Korea traditional games part 2

Let's continue on our games this week~ What will we going to play? Hmm, let us start with.....

Tuho 투호

It is a game of the players try to cast the arrows into a narrow-necked jar. It is a form of entertainment for aristocrats in royal court yards and noblemen’s residences, but today it's played by people from all walks of life. The score is determined by counting the number of arrows collected in the jar. It looks easy, but the hole is quite small and to throw the arrows accurately to make it go into the hole is not as easy as it seems, for it requires good concentration and patience.

Jegichagi 제기차기

Jegichagi is an outdoor-game usually played among young boys. It can be played alone or with friends. Jegi looks like a shuttle-cock in a badminton game and is made of an old coin and hanji, traditional Korean paper. The player kicks a jegi up in the air and has to keep on kicking it to prevent from falling to the ground. A player usually uses one foot to kick the jegi up, but they can switch feet, too. In an one-to-one game, a player with the most number of consecutive kicks wins. In a group game, the players stand in a circle, and take turns kicking the Jegi. Players who fail to kick the Jegi upon receiving it and let it drop to the ground lose. As a penalty, the loser tosses the Jegi at the winner so that he can kick it as he wishes. When the loser catches the Jegi back with his hands, the penalty ends and he can rejoin the game.

Baduk 바둑

This games is said that origin from China and come over to Korea during fifth century.Two persons are required to play this game. They alternately placing black and white stones on the vacant intersections of a line grid. The standard size of this grid is 19 × 19. The objective of the game is to control a larger part of the board than the opponent. To achieve this, players strive to place their stones in such a way that they cannot be captured, while mapping out territories that cannot be invaded by the opponent without being captured.

Gonggi  공기

This game is played using 5 or more small grape-sized colorful pebbles. This game requires hand-eye coordination, quickness, planning skills and patience. 

Number of players: 1 or more 
How to play. There are five levels for this game. 
Step 1 The first level you toss down the fives pieces on the ground. So that they are in front of you randomly. 
Step 2 Then you select one (piece A) to be the one piece that you toss into the air. You only use one hand for this game. 
Step 3 As you toss piece A into the air you pick up one of the other pieces with the same hand, as piece A is still in the air. 
Step 4 Then catch piece A before it hits the ground while you have the other piece you just picked up in your hand. * modifying to make it more difficult/easier: To make it more difficult keep all of the pieces in your hand as you try to pick up each of the pieces one by one. For beginners after you pick up a piece you put it on the side and then go for the next one.

 

Step 5 When you have all five pieces in the palm of your hand you toss them and flip your hand over to try to get them to all land on the back of your hand. 
Step 6 After it is on the back of your hand you toss them again and try to catch them in your palm. The number of pieces you catch is the number of points you get. Step 7 The second level you need to pick up two pieces as piece A is in the air instead of one. And then repeat steps 3-6 
Step 8 Third level you pick up three pieces and then one or vice versa it does not matter. Then repeat steps 3-6 
Step 9 Fourth level you pick up four pieces and then repeat steps 3-6 Other rules: - You are not allowed to move the pieces on the ground to group them up or make them easier to pick up - you are not suppose to touch any of the other pieces on the ground other than the one you are trying to pick up - when the pieces are on the back of your hand you are not allowed to adjust them to make it easier to catch back into your palm.

Although it looks like game for children, but young age also love this game too~

So, hope you will gain some ideas on playing folk  games from Korea. Next time, invite friends to play and have some fun~ :D









sources from: http://koreajjang.com/2010/05/15/korea-traditional-games/

                    http://visitasiaguide.com/visit-korea/korean-folk-games.htm

                    http://mymariamargareta.blogspot.com/2012/01/korean-folk-games.html

                    http://news.mofat.go.kr/enewspaper/articleview.php?
                             master=&aid=1743&ssid=23&mvid=626

by JY

Korea traditional games part 1

Nowadays, kids are playing electronic games more than traditional games, for me, I would like to play traditional  games rather than computer games or programmed games~^_^  Let us see what are the traditional games play by Korean. 

