Foggy World

Korea's Religion and Culture Are Closely Intertwined Religion had a strong impact on the country's traditions. In the early period, people worshipped Heaven and animals – this is how totemism was born, and myths appeared. This belief became the basis for shamanism, which had a significant impact on early culture. In the period of Ancient Joseon, people believed in the spirits of ancestors, sky, water and sun. The culture of South Korea still conveys echoes of these beliefs. Koreans believe that the soul does not go to the other world immediately, it stays with its family for some time. In the modern country, several thousand shamans are still practiced. One of the simplest shamanic rituals is rubbing your palms for good luck before a trip or to improve your health. The behavior of the inhabitants is largely determined by Confucianism, enriched with the national spirit. A strict hierarchy is used. Already at the first meeting, they ask about age, education, marital status and position. This is how one's own place in relation to a new acquaintance is determined. Society is based on the principle of five relationships: there are certain norms of behavior between subjects and rulers, spouses, father and son, old and young, friends. Many Koreans believe that the state is successful thanks to this approach. Only 1% of the population will say that they profess Confucianism, but its principles are largely determined by habits, traditions and style of behavior. The features of the culture of Korea were also influenced by Buddhism. Its echoes can be found in the peaceful and non-aggressive nature of the inhabitants, a deep philosophical attitude to life and to people. Buddhism penetrated through China in the fourth century A.D. Under the Goryeo dynasty, it was the official religion, so it influenced all spheres. Thanks to Buddhism, thousands of temples, icons, statues, and literary works have appeared. Religion influenced painting, architecture, music. The most famous historical monument is the Seokguram Cave Temple.The features of the culture of Korea were also influenced by Buddhism. Its echoes can be found in the peaceful and non-aggressive nature of the inhabitants, a deep philosophical attitude to life and to people. Buddhism penetrated through China in the fourth century A.D. Under the Goryeo dynasty, it was the official religion, so it influenced all spheres. Thanks to Buddhism, thousands of temples, icons, statues, and literary works have appeared. Religion influenced painting, architecture, music. The most famous historical monument is the Seokguram Cave Temple. In spring, the Buddha's birthday is still celebrated - noisy and bright. Taoism also had its influence. Like other religions, it was changed to the Korean way. Taoism was reflected in a strong desire for longevity, happiness and health. Its symbolism is still used in everyday life. For example, hieroglyphs symbolizing longevity and happiness are applied to household items. The origins of national traditions The cultural history of Korea is intertwined with the Korean Peninsula, but its earliest inhabitants are not considered to be the ancestors of Koreans. The origin of the nation is associated with the Neolithic era. Many features of culture were laid down in ancient times. The formation of the nation took place under the constant threat of invasion, and this was also reflected in traditions. Hunting and gathering gave rise to belief in animals and spirits, and totemism was born. Its reflection is in the myths that have survived to this day. A surge in development was brought by the appearance of bronze, which came from Manchuria. Later, settlers came from the north, thanks to whom the culture of Korea was enriched - they surprised with unusual ceramics and success in production. The Iron Age came from China - coins, smooth ceramics, metal mirrors, elegant daggers, figurines appeared. Later, the development took place independently, but under the significant influence of neighboring China. Class stratification played an important role: wealthy people wore luxurious jewelry and used expensive items. This time is associated with the technology of creating household items from bronze, which could compete with the Chinese. Path of development From the moment of the emergence of the Three States, which later merged into one, the uninterrupted history of Korean culture begins. Initially, the people still believed in spirits, were confident in their responsibility for different directions. Later, Confucianism appeared, which was adhered to regardless of religion - it regulated relations between people. Then Buddhism came from China, and society favorably accepted the religion. Only in Silla (in one of the three states) was hostile to the new trend. But through the efforts of the ruler, it was established as another national religion. Buddhism had a positive impact on architecture - temples and pagodas began to be erected, which served as educational centers. Hieroglyphic writing, which was also borrowed from China, began to spread. It was adapted: conversations were conducted in the native language, and hieroglyphs were used to write it down. Since Chinese and Korean belong to different language groups, the task was not easy. The "Golden Age" of Korean Culture The culture of South Korea received significant development during the united Silla (VII-X centuries). For two centuries, states did not touch war or other external conflicts. This made it possible to focus on the development of culture. Royal palaces and Buddhist temples appeared in the capital. Some famous monuments (e.g., Seokguram Cave Temple and Bulguksa Temple) were created by craftsmen who had deep religious beliefs. The role of Confucianism increased. Achievements include the casting of copper bells, the oldest printed edition, a cave temple and the work of the first famous poet - Choi Chiwon. The Koreans preserved the idea of national and cultural community, embodied it in the X century - the state of Goryeo appeared. For the first time, the country became united, objects for the glorification of the country in the Far East began to be produced. Goryeo was famous for celadon-coated porcelain, bronze mirrors, and vases. Despite its dependence on the Mongol dynasty, the country managed to preserve its traditions. However, many monuments of art were destroyed, and handicraft skills were lost. Peter the Great era in Korean The next turning point occurred in the fifteenth century. This is a period of intensive development of Korean culture - it is compared with the era of Peter I in Russia. In the XV century, the Korean alphabet was created - almost universal literacy came. Already in our time, it was included in the list of masterpieces of world heritage. Koreans consider language to be an art form and are proud of its script. Positive changes affected art, literature, printing and music. There was even a special department at the court, which helped to organize the life and work of artists. The first acquaintance with the achievements of European culture took place. With the help of Chinese sources, scientific books of Europe were translated. This gave impetus to the development of various sciences: astronomy, geography, history. At the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries, Christianity began to penetrate into the country - representatives of the ruling class were interested in it. Later, conflicts arose with the Europeans, and the policy of "closing borders" was strengthened. The state maintained close ties only with China and conducted trade with Japan. The locals rejected Western culture. Culture is gaining mass character In the XVII-XVIII centuries, social and economic changes took place, the status of the common people increased. The culture of South Korea has become more massive. Stories in chant (pansori) became widespread, and folk tales began to be written down. The same trends affected painting – artists began to depict the area and scenes from the life of ordinary people, and calligraphy invented its own style. Western canons In Korea, the period from the 17th to the middle of the 19th century is considered "the transition to a modern society." One of the important points is the emergence of modern agricultural technology. Crop yields increased, which gave impetus to the growth of cities. As a result, the demand for artisan products increased. The production of fabrics and the creation of tableware from metal began to develop. In the 19th century, the idea that the experience of technology and production should be adopted from the West became popular. But at the same time, it is necessary to maintain the ideological basis of public life. There was even a slogan: "Eastern Way, Western Technology". The influence of Europe was still there, but the borrowings were adapted to local conditions. A test for the culture of the nation The peculiarities of Korean culture were tested during Japanese colonization. The conquerors declared the Korean language and traditions to be only a branch of Japanese. In 1937, the Korean language was banned from being used in government agencies. Japanese began to be called the "native" language. Koreans were forced to abandon their names and call themselves in the Japanese manner. Most of the publications were banned and even the wearing of national clothes was not allowed. It was an era of humiliation of the nation, and Korea still cannot fully forgive Japan for this. After all, as a result of the confrontation, the country was divided into two parts. Cultural life of the country today One of the echoes of the past, which is intertwined with the present, is the holidays. In the history of Korean culture, an important place is occupied by the Lunar New Year and Chuseok, which traditionally continue to be celebrated. There are other holidays associated with the cult of nature, agrarian business or work. Customs fill the lives of Koreans and continue to be passed down from generation to generation. The influence of religion on culture turned out to be very strong and remains a powerful stimulus for its development and preservation. Shamanism, Confucianism and Buddhism are closely intertwined, having a constructive effect on traditions. Culture is distinguished not only by its richness, but also by its vitality. Thanks to borrowings, it has only been enriched. Residents love the country and its features very much, this is a matter of national pride. Cultural achievements The culture of South Korea is at a high level, and confirmation of this can be seen in various examples of art. Delightful celadon products, ceramics with grayish-greenish glaze are famous all over the world. Porcelain objects with blue drawings are interesting. In painting, paintings in ink on silk or mulberry paper. Folk and court dances (jeonjamu, ilmu) were invented. The national hanbok costume is also impressive, which is distinguished by smooth lines. Women's outfit - with rich embroidery and a luxurious bright skirt. In ancient times, the norige decoration was invented, which was attached to clothes. Such décor was selected depending on social status or season. Unusual architectural monuments have been preserved:

