Tech's Shadow, Human Spirit & the Solace of a Drink: Navigating the Digital Age

#MachineCivilization #DigitalAge #Humanity #Alcohol #FamilyValues #Humanities #SEO #TechnologyImpact #HumanConnection #ModernLifeChallenges



In our rapidly evolving digital age, the pervasive influence of technology touches every facet of our lives. 

From the intricate algorithms that drive financial markets to the sophisticated artificial intelligence powering our devices, machines have become indispensable tools. 

Yet, amidst this technological revolution, fundamental questions about human value, connection, and the very essence of our existence arise. 

Are we, as humans, in danger of being overshadowed by the very tools we have created?


Consider the high-stakes world of Wall Street in New York City.

 Here, fortunes are made and lost in fractions of a second. 

To gain a competitive edge, traders invest vast sums in cutting-edge computer systems, all in the pursuit of executing buy and sell orders milliseconds before their rivals. 

This relentless pursuit of speed and efficiency, driven by technological prowess, highlights the intense competition that characterizes the modern economy. 

However, it also begs the question: in this race against machines, what becomes of human intuition, experience, and the nuanced understanding that goes beyond mere data processing?


While the efficiency and tireless nature of machines, particularly computers, are undeniable assets, their capabilities remain confined to the realm of quantifiable data.

They excel at executing instructions without complaint, processing vast amounts of information with remarkable speed and accuracy. 

However, the ability to navigate complex, ambiguous situations, to exercise sound judgment based on a multitude of intangible factors, and to connect with others on an emotional level remains a uniquely human domain.



The limitations of artificial intelligence become apparent when comparing its performance in different types of games. 

In games like chess, where the rules are fixed and the optimal strategies can be computationally analyzed, computers have achieved dominance. 

However, in the ancient game of Go, with its vast complexity and the importance of strategic intuition, human players still hold their own. 

This stark contrast underscores the fact that while machines can excel in rule-based systems, they struggle with the unpredictable nature of the real world and the multifaceted decision-making that humans possess.


Ideally, we should strive for a symbiotic relationship with technology. 

Machines should handle the laborious and repetitive tasks, freeing up human potential for creative endeavors, innovation, and the cultivation of our inherent human qualities. 

The development of empathy, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning should be our primary focus. 

Unfortunately, our current trajectory often sees us becoming increasingly reliant on technology in areas that demand human connection and nuanced understanding.


The world of finance, particularly the stock market, often blurs the lines between investment and speculation. 

For many, it can feel like a zero-sum game, where one person's gain is another's loss. 

This perception echoes the sentiments found in ancient literature, where warnings against excessive greed and the pursuit of wealth at the expense of others are prevalent. 

Instead, the emphasis is often placed on earning justly and sharing one's resources with the community. In this context, 

Sima Qian's "Biographies of Wealthy Individuals" from the Records of the Grand Historian stands out as a unique text that delves into the practical methods of wealth accumulation while still offering insights into the human condition.


The impact of our increasingly automated and often impersonal world can be seen in various societal issues. 

The alarming prevalence of drunk driving incidents, including hit-and-run cases, and the disregard for emergency vehicle right-of-way highlight a potential erosion of empathy and social responsibility. 

These incidents, often fueled by impaired judgment and a sense of detachment, serve as stark reminders of the human element that technology alone cannot replace.


The approaching Lunar New Year, a time traditionally associated with family gatherings and togetherness, can also be a source of stress and conflict. 

The disproportionate burden of food preparation often falls on women, leading to resentment and strained relationships. 

This highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing the emotional labor involved in maintaining family harmony, something that technological efficiency cannot address.


The significance of a nurturing and supportive home environment cannot be overstated. 

After a demanding day, returning to a place of comfort and understanding is crucial for our well-being. 

A home should be more than just a physical structure; it should be a sanctuary for rest, rejuvenation, and the cultivation of future aspirations. 

The warmth of familial bonds and the feeling of mutual support are powerful motivators, inspiring us to face the challenges of the world with renewed vigor. 

However, when the home environment becomes a source of tension and negativity, it can have a profound impact on our overall well-being. In such situations, the temptation to seek solace in temporary escapes, such as alcohol, can be strong. 

While a drink might offer fleeting relief, it rarely addresses the underlying issues and can, in fact, lead to more serious problems, such as drunk driving.

Ultimately, the challenges posed by our increasingly machine-driven civilization and the resulting impact on human connection and values necessitate a deeper exploration of what it means to be human. 

The resurgence of interest in the humanities reflects this fundamental need for introspection. 

By engaging with philosophy, literature, history, and other humanistic disciplines, we can gain valuable insights into the complexities of human nature, the importance of ethical considerations, and the enduring values that should guide our interactions in a technologically advanced world. 

Instead of solely relying on technological solutions or seeking temporary comfort in external substances, we must actively engage in the ongoing quest to understand ourselves and our place in this rapidly changing world. 

The answers to navigating the shadows of machine civilization and rediscovering the essence of our humanity lie not just in technological advancement, but in a renewed commitment to fostering human connection, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human spirit.

