Soowhan Yi
Professor Lauren Holt
English 101
3.1.2014
Why do Koreans share their foods? And what does that mean?
“You are what you eat.” This quote means that you have to eat healthy foods to be healthy. However, it can be interpreted in different way. What you eat is what you are. In other words, the way people eat and what they eat represent their cultural backgrounds. Especially, Korea has very unique foods and way of eating food that characterize Korean culture and show Korean history. Historically, Korea suffered from poverty until 1900s. This long period of poverty and hardship led to food-sharing culture. As the poverty and tribulations led to food sharing culture, it implies very meaningful connotation when they are eating together. It means that they are family, not just individuals. Also, Korean traditional study, “U Gyo,” established table manner in Korea.
Food sharing culture is established from early Korean history and Korean history of poverty and tribulation that would explain Korean food culture. Even though Korea became one of the strongest countries in the world, Korea used to suffer from poverty and hardships for long period of time. Compare to the long Korean history, it is very recent event that Korea got economically and technologically strong. Korea has five thousand years of history[1]. In 936, Goryeo completed reunification of Korean peninsula. From this era, most of people experienced poverty and hardship. After Goryeo changed its name to Joseon in 1392, Korea was attacked by Japan and had to be one of the protectorate of Japan in 1910. At this period of time, during the family dinner, the poverty was so harsh that they would get expensive fish and hang it on the roof right above the table, so that they could see it instead of eating it. During the period of Japanese occupation, a lot of women were raped and men had to be either Japanese soldier or killed. During the World War II, Japanese army used Korean women as sexual slaves. After the World War II, Korea experienced three years of anarchy and divided in to two countries, South Korea and North Korea[2]. Until President Park took over Korean government in 1961, Korea was very weak and vulnerable country.
As Koreans had been in a lot of tribulation, they tend to be collective. People farmed together, shared crops, and lived in same town. Any food had to be shared from the same bowl or plate. For example, after farming all together for one’s field, the one’s family would serve foods to all the people who helped farming. Korean traditional soup, called Kim chi JJigae, was often served in one bowl for one table. It is the soup made with Kim chi tofu, and welsh onion. Since Kim chi and other ingredients were cheap and easy to make, they were able to share one big casserole of Kim chi JJigae for more than ten people. They would eat Kim chi JJigae with white rice and other side dishes that were also shared. These histories of poverty and tribulation have become the foundation of Korean culture and established a sharing culture. Therefore the way Korean people eat their food and Kim Chi JJigae are resultant of Korean history and collectivism culture.
In Korea, eating foods together does not simply mean eating together. It means that they have formed strong bond among the group, and they are now “family.” War between Korea and United States is epitome for understanding of the true meaning of “ family.” In 1871, United States attacked Gwanghwa island of Korea[3]. Korean Army used very outdated armors, matchlock musket. After getting destroyed by United States Army, most of the captured prisoners committed suicide by drowning themselves or begged United States troop to shoot them. The reason was that they shared their drinks and foods last night for rituals. Sharing drinks and foods did not simply to feed their hungry stomach. It meant forming a strong bond among them and living or dying all together as a family. The family means they are together until they die. This Korean culture of collectivism is explicitly shown from the Shinmiyangyo, the invasion from United States. This example shows the meaning of sharing foods, but it also strengthened the Korean culture of collectivism.
Furthermore, there are a lot of other eating traditions established from “U Gyo”, which is a Korean traditional study. It is Korean Confucianism brought from China during Goryeo period[4]. “U Gyo” teaches to respect for elders, be attentive to others, and do filial deeds. Those teachings caused a lot of eating tradition to establish. While eating, young have to wait until elders pick up their chopsticks in order to respect them. Eating before the elders is considered impolite. Even, when they were looking at the fish that was hanged on the roof during the family dinner in early history of Korea, younger ones had to wait until elders look at the fish and were not able to look at it more than the elders do. If they did, their parents would be blamed for the impoliteness of their child, and they would punish the young. Also drinking tradition is established from “U Gyo” too. Koreans are not allowed to pour their own drink unless he or she is drinking alone. If someone pours his or her own drink, others would think that they are not treating him or her well. Since they are supposed to be aware of amount of drinks and pour drinks for others, others have to wait for them to pour drinks. As shown above, “U Gyo” has influenced Korean food culture. It mainly transformed our culture to more respect elders. Therefore showing respect while eating food is Korean food culture that is established from “U Gyo.”
In conclusion, sharing foods and Korean unique food, Kim Chi JJigae, are reflections of Korean culture and history. History of hardships and poverty affected Korean food culture and foods to be easily shared, which led to establishment of collectivism. Also the table manners are resultant of “U Gyo” culture. As Korean foods and unique way of eating represent Korean culture, food reflects and characterizes one’s culture. What you eat is what you are.
Citation
[1] “The Annals of Joseon Dynasty.” Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute
2 "MILESTONES: 1945–1952." Office of Historian. U.S Department of State. Web. 1 Mar 2014. <http://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/korean-war>.
3 “Unnited States Expedition to Korea” Wikipedia. Web. 17 Feb. 2014 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_expedition_to_Korea>
4 "Table etiquette." Official Korea Tourism Organization. Official Korea Tourism Organization. Web. 2014 2 10.
[1] “The Annals of Joseon Dynasty.” Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies. 1. Mar. 2014 <http://kyujg.snu.ac.kr/kiks/index.do>
[2] "MILESTONES: 1945–1952." Office of Historian. U.S Department of State. Web. 1 Mar 2014. <http://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/korean-war>.
[3] “United States Expedition to Korea” Wikipedia. Web. 17 Feb. 2014 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_expedition_to_Korea>
[4] "Table etiquette." Official Korea Tourism Organization. Official Korea Tourism Organization. Web. 2014 2 10.
