The Gwangju News is the first English monthly magazine for the general public in Korea, first published in 2001. Each monthly issue covers local and regional issues, with a focus on the roles and activities of the international residents and local Englishspeaking communities.
The Gwangju News is published by the Gwangju International Center: Jungang-ro 196-beon-gil 5 (Geumnam-ro 3-ga), Dong-gu, Gwangju 61475, South Korea
Tel: (+82)-62-226-2733 Fax: (+82)-62-226-2731
Website: www.gwangjunewsgic.com
Email: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
Registration No. 광주광역시 라. 00145 (ISSN 2093-5315)
Registration Date: February 22, 2010
Printed by Jieum 지음 (+82)-62-672-2566
For volunteering and article submission inquiries, please contact the editor at gwangjunews@gic.or.kr.
From the Editor
With this issue of the Gwangju News, we are not merely opening the door to a new month, we are unbolting the gate to a brand-new year! What lies beyond the gate may be much the same as what preceded, or it may be quite dissimilar in many ways. We hope that what’s ahead for you in this year that’s just begun will be even more desirable and rewarding than that of 2024.
As for the Gwangju News, we pledge to continue to bring you the quality that you expect from the magazine, and we will make efforts to extend that quality. However, we must also adapt to the realities that confront us. Specifically, due to budgetary constraints, the Gwangju News will be a fully online, thirtytwo-page publication for 2025. We are aware that many of our readers already enjoy the magazine totally in its digital format, and we hope that you will continue to enjoy it as much as you have in the past. We are also hopeful of future expansion.
Our first feature of the year is quite fittingly an account of Korea’s lunar new year, Seollal, both past and present. Presentday practices are compared with customs of a half century ago. This year, Seollal falls early – on January 29, to be exact. Our second feature focuses on new year’s resolutions – not so much pledges for personal well-being by doing such things as exercising more or playing video games less, but to reflect and consider what we as individuals can do for the betterment of the larger community.
Watching the sun rise is often associated with the new year, but sunrise viewing can be beautiful at any time of the year. Find out where the best places in the Gwangju region are for watching the sun come up. Learn also about the life and work of a tattoo artist. And find out how you can go about getting a driver’s license to cruise the streets of Gwangju and beyond. All in our Travel and Discovery section.
India ink’s artistic purview is not limited to calligraphy and Eastern painting. Read about the unique artworks that Jeong Gwang-hee creates with his ink. Also, read about the joy of gardening, environment-friendly composting toilets, and Gwangju’s champion Kia Tigers to start off your happy new year with the Gwangju News!
Special thanks to Gwangju City and all of our sponsors.
David E. Shaffer Editor-in-Chief Gwangju News
Cover Photo Sunrise over Korea
Gwangju & South Jeolla
Snow-Capped Mudeung Mountain
The afternoon sun illuminated the mountain’s fresh December snow, as seen from Chonnam National University.
The Photographer
Shivani Kolekar, from the western part of India, is a doctoral student in the Department of Artificial Intelligence Convergence at Chonnam National University. Besides her studies, she finds joy in photography and travels to different regions of South Korea, where she explores and expresses her passion for photography.
Photo Credits
07. ClipartKorea, 10. Korea Video Journalist Association, 12. Anh Nguyen, 17. Vibhanshu Maurya, 20. Courtesy of Jeong Gwang-hee.
Gwangju City News
Gwangju City Provides Free Medical Interpretation Services
To address language barriers faced by foreign residents when accessing healthcare, Gwangju City is offering a medical interpretation service. This service is available to all foreign residents living in Gwangju and supports a total of 12 languages.
How to Apply: Call the Gwangju Migrant Health Center at 062-956-3353 for inquiries and application. Languages Supported: Chinese, Taiwanese, Russian, Mongolian, Burmese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Thai, Filipino, English Eligibility: Any foreign resident living in Gwangju.
Important Notes
1. With the exception of special cases, the service can be used up to twice per patient per month.
2. Priority support will be given to patients in critical or emergency situations, as well as those requiring surgery or specialized tests. (For minor symptoms like colds, interpretation services may not be provided.)
3. In cases where an interpreter is unavailable due to personal schedules, the service may be redirected to a call center with available interpreters.
Upcoming Events
Date: Until March 30, 2025
Venue: 5.18 Archives Special Exhibition Hall, Screening Room
Visitors can view the awardwinning works from 2021, the inaugural year, to the present, including an introductory video of the 2024 award-winning pieces.
4. The service may be discontinued early if the budget is exhausted.
5. The City urges foreign residents to utilize this service only when necessary or in urgent situations to ensure its effective operation.
2024 Year-End and 2025 New Year Citizens’ Festival to Be Held
A celebration marking the end of 2024 and the arrival of 2025 will be held between December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025. This event, lasting about an hour, will feature both the traditional bell-ringing ceremony to ring in the New Year and various festive activities to welcome 2025. The program will include a pre-event performance, the bell ringing, New Year’s messages, and celebratory performances.
Due to expected large crowds and road closures, public transportation is highly recommended. As the weather is expected to be cold, attendees are advised to dress warmly.
Date & Time: December 31, 2024, 11:30 p.m. –January 1, 2025, 12:45 a.m.
Venue: 5.18 Democracy Square and the Gwangju Democracy Bell
2025 New Year Concert: Vienna Boys Choir 2025 ACC 신년음악회 <빈 소년
Date: January 17, 2025 (Fri.)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
(Running Time: 110 min.)
Venue: Asia Culture Center, Theater 1
Admission: R seats 60,000 won, S seats 40,000 won
Reservations: Asia Culture Center website Inquiries: 1899-5566
Seollal: Korea’s Older New Year
By David Shaffer
This year, we are blessed with two important holidays in January – two new year celebrations that are similar in some ways yet quite different in others. The first of the two fetes is on January 1 of the Gregorian calendar, or “western calendar” as it is referred to in Korean. The second (January 29) is Korea’s lunar new year holiday, commonly referred to these days as “Seollal,” but known as Gujeong (구정, Old New Year) when this writer spent his first lunar new year’s day in Korea. Conversely, the January 1 holiday was known as Sinjeong (신정, New New Year).
Old vs. New New Year’s Day
Both holidays are celebrated in January this year, though Seollal more often falls in early to midFebruary rather than in late January. Why does the date for Seollal move around from year to year? Well, it only moves around if you are basing your dates on the Gregorian calendar. Seollal is always on the first day of the first month of the Korean lunar calendar. Actually, “lunar calendar” is a bit of a misnomer. While both calendars have twelve months, Korea’s traditional calendar has a few less days, making is necessary every few years to add a thirteenth month to re-calibrate the calendar to ensure that the longest day of the year, for example, always occurs around the same lunar calendar date. So, though the term “lunar calendar” is commonly used, Korea’s traditional calendar is actually a lunisolar calendar.
As red-letter holidays go, Jan. 1 is a one-day holiday, and the more deep-seated Seollal is three days in duration. This year, Seollal falls on January 28, 29, and 30. As these dates fall in the middle of the week, some businesses might designate the preceding Monday as a company holiday, or the following Friday, or both as company holidays,
making for a potentially super-long holiday of up to nine continuous days!
