KoreanClass101.com Blog

The Independence movement of Korea and experiences of the war mark the beginning of Memorial Day as a public holiday to commemorate the loss of lives that Koreans underwent. On Memorial Day, the Korean flag is flown at half staff as a reminder of the tragedy and death of both men and women who died while they served in the military.

This momentous occasion is celebrated every year on June 6th and is in memory of those who died in the Korean War. A memorial service is held on that day in the National cemetery of Seoul.

The emotional and physical scars left behind tell the tale of sadness as South Koreans try to give credence to those who suffered and died for their country. The President of Korea usually speaks during the lavish ceremony that commemorates the occasion.

The Koreans think that they suffered more losses than even the losses suffered in World War II and also think that the war is still ongoing because of the conflict between countries like the United States. They call this “the cold war.”

So the Memorial Day celebration is more than about the dying soldiers, but those who are still living in the conflict of the world.

The historical Korean War marked the attack on Seoul by North Korea and the killing of over seven thousand people. The survivors served unwillingly in the Korean War because they were forced to do so. This is why the Memorial Day celebration is held in Seoul as a reminder of that attack.

In 1994, the Korean government opened up a War Museum in Seoul as an indication of the Memorial Day celebration. It has about six rooms with exhibitions of what took place during the war and about thirteen thousand war items displayed. The museum is located on the headquarters of the army base and has two upper floors and two lower floors.

On the exterior of the museum there are military equipments on display that represented the Korean War. The museum houses a combat room that allows visitors to experience what the soldiers went through during the nights at war time.

After way too long, 아웃사이더 or Outsider is back! He debuted in 2004 with the EP Come Outside, releasing the Speed Star single in 2006, and then his first album Soliloquist in October of 2007. It’s been a long wait since then, but now he’s back, with his second album MAESTRO.

Outsider is a hiphop artist, and one of the things he’s best known for is his ultrafast speed rapping. I love it. I have no idea how anyone can possibly rap that fast.

His first album featured other hiphop artists such as my personal favourites MC Sniper, 배치기 and Simon Dominic, as well as Mr.room9, BK and 샛별. His second album was a little different from his first, a bit less nittygritty hiphop and with slightly more pop and dance influence. I love pure hiphop but I also love it when hiphop artists aren’t afraid of branching out and trying some different beats and styles. His second album features the talents of Basick, Swagger, JOY, 배치기, MC Sniper, L.E.O and plenty more.

The first single to be promoted from MAESTRO is 외톨이:

And here’s 남자답게, from his first album Soliloquist:

South Korean money.

Who doesn’t like a little green in their wallets? How about some yellow?

Yeah, some cold. hard. yellow.

That’s what the inside of Korean wallets will look like come late June.

Plenty of people are happy about this. Of course, some were concerned over the choice of the historical figure that will appear on the face on the bill. Yet, no one seems to mind these bills…

A 100 000 원 bill was almost approved, too (to replace those goofy “money order” notes). I guess it was too much to ask, right? Hey I’m not complaining, though. I’m happy that we have the 50 000 원 bill  at least. Before that, the largest bill commonly available was the 10 000 원. Not exactly convenient in large quantities. Yet the 10 000 note represents over 90% of all note production currently in Korea. If you think of the money as 1 USD = 1000 KRW then we had a buck, a five and a ten dollar bill and that’s it. Slim pickings.

Dissidents to the new bill say that seeing as how Korea is becoming more credit-centered, the new bill is moot. Also, the larger denomination might encourage counterfeiters. However, security features on the won are already impressive, all things considered. At least Korea doesn’t have the supernote to worry about. Instead, they had the dreaded 오천원 a few years back.

But the introduction of the new note won’t be a completely seamless transaction, it seems. Korean ATMs have to be fitted to accept the new bills. But, being a cash society Korea has already ran prototype bills through the majority of machines and assure that everything will run smoothly on release.

The new bills are also 6mm bigger. Hey, so long as the new notes fit in envelopes, then I’m happy. Exposed money in Korea is like exposed skin: you should cover it up as quickly as possible. And like a hiked-up skirt, staring at it is like staring at the sun. Come on people. Be decent, will you?

Also, like most mints, there will be an exclusive sale of the first 20,000 notes (minus the first 100 which will be sent to the Museum of Korea). Even though I’m into history like nobody’s business, I’ve always been a bit perplexed by unused currency being sold for more than their printed value. Remember when the new quarters came out? People were buying up those quarters on QVC like crazy. But doesn’t a piece of history have to first have a history first in order to be considered history? I’d rather hang a Where’s George? bill in my studyroom…but I digress. You know, I really shouldn’t be talking. I paid a pretty penny for a mint condition Final Fantasy III cartridge for the Super Nintendo a few years ago.

And my creditability just went down.

Anyways, here’s more info on the new bill production. For that matter, here’s a nice article with a brief history of the coin and paper money still used today.

Thoughts?