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After grand ceremonies like Dongmaeng or Susy, there was always 'alcohol'. Goguryeo people developed their own brewing methods with rice and nuruk, enjoying a unique liquor called 'Asul'. This liquor was so deeply aromatic and excellent in taste that it was even presented to the Chinese royal court, being treated as the finest premium spirit of the time. While Goguryeo is remembered solely as a strong equestrian nation and skilled warriors, they were also pioneers of a delicate food culture with sophisticated fermentation techniques. A cup of Asul, savored by Goguryeo people after the brutal battlefields, contained a style and elegance we never knew.

Do you know about the 'Juryeongu,' a 14-sided wooden die excavated from Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in Gyeongju? It was a tool used by Silla nobles during banquets for 'drinking game penalties.' Its surfaces are inscribed with ingenious penalties, such as 'Dance without making a sound,' 'Drink three cups of alcohol in one go (bottoms up),' and 'Endure tickling without flinching' – surprisingly similar to today's college drinking games. What's even more surprising is its mathematical sophistication. It's made of 6 quadrilateral faces and 8 hexagonal faces, designed so that the probability of any given face landing up is almost identical, around 7% when rolled. Silla nobles, who might seem elegant and solemn, had a hidden side to them: they enjoyed fun, random games all night long, utilizing advanced mathematical knowledge.

The nickname 'King of Delivery' would have been valid even in the Joseon Dynasty. In the late Joseon period, the delivery of 'Hyojonggaeng (曉鍾羹)', a premium hangover soup, was highly popular among the yangban (nobility) in Hanyang (present-day Seoul). Hyojonggaeng was a nutritious meal made by simmering precious ingredients like beef ribs, sea cucumber, abalone, and cabbage hearts for a long time. What's surprising is the perfect delivery system. The soup, boiled overnight near Namhansanseong Fortress in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, was put into an earthenware pot, wrapped layer by layer with cotton to maintain its warmth, and then transported to Hanyang by oxcart. By the time the dawn bell rang, the soup arrived at the homes of high-ranking officials, still warm, making it explosively popular for breakfast. This shows that insulated packaging and premium dawn delivery existed hundreds of years ago.

One of the secrets behind Goguryeo's dominance in Northeast Asia was its formidable heavy armored cavalry, known as 'Gaemamusa'. 'Gaema (鎧馬)' literally means 'armored horse'. These warriors, along with their mounts, were fully clad from head to toe in steel armor. Thanks to this, most enemy arrows or spears couldn't inflict significant damage. When battle commenced, the Gaemamusa, clad in heavy iron armor, would charge at the forefront into enemy lines. This charge possessed immense destructive power, akin to modern-day tanks. Behind King Gwanggaeto the Great's relentless territorial expansion lay this elite force, united by superior ironworking technology and bravery.

There's a lot of debate about the location of Pyongyang, which was the new capital moved during the reign of Goguryeo's King Dongcheon (209-248 AD). Most people believe it's the Pyongyang on the current Taedong River, but some argue otherwise. First, during King Dongcheon's time, Goguryeo had not yet expanded its influence to the Korean Peninsula. Goguryeo's sphere of activity was still in the current Manchurian region. Next, there's the connection to the previous capital, Hwando Castle. The relocation to Pyongyang was largely a temporary move because Hwando Castle had been reduced to ashes by war. The historical book 'Yosa' states that Hwando Castle was '200 li southwest of Guknae Castle'. Ultimately, there's no definitive answer, and we'll likely know for sure in the future.

Did you know that in ancient Korean history, besides Goguryeo, there was another country? Of course, this country is debated among scholars, but it was a nation called "Jin-guk" that existed in the Samhan region in the past. After Jin-guk's fall, Samhan was founded. For reference, Samhan refers to an alliance composed of Mahan, Byeonhan, Jinhan, and various smaller states.

Napoleon, the great French hero we've all heard of. However, there was an absurd enemy he couldn't conquer: a horde of adorable 'rabbits'. One day, Napoleon planned a large-scale hunting competition with his subordinates to celebrate a victory and lift his spirits. Thousands of rabbits were mobilized for the hunt. His men believed it would be a thrilling chase, with the rabbits scattering in all directions the moment the pen gates were opened. ​But the moment the gates opened, an unexpected disaster struck. Instead of fleeing, the rabbits charged headfirst towards Napoleon and his soldiers with fierce eyes. In reality, these rabbits weren't wild; they were raised by handlers in pens. Having always associated the humans who fed them with 'food providers,' the rabbits swarmed towards them by the thousands, demanding food. Surrounded by rabbits in an instant, a flustered Napoleon had to be rescued by his soldiers and barely escaped. ※ Information may be incorrect as it is AI-generated.

Many people believe Baekje fell when King Uija was captured in Sabi Fortress. However, inscriptions on a Tang Dynasty tombstone suggest a different reason for Baekje's demise. The inscription reads, 'General ### (forgot name) of the Tang Dynasty is buried here,' and ### happens to be the same name as the lord of Baekje's Ungjin Fortress. Below that, it says, 'Captured the King of Baekje.' This presents an alternative scenario where King Uija, instead of being captured in Sabi, attempted to resist from Ungjin Fortress, which was relatively easier to defend, while General Gyebaek was holding off the Silla army at Hwangsanbeol. However, the lord of Ungjin Fortress captured King Uija and handed him over to the Tang Dynasty.

The Growth of School Lunches Starting with full-scale elementary school lunches in 1997 and expanding to middle and high schools in the early 2000s, after 30 years of 'bringing packed lunches,' people began to gain a sense of community and other positive effects by receiving the same menu on their trays. Increased Interest in School Lunches As companies contracted to manage school lunches caused several food poisoning incidents after the 2000s, demands for 'in-house management of school lunches' arose. Response The School Lunch Act was amended to fully implement the HACCP system, transitioning from a past formal law to a strong and mandatory one. Significance and Limitations 1. The increase in dual-income households and the resulting intensified burden of domestic labor for women were alleviated by the re-operation of school lunches. 2. Problems such as economic disparities and nutritional imbalances caused by packed lunches were mostly resolved, and various bullying cases decreased. 3. School lunch hygiene and safety improved due to in-house management and strengthened laws. 4. Due to lack of experience, there were mixed opinions and issues. 5. Discrimination issues arose due to the implementation of paid lunches.

The Stagnation of School Lunches (1980-1990) 1. The slump began due to the suspension of school lunches and the 'declarative law' of the [School Lunch Act], coupled with a lack of budget and infrastructure. 2. Only rural schools barely managed to provide lunches; most others required students to bring their own. The Golden Age of Corporate Catering (1980-1990) 1. In contrast to school lunches, workers, through active union activities, demanded better welfare benefits, including high-quality and affordable meals. 2. Around the time of the '88 Olympics, mass cooking systems and advanced hygiene techniques were introduced, expanding the concept of group catering from just a 'eatery' to a 'massive industrial operation'. 3. Numerous corporate catering companies like Samsung, LG, CJ, Hyundai, and Shinsegae entered the market, recognizing its potential. Significance and Limitations 1. The stagnation of school lunches led to increased packed lunches, significantly burdening women's domestic labor, a rise in school violence cases, nutritional imbalances, and the initial widening of the wealth gap. 2. Workers' human rights and rights began to be respected. 3. The group catering market grew and became more specialized. 4. Large corporations grew, using their group food courts as a base.