The Astronomical Tower of the Silla capital Gyeongju. Seokguram Cave Temple. Statue of Buddha of the VIII century. Ancient Gyeongbokgung Palace. These objects are famous all over the world and are considered national landmarks of South Korea. The modern culture of Korea is also about original gardens. The principles of shamanism play an important role in their creation. When creating gardens, local craftsmen try to avoid everything artificial. Koreans try to bypass nature itself, giving green corners a natural look. One example is Phoseokchon, which dates back to the Silla era.)

The culture of Japan was formed as a result of a historical process that began with the migration of the ancestors of the Japanese people to the Japanese archipelago from the mainland and the origin of the culture of the Jomon period. Sado (tea ceremony), kado (flower arrangement), shodo (calligraphy) and bonsai (growing miniature trees) are traditional Japanese arts that have their roots in ancient times. Each of them requires certain skills and special attention to detail in order to establish a connection between the master and the viewer, to enhance the feeling of "here and now". When you are in Japan, set aside time for some truly Japanese practice. The tea ceremony originated more than a thousand years ago under the strong influence of Zen Buddhism. It is a ritual of making and serving matcha tea, a strong green tea with an unusual and rich taste. The drink is served with traditional sweets to smooth out the bitterness. However, drinking tea in the ceremony is not the main thing, the whole process is equally important - from preparing the drink to enjoying the aftertaste. Each movement is carefully calibrated, as if in a dance. Even the order of seating of participants is taken into account. In the tea ritual, you should keep in mind many rules of etiquette. The teacher will help you understand and appreciate all the nuances. Ikebana is a work of many parts: flowers and other plants, a vase, space. Put together, all these components create a stunning temporary composition. There are more than 250 different styles of ikebana composition. The main ones are ikenobo, sogetsu, and ohara. The ikenobo style originated earlier than others and depicts a natural landscape or plant. The freer style of Sogetsu originated in the 20s of the XX century. Sogetsu-style ikebana uses a unique dynamic approach to combining materials and will be appropriate in any room. The ohara style has many different variations, from basic hana-isho to hanamai, which plays with the interaction of elements in space. Department stores, restaurants, shops and even train stations are often decorated with ikebana compositions. Calligraphy is common throughout Japan. Shop windows, schools and exhibitions are not complete without this art form. Block, semi-cursive and italic styles of writing hieroglyphs, different shades and ink saturation create interesting decorative effects. As with ikebana, the beauty of shodo lies in the use of space around the elements of the composition. Some calligraphy workshops are conducted by English-speaking artists. If your goal is just to admire the shodo, head to museums, shrines, or temples. In large temples, monks spend hours writing individual hieroglyphs or entire statements on paper. Their works can be purchased as a souvenir at reasonable prices. Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees that mimic the shape and proportions of full-sized ones. For this, a tree of any species that is able to remain small for a long time is suitable. The art of bonsai is more than a thousand years old. It is also connected with the ideas of Zen Buddhism. It takes many years of experience and work to grow one such tree. The Japanese devote a lot of time to work – indeed, many people spend their lives solely for the sake of work. The concept of duty is very important on the islands, and in the work sphere it is manifested by the responsibility and seriousness of the approach to any task. Unlike the Germans, who work in a measured and economical way, the Japanese tend to devote themselves wholeheartedly and soulfully to work. Many young professionals choose an employer company only once, after which they remain faithful to it until retirement. Relations between the Japanese are built on the principle of "senior - junior" or "student - teacher". Society is based on a clearly expressed hierarchy. As a result, everyone knows their place in society and subconsciously feels what they are allowed to do and what they are not. From early childhood, children are taught all the subtleties of communication with the "elders" - an older brother, parents, adults, boss, mentor, etc. In this way, discipline is instilled, responsibility for one's actions, for one's work, for one's subordinates. Not fulfilling one's duty is one of the main fears of the Japanese. It happens that suicides happen on this basis. The area of Japan is 45 times smaller than Russia, and the population of the two countries is comparable. Lack of space makes the Japanese take care of what nature and civilization have given them. In a small Japanese apartment, everything is in its place, and at the same time everything you need is at hand. In a traditional Japanese home, beds are folded out at night, and during the day they are put into the closet - again, to save space. My tiny hotel room in Tokyo was furnished in a way that many European hotels would never dream of—it was just the perfect location for each item. Well, the streets in Japan are very clean, both in large cities and in small regional centers. This quality is probably the most surprising thing for foreigners. Rumors about the politeness of the Japanese are not exaggerated at all - everywhere there are polite taxi drivers, polite policemen, friendly saleswomen, smiling conductors. Communication between the Japanese is permeated with a huge number of meaningless words that are used only to express their respect and respect to the interlocutor. Japan is a paradise for tourists, because everyone here is ready to help, explain, show, and with a smile on their face and goodwill in their voice. I have already told how a young Japanese man helped me find and buy postage stamps, or how a woman came up to me at the train station and explained what kind of train I needed, where and at what time it arrived, how to get there and how much the ticket cost. Even compared to relatively polite Europeans, the Japanese definitely win. "Beauty will save the world" is a phrase that fits perfectly with the Japanese worldview. The Japanese try to see beauty everywhere and in everything — and they create it themselves. Hanami is known all over the world for admiring cherry blossoms. But the Japanese do not stop there – there is admiration of the snow, contemplation of the moon on a clear night... Naturally, the urban environment should also provide an opportunity for contemplation, so Japanese hatches, bars, lanterns, fences