Yeon Naligi (Kite flying) 연날리기

Kite flying is a square shaped  and well-wishing symbols are written on  yeon (kite) made by putting bamboo sticks on a changhoji paper cross ways and sewing them down.   It is sent up into the sky as far as the attached string will go,   the string is cut. Koreans used to make wishes for health and happiness for the New Year as a part of yeonnalligi. You can also play games with yeonnalligi by competing to see who can cut the other’s yeon string first. The Pangp'aeyon (shield kite) and Kaoriyon (stingray kite) are just two of the many different types of kites. Kite-flying is very popular when it comes on traditional holidays such as Lunar New Year's Day or other folk festival days.

Paengi-chigi (Top-spinning)파엔기치기

Top-spinning is one of the favorite sports of boys played either indoors or outdoors, this game offers a diversion from the heat of summer and the cold boredom of winter storms. 
The frozen rice paddies or ponds offer the best place to spin the top.

Tops were originally round pieces of wood that had been sharpened to a point at one end. A string was wrapped around and yanked to set the top spinning. Many games are played with tops. In one such game, a mark is made and the first person who can spin their top around the mark and back to its original position is the winner. In another game, each player tries to knock down the opponent's top in a game of "fighting tops".

Yutnori 윷놀이

It is a stick-throwing board game, which is believed to have its roots in divination rituals practiced by farmers in the 5th century. Now it is considered as the most popular traditional game.
It is played with four bamboo sticks — round on one side and flat on the other. First, the sticks are thrown on the ground, and you move your game piece according to the number that comes up (The combination of flat and round sides in each throw determines the number of spaces one can move on a board marked with 29 spaces). All four sticks are thrown together, and your game piece must cross the finish line to win.

Neoltwiggi 널뛰기

Neoltwiggi is a girls' jumping game played on boards that look like western seesaws. First,  place a rolled-up straw mat under a long board called a “neol”. One girl stands at the edge of the seesaw, and the other one stands at the other side. Each jumps in turn, and when one comes down, the other is launched into the air. The object of the game is to see who can jump higher.  This game originated from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) when women, especially young girls, were confined to their homes. Folklore says the game developed out of the women’s desire to catch a fleeting glimpse of men passing outside their homes’ walls. New Year’s Day used to be the only time of year that girls could see over the courtyard walls. Thus the see-saw became a sport of love instead of physical exercise.

Go-Stop (고스톱)

This is also probably the famous game you often see in Korean dramas, where famiy members sit down together making noises of card being slapped to the cloth (they even have special blanket lookalike for this game). It is called hwatu (화투) in Korean. There are two or three players at a time for this game. The general point of this game is to score points, usually three or seven, and then call a “Go” or a “Stop.” When a “Go” is called, the game continues, and the amount of points or money is first increased, and then doubled, tripled, quadrupled and so on. When a “Stop” is called, the game ends and the winner collects their winnings.

Wants to know more, remember to follow our blog for Korea traditional games part 2~ XD

by : JY

2012, Year of the Black Dragon

One of the attractions of life in Korea for many of us is the two New Years we get to celebrate. Korea has two calendar systems, one governed by the Sun and one governed by the Moon, and each of them has its own year-end holiday. Marking the Year of the Black Dragon, this year’s New Year begins on Monday, January 23. The Korean Lunar New Year, called “Seollal” or “Gujeong,” usually falls on the second new moon after winter solstice. Seollal is Korea’s largest holiday. 

The dragon, a legendary beast that is comprised of a combination of many animals including a snake, carp and tiger, is considered one of the most holy creatures - it is customary for people to buy lottery tickets after they have dreams about dragons.

This year is considered especially lucky, as it will be the Year of the Black Dragon, an event that occurs only every 60 years. Although the Year of the Dragon occurs every twelve years, only every fifth occurrence is the Black Dragon, making a sexagenary cycle. Korean people consider the Year of the Black Dragon to be a year of luck and good fortune, believing the Black Dragon ascends to Heaven at the end of its life. The last Year of the Black Dragon was from January 27, 1952 to February 13, 1953.

