Hope Floats

Have to thank MBC for this poignant scene from the historical drama, Dong Yi, in which the heroine finds herself lost among ordinary Koreans releasing lanterns bearing their wishes for the new year. Known in China as "sky lanterns", they apparently originated during the turbulent days of the Three Kingdoms when a besieged group was forced to send messages for additional troops by way of these wind-borne lanterns.



The tradition of expressing one's wishes for the New Year presumably made its way to Korea from China. What I'd like to know is if this charming practice is observed anywhere in Korea these days. I have my doubts given the predominance of high-wire cables and considerations for aviation and high building safety and ecological considerations, despite the assurances of one Chinese manufacturer that the lanterns are made of flame-retardant paper, that its flight altitude is only within 800-1000 meters and that its "burning time" is just between 12 and 15 minutes.

Anyway, here's wishing everyone a Happy 2012 and may your hopes keep afloat indefinitely.

sources:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDLIOiafkPE
http://www.ec21.com/offer_detail/Sell_Sky_Lantern_Oval_Shape--12755845.html