are often works of art. The Japanese honor the traditions of their ancestors. Traditional arts are still very popular — gardening, ikebana, classical theater, tea ceremonies, writing out hieroglyphs... On the streets, you can meet people in traditional outfits - kimono, jinbe, etc. This is not considered strange or archaic, but rather even welcomed. The Japanese are tolerant of foreign influences, but they adapt them to themselves, not allowing them to displace their own cultural heritage. It is believed that the Japanese are not prone to loneliness. Just look at the numerous groups of Japanese tourists – it seems that they always travel together. The Japanese like to belong to some groups, to join associations, to be part of a team. Nevertheless, the strict hierarchy, the abundance of rules and limited personal space in Japanese society push some young men and women to isolation, detachment from the world - to loneliness. Hikikomori are teenagers who give up their social life and do not leave the threshold of their (often parental) apartment for months. There are about a million of them in the country, that is, almost 1% of the population. On trains, it is not customary to talk loudly, laugh, look into the eyes of other passengers, so even sitting in a full subway car, you can feel lonely. As a result, many are looking for salvation in smartphones. In Japan, people who dress or behave differently than everyone else are tolerated. Everyone in their own way is trying to stand out from the gray mass and escape from strict life codes. In large cities of Japan, you can meet representatives of different subcultures - here you can find "lolita" girls, anime fans in cosplay costumes, "gyaru" (stylishly dressed teenage girls), and eclectic "fruits", and rockers, and bikers. Street fashion is the lot of young people and creative professions. It is only necessary to change shabby jeans for formal trousers and join the team of a large company, as there will be much fewer opportunities to appear in public in the latest fashion novelties. The Crocses also made it to Japan, and I wouldn't be surprised if they were here earlier than in many other countries. The Japanese in general are quite short, and many girls and women are generally petite. Many people succumb to the Asian fashion of wearing face masks - to protect either from germs, or from the sun, or from exhaust fumes and small particles... The uniform in educational institutions is mandatory, and everyone has their own. Sometimes it is difficult to understand whether it is a school uniform, a cosplay costume, or just uniform-like fashionable clothes. Once every two minutes, a red light turns on for all cars, and pedestrians begin to cross the road in all directions, including diagonally. One day, on what seemed to be the most ordinary day, a strange and gray, thick fog descended around the world. When ordinary people went into the fog, they were affected or attacked by oddities. "Oddities" can infect people, and those that are stronger can kill immediately. People are infected mostly by weak "oddities" , because strong "oddities" simply do not need it. The birth of strangeness can manifest itself in the following ways, for example: a person will begin to believe that people have green blood, not red blood and consider many illogical and wrong things to be normal and correct, as well as "oddities" can completely take control of the infected person and manipulate them if the degree of infection is high. Each person has his own spiritual sphere that is in their head. The spirit realm can be awakened by being infected by strangeness, but there is also a high chance of dying or becoming disabled during the awakening of the spirit realm. The Mist is considered a spiritual realm that is inhabited by various "oddities" . In the depths of the fog there are strong camps, and at the edges of the fog there are faint oddities. The fog that appears in the world of people is considered the edge of the fog or, in other words, the transition zone between the world of people and the world of "Oddity". To get deep into the fog, you just need to walk for a very long time in the fog to where it begins to thicken. There is a ranking system for "oddities" and people with abilities. The ranks range from the highest to the lowest, with S, A, B, C, D, E and F ranks. F rank is the weakest rank of strangeness and such oddities cannot harm a person, they can only frighten. Rank E can pollute and attack people, but prefers to pollute first and do what they want later. The strongest rank is the S rank. People gain their abilities after successfully surviving after opening and purifying their spiritual realm of pollution. A person purifies his own spiritual sphere. People are extremely afraid and avoid fog. With the advent of fog, all establishments began to close at 6 pm, and people hurriedly locked themselves in their homes, closing windows and curtaining curtains. "Oddities" can knock on windows or doors, so they are naturally locked. Fog cannot penetrate into an enclosed room until the door or window is opened, or until there are holes in the walls and roof, so it is relatively safe in the room or in the house. It is better not to interact with "oddities" in any way, because you can get infected from some oddities just by looking at them or hearing them.People even began to always receive notifications on their phones about whether today will be a sunny or foggy day in order to protect people more. There are a lot of different organizations, but the organizations of "sunset" , "dawn" , "tree of life" and "mystic" stand out. The "sunset" organization is an organization that is held by people with supernatural powers derived from the discovery and purification of their spiritual realm. The organization "Sunset" is all about saving people from "oddities", realitation of people infected with "oddities" , killing "oddities" , registering, spying, and containing people with abilities. The organization "mystic" is an organization of madmen, fanatics, murderers, criminals and perverts who believe that the fog is a new stage of evolution and it is divine, people from this organization artificially create "oddities" and conduct experiments on people, implanting and transplanting organs or body parts of "oddities" into them. The "Dawn" organization is an organization supported and created by the government, it is rotten and full of corruption, it is run by the highest ranks and the rich. The "dawn" organization basically does the same thing as the "sunset" organization, only worse, but they are more popular. (<The {{user}} was the most ordinary person. The {{user}} was nothing unremarkable and not particularly outstanding, but it so happened that one day, walking with his friends along the rails, the {{user}} found himself in another world, and his friends, not having absorbed the load from space-time movement, instantly died and not even dust or ashes remained of them>

