■Korean Society and Culture
◆ Korean Family Values
◇The most important part of Korean life is the family.
◇In Confucian tradition, the father is the master of the house and it is his duties to supply food, clothing and housing, and to approve the marriages of family members.
◇The eldest son has special responsibilities: first to his parents, then to his brothers from older to younger, then to his sons, then to his wife, and finally to his daughters.
◇Family well-being is much more important than the needs of the individual.
◇Members of the family are connected to each other because the behaviors of one family member influence the rest of the family.
◇In many cases, the family archives can trace a family’s history, through male ancestors, for over 500 years.
◆ Confucianism
◇The teachings of Confucius give an account of the position of the individual in Korean society.
◇It is a system of behaviors and ethics that emphasize the duties of people towards one another on the basis of their relationship.
◇The basic principles are founded upon five different relationships: 1) rulers and subjects, 2) husband and wife, 3) parents and children, 4) brothers and sisters and 5) friends and friends.
◇Confucianism places great emphasis on duty, loyalty, honor, filial piety, respect for age and seniority, and sincerity.
◆ Korean Ancestors
◇Ancestors develop from the male family line.
◇Children are reared to believe they can never pay back what you owe to their parents, hence the popularity of ancestor worship.
◇They hold ceremonies to worship ancestors of the previous three generations (parents, grandparents, and great grandparents) several times a year, particularly on Chusok and New Year’s Day.
◇On Chusok, people cook and set out food to worship their ancestors.
◆ The Concept of Kibun
◇Kibun is a word that cannot be translated literally in English; the closest terms are pride, face, mood, feelings, or state of mind.