music issue
How to Start Up a Band (
( Bringing D.I.Y. to R.O.K.
groove by garan fitzgerald
by Winston Ward
korea
march 2011 issue 53
podcast Korean Homesick Blues
*sighborg *street parade *hit the nine website Korea gig guide
Pinnacle
&thethe Antidote sickness and the cure
if you love hip-hop >Josh Roy >Dusten Wes >Infinite >pinnacle >Ryan “Da� Green >JKea PAINS aka Agonist >Young-6 >KLEPTO >Manifest
busan
*Hajimama Bars to check out in Haeundae
jeonju
*Asleep Without Dreaming march Music Madness at Radio Star check out: www.groovekorea.com
inside
pages 30-63
korea’s music scene
band >Pinnacle & The Antidote Pg. 44
special report
website >The Korea Gig Guide Pg. 42
promoter >If You Love Hip-Hop Pg. 52
>Super Color Super Pg. 36
Hail to the Chief An Editor-in-Chief is like the seaweed that holds gimbap together. Without it things would just fall apart. Since 2008, Tracey Stark has been Groove Korea’s seaweed. He’s kept us from falling apart, pushed us forward and made the magazine a far better publication than it was when he took over. He’s a great editor, clever writer and a brilliant individual who there is no replacement for. We will miss seeing the world through his lens in Stark View, his magazine ideas that seem strange at first but turn out to be gangbusters, but most of all we will miss his presence — in the day to day running of the mag and especially when we have our regular dinner meetings. Tracey has told us that it is time for him to move on to the next phase of his life and we wish him the best of luck and all the success in the world. Thanks Tracey! It’s been a hell of a ride.
— Groove Editorial Staff
groove korea
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march 2011 | issue 53 Cover photo by:
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8 Calendar of Events 10 Korea Beat
66 Korea: 5 Easy Day Trips 68 Korea: Skydiving
dylan goldby www.welkinlight.com
food & drink
Community
70 Cup & Bowl 72 O’ngo Cooking Classes 74 IPA Brewing Day 75 HBC Gogi-Jib 76 Gostiniy Dvor 76 nCheese 77 Restaurant & Bar Listings 78 Listings
14 V-Day Seoul 15 Frills and Thrills 16 St. Patrick’s Day 17 Ball Hockey League 18 Eat Your Kimchi 19 Dear Michelle 20 Edutainers 21 Jeonju Volunteers 22 Stand Up Seoul
arts & Entertainment
79 horoscope
80 konglish 24 Art: Gallery Golmok crossword/sudoku 25 Books: Blink, Shantaram 82 Itaewon Directory 26 Movies: Troubleshooter, The Man From Nowhere 83 Hongdae Directory 27 Cinema: True Grit, The Fighter 84 Pic of the Month 28 Seoulvibes: DJ Jung 86 guest column: travel 64 International: Melbourne garan fitzgerald
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Publishers: Sean Choi and MJ Kim Chief Consultant: Ju-han Kim Marketing Director: Jong-shin Lee Editor-in-Chief: Tracey Stark Creative Director: Dan Thwaits
Editor-at-Large: Matthew Lamers International Editor: Adam Walsh Music Editor: Summer Walker Travel Editor: Josh Foreman Web: Daniel Behrendt, Eunseok Lee
To contact GROOVE Korea for advertising, submissions or general comments, please email info@groovekorea.com or call 010-7560-5552 Disclaimer: The articles are the sole property of Groove Korea. No reproduction is permitted without the express written consent of Groove Korea. The opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Issue Date: Vol. 7, Issue 3 - March 1, 2011 Registration Date: January 25, 2008 Registration No. Seoul Ra 11806
monday
sunday
tuesday
Rux, The Swindlers & More @ Liveclub Ssam in Hongdae
Massage Mondays @ SKY Wellness Center in Itaewon. 1-hr full body massage and get FREE 20 mins. FOOT massage.
Resin Charm Workshop @ Laughing Tree Gallery in Haebangchon Sunday Night Live Open Mic @ Roofers in Itaewon. Every 1st & 3rd Sunday
All Day Breakfast @ Wolfhound in Itaewon. All day, every weekday
Helloween, Stratovarius @ AX Korea
Men’s Night Every Thur @ Craftworks in Kyungridan. 1,000 won OFF a pint of Geumgang Mt. Dark Ale and all single malt whiskies.
8mm Art Cinema - Blade Runner @ Laughing Tree Gallery in Haebangchon
AMCHAM - Telling Korea’s Story to America @ Grand Hyatt Seoul
Steve Barakatt @ Seoul Arts Center Angelique Kidjo @ LG Arts Center Born in 1990. No Cover & 1 FREE Drink Every Sun @ Club Mass in Gangnam til midnight
13 House of Sharing English Tour visits@houseofsharing.org The BEST brunch in town @ Big Rock in Gangnam. History of Rock Every Sun @ The Bungalow in Itaewon. 8pm
FREE Seasoned Chips with Order of San Miguel Pitcher - Tues-Sun @ NOXA lounge 5pm-1am. Guinness Day Every Tues @ Gecko’s in Itaewon
8
7 White Day Day guys give gifts to girls.
The Moonshiners @ Liveclub Ssam in Hongdae
ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT PASTA Nite @ Craftworks in Kyungridan. Steak Dinner Every Tues @ Hollywood Grill in Itaewon. Only 13,500 won
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Silk Road and Dunhuang @ National Museum of Korea Through April 3
2 for 1 Fish & Chips Every Tues @ Wolfhound Pub in Itaewon
2 for 1 Special @ Bar Bliss in Itaewon. Everyday 7-10pm
BBQ Night Every Tues @ Roofers in Itaewon BBQ Steak + beer = 12,000 won
SLASH @ AX Korea Movie night - Every Sun @ NOXA lounge. 10pm-midnight
21 Texas Hold’em in Busan Mon-Sun after 6pm. playpokerinbusan@hotmail.com
8/GROOVE KOREA/march 2011
Iron Maiden @ Olympic Park
Suji’s Sky High Pastrami Sandwiches @ Suji’s in Itaewon/COEX/ Bundang. Every Wednesday after 5pm get an extra 3.5oz. of pastrami free for a 10.6oz sandwich
Corinne Bailey Rae @ AX Korea
Grand Opening of Club Volume in Itaewon Special Guest: Funkerman
Shooters Night Every Thur @ Gecko’s in Itaewon. Every shot 4,500 won
Crying Nut, Telepathy & More @ Soundholicity in Hongdae
Andy Fletcher @ Club Eden
Quiz & Wing Night Every Wednesday @ Roofers in Itaewon. 8 pm — 100,000 won prize
V-Day Frills Thrills Burlesque Revue @ Naked Bar & Grill in Hongdae Skasucks, Seoul City Suicides, Whatever That Means & More @ Club Spot in Hongdae
Junior Jack & Kid Creme @ Volume Gary Caos @ Woo Bar
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College Night Every Wed @ Club Mass in Gangnam. No cover & 1 FREE drink with student ID til midnight
Happy Hour Every Wed @ Bar Bliss in Itaewon
Fran Healy @ V-Hall in Hongdae
RNB Thursday! @ Club Volume. Every Thur
ATFC @ Volume
ALL-YOU-CAN-DRINK! St.Patrick’s Party @ Big Rock. 7-10pm
Breakbot @ Answer
Timmy Vegas @ Volume
Drag Bingo Night Every Fri @ Bar Bliss in Itaewon. 9pm
Far East Movement @ Sheraton Grand Walkerhill
20% OFF for All Set Menus Every Fri/Sat @ Spice Table in Itaewon from 5-9pm.
Jindo Sea-Parting Festival @ Jindo (Island) in Jeollanam-do March 19-21
Open Stage from 8pm Every Thur @ Dolce Vita in Itaewon
17 Jazz Festival Every Thur @ La Cigale Montmartre in Itaewon. 7pm Wing Night @ Orange Tree in Haebangchon. 10 for 3,000won
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Wing Night Every Tues @ Beer O’clock in Shinchon. HALF price with NEW flavours.
Spoken Word/Stand Up Comedy, Poetry Every Wed @ Tony’s Aussie Bar & Bistro in Itaewon 8-11pm
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18 WORLD FRIENDS FESTIVAL @ Club FF & GoGo’s in Hongdae. Hottest live bands and dance all night long. Sponsored by Club FF and Groove Korea.
So Happy in Paris? Michael Cantitrot and Tara McDonald @ Volume
FREE Cheese Plate with Order of Bottle of Wine - Every Fri, Sat @ NOXA lounge. 5pm-1am.
Insooni @ Sori Arts Center (Jeonju)
Club Day Last Friday of every month in Hongdae
Azure Ray @ Ewha Woman’s University
All You Can Eat Ribs - 30,000 won @ Memphis King BBQ in Bangbaedong
DJ Hico @ Volume
Ne-Yo @ Olympic Park
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St. Patrick’s Day
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Quiz Nite Every Wed @ Craftworks in Kyungridan. Grab a team and win amazing prizes.
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MAX Beer Day Every Wed @ Beer O’Clock in Sinchon. Buy any pizza and a Max, 2nd Max FREE.
Kesha @ AX Korea
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Electrixx @ mASS
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Shooters Night Every Thur @ Gecko’s in Itaewon. Every shot 4,500 won 3,000 won Rum, Gin, Vodka @ Beer O’Clock in Sinchon
Iron Maiden
Poker Tournament Every Wed @ Fence in Nonhyun
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Giovanni Mirabassi Trio @ LG Arts Center
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Santana @ Olympic Park
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Drunken Chicken Night @ Gecko’s in Itaewon
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The Whitest Boy Alive @ V-Hall in Hongdae
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Wing Night Every Tues @ Nashville in Itaewon. 250won/wing. 5-8pm
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Jirisan ‘Moon Bear’ IPA Brewing Day @ KAPA Brewery, Gapyeon. Hosted by Craftworks
French Attack with Alan Gay @ Club Mansion in Hongdae
Bucket Night Every Fri @ Beer O’clock in Shinchon. 5 shots with mix in a bucket 12,000 won
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2 for 1 Happy Hour @ NOXA lounge in Kyungridan. 7pm-9pm Tues-Thurs.
Eagles @ Olympic Park
St. Patrick’s Week @ Big Rock in Gangnam. Wear GREEN and get 10%OFF. March 14-17.
saturday
Seoul Players - March 5-6 @ Bar Carmen in Kyungridan
Open Mic Every Tues @ Olde Stompers in Itaewon
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friday
thursday
1 Sunday Bloody Quiz Day @ Craftworks. Bloody Marys with brunch and quiz. Starting at 1pm. First Sunday of the month.
march 2011
Yo
Ne-
Fourplay @ Seoul Arts Center
Cookin’ Nanta Back to School Discount for March
Slash
Fran H
Santana
wednesday
“Sam-Il Jeol” Korea’s Independence Movement Day
Eagles
ea l y
calendar of events
Kesha
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31 march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/9
www.koreabeat.com
Professor Accused of Beating Students
march the blog for korean news in english translation
KOREA BEAT
Why the Crackdown on Kiss Rooms? So-called “kiss rooms” (키스방) are places that allow male customers to pay a fee to enter a small space and make out with a female worker. Since 2007 they have clustered in redlight districts and university areas and mainly attract customers via the internet. At the end of last year there were only about 150 such registered “kiss rooms” operating nationwide. Kiss rooms operate in a legal gap because they are not classified as being engaged in direct or analogous sexual activities. However, as competition among them intensifies some kiss rooms are engaging in analogous sexual activities or allowing off-location prostitution, and calls are increasing for a crackdown. The Ministry of Gender and Family concluded in November 2010 that kiss room advertising is harmful for teenagers and children, and when distributed with contact information and revealing photos of women they violate the law on the protection of teenagers and children (청 소년보호법).The 20th of January saw the firstever arrest of a kiss room operator for violating this law. 37-year-old Mr. Yeo and 31 others were arrested for their advertising in Ilsan, Gyeonggido. They were sentenced to up to two years in prison and fines of up to ten million won. However, they were not punished for what goes on
inside the kiss rooms. A member of the Ilsan Police Department said that “we were unable to prove evidence of illegal acts.” This was because they had to prove direct involvement in prostitution or similar activities. Ten a.m. on January 24 in a kiss room located on the 3rd floor of a building in Sinchon, Seoul. As soon as you open the door a man in his 40s behind the counter takes your fee. Thirty-five minutes costs 40,000 won and one hour costs 70,000. Two men who appear to be college students come out of different rooms and appear to go outside.According to the sign under the dark lights, there are ten rooms on each side. Customers must brush their teeth in a bathroom before going into the room.The bathroom has several disposable toothbrushes. The roughly five-square meter room has a twoperson sofa and a table with tissues and hand sanitizer. An employee, who said she was born in 1988, said that “I graduated from university and worked in a wedding business for a year and then came here because I wasn’t making enough money.” The employees work in two teams, one from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and one from 11 p.m. to 6 am the next day. An average of five to ten customers come per day, and the employees keep half
of the customer’s money. The employees make from two to seven million won per month. Customers range from 20 to 70 years old. The employees said that “we don’t do it, but some place do off-site prostitution.” Besides illegal activities, kiss rooms present other problems. Byeon Hye-jeong, professor at Sogang University’s equal rights consultation center, said that “it is a problem that there is no law which can prevent teenagers from going to these businesses.” Teens studying for their university entrance exams know that they can go to kiss rooms for a sexual experience at a nonprohibitive cost. Young women work in kiss rooms because they can easily make money using their bodies. For now kiss rooms are subject to law enforcement for their advertising, but if they change their advertising they will escape punishment, which is a problem. Recently at a red-light district in Gangnam, instead of using advertising with photos that are severely degrading to women, an increasing number are using advertising similar to that of a restaurant and thereby escaping the law. An official with the Ministry of Gender and Family said that “when kiss rooms use these kinds of different advertising, the basis for prosecution disappears.”
‘Blackout Korea’ Blog Noticed by Korean Media The infamous photo blog “Blackout Korea,” which, depending on who you talk to, is either hilarious or the worst idea ever was noticed by the Chosun Ilbo recently. The newspaper put up a blurb about the blog on its digitial-only edition along with a few photos the site has posted. A Chosun Ilbo commenter wrote that, “This kind of
thing isn’t something to be proud of, but isn’t Korea a country with millions of people everywhere? It’s nothing to worry about, there is this and that kind of person. I don’t know what country the guy who runs this site is from but other than in Muslim countries drunken people are everywhere. Russia is worse.”
Amid accusations of assaulting a female student, Professor “A” of the music department at Seoul National University is now being accused of forcing students to attend a music camp costing millions of won. According to information, Prof. A ordered students to attend the music camp he worked at in August of 2010. The camp was held over a two-week period in Luxembourg and, airline fees aside, cost eight million won ($7,128) in tuition alone. Two students who refused to attend were reportedly beaten. SNU has been reported (in the Kyunghyang Shinmun on Feb. 11) to have received several e-mails in December accusing Prof. A of beating students. SNU has also learned that if students did not applaud loudly enough at his performances, Prof. A would make them lineup to be beaten or force them to buy concert tickets. SNU has confirmed that ten female graduates of the program were beaten by Prof. A. An official with the University said that “the evidence is that for over a decade this professor has beaten students and taken advantage of them.” The Kyunghyang Shinmun was unable to reach Prof. A by telephone despite several attempts. SNU plans to summon Prof. A this week to explain the events.
Teacher Caught Taking Hefty Bribes An elementary school teacher is being investigated by police on suspicion of accepting ten million won worth of goods, including name-brand handbags, from over ten parents. The Bundang Police Station in Gyeonggi-do announced on Feb. 1 that it has arrested without detention 45-yearold Ms. B, a first-grade teacher at elementary school “A”, for accepting 10,160,000 won worth of goods, including a Luis Vuitton handbag worth 1,260,000 won from 14 parents over a two and a half year period. According to police, Ms. B worked at the Bundang school, which is attended by many wealthy students, from March 2008 through June 2010, and on 22 occasions accepted name-brand bags and cashier’s checks from parents of students in her class. Ms. B was caught after police were alerted last year by parents of a new student. A member of the police said that “we are verifying each piece of evidence including the statements of parents and the items Ms. B received it appears to be a bad crime as it constitutes multiple instances of bribery.”
10/GROOVE KOREA/march 2011
As to whether parents who gave the goods will be arrested, “the parents say they voluntarily gave the gifts but they will not be arrested in consideration of the fact that they were in a weak position in their relationship with the teacher.” Police have informed the local Office of Education of the investigation of Ms. B. She said that “I never asked for bags or money and will gave my statement later… I am very saddened.” However, she had “nothing to say” about the accusations. The school has said they will carry out an appropriate punishment after the Office of Education decides. An official with the school said that ‘we have not heard anything from them yet… we will monitor the situation until the facts come out in court.”
march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/11
korea beat
www.koreabeat.com
Finding a Homestay Not So Easy (Unless You Speak English)
Robert Park Speaks on Torture in North Korea Robert Park, the human rights activist who was detained for 43 days in North Korea for illegally crossing the border about a year ago, was recently interviewed by the Chosun Ilbo. He maintains his previous allegations that the North Koreans tortured and says he suffers depression from the psychological effects of the torture, which he says included sexual torture. He returned to Seoul in September to resume his human rights work but returned to the United States for treatment in January, overwhelmed by his mental health issues. He is being treated at a hospital in Arizona.
Thirty-six-year-old Mr. Yu, who operates a “homestay” for foreigners in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul, recently made extraordinary requests while looking for Chinese guests.They included “speak and play with the child in Chinese for at least one hour each day,” “take the child to school when the mom is busy” and “stay in Korea for one month of the two-month school vacation.” The homestay is free rather than paying for dorm residence. Mr.Yu mentioned these extraordinary requests in interviews with several Chinese applicants. Zhang Lei-cheng, who is majoring in education at Yonsei University, said that “the mother’s detailed requests are very burdensome, but her rent has gone up so I’m helping her out.” Homestays, which were created to accomplish cultural exchanges, are now becoming instrumentalized. The Korean host wants language lessons for his children, and the foreign guest is attracted by free or relatively low-cost accommodations. At community sites for foreigners in Korea, many advertisements for homestays appear from Korean hosts, saying “mid-western American accent desired” or “Ph.D. holder”. Foreigners’ responses are hot. Because of this, Mr. Ahn, who operates a homestay out of a six-room hanok home in Pyeongchang-dong, is having trouble. Through the foreigners’ community sites information about free homestays is spreading. Mr. Ahn charges 50,000 won per day per person. Mr. Ahn said that “foreigners are becoming more and more oriented to sub-
stantive exchanges, so more of them are looking for free homestays.” Homestays are now both free and unfree, but foreigners from English-speaking countries have an easier time finding free homestays. Last month 34-year-old Mr. Kim, who lives in Seongsan-dong, put up an Internet ad looking for a similarly-aged foreign friend. He mentioned he had a room for rent. However, after several days a Canadian contacted him and said “I’m a native English speaker, so how about free rent?” Mr. Kim said that “I was totally shocked.” Homestays are also for longer periods of time than before. Traditionally they lasted one or two months. Mr. Lee, a university student, said that “my parents had a Chinese student live with them for at least six months… I think student status was claimed to get lower rent.” Foreigners who don’t have ability in major languages such as English or Chinese see homestays differently. Suho Ochi, president of the Association of Mongolian students in Korea (재한몽골유학생협회), said that “if you’re not an English- or Chinese-speaking student, you almost can’t find a homestay… the Korean government should provide good, inexpensive accommodations for international students.” Park Eun-seon, who works for the city’s marketing department, said that “it’s a problem that families, who are not in the business of looking for customers, are using homestays to get language lessons… the city has been certifying homestay programs since 2009.”
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ATEK Responds to Recent Death of “Teacher K” in Busan by Rachel Bailey, ATEK Communications Officer mobile: 010-5595-6613, email: media@atek.or.kr the association for teachers of english in korea — www.atek.or.kr February 21, 2011 (Busan) — As reported earlier on Chosun.com, an American English teacher based in Busan, identified in the report at Teacher K, fell to his death from the 14th floor of his apartment building on February 19. The teacher had apparently been absent from his hagwon for some time prior to the incident, and, while it’s not explicitly clear that his death was a suicide, it does appear that alcohol abuse contributed to his death. We at ATEK are deeply saddened to hear of Teacher K’s death. We recognize that life abroad can cause stress and alienation that sometimes result in tragedies like this, but members of the Englishteaching community should know that there are systems in place to help them in times of need. ATEK has local emergency needs officers in both Gangwon and Gyeonggi as well as a president and vice president whose doors are always open to those suffering from substance abuse or severe mental distress. We stand ready to offer support and assistance in finding appropriate treatment programs and counseling for anyone who needs it, whether or not they are part of our membership. Any English teachers who are in need of help can visit atek.or.kr/emergency for information on how to get it or email our emergency needs officers at the addresses listed below. We would also like to take this opportunity to invite anyone interested in assisting members of the English teaching community in need of assistance finding counseling or treatment for substance abuse or mental health issues to join our Emergency Needs Committee.
