Essay Outline
South Korea: Culture and Heritage
I. Introduction
A. Hook: Have you ever heard of Korea’s rich culture and history?
B. Specific topic description: Culture can be found everywhere in Korea from religion to pop culture.
C. Thesis: South Korean culture and heritage epitomize a rich blend of tradition, resilience, and modern adaptation.
II. The Korean War
A. Tensions and the outbreak of war
1. North Korea’s invasion of South Korea in 1950
“…Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when the Northern Korean People’s Army invaded South Korea…” (1, National Archives: Korean War)
2. United Nations forces led by General MacArthur
“…8th U.S. Army led by General Matthew B. Ridgway, retook Seoul and advanced back to the 38th parallel.” (4, National Archives: Korean War)
3. Concerns about Soviet Union and China’s involvement
B. Military strategies and turning points
1. Advances, retreats, and surprise landing at Inchon
“After the front stabilized at the Pusan perimeter, General MacArthur surprised the North Koreans in September 1950 with an amphibious landing at Inchon behind North Korean lines, forcing the North Koreans to retreat behind the 38th parallel.” (2, National Archives: Korean War)
2. Chinese forces pushing UN forces past the 38th parallel
“In late November the Chinese attacked in full strength, pushing the UNC in disarray south of the 38th parallel with the communist forces seizing the South Korean capital, Seoul.” (3, National Archives: Korean War)
C. Stalemate and armistice
1. Limited goals to avoid further escalation
2. Armistice signed in 1953, leaving a divided Korean Peninsula
“Finally, after more than two years of negotiations, the adversaries signed an armistice on July 27, 1953.” (12, Korean War)
D. Global Implications
1. Role of the United Nations
2. Significance of General MacArthur’s strategic maneuvers
3. China and the Soviet Union as potential supporters of North Korea
E. Post-war developments
1. President Truman’s decision to relieve General MacArthur
2. President Eisenhower’s efforts to end the conflict through diplomacy
III. Japanese Occupation
A. Cultural erasure and assimilation
1. Forbidding the Korean language and changing names
2. Plundering cultural symbols and manipulating Korean art
B. Korean resistance movements
1. Protests, underground movements, and acts of defiance
2. The March First Movement in 1919
C. Division of Korea and the Korean War
1. Legacy of Japanese occupation shaping the political dynamics
2. South Korea’s efforts to confront the legacy and prosecute collaborators
IV. Education in Korea
A. Overview of the Korean school system
1. 6-3-3-4 ladder structure
2. Compulsory education in elementary and middle schools
3. Equal opportunity and the academic calendar
B. School life in Korea for kids
1. Importance of education and demanding schedules
2. Pressure to excel in exams and potential reforms
“The college entrance exam that determines what university they attend after high school is known to put a lot of pressure on these children. So they need to take school work, private lessons, and personal studies very seriously.” (17, School Life In Korea for Kids)
3. Government’s role in shaping the education system
V. Korean Cuisine
A. Traditional and classic Korean dishes
1. Bibimbap, Dongchimi, Bulgogi, Mandoo, Chap Chae, Bossam, Kimchi Jjigae, Seollangtang, Galbi Tang, Galbi
B. Snacks and sweets
1. Popular Korean snacks such as Orion Choco Pie and Honey Butter Chips
VI. Hanbok: Traditional Korean Dress
A. Historical significance of Hanbok
1. Worn for over 2,000 years
2. Typically worn during holidays, celebrations, and weddings
B. Structure, colors, and patterns
1. Unique design and graceful movement
“Emblematic patterns were weaved on the hanbok, primarily to express the wearer’s wishes.” (13, What is Hanbok: The Ultimate Guide to the Korean Traditional Dress)
2. Symbolic meanings of colors and patterns
“Those from royalty or nobility wear hanbok that is typically colored with bright colors, while ordinary people wore hanbok that came in light and earthly shadings, which can likewise be credited to the materials used to make their modest hanbok.” (12, What is Hanbok: The Ultimate Guide to the Korean Traditional Dress)
C. Hanbok for various occasions
1. Originating during the Goguryeo Kingdom
“The hanbok is thought to have been designed during the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 BCE-668 CE) and was worn in different ways and materials by all. It was originally made so that its wearers can have freedom in their movements.” (3, What is Hanbok: The Ultimate Guide to the Korean Traditional Dress)
2. Worn by royalty, nobility, and commoners
D. Modern influences on Hanbok
1. Changes in everyday wear and special occasions
VII. Beauty Standards and Cosmetics in Korea
A. Evolution of beauty standards
1. Prioritizing small V-shaped face, fair skin, and slim body
“Being beautiful in modern times means being just like them: with a small v-shaped face, pointed nose, double eyelid, big eyes, fair and flawless skin, and slim body features.” (5, Korean Female Beauty Standards And Cosmetics)
2. Influence of K-pop idols and actresses
“Due to Korean beauty standards getting more and more idealistic in the image of the girls from Blackpink, the cosmetics industry has been growing every year.” (7, Korean Female Beauty Standards And Cosmetics)
B. Korean beauty products
1. Growth of the cosmetics industry
2. Development of vegan and natural products
“The diversity of products even raised the discussion of waste and pollution. However, the beauty industry has been developing vegan, cruelty-free and natural products, sometimes with low usage of plastic, so it can attend to the needs of their clientele without doing harm to the environment.” (9, Korean Female Beauty Standards And Cosmetics)
VIII. Korean Folktales and Cultural Influences
A. Importance of Korean folktales
1. Teaching important lessons and cultural insights
“Each of these tales is a lesson on the history and values of the culture they were made up, giving children – and even adults – a deep insight into how the world was before them.” (2, Korean Folktales- Stories that teach important lessons)
2. Popular Korean folktales and their impact
B. Daily life and social customs
1. Role of Confucian culture in shaping Korean society
2. Traditional family life, rituals, and observances
“Two of the most important holidays are Sŏllal (Lunar New Year) and Chusŏk (harvest moon festival, often referred to as the Korean Thanksgiving), both observed according to the lunar calendar. These are marked by the gathering of families in the ancestral hometown or at the home of the head of the family.” (2, South Korea)
3. The cultural phenomenon of Hallyu (Korean wave)
“In the late 20th and early 21st centuries South Korean films and television dramas experienced a surge in popularity across Asia that also caught on, to a somewhat lesser extent, in the United States and other countries.” (16, South Korea)
IX. Interview Reflection on Korean Childhood
A. Personal experiences and memories
1. Family gatherings, travel, and childhood games
2. Daily routine and school life in Korea
3. Celebrations of traditional Korean holidays and special occasions
4. Favorite childhood foods and cultural trends
B. Challenges faced and lessons learned
1. Adapting to a new environment in the U.S.
2. The importance of learning English for cultural exposure
C. Values and customs passed down
1. Preservation of Korean traditions and values
2. Balancing Korean and American cultural influences
X. Conclusion
A. Recap of key topics covered
B. The enduring impact of the Korean War on the Korean Peninsula
C. The cultural richness and diversity of Korea
D. The importance of understanding Korea’s history and traditions in a global context.
