I had been looking forward to hearing Jennifer Jung-Kim speak because Korea is of interest to me. My brother and his family live in Seoul and I was excited to get information because it is my sister in-laws and nephew’s heritage. I do not remember ever learning about Korea in school and I benefited greatly from the history lesson that was given. Professor Jung-Kim touched on many different topics during her presentation. She gave information about the language, the culture, and the geography. I especially enjoyed learning about the Sijo form of Korean poetry. Even though I do not like to “put myself out there’, it was cool that we participated and wrote our own Sijo. I have to say, I was impressed with the cleverness and talent of some of my classmates!
I also like that Professor Jung-Kim gave ideas on how to use this information and subject matter in our lesson plans. I always find it difficult on how to incorporate all this great information into my special education classes so I am thankful to hear ideas and suggestions that the professors and students give.

Professor Jung-Kim presentation was simply great. I enjoyed learning so much about Korea’s history literature and culture. It was very impressive the importance of having hollowed bones to be eligible to the throne and about the wise queen who unified Silla. I found of greater interest to learn about queen Sŏndŏk and her contribution to the spreading of trade and culture. It was very striking to learn that unlike china, Korea gave women equal inheritance rights and that wedding ceremonies continued to take place at the bride’s home even after the Neo-Confucianism of Chosŏn. Though during this period women had to move out of her parent’s home. Moreover, interesting fact that I learned was that Korean invented a phonetic writing system and the woodblock printing. It was very striking to learn about the filicide under the hot summer sun.
The readings were very interesting. The story of Yangban, gave me a clear idea of how important education is for the Korean people. The story of the amazing Hŏ Nansŏrhŏn reminds me of another great woman writer, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz. I was very glad to learn that these women were very intelligent and talented. They both were self-educated and both wrote great literature. As a Spanish teacher, I love to find similarities between cultures.
The Sijo activity was enjoyable; it was a good example to engage students in creative writing.

I really enjoyed Professor Jung-Kim’s lecture today. Woman in history are frequently left out of history books. It is very refreshing to learn more about poets such as Shin Saimdang who are famous poets that express there lives in a beautiful manner through poetry. When reading one of her poem’s, I enjoyed reading about her perspective in leaving her elderly mother. She mentions “I leave my elderly mother behind in Kangnung Wracked with emotions, I am alone on the road to Seoul”. In her poem you get a small glimpse of the world Shin lived in. Her work can be connected to today’s curriculum with themes such as family, feminism, and independence. She became a role model to many women as she raised 7 of her children and her parents. It is refreshing to have women as powerful as Shin in today’s curriculum. Her story can serve as an empowering story for young women today.