WRITER – SRUSHTI MAHATME
EDITOR – ARPITA JENA
The lifestyle of Korea is a perfect blend of traditional value and modern customs and practices as well as deeply influenced by cultural legacy and speedy sprawl. They also value the Confucian religion which accentuate respect for elders, age, and seniority, linger to shape social interactions and family structures, although their impact has waned slightly with time. Have you ever wondered – why every time in K-drama the students or family or colleagues usually had dinner plans? Because, Food plays a significant role in Korean culture, with traditional dishes like kimchi, bibimbap, and bulgogi being staples. So, they often engage in communal events such as family style dinning, where meals are shared among all participants. Followed by the banchan and this practice of sharing food fosters a sense of togetherness.
What are Banchan? Banchan is an integral part of Korean meals. Banchan are not only served as side dish but it embraces significant historical value. It is deeply rooted with its origin from era of 3 kingdoms (57 BC – 668 AD). When the consumption of meat was discouraged due to Buddhist influences, vegetable-based dishes like banchan gained popularity, paving the way for their rise.
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1. Rabokki (라보키), refers to the combination of ramyun (라면) (Korean-style ramen) with tteokbokki (떡볶이) (rice cakes). 2. Pimake(피맥), refers to the combination of pizza(피자) with beer(맥주) 3. Another popular combination chimaek (치맥) which combines fried chicken (치킨) with beer (맥주). As we discuss some famous and innovative dish combinations that are enjoyed by both the young and the old, it’s clear that these dishes are also playing a role in spreading modern culture throughout the country. How has Korean fashion evolved from its heritage to the current K-pop influenced trends in daily life?
A timeless symbol of Korean heritage: The Korea’s culture reflects in its fashion, with the traditional outfit followed by hanbok. Being worn on special occasions, while western clothes into daily life. There is distinct difference between men’s and women’s wearing style. For men, hanbok consists of a Jeogori (a jacket-like upper garment) and Baji (trousers), whereas for women, it consists of a Jeogori (a jacket-like upper garment) and Chima (a long skirt). The hanbok size, design and colour also vary by genders. Like women’s jeogori is short highlighting with a different coloured fabric for the strings used to tie the overlying panels, known as Goreum and has more voluminous skirts, came with variant colours especially for those of higher rank, whereas men’s hanbok is characterized by loosefitting trousers and tends to be more subdued in colour. Also, for women’s hanbok includes various types of vests, jackets, and coats, such as Jangsam, Dansam, and Wonsam, whereas men’s hanbok includes Durumagi, Dopo, and other types of outerwear. This way difference of hanbok reflects social standards of the time. While women’s hanbok highlighting modesty and men’s focusing on practicality and ease of movement. The popularity of K-pop as further influenced the lifestyle, making it a global cultural phenomenon.
The Global Phenomenon: How K-pop Conquered the world
K-Pop has become a global phenomenon by captivating their audiences worldwide with their catchy music, stunning visuals, and highly produced performances. Along with that, they also showcase their traditional arts such as mask dance and local folklore, which reflects the rich cultural heritage of the country. From it’s beginning in Korea to the recent global fame, it has evolved by encompassing boundaries and language barriers.
Let’s examine some key factors contributing to K-POP:
1. Social media: Digital platforms such as instagram, Youtube or Weverse has helped to spread the global k-pop influence to every corner of the world, which is easily sharable & accessed.
2. Highly Produced Music Videos [MV]: K-Pop groups devote heavily in MV production, creating visually stunning and engaging content that appeals to a wide audience.
3. Global Collaborations: K-Pop groups have collaborated with international artists, producers, and choreographers, further increasing their worldwide range and support base.
4. Fan Engagement: K-Pop fans, known as “STANS,” are passionate and devoted, driving the global popularity of K-Pop through their enthusiasm and support. For example, BTS band has the largest fanbase in the world with over 100 millions supporters worldwide.
Furthermore, the city offers vibrant nightlife with varieties of shopping option follows with street entertainment dances. While if we talk about natural landscapes the city is surrounded by numerous mountains, offering opportunities for hiking and trekking to experience the country’s natural beauty up close. The country is well known for its education technology with their strong ethic and culture often prioritizes academic achievement at a young age. If we look towards safety of country no doubt- it is the country with low crime rate and widespread uses of CCTV, where people are feeling safe to leave their belongings unattended in public places. Overall, the lifestyle in South Korea is a dynamic mix of tradition and modernity, offering a unique blend of cultural richness and contemporary convenience.
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