Professor Lauren Holt
English 101
3.1.2014
Why do Koreans share their foods? And what does that mean?
“You are what you eat.” This quote means that you have to eat healthy foods to be healthy. However, it can be interpreted in different way. What you eat is what you are. In other words, the way people eat and what they eat represent their cultural backgrounds. Especially, Korea has very unique foods and way of eating food that characterize Korean culture and show Korean history. Historically, Korea suffered from poverty until 1900s. This long period of poverty and hardship led to food-sharing culture. As the poverty and tribulations led to food sharing culture, it implies very meaningful connotation when they are eating together. It means that they are family, not just individuals. Also, Korean traditional study, “U Gyo,” established table manner in Korea.
Food sharing culture is established from early Korean history and Korean history of poverty and tribulation that would explain Korean food culture. Even though Korea became one of the strongest countries in the world, Korea used to suffer from poverty and hardships for long period of time. Compare to the long Korean history, it is very recent event that Korea got economically and technologically strong. Korea has five thousand years of history[1]. In 936, Goryeo completed reunification of Korean peninsula. From this era, most of people experienced poverty and hardship. After Goryeo changed its name to Joseon in 1392, Korea was attacked by Japan and had to be one of the protectorate of Japan in 1910. At this period of time, during the family dinner, the poverty was so harsh that they would get expensive fish and hang it on the roof right above the table, so that they could see it instead of eating it. During the period of Japanese occupation, a lot of women were raped and men had to be either Japanese soldier or killed. During the World War II, Japanese army used Korean women as sexual slaves. After the World War II, Korea experienced three years of anarchy and divided in to two countries, South Korea and North Korea[2]. Until President Park took over Korean government in 1961, Korea was very weak and vulnerable country.
As Koreans had been in a lot of tribulation, they tend to be collective. People farmed together, shared crops, and lived in same town. Any food had to be shared from the same bowl or plate. For example, after farming all together for one’s field, the one’s family would serve foods to all the people who helped farming. Korean traditional soup, called Kim chi JJigae, was often served in one bowl for one table. It is the soup made with Kim chi tofu, and welsh onion. Since Kim chi and other ingredients were cheap and easy to make, they were able to share one big casserole of Kim chi JJigae for more than ten people. They would eat Kim chi JJigae with white rice and other side dishes that were also shared. These histories of poverty and tribulation have become the foundation of Korean culture and established a sharing culture. Therefore the way Korean people eat their food and Kim Chi JJigae are resultant of Korean history and collectivism culture.
In Korea, eating foods together does not simply mean eating together. It means that they have formed strong bond among the group, and they are now “family.” War between Korea and United States is epitome for understanding of the true meaning of “ family.” In 1871, United States attacked Gwanghwa island of Korea[3]. Korean Army used very outdated armors, matchlock musket. After getting destroyed by United States Army, most of the captured prisoners committed suicide by drowning themselves or begged United States troop to shoot them. The reason was that they shared their drinks and foods last night for rituals. Sharing drinks and foods did not simply to feed their hungry stomach. It meant forming a strong bond among them and living or dying all together as a family. The family means they are together until they die. This Korean culture of collectivism is explicitly shown from the Shinmiyangyo, the invasion from United States. This example shows the meaning of sharing foods, but it also strengthened the Korean culture of collectivism.
Furthermore, there are a lot of other eating traditions established from “U Gyo”, which is a Korean traditional study. It is Korean Confucianism brought from China during Goryeo period[4]. “U Gyo” teaches to respect for elders, be attentive to others, and do filial deeds. Those teachings caused a lot of eating tradition to establish. While eating, young have to wait until elders pick up their chopsticks in order to respect them. Eating before the elders is considered impolite. Even, when they were looking at the fish that was hanged on the roof during the family dinner in early history of Korea, younger ones had to wait until elders look at the fish and were not able to look at it more than the elders do. If they did, their parents would be blamed for the impoliteness of their child, and they would punish the young. Also drinking tradition is established from “U Gyo” too. Koreans are not allowed to pour their own drink unless he or she is drinking alone. If someone pours his or her own drink, others would think that they are not treating him or her well. Since they are supposed to be aware of amount of drinks and pour drinks for others, others have to wait for them to pour drinks. As shown above, “U Gyo” has influenced Korean food culture. It mainly transformed our culture to more respect elders. Therefore showing respect while eating food is Korean food culture that is established from “U Gyo.”
In conclusion, sharing foods and Korean unique food, Kim Chi JJigae, are reflections of Korean culture and history. History of hardships and poverty affected Korean food culture and foods to be easily shared, which led to establishment of collectivism. Also the table manners are resultant of “U Gyo” culture. As Korean foods and unique way of eating represent Korean culture, food reflects and characterizes one’s culture. What you eat is what you are.
Citation
[1] “The Annals of Joseon Dynasty.” Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute
2 "MILESTONES: 1945–1952." Office of Historian. U.S Department of State. Web. 1 Mar 2014. <http://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/korean-war>.
3 “Unnited States Expedition to Korea” Wikipedia. Web. 17 Feb. 2014 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_expedition_to_Korea>
4 "Table etiquette." Official Korea Tourism Organization. Official Korea Tourism Organization. Web. 2014 2 10.
[1] “The Annals of Joseon Dynasty.” Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies. 1. Mar. 2014 <http://kyujg.snu.ac.kr/kiks/index.do>
[2] "MILESTONES: 1945–1952." Office of Historian. U.S Department of State. Web. 1 Mar 2014. <http://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/korean-war>.
[3] “United States Expedition to Korea” Wikipedia. Web. 17 Feb. 2014 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_expedition_to_Korea>
[4] "Table etiquette." Official Korea Tourism Organization. Official Korea Tourism Organization. Web. 2014 2 10.