#MachineCivilization #DigitalAge #Humanity #Alcohol #FamilyValues #Humanities #SEO #TechnologyImpact #HumanConnection #ModernLifeChallenges #EthicalTechnology #HumanValues #DigitalWellbeing

Internal Link: 


Outernal Link: 


The taste and nutrition of autumn, loach chueotang

1. Introduction: The charm of chueotang, a representative nutritious food of autumn

In autumn, when the cold wind begins to blow, there is a representative nutritious food that stimulates the lost appetite of Koreans and restores their energy. It is chueotang. Chueotang, which uses the character 'misgooji chu (鰍)', is a hot soup dish made by boiling loach for a long time, as its name suggests. Let's unravel the colorful story of chueotang, which is deeply rooted in the lives and culture of Koreans, and immerse yourself in its charm.



2. The etymology and meaning of 'chueo (鰍)': The wisdom of autumn fish

The Chinese character 'chueo (鰍)' means loach. An interesting point is that it is a combination of the character 'chu (秋)' and the character 'eo (魚)'. The character 'eo', fish, is written with the character 'chu', meaning autumn, to convey the meaning of a fish that tastes good in autumn. This suggests that loaches have been considered nutritious and delicious in the fall since ancient times. The season when you can truly enjoy the taste of loaches is fall.

3. The taste of regional chueotang: Namwon, Gyeongsang-do, and Seoul

As a representative local food of Korea, chueotang boasts unique tastes and cooking methods in each region.

3.1. Namwon Chueotang in Jeollabuk-do: A deep flavor hidden in its thick soup

Chueotang in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, known as the birthplace of chueotang, is characterized by its thick and rich broth. It is nutritious because the loaches are ground whole and eaten with the bones, and it has a refreshing yet savory taste. Namwon Chueotang, served hot in a clay pot, is the perfect nutritious food that warms your body on a chilly autumn day.

3.2. Gyeongsang-do Chueotang: A harmony of coolness and spiciness

Gyeongsang-do style chueotang has a distinctly different charm from Namwon style. It boasts a refreshing and cool taste with plenty of cabbage leeks, and it is characterized by adding a unique flavor and spiciness with the addition of Sichuan pepper or Zephyr powder. Ground loach is added, but it is less thick than the Namwon style and the broth is clear.

3.3. Seoul-style Chueotang: Clean and light taste

Chueotang in the central region, including Seoul, like the Gyeongsang-do style, prefers a clear and clean broth. Finely ground loach brings out the soft texture, and seasoned vegetables and green onions add a refreshing taste. The focus is on bringing out the original flavor of the ingredients rather than stimulating spices.

4. Transformation of loach: Enjoying it as a delicacy in fried form and boiled form

There are various ways to enjoy loach in addition to chueotang. Fried loach, which is made by frying the whole loach, is crispy and has a great savory taste, and is enjoyed as a snack or as a drinking snack. Also, lightly blanched loach sashimi has a chewy texture and mild flavor, and it is a delicacy that whets the appetite when dipped in gochujang.

5. Traditional loach catching method: Autumn rice paddy landscape

Since ancient times, loaches have been caught mainly in autumn rice paddy fields. It was common to catch loaches by hand or using a trap when the water in the rice paddy was drained and the muddy water was stirred, and the loaches would jump out. Catching loaches in the rich autumn fields was not just labor, but also a part of the community culture of sharing affection between neighbors.

6. The role of loaches in rice paddy fields: Unsung contributors to fertile land

Interestingly, it was believed that when there were many loaches in a rice paddy, their excrement served as natural fertilizer, making the rice paddy even more fertile. Loaches were an important member of the rice paddy ecosystem, and they were not only a food resource, but also contributed to making the land healthy. Rice paddy fields with many loaches were recognized as healthy and fertile land. 

7. Nutritional value of Chueotang: Healthy food eaten with bones

Chueotang is a healthy food rich in various nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins because it is made by boiling the loach with its bones ground up. It is especially good for growing children and the elderly who are concerned about bone health because it has a high calcium content. It is also rich in unsaturated fatty acids, so it can help with blood vessel health. This is why Chueotang is perfect for recovering energy in the fall.

8. Chueotang that is controversial: Various reactions to its unique flavor

Of course, Chueotang is a food that is controversial because of its unique flavor and aroma. Some people dislike the earthy smell or thick texture of loach. However, once you get hooked on its taste, Chueotang is a food that you cannot escape from. Another way to enjoy Chueotang is to experience the various flavors that come from the differences in cooking methods in each region. 9. Conclusion: Taste Chueotang, a gift of autumn


Chueotang is more than just a simple meal; it is a special food that contains the wisdom of Koreans, the rich nature, and the warmth of the community. How about soothing your body and mind with a bowl of hot Chueotang while feeling the autumn mood? We hope that you will feel the depth of Korean food culture through a journey of tasting Chueotang, which has different charms in each region.


