If you don't know anything about Korean history, or if you're looking for basic things you need to know about Korean history, read this article to the end!
1. Korean History: Hangeul & King Sejong the Great
Before the advent of Hangeul, even King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty was using characters borrowed from China today, not Hangeul, that is, Chinese characters. However, it was not easy to learn Chinese characters because the number of characters was too large and the people of that time were poor. So at that time, people who knew Chinese characters were usually nobles or nobles. However, King Sejong the Great thought of the people and created the Korean alphabet called Hangeul for the people. However, making Hangeul was not an easy choice. The first reason is that if Hangeul is created, not only the nobles but also the common people can now know Hangeul, so the nobles who learned this fact did not like it. Also, since only Chinese characters were used until the time of King Sejong the Great, it was difficult to use Hangeul suddenly because there are now words that take their place in the language. However, King Sejong the Great made a book called Hunminjeongeum in 1443. This book was a book containing explanations and research on Hangeul. In 1446 Hangeul was now officially commented upon. King Sejong the Great named Hangeul 'Hunminjeongeum', but it was called various names such as 'Jeongeum', 'Eonmun', 'Eonja', 'Eonseo', and 'Gukmun'. Eonmun means easy letters written by the people, and it has the meaning of lowering its value. Also, Hunminjeongeum means the right sound to teach the people. I gradually started to use Hangeul like this, and thanks to King Sejong, I was able to learn Hangeul as a foreigner hahaha
2. Korean History: Goryeo Celadon
Goryeo celadon refers to the bluish-colored porcelain made during the Goryeo Dynasty. China was the first country to make celadon, but in Korea, it is said that they started making celadon from the Three Kingdoms period. The characteristics of the celadon of the Goryeo Dynasty are that it was made of celadon tomo, and it was baked at a temperature as high as 1200 degrees after applying a glaze on the surface. Goryeo celadon comes in a variety of colors and shapes. On the other hand, celadon was not only used as vessels such as kettles and bottles. It is said that pillows and chairs were also made and used, and Goryeo Uijong made and used roof tiles with celadon when he made a celadon called Yangjeong. The blue color of Goryeo celadon is really different and special from other celadon.
3. Korean History: Hwarangdo
Hwarangdo is a Hwarang system created by King Jinheung during the Silla Dynasty. Hwarang means a man as beautiful as a flower. The Hwarang system mainly selected handsome young people from among the children of nobles and had them live and train as a group. Although the Hwarangs were few in number, they also went to the battlefield when there was a shortage of soldiers in the war. It is known that Hwarang kept the five precepts, which are mainly called the Five World Precepts.
Sagunyichung [事君以忠]: Serve the king with loyalty, that is, protect the king.
Sachinihyo [事親以孝]: Serve your parents with filial piety; It means getting to know your parents well.
Gyowooisin [交友以信]: make friends by faith; It means making friends you can trust.
[臨施無退]: To fight without retreating, that is, to fight without fear when war breaks out.
Salsaengyutaek [殺生有擇]: When you kill a living thing, there is a cover. In other words, when you kill a living thing, it means to know what to kill and what not to kill.
Of course, it's okay if you don't know these three things, but you'll be very happy if I tell you that I learned these things from Koreans in everyday life. And it is important and good information to know in Korean history.
