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April 2013 Issue No. 134
On The Cover:
New Stadium for Our Tigers Korea by Motorbike Meet the Two-Wheel Trekkers
English in Korea Then and Now
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
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Advertise with Gwangju News Target Your Customers! Gwangju News is the longest-running English magazine in Korea and is the representative English magazine in Gwangju and the Jeollanam-do area. Its print and online versions bring Gwangju to the world. Does your business cater to the international community? Target your customers by advertising with us.
Please contact us for more details: 062-226-2732~34 karina@gic.or.kr or minsu@gic.or.kr
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April 2013
ON THE COVER
www.gwangjunewsgic.com
THE EDITORIAL TEAM Publisher: Dr. Shin Gyonggu GWANGJU NEWS PRINT Editor: Kathleen Villadiego Sub-Editor: Shay Meinecke Creative Consultant: Warren Parsons Copy Editors: Vanessa Cisneros, Michael Moak, Joey Nunez, Jon Ozelton, Bradley Weiss Coordinators: Karina Prananto, Kim Minsu Layout Designer: Karina Prananto Photo Editor: Karina Prananto Proofreaders: Brittany Baker, Heather Douglas, Don Gariepy, Jon Ozelton, Pete Schandall, Bradley Weiss Special thanks to Jessica Keralis Researchers: Kang Heera, Jo Ara, Park Soyoung
GWANGJU NEWS ONLINE Editor: C. Adam Volle Technical Manager: Carl Hedinger Assistant Site Administrator: Nathan Fulkerson Online Administrator: Brittany Baker
Cover Photo: Once the new Mudeung Stadium is completed, more Gwangju residents will be able to cheer on the KIA Tigers to future victories Photograph: Courtesy of KIA Tigers The image has been edited for layout purposes.
Feature 13 Sliding Forward By Joey Nunez 16 The Two-Wheel Trekkers By Rachel Redfern
Gwangju News is published by Gwangju International Center Address: Jeon-il Building 5F, Geumnam-no 1-1, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-758, South Korea
Phone: +82-62-226-2733~4 Fax: +82-62-226-2731 Website: www.gwangjunewsgic.com E-mail: gwangjunews@gmail.com Registration No.: 광주광역시 라. 00145 (ISSN 2093-5315) Registration Date: February 22, 2010 Printed by Logos (Phone +82-62-444-8800) Publication Date: March 28, 2013
Gwangju News is a monthly English magazine written and edited by volunteers. We welcome your contributions for proofreading, copy editing, administration, layout/design and distribution. Please write to gwangjunews@gmail.com and tell us your area of interest.
Special thanks to the City of Gwangju and all of our sponsors. Copyright by the Gwangju International Center. All rights reserved. No part of this publication covered by this copyright may be reproduced in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the written consent of the publishers. Gwangju News welcomes letters to the editor (gwangjunews@gmail.com) regarding articles and issues. Articles and submissions may be edited for reasons of clarity or space.
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contents interview
travel
language
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18
45
20
22
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An Interview with Chun Moon Sunim/ Adam Hogue Filling a Void – the JSA/ Tammy Friend Homegrown Expat Hiphop – ‘Megook Movement’ & DJ Hypnotiq/ Matt Furlane
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This Month in Gwangju
8
Upcoming Events
18 Asia by Bike/ Lindsay Nash
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English in Korea: A Look Back/ Dr. David Shaffer
30 Wanderlust: A List of Do’s and Don’ts While in Taipei/ Colleen Mayo
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In a Taxi/ Jannies Le
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Learn Korean Idiomatic Expressions with Talk to Me in Korean
34 GIC Culture Tour to Naju/ Warren Parsons 38 Bigeum Island/ Choi Seul-bi
39 Literature Corean Postcards By Jose-Luis Moctezuma
19 Event Preview Spring Festival By Kelly Kim
40 Literature Selected Poems by North Korean Poets Translated by Song Chae-pyong and Anne Rashid
26 Event Preview Support GIC and Celebrate Spring with May Concert By Karina Prananto
46 Health The Article that Could Save Your Life By Kristal Lee
28 Photo Essay The Fire and the Fight: A Night at the Gwangju Chilseok Gossaum Festival By Heidi Haley 32 Living Tips Visas – An E to F Guide By Bradley Weiss 36 Culture Hangover Stew By Stephen Redeker 37 Culture Korean Sayings By Jackal
48 Fashion Come on, Get Happy! By jjdp 50 Event Preview Pizza, Mount Etna and the Mafia: Oh, My! By Calen Cygan 52 Food and Drink Get on the Sushi Train/ By Gabriel Ward 53 Food and Drink Cheese Rapokki/ By Park Soyoung 54 Community Board
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Photo of the Month
By Yvan Christian “Flower Basket� Photo taken at Chonnam National University, Gwangju
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This Month in Gwangju A brief roundup of news stories from in and around Gwangju
By Carl Hedinger Seo-gu to Support “Little Moms” This month's news starts with something we missed from March, but which is still worth mentioning. Gwangju's Seo-gu (district) office announced in late February that it would begin supporting so-called “little moms” who became a mother at a young age and are going through financial difficulties. This is the very first service of its type in Gwangju and it plans to help “little moms” have healthier families. Seo-gu selected 20 mothers under 24 years old who receive welfare. The winners will be supported with childcare products (extra powdered formula and diapers) worth 10 million won total. Additionally, they will have access to the parenting education and mentorship program, “Mentoring with Married Women's Mothers”.
March 1 Taegeuk Bicycle Parade There were various events including the Taegeuk Bicycle Parade for commemorating the 94th March 1 (Korean Independence Movement Day) holiday celebrations in Chonnam. Gwangju's Regional Office for Patriots Affairs held a ceremony and officially presented a presidential commendation to Cho Giseok, a patriot who gave his life for Korea. After the event, a bicycle parade in honor of taegeukki (the symbol found in the center of the Korean flag) started from Bitgoeul City Cultural Center to Gwangju Station through the Asian culture complex via Geumnam-ro. This parade was held first and foremost to commemorate the men of merit who have sacrificed their lives for Korea and secondly to meditate on the real meaning of March 1. Finally, a taegeukki flag performance was held in front of Chungjang-ro Post Office followed by a commemoration marathon that finished at the World Cup Stadium to top things off with some real competitive spirit.
Gwangju Giving Out Secondhand PCs The City announced plans to donate roughly 640 secondhand personal computers for “information have-nots” living in Gwangju for free until December 2013. City officials have been accepting applications and chose recipients in March. The PCs are Pentium VI (3.0 GHz) and will come with a 1-year warranty. The computers have come from organizations and individuals and will be given to the disabled, recipients of basic living assistance, and other underprivileged citizens. Since 2009, Gwangju has distributed over 3,000 secondhand computers to tackle the “citizen information gap” and to promote a green information policy by recycling computers.
Kimchi training course at Kimchi Town Academy Photo courtesy of Gwangju Kimchi Town
Kimchi Training Course Open to Public Gwangju's Kimchi Town Academy is running a 16-week “Kimchi Server Course” from March 5 to June 18. This course hopes to cultivate experts in kimchi and will include practice and theory in making various kinds of kimchi from across the nation as well as southern provincial influences. This course will be on every Tuesday for three hours beginning at 10 a.m. and will allow people the opportunity to work in kimchi making and distribution. An official said, "Kimchi is a traditional food that Gwangju is proud of and we hope many people, not only Korean housewives but housewives in multicultural families, will join this program.” If you did not hear about this course prior to the deadline, the Kimchi Academy's “Pickled Foods” course in May and “Traditional Gayangju (Homemade liquor)” course in September are still available to those interested.
You Can Now Call “120” Everyday! Gwangju's 120 Call Center, which provides citizens with “call counseling,” is now open all year round beginning in March. Open hours have expanded from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays. The center previously operated from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and weekend/holiday calls were responded to by city hall staff or returned on the next business day. The changes are due to increasing demands of citizens and visitors who wish to utilize call counsel services quickly and conveniently. In addition, the center will broaden the range of counsel, not limited to civil complaints. It will provide weather, phone numbers, directions and information on performance and sporting events. Citizen's satisfaction rates measure a high 96%. A center representative is quoted in saying, "We will continue to give these types of citizen-centered services, regarding happiness of our people as first priority." Gwangju News April 2013
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Upcoming Events April 2013 Contributors: Kang Heera, Park Soyoung, Jo Ara (GIC Gwangju News Team)
Movie @ Gwangju Theater Address: Chungjang-no 5-ga (two blocks back behind Migliore) Phone: 062-224-5858 Films change weekly to bi-weekly Fee: 8,000 won per person per film Check online for calendar and prices: (in Korean) http://cafe.naver.com/cinemagwangju Jiseul 지슬 Genre: Drama Director: Omeul Starring: Lee Gyeong-jun, Hong Sang-pyo, Moon Seok-bum, Yang Jeong-won Language: Korean Synopsis: In November 1948, people living on Jeju island hear a fearful rumour that all people living 5 kilometres outside of the South Korean Peninsula are labeled as communist rebels. Some of them decide to take refuge in a cave, where they share potatoes (In Jeju dialect, jiseul) and worry about the livestock and people they have left behind. The people try to not lose their sanity by telling jokes with the hope that it will be over soon.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower 월플라워 Genre: Drama Director: Stephen Chbosky Starring: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, Andrew Stockey Language: English Synopsis: Charlie, an introverted high school freshman, is stuck in his small world with trauma from the past. He gets to meet Patrick and his stepsister Sam who enjoy their lives without caring about what others think about them. After meeting them, he steps out of his world, but finds himself falling in love with Sam.
No Cave 반달곰 Genre: Drama Director: Lee Jeong-hong Starring: Choi Gyeong-jun, Kang Yun-jeong, Park Ji-sung Language: Korean Synopsis: Won-seok is living wandering about internet cafes without any job after graduation. His sister asks him to work at her fiancé's, Ji-sung, chicken diner. So he starts a job as a deliveryman. She buys him an expensive Gore-Tex jacket and hopes he will settle down. However, Won-seok has a hard time adjusting to a new life. One day, he gets told off by Jisung for a small delivery accident. He takes off the jacket and goes back to his cave, the internet cafe. 8
Gwangju News April 2013
Shadow Dancer 섀도우 댄서 Genre: Drama, Thriller Director: James Marsh Starring: Andrea Riseborough, Clive Owen, Aidan Gillen, Martin McCann Language: English Synopsis: In 1990s Belfast, Colette, a member of the IRA, gets caught by MI5 for an attempted terror attack on the London Underground train. Mac, an MI5 agent, offers her a deal; be an informant for MI5 or go to prison and be separated from her son. To protect her son she becomes an informant.
Sports Gwangju FC Team April Match Schedule Date
Match Team
Time
7 20 28
Suwon FC Goyang HiFC Korean Police FC
2 p.m. 2 p.m. 2 p.m.
Venue: Gwangju World Cup Stadium (광주월드컵경기장) Directions: Buses 6, 16, 20, 26, 47 and 74. Get off at the World Cup Stadium bus stop Ticket Price: VIP 10,000 won, GOLD 5,000 won (10% discount for online ticket purchases) Website: www.gwangjufc.com
KIA Tigers Baseball Team April Match Schedule Date
Match Team
Time
9 - 11 16-18 26 27 28
Doosan LG Samsung Samsung Samsung
6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 2 p.m.