Fragrant rice thief! Perilla leaf salad recipe and delicious story hidden in the name

 Perilla leaf salad that fills your mouth with a fragrant spoonful of warm rice. Although it is a simple side dish, there is an interesting story hidden inside. Today, we will unravel the food literature story behind perilla leaf salad, and we will also tell you a delicious recipe and SEO optimization tips! 😉


Sesame? Perilla? Uncovering the secret of perilla leaves 🤔

There are two types of seeds that we commonly call 'sesame': sesame and perilla. The prefix '참' means 'real', and is used to refer to unique and representative things, such as sparrow 🐦 or tuna 🐟. Sesame has been called '임자(荏子)' or **호마(胡麻)** since ancient times.


The main character of today, perilla leaves, refers to the leaves of perilla leaves. While perilla grows, the leaves are harvested and used for food. Perilla leaves, with their unique fragrance, add a variety of flavors to our table. 😋


Freckles on the face? A fun story about freckles ✨

Interestingly, we call the small, yellowish-brown pigmented spots on the face that look like sesame seeds sprinkled on them freckles. They usually appear on areas exposed to sunlight, such as the nose 👃, cheeks 😊, and the back of the hand 👋, and the name comes from the fact that their rough appearance reminds us of the seeds of perilla leaves. They used to be common in Korea, but recently, they are more often found in Western children 👧👦, giving them a cute and adorable feel. It's a fun story that comes from the pronunciation of perilla leaves, 'sesame'. 😄


Enrich your table with the charm and fragrance of perilla leaves 🌿

The biggest charm of perilla leaves is their unique fragrance. This scent not only whets the appetite, but is especially effective in eliminating the gamey smell of meat 🥩 or fish 🐟, so it is often used as a wrap vegetable at meat restaurants.



In particular, the combination of pork belly 🥓, a representative K-food, wrapped in perilla leaves is widely known overseas. However, ironically, it is rare to enjoy perilla leaves themselves as a wrap vegetable in foreign countries. 😮


There are various types of vegetables to wrap grilled meat on charcoal 🔥, such as lettuce 🥬, romaine, and mugwort. Coriander 🌱, which has a unique scent that is divisive, and rice paper, which is popular in Vietnam 🇻🇳 and Laos 🇱🇦, are not yet familiar in Korea. 🤔


Foods that look similar to perilla leaf salad but are different 🥗

Among the vegetables that are enjoyed as salads like perilla leaves, there are also soybean leaves that have different sizes, colors, and textures. Recently, they have been released as canned foods 🥫, making them easy to enjoy.


Cucumber salad 🥒 and pickled vegetables 🌶️ are similar to perilla leaf salad in that they use seasoned seasonings, but their taste and flavor are clearly different from fresh perilla leaf salad mixed with perilla leaves.


Recently, vegetables with wide leaves are not often used as vegetables for shabu-shabu 🍲, but cabbage 🥬 often appears. This may be because vegetables with a strong unique flavor like perilla leaves do not go well with the mild flavor of shabu-shabu. 🤷‍♀️


Perilla leaf salad, a taste born from your own hands 😋

In spring, when fresh new shoots come up, wash young perilla leaves cleanly and evenly apply seasoning made with soy sauce, garlic 🧄, and red pepper powder 🌶️ to every 2-3 leaves to complete a delicious perilla leaf salad. It is delicious even if you eat it right away, but you can taste another deep flavor if you let it age for a few days. In particular, the seasoning made with old perilla leaves has a different flavor. 👍


There is also a simpler way to make it. After trimming the perilla leaves, add a little salt to boiling water, blanch them briefly, and then mix them with seasoning made with soy sauce, chopped green onions 🧅, chopped garlic 🧄, sesame oil, and sesame salt to complete a fragrant perilla leaf salad.


Perilla leaves are a great ingredient for those who like unique and special flavors. The sight of a grandmother selling freshly picked sesame leaves from the field at dawn at a traditional market is so heartwarming. 🥰


Perilla leaf hair? Another fun thing in the name 💇‍♀️

An interesting fact is that there is a hairstyle called perilla leaf hair that resembles the shape of a perilla leaf. It is said that the name was given because the bangs are swept to one side and combed, giving it a cute and adorable look like a perilla leaf. 😊


Perilla leaf salad, between geotjeori and bibimbap 🤔

Perilla leaf salad looks similar to geotjeori in that it is eaten by mixing it with fresh vegetables, but the difference is that geotjeori is mainly made by pickling vegetables such as cabbage or cucumber and seasoning them, while perilla leaf salad seasoned the perilla leaves themselves.


Bibimbap 🍚 is also different from perilla leaf salad in that it is eaten by mixing various vegetables and meat together. Perilla leaf salad is sometimes eaten with cucumbers or other vegetables, but the key is to bring out the original flavor and taste of the perilla leaves. The characteristic of 'muchim' is that the mixed seasoning is sprinkled or spread on the main ingredient like a muksabal 🍜.


Interestingly, it is difficult to accurately express our unique cooking method called 'muchida' in English. Google Translate translates it as 'salad' 🥗 or 'stir', 'shake', etc., but these are insufficient expressions to capture the delicate taste of perilla leaf salad and the harmony of the seasoning. 😥


Add happiness to your table with fragrant perilla leaf salad! 🌿😋

Today, I hope that the colorful story behind perilla leaf salad made an ordinary side dish feel special. How about enjoying the fragrance of perilla leaf salad with warm rice and feeling the precious value of our table once again? 🥰




Let's get rid of the fat accumulated during the winter with a spring diet!