Besides being a favorite subject for literature and art, the dragon can also be found as a motif in many aspects of traditional Korean culture: architecture, furniture, clothing, ornaments and jewelry, and various household items. Also, many Buddhist temples are adorned with the dragon as it is said that nine dragons poured perfume from the heavens upon Buddha’s birth. Dragons hold a cintamani in their mouths – the magical jewel representing Buddha’s virtue – which can grant your every wish.

Everything related to the king had a dragon reference such as “dragon face” (용안), “dragon coat” (용포), “dragon seat” (용좌), with dragon engraved in the king’s royal seal. Also, the first work to be written in the Korean alphabet Hangeul was Yongbieochonga (용비어천가), “Song of the Dragons Flying to the Heavens”, praising the achievements of the forefathers of the Joseon Dynasty. A traditional funeral carriage is adorned with a dragon to escort the deceased to the other world. Dreaming of a dragon is the luckiest dream that can ever be, and expressions that equal the dragon with that of excellence and greatness are still used today.

The presence of the Black Dragon is making itself known in Korean society in many ways. The birth rate is expected to rise, as parents will want their children to be born in such an auspicious year. Department stores are selling baby products decorated with the Black Dragon. People born in previous Years of the Dragon can receive discounts at a variety of businesses.


Dragon Years are about important changes. As it is the presidential election year in Korea, there is no doubt that it will be. To learn more about what the dragon means in Korea, a visit to the National Folk Museum of Korea is highly recommended.

For more information :http://www.korea4expats.com/news-year-of-the-dragon-korea-2012.html

                                   http://blog.korea.net/?p=6629

Have a very Happy Black Dragon New Year!

                                                                                                                             Posted by XY

Interesting Facts About Korean Schools

1. Kindergarten is not mandatory, therefore if a student goes to one they are private schools

2. Kindergarten is for kids aged 5-7

3. Elementary school students go to school for only about 5 hours a day

4. Although elementary school doesn’t have long hours, a high number of students go to “academies” after school (like the one I teach at). There are Math, English, Science academies, but if a student goes to piano lessons daily they call that an academy as well.

5. Some parents (like my principal) send their kids to a number of “academies.” My prinicipal’s son goes to SEVEN: English, Math, Science, Essay Writing, Piano, ‘All Subjects,’ and Chinese Calligraphy. The total cost for this is $1,700 per month. His hours are generally 7:30am-10pm and on Saturdays he has about 5 hours worth of school. I’m not kidding. What a tough life.

6. English is required to be taught in elementary schools from the age of 10

7. It’s not out of the ordinary for students to be physically punished if they act up or don’t do homework.

A brand new year~ 환영 2012~

Children doing 새배절

During 1st Jan of each year is Sul nal (설날) or New Years Day in Korea. Normally,Korean will wish us   sehe bok mani baduseyo (새해 복 많이 받으세요). So, what does it means? Let us break this phrase down so that we can better understand this greeting.  Sehe (새해) means ‘new year’.  Bok (복) means ‘luck’.  Mani (많이) means ‘a lot’.  Baduseyo (받으세요) means ‘receive’.  Altogether if we translated this literally it means, ‘Receive a lot of luck for the New Year,’ or ‘Good luck for the New Year.’

New Years Day is called Sul (설) in Korean. On sul (설), it is also customary for Korean people to wear a hanbok (한복) or a traditional Korean outfit.  As you can see, the New Year is a time where Koreans practice many traditional rituals.  It’s also a time that many people spend with their families.

Korean children follow a tradition called sebe jul (새배절) on the morning of New Years Day.  Sebe jul (새배절) is a type of bow where you stand up and prostrate yourself with your forehead nearly touching the floor.The sebe jul (새배절) tradition goes way back in Korean history. Children perform sebe jul (새배절), adults will seh bae(a deep bow to the flow).It is supposed to be a sign of respect towards the elderly.