The New Year’s holiday actually begins with merrymaking on December 31, New Year’s Eve, in many places, with people staying up until midnight to “ring in the new year.” The sound of bells and the colorful lights of fireworks fill the sky in many cities around the world. In New York City’s Times Square, a prominent part of the celebration is the “ball drop” in which a huge ball descends a flagpole precisely at midnight. In Seoul, on the other hand, the Bosin-gak bell is rung to signal the beginning of the new year. After a night of revelry, the following day is often devoted to rest and recuperation.
Seollal Travel
Seollal has always been associated with travel. It used to be that businesses would shutter up their storefronts and the cities would pretty much empty out, leaving behind the eerie calmness of a ghost town. No street-side food stands; no open restaurants; no tearooms to welcome you. Everyone was headed to the countryside homes of the head of their extended families to celebrate a rural Seollal, steeped in tradition. Buses were packed and highways were backed up for kilometers. I will never forget the time my wife was returning to Gwangju from Seoul at Seollal time. What was usually a four-hour bus ride turned into a fourteen-hour odyssey.
With most homeowners now also being car owners, the highways and byways are still congested around the Seollal holiday, but the traffic is no longer one-directional. The rural population in Korea has greatly decreased, with many of the younger generation opting for urban opportunities rather than taking over the family
farm. And many of those living in the cities have their parents come to live with or near them. When the extended family once gathered at the countryside home, there always seemed to be room for everyone. But with family gatherings now often being at in urban apartment, and apartments often being less spacious, different nuclear families may visit the home of the extended family head at different times of the day or on different days. The large family gatherings of yesteryear with their all-day-long servings of foods are distinctively diminishing.
Seollal Foods
Foods, though, are an integral part of any Korean festive occasion. Seollal isn’t Seollal without rice cake soup. It is said that one becomes a year older after eating a bowl rice cake soup on Seollal. Mothers often urge their young children to eat a second bowl of soup and their kids willing oblige, making them believe they have become two years older and making their mothers happy that the little ones’ bellies are full. Bindae-tteok (빈대떡), mung bean pancakes, are another common Seollal food; so is a pan-fried assortment of battered vegetables, seafoods, and meats (jeon, 전). And there are the “sweets”: injeolmi (인절미), the glutenous rice cakes covered with bean powder; and yakbap (약밥), sweet “medicinal rice.” Beverages commonly include sikhye (식혜), the sweet rice drink; sujeonggwa (수정과), a cinnamon-flavored punch; and of course, no Korean celebration would be complete without alcohol. Only cold alcohol was to be imbibed for Seollal; that traditionally meant makgeolli or soju.
The women of the clan would commonly gather days in advance to prepare these foods and
drinks – and more – for the holiday. Nowadays, however, this fare can all be purchased at the nearby supermarket, and even more conveniently, one can purchase it online and have it delivered directly to their apartment door, making the preparation of Seollal foods a much easier undertaking than it traditionally had been.
Ancestral Rite
Seollal foods are not intended only for the living. Seollal is one of the most important holidays of the year and is one of the major occasions on which one’s ancestors are honored. The ancestral rite of charye (차례) takes place in the wee hours of Seollal morning. Details of the rite vary from family clan to family clan, but in general, a table of foods is prepared for the most recent three, five, etc. generations of ancestors. Rice and soup are part of the place settings prepared for them. A predetermined fare of foods is arranged on the long table with each dish placed in a prescribed place on the charye table, a low dining table with no chairs. Deep bows are made to the spirits of the family’s ancestors after which the family members leave the room for the spirits of the ancestors to quietly and peacefully partake of the repast offered them.
Ceremonial Attire
For this special day, special attire was in order: the ceremonial hanbok. Both the man’s and the woman’s versions are quite colorful, compared to the undyed white hanbok, which were meant for everyday use. But before putting on one’s precious and clean hanbok, bathing was in order. Today, we just jump in and out of the morning shower, but it wasn’t too long ago that bathing was a major undertaking. Consider that Seollal falls in the dead of winter, consider that there was no indoor plumbing to rely on, let alone hot water heaters. Consider also that one’s last bath might have been quite some time earlier, making them ripe and ready for a Seollal bath. It was mainly the adults of the family who wore formal hanbok on Seollal (one must remember that they were, and still are, an expensive item). However, these days, who will you see more often wearing colorful hanbok? It’s the children! Parents instead opt for office attire for themselves.
Rice Cake Soup.
Greeting the Elders
In Korea’s vertically oriented social structure, Seollal would not be Seollal without greeting one’s elders. Children do deep, floor bows to their parents, to their grandparents, and to their aunts and uncles in the hopes of getting a cash gift along with the words of encouragement to do well and to be well in the coming year. Parents bow to their parents, adult brothers and sisters bow to each other, as do cousins to cousins. However, I’m sure you can find those who say, “We don’t do that any more.” Yes, it is true that traditional Seollal customs are becoming more lax, with some families following them much less strictly than others. Some families no longer even spend the holiday in Korea but instead find it a good time to take an overseas vacation.
Seollal Entertainment
Games for both young and old have been a popular part of Seollal, especially before there was a “brown tube” in every household or a digital screen against the living room wall offering hundreds of TV channels. Children would play jegi-chagi (제기차기), beanbag kicking, and still might when they take a break from their smartphones. The game of yut (윷놀이) is considered the representative Seollal board game with sticks serving as dice and played by parents and children. In the past, though, when I had relatives living in the countryside, yut was strictly a man’s game. They would roll out a straw mat about two meters square with a large yut board drawn in the center. Wagers were made to add to the game’s interest. Speaking of wagers, card games were also often played, especially by the men, along with soju to add to the entertainment.
Sambong (삼봉) was most popular in this part of the country, min-hwatu (민화투) elsewhere.
New Moon to Full Moon
Seollal is always the new moon of the first lunar month; fourteen days later is, of course, full moon. But it is not just any of the year’s twelve full moons – it is Daeboreum, one of the biggest and brightest of full moons, rivaled only by the Chuseok full moon of autumn. As this time of year was down time in farming villages, many events took place during this fortnight. Farmers’ bands went from house to house stomping the evil spirits into the ground (jisin-bapgi) to ensure another prosperous year. Similarly, the dangsanje rite was held by the village tree to ask the spirit therein for a bounteous coming year. In this part of the country, go-ssaum (고싸움) was a common village competition in which two huge straw ropes with a battering-ram loop on the front end were lifted by two teams with the goal of knocking the commander off of his loop. Victory brought prosperity to the winning half of the village throughout the year. This competition is still carried out in Gwangju’s Chilseok-dong in Nam-gu. Last year, it took place in early March. Daeboreum is also a time for eating nuts. Biting into nut shells was thought to make children’s teeth strong and healthy. You are sure to find an unusually large amount of assorted nuts available in supermarkets at Daeboreum time (February 12 this year).