 

 ❄️ [Causes of winter obesity & successful spring diet strategies]


🌸 May is fast approaching with warm sunshine. 

The streets are filled with active movements such as jogging and riding. 

This means that it is time to seriously manage the fat that has accumulated in our bodies during the cold winter.



However, the homeostasis of the human body is also a factor that makes dieting more difficult. 

Since our bodies do not change easily, it may be natural to experience diet failure.


In this post, we will take a closer look at the causes of winter obesity and look at effective principles for successful dieting in the coming spring.


🐻 Why do we gain weight in winter? The main culprits of winter obesity

How does our body change in the cold winter? 

Let's look back at the winter lifestyle habits of humans through the winter survival methods of other animals.


 1. Reduced movement

Insects live in pupae, freshwater fish minimize movement in deep places, and amphibians such as frogs and snakes hibernate. Squirrels also hibernate, and bears spend the winter in caves. In this way, most animals minimize their energy consumption in winter. We also naturally decrease our activity level by spending more time indoors due to the cold.

 2. Increased calorie intake: 

In cold weather, we look for warm and high-calorie foods. Also, frequent gatherings and company dinners at the end of the year can easily lead to overeating.

Decreased metabolism due to lack of sunlight: Insufficient sunlight in winter reduces vitamin D production, which leads to decreased metabolism and can promote fat accumulation.

In this way, winter is a season when many factors work together to easily cause weight gain.


⚖️ Key Principles for a Successful Spring Diet

So what are the principles for effectively losing weight gained during the coming spring and winter and successfully dieting?


1. Lose weight gradually without your body noticing

Side effects of rapid dieting: When you try to change your weight by starving or exercising suddenly, your brain recognizes it as a crisis and enters an emergency mode to conserve energy. This is the main cause of the yo-yo phenomenon.

Diet that fools the brain: It is important to recognize that you are on a diet, but to reduce your food intake slowly and gradually so that your body does not notice.

Consistency is the answer: The most important foundation for a successful diet is to practice consistently from a long-term perspective.

2. Input < Output, Resolving energy imbalance

Basic principle: Weight loss occurs when you burn more calories than you consume.

Two ways: Reduce the amount of food you consume or increase energy consumption through exercise, etc.

Increase various outputs: In addition to sweaty exercise, increasing the amount of activity in your daily life is also a good method.

3. Food that is good for your body is not tasty? Creating healthy eating habits

Instinctive preference: We naturally prefer soft, sweet, and delicious foods. Characteristics of healthy food: Most foods that are good for the body are difficult to digest and taste bad.

Lesson of Geochanggo: Just like the lesson of Gyeongnam Geochanggo, just like deliberately choosing a difficult and rough path that others do not take, foods that are difficult to digest and taste bad are actually more beneficial to our bodies.

Avoid extreme diets: Extreme diets, like the raw food diets of ancient monks, may not be suitable for modern people.

Wisdom of healthy diets: Just as the body recovers through pregnancy and childbirth, healthy people should eat foods that are difficult to digest and bitter rather than soft and sweet foods.

Exercise (30 minutes)Estimated Calorie Burn (kcal)Main Food ItemCalories (kcal)
Walking (fast pace)150 ~ 200Cooked Rice 1 bowl (200g)Approximately 300
Jogging250 ~ 350Chicken Breast 100g (boiled)Approximately 165
Swimming (freestyle)300 ~ 400Bread 1 slice (approx. 30g)Approximately 80
Cycling (moderate speed)200 ~ 300Banana 1 (approx. 120g)Approximately 100
Strength Training (Gym)150 ~ 250Apple 1 (approx. 200g)Approximately 100
Hiking (moderate pace)250 ~ 350Egg 1 (approx. 50g)Approximately 75

🎉 Start your spring diet healthily!

If you understand the causes of winter obesity and consistently practice the suggested diet principles, you will be able to meet a healthier and more energetic you in the coming spring. 

Rather than an unreasonable plan, I hope you will make a realistic and sustainable diet plan and welcome a healthy spring!

Cauldron-shaped Rock, Jeongam

 

1 Introduction to Cauldron Rock.

Uiryeong Jeongam: A mysterious rock that resembles a pot lid and the legend of a rich man

A mysterious rock rises above the blue waves of Namgang River in Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. It is called Jeongam (鼎巖), or Cauldron Rock, because it resembles a pot lid. This unique rock, firmly established in the gently flowing river, is not just a natural landscape, but also has a long history and interesting legend, captivating visitors.


2 A lid floating on the Namgang River, the unique appearance of Jeongam

At the Namgang River, which flows powerfully toward the southern coast, and passes through Uiryeong-gun, Jeongam, which stands tall in the middle of the river, has a strange shape that resembles the top of a cauldron, just like its name. 

