A few years ago, there was a Korean meme circulating among graduate students on social media. They posted messages like this: 

One day in my major class, my professor said, “If you’re struggling with how to write an abstract, raise your head and look at the Hunminjeongeum Haeryebone (Korean alphabet manuscript). It is the best-written abstract in the world.”

Let’s examine how he wrote the abstract in the Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon.

Title:
‘The correct sounds for the instruction of people’, invented by King Sejong. 

Background:
The Korean language is different from Chinese, so our language does not match with Chinese characters. 

Aim and objective:
As a result, if uneducated people have any complaints, it becomes difficult for them to express their opinions.

Material and methods:
I felt pity about this situation. Therefore, I newly invented a set of 28 alphabets.

Discussion and conclusion:
My wish is to make it comfortable for people to use them daily. 

Hunminjeongum is the original name of Hangeul, invented by King Sejong, which means ‘Correct Sounds for the Instruction of People.’ Originally, this Korean alphabet consisted of 28 letters, including 17 consonants and 11 vowels. Over time, Hunminjeongeum changed its name to Hangul, meaning ‘the great alphabet of Korean.’ Additionally, it underwent changes, omitting four unused sounds, three from the consonants and one from the vowels. But Hangul remains the most significant cultural heritage in Korea to this day.

Related tourist destinations for Hangeul Lovers

Hangeul museum

Website:
https://www.hangeul.go.kr/lang/en
Address: 
139, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
(Highly recommend to use Public transportation.
Metro: Line 4, Ichon station exit no.9)
Admissiom:
free
Operating hours: 
Mon~Fri, Sun: 10:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m 
Sat: 10:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m
Guide tour:
Wed: 1:30 p.m, 2: 30p.m

This museum is located a 5-minute walk from the National Museum of Korea. It features seven halls for permanent exhibitions, as mentioned in the abstract sentence. Additionally, they offer Korean calligraphy classes for foreign groups. For detailed information about the classes, please check the Education category on their webpage. 

Story of Sejong

Website:
https://www.sejongstory.or.kr/engStory/main/main.do
Address: 
172, Sejongdae-ro, Jongro-gu, Seoul
(Highly recommend to use Public transportation.
Metro: Line 5, Gwanghwamun station exit no.2)
Admissiom:
free
Operating hours: 
Tue~Sun: 10:00 a.m – 6:30 p.m
Guide tour:
Only MP3 Audio guide available for free. 

Located beneath the statue of Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square, there’s a hidden museum called ‘Story of Sejong.’ This museum offers various stories not only about Hangeul but also about the significant inventions of King Sejong. As a permanent complementary program, visitors can ‘write your name in Hangul’ on a first-come-first-serve basis. Additionally, visitors can enjoy other experiences such as making badges for a small budget of about 3 to 5 dollars. The museum is also connected with ‘The Story of Admiral Yi Sun-sin,’ allowing visitors to explore the underground space filled with fascinating stories of Korean heroes.

 Yeongneung(Royal tombs of King Sejong)

Website:
https://royal.cha.go.kr/ENG/contents/E106020000.do?schBdcode=rtm&pageType=story&bdProgramCode=storyCtg7&returnPage=subMain&schBdIdx=20231123030313009491&schIdx=2
Address: 
269-50, Yeongneung-ro, Yeoju-si, Gyeonggi-Do
(Highly recommend driving. For those using public transportation: Take an express bus to Yeoju bus terminal and then a taxi to Yeongneung, which is about a 10-minute ride.)
Admissiom: 
maximum 1,000 won per person
Operating hours: 
Tue~Sun
Feb-May, Sep-Oct 6:00 a.m – 6:00 p.m 
June-Aug 6:00 a.m – 6:30 p.m
Nov-Jan 6:30 a.m – 5:30 p.m
*Ticketing and admission will be end up 1 hour  before closing.
Guide tour:
Not available.

About an hour from Seoul, lies the resting place of the greatest king, Sejong, in Yeoju city. This tomb resembles a vast park, adorned with lush greenery like other royal tombs in Korea. It boasts its own museum dedicated to King Sejong, although it appears to lack guided tours for international tourists. Exploring the entire site may take approximately 40 minutes. If you have the budget, renting a car is recommended to explore the vicinity of this royal tomb. Yeoju city is renowned for its ceramic products, and your vehicle will provide the freedom to visit the ceramic expo or artisan workshops. Additionally, there are some charming cafes along the Namhan River, making it an ideal destination for a day trip. 

EZsPEDIA  © 2024 by  YUNMI LEE is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0