Between tradition and modernity in South Korea: A harmonious balance

South Korea is a fascinating example of the harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernity. Unlike many Western societies, Korea has managed to preserve its cultural heritage while becoming one of the world’s most technologically advanced nations. This unique symbiosis can be seen in every aspect of daily life, from the visual arts to traditional celebrations, architecture and social relations.

The Tradition-Modernity Conflict: A Different Vision

The Western Rupture

In the West, particularly in France, there is a strong division between the spiritual/religious and the rational/secular. This separation results from the long historical domination of the Catholic Church, followed by the French and Industrial Revolutions which established the secular nature of the State. This history has created a conflict between tradition and modernity, where religious elements can be perceived as a potential threat to the state.

Korean Harmony

In South Korea, this division does not exist for two main reasons:

• No religious institution has ever completely dominated the royal court.
• Confucian spirituality is inclusive and syncretic, open to new experiences and belief systems.

Spirituality, including religion, is seen as an essential part of the tradition that strengthens Korean national and cultural identity.

Korean Aesthetics: A Harmonious Fusion

Traditional Korean aesthetics represent a fusion of local and Chinese elements, particularly visible in arts such as painting, calligraphy and ceramics. With modernization in the ^20th century, Western aesthetics were introduced via Japan.

A fundamental aspect of Korean art is the harmony between the functional and the aesthetic. Contrary to the classical European definition that separates these two domains, traditional Korean art considers that a work of art is never solely an object of aesthetic appreciation – the functional is just as important.

The Four Guardians of Korea

The Mythical Guardians

Korea’s four traditional guardians are mythical animals that, according to tradition, have protected the country for centuries:

1. The White Tiger: Once the native animal of the Korean peninsula, it remains an important part of Korean culture despite its extinction. Today, it appears in decorations, notably for Foundation Day, accompanying Tangun, the mythical father of the nation.
2. The Blue Dragon: Symbolizing royal authority in ancient Korea. Koreans traditionally believe that dragons live in the mountains with the spirits, which explains why they avoid building there, with the exception of temples and military or technological buildings.
3. The Red Phoenix: Also associated with the royal family. Today, it can be found on the coat of arms of the President of South Korea, on the pediments of Buddhist temples and on the entrance gates of major buildings.
4. The Black Tortoise: A symbol of longevity, found in temples, fountains and sacred places such as tombs. Today used as a decorative element, its image was also used for postage stamps in the 1990s.

The “Fifth Guardian”: The Jindo Dog

The Jindo Gae (진도개) is considered Korea’s “fifth guardian”. Born in a semi-wild environment, this dog possesses qualities such as speed, hunting instinct, physical strength and absolute loyalty. Today, it is a symbol of the island of Jindo and an expression of local and national pride.

Pungsu: Korean Feng Shui in Modern Society

Origins and principles

Pungsu (풍수) or pungsu jiri (풍수지리) is the Korean equivalent of Chinese feng shui. It’s not a simple copy of the Chinese model, but a Korean “true cultural invention” still practiced today.

The main idea of pungsu is the cosmological integrity of the Earth and the universe. Both share the same vital pulse, and human beings must respect this harmony. In ancient Korea, pungsu was considered a serious and essential philosophy, whether for an individual building, an entire city or the grounds of the kingdom.

Pungsu in Modern Korea

Today, tradition and modernity coexist harmoniously in South Korea. Major companies such as Samsung, Hanwha and Daewoo call on professional geomancers to arrange their offices according to the principles of pungsu, believing that this can bring prosperity.

This coexistence is not always frictionless. In the 2000s, research showed that some elderly people in areas such as Uiryeong, Pyeongchang and Yeongyang perceived the sound of wind turbines as resembling the voices of ghosts or reapers, or associated them with dokkaebi (도깨비), little goblins from Korean mythology.

Korean communication: Nunchi and Jeong

Nunchi: Korean Emotional Intelligence

Nunchi (눈치), literally “power of the eye”, is a Korean concept referring to a set of qualities necessary for effective communication and good interpersonal relations: intuitiveness, sensitivity, understanding, politeness, mutual attention, an open mind and a sense of observation.

In the Korean language, we talk about the presence or absence of nunchi in someone’s home:

• Nunchi itda (눈치 있다): to have nunchi
• Nunchi eopda (눈치 없다): do not have a nunchi
• Nunchi ppareuda (눈치 빠르다): to have a lively and fast nunchi

Like martial arts, nunchi requires immediate adaptation to circumstances. It’s an art of instant observation and interpretation of what’s going on around you.

Jeong: The Korean Attachment

Jeong (정) can be translated as “affection” or “attachment”. This concept functions in the Korean language as an expression of a brotherhood of souls – a special bond that arises between two people without rational justification.

Jeong is not reserved solely for human relationships; it applies to all living beings, supernatural beings and even objects. This vision reflects an important aspect of traditional Korean philosophy: the harmony of all universes, whether empirical or spiritual, animate or inanimate.

Jeong fits perfectly with the collective spirit of Korean society, which is why in some situations the pronoun woori (우리, “we”) is used instead of “me” to mark the importance of other people’s opinions.

Korean Theater: Bertolt Brecht and Lee Jaram

An Intercultural Encounter

The p’ansori-Brecht Sach’onga (사천가), (The Tale of Sichuan) by Lee Jaram (이자람) represents a fascinating fusion of Western theater and traditional Korean narrative art. This work adapts Bertolt Brecht’s La Bonne Âme du Se-Tchouan into p’ansori, a Korean sung narrative art form.

P’ansori: A Renewed Traditional Art

P’ansori (판소리) refers to the skill of the storyteller and the emotion he produces on the assembled group, thanks to the musicality of his narration and the power of his singing. Born in south-west Korea in the ^17th century, storytelling is a folk art transmitted orally from master to disciple.

Lee Jaram breaks with tradition by adapting a Western play and modernizing its musical, aesthetic and scenic choices:

• It adds a multi-percussionist and a guitarist to the single traditional drummer.
• She changes clothes on sight instead of wearing the traditional dress
• She uses lighting effects and shadow puppets.
• It incorporates a variety of musical styles (rock’n’roll, shamanic rhythms, samba).

Critical Distancing

Brecht’s theories on Chinese dramatic art are echoed in the art of Korean p’ansori. Both share an economy of spectacle, a parsimony of gesture, and an emphasis on humor in gesture and speech.

However, where Brecht plays on distance to create a critical distancing, Lee Jaram creates a rapprochement to make present and visible what is distant and little known in France. She adapts Korean references for a French audience, establishing a connivance with the audience and enabling them to grasp the cruelty of Korea’s “neo-neo-liberal” system.

Conclusion

South Korea offers a fascinating model of the coexistence of tradition and modernity. Unlike the West, where these two forces are often in conflict, South Korea has managed to integrate its rich cultural heritage of tradition as it moves towards modernity. This harmony is evident in all aspects of life, from traditional arts to contemporary architecture, from spirituality to business practices.

By preserving concepts such as pungsu, nunchi and jeong while embracing technological and economic advances, South Korea demonstrates that it is possible to honor the past while looking resolutely to the future. This unique synthesis of old and new is one of the most remarkable cultural strengths of this dynamic country.