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Korean Jung, Han, and Hyo
Jung, the Korean Thing
by Min-Sang Kim
Koreans often speak of "jung" as an inclination or motivation
to be kind to people mentally near them- meaning exactly that. Wherever
there are warm-hearted people, there is kindness galore. The
reason for some special type of kindness explained by "jung"
is, however, aboriginal to Korea alone. "Jung" is
quite a unique motivation to perform an act of kindness, in that it
is beyond benevolence or logic and requires past interaction between
the receiver and the holder of "jung". Helping a man
carry a heavy box is a common act of kindness, if it is motivated
by benevolence or just pity. What explains the motivation of
the helper-without any malice-, however, if there is an old grudge
between the two people? In fact, the helper need not even be
a kind person to perform an act of kindness out of "jung".
All "jung" needs is some sort of past between the
holder and the receiver of "jung", good or bad, that will
make the holder of "jung" to be inclined to perform kindness.
And past relationship doesn't necessarily mean longevity in
the length of time, which makes "jung" even harder to grasp.
It may take a second, or tenth of a second at that, to make
"jung" in a person's heart, depending on the person, or
the situation, or both. Logic has no place in "jung".
Although no logic can be applied to explain "jung",
the strong tie "jung" has to the past gives room for guessing.
A relationship with a person involves more than the relationship
itself. Let's say that you, the reader, were bullied in Junior-High,
and you suddenly meet this bully, after all this time, on the street
by chance. You may feel like punching the bully right in the
face, or you may feel a warm, wonderful sensation that reminds you
of the happier days of Junior-High School. The latter feeling
is, in my opinion, a close example of the source of "jung".
"Jung" is a strange mixture of emotion¤¤
derived from the past that brings out the kindness in people, in an
unexpected way that cannot be explained by logic.
Korean's "Jung"
by Moon Mi-jin
Koreans are very emotional and warmhearted because we have "Jung"
in our mind. "Jung" means doing a favor for others and
wishing them happiness in the mind. Koreans do not make a calculation
of profits and losses. For example, supposed that we bought three
apples at a small market, the owner should give us an extra one
because Koreans think it is a virtue to give something more. "Jung"
might have something to do with our history and society. Many countries
near Korea have attacked our land for centuries, so Koreans have
helped one another, stuck together to guard our country and regarded
neighbors as myself. In addition, Korea was an agricultural society,
and our ancestors worked together through "Pumasi" which
took turns cultivating fields and shared products with all of the
villagers. Koreans have a heart with humanity. When someone walks
the street with a heavy burden, Koreans do not leave him alone,
and help him to carry it to the destination. If a Korean asks you,
“May I help you to carry your burden?” you do not have to worry
weather he is a thief or not. Koreans are kind and gracious to others
owing to "jung" in our hearts. We have to show our "Jung"
to foreigners at "Korea & Japan World Cup" in 2002,
and then they will never forget our country forever.
Jung
by An Dong Kwan
Koreans consider "jung" as an essential element which
needed to their society. So then what is the jung? First, jung is
a love to family and friends. Everyone has a warm emotion and a
careful mind toward his familiar people. In this way, jung is expressed
between familiar people. Secondly, jung is a love to people in the
neighborhood of you. Living in the society, everyone must meet another
member of the society. Therefore, it forms a relation and an understanding
between people, and it makes a kind of love which connects people.
Even they are in relation of mutual enemies, sometimes they appreciate
each other truly. If a third party attempts to destroy one's old
enemy, he tends to cooperate with his enemy and defeat a third party.
Of course, it is an extreme example, but it says that the jung can
be found wherever relationships exist between people. Lastly, jung
is a love to people in this world. Although they do not know each
other, there are invisible connections between people in the world.
When the time comes to be a stranger, everyone find out that there
are many kindness and familiarness between people who know nothing
about each other. Jung includes this kind of love between strangers.
Now to conclude, jung can be interpreted as a love in a broad sense.
Koreans believe there must be jung where is any kind of human relations
and it makes their society more warm and more worth while to live.
Do You Know What "Hyo"
Means?
By Kan, Min-ju
If you look up "hyo" in Sisa's Elite Korean-English Dictionary
published by YBM in 2000, you will be able to understand that "hyo"
means "filial piety(devotion), filial duty, obedience to parents."
However, a single meaning of piety, devotion, duty or obedience
can not cover the meaning of "hyo" wholly. Under Confucian
tradition, "hyo" has greatly influenced on Korean society
on the whole. Confucianism emphasizes on a group rather than
an individual and the order of rank is highly stressed. In the order
of rank, especially in family, the concept of "hyo" was
produced. "Hyo" was formed in the relationship between
parents and children. From the old days, parents in Korea cared
for almost everything about their children. For example, they fed
and educated their children and also provided warm nests. They
were always concerned about children's health and futures. They
did not spend most their energy, interests, and money for themselves.
They regarded their sacrifices as natural virtues which parents
should give to their children. They decided to devote themselves
to their children instead of preparing for their old age. When they
were too old to support themselves, they cherished great expectations
to their old age that their children would guarantee. They
were sure that their children justly would back them up as recompenses
of their self-sacrifices. Therefore, from the former years almost
every eldest son in Korea lived together with parents to support
them. After taking these factors into consideration, we can realize
that "hyo" includes children's responsibilities to support
their parents. In conclusion, "hyo" contains the responsibility
to provide mental and financial supports besides a piety, respect,
and obedience to parents.
Han Shown in Sopyonje
by Park Su Jin
Korean famous director, Im Kwon Taek depicts the Korean emotion
Han in his movie, Sopyonje. Han is an emotion peculiar to Korea
arising from endurance and patience. In the movie, main character
Song-hwa lives with her stepfather reciting a dramatic song, Chang.
Because her father believes only Han can make a perfect voice containing
depth, he makes Song-hwa a blind to complete a voice, so she bears
Han in her mind. Besides, her brother- though they have different
mother, she likes him- go away, so Song-hwa can't see him when missing
him. This also causes her Han. Song-hwa expresses this feeling with
heartbreaking song. When she sings walking along a winding path
and sings for adding to the amusement in the kisaeng house, her
voice carries a kind of depth and sorrow. Audience can also feel
Han watching her empty eyes. She always looks at a distant mountain
absent-mindedly. In these way, Sopyonje shows Han and arouses sympathy
of the viewers making them understood why Song-hwa has Han.
Meaning of Korean "Jung"
by Oh, Su Ji
"Jung" means friendly, helpful and warm emotion that
represents a traditional and unique character of Koreans. Koreans
always share their suffering and happiness. Since ancient community,
when someone suffers from flood, fire, sickness and death, all of
neighbors have helped someone. They have gathered at someone's home,
and have brought foods, cared child, cleaned rooms... etc. It's
same way when somebody has something good like weddings, and births.
All the people have congratulated and shared their happiness. One
of the examples about "Jung", Koreans have "Dure"
since ancient community. Koreans have helped each other when they
are very busy to harvest through the "Dure". They
have sowed and reaped together. Koreans tend to like touch, especially
for children. It's comfortable and natural sight that elder people
pat young children in Korea. In other country, it's very uncomfortable
thing that stranger touch children. However, Koreans think that
they don't have "Jung". Because Koreans have "Jung"
much, Koreans think lovely children like own sons and daughters.
"Jung" is something warm and friendly to explain exactly
hard. As a matter of fact, this character is disappearing a little
in big city these days. However, "Jung" is still unique
and characteristic emotion which represents Korea.
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