Venue: Gwangju Mudeung Baseball Stadium (무등경기장) Directions: Take buses 16, 38, 51, 53, 58, 89, 95, 98, 151 and get off at Mudeung Stadium bus stop Ticket Price: Adults 9,000 - 13,000 won Website: www.tigers.co.kr
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advertisement
Breakfast at
Holiday Inn Gwangju 240,000 won for two
Performances MARIONETTE 마리오네트 Venue: Grand Theater, Gwangju Cultural and Art Center Date: April 5 - 6 Time: 8:00 p.m. Friday, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Saturday Admission: VIP Seat 66,000 won/ R Seat 55,000 won / S Seat 44,000 won Phone: 010-9885-2434
Junior Suite
Cloud Lounge 10th Floor
Buffet Breakfast
Breakfast Includes Accommodation in a Deluxe King or Twin bedded Room Two course Italian Dinner (from the menu) in Cloud Lounge on the 10th Floor including two glasses of wine per person Beautiful full buffet breakfast in Hourglass Restaurant for two persons Complimentary internet, sauna, indoor pool and gymnasium Junior Suite price additional 100,000 won Executive Suite price additional 250,000 won Happy Hours in Lobby Lounge
SHEN YUN 2013 World Tour – Gwangju 션원 2013 월드투어 - 광주 Venue: Grand Theater, Gwangju Cultural and Art Center Date: April 11 Time: 2:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Admission: VV Seat 300,000 / V Seat 200,000 won / R Seat 150,000 won / S Seat 110,000 / A Seat 80,000 B Seat 50,000 Phone: 1544-8808
Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 6.30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for 28,600 won per person including snack buffet and unlimited wine, draft beer (local) and soft drinks
REBECCA 레베카 Venue: Grand Theater, Gwangju Cultural and Art Center Date: April 26 - 27 Time: 3:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Saturday Admission: VIP Seat 120,000 won/ R Seat 100,000 won / S Seat 80,000 won / A Seat 50,000 won Phone: 1588-0766 For reservation: 062-610-7063, 7064 For more information, please visit: www.holidayinngwanjgu.com
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Exhibitions
2013 KSBB Spring Meeting and International Symposium (2013 년도 한국생물공학회 춘계학술발 표대회 및 국제심포지움 Venue: Kimdaejung Convention Center Date: April 10 - April12 Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission Fee: Free Phone: 02-556-2164 For more information: www.ksbb.or.kr
Moonlight Anthology (Lee Jaesam Solo) Venue: space k_Gwangju Date: March 4 - April 26 Time: Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. / closed Mondays Admission Fee: Free Phone: 062-370-5948 For more information: www.spacek.co.kr
Let's play at the pleasant Museum 즐거운 미술관에서 놀자 Venue: Gwangju Museum of Art Date: Feb. 21 - June 9 Time: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m./ closed Mondays Admission Fee: Adult 500 won/ Youth 300 won/Children 200 won Phone: 062-613-7100 For more information: www.artmuse.gwangju.go.kr
Gwangju Spring Flower Show 2013 2013 광주봄꽃박람회 Venue: Kimdaejung Convention Center Date: March 29 - April 7 Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission Fee: Adult (14-64) 5,000 won/ Children (4-13) 3,000 won/ Above 65 2,000 won Phone: 062-611-2124 For more information: www.flowershow.kr
2013 An elder Painter preview Kang Bong Kyu – Trees And People 2013 원로작가초대전 강봉규 – 나무와 사람 Venue: Gwangju Museum of Art Date: Feb. 27 - April 21 Time: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. / closed Mondays Admission Fee: Adult 500 won/ Youth 300 won/Children 200 won Phone: 062-613-7100 For more information: www.artmuse.gwangju.go.kr
NEW ACQUISITIONS 2012 신소장품 2012 Venue: Gwangju Museum of Art Date: March 5 - April 10 Time: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. / closed Mondays Admission Fee: Adult 500 won/ Youth 300 won/Children 200 won Phone: 062-613-7100 For more information: www.artmuse.gwangju.go.kr
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Festivals Seomjin Riverside Cherry Blossoms Festival 섬진강변 꽃축제 Date: April 6 - 7 Venue: Jukma-ri, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do Program: singing contest, fusion Korean music performance, paragliding competition, 7080 concert, local art group concert, digital camera contest, trekking, etc. Directions: Take the bus to Gurye from U-square (Interval Time: 15-1 hour15 minutes). From the Gurye bus terminal, take the bus (GuryeGuryong) and get off at Obong bus stop and walk for about 10 minutes. For more information: 061-780-2821 2013 Cheongsando Slow Walk Festival 2013 청산도 슬로우걷기 축제 Date: April 1 - 30 Venue: Cheongsan-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do (the entire area of Slow City Cheongsan-do) Program: Making "slow food", catching fish, slow experience programs (writing letters, treasure hunts, making footprints, etc.), cultural art programs (concert, revival of Seopyonje and plow pulled by oxen, etc.) Directions: Take the bus to Wando from U-square (Interval Time: 30 - 1 hour 30 minutes). From Wando bus terminal, take a taxi or walk for about 30 minutes to the Wando passenger ship terminal and get aboard a ship to Cheongsando. For more information: www.slowcitywando.com Suncheon Bay Garden Expo 2013 2013 순천만 국제정원박람회 Date: April 20 - Oct. 20 Venue: The entire area of Suncheon Bay, Anpung-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do Program: Exposition & media day events, view the exposition, official opening performances, performances by celebrities, performance of hope (Lighting of lanterns, etc), etc. Directions: Take the bus to Suncheon from U-square (Interval Time: 10 30 minutes). From the Suncheon bus terminal, take bus 1, 101 or 111 and get off at Myeongmal bus stop and walk just over 12 minutes. For more information: 1577-2013 The 35th Jindo Miracle Sea Festival 제35회 진도 신비의 바닷길축제 Date: April 25 - 28 Venue: Hoidong-ri, Gogun-myen, Jindo, Jeollanam-do Program: Sea parade, Korean traditional performances (Jindo ssitkimgut, Namdo jabga, Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Music Orchestra performance, Ganggangsullae, etc.), experience events (Korean traditional music, paintings and calligraphic works, Jindo local products, etc.) Directions: Take the bus to Jindo from U-square (Interval Time: 30 - 1hour 45 minutes). From Jindo bus terminal, take the bus (Jindo bus terminalGagye. Hoidong) and get off at Jisuri bus stop and walk for about 2 minutes. For more information: 061-544-0151
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April 20th Athletic Supporters V-day Volleyball Tournament
Venue: Gwangju Foreign School in Buk-gu Date: April 20 Time: 11am to 1pm Event: Volleyball Tournament. 30,000 won registration fee.
Calling all Canadians in Gwangju! Canadian Ambassador coming to GIC
May 7, 2013
Athletic Supporters is collaborating with VDay Monologues at the Spring Festival to raise money for women shelters in Korea.
(keep this date free!)
For more info: www.athleticssupporters.com/current-events
For more info please check next month’s Gwangju News!
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feature
Sliding Forward By Joey Nunez and Kim Sera Photos courtesy of KIA Tigers
Gwangju residents have always been enthusiastic fans of the KIA Tigers
A
s spring blossoms in Korea, construction on the KIA Tigers' Mudeung Stadium is booming in Gwangju. As Lee Suk-beom, the team's Public Relations Manager, stated, the new stadium is for everybody: players, employees and fans, bringing positive results to all. Lee confirmed that the stadium's development will likely conclude this December, with the ability for 22,000 to 25,000 fans to sit and see games. Before the stadium's construction, that number only reached 12,000. Additional benefits from the stadium's construction include the guaranteed business. Lee alluded that new employment will be necessary for the general cleaning, security and grounds keeping of the stadium, among other responsibilities. Also, he stated that general concession stands, along with coffee shops and fast-food establishments, will be installed for consumption choices while fans watch the baseball. The Tigers' fan support has always been alive and impressive, initially promoted by the baseball team's first championship win in 1983. Most recently, in 2009, the Tigers played the championship game with over 9,000 fans watching, either sitting or standing among tight crowding. Yet, as Lee recalled, little leg room and
narrow seats could not silence fans from cheering and applauding enthusiastically, as the fans witnessed the Tigers win their first championship game in 12 years, and their first win as the KIA Tigers. Lee reiterated that having the residents' support meant so much to the baseball players, installing a cheerful atmosphere for all in Gwangju. The stadium has always been in the same location within northern Gwangju. Lee described the older facilities as providing narrow and uncomfortable seats, so he and others knew an upgrade was vital. The stadium's updates have followed after Gwangju's beloved baseball team's name change The Haitai Tigers were initially founded as the third professional baseball team in Korea, and the previous stadium was initially constructed in 1965. The team's former name, Haitai, was sponsored by a food brand headquartered in Gwangju. With a solid partnership with Haitai, a brand reminiscent to Kraft in North America, the Haitai baseball team could only be enhanced. With nine championships between the years of 1983 to 1997, the Haitai baseball team established itself among the elite in Korean baseball team competition. But with changing economic times, Haitai was unable to generate national profit, and thus the Gwangju News April 2013 13
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Mudeung Stadium’s construction is expected to conclude in December 2013
company was on the verge of declaring bankruptcy. In order to preserve the baseball team's sponsorship, KIA, a Korean car brand also based in Gwangju, stepped up and took over as the team's sponsor. Since the take over, the Haitai brand has recovered and still is operated locally in Gwangju. And through the entire transition, the baseball team has remained the Tigers, just with KIA as its sponsor. With the pre-season in full swing, the field is anything but uninhabited. The current team is now training to conduct more exhibition games for their season's warm-up. So the field inside the stadium under development is being put to beneficial usage. In addition to the stadium's positive development, the players are among the best prospects. Lee explained that in the past, Korean society was different, so baseball was too. Players came from bigger families with more siblings, so one son could play baseball, while another son could pursue another endeavor. Parents did not feel pressure to have their children start early with pursuing future dreams. This past Korean society dimension promoted a playful approach for youth as they chose more freely to play baseball as a recreational sport. Now, Lee further explained, that mindset has disappeared, as smaller families exist with children having fewer siblings. With this previous attitude replaced, parents are now more deliberate to 14
Gwangju News April 2013
encourage their children to begin their future endeavors at earlier ages, even in sports. And with more youth interested in playing baseball, the level of competition has been raised to even higher standards. Lee stated that the baseball team members are now expected to have studied well in school, be knowledgeable of their sport and have proven that they are able to perform to their best potential, all before playing baseball with the KIA Tigers. Lee, along with the rest of the KIA Tigers' management staff, is grateful for such supporters as KIA Motors, Sports Toto and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for their financial support of Gwangju's baseball. Along with the local media reporting the stadium's development and the team's progress, Gwangju's baseball will continue, as, to date, each group has invested a combined total of nearly 100 billion won. The support of the KIA Tigers is interconnected with the pride within Gwangju. Lee explained that each major Korean city receives funds from its citizens to support and enhance its image. So, for Koreans, a major aspect of their projected image is how strong their baseball team is. From those born in Gwangju, this means of giving is also viewed as a portion of Korean culture, as one of the citizens' strongest relations in life is with their birthplace. In each of Korea's major cities, a single professional baseball team exists. So when one's
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baseball team wins, the city's pride reaches its highest, with additional positives of generating national promotion for Koreans to visit this city and of solidifying the bond between residents. So, any financial support given to Gwangju's baseball provides the funds and means for the KIA Tigers to then train interested youth in learning how to play baseball well. Gwangju's baseball team has been able to organize and lead day training camps and monthly sponsorship programs, where players interact one-on-one with the youth, and then, the players are able to set aside money to help students successfully continue their education without difficulty. 2 1
4 3
Lee mentioned that all the children who attend these training sessions are then invited to attend any baseball game, free of charge, at their convenience. And from such recent bonds being developed between Gwangju's youth and the KIA Tigers players, Lee stated the children can choose for themselves whether they would like to pursue baseball in the future. In essence, the present giving to baseball by many people invests in the future winning in baseball for many other people. Lee is satisfied that the athletes' conditions are great and at their best. Lee commented that during recent practices, Kim Ju-chan, a new addition to the KIA Tigers' roster, has shared how he personally views the KIA Tigers as being among the best teams, and the fact that he is glad to have joined the ranks. Kim, a former player for Busan's Lotte Giants, has also imparted his advice to motivate his teammates in preparation for this upcoming season. Lee is also pleased with the determined match-ups this season, further stating that the KIA Tigers are prepared and thrilled to participate in another season that is expected to be filled with success. With the likely possibility of winning again in 2013, just as they did in 2009, Lee and the KIA Tigers have high expectations to perform their best, with definite plans to slide forward successfully, into home base and into the future. Lee made sure to say that the KIA Tigers baseball team is always looking for enthusiastic fans, both Korean and foreigner alike. So know that you are personally invited to come and support the KIA Tigers!
6 5 Some KIA Tigers players in action: 1. Lee Yong-kyu; 2. Seo Jaeeung; 3. Ahn Chi-hong; 4. Yoon Seok-min; 5. Lee Beomho; 6. Choi Hee-seop
For more information about upcoming games and events, visit www.tigers.co.kr or look at page 8.
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feature
The Two-Wheel Trekkers By Rachel Redfern Photos courtesy of Adrian Tegler
K
orea is a country with a history now beginning to have success and growth. With the goal of experiencing Korea and hopefully spreading more awareness of it, Adrian Tegler and Ryan Mariotti decided to spend one month exploring the entire country from motorcycles, (well, one motorcycle and one very-large scooter, actually). Hailing from Canada, Adrian and Ryan have extensive histories in traveling. Adrian lived in both Busan and Gwangju teaching for a year in each city, while Ryan has spent months traveling through Africa. This is Ryan's first trip to Korea, and as a freelance filmmaker, he will document their entire trip, producing weekly webisodes for their blog: www.twowheeltrekker.com, pictures, a series of shorts about 'A Day in the Life of a Korean,' and he has hopes of producing a documentary about their experiences. Adrian first proposed this ambitious project about a year ago. The pair have spent the past five months preparing for this journey by contacting motorcycle clubs and enthusiasts, finding motorcycles to rent and planning a route that encompasses all of Korea. Adrian and Ryan started their journey in Seoul and will travel around the exterior of Korea, spending a week in Jeju, before hopping back to the mainland and circling up through the Jirisan and Seorksan National Parks then heading back to Seoul. Both men have several years of experience on motorcycles (Adrian has been riding since before having a driver's license) and there's a good reason why they chose motorcycles for this trip. According to the guys, when you are on a motorcycle, it is a communal world. “Experiencing the world on a motorcycle, or even a bicycle, lets you see the world in such a different way. You're open to the elements. You're not in a bubble like you are in a car.� Even though the motorcycle is integral to their trip, they say getting off the bikes and experiencing the landscape and locals is the big umbrella under which their love for motorcycles sits. They have ambitious plans to hike Hallasan, Jirisan and
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Upper: Sleeping between flights in Vancouver Airport Lower: All packed up and ready to start the adventure, outside a motel in Seoul. Seoraksan, as well as participate in temple stays, and even scuba diving in Jeju. When asked about their inspiration for this trip, Adrian talked about how much he has missed Korea, while Ryan reiterated his commitment to filming Korea and how amazing this opportunity is.
