This dissertation discusses the topics of traditional and modern Korean wedding ceremonies, with the emphasis on the pyebaek ritual. Ever since the Goryeo dynasty, weddings have been one of the most important events in a person's life. This importance is reflected in the large number of Confucian-based rules and rituals performed at a traditional Korean wedding. Today, however, the most widespread style of wedding is the modern style, which has spread and gained popularity in Korean society over the last century. Although mainly modelled on western Weddings, many modern weddings have also incorporated some traditional elements. The most well-preserved of the traditional rituals is pyebaek, which is performed after the main wedding ceremony. Its original meaning represents the bride becoming a part of the groom’s family. Today, though, pyebaek is an event where the family can gather and congratulate the couple on their marriage, as well as where the couple can thank the families for their support. The dissertation presents the main elements of traditional and modern wedding ceremonies. It also presents the traditional and modern versions of pyebaek and compares them. Lastly, it describes how the changes in the wedding ceremony came to be, what is the traditional and modernized meaning of the pyebaek ritual, and what are the reasons for its preservation in modern Korean weddings up to the present day.
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