Both the solar and lunar calendars usher in a new year in Korea. I hope they bring to you a healthy, prosperous, rewarding, and enjoyable 2025.
Photographs courtesy of ClipartKorea.
The Author David Shaffer came to Gwangju in the early 1970s and was a longtime professor at Chosun University. He has spent over 50 Seollal holidays in Korea. Dr. Shaffer is a director of the GIC, is a former GIC board chair, and is presently the editor-in-chief of the Gwangju News
As the Clock Strikes Midnight
A 2025 New Year’s Reflection
By Yousra Feriel Drioua
The dawn of a new year traditionally brings the comforting hope of resolutions – aspirations to live better, to be more productive, or finally master a long-forgotten hobby. Setting such goals is worthwhile, but as we step into 2025, an outward form of reflection is needed. In 2024, we witnessed atrocities across the world, underscoring a deep-rooted fragility of globally interconnected systems and a rise of dissonance and public disinterest – from censorship, public unrest, and authoritarian governance. This is why recognizing not just our own needs but also the needs of others could be the most meaningful resolution for 2025.
A dangerous trend today is the illusion of control fostered by curated bubbles. Social media algorithms and tailored feeds often reinforce existing beliefs, shielding users from differing perspectives. Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu’s habitus emphasizes how environments shape not only what we know but also how we think. Recognizing this influence is crucial to broadening our understanding of the world. Does individuality mean focusing solely on personal well-being, or does it also encompass contributing to one’s community within one’s capacity? This is not to say that prioritizing personal growth is wrong or should lead to guilt,
Making a War Without Witnesses: A Press Freedom. Lecture for urgent action.
but accountability to the wider community adds depth and meaning to individuality.
The Gwangju May 18th Uprising remains a powerful reminder of the courage ordinary citizens can summon when united. Their resistance was rooted in an unwavering commitment to freedom and democracy – not just for themselves but for future generations. Equally significant was the role played by journalist Jürgen Hinzpeter, who sacrificed for strangers, recognizing the importance of their struggle and working to ensure the world bore witness. Through his documentation, Hinzpeter amplified their voices, drawing global attention to the atrocities and underscoring how justice is interconnected across borders.
As we consider our 2025 New Year’s resolutions, the lessons of Gwangju remind us of the importance of looking beyond ourselves. The citizens of Gwangju showed that even in the darkest times, collective courage can create lasting change, while Hinzpeter’s work reminds us that stepping outside personal priorities to pay attention to others is not just an act of empathy but a way to ensure that justice transcends borders.
This piece is not a reprimand nor a call for despair. On the contrary, it is a gentle invitation to reflect on life beyond the individual, personal spectrum. The antidote to despair isn’t grand, heroic gestures but consistent, small acts. This doesn’t equate to abandoning one’s goals; it’s about balancing them with a broader sense of accountability. It’s about recognizing that the less we pay attention to the forces shaping our societies, the more vulnerable we become to control, division, and manipulation.
Seeing clearly, questioning deeply, and taking small but consistent actions is both a personal resolution and a collective responsibility.
Photographs courtesy of Urgent Action Coalition (p. 11), Korea Video Journalist Association (p. 12, left), and Korea Democracy Foundation (p. 12, right).
The
Author
Yousra Feriel Drioua is a freelance writer with a Master of Arts in Media Communication and Journalism. She is an Algerian citizen, residing in South Korea and wishes to become someone of use to society and others, one small step at a time. She also loves writing, coffee, and going on spontaneous adventures. Instagram: @myyigli
2024 Hinzpeter Award Winners, Documentary Screening. Salah Al Hawon (left), Yousef Hammash (right).
Korea Democracy Foundation: Global Forum 2024.
Sunrise Spots Near Gwangju to Welcome the New Year
By Anh Nguyen (Anne)
In South Korea, watching the first sunrise of the new year is a tradition full of meaning and hope. It is a special moment when family and friends gather to welcome the first light of the year, making wishes for health, happiness, and success. More than just a chance to see a beautiful sunrise, it is a way to celebrate new beginnings and look forward to the future with much renewed optimism.
While famous mountains like Mudeung-san are popular destinations for sunrise viewing, there are also other stunning locations near Gwangju where you can enjoy the same magical experience. These spots offer easy access and unique views, making them perfect for anyone looking for a meaningful way to start the new year or just to start a new day.
Gwangju Lake Eco Park
Gwangju Lake Eco Park is a spacious and tranquil retreat located just 30 minutes from Gwangju’s city center. Spanning an impressive 184,948 square meters, the park offers a serene environment perfect for nature lovers. It is known for its diverse attractions, including a natural observation center, nature study zones, and a grassy rest area ideal for relaxation. The park’s walking paths make it a popular destination for those looking to escape the city’s hustle and enjoy the natural beauty of Gwangju.
This park is not only a great spot to watch the sunrise but also a fantastic location to visit during sunset, as the golden hour light adds a magical touch to the surroundings.
Sunrise at Gwangju Lake Eco Park.
Accessibility
Gwangju Lake Eco Park is easily accessible via public transportation, with local buses such as the 187 and 188 providing services to the area every 30–40 minutes. For those who prefer driving, the park has ample parking, making it convenient for families or groups.
Tips for Visitors
• Arrive Early: To catch the best views of the sunrise, plan to arrive at the park well before dawn to secure a good spot along the lake.
• Dress Warmly: Mornings can be chilly, especially during winter. Make sure to bring a warm jacket, gloves, and a scarf.
• Pack Light Snacks: Bring some hot tea or coffee and light snacks to enjoy while waiting for the sunrise.
• Stay Overnight: If you want to avoid the early morning rush, consider booking accommodations near the park for a more leisurely visit.
Hyang-il Hermitage in Yeosu
Hyang-il Hermitage, located in the coastal city of Yeosu, is a peaceful and revered spot known for its stunning sunrise views. The temple sits on a cliffside overlooking the sea, where the first light of the day meets the tranquil waters, creating a magical and serene atmosphere. This combination of natural beauty and spiritual significance makes
Hyang-il Hermitage a perfect destination for reflection and a deeper appreciation of nature. It’s a place where visitors can connect with the peaceful surroundings, offering a meditative experience that’s ideal for anyone seeking a moment of quiet contemplation.
In addition to Hyang-il Hermitage, another popular spot in the area is Gubong-san, a mountain located in Gwangyang. At an elevation of 473 meters, Gubong-san offers an incredible panoramic view of the Namhae Sea, where visitors can see Yeosu, the nearby islands of Sujeong and Hadong, and the vast coastline stretching to Namhae. The observation deck on Gubongsan has become a well-known destination for both sunrise and sunset enthusiasts, offering breathtaking views that make it a must-see for nature lovers in the region.
Accessibility
Hyang-il Hermitage is located about a two-hour drive from Gwangju, making it a manageable trip for a day or weekend getaway. For those who prefer public transportation, buses run from Gwangju to Yeosu, but it’s important to plan ahead to ensure smooth connections. Once in Yeosu, visitors can take a local taxi or shuttle to the temple, as it is situated on a steep hillside that may be difficult to access on foot.
