Somaesthetics in early Korean history

The educational scope of the hwarang

Abstract

This paper is concerned with first, reviewing hwarang in early Korean history through the eyes of somaesthetics, and second examining the educational implications of hwarang. Hwarang’s features (aesthetic ideology called pungryudo, their core activities, including songs and journeys) are highlighted from the perspective of somaesthetics. At the core of the hwarang’s activities are such elements as entertainment, pleasure, and joy. In the context of today’s education, the hwarang and somaesthetics promote the insight that one’s intellectual and practical life is integrated into one’s lifestyle based on these bodily experiences.