When children perform the bow, parents and grandparents will give their children and grandchildren some money called sebe don (새배돈) and words of wisdom.  Sebe don (새배돈) is usually handed out until the child reaches high school or college.  When the children grow up as an adults, especially if they already work, they will usually give their parents sebe don (새배돈).  So, it just like a cycle, which is reversing back and the young takes care of the old. 

The traditional new year meal is a soup of thinly sliced rice cake - TteokGuk(떡국) or variation of dumplings.Because everyone turns a year older with the start of each new year (not on their birthday), many people tell their children that they can not get older unless they have eaten some tteokguk. Some type of Duk(rice cakes,ttuk or duk) is enjoyed at every important Korean celebration, and the white rice cakes in the soup represent a clean start and new beginning for the new year.

After the meal, they will having their family time,could mean traditional outdoor games like kite-flying or noltigi.Some of them will playing Korean board games like yutnori(a board game that involves stick-tossing), younger generations playing video, sing karaoke or having a relax conversation. 

Before this end, wish you all sehe bok mani baduseyo (새해 복 많이 받으세요) or Happy New Year. ^^

TteokGuk(떡국)

Ps --To know more about this, please visit Korea tourism website : http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=941952

sources from: http://www.transparent.com/korean/sul-%EC%84%A4/ & http://koreanfood.about.com/od/holidaysandoccasions/a/NewYear_2.htm


by JY

Chase Away Winter Blues at Hot Springs in Korea

In the middle of the winter when temperatures hover below zero, there's nothing more tempting than a relaxing soak at “oncheon”, or hot springs, a popular destination for those wanting to escape the cold.

Korea is known for its numerous hot springs, which are filled with various minerals and elements such as alkaline, radium, sulfur and sodium. The mineral-rich water is supposedly good for one's health by stimulating blood circulation, combating fatigue and helps cure various skin diseases like arthritis, anemia, neuralgia (painful nerve disorder), high blood pressure and certain gastrointestinal diseases.

I would like to introduce the most popular and conveniently accessible hot springs in Korea!

Dogo Hot Springs

Dogo is the most famous hot springs area in terms of scale and facilities in Asan, South Chuncheong Province, home to the oldest hot springs in the country. It has been famous since the ancient Shilla Dynasty for its medicinal water. Legend has it that a king of the Shilla Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC-668) visited Dogo Hot Springs, said to be the oldest in Korea, to bathe his battle wounds and was able to regain his health. Starting development 200 years ago, Dogo is known for natural sulfur hot springs considered as one of the best four in Asia. They are said to be effective in treating neuralgia, skin diseases, digestive ailment, arthritis, and rheumatism.

Paradise Spa Dogo in Asan, South Chungcheong Province

Seorak Waterpia: Sokcho, Gangwon Province

•  Hot Springs with Sunrise

This is the most popular travel destinations that thanks to good-quality hot spring, water and romantic winter beach on the East Sea and fresh seafood. The city is home to Korea's largest hot spring theme park, Seorak Waterpia, at the famous Mt. Seorak. It never runs out of hot spring water as 3,000 tons of alkaline sodium bicarbonate water is pumped out from 680 m underground at 49 degrees Celsius a day. It is also one of the places where people can see the sun rise faster than anywhere else in the country. 

Outdoor hot spring in Seorak Waterpia  

A small private bath in Seorak Waterpia

Toechon Spa Green Land

Toechon Spa Green Land in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province near Seoul has over 60 pools and is an ideal location for families. It also houses an herb garden and offers various events every day such as authentic Chinese circus and a magic concert. 

Foot bath in Toechon Spa Green Land

Just a few minutes spent in these hot springs would certainly relax you and make you “feel brand new.” 

Why not try to schedule a trip to one of Korea's many hot springs? =)

Source :http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/02/04/2011020400087.html

Posted by  XY