Please email officers@atek.or.kr for more information about how to join. • Gangwon Emergency Needs – Caroline Barsellotti – gangwon.emergency@atek.or.kr • Gyeonggi Emergency Needs – John Fojut – gyeonggi.emergency@atek.or.kr • ATEK President JaeHee Oh – president@atek.or.kr • ATEK Vice President Adrian Lake – vicepresident@atek.or.kr
AustCham Elects New Chairman February 17, 2011 (Seoul) — The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham) has elected a new Executive Committee for 2011 with Jim Lim of Meat & Livestock Australia taking the Chairman position, replacing Sean Rodrigues (Woodside), who held the post for the last three years. Peter Feltis (Hanjin Pacific) and Matthew Holmes (KPMG) were elected to the positions of Vice Chair, while Robert Quinlivan (Macquarie) was elected Treasurer.
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march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/13
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A rise to fame: Frills and Thrills style By Chris Backe
V-Day Seoul raises awareness for fight against violence By Catherine Witten Boyd | photos by corey malcolm Lajeunesse of Scorpio Studio To raise awareness and funds for the fight against violence on women, the organizers of V-Day Seoul are hosting a series of events around the city. Events in March include a performance by Rock Tigers at club DGBD in Hongdae on March 5. The music will kick off at 10 p.m. with opening performances by Pinnacle and The Antidote. The cover charge is 10,000 won. On March the 12, there will be a burlesque inspired event at Bedlam featuring Frills and Thrills Burlesque Revue. Doors open at 10 p.m. with a 10,000 won cover charge, which includes a free drink and a DJ that plays all night. The V-day crew will be there selling T-shirts and chocolate vaginas. On March 19, Soundholic in Hongdae will host a B-boy event from 10.30 p.m,. The schedule is still being decided, but it’s sure to be a great night - not to mention for a fantastic cause. The main event in the series of fundraisers is a performance of the Vagina Monologues, a ground breaking play written by Eve Ensler, founder of V-Day.
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The Vagina Monologues will be shown on Saturday April 9 at 7 p.m. and Sunday April 10 at 3 p.m. General tickets are 20,000 won and student tickets are 15,000 won. To purchase tickets you can e-mail your name, phone number, preferred date and number of tickets to vdayseoul@gmail.com. All proceeds from the V-Day Seoul events go to KUMFA, the Korean Unwed Mothers and Families Association. For more information on V-Day, the V-Day Seoul events or KUMFA, please visit the website at vdayseoul.com, or find the Facebook page at V-Day: The Vagina Monologues (SEOUL, KOREA).
Madam Moiselle kicks off the show by asking: “Who’s ready for some boobs?” As you might expect, the guys in the crowd — and quite a few of the women — cheer, ready for the show to start. The first number features several ladies, a few choice photos, and gets the crowd warmed up. If you feel nothing stirring during a song about the wet, bald, friendly pussycat, ask your friend to check for a pulse.The Frills and Thrills girls might even offer to help. Since its start last year in Seoul, the burlesque group has gone beyond simply performing to collaborating with other creative types. Although mostly amateurs, Frills and Thrills’ collaborative spirit and willingness to try new things pleases both crowds and venues. Since starting last year, they’ve become known for putting on a good show and leaving the crowd coming back for more. Burlesque was born a long time ago, but it’s just now beginning to blossom here in Korea. As each act finishes, the Madam saunters to the stage, clearing the discarded items and getting the stage ready for the next performer. Meanwhile, the next performer comes on while the girls double-check their garments. A later performance requires two volunteers to hold a clothesline up. “Be sure to keep it up boys,” Madam coos. “You know how we like it.” In exchange for a little friendly ribbing, they’re given the best view in the house - and a little playful attention from the performer. The classic form of burlesque — playing off the popular art of the day — gave way to comedic acts, which later gave way to singing and recreating scenes. Let’s not confuse burlesque shows with strip clubs, however, and let’s not be too surprised at what will happen if you treat them as such. “It is the art of tease — nothing is actually shown,” Shela Blidge reminds. These aren’t 기생 (gi-saeng) after all — they may be female entertainers, but happy endings are not part of the deal. Instead, the crowd enjoys the songs, dances, and the occasional opportunity to get a ringside eyeful. One favorite, seen during last month’s Roofers performance, involves “accidentally” spilling some water while washing the clothes
March 12 - A performance as part of the Vagina Monologues event. March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day at Roofers in Itaewon. March 19 - Another show at Roofers, starting around 10:30 p.m. March 25 - Event to be announced. and hanging them up to dry. The outfits may change, but each lady brings her own charm. Frills and Thrills founder Mari Dolready is smooth, confident, and makes it look easy, while Shela Blidge uses all parts of the stage to show off her sassy self. Molly Midori shimmies and shakes her way through the crowd, and the Madam cleans up after each performance. It’s part of the shtick — occasionally, she holds a garment over her chest, as if to say “that used to fit...” Every Frills lady brings their personality to the show, which carries over in their noncostumed lives as well. The burlesque concept continues beyond mere performances — from lingerie parties to character costume parties to being courted by Korean club owners, Frills and Thrills continues to explore new possibilities and opportunities. Not too long ago they had a show with the Korean band Rock Tigers; last month, their “For Your Eyes Only” photo shoot invited fans to try on the pin-up style clothes. “(It’s a) lot of fun — especially recreating pin up poses. It is fun to experiment with clothes and makeup and hair,” Nellwyn Fox said. Collaborations with rapper Benny Fax and reggae-man Josh Roy are signs of the group’s connections within the music world, and more are slated for the near future. March will feature at least four performances by the Frills and Thrills troupe, and there are talks of other performances still in the planning stage. It’s clear that there’s an appetite for their brand of adult fun — and they’re always up for people joining the fun. Frills and Thrills can be reached through Facebook.
march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/15
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It’s game on for ball hockey league’s 6th season By Brent Pitre
Seoul celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day 2011 by Conor O’Reilly | photos by tom coyner March wouldn’t be the same in Seoul without the Saint Patrick’s Day festival. Despite Ireland’s current financial difficulties, this year will not see a stop to the world going green for a day. On March 19, Seoul will proudly host its 11th Saint Patrick’s Day festival. Unfortunately, neither the Han nor Cheongyecheon will be dyed green, but expect most people in central Seoul to be drawn to Insadong where the festival will be staged.The 2011 Saint Patrick’s Festival, the Irish Association of Korea’s flagship event, will take over Seoul’s cultural centre with an afternoon of music, dance and a fair bit of craic, all in honor of Ireland’s patron saint. Saint Patrick’s Day is an international Ireland day according to the Irish Ambassador, Dr. Eamonn McKee. “Its about the story of the Irish, why they left, the lives they created in the countries that became their new homes and the impact they made ecoThe annual Hooley, hosted by the IAK, will nomically, politically and take place this year. However, at time of going culturally,” he said. Korea is no excepto print plans had yet to be confirmed. Please tion to this experience, visit the IAK’s website (www.iak.co.kr) or as Irish and people of Irish ancestry consider search for them on Facebook, where you will this day their moment to find regular updates on the festival. shine in a country where little is known about the Emerald Isle. Presently there are around 500 Irish citizens living in Korea with an unknown amount claiming Irish heritage. This year’s festival has six hours of music planned — traditional Irish, local rock bands, as well as full marching bands have already confirmed their attendance. Irish dancers, always popular for their lively highkicking aerobic dances, will take the stage also. You will also see an exhibition of Gaelic games from Korea’s own gaelic football team, the Seoul Gaels – three-time winners of both men’s and women’s Asian Gaelic Games Championships. “I really enjoy the chance to see the Irish dancing and music. It’s so hard to find so much of this together in one place,” said Jin Won Kim, who has lived in Ireland and gone to many of the parades. She says the best thing about Saint Patrick’s Day in Seoul is the “great atmosphere where everyone can get involved and experience Irish culture”.
Last year’s parade and festival took place in Cheongyecheon. Despite early heavy wind and rain, which almost took the stage away, the festival stood strong and over 10,000 people attended on the day. This year’s event could see much more. This year’s festival will not feature a parade. Don’t let this put you off — the IAK plan to involve the public in the festival more. The festival will have a complete schedule of performances that guarantee fun for everyone. October’s Irish Music and Dance festival was praised for engaging both the Korean and expat community while displaying Ireland’s unique musical heritage. The Saint Patrick’s Day festival will highlight both this heritage and its modern vibrancy with more music and diversity than previous years. The festival is perhaps the largest celebration of a non-Korean holiday in Korea, and it is also one of the best examples of Koreans and expats coming together to celebrate openly. Saint Patrick’s Day in Seoul has always been an event at which everyone is free to participate. Families enjoy the community spirit and sights, while there is enough live music to keep everyone else busy for the afternoon and into the night
To get to Daesung Plaza in Insadong, take the subway to Anguk station on Line 3. Leave through exit six and take your first left down Insadong-gil. Daesung Plaza is around 200 meters down the street on your left. If you get lost listen for the music and look for the green.
It all started with a Facebook message. “Hey man. I’m assuming, since you’re Canadian, you like hockey. There’s a ball hockey league I play in that will be starting back up about the same time you will arrive. Canada Ball Hockey Korea. Check it out at www.cbhk.org. Even if you don’t like hockey, it’s a TON of fun”. And so it began. Shortly after signing my first contract, I received that message from my soon-to-be roommate already living in Korea. I didn’t know what to expect in Korea, but hockey certainly wasn’t part of it. I’m a huge hockey fan and when I received that message, I immediately signed up. I soon realized it wasn’t just a hockey league; CBHK was a community of expats who came together to socialize, play hockey and have a good time. Just days after arriving in Korea, I joined fellow CBHK members at Rocky Mountain Tavern in Itaewon to watch Canada defeat the United States in the gold medal game of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Since then, I have been to numerous social events organized by the CBHK, including trivia nights, fundraisers, banquets and charity events. This community, however, didn’t develop overnight.When Kurt de Vries and Edward Leahey founded the ball hockey league in 2006 with support from Big Rock Brewery, there were four teams and 40 members. CBHK expanded to six teams the following year and the league gained legitimacy as an expat organization promoting Canadian culture in Seoul. Today it boasts eight teams with over 120 members and attracts sponsors from all over Seoul. In my rookie season, I showed up on Draft Day tired and confused. I had been in the country a mere 72 hours, and was in no shape to be playing hockey. Regardless, the captains took the time to welcome me and draft me to a team. Last season I played for the Bundang Travelers, sponsored by Traveler’s Bar and Grill in Bundang. We had a good team, lead by veteran captain Rob Gibson. Unfortunately, we fell short in the playoffs and were upset by the Maple Bear Kodiaks. Despite my team’s early exit, the season was a success. For the first time in league history, the CBHK had a Korean member. A lack of hockey culture in Korea has contributed to the low turnout of native Koreans, but it seems people are beginning to pay attention to Canada’s game. Last season, young Koreans were seen around the rink, watching the games and enjoying the atmosphere. This season, the CBHK hopes to expand on last season’s success and further develop its ties with the Korean community. CBHK runs two seasons per year from March-June and September-December. Membership fees are 160,000 won for a 16-week spring season, and 140,000 won for 14 weeks in the fall. It also includes a team jersey and end-of-season banquet. Games are played Sunday afternoons, with each team playing two back-to-back 45-minute games. The deadline for payment is March 2 by bank transfer or PayPal and March 6 by cash. This will be my third season in CBHK and I am serving on the Board. I hope to welcome new rookies to the league and make them feel as welcome as I did when I first arrived in Korea. Moving to an unfamiliar country can be daunting. The CBHK provided me with an outlet to socialize with other Westerners, while enjoying the sport that I love. It’s been a long, cold winter in South Korea, and I’m eager to get back on the rink and play some hockey.
CBHK Season 6 begins March 6 at Olympic inline skating rink, outside Sports Complex Station (Line 2). To get involved, check out CBHK online at www.cbhk.org or e-mail cbhk.info@gmail.com
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>>>>>>>> Community
Dear Michelle: Banking Advice for Foreigners in Korea
(Submit your banking questions to farnsworth@shinhan.com)
Dear Michelle, I’m a foreigner. Can I get a loan? — Loaner
“Korea + Videos = Shazam.” by Groove Staff Meet Martina and Simon. They’re the creators of the video blog Eat Your Kimchi, and they’re kind of a big deal. So big in fact, they have over 64,000 followers in the social media sphere:YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Podcasts. When asked to describe their blog they say simply, “Korea + Videos = Shazam.” And upon closer examination, they couldn’t have hit that nail any squarer on the head. Eat Your Kimchi is a visual feast that grabs the viewers attention and doesn’t let go. How did it get started? “We met at the University of Toronto in a Romantic Poetry and Prose class - yeah, we know, cheesy. We started dating after being friends for almost a year, we were engaged one year later, and married 15 months afterwards.We’ve been married for almost four years now, but it really feels like we’re still dating,” they said. The whole Korea adventure came about because Simon had worked part time in a hagwon in Toronto and developed a fascination with Korea. Martina, meanwhile, had always had an obsession with Asian culture that dated back to when she was a child. They were both high school teachers in May 2008 and decided to try the ROK for a year – it’s now been almost three. Once here, the dynamic duo thought that a blog would help family keep in touch. They thought it would also let their friends know, “that North Korea hasn’t inundated us in the ocean of fire as they promised a few days before we got on the plane. The news in North America really makes North Korea look like a huge threat to everyday life in South Korea.” As for why they went with video, Martina and Simon say that when they started blogging they would, “write elaborate posts, take nice pictures, and film really long and boring videos.”
When they phoned home and discussed the blog, their family members said they didn’t read it, instead only clicking on the video. It was at that point when they focused their efforts on video. “Videos are the most sharable medium and most easily digestible, even if it is the most labor intensive,” they said. “A couple of months into it and we started seeing strangers respond to our videos, which we thought was amazing.The response has just continued growing ever since,” they added. And did the response ever grow. “The feedback from people has been astonishing. We’re stopped in the streets by random people who want to shake our hands and thank us for our videos, and it always blows us away. People draw fan pictures of us and make gifs of us. We never thought anything like that would happen, and we’re constantly overwhelmed and amazed by it all.” But with the ups come some downs and though the couple appreciates the good side of Netizens in one of the most wired countries in the world, there’s also the bad side. “The fans only want to hear positive things, so every so often fans will swarm our site and leave hate comments. About a year ago we did a video about how much we dislike the election music trucks, and the response was so negative that we had to take down the video due to anonymous people calling Martina’s school and harassing her. Interestingly, Martina wasn’t even in that video” Martina and Simon do say, however, that they focus on the good fans and that it’s because of them that they keep at it. As for what they want to spread with their videos: “We want to show people from around the world what a little slice of everyday life is like in Korea, rather than just the touristy places. We try to cover a little bit of everything, whether it be playing Korean hand games, making impromptu convenience store cocktails, or by reviewing the omnipresent K-pop world.”
To get a taste, go to:
www.eatyourkimchi.com
Dear Loaner, Yes, you can get a loan. You should keep in mind though, that loans involve a complex application and approval process (just like back home!), and depend on your unique circumstances. Also, there are certain types of loans that foreigners are not able to apply for.
1. Mortgage Loans: For the purchase of a house or apartment (that is already built) you, as a foreigner, are eligible to apply for a mortgage loan from Shinhan Bank. The eligibility criteria are the same as those that Korean nationals must meet and are mostly based on your credit rating (from an independent credit bureau in Korea)* and on the value of the collateral (house or apartment).
2. “Chon-sae” (전세) Loans: Korean renters often hand a large sum of money over to their landlord when the first move in to avoid paying monthly rent. This lump sum deposit is called “key money” or “chon-sae” (전세). In order to be eligible for a “chon-sae” loan from Shinhan Bank, an individual (foreign or Korean) must get a Certificate of Guarantee issued by the Seoul Guarantee Insurance Company (www.sgic.co.kr). Unfortunately, the SGIC will currently only issue a Certificate of Guarantee for a “chon-sae” loan to Korean nationals.
3. Personal Credit Loans: While difficult, it is not impossible for a foreigner to get a credit loan in Korea. One way is if the borrower has an excellent credit rating, the Shinhan Head Office may grant special approval of the loan. A more common way is for the borrower to find a Korean guarantor (co-signer) who also has a good credit rating.Another possibility is applying for either a fully or partially secured collateral loan; if you own real estate in Korea (house, apartment, or land), have money invested in a time deposit or the Korean stock market, you can use this collateral to secure a credit loan.
FYI: Credit Rating: An independent credit bureau uses a lot of criteria to determine a person’s credit rating, including: • Income • Occupation • Tax payment history in Korea • Credit card spending • Timeliness of bill payments • Other debt • Overall financial history in Korea • Shinhan customer status Credit Bureaus in Korea: • Korea Credit Bureau (KCB) • Korea Information Service (KIS) • National Information & Credit Evaluation (NICE) Happy St. Paddy’s Day,
Michelle
“Dear Michelle: Banking Advice for Foreigners in Korea” is a monthly column written by Michelle Farnsworth. Michelle is an 8-year resident of Korea who is currently the Foreign Client Relationship Manager at the Shinhan Bank Seoul Global Center — the only bank branch in Korea that is exclusively dedicated to serving foreigners and foreign companies. Please visit the “Shinhan Bank Seoul Global Center” on Facebook for more information. Also, please note that the banking information provided in this column is based on Shinhan Bank policies and may not be applicable to all banks in Korea.
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Medical & Health INFO Pediatrics
The Gyeonggi English Village’s production of ‘The Nanny’ opens March 2 and runs through May 31. For tickets or more information, contact artistic coordinator Robyn Paczini at robyn.paczini.gev@ gmail.com or call 031-956-2335.
Edutainers teach English through theatre By Blake Pfeil Boston-based actress and two-time IRNE-nominee Marvelyn McFarlane lives in Paju, a city that lies a few kilometers south of Panmunjom, the village that divides South Korea from its northern neighbor. Kansas City-based actor Paul Thomas, Detroit-based actress Meredith Gifforalso and 12 other actors make their home at the Paju Camp of the Gyeonggi English Village. The city 45 minutes north of Seoul has in recent years flowered into an eclectic area of rich, war-torn history and culture, with landmarks like the DMZ, the Jayuro Road of Freedom, and the Third Infiltration Tunnel. The Paju Camp was established as a prototype in 2006 as an Englishlanguage theme park designed to teach the the English language. The park employs a large staff of Western and Korean teachers whose responsibility is to educate and influence Korean youth through immersion programs. The 15 actors are members of the Edutainer Department at the Gyeonggi English Village, which utilizes the ideals of education enhancement through entertainment.The talented company of performers develop and produce four original ESL children’s musicals every year, in addition to other activities. “We want to make sure that everything we produce is as profes-
sional and stage-worthy as possible,” artistic coordinator Robyn Paczini said.“Working here is such a unique opportunity and such a way to develop and challenge yourself in areas of theatre you didn’t know you could.” The company writes, composes, directs, designs, choreographs, acts, and produces every aspect of their four-season theatrical year. The shows are geared towards kids between the ages of 6 and 15 years old. “There’s a standard that each show must hit,” explains Gifford, the department’s head teacher. “We have to make sure that we are effectively communicating to a broad scope of kids and that the audience really understands what we’re saying.” The Teaching for Understanding Program, a Harvard Universitybased creation, is the guiding tool for maintaining a level of educational and theatrical excellence. Every product must have what the company calls an “understanding goal,” or an educational objective that acts as the through-line for a show’s entire development and production.The company ensures that each show produced follows that understanding goal, consequently building full-scale productions around that expectation. “It has been a challenge for me in many ways, but one of the things I like about this program is that it gives people the chance to try their hands at other opportunities for things they wouldn’t necessarily do otherwise. It can be tricky because you have to follow a certain formula, but in the end, it really helps you create the best possible material for an ESL-based theatre piece,” said McFarlane. The company, a majority of who are Americans, has a grandiose facility at hand with which to create and develop. At one moment, the rehearsal studio might be occupied by current company choreographer Sarah Gawron, developing choreography for the upcoming spring musical “The Nanny.” At another moment, it might be a meeting space for composer/lyricist Grace Abele to collaborate on songs with playwright Jenn Rowan about her script, alongside director Garrett Weeda. “This job is the perfect opportunity for me at this time in my life,” said Thomas, the company’s newest addition. “I love to perform, I love education, and I love to travel. I knew it was the right move.”
To get there, take bus No. 2200 from Hapjeong Station in Seoul (Subway Line 2, 6), which passes through Paju Book City, the tourist village La Provence and Heyri Art Village.
Serim Pediatrics 02-544-0234 Apgujung, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Subway line #3. Apgujung stn. Exit 4 Seran Family Medicine Clinic 02-2642-5975 Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul Subway line #5. Omokgyo stn. Exit 2.
