Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines reforms of formal political institutions, such as the government organisation, election system, and legal norms, while providing explanations regarding informal practices by mainly drawing on constitutional amendments and changes in related laws. It outlines the trajectories of Shamanism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, which co-existed for centuries in relative harmony until the rise of neo-Confucianism during the Choson dynasty. The book investigates the multi-faceted audience participation within traditional music via an ethnographic approach. It investigates the current state of South Korean cinema and looks at two explanations for the spectacular box office successes of Korean films, focusing on strategies to appeal to audiences and the impact of the cinematic treatment of historical issues. The book discusses the events, people, and institutions that shaped the formation of South Korea’s identity through key phases of its short history.