Gwangju News June 2022 #244

Gwangju and South Jeolla International Magazine

Gwangju and South Jeolla International Magazine

June 2022 #244

June 2022 #244

A David Dolinger Memoir of May 18

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Gwangju & South Jeolla International Magazine

From the Editor

A

s the daylight hours get distinctively longer and the thermometer’s mercury climbs upward, we have become acutely aware of the changing of the seasons.

The sixth month of the year ushers in not only the season of outdoor picnics, travel, and vacations but, very importantly, the June issue of the Gwangju News!

June 2022, Issue 244 Published: June 1, 2022

Cover

David Dolinger

Photo by Kim Hillel Yunkyoung

THE EDITORIAL TEAM Publisher Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Chief Copy Editor Layout Editor Photographer Online Editor

Dr. Shin Gyonggu Dr. David E. Shaffer William Urbanski Isaiah Winters Karina Prananto Kim Hillel Yunkyoung Karina Prananto

The Gwangju News is the first English monthly magazine for the general public in Korea, first published in 2001. Each monthly issue covers local and regional issues, with a focus on the roles and activities of the international residents and local English-speaking communities.

For volunteering and article submission inquiries, please contact the editor at gwangjunews@gic.or.kr.

Special thanks to Gwangju City and all of our sponsors.

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After our recent ordeals with Covid and its associated socialdistancing restrictions, we have become more personally aware of the negative effects isolation and the yearning for connecting with others. This experience will be instrumental in more deeply understanding the years-long theme underpinning the work of artist Seo Kee-moon. We are confident that you will also enjoy this feature interview and the artist’s prismatic artworks.

If you enjoy the brilliant color in the art pieces featured above, you most surely will equally enjoy the hidden underwater hues of the coral and sea life of Indonesia’s Coral Triangle, which we feature in this issue’s six-page Photo Essay.

Planning to do some traveling this summer after being cooped up for the past two years of the pandemic? Well, we have some suggestions for you. Consider a short trip south for a challenging climb up Jindo’s Dongseok Mountain [Lost in Honam]. Thinking of something a little farther away from home? Give some thought to traveling north to the mountains of Seorak and the beaches of Sokcho all in one trip [Around Korea]. Wanting to venture even farther from home after being homebound for so long? Ponder a tour of the “heart of Europe,” the Wallonia region of Belgium [From Abroad].

What are turn signals for? You might consider this a display question. But this month’s Opinion piece suggests that a sizable chunk of Gwangju’s drivers are not really familiar with the function or operation of this highly complicated automotive device!

Language teaching is more than just classes and lesson plans.

We recently sat down with Prof. Park Joo-Kyung for a personal discussion on leadership and service within the profession [Language Teaching]. And there is much more in this June issue than I can introduce here.

As always, stay Covid smart, stay Covid safe, be Covid protected, and enjoy the Gwangju News.

David E. Shaffer Editor-in-Chief Gwangju News

Gwangju News, June 2022

The Gwangju News is published by the Gwangju International Center: Jungang-ro 196-beon-gil 5 (Geumnam-ro 3-ga), Dong-gu, Gwangju 61475, South Korea Tel: (+82)-62-226-2733~34 Fax: (+82)-62-226-2731 Website: www.gwangjunewsgic.com Email: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr gwangjunews gwangju_news Registration No. 광주광역시 라. 00145 (ISSN 2093-5315) Registration Date: February 22, 2010 Printed by Jieum 지음 (+82)-62-672-2566

While last month we featured activities related to the Gwangju May 18 Uprising, in this issue we focus on the author of a just-offthe-press memoir by David Dolinger of his up-close-and-verypersonal account of the bloody Gwangju Uprising of 1980, when he was a Peace Corps health worker in Jeollanam-do. We hope you enjoy this interview.

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Copyright ©2022 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 publisher.

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Photo of the Month

By Aline Verduyn

Gwangju News, June 2022

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“Meandering through azaleas at the Suncheon National Garden.”

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The Author

Aline Verduyn has been living and loving Gwangju for almost three years. In her spare time, she likes to take pictures of the local beauty Korea has to offer.

Instagram: @gwangjumiin

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Contents

ISSUE 244, June 2022

NEWS

01. From the Editor 04. Gwangju City News FEATURES

06. Called by Another Name: A David Dolinger Memoir of 5.18.

11. Thematization of Isolation and Connection: Interview with Seo Kee-moon TRAVEL

16. Lost in Honam: Dongseok-san’s Serrated Edge – Escaping Injury on Jindo’s Sketchiest Mountain 20. Around Korea: From Seaside to Mountainside – Sokcho and Seoraksan 23. From Abroad: Touring the Heart of Europe, Part 2 – Wallonia TEACHING & LEARNING

26. Language Teaching: Leadership and Service – A Life Path for ELT Professionals 30. Everyday Korean: Episode 54. 눈코 뜰 새 없이 바빴어요 I Was Very Busy COMMUNITY

What Is a Turn Signal? – Part Deux Game Localization: A Blossoming Industry in South Korea Expat Living: Beyond the Books – Anjel Abroad Expat Living: From China to Korea

CULTURE & ARTS

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Gwangju News, June 2022

02. Photo of the Month: Suncheon National Garden 41. Restoring the Past: Gwangju’s Mass-Produced Hanok – Square or Round 44. Photo Essay: The Coral Triangle 50. Book Review: Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro 52. Top of the Drop 54. Comic Corner: Alan and Me – Episode 12. The First Fight, Part 1 56. Crossword Puzzle

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31.

34.

36.

38.

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4 The exhibition materials have been kept for 40 years as materials owned by Aoi’s bereaved family and by the Asahi Shimbun. These will be open to the public for exhibition.

Gwangju City News MONTHLY NEWS

From the Gwangju Metropolitan City website (http://gwangju.go.kr)

Unpublished May 18 Collection from Asahi Shimbun to Be Exhibited

Gwangju News, June 2022

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To commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, the May 18 Archives is holding an exhibition on an unpublished collection from Asahi Shimbun from May 11 to July 31.

The May 18 Archives has been in contact with Asahi Shimbun’s Osaka headquarters reporter Hajimu Takeda for over a year since May 2021 and has been pursuing agreements to hold this special exhibition.

In this exhibition, the late Katsuo Aoi, a former photojournalist at the Osaka headquarters, arrived in Gwangju on May 19, 1980, and interviewed and filmed at the site ▲ Katsuo Aoi from May 20–28.

