May 2, 2019 - The term han is difficult if not impossible to translate into English – at least not in a word or two. Words such as “rage” or “deep sorrow” are not sufficient to capture the complex of emotions that it evokes. Yet it is something that Koreans can readily identify when they see it. This talk examines some historical examples of han taken from both literature and real-life events. They will include the Great Revival Movement of 1907; the death and funeral of Sunjong, the last Korean emperor, in 1926; and both early-20th century and postwar literature. Through this examination, Prof. Michael Shin hopes to provide a better understanding of han – and of why generation after generation of Koreans seem to be able to feel it so acutely.

For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/education/item/1288-a-brief-history-of-han