A Brief History of Han with Prof. Michael D. Shin

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, I hope to provide a better understanding of han – and of why generation after generation of Koreans seem to be able to feel it so acutely.

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[materdeimusicd.buckley]

I'm identifying as an Irish person whose youth was also influenced by a divided country. Bombs in the news constantly. Then living in England, where it was presumed I supported IRA because I speak Gaeilge and play Irish traditional music. Since the peace process, I think the 90s provided some hope. However, I reckon a lot of Irish also live with Han. The loss of our language is in particular like a loss of identity. Yet many Irish now hate the language. Others wish they could speak better. Others get very emotional about protecting the language and hate the English language, yet they have no choice but to speak it. Others trying to promote it. Others want to secularise it as modern Ireland rejects Catholicism. This is also a loss of identity. The famine still looms over us. The deaths, emigration, hardships endured. Interesting about the women. Old religious songs were considered women's songs. In the Catholic faith, Mary is someone these women identify with in their songs. A Pheadar a aspail. This song is in the form of questions asked by Mary. Have you seen my bright love? I saw him high on wood. Is that my son I bore for 3 seasons? Is that my son who was born in a stable? Perhaps the Koreans like the Irish identified readily with Mary. This was why they expressed such Han. I don't know. Funny how I have found myself identifying with K drama during lockdown. Even the sense of humour. This ability to laugh at oneself. Something us Irish do. Is this connected with Han? We can travel freely now to Belfast. No soldiers at the border unlike my childhood experiences. Still though, there is unexpressed sad emotions about the Irish too, particularly those in Northern Ireland. Also an anger, on both sides. Maybe that's why we clung to the Catholic faith for so long. In the last few decades, things have changed. I feel as a nation we struggle to find our identity. We empathize well with underdogs. We work hard living abroad, but lazy when in Ireland. I know we are not the same, but I think there are similarities. Though also there are significant differences. A strong sense of justice in both cases. We also have this thing of being urged on to do something, often from someone who has died. Old Irish saints show this well. St. Brendan decided to sail off in a little skin boat. Read Tim Severn's Brendan's voyage. I think Tim himself has some of this. Wherever it comes from.
I don't know. I'm trying to identify in some way, why I feel a connection with Koreans that I don't feel in the same way with other Asian countries. Some Indians yes, but it's the way to be. The drinking when experiencing Han. Though in the past the Irish women didn't drink as much as the men generally. .Read Peig Sayers. I think many Koreans would identify with her life. What do you think? Does she express Han? Then again something is lost in the translation, just like trying to translate Han to a non Korean like me.

[luisbanegassaybe]

I just discovered this channel and hope it never comes off youtube, absolutely amazing talks, please keep producing content like this

[kyopo]

Good lecture. The scholar forgot to look at the Japanese records of Han. In Shinsenshojiroku "Shinchanseongshirok" you have the ancient Han not as Han Chinese but Han Koreans who crossed over to Japan.

It was a nice presentation on the emotional aspect of Han. It made me connect to myself.

Please do one on the ancient Korean Han.

We are after all Hanguk salahm.

[jcleu]

This is seems to have similarities to the depiction of generational trauma, in African American and Native American literature as well.

[ksuar]

I have a Korean friend with the Han! Crazy!

[Headington_Oxford]

J.K. Rowling amplified and expressed 'Han' as the obscurus i.e., a pent-up complex energy born of unjust, unfulfilled circumstance that festers over time unresolved.