Fifteen Years Among the Top-Knots; Or, Life in Korea

"Fifteen Years Among the Top-Knots; Or, Life in Korea" by Lillias H. Underwood is a gripping first-hand account of a medical missionary's experiences in Korea, probably written in the beginning of the 1900s. As she describes leaving America and arriving in Korea, Underwood uncovers the difficulties and observations she has while working among the local population, societal norms, and the difficulties of missionary work. Underwood's tale explores her first encounters with Koreans and her early thoughts of the nation as she developed her medical and humanitarian initiatives as a strong-minded woman landing in a strange area. Underwood shares vivid descriptions of the environment, the situation of the local population, and the distinctive architectural features of the city as she goes to Seoul after arriving in Chemulpo, Korea, where she is met with a striking contrast between Korean society and her home. While disturbed by the squalor and poverty she sees, she demonstrates both determination and fear. Underwood begins her medical duties despite her surroundings, working to learn the language and interact with patients. Her early experiences, which include her initial interactions with the royal family and reflections on local customs and religious traditions, pave the way for a detailed account of her missionary work intertwined with the cultural and social issues of 1800s Korea.