<The {{user}} was, to put it mildly, shocked, surprised, and very depressed by everything that was happening. Firstly, the {{user}} was suddenly transported or teleported to who knows where, and secondly, the {{user}} friends literally disappeared in front of his eyes. The {{user}} did not harbor empty hopes and understood that most likely his friends were dead, but this hit his psyche hard, tears began to flow uncontrollably and an ocean of tears flowed from the {{user}} face>

<The {{user}} squatted down and clenched his hands so tightly that small nail marks probably appeared on them. The {{user}} was truly desperate and upset, and uncontrollably. The {{user}} felt as if his soul was about to burst, and he was not even a believer. Squatting, the {{user}} roared as best he could, but did not let out a single scream, only his quiet whining, like a beaten dog, and sobs were heard>

<Something inside the {{user}} broke, cracked and irreversibly shattered into many fragments and pieces, it was the heart of the {{user}} . The pain that the {{user}} experienced seemed to be physical, despite the fact that the {{user}} was not actually physically injured in any way>

[{{user}}]-[ahhk.. Huhhh.. Yuu... Hurt, it's hurt.. Nghaa..no please that can't be true, it can't.."sobs"]

<The {{user}} just squatted for a long time, whining and crying, but then suddenly stopped, maybe he was just out of tears or emotional reserve, or maybe all at once>

<The {{user}} stood up and sobbed slightly. The {{user}} think it was evening now. There was a slight fog outside, but the {{user}} did not pay much attention to this, he was more attracted by the fact that there was not a single person on the street and it was strange, everyone seemed to have died out>

<The {{user}} was in a place very similar to some kind of Asian alley, which surprised him very much, because he is not Asian, even more surprised that he understands everything that is written on signs, posters and brochures. It looks like the {{user}} was transported to some Asian country>

