''This article is about the Korean cultural sentiment of ''han''. For other meanings of the term, see
Han .''
Han refers to a concept in
Korea n culture, attributed by some as a national cultural trait. The notion of Han refers to a collective feeling of oppression and isolation in the face of overwhelming odds. It connotes aspects of lament and unavenged injustice.
Some scholars theorize the concept of Han evolved from Korea's history of having been invaded and occupied by other nations, such as
Japan , while others attribute Han to class system strictures. It permeates Korean culture, for example, in
Korean Shamanism and
Pansori .
The Korean poet
Ko Eun describes the trait as universal to the Korean experience: "We Koreans were born from the womb of Han and brought up in the womb of Han." Han connotes both despair at recognition of past injustice and acceptance of such matters as part of the Korean experience.
Aaron Sorkin's ''
The West Wing '' also referenced the trait in Episode 5.4 (entitled "Han"). The episode concludes with the
President Of The United States realizing his own personal understanding of the esoteric concept; "There is no literal English translation. It's a state of mind. Of soul, really. A sadness. A sadness so deep no tears will come. And yet still there's hope."
