I think i read somewhere about Shamanism; it was originally a primitive religion (the oldest form of religion) to the Korean. Almost all of its traditional shrines were destroyed in 19th century; being the victim to religious persecution during the Christian wave in Korea (about 10,000 Koreans martyrs died during the presecution).

You can see a Shamanism ritual in ep. 1 of Lovely Horribly (the ghost of female shaman can be seen still in dancing stance in some of the scenes in the drama)

Ikr. when a stranger, a Joseon man asks directions to Columbia University introduces himself to Eugene i had this chill feeling that the stranger must be someone important in Korea’s independant history.

Ive been reading your historical tidbits and just wanted to say, “ thanks! “

Gosh, please share this stuff on the recap pages! I found this by accident.

I think I recognised this one from episode 21, from the festival in Ilbon?

The account of Queen Min’s funeral by attendee Mrs Underwood in chapter 13 of her book,

“In October of 1897 the king assumed the title of emperor, and immediately after the dead queen’s rank was raised to that of empress. In the following November, her imperial highness’ funeral took place. It is common among people of high rank to keep the honored remains embalmed and sealed for months, or even years, until a suitable time and place for burial has been pronounced by soothsayers, and so two years after decease, after repeated consultations with these costly and ghostly advisers, who repeatedly changed their directions, a grave site was finally decided upon and prepared and a day set. Two weeks before this, daily sacrifices were offered in Kyeng-won palace, and on the first and fifteenth of each month since her death special sacrifices had been offered. All court officials wore heavy mourning and all citizens wore half mourning. The grounds selected for the grave site were about three or four miles from the east gate outside the city, and many acres in extent. Money flowed like water, and no pains or expense were spared to make the service and everything connected with it as magnificent and stately as the queen’s rank and the king’s devotion to her memory required. The grave was prepared of solid masonry at the summit of a mound fifty feet high, a costly temple for the temporary shelter of the remains, where the last rites were to be performed, was erected near its foot, and a number of other buildings were put up for the accommodation of the court, the foreign legations and other invited guests, for the funeral was to be held at night. Refreshments and entertainment was provided for Koreans and foreigners, officials, friends, soldiers and servants to the number of several thousands. A courteous invitation was sent from the Foreign Office to the legations, inviting the private residents (foreigners) of Seoul to share this hospitality. The casket in a catafalque was carried from the palace at eight o’clock on the morning of the 21st of November, attended by five thousand soldiers, four thousand lantern bearers, six hundred and fifty police, and civil and military dignitaries of innumerable grades. The scene was one of extreme and varied interest. Thousands of people crowded the streets, arches were erected over the road at intervals. There were numberless scrolls recounting the queen’s virtues, magnificent silk banners, beautiful small chairs, wooden horses (for use in the spirit world), which, with all the varied accoutrements of ancient and modern arms, and the immense variety in the dress and livery of court and other officials, retainers, menials, chair coolies and mapoos, made a scene quite beyond description. The emperor and crown prince did not follow the bier until one o’clock in the afternoon. His majesty had sent us a special invitation to be present and go in the procession, but we preferred to go quietly later, …

And even after independence, it was torn apart by civil war. Such sad history.