Korean Funerary Photo – Portraiture, By Jeehey Kim

Slide 1:
In this photo is the South Korean flag on a building. The South Korean flag, which is also known as the “Taegeuk,” has a lot of meaning behind the colors, lines, and shape that are presented. The white background of the flag means peace. The centralized circle presents the red area “Yang” is the positive aspect of the balance, while the blue area “Eum” is the negative aspects of the balance. The examples that are represented in this balance are things such as heave and hell, life and death, and good and evil. The four lines at the corners represent heaven, earth, water, and fire.

Slide 2:
In the “Korean Funerary Photo – Portraiture” by Jeehey Kim, the author provides us a better understanding into the Korean funerary beliefs and
By having the ducks facing each other, it indicates harmony in the marriage. Traditionally, these carving are ducks are traditionally Mandarin ducks, but they are also used in Korean wedding ceremonies. They are gifted to newly weds to symbolize peace, fidelity, and plentiful offspring, as it is believed that Mandarin ducks, unlike other types of ducks, mate for life and mourn if one of the pair dies. Even selecting the individual who will carve the ducks is different. The person must be a male who must be an honorable, good friend and must have the “five fortunes,” which are: 1. Individual must be rich, 2. Individual must be of perfect health, 3. There should be no divorces amongst his family members, including relatives, 4. Individual has to have a “good wife”, and 5. He must have many sons. This procedure is of honor, and must not include any money exchange, and he must pray for the virtues that lie within these ducks (happiness, peace, prosperity,
This photo shows that one of the main forms of entertainment that Korean families have is to watch television, whether it is entertainment shows to drama. It is one of the largest industries in Korea, as it is evident through the success of Korean dramas to Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” The reason why the entertainment industry is booming is due to possible factors such as how attractive the actors and / or actresses are to the clothing styles that are presented.

Slide 7:
This was a photograph taken by me eating some Korean food. The dish that she is eating in front of me is called dukboki, or spicy rice cake, a type of Korean food. The origins of the food have been rumored to be back since the Joseon dynasty. The food has been found in past medical journals and has been part of the Korean royal cuisine in the Joseon dynasty. These days, dukboki is regarded as food that is sold usually by street vendors and small independent snack stands in Korea. It is also delicious food to enjoy, and is sold in many Korean restaurants in the United States.

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