Cardiology / Heart Specialist Dr.Simon Lee Heart Clinic 02-543-0072 Chungdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
The Neighbourly Way By Christina Murphy | photos by charlotte pecknold To the 230 kids living in Jeonju’s four orphanages, a growing group of expat volunteers are now friends. In 2009, an expat created a Facebook group called, Neighbourly, Neighborly, 이웃 사람 답게 Jeonju, with the premise of visiting one of Jeonju’s four orphanages every month. Along with the creator, there were two committed volunteers. A little over a year later, the group has four organizers and streams of enthusiastic and committed expats. “It’s always an afternoon well spent, and you walk away feeling happier. Playing with these kids is a great way to experience the innocence and openness of children who are probably not the usual types we teach. Imagine walking into a place and the children don’t roll their eyes but are in fact delighted to have you there,” said Marah Cook, a volunteer since early last year. “These kids are great fun, and it’s almost impossible not to make at least one buddy. This is a great way to contribute back to the community that doesn’t feel like a sacrifice.” On a typical visit, the volunteers play indoor and outdoor games with elementary students, giving the older kids some much needed free time from their younger siblings. Around 10 volunteers and 30 kids are split into groups and play a series of games together. Just before Christmas, KKOOM donated 200,000 won to allow the group to purchase board games to get through the winter months. KKOOM then followed up with an additional 500,000 won in funding, which was added to the 2.2 million won already raised by the volunteers to purchase Christmas presents. “Since way before my time in Korea, people from the expat community have been visiting the orphanages, but with the constant turnover of people, the visits were neither regular nor consistent for long. I started the group because I wanted to visit the orphanages, but I didn’t want it to stop if I left Korea,” said Christina Murphy, group creator. “I wanted to give the opportunity to others and make it easier for people to get involved. This month, Children’s Day fundraising begins at Radio Star’s March Music Madness. Authentic non-Korean food will be on sale all day and 100 percent of profits will be used to buy Children’s Day gifts. “Personally I feel it is the best thing I ever did. Not just for the obvious feel good factor of doing a good deed, but the amazing people I’ve met and become friends with through the group. This has definitely enriched my experience in Korea,” Murphy added.
Ophthalmologist BS Eye Center 02-519-8013 Gangnam Station, Seoul Gangnam stn. Exit 5 Seer & Partner Eye Institute 02-511-0567 Apgujung, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Dream Eye Center Myeong-dong Center 02-779-7888 Gangnam stn. Center 02-554-8400
Obstetrics Cheil Women’s Healthcare Center 02-2000-7119 (Emergency Room) 02-2000-7062 Mukjeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul CHA hospital 02-3468-3000 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Miz Medi Hospital 02-3467-3741 Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Dermatologists TengTeng Skin Clinic 02-337-4066 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Subway line #3, Sinsa stn. Exit 2 Hushu Skin Clinic 02-519-8013 Apgujung, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Subway line #3, Apgujung stn. Exit 3
Nova Skin Clinic 02-563-7977 Gangnam Stn. Subway line #2, Gangnam stn. Exit 8
Dentists Yonsei Miplus Dental Clinic Hongdae Clinic 02-3141-0028 Sinsa-dong Clinic 02-3141-0028 SMart Dental Clinic 02-517-6278 Apgujung, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Subway line#3, Apgujung stn. Exit 4 UpennIvy Dental Clinic 02-797-7784 Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Hushu Dental Clinic 02-519-8013
Chiropractors Create Wellness Center 02-798-1446 Itaewon, Seoul SKY Wellness Center 02-749-4849 Itaewon, Seoul
Oriental Medicine Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine 02-3218-2167 Apgujung, Gangnam-gu, Seoul INI Oriental Medicine 02-824-0075 Sangdo-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul Subway line #7, Soongsil Univ. stn. Exit 3
massage Healing Hands 010-3158-5572 / 02-2071-8090 Itaewon, Seoul
Ophthalmologist Samsung Medical Center 02-3410-0200 / 02-3410-0226 Emergency 02-3410-2060 Ilwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Yonsei University Severance Hospital 02-2228-5800 / 010-9948-0983 Yonsei Univ., Seoul Asan Medical Center 02-3010-5001 Poongnap-dong, Songpa-gu
For more information about volunteering or donating, see the Facebook group or e-mail neighbourlyjeonju@ gmail.com 20/GROOVE KOREA/march 2011
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Brian Aylward
‘Stand Up Seoul’ Turns Two By Philippa Loughhead | photos by jeremiah hill - jeremiahhill.com Suffering from Thirsty Thursdays and in need of a giggle? Head down to Rocky Mountain Tavern where, on the first Thursday of each month, you can enjoy laughter and a few cc’s of liquid refreshment. ‘Stand Up Seoul’, Itaewon’s own English-speaking comedy room, is celebrating its second anniversary this March and will be rewarding its supporters with merriment, mirth and merchandise. Back in 2009, Seoul was a barren wasteland for the aspiring comic. That was until Brian Aylward. After performing in the 2008 Hong Kong International Comedy Festival, Aylward decided to do something about the lack of venues for English-speaking comedians in South Korea. Stand Up Seoul was born. Kindergarten teacher by day, comedian by night, Aylward’s efforts paid off as Stand Up Seoul built a reputation as the place for comedic talent to strut its stuff. The idea of an English speaking comedy room has caught on and there are now several comedy venues located in Seoul and Busan where native speakers and English enthusiasts can enjoy a bit of a laugh. Aylward has since returned to the comedy scene in Canada and Stand Up Seoul has fallen into the capable hands of Erin Weber and Rudy Tyburczy, two very funny English speakers. Stand Up Seoul has played host to a few international guests in its short time as a comedy venue. The first one was Tom Cotter, who you may have seen on Jay Leno or The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Next came Ted Alexandro who performed at Stand Up Seoul in September 2010. You have perhaps seen Alexandro on The Late Show with David Letterman or with his very own half hour special on Comedy Central. Cotter and Alexandro, both of whom are natives of New York, performed to huge turnouts, and there are now plans underway for another big name soon. March will see open mic night where the Stand Up Seoul regulars will be in high form. 5,000 won will get you through the door and there will be prizes and giveaways throughout the night. So, grab your coat, grab your friends and make your way to Rocky Mountain. The fun and festivities start at 9 p.m. If you’re interested in trying a bit of stand-up or would like to know more, you can join the Stand Up Seoul group on Facebook where information is available and messages are posted monthly. The host of Stand Up Seoul alternates each month.
Back in 2009, Seoul was a barren wasteland for the aspiring comic. That was until Brian Aylward.
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Books >>>>>>>>
The Value of an Image: Gallery Golmok’s Introduction to Seoul’s Art Scene By Daniel Joseph Vorderstrasse In ancient times, humans conveyed thoughts and preserved history through simple etching s on walls or symbols on papyrus. As pictures evolved into letters, which in turn evolved into words, a certain aura was lost. Communication today has become jumbled between important information expressed via multiple forms of electronic media and a person informing anyone listening of their every constant thought, action, and feeling in a real-time setting. What if a picture could recapture its once pungent influence upon human beings? The answer to the proposed question will be attempted by numerous artists spanning the globe at Gallery Golmok’s opening exhibition slated to begin March 5. Gallery Golmok introduces itself to Seoul’s ever-expanding art scene among the twistsand-turns of Itaewon’s back-street alleys. A double-winged gallery featuring a fusion restaurant and art store looks to establish the foundation for an “art village” transforming the sparsely travelled alleyways into a budding new art scene. In addition to themed exhibitions held regularly at the gallery, art flea markets will commence on weekends to satisfy one’s art palette. Gallery owner Park Jin-seong seeks to restore a picture’s standing back to a heralded position in a two-part exhibition spanning the
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coming months. Each part features different varieties of art attempting to catapult images up the pedestal via works from more than 25 artists over the exhibition’s duration. Ranging from paintings and photographs to installations, these artists will attempt to answer the question: Have human beings lost the ability to communicate? With images and words constantly bombarding bystanders to the point of suffocation, the endless babble seems to be a lesser form of communication as each new technological device is introduced to the mass markets. These artists will be challenged to return the glamour and power of the image as a symbol, as an expression of deeper meanings, and as an aide to communication among people. The first exhibition commences March 5 and runs until March 27. Featured will be works by 16 different painters, mixed media artists, and photographers. After a brief recess, part two of the exhibition begins April 2 and concludes April 24. In part two of the demonstration,
installation, video, performance artists, sculptors, and musicians will take their respective turns proposing a solution to returning the image’s glam. Opening events occur the first Saturday of each exhibition with performance artists and musicians being presented for one’s listening and viewing pleasure. Throughout the duration of each respective exhibition, meet-andgreets will be held with participating artists each weekend, so the viewing public can become more acquainted with the minds behind those tasked with re-uniting the significance in an image. Special performances will also be held and are welcome for all to join. For updates on the exhibition’s events,go to Facebook event page by searching “Before the Dawn of Language…There was The Symbol.” Featured during the exhibitions are multiple artists from numerous backgrounds. All participating artists are being invited from International Artists Community members. Gallery owner Park Jin-Seong hails from Korea and will present works from different mixed media materials. Through his art, he tries to convey the senses and instincts one feels emotionally as they pass-by a specific area or location. His intentions are to have various artists interchange thoughts and ideas creating a new, diverse culture through artistic expression eventually developing Itaewon as a new cultural district. Another Korean taking on the challenge of returning a symbol to its respective status is Seo Hwa-suk. Specializing mainly in photography, Seo use photographs intimately related to personal feelings in daily life. The photographs are simple scenic images common in everyday life showing a first person perspective while expressing the emotional bond between artist and image. Through the exhibition, Seo seeks to form a consensus between the artists, establishing relationships that merge relations in the art world and expose varying viewpoints. The final Korean invited to partake also excels in photography, but Alec Kim (a.k.a. Kim Dae-jung) uses sensitized photographic paper or canvas as a mode of expression.While photography may seem simple to some, he makes it artistic by focusing on the important aspects of photography. Using color is always important to his work for a more powerful image, but mastering a long shutter for dreamlike images combined with catching excellent light creates a commanding image for the viewer. Eagerly anticipating the exhibitions and artwork is what he looks forward to most. Across the Pacific, different ideas in art are expressed via different styles and techniques. Attempting to merge the ideas of Eastern and Western interpretation is attempted by Eric Scott Nelson from the United States. Using his mind and anything else at his disposal, he seeks to redefine the purpose of an image. Another American taking a stab at the task is Mike Stewart. A printmaker mostly by trade, although submersed in painting and illustrations occasionally, he tries to subdue the viewer’s eye seducing them to his work. Each
blink
shantaram
“Imagine having the power of thinking, without thinking: being able able to instantly know an answer, to blink your eyes and have the concrete certainty that takes others hours of deliberation. Think of the ways that could dramatically impact your life! What if I could tell you how to channel this awesome ability?...yeah that would be cool, wouldn’t it?” Sadly, that’s pretty much how Malcolm Gladwell’s, ‘Blink’ plays out. The book is filled with fascinating stories of people trusting, and winningly using, their split second decisions. The great result is that you start to really think about your subconscious ability to make choices. By the middle of the book, you not only are thinking about making those choices, but you have a growing respect and even a preference for them over your conscious ones. Stopping to jot down the pros and cons of a decision seems lame, flawed and inefficient, let alone boring, compared to going with the super-computer of our unclouded reactions. That’s the great part about this book, piqued curiosity. The terrible part is that it fails to deliver a satisfying answer for all this wonder it generates. For all the random stories it just told you of other people doing this, it doesn’t break down how you can actually do it. The closest instruction that I could find was that you can train your split second decisions with practice and awareness of your environment at the time.That’s a pretty skimpy lesson. Bottom line: Blink is fun and wonderfully written, but better as Jeopardy knowledge than a how-to book.
He escapes to Bombay from a maximum-security prison in Australia. He saves the Bombay slums from a devastating cholera epidemic. He discusses philosophy with a mafia don, and is always one step ahead of a cold-blooded killer or would-be assassin. Halfway through the novel “Shantaram” you’ll think Lin (based at least loosely on the life of Gregory David Roberts) has superhuman strength, instinct and compassion. From the beginning of this 933-page epic of a novel, Roberts has an affinity for sappiness and romanticism. The Indian slums in which he lives become a flawless example of communal love and support, and the taxi driver he befriends has more virtue than the combined virtues of all the taxi drivers alive in India today. Although Robert’s insights into Indian culture and people seem overly optimistic and idealized, they can also be refreshing. The character of Prabaker, a Marathi taxi driver, seems like more of a caricature than an actual human, but he is also boundlessly charming as he introduces the nuances of Indian culture to Lin (revealing the importance of the “overunderpants” or explaining the reason that bus drivers lie about destinations to passengers). It is hard to know where to draw the line between fact and fiction (between Lin the character and Roberts the author), but the novel is hysterical, action-filled and sometimes heart breaking. India is a country that can get under your skin for its noise, congestion and sheer number of swindlers; Shantaram is a novel that helps you laugh at those things.
written By malcom gladwell
written By gregory david roberts
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>>>>>>>> Movies Reviews By Daniel Joseph Vorderstrasse
Troubleshooter
The Man From Nowhere
해결사
아저씨
Corruption runs deep throughout a twisted pursuit of justice in this thriller with abundant twists-and-turns. While on the job, ex-detective turned private investigator Kang Tae-sik (Seol Kyeong-gu) encounters a murdered female and is instantly cast as the prime suspect. To complicate matters, she was the famed psychiatrist who helped his wife’s murderer with an insanity plea years before. Cast into a fugitive’s role, Tae-sik eludes police, getting help only by a voice on a phone. Simply enough, Tae-sik is offered proof of innocence in exchange for his helping hand in another matter. Left with little options and marked as an executioner plastered over in Seoul, Taesik yields. Following the re-opening of the prosecution’s investigation into Daehan Bank’s corruption scandal, serious repercussions are at stake. A highly formidable presidential candidate could be severely hindered in his pursuit due to the investigation, and the source of his problems lies with Yoon Dae-hee (Lee Sung-min). Cast as the prosecution’s star witness, he possesses a videotape identifying those involved in disreputable deeds. Further intertwining Tae-sik’s enemies into the scheme, Dae-hee was the defense attorney and achieved the insanity verdict for Tae-shik’s wife’s slayer before he became a business prospector. With limited help from former colleagues,Taesik is left at the mercy of his own puppeteer as he chases down his assignment, seeking a bit of justice on the side. While containing certain aspects of the gangster-esque genre so prevalent in Korean cinema, the movie separates itself with numerous intricacies linking all the characters together. The film is a gripping journey, weaving its magic through the streets of Seoul over a 24-hour period. With plenty of chase sequences, mixed-in with a healthy ration of fight scenes, the film possesses all the ingredients for a successful recipe. A twisted plot keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Cast as the heavyweight among Korean movies last year, “The Man From Nowhere” took the Korean box-office by storm as the highest grossing film, simultaneously raking in the most accolades at the Korean Film Awards. Disconnected and secluded from the world, Cha Tae-sik (Won Bin) operates a meager pawnshop, only sporadically interacting with the outside world. His connection to humanity is through his upstairs neighbor So-mi (Kim Se-ron), a tortured girl seeking flight from her junkie mother. What little life Tae-sik still has is exposed by this simpleton of a child. As the two form a relationship, fate interacts, casting both characters down a dark path with little chance of light at the end of the tunnel. When it’s discovered So-mi’s mother has stolen heroin from some vicious mafia characters, they track down the product to Tae-sik’s pawnshop. Offering little resistance, he concedes the hidden product to the men, but when So-mi’s voice resonates from the phone, all bets are off. Tae-sik springs to life, conceding to their demands in exchange for the child’s safe return. When these dodgy characters fail to uphold their end of the deal, Tae-sik’s past is brought into the forefront and Pandora’s Box is opened. Armed with lethal training, invaluable experience, astonishing agility, and incomparable drive,Tae-sik initiates a quest to recover the child unharmed disciplining those involved, no matter how small their connection. Imagine an anti-social James Bond armed with martial arts knowledge and tortured with years of pent-up frustration and rage. Now, name him Cha Tae-sik, give him a little motivation, and assign a mission where only one conclusion exists. Etch it on to a DVD, warp it in plastic, and slap The Man From Nowhere on it and this is the final product. While the astonishing looks of Won Bin and the breathtaking fight sequences echo from moviecritiquing Seoulites, the film offers much more than something to gawk at. Other movies pale in comparison, if one can even be justified, due to the brilliant cinematic techniques of director Lee Jeong-beom. The dark, mystifying nature of Tae-sik is brilliantly displayed by Won Bin, while echoing about 15 words the entire movie. Containing an artsy feel while satisfying one’s thirst for action and suspense, the movie balances all facets of cinema. Little criticism can arise from a movie packed with emotion, action, and entertainment from alpha to omega fully justifying all praise received.
February 24 True Grit
Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon
I Am Number Four
Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphan
March 3
The Adjustment Bureau Matt Damon, Emily Blunt
March 10
World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles Aaron Eckhart, Bridget Moynahan
The Fighter
Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale
March 17
The King’s Speech
Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush
March 24
Hereafter
Matt Damon
Continued from Page 24 specific work tells a story, but with a puzzling twist, making the viewer use personal reflection instead of spelling the definition out in black-and-white. Working with a set theme is rather enjoyable for him, but the entertainment value is multiplied by spinning the theme into a personal interpretation through sarcastic or comical analysis. Completing the trio of American artists, Joel Bewley brings a different medium to the playing field by using acrylics and charcoal on canvas and wood. While his art may not be best explained by the adjective “powerful,” it is the way the image is depicting personal emotions through facial gestures and body language conveying the most sustaining human quality which is best being presented. Spanning the globe is a main ambition of the IAC. Marisa M. Johnson expresses her art through watercolors although gouache and acrylics make an appearance ever so often. Strongly influenced by nature’s vivid visual displays within tropical islands provides needed motivation capturing the beauty and joy of her
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subject expressed through vibrant and bold colors and provides inspiration and fulfillment for finding beauty and satisfaction for her art. Adding in her two-cents is Italian-British artist Cinzia Bacilieri with works spanning many mediums across the art spectrum. Acrylics on canvas, wood panels, and fabrics are all experimented with by her to create a more versatile final product while simultaneously remaining fresh. Her color scheme is inspired by Italian Renaissance tapestries and Surrealist art by the ambience of Gothic, which helps to make a personal mark throughout her wide-ranging pieces. Using music and her Italian heritages as inspirations, she seeks to bring objects to life in a new light creating an evocative atmosphere similar to spellbinding tales. Leaving the viewer to be their own critic
and personally draw power from her images is expressed by making her “happiness, sadness, laughter, tears, and smiles all for you.” Rounding out the international flavor is May Nef from Lebanon. While already providing insight to Lebanese culture through her solo exhibition earlier this year at casAntonio, she uses oil on canvas to create abstract sites and scenes from Lebanon. By putting all her energy, power, and vigor into the artwork, she makes her images powerful and attractive for viewers. The artists will combine with others specializing in additional genres of fine arts to create an ambience that hopes to overflow from the gallery, meandering its way through Itaewon’s back alleys and seducing Seoulites to partake in this new culture linked not by language nor letters, but through images and symbols, providing a never-ending story of significance for those in attendance.
To reach Gallery Golmok, take Noksapyeong station (line 6), exit 3 towards Itaewon. Cross the street heading towards the main drag veer left down the alley next to Suji’s Restaurant and Kwon’s Engraving, and proceed to the yellow and pink buildings.
March 31
Little Fockers
Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller
GROOVe with seoulvibes
What is a DJ?
An artist who entices the senses in every way. A technician of music who fuses tracks together in a manner that moves and stimulates people to an emotional level, executing live remixing to incorporate classic songs, instrumentals and vocals that stimulate a crowd. Most importantly, one who can convey a story through music by interacting with their dance floor.
How would you define House music? Reverse culture shock is a phenomenon that few can comprehend or prepare for as they return to their native land. In Jung Park’s case it was coupled not only by returning to Korea, but also to a subculture that was more foreign than he could have imagined. Boredom, insecurity, uncertainty, confusion, frustration were felt in double doses. DJ Jung had previously established himself as one of Asia’s most reputable DJs by holding down a residency at the legendary Stereo Night Club in Montreal. He had supported some of the best and branded his own nights as a promoter. One would assume that his re-entry would have been as seamless as his mixes.
Beautiful.Why? Any song from any genre can be remixed into a house track, whilst keeping the zest of its original. It is underground. It is commercial. It is music with a steady beat that incorporates elements of all. It is not dance music. It is the past and the present, it is therapeutic and it becomes part of one’s soul.
Who is the best DJ you have played alongside?
Danny Torrence (Stereo, Montreal) played exceptional sets that took the crowd on amazing trips, eventually building to crazy extended climaxes long into the night and morning. The music started steady and smooth building in a moody, sexy, deep touch, going a bit dark at times. To play with a crew of DJs like that was an honor. Stereo provided me with some of my fondest memories as a clubber, DJ and promoter.
Who are your favorite local DJs?
I never miss the chance to catch 4Play, Innu Roh, Jinwook, Jonny Blaze, Mingi, Ujin and Nova or anyone from the ECI crew. These
Sexy vocal tribal bottom heavy house music would be my signature style, comprising many genres, from deep-soulful to vocal progressive tribal. Wherever I travel musically I want my sound to be sexy if not uplifting.
David Morales, Danny Tenaglia, Roger Sanchez, Junior Vasquez, and Chus and Ceballos, have been the most influential people/DJs to me musically. There are so many influences it is hard to pin them down to the most influential per se, simply because I could be influenced musically by one and performance-wise by another.
What club suits your style the most?
A place where there are good people and the ambiance is equal. This tends to be at BI, MU and Venue. They are more intimate and have good residents and a solid vibe. I always believe that a club where you work is a place that you want to party at as well. Work hard play harder.
It goes without saying that all DJs should be able to mix. Once you have achieved that then track selection becomes very important. Sadly many DJs just drop the big tracks and call it a night. That just does not work when you play a six hour set.
Who has influenced you the most?
It is difficult for any artist to connect to their dance floor when there is a limited understanding of the sound and style that you are playing. Until the music becomes something more than what you dance to and is collected and appreciated the scene will not fully develop. Nonetheless, clubbers here are stylish and playful and they all want to let loose and party. Clubbers are also not restricted by conservative laws concerning alcohol and closing times so some nights really go off!
