the Youth Cultural Corps branch in Baltimore, Maryland. I'm a college student, majoring in history, and attending Johns Hopkins University, Class of 2018. I sincerely welcome you to my humble blog.

Youth Cultural Corps is an organization based in South Korea, aiming to offer free English tours in Korean historical sites for foreign guests from all across the world. The tours are led by young students, from elementary to high school, who are fluent in English and are passionate about Korean history. Not only do students aim to explain historical sites in English, but also they aim to form global relations with their guests. It is essential for people around the world to interact and exchange with foreign cultures, and YCC is hoping to promote it.

Ms. Jung-hee Yoo (Founder of YCC)

Basically, we hope to promote Korea to the globalizing world and show foreigners the beauty of Korean history and culture. We always welcome foreign visitors (and you too!), and are more than excited to meet and greet.

If you are interested in visiting historical sites in Seoul, South Korea, we would be more than happy to offer you a free tour (literally, it is free with the exception of the entrance fee for certain sites)

Here are two ways you may get in contact with us.

One, you may send an email to ici@icworld.or.kr and ask for a free tour reservation.
Or you may send me an email at colorado96@naver.com and I can hook you up with the organization and help you with the reservation.

Two, you may simply visit these historical sites and look for young students in orange shirts. Either you find them, or they'll find you and approach you to offer a free tour. Then you're good to go!

Just to note, we currently offer services in these historical sites below:
-Gyeongbok Palace (경복궁)
-Namsan Traditional Village (남산한옥 마을)
-Seodaemun Prison Museum (서대문 형무소 박물관)
-Deoksu Palace (덕수궁)
-Seoul Education Museum (서울 교육박물관)
-Royal Tomb Museum (조선왕릉 박물관)
-Changdeok Palace (창덕궁)

(We are hoping to expand in areas of service)

In time, I will be uploading more blogposts about these areas with photos, in case you wish for more info. Stay tuned!

Thank you!

YCC Website (Korean): http://www.yccworld.or.kr/front_ycc/index/index.php?q=
YCC email: ycc@icworld.or.kr
YCC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ycc.officials
YCC (Baltimore): https://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-Cultural-Corps-Baltimore-Branch/883939185035654?fref=ts
HQ Adress: Jongro-gu Bukchon-ro, 137-13, Seoul (Samcheong-dong 27-26)
(Adress in Korean: 서울 종로구 북촌로 137-13 (삼청동 27-26) 
Phone Number: 02-3210-3264