The sedimentary rock, which has been eroded and polished by the river over a long period of time, fully reveals the mystery of nature. What is particularly noticeable are the three foot-shaped shapes hidden under the water. 

This creates the imagination that it is as if a giant cauldron is immersing its legs in the river, and adds to Jeongam’s unique charm.


3 The mysterious energy that calls for wealth, the legend of Jeongam

There is an interesting legend handed down about Jeongam since ancient times. It is said that a great rich man is born within an 8km radius of the cauldron rock. 

This legend seems to have been created by stimulating people’s imagination by combining the unique shape of Jeongam and the rich natural environment of the surrounding area. Even if it is just a story that has been handed down, the hearts of those who look at Jeongam and pray for wealth are no different now than they were in the past.


4 A place where you can feel the breath of history, Jeongamjin

Jeongam is not just a strange rock, but also a place with historical significance. The rock is located at Jeongamjin (鼎巖津), or ferry site, where General Gwak Jae-u defeated the Japanese during the Imjin War. If you walk along Jeongamgyo, an iron bridge that crosses the Namgang River from the sidewalk below the gate, you will not find any traces of the fierce battle at the time, but you can feel the bravery of our ancestors who tried to protect the country while looking at the leisurely flowing river.


5 Beautiful night view and nearby attractions

The route to Jeongam is not difficult. It is located about 10 minutes by car from Gunbuk IC on the Namhae Expressway, so it is easily accessible. If you climb the iron and sleeper stairs next to the gate, you can view Jeongamjin, which commemorates General Gwak Jae-u's exploits. In addition, beautiful lighting facilities are installed at Uiryeong Gate, so you can enjoy an even more splendid and magnificent night view at night. Jeongam, where you can reflect on its historical significance during the day and enjoy its beautiful night view at night, will provide an unforgettable experience for those visiting Uiryeong.


How to get to Sungnimsa Temple.

- Address: 15-2 Namgang-ro 8-gil, Uiryeong-eup, Uiryeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

- Management: Uiryeong-gun Urban Regeneration and Urban Planning

- Contact: 055-570-3504

- Park Type: Cultural Park

- Park Area: 86,660m3

- Designation Announcement Date: 2005-07-12

- Management Agency Name: Uiryeong-gun Office, Gyeongsangnam-do


The scenery of Sungnimsa Temple.








Map

---  ---


Surrounding information


Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Main Character

1 AI as a Science and Technology

  

AI is Artificial Intelligence.

We are already familiar with the name of the artificial intelligence AlphaGo, which won against Lee Sedol in Korea.


Nowadays, we have GPS, which measures the distance reflected by satellite radio waves from machines called compasses or azimuths that can tell the direction, but in ancient China, where Chiyou was fighting, they must have been bewildered by the mysterious object that automatically pointed south, the azimuth iron (指南鐵).


This azimuth iron was immediately incorporated into feng shui geography and developed into the name of the 佩鐵 (佩鐵).


It is truly amazing to see that things that were only thought of 10 or 20 years ago are now being realized one by one.


Among them, AI has been developed as a product of scientific and technological development and is gradually appearing in our daily lives. Isn't the role of AI to simply repeat or find the most suitable case among numerous cases in place of human intelligence?


Even in ancient times, there must have been people who anticipated and prepared for such situations, and Zhuge Liang's Eight Directions and Eobokpo can be viewed from this perspective.


Today's AI must have felt like a ghost's work (酬酌: exchanging drinks with ghosts) at that time.


2. AI viewed through Feng Shui

  

Feng Shui (風水) is a shortened form of Jangpungdeuksu (藏風得水), which means hiding the wind and obtaining water, and is said to have originated from the ancient Chinese book <Jin Nang Gyeong> published around the 4th century AD.


Along with physiognomy derived from the magic method, it is considered a major lineage of old oriental philosophy, and its lineage is still maintained.


Feng Shui initially focused on finding the ancestral grave site, but now it is changing in the direction of placing more emphasis on yang-taek, which is to find a good place for living, or a place to live.


Traditional yin-taek feng shui is centered on the theory of water type that examines the shape of nature, the theory of shape and energy that examines the direction of Yong-hyeol-sa-su-hyang such as Ju-san, An-san, and Gwa-hyeop, and the theory of yi-gi that examines the direction with a patch, but now it is different in that it targets living people including buildings, factories, apartments, and houses in the countryside.


Feng Shui is also used as a way to improve fortune, but in any case, if the yin-taek such as the graveyard and the yang-taek such as the office and living space are not good, it should be changed to Bi-bo feng shui.


For example, if you are building a house in the countryside, even after considering fortune, taste, etc., if the surrounding mountain terrain is not suitable (such as a mountain peak targeting the country house), it is necessary to reduce it through a secret protection.


Since the present reality is more important than the yin house (graveyard) feng shui, the yang house feng shui is more important.


You can tell by looking at where the headquarters of the four major conglomerates in Korea are located, and you can also tell by looking at their orientation relative to royal tombs and palaces.