Where is your favorite place to party?
What is more important to you, mixing ability or track selection?
It has made my job easier since I do not have to purchase or lug around records anymore. However, I am still old-school and prefer an analog system and rotary mixers to effect kits. Serato and Traktor do not work for me at the moment. Vinyl, a Urei mixer, crossover with 3-4 decks any day.
What are the negatives and positives that exist in the scene?
I enjoy a club that offers me the freedom of playing a certain styles of house music. I also have to say that I do like being above ground at times. No offense to the ‘underground’ but it is nice to have a view of the city. However, there are some basements that I love to play in. I also prefer a crowd in their late 20s and 30s who are more receptive to a good ambiance and mood which allows for me to build up my sets.
How would you define your style?
How has technology changed your sets?
than a karaoke room or soju tent.
What advice do you have for novice DJs?
are some artists I respect both as friends and professionally. There are countless others but certainly these are the ones that come to mind.
Who would you like to see perform in Korea? Danny Tenaglia.
How would you characterize Korean clubbers?
“Let’s get drunk”. Clubbers reflect the society itself in the sense that they want to unwind and forget the stress of their daily lives. This certainly would explain the amount of alcohol that is consumed on any given weekend. Hopefully clubbers are more entertained by a DJ
Let the motivation be the music not the notoriety of being a DJ. Familiarize yourself with the music and hear as much of it that you can. Once you understand what you like the rest will take over. Eventually, you will be mixing tracks that move you seamlessly instead of seamlessly trying to mix. The hardware becomes irrelevant once you understand and have connected to the music.
Is life harsh?
Life can be very harsh. Life can be beautiful. It is filled with opposites and its ups and downs. The downside pushes us to make things better and this is the beauty of life that makes it all worthwhile. Enjoy the experience for the memories are what lives on. Voila — C’est La Vie.
DJ Jung arrived when the scene was in its infancy and it took him four years to get back to where he was. He is now allowed to play the music he wants — bringing his dance floor on a musical journey from dusk till dawn. His branded night C’est La Vie and podcast under the same name can be found online. Jung Park has suffered more than most, but his positive outlook and love for music has overcome all barriers. is patience can be commended and his persistence applauded. This is a column dedicated to electronic music in Korea. Our aim is to give Groove Korea readers: interviews and updates on what is happening on the peninsula. Feel free to contact the links below for information on clubs, DJs, or events! seoulvibes@gmail.com | www.myspace.com/seoulvibes | www.soundcloud.com/seoulvibes ASIA
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groove korea
e n e c s c i s u m korea’s
s e c a l p g goin
Pinnacle and the Antidote
By Chris Backe | Pg. 44
>Sighborg Pg. 32 >Super Color Super Pg. 36 >Street Parade Pg. 38 >Jeonju Pg. 40 >Busan Pg. 41 >The Korea Gig Guide Pg. 42 >L.R.D. Product Review Pg. 43 >Open Your Eyes Pg. 48 >Club FF Pg. 50 >If You Love Hip-Hop Pg. 52 >Hit The Nine Pg. 60 >Korean Homesick Blues Pg. 62 >Bowie Tribute Pg. 63
photo by:
ldby dylwa.wnelgkinolight.com ww
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music scene
band
Sighborg By Carys Jones | photos by dylan goldby
I
magine an Atari 2600, an android, an Akai MPC, a synthesizer and a drum kit having an orgy in Doctor Who’s TARDIS and‌ Well, it would probably sound nothing like Sighborg but it would make for all kinds of intriguing 4 a.m. psychotropic induced conversational topics. (Do inanimate objects use protection? Would two synths getting it on be considered incest?)
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music scene
band Is Sighborg a band, a collective or an individual? Well, in a sense it’s all three.
Sorry, back to the topic. Sighborg (alternative spellings include Sighborggggg, Siiiiighborg and Sssssighborg — in fact any variation of the name using elongated letters is acceptable so long as the spelling remains in the correct order) is an enigmatic amalgamation of soundscapes with live drums, 16-bit video game/chip-tune effects, insane time-signatures and bleeps. Lots and lots of bleeps. It’s like the combined sugar/E-number high you got from consuming too many Skittles as a kid in musical form, minus the icky feeling in your tummy afterwards (although if Sighborg were to cause people to puke, it would undoubtedly be rainbow colored). A Sighborg show is a sensory experience, a feast of aural and visual delights. Masked men fiddle with computers, push keys and bang drums to create a cacophonous biopunk symphony. It’s a juxtaposition of improvised sounds and meticulously rehearsed original compositions. Is Sighborg a band, a collective or an individual? Well, in a sense it’s all three. Sighborg was conceived by SuperColorSuper’s Sean Maylone who describes his sound as “architecture about dancing” and cites his influences as “Jessie “the Mind” Ventura, High Times magazine centerfolds and guys who think barbwire tribal tattoos are tough.” He remains the face and core of the project and is usually accompanied by a drummer. Sighborg is like an alterego that he shares with others, in a similar vein to Dan Snaith with Caribou. Previous members of Sighborg include DRIPAN co-founder Ripley Torres Tao, Groove collaborator Mark Kleinhaus and Nathan Doucett who is currently working with Brian Borchard of Holy Fuck! It’s impossible to discuss Sighborg’s music without bringing up the obvious 80s Atari soundtrack influence. Listening to tracks such as “Terrible Sands” or “Crystal Chorus” evokes an instant rush of nostalgia and it becomes clear that Maylone was probably
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a video game geek growing up. He both agrees and laments, “Yeah, and every time it’s mentioned it dredges up lighting shots of embarrassment and self-loathing and a realistic fear I carried around that I might never get laid.” Oops. On to the next subject. In addition to opening for acts such as Zach Hill and the aforementioned Caribou in Korea, Sighborg have performed in The Philippines, China and Japan. When asked how crowd reactions from these countries compared to each other, Maylone replies, “Japan was least surprised by us, because they have a lot of new attempts at music. The China shows were larger so the vibe was high. The Philippines was small-town feeling and very warm.” So where would he like to perform next? “I want to mess around with Europeans a great deal,” he quips. Maylone says he likes the idea of building on the theatrical elements of their live performances and basing a show on a specific theme, narrative or concept but admits that it sounds “exhausting.” However, he continues, “I think more visual things will slip in just ‘cause myself and audiences have ADD and there should be things to break the inevitable waves of boredom that come when something goes too long without a flash of interest, like this sentence boobs murder.” When questioned on his opinion of the expat music scene in Korea, he replies “are those guys still around?” A little harsh, perhaps, but is true to say that Sighborg’s non-generic, psychedelic sound and style makes them stick out amongst other expat acts like a nun in a swingers club. Maylone is rambunctiously creative, innovative and often unpredictable. He is also clearly a person who likes to have a bit of fun with interviewers (and why not?), so it would be anyone’s guess what he would say the next step for Sighborg would be. “Broadway,” he declares. Of course.
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music scene
super color super
promoter
by Stevie Dae Dallus | photo by woo-jung kim
N
ever failing to provide Korea with a variety of cultural events that are never narrowed down to a single genre or style, SUPER COLOR SUPER has proved itself and will continue onward to be more than simply an international booking company. It has become a pivotal part of Korea’s cultural growth in more than just a single scene.
Super Color Super’s latest show: Coco Rosie
Reputed for bringing Caribou, Nosaj Thing, Do Make Say Think, Yacht, Zach Hill, Xiu Xiu and too many others to list in the last year, all while developing the widely popular “Round Robin” & “Super Sketch” series, SUPER COLOR SUPER recently had Coco Rosie drop in, and the launch of Busan’s first Round Robin with a full house. A bit of a shock came as the New York post-punk band Liars had their tour reported to the media board for a violation and abruptly shutdown. This was announced by the collective to be the work of the over-pricing commercial promoters that have been longentrenched in Seoul. Stumbled, but returning to stride, SCS introduces another psychedelic freakout this March.
super sketch March 12
SUPER COLOR SUPER kicks back to the visuals with an event that basks in the reverie of the right brained with SUPER SKETCH, where talents of the eye and talents of the ear come together. With three tabletop projectors you’ll recall from elementary school showing live-action art from an expansive roster of local artists (from watercolor wonders to invigorating and conceptual transparency-film fantasies) which will be complimented by the haunt of shadow
apparitions moving along in this unique venue’s custom motor track. SUPER COLOR SUPER presents the second installment of SUPER SKETCH. inside of the spacious outer-space venue, THEÂTRE Zero, of KOPAS (Korean Performing Art Spirit), located directly behind the Hongdae Children’s Park.
Time: 9 p.m.—ends around 3 a.m. Tickets: 16,000 won, Presale, 20,000 won Door *Entrants are given 5,000 won credit in the art market *All presale ends the day prior to show date *No minors allowed All SuperColorSuper presale tickets may be purchased by credit card at supercolorsuper.com or find wire transfer info at their website.
Article and photos by Dylan Goldby
A
fter a healthy bit of anticipation building, the doors open. The sound checks are done, the bar is open, and the mood is starting to build. SuperColorSuper, Korea’s most eclectic and progressive booking and promotion organization, have hit the mark again in bringing CocoRosie to Seoul. SCS is the team responsible for bringing Caribou, DAT Politics, Four Tet, among others. Their dedication to bringing in the best of the best creative musicians and working towards a better creative scene in Korea is evident from the moment you walk in the door. This is no multi-million dollar operation, but the music sounds fantastic and the crowds are great. No holds were barred in providing the necessary tools to make even the most complex CocoRosie songs resonate through the building. If something a little different, and a complete dedication to the creative arts is what you’re after, you can’t go past a SCS show.
Check out their upcoming shows, including SuperSketch, a live art show, and MGMT on their website at supercolorsuper.com 36/GROOVE KOREA/march 2011
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music scene
band
The band has played at several different venues, including Club Freebird, Big Rock and Badabie.
Street Parade
By Michael Nolan | Photos by snow photo by matt lewis | studio photo by mark harvey
E
xpats who come to Korea to teach English find various ways to spend their free time — some study the Korean language, others fantasize about Japanese anime porn while others opt to use their leisure time on musical endeavors. Whether occasionally strumming the acoustic guitar at home or actively seeking out others to create a band, music is one of the more common hobbies amongst ex-pats. For the members of Street Parade, what started as a few weekend jam sessions to pass the time, has developed into over a dozen original songs and numerous live performances throughout Seoul. Conceived in early 2009, Street Parade is made up of Ja-Hae Oh (vocals/keyboards), William Morley (guitar/bass), Josh Grimley (bass/guitar), and Steve Ohannessian (drums). Representing three different countries, their
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musical influences are diverse. Incorporating fragments of Soul, Psychedelic, Pop, and even West African music, Street Parade blends these influences to create a multi-dimensional sound. Originally, there was no intention of creating a band to write music and play live. Husband and wife duo Josh and Ja-Hae played in a band in Canada prior to their 2008 arrival in Korea. They wanted to stay active in music but hadn’t anticipated forming a full band. When they met guitarist William Morley from Boston, they began to record some songs that he had written over the past few years. On the forming of the band, William said, “I think I speak for everyone in the group when I say, we formed this band with the sole intention of meeting girls—and it’s been a resounding success.” When asked her thoughts on the band, Ja-Hae stated, “William Morley is the biggest liar I have ever met.” A short while later, fellow teacher Steve Ohannessian mentioned that he played the drums, so they decided to rent a practice space just for fun. After a few months, a random encounter with the manager of the Rainbow Lounge in Kangnam led to their first show in July of 2009. At that point, the band decided to develop their original material and create a 45-50 minute set with the intention playing live as frequently as possible. The band has played at several different venues in Seoul, including Club Freebird, Big Rock, and Badabie. On Halloween of last year, they played to a crowd of roughly 600 people at Soundholic City, their biggest audience to date.The response has been positive—both amongst expats and Koreans. Steve, who has performed both as a drummer and DJ over the past several years, has had a very rewarding experience playing live in Seoul. When asked how audiences in Seoul differ from those in his hometown of Toronto, he said, “The chicks are all over me when we play in Seoul. They’re like a pack of insatiable tigresses!” To this, Ja-Hae added, “Steve Ohannessian is the 2nd biggest liar I have ever met.” Street Parade utilizes a number of different elements to shape their sound. Originally from Aachen, Germany, Ja-Hae’s musical influences range from soul legend Stevie Wonder, to experimental pop artist Bjork, to classical music icons such as Bach and Mozart. Her vocal style is equally varied — from raw energetic soul on songs like “Some Rival Devil” and “Hippo Bath,” to the airy abstract pop melodies of “L’Histoire.” On the keyboards, she uses an array of different presets programmed on the laptop — from vintage style piano and organ, to synthesizer bells. Guitarist William textures his West African style riffs with tasteful amounts of reverb and echo, creating a lush backdrop for the other instruments. The rhythm section of Josh and Steve round out the mix with fuzzed out, Motown inspired bass lines and heavy syncopated drums. The result is a dynamic blend of original music that fuses energetic rhythms and melodies with clever lyrics. The band hasn’t gotten in the studio to record an album as of yet. All of their recordings thus far have been done at Josh and Ja-Hae’s apartment. Josh, who has some experience working in recording studios, likes the challenge of recording at home. “The tracks we’ve done have turned out pretty well” he said. “Many people can’t tell that they weren’t recorded in a studio.” They plan to record demo versions of all their songs in the coming months.
You can see them live on March 12th at the Ka-Brew Han River cruise. Find them on Facebook or check out this link for more info: www.youtube.com/user/streetparademusic march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/39
music scene
music scene
jeonju
Haeundae
Music Madness at Radio Star
Bars to check out By Roy Early
M
by Christina Murphy
Sharky’s ore known for its beach than anything else, Haeundae still offers plenty of fun once darkness or cold arrive. Most all of the U2 major hotels have nightclub-type dance establishments con- Though Bono is never known to have visited, things still get lively at Beach’s original spot to dance and drink. The most recent nected to their buildings. These come complete with a fairly strict Hauendae remodel makes the place a great mix of dance floor, booths, tables, and dress code and big cover charge. For those looking for live music in a bar. U2 offers bands on most weekends and spins the tunes in absence live entertainment. They also offer a nearly full menu for hungry place more pub than club, Haeundae offers some establishments to ofdancers. You can find U2 across the street from the Novatel Hotel that sits on the beach. keep toes tapping and arms curling.
S
pring is in the air, but in the dark cellar of Jeonju that is Radio Star, there is one thing in the air (besides cigarette smoke) and one thing only: music. On any given night Radio Star is the place to find both the Korean and non-Korean cool kids (and some oldies) of Jeonju, led by the coolest cat of all, the proprietor of this musical Aladdin’s Cave, Mr Inyeol Park. Since its big bang into Jeonju expats’ party scene back in 2009, Radio Star, or more accurately Inyeol has hosted some of the wildest, weirdest and downright awesome concerts the ‘ju has ever seen. Most notably, Riverstock, an outdoor festival held unsurprisingly next to a river near Radio Star, was an all day outdoor concert in which hundreds of people attended. From events such as the Jeonju Rock Lottery, the myriad of weekly concerts and impromptu jamming sessions, musicians have been emerging as band members and now as Jeonju’s underground music scene grows, Radio Star, in conjunction with expatled community volunteering group, Neighbourly, Neighborly, 이웃 사람답게 Jeonju, bring you 12 hours of bands. March Music Madness is first and foremost all about the music, and as a chance to give all of the bands around a stage to play on, Radio Star will be hosting bands from noon to midnight on Saturday the 26th of March. A 5,000 won cover charge will give you an all day and all night pass to listen to both originals and covers from the finest Korean, expat, student and adult bands around the city. “Everyone knows Jeonju for traditional culture, but with so many talented musicians, I’d like our new music culture to be recognized too.” Says Inyeol, whose own band, Asleep Without Dreaming will be playing along with many of his students’ bands. Non-bibimbap, non-kimchi related food will also be on sale (100% of food profits will be used for the Children’s Day fundraising organized by Neighbourly, Neighborlㅛ, 이웃 사람답게 Jeonju).
Radio Star is located in Junghwasandong, in the south west of Jeonju. A taxi from the bus terminal will cost around 4,000 won and take about 10 minutes (in good traffic). Tell the taxi driver: 중 화산동 ECC 영어학원 앞에 (or call 010-9444-9509) then cross the street and head for the corner 7-11. Radio Star is in the basement. Junghwasandong is home to a motel district with standard Saturday night room rates of around 40,000 won. There is also Spa L’aqua within walking distance which can offer you the jjimjilbang experience with much more modest rates. (See Jeonju’s Google map for exact locations) 40/GROOVE KOREA/march 2011
busan
Dreams with Asleep Without Dreaming
Sharky’s
Star Face A long-time Busan establishment located on Dalmaji Hill in Haeundae, you can visit here for the all-you-can-drink for 20,000 won on Friday and Saturday nights. Wash it down Haeundae style with live music which ranges from the typical rock to Busan’s only acapella group —- Dynamic Wave. On Sunday nights Starface holds a hugely popular trivia night. They also serve great food that ranges from lasagna to curry to Mexican to fish and chips. Dalmaji Hill is long and steep, so a taxi is the only way to get to Starface, even if it is less than 3,000 won. Find them on Facebook for exact directions.
When it comes to great food, great atmosphere and a great stage, no place in Haeuendae beats Sharky’s combination. Every Saturday finds live entertainment of some kind on their perfect stage. They bring in duos, acoustic sets, rocking five piece bands and even comedy. During the week it is the place for table game tournaments like foosball and has Busan’s only shuffleboard table. A different steal of a deal food and drink combo special graces their specials’ board each day. Find them on Facebook or on the second floor of the Pale de CZ building next to Paradise Hotel.
Article and photo by Christina Murphy
I
n 2003 Maryland local singer and guitarist Spencer “Tokyo Sexwale” LoShiavo began his solo project, Asleep Without Dreaming. Six years later after making the decision to come to Korea, teach English and experience a new culture he was on stage in Radio Star playing. After a month or so being just a guy with a guitar playing solo, wowing the crowds with his renditions of Korean covers, he felt as though something was missing. There and then, Radio Star owner and drummer extraordinaire, Inyeol “Cracker Blast” Park joined him on stage and the result was inspiring. So much so that AWD then took on bass player, Keith “Beef Supreme” Levesque and became an electric trio. “I’m amazed at how the little project that I started several years ago became a band, and in Korea of all places! I guess it just goes to show you that life takes you down some unexpected roads. Now AWD is becoming more than I ever imagined,” Says Spencer With a visible friendship on stage and their ease of adapting to songs, AWD are clearly comfortable playing to any crowd, in any language. Together their music is tight and well rehearsed, and their covers of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” and Radiohead’s “High and Dry” wouldn’t noticeably be covers had they not been such popular songs in their own right. Their original music is played just as well, and with an eclectic taste in music their own songs, arguably the best being “You and Me,” AWD seem to be the kind of band that won’t run out of energy or inspiration any time soon. This year they are hoping to produce their first album and continue doing what they love, performing and even have plans for a tour around Korea in the pipeline.
For more information or booking, see their Facebook fan page “Asleep Without Dreaming”
Hajimama By Katie Jensen | photos by mike dixon
O
ver the years, songs about expats’ experiences in Korea have popped up here and there. A quick YouTube search brings up “The 12 Days of Korean Christmas” or the EV Boyz classic “Kickin’ It in Geumchon.”
Life in Korea offers plenty of oddities and cultural puzzles for the expat to sing about. In Busan, the group Hajimama have made a name for themselves by putting their expat experience into song. Guitarists and vocalists Collwyn Craig and Daniel Panozzo founded the band in 2007. “There were plenty of cover bands in Busan at the time. We wanted to play original music,” says Craig. Hoping to appeal to both Korean and Western audiences, the guys wrote a few rock songs that included both Korean and English lyrics. It worked. Songs like “Kimbap Nara,” a catchy reading of the “orange kimbap restaurant” menu, and “Balli, Balli,” about having no time to do anything, have become hits with Korean and Western audiences alike. Hajimama started out playing their songs at the Basement in the Pusan National University area. Always fun to watch, they devel-
oped a fan base and continued writing songs. There was no question that they were an entertaining band, but it wasn’t until drummer Andrew Kiely and bassist Im Gook joined the group that they really started to find their party-punk sound. The talented rhythm section is what gets the crowd dancing. It’s also what brought the band a third place finish in Busan’s 2010 Battle of the Bands. The number of expat bands in Busan has tripled over the past five years, and there are now plenty of excellent bands performing in the city. Hajimama though remains one of the most original bands that consistently produces new material. They’ve recorded two independently produced albums and are working on a third. With songs like, “I Want My F-2 Visa,” “Super Byun-tae,” and “Ajossi Love Song,” they’re guaranteed to make you smile. Isn’t that what we all need after a long day of work?
Check out Hajimama on Facebook www.facebook.com/hajimamabusan march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/41
music scene
website
music gizmos By Lance Reegan-Diehl
Recording artist & music industry specialist
Onboard True Bypass Chromatic Tuning
Where The Music At?