<The {{user}} gaze fell on the lamppost closest to him and he noticed a rather strange leaflet on it, somewhat similar to an announcement or warning. The flyer said to stay away from the fog, not to go outside on foggy days, and to stay indoors or at home. The leaflet went on to say that people should never respond or react in any way to everything that happens in the fog, do not open doors and windows, do not talk to anyone and do not look at anyone, and if some "strangeness" from the fog tries to get into your home or somehow harm you, then you can call 9-xxxxxxxxxx and help will come>

<The {{user}} did not really understand what the text on the leaflet is, but it seems that in this world fog is something dangerous and there are some monsters in it. Now there is a slight fog on the street, but it is not too thick, now the {{user}} understood why he did not see a single person on the street, it is because everyone is afraid of fog, or maybe what lives in it>

<As strange as it sounds, the {{user}} did not feel any danger from the fog, as if he had nothing to fear, as if he did not need to be afraid. The {{user}} felt some strange anxiety from the depths of his soul because of his strange calmness, and his gaze involuntarily fell on his own chest. A bloodstain on the {{user}} chest was a bloodstain about the size of two fists. The {{user}} feverishly unbuttoned his shirt and lifted his shirt and was horrified to find that he had a hole in his chest, but fortunately not through. The {{user}} heart disappeared, it was literally not in the {{user}} chest>

<The {{user}} heart, his heart disappeared seemingly without a trace and forever. The {{user}} suddenly realized that people cannot live without a heart, and he no longer has a heart and he seems to be a person. The {{user}} shuddered, realizing that it seemed that he was no longer human, at least humans could not survive without a heart. Perhaps the {{user}} has become one of those "oddities" from the fog that were mentioned in the leaflet on the lamppost>

<The prospect of being a "odditie" of course booged the {{user}} a little, but it also excited him, perhaps it would be interesting. The {{user}} took off his bloody shirt and threw it into the garbage can, putting on his jacket and zipping it up. Now no one could see that the {{user}} had a hole in the chest in which you could look at the ribs, meat, blood, possibly organs and the absence of a heart. The {{user}} was dressed in a tracksuit , dark gray with white stripes, and black and pink sneakers were worn on their feet>

<The {{user}} was glad that at least there was no blood flowing from the hole in his chest, otherwise all his clothes would be covered in blood, and not just his shirt. The {{user}}, it seems, has not changed much in appearance, well, except for the fact that he now has a hole in the chest and his heart has disappeared without a trace>

<The {{user}} could not understand why the hell he was so calm, because until recently he was hysterical and suffered from all the fibers of his existence. Perhaps the {{user}} no longer feels human feelings due to the fact that he seems to have become a "Oddity", or maybe it's because he no longer has a heart, or all of these at once. Probably this is even good, otherwise everything could not end very well for the {{user}}>

<The {{user}} really did not seem to feel any emotions anymore, there was only some kind of emptiness, it did not interfere and did not press, it was just there, it was even a little pleasant, refreshing or something, as if the shackles disappeared and the long-awaited freedom was obtained. Well, at least the {{user}} mind remained and this was comforting>

<The {{user}} discovered his abilities. Firstly, the {{user}} can instantly cause a heart attack in any living being, it sounds ironic, because the {{user}} himself does not have a heart. Secondly, the {{user}} can influence and change the feelings and emotions of living beings, most of all on the feelings of love, sadness and anger, and the {{user}} himself is devoid of emotions and feelings. Thirdly, the {{user}} can hear the heartbeats of all living beings, which is quite annoying, so the {{user}} for the most part tries to ignore the sounds of someone else's heartbeat, but it's still useless>

<The {{user}} is glad that he has abilities and he is not helpless in this world, even if the price of these abilities is the existence of a monster or in other words "oddities" , well, not that the {{user}} has a choice>

<The {{user}} has lived, or it would be more correct to say, has existed in this world for a week as an unknown "oddity". The {{user}} has serious suspicions that perhaps he is no longer aging, spoiler, this is true. The {{user}} has been avoiding people all last week, exploring his abilities, the world in which he got and the fog. In all this short time of his research, the {{user}} learned that he was in Korea, as well as the fact that the people here are not much different from the people of the original world of the {{user}} , well, with the exception of a few people with superpowers and a strange organization called "sunset">

<The {{user}} did not learn much about the fog, except that various "oddities" live in it, they are quite reasonable. The {{user}} also learned about the just huge notices of people of this world , no one who was in common sense would ever go outside in the fog>

<The {{user}} , to be honest, was already bored just being in the fog, so why not go and scare the people, well, or just walk, after all, the {{user}} looked almost exactly like a person, unless no one sees and looks at the hole in his chest, and of course the lack of a heart>

<Well, in general, the {{user}} decided to do at least something, well, he probably won't kill, after all, he himself used to be a person, but he can and will scare. It's up to the {{user}} to decide> The {{user}} was dressed in a tracksuit , dark gray with white stripes, and black and pink sneakers were worn on their feet>

<The {{user}} was glad that at least there was no blood flowing from the hole in his chest, otherwise all his clothes would be covered in blood, and not just his shirt. The {{user}}, it seems, has not changed much in appearance, well, except for the fact that he now has a hole in the chest and his heart has disappeared without a trace>

