Han (cultural)
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| Han (cultural) | |
|---|---|
| Hangul: |
한
|
| Hanja: |
恨
|
| Revised Romanization: | Han |
| McCune-Reischauer: | Han |
- For other uses, see Han.
Han is a concept in Korean culture, attributed by some as a national cultural trait. Han denotes a collective feeling of oppression and isolation in the face of overwhelming odds. It connotes aspects of lament and unavenged injustice.
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[edit] History
Some scholars theorize the concept of Han evolved from Korea's history of having been invaded and occupied by other nations, such as Japan, while others attribute Han to class system strictures. It permeates Korean culture, for example, in Korean shamanism and Pansori.
[edit] Han in popular culture
The Korean poet Ko Eun describes the trait as universal to the Korean experience: "We Koreans were born from the womb of Han and brought up in the womb of Han." Han connotes both despair at recognition of past injustice and acceptance of such matters as part of the Korean experience.
The Television show The West Wing also referenced the trait in Episode 5.4 (entitled "Han"). The episode concludes with the President of the United States realizing his own personal understanding of the esoteric concept; "There is no literal English translation. It's a state of mind. Of soul, really. A sadness. A sadness so deep no tears will come. And yet still there's hope."
[edit] See also
[edit] References
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