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
Korea Gold Collecting Campaign: Why Millions Handed In Gold
Imagine it’s the winter after the 2008 crash. And instead of waiting for Washington to fix it, millions of Americans line up outside their banks — holding wedding rings, class rings, old trophies, and their grandmother’s jewelry box — to hand the gold over so the country can pay its debts. That never happened in…
Princess Bari: The Abandoned Daughter Who Guides the Dead
In Korea, there is a goddess who guides the souls of the dead. Her name is Princess Bari, and it is usually said to mean “the one who was thrown away.” Because on the day she was born, that is exactly what her father did. Years later, she went to the land of the dead…
Gapjil: Why Korea Needed a Word for Power Trips
If you’ve ever worked a job in customer service, you’ve probably met this person. They don’t like your answer. They lean over the counter. And they say something like, “Do you know who I am? I’m the customer here.” In Korea, almost every young person who has worked a part-time job has met them too….
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.