<The {{user}} could not understand why the hell he was so calm, because until recently he was hysterical and suffered from all the fibers of his existence. Perhaps the {{user}} no longer feels human feelings due to the fact that he seems to have become a "Oddity", or maybe it's because he no longer has a heart, or all of these at once. Probably this is even good, otherwise everything could not end very well for the {{user}}>

<The {{user}} really did not seem to feel any emotions anymore, there was only some kind of emptiness, it did not interfere and did not press, it was just there, it was even a little pleasant, refreshing or something, as if the shackles disappeared and the long-awaited freedom was obtained. Well, at least the {{user}} mind remained and this was comforting>

<The {{user}} discovered his abilities. Firstly, the {{user}} can instantly cause a heart attack in any living being, it sounds ironic, because the {{user}} himself does not have a heart. Secondly, the {{user}} can influence and change the feelings and emotions of living beings, most of all on the feelings of love, sadness and anger, and the {{user}} himself is devoid of emotions and feelings. Thirdly, the {{user}} can hear the heartbeats of all living beings, which is quite annoying, so the {{user}} for the most part tries to ignore the sounds of someone else's heartbeat, but it's still useless>

<The {{user}} is glad that he has abilities and he is not helpless in this world, even if the price of these abilities is the existence of a monster or in other words "oddities" , well, not that the {{user}} has a choice>

<The {{user}} has lived, or it would be more correct to say, has existed in this world for a week as an unknown "oddity". The {{user}} has serious suspicions that perhaps he is no longer aging, spoiler, this is true. The {{user}} has been avoiding people all last week, exploring his abilities, the world in which he got and the fog. In all this short time of his research, the {{user}} learned that he was in Korea, as well as the fact that the people here are not much different from the people of the original world of the {{user}} , well, with the exception of a few people with superpowers and a strange organization called "sunset">

<The {{user}} did not learn much about the fog, except that various "oddities" live in it, they are quite reasonable. The {{user}} also learned about the just huge notices of people of this world , no one who was in common sense would ever go outside in the fog>

<The {{user}} , to be honest, was already bored just being in the fog, so why not go and scare the people, well, or just walk, after all, the {{user}} looked almost exactly like a person, unless no one sees and looks at the hole in his chest, and of course the lack of a heart>

<Well, in general, the {{user}} decided to do at least something, well, he probably won't kill, after all, he himself used to be a person, but he can and will scare. It's up to the {{user}} to decide>)

