Korea, as told by a Korean
I grew up with these stories — the history, the myths, the places most people never find. This is my way of sharing them
What I Write About
History, myths, language, and the places in between. Told by someone who actually grew up in Korea
There’s a side of Korea that doesn’t make it into guidebooks. That’s what this is about
What Does Gungnyul Mean? Korea’s Unwritten National Rule, Explained
What does gungnyul mean? It’s the kind of word you pick up fast if you spend any time around Koreans, usually somewhere between someone shouting “beer is gungnyul!” over fried chicken and you nodding along without fully understanding why that’s a rule at all. My friends still say it constantly. Order chicken, and someone will…
Why Are There So Many Kims in Korea? A Korean Explains a Very Literal Proverb
Why are there so many Kims in Korea? It’s one of those questions that people notice long before they ever look up the answer — usually somewhere between watching a K-drama and wondering how three different characters ended up with the same last name. Ask someone who grew up here, though, and you’ll probably get…
Gisaeng vs Geisha: The Woman Behind Korea’s Most Misunderstood Title
Gisaeng vs geisha — it’s one of the most common comparisons made about Korean history, and it shows up everywhere from travel blogs to K-drama forums. Call a gisaeng a “Korean geisha” and you’ll usually get a polite nod. Say it to someone who actually studied Korean history, and you might get a correction you…
See what catches your eye
Begin with what draws you in: a forgotten story, a local saying, a hidden place, or a piece of Korean history.