The Korea Gig Guide By Colin Owen Griffin | photo by dylan goldby
T
here is nothing like seeing a bitchin’ band in a snazzy club. Hell, there’s nothing like seeing a bitchin’ band in a shitty club. To me, a live show is the last proving ground for musicians who can really perform. I myself spent 20 years in the trenches, playing with band after band, in club after club putting on show after show. Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, even Coeur d’Alene, Idaho are all cities I have played. But now I was leaving the United States for a new life in Seoul, South Korea and I was terrified to leave the music behind. Was there any good music there and how in the world would I find it, and more importantly, could I be a part of it? With a flip of the laptop lid and quick Google search, I found The Korea Gig Guide (KGG). From 6,543 miles away, I found the
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music. My heart swelled and my lungs emptied, then filled again with sweet relief. I found the music and it sounded damn good. Thanks to a few guys who love music as much as I do, I found the clubs, the bands and even links to the sounds they were pumping. As I navigated my way through a very matter-of-fact website, I was blown away by what Seoul had in store for me. Mark Russel and Shawn Despres, with a network of other music lovers, work together to bring us a comprehensive website that puts it all out there. It lists out the bands that are shaking up the scene, as well as the ones that will rock the aftershocks of the earthquake that is the Seoul music scene. The guys that are the KGG have a bounding knowledge of music and their take on Korean music helps to span a gap of culture and perspectives. I could not begin to know the things these guys know. The Korea Gig Guide is not a result of research and compilations of textual knowledge, rather an homage of sorts, of the people living and loving the scene. They see the shows, meet the players, and then spend countless hours sharing their experiences and wisdom with the rest of us. They support the music that supports them and every one of us reaps the benefits of their efforts. “I am spectacularly un-talented,” was how Mark (the founder of KGG) put it when I asked if he was a musician. He simply loves the music and his mission is clear. He wants to get people out to see the bands. What started as a simple list of shows, thanks to the critical mass theory, the KGG now adds dimension to an unknown music scene. No ads, bells or whistles and none of the cluttered conventions we see littering the Internet will be
found on this site. KGG is a clear and concise architecture of information to get you to the clubs to see the shows you won’t regret attending. With over 10,000 visitors per month and counting, the KGG is a brilliant beacon in the musical fog that helps us all to find a kick ass night of musical entertainment. When I asked Mark who does the brunt of the work, without hesitation he responded Shawn Despres.After a few emails Shawn and I finally sat down at Sunset Bar in Hongdae, and it was on. We talked and sipped as the evening spent itself. I was happy to have a digital recorder with 2 gigs of memory, because we just kept on going.We talked about bands and venues as he shared a wealth of historical information about a very prolific Korean music scene. From the seventies to now, from punk rock to k-pop, he was never at a loss and I was never, at any moment disinterested. We talked about the future of some of these bands, like Apollo 18 heading out to play the South by Southwest Festival and the sum of efforts of other bands heading in the same direction. All in all, The Korea Gig Guide is not just a place to find the best shows; it is an experience waiting to happen with music here in Seoul. Who knows what the future will bring, and as far as the site itself, Mark has some ideas. Maybe a bilingual calendar, perhaps a few of those bells and whistles I mentioned, but for now the KGG is the one and only website to find the killer shows. So check it out, it’s Koreagigguide.com, I promise you will not be disappointed and you will definitely enjoy the show. The Korean music scene may be new to me, but thanks to the KGG, it’s an old friend just waiting to be made.
This device is straight from the NAMM 2011 Music Expo. It’s been said that playing in tune is the key to having people want to listen to you. Timing is also another good part of the process, but enough on that subject. What we have here is a tuning system built into the guitar. It will fit to any style guitar and does not interfere with sound, and there is no routing or drilling.The makers are from the Pacific Northwest — Bellingham, Washington, U.S.z The main reason Tom and Seth came up with the tuner was because of always misplacing and loosing their tuner. It’s not there when you need it. And this product came to realization through that necessity. The N-Tune on-board chromatic tuner is specially designed to fit most electric guitars and basses that have a 3-way toggle switch and humbucker pick-ups. Conveniently placing the N-Tune display ring around the toggle switch, the Artist Series tuner is activated by pulling up your volume control knob, which also mutes the output signal of your instrument while tuning. Once you’re tuned up, simply push the knob back down and play! • Fast, accurate tuning, installs right into your guitar or bass • For use in most 3-way toggle switch guitars and basses with humbucker pick-ups • Pull your volume knob to tune up silently; push knob back down to play • Includes black and Gibson Creme colored tuning rings & switch caps and a specially designed, high quality 500k pushpull potentiometer • True bypass design preserves your instrument’s original tone • No drilling or permanent modifications required • Installs easily using standard soldering tools • Auto shut off to preserve battery life The price for N-tune is at $49.99 Installation is best handled by a repair technician. As well you may find it already installed in production guitars and basses out there. For more information: www.ntune.com and you may also check www.deeleebob.com
Reviews are provided by Lance Reegan-Diehl. Recording Artist, Producer, and Music Industry Specialist. He performs worldwide and has played for BOA, Tony Ahn, and Ricky Martin. www.LRDMusic.com Upcoming events: > H.B.C May Fest will be held on May 21. Artist signup takes place now at www.HBCfest.com > THE HISTORY OF ROCK SHOW June 4 put on by Midan City in Incheon, a rock around the clock concert featuring the finest in local Seoul talent and it’s Tribute to Rock. www.thehistoryofrockshow.com
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music scene
band
Pinnacle &
the Antidote the sickness and the cure By Chris Backe | photos by dylan goldby
D
on’t come to a Pinnacle and the Antidote show if you’re not ready to get your mind blown. Seriously — if all you’re looking for is some band to play in the background while you sweet talk that cute girl at the bar, you’ll be catching that taxi home by yourself. It’s usually an exaggeration to say the entire place is watching the band — this time around, all eyes face front and most heads bob in time. With lyrics such “I’m a negro wit’ an ego the size of Danny Devito” and “I make a great Kool Aid / but you gon’ hate my punch,” Pinnacle is proof that clever rhymes trump expletives every time.
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music scene
band
The Pinnacle and the Antidote recipe sounds messy: a cup of hip-hop, a cup of rock, a couple spoonfuls of jazz, a tablespoon of funk, and a dash of blues. The Pinnacle and the Antidote recipe sounds messy: a cup of hip-hop, a cup of rock, a couple spoonfuls of jazz, a tablespoon of funk, and a dash of blues. Add instruments and mix. It isn’t until you hear the tunes for yourself that a small smile begins to form and you begin nodding your head.You might recognize a couple covers — “Show me what you got” by Jay-Z and “Let me clear my throat” by DJ Kool sometimes make their way onto the set list. Whatever they play, the quintet brings this “easily recognizable but not easily categorized” mix together in a way rock fans, rap fans, and hip-hop fans can all get into. Since winning the Stompers Battle of the Bands, the band has been on a hiatus—”during the winter, a couple of our members left the country to visit home,” Pinnacle explained. You’ll be seeing them get back up to speed this month—between performing and working on their first EP, March may be one of their busiest months yet. Regarding that first EP, Pinnacle said, “The songs will span the gamut of hard rocking to dance-able to just plain fun; and all of them are intertwined in hip hop. This project is quite simply, strictly for the fans.” A few songs will already be familiar to fans, of course —”Love you back,” “The Antidote,” and “Lights, Camera, Action” are three of their most polished numbers, though one can hope “No Underwear” makes it on there as well. Pinnacle may jump around while wearing a patterned vest, dress shirt, and Cincinnati Reds cap —but he’s not alone on the stage. Ph.D. J.Rog handles the bass better than most, although his first instrument is still the guitar; Alex from Kiwi land started drumming 9 years ago and hasn’t stopped; Kurtis Van brings 25 years of whammy-bars and guitar experience to wow the audience. The combined experience makes for some exceptional instrumentalists. Kurtis’ solos alone might make Slash bow down and hang up his guitar. These aren’t just a random group of folks
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who like to play; they take their music seriously, and it shows. Depending on the night, Kurtis Van Guitar might steal the show, or perhaps Bekah turns on the charm from behind the keyboard to get the crowd going. Having won the Battle of the Bands, I asked Pinnacle how other bands could improve their show. Here it is, straight from the horse’s mouth: “[Number one] Get tight on your music —if you or your band cannot move a crowd, then you should not be playing. [Number two] Make connections—it IS about what you know AND who you know out here. If you’ve completed point #1, then point #2 will help you to spread your voice and move your music. [Number three] You don’t become a superstar by acting like one —love, cherish and appreciate every fan you get. People will not support you if they don’t respect you as a person first.” If you’re not hearing him in-person, Pinnacle co-hosts “The Weekend Chart,” a radio show on TBS eFM that airs every Saturday and Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Pinnacle was careful to say that “I don’t want to use TBS as a spring board to push my musical agenda, especially since I haven’t completely established myself as a successful radio host yet (as least in my mind).” Either way, watch out for this rising band heading to a bar or club near you. No March shows were announced at the time of writing, but the band is easy to find on the internet. Find them on Facebook (search: Pinnacle and the Antidote), their new site (pinnaclethehustler.com/pna/), or a number of videos from past performances on Youtube. A number of songs are also on soundcloud.com/pna.
Chris Backe is a Korea power-blogger. You can find him at chrisinsouthkorea.com march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/47
music scene
By Winston Ward
promoter
“
Look around at what we’ve created, take a good look at the scene. Built something from nothing, we gave it meaning.” — The Unseen
Bane
Open Your Eyes brings D.I.Y. to the R.O.K. The Geeks
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In early 2005 Ki Seok Seo, vocalist of Seoul hardcore punk fixture The Geeks, was scheduled to leave his native Korea to complete an internship at a hotel in Cambridge, Maryland, when an opportunity presented itself. He was contacted by members of Seattle youth crew outfit Champion and asked for help in setting up a few shows in his home country. In exchange, Ki’s band would be added to the tour roster and be given a chance to share the stage with the rising American act. But there existed a rub.You see, on the dates that Champion would be in Korea, Ki was supposed to be arriving Stateside and commencing his work-study. Never one to pass up a chance to play some shows, Ki sent an email to the hotel explaining that he would have to remain in Korea longer than expected because his mother was due to have an operation. This was, of course, not the case, but the little white lie allowed Ki to delay his departure long enough to promote and play a few gigs, a decision that would have long-lasting positive effects on the hardcore scene in Seoul. This is the origin of Open Your Eyes, the Seoul-based indie promotions company owned and operated by Ki Seok Seo, Jongbum You, and Cliff Alexander. For the first few fledging years, the organization existed without a proper title, solely out of Ki’s email. He used the ties he made while living abroad and the Geeks’ subsequent North American tour with Outbreak to set up shows in Seoul for bands that might normally have overlooked Korea as a tour destination. As his efforts continued and his reputation as a figurehead in the Seoul punk scene grew, so did the scene itself. More and more fans would come to shows and bigger bands began to take interest. This culminated with the scheduling of tour dates for the tremendously popular California band Terror in January of 2008. It was at this point that Ki’s confidante Jesse Borisoff suggested that he give his company an official title, citing the need for a more professional appearance. Ki also took on the aid of Jongbum “Bomb” You, who would act as Open Your Eyes’ CFO and financial backer. After the success of the Terror bookings, the newly minted OYE started bringing in bands at a faster clip, and when more manpower became compulsory, show regular and Shellback vocalist Cliff Alexander was drafted to help.These days, popular acts like Down to Nothing, Have Heart, No Turning Back, and Bane anchor these promoters’ still-growing resume. Despite their success in the field, the gang at OYE remains where it has always been—in the music and at the show. They’re the first to admit that Open Your Eyes is far from wildly popular, and in fact, they as often as not lose money promoting shows. But that was never the goal.The scene and the causes it supports are the crux of the endeavor. To this effect, OYE Fest took place January of 2010 to bolster the hardcore community; proceeds were sent to support Shimteo Women’s Shelter, a home for battered women. While Open Your Eyes has achieved a lot so far, and having had a big part of putting Korea on the figurative map, they are keeping their eyes on the future with the second installment of OYE Fest slated for 2011 and a new goal of strengthening the growing Asian punk and hardcore network by bringing in bands from neighboring countries. “People just don’t understand the power” Ki says, a wry and wistful smile forming on his face, “...the joy of just going to a show.” The main point is a simple one: the guys at OYE simply want to make sure there are shows to attend, fun to be had, and memories to be made. And this is, at its very core, the truest essence of the hardcore scene.
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music scene
club
club ff: World Friends Festival
Celebrate the international diversity of Seoul By groove staff | photos by aaron brown It’s no secret that Seoul is full of expatriates from all over the world — English teachers, soldiers, engineers, businesspeople, nannies, factory workers, actors and musicians inhabit this dynamic city. On March 25, the managers of Club FF, GoGos, and GoGos 2 want to celebrate you and your country. They hope that everyone from Jamaica to Japan will come and be friends. Party planners have a few tricks up their sleeves to promote individuality as well as togetherness at an event that includes three clubs, live bands and DJs.There will be nation-specific music, competitions, and perhaps a few door prizes. Participants can expect the crème de la crème of Seoul indie society including crowd favorite, The Rock Tigers, headlining at FF. Come early in the evening to catch Noopinion. The German-based band is only in Korea for two days, and they will be at Hongdae’s most popular live music dance club for the World Friends Festival.
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FF ROCKIN’ STATION • • • • • • • •
Rock Tigers The MoonShiners Yellow Monsters Noopinion (Germany) Pony GoGo Boys Gajami Boyscout (가자미소년단) DJ Lineup: Eddie, Dooly (Indie Anthems/Rock/Cool Pop/Electro/Classic Tunes)
GOGOS ECLECTIC STATION •
1st FLOOR: POP/ROCK DJ Lineup: ZB, Juno
•
2nd FLOOR: HIPHOP/URBAN DJ Lineup: Fever, Jinwo
GOGOS 2 GROOVE STATION • • • • • • •
HanSangWon Band Oh! Brothers Funkafric Booster Serengeti (세렝게티) What a Circus (왓어서커스) Halo DJ Lineup: Jinn, Kone (Pop Dance/Electro House)
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music scene
special report
If You Love Hip-Hop by Michele Farley
T
he Korean hip-hop scene has expanded into a cultural phenomenon with such notable performers as Drunken Tiger, Epik High, PSY, and Jo PD.
Roger Wong Won is an upcoming industry music producer as well as an on-air personality at Arirang Radio, videographer, entreprenuer, and iPhone applications developer. Check out his Facebook fan page: rogerwongwon — Photo by Paul Morris
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But if you love Hip-Hop, you need to check out the ex-pats performers as well. Albeit small, the Hip-Hop expat community is growing. These performing artists share a link, other than the music; some have crossed paths, some have never met. Here are a few you may have seen or will wish to see perform as we take a moment to get to know them better.But if you love Hip-Hop, you need to check out the ex-pats performers as well. Albeit small, the Hip-Hop expat community is growing. These performing artists share a link, other than the music; some have crossed paths, some have never met. Here are a few you may have seen or will wish to see perform as we take a moment to get to know them better.
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music scene
special report
Josh Roy — Photo by Michele Farley
Klepto — Photo by Michele Farley
Dusten Wes Genre: Hip-Hop / Neo-soul / Reggae
www.reverbnation.com/#!/dustenwes Dusten doesn’t think of himself as a rapper or a Hip-Hop artist per se; while most Hip Hop music focuses on violent themes and experiences related to a hard life, he believes in moving forward. “I feel you should be yourself forget what the labels say is hot... remind them the reason labels are falling because people see through the bullshit music that why young guys like J. COLE... to say one of the only artist that I like that came out recently.” He has written for other artists and participated in various mix tapes in the United States, and has written two more songs since being in Korea entitled Prisoner and Black Kryste. However, his first official release will be his current personal project called BOURNE REALITY for which he is in the process of creating his own label DIRTY RUGGED with Dot Nice, a fellow artist and friend from Texas
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where he is originally from. You’ll be able to catch him at Open Mic events around Seoul but for Hip-Hop enthusiasts who would still like to see Dusten Wes perform, his days in Korea are coming to an end. “I leave September that’s why I’m trying to spend this time getting songs done with everyone here from Josh Roy to Benny Fax, including Pinnacle, DBSK and Saul Goode.”
“I tend to rap about feelings, stories, simple things that people can relate to like cookouts and hot sauce and food all the way to complex songs filled with multiple meanings left for the listener to interpret. I like to have a topic or theme though, but it’s fun to have the occasional lyric punch line-packed track. (However) I don’t tend to endorse the taboos of society other than drinking and smoking.” DA has released a Mixtape in May of 2010 and is working on his first official album which “hopefully be released this coming summer.”
Ryan “Da” Green (Ryan Damon Green) Josh Roy Genre: Hip Hop / Indie / Lyrical (Joshua Roy www.reverbnation.com/daglobal Nviri Mayanja) Growing up in the U.S. at a time when HipHop culture really became global, Da –– pronounced “day”–– was impressed by his cousins who rapped and started imitating them as a kid. Now towering at over 6 feet, he has performed internationally, notably in Hungary, Egypt, Japan and Korea.
Genre: Reggae Fusion/ RnB/ Hip Hop
www.reverbnation.com/#/joshroy “A rapper is poetic––who brings out words
musically. In that sense a rapper is not singing but more speaking which is what I do in my songs sometimes––thus why I consider my style to be Reggae Fusion.” In the early 90s until ‘97, JoshRoy’s performances during high school were Hip-Hop and R&B, and Ragga in his native Uganda. Its been an interesting time for Josh Roy since coming to Korea, performing various venues around greater Seoul, at charitable events, magazine launches, special nights in support of the performing arts community, Lyricist and Speak Easy shows. He has shared the stage with Hip-Hop and Rap artists like DBSTK, Muko, Space Rhyme Continuum, Smooth Villany, Dusten Wes, Pinnacle, Jake Pains, BadNews, Lyrical, MSN 3000, Lyke Mike, CJ “Infinte” Gardiner, and Tutak Kim. He has collaborative works with the likes of DA, Benny Fax, Sonny, Rob Lee, Dusten Wes, James Hershberger, James Chong, and Andup Han to name a few.
Jkea Pains — Photo by Michele Farley (Agpujeong), Club Answer (Gangnam), Rhythm n Booze and Club Double (Bucheon), U2,Vinyl (Busan), and at the MudFest (Boryeong). You may also catch him playing with a four piece band and together they form Pinnacle and the Antidote (Winners of the Stompers Battle of the Bands in Seoul for 2010). He is currently working on the release of an album and setting up his own record company for that purpose.
Pinnacle The Hustler Infinite (Jason Waller) (CJ Gardiner) Genre: Hip Hop www.reverbnation.com/pinnaclethehustler Rapper or Hip-Hop artist? “Hip-Hop is the culture, which, of course, encompasses the music. Rap is like the voice of Hip-Hop. Rap, however, is not usually enveloped in consciousness so when you hear just simple “rap music” the topics are very general and superficial; ...when you hear “Hip-Hop music” the topics dig deeper than the surface because it involves the consciousness of Hip-Hop culture,” Pinnacle TheHusler clarifies. Pinnacle has been hustling all around Korea: Stompers, Roofers, Atom, RMT, Rococo, BU2, Naked, Club FF, Club Cocoon, Club Freebird, DGBD, Myeonggwalgwan, Jane’s Groove, SoundHolic, Club Ta (Hongdae), Texas Moon
Genre: Hip Hop
www.reverbnation.com/cjisinfinite Being out of Seoul and living in the suburbs of Korea doesn’t stop CJ Gardiner aka Infinite to look to the capital to come and perform his art, his music. He has been recording for the past year and a half and has a 6-song EP called “LA to the World“ with a project called “No Filter” in the works. Infinite has found an opportunity in Korea. “I kept writing but there are so many people rapping in LA. It’s a bit of a turn off, but when I got here I decided to just go with what I like doing.” What he likes doing is hip-hop and teaching, which seems to be the perfect com-
bination as there are ever growing opportunities in Korea. “Infinite is still new to the scene, but he did perform at the Haebanchon Music Festival, Iron Mic at RMT in Itaewon and has made a couple of appearances at the Lyricist Lounge held regularly at Club Freebird in Hongdae where many Emcees perform. Expect to see more of him in 2011.
Benny Fax Genre: Rap/ Hip Hop
http://spacerhyme.com/ “When I first came to Korea (2 years ago) I was looking around for people to freestyle with and linked up with JC (Iconz Media) and Reggie while they were doing the HipHop nights at club Ta on Fridays... met Roger (Wong Won Productions) through them and met James (James ‘Livin’ TheDream’ Hershberger aka NaughtyRooster), and many others, including Joshua (JoshRoy) at the Friday night jams.” How did Benny Fax get started rapping? “I realized that writing poems was a meaningful (and inexpensive) way of giving presents so I started doing it more often for family events and occasions. I started writing poems about my personal experience in high school as I was
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music scene
special report
Roger Wong Won — Photo by Paul Morris
getting into Hip-Hop music and eventually tried putting them to beats.” Benny Fax is a regular at the Lyricist Lounge events at Club Freebird organized by Venus Robertson and hosted by DBSTK (now Black Ilumin), and you can be sure to find him performing somewhere at other organized events in Hongdae, Iteawon, or Bucheon alongside fellow Emcees.