Gwangju Lake early in the morning.
Tips for Visitors
• Depart Early: To avoid traffic and ensure you arrive in time for the sunrise, it’s best to leave early in the morning. This also gives you the opportunity to enjoy the temple in a quieter, more peaceful setting.
• Consider Staying Nearby: If you prefer a more relaxed experience, consider staying overnight at one of the nearby accommodations in Yeosu. This allows for a less rushed visit and the chance to explore the surrounding coastal area.
• Enjoy the Coastal Walk: After the sunrise, take a stroll along the coastal path near the temple. The walk offers beautiful views of the ocean and the surrounding landscape, making it a perfect way to unwind and fully embrace the beauty of the location.
Naejang-san National Park
Naejang-san National Park is a breathtaking destination about an hour’s drive from Gwangju. Known for its stunning mountain landscapes, this reserve offers an incredible sunrise experience framed by lush forests and dramatic peaks. Naejang-san is particularly known for its vibrant foliage in the fall, but its serene beauty makes it a fantastic destination year-round.
One of the standout features of Naejang-san is its cable car, which offers stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Although it begins operating after sunrise, this gives visitors the perfect opportunity to watch the sunrise from the ground and then ride the cable car to take in the forest from above. The National Park also provides a variety of well-maintained hiking trails that are suitable for all experience levels, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the area’s natural beauty. For those looking to extend their visit, the ecological center offers comfortable on-site lodging, allowing for a more relaxed and immersive experience.
Accessibility
Reaching Naejang-san is straightforward if you have access to a private car, with plenty of parking available near the entrance. Public transportation
options include buses from Gwangju, though it may require some planning as transfers may be needed.
Tips for Visitors
• Start Early: Arriving before dawn is essential to secure the best spot to watch the sunrise. The early light spreading across the mountains is an unforgettable sight that makes the early wake-up call worth it.
• Bring a Camera: The views at Naejang-san are spectacular, with vivid colors and breathtaking scenery around every corner. A camera or smartphone is a must to capture the magic of this experience.
• Book On-Site Lodging in Advance: For those wanting to make the most of their visit, staying overnight at the Naejang-san Ecological Exploration Center is an excellent option. Reservations can be made through the Korean National Park Service’s website (https://reservation.knps.or.kr/). Visitors can choose between accommodations at Naejangsan or nearby Mudeung-san. Additionally, the exploration center offers guided walking and experience programs, which can be booked along with your room to deepen your connection with the natural environment.
Starting the New Year by watching the sunrise is a beautiful and meaningful tradition for many, and Gwangju and its surrounding areas offer some of the most serene and stunning spots to experience this moment. With easy access and plenty of opportunities to explore, these destinations are sure to offer you not just a beautiful sunrise, but also a memorable experience that you will carry with you throughout the year.
Photographs by Anh Nguyen.
Anh Nguyen (Anne) has been living in Gwangju for five years, studying journalism and communication at Chosun University. She fell in love with the city’s beautiful views, rich history, diverse culture, and delicious food. Her goal is to share her love for Gwangju and introduce its stunning natural scenery and attractions to everyone.
The Author
SPILLING INK WITH TATTOO ARTIST KIM JINU
By Isaiah Winters
From blurry-limbed TV celebs to fuzzyheaded grandmas with tatted eyebrows, there’s been a noticeable uptick in tattoos across Korean society. To help fill us in on the latest state of Gwangju’s tattoo scene, I’ve recently caught up with my friend and tattoo artist Kim Jinu to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of the business. What follows is our interview at his new studio near Sangmu: Studio Bobae.
Isaiah Winters (IW): Long time no see, Jinu! A lot’s changed since our last interview back in 2021. First off, what’s new with your tattoo studio?
Kim Jinu: First of all, what makes me so happy is that the size of Studio Bobae has grown, and the inconveniences of the last place have been improved. The new studio has been expanded and relocated, so the address changed, and the facility got better. There is now a parking lot and restroom, so I feel proud that the guests can feel comfortable. I am also proud of my perfect rating on the Tattoo Share (타투쉐어) app, where I am the most-reviewed tattoo artist in Gwangju.
IW: Those are all impressive achievements. Since we last discussed the tattoo scene in Gwangju over three years ago, what’s changed?
Kim Jinu: Customers have raised their standards.
They demand more diverse and high-quality types of tattoos. Also, the number of tattoo artists in Gwangju is increasing year by year. The more supply there is, the more of a red ocean this field becomes. I need to work harder to survive, but I am confident that I can provide what my customers ask for.
IW: Over the years, what’s one memorable client interaction and one tattoo choice you’ve found fascinating?
Kim Jinu: Do you know about scalp tattoos? I gave scalp tattoos to female customers who lost their hair because of chemotherapy, as well as bald male customers. That will compensate for the loss of hair. And there was a client who wanted the politician Heo Gyeong-yeong’s (허경영) name tattooed on his bicep. Heo is like a living political meme in Korea. Imagine, could you tattoo Donald Trump’s full name on your body? [laughs]
IW: Both cases are interesting. Your experience tattooing chemotherapy patients shows that the reasons for getting tattoos aren’t as onedimensional as we think. You also tattoo clients to help them cover other things up. Can you talk more about that?
Kim Jinu: People have their own complexes about scars, ugly old tattoos, big moles, and burn
A client gets self-harming scars covered up with Kim Jinu’s help.
marks. Tattoo artists help cover up their pain and shame and give them new confidence and hope. They are very pleased to see the results of the cover-up, so I feel most rewarded when I do this sort of work. This is the positive role of tattoos.
IW: That’s definitely a side of the business that many overlook. Unfortunately, you also told me about some extremely difficult clients you’ve had to spend hours with. How much are you willing to share here?
Kim Jinu: I suffered greatly from one really bad customer. He introduced himself as a gangster who had done time for committing murder in the past, and he smoked in my tattoo parlor without my permission. After receiving a tattoo from me, he insisted that he did not like it and so asked me for a cover-up fee. I gave him the money, but his threats continued the next day. It was a very tiring experience. He came to my shop one day and caused a lot more trouble. I had a very big fight with him, and eventually, the police came and settled the whole situation.
IW: What a degenerate psycho. It makes you wonder how many other tattoo artists he’s extorted that way. You mentioned that running a tattoo shop is a sort of legal gray area in Korea. Talk about this and how the authorities generally treat you.
Kim Jinu: Tattooing is a type of medical practice in Korea, and medical practices cannot be done by the general public – only doctors. The police
generally do not crack down on tattoo shops or intervene. But if a tattoo shop has drugs, is linked to the sex industry, or has connections to gangs, the police will crack down. Police generally tolerate tattooing otherwise.
IW: I guess you’re safe from the authorities then. What’s next for you and Studio Bobae as we head into 2025?
Kim Jinu: I do not have any worries about my tattoo business. It is going well enough for me to keep the status quo. I have been working hard on advertising and tattooing, and I am going to keep at it. My goal in 2025 is to get a girlfriend because my dream is to be a good father and husband one day.
