Hangul Day [ 한글날 ]

Although the post is a bit late, but still I wanna share with you about Hangul Day [ 한글날 ]. 

9 Oct, a day which holds a very special place is the hearts of Koreans. This day celebrate the birth of Korean alphabet which is often known as Hangul. Hangul which is invented by King Sejong was of no accident by through a period of systematic and logical process. 

Before Hangul was invented, Hanja ( Chinese characters ) were used in writing. However, Hanja was hard to use with Korean language and also difficult to learn for the complicated strokes when it comes to writing, especially for people with little or no access to education. This resulted in uncontrolled illiteracy throughout the country. 
In order to solve the problem, King Sejong began to develop a new system that would be easy for learning and also easily access, even for people with limited education. Finally, Hangul was invented and was spread with a detailed explanation of logic behind each stoke of every individual character. Hangul was first published in 1446. Invention of Hangul chipped in significantly to reduce illiteracy in Korea. 


What is Hangul?

Korean Alphabet Chart

Hangul consists of 24 consonants and vowel letters. However, instead of writing like of alphabet, Hangul letters are being grouped and written in blocks. Each word can consists of 2 to 5 letters, which include at least 1 consonant and 1 vowel. The word is then arranged and written from left to right ( Horizontally ) and top to bottom ( Vertically ). 

Vowel form a line or lines that symbolize the sky, earth and people while consonants reflect on the shape of human mouth during pronunciation.

For example, Han [ 한 ] - It may look like a single character, but it is actually made of of 3 different letters : H [ ㅎ ] + a [ ㅏ ] + n [ ㄴ ].

( It do sound complicated but it is really easy to read and write once you master the different sound. I have to admit it is easier than writing Chinese character. Han [ 한 ] and Han [ 韩 ] - Look at the difference in writing. )

Why the name?

Hangul [ 한글 ] is made up of 2 different words : Han [ 한 ] and Geul [ 글 ]. Han [ 한 ] which means big or great while  Geul [ 글 ] means alphabet, therefore Hangul [ 한글 ] means Great alphabet.

Hun-min-jeong-geum ( The proper guiding alphabet of the people ) was used for the Korean alphabet in the start and it consisted of 28 letters instead. However, 4 letters had been dropped from the original system and it is now commonly known and reffered to as Hanguel ( Hangul ). 

Hangul not only is easy to learn and also use but also unique. In order to recognize this virtue, UNESCO ( United Nations educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ) inscribed the Guidebook of Hun-min-jeon-geum on Memory of the World Register in Oct 1997. 

About the inventor ( King SeJong [ 세종대왕 ]  )

King Sejong [ 세종대왕 ] , the 3rd son of King Taejong and Queen Wongyeong, was born in 1397. He was also the 4th king of Joseon Dynasty. King Sejong was kind, diligent and placed a high emphasis on academics. He loved his people and showed deep interest in his people difficulties, and also ruled the nation with a upright government, 

 Portrait of King SeJong ( Credits to walrusmagazines.com )

Statue of King SeJong at Gwanghwamun Square ( Credits to seoulweathersubwaymap.blogspot.com )

When Hangul was invented, King Sejong faced criticism from the scolar elite, who felt that the new system was improper and crude. However, Hangul was quickly spread among the commoners and also for the population who did not had access to education for the learning of the complicated Chinese characters. Hangul won out in the end and got even more popular among the Korean people.  

For your info :

Hangul Day [ 한글날 ] is also celebrated in North Korea, but they named it as Chosongul Day [ 조선글날 ] instead. Chosongul Day [ 조선글날 ] is celebrated on 15 Jan instead of 9 Oct as North Koreans believed that the actual creation of Hun-min-jeong-geum was on 15 Jan 1444 ( Or 1443 in the lunar calendar )

Interesting Note :

Hangul Day [ 한글날 ] was always been proclaimed as a public holiday until the year 1991. It's legal status as a public holiday was removed due to the pressure from major employers to increase the number of working days in Korea. However, Hangul day still maintained a legal status as a national commemoration day. 

