Look closely at the picture of the wedding. Choose three or four participants. What thoughts are running through their heads as they watch the ceremony? Write thought bubbles for each character.
This image comes from an article in Koreana vol 17, no 1 Spring 2003, titled ‘Korean Traditional Weddings'. The writer has used subheadings to scaffold the writing. The headings are: ‘Before the Wedding Day', ‘The Wedding Ceremony' and ‘The Bride – New Journey to the Groom's House'.
Another article from Koreana vol 17, no 1 Spring 2003 is titled ‘Modern Korean Views on Marriage'. In this article, the subheadings are: ‘New Ideas on Marriage', ‘The Changing Meaning of Love', ‘Rising Divorce Rates' and ‘Caught Between Custom and Reality'. What picture does this present about marriage in contemporary Korean society?
To check your predictions, go to the article at http://www.koreana.or.kr> Back Issues and browse each section. Compare trends in contemporary Korean society with your understanding of Australian society.
Create a PowerPoint presentation which compares and contrasts trends in both cultures. Have an audience of Korean students in mind for this presentation.
Traditional Korean marriages were based on the saju which determined the compatibility of bride and groom as well as the desirability of uniting two specific families. In contemporary Australia, people often advertise for partners in newspapers or on the Internet. What sort of qualities do people seek? Read this online article ‘Looking for Love' at http://www2.gol.com/users/coynerhm/looking_for_love.htm that explores young Koreans' experiences with Internet dating.
In traditional society, marriage was more than a meeting of two people: it was a meeting of two families. To modern Koreans, on the other hand, marriage is a union of two individuals founded on love. It remains to be seen whether a point of compromise can be found between these conflicting traditional and modern values.
Write a story, set in Korea, which explores some of the tensions between traditional and contemporary attitudes to marriage. Use some of the articles in Koreana vol 17, no 1 Spring 2003 as research materials for your writing.
Extension activity: Read a short story called After Seventeen Years that is centred around a traditional wedding at http://www.askasia.org > Teachers > Background Essays
