Soo Kim - How to Live Korean

Whats in a name? An incredible ancient history in the case of Korea, whose past is permanently etched into its name. The term Korea stems from the name Kogury (also spelled Goguryeo), one of the earliest kingdoms of Korea, which later evolved to become Kory (or Goryeo).

Life on the Korean peninsula can be traced as far back as the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages. Several excavated sites across the peninsula today indicate that the earliest inhabitants used tools made from animal horns to hunt during the Paleolithic period, while from around 8,000 BC, the use of more polished stone tools and farming began. These were the most primitive beginnings of a region that would later be ruled by kingdoms.

While these early clans formed the peninsulas first settlements, its distinctly Korean cultural roots were planted in the first century with the founding of the Three Kingdoms the Kogury kingdom in the north around 37 BC and two other kingdoms in the south (Baekjae in the southwest and Silla in the southeast, which formed around 18 BC and 57 BC respectively).

After Baekjae and Kogury were conquered by Silla, the peninsula was ruled under a Unified Silla kingdom from 668 AD. It was the first kingdom that brought the peninsula under a unified rule, until around 698 AD when the Balhae kingdom was founded and began ruling the north of the peninsula and parts of Manchuria.

The Unified Silla period was an extensive period of growth for the arts in the peninsula. Having maintained close ties with the Tang Dynasty of China (618907 AD), the country drew much from Chinese culture, including Chinese Buddhism which had a significant influence on Korean culture, especially in architecture, during the Silla period.

The oldest Buddhist stones, carvings, temples and tombs in South Korea, including the Bulguksa Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) as well as the Hwangnyongsa Temple and the Bunhwangsa Temple in the city of Gyeongju, are from the Silla period and showcase the architecture of the era.

Statue of King Seongjong, the sixth ruler of the Kory kingdom, in Seoul.

Confucianism

This ancient school of thought is associated with the teachings of Chinese philosopher Confucius (the Latin form of the Mandarin Chinese name Kng Fz), who lived from 551 to 479 BC. It was established as Chinas official state ideology during the Han Dynasty (206 BC to 220 AD).

Humanism, the development of the self, both individually and collectively in society, forms the heart of Confucianism. Confucius was a strong believer in whats known as the Golden Rule, which states: Do not do unto others what you do not want done to yourself. This concept of reciprocity and moral obligation is fundamental to Confucian beliefs.

Confucianism focuses on practicality rather than spirituality, and self-actualisation through rituals and relationships in everyday life rather than questions of existentialism, gods and the afterlife. It teaches that harmony and social order are maintained when people fulfill defined social and ethical roles, be it through devotion to their parents or loyalty to the government and other acts.

Confuciuss teachings were outlined in a collection of scriptures known as the Chinese classics, which include the Five Classics and Four Books. These scriptures contained the roots of some of the enduring principles of Korean culture, including filial piety (a virtue of utmost respect for your parents, elders as well as rulers), which formed the core of Confucian beliefs.