JKea PAINS aka Agonist Genre: Rap/ Hip Hop
http://www.mypace.com/30kb
Ryan “Da” Green — Photo by Michele Farley
Unlike many of the artists featured in this article, JKeaPains is not from the U.S., he is from the U.K. He has been an established performer for many years before coming to Korea and he didn’t lose too much time getting connected to the Hip-Hop scene having been here a little more than one year ago. “I was solely a Hip-Hop performer in England but it wasn’t until about 6 months into living here that someone random sent me a message
Pinnacle The Hustler — Photo by Dylan Goldby 56/GROOVE KOREA/march 2011
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music scene
special report
inviting me to come to Seoul and perform at a slam poet competition (a slam poet from England I knew got in touch with her and asked if she (Carys Jones) could link me up because I lived 2 hours away so didn’t know much about what and where things happened. So I went having never done slam poetry before and came second; from there everything kicked off... Seven months down the line I’m living in Seoul and performing constantly. It’s been a whirlwind since then.” JKea Pains, aka Agonist, can be found Emceeing most weekends at Club Rococo, in Itaewon, Club Mansion, in Hongdae, and/or Club Answer in Kangnam for example, or at Blue Spirit and Club Vera in Busan. His freestyling Hip-Hop prouesse has put him in touch with Da as part of a collaborative works project on top of participating in events like the Lyricist lounge and Iron Mics
Young-6 (Darrington Henderson) Genre: Hip Hop / Lyrical / Rap
www.reverbnation.com/young6music Yound-6 is young indeed. Still in high school, he came to Korea just recently with his family from Seattle (U.S). At 16, he has plenty of room to grow in his own style and he knows where he is going. His songs “Ordinary Man”, “I’m Here” and ”Can’t Stop Me” from a mixtape produced by Wong Won Production tell you he is well on his way. Young-6 hit the HipHop scene hard since arriving here in Korea just last December thanks to a deejay friend Nkosei Trini Gravesande who connected him to Roger Wong Won. “I just be myself and do my own thing. Underground is more “Mc” what they call real music because it’s being yourself, no gimmicks or anything like that; also its just speaking the truth and just speaking life. A lot of people when they go mainstream they talk about the same thing over and over again; underground is more original with smoother, more mellow sound,” he explains. He performed at the Lyricist Lounge Volume 3 at Club Freebird and we will sure be hearing about him in 2011.
Infinite — Photo by Michele Farley but that is not to say that he is not out promoting his music having also performed at Lyricist Lounge Vol. 3, at the Hive (now Club Atom) and Roofers in Itaewon since coming back to his native Korea in 2007. Living in the U.S, KLEPTO says he grew up on Hip-Hop: “I have a brother that’s 9 years older than I am. He was always playing Rap/Hip-Hop on his boom box and that’s all I heard since I can remember.” What about the Hip-Hop scene in Korea? KLEPTO who is also a graffiti artist, remarks: “Hip-Hop has been in Korea since the early 90’s, but Hip-Hop in the foreign community has evolved a lot since I first got here in 2007, and it’s moving in a positive direction which I’m very proud of. I saw it while it was still a seed and watched it grow and it is still growing. There are always new artists popping out the blue.”
KLEPTO
Manifest (Peter Kang)
Genre: Hip Hop / Spoken Word / Experimental
Genre: Hip Hop / Lyrical / Rap
www.reverbnation.com/klepto214
www.myspace.com/typemanifest
With projects on the go with Iconz Media, KLEPTO has put a mixtape on hold right now,
As a Korean-American, Manifest raps in English. “Sometimes I mix a little Korean into
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my verse but the bulk of my music will be in English” he clarifies. What’s different about Manifest’s music? “My distinction is my lyrical content. I’d rather make music that is relevant to the average listener’s life instead of talking about the cliché topics such as glitz, glamour, drugs, and hoes.” Although he has only been in Korea for a little over 5 months, he has already performed at Club Venue in Itaewon, Club Naked, Club DGBD, Soundholic, V-Hall and Rolling Hall in Hongdae, Yonsei University, AX-KOREA concert hall in Gwangjang-dong and appeared on TBS and Arirang radio. Not wanting to be labelled ‘Christian Rap,’ the topic of God does come up often in his songs. “The Beautiful Cycle (a musical collaboration of rappers and DJs from the US.), represents putting light on the one who gave us this talent.” What does he think about the hip hop scene in Korea? “It is exploding in the underground especially, not so much mainstream yet... but that’s a good thing. It is very untainted and there is A LOT OF LOVE for Hip-Hop out here in Seoul. The crowd has so much energy and respect for Hip- Hop and Hip- Hop artists.”
Michele Farley is a Communications consultant turned ESL teacher/ photographer. She has been living in Korea since 2003. You can see photographs of some of the performing artists featured in this article from her Facebook photos at www.facebook.com. Email: mfseoul@yahoo.ca
music scene
band
“We are Hit the Nine, and we are gonna make you feel like dancing if you are ready to get crazy.”
hit the nine
By Brian Gleason | photos by kyle burton
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ive it up for Hit the Nine — the soulful, sassy septet featuring Soomin Jeong (a.k.a. “Aangmu”) on guitar, Jihye Woo (“Noddy Woo”) on the bass, Sojin Hong (“Thochi”) on the synthesizer, Juyeon Jo (“J.D.”), Minjin Kim (“M.J.”) and Hyunjung Park (“Salt”) belting out the vocals, and last but not least, rookie Hyemi Shin (“Ming”) layin’ down the drum beats. Originally, nine girls from Dongduk Women’s University decided to combine their individual musical talents to form a band, thus, “Hit the Nine” was born. Although the band is currently down to seven members, they are even more vivacious and alluring today than they were when the band first started groovin’ in 2009. In just two short years, Hit the Nine has risen from relative obscurity to become a fan favorite at clubs and festivals in Seoul and beyond. Initially, the band struggled to find a platform to showcase its unique musical talents and abilities until the girls got their first big break about a year and a half ago. As guitarist Soomin Jeong recalls, “At the time, when nobody knew about us, we were looking for a stage to play on. One night after practice, we received a call from Club Freebird in Hongdae inviting us to audition that night at 1 a.m. It was midnight, so we rushed to the club… I still remember how excited we felt! We were only supposed to play two songs, but we just couldn’t stop
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because everybody in the club was dancing up a storm and encouraging us to continue. We played for over an hour and have been playing there ever since. That first live performance was totally unprepared and totally unforgettable.” Since then, the band has made regular appearances at events like “Female Vocals Night” in Hongdae, as well as other venues and festivals around the country. Last summer, Hit the Nine filled the air with their eclectic blend of soul, funk, hip-hop, R&B and other musical compositions at the Chuncheon Jungdo Playground Festival. The band kicked off the festival with a stellar show on the main stage and followed it up by giving a memorable performance through the pouring rain for their devoted fans. The girls consider that concert to be their best to date, but despite all of their initial success, they are determined to work hard, shrug off complacency and continue to explore new musical styles. Currently, the band has become so popular that they are even set to release an EP in early March 2011 that will include Hit the Nine originals, “X-boyfriend” and “Come Come.” Moreover, Club Freebird is honoring these lovely ladies by promoting a “Hit the Nine Party” on the last Friday of every month, in which Hit the Nine members will choose a party theme and invite other bands to perform. Indeed, the band’s popularity has become so widespread that they have recently booked a gig in May at a festival in Osaka dubbed (quite appropriately for this article) the “Groove Festival.”
Be sure to check out Hit the Nine’s web pages on Cyworld and Facebook for information on shows, album releases and more. Most importantly, support this blossoming band by seeing a live performance. As the lights go down and the girls take the stage, you’ll only need to remember one line: “We are Hit the Nine, and we are gonna make you feel like dancing if you are ready to get crazy.” march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/61
music scene
podcast Music and photography go hand-in-hand. Several talented photographers have worked with Groove this past year to up the visual ante of English publications in Korea. In what we hope to be a series of tributes to important moments in music photography, Michael Creese has provided us with an interpretation of David Bowie’s 1973 Pin Ups cover. Dave Candler is featured here (see opposite page) and Whang Bo-Ryung, the art rocker singer of Smacksoft, is our Twiggy.
Korean Homesick Blues by Groove Staff | photo by park tae-hee
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t’s taken Dave Candler two years to get behind a microphone again since quitting as leader of New York City art rock combo The Williams Sisters (all guys), only now he’s not fronting a band, but rather a Korean indie music podcast rapidly winning fans both in the ROK and far beyond. “Each Korean Homesick Blues podcast I do is like playing a gig myself,” says the Liverpool, England-raised musician-journalist who’s served time with the New York Daily News and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. “I get extremely nervous before doing each podcast, simply because there are a lot of great bands here in Korea who need to be taken seriously, and that the rest of the world needs to hear, and I want to present their music in the best light I can. But when I’m underway, once I’ve got that first great tune on there, I’m flying, and the bands make the next half-hour or so quite easy to put together,” he says. “The process is usually constant musical juxtaposition. Seeing how songs work side by side. If I’m really honest, each KoreanHomesickBlues is an indie movie soundtrack I know will never be made!” Candler, who lives on the outskirts of Seoul, confesses he knew
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little about the indie scene before “getting way too excited at the idea of a Korean alternative radio show” and considers himself fortunate to have connected quickly with artists he now considers to be among the cream of the current Korean alt crop. “The likes of SmackSoft, We Need Surgery [‘Fall’ was the first song on KHB1 back in September], I & I Djangdan, D.Y.D.S.U., Genius and Arne von Brill, all of whom should, at the very least, be on the international radar, were some of the first groups who agreed to let me play their songs and sent their mp3s to me. You should know I don’t play songs without the artists’ permission. I don’t downsteal!” Thirty-five Korean Homesick Blues later (at the time of writing), thousands of listeners across Asia, the U.S. and Canada, Europe, and someone on an oil rig off Liberia, according to his site’s Geo Stats, have been treated to the sounds of Vidulgi OoyoO, Sunkyeol, Image, Not Jeremy Jones, Leslie Early, Used Cassettes, Jowall, Apollo 18, Kafka, and numerous other Korean artists hammering on the door of mainstream success. “It would be disingenuous to say I play the best Korean alternative music in some kind of official sense. It’s also a personal thing, it’s what I consider to be the best,” he says. “The rest of the music world doesn’t know what’s going on in Korea, and possibly doesn’t care,” Candler adds, “and I’ve now found myself in the interesting position of wanting to change that.”
You can hear Korean Homesick Blues at koreanhomesickblues.podbean.com march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/63
>>>>>>>> Travel International
Travels in Southern Oz - Part 2: Exploring the Melbourne Maze By Rob McGovern
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After the wilds of Tasmania, the tree-lined, European-style boule- 1. Flinders Street Station. vards of Melbourne were a warm and welcoming return to civiliza- 2. A tiny sample of Melbourne’s abundance of tion. fantastic street art. With around four million people, Melbourne is hot on the heels 3. A different kind of traffic jam on St Kilda Road. of Sydney in terms of population 4. Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market is a great but also world recognition. Sydplace to buy, amongst other things, cheese! neysiders may have the beaches and the Opera House but Mel- 5. The end of ACDC Lane. bourne is where you need to go if you want coffee culture 6. Aussie tennis star Jarmila Groth. dispensed from oodles of streetside cafes, street performance, architecture and a much slowed and more amiable pace of life. Trams crisscross the city and reach like eco-tentacles into the suburbs and the Yarra river, flowing through the city, adds an extra relaxational dimension to this already laid back city. Melburians may take offense (although I doubt it) if anyone should refer to their city as Australia’s “second city”, and they would have every right to. It would seem that only in terms of international reputation is Sydney the de facto “first city”, because in every other way Melbourne can match Sydney sight for sight, suburb for suburb, and cultural attraction for cultural attraction. Stepping from the train at Flinders Street station you are immediately plunged into a metropolis where 19th century architecture stands shoulder to shoulder with modern, cutting-edge structures that both dazzle and block out the sun. Trams amble past as you walk out of the station and up Elizabeth Street, passing the normal mix of high street shops. Then you notice a chalkboard on the side of a building advertising a screening of the David Lynch classic ‘Blue Velvet’ or you catch a sideways glance down an alleyway and struggle to see the light at its end due to the throng of latte sippers that pack it full. It is this first glance that you realise Melbourne is a world away from Sydney. Melbourne is a hive of intricate and often expertly “decorated” alleyways, a network of connecting passageways that not only conceal gems waiting to be unearthed but give Melbourne its unique, laid-back, European air. Degraves street in particular could easily have been transplanted from Paris or Rome and every evening the pavement is crammed with alfresco diners. Every nook and cranny of this city has something concealed, be it a sushi bar called Robot or fabulous graffiti down the best named street in the entire world, AC/DC Lane. Getting out of the lanes and into the open is easy too as there are plenty of green spaces including the Botanic Gardens and Fitzroy Gardens. Less green but no less open is Federation Square, the newest meeting place in Melbourne. Fed Square is a kind of modernday Australian take on the amphitheater. It is home to a few bars and restaurants as well as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the National Design Center, the Ian Potter Centre and a large subterranean tourist info office. The cherry on the Fed Square cake is a giant screen that shows live sporting events like the recent Australian Open during which hundreds of Brits, Serbs and Australians filled the square to capacity to watch the final. The square also has free wireless Internet. The river Yarra, a literal stone’s throw from Fed Square, is a popular place for runners and rowers and snakes through the city from east to west, separating the central business district from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park, St Kilda and the coast of Port Phillip Bay. Along with St Kilda, Fitzroy is the other palce to go to let loose, enjoy a few drinks and some more streetside dining. In opposite directions from the main CBD (St Kilda is south of the river and Fitzroy is to the north east of the CBD), they are both hubs of restaurants and street side cafes that turn into chic bars and drinking dens as the sun sets. Packed in next to each other, the main streets here are awash with choices for eating and drinking and this is perhaps Melbourne’s greatest commodity. If you like coffee, sipping cocktails or wrapping your lips around dainty little morsels then you will truly love Melbourne. Melbourne has it all, including a barber that offers a free beer with every cut. You have to go scurrying around like a rat in a maze to find it all, but what a maze it is.
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3. Gwangneung, Namyangju One of 18 neung, or royal tomb clusters, honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Gwangneung holds the remains of King Sejo and Queen Jeonghui from the Joseon Dynasty. Although there are 17 other tomb clusters around the Seoul area, these are one of the few that allow visitors to get up close and personal with the stone statues near the tomb mound. Bonus: The Korea National Arboretum is in the area. Cheongnyangni station (line 1, exit 4, bus 707 to the end of the line, then transfer to bus 21).
4. Seoul Grand Park, Gwacheon
5 easy day trips out of Seoul
Go ahead, find it ironic that the park named after Korea’s biggest city isn’t actually inside that city’s boundaries. When you’re done, hop on line 4 and go just south of Seoul proper to a large park, the world’s 10th largest zoo, an art museum, and an amusement park. The place is so big it takes the trolley some 20 minutes to run a full loop. Since there’s easily enough here for three day trips, pick your destinations carefully if you’re limited to a single day. Seoul Grand Park station, line 4.
5. Yongmunsa, Yangpyeong This Buddhist temple is part of a larger entertainment complex, complete with some amusement park rides. Get closer to the temple to see a 1,100 year old tree - one of the oldest in Korea, and a National Monument - and the Gwaneumbosal Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of Mercy (above).Yongmun station, exit 2, (Jungang line) walk to the bus terminal and catch a bus for Yongmunsan.
By Chris Backe Seoul is a wonderful place to go exploring. With several historic palaces, dozens of Buddhist temples, and more shopping than you have money for, you might be wondering ‘why go anywhere else around Korea?’ The simple answer is to get off the beaten path, and to explore some places tourists/foreigners don’t go as often. All of these day trips are easy to reach from Seoul’s excellent public transportation system.
1. Jayu Park and Chinatown, Incheon A great place to learn some history. During World War II, General MacArthur led the Incheon Amphibious Landing Operation to get back control of Incheon - an important port city. Within walking distance is Korea’s only official Chinatown - recently remodeled and easy to find. Being right on the coast means you’re not far from the airport, and there’s plenty of seafood for when you’re hungry. This is one area that hasn’t seen a lot of renovation — check it out to see what Korea might’ve looked like decades ago. Incheon Station, line 1, walk 5 minutes towards the Chinese gate. Walk up the hill and up the stairs to reach Jayu Park.
2. Bukhansan, northern Seoul Parts of this monstrous mountain are outside of Seoul proper, and the area feels far further from the big city. Head up this northern mountain and walk alongside the ajosshi (literally, married man) and ajumma (literally, married woman) with all their gear and brightly-colored clothes. With around 100 mountain trails, there’s more mountain than you’ll have time to conquer in one day, so read the maps carefully to make sure you don’t get lost! Go on the weekdays if possible, or watch out for large crowds - hiking is a huge pastime here. Start from Dobong station (line 1, exit 2), Gupabal station (line 3, exit 1), or Suyu station (line 4, exit 3).
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>>>>>>>> Travel Korea
and waved as she lifted off in the helicopter. As the dive team strapped the harness on me 1. Coming in for a landing. next and reviewed the instructions, the deep thumping of helicopter rotors drifted over the 2. David on an adrenaline high field. We craned our necks, scanning the great having just landed. blue expanse, but to no avail; the helicopter was that high. Suddenly a puff of blue burst out 3. Brandon and Jema searching the sky for Marty. into the sky. Marty’s parachute. She survived! After a few quick photos with an ecstatic Marty, I sit gripping the bar in front of me for dear life; out the open helicopter door the world below quickly shrinks and the air temperature plummets. “Stand up!” the instructor commands. He maneuvers me around so my feet hang out the door while he attaches himself to my harness and pulls the straps tight. “Are you ready?” he yells. Confirmed with a nod of my head, he shimmies me farther and farther out the door. My hands brace both sides, resisting, but the instructor prevails and then my whole body is dangling outside the craft. Damn legs are too short to stand on the landing skid. The only thing keeping me from falling is the man strapped to my back. Chin up, focus on the whooping rotors. The icy wind roars but it’s not cold; cold is the last thing on my mind. “Are you ready?” “Ye-yes. I’m ready.” My grip on the shoulder straps tightens and for the first time I acknowledge the ground almost two miles below me.The instructor grabs my forehead and pulls it back up where it’s supposed to be. Finally it starts. The thumping copter fades away. There’s no drop of the stomach like on a roller coaster. It’s just... falling. Faster, faster, faster. Brown fields rush up to meet us.The roaring wind deafens. Cheeks flap and lungs struggle to breathe. It’s so fast I can’t even scream. As if to make up for it one continuous thought goes through my mind: “Ahhhhhh!” A tap on my shoulder signals to raise my arms.They lift without a thought.We plunge onward. “Will this stop? Oh my god it’s LOUD.” Rapidly gulping the arctic wind I begin to hyperventilate in a panic.“Calm. Down!”Suddenly the sound of a whipping flag in the wind slices through the roar. The view jerks from the brown fields back out to the mountains. Instant calm. Relief. A silent moment of thanks. “Are you okay?” the instructor exclaims in my ear. “It is fun?” “Amazing!” My thumb pops up for added emphasis. Five peaceful minutes later friends below wave back. We skid to a landing. Pure. Elation.
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First flight By David Luth “What the HELL am I doing here?” I focus on the rotors of the helicopter spinning a few feet above my head. Whoop whoop whoop whoop! Korea’s green mountains rise up in the distance. Just below the horizon of mountains is...“Don’t look down! Concentrate on the rotors.” Above the roar of the helicopter, the icy wind biting my face, the instructor shouts from behind. “Are you ready?” I nod my head yes, just like we practiced on the ground. Nothing. I nod again and this time, though I muster the bravest voice possible, it still trembles, “Ye-yes, I’m ready!” Another second passes. An eternity. It’s not my life that flashes
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before my eyes but the sequence of events that got me to the precarious position between heaven and earth I’m in now: • The beautiful spring afternoon at the pub when Marty and I decided we’d go skydiving to celebrate her birthday; two other friends, Brandon and Jemma, would join us. • The pouring rain that prevented us from diving in June. And July. And September. • My superstitious attitude that triggered me to almost cancel and refund a fourth attempt. • The peer pressure from friends that persuaded me not to. • How even that very morning the Fates seemed to be working against us. After a three-hour jaunt from Seoul, soothing sunshine, a gentle breeze, and unusually warm temps for late October heralded our arrival at the tiny airfield in Jeollabuk-do. After receiving 10 minutes of instructions translated by Jemma, the Korean friend who was jumping with us and who helped organize the trip, we four friends waited on the blue tarp and watched the commotion around the tiny prop plane. Forty-five minutes later the instructor announced we couldn’t use the plane. “What?!” “Don’t worry! We take helicopter. Not as high, but okay.” Since it was in honor of her by now very belated birthday, Marty naturally went first. No rock, scissors, paper here. We snapped photos
[The skydiving season begins again this spring. Contact the Seoul Skydiving School for more information. Basic Korean, or a friend willing to translate will be helpful as English is limited.]