Aoi acquired about 200 rare materials such as press passes and used cameras. These will be unveiled for the first time in Korea.

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In the exhibition, we can see important materials that can infer the situation at the time of the May 18 Democratic Movement, such as the burning MBC Station photo and a photograph that is presumed to have been taken in a row of martial law forces mobilized by the army to pull citizens off the bus and beat them.

At the same time, works containing various interpretations and meanings of the May 18 Democratic Movement such as videos, media art, and collages produced by two participating artists and based on historical materials from the May 18 Democratic Movement owned by the Asahi Shimbun will also be exhibited. Meanwhile, the May 18 Archives is still looking for Kim Sang-mo, who worked as an interpreter for Katsuo Aoi and his party during the May 18 Democratic Movement in 1980.

May 18 Archives website: https://www.518archives. go.kr/ Inquiries for reservations and group visits: May 18 Archives (062-613-8204)

Gwangju City Holds Exhibition to Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Gwangju-Sendai Sister-City Relations Gwangju Metropolitan City held an exhibition commemorating the 20th anniversary of the sister city agreement with Sendai, Japan, from May 3–10 at the Citizens’ Hall at City Hall.

In this event, 45 items were displayed focusing on exchange events between the two cities, such as the signing ceremony of the sisterhood relationship between Gwangju and Sendai in 2002, the event to commemorate the sisterhood relationship, participation in major festivals in both cities, and youth exchanges.

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5 After the City Hall exhibition, the items were exhibited at Gwangju Songjeong Station from May 17– 20.

Meanwhile, Gwangju and Sendai held events to commemorate the sisterhood relationship in both cities. In particular, Sendai City participated in the Gwangju Kimchi Festival, the Biennale, and the Chungjang Festival, while Gwangju City participated in the Sendai Light Festival and the Sendai International Marathon.

Gwangju Fire Department Sends Free Firefighting Vehicles to Paraguay The Fire Safety Headquarters of Gwangju Metropolitan City provided free firefighting vehicles to Paraguay.

Sendai City (population 1.1 million) is a model city in the Tohoku region of Japan known for its prominence in the automobile industry and as an environmental model city for overcoming pollution through its robust recycling industry. Since the official sisterhood relationship with Gwangju City in 2002, the two cities have been making exchanges each year in various fields such as culture, economy, and sports.

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A total of 11 vehicles, including one fire pump truck, one chemical vehicle, and nine special ambulances, were shipped from Gwangyang Port on May 10 to Paraguay. The firefighting vehicles are expected to help improve the firefighting capabilities and available first aid equipment of the Paraguay Fire Department.

In addition, in order to provide field trip opportunities for students of the Department of Emergency Rescue in Gwangju, one ambulance was provided free of charge to Nambu University for a total of 12 provided free of charge at home and abroad this year.

In total, the City Fire Safety Headquarters sent six units to Paraguay in 2018, eight units to Paraguay in 2019, three units to the Philippines and seven units to Paraguay in 2020, and five units to Paraguay, including one to Nambu University in 2021.

Gwangju News, June 2022

In the private sector, exchanges at the private level are also being actively conducted, such as youth guesthouses, a visit to Sendai by a soccer team in Gwangju, and exchanges between Gwangju Kumho High School and Sendai City Northeast High School.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary this year, following the Gwangju-Sendai exchange activity exhibition, delegations from both cities and performing groups are planning to hold a mutual visit event in October and December.

This is a support project to send disused firefighting vehicles to developing countries that started in 2018. It is expected to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. gwangjunewsgic.com

In addition, Gwangju City is maintaining a friendly relationship after delivering relief goods and donations to local governments following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

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Gwangju News, June 2022 gwangjunewsgic.com

FEATURE

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Called by Another Name:

A David Dolinger Memoir of 5.18 Inter view by Arlo Matisz and William Urbanski

Forty years ago, Gwangju, Jeollanamdo and the rest of Korea were very different places than they are today.

Nowadays, the roads are paved, the economy is strong and seeing expats going about their lives is commonplace.

Most importantly, Korea in 2022 is a free and democratic society.

When David Dolinger came to Korea as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1978, the situation was very different. In his incredible book Called by Another Name, which was co-authored by Matt Vanvolkenburg, he recounts how his experiences treating tuberculosis patients in rural Yeongam and witnessing the brutality of the May 18 (5.18) uprising changed the course of his life.

While speaking with Dolinger (who holds a PhD in microbiology and immunology) during his recent trip to Gwangju, it quickly became apparent how the events surrounding 5.18 laid the foundation for his considerable scientific achievements as well as his lifelong commitment to helping those that are marginalized.

Hopefully this interview will provide a glimpse into some of his accomplishments and remarkable experiences.

To me there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

There are potentially a lot of missing people that we need to find and personal stories that need to be told.

Arlo Matisz (AM): Let’s talk about your life in Jeollanamdo back before 1980. It was of course totally different. You came as a Peace Corps volunteer to Korea. What kind of work were you doing?

David Dolinger: I was doing tuberculosis control work and worked in the health center in Yeongam.

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It showed me that diagnostics is the foundation of good medicine. It’s not the drugs, it’s actually knowing that people are sick and the how and why they are sick. With the proper diagnostic we can then optimize treatment for them as individuals.

AM: When the movement broke out, the Peace Corps and U.S. government had ordered an immediate withdrawal from Gwangju. But you and a few of your colleagues decided to stay. Why? Did you feel afraid of staying?

David Dolinger: Let’s get the facts straight on this one.

So, I was never contacted by the Peace Corps or the US Embassy. I was in Yeongam. On the 18th I came through Gwangju and on the 19th I took the bus back to Yeongam and worked Monday and Tuesday at the

Gwangju News, June 2022

5.18?

David Dolinger: There’s a part of me that thinks it should probably be a lot more prominent than it is.

I know there’s been a lot of conflict and discussions around it. At one point they wanted to tear down the old provincial office building which to me would be a travesty, as it is the historical center of 5.18.

My job was really to go out and find people that had tuberculosis, make sure they were taking their drugs once we prescribed the drugs for them and constantly following up to hopefully make sure they were cured.

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W

illiam Urbanski (WU): Looking around Gwangju, do you think the city has done a good job commemorating the events of

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Gwangju News, June 2022

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▲ David Dolinger (right) and his family.

health center. Wednesday, because of my concerns and because of the fact that all communication with Gwangju had been cut off I decided I had to come back because I was worried about my friends.