The Author Born and raised in Chino, California, Isaiah Winters is a pixel-stained wretch who loves writing about Gwangju and Honam, warts and all. He’s grateful to have written for the Gwangju News for over six years. More of his unique finds can be seen on Instagram @d.p.r.kwangju and YouTube at Lost in Honam.
“Death Before Decaf” cover-up tattoo by Kim Jinu.
Navigating the Roads of Gwangju
A Friendly Guide for Foreigners and Locals on Getting a Driver’s License
By Vibhanshu Maurya
Driving in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do offers a sense of independence and the chance to explore the city’s beautiful surroundings at your own pace. But how does one obtain a driver’s license here, especially as a foreigner? While the process might seem intimidating at first, it’s more straightforward than you may think. With this guide, you’ll navigate the twists and turns of the licensing system with confidence.
The Dream of Driving in Gwangju
Imagine driving along Gwangju’s scenic roads, exploring vibrant markets, and heading off to nearby mountains without worrying about bus schedules or taxi fares. For many, having a driver’s license is more than just a legal document – it’s a ticket to freedom. However, for foreigners, the journey to this freedom involves navigating a different set of rules and requirements.
For locals, renewing a license or upgrading to a higher class may also bring questions. This guide breaks down everything – from applying for a brand-new license to exchanging a foreign one –with a friendly tone to ease your path.
Starting from Scratch: For First-Time Drivers
For those without any driving experience or
license from another country, the journey begins with learning the basics. In Gwangju, the system is organized and supportive, especially if you prepare thoroughly.
Step 1: The Driving School Advantage
While not mandatory, enrolling in a driving school is a great first step. Many schools in Gwangju offer bilingual instructors who can guide you through Korea’s road rules and driving customs. These schools provide practical training and help you prepare for the tests – both theoretical and on-road. It’s an investment that saves you time and boosts your confidence.
Step
2: The Vision and Aptitude Tests
Your first official stop is the Gwangju Driver’s License Test Center, located conveniently in Naju. Here, you’ll take a vision and aptitude test, which ensures you’re fit to drive. The medical exam is quick and costs between 6,000 KRW and 7,000 KRW. Remember to bring your passport, Alien Registration Card (ARC), and two passport-sized photos (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm).
Step
3: The Written Exam
The written test – a 40-question, multiple-choice exam – covers traffic laws, safe driving practices, and basic road etiquette. The good news? It’s available in English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and several other languages. Study materials, including practice tests, are accessible online or at the center. With a test fee of 10,000 KRW, it’s a small price to pay for advancing to the next step.
Step 4: The Practical Driving Tests
First, you’ll tackle the basic driving skills test, demonstrating that you can safely operate a vehicle. Once you pass, the on-road driving test comes next. This final assessment evaluates your ability to handle real-world driving scenarios, from busy intersections to quiet alleys.
Korea Road Traffic Authority’s Jeonnam Driver’s License Examination Center in Naju.
Step 5: License Issuance
Congratulations! After passing all the required tests, you’ll receive your Korean driver’s license. Fees for issuance range from 10,000 to 15,000 KRW, depending on whether you choose a general license or the mobile IC option, which comes with advanced digital features.
Exchanging a Foreign License: A Shortcut for Some
For those who already hold a valid driver’s license from their home country, the process of obtaining a Korean license might be much quicker. However, it depends on whether your country has a reciprocal agreement with Korea.
Step A:
Preparing Your Documents
Start by gathering the essentials: (a) passport and ARC, (b) original foreign driver’s license, (c) embassy-certified translation or apostille of your license, (d) three passport-sized photos, (e) vision test results (conducted at the center for 6,000 KRW).
Step B: Verification at Your Embassy
For countries without a direct agreement, you’ll need to authenticate your license through your home country’s embassy or consulate. This involves obtaining an official certification or apostille, which validates the authenticity of your foreign license.
Step C: Submission and Testing
Visit the Gwangju Driver’s License Test Center to submit your documents. In some cases, you’ll need to take a short written test, especially if you’re from a country without a reciprocal agreement. The test covers basic Korean road rules and ensures your knowledge aligns with local standards.
Step D: Issuance of Korean License
Once approved, your Korean driver’s license will be issued. Like the new license process, the fees are 15,000 KRW for a mobile IC license and 10,000 KRW for a general license.
Renewing or Reissuing a License
Even for existing drivers, keeping your license up to date is essential. Renewals for Class 1 licenses occur every 10 years, while Class 2 licenses follow the same timeline. For drivers aged 65 or older, the renewal period shortens to every 5 years.
To renew or reissue your license, you’ll need (a) your current license or a valid ID, and (b) a recent passport-sized photo. Fees range from 10,000 to 15,000 KRW, depending on the type of license you choose.
International Driving Permits (IDPs): Driving Beyond Korea
For those planning trips abroad, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is a must-have. The application process is simple and quick, costing just 9,000 KRW. All you need is your Korean driver’s license, passport, and a photo.
A Friendly Reminder for Gwangju Residents
The Gwangju Driver’s License Test Center is your go-to destination for all licensing needs. While staff members are familiar with helping foreigners, it’s always a good idea to bring a Korean-speaking friend if language barriers might arise. Remember, driving in South Korea means adhering to strict traffic laws and respecting local road etiquette. Investing time to understand the rules will not only help you pass the tests but also ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road.
The Freedom of the Open Road
Whether you’re a first-time driver or just exchanging a foreign license, obtaining your driver’s license in Gwangju is more than a bureaucratic process – it’s a gateway to new adventures. So, gear up, take the first step, and soon enough, you’ll be cruising through Gwangju with the wind in your hair and the road ahead wide open.
Source KoROAD. (2024, December 2). Safe driving. https:// www.safedriving.or.kr/main.do
Photograph by Vibhanshu Maurya.
The Author
Vibhanshu Maurya, originally from India, is a PhD scholar at Chonnam National University, Gwangju. During his threeyear journey in Korea, he has pursued his passion for motorbiking, hiking, playing ukulele, organizing events, fostering dialogues, and crafting compelling podcasts.
Where Will I Be Spread?
By Kang Hyunsuk (Jennis)
Afew years ago, I was captivated by an intriguing and unique artwork at the Gwangju Museum of Art. The wall was filled with long, short, thick and thin horizontal lines, each representing the Chinese character for the number one (一). What was fascinating was that the audience could actively participate in the artwork by writing their own “one,” and these individual ones piled up to form the piece titled Life: I Draw Myself. This collection of diverse lives was created by conceptual artist Jeong Gwanghee.
In elementary schools in Korea, students experience writing with black ink during art class. They learn how to hold a brush and practice drawing long, straight lines without wobbling. It may seem easy to draw a single line, but this simple act is both the beginning and the end of calligraphy. Similar to painting, the first step often begins with a single, straight line. A long horizontal line becomes the Chinese character for “one.” Although the ink used is black, the work carries a striking, modern art vibe. Through this experience, I became deeply impressed by Jeong Gwang-hee’s artworks. That’s why, in the January
2025 installment of People in the Arts, I wish to introduce him to our readership. The interview was conducted in his studio in Damyang, and the following is the conversation I had with the artist.
