Review the old

Review the old and learn the new. (온고지신/溫故知新) This saying derives from the Politics Part of the Analects of Confucius] (논어/論語).

It seems to be contrary to common sense that the things old shall be reformed or discarded. However, we have to try to find a guide into tomorrow by taking lessons from the past. It can be interpreted as taking a leaf out of a wise man´s book.

Key words
tradition, history, culture, maxim, Korean Wave (Hallyu)

Old Wisdom
Wise ideas and thoughts may be found from the old maxims and proverbs.

Hallyu Drama
A traditional medical story of Korea has contributed to the worldwide enthusiasm, Korean Wave, or Hallyu (한류/韓流), of Korean dramas. It is Dae Jang Geum (대장금/大長今), a 2003 epic South Korean television series directed by Lee Byung Hoon and produced by Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).

Starring Lee Young-Ae, it tells the tale of an orphaned kitchen cook who went on to become the king's first female physician. In a time when women held little influence in society, young apprentice cook Jang Geum strives to learn the secrets of Korean cooking and medicine in order to cure the King of his various ailments. It is based on the true story of Jang-geum, the first female royal physician of the Joseon Dynasty. The main themes are her perseverance and the portrayal of traditional Korean culture, including Korean royal court cuisine and traditional medicine.

Joseon Dynasty Annals
The Annals of the Joseon Dynasty (조선왕조실록/朝鮮王朝實錄) comprise 1,893 books covering 472 years (1392 -1863) of the history of the Joseon Dynasty. The Annals described the reign of Joseon kings from King Taejo, the founder, to King Cheoljong and the ordinary lives of commons from the perspective of rulers.

The whole records of the Annals have been digitalized by the National Institute of Korean History (국사편찬위원회) and made available to the public for free. So imaginative readers may take advantage of the historical resources to work out creative arts and stories, academic papers, statistical researches and so forth.

Religion
Take an example of old arguments whether a human being may be saved by his works or devine grace. Buddhists and other believers of various religions on earth are willing to say "Yes".

According to Apostle Paul's saying, however, it can be expressed:
 * Faith + Grace - Works = Salvation.
 * Therefore, Faith + Grace = Salvation + Works.

In other words, the faith or belief supported by grace may lead to salvation and ensuing good works.

It is believed that Mother Teresa did a lot of good works to help the underprivileged because she was really convinced she was saved by the grace of God.

Ancient Tea Route
The Ancient Tea Route (차마고도/茶馬古道) was a network of mule caravan paths winding through the mountains of Yunnan Province in Southwest China. For the past thousand years, the Ancient Tea Route was a trade link from Yunnan (운남성/雲南省), one of the first tea-producing regions to Tibet; to Bengal and India via Burma; and to central China via Sichuan Province. In addition to tea (typically tea bricks), the mule caravans carried salt. Both people, horses and yaks carried heavy loads. Through this trading network, daily necessities like tea and salt, and Tibetan ponies were traded each other for commercial and military use because the sturdy horses were important for China to fight warring nomads in the north since the Song dynasty.

Traditionally, it was a really difficult and dangerous job to carry and trade tea, salt and horses for the Nasi tribe men (납서족/納西族). The winding routes were narrow paths made through cliffs of high mountains full of unexpected dangers. The carriers used to suffer from fatal injuries and death, and sometimes encounter mountain burglars.

The situation has changed drastically since the Chinese government took to the open door policy and economic reform in 1980s. The Ancient Tea Route has given way to new traffic roads between Yunnan Province and Shangri-la. As a result, the Nasi men and animals lost their jobs and are concerned about survival.