The Hangul Society has fought for the right to restore Hangul Day [ 한글날 ] as a public holiday but had little impact until 1 Nov 2012. The supporters won their victory for the restoration of Hangul Day [ 한글날 ]. This result set pressure on the Lee Myung Bak administration to make Hangul Day [ 한글날 ] as a public day again. The change had been applied and Hangul Day [ 한글날 ] is now declared as a public holiday again starting in the year 2013.

More Food At JooMak [ 주막 ]

Seemed to be going to Joomak [ 주막 ] quite often for the past week. So here I am to update about the different food I had.

For the exact location of JooMak, please refer to the post on Dinner at JooMak [ 주막 ].

Did not had a chance to take photos of  the side dishes ( also known as banchan - 반찬 ) previously so gonna make it up now.
Korean restaurants are famous for their banchan [ 반찬 ] as they would always provide a variety of banchan [ 반찬 ]  and there is no exception for JooMak.

JooMak will provide about 6 side dishes all the time and Kimchi is the basic and a must for one of the choices. Sometimes they will also have other alternative of side dishes such as 계란찜 ( Steamed egg casserole ), 오징어채볶음 ( Stir-fried Shredded Squid with Gochujang ( Chilli pepper paste ) ) and many others. 

You can also request for more side dishes after you have finished yours. 

This time round, I ordered Army Stew which is also often known as Budae Jjigae [ 부대찌개 ] and also Seafood Pancake [ 해물 파전 ].

The aroma of the 부대찌개 started to get stronger as the soup started to boil. The soup did not taste as spicy and hot as you expected at the first mouth, however the taste got stronger and stronger as you continued eating. As you get to the bottom of the pot, you can see the amount of chilli padi being used to contribute to the spiciness of the soup. The soup was really thick and tasty with sweetness and spiciness. 

There was a lot of ingredients in the soup especially spam, sausages, bean curd and onions in the soup. The ingredients in the soup absorbed all the taste and fragrance from the soup and make you crave for more. 

Will recommend this dish to you as you are able to experience the mixture of some common ingredients that is combined into one dish and yet is it tasty at the same time. The taste of the different food blend well together too. 부대찌개 is one of the most popular dish order in JooMak and is still one of the more popular food in South Korea, so do give it a try if you have the chance. 

Seafood pancake [ 해물 파전 ] is one of the popular food in Korea. As you can see from the picture, the pancake is filled with lots of squid, prawn, and scallion. I admit that I am a really picky eater and there's a lot of things that I don't eat and scallion is one of it. But this is one of the dish that I will and don't mind eating although the whole pancake is basically filled with scallion. 

Although the pancake contains lots of scallion, but you won't feel that the taste of scallion is too strong and it blend well with the taste of the pancake. The squid and prawn used in the pancake is not those kind of small shrimp or even being cut into small pieces. You will taste more of the ingredient rather than the pancake portion. However, the pancake will taste even better if it is more crispy.  

Will recommend this dish if you are a seafood lover.

Last but not least, I found my new love. Korean Spicy Seafood Noodles [ 짬뽕 ]. Finally get to eat it this time as it wasn't available the precious round. 

Korean Spicy Seafood Noodles [ 짬뽕 ] arrived and at the first look, my reaction was 'Wow, look at the amount of clams.' 

Spiciness came to my tongue at the first mouth of the soup. Decided to give the noodle a try. The noodles was really chewy and it did not become soggy despite being soaked in the soup for a long time. The hotness from the soup remained in your tongue as you continued to eat. However, after a while, the spiciness was gone and replacing it was sweetness from the onion and clams. As you continued eating, you will start to experience a familiar taste which set you thinking what is it but only to realize that it is the taste of ginger. However, the taste of the ginger goes well with the soup and it does not give out the usually tangy taste. 

