"There has long been a need for material on Korean music in English for the non-specialist Western reader. While the definitive treatment of this subject languishes unwritten or incomplete, this general summary may assume a value out of proportion to its brevity. In particular, the meticulous descriptions of the Korean traditional instruments and their functions will be of great interest not only to the neophyte, but to the knowledgeable person without specialized background in the field." --Introduction.

Offers detailed descriptions of Korean drumming and dance instrumentation, dance formations, costuming, actors, teaching lineages, and the complexities of training.

This book is a study of Salpuri-Chum, a traditional Korean dance for expelling evil spirits. The authors explore the origins and practice of Salpuri-Chum. The ancient Korean people viewed their misfortunes as coming from evil spirits; therefore, they wanted to expel the evil spirits to recover their happiness. The music for Salpuri-Chum is called Sinawi rhythm. It has no sheet music and lacks the concept of metronomic technique. In this rhythm, the dancer becomes a conductor. Salpuri-Chum is an artistic performance that resolves the people’s sorrow. In many cases, it is a form of sublimation. It is also an effort to transform the pain of reality into beauty, based on the Korean people’s characteristic merriment. It presents itself, then, as a form of immanence. Moreover, Salpuri-Chum is unique in its use of a piece of white fabric. The fabric, as a symbol of the Korean people’s ego ideal, signifies Salpuri-Chum’s focus as a dance for resolving their misfortunes.

This book is intended to meet the needs of the general reader and is widely used in universities and college courses. Major aspects of traditional, as well as modern Korean culture are discussed by reputable scholars specializing in particular fields, and each chapter is prepared specifically to introduce a particular aspect of culture. A brief survey of Korean history and other cultural information are provided to enable the reader to fully appreciate the roots of Korean culture and the ways in which it has grown and transformed throughout the ages. For those who wish to continue their quest for greater knowledge, a selected bibliography is provided at the end of each chapter.--Publisher's description.

This book offers "interactive communication on facts about the country, culture and tourism, services for expatriates and government policies. KOIS has been actively promoting Korea’s national image and brand in recent years to present the world with an image of modern Korea as a spirited, future-oriented country." - product description.

This is a comprehensive narrative history of Korean literature. It provides a wealth of information for scholars, students and lovers of literature. Combining both history and criticism the study reflects the latest scholarship and offers a systematic account of the development of all genres. Consisting of twenty-five chapters, it covers twentieth-century poetry, fiction by women and the literature of North Korea. This is a major contribution to the field and a study that will stand for many years as the primary resource for studying Korean literature.