The Korean Christian Church in Hawaii was built on April 24, 1938. The structure of the church took on the form of Gwanghwamun Gate, sangryu, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This particular building, in terms of importance, has been a pivotal focus for m...
The Korean Christian Church in Hawaii was built on April 24, 1938. The structure of the church took on the form of Gwanghwamun Gate, sangryu, in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This particular building, in terms of importance, has been a pivotal focus for many Korean style architecture outside of Korea as it is more than a religious space. It has been the symbol of Korea during the Japanese Colonial period. For those who were homesick during the Japanese Colonial Period, the church was Korea. It has been a space that symbolize a country that was denied of its identity and the first Korean style traditional architecture known as ‘Hanok’ outside of its own land.
Since then, the Korean Government donated the ‘Hanguk-jeong’, another hanok in a foreign environment. This time it was built in Mexico City to commemorate the Summer Olympic Games. This particular hanok was built in 1968 and it is located in the Bosque de Chapultepec, Mexico City. In reality, this hanok was sent to Mexico City as a symbolic monument paying tribute to the descendants of Korean immigrants who left Korea on April 4, 1905 at Jemulpo Port. The British merchant ship, Ilford, carried some 1,033 Joseon people as immigrants. In 1974, the Korean traditional style bell tower was donated to America as a symbol of amicable relations between the two countries. This particular architecture is located near the beach of San Pedro in Los Angeles, USA where the Korean population is mostly concentrated. The occasion commemorates 200 years of American Independence. The bell tower overlooks to Korea as the shores of the western beach directs toward the country. Korean immigrants living in the area longed for their birth land by looking toward it.
The study focuses specifically on Korean traditional style architecture built outside of the country. They have symbolic meanings for immigrants, almost substituting their homeland. Seen from such a perspective, the role of these buildings have much significance. Toward the middle of the 1990s, regional governments become independent from the central government and consequently pavilions, bell towers and more were built in many foreign environments outside of Korea. However, because of the lack of expertise required to build such authentic features, there has been many drawbacks in terms of materials and management. Many have been left abandoned and therefore the buildings have deteriorated into hideous states. This study investigates on such phenomena in order to find ways to strategically and continuously manage the Korean architectural buildings in different places around the world. Such distinct architectural structures are a representation of a culture and a country. In order to maintain a cultural identity it is important to resolve such issues, even as a way of paying respect to the Korean immigrants.
Many of the hanoks found in different places around the world began as symbolic national sites for Koreans living abroad during the Japanese Colonial period. The majority were donated by the Korean government. After 1995, as mentioned above, regional governments were decentralized and they began to broaden their perspectives beyond the domestic market. Their activities exceeded the local scene and they began to donate hanoks to different countries for economical exchanges and also as a symbol of the love for one’s homeland.
Today, in many different countries around the world where there are sister cities Korean traditional architectural features have been included in Korean style gardens or in city gardens as a place for resting. In such places pavilions and other Korean features have been built. However entering into the year 2000, there has been an increase in civilian contribution with much going beyond simple exchanges as the financial situation of Korea improved. Korean traditional architecture finally made a mark in the market and it no longer is simply a symbolic feature.
The special phenomenon is that individuals are taking interest in hanok. Korea is rising as a strong cultural country with bands such as BTS taking the position of Number 1 on the Billboard Chart. They stand on a par with Beatles. Furthermore, ‘Parasite’ movie, directed by Joonho Bong, has won 4 Academy Awards.
The Korean popular culture based on tradition in terms of dress, food, crafts and more are now enjoyed by a global audience. We have established a market. Korean hanok is also developing in this way. For civilians and individuals this is becoming a new field for exploration.
This study has analyzed the hanoks of the past. The objective is to restore and repair existing ones for the image of the country.
Keywords : Hanok Abroad, Korean Garden, Korean Pavilion, National Image, Exporting Hanok, Department of Korean Studies
This study has analyzed the hanoks of the past. The objective is to restore and repair existing ones for the image of the country.