Totally recommend this dish to you if you are a fan of seafood and if you love spicy food. You will be able to experience this dish with different level of tastes. 

Will be better if the 짬뽕 can be keep warm/hot all the time. 

Do note that most of the food portion from JooMak is quite big and it is enough to share about 2 people or even 3 people for some dishes. 

Korea National Foundation Day [ 개천절 ]

As 3 Oct is approaching, it indicate that another national holiday or also meaning that another public holiday is coming in South Korea. 

National Foundation Day which is also known as Gaecheonjeol [ 개천절 ] or 开天节 means "Festival of the Opening of Heaven". National Foundation Day which is the celebration of the creation of Gojoseon [ 고조선 ]  ( ancient Korea ), the first state of the Korean nation. Gojoseon [ 고조선 ] said to have been founded by Dangun, who is known as the first Korean ancestor in ancient folklore. According to the legend, the god-king ( Dangun ) founded the Choson Kingdom in 2333 B.C and this day fills the citizens with nationalistic pride over Korea's 4000+ years of history.

South Korean wearing masks of Dangun, the legendary founder of Gojoseon ( Credits to www.koggle.tv )

( Credit to cantate-domino.blogspot.com )

( Credits to www.andatelhotel.com )

In 1909, Gaecheonjeol was enacted as a national holiday. The festival is held annually. At first, Gaecheonjeol had been celebrated on the 3rd of the 10th month on the lunar calendar but was changed and celebrated on 3 October of the solar ( Gregorian ) calendar since 1949.

Legend of Gaecheonjeol

Dangun's legend started off with his grandfather Hwanin [ 환인 ] who is also known as the 'Lord of Heaven'. Hwanin's son - Hwanung who desired to live on the earth among the valleys and the mountains. Hwanin allowed Hwanung and 3000 followers to descend onto Baekdu Mountain, where Hwanung created Sinsi [ 신시 ] which also mean City of God. Together with his ministers of clouds, rain and wind, Hwanung instituted laws and moral codes and taught humans various arts, medicine and agriculture.  

A tiger and a bear prayed to Hwanung that they wished to become human. Upon hearing their prayers, Hwanung told them that if they can stay in a cave for 100 days and survived only on mugwort and garlic, they would then become human. However, the tiger became bored and decided to give up after about 20 days. The bear who endured and lasted through the 100 days became a beautiful woman. 

The 'bear-woman' [ 웅녀 ] was thankful and made offerings to Hwanung. The 'bear-woman' soon became sad due to her desire for a family as she prayed under a Sindansu [ 신단수 ] tree to be blessed with a child. Hwanung was touched by her prayers and took her for his wife and soon the 'bear-woman' gave birth to a son call Dandun Wanggeom [ 단군 ] which mean Sandalwood King.

Dangun [ 단군 ] grew up and ascended to the throne. He built his own city at the walled city of Asadal which is situated near Pyongyang ( the current North Korea ) and named the kingdom Joseo ( Morning freshness or Morning calm ) which is also being referred to 'Old/Ancient' today. 

A drawing of Dangun ( Credits to www.san-shin.org )

Every year, a group of people will gather for a memorial service for Dangun at the Chamsungdan ( a stone structure said to be built by Dangun ) which is located on the mountains including Mt Mani ( Kanghwa Island ) and Mt Taebaek ( Gangwon province ) on the 1st day of January of the lunar calendar. 

( Credits to english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto )

( Credits to english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/index.kto )

Koreans believe that the legend of Dangun to be more than a mythical story and that the legend could be a trace of the ancient Kingdom founded in the Korean peninsula. Based on the story of Dangun, Korean historians dated and recorded the origin of Korea's history back to about 50 000 years ago. 

For your info : 

North National Foundation Day is also recognized in North Korea, but is not enacted as an public holiday. An annual ceremony is held at the Mausoleum of Tandun on the day of National Foundation Day ( 3 Oct ) in North Korea.