안녕하세요! That is, hello in Korean (pronounced an-nyeong-ha-se-yo)! Each month we will virtually explore a different area of the world in this new, online Armchair Travel series. Check in every Monday for a new post about the arts, cultures, and languages that make up our world. This month we will learn about South Korea, so make a cup of tea, find a cozy spot, and let’s get going!
About Korea
South Korea is on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula in East Asia. It is around 6,850 miles away from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – about a 14-hour plane ride. If it were possible to drive from here to there, it would be like driving across the state of Pennsylvania just over 24 times!
While the country is about the same size as Indiana, the population is much higher – about 51.5 million people compared to Indiana’s 6.7 million people.
The climate in South Korea is not too different from what we experience in Dauphin County and experiences all four seasons. Korea has beautiful beaches along its coasts, awe-inspiring mountains, and even a sub-tropical island just south of the peninsula called Jeju Island.
To learn more about South Korea, check out these online resources:
• A BBC 2-part special called “South Korea: The Silent Cultural Superpower”
• A National Geographic overview of South Korea for kids, but it has lots of interesting facts for grown-ups, too!
Book Recommendations
Reading is another great way to learn more about a place! This list features some of the books by Korean authors that can be found in The Library’s digital collections on OverDrive, Libby, and Hoopla
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Available in eBook and audiobook format on OverDrive and Libby
Pachinko is a multi-generational saga of one Korean family that starts in the early 1900s. Teenaged Sunja’s unexpected pregnancy is the beginning of a stunning journey through four generations of her family’s struggles and triumphs. Pachinko has been given high praise by many and was a finalist for the National Book Award.
The Magical Language of Others by E.J. Koh
Available in eBook format on OverDrive and Libby
Told through a series of letters between mother and daughter, The Magical Language of Others is a memoir that tells the story of the author’s family in a time of separation. Koh’s mother begins sending her letters when she and her husband move back to Korea, leaving 15 year-old Koh and her brother behind in California. This book explores loss, forgiveness, and reconciliation through the translation and reflection of her family history.
Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Available in audiobook format on OverDrive and Libby
This is a captivating young adult fantasy that mixes Korean mythology with modern-day Seoul, South Korea. Eighteen-year-old Miyoung is a gumiho (a nine-tailed fox) who can disguise herself as a human and survives on the energy of men. However, an encounter with human teenaged boy Jihoon causes Miyoung to lose her gumiho soul. This tale of friendship, love, and sacrifice follows the two as they attempt to reclaim Miyoung’s soul and immortal life.
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee
Available in audiobook format on Hoopla
Lee’s debut novel follows Casey Han, the daughter of Korean immigrants living in America, as she navigates post-collegiate life in glamourous Manhattan. Free Food for Millionaires explores the ideas of identity, community, and different forms of wealth through each character’s experiences.
If you enjoy poetry, check out the Library of Congress’ audio recording of a Korean-American poetry reading from April 28, 1994. Poets Yearn Hong Choi, Chungmi Kim, and Moon Hee Kim recite their poetry in both the original Korean and in English.
Did you enjoy our first glimpse into life in South Korea? Next week we will talk about music and explore some cultural destinations.