In the past, Samsung Electronics headquarters in Taepyeong-ro and Hyundai in Gye-dong (Hyundai was divided into Hyundai Motor Company and Hyundai Corporation), and Kia Motors, a younger sibling of Hyundai Motor Company, built their headquarters in Yangjae-dong, and LG built a new headquarters in southern Seoul.


Everyone is aware of the importance of feng shui and has prepared for it. When we build a hanok, we hold a grand topping-out ceremony, write the topping-out date and inscription, and place turtles or dragons. These are all a kind of secret protection feng shui.


3. AI from a human nature perspective

 

When the era of ubiquitous came in the early 2000s, there was a huge craze, but even if you ask anyone today, not many people remember the term exactly.


The current Klaus Schwab's 4th Industrial Revolution and its means also seem to have gradually faded from interest due to the COVID-19 issue.


In response, people who like to talk have started to create new terms to reveal themselves, such as virtual currency, blockchain, NFT, artificial intelligence, and IoT.


If I, a worm who is ignorant of new devices or theories, am mentioning these terms, the industry must have gotten on track to some extent.


However, nothing in the world is permanent. It is always changing, and who feels the change and how they prepare for it determines the fortune.


There are many terms flying around, but only a very small number of people benefit from them, and even then, they are probably those who have prepared for a long time.


The Earth is made up of 7 billion people, and it goes without saying that there are all kinds of people.


No matter how much computers claim that there is no reality through virtual worlds, they have evolved from AR and VR to expand the virtual world to XR, and now we have come to this world of metaverse.


In the Book of Changes, ghosts, or souls, and white are seen as yin, and humans as yang, so virtual environments through real computers or smartphones cannot surpass human intellectual abilities.


Now, it seems that artificial intelligence is going beyond some simple intellectual abilities and replacing high-level human activities, but it does not seem easy.


Even if artificial intelligence technology develops through CNN, DNN, and perceptron, the emergence of Terminator's Skynet is still far away.


Just as water has homeostasis and tries to return to its original shape and properties, I hope that even if science and technology develop, human nature will not be forgotten and will be preserved, even if it is not completely restored to its original state.

   


Yutnori and Yutjeom Culture

"Experience Korea’s vibrant Yutnori tradition—an engaging folk game fostering teamwork and strategy. Plus, discover Yut divination, a fascinating way to predict the year ahead based on ancient hexagrams. Dive into the cultural significance behind this beloved pastime!"

In Korea, there are many games that people play together at the beginning of the new year, and among them, I will introduce Yutnori.


1 Yut nori

It is usually played from the first day of the first lunar month to the first full moon of the new year.

In modern times, it is the most well-known folk game along with tug-of-war, and unlike other folk games, it has many elements similar to modern board games.

It is also the most popular game because it is good for several people to form teams, put their heads together, cooperate, and promote harmony, and it has the advantage of a moderate play time.

There are round and square boards, but since the 1990s, when factory-made Yut boards were mass-produced, square Yut boards, which are better for mass production than round ones in terms of printing and fabric processing, have become widespread.

Before that, round Yut boards were used more often.

In fact, if you look at the Yut board patterns left as petroglyphs on dolmens and stone pillars, many of them are round.

To enjoy this game, you need a board drawn on paper and four flat, round wooden sticks (Yut) with one side flattened.

The size doesn't matter, and you don't have to use wooden sticks, as long as one side is round and the other side is flat.

Good examples include chestnuts, half a soybean, or red bean. It doesn't matter if the front and back are clearly distinguishable. The number of participants required for the game is theoretically limited to two or more, but if you do that, it will be too confusing, so if it's an individual game, about three to four people are the most appropriate.

There is an individual game, but usually several people split into teams and play. It can be said that it is a game where team and individual settings are free.


2 Introduction to Yut divination

This Yut divination is a traditional way to see your fortune for the new year. Yut fortune telling, or fortune telling, is a custom practiced nationwide, and is sometimes done individually or in groups.

Yut fortune telling on New Year's Day is a method of predicting one's fortune for the year based on the hexagrams drawn from the Yut three times.

The number of cases that come out of the Yut is divided into heads and tails, and the word drawn from the first throw is considered the upper hexagram, the word drawn from the second throw is considered the middle hexagram, and the word drawn from the third throw is considered the lower hexagram, making 64 hexagrams from hexagram 111 to 444.

The fortune for the year is predicted by reading the corresponding divination for each.

Yut words are Do, Gae, Geol, Yut, and Mo, but since Yut and Mo are played with the same hexagrams, there are four hexagrams.

When getting the hexagrams, Do is considered 1, Gae is considered 2, Geol is considered 3, and Yut and Mo are considered 4.

For example, if you roll Yut three times and all of them come out as ‘do·do·do’, you get the fortune of 111.

The fortune of this hexagram is “A young child meets a kind mother.”

If a young child meets his mother, he will be happy because he will receive his mother’s love, so this is a good hexagram.

Also, if you roll Yut three times and all of them come out as ‘do·mo·do’, this means “The tree has no roots.”

It is natural for a tree without roots to dry up and die, so this is a bad hexagram.

The rapidly changing modern society is full of unpredictable events and complex problems. Technology has advanced rapidly, but ironically, anxiety about the future is growing.