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Enjoying beautiful Dongho Beach on the west coast before continuing on to Gwangju Adrian and Ryan have big goals for this trip and have endeavored to keep the attention on Korea, rather than themselves. Ryan said, “It's about how Koreans live. We just want to put the focus on Korea, not on us motorcycling all the time.” In planning this trip, Adrian and Ryan realized that there is still much about Korea that is unknown to the rest of the world. “People in the West just don't know a lot about Korea, when you say Korea they say, 'North Korea.'” The duo hopes to spread more information about the peninsula with their films and Adrian's weekly blog updates. A trip of this magnitude required a lot of preparation, and so far, the trip has been made easier by Koreans who have been helpful and supportive of Adrian and Ryan reaching their goals. Finding a business that would allow them to rent two motorcycles for an entire month was definitely a challenge. Luckily they found Harleyriding, “Seoul Joe,” who graciously helped them locate one motorcycle and one large scooter to rent. For those interested in starting their own scooter or motorcycle trekking experience, Adrian and Ryan are encouraging. There is a substantial population of motorcycle and scooter clubs in Korea that are happy to include new riders. Locally, the Gwangju
Gunners Motorcycle Club is a foreigner-based club here in Gwangju that will even be joining Adrian and Ryan on the road. If you're interested in getting your own vehicle, purchasing a bike is cheap and renting is possible (Adrian and Ryan both suggest www.eggmoto.com for scooters). Adrian and Ryan reiterated how excited and generous this country's citizens have been towards them. Many Koreans have offered suggestions for little-known places to visit, and pass along information about other travelers and motorcyclists in Korea who would be excited to share in their journey. In just a few weeks, the guys will meet two Korean women who went all the way from Russia to Europe on the back of a scooter, a contact they never would have made if not for a friendly local in Seoul. Both of them hope that this trip is not the end of their motorcycle adventures. In the future, they would like to motorcycle through more countries (for their next trip, they are thinking maybe Canada or Russia) utilizing their unique style, which consists of spending longer amounts of time in a specific region, and exploring and filming rather than racing through a country. For now, you can follow them on their website: www.twowheeltrekker.com and offer suggestions for good places to visit and unique things to do in Korea on Facebook at facebook/twowheeltrekker. Gwangju News April 2013 17
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travel
Asia by Bike
Tour company offers more than 400 tours in 70 countries Words and photo by Lindsay Nash
Lindsay and her husband, Whit
P
edal, pedal, push, push, turn, turn, turn, TURN!
Huffing and puffing up the steep concrete path, we realized quickly how sharp the turn was at the top. We volleyed just in time, a hairpin left that suddenly opened up to a breath-taking view of the West Sea and its small islands popping up like mushrooms from the fog. Our rickety tandem bicycle creaked beneath our flip-flops as we continued our journey around the island. But for us, on this beat-up metal bicycle for two, chugging along this beautiful island of Seonyudo off the western coast of Korea, it's a recipe for raucous adventure, hearty laughs and a side of the country one rarely sees from any other mode of transportation. Cycling is surely one of the best ways to see Korea, from the city streets of Seoul, Busan or Daegu to the dirt trails dividing luscious green rice paddies in the heart of the country. It's not only a weekend pastime on a sunny spring day. It's also a new way to see the world. Now in my fifth year of living in South Korea, I am the Asia Tour Specialist at Bike Tours Direct, a U.S.based company that represents local bicycle touring companies around the world. Now living in Daegu (after spending four years in beloved Gwangju), I am helping expats and Koreans get connected to participate in these amazing cycling adventures. At the same time, with two more tours to be added in Korea in the coming months, I will also be focusing on bringing more cyclists to see the beauty of The Land of the Morning Calm. We offer cycling tours in the usual hotspots like Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. But we have also recently expanded our roster of routes to include destinations like India, Burma and Bhutan. We also have hundreds of European tours, all run by local European tour operators.
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We offer everything from short 5-day leisurely bike rides around Angkor Wat to 15-day mountain bike adventures in Nepal. We have long distance road cycling tours in Japan, as well as beachy, laidback bike rides in the islands of the Philippines. One of the many great things about these bicycle vacations is that they provide local guides – someone who will take you along the un-trodden path to the little-known restaurants, sites and back roads, making your adventure unique and much more special than the typical foray into a popular Asia destination. Here are a few of my favorite guided routes we are now offering. -
Angkor Wat Explorer Tour, 5 days Burma Heritage by Bicycle, 6 nights Discover Bhutan, 7 nights Classic Kerala (India), 8 nights South Japan's Kyushu Island, 7 nights Mongolia Off-Road, 13 nights Bike, Raft, Safari in Nepal, 13 nights Island Hopping in the Philippines, 12 nights Thailand: Northern Highlights, 6 nights
And, make sure to check out our more than 400 tours in 70 countries! Next time you are planning a vacation to a nearby Asian locale, consider booking a bicycle tour. Learn more about Bike Tours Direct at www.biketoursdirect.com. In addition to the bike tours listed above, we now have more than 60 guided and self-guided bike tours in Asia. Start searching these offerings now, and feel free to email me at lindsay@biketoursdirect.com with questions on tours in Asia and beyond!
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event preview
Spring Festival Words and photos by Kelly Kim
T
he weather is getting warm and it is time to start playing outside. The Global Families of Gwangju are busy again.
On Saturday, April 20, we will hold an outdoor festival for kids (and for “kids at heart”). There will be carnival games, BBQ burgers and sports activities. As we are still in the planning stages, we are looking for help in the form of ideas for games, sponsorship and volunteers. Volunteers are needed to design and/or run carnival games, plan and supervise sports events, and people to help cook and sell food. The Global Families of Gwangju is a non-profit group of foreigners dedicated to providing an active outdoor lifestyle for our children. We also try to bring people together to celebrate the holidays together and share our traditions with Koreans and people of all nationalities. We hold a yearly Christmas dinner, where families can meet and enjoy a meal together. The kids enjoy meeting Santa and playing with each other. In October 2012, we had our first Halloween carnival. Thanks to all the volunteers who made game booths, as the kids loved the games and ate a lot of candy. They got cool Halloween prizes and even got a crack at a spider piñata. The Global Families of Gwangju also holds a baseball league for boys and girls, ages 5 to 10. The Dusters meet every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Gwangju Education University. They will begin this season as soon as the weather is warm enough. Coaches Quentin Boehr, Jeff Hamilton and Mark Kunza teach youngsters the basic skills of baseball. The older kids have participated in tournaments with Korean teams. We also meet every Tuesday from 4:30 - 5:30 at the Yeomju Gymnasium for ice skating. We hope to see a great turnout for this event. Let's work together to make a great day for the kids.
Spring Festival Details: Date and Location: April 20, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Gwangju Foreign School (next to the GIST campus) 106 Samso-Ro, Oryong-dong, Buk-Gu, Gwangju Price: Free. Parents only buy tickets for carnival games. Food: There will be BBQ hamburgers, hotdogs and various treats for sale. Also, a Kebab truck will make an appearance. Contact Information: Please contact Kelly Palmer Kim via the Facebook event: (www.facebook.com/#!/events/228457820627530/) page or via email at: kelly0759@hotmail.com. For details about the Gwangju Dusters baseball team, please contact Jeff Hamilton, via email at: j.hmltn@gmail.com For details about the ice-skating, please contact Quentin Boehr, via email: at quentbear@hotmail.com
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interview
An Interview with Chun Moon Sunim Words and photos by Adam Hogue
N
estled at the base of Mt. Geumjeongsan (금 정산) on the border of Busan lies Boemeosa (범어사). It is a beautiful old temple that was first built 1,300 years ago by the monk Ui Sang and King Manmu of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was destroyed during the Japanese invasion of 1592, but it was rebuilt in 1713. In the geography book, 'Donggukyeojiseungram,' the temple was said to have come from “a well on the top of Mt. Geumjeongsan [that held golden water]”. The golden fish in the well rode the colorful clouds and came down from the sky. This is why the mountain is named Geumsaem (gold well) and the temple is named 'fish from heaven'. (visitkorea.or.kr) In February, I took some friends on a Templestay at Beomasa. Having done some temple stays in the past, I knew it would be a uniquely Korean experience that I wanted to share with my friends. Beomasa and the great hiking opportunities in the mountains around it was just the place I wanted my friends to experience. I also wanted to show them around Busan, so early one Saturday morning, we hopped on a bus and did it. Beomasa is a very short cab ride or subway/bus ride from the Nopo Bus Terminal in Busan. The temple is a little ways up Geumjeongsan, so if you are planning on making a hike, plan extra time for traveling. On the way to the Templestay area, we passed through the front gate called the Il Ju Gate. Il Ju means “one pillar.” The gate itself is the only fourpillar gate in all of Korea, but it looks like one pillar when viewed from the side (it is unsurprisingly a national treasure). After arriving and getting comfortable in our monk-
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like robes, we were introduced to Chun Moon (천 문). Chun Moon was the monk who would be leading our Templestay and I was surprised to see that he was not Korean. I was immediately intrigued by this western monk in Korea. Chun Moon is a Polish man living and practicing at Beomasa. He first started his journey to the monastic life at the Zen Center in Cumberland, Rhode Island, in America. After some small talk, he was thrilled to learn I was from Woonsocket, a “stone's throw away” from the Zen Center in Cumberland. It was a definite moment of synchronicity. Chun Moon's Polish background, his time spent at the Zen Center in Cumberland and his presence at a mountain temple in Korea fascinated me, and I wanted to learn a bit more about his story and some of his thoughts on Buddhism from a monastic point of view; particularly a monastic in Korea, one of the predominantly Buddhist regions of the world, as opposed to the Western lens of Buddhism that I was brought up with. After the Templestay, I made an appointment to chat with Chun Moon about his life as a monk living in Korea. The following is a transcript of our interview: You are probably one of the few Western-born monks living in Korea, and I, for one, was surprised when I met you. There are actually quite a few western monks in Korea. There are American monks, Russian monks, some Argentineans; there are over fifty monks living in the Cho Gye Jong Order. Where did your path to being a monk begin? Was there an epiphany moment? Many Christians speak
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of hearing a call to priesthood or to be a monk, but was your calling more subtle? It was not really a calling. I don't like those Christian terms. I started getting into yoga and Buddhism in my late teens/early twenties. At twenty I met my teacher Soong Sang (ěˆěƒ ). He was a Korean and he started a Zen Center in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1986, I went to the United States to study at the Zen Center, and after Soong Sang's death in 2004, I made the decision to become a monk. In 2007, I came to Korea and started living as a monk. What is the difference between a Zen Center, where you were, and a Temple? Zen Centers are for lay people where they go to practice meditation, [who are] concerned with the practice side of Buddhism or meditation. Lay people go to practice living in the present. If you are doing something, just do it; nothing else. If you eat, just eat. If you drive, just drive. The Cultural Revolution in the 1970s brought a lot of Eastern philosophy into the United States and the popularity of meditation came out of that. Zen Centers started to open up to give people a place to go. There are no monastics in the West. Temples are only in Korea and in this part of the world. Korean Buddhism is engrained in the society and has been for thousands of years, much like Catholicism is engrained in parts of the Western world. And much like old women and people in general find community in churches in the west, old women come to temples to pray, but also for social purposes. Buddhism is one of the major religions of the world; do you think that all religions attempt to answer the same fundamental questions? Or were you drawn to Buddhism because it was different? You have to answer it. The questions are there for your answers. Buddha teaches that anyone can be Buddha. The big question is simple, 'Who am I?' Everyone can answer it. My teacher, Soong Sang, used to teach Trappist monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani ways to meditate, and he used to say it was so simple because they were doing the same thing. Do you know Thomas Merton? It was his abbey. We are caught up in a realm of name and form. It's only transitory, this whole world and the names and forms we give things don't make a difference. Our language works in absolutes: light and dark, black and white, good and bad. We are too caught in the concepts and language, it is really very simple: 'Who am I?' Is meditation as simple as breathing or should it be done with more intent, like a prayer? I don't like the term 'prayer.' It is loaded. Prayer
immediately makes me think of asking for something. People pray with the wrong intent. They pray for something. They have a goal or a desire. A great mind once said, 'prayer is the petition considering himself or herself unworthy before a power.' Praying for something is not how it works, it is a good intention, but it ends there. It is just an intention. Meditation is special attention. It is breathing and simply being. There is no focused thought or desire. It is being as one is. 'Outside people's' meditation has often become to become better; to be more focused or to prepare for something. But in truth, meditation should have no goal, you already have everything; nothing else is needed. Meditation is just about clearing your mind. A good mantra is to simply inhale 'clear mind' and exhale 'don't know.' It is all about keeping a moving mind on this moment. It is all there is, we should not be separate from it. And underlying all meditation is the question, 'who am I?' A big obstacle is constantly checking yourself to see if you are doing it right. Meditation is an act of Great Faith, Great Courage and Great Question. Great Faith, like a hen on eggs waiting patiently for the eggs to hatch, knowing they will hatch. Great Courage, like a cat focusing on a hole a mouse just ran into, waiting ready to pounce when he comes out. Great Question, 'Who am I?' Let's talk about mindfulness. In this day and age, we are completely hyper-connected. Everything is instantaneous and at our finger-tips. Define being mindful for the Millennial Generation. When you do something, do it 100 percent. Only do what is present, completely. Information and minds work fast and our concentration is scattered. Mindfulness is being fully aware of what you are doing. Mindfulness also means not getting attached to words. Just do what you are doing, 100 percent, and you will never be anywhere but the present. My teacher was once seen going to the bathroom with a newspaper and when he came out, some of the people at the Zen Center cornered him and said, 'You are always telling us to do everything 100 percent, how can you go to the bathroom and read?' and without missing a beat my teacher said, 'I was shitting and reading 100 percent.' Beomasa is a wonderful place for a Templestay and a great start to a weekend in Busan. If you would like to do a Templestay at Beomasa and meet Chun Moon for yourself, you can visit their website at www.beomeo.kr/eng_templestay/idt.php and sign up.
