Drawing on centuries-old Confucian ideals — a philosophical tradition rooted in moral cultivation, social harmony and respect for hierarchy — a Sungkyunkwan University professor challenges Western notions of humility in a new book issued by one of the world’s leading academic publishers. Kim Do-il, a professor in the Department of Confucian Studies and Eastern Philosophy at Sungkyunkwan University — an institution rooted in Korea’s Confucian scholarly tradition dating back to the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty — released “The Art of Seeing Beyond Oneself: A Confucian Perspective on Humility” through Oxford University Press on Dec. 17, 2025. The publication signals that Kim’s research has met top-tier international scholarly benchmarks, elevating both the university’s standing and the global competitiveness of Korean humanities research. In the book, Kim challenges a familiar strain of modern Western philosophy that casts Confucian humility as a form of self-denial or quiet self-erasure. Instead, he recasts it as an outward-looking discipline — less about diminishing the
Sungkyunkwan Univ. professor reinterprets Confucian humility for a global age
in News
Related Posts
Latest News from Korea
- BC Card strengthens customer protection through new security patents
BC Card is stepping up its consumer protection strategy through a series of new fintech patents aimed at strengthening the security of digital payments and asset verification, the company said Sunday. Its latest filing is a security technology designed to enable safer stablecoin transactions over public networks, as cross-border dealings with overseas digital wallet providers become more common. Until now,… Read more: BC Card strengthens customer protection through new security patents - Gwangju Uprising distortions still prevalent despite punishment lawWith the 46th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Uprising falling on Monday, false claims about the pro-democracy movement, including assertions that it was a riot or involved North Korean troops, continue to circulate online. According to the May 18 Foundation Sunday, it found 5,182 posts, comments and videos distorting or denigrating the uprising between February and November last year,… Read more: Gwangju Uprising distortions still prevalent despite punishment law
- KORAIL chief signals 1st fare hike in 15 years amid mounting debtGWANGJU — The new head of state-run railway operator Korea Railroad Corp. (KORAIL) said Thursday that the company’s worsening financial situation will require a fare hike in the future — the first in 15 years — as its debt has surpassed 21 trillion won ($14 billion). KORAIL CEO and President Kim Tae-seung, who took office in March, said at a… Read more: KORAIL chief signals 1st fare hike in 15 years amid mounting debt
- No major gap exists between S. Korea, US over wartime OPCON transfer timeline: nat’l security adviserKorea and the United States have little difference in the ongoing discussions over Seoul’s push to retake wartime operational control (OPCON) from the U.S., a senior presidential official said Sunday, describing the issue as “a political decision.” National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac made the remarks on a program aired on KBS, a local broadcaster, as Seoul and Washington appear to… Read more: No major gap exists between S. Korea, US over wartime OPCON transfer timeline: nat’l security adviser
- ‘Geek’ hangout to tourist draw: Japan’s maid cafesTOKYO — “Master, mistress — welcome home!” exclaims the smiling young woman in a French maid’s costume, as customers pass through the looking glass into a unique Japanese world with oodles of quirkiness, cuteness and cake. These “maid cafes” — inspired by the traditional maid outfit that has long been a motif in Japanese pop culture — have evolved from… Read more: ‘Geek’ hangout to tourist draw: Japan’s maid cafes
Latest Entertainment from Korea
- LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings CollectionPhoto Credits: CHROMOSOME LE’V Illuminates 2026 with “Spotlight Soul” LE’V enters 2026 with a statement that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. His Season’s Greetings “Spotlight Soul” concept photos reveal a striking evolution — one that merges emotional depth with artistic clarity. The project, released as a collector’s visual experience, celebrates not just another year but LE’V’s firm grasp on identity, craft,… Read more: LE’V Steps Into the Light: “Spotlight Soul” Captures the Artistry, Growth, and Glow of a New Era in the 2026 Season’s Greetings Collection
- KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty CodesPhoto Credits: SPUR Dior Starship Entertainment A New Year, A New Iconic Pairing SPUR Magazine opens 2026 with a collaboration that feels both intimate and electric. The January 2026 Issue Pictorial Preview showcases KiiiKiii Leesol and Haum in a visual dialogue infused with Dior Addict’s luminous rebellion. Titled “Light Moves: The Addict State of Mind”, the spread captures the interplay of motion, reflection, and self-definition—a signal… Read more: KiiiKiii Leesol & Haum Illuminate SPUR x Dior Addict’s January 2026 Issue with Daring Light, Sensual Motion, and New Beauty Codes
- Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & IdentityPhoto Credits: Hi-Hat Entertainment The Convergence of Vision and Identity The January 2026 Pictorial from ifeye × KITTO Taiwan marks a defining moment in East Asian creative media. Framed as both a celebration and an evolution, the collaboration bridges art direction, fashion narrative, and technological fluidity to capture a new generation’s pulse. More than a photoshoot, this issue acts as a visual manifesto—an exploration of… Read more: Breaking Boundaries: ifeye × KITTO Taiwan Redefine Visual Storytelling in the January 2026 Pictorial — A Fusion of Innovation & Identity
- Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover StoryPhoto Credits: KLAP ENTERTAINMENT Kep1er’s Xiaoting Captures the Moment Kep1er’s Shen Xiaoting steps into 2026 as a muse of modern elegance, fronting the January 2026 Wonderland China cover with an aura that’s both futuristic and fiercely grounded. As one of the brightest stars of her generation, Xiaoting embodies the balance between aspiration and artistry that defines global pop’s next chapter. “Confidence is not just… Read more: Xiaoting in Full Bloom: Kep1er’s Shining Star Redefines Power, Grace, and Global Glamour in Wonderland China’s January 2026 Cover Story
- BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional PrecisionPhoto Credits: GQ Korea – Cartier – BigHit Music. – BTS V x Cartier: The Sound of Stillness and Strength For GQ Korea’s February 2026 issue, the cover unfolds like a cinematic confession. BTS’s V (Kim Taehyung)—known for his magnetic duality of mystery and warmth—joins forces with Cartier, the house synonymous with precision, artistry, and legacy. Together, they create a visual symphony that celebrates… Read more: BTS’s V Radiates Timeless Charisma in GQ Korea x Cartier’s February 2026 Cover: A Monument to Modern Elegance and Emotional Precision
Learn People & History of Korea
- The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan CityAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Busan Busan, known as the second largest metropolitan city in South Korea, has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. The earliest recorded existence of Busan can be traced to the Goryeo Dynasty, where it was referenced as a vital coastal settlement. Its strategic location along the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula… Read more: The Evolution of Busan: A Historical Journey Through South Korea’s Second Largest Metropolitan City
- The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political DynamicsIntroduction to Pyongyang Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea, serves as a prominent symbol of the nation’s history and culture. Geographically located on the banks of the Taedong River, in the southwest part of the country, Pyongyang is situated within a strategic area that has historically facilitated trade and cultural exchange. The city’s origins can be traced back to… Read more: The Evolution of Pyongyang: A Journey Through History, Economy, and Political Dynamics
- The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and BeyondAncient Beginnings: The Founding of Seoul The city of Seoul, known today as the vibrant capital of South Korea, has ancient roots that trace back to the Three Kingdoms period of Korea, specifically the kingdoms of Baekje and Silla. Evidence suggests that Seoul was originally established as a settlement given its strategic geographical advantages. Nestled within the Han River basin,… Read more: The Evolution of Seoul: From Ancient Korea to Modern Metropolis and Beyond
- Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3Introduction to Korean Traditional Games Korean traditional games have long been an integral part of the country’s cultural landscape, offering more than mere entertainment. These games, which range from simple children’s pastimes to complex community activities, hold significant cultural significance and often serve as a means of preserving history and promoting social interaction. Rooted in centuries of tradition, these games… Read more: Exploring Korean Traditional Games in Squid Game: From Season 2 to Upcoming Season 3
- Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune TellingIntroduction to Saju Saju, a traditional Korean fortune-telling practice, is an intricate art that seeks to interpret an individual’s fate based on their birth date and time. The term “Saju” translates to “four pillars” in English, referring to the four critical components derived from these time markers: year, month, day, and hour. This method holds significant cultural value within South… Read more: Unveiling the Past and Present of Saju: The Art of Korean Fortune Telling