3. The modern meaning of Yut divination

Of course, we should be wary of fortune-telling that blindly predicts the future without scientific verification.

However, we need to remember that human history ultimately begins with people and ends with people. No matter how excellent a system or technology is, it is ultimately humans who operate it, and their judgment and choices determine the results.

Red and White Cloud Cheonwansan (Mountain)

 1 Introduction to Cheonwansan (Mountain)


One of the five famous mountains in Honam, Cheonwansan is named for its oddly shaped rocks that rise up in various shapes, like a crown of a king decorated with jewels.


It is a 723m mountain on the border of Gwansan-eup and Daedeok-eup, and although it is not very high, the entire mountain is made of rocks, and each peak seems to pierce the sky, adding to its grandeur.


When you climb the mountain, the southern coast of Dadohae unfolds like an oriental painting, and each season has a different beautiful appearance.


In spring, the fresh green leaves and red camellia forests are especially beautiful, and in fall, the vast fields of reeds are especially beautiful.


The silvery reeds dancing in harmony with the oddly shaped rocks attract many hikers to Cheonwansan in fall.


The 1,320,000㎡ (400,000 pyeong) of reed plains from Cheonwansan Yeondae Peak to Hwanheedae and the scenery of Hallasan and Dadohae seen through the reeds whispering about autumn give a faint romantic feeling to everyone.


Every year in October, the Cheonwansan Reed Festival is held to coincide with the peak of reeds, and the waves of reeds sing of autumn with the sun and moon from early to late October.


Cheonwansan Natural Recreation Forest, which boasts of natural resources such as camellia trees and zelkova trees, offers accommodations and camping, and various forest culture education programs such as forest commentary, camellia girl, shiitake mushroom observation, and handkerchief dyeing experience are also operated.


2 How to get to Cheonwansan (Mountain)


- Inquiries and information: 061-867-6974

- Website: https://www.foresttrip.go.kr

- Address: 842-1150 Chilgwan-ro, Gwansan-eup, Jangheung-gun, Jeollanam-do

- Hours of operation: 09:00~18:00

- Closed: Every Tuesday

- Parking: Available

- Experience information: Forest experience program / woodworking experience classroom program, etc.


3 The scenery of Cheonwansan (Mountain)








4 Map


5 Surrounding information

 - Cheonggwansa Temple

 - Cheonggwansan Literature Park

 - Jangheung's Eokbulsan (510m)

  



Steamed or baked dumplings

Explore the fascinating history and diverse world of Korean dumplings (mandu), from their origins in ancient China to popular varieties like steamed, pan-fried, kimchi, and meat. Discover regional favorites and legal classifications of this beloved dish."

The charm of steaming hot and eating golden brown, the story of dumplings

1. Origin of dumplings

The Chinese characters for dumplings are '蠻頭(mandu)', and there are various theories about the origin of dumplings. It is said that it means the head of a Nanman (a southern Chinese people).


There is a theory that it originated from the Three Kingdoms period when Zhuge Liang, who conquered the Nanman, made a human head and held a ritual to comfort the dead soldiers.


The well-known story 'Chiljong Chilgeum (七縱七擒)' means that Zhuge Liang captured the Nanman king Meng Huo seven times and released him seven times, making him truly submit from the bottom of his heart.


2 Types of Dumplings

Depending on the filling, dumplings are divided into meat dumplings, kimchi dumplings, vegetable dumplings, etc., and depending on the shape, there are crescent-shaped dumplings, large king dumplings, thin and wide flat dumplings, rolled round dumplings, and square-shaped pyeonsu.

Depending on the cooking method, there are steamed dumplings, fried dumplings, boiled dumplings, and dumpling soup.

There are Chinese baozi, Japanese gyoza, and Hong Kong dim sum (點心) as types of dumplings.


The flat dumplings that we tried in Dongseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu have now spread nationwide and are now a food that can be eaten anywhere.


3 History of Dumplings in Korea

The dumplings that we enjoy eating today are known to have a short history. This dish, made by cutting noodles and various vegetables into small pieces, wrapping them in flour skin, and steaming or grilling them, has now become a popular menu for many people.


When ordering jajangmyeon at a Chinese restaurant, kind owners sometimes send fried dumplings as a service, but this is an independent product that will cause bleeding, and it can be problematic if you ask too much.


4 Comparison of Songpyeon and Mandu

In songpyeon and our own rice cakes, there are rice cakes with fillings, but mandu is made with various fillings such as vegetables, and it can be said that it is different from making a single ingredient.


Mandu contains noodles, and it may be an exaggerated analogy to say that a mandu without noodles is like a steamed bun without red bean paste, but it emphasizes the importance of noodles as an ingredient.


5 Laws related to mandu and mandu skin

Mandu skin and finished mandu products are different types of food, but the Food Sanitation Act stipulates that mandu is classified as an instant food.


(1) Dumplings are made by molding a mixture of meat, vegetables, etc. into dumpling skin.

(2) Dumpling skin is made by kneading and molding grain flour or starch as the main ingredient, and is manufactured so that dumplings can be made by filling them with meat.