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interview
Filling a Void – The JSA By Tammy Friend Photos courtesy of Nancy Harcar and Gwangju City Blog “Gwangjurang” www.saygj.com
“I
feel far safer in Korea than I do in my own country.” I've often heard this statement said by foreigners in Korea. But does this renewed sense of safety make expats a more vulnerable target for crime? As Nancy Harcar, joint founder of the JSA (Jeolla Safety Alliance) highlights, “We're foreigners, we stand out.” And while we generally enjoy a favourable interaction with the Korean community because of this fact, it can sometimes attract unwanted attention. The JSA was set up in response to an incident in October 2012 in which a foreign teacher was allegedly raped by a taxi driver here in Gwangju. This incident acted as a catalyst for some intense debates about the safety of expats here in Korea and the formation of the alliance is one of the positive outcomes to emerge.The alliance fundamentally aims to provide research about the prevention of crime, as well as to assist those who have been victims of crime here in Gwangju. Primarily, the alliance encourages people to remain alert and aware. Korea is not without crime; therefore it is necessary to take safety precautions similar to those that would be taken in any other country. The JSA promotes awareness in various ways. For example, they give notifications about self-defense classes in the city, and in the future, they plan to provide people with safety-related protection in the form of whistles and methods of how to carry them, and to invite people to attend public seminars with speakers from around the country. They also encourage people to use the JSA Facebook group as a medium for sharing useful information about anything else safety-related. Harcar was very keen to emphasise that, although the alliance was set up in response to an attack on a woman, the JSA represents all people. “All foreigners incur a certain level of danger just by being in a foreign country and we are here to help everyone.” While these preventative measures are fundamental to the JSA, equally important is the help they provide those who have been victim to
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Nancy speaking for JSA at the Foreigners’ Consultation Meeting with Gwangju’s mayor Photo by www.saygj.com crime, Harcar added. “When you're living in a foreign country, you're away from home and a support system. A lot of times you don't know where to go for information.” The alliance is currently in the early stages of forming what they hope will become an extensive resource of information for victims of crime about where to go and who to contact for assistance. While this information is currently available to foreigners, it needs to be compiled and verified to ensure its reliability and accessibility. This is the service that JSA provides. The JSA is very keen to work alongside local officials and is currently in the process of forging positive connections with the police and media in the city. The alliance believes that the expat and Korean communities can work together on crime-related issues in a manner that will benefit everyone. For example, Harcar said, “When a bulletin is released about a crime committed towards a foreigner, they can send it to us and we can post it on our site in English to spread the word and make people aware.” The JSA have also been communicating with a local English-speaking lawyer who has provided extensive information about Korean laws, expat rights and ways in which, as foreigners, we can remain culturally-sensitive while still prioritizing our safety.
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Gwangju is a large and sprawling city, and the JSA is currently very focused on finding people who are willing to volunteer as representatives for their local areas. This person or group would become the first point of contact for any safety issues within their neighbourhood. Ultimately, the JSA's aim is to have a number of representatives around the city who have access to extensive information regarding the services available to victims. With this information immediately accessible, the JSA hopes to increase the efficiency of the legal process and reduce the stress that a victim would usually incur while trying to navigate these services in a foreign country. Harcar said “We are looking to build a bigger network of connected people so that more people are involved in a more streamlined way.� Fundraising is another important aspect of the JSA, since many of the plans the alliance is keen on implementing require funding. One such plan is to provide the fee for a victim's first consultation with an English-speaking lawyer so that he or she can better understand their rights. The JSA also plans to establish a system whereby they can contribute to any medical bills and travel expenses a victim may incur.
Nancy (right) in a JSA meeting As expats living a long way from home, we can be very encouraged and comforted by the progress of the JSA. It has primarily been established as a means for foreigners to help each other to stay safe, as well as to provide a strong network of support and practical help for those who need it. While the alliance is still in its early stages of development, it has already established a strong foundation on which to implement its plans for the future.
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interview
Homegrown Expat HipHop – 'Megook Movement'/ DJ Hypnotiq By Matt Furlane Photos by Jeff Dalgleish
I
n the fall of 2009, a gathering of beginning rap artists, led by Bryan Simmons (aka DJ Hypnotiq), committed to promote Hip Hop music in South Korea. They formed the group “Megook Movement”. It began in Gwangju but has played all over Korea in the last three years. Bryan is also doing solo work and has a new album coming out that is exploring more biographical themes. I sat down with Bryan to find out more about his group and his solo work. What is Megook Movement about? We invite other groups to play with us and we mix Rock, Rhymes and Reggae. No one in Korea has done what we do. We fuse all three genres into one good show. We do it here in Gwangju, we get artists like G-MO from Gunsan (originally from Los Angeles in California) and people from Seoul to come down here and participate. And it's crazy, we had a couple of artists come down for an event, and once they got off the bus, they thought there was going to be rice fields everywhere. I was like no, man, it's a city here, just like anywhere in Korea. They had never left Seoul before, it's so big, there are hundreds of clubs to play in, you could 24
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Megook Movement in action
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spend your whole life in Seoul and never see the rest of Korea. So I want to change that. They were surprised by all of the local support here. And the name? We're a collective group of people so we came up with 'Movement,' and we were all foreigners, so obviously: 'Megook'. And the 'MM' makes it simpler for designing. Some people misinterpreted it as a 'revolution.' and they thought we were an antigovernment revolutionary group, but we're not that. We just talk about partying in Korea. Where has Megook Movement played? We've played in Seoul, Busan (Vinyl Underground and Fabric), Daejeon, Suncheon, Daegu and MudFest in Boryeong. Busan has a great atmosphere. That's a great place, good people and beautiful people. And at Daegu, we did a show where we had almost all soldiers. And here in Gwangju, we've played at Nevermind, Mix, Club Illy, House, Bubble Bar and Speakeasy. We're hoping to play more in Seoul, and we're getting help from a manager up there named Josh Roy, who is internationally known and I think is the top reggae artist in Korea. Who are your members and what albums have you released so far? We originally started with 10 members. We were like the Wu-Tang Clan of Korea. Now there are four of us, me from Chicago, Cliff De Trong from Cameroon, AC Cutta from Kentucky and Stick Figure from Seattle, U.S.A. We've done two albums, “Listen and Repeat” and “Next Level Up.” We have our own recording studio with AC Cutta here in Gwangju. We also have a third untitled album coming out this year. Where can people listen and learn? We're on iTunes. We have a Facebook page and a Reverb Nation account. We have several videos on YouTube. Most are like slide shows but we have two full music videos: “Pay Back”, which was shot in Seoul, and "Another Day in the SK”, which was all recorded here in Gwangju. When did you become DJ Hypnotiq? It came when I was in college. I did Hip Hop, R&B and Chicago Juke (a faster version of Ghetto House), as some people call it. It's faster than the electronic they play here. It's like 160 BPM. It's a whole lot faster, and when people dance to it, they do what's called “Foot Work", which is derived from various other dances. I played some of it at Chonnam National University and they liked it, but they couldn't dance to it. It was way too fast.
What did you do in college? I graduated from Southern Illinois University (SIU), with a degree in radio and television broadcasting. The reason I chose that major was because I did acting and stand-up comedy at places like Riddles Comedy Club. I did that for a few years. And SIU had one of the top radio/TV programs in the nation. Another reason was that the person who got me into stand-up was Hannibal Buress, the guy who writes for NBC's 30 Rock. He's been on late-night TV in America also. I did stand-up with him for a while, until later he dropped out of college and went to New York. Does coming from Chicago influence you in terms of your life and music? I was born and raised in Chicago, and it had the highest homicide rate last year, and growing up there from middle school to high school, I dealt with gangs and drugs in the community. Being from the 'South Side' and living in it, it didn't seem like much, growing up. But now from the outside looking in, it's crazy. I would say a lot of my early music is not about Chicago. It's about Korean life, partying and having fun. But now I feel I've grown as an artist, and I feel more comfortable talking about personal things and what I experienced growing up. I want to put that in my upcoming solo music. What is the name of your solo album? It's going to be called “Drunken Days and SoMber Nights” with a capitalized M, so it could be read also “Drunken Days Sober Nights”. It's basically describing me dealing with difficult personal things. I think being in Korea has influenced me in some ways, both positively and negatively. Back home I wasn't a big drinker, but here you work long hours, Monday through Friday, and you need to relieve stress. And there's more of a cultural influence or pressure to drink. So my solo work will address some of that and be more serious. The album comes out in late May. Who are your Hip Hop influences? Any artist that I can draw from. It doesn't matter. It doesn't have to be just HipHop artists for me. I like Lincoln Park, Nirvana, Korn and Spanish Jazz. I get inspiration from all artists. Also, I get my inspiration from life experiences, both good and bad. Why is Hip Hop getting popular in Korea? I think it's becoming more popular in Korea because it's new to Korean culture and it's western. But Korea is mostly into electronic dance right now. But I think in 10 years, Hip Hop in Korea will be more in the clubs than electronic music.
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event preview
Support GIC and Celebrate Spring with May Concert By Karina Prananto Photos courtesy of GIC
M
ay marks many historical events in Gwangju, which makes it one of the most significant months for Gwangju citizens. The month of May itself is a very important month for the GIC as it is when May Concert is held. This year's May Concert promises to bring more diverse musical performances.
The May Concert carries out one of GIC's missions to promote intercultural understanding by raising funds for third-world countries and countries stricken by natural disasters. A group of GIC's musicians will play music together in harmony for people of all nationalities to enjoy. This year, however, will be a bit different. It is known to many that the GIC will be moving to a new location by the end of June. It will be a very big transition as the GIC will need funding and support from the local and international communities to keep its doors open and provide services for the community. This year's May Concert will put a focus on the funding and the profits raised from the event will be used to help the GIC reach its goal to find the most suitable future location. The May Concert will be held at the Gwangju Culture and Arts Center – Small Theater on May 12. You can buy tickets in advance or on the spot, however, it is strongly recommended to buy tickets beforehand to secure your seat. We expect a greater turnout to this year's concert classical and jazz music will be the main genre for this event. The GIC invites you to come and show your support. Join this event and support a good cause! GIC May Concert Overview Date: May 12, 2013 (Sunday) Time: 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Venue: Small Theater, Gwangju Culture and Art Center, Buk-gu, Gwangju Directions: Buses no. 12, 16, 18, 27, 48, 49, 51, 58, 72, 84, 85, 95, 101, 192 (get off at Gwangju Culture and Art Center) For more info, please check out next issue of Gwangju News! 26
Gwangju News April 2013
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Your Scene, Your Shot
Beginner’s Photography Workshop with Simon Bond Learn skills to quickly improve your photos! Expert guidance from international travel photographer, Simon Bond Each session will last for 4-5 hours per week. The course will comprise of both theory and practical elements, where students can participate in a guided photo walk where they’ll be given expert advice. Handouts will be available. Learn how to profit from the photos you take! Each course will have a maximum of 8 students Period: From March 31, 2013 at 1 p.m. Price: 60,000 won/ session or 300,000 won for 6 sessions (participants need to pay for any transport or entrance tickets incurred during the course) Week 1: Composition and types of light (Photo walk in Suncheon Bay) Week 2: Camera settings and shutter speed (Photo walk in downtown Gwangju) Week 3: Aperture and using the light (Photo walk in Maegok-dong, Gwangju) Week 4: Design elements (Photo walk in Suncheon riverside) Week 5: Portraits (Photo walk in Nagan Folk Village, Suncheon) Week 6: Project work and camera equipment (Photo walk in Songgwangsa) Get a signed copy of Simon’s Simple Scene: Sensational Shot book for those who completed the six-week course. For more information and registration: alternative_si@hotmail.com Or check out Facebook page: YourSceneYour Shot
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photo essay
The Fire and The Fight: A Night at The Gwangju Chilseok Gossaum Festival By Heidi Haley Enemies meet with helping hands
he freezing cold night air was illuminated by tiny bonfires throughout the festival grounds. Hundreds had gathered to welcome the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. A tradition happening throughout all of Korea held a special precedence here in Gwangju. Three hundred years ago, a famous folk game was invented here in Otdol Village in Chilseok-dong, Nam-gu. The game, called gossaumnori, (고싸움놀이) is brought back to life every year at the Gwangju Chilseok Gossaum Festival. Visitors were welcomed to a weekend of events, however, Saturday night hosted the main events which were not to be missed.
