Among the most popular treasures in the National Museum of Korea, these two Pensive Bodhisattvas are probably the greatest highlights. They are more than 1,400 years old, and both are National Treasures. They are also the only objects in the museum displayed in their own independent gallery, called the Room of Quiet Contemplation . The room was designed by Korean architect Choi Wook. You first walk from a bright corridor into a dark passage. While your eyes adjust to the darkness, your mind also begins to calm down. Then you turn right and enter a large hall, but there are only two statues inside. Because there is so much empty space around them, you naturally focus on the statues. The floor rises slightly toward them, at an angle of about one degree. You may not notice it with your eyes, but your body can sense it, so you naturally walk more slowly. Above you are approximately 21,000 aluminium rods. Their different lengths and angles make the ceiling appear tilted and endless, al...
Kimjang Kimjang means Korean culture of making kimchi in late fall for the winter. It has been listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013. Just before winter Koreans would make large amounts of kimchi and store it underground for fermentation. On kimjang days which is making kimchi, all the neighborhood people come together to prepare an immense amount of kimchi that will last through the winter and share it amongst each other. Why do we make kimchi a lot? We make kimchi a lot since enough has to be made for the entire family to eat every meal during the winter. Kimchi enjoyed year-round on Korean tables. In the past, the only side dish people had to eat for 8 to 9 months was kimchi. That's why people used to spend 3-4 months of wages to make that much kimchi. Nowadays, it's difficult to do kimjang in the city. it's easier and cheaper to just buy kimchi. How to store the kimchi longer. In the past, Koreans preserved their kimchi in earthen jars b...