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Cup & Bowl: an intimate café in a modest package Within a short walk of Itaewon and Noksapyeong subway stations, Cup & Bowl is an accessible retreat from the bustle of the area’s more traditional wares. It’s an intimate café set on the slope opposite Itaewon Market. On first glance, the venue is unambiguously tasteful, with an interior design that would not be out of joint in the art districts of London or New York. A simple white font on an off-black shop-front gently ushers you in, but don’t be surprised to see couples making the most of the setting by having their picture taken outside, a regular occurrence according to the management. They also confirmed celebrity sightings are becoming commonplace. Importantly, Cup & Bowl delivers beyond its image. Starting with the coffee, a decent range of options are available. But this is not the place for a white chocolate mocha. These are strong, espresso-based drinks inspired by the imported beans’ homeland of northern Italy. All the old favorites can be found, starting at 3,500 won, while caramel and cinnamon flavorings offer some compromise for the sweet-toothed. There is also a soy caffe latte for a dairy alternative. As we move into
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warmer weather, the foaming espresso over ice, known in Italy as a shakerato, comes highly recommended. Apart from coffee, popular choices are Cup & Bowl’s chai latte and iced teas, including a cherry blossom infusion. There are also juices, fresh lemonade and a particularly refreshing Perrier Framboise, which holds great promise for hot days, as well as impressing in its vintage glass drinking jar. Smoothies are a planned summer addition to the menu. In terms of food, there are three freshly-made soups, starting at 5,300 won; Provence vegetable, cream of mushroom and sweet potato with maple. All can be enjoyed in bread, as is the trend in Korea, but they also serve as a satisfying take-out. Each soup offers something different, but all have in common the quality control that applies across the board at this establishment. For a heartier meal, the Sandwich With Everything, complete with bacon and egg, does not disappoint, while the Italian Croissant is a rare refuge for vegetarians in Korea. Cakes are also proving to be a hit, in part thanks to the arrival of a Belgian chocolate fondant with the option of ice cream. Cup & Bowl is small and not advisable for a loud get-together. But if a relaxed catch-up, business meeting or even a date is on your agenda, put this place on the top of your list. It does not scream its presence and refrains from the sort of branding that allows Itaewon’s old guard to attract attention. Once discovered, the experience should serve as a reminder of how worthwhile it can be to keep trying new things in this country, especially those that come in modest packages.
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Expat Special: Weekday Morning/Evening Korean Cooking Classes O’ngo Culinary School is offering special Wednesday 10 a.m. or 4 p.m. cooking classes in English for expats.This class is for those hoping to learn Korean cuisine and meet other foodies.You’ll see a demonstration from a chef, then you’ll have a chance to make your own. March 2: Daktoritang and Vegetable Side Dishes March 9: Sundubu and Seafood Pancake March 16: Japchae and Spicy Pork March 23: Dolsot Bibimbap and Bean Sprout Soup March 30: Handmade Dumplings and Spicy Mixed Noodles (bibimguksu) Classes cost 45,000 won a person per session. If you sign up for three, the price is reduced to 120,000 won. Classes carry over if you miss a class. The classes will restart in April. They are located in Insa-dong. • • • • •
For more information, contact ongofood@ongofood.com or at 02-3446-1607.
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March 5: Jirisan ‘Moon Bear’ IPA Brewing Day
To celebrate the creation of the peninsula’s first IPA, Craftworks is throwing a party at the brewery in Gapyeong. A bus will take guests to the brewery where we will have an afternoon BBQ, observe the brewing process, and drink a lot of great beer. In the evening we will go to a nearby resort where we will continue the festivities with more food, beer, a burlesque show, and many other entertainments. We will stay the night at the resort and return by private coach the next day. More information can be found on our Facebook event page: IPA Brewing Day!
March 6: Sunday Bloody Quiz day The first Sunday of every month is Sunday Bloody Quiz Day. Craftworks will be serving up 6,000 won Bloody Marys along with brunch. Then, at 1pm, we will be hosting a quiz with a 50,000 won bar tab for the winning team and many other great prizes!
Every Tuesday is All-you-can-eat Pasta Night Mix and match four different noodles with four different sauces. Add unlimited garden salad and fresh bread for only 13,000 won and you’ve got a great night!
HBC Gogi-jib By Tracey stark | photos by ronny kick At the bottom end of Haebangchon (HBC), the emerging neighborhood a kilometer northwest of Itaewon, is a Korean BBQ joint that stands out for it’s service, quality and atmosphere. A hundred meters past the kimchi pots that mark the entrance to HBC, the 11-table gogi restaurant with a rather generic name bustles with both expats and foreigners in fairly equal numbers. The service is in English, when needed, and always fast and with a smile. The restaurant only serves beef – Australian and American – and only the best cuts. The ribeye is succulent and the marinated and garlic beef are infused with flavor. The side dishes are plentiful and, of course, beer, soju and soft drinks are available. Prices range from 10,000-18,000 won. The gogi jib offers an all you can eat ribeye special on the first and third Mondays of each month. For a 15,000 won entrance fee, the meat will keep on coming until you wave the white flag. After two years, this neighborhood secret must finally be let out.
Wednesday is Quiz Night at Craftworks Grab a team and win amazing prizes from our partners, plus a 50,000 won bar tab for the first place team.
Thursday is Men’s Night We take 1,000 won off a pint of Geumgang Mountain Dark Ale as well as all single malt whiskies. Women who appreciate men and manly pursuits are also welcome to attend.
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restaurant & bar Directory Bar Bliss Itaewon Exit 1 (Line 6) make the first right. It’s on the corner. www.picturetrail.com/ barbliss. Price: 12,000-35,000 won. Contemporary cuisine and high-end bar. Great cocktails and patio.
Beer O’Clock Head to Exit 1 of Shinchon Station (Line 2) Go behind the Hyundai Department store towards the 7-11. Turn left on the third street up. 2nd floor. English Menu and staff. #:02333-9733 www.beeroclock.ca. Prices: 8,000-24,000 won. Canadian Sports Bar with great wings, burgers, donairs, and pizza.
Big Rock Brewery Head out Gangnam Station Exit 7 and make the first right and head up the hill past the GS25. www.bigrockbeer.co.kr. Prices: 5,000-15,000 won. Canadian Brewery with a great Sunday Brunch and good pub fare.
Craftworks The nation’s only foreign-owned brewpub specializing in great steaks, inventive vegetarian dishes and, of course, amazing handcrafted beers brewed right here in Korea. Open every day but Mondays from 11 a.m. ‘til 2 a.m. 02-794-2537
Don Valley
Gostiniy Dvor HiExpat.com Gostiniy Dvor, with its chintzy red decor accented by chandeliers and gold-framed landscape paintings is well-established and has excellent food. Food here, as in other restaurants in the area, is served on floral crockery, set on paper doilies.This all adds to the charm and the very convincing feeling that you are no longer in Korea. The menu, written in both Russian and English, is clear and easy to navigate even if this is your first taste of Russian cuisine. The salad menu is extensive and ranges from “vinaigrette,” a mix of boiled beetroot, onions, pickled cucumbers and potatoes, to “bird’s nest,” which is chicken fillet, cheese and egg. But for something a little warmer to begin your meal with during these chilly winter months, head straight for the soups.
Directions: Dongdaemun History and Culture Park station Exit #7. Phone: 02-2275-7501 | Email: keringina@hotmail.com
Exit 3 of Itaewon Station (Line 6) below the Coffee Bean. English Menu and staff. #:7962384. Price: 9,000 to 25,000 won. Korean Beef and Pork Barbeque and home-style favorites. Try the Wine Marinated Pork Belly.
HBC Gogi-Jib Out Noksapyeong Exit 2 (Line 6) and walk straight along the street with the kimchi pots. English menu and staff. #:02-796-5528. Nightly bbq specials, generous servings, and open late.
Le Quartier Latin Go out Sinchon Station Exit 3 (Line 2) and walk straight until you get to the big church. Make a right and walk about 500 meters. Look for the large French Flag. English Menu and Staff. #:02-333-9874. Prices: 4,000-26,000 won. Authentic French Bistro with reasonable prices.
Naked Bar and Grill Line 6 Itaewon Station Exit 1 walk straight and make a right at KFC. Naked Bar and Grill is next to B1 on the left. English menu and staff. #:02-794-4225. Prices: 5,000 to 40,000 won. The perfect after party place with great food and drinks.
Naked Grill Naked Grill is located at Yongsan-gu, Hannam Dong 29-21 towards the U.N. Village. English menu and staff. #:02-749-4225. Prices: 4,000-12,000 won. Tacos and homestyle American favorites for eat-in or take-out.
Petra Restaurant Kebab House Exit 3 of Noksapyeong Station (Line 6) and up the overpass. It’s located to the right. English Menu and staff. #:02-790-4433. Prices: 5,000-18,000 won. Authentic Arab food made by a certified chef. Excellent Falafel, hummus, and Sultana style lamb and chicken.
Pizza Peel Go out Exit 4 of Itaewon Station and walk past the Rotiboy and make a left into Market Alley. English Menu available — davelauckner@hotmail.com. Itaewon’s Newest Pizza Shop serving fresh pies daily.
Roofers Go out Itaewon Station Exit 3 and make a right at the Fire Station. It’s on floor of the building across from the Foreign Food Mart. #02-749-2970. An artsy, spacious bar with good food. They have an outside roof that is used for brunch and performances.
Rookies Ichon (Line 4) Exit 5 and walk in the direction of Yongsan Station. Pass train tracks to your left. It’ll be on your left. English menu and staff. #:02-792-3383. Price: 4500-22,000 won. A sports bar with creative bar food and burgers.
Sam Ryan’s Bar Go out Itaewon Exit 1 (Line 6) and make the first right. It’s at the end, above 3-Alley Pub. English menu and staff. #: 02-749-7933 www.samryans.com. Price: 5,000-30,000 won. Sports Bar with 8 big screens. BBQ pork ribs on Tuesdays and great burgers all the time.
Sanchae House (산채집) Go up around Namsan Mountain from Myeong-dong Road. It is near the Namsan Cable Cars and the restaurant N’Cucina. English menu. #:02-755-8775. Price: 8,000-25,000 won. Savory bossam and fresh leaf bibimbap.
nCheese HiExpat.com
Suji’s Itaewon (near Noksapyeong Station), around the corner past McDonald’s on your left, 2nd floor above the Skinfood store. English Spoken and English Menu Available. #02 797 3698. Deli sandwiches starting from 12,000 won. Other main & brunch dishes starting from 10,000 won. Happy Hour weekdays 5 to 7p.m. Suji’s continues to remind us of some American-style home cooking by introducing deli sandwiches to Korea through its relaxed style of restaurant food.
Spice Table
Like cheese? Then, you’re at the perfect place with nCheese. nCheese, like its name suggests, is all about cheese. Cheese fondue, pasta with cheese and cheese platter are among some of the most popular menu items at this part restaurant and part cheese evangelist. The couple who own and run this little restaurant off Garosugil became obsessed with cheese while they lived in France. So, what do they do when they come back to Seoul? Open up a cheese restaurant of course. The price may be a bit high and the serving may leave you a bit hungry after a meal but you will find no other place like this when it comes to cheese in Korea.
Address: Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu | Phone: 02-511-7712 76/GROOVE KOREA/mARCH 2011
Go straight out of Exit 2 from Itaewon Station, turn left onto the first street (corner of Helios), Spice Table is on the left (2nd Floor) and across from Los Amigos. English spoken and English Menu Available. #:02-796-0509. Price: 7,000-25,000 won (Cuisine), 8,000 won Lunch Special Menu, 40,000-90,000 won (Wine) Stylish Asian food to Itaewon using a fresh and flavorful approach.
Two Broz. Go out Exit 3 from Itaewon Station and you’ll find it on the right. English spoken and English Menu available. #:02-790-0610. Price 5,500-10,000 won. Gourmet Burgers, Fries, and Hotdogs in the heart of Seoul’s International District.
Wolfhound Go out Itaewon Station Exit 4 and turn left to go down the hill and make the first right. English Spoken and English Menu Available: 02-749-7941. Price 10,000-20,000 won for food. The best Fish-N-Chips and comfort food in an Irish Pub atmosphere.
Yaletown 400 meters from Sinchon Subway Exit number 2. Make a left at Beans and Berries. English Menu. #:02-333-1604. Price: 5,000-18,0000 won. Great Pub fare such as poutine, burgers, and nachos.
march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/77
oo
korea
listings
teams
Seoul Stitch ‘n Bitch: This club has a crafting get-together the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month in Haebangchon, Seoul, Please contact seoulsnb@gmail. com or check www.seoulsnb.blogspot.com
Ice Hockey- Interested in playing with experienced and competitive ice hockey players? Join Korea’s original ex-pat hockey team, the Geckos Glaciers Sunday nights at 8pmin Anyang. Contact Charles at charfull@yahoo.com
Sinchon Toastmasters Club: Looking for new members, both Korean & foreign, wanting to improve their public speaking and leadership skills in an atmosphere where members can also have fun interacting together. Please contact Dong Wan at: intervie@naver.com
H a n d b a l l - Te a m H a n d b a l l - O l y m p i c Handball - We often organize friendly games against Korean teams during evenings or weekends. Male or female players, beginners, intermediate or advanced players... everybody is welcome! Just email SEB at handballinkorea@gmail.com or visit www. handballinkorea.org
Suwon Scuba Club: A dive club close to Osan Air Base and Camp Humphreys, we teach all Padi courses and run regular tours for fun dives to the East Sea. Along with dives, the club has a major social element with outstanding BBQ's and parties on each tour. Please contact Nic at: nichofberg@yahoo.com, 010 3123 2061 or www.suwonscuba.com
St Pats FC - seoulstpats@gmail.com Seoul Saturday Soccer League - Looking for additional referees, players, goal keepers, new teams, for its Spring season, starting Feb/28th/09. Please apply to soccersaturday@hotmail.com and leave your phone contacts for more information.
international clubs Investor & Real Estate Club Meetings Every Monday @ Watts On Tap. Discussions on international dating, relationships, investments. Discuss investments with ROI higher than KOSPI average. Anyone with valuable or critical comments wins cash & prizes! Contact 010-5552-5568
Gaelic Club - If you are looking for a physical and competitive sport, while also wanting some craic while you are at it, then check out Irish football, aka Gaelic. It is a mixture of soccer, basketball and rugby. Male and female teams meet frequently for training, games and social events.www.seoulgaels.com
Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) – This non-profit organization offers lectures about Korea’s history and culture, while also offering tours to various locations around the country. Please contact raskb@kornet.net or visit www.raskb.com
Touch Rugby - contact seoultouch@gmail.com and more information can be found at touchtagrugby. blogspot.com
The American Women's Club (AWC) now meets at the Sofitel Ambassador Hotel at 9:30 AM on the first Tuesday of each month. www.awckorea.org.
International Taekwondo club - looking for new members interested in taekwondo and cultural exchange on Sat& Sun 4:30PM ~ 8:30 PM near Konkuk Univ. Email to tm3ym@hotmail.com or visit to http:// cafe.daum.net/arirangtaekwon
Disc-Golf in Seoul - Looking for something different to do and want to be more active in Korea? We are always looking for new people to play disc-golf every Saturday. contact discgolf@naver.com The Korea Lacrosse Association would like to involve more non-Koreans, with or without lacrosse experience, to participate in the growing tournaments and leagues. Please contact by emaiil parkpc@ lacrosse.or.kr or 02-743-5291 Football Club - Gecko's FC is looking for players, preferably with experience, for the start of the new season.We practice regularly, play games on Sundays and take road trips once or twice a season. Please contact geckosfc@yahoo.com Crystal Palace Football/Soccer Team – We are recruiting players of all abilities to join our games played in central Seoul. Please contact Alex at harryhowlett@hotmail.com or 010 3040 6114 Seoul Survivors RFC -Seoul Survivors has been around for over 20 years. We practice regularly and play a variety of different teams in friendlies, competitions and on tours. For more information, please contact Ian at koreanianr@yahoo.co.uk or 016-897-6282 T h e S e o u l S u n d ay F o o t b a l l L e a g u e , a competitive amateur expat league, is looking for referees to officiate matches in Seoul and surrounding areas on Sundays. No official qualifications are necessary, but you should have a good knowledge of the game. Pay is 70,000 won per game. Also, if you are interested in playing, then we can also find you a team. Please contact: seoulfootball@hotmail.com Seoul Sisters Women’s Rugby Club: Looking for new members, both Korean and foreign, to grow the in-house league. No experience is necessary and there are great coaches to get you up to speed quickly. contact seoulsistersrugby@yahoo.com or check out www.ssrfccom Lokomotiv Goyang Football Club: Playing games in both Seoul and Goyang, we are a football team always looking for new members. Please contact lokogoyang@yahoo.co.uk or check www.lokomotivgoyang.com
clubs Free Bellydance Classes in English in Itaewon nights and weekends. Over 20 classes a week. Learn an art, awaken your body, make friends, eliminate stress, pamper yourself! http://eshebellydancer.com Bellydance Classes in Seoul Tues nights & Thurs mornings. Belly dance is an energizing, low-impact exercise suitable for men & women of all ages. Reduce stress, improve balance & posture, strengthen & tone muscles, develop grace, reduce weight, and increase self-confidence! bellydancekorea@hotmail.com Korea Latin & Salsa Korea L atin and Salsa welcomes new members of all ages and experience levels for parties, salsa lessons in English and Spanish, trips, friends, and fun. Please visit our website KoreaLatinAndSalsa.com Seoul Artists Network (SAN) have a bi-monthly open mic that takes place at Woodstock in Itaewon on the first and third sundays of each month. www.
78/GROOVE KOREA/mARCH 2011
info@groovekorea.com just a minute from Sinchon Station. Please contact koreanmovieclub@yahoo.com or www.geocities. com/koreanmovieclub
Seoul Saturday Soccer League - is looking for additional Referees, Players, Goal Keepers and New Teams for its Spring Season 2011, starting Feb. 26. Please apply to soccersaturday@hotmail.com and leave your phone contacts to call you for more info.
Korea Ultimate Players Association – If you have been searching for some hot disc action in Korea, come out to play ultimate every Sun with the Korea Ultimate Players Association. Please visit www. koreaultimate.net
email:
The Australia & New Zealand Assocation (ANZA) meets at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at 9:30AM on the third Tues of the month. For more information, p le a se v i si t w w w. a nz a kore a .co m or eve n t s @ anzakorea.com purevolume.com/jeremytoombs | www.myspace.com/ jeremytoombs Writing Club Looking to form/join a writing group. Meetings would likely be on the weekends, twice a month. My focus is on short fiction/prose at the moment, but I would be open to non-fiction/longer works as well. email Bryan at scriptingends@gmail.com Lodge Han Yang #1048 the oldest Masonic lodge in Korea welcomes all visiting and returning brethren to attend our regularly scheduled meeting every second and fourth Wednesday. Contact lodgehanyang@ hotmail.com for additional information Seoul Fencing Club — Seoul Grand Park in Ichondong. Please go to www.seoulfencing.com or email seoul.fencing.club@gmail.com. The Seoul Book Club, a new book club. We plan to meet once a month read and various works in English and then share and discuss our impressions, all are welcome. Please contact Sean at 010-3648-2861 or stm@iis.or.kr KH Toastmasters is a fun, supportive environment to learn public speaking and leadership skills in English. Our group is a dynamic mix of foreigners and Koreans, and we meet 8pm every Tuesday in Hyehwa. Guests always welcome. A map of our meeting location can be found at: khtoastmasters.com Sherlock Holmes Club will meet every second Tuesday day at It aewon, 7. 30 pm. ( Venue to be announced) A story from the canon, a short talk on Holmesiana, a Holmes quiz, and a Holmes movie: serious-fun. Email Morrison at morry _lee@yahoo. com.au, or phone 010-6376-3965. Southside Hash House Harriers: Do you like to walk, run and drink beer? Well then, come and join the Seoul branch of this world-wide club that meets in a different location south of the Han River each Sunday at 11:00am. All levels of fitness are welcome, just bring along your sneakers and a sense of humor! Please contact Countess at smcrae77@yahoo.com Section 8 Gaming: we meet Sundays in the Seoul area to play a variety of pen and paper role playing games, including Dungeons and Dragons. Contact section8gaming@gmail.com. Toastmasters International, every Thursday Night, near GyeongBuk Palace Subway station, for more information visit the following websites: www. toastmasters.org www.seoultmclub.net or Contact us at: profirving2001@yahoo.com Belly Dance Classes in English. Learn fine muscle control of the torso, arms and hips, and interpretation of intricate music in English with an interesting group of women. Classes on Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings. All levels welcome. Contact eshe@eshebellydancer.com. Texas Hold Em in Ilsan - Weekly Hold Em throw down at cool bar in La Festa, Ilsan Tues & Thurs around 10pm & Sundays 7pm. Contact mrleon29@ gmail.com I'm all-in. May the flop be with you!