So, on Thursday, and this was thanks to Tim Warnberg as he knew the number to the Peace Corps office, we called them and they transferred us to the embassy.

And they said, “You need to leave.” We asked why and they said there was rioting in the streets. We told them we were standing there in the streets and there was no rioting. The citizens were organizing and cleaning the streets up. There had been no rioting and no looting.

We also told them were more afraid of the Korean military that we would have to go through to get out of the city than we were staying in the city. Even that early, the embassy told us, “We don’t really need to hear what you are seeing. We know what’s happening in Gwangju.” What they were telling us that they knew was the opposite of what we were seeing.

AM: After the May 18 democratic movement, you did not leave the country. You stayed in Korea. However,

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something happened with the Peace Corps. Can you tell us about your time afterward?

David Dolinger: The Peace Corps came down on the 28th, picked us up and took us back to Seoul. I was the first person to meet with Jim Mayer who was the country director. The first thing out of his mouth was, “Did you spend the night in the provincial office building?” I say yes and he said, “You have to resign from the Peace Corps. If you don’t write the letter of resignation, I will write it.” I told him to please write it because I didn’t think I didn’t anything wrong. I don’t think anything we did was political and I still do not believe that what we did was political in nature it was based on concerned and moral obligations WU: Did you see the movie “A Taxi Driver”? Do you think it was a good portrayal of the events and atmosphere surrounding 5.18?

David Dolinger: It didn’t really capture what was going on. At that point in time it was in some ways very chaotic but also there was a harmony about it.

Once the troops were pushed out, the people really came together.

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9 extent that was occurring.

And that never comes across in any of the movies that I’ve seen about 5.18.

It truly was a coming together. You didn’t have just people scatter and hide.

People were going out of their way to make sure everyone was getting food, for example.

▲ David Dolinger (left) during the interview.

The other thing that was funny about it was that the only reason Jürgen (the German reporter and protagonist of the movie) had any clue what was going on is that we ran into each other. It was the Peace Corps volunteers that actually translated for him.

It’s upsetting because it really wasn’t that hard to get into Gwangju as they made it out to be in the movie.

He (Jürgen) told us it wasn’t that hard getting into Gwangju.

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WU: An interesting theme in the book was the idea that university students are concerned about the

Gwangju News, June 2022

WU: Do you think motion pictures like this are a good way to draw attention to 5.18?

David Dolinger: I haven’t seen a movie yet convey the violence, the brutality. If you did portray what was going on you would have an X rated movie due to the excessive violence. But that is what you have to show people. People have to understand why the people of Gwangju would come together with the students and say, “No, this is wrong. We’re willing to stand up against this brutality.” It really had to do with the

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The foreign reporters who showed up had in most cases no one or no one that they trusted to translate for them. And you almost wonder, “Why would you show up when you’re not going to be able to understand a word of what’s happening?” The few that did have Korean translators, who were usually Korean reporters, told us flat out, “We don’t trust the translation they’re doing for us anyway”.

AM: You published your memoir Called by Another Name. What motivated you to write a book? What was driving you to spend the time and energy to get this book out into the world?

David Dolinger: Actually, this is something that’s been worked on for forty-two years. It’s been edited quite a bit but immediately after leaving Gwangju I started writing everything down. First, because we tried to get one copy to the US ambassador, which was refused, but also just to make sure I had the facts as I knew them. So, I had the notes but really what started to push me was that Tim Warnberg hadn’t really been recognized for what he did. And the other thing was seeing how people were trying to rewrite the history and the false history that’s out there, like saying 5.18 was because of North Korean infiltrators who came in and tried to start this. This really got me very upset. I thought that as a foreigner I could show people my perspective of what happened.

I was the only foreigner that had free access to the provincial office building so I have a totally different perspective on what was going on.

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10 people. I can talk to the companies that I’ve worked for and say, “We need to focus on these people. We need to focus on these diseases and developing these kinds of tests”.

What it boils down to though is not putting yourself first. You really need to think about the whole of society.

AM: Do you have any closing words you’d like to give to the people of Gwangju?

David Dolinger: I always tell the people of Gwangju they need to be proud of what happened in May of 1980. They were the start of the democratic movement and without them 1987 wouldn’t have happened.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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It was really the fact that the students acted as the conscience of the government and said, “This is wrong”. But, then the citizens came together with them and said, “This is not right”. That’s how you affect change: when people stop worrying about whether, “I have to go to work,” or, “Will I have a job because I got involved in the protest.” And they stand up and say, “No. Oppression is not right. Brutality is not right.

We deserve freedom. We deserve democracy.” future of their country, but once they graduate and enter the workforce they are more concerned about their day-to-day existence. In your opinion, how can young adults “stay true” to their values as they move into adulthood?

David Dolinger: That’s a hard one. It’s a good question that we all have to ask ourselves. There is some part of you that does have to worry about the future because in some societies it is easy to become blacklisted and that’s what was happening back then. If you were staying involved after graduating you were going to be blacklisted which meant you were never getting a job anywhere. So how do you make a future out of your life then?

But I think in today’s society what you have to do is always be thinking about what’s going on around you and the people around you. You can still have a job and still make things happen but what becomes important is how you help the marginalized.

I’m a scientist. I develop tests for diseases. I’ve taken my passion for human rights and just funnel it through that because I know I can help marginalized

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Note 1: This interview article is the compilation of two separate interviews – the Arlo Matisz questions are from his face2face radio show interview on GFN, while the William Urbanski questions are from an in-person followup interview.

Note 2: Called by Another Name (2022) was authored by David Lee Dolinger with Matt VanVolkenburg.

Photographs by Kim Hillel Yunkyoung.

The Interviewers

Arlo Matisz is an economics professor and the host of GFN’s face2face. He is big-headed and big-hearted.

William Urbanski is the managing editor of the Gwangju News.

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FEATURE

Interview with Seo Kee-moon

By Karina Prananto and Kim Hyun-ji

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Gwangju News, June 2022

Thematization of Isolation and Connection

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▲ Cable Flower

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“W

hy do humans want to be connected?

Why do they want to reach farther and higher? To compete and to conquer?

For high returns? To control? To Seo Kee-moon, humans have to be connected to communicate, share, and be happy with each other. The direction of his vigorous force and energy are symbolized in his latest work “Cable Flower” in his most recent exhibition Metaverse. The artist has done many exhibitions solo and as a group, both domestically and abroad, and this latest is his 24th. Themes for his works revolve around current generational and societal issues. Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe, forcing people to isolate, Seo has found this theme interesting to explore.

