First European Description of Life in Korea // 1668 'Hamel's Journal' // Primary Source

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Hendrick Hamel was shipwrecked in Korea in 1653, becoming the first Westerner to provide a first-hand account of life in the kingdom. He describes a kingdom of contrasts - blatant liars, yet incredibly credulous, very well educated but terribly misogynistic - with a range of advanced ideas, underfloor heating in their houses being one remarkable example.

Corea, Without and Within: Chapters on Corean History, Manners and Religion. With Hendrick Hamel ... by
William Elliot Griffis, Hendrik Hamel Publication date: 1885
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[jbweld]

"Guests are not permitted to leave".. today those are called prisoners.

[L]

The Dutch were probably fairly offended over the fact that Koreans did not distinguish them from the Portuguese. Like they did not just have the 80-year war just to be confused with their enemy.

[saynotopw]

This is a famous record among Koreans, actually. I have been hoping to find English language copy to no avail, until your video. So, thank you.

[BazzBrother]

This guy sounds like he disliked the Kor-"They held us captive, forced us to dance and made fun of my nose". XD

[wilnh]

A long square, clearly this is pre-rectangle

[semkoops]

In the Dutch town of Gorinchem, part of Hamel's house still stands today. It's now used as a museum detailing the life of Hendrick Hamel. I bought a modern translation of his journal there. Really interesting stuff for people interested in early European contact with East Asia or Joseon, I recommend it!

[brainwashington]

"They're much afraid of the sick particular those who has contagious dis tempest and therefore they presently remove them..." so this is why South Korea is so successful in combating the coronavirus.

[TheCarDetailingChannel]

Update: I just signed up for Magellan TV using the link for the free month and subsequently signed up for the full year for about 60 bucks or 5 per month. After 2 minutes of exploring, I can tell you that this is more than worth it if you like documentaries; I'm just sad I haven't signed up for Magellan until now.

Thank you for making these incredible videos. Voices of the Past & History Time are two of the best channels on YouTube. Definitely signing up for the Magellan free trial.

[parmentier]

Hamel was not the first Dutchman in Korea at the time. When Hamel was brought to the king, a Dutch-Korean interpreter (Jan Jansz. Weltevree) came to the palace. Hamel was very surprised about this. Jan Jansz. Weltevree was in the palace for 26 years and was also an adviser to the king. He married a Korean and had two children. According to Jan Jansz. Weltevree there were also other Dutch stranded on the coast of Korea and even served the Korean army. Foreigners stranded on the coast of Korea were never allowed to leave the country. After Hamel was fully integrated into Korean society, Hamel managed to escape Korea after 13 years.

[lucassmith]

How does this channel not have ten million subscribers?! I absolutely love this channel, an awesome way to learn straight from the source, no filter. Excellent work man, keep on keeping on!

[zxp]

Tartars in China has many meanings. It can refer to tartars, and can also refer to other nomads . For example, tartars here means Manchus. Tatar used to be a contempting word which is used to call invading nomads. So at that time, Koreans really despise Qing dynasty and see them as brutal invaders to Ming dynasty.

[KimTaeHwan]

Yeah I get it. Joseon Dynasty was a quite closed era in korean history.
Well instead Goryeo Dynasty before that, many merchants from other countries visited and cell their goods very well.
Arabians who visited Goryeo Kingdom, they spread the word call 'Korea'.

[dorrin]

How the hell did Europeans in 1668 know about Magellan TV??

[MattttG]

Why are you all forgetting to like these videos?!? It’s insane to me how great these all are on this channel and yet how little likes the videos all have 🤦‍♂️ what the literal hell is going on here! No respect for true talent, skill, narration skill and overall elegance in making me feel right back in time to experience what is being read. Seriously, amazing work on this channel and thank you so much . Please don’t stop

[yaleyoon]

Hi Voices of the Past, this is the first time I've watched this channel and it's so cool how you found out about this obscure event. I didn't expect people to know about this other than Koreans and experts.
After watching this I thought of another historical source related to Korea. It's a diplomatic mission sent by Song China to Korea in 1123 and one of the main members of the mission, Xu Jing (徐兢), wrote in meticulous detail about all that he learned about Korea. Title: <Illustrated Account of the Xuanhe Embassy to Goryeo>. It's a rare gem that reveals much otherwise unknown knowledge about medieval Korea from the Chinese point of view. It's a very different account from Hamel's journal!

Actually just thought of a couple other sources but I think this one's good enough for now b/c this comment is already too long 😅

[timdella]

Can you do Magellan next and his adventures and later demise in the Philippines. That would be awesome.

[epg]

Wow cool, thanks for accepting my req. Wish you can make video about Taiwanese aboriginals

[mermanhellville]

*blanks on the word rectangle* it's like... You know... Long square
Ps. Love those cats. For some reason based on your voice I always inagined you as an old kind proffessor type 🤭

[ayske]

Thanks for fulfilling my request. A few people hissed at it but I'm sure they're thankful for it now!!

[davidhuber]

After a decade in Korea, I miss an ondal so much. - 20C outside and you can turn that thing on for an hour, sleep on a mat all night and turn it back on in the morning, hop in the shower and come out to a nice toasty room. Man, do I miss that.