한류에 담긴 ESG | June-Bum Kim | TEDxGoyang

The Popularity of Korean Culture (Hallyu)

• The speaker intends to discuss three points related to the popularity of Korean culture, known as Hallyu, around the world.
• The speaker will explore the reasons behind the global appeal of Korean culture and the factors that contribute to its widespread popularity.
• The speaker will also discuss the global interest in learning the Korean language, specifically highlighting the lack of discussion regarding the principles and essence of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul, created by King Sejong the Great.
• The speaker will argue that there are hidden cultural codes within Korean culture that contribute to its universal appeal.
• The speaker will explain that the global popularity of Korean culture indicates a universal quality within it.
• The speaker will explore the unique characteristics of Korean culture that contribute to its global appeal.

The Hidden Code of Korean Culture

• The text discusses a hidden code within Korean culture, referred to as the "hidden code of Korean culture."
• This code is described as the principle of energy circulation.
• The numbers 1, 3, 5, and 7 are used to represent this principle.
• The number 1 represents the Taegeuk, a symbol with a red (yang) and blue (yin) section.
• The number 3 represents the combination of the red and blue sections of the Taegeuk, signifying the union of yang and yin.
• The text suggests that Korean culture is coded with these numbers and can be decoded using them.
• The Korean cultural concept of "Cheonjiin" is represented by a geometric shape called "Wonbanggak," which is similar to the one seen in the Netflix series "Squid Game."
• This concept of "Cheonjiin" represents the transformation of "1" into "3."
• Korean culture also incorporates the concept of "Ohaeng," which refers to the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
• The number "5" in "Ohaeng" is further transformed into "7" through a cyclical process, which is a mysterious phenomenon.
• This transformation from "1" to "3" and "5" to "7" represents the cyclical energy flow in Korean culture.
• This energy flow is a hidden code in Korean culture, represented by the numbers "1, 3, 5, 7" and the concepts of "Taegeuk," "Cheonjiin," "Ohaeng," and "Chirye."
• Korean culture reflects the order of the heavens on Earth, with the numbers "1, 5, 7" representing both celestial and terrestrial cycles.
• The Korean cultural concept of "Jamiyeon Taemi Cheonwon" is also mentioned in relation to these cycles.

The Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Constellations

• The speaker discusses the significance of the Gyeongbokgung Palace in relation to the constellations.
• The palace is named after the constellation "Gyeongbuk," which is believed to be the home of the celestial ruler.
• The speaker explains that the Gyeongbokgung Palace is designed to mirror the constellation, with the Geunjeongjeon Hall representing the North Star.
• The speaker highlights the presence of the "Ja-mi" constellation, which revolves around the North Star, and its connection to the Geunjeongjeon Hall.
• The speaker mentions the "O-bongdo" painting, which depicts the sun, moon, and five peaks, representing the five elements.
• The speaker concludes by mentioning the two dragons with claws on the ceiling of the Geunjeongjeon Hall.

The Korean Alphabet (Hangeul) and the Principle of Energy Cycles

• The Korean alphabet, Hangeul, was created by King Sejong the Great.
• The creation of Hangeul is based on the principle of 1, 3, 5, 7.
• This principle represents an energy cycle, which is reflected in the structure of Hangeul.
• The principle of 1, 3, 5, 7 is also found in the seasons of the year: winter, spring, summer, and autumn.
• The principle of 1, 3, 5, 7 is a fundamental aspect of Korean culture.
• The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, is based on the principle of "Cheonjiin," which represents the three elements of heaven, earth, and human.
• The "Cheonjiin" principle is used to create the vowels in Hangul, with each vowel representing a different stage in the natural cycle.
• The vowel "O" represents the beginning of the cycle, symbolizing the seed in winter.
• The vowel "A" represents spring, when the seed begins to grow.
• The vowel "U" represents summer, when the plant reaches its peak.
• The vowel "Eo" represents autumn, when the plant matures and produces fruit.
• The "Cheonjiin" principle demonstrates the cyclical nature of energy in the universe, with each vowel representing a different stage in the cycle.
• The text describes a system where pairs of characters represent the balance of yin and yang.
• The system begins with the character "오" (o), representing winter and yin, and progresses through the seasons.
• The character "우" (u) represents fire and yang, and is paired with "요" (yo) to create a balance.
• The character "야" (ya) represents autumn and yin, and is paired with "음" (eum) to create a balance.
• The character "유" (yu) represents winter and yang, and is paired with "음" (eum) to create a balance.
• The character "여" (yeo) represents spring and yin, and is paired with "아" (a) to create a balance.
• This cyclical process of pairing characters creates a set of eight characters that represent the fundamental elements of the universe.
• The Korean alphabet, Hangeul, was created by King Sejong the Great based on the natural cycle of energy.
• The consonant "ㅇ" (ieung) represents the seed in the ground, with the water element "水" (su) in the throat.
• The consonant "ㅎ" (hieut) represents the seed pushing out of the ground, symbolizing the emergence of a new life.
• The consonant "ㅣ" (i) represents the sprout emerging from the ground in spring.
• The consonant "ㄱ" (gieuk) represents the stem growing from the sprout, symbolizing the continuation of growth.
• The text describes a process of transitioning from summer to autumn, using Korean alphabet letters to represent different stages and energies.
• The initial energy of summer is represented by the letter "니은" (nieun), which signifies a rising and expanding force.
• This energy reaches a peak and needs to transition to a different state, represented by the letter "디귿" (digeut), which signifies a cooling and contracting force.
• The transition from summer to autumn requires a significant amount of energy, represented by the letter "귿" (geut).
• This transition is facilitated by the "미음" (mieum) energy, which gathers and stores the summer energy.
• The "비읍" (bieup) and "피음" (pieum) energies then help to channel this stored energy into the autumn season.
• The transition is completed by the "반지음" (banjieum) energy, which acts as a bridge between the summer and autumn energies.
• The "을" (eul) energy, which is a "반설음" (bansoleum) or a "half-vowel," plays a crucial role in this transition, connecting the two seasons.
• The Korean alphabet, Hangeul, was created by King Sejong the Great based on the principle of natural energy cycles.
• The creation of Hangeul involved a process of observing and understanding the sounds of nature.
• King Sejong declared that Hangeul could represent all sounds in the world, including the sounds of wind, dogs barking, and thunder.
• Hangeul is considered by linguists worldwide to be one of the greatest inventions in human history.
• However, the original 28 letters of Hangeul have been reduced to 24 letters, which limits its ability to represent all sounds as intended by King Sejong.
• The Korean alphabet, Hangeul, was created based on the principles of natural energy cycles.
• Hangeul can represent all sounds, including those from all languages on Earth.
• If an AI system were to learn and understand Hangeul, it would likely attempt to represent all languages using Hangeul.

