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Who are Koreans? What is their character? What are the ideals and values of Koreans which make them behave in certain ways? What are their dominant concerns and interests, their worldviews that best express their underlying beliefs and attitudes? In answering these questions, the book argues that the most important aspects of their thought and behavioral patterns find their roots in shamanism and Confucianism. The book first describes the nature of shamanism and illustrates how the folk religion has shaped Koreans’ this-worldly orientation and their strong belief in fate and fortune-telling, among others. The book then explores how Confucian values have engendered a strong emphasis on the family-replete with filial piety and ancestor worship-collectivism, patriarchy, and emphasis on education. The book also discusses certain values which characterize Koreans’ mindset in interpersonal relations, namely chemyeon (“social face”), nunchi (“sizing up the situation”), gibun (priority of group’s mood over one’s own), and jeong (affection). Lastly, the book examines the so-called “emerging values,” beliefs or attitudes which have emerged in recent years as being important, including ethnic nationalism, leisure, fitness, youth, romantic love, concern for the environment, and ppalli ppalli (“hurry up, hurry up”). The book combines historical, religious, comparative, and sociological insights as well as psychological and anthropological findings in providing a detailed treatment of the complexity and uniqueness of Korean culture and, to some extent, society.

Introduction

PART I SHAMANIC HABITS OF THE HEART

Chapter 1 Korean Shamanism
Korean Shamanism: A Polytheistic Religion
Shamans and their Roles
Gut: Shamanic Rituals
Shamanism: This-Worldly Religion par excellence
An Affinity between Shamanism and Buddhism
The Impact of Shamanism on Christianity
Conclusion

Chapter 2 Shamanic Practices: Belief in Fate and Fortune-telling
Sajupalja (Fortune-telling Based on Birth Date and Time)
Goonghap (Divination on Marital Harmony)
Gilil (Foretelling Auspicious Days)
Auspicious Names
Gwansang (Physiognomy)
Poongsujiriseol (Feng Shui or Geomancy)
Conclusion

PART II CONFUCIAN HABITS OF THE HEART

Chapter 3 Social Philosophy of Confucianism
Neo-Confucianism
Confucianism in Korea
Conclusion

Chapter 4 Confucian Habits of the Heart I: Family-centered Worldview and Practice
Filial Piety
Ancestor Worship
Son Preference
Familism
Collectivism
Conclusion

Chapter 5 Confucian Habits of the Heart II: Hierarchical Worldview and Cultural Practices
Discrimination against Women in Korea
The Korean Language: Subliminal Reinforcement of Hierarchy in Everyday Life
Conclusion

Chapter 6 Confucian Habits of the Heart III: Cultural Emphasis on Education and Its Impact
Education Frenzy in Korea
Reasons for the “Education Fever”
Education-based Discrimination
Positive Consequences of Koreans’ Zeal for Education
Negative Impact of Education Frenzy in Korea
Conclusion

Part III OTHER CULTURAL HABITS OF THE HEART

Chapter 7 Habits of the Heart in Interpersonal Interactions
Chemyon (“Social Face”)
Nunchi (“Sizing Up the Situation”)
Gibun (Priority of Group’s Mood over One’s Own)
Jeong (Affection)
Conclusion

Chapter 8 Emerging Habits of the Heart
Ethnic Nationalism
Leisure
Fitness
Youth
Romantic Love
Concern for the Environment
Ppalli Ppalli
Conclusion

Summary and Conclusions

References
Index