Jennis: Thank you for agreeing to this interview for the Gwangju News. The first time I encountered your work was at the Gwangju Museum of Art’s exhibition: Life: I Draw Myself. I was curious about the meaning behind the Chinese character for “one” that filled the entire wall.
Jeong: That work was a participatory project aimed at offering modern individuals, living in an age of speed, a moment to pause and focus on themselves, an opportunity to draw a single stroke. The act of drawing the character for “one” (一) once is like our life: once it passes, it doesn’t come back. The character itself, as a line or stroke, is the most abstract form of a self-portrait, a kind of “poem” that emerges from a single gesture.
Jennis: I’m curious about your childhood. How did you first enter into the world of art?
Jeong: I was born and raised in a village in Goheung, known for its beautiful natural scenery and the Buncheong pottery exhibition hall. I
Jeong Gwang-hee.
grew up learning calligraphy from my father, who taught me the words of our ancestors. When I was in middle school, I went on a school trip to a temple called Neungga-sa in Goheung. At the temple’s entrance, there was a small stream, and in the clear water, I found many pieces of broken Buncheong pottery. I was fascinated by the colors of those shards, and I kept a few on my desk. I began incorporating the technique used in Buncheong pottery glazing into my art. I dip small pieces of hanji paper, straw-shaped, into ink, similar to how an old potter would dip a piece of pottery into glaze. This act of dipping, like calligraphy, leads me into a state of deep concentration. It’s a time of reflection, and it strengthens my inner resolve.
Jennis: You’ve also participated in the Korea–China art exchange through the Gwangju Museum of Art’s Beijing Residency program. What did you gain from that experience?
Jeong: I’ve always been curious about the unseen aspects of things and situations, and I love exploring the unfamiliar. Living in Beijing,
Shanghai, and Munich as part of various residency programs allowed me to travel through different countries in Europe as well as China. The cultural and artistic ecosystems I encountered there deeply influenced my artistic vision. It was a profound learning experience for me.
Jennis: At the Gwangju Museum of Art exhibition, I saw countless bamboo stalks suspended in midair, with calligraphy written on them in ink. Why did you choose bamboo as an object, and what did you aim to convey through this work?
Jeong: In the Buddhist text Diamond Sutra, there is the line “Let go of all attachments and be present in the moment.” In this work, I used bamboo tubes wrapped in hanji paper, writing with ink until they were completely black. The act of writing and the immersion it brought me were what led me to a state of selflessness. As I wrote, the ink began to overlap, blurring the distinction between words. Language is inherently attached to meaning, but through this layering, I wanted to transcend the limited meaning of words and expand interpretation into something broader
I Draw Myself. Wall installation.
and freer. As the ink flowed down from the bamboo tubes, the words disappeared into ink itself. This was an expression of Zen, where language ceases to have any role.
Jennis: Your work Where Will I Be Spread? which received attention in Germany, is fascinating. How did this piece come to be, and what does the moon jar symbolize in your work?
Jeong: It’s like throwing a stone into a quiet lake: I throw a moon jar filled with ink onto hanji, traditional Korean paper, letting the jar break. When I throw the jar, I only focus on the act of throwing, not the results. The moment the moon jar shatters, the ink inside bursts forth in unpredictable ways. This deconstruction of the shape symbolizes my desire to break free from constraints, to be something that quietly, but without stopping, spreads outward. The question “Where will I be spread?” is one I ask myself as I reflect on how my actions extend from me to others and, ultimately, to the world. What is my role in silently changing the world?
Jennis: What does calligraphy mean to you?
Jeong: When I wake up early each morning to write, I feel my mind expanding. From grinding the ink on the inkstone to creating each stroke and then putting down the brush, I see this process as purifying my soul. But calligraphy isn’t just about writing. The act of grinding the ink, the intimate meeting of ink and water, this is already calligraphy in itself. The attitude and spirit is more important than the form that the writing takes.
After the Interview . . .
There is an old Chinese saying that the true master archer is one who captures a flying bird with a bow that has no arrows. This refers to reaching a level where the act itself becomes the highest form of mastery – where no longer aiming or shooting is needed. Jeong Gwang-hee, who majored in calligraphy, has deconstructed the role of calligraphy as a tool for conveying meaning in his artwork. He returns to the age before written language itself. Through generating and dissolving characters, he achieves abstraction, capturing the unspeakable aspects of human language.
Untitled, 2014. Hanji paper, ink, and bamboo.
Where Will I Be Spread? 2018. Ink on Korean hanji paper, 130 x 162 cm.
He creates art as a practice of remaining fully awake in each moment. The process of waking up, observing the flow of thoughts, and constantly questioning the essence of life reflects his search for answers. As I reflect on the life of this artist, I admire his pursuit of inner clarity, and I look forward to seeing more of his conceptual messages in his future exhibitions.
JEONG GWANG-HEE
Major Solo Exhibitions
2019: Where Will I Be Spread? (Platform, Munich, Germany)
2019: Self-Reflection (Muan Oseungwoo Museum of Art, Muan, Korea)
2014: Building Up Ink (Gwangju Museum of Art, Gwangju, Korea)
Major Group Exhibitions
2023: Global Ink (Beijing, China)
2023: Taipei Dangdai (Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taipei, Taiwan)
2022: The Landscape of Unspoken Words (Gwangju Museum of Art, Korea)
2022–2019: Art Basel Hong Kong (Hong Kong Convention Center, China)
2022: Drawing Now (Soma Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea)
2021: International Contemporary Art Space, Ink Studio (Beijing, China)
2021–2019: Westbund & Design (Westbund Art Center, Shanghai, China)
2021: Ink Dreams (LA County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, USA)
2021: The Force and Aftereffect (Museum San, Wonju, Korea)
2017: “Fuss East, Strike West” (Euncheon, China)
2015: Korea Tomorrow (Seonggok Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea)
Collections
LA County Museum of Art, Gwangju Museum of Art, Jeonnam Museum of Art, National Museum of Modern Art Bank, Take a Step Back Collection (Hong Kong), Fondation INK (Geneva, Switzerland)
Photographs courtesy of Jeong Gwang-hee
The Author
Kang Hyunsuk (Jennis) grew up in a place known as the City of Art – Gwangju. As a hobby, she took art classes at the Gwangju Museum of Art for several years. Through these experiences, she realized that there are so many wonderful artists in this area. Visiting exhibitions became her much-loved hobby. She has been contributing art articles in this column since 2020. Instagram: @jenniskang
Composting Toilets: Nature Calls
By Chung Hyunhwa
For campers or people who wish to be offgrid, one thing to consider is the type of toilet you will be using. Normally in the city, homes are connected to the public sewer system or a septic tank buried in the ground. In a remote area, a septic tank is the option chosen most often, but it always releases some polluted water into the surroundings if a sewer pipe is not available nearby. To avoid that, I started searching for other options and found that there are a number of independent off-grid toilets.