The Taegeukgi (South Korean Flag) and the Principle of Energy Cycles

• The Taegeukgi, the South Korean flag, also embodies the principle of energy cycles.
• The Taegeukgi features a central Taegeuk symbol representing the balance of yin and yang, surrounded by four trigrams representing the four seasons.
• The trigrams, known as "geon" (heaven), "gon" (earth), "gam" (water), and "ri" (fire), are arranged according to their respective positions in the energy cycle.
• The speaker describes a symbol with water at the top and fire at the bottom.
• The speaker explains that this symbol represents the natural order of energy flow, with the lower part being warm and the upper part being cool.
• The speaker states that this natural order is essential for health and well-being.
• The speaker connects this concept to the Taegeuk, the symbol at the center of the Korean flag, which represents the balance of yin and yang.
• The speaker emphasizes that the Taegeuk is a representation of the unity of yin and yang, and that the two forces are not separate but rather interconnected.

Yin and Yang in Korean Culture

• The speaker discusses the concept of "Yin and Yang" in Korean culture, stating that it represents the essence of life.
• The speaker connects this concept to the Korean flag, the Taegeuk, which symbolizes the harmony of opposing forces.
• The speaker explains that the Taegeuk represents a culture of integration, achieved through reflection and practice.

The Concept of "Seonbi"

• The speaker defines "Seonbi" as individuals who have transcended ego and strive to benefit the world through understanding the principles of energy circulation.
• The speaker emphasizes that the concept of "Seonbi" is not limited to the Joseon Dynasty and is a deeply rooted Korean concept.
• The speaker suggests that the first "Seonbi" in Korean history could be Dangun Wanggeom, Hwanung, or even Mago, depending on the interpretation of Korean history.

Korean Culture and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

• The Korean culture, including the Korean flag, the Confucian philosophy, and other cultural elements, is based on the principle of energy circulation.
• This Korean culture, known as Hallyu, is gaining popularity in the current era.
• The current era is characterized by the rejection of binary thinking.
• The concept of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) emerged as a response to the realization that the previous approach of separating humans from nature and individual interests from society has led to environmental degradation and social inequality.
• Quantum physics, which is now a dominant field in science, emphasizes the interconnectedness of matter and consciousness, challenging the previous materialist worldview.
• The universe is comprised of matter and consciousness, which interact through the observer, the human being.
• This interaction is not a dichotomy, but rather a fundamental principle in Korean culture, known as the "Sam-Hwa" spirit or "Sam-Hwa" culture.
• The "Sam-Hwa" spirit emphasizes the interconnectedness of the community and capital, suggesting that their interests are not mutually exclusive.
• This principle aligns with the concept of ESG, which promotes sustainable practices that benefit both society and the environment.
• Korean culture emphasizes energy circulation, social harmony, and a culture of shared joy, which are all essential elements of ESG.
• The "Sam-Hwa" spirit and its associated cultural values have been present in Korean culture for a long time, but they were not widely recognized during the era of industrialization and materialism.
• However, in the current era of "de-materialization," these values are becoming increasingly relevant and are being embraced by a global audience.
• The speaker suggests that Korean culture is inherently aligned with ESG principles.
• The speaker argues that Korean culture provides a sense of comfort and ease, which is essential for both growth and sustainable living.
• The speaker believes that Korea's cultural identity can be leveraged to create a unique and effective model for ESG implementation.
• The speaker proposes that Korea can act as a bridge between developed and developing nations in the realm of ESG, offering a model that is more accessible to developing countries.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of Korea developing its own unique approach to ESG, rather than simply adopting Western models.
• The speaker discusses the concept of "Korea Discount" which was a period where Korea was seen as a risky investment due to its political instability and division.
• The speaker argues that Korea has transitioned into a "Premium" era due to its alignment with the zeitgeist.
• The speaker believes that Korea can further enhance its global standing by developing a unique Korean approach to ESG principles, which could lead to the emergence of "KESG".