T
Playing with fire
Heidi Haley studied Film and Video at Georgia State University getting her Bachelors in Communication Arts with a minor in Theatre and Linguistics. A fan of the “moving image” with cinematography heroes like Emmanuel Lubezki and Christopher Doyle, her interest in photography was always present, but only recently has it become a more passionate hobby. With a filmmaker's eye she tries to tell a story with each image she shoots. She came to South Korea in February 2010 where she has lived in Gwangju teaching High School English for the last three years. The warm glow 28
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Burning down the Moon House
A leader’s entrance
A leader’s spirit
A New Year’s prayer
A mystical fire
The boy and the fire
Fireworks
For more information about this festival, visit Gwangju Gossaum Theme Park (광주고싸움놀이테마파크) located at Chilseok-dong, Nam-gu, Gwangju. To get there: take buses no. 61, 69 or 170 and get off at Hachilseok – Gossaum Instruction Hall bus stop (하칠석 고싸움전수관) Gwangju News April 2013
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travel
Wanderlust: A List of Do’s and Don'ts While in Taipei Words and photos by Colleen Mayo
D
o get a travel buddy. Meet mine: G. Last year we tackled Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This winter we took on Thailand, Hong Kong and Taipei. Our raison d'être while on the road: meet everyone, eat everything and never sleep. Do find a guide, speak Chinese or risk complete bamboozlement. I live in Korea yet wield the vocabulary of a five-year-old, which means I've grown comfortable with a certain level of confusion and general helplessness. But even a traveler acquainted to daily bewilderment risks total stupefaction in Taipei. Taipei is not EnglishFriendly. Many street signs stick to Mandarin. You're lucky to find a menu with pictures, much less English and most folks raise their eyebrows at any English outside of “Hello,” “Thank you” and “How much?,” although the younger generations are more English-savvy. Even with the language barrier, Taipei is too thrilling a place to skip. The solution: Find a guide or make a friend who can show you their city. Lucky connections got us hooked up with nineteen-year-old Romeo, a university student and Taipei local. As a guide, Romeo helped us buy subway cards (it saves you money) and navigate Taipei like natives. As a friend, Romeo showed us the country's biggest gem is the kind-hearted, buoyant Taiwanese people. The runner-up? Food. Don't smell the Tofu. Unless you're the sort of person who regularly lifts old sneakers to their face for the fun of taking a hearty sniff, close your nose at the first sign of Taiwan's trademark street-food nosh, “stinky tofu.” The traditional method for producing this famous snack is to ferment milk, vegetable and meat brine for several months. This brine, when fried with tofu, concocts an offensive smell similar to a fart or an ogre’s breath. Do eat everything that comes on a stick and/or from the street. Taiwan is not a country for the smallstomached. I daresay Taiwanese love to hunker, snack, and taste more than Koreans – a true feat. Eating is as much an activity in Taipei as riding to the top of the world's third tallest building, Taipei 101. Romeo crafted every adventure around what we could nibble. After a few days of impressive 30
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The famous Mengjia Longshan Temple, near “Snake Alley” in Taipei and a vendor selling music CDs stomach-stretching, G and I ate it all: soy-sauce marinated quail eggs, seasoned sweet potatoes, peanut ice-cream, pig-blood rice paddies, oyster omelets, tempura, pork balls, braised pork, Taiwanese-style hamburger, pineapple cake … the list goes on (and includes stinky tofu). An English teacher living in Taipei told me the city has over 40 streets dedicated to street cuisine. This country snacks on an epic scale. Follow the locals: it's as ubiquitous and stylish to hold a paper-wrapped fried treat in your hand as it is to sling a designer bag around your shoulder. Don't drink Bubble Tea in the subway. Street-food should fill your stomach and Bubble Tea should quench your thirst. I didn't even like Bubble Tea before I walked Ximending District's trendy neon streets. The Ximen experience is a satisfying cross between Seoul's throbbing Myeongdong and offkilter Hongdae. Add a more impressive medley of street food, languages and clothing styles and Ximen has that unique, Taiwanese personality. The goods are flashy, the people flashier, and everyone drinks bubble tea. (Don't believe me?
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A shot of the lantern-filled, night sky
A close up of a street-food stall at Roahe Night Market in Taipei YouTube: Bobalife by the Fung Brothers). But don't carry your swanky prize too far. Taipei has strict subway rules, which read in bold English that no passenger may “spit phlegm, smoke, drink, eat, chew gum or betel nuts within Taipei Metro.” Don't plan on saving your money at the night markets. Roahe, Shihlin, Linjiang, Tanshui: every market has its own selection of eats and threads. Addicted to the rows of free samples and sea-side landscape, G and I went to Tanshui twice. You'll find recommendations for Shihlin in all the guidebooks but we scored the best loot at Roahe. It doesn't matter. The night market experience is about smells, sights and people-watching more than shopping. Do save some packing room for all your bounty. We ended up toting extra bags on the flight home. Don't sleep but do find a good bed. My advice for pocket-pinchers and high rollers alike: The Meeting Place hostel. G and I are not “hostel-types.” We prefer to hunt for economy rooms that come without 15 other people, but the reviews were too glowing to resist and we booked some nights here. It was the best decision of our trip. The Meeting Place is flooded with generous, sage travelers.
Presenting the lantern the writer (center) and her friends wrote together in English, Korean and Chinese
The writer (left) and G on a bridge at Pinxi Road near Taipei, on the way to Lantern Festival Many have been living in Taipei for months and love to share their Taiwan experiences, advice and fun with newcomers. A night at the Meeting Place begins wrapped around the hostel's kitchen-table with a guitar and band of backpacking troubadours. It ends on the streets of Taipei, drinking (weak) Taiwanese beer and dancing at a local bar with new friends. G and I never believed much in sleep; since Taipei, we're true anarchists. Do make a wish, Taiwanese style. Take a train into the mountains. You'll see a sky full with a hundred lanterns. Buy a lantern. Hold a heavy, black paintbrush. Write your wishes. When you're ready and the lantern is painted full, stuff it with paper money. Light the money on fire. Because it is fighting to rise, you and your travel buddy and your guide must stand on different sides to hold the lantern down. Then, “one-two-three,” you release the lantern and it lifts fast as heat into the air. All around you locals and travelers will cheer. They'll jump and hoot and clap their hands. Arch your neck up and count slowly as the lantern ascends. Until – breath held and fingers clung tight around friends' fingers – it disappears with the others, another striking sight to remember.
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living tips
Visas – An E to F Guide By Bradley Weiss
image from Cafe24
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any, if not most foreigners living here in Gwangju, are in Korea on an E-2, or Foreign Language Instructor visa. These are oneyear renewable visas, but limit what the holder can legally do for employment in Korea. What many foreigners are perhaps unaware of is a program the government instituted in February of 2010 whereby foreign nationals possessing “professional” visas (the E-2 is included in this categorization) can change their visa status to that of F-2, or Long-term Resident status, if they have lived in Korea for at least a year and meet certain other requirements based on a point system. Some foreigners may have heard of the existence of the process but also may have heard that, like most things involving governmental bureaucracy, it was difficult to the point of being impossible to successfully complete. However, U.S. national and Seoul resident Devin Whiting successfully completed the process in September 2011 and shared his insights on obtaining an F-2 visa. “Foreigners who have looked at the point system for the F-2 visa and said it was an extreme hassle are pretty much right,” said Whiting. The government has instituted a point system, with points being allotted for different categories, such as age, academic career, Korean language ability, income and social integration. Whiting advises that the first step for someone wanting to obtain an F-2 visa is to download the document detailing the point system from the Ministry of Justice website and calculate to see if the individual meets the minimum number of 80 points. “Korean ability is essentially a must,” said Whiting, adding that most people without an advanced degree or a degree earned in Korea do not achieve the required number of points. He advised, “If you find yourself short eight or ten points, you'll probably have to enroll in the Korea Immigration Integration Program (KIIP).” Whiting describes the KIIP as being “like a five-level Korean language course where you learn about Korean culture and civics,” including a written exam and interview at the end, similar to a
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naturalization test. The program was originally developed in part for foreign spouses of Korean nationals, and Whiting added that he was the only Westerner in a class otherwise comprised of South Asian, Southeast Asian and Chinese immigrants. Information on signing up for the KIIP is available at www.kiip.kr, but the site is only in Korean and described as “daunting” by Whiting, who advises having a Korean friend help foreigners navigate through the site. Whiting warns that the KIIP might be “impractical for some because it takes anywhere from six months to two years to complete.” The first step for beginning the program is taking a placement test. “This test is crucial because if you do poorly, you'll be in class the full two years. But if you do well you could be done in a matter of months.” However, his overall impression of the program was favorable. “It appeared to me that the Korean government, more than trying to put up barriers with KIIP, is trying to bring people in. The material was focused on giving [recent immigrants] a slightly better understanding of their new country and making them feel welcomed.” Completion of the KIIP is worth ten points toward the 80 required to be eligible to apply for an F-2 visa. A table detailing the point system is available at www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/index.html. (Click on “Announcements,” then “Notices,” then “Notice of Point System for Excellent Human Resources.”) However, one may ask what are the advantages of obtaining an F-2 visa that justify jumping through so many bureaucratic hoops. Acquiring Resident status allows the visa holder to pursue employment opportunities other than teaching. For those looking at starting a business, the F-2 visa also exempts the holder from the stipulation of having to bring the equivalent of 100 million won in foreign currency into Korea to do so. Also, the spouse and children of someone that obtains an F-2 visa will also gain resident status. In addition, instead of the one-year, renewable conditions of an E-2 visa, the F-2 visa is valid for up to three years. For foreigners who are
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looking to remain in Korea even longer, after staying in Korea for three years under F-2 status, the holder is eligible to apply for a permanent F-5 visa.
“Bug them constantly to make sure they're processing everything correctly, because one little mistake by them can throw off your F-2 by six months.”
For Whiting, the impetus to obtain an F-2 visa was related to his work in broadcasting. “It quickly became apparent to me that many people in the broadcasting field had far more opportunities than me because they were married to a Korean and thus had an F visa. As soon as the point system was announced, I knew that's what I had to do. And sure enough, [after obtaining an F-2 visa], I found many new opportunities.” He also warned that the most difficult part of the process was navigating the bureaucracy. “When I started on that path, not many people had yet done it, so no one on the immigration hotline was able to give me much help. It was quite stressful.” However, once his documents were submitted, the process was surprisingly smooth. “I finished the KIIP in September 2011 and went to immigration the very day my results came out. I was able to get the visa processed that day and picked up my new ARC card a couple of weeks later.” Whiting does advise being vigilant with the governmental offices after submitting the necessary documents. He warned,
Despite all of the bureaucratic hurdles, Whiting feels the process was worthwhile. “If I hadn't done it, I know my options in Korea would have been much more limited. Not to mention [the KIIP] is like a free Korean language class!” To find out more, E-series visa holders can contact immigration directly at (02)1345.
GWANGJU GUIDEBOOK Find more information about living in Gwangju at Gwangju Guidebook. Pick up a Gwangju Guidebook today. Available at the GIC for 1,000 won donation or check online: www.gwangjuguide.or.kr
Gwangju News Wish List We welcome your views on the magazine, both print and online! Gwangju News contributors are all volunteers. We welcome you to volunteer your time with the team on a temporary, part-time, or regular and ongoing basis. Feel free to contact us with any ideas you have for how you want to get involved!
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travel
[GIC Culture Tour] Naju GIC Culture Tour
By Warren Parsons Photos by Warren Parsons and Lee Boram
Date: April 20, 2013 (Sat.) Price: 40,000 won GIC members/ 50,000 won non-members Itinerary: East Gate and Market - Geumseong-Gwan - Lunch Gomtang - Confucian Academy - Teahouse Wansa-cheon - Bannam Gobun - Soybean Farm Experience Registration: Please sign up at the GIC website (www.gic.or.kr) by April 17 (Wed.) For more information: gictour@gic.or.kr
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pril blossoms with the flowers of spring. It brings back the original, and the perennially enjoyable, GIC Culture Tour to Naju. Over the years this trip has been refined and expanded to its current robust itinerary with all of the best food, culture and nature in the province. This year the first stop is the old East Gate of the city and the adjoining traditional market which sells of one Naju's signature foods, fermented skate, or hong-eo. This pungent sinus-clearing delicacy is unique to Naju; it is not for the faint of palate and it is sure to brighten any morning. Behind the market and outside the old fortress walls stands a onethousand-year-old tutelary stone totem used for rituals of protection and prosperity for the capital city of Naju. Like a sentinel it looks over all of those who enter the city gates. After a brisk introduction to the outskirts of the city, the tour moves to the historic center of Naju for a guided tour of the Joseon Dynasty era provincial governor's residence and administration center along with a visit to the Naju museum. The highlight of this palace compound is the imposing royal “hotel� in Geumseong-Gwan, which dates from the late 1400s. Gomtang is for lunch. No trip to Naju is complete without eating this hearty beef stew packed with energy for a day of traveling.
Upper: Naju Confucian Academy Lower: Soybean pots with Bannam Gobun in the background 34
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From the restaurant, participants can wander the streets and alleyways of the old aristocrats' quarter finally arriving at the Naju Confucian Academy, the second oldest of its kind in the country. This institution has been operational since the midfifteenth century and several buildings are extant from the school's founding along with its beautiful
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1. The writer in the soy bean farm 2. Gomtang 3. Traditional tea in Naju teahouse 4. Geumseong-gwan
dynasty met his queen and prepared his army for battle. From Wansa-cheon, the road is more than 15 kilometers of undulating pear orchards and fields to Bannam Go-bun, a pre-Baekjae burial site. The large burial mounds dwarf the surrounding landscape and provide a nice backdrop for a walking tour of the local farmland to a traditional soy sauce maker's home.
600-year-old ginkgo tree. Towering above and behind the academy is majestic Geumseong-san. Tea grows on this mountain and a visit to a lovely teashop nearby to drink tea enlivens the senses for enjoying the spring scenery.
At the soybean farm, participants can learn about the process for making soy sauce, soybean paste and roasted bamboo salt. Also, with arms deep in clay jars and hands full of soft paste, participants can do their fair share of the farm work, separating the soy sauce and mixing the bean paste. All products are organic and each participant receives a small bottle of soy sauce and a jar of bean paste as part of the experience! Additional items like pepper paste and bamboo salt can also be purchased directly from the producer.
Following teatime, the tour transfers by bus to Wansa-cheon, an important spring water well, where Wang Geon, the first king of the Goryeo
This month come out and get your hands on the heartland of Jeollanam-do with the GIC Culture Tour! Gwangju News April 2013
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culture
Behind the Myth: Exploring Korean Tradition This series of articles will shed light on some Korean myths, folklore, traditions and superstitions. Every country has their own share of beliefs, fact or fiction, and many foreigners living in Korea are yet to hear or understand the basis of various Korean beliefs as they become apparent.