Thus, since 2019, he has been working on topics bridging the digital and human worlds. Below is our interview with him.

GN: How did Covid-19 influence you in terms of your life as an artist?

Seo Kee-moon: During this time, I have been reflecting on the social function of art through exhibitions with profound themes such as “Virtual Abolition of Contemporary Art and Virtual Relief ” and “Art and the Spirit of the Times.” I have been constantly trying not to lose sight of the spirit of the times. For me, the Covid-19 pandemic and experience have become an opportunity to reflect on the fundamentals of humanity and civilization.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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Gwangju News (GN): Thank you for accepting our request for an interview! Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

Seo Kee-moon: I am a painter and have loved drawing since I was little. My hometown is in Jangseong. I moved to Gwangju in high school and later graduated from Chonnam National University’s Faculty of Arts with a bachelor’s degree, then from the Faculty of Education with my master’s, after which I got my doctorate degree from Chosun University’s Department of Arts in Aesthetic Art History. Currently, I am teaching students at my alma mater, Chonnam National University, in the Department of Fine Arts.

▲ Metaverse

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▲ Hyperconnectivity

Gwangju News, June 2022

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GN: Any specific or personal reason why you chose the theme “Isolation and Connection” (고립과 연결) as the main theme for your exhibition?

Seo Kee-moon: Since the outbreak of Covid-19, lockdowns, social distancing, and self-isolation have been implemented under the control of the quarantine authorities. In the past, in a pandemic situation such as the plague in medieval Europe, humanity was completely powerless, but in our time of Covid-19, the situation has been a little different.

Individuals have been isolated but also connected through social media and telecommuting through video conferences. Information and communication technology has created a contactfree daily life that connects individuals and society even while in social isolation. It has become the socalled “metaverse era” where anyone can engage in social activities through various platforms.

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GN: I can see how you sense the times through your work. So, do you think the theme or content is the most important part of your work?

Seo Kee-moon: No, I do not emphasize only the subject or content aspect. As artists, we devote ourselves to deep pursuits in terms of form and expression, as well as content. Painting art can rather be secondary in subject matter or content.

So, I have always given deep insight into the fundamental aporias of art, which are in a tense coexistent relationship, such as art and society, the autonomy and sociality of art, form and content, and expression and composition. Of course, the balance between the two is important, but I am also wary of false reconciliation or false harmony. The most important thing for me is to be consciously aware of the contradictions of art.

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14 “Isolation” and “connection” are contradictory and incompatible concepts. This bizarre combination is special at present, so I chose that as the subject.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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GN: I am very curious why you use apples and cables in your artwork. What do you want to represent with these two completely different objects?

Seo Kee-moon: Apples and cables are symbols and allegories to express the meaning of the theme “Isolation and Connection.” The apple is a complete structure, resembling a planet. Individual humans are also planet-like microcosmic beings orbiting themselves. The apple was chosen as a symbolic object to signify humans, microcosms, or planets.

At the same time, I was curious about the specific material and power that connect each individual in our time. It was a cable line. Therefore, the cable itself symbolizes the human “desire for connection” to reach farther and faster.

GN: What are the important points in how you choose the colors and expressions seen in your works?

Seo Kee-moon: Fluorescent and luminous colors found in liquid crystal displays such as smartphones, computers, and TVs are bright and colorful. I had a preconceived notion that they were light and frivolous. I thought the classic heavy colors were more valuable. It was a prejudice of mine – a color innovation along with new media.

Modern people have adapted to high-resolution imagery and already have enough ability to enjoy it. It is an evolution of our visual ability. With this awakening, color innovation has been achieved in my works as well. We started to incorporate the issues of the times with color combinations that correspond to the times. In “Cable Flower,” the circular part is like the huge cable lines that are installed underwater, and each of the cables inside it are connected together. The petals are also made of cables. I wanted to represent the development of technology as well as the synergy of humans connecting. This synergy symbolizes the beautiful flower shown.

The Metaverse works show the social phenomenon of isolation and connection, the relationship between humans, and furthermore, the relationship between objects. The objects (apples) each have one individuality, but when they meet, they overlap. I wanted to give the painting a sense of depth through

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these overlapping parts. In addition, in terms of content, I wanted to show that infinitely new possibilities could be created through connections.

In particular, new, creative colors emerge that are independent of the apples' own colors. Usually, when you paint over something, the colors become dull and dark when the colors overlap. If you ignore the principle of color as it is, the overlapping parts become dark and cloudy. I wanted to express the potential of humans and society to meet and create better synergy. Here, as a painter, I felt the need to intervene. So, the overlapping parts were expressed brightly by increasing the saturation. This is an important point in the expression of the Metaverse works.

GN: What are you planning for your next exhibition?

Seo Kee-moon: For the time being, I would like to deepen the topics explored in “Isolation and Connection” and Metaverse, as well as to work more on my “Companion” (동행) series. The next exhibition will show deeper and richer works with this theme.

Seo Kee-moon’s Major Exhibitions 2009–2012 KIAF (Seoul) 2012 Hong Kong Contemporary (Hong Kong) 2013 Korean Art Show (Houston and New York) 2016 Rediscovery of Baekje (Jeonbuk Museum of Art, Wanju) 2019 思人思索 (4 People 4 Thoughts Exhibition, Beijing) Images courtesy of Seo Kee-moon.

The Interviewers

Karina Prananto is from Jakarta, Indonesia, and has been involved with the Gwangju News since 2007. She is a special-needs mother and loves Harry Potter, dinosaurs, watching true crime documentaries, and traveling with her family.

Kim Hyun-ji is from Gwangju, South Korea, and has been doing an internship at the GIC since March 2022. She loves art, animals, tea, reading books, and traveling with her global friends.

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Gwangju News, June 2022

▲ Daily Life in the Untact Era

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16 Lost in Honam

Dongseok-san’s Serrated Edge Escaping Injury on Jindo’s Sketchiest Mountain

Gwangju News, June 2022

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TRAVEL

By Isaiah Winters

▲ This low, windy ridge gives you a sense of the mountain’s eclectic hiking infrastructure.

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▲ This steep jumble of stairs was my favorite.

