17 Korean Rice Cakes to Die For: The Prettiest Songpyeon Ever!

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17 Korean Rice Cakes to Die For: The Prettiest Songpyeon Ever!

Korean women of each household traditionally would gather and handmake half-moon shaped songpyeon (Korean rice cakes). It was said those who made pretty songpyeon would have a beautiful daughter. These days songpyeon are sold at Korean markets, so no need to worry about making ugly songpyeon!

The average songpyeon looks decent, indicating that its creators will have semi-beautiful daughters...

More lovingly-prepared pretty songpyeon populate the world as well! Behold, the 17 beautiful daughters! Some more elegant than others.

1. Detailed songpyeon topped off with mini flowers.

2. Songpyeon mimicking flowers and leaves.

3. Plump-petaled songpyeon.

4. Skinny, glossy songpyeon with simple decoration.

Whoever made these will have classy supermodels as a daughters!

5. Round, juicy songpyeon that make boobs and butts jealous.

6. Extended family of colorful songpyeon resting on a bed of pine needles.

7. Multi-layered petals blossoming on green songpyeon.

Dark and pointy. Don't mess with this bunch. They mean business!

8. Persimmon songpyeon.

Too cute to chew!

9. Square songpyeon wrapped like gifts, topped off with a ribbon.

10. Songpyeon that unintentionally look like tacos.

11. Mass production songpyeon.

Them machines will have pretty daughters.

12. Animal songpyeon!

Once these are steamed, they'll be glossy with softened edges.

13. Halloween songpyeon.

14. Pumpkin songpyeon minus the Halloween.

15. Cinderella-style pumpkin songpyeon.

16. Strawberry songpyeon.

17. Clam songpyeon. Looks like lips!

Whether the rice cakes turn out pretty or homely, how can you not smile when you see little kids making them?

Don't you love when men take over the kitchen? These two give me too much endorphin.


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Hangeul Day: Birthday of the Korean Alphabet

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Hangeul Day: Birthday of the Korean Alphabet

Every October 9, South Korea celebrates Hangeul Day: the birthday of the Korean alphabet. Without Hangeul, Koreans may still be writing in classical Chinese! North Korea observes their own Hangeul Day on January 15, which is said to be the actual date when the Korean alphabet was made. October 9, 1446 is when Hangeul was first published and became the official alphabet for the Joseon Kingdom.

Korean calligraphy (Photo: Daum.net)

Korean calligraphy (Photo: Daum.net)

Hangeul means "Korean alphabet." And before Hangeul, Koreans spoke in Korean but wrote in Hanja (Korean name for Chinese characters). Learning Hanja required a lot of time as there were tens of thousands of characters to memorize. The aristocrats, typically the male elite, were able to afford such an education. The majority of the population was left illiterate as they didn't have time nor access to learn.

Korean Calligraphy (Photo: Wine79.com)

Korean Calligraphy (Photo: Wine79.com)

In 1418 King Sejong took reign. He wanted literacy to be accessible for the whole population so people may be able to document and share their ideas. He began developing a simple writing system. Government officials opposed. They wanted to maintain their power and were afraid educated commoners would start a revolution. King Sejong pursued the Hangeul project quietly. Some say he had a small team of scholars assisting him. Other sources say he was single-handedly responsible. Whichever the story you choose to believe, Hangeul was created in 1443. Three years later it was promulgated.

Before the Korean alphabet was called "Hangeul," it was initially named Hunmin Jeongeum (훈민정음), which translated to "Instructing the People in the Correct Sounds." Hunmin Jeongeum started off with 17 consonants and 11 vowels. Today Hangeul has 14 consonants and 10 vowels.

The Korean alphabet (Photo: Wright-House.com)

The Korean alphabet (Photo: Wright-House.com)

King Sejong became a legend for giving the Korean people a voice. Can you imagine how frustrating it'd be to not be able to write anything down? All your ideas are as fleeting as your memory. The birth of Hangeul was liberating for Koreans to express and share all that was in their heart and mind.

Fun little note: Hangeul itself is used as art. Fashion designer Lie Sangbong incorporates Hangeul into his runway.

Lie Sangbong's use of Hangeul in his collection (Photo: Liesangbong.com)

Lie Sangbong's use of Hangeul in his collection (Photo: Liesangbong.com)

Lie Sang-Bong Collection Autumn-Winter 2006/2007 (UK.Fashionmag.com)

Lie Sang-Bong Collection Autumn-Winter 2006/2007 (UK.Fashionmag.com)

Fashion designer Lie Sangbong wearing Hangeul (Blouinartinfo)

Fashion designer Lie Sangbong wearing Hangeul (Blouinartinfo)

Lie Sangbong with ice skater Kim Yuna wearing Hangeul-inspired dress (DramaBeans)

Lie Sangbong with ice skater Kim Yuna wearing Hangeul-inspired dress (DramaBeans)

Lie Sangbong with his models, wearing Hangeul-inspired pattern (Photo: Liesangbong.com)

Lie Sangbong with his models, wearing Hangeul-inspired pattern (Photo: Liesangbong.com)

To learn more about King Sejong, you can visit Gwanghwamun Square. Under his statue is The Story of King Sejong, a museum displaying a wide-range of accomplishments produced during his reign.

Statue of King Sejong the Great near Gyeongbokgung Palace (Photo: Thestar.com.my)

Statue of King Sejong the Great near Gyeongbokgung Palace (Photo: Thestar.com.my)

King Sejong Story (세종이야기)
Address in English: 175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Address in Korean: 서울특별시 종로구 세종대로 지하 175 (세종로)
Note: There are three entrances. Closed on Mondays.
Website

Sources:
Han-Style.net
JoongAng Daily
VisitKorea

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Korean Chicken Fights

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Korean Chicken Fights

It is said that Korea is the most wired country in the world. But before the invention of computers and cell phones, what did Koreans do to keep themselves entertained? Chicken fight, of course! Along with other traditional games.

Korean Chicken Fights don't use real chickens. These are battles of human against human. So how to you play?

  1. Bend one leg and grab your ankle with two hands.
  2. Hop on one foot as you try to knock your opponents down (without hurting them).
  3. Last person standing wins!

You must keep two hands on your ankle at all times. Let go even one hand and you are disqualified. If you're casually playing, then hop around without limit! However if boundaries are set, you are disqualified if you step outside of the determined lines.

Typically the two opposing teams have the same number of players. There can also be multiple solo players. In this Korean entertainment show, the players are distributed unevenly into 3:1 because of kickboxer Choi Hong-man's strong build:

Be wary of men in black! Here's a funny chicken fight from Star King:

For you Kpop fans out there, even Minho from SHINEE partakes in Korean chicken fights!

Korean entertainers breaking out into a chicken fight to give their fans a good laugh:

The best thing about Korean Chicken Fights? You don't have to be Korean to play! You can play it anywhere in the world. Even on a muddy beach! B.A.P. demonstrates as such:

Tune in next week to learn more fun and informative facts on Korean culture!


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