Just as tteokguk tteok is used in ramen, which is the main dish, dumpling soup also has tteokguk tteok as a side ingredient. When eating dumpling soup, if the filling bursts, the hot broth can burn your mouth.


6 Future Outlook

Just as frozen kimbap has become popular in the United States and other parts of the world, dumplings are mostly sold frozen for hygiene reasons, so it seems that they will soon become popular overseas as well.


There was a garbage dumpling incident in the past, but now that they are being made hygienically in specialized factories, there is no need to worry too much.

 






Various Risk Factors in Food Companies

Recently, a famous Korean dairy company has been in a major crisis due to CEO risk, causing much social controversy. This incident has made us think again about risk management in food companies, especially ‘CEO risk’.

1 Who owns the milk?

Milk is originally food for calves. Humans eat this cow’s milk as a substitute, but it has various implications in that it is ultimately an act of taking resources from life. Calves have a rennet enzyme in their stomachs shortly after they are born, and when they drink their mother’s milk, it coagulates it and slowly digests it. In the past, this enzyme was extracted from the stomachs of male calves and used to make cheese, but it is now being replaced by an industrially synthesized method.


It is said that the history of cheese began with milk that coagulated accidentally in a camel skin bag in the desert, and it developed mainly in Europe, and in some regions such as Imsil in Korea.


2 Milk and the Future

Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister during World War II, once said, "The best investment for the future is to feed your children milk." This shows how important the health and nutrition of the next generation is for the long-term prosperity of the country.


However, today, milk consumption is decreasing due to lactose intolerance, declining birth rates, an increase in the vegan and vegetarian population, and an increase in diabetes caused by the sugar contained in lactose. In addition, milk from the farm is transported to the processing company through refrigerated distribution, and in this process, dairy farmers suffer from the double burden of lack of price negotiation power and decreased profitability.

<Camembert Cheese>

3 CEO Risk and Corporate Fate

In the sensitive and delicate food industry like milk, 'trust' is the most important asset. However, a recent careless remark by the CEO of a certain dairy processing company on a socially sensitive issue led to a boycott by consumers, and the aftermath led to decreased sales, a drop in stock price, and damage to brand value.


This is not a simple mistake, but a typical case of ‘CEO risk’ that shakes the entire company.


4 CEO risk cases around the world

Uber – Travis Kalanick

CEO Kalanick, who was famous for his aggressive growth strategy, was at the center of various controversies such as inappropriate treatment of employees, covering up internal sexual harassment, and conflicts with the taxi industry. Ultimately, these leadership issues caused serious damage to the brand image, and he had to step down as CEO.


Papa John’s – John Schnatter

As the founder, he was criticized by public opinion for his racist remarks, which caused his image and brand trust to plummet. He was eventually removed from the board of directors, and the company had to carry out a major brand renewal.


Tesla – Elon Musk

Musk is a genius entrepreneur, but his unexpected remarks on social media (such as his remarks on delisting Tesla) have caused conflicts with investors and the SEC (U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) on several occasions. This resulted in a fine of hundreds of millions of dollars and a temporary restriction on the CEO role.


These cases clearly show how the words and actions of a single person can affect a company worth trillions of won.

It clearly shows how not only the personal problems of the CEO, but also poor management judgment and lack of ethical awareness can cause great risks to the company. Therefore, companies must make multifaceted efforts to prevent and manage CEO risks.


5 Interpretation from an Eastern humanistic perspective

In the East, corporate leaders are not simply viewed as 'operators', but as beings who carry out the will of heaven (天命). As can be seen in the Feng Shui concepts of 'talsingong (奪神功)' and 'gaecheonmyeong (開天命)', leaders have the responsibility to 'take what belongs to others and make it their own, but the process must be just and in accordance with the laws of heaven.'

The Feng Shui perspective that interprets milk as 'taking what belongs to others and making it their own' is interesting. This may be a contrast to the '義(義)' of ants moving in groups or the '봉(蜂)' of bees serving with devotion.

6 In conclusion

A company is a community responsible for the livelihood of numerous employees and their families. Considering the influence that a single word or action of a CEO can have on the entire organization, a more cautious and responsible attitude is required. This is especially true in an industry where trust is vital, such as the food industry.


If we examine the CEO risk of a recently controversial dairy company from an oriental humanities perspective, we can see that the CEO, as a representative figure of the company, can determine the fate of the company with his or her words and actions. Therefore, we must be wary that an absurd mistake by an arbitrary management team can lead to an irreparable crisis. In addition, companies must keep in mind that they are responsible for the livelihood of numerous employees and their families, and they must strive to be cautious in their words and actions and manage their positive media reputation. The importance of fostering middle managers cannot be overlooked.


A CEO is not just a title; his or her personality and philosophy influence the entire organization. Therefore, fostering middle managers and a healthy check and balance system within the organization are essential. Autocratic leadership can temporarily grow a company, but it can ultimately be a factor that threatens sustainability.


Even in a 'glass of milk', ethics, life, and social responsibility are melted. And we must not forget that at the center of it all is always the person, the CEO.