Hangover Stew By Stephen Redeker Photo by Maria Lammy
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fter spending the night with friends and consuming large amounts of alcohol, a popular Korean tradition is eating haejangguk (해장국) to combat the effects of a hangover. The name literally means “relief from drinking alcohol”. It's been long believed that this particular dish will help cure a hangover. Is this just another myth, or is there some truth to this? First, it's important to see what causes a hangover. The main culprit is a loss of water in the body. Alcohol is a diuretic, causing the body to drain itself of liquid (including from the brain). This is why you feel a headache after waking up the next morning from an all-night bender. The liver and kidneys have been working overtime to help filter out the toxins found in alcohol. Thus, the body is also depleted of salts, sugars and electrolytes. The best way to handle this is by adding these back into the bloodstream. Nutritionists have provided a menu of food and drinks that can help remedy the effects of a hangover. The most important is water. Drinking a few glasses of water before going to sleep can prevent a bad hangover. If the hangover has already struck the next morning, water will still help re-hydrate the body. Some other drinks that help nourish the body are sports drinks (they add electrolytes and sugar), fruit juice (sugar and vitamins), pickle or sauerkraut juice (sodium and vinegar), tomato juice (lycopene antioxidant), ginger and peppermint tea (soothes the stomach). Hunger can strike during a severe hangover. It's best to stick to foods that don't irritate the stomach, but will add necessary nutrients to the blood that the body needs. Eggs should be a part of your breakfast, as they contain amino acids that help break down the toxins from alcohol. Soups, such as chicken noodle or miso, are helpful because they contain salt and are easy on the stomach. Potassium rich foods like bananas, kiwis and spinach are also beneficial. Honey helps
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restore blood sugar levels and should be consumed in tea, or with toast. Some food and drinks to avoid, contrary to popular belief, are greasy foods, coffee and caffeine, orange juice, and the “hair of the dog” (more alcohol). Greasy foods containing meat are good to eat before a night of drinking. Consuming these foods the next day can irritate the stomach or dehydrate the body further. Which brings us back to haejangguk. Does it really have what you need to cure that hangover? Haejangguk contains pork meat, doenjang paste (similar to miso), onions, garlic, ginger, pepper, mushrooms, cabbage and sprouts mixed in a hot beef broth. There is no doubt this delicious, hot bowl of wholesome stew can cure a raging hunger, but it's not complete when it comes to having all the anti-hangover ingredients. It does contain salt and water, but it's missing the sugars and electrolytes needed to replenish the body. This dish may also be somewhat harsh on the stomach, especially for the uninitiated. The food contained inside a bowl of haejangguk will actually absorb alcohol, helping to prevent a bad hangover. It may not be the most complete thing to have after drinking, but it could be better suited as a meal before party time. Haejangguk tastes so good, it should be eaten as a meal both before and after a night out on the town.
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culture
Korean Sayings By Jackal
호랑이는 죽어서 가죽을 남기고 사람은 죽어서 이름을 남긴다 “A tiger leaves his skin behind him and a man leaves his name behind.”
image from Wikimedia
호랑이 굴에 들어가지 않고서는 결코 호랑이 새끼를 얻을 수 없다
In the Korean movie, Once Upon A Time in the Battlefield (2003), General Gyebaek of Baekje kills his entire family before his last battle against Shilla and says, “A tiger leaves his skin behind him while a man leaves his name behind.” What does this phrase mean?
“To catch a tiger, you have to go to the tiger's den”
A long time ago, a tiger skin was very expensive and rare. Not only were tigers hard to kill, but a tiger skin would produce a nice coat for winter. People realized that animals like tigers leave their precious skin behind after they die and bring benefits to the society. Then, what about mankind? The Korean ancestors taught their children that they should accomplish even greater work for the society and leave their names behind. General Gyebek must have felt the same when he killed his own family members and went to die on the battlefield. He tried to protect his people and the king of his country by raising the soldiers' morale. He showed his determination by leaving nothing behind on the battlefield (even by killing his family), leaving his name in history when he died.
Imagine what it takes to catch a tiger. First, you need to remember its sharp eyes and teeth. It would be really scary to be bitten by this tiger. But you have a sick mother, and the tiger's meat and skin would be enough to cure her illness. You should always risk something, like getting bitten, to earn something.
The first person to use this proverb was a Chinese general named Wang Un Zang. He was a respectable general who began as a common soldier. Although a brave warrior, he was illiterate, so he left his words in proverbs, instead of in writing. He used to say, “A leopard leaves his skin and a man leaves his name behind.” And when the expression spread to Korea, it became a tiger instead of a leopard.
Westerners like to say, “No pain, no gain.” Well, Koreans like to say “to catch a tiger, you have to go to the tiger's den.” This quote explains that without putting all of one's might into catching one's tiger, one cannot achieve what he or she aspires to accomplish.
This quote's origin comes from a man named Bancho of Han (China). Once in Korea, Bancho visited a neighbor province, Shinson in Gangwondo, as a diplomat of Han. However, the king of Shinson treated him negligently, because at the same time, he had a diplomat from Hyungno, whose military power was well-known in the region. Irritated, Bancho conspired to attack Hyungno with his own soldiers. In order to raise the soldiers' morale, he used his famous quote. With such motivation, he and his troops went into Hyungno's bivouac and launched a surprise attack during the night when the soldiers were asleep. Afterwards, Han was never underestimated and its diplomats received a proper welcome.
When you want to show your determination for a great work to a Korean friend, use this saying. Gwangju News April 2013
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community
My Korea My Korea is a new column which represents the voice of young Korean University students eager to share their stories and experiences.
Bigeum Island Words and photos by Choi Seulbi
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igeumdo is an island near Mokpo. I have to take a ship for about three hours to get there. My grandmother lives on Bigeum. She is very kind and warm-hearted. I like her. Bigeum Island is very special to me because Bigeum is my second home. Since childhood, I have often gone there. I remember my grandfather working in the saltern. I followed him and played with the salt, but he passed away and the saltern was sold. My grandmother has a spinach farm. Bigeum is famous for its spinach, and my family helps with the spinach farming by chopping the spinach, trimming, washing and putting it in boxes. This work is very hard. From my grandma's house, after a little walking, you can find the ocean. The seaside has very few people, so the sea seems to be only for our family. I go there to swim and go fishing with my relatives and siblings. It is very exciting. After playing in the ocean, we go back home and eat seafood with the rest of the family in our garden. The food is very delicious. I like my family and Bigeum Island.
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literature
Corean Postcards By Jose-Luis Moctezuma
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literature
“Baekdusan’s Heaven’s Sea” by Mates II (Wikimedia Commons)
Spring Poems by North Korean poets Translated by Song Chae-Pyong and Anne Rashid Photos by Kamolwan Chaiputta and Mates II
Leaving Mount Kumgang by Rhee Jung-tek Mount Kumgang, as I am about to leave you, your twelve thousand peaks seem to call me, as if they all have mouths. Picturesque, high-rising rocks seem to tell so many stories, as if they all have hearts. It is a great pity that I have to depart– the sound of Biro Peak Falls. The thrilling song of Nine-dragon Pond rings the universe and rips apart my heart. White fog that descends at every valley, like fairies' winged dresses, wraps around me, like a lover's embrace. Ah, Mount Kumgang, two nights and three days with you– though the time, so short, passed as in a dream, I was ravished by you, my long-cherished love. As I am to leave you, Chosun's Mount Kumgang enters the core of my heart– pride of my beautiful country, pride of the Chosun people born of this land.
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Cherry blossoms Photo by Kamolwan Chaipputta
With no land to return to, spring would rather not come by Pak A-ji A shepherd's reed pipe mourns– its subtle note shakes my heart; with no land to return to, spring would rather not come– the spring that left my hometown, it ought not come. In spring wild flowers laugh because they like to, in spring birds cry because they like to– but if it's a spring in which I can neither laugh nor cry, distressed and worried, it had better not come.
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Azaleas on Mount Paektu by Pak A-ji Last Station Regret by Cho Byok-am You are not the only one who rushes on, panting– I become more out of breath as the station gets closer The south seashore where the smell of seaweed soup wafts sweet and camellias burn red This route goes toward my hometown that I miss– it leads to Pusan And Yosu too Locomotive! Move on like this, without holding your breath When your clanking stops, why don't you budge a bit? Where's your will that hurried you on? Your heart's broken too? a whistle that echoes across the field, a sound that flags steam This is today's last station– should I unload my luggage again, like a person waking up from a dream? I am delighted at this place where I come even one step closer As if again hung on a thousand-ton pendulum, standing upright like a stone at the platform, I look out at the sky of the south Unloading my burden here I will pave your way, awaiting the day, counting the days on my fingers Let us not waste our time getting there, holding this hope that stretches toward the south that you promised me
Look at the beautiful azaleas, mountain's twilight held in every mouth in full bloom on a snow-covered cliff, as though a slow-coming spring suddenly emerged. As though their burning light signified speechless happiness, it washes their petals over and over, against the wind, the mountain's wind afraid that even one speck of dirt might descend on them. Like the azaleas' bright laughter following the sunlight, I mirror every step of my life for you: if even a speck of dirt is found, I would be ashamed to laugh together. Ah, today, like yesterday, without a smudge, without a speck– amidst the mountain's sleet, readily I offer my heart!
Translators Brief Biography Chae-Pyong Song was an associate professor of English at Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan, where he taught since 2001. He published articles on modern fiction, as well as translations of Korean poetry and fiction. His translations of Korean literature have appeared in Gwangju News, list, The Korea Times, New Writing from Korea, Illuminations, Metamorphoses: Journal of Literary Translation, and Azalea: Journal of Korean Literature and Culture. Along with Anne Rashid, he won the Grand Prize in the Poetry Category of the 40th Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards for translating Kim Hyesoon's poems. His fields of interest included twentieth-century English literature, postcolonial literature, translation studies, and globalization of culture. Anne M. Rashid is an assistant professor of English at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She and Chae-Pyong Song received the 40th Korean Literature Translation Award in Poetry Translation given by The Korea Times. She and Song have published translations in New Writing from Korea, list, Gwangju News, Azalea: Journal of Korean Literature, Women's Studies Quarterly and Illuminations.
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language teaching
English in Korea: A Look Back By Dr. David Shaffer Photos courtesy of KOTESOL
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he year was 1971, Park Chung-hee's Third Republic, and Kim Daejung had just shocked President Park by almost beating him in the presidential election. It was then that this writer came to Korea and began to witness the many changes that have taken place in all facets of Korea. Not least among these have been the changes that have occurred in the area of English education, aspects of which are the topic of discussion here. English, English Everywhere English, in its written form, at least, seems pretty much ubiquitous in Korea. A walk through Seoul's Myeongdong district will quickly confirm this. It is quite difficult to find a storefront sign that is not in English. Brand names, whether foreign or Korean, appear in English. This was not the case forty years ago. Then, the same Myeongdong area sported an English sign here and there. Many signs were in Hangeul, but many more were in Chinese characters, which were thought of as being more formal than Hangeul. The English appearing on storefront windows was usually not intended to be read, but merely there to indicate that the wares inside were quality products (suggesting that they were foreign-made). Similar to signboards, the newspapers and magazines of four decades past carried very little in English other than an occasional initialism or acronym of a proper name such as “UN” or “CIA.” Because of the abundance of Chinese characters used in 1970’s newspapers, the college student of today would not be able to read them. English loanwords, too, were then a meager portion of the Korean vocabulary, in stark contrast to the inundation we see and hear today, over 20% by some counts. The English Classroom The comforts and conveniences of today's classrooms are taken for granted. The air-conditioning, central heating, and even the computer are all commonplace. The coal briquette- or sawdust-fueled potbelly stove of the '70s failed to keep out the winter cold just as the electric fan failed at bringing the classroom down to room temperature. Classrooms were larger then, holding 60-70 high school students,
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A typical Korean high school classroom of the 1970s
compared to the 30-40 of today. The single fan or heater per classroom was no match for the extremes in temperature. Language learning materials are readily available for use in today's classroom – games, activity sheets, songs, storybooks, readers, PowerPoint presentation capabilities, and an internet connection that opens up the world of resources to the classroom. The classroom of the early '70s, however, was pretty much barebones, containing little more than the students' textbooks and activity books, and if lucky, a cassette tape recorder with dialogue tapes to listen to and repeat after. Study conditions were much less comfortable and study materials and equipment were much less available. The English Teacher The public school English teacher in Korea today is quite lucky in that there are a wide variety of inservice training programs available, both during vacation time and during the school term. Transportation and lodging expenses are provided, as are those for trips abroad for training. The school teacher is more traveled and has an international awareness. They have satisfactory communicative English skills and are versed in a variety of teaching methodologies. However, they still favor outdated, inefficient methods that may be helpful in raising student scores on standardized examinations in their
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and was found in far fewer numbers. Back then, there were a scattered few native-speaker missionaries teaching at Christian schools, but the common NEST was a US Peace Corps volunteer teaching at the middle school or university level for a two-year period of service. The Peace Corps NEST was typically a recent college graduate with no TEFL training other than the basics received in Peace Corps training. Today NESTs of various nationalities are found at every level of public and private English education, and qualifications required for employment are constantly rising with the increasing availability of distance TESOL certificate and degree programs.