B a z z e r ’ s B u d d i e s D o g Wa l k i n g C l u b Namsan, Han River and other outdoor areas around Seoul. A fun way to get out on a Sunday afternoon and meet new friends. Send an email to www.bazzerdog. com to find out when and where we will meet. The Original Seoul Toastmasters Club Are you interested in joining a club of professionals working to develop communication and leadership skills? Meet new friends, both Korean and foreign, at the original Seoul Toastmasters Club. Please contact Joohun Park at jhpamc@hanmail.net and 011 9279 8299 or visit www.seoultmclub.net Seoul PMS H3 – This is a running club for women that is also part of the Hash House Harriers. We meet one Saturday af ternoon a month and are looking for other women who like to run, walk, drink and/or socialize. Contact msthanx4nothin@gmail. com or visit www.myspace.com/seoul_pms_h3 Karaoke Club - Join a karaoke club in Seoul with people who love to sing, whether you sound like Frank Sinatra or Frankenstein! We meet once a month. Please contact seoulsing@gmail.com Are you a vegetarian or vegan in Korea? The Seoul Veggie Club meets twice a month to check out veggie-friendly restaurants and enjoy picnics. Koreans, foreigners, vegetarians and non-vegetarians are all welcome. "Facebook group Seoul veggie club" MEETinSEOUL – Come hang out with a large free, all-volunteer social group. There are no membership fees, just pay for your own cost of the events (movies, dinners etc). www.meetin.org/city/MEETinSEOUL/ Yongsan Kimchi Hash House Harriers - If you enjoy running, walking and trekking throughout Seoul as well as drinking beer, then come join us every Saturday at 10 a.m. For more information, please visit www.freewebs.com/ykhhh (then go to "hareline") or malgosia02@yahoo.com Hiking Club – The International Hikers Club meets every Sat. For more information, please contact sihclub@gmail.com Mostly Over 40 – This club meets for lunch on Sunday a month and, as the name depicts, consists of people who are mostly over 40. For more information, contact mostlyover40@yahoogroups.com CWG, ‘Conversations with God,’ discussion and study group is open for anyone who is interested in talking about the themes and implications of this book. Contact markyansen@yahoo.com or 011 9990 4291 Artists – We are interested in starting an artists’ collective in Seoul. Are you a visual artist interested in t ak ing p ar t in a group ex hibit ion? Cont ac t seoulcreative@yahoo.comForeigner/Korean Friendship Club: Our purpose is to meet at a bar on Saturdays to meet new people, introduce new cultures, share thoughts and have fun. Contact yupggiklub@ hotmail.com or check out seoulcircle.com
Interested in Theatre? Seoul Players is an all-volunteer community theatre group which does two English language shows a year. For more info, please email seoulplayers@gmail.com
Fusion Art: Seeking members involved in various arts (painting, drawing, illustration, sculpture, photos and more) for regular meetings and exhibitions to share information about colors and opinions. Please contact bakerycorner@yahoo.co.kr, chubbyhubby@hanmail. net or 010-6423-6037
Interested in Surfing? There are trips throughout the winter to discover Korea’s secret spots and great waves. Please cont act Nathan or Jack at Seoulboardriders@hotmail.com
Korean Movie Club: With English subtitles, people are now able to enjoy and understand recent Korean (and some non-Korean) movies and dramas in front of a 120-inch screen. The club is located
The British Association of Seoul (BASS) meets at the Seoul Club from 10 AM to Noon on the fourth Tues of the month. For more information, please contact basseoul@yahoo.co.uk The Canadian Women’s Club (CWC) meets the second Tues of the month & also participate in a group activity the fourth Wed of the month. For more information, contact sujaybee@yahoo.com Club Italia hosts a lunch every Sun at 1 PM at the Franciscan School in Hannam-dong. The lunch costs KRW 15,000 and everyone is welcome. For more information, please visit www.clubitalia.or.kr Career Women in Korea (CWIK) at the New Seoul Hotel on the third Wed evening of the month. For more information, please visit www.cwik21.com or contact career_women_in_korea@yahoo.com. Th e S e o u l I n t l . Wo m e n ’s A s so c i a t i o n (SIWA) meets at the Sofitel Ambassador Hotel at 9:30 AM on the third Wed of the month. For more information, please visit www.siwapage.com Overseas Chinese Women’s Club (OCWC) meets monthly and is open to all women who would like to make new friends, enjoy good food and learn about Chinese culture. Chinese is spoken, but interpretation is available. For more information, please visit our website at ocwckr.spaces.live.com or contact ocwckr@hotmail.com
Announcements Navah Bellydance Company - Looking for performers with dance experience or who are willing to train with Eshe for events in and out of Seoul. eshebellydancer@hotmail.com The Ang Dating Daan Korea Chapter conducts free Bible Study and distributes DVDs of Bible Expositions of the only sensible preacher in our time — Brother Eli Soriano. If you want free copies of Bible Expositions and hear free Bible Study, please call 010-5737-2561 / 010-3004-0817 Amnesty G48 is an official group of Amnesty International Korea. This group is made up of both Korean and foreign volunteers who actively take part in the movement to promote and protect human rights for all people around the world. E-mail Tom for further details @ amnestyseoul@gmail.com. All Native English Speakers, Kyopos, and Koreans. Proficient in English are welcome to join our weekly bible study/fellowship meetup held every saturday at 3 pm. We seek to delve deeply into scripture. Contact Info. 011-359-1317 Bellydance lessons in English in Itaewon at the Well Being Studio by Eshe on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Absolute beginners welcome. Awaken your body and spirit with this ancient healing art. Det ails at w w w.eshebellydancer.com or email eshebellydancer@hotmail.com Bible Study Enthusiasts - Weekly Bible study for Native English Speakers. We are having a weekly Bible Study every Saturday, at 7:30 PM. Everyone is welcome! Call me at 011-359 -1317 or email homechurch-314@meetup.com or homechurch. meetup.com/314/ for further information. Seoul Global Center - Seoul Help Center for foreigners has been renamed and relocated to the Korea Press Foundation Building floor.
Horoscope | march 2011
>>>>>>>> Aries
Libra
While it’s the end of the solar year for you (until March 20th), dear Aries, and this generally signals a period in which you are in the relative backwoods and possibly dealing with endings in your life, there is nevertheless much to be excited about in March. Uranus gets you all riled up and itching to make radical changes. You are building and strengthening your courage. The 10th is strong for romance and friendship. You can charm the birds out of the trees on the 16-17th, and you’ll be filled with wonderful (and possibly marketable) ideas. The 21st brings the gumption to jump-start the changes you’ve only been dreaming about. Life is certainly looking up! However, you may struggle with people or situations from your past around the 2-3.
You have great energy for work and selfcare programs in March, dear Libra. It’s an excellent period for scratching off most items on your to-do list, and for initiating new programs and projects. Your love life is not suffering, even with all of the attention you’re pouring into managing your daily routines, especially around the 9-10th. The kinds of people you attract, as well as relationship dynamics in general, will be changing dramatically over the coming years, starting this month. The 18-21 can bring big surprises from a significant other. Do your best not to dig in your heels. Instead, accept that change is necessary right now.
Taurus
You’re willing to take risks this month, dear Scorpio, with your heart and with selfexpression. For the most part, March is a time for strutting your stuff, getting creative, and enjoying yourself. A jumpstart to your creative juices occurs on the 3-4, when starting a new creative project can be especially fruitful, and the 9-10 brings sweet, loving energy into your life. The 18-19 might require you to come to the aid of a friend. Your working life can bring startling surprises around the 20-21, and you’ll need a little time to adjust to the changes in routine.
March begins with strong energy for social activity, dear Taurus, and as it progresses, you begin to enjoy more time away from demanding or competitive situations. You’re coming across especially well on the job, and your reputation is improving considerably in March. You’re in high demand this month, with several people vying for your attention. The 3-6th brings the possibility of new or improved friendships. Past good deeds bear fruit on the 9-10th, and opportunities to advance emerge as a result. The 18-20th can bring romantic revelations.
Gemini Others tend to be following your lead in March, dear Gemini. You can’t seem to escape attention, as others are especially aware of what you have or haven’t done. While at times this can feel a little uncomfortable, your best strategy right now will be to act with as much authority and competence you can muster up. Be brave and look for new directions or improved ways of doing things in your career from the 3-8th, when you’re given the chance to make a fresh start. Avoid excessive emotionalism on the 18-19th, when family and career matters can bring pressures.You enter a more pleasant and sociable phase in the last week of March, when friends are especially interesting and helpful.
Cancer Your professional life is beginning to really take a turn, dear Cancer, as is your reputation. While pressures on the home front continue, you’re likely to find much to enjoy in your career. New challenges present themselves, and they’re stimulating rather than unsettling ones. March brings a restless energy to your life that can only be sated with experiences that take you out of the usual routine. The New Moon on the 4th can stimulate your desire to expand your horizons. Adventures, big or small, are in order. Family or shared income increases in March.
Leo
Scorpio
Sagittarius You’re bringing much charm to your communications in March, dear Sagittarius. You’ll find it especially easy to approach others and make new contacts. Ever since your ruler, Jupiter, entered Aries in January, you’ve been a real self-starter and very eager to march to the beat of your own drum.This month, some of your new plans could hit some snags as you must do a reality check before moving forward. Home life is especially animated in March. It’s a good period for channeling excess energy through projects around the home.The 20-21 brings exciting and unexpected energy to a romance or creative project.
Capricorn The month ahead is likely to be a busy and largely successful one for communications and learning, dear Capricorn. The pace of your life quickens, and there are likely to be times when you feel pressured and stressed. This is especially the case when it comes to the balancing act that is required of you between your home and personal life and your professional life. Domestic matters in particular require changes, and although life may not feel as secure as it used to be, the changes will stimulate you and propel you forward. There is much to learn from others through casual conversation, and through networking connections this month.
Aquarius
March is a strong month for connecting with a partner, dear Leo. Your conciliatory, warm attitude helps to win you support or favor from others. However, watch for conflicts over money and resources, as the consequences of poor spending habits have a way of emerging. Aim to save more.You have great energy this month for reinventing yourself through letting go of bad attitudes and starting fresh. The desire to take a new course or to travel can come up suddenly in March, especially around the 20-21st, as you are becoming very hungry for new experiences.
An excellent month for attracting appreciation and support from others is in store for you in March, dear Aquarius. It’s also a strong period for new learning programs and travel opportunities.You are highly motivated to increase your earnings and to acquire new personal possessions in March, and you could come up with some original money-making ideas. While your social life is highly stimulating, there are times when you are so caught up with communications that other areas of life seem to suffer. Set time aside for self-improvement projects and more serious study.
Virgo
Pisces
Close relationships with others are lively this month, dear Virgo, and while you may not feel that you’re calling the shots, you have wonderful opportunities before you to improve your interactions and connections. Be ready and willing to take a new approach to relating starting on the 3-4th. Keep an open mind and look for new opportunities to attract or enhance a relationship. Work brings special rewards and possibly social opportunities in March. Your efforts to smooth over differences pay off. This month, putting others’ agendas ahead of your own is the best strategy.
The ball is in your court this month, dear Pisces. If there’s a time for taking action, initiating new projects, and pushing personal plans ahead, this is it. You are gutsier, braver, and more energetic in March. The 4-10th brings increased personal power. Be prepared to take a new path or direction. Midmonth is especially strong for money-making ideas and endeavors, although most of March is favorable for money and gifts coming in. Love matters, however, will be stronger in April. You have a “wait and see” attitude in love until the 27th.
march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/79
Konglish of the Month runner-ups
Winner: Stacey Markou
worth W50,000
Please email your entries to: info@groovekorea.com Crossword
66 One of Chaucer’s pilgrims 67 27th U.S. president 68 Hard to hold 69 Pair
Across
1 Obstruct 5 Rend 9 Fender-bender cause 13 Name of eight English kings 15 Level 16 Bird bill part 17 Inuit home 18 Acreage 19 Milky white stone 20 Nutria 21 Olden days 23 Holm oak 25 Hospital employees 26 Eye part 29 Actress Dickinson 31 Government by a few
80/GROOVE KOREA/mARCH 2011
Down
33 Kid’s claim 37 Wicked 38 Infant’s enclosure 41 Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame architect 42 Cinematogrpher Nykvist 44 Set right 46 Kick up __ 49 Pakistani city 50 Biblical strongman 53 “The Way We __” 54 Reproduce 57 City on the Ganges 61 Unthinking repetition 62 Cain’s victim 63 Direction indicator 64 Poker declaration 65 Blinds crosspiece
1 Stylish 2 Building block company 3 Just 4 Fumbling 5 Loosen up 6 Lendl of tennis 7 Outlet 8 Terminating 9 Washed abrasively 10 French soldiers’ hats 11 Enraged 12 Fleur-__ 14 Look before __ 22 Sauve __ peut 24 Jazzman Hines 26 Male swans 27 Norse king 28 Harrass 29 Words of recognition 30 Big Apple law enforcers 32 Automobiles 34 __ facto 35 Malty brew 36 Flank 39 First name in courtroom fiction 40 Like some stock prices 43 Coming into being 45 Cut off 47 Pro 48 Discomfort 50 Sail spar 51 Fragrance 52 Artist’s theme 53 1973 Pulitzer prizewinner 55 Competent 56 Wild duck 58 Low card 59 Exploding star 60 Dazzled
Russell Maddison
The winner will receive a food or entertainment voucher
Christopher Sheldrick Laurence Bechon
sudoku
The aim of the puzzle is to insert numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain one of each digit from 1-9. Theres is a unique solution, which can be found by logical thinking.
march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/81
itaewon directorY Chiropractic Clinic (1F) International Clinic (5F) Global Village Center (5F) MJ Custom Tailor (8F) La Bocca M Lounge Between Healing Hands (3F) casAntonio (2F) Los Amigos
Marakech Night Ole Stompers Rock Spot
Helios
copacabana — 02-796-1660 Come to COPACABANA where a mere 29,000 won gets you all-you-can-eat of the best Brazilian barbeque and buffet in Korea. Craftworks — 02-794-2537 The nation’s only foreign-owned brewpub specializing in great steaks, inventive vegetarian dishes and, of course, amazing handcrafted beers brewed right here in Korea. Open every day but Mondays from 11 a.m. ‘til 2 a.m.
Queen Fire Station
Club After
Don Valley
Unique Travel
Gecko’s Garden 7 Bonji
TMAS
Seoul Pub/ Nashville Jonny Dumpling
Wolfhound
Outback
La Plancha
Tr
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wa s
h er
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Dillinger’s Bar
groove
Cup & Bowl Bistro Corner Berlin Tony’s Aussie Bar Hey Day Cafe Petra Itaewon Animal Hospital
Cra ft Bu work’ ddh s Ist a’s anb Be lly Ta ul co En chi lat o
Photo by Ronny Kick
Zibe
NB1
Oi
LOCO LOCA — 02-796-1606 Enjoy Salsa music and dancing in the vibrant atmosphere. Freshly baked pizzas with Latino flavors and the very best South American wines will be served.
Tinpan 2
Gogo’s2 Brix
Buy The Way
LA CIGALE MONTMARTRE — 02-796-1244 Contemporary French cuisine in cozy and intimate surroundings.with a classy yet casual feel, it has a variety of food which includes a range of mussels. Its terrace brings an outdoor feel yet warm & dry comfort to accommodate the weather.
M2 Yonsei Miplus Dental Clinic
Gr8 Hookah/ Ska
Jokerred Tinpan 1 Myungwolgwan Gogo’s/FF Ska2 Agio Sub-zero VIA Cargo
of the month
NB2
Addiction Castle Praha
groove korea
Photo courtesy of VIA
Queen Queen welcomes ALL people for who they are and creates an open environment where different people from various backgrounds can cross barriers and unite as one community while having the time of their lives in the ultimate party kingdom! Rocky Mountain Tavern — 010-5775-2327 With a Canadian feel throughout, RMT attracts a crowd for sports coverage, trivia, wings, weekend brunch & live music. SKY Chiropractic & Massage — 02-749-4849 US trained and certified chiropractors and massage therapists. SKY Wellness Center integrates chiropractic and massage to correct your body’s imbalances and achieve optimum health and wellness.
What The Book Post Office
club daY last fridaY
Harlem
Panchos — 02-792-4746 A Mexican bar with darts, pool, television and a wide selection of music. A spacious setting with big windows overlooking Itaewon’s main street.
korea
stark
Starbucks
360@ The Liquid
McDonald’s — 02-790-6413 Open 24 hours with breakfast served from 5 – 11 a.m.
Bar Bliss
3 Alley Pub/ Sam Ryan’s
Urban
Nomad’s Pool
MARAKECH NIGHT — 02-795-9441 Moroccan & Arabic restaurant offering authentic dishes, atmosphere and music. Wine, beer, juices and yogurt drinks are also available. Enjoy flavored tobacco from traditional shisha pipe.
Copacabana Loca Loca/ Bar 22 (2F)
Unit@Bluespirit
El Plato
Cafe / Bar Club Restaurant Clinic
JONNY DUMPLING — 02-790-8830 Enjoy different styles of healthy, handmade dumplings made fresh everyday. Meat as well as vegetarian dumplings are available.
LA PLANCHA — 02-790-0063 Spanish grill restaurant includes combination platters along with al la carte side dishes. Feast inside in the warm and cozy atmosphere or sit out on the plant covered terrace.
Gecko’s Terrace B1
hongdae directorY
Don Valley Korean Restaurant — 02-796-2384 Conveniently located in the heart of Itaewon, this spacious restaurant accommodates 120 guests for delicious dinners and large parties. Open 24 hours everyday, it specializes in “Korean BBQ Done Right” - grilled beef ribs, bulgogi and bibimbap as well as many others.
Roofers The Loft Pub Panchos Evan Tattoo Jun Pharmacy
9 Timo
Chiropractic Clinic — 02-798-1446 American and Australian trained, doctors are fluent in English, Spanish & Korean.
Old Town
Two Broz Rocky Mountain Tavern Sortino’s
Petra
Spice Table Tiffany Nail La Cigale Montmartre Hollywood/Spy Smokey Saloon
Bungalow
Bungalow Tropical Lounge — 02-793-2344 This bar and restaurant sets the standards of unique excellence to higher levels - decked out with bamboo, sand, pools, swings, a fireplace and more.
McDonald’s All-American Diner The Pizza Peel
Club Volume
TMAS — 02-796-7976 Total Martial Arts System. Designed for FOREIGNERS and lessons in English. learn true martial arts, training and spending time together like a family. Unique Travel — 02-792-0606 A travel agency in the heart of Itaewon where English, Japanese and Korean are spoken. Wolfhound Irish Pub — 02-749-7971 This two storey Irish pub has a wide variety of imported beers, exceptional food and a great atmosphere. Guinness and Kilkenny on tap. 3 Alley Pub — 02-749-3336 Friendly place with quality service. Trivia Night every Thurs.
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march 2011/GROOVE KOREA/83
with
runner-ups
pic of the
Adam Nicholson
month Winner “Bokeh”
(Bokeh is the aesthetic quality of blur to the out of focus areas of an image.)
AC Parsons Angga Kusuma
The Groove spc challenge The SPC is an online community of expats in Korea who are interested in learning about and discussing the art of photography. But ‘Seoul Photo Club’ is a bit of a misnomer - membership is free to anyone, anywhere in Korea. Together with Groove Korea we run the photo competition. Each month, a themed challenge is announced in Groove
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april challenge:
“Conceptual Contrast” Contrast plays a big role in any image. It can make or break an image. We’re looking for a different kind of contrast here, though — conceptual contrast. Conceptual contrast is when the ideas or meanings of objects contrast with each other. A few examples are light versus dark, wet versus dry, old versus new, young versus old, land versus water, big versus small.
Date: Feb. 12, 2011 Location: Seoul Korea and at the SPC. Past themes include such topics as Repetition, The Sun and Spring Portrait. Just submit your interpretation at the SPC or via email to have a shot at having your pic published here in Groove Korea and winning the monthly prize. There are two ways to enter. Just join the Seoul Photo Club on Flickr - www.flickr.com/groups/ seoulphotoclub - and add your pic to the competition, or email your entry to aaron. raisey@gmail.com. You must provide
Images must have been taken since Feb. 1, 2011. Competition closes March 16 at midnight.
your name and contact details plus a 50-150 word description telling us the what/where/ when of the photo. Entries must be at least 2000 pixels on the longest side and 300dpi to meet printing requirements, and be taken no more than two weeks prior to the announcement of the challenge.
For further info, visit the
Seoul Photo Club on Flickr
groove korea
>>>>>>>> Guest Column
How to start a band by Garan Fitzgerald
There are many conditions and methods by which one may pull together a merry band of musicians who will traverse the many clubs and venues of Seoul, dispensing on their way alternative brands and variations of raucous fun available to listener and performer alike in this, the 21st century. For the purposes of this article, however, I’ll assume you already play an instrument, have music written or know your preferred direction, and reside in central Seoul.
Step 1: Form Up! Craigslist can be an invaluable tool as many musicians view it on a daily basis. However, results can vary. For those of you with a knack for Korean, mule.co.kr is also an excellent resource. To “try before you buy,” open mics* are a better choice. Though, this method restricts your pool of players to who shows up. Go often and for a month or two for best results. Another method is to go to shows related to your chosen genre. Chances are those in attendance have a similar taste in music and they may be connected to other musicians and bands, which will help later when you start to perform. This step in a word? Networking. The more people you know, the better chance you have of finding the right people for your band.
Step 2: Lights, Camera, Rock and Roll! Many people ask how to find clubs and get the owners to let you play there. The easiest way to do this is again through networking.Take your practiced tunes to open mic nights. Make friends with other established bands. Play shows with them at new venues and introduce yourself to the owners. Rinse and repeat. Eventually you’ll be the established band helping out the fresh meat. Along your rockin’ road, you ought to collect media to promote your band with. This includes audio, video, photographic and written. This will help you get more prestigious gigs later such as festivals and other big events. YouTube and MySpace are your friends here. Keep in mind too that no one is looking for a magnum opus of production here.You’re basically assembling a multimedia demo-tape of your band. Let the grandiose chips fall later when someone else is paying for it and just git er’ done.
Step 3: Fame and Fortune!
Resource list: > Seoul.craigslist.co.kr/muc/ - musicians > Seoul.craigslist.co.kr/msg/ - instruments and gear > Mule.co.kr > Facebook: Seoul Artist Network
Open mics: > The Aussie Shop - Monday night > Ole Stompers Rockspot - Tuesday night > Itaewon Woodstock - Wednesday night > The Local in Haebangchon - Wednesday night
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