O

The hiking infrastructure alone is somewhat of a DIY marvel. If you begin your hike from the temple, a vivid, red staircase greets you through a parting of bamboo but then, about 50 stairs up, gives way to a zigzag of halfrotted wooden stairs, some of which have nearly been washed out by torrential rains over the last few years. Once those stairs have completely crumbled to dust, you’ve got to hoist yourself up the trail’s many boulders using anything you can – branches, stumps, and even other boulders. Once you make it up to the lower shoulder of the ridge,

Gwangju News, June 2022

Among the ample little peaks studding Korea’s west, one that’s recently left me lovestruck is Jindo Island’s Dongseok-san.

It’s about as far southwest as you can drive in Korea and a solid 2.5 hours from Gwangju, most of which is fairly boring, save the part where Mokpo Bridge affords you views of Yudal-san on the left and Sewol-ho moored

on the right. Once you cross Jindo Bridge, however, the island reveals its Arcadian charm along fun, meandering country roads that twist and turn all the way to Cheonjongsa, the temple at the foot of Dongseok-san.

At just over 200 meters, the mountain is tiny, but its saw-toothed ridge and vertical drops make it the most dangerous mountain I’ve hiked in Korea. That’s exactly why I was so excited to return just two weekends after my first visit.

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n my first bus ride from Incheon Airport to my new home in Gwangju, I remember taking out a notepad and jotting down my first impressions. While the bus barreled down the highway, one of the first things I noted about Korea’s west was how so many of its innumerable mountains seemed to spring up from out of nowhere and then disappear just as suddenly. Some even stood alone like tiny, mountain-shaped hills punctuating an otherwise flat landscape. This was in stark contrast to my home region, where mountains loomed like jagged giants and the hills knew to stay in their low, round, gentle places.

▲ The dark sand and pebbles on the shore of Geumjang Beach.

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18 the vegetation grows sparse and a patchwork of bridges, ladders, handrails, climbing rings, knotted ropes, and diamond plate metal stairs are your only lifelines. Though some of the infrastructure seemed janky in some areas, the fixtures turned out to be remarkably sturdy and well placed once my life depended on them.

"The hiking infrastructure alone is somewhat of a DIY marvel."

If after the first viewpoint you head right instead of left, you’ll walk through a nice, tree-lined path that leads to a low, windy ridge between the two most prominent peaks. The trail’s infrastructure along this leg of the hike is particularly eclectic, like a jungle gym for adults, so if you rely more on your upper body to move yourself along, you’ll get a full-body workout, not just the usual burning calves and thighs felt on most hikes. This Ninja Warrior course is good preparation for the two highest peaks further along the trail. The pointiest and most dramatic peak comes

Gwangju News, June 2022

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The peaks these motley fixtures lead to offer many great places to relax and take in the stunning views.

At the shoulder above the temple, the first viewpoint you’ll likely reach is a large, smoothed-out hollow in the rockface that blocks both the afternoon sunlight and onshore winds – perfect for a respite before continuing up to higher points. Following this, if you take the nearly vertical staircase leading left, you’ll reach a large, barren peak with great views but no shelter. This is definitely a dangerous part of the mountain, but the left shoulder it brings you to is the best spot to enjoy a meal in the shade beneath one

of the mountain’s highest patches of foliage. That’s where we ate lunch and took what I think are the best photos of the hike.

▲ A picturesque lunch spot along the mountain’s leafy left shoulder.

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19

▲ These abandoned hanok farmhouses are hard to miss when visiting the mountain.

first – a steep rockface with nothing to help you up it save a pair of knotted climbing ropes secured with metal rings. Although this sharpest peak is potentially the mountain’s most dangerous point, it’s much worse to look at than to actually climb.

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The Author

Born and raised in Chino, California, Isaiah Winters is a pixel-stained wretch who loves writing about Gwangju and Honam, warts and all. He particularly likes doing unsolicited appraisals of abandoned Korean properties, a remnant of his time working as an appraiser back home. You can find much of his photography on Instagram @d.p.r.kwangju.

Gwangju News, June 2022

Given how small and far away Dongseok-san is, if you make it all the way out there, I recommend breaking up the drive with a few noteworthy pitstops.

Mokpo and Sewol-ho are good stops halfway from

Photographs by Isaiah Winters.

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It’s at this second-highest peak that you’ll get maybe the best views. Dongseok-san is blessed in that it’s near the coast, so you not only see the blue sea all along the western horizon, but if time and visibility are on your side, the sunset will arrest your attention for longer than is safe. Remember: You still have to get down from this natural obstacle course before it’s too dark to see. But if the distant coastal blues and sunset vantage points weren’t alluring enough already, Dongseok-san is also flanked by two large reservoirs visible from its many peaks, so you get your money’s worth for such a quick hike. I admit that on both visits I was so satisfied with the secondhighest peak that I didn’t bother to visit the main, slightly higher one. It’s sort of like when you leave a book unfinished, not because it was bad but because the amount you read was simply good enough.

Gwangju, and one of Jindo’s many beaches may be worth visiting until the afternoon temperatures cool down. I know one beach that’s particularly good, but it’s the only good one, so that secret dies with me. It’s worth noting that one of the things Jindo is famous for is hongju, a strong, red liquor that you can buy at roadside shops and even some local convenience stores. It’s a great souvenir to buy on the way home – one with a very unique taste that you’ll either love or hate. Lastly, Jindo-eup is a cool little town that has a surprising number of good restaurants where you can get excellent Jeolla cuisine before heading back.

Together, these stop-off points are sure to ease the drudgery of the long drive and make for one hell of a daytrip.

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20 Around Korea

From Seaside to Mountainside

Sokcho and Seoraksan

TRAVEL

By Adam Nash

Gwangju News, June 2022

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▲ The mountains of Seoraksan National Park.

W

ith all the natural beauty and cultural gems right on Gwangju’s doorstep, traveling to the opposite side of the country for a vacation might sound a tad unnecessary. However, those that make the 470km trip to Sokcho will not be disappointed. The unique history, geography and culinary heritage of this bustling port town is well worth the journey.

the flat, white sands with the family crowds. Still, I was able to doze off in the fresh sea air and wake up refreshed and rejuvenated.

Located in the northeastern part of Gangwon Province, Sokcho is so far north that it was briefly under the control of North Korea after World War II, before finally changing hands following the Korean Armistice Agreement. These days, it is a popular getaway for those wanting to swap the stifling, summer streets of Seoul for the cool sea breeze of the coast.