The Korean English teacher of years gone by. test-driven world but do very little to raise their level of English skills. The English teacher of the '70s had very little contact with English in use and only limited communicative skills. Their English pronunciation, still bearing a strong influence of the Japanese colonial period, was far from native-like. “This is a book” sounded more like “Disu iju booku.” Teaching methods relied heavily on translation with grammar and vocabulary explanation. However, the English teacher was motivated, and was recognized as the brightest and most able of teachers, as English was considered the most difficult of subjects. The English Student The secondary school student of the '70s was much like the student of today in that they were both overworked and sleep-deprived due to study for school examinations and ultimately the college entrance examination, on which English, Korean, and mathematics were tested. Today's student began English in the third year of elementary school, but likely studied at a language school or kindergarten at an earlier age. The student of the '70s began English study in middle school. Language school English study is now common throughout the primary and secondary school years; study abroad is becoming more and more common. But in the '70s, the English hagwon was a rarity and study abroad an impossibility. The importance of English for testing purposes has continued to provide external motivation for the English student, but it is only the more recent learner who more clearly sees how English ability can impact their future. The NEST The native English-speaking teacher (NEST) of the 1970s was quite a different person than the NEST of today
A lot has changed on the English education scene between the time of President Park Chung-hee and that of his daughter President Park Geun-hye, and I expect the changes to continue at an accelerating pace in the future. Upcoming Gwangju KOTESOL Events Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL April Chapter Meeting Date & Time: April 13 (Saturday) at 1:30 p.m. Place: Chosun University, Main Building, Left Wing Featured Workshops 1. “Time, Place and Person: Cultural Dimensions of English Teaching and Learning in Korea” Dr. Steve Garrigues (Kyungpook Natl. University) 2. “Communicative Teacher Talk” Ross Chambers (Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter) Swap-Shop: Share your teaching ideas and activities. Admission: No Charge Next Event: Monthly Chapter Meeting: May 11 (Sat.) Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL Website: http://koreatesol.org/gwangju Email: gwangju@koreatesol.org Twitter: @GwangjuKOTESOL
David E. Shaffer is the current President of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter of Korea TESOL (KOTESOL). On behalf of the Chapter, he invites you to participate in the teacher development workshops at their monthly meetings and special events. Dr. Shaffer is a professor of English at Chosun University, where he has taught graduate, undergraduate, and postgraduate courses for many years. He is a long-time member of KOTESOL and holder of various positions. He is also the recipient of the KOTESOL Lifetime Achievement Award. Gwangju News April 2013
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language study
택시에서
(In a Taxi) By Jannies Le
image from Cafe24
Passenger: 안녕하세요! (Annyeonghaseyo!) Hi! Driver:: 안녕하세요! (Annyeonghaseyo! ) Hi! Passenger: 시내YMCA* 로 가주세요. (SinaeYMCA-ro gajuseyo.) Please go to the downtown YMCA*. Driver: 네. (Ne.) Okay. OR 잘 모르겠어요. (Jal moreugyetseoyo.) I don't know that place. Passenger: 양동시장에 도착하면 가르쳐 드릴게요. (Yangdong sijang-e dochakhamyeon gareucheo deurilkeyo.) When we arrive at Yangdong Market, I will tell you the way.
* Exchange for: 버스터미널 (Beoseu teomineol) Bus Terminal 전남대후문 (Chonnam-dae humun) Chonnam National University Back Gate 월드컵경기장 (Woldeu keop gyeonggijang) World Cup Stadium 광주역 (Gwangju yeok) Gwangju Train Station 공항 (Gonghang) Airport
Locations with prepositions: 일곡동 롯데슈퍼* 앞에 가주세요. (Ilgok-dong Lotte Supeo ape gajuseyo.) Please go to in front of Lotte Super in Ilgok-dong*. 호반아파트*에서 집이 가까워요. (Hoban Apateu-eseo jibi gakkawoyo.) My house is close to Hoban Apartments*. 앞에 (Ap-e) In front of 뒤에 (Dwi-e) Behind 맞은편 (Majeun pyeon) Across from
DIRECTIONS 직진해주세요. (Jikjinhaejuseyo.) Go straight please. 왼쪽으로가주세요. (Woenjjok-euro gajuseyo.) Go left please. 오른 (Ohreun) Right 왼쪽으로 가다가 오른쪽으로 가주세요. (Woen jjok-euro gadaga oreunjjok-euro gajuseyo.) Go left and then right please. Going to two places: 양산동*으로 갔다가 첨단*으로 가주세요. (Yangsan-dong-euro gatdaga Cheomdan-euro gajuseyo.) Please go to Yangsan-dong* and then Cheomdan*.
REQUESTS 얼마나 걸려요? (Eolmana geolryeoyo?) How long will this take? 창문을 닫아주세요. (Changmun-eul dadajuseyo.) Please close the window. 히터를 켜 주세요. (Hiteoreul kyeo juseyo.) Please turn on the heater.
OR
꺼 (Kkeo) Off
Replace heater with: 에어컨 (eokon) Air conditioner 44
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language study
There are a lot of interesting idiomatic expressions that stem from cultural backgrounds and are 」, you can read difficult to translate literally. Every month in collaboration with「Talk to Me in Korean」 about some fun and useful Korean expressions.
귀가 얇다
[gwi-ga yalp-da]
Literal translation: to have a thin ear Actual usage: to be easily influenced by other people's opinions, to easily believe what others say 귀 [gwi] means “ear” and 얇다 [yalp-da] means “to be thin,” therefore 귀가 얇다 is literally translated as “to have thin ears.” But since people normally do not talk about how thin one's ears are, when you hear this expression used in a conversation, you can almost always assume that this has a different, idiomatic meaning. When a word, an idea or an opinion is heard and passes through your ears, figuratively, if your ears are “thin,” it means that you accept what you hear very easily. So when you say that someone has “thin ears” in Korean, it means that the person is very gullible, or easily influenced by what others say. Variations and examples 저는 귀가 얇아서 문제예요. [jeo-neun gwi-ga yalbaseo munje-yeyo.] = I'm easily influenced by other people's opinions, and that's a problem. 그 사람은 귀가 얇아서 다른 사람들이 하는 말은 너무 쉽게 믿어요. [geu sarameun gwi-ga yalbaseo, dareun saram-deuri haneun mareul neomu swipge mideoyo.] = He has “thin ears,” so he believes what other people say too easily.
벼락 치기 [byeorak chigi] Literal translation: Lightening Strike Actual usage: cramming for an exam 벼락 [bye-rak] means “lightning” and 치기 [chi-gi] is a noun form of the word 치다 [chi-da], which means “to hit.” So when lightning strikes, that is 벼락 치기. But even when you are not talking about certain weather conditions, you can still use the expression 벼락 치기 when you want to describe how someone crams for an exam, without studying in advance. Variations and examples 벼락 치기 하지마세요. [byeorak-chigi hajimaseyo.] = Don't cram for your test. 벼락 치기로 공부하면 나중에 다 잊어버려요. [byeorak-chigi-ro gongbuhamyeon najung-e da ijeo beoryeoyo.] = If you study by cramming for the test, you forget everything later.
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health
The Article that Could Save Your Life:
What to do in 7 emergency situations when no one's around By Kristal Lee Images from Cafe24 Emergency situations happen more often than people like to think. Hundreds of thousands of people die each year from unintentional injuries, falls and poisoning but knowing what to do in such situations can keep you from joining the statistic. Here are some instructions on how to handle seven emergency situations when no one is around to help. CHOKING If you find yourself choking after overzealously attempting to suck off every drop of BBQ flavor from a Korean short rib galbi and no one is around to give you the Heimlich here's what you can do to save your shameless self. Put your finger down your throat and try to remove the object. If you cannot reach the blockage, let your body's natural gag reflex try to dislodge it. Still not working? Give yourself the Heimlich! Walk over to a chair or sofa with a thick armrest, the kitchen counter or any other piece of furniture with an edge you can press your upper abdomen against. (The upper abdomen is the soft part of your thorax below your ribcage.) With force, thrust up and inward until the object is expelled. Even if you are unable to speak call 119 and leave the line open; write the word “choking” on something nearby. HEART ATTACK Not all heart attacks are sudden and intense. In fact, heart attack victims report being unsure of what was happening. Their heart attacks started slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Whether you are sure or not you should always call for help. Symptoms of a heart attack include a squeezing or pressure feeling in the chest, discomfort in other areas of the upper body (i.e. neck, jaw, back, one 46
Gwangju News April 2013
or both arms), shortness of breath, nausea, and breaking out in a cold sweat. What should I do? Act fast. Chew up a 325-milligram tablet of aspirin. Grinding it up in your mouth prior to swallowing it will allow it to absorb more quickly into your bloodstream, thinning your blood and often times stopping the heart attack. If you start to feel lightheaded, lie down to put less stress on your heart and thump on your chest or cough deeply to get your heart back into normal rhythm. IMPALEMENT A truck hits a faulty crash barrier sending an eightfoot metal shaft through the driver's body. Realizing no one was around to have witnessed the freak accident Jason, the driver, managed to phone his boss to say, “I've had a bit of an accident – I'm in a spot of bother.” How did he manage to survive? (Yes, he survived.) Other than the rod missing all his major organs another factor that helped keep Jason from expiring was that he left the rod in place. Lesson learned? If you have been impaled by an object do not remove it. The object may be the only thing preventing you from bleeding out. If you have been jabbed by a large object, like a tree branch, you can trim off pieces but do not remove it. BLEEDING Say you're bleeding profusely, what's your initial reaction? Make the bleeding stop, right? It might be instinctual to want to tie off the wound with a tourniquet. Forget about tourniquets, just don't do it. If you do not know what you are doing you
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could lose your entire limb by cutting off circulation to that area. Tourniquets should only be used when you are absolutely sure everything below the tie-off point is beyond saving. Instead, apply pressure to the wound, pushing down with your hand or any clean cloth nearby. VEHICLE SINKING IN WATER If your vehicle has hit water, roll down your windows as soon as possible before the electrical system fails. Yes, you want to let water in because it will equalize the pressure between the space in the car and the space outside, allowing you to be able to open the door or swim out the window. Additionally some drivers keep a tool called a lifehammer in their cars which is designed to shatter automotive glass and cut seatbelts in emergency situations. [Note: Shattering the side windows will be easier to break than the windshield because the windows are thinner.] OPEN WATER/STRONG CURRENTS Swimming can be dangerous if you get caught in a riptide as the seaward flowing water will carry you out to sea. When caught in a riptide people instinctually swim directly towards the shore, favoring the shortest route possible. However you cannot strong-arm Mother Nature and swimming against a strong current will tire you out and expend the precious energy you need to survive. Don't swim directly towards the shore, swim parallel to the beach line in either direction until you feel the pull of the tide decreasing. This works
because the strong currents flow in narrow channels. POISONING New rule! Do not induce vomiting! At one time, first aid manuals advised people to vomit if they ingested poison. Now, however, emergency procedures for poisoning have been revised to say “Do not vomit.” There are several reasons for this. First, if you swallowed something caustic it burned your esophagus going down and you don't want to damage your esophagus further by bringing it back up. Second, your stomach has other fluids and juices in it that will dilute the toxin. Third, the lining of your stomach is sturdier than the lining in your esophagus. Fourth, there is a chance you could accidentally inhale the contents you are throwing up which will damage your lungs. One rule that has not changed is the most important of all – call poison control immediately. When it comes to understanding the nature of chemicals always deflect to the experts. Go forth and stay safe.
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fashion
Fash-On with xxl jjdp
Come on, Get Happy! By jjdp Photos by Brian Klein Shot on location at Gwanghwamun Plaza, Seoul
“Forget your troubles, come on get happy, you better chase all your cares away. Shout Hallelujah, come on get happy, get ready for the summer days.”– from the movie Summer Stock
T
here is something about the onset of warmer months and the rays of sunshine that hit my skin, they make me want to go explore, do some hiking and most importantly break into this song whenever I can! Of course it is time to get happy! Great weather is on the way. (For a limited time that is; why, oh why must the monsoon season hit?) With inspiration from nature bursting into bloom, update your style this month. Why not try one of the super bright colors for the spring season that is also going to be huge for fall/winter: orange. To start off with, I would still err on the side of caution when it comes to carrying an extra layer as it can become chilly unexpectedly. Also the rise in pollen and yellow dust that will soon arrive, can send your immune system into a frenzy, so be careful. Therefore, invest in a versatile rainproof outer shell coat that will protect and also see you through summer and the latter chilly months. One of the essentials for the season is a vibrant unmistakable statement piece; an all-weather Parka, which comes with a detachable lining to adjust to temperature fluctuations. It also serves as a raincoat too. With pollution and UV levels on the up, also invest in a pair of sunglasses. The Korean sun can be quite direct and punishing during the changing months and if you don't wish to create any wrinkles by squinting or damage your eyesight, the best option is to get some dark-tinted glasses that ooze effortless cool. I have gone for a retro pair with a royal blue trim to contrast the colors and don't forget to start stocking up on sunscreen too. Furthermore complete your starter spring look and indulge in nature's palette, but turn the color
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volume way up. Here it can be seen in a lime yellow cotton hooded top, another key investment item that will last you throughout the year. Wear when it is a bit cooler in the mornings and night or just use it to exercise in. You can never go wrong with a hoody, it just depends if you dress it up or down. Underneath the hoody, I went for a moss green 100% cotton t-shirt that will help control heat and also bring a fresh edge to your look. It is all about keeping it simple and letting the colors radiate. Clothing care: Taking care of clothing is pretty easy during the spring months. If you are going to be washing clothing pieces with such high dye content (as the ones featured) you are most definitely going to need to separate when washing. Select a cold wash and wash similar colors or shades together such as greens and yellows, reds and oranges, dark greys and blacks and so on. Take note though and do not mix darker shades like olive greens and bright oranges, unless you want to end up with a whole new shade of clothing or some variety of tie-dye. If lighter colored fabrics do change color in the wash you can usually rinse these under the tap and it should clear. Otherwise rewash the clothing on its own using cold water. Washing in hot water usually fixes the colors permanently. And please don't even think about putting any whites or neutrals in with brights like these because you will end up ruining
your clothing – unless you really love pastels. Avoid bleaching at all costs. It is also wise to invest in a great fabric softener like Downy which comes with added Febreeze essence, which will make your clothes less grainy. It will also leave it smelling great for a longer period of time. Air drying is advised in the crisp weather so just open up a few windows in your apartment and let the air circulate to help prevent a musty 'damp' smell that occurs when clothing is not dried properly. Before packing your clothes away, make sure that they are completely dry or a 'damp' smell might still develop. Don't forget to iron them if you have one. Right, now that you are ready to explore and venture out into Korea don't forget to take as many pictures as you can as the cherry blossoms are about to come into bloom. A spectacular sight for anyone. peace, xxl jjdp
Wardrobe Jacket - 8 seconds, downtown Gwangju Hoodie - Uniqlo Moss green T-shirt - H&M Jeans shorts - Uniqlo Leggings - Gmarket Gwangju News April 2013 49
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event preview
[This Month on GIC Talk]
Pizza, Mount Etna, and the Mafia: Oh, My! Words and photos by Calen Cygan Overview Date: April 13, 2013 Time: 3 p.m. at Gwangju International Center Speaker: Calen Cygan Calen is currently an English instructor at Donald Feinschule Kindergarten in Gwangju. She arrived in Korea in July of 2012, after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor's degree in Cultural Anthropology. She loves to travel, read, write, and learn new things. One day, she aspires to become a professor of Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology, but for now, she is more than happy to employ her anthropological knowledge as a global traveler.
