During the period after Korea's "opening" Westerners were, for the first time, able to travel to and inside Korea. Some of these Westerners took this opportunity to observe the country, its people, and its culture and recorded their impressions of the "Hermit Kingdom." Barring one or two much earlier accounts, these are essentially the earliest Western impressions of Korea and Korean culture. Although a variety of subjects are covered in these publications, including history, religion, and more, the vast majority are written in a travelogue-like style.