South Korea

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (Hangul: ????, Daehan Minguk {{audio|ko-Daehan_Minguk.ogg|listen}};), is a country located in East Asia, in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula. It is commonly called Hanguk (Han Nation) or Namhan (South Han) by South Koreans and Namjos?n (South Chos?n) by North Korea.

Culture

Main articles: Culture of Korea, Contemporary culture of South Korea

Related Topics:
Culture of Korea - Contemporary culture of South Korea

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Korean cultural development is generally divided into periods coinciding with political development: the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C. - 668 A.D.), the Unified Silla dynasty (668-935), the Koryo dynasty (918-1392), the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), and the modern period (1910-present). South Korea shares its traditional culture with that of North Korea, but the two Koreas have developed distinct contemporary forms of culture since its division into two separate states.

Related Topics:
Three Kingdoms period - 57 B.C. - 668 - Unified Silla dynasty - 935 - Koryo dynasty - 918 - 1392 - Joseon dynasty - 1910 - North Korea

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Historically, Korea was strongly influenced by Chinese culture and acted as a conduit of culture from China to Japan. Koreans adapted many Chinese art forms with innovation and skill, creating distinctively Korean forms. For many centuries, metalwork, sculpture, painting, and ceramics flourished throughout the Korean peninsula. Buddhism provided one of the most significant sources for artistic expression. Confucianism, also prominent, emphasized the importance of literature and calligraphy, as well as portrait and landscape painting.

Related Topics:
Korean peninsula - Buddhism - Confucianism - Calligraphy

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Western influence began to dominate Korean society in the late 1800s, when Korea opened itself to the Western world. During the Japanese colonial rule, indigenous traditions were sometimes violently suppressed. Since then, however, Koreans have made a concerted effort to keep their cultural traditions alive. The South Korean government actively encourages the traditional arts, as well as modern forms, through funding and education programs as well as sponsorship of an annual national competitive exhibition.

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Many great scholars and philosophers lived in Korea, but are not well known to outsiders due to the country's early isolationism. One example is King Sejong the Great, who invented the world's first rain gauge and water clock.

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Despite China's historical influence on Korean culture, the roles are reversed today, with an increased Korean influence in China in terms of popular music, fashion and television drama. In recent years, Korean pop culture has gained massive popularity in many parts of Asia, earning the name Hallyu or "Korean Wave". Korean pop culture has also made way into Japan, with Korean singers like BoA,Bi, Dong Bang Shin Gi, Se7en, Seo Tae-Ji and many more. Television drama such as Winter Sonata and Super Rookie is gaining massive popularity there. Many have viewed the popularity of Korean pop culture in Japan as a path to reconciliation between the two countries.

Related Topics:
BoA - Bi - Dong Bang Shin Gi - Se7en - Seo Tae-Ji - Winter Sonata - Super Rookie

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South Korea today, with government facilitation, has the highest penetration of high-speed internet access to households in the world. Its infatuation with technology, including feature-rich cell phones and online gaming, has become a part of its modern culture.

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See also: List of Koreans, Korean cuisine, Taekwondo, Music of Korea, Korean painting, Korean dance, Korean ceramics

Related Topics:
List of Koreans - Korean cuisine - Taekwondo - Music of Korea - Korean painting - Korean dance - Korean ceramics

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