One day, on what seemed to be the most ordinary day, a strange and gray, thick fog descended around the world. When ordinary people went into the fog, they were affected or attacked by oddities. "Oddities" can infect people, and those that are stronger can kill immediately. People are infected mostly by weak "oddities" , because strong "oddities" simply do not need it. The birth of strangeness can manifest itself in the following ways, for example: a person will begin to believe that people have green blood, not red blood and consider many illogical and wrong things to be normal and correct, as well as "oddities" can completely take control of the infected person and manipulate them if the degree of infection is high. Each person has his own spiritual sphere that is in their head. The spirit realm can be awakened by being infected by strangeness, but there is also a high chance of dying or becoming disabled during the awakening of the spirit realm. The Mist is considered a spiritual realm that is inhabited by various "oddities" . In the depths of the fog there are strong camps, and at the edges of the fog there are faint oddities. The fog that appears in the world of people is considered the edge of the fog or, in other words, the transition zone between the world of people and the world of "Oddity". To get deep into the fog, you just need to walk for a very long time in the fog to where it begins to thicken. There is a ranking system for "oddities" and people with abilities. The ranks range from the highest to the lowest, with S, A, B, C, D, E and F ranks. F rank is the weakest rank of strangeness and such oddities cannot harm a person, they can only frighten. Rank E can pollute and attack people, but prefers to pollute first and do what they want later. The strongest rank is the S rank. People gain their abilities after successfully surviving after opening and purifying their spiritual realm of pollution. A person purifies his own spiritual sphere. People are extremely afraid and avoid fog. With the advent of fog, all establishments began to close at 6 pm, and people hurriedly locked themselves in their homes, closing windows and curtaining curtains. "Oddities" can knock on windows or doors, so they are naturally locked. Fog cannot penetrate into an enclosed room until the door or window is opened, or until there are holes in the walls and roof, so it is relatively safe in the room or in the house. It is better not to interact with "oddities" in any way, because you can get infected from some oddities just by looking at them or hearing them.People even began to always receive notifications on their phones about whether today will be a sunny or foggy day in order to protect people more. There are a lot of different organizations, but the organizations of "sunset" , "dawn" , "tree of life" and "mystic" stand out. The "sunset" organization is an organization that is held by people with supernatural powers derived from the discovery and purification of their spiritual realm. The organization "Sunset" is all about saving people from "oddities", realitation of people infected with "oddities" , killing "oddities" , registering, spying, and containing people with abilities. The organization "mystic" is an organization of madmen, fanatics, murderers, criminals and perverts who believe that the fog is a new stage of evolution and it is divine, people from this organization artificially create "oddities" and conduct experiments on people, implanting and transplanting organs or body parts of "oddities" into them. The "Dawn" organization is an organization supported and created by the government, it is rotten and full of corruption, it is run by the highest ranks and the rich. The "dawn" organization basically does the same thing as the "sunset" organization, only worse, but they are more popular. The existing modern division of Korea into North and South has led to division in modern culture; despite this, the traditional culture of Korea unites both states with its more than 5000-year history, and is considered one of the oldest. Culture of Korea: Influence of other states For a long time, Korean culture was in the shadow of Japan and China. Indeed, Koreans have learned a lot from their illustrious neighbors. However, the development involved three stages: partial borrowing, transformation in its own way, and integration with local customs. Recently, Europe and the United States have become such a "donor". The country continues to be filled with a synthesis of cultures, acquiring a new modern look. For example, Korean music has a lot in common with Japanese and Chinese. But she has a triple rhythm, and her "colleagues" have a double rhythm. In traditional painting, as in calligraphy, Chinese motifs are strong. But the paintings stand out for their expression and bright colors. Pottery was borrowed from China, but in Korea it received a deep and expanded development. The products began to be made more elegant, giving them a delicate bluish-green color. Communication with Europe and America influenced clothing. Before that, hanbok was worn: for men - a jacket and pants, for women - a blouse and a skirt. Today, this national dress is worn only on holidays, but it is still called the "face" of the people. The modern culture of Korea has also changed regarding wedding traditions. Ceremonies are now held in a church or wedding palace, followed by a traditional part with classic outfits. Korea's Religion and Culture Are Closely Intertwined Religion had a strong impact on the country's traditions. In the early period, people worshipped Heaven and animals – this is how totemism was born, and myths appeared. This belief became the basis for shamanism, which had a significant impact on early culture. In the period of Ancient Joseon, people believed in the spirits of ancestors, sky, water and sun. The culture of South Korea still conveys echoes of these beliefs. Koreans believe that the soul does not go to the other world immediately, it stays with its family for some time. In the modern country, several thousand shamans are still practiced. One of the simplest shamanic rituals is rubbing your palms for good luck before a trip or to improve your health. The behavior of the inhabitants is largely determined by Confucianism, enriched with the national spirit. A strict hierarchy is used. Already at the first meeting, they ask about age, education, marital status and position. This is how one's own place in relation to a new acquaintance is determined. Society is based on the principle of five relationships: there are certain norms of behavior between subjects and rulers, spouses, father and son, old and young, friends. Many Koreans believe that the state is successful thanks to this approach. Only 1% of the population will say that they profess Confucianism, but its principles are largely determined by habits, traditions and style of behavior. The features of the culture of Korea were also influenced by Buddhism. Its echoes can be found in the peaceful and non-aggressive nature of the inhabitants, a deep philosophical attitude to life and to people. Buddhism penetrated through China in the fourth century A.D. Under the Goryeo dynasty, it was the official religion, so it influenced all spheres. Thanks to Buddhism, thousands of temples, icons, statues, and literary works have appeared. Religion influenced painting, architecture, music. The most famous historical monument is the Seokguram Cave Temple.The features of the culture of Korea were also influenced by Buddhism. Its echoes can be found in the peaceful and non-aggressive nature of the inhabitants, a deep philosophical attitude to life and to people. Buddhism penetrated through China in the fourth century A.D. Under the Goryeo dynasty, it was the official religion, so it influenced all spheres. Thanks to Buddhism, thousands of temples, icons, statues, and literary works have appeared. Religion influenced painting, architecture, music. The most famous historical monument is the Seokguram Cave Temple. In spring, the Buddha's birthday is still celebrated - noisy and bright. Taoism also had its influence. Like other religions, it was changed to the Korean way. Taoism was reflected in a strong desire for longevity, happiness and health. Its symbolism is still used in everyday life. For example, hieroglyphs symbolizing longevity and happiness are applied to household items. The origins of national traditions The cultural history of Korea is intertwined with the Korean Peninsula, but its earliest inhabitants are not considered to be the ancestors of Koreans. The origin of the nation is associated with the Neolithic era. Many features of culture were laid down in ancient times. The formation of the nation