One type I found was a biodegradable toilet. It is great in the way that it is the same as an ordinary flush toilet, but its underground circulation system with specific bacteria decomposes the waste flushed with water and leaves water that is clean enough to be used in the toilet again.
Because the system is quite expensive, it is more suitable for public toilets at parks and in the mountains. I remember seeing one installed along the highway.
Another type that I found online was an independent toilet unit. You can place this toilet unit anywhere outside that you like. It comes as a minimal flush toilet with a tiny sink to wash one’s hands as part of the unit. However, the tank at the bottom should be emptied occasionally, so you have to call the septic tank cleaning service. This is more suited for several people working at a remote farming area, since the septic tank is not very big.
One of the latest, and surprising, off-grid toilets was an incinerating toilet. It burns waste after
1. A portable camper toilet.
2. The lined bucket and the bottle with a funnel for the inside.
3.The final look of the composting toilet.
every use. It sounds like it does its job. However, each process takes 90 minutes, and I thought it is reasonable only if it is run by its own solar panels.
Then, I found the most reasonable, practical, and most environment-friendly option: a composting toilet. In our history, human manure was used throughout the world, although it’s not so often used nowadays. I searched more to find that these composting toilets are most often found in the U.S., as some toilets just have to be offgrid because it is such a vast country. Also, some homes install them indoors just like a normal flush toilet.
The basic structure of a composting toilet is about the same despite their variety in design. Underneath the toilet seat, there is a urine separator that is connected to a bottle or other container directly or by a hose, and there is a bucket for the solid waste. To avoid creating a strong smell, it is advised that the urine be collected separately. Another secret to removing the odor is carbon-based materials such as sawdust, dried leaves, or grain husks used to cover the waste material. The covering material is stored in a separate container, very close to the toilet, so you can scoop out some of this material for covering after each toilet use. The carbonbased materials absorb humidity, too, so the inside of the bucket remains dry, storing the feces without decaying quickly and creating odor.
Commercial composting toilets are being sold for between 500 and 2,000 US dollars. It sounds pricey, but it is still cheaper and easier than installing a septic tank. Also, you can do one yourself at a very low cost. You can use wood for the frame building, but you can also use an inexpensive portable camper toilet as an easy option. If you merely place a bucket and a bottle for urine inside the portable toilet, your compost toilet is finished! Instead of a urine separator, you can use a funnel. Bio-degradable plastic bags can be put into the bucket for easy use, but it is really not necessary since it is easy to empty and clean the bucket because the covering materials keep the inside dry. The urine can be used in two weeks for garden plants after being diluted in water for
its nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements. The feces mixed with the covering material can become compost after fermentation with a good amount of humidity and a period of time.
Do you know that during the composting process, the temperature can rise to over 80°C? This way, surprisingly, the end product is actually very clean. I once experienced using a composting toilet on a blueberry farm and remember it being surprisingly pleasant with no odor. The farm was very well organized and known for its tasty organic blueberries. I assume the composting toilet also contributed to the farm’s famous blueberries.
A person uses the toilet on average seven times a day, and uses nine liters of water with each flush, which adds up to 63 liters a day and 22,996 liters a year. Even with the latest toilet models that may reportedly use 3.5 liters each flush, it will still add up to about 25 liters a day and 8,943 liters a year. That is a lot of water, and a lot of energy because the water supply system uses electricity. From this search, I was happy to discover this information about composting toilets, the least disruptive toilet to nature. We live on this globe for a period of time; it is like borrowing it for that time. Then, we have to pass the globe on to the next generation. To have that sustainability, we need to return what we borrowed from Mother Nature as intact as possible. “Leave No Trace” must be the best policy for the next generation to appreciate what we leave behind.
Photographs by Chung Hyunhwa.
The Author
Chung Hyunhwa, a native of Gwangju, currently works for a horticultural company. She led the international ecohike group Gwangju Hikers at the GIC in 2020 and 2021. Previously, she taught English at Yantai American School and Yantai Korean School in China and worked in school administration at Branksome Hall Asia in Jeju. She holds a master’s degree in TESOL from TCNJ in the U.S. and a license to teach Korean. She loves plants, birds, and repurposing items creatively.
The Joy of Gardening
By Park Nahm-Sheik
Alabor of love, gardening can offer us bundles of joy. It doesn’t matter what we choose to grow in the garden. A flower garden can garnish the surroundings with whole bunches of beautiful things. A plain kitchen garden can also be a treasure trove of gastronomic pleasure for an entire household, not just the gardener. A kitchen garden is normally given over to fresh produce for the family table. Organic produce from the garden sure is a health-friendly resource for the family. As such, a kitchen garden is a package of energy and a reliable guardian of overall household wellness. A kitchen garden is thus a convenient source of healthy food for the family.
What stands out here is that the greens in question come to the table straight from the garden right outside of where family meals are routinely served. Given that their toil and moil help plants grow well, the gardener is the custodian of our physical environment. What is particularly
intriguing here is that the benefits afforded by gardening are entirely renewable. It is like drinking from a well that never runs dry. It is a tribute to the four ingredients involved: the soil, the sun, the (rain) water, and the compost fertilizer. Sourced entirely from nature, they are free of charge as well as contamination.
Kitchen gardens evidently point the way to the most sensible and low-maintenance path to selfsufficiency in organic homegrown fresh produce. An added advantage of kitchen gardening of this kind is that it neatly steers clear of the revenge of agricultural chemicals like insecticides. This is arguably the most commendable upside of organic kitchen gardening.
Shall we now briefly attend to the prohibitive price we end up paying because of all the inorganically produced food we unthinkingly consume day after day. When all the harm such food can do is factored in, the price tag is mind-boggling indeed. There is no reason why we should be so dumb as to keep turning a blind eye to this sort of dietary abandon bogging us down in such terrible swamps of baloney.
The gardener is the custodian of our physical environment.
Gardening affords us the opportunity to live in harmony with nature.
Kitchen gardening of the kind being advocated here can do its fair share in keeping toxic agricultural chemicals from wreaking havoc on the environment. For one thing, bee colonies can be spared insecticides’ lethal assault. Should every household decide to jump on the kitchen-
garden bandwagon, that would amount to a milestone in our campaign to keep agricultural chemicals from marring the entire range of our farming culture and our food supply chain.
To boot, gardening affords us the opportunity to live in harmony with nature. It enables us to stay in tune with the rhythm of the cosmos. Gardeners thus care for nature and for themselves all at once. The result is that there is a beautiful quid pro quo between gardening and nature. Along with maintaining an optimistic outlook on life, staying in constant touch with nature, according to most well-informed research, is the royal road to a lasting fountain of youth for all well into ripe old age. Underlying this philosophy of gardening is the live-and-let-live principle that many of us abide by while navigating our planetary sojourn.
I am not that great of a gardener, but I enjoy gardening so much that I often call it my numberone hobby. The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is, in fact, go out the door and greet my little garden just a few steps from where I sleep. I get a whole bunch of fun and pleasure plus tons of replenished energy, just taking in the sight of the patch and breathing in the fresh morning air. That’s what makes gardening matter so much to me. The very best of things on earth may indeed come in the littlest of patches adjoining our everso-humble abodes. Would it be too much to say that this little garden of ours is kind of like the Garden of Eden?