Despite the obvious delights of the seaside, I had my eyes set slightly more inland and about 873 meters up to the top of Ulsanbawi (울산바위) or Ulsan Rock.

Lounging under a parasol on Sokcho Beach, watching the waves wash onto the shore, is the perfect way to unwind after the long trip. The beach is not exactly a well-kept secret, so I had to share

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Sokcho Beach is also said to be an excellent spot to watch the ocean sunrise. Just check the weather forecast before setting your alarm. I learned that the hard way.

Seoraksan National Park (설악산국립공원) is known for having one of the most picturesque mountain ranges in the whole of Korea, and for good reason.

The striking, six jagged peaks of Ulsan Rock can be seen from the city streets below. The park is also steeped in history, as it was the first area designated as a national park in 1970, and it later received UNESCO recognition as a Biosphere Reserve due to its diverse and colorful ecosystem.

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21 Getting to the national park from Sokcho is easy: just jump on the number 7 or 7-1 bus. Do not do what I did and wake up late, panic, and hail down a taxi. It was a costly mistake, especially as my taxi driver feigned no knowledge of the famous tourist destination and decided to take a pit-stop to ask for directions, all while keeping the meter running.

"Sokcho is so far north that it was briefly under the control of North Korea after World War II." Once you make it through the exquisitely decorated gate at the park entrance, you will see signs for the cable car. This takes you straight to the ruins of Gwongeumseong (권금성) Fortress at the top of the mountain, ideal for those wanting to enjoy the incredible views without tackling the challenging 7-kilometer hike. But I had not traveled this far just to take the easy way up.

Luckily, just a short walk from the front gate is the stunning Unification Buddha. This 14.6-meter-high bronze statue is set in front of a lush green backdrop at the foothills of the mountain and marks the

entrance to the 7th-century Sinheungsa (신흥사) Temple, one of the oldest Zen Buddhist temples in existence.

From here the trail starts off as a gentle, dusty slope running beside a clear mountain stream. Before long, however, the path turns into a rocky track that climbs steeply through the forest. The park is home to over 2,500 different plants and animal species. If you are lucky, you may spot a grazing musk deer or otters playing in the river. Seoraksan is even home to the rare Asiatic black bear. I settled for the sight of a curious chipmunk that followed me along the trail.

Halfway up, I reached a small Buddhist temple nestled in a cave. It is the perfect place to take a break on the rocky ledge and enjoy the stunning views of Seoraksan’s mountain ridges and sunken valleys. Trust me, you will need it.

To reach Ulsan Rock, you have to tackle the 800step staircase that winds its way to the top of the mountain. The hike is a demanding thigh-burner at times, but the end views are truly spectacular. Once standing on the famous granite peaks, I gazed out over Sokcho and across the shimmering sea. This

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Gwangju News, June 2022

▲ A view of Sokcho Beach.

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22

▲ Ulsanbawi (Ulsan Rock) in Seoraksan National Park.

▲ The Unification Buddha at Sinheung Temple.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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is no serene picnic spot, however, as the strong, howling winds rush in from the sea. It is pretty unnerving, so I shuffled low to the ground and did my best to snap some photos before making the trek back down the mountain.

Back on level ground, it was time to grab some well-earned grub and sample some of the city’s renowned street food. Exploring Korean markets is a favorite pastime of mine, and Sokcho Tourist and Fishery Market is one of the best. Unsurprisingly for a fishing port, there is a dazzling array of sea creatures on display in the tanks between the fruit sellers and souvenir stores. I spent a blissful evening hopping from vendor to vendor, scoffing down all the local delicacies I could find. The city has not one, but two variations on the classic Korean sundae (blood sausage). They first originated from Abai Village, where North Korean refugees replaced the glass noodles with rice. My favorite, however, was the squid sundae, which uses the body of a fresh squid instead of pig intestine. It is a delicious treat, especially after a challenging hike.

On my final evening, I went for a stroll through a quiet, lakeside park beside the Expo Tower

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▲ Seorak Bridge lit up at night.

(엑스포타워) and listened to the clinking trawlers at the harborside. I even managed to sneak in a quick drink of locally brewed Craftroot ale at a bar with views of Seorak Bridge before the 10 p.m. curfew cut my night short.

The next day, with legs still aching, it was time to head home. It may be far away, but this little corner of Korea is definitely worth exploring. I have also been told Seoraksan is one of the best places to enjoy the autumn foliage. An excellent excuse for a return visit.

Photographs by Adam Nash.

The Author

Adam Nash is a proud Yorkshireman, born and bred in Sheffield, England. He loves traveling, football, and playing music. He has been a drummer for over 20 years but recently picked up the guitar, as a drum kit will not fit in his apartment. Instagram @adam_nash62

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From Abroad 23

Travel Blog

Touring the Heart of Europe, Part 2 – Wallonia

By Aline Verduyn

C

a functional fortress, and allowing it to instead be a place of recreation. It has been classified as a Wallonia Major Heritage Site.

Namur holds one of the biggest citadels in Europe – the Citadel or Castle of Namur. A fortress at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, it is originally from the Roman era but has been rebuilt several times. In the Middle Ages, a fortified residence was built at the top of the rock that gradually transformed into a proper castle. At the end of the 19th century, nine concrete forts were built around Namur, no longer making the citadel

From the top of the citadel, the highest point of which sits at 190 meters, you can ride a cable car overlooking the Meuse River meandering through the city and arrive at the city center, near the St. Augustine Church.

TRAVEL

rossing the language barrier over to Frenchspeaking Wallonia, we end up at the capital of Wallonia, a city called Namur.

Recently, the artwork of the multidisciplinary Belgian artist Jan Fabre was displayed at the bottom of the citadel in an exhibition called “Searching for

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Gwangju News, June 2022

▲ Citadel of Namur

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24

▲ View from the Citadel.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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Utopia” – where a man rides a turtle overlooking the city.

Utopia can be found a little further south, at least for the animals. Pairi Daiza is a privately owned zoo and botanical garden located in Brugelette, in the province of Hainau. The 65-hectare animal theme park is located on the site of the former Cistercian Cambron Abbey and is home to over 7,000 animals.

The name is taken from the Persian word for paradise.

