[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

Published on 2015/12/12

Learn more about Korean historical dramas through a new online course, the Eat Your Kimchi bloggers talk straight about the Korean drama industry, find out what names you don't want translated into Korean, and what is Christmas culture like in Korea?

"Issues with the Korean Drama Industry"

The Eat Your Kimchi crew turn their attention to Korea's drama industry and finally talk straight about its 'dark side': "Since we've just about stopped working with Korean production companies, we have done some work with film crews from other countries, and we've also spoken with friends that work in the industry in countries that we haven't worked with. All of them are appalled by Korea's work conditions. And though that doesn't make their country's tv industry shining beacons of integrity and ethics, I think we can all acknowledge that the Korean Drama industry is sick and ethically bankrupt. I don't want to support it anymore".

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"Online Course: Korean Historical Dramas"

If you follow Korean cinema and dramas you would have noticed just how popular Joseon-era stories have become in recent years. Some of the country's top films and shows have taken inspiration from the past and spun new tales to suit modern audiences. But if you really want to get clued up on this phenomenon, there is an online course you can take called "Korean Historical TV-dramas or Sageug" that "discusses the traits of female characters as well as general features of Korean history, culture, art, aesthetics, thought, customs, and people".

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"10 Foreign Names You Don't Want in Korea"

You may have asked a Korean friend (or tried yourself) to write your name in Korea; some names translate, but if your name is Jim, Angie, Alexa, Jill or Bob, you may want to reconsider that request and save a little face: "There's plenty of English and foreign names that might inspire you to go by your middle name or adopt an alias while visiting the Land of the Morning Calm".

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"Korean Christmas Traditions"

People celebrate Christmas in different ways, and if you're spending time in Korea over the festive season, it would be good to know how, if at all, Korea's approach Christmas differently: "Christmas is a relatively new and subdued holiday in East Asia, but there are several Korean Christmas traditions that have grown from Western Christian influences and are now popular during this winter celebration".

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