Korean Job Discussion Forums

Chambertin · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Location: Gunsan

Bored at the moment so...
I have been messing around with Google earth looking at different places I�ve traveled and where I�m going in Korea. Normal enough, right?

At first yeah, but then I notice that darn near every roof in the town is blue, nearly every roof in the province is blue, and as I roam around Korea darn near every roof in the country is blue.

Any idea why?

Binch Lover · Joined: 25 Jul 2005

I heard some story that in the past, only aristocracy could have blue roofs on their houses, so it's viewed as somewhat more classy or as a sign of wealth... something like that.

VanIslander · Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2009 11:54 pm Post subject:

Cerriowen · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Location: Pocheon

And the fact that in the USA almost all the houses have *black* or *grey* roofs... comes from........???

Kikomom · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:16 am Post subject: Re: What�s with the blue?

crossmr · Joined: 22 Nov 2008 Location: Hwayangdong, Seoul

my roof is green?

Yesterday · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 4:40 am Post subject:

NOT poverty - a blue roof (especially a blue tiled roof) is supposed to symbolize a "noble" (rich) family..

(Hence the president lives in the "blue house")

In ancient times - only the rich or noble had blue roofs

I thought this thread was going to be about men/boys only wearing "sky-blue colored panties" - which up until about 2007 was the ONLY underwear they wore...

These days "multi-colored boxer shorts" are the "in" fashion (finally)

Straphanger · Joined: 09 Oct 2008 Location: Chilgok, Korea

While I'm sure this was the case years ago, that everyone wanted a blue roof, that's why all the roofs are blue, I'd be willing to bet that's not true anymore. I'd be willing to bet that they're blue for the same reason American barns are red.

It's the cheapest color.

Chambertin · Joined: 07 Jun 2009 Location: Gunsan

Thanks for the good answers. I figured there had to be someting behind the choice.

Like with the barns, often its the cheapest color, but I just felt there was a deeper reason.

Kikomom · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 1:48 pm Post subject:

Run your Google Earth over to the other side of the world to Bermuda and you'll see every roof is white. The reason for this is that they collect rainwater into cisterns because there's no natural groundwater there.
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,636457,00.html

I don't think Norm's made it to Korea yet.

PeteJB · Joined: 06 Jul 2007

It can be quite a pretty sight to see those blue and red roofs - especially in the southern parts of the country.

IlIlNine · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo

The blue (and orange!) roofs appeared as a result of Park Chung Hee's countryside revitalization program. If you think the countryside's poor now, well .. it was much poorer prior to this. Back then the roofs were made of straw and loose tiles and, well, leaked. The fact that they decided on blue, a sign of wealth (as has been observed above) probably had more to do with trying to control the countryfolk with a 'feel-good' gesture. If your peasants are dry, fairly comfortable, and relatively happy, you'll have far less problems as president (look what's happening with China and it's countryside...).

Oh, and by the way: Some of you guys REALLY need to relax. I can't believe some of you guys are foaming at the mouth about roof color. Confused