In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, one of the most important events in village life was the five-day... Read More
As we welcome in another New Year with copious amounts of food and alcohol in homes or at local pubs... Read More
Words by Robert Neff In this humorous anecdote from the turn of the 20th century, an American diplomat and a mob of Korean children strike up an unexpected friendship based on practical jokes. Horace N. Allen, the American minister to Korea from 1897-1905, found that his fondness for bicycle riding drew the... Read More
Words BY Robert Neff Photos courtesy of the Robert Neff collection A skirmish between Japanese and Russian warships in February... Read More
2,500 years after his death, Master Kong’s ideas continue to shape life on the Korean peninsula. Read More
Modern transportation has made travel to most places in Korea, no matter how distant from Seoul, easy and comfortable. However, there are exceptions. One of these exceptions is Ulleung Island. Its distance from the mainland and the fickleness of the local weather often make any trip to the island one... Read More
Words BY Robert Neff, Photos courtesy of the Robert Neff collection The anti-Western sentiment pervasive in Pyongyang today has a... Read More
Words by Robert Neff Photos from the collection of Robert Neff Prior to the marvels of the computer and its... Read More
Words by Robert Neff, Photos from the collection of Robert Neff One of the most valued animals in Joseon Korea was the Korean bull, which was used for transportation, food and leather. Westerners described these bulls as “noble” and “splendid beasts” that were not only “remarkably handsome” but very “tractable.” Although... Read More
Words by Robert Neff Photos from the collection of Robert Neff Joseon Korea was generally perceived by foreign visitors as... Read More