In 1148, Saint Bernard sent twelve Cistercian monks to Cambron at the invitation of Anselm of Trazegnies, who had offered them land at the edge of the river Dender. After the abbey was dissolved, the family of the counts purchased the property and built a castle which remained in the family until it was purchased by the Domb family, who founded the park. The entire property has been a protected area since 1982. The zoo opened as a bird garden in 1993 and kept expanding, adding an oasis, a falconry village, a tropical green house, themed gardens and pavilions, animals, and plants from around the world. The rose garden alone holds over 700 types of roses. One of the gardens, called “The Dream of Han Wu Di,” is the largest Chinese garden in Europe and exhibits two pandas on loan from China. “Kingdom

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of Ganesha” is the Indonesian garden, also the largest in Europe, mimicking the feel of Bali, with Sumatran elephants and a temple.

Traveling further south, we enter the Ardennes: a region of extensive forests and rolling hills stretching along Luxembourg and extending into Germany and France. The trees and rivers of the Ardennes provided the charcoal industry assets that enabled the great industrial period of Wallonia in the 18th and 19th centuries when it was arguably the second greatest industrial region of the world.

▲ Searching for Utopia by Jan Fabre.

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25 For anyone who enjoyed the series Band of Brothers, the city of Bastogne will sound familiar. It is a perfect location for long hikes in the snow or shadowy walks under the stately trees. There are a lot of routes to follow, but – especially for history fanatics or World War II connoisseurs – the hikes to the famous Battle of the Bulge’s location are particularly fascinating.

Whether or not with a guide, and during a snowy winter especially, hiking this area is an experience every Korean can appreciate.

The Battle of the Ardennes (aka the Battle of the Bulge) lasted for six weeks in the freezing cold and snow of a particularly harsh Ardennes winter.

The Bastogne War Museum opened in 2014 and highlights the heroic Allied resistance and immerses visitors in the daily lives of the troops during the Second World War.

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The Author

Aline Verduyn has been living and loving Gwangju for almost three years. In her spare time, she likes to take pictures of the local beauty Korea has to offer.

Instagram: @gwangjumiin

Gwangju News, June 2022

▲ The Ardennes in winter.

Bastogne is not only famous for its battle, though.

The world’s oldest bicycle race, the Liege-BastogneLiege has been held there since 1892. This classic cycling race of 257 kilometers is nicknamed “La Doyenne” (“the old lady”) and is one of the five cycling Monuments. As much as we enjoy cycling, Belgians also enjoy a good beer after watching the race. Santé! (Cheers!)

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It is here that you can learn about the Siege of Bastogne, the importance of this battle at the end of WWII, and the famous words “Nuts!” uttered by an American officer in response to the Germans’ offer to surrender. And, of course, do not miss the impressive Mardasson Memorial, a star-shaped monument dedicated to the American soldiers who were injured or killed near Bastogne. This memorial displays the names of all fifty US states, as well as every American combat unit that participated in the war in Belgium. The museum and the memorial are well worth a visit, even if you come from the other side of the world. If you are interested in history, this place is a must-see in Belgium!

▲ Mardasson Memorial Bastogne (Photo by Dominick Verduyn).

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26 Language Teaching

Leadership and Service A Life Path for ELT Professionals

Gwangju News, June 2022

gwangjunewsgic.com

TEACHING & LEARNING

An Inter view with Dr. Park Joo-Kyung Many people in the Gwangju area know Professor Park Joo-Kyung for her work in the field of English language teaching (ELT) as an instructor, teacher trainer, administrator, ELT association leader, and the list goes on. But what you may not be as aware of is that she is also widely known in ELT circles throughout the nation and, indeed, throughout Asia and beyond for her leadership and service – as attested to by her recent appointment as presidentelect of AsiaTEFL. Our KOTESOL interviewer recently caught up with Dr. Park to quiz her more on her leadership and service activities over the years. — Ed.

K

OTESOL: First, Dr. Park, I would like to thank you for making time for this interview.

I would like to ask you to first introduce yourself to our readers – things like your educational background, where you work, what you do there, and what kind of research you conduct.

Park Joo-Kyung: Thank you for having me. I received my bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Sejong University and my MA in linguistics, focusing on phonetics, from Seoul National University. There I also completed my doctoral studies in linguistics, ▲ Park Joo-Kyung except for my dissertation, and taught Korean as a foreign language at the University’s Language Education Center. Then I got my PhD in educational curriculum and instruction, specializing in ESL/EFL/bilingual education, at Texas A&M University (TAMU) in the United States. I was the first Korean doctoral student, teaching assistant, and later part-time lecturer in the Department of Educational Curriculum and Instruction at TAMU, marking a “first” on my life path.

KOTESOL: Your life path has taken you to a university position in Gwangju. Please tell us about that.

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Park Joo-Kyung: I am presently a professor in the Department of English Language at Honam University, where I was among the initial faculty members of my department in 1995. I have taught undergraduate and graduate students as well as local teachers of English through teacher education programs offered by Honam University and by the teacher education centers in Gwangju, Jeollanamdo, and many other parts of Korea as a program developer and teacher trainer. My research interests include teacher education, speech and pronunciation, English as a lingua franca, and critical pedagogy. In addition to teaching and doing research, my life at Honam has kept me busy performing many different roles with many different responsibilities.

I have served as chair of the English Department, the first managing director of the Foreign Language Center, director of the American Studies Center, the first director of the English Learning and Experience Center, the first director of the International Culture Center, and as the first director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Honam. Through all these leadership and service positions, I was able to develop and run numerous innovative programs on English language learning and teaching, and intercultural communication for Honam students, local school children, teachers, and the wider community, including migrant women in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do.

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27 chapter was in Jeonju, about a one-hour drive from Gwangju. So, I wanted to have a chapter in Gwangju. With great support and help from my colleagues at CNU – Scott and Claudia Payne, and Carla Chamberlain, to name a few – I managed to establish a new chapter. We joined with the Jeonju Chapter to become the Jeolla Chapter (which separated years later into Gwangju-Jeonnam and Jeonju-North Jeolla).

▲ Park Joo-Kyung at GFN radio.

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▲ Park Joo-Kyung (far right) representing KOTESOL at a Pan-Asia Conference in Thailand with Thai Princess Galyana (seated).

KOTESOL: Indeed, it is! You just participated in a panel discussion at the KOTESOL International Conference last month. The theme was “EFL Professionals for a Better World: Lives of Leadership and Service.” How was that experience?