S
icily, the large Italian island off its southwestern coast, has a rich and thrilling history. With its key location in the Mediterranean Sea, it has been conquered time and time again throughout the ages, including periods of rule by Greek, Roman, and Arab forces. This frequent change of power has led to a diverse and unique Sicilian culture.
Foreign influence has impacted all aspects of Sicilian society. The island boasts a wide cuisine, specific to Sicilian culinary traditions. Many ingredients, including the use of citrus, raisins, nutmeg, and cinnamon, point to Arab influence during the 10th and 11th centuries, whereas grape and olive vines were brought to Sicily by Greek settlers as early as 750 B.C.E. Some of the most famous and popular dishes include pasta alla norma (pasta with roasted eggplants) and pesce spada (grilled swordfish). Limoncello, a tradition lemon liqueur, also originated in Sicily, thanks to the fertile volcanic soil from Mount Etna, which has allowed for a variety of citrus fruits to thrive. The diversity of the inhabitants of Sicily has also led to the advent of the Sicilian language, which is not considered to be a dialect, but rather a 50
Gwangju News April 2013
The writer in Rome completely different language from the island's official language of Italian. Heavy Greek and Arabic influences can be seen within the Sicilian language, as well as an impact from the NormanFrench conquests throughout the centuries. This kaleidoscope of culture has also given rise to one of the most famous and deadly criminal groups, the mafia. The Sicilian mafia, also known as Cosa Nostra (Italian for “our thing�), arose during
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the island's transition from feudalism to capitalism, with an increase of landowners, and stagnation amongst the numbers of the police force. The mafia grew especially strong in the Western part of the island, centralized around the Sicilian capital of Palermo.
Above: Sunset in Avola Left: A beach in Cefalu
Sicily is also home to Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Italy, and one of the most active volcanoes in the world, as it is in an almost perpetual state of activity.
Come to the GIC on April 13th to hear why all of the above and more lead Sicily to be one of the most exciting and interesting locales in the world!
[ GIC Talk ] Schedule for April Time & Place: Every Saturday, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., GIC office (Jeon-il Bldg 5th Fl.) For more information visit www.gic.or.kr or contact gic@gic.or.kr Check out pictures from previous GIC Talks at http://picasaweb.google.com/gictalk Watch highlight clips of previous GIC Talks at www.youtube.com/GICTALK There is now an open discussion group following every talk in which the audience can talk about the day's topic with the speaker. GIC Talk welcomes your proposals for presentations on topics such as society, culture, politics, science, education or any topic of interest. If you would like to be a presenter, please contact us at gictalk@gmail.com / +82-(0)62-226-2734 April 6 Speaker: Leigh Hellman-Kang Topic: V-Day Gwangju 2013: Back for More This talk will revisit the global pandemic of genderbased violence and its vast ramifications. We will look at world statistics that demonstrate the realities of shame, fear, and violence that women everywhere are faced with and will see why this problem is no longer one that can be ignored. We will discover what women and men across the world are doing to combat it and touch on individual stories of solidarity as well as grassroots organizations built specifically to advocate against and bring awareness to the issues surrounding gender-based violence. We will conclude with the history of the V-Day campaign and The Vagina Monologues and how its performances last year in Gwangju transformed community perceptions of these issues. We will share our plans for making an even more substantial impact this year, and hopefully continue challenging audience members' misconceptions about The Vagina Monologues and why they matter in Gwangju. April 13 Speaker: Calen Cygan Topic: Pizza, Mount Etna, and the Mafia: Oh, My! (Read more on page 50)
April 20 Speaker: Julien McNulty Topic: 8 grapes and tin geese: the real origin of words you thought you knew So what do an octopus, a knight, geese and a printing press have in common? More than you might imagine. This talk will explore the philology (history) and etymology (origin) of words in English. Some of the mysteries of words, idioms, spelling, and pronunciation will be uncovered; things you thought you knew about English may get turned on their head. Many of the things we take for granted about what we know are in fact misplaced myths, and often, incorrect. From Middle English to Ebonics, from Chaucer to Shakespeare, the truth about our origins will be spoken – literally. April 27 Speakers: Lim Seung-ho and Maria Lisak Topic: South Gwangju: Daechon Region and Coops Come and find out about Doori Community Café's work in building community outreach and developing coop opportunities for Daechon-dong, the breadbasket of Gwangju. Highlights of the different programs and projects Doori Community Café and Vision Root have created over the past two years will be shared. Programs include: pop-up vegetable stands, composting container creation, a mural beautification project, cafés, lectures, book and movie clubs, musical performances, youth programs, tours around Daechon, biking and hiking events.
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food and drink
Get on the Sushi Train Words and photos by Gabriel Ward
W
hen it comes to culinary experiences, there are few that I enjoy more than sushi trains. The first time I went to one was with my dad's friend. I was a first year university student without money for such luxuries and so he took me to one during my holidays. After an hour, having consumed more sake than one should in the early afternoon, and an absurd amount of accumulated stacked empty plates beside us, I was enamoured with sushi trains and have been ever since. Thus it is no surprise that my curiosity was piqued when I noticed a new sushi train restaurant had recently opened downtown, called Hwoe Jeon Chobap. Every time I'd go by, it was absolutely cranking, and when I finally went there for dinner one evening it was no different. The restaurant was packed with young couples and groups of friends, both sitting at the train, and the tables next to it. Sushi isn't the cheapest of ways to dine, and trains even more so than set menus. Usually you have to pay by the plate, which is what I was expecting to have to do here. However the waiter, who spoke excellent English, told me that it was a flat 16,800 won, all you could eat for an hour. I actually thought I had misunderstood him at first. Granted, it wasn't the cheapest meal I've had in Gwangju, but for sushi, it was a good deal. Initially anticipating on having just a few plates and sampling a few of the varieties of said culinary delights, I knew that I was going to end up over indulging. First I mixed some wasabi and soy sauce. My chair was right in front of the chefs, so for a couple of minutes I watched as they handcrafted their
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culinary delicacies. I must have looked like an excited child, just watching all the different plates go round the conveyor belt, sizing up which ones I would try. For me, the thing that makes sushi trains great, just as much as the eating if not more, is the interactiveness of the dining experience. Half of the fun is choosing from all the treats passing before my eyes. There was a decent amount of variety, including prawn, tuna, and salmon sushi, as well as a few different variations of the California Roll. There was also tempura and egg sushi. I tried most of the offerings and everything I tasted was good. There was also a salad bar and soft drink dispenser, which I could use at my leisure. Admittedly, I didn't last an hour, I was already full before then, but it was definitely a great meal. If you're into sushi at all, I highly recommend you try Hwoe Jeon Chobap at least once. I'm sure you won't regret it. If you're at the Baskin Robbins next to Megabox downtown, walk in the opposite direction from the river, across the four-way intersection about 30 meters, and Hwoe Jeon Chobap will be on your right. It opens for dinner at 5 p.m. Lunch is from 12-4 p.m. and is 2,000 won cheaper than dinner. 무한리필회전초밥) 이찌바스시 Hwoe Jeon Chobap (무 Address: 77-1 Hwanggeum-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju Phone: 062-236-4854 Directions: Buses no. 6, 7, 9, 12, 55, 59, 70, 80, 98, 150, 151 and get off at Culture Complex (문화전당역) or Chungjang Police Box (충파)
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food and drink
Cheese Rapokki 치즈라볶이 Words and photos by Park Soyoung
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teokbokki is one of Korea's most famous foods. It is the first food that comes to our mind when we think of Korean street food. Due to its popularity, it has been developed into many variations such as tteokbokki with dumplings, sea food, pasta, and pork cutlet. Cheese rabokki is one of the variations. It adds ramyeon noodle to teokbokki. The name “rabokki” comes from ramyeon and tteokbokki. Cheese rabokki is by far the most famous variation of tteobokki among Koreans as you can enjoy the cheesy and noodle taste, as well as the sweet and spicy taste of tteokbokki. This is very easy and quick to make (even for beginners of Korean cooking) and you can easily get ingredients in local grocery shops.
Things to prepare (serves 2 - 3 persons) 180 grams rice cake for tteokbokki, 1 pack ramyeon noodles, 90 grams cabbage, sliced, ½ onion, sliced, 85 grams (2 slices) fish cake (eomuk),100 grams mozzarella cheese
Sauce ingredients 1 tablespoon chili pepper paste (gochujang), 2½ tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1½ tablespoons oligosaccharides, a pinch of pepper
Preparation 1. Soak the rice cake in water for 10 minutes. 2. Slice onions and cabbage. 3. Cut fish cake slices. 4. Mix all the above sauce ingredients to make sauce.
Cooking Method
1. Put the sauce into 700 milliliters of water to boil. 2. Add all the ingredients except cheese. Cook until the water gets as thick as you want. 3. Place it on a plate. 4. Place mozzarella cheese on top. Microwave for 1 minute or until the cheese melts. Gwangju News April 2013 53
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Community Board Have something you want to share with the community? Gwangju News’ community board provides a space for the community to announce club’s activity, special events and so on. Please send us the information to gwangjunews@gmail.com.
The Gwangju Photography Club The Gwangju Photography Club is a place where many different people can meet, share advice, give ideas, and practice photography. Every month, the Photography Club goes on a photo outing to different places around the city and country to capture the moment and practice new techniques. Anyone is welcome to join the photography group and help share in the experience. To join the group, search Gwangju Photography Club on Facebook.
Dance Workshop in GIC The dance workshop will be held every second Sunday from 4:30 p.m. by Angie Harley at the GIC. If you are interested in joining, please contact Angie at angiehartley1@gmail.com. You will learn basic dance and create dance performance with specific theme in this workshop.
Gwangju Ice Hockey Team Looking for men and women of all ages to join us every Saturday night from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Yeomju Ice Rink near World Cup Stadium. If you are interested, contact either Andrew Dunne at atdunne@gmail.com or Chris Wilson at: kreeco@rogers.com
Sung Bin Home for Girls Sung Bin Home for Girls is looking for creative/ active/ energetic/ outgoing/ enthusiastic long-term volunteers to join in our regular Saturday program. We would like you to give at least two Saturdays per month. Meet every Saturday at 1p.m. in front of downtown Starbucks. All are welcome. For more volunteering information please contact Daniel Lister at: daniellister7@hotmail.com.
Have any questions about living in Gwangju? Let us help you! Simply write us an e-mail with your detail inquiry to: giccounseling@gmail.com and our volunteers will help you find ways to solve your problems about anything related to Gwangju (legal, medical, accommodation, education, culture, and many others!)
Gwangju Inter FC The Gwangju international soccer team (Gwangju Inter FC) plays regularly every weekend. If you are interested in playing, e-mail: gwangju_soccer@yahoo.com or search ‘Gwangju Inter FC’ on Facebook.
Cats to have They are free, but you need to vacinate them. They are Korean short hairs. The cats are 14 months old. Contact Lynne at 010-8692-9101 or e-mail lelie0072003@yahoo.com
Help Gwangju News Delivery JangHeung Area Children's Center New Classroom Fundraising Campaign Goal: 12,000,000 won We have three classrooms, we need to replace two that are unsafe. More information: Search for ‘JangHeung Area Children’s Center’ on Facebook Donations of 20,000 - 30,000 won send to: NongHyup Bank JangHeung Area Children's Center Account Number: 657-01-074288 54
Gwangju News April 2013
GIC needs volunteers to mail out Gwangju News. Gwangju News is sent to nearly 2000 addresses each month. We will contact interested individuals one week before the delivery date. Works include labelling, packing, sending the magazines to the post office, direct delivery, etc. Volunteers are expected to spend around 2 - 3 hours in this delivery day. If interested, please contact Karina at karina@gic.or.kr
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Midway between Kunsthalle and the Grand Hotel, across the main street at the traffic lights from the Crown Bakery. On the 3rd floor of the T World building.
Gwangju News April 2013
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Save GIC!
Don't let GIC become Homeless! After 11 years in Jeonil Building, GIC must move out by June 30. Help us move to a new home, by supporting our Fundraising Drive
Fundraising Drive:
May 4, 2013 (Sat.), 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. @ Jeonil Building How you can help: 1. Donate your goods for GIC Flea Market. 2. Buy goods at the Flea Market. 3. Make a donation to GIC (see details below). 4. Become a member or renew your membership. 5. Spread the word to people around you!
Every won helps. Donate today!
Kwangju Bank 134-107-000980 KEB Bank 040-22-02413-8 Drop off donations (cash or goods) on Mondays - Saturdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. For more information contact: 062-226-2733~34, gic@gic.or.kr Kim Jihyun jh@gic.or.kr Karina Prananto karina@gic.or.kr
www.gic.or.kr