2019 Korean History and Cultural Seminar for Educators - Handbook 2019 NKS Handbook-0617 | Page 20
2) Answer the questions on page 265.
10. Resources (2 hours)
1) Read the list of highly recommended books on page 269.
2) Read the article, Asian Culture in the Classroom, and comment on how adopting some of the ideas suggested in the
article might work in your classroom or a school assembly.
3) Read the review of Donald Clark’s book, Korea in World History, and take some notes to indicate that you have
read this information.
4) Read the article on Korean films. Some of these films could be on Netflix or Amazon. Some are available to
purchase new or used. The Brotherhood of War is very violent and not historically accurate; however, it has been
valuable in showing the opening segments to United States history classes as a powerful way to engage students in
their study of the Korean War and its impact on the Korean people. Upper elementary students have been deeply
touched by The Way Home and middle and high school students have been fascinated by A State of Mind. To
purchase the latter is very expensive, but the You Tube videos can lead to very thought-provoking classroom
discussions.
5) Skim the information on Korean etiquette. What information might be particularly helpful for teachers to know?
6) Skim the website information.
7) If you teach in high school, read the information on page 290 about opportunities for high school students in the
Los Angeles area to learn about leadership and travel to South Korea. The program is called Project Bridge and was
created in response to the Los Angeles Riots of 1992. Highly recommended for student leadership training and an
opportunity for financially supported travel to South Korea. Inform administrators at your high school about this
possibility.
Part 2. Fiction and Non-Fiction Book Selections (8 hours)
Select one of the following highly recommended books, take some brief notes to indicate that you have read the book,
list questions you might ask your students, and write your own short review. Available/Amazon.
Information on each book may be found in Teaching East Asia: Korea on the pages indicated on list below the following
paragraph.
Tears of Blood is 163 pages, high school/college level, used copies on Amazon $5.00. A Single Shard is 148 pages, reading
time, three hours maximum, used copies on Amazon $2.00 or less. Our Twisted Hero is 120 pages, reading time only a few
hours, used copies on Amazon $3.00. Lost Names (Japanese occupation of Korea), 195 pages, approximately 4 hours, used
copies on Amazon $4.00. Korea in World History, 144 pages, short/clear history of Korea, used copies on Amazon for about
$6.00.
1. Tears of Blood: A Korean POW’s Fight for Freedom, Family, and Justice ( pp. 82-83)
2. A Single Shard (pp. 144-146) Answer the questions on lesson #1 on pp. 144-145
3. Our Twisted Hero (pp. 152-154)
4. Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Boyhood (pp. 158-160)
5. Korea in World History (pp. 270-271)
Part 3. Films (3 Hours)
Select one of the films. Both are available on Netflix. If these films are not accessible for you, we hope you can attend the
Wednesday dinner-movie night to watch Korea: The Never Ending War. If you watch this film, write how the film provides
understanding of the legacy of Japanese occupation, the results of the Korean War, the importance of the relationship
between the United States and South Korea, and the challenges of a nuclear North Korea. If you do this assignment, you do
not have to respond to Part 1 History questions: 9, 10,11,16,17, and 18.
1. Mr. Sunshine is considered the best Korean drama of 2018 and a huge success by those who love Korean
drama. Mr. Sunshine provides us with a captivating story related to the final years of the Joseon dynasty and the
experience of Koreans during Japanese occupation. The acting and cinematography are brilliant.
2. Sunny is described as being “wickedly funny and wholeheartedly tender.” The film is a comedy about a “life-
changing reunion of seven, fortysomething women who were best friends in high school and is easily Korea's feel-
good film of the year.” Sunny goes back and forth between a group of best friends in the 1980s and as they are
now. The film is fun, has lots of memorable pop music, and a largely female cast.
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