Traditional Korean Games

Revisited

No.75 Issue 6/2010

Title

Finally, passing on some fun

Text

Khong Swee Lin Any Korean grandmother would attest that Seollal, the Lunar New Year holidays, are filled with pleasures, not only for children but for adults as well. As winter inches its way towards the forthcoming first lunar month, preparations for Seollal quicken. Activities and events are planned. Ceremonies, rituals and customs essential in the celebration of a festival, share equal footing with ancient games and traditional sports emblematic of Chosun, the Land of the Morning Calm. Indeed, some games date back to the period of the Korean Three Kingdoms around 100 BC. ASIAN Geographic magazine takes a look at six aspects of playtime in Korea.