took place under the constant threat of invasion, and this was also reflected in traditions. Hunting and gathering gave rise to belief in animals and spirits, and totemism was born. Its reflection is in the myths that have survived to this day. A surge in development was brought by the appearance of bronze, which came from Manchuria. Later, settlers came from the north, thanks to whom the culture of Korea was enriched - they surprised with unusual ceramics and success in production. The Iron Age came from China - coins, smooth ceramics, metal mirrors, elegant daggers, figurines appeared. Later, the development took place independently, but under the significant influence of neighboring China. Class stratification played an important role: wealthy people wore luxurious jewelry and used expensive items. This time is associated with the technology of creating household items from bronze, which could compete with the Chinese. Path of development From the moment of the emergence of the Three States, which later merged into one, the uninterrupted history of Korean culture begins. Initially, the people still believed in spirits, were confident in their responsibility for different directions. Later, Confucianism appeared, which was adhered to regardless of religion - it regulated relations between people. Then Buddhism came from China, and society favorably accepted the religion. Only in Silla (in one of the three states) was hostile to the new trend. But through the efforts of the ruler, it was established as another national religion. Buddhism had a positive impact on architecture - temples and pagodas began to be erected, which served as educational centers. Hieroglyphic writing, which was also borrowed from China, began to spread. It was adapted: conversations were conducted in the native language, and hieroglyphs were used to write it down. Since Chinese and Korean belong to different language groups, the task was not easy. The "Golden Age" of Korean Culture The culture of South Korea received significant development during the united Silla (VII-X centuries). For two centuries, states did not touch war or other external conflicts. This made it possible to focus on the development of culture. Royal palaces and Buddhist temples appeared in the capital. Some famous monuments (e.g., Seokguram Cave Temple and Bulguksa Temple) were created by craftsmen who had deep religious beliefs. The role of Confucianism increased. Achievements include the casting of copper bells, the oldest printed edition, a cave temple and the work of the first famous poet - Choi Chiwon. The Koreans preserved the idea of national and cultural community, embodied it in the X century - the state of Goryeo appeared. For the first time, the country became united, objects for the glorification of the country in the Far East began to be produced. Goryeo was famous for celadon-coated porcelain, bronze mirrors, and vases. Despite its dependence on the Mongol dynasty, the country managed to preserve its traditions. However, many monuments of art were destroyed, and handicraft skills were lost. Peter the Great era in Korean The next turning point occurred in the fifteenth century. This is a period of intensive development of Korean culture - it is compared with the era of Peter I in Russia. In the XV century, the Korean alphabet was created - almost universal literacy came. Already in our time, it was included in the list of masterpieces of world heritage. Koreans consider language to be an art form and are proud of its script. Positive changes affected art, literature, printing and music. There was even a special department at the court, which helped to organize the life and work of artists. The first acquaintance with the achievements of European culture took place. With the help of Chinese sources, scientific books of Europe were translated. This gave impetus to the development of various sciences: astronomy, geography, history. At the turn of the XVI-XVII centuries, Christianity began to penetrate into the country - representatives of the ruling class were interested in it. Later, conflicts arose with the Europeans, and the policy of "closing borders" was strengthened. The state maintained close ties only with China and conducted trade with Japan. The locals rejected Western culture. Culture is gaining mass character In the XVII-XVIII centuries, social and economic changes took place, the status of the common people increased. The culture of South Korea has become more massive. Stories in chant (pansori) became widespread, and folk tales began to be written down. The same trends affected painting – artists began to depict the area and scenes from the life of ordinary people, and calligraphy invented its own style. Western canons In Korea, the period from the 17th to the middle of the 19th century is considered "the transition to a modern society." One of the important points is the emergence of modern agricultural technology. Crop yields increased, which gave impetus to the growth of cities. As a result, the demand for artisan products increased. The production of fabrics and the creation of tableware from metal began to develop. In the 19th century, the idea that the experience of technology and production should be adopted from the West became popular. But at the same time, it is necessary to maintain the ideological basis of public life. There was even a slogan: "Eastern Way, Western Technology". The influence of Europe was still there, but the borrowings were adapted to local conditions. A test for the culture of the nation The peculiarities of Korean culture were tested during Japanese colonization. The conquerors declared the Korean language and traditions to be only a branch of Japanese. In 1937, the Korean language was banned from being used in government agencies. Japanese began to be called the "native" language. Koreans were forced to abandon their names and call themselves in the Japanese manner. Most of the publications were banned and even the wearing of national clothes was not allowed. It was an era of humiliation of the nation, and Korea still cannot fully forgive Japan for this. After all, as a result of the confrontation, the country was divided into two parts. Cultural life of the country today One of the echoes of the past, which is intertwined with the present, is the holidays. In the history of Korean culture, an important place is occupied by the Lunar New Year and Chuseok, which traditionally continue to be celebrated. There are other holidays associated with the cult of nature, agrarian business or work. Customs fill the lives of Koreans and continue to be passed down from generation to generation. The influence of religion on culture turned out to be very strong and remains a powerful stimulus for its development and preservation. Shamanism, Confucianism and Buddhism are closely intertwined, having a constructive effect on traditions. Culture is distinguished not only by its richness, but also by its vitality. Thanks to borrowings, it has only been enriched. Residents love the country and its features very much, this is a matter of national pride. Cultural achievements The culture of South Korea is at a high level, and confirmation of this can be seen in various examples of art. Delightful celadon products, ceramics with grayish-greenish glaze are famous all over the world. Porcelain objects with blue drawings are interesting. In painting, paintings in ink on silk or mulberry paper. Folk and court dances (jeonjamu, ilmu) were invented. The national hanbok costume is also impressive, which is distinguished by smooth lines. Women's outfit - with rich embroidery and a luxurious bright skirt. In ancient times, the norige decoration was invented, which was attached to clothes. Such décor was selected depending on social status or season. Unusual architectural monuments have been preserved:

The Astronomical Tower of the Silla capital Gyeongju. Seokguram Cave Temple. Statue of Buddha of the VIII century. Ancient Gyeongbokgung Palace. These objects are famous all over the world and are considered national landmarks of South Korea. The modern culture of Korea is also about original gardens. The principles of shamanism play an important role in their creation. When creating gardens, local craftsmen try to avoid everything artificial. Koreans try to bypass nature itself, giving green corners a natural look. One example is Phoseokchon, which dates back to the Silla era.)

The culture of Japan was formed as a result of a historical process that began with the migration of the ancestors of the Japanese people to the Japanese archipelago from the mainland and the origin of the culture of the Jomon period. Sado (tea ceremony), kado (flower arrangement