The Author
Park Nahm-Sheik is a native of Gwangju. After graduating from Chonnam National University, he went on to receive a master’s degree at the University of Hawaii and a PhD (applied linguistics) at Georgetown University, both in the U.S. Upon completing an illustrious career at Seoul National University, Prof. Park served as president of the International Graduate School of English.
Area Sports Round-Up
A monthly overview of local sports, featuring area teams and brought to you…
By Zhang Jiuzhou (Julius)
Kia Tigers Celebrate Championship with Parade and Renewed Contracts
On November 30, Gwangju’s Geumnam Street was abuzz with excitement as the Kia Tigers held a celebratory car parade for their 12th Korea Series victory, marking their last such win spanning 35 years. Head Coach Lee Bum-ho and the players rode an open-top bus to the May 18 Democracy Square, where they were greeted by thousands of fans. Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung presented the team with flowers as a token of gratitude on behalf of the city’s residents.
Following the parade, the team hosted the V12 Tigers Festa at the Kim Daejung Convention Center, attended by 5,000 fans. During the event, the players and Coach Lee expressed their appreciation. Lee stated, “This season’s success was made possible by the unwavering support of our fans. We will prepare diligently in the offseason to continue our winning ways next year.”
The Tigers have begun extending contracts with key foreign players. On November 27, the team announced the re-signing of pitcher James Naile for the 2025 season on a 1.8 million dollar deal. James Naile, who was instrumental in the Tigers’ championship run, continued to perform despite suffering a serious jaw injury mid-season. His dedication and stellar performance ensured his place on the team.
Another standout foreign player, Socrates, has drawn interest from MLB teams after an impressive rebound in the second half of the season under Lee Bum-ho’s guidance. However, the Tigers remain cautious about renewing his contract due to salary caps and roster constraints, as the team considers other options for foreign players.
AI Peppers Players Selected for KOVO All-Star Game
Kim Do-young of the Kia Tigers takes a selfie during the championship parade on November 30 in Gwangju. (Kia Tigers)
Park Jeong-ah (left) and Zhang Yu of the AI Peppers have been selected to participate in the 2024–2025 V-League AllStar Game. (KOVO)
Amid fluctuating performances, the AI Peppers received positive news with players Park Jeongah and Zhang Yu being invited to participate in the 2024–2025 KOVO All-Star Game. The list of 40 players for the All-Star event, scheduled for January 4 in Chuncheon, was announced on December 1. This year’s selection process combined 70 percent fan votes, 15 percent team votes, and 15 percent media votes.
Zhang Yu ranked first among middle blockers with a total score of 36.47, earning her a spot as a “K-star.” Meanwhile, Park Jeong-ah secured third place among outside hitters with a score of 21.93, earning her a spot as a “V-star.” The recognition underscores their pivotal roles and growing popularity within the league.
Gwangju FC Completes Season Amid Financial Struggles
Gwangju FC forward Heo Youl celebrates after scoring a goal during the 2024–2025 AFC Champions League Elite League Phase Matchday 6 against Shanghai Port. (K League)
Gwangju FC concluded their 2024 K League 1 season on November 24 with a 1–1 draw against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, securing ninth place in the league with 47 points (14 wins, 5 draws, 19 losses). Despite challenges such as a lack of midseason reinforcements, Head Coach Lee Junghyo expressed hope for stronger fan support in the upcoming season: “We hope to repay the
support we saw in the final game with even better performances next year.”
In the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), Gwangju achieved a 1–1 draw against Shanghai Port on December 3, securing second place in their group with a record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. This ensures their progression to the next round and marks the end of their competitive matches for 2024.
The ACL success holds significant meaning for Gwangju, which faces a severe financial crisis. Despite earning over 1.4 billion KRW in match bonuses this season, their total debt from budget shortfalls has grown, with loans of 5.4 billion KRW taken out over the last two years. The club has struggled to meet the Professional Football League’s financial stability requirements and may face penalties or even K1 relegation if conditions are not met.
The league has requested that Gwangju FC submit a detailed financial report by the end of the month. Failure to meet the required standards could result in point deductions or restrictions on player transfers.
The Author
Zhang Jiuzhou (Julius) is from Harbin, China. He began writing in 2022 and has contributed to the Chinese media in Gwangju. He concurrently serves at a sports data company. He is pursuing a master’s degree in media and communications and is responsible for the Chinese Students Association at Chonnam National University.
Created by Jon Dunbar
ACROSS
“___ Pinafore”
Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning
55 Kim Min-gi’s “Morning ___”
56 Tit for ___
57 Mediocre
DOWN
1 Angkor ___
2 Pie ___ mode (2 words)
3 Use eyes
4 Nam June and Jong-won
5 “I love the smell of ___ in the morning”
6 In ___ of flowers
7 Road divisions
8 It should work with a CSO
9 Between upsilon and chi
10 Foreign-language radio station
12 Photo sharing website
17 Caper
19 Of poor quality
20 Entertainment and retail company (2 words)
21 1990s hip-hop trio
22 Sweet additive
25 “All Things Considered” host Chang
26 Ribeye or sirloin
27 Temporary tattoo dye
29 Failed presidential candidate Harris
30 Should arrive at any minute (2 words)
34 Ambassador Mawhinney
37 Discord or turmoil
39 Black ball on a billiard table
43 Mountain cat
44 “Easy ___ it”
45 “The Spanish Tragedy” dramatist Thomas
46 Sun-sin or Hwadahm
47 Disgusted noise
49 General associated with Chinese food
50 Mini-albums
51 China’s communist party founder
Crossword Puzzle Solutions
Crossword Puzzle Answers for the December Issue
Cultural Gift Certificate for 5,000 won
The first three people to complete the January crossword puzzle correctly and send us a photo of the completed puzzle will receive a cultural gift certificate for 5,000 won!
A gift certificate will be sent to prize winners online on the 5th of the following month.
- Email via gwangjunews@gic.or.kr or DM via Instagram at Gwangju International Center.
Crossword Puzzle Answers for the November Issue
Here are the solutions to the November crossword puzzle, which actually appeared in the December issue of the Gwangju News (page 37). We apologize for the confusion.
Regrettably, the crossword puzzle appearing in this January issue will be our last for the foreseeable future. We wish to convey our heartfelt thanks to Jon Dunbar for continuously supplying us with customized puzzles over the past months and years. They have been much enjoyed.
GWANGJU INTERNATIONAL CENTER
For only 50,000 won/year, you help the GIC provide a space for exchanges for the local and international communities to learn and experience various cultures from around the world and to promote respect for diversity and inclusivity.
Bene�its as a GIC member:
Receive the Gwangju News every month by email. Priority for participation in programs. Get discounts on paid programs and space rentals.
Borrow books and materials from the GIC Library. Get receipts for contributions provided for year-end tax settlement.