Gwangju News, June 2022

KOTESOL: Well, thank you for the kind but undeserved mention. I know that you have been active in Korea TESOL – KOTESOL – and its Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter for many years. Would you tell us about your activities and experiences in KOTESOL? Park Joo-Kyung: KOTESOL is my professional home, where I was nurtured and empowered through many different roles and responsibilities.

My first encounter with KOTESOL was in 1993 at the first KOTESOL Conference held at Wonkwang University in Iri (now Iksan), Jeollabuk-do. I was so amazed by the size and quality of the conference, and immediately became a member and wanted to join a local chapter. I was teaching at the Language Research Center of Chonnam National University (CNU) in Gwangju back then, and the nearest

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KOTESOL: Impressive, indeed! But in addition to all this, you have also been quite active in the community outside of Honam University and the field of ELT. Park Joo-Kyung: Well, I was also a radio show host at Gwangju Foreign Language Network (GFN) and a guest host at the Far-East Broadcasting Company (FEBC), a local Christian radio station. For both, I was the first Korean university professor to serve in these positions. Currently, I am on the board of directors of GFN and the Gwangju International Center (GIC). I also teach English Bible classes at my church, Gwangju First Presbyterian Church. I think my life as an ELT professional has been very challenging but at the same time extremely rewarding and gratifying. And it was possible not only because I was strongly committed to what I have done but also, and more importantly, because I was fortunate enough to have so many wonderful people to work with, including you, David. So, thank you.

The Jeolla Chapter became a giant baby, quickly growing into the second largest chapter of KOTESOL within a year after its foundation (only the Seoul Chapter was larger). Thanks to its rapid growth and development under my leadership, I was elected to serve as the second vice-president of KOTESOL in 1994, as first vice-president the next year, and then as president (1996–1997), making me the very first young woman, at age 38, to become the president of a national ELT organization in Korea. It was quite an extraordinary experience for me, and it provided a very solid stepping stone in furthering my life path of leadership and service in the field of ELT, both domestically and outside of Korea. I have also served in many different functions and capacities in KOTESOL, such as the editor-in-chief of the Korea TESOL Journal, KOTESOL editor of the Pan-Asian Consortium’s PAC Journal, and frequently as an invited speaker to KOTESOL’s regional, national, and international conferences. My relationship – or love affair, I should say – with KOTESOL is still ongoing.

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28 Park Joo-Kyung: It was awesome. It is always great to be part of a wonderful group of people who are in the same field with a common mind and spirit.

We were selected as five “esteemed” female leaders in ELT, all nearing the end of our formal careers in education. The panelists included Dr. Yilin Sun, former president of TESOL International Association and professor at Seattle College, USA; Dr. Ilene Winokur, a professional development specialist in Kuwait; Dr. Yeum Kyungsook former board member of TESOL International and director of SMU TESOL at Sookmyung Women’s University; Dr. Sterling Plata of La Salle University, Philippines; and me. Lindsay Herron, the conference chair, was our moderator.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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▲ Invited panelists Park Joo-Kyung (left), Yeum Kyungsook (center), and Lee Boyoung at the 2018 KOTESOL International Conference.

Lindsay asked us about what we had done as an educator or researcher that we considered courageous and particularly challenging for us and the most rewarding and gratifying moment of our career. I talked about some major programs and activities that I have pioneered throughout my thirty-year career, trying to make my students happier about learning and using English by facilitating them to utilize their own gifts and talents to find their own meaningful purpose in relation to the language. As these endeavors all required a strong commitment, extra time, energy, and even financial resources, they were very challenging. But they turned out to be the most rewarding and gratifying experiences for me.

The fifty-minute session was far too limited for us to share all of our stories of motivations, inspirations, and growth, but I was able to share my thoughts with the participants on how to make the world a better one, which was the conference theme and the last question we were asked.

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I believe we can make the world a better place by making people better individuals. We as ELT professionals need to be better and happier people first; then we will be able to inspire others to become better individuals through our continuous leadership and service within and beyond our English classrooms. More than anything, I am happy that I have new friends and colleagues with whom I can share and exchange life experiences after retirement, which will be in February 2024 for me.

“I believe we can make the world a better place by making people better individuals.”

KOTESOL: What did you think of this year’s KOTESOL International Conference in general?

Park Joo-Kyung: First and foremost, I really liked this year’s conference theme: “More Than Words: Teaching for a Better World.” It was a timely and very much needed theme, as we have been experiencing so many natural and man-made disasters of late, including the pandemic and the war in Europe.

Second, the invited speaker lineup was also very impressive. Dr. Rebecca Oxford’s featured talk about peace linguistics was very informative and inspiring, particularly because I just recently joined the Peace Linguistics group on Facebook led by Jocelyn Wright, one of the core people of KOTESOL. Third, the online conference platform, Edzil.la, was very useful and convenient thanks to the tutorials, “tech check” sessions, and prompt and efficient communication between the organizers and participants. Overall, it was very successful, setting a good example of quality for an online conference. Kudos to all on the conference organizing committee!

KOTESOL: I am glad you enjoyed the conference.

Now, what does Park Joo-Kyung like to do when her professor duties are over, and she can kick off her heels?

Park Joo-Kyung: In my free time or between workrelated projects, I enjoy watching music shows on TV and on YouTube, either classical or pop, and singing in my car or in the bathroom. Singing is my favorite way of releasing stress from work and life, and before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, I used to go to norae-bang or karaoke rooms by myself and sing for

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29 and beyond. The strides that you have made contain footsteps of inspiration for many of the younger practitioners in ELT to follow in.

Interviewed by David Shaffer.

Photographs courtesy of Dr. Park Joo-Kyung.

GWANGJU-JEONNAM KOTESOL UPCOMING EVENTS

▲ Park Joo-Kyung (top, center) and fellow invited panelists at this year’s online KOTESOL International Conference.

KOTESOL: Thank you, Dr. Park, for a look into your life of leadership and service in the area of ELT

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The Interviewer

David Shaffer has been involved in TEFL and teacher training in Gwangju for many years. As vice-president of the GwangjuJeonnam Chapter of KOTESOL, he invites you to participate in the chapter’s teacher development workshops (presently online) and in KOTESOL activities in general. He is a past president of KOTESOL and is currently the editor-in-chief of the Gwangju News.

Gwangju News, June 2022

KOTESOL: Well, you have had time to kick off your shoes – and time to put on ballet slippers! Is there anything else you would like to say to our readership before closing this interview?

Park Joo-Kyung: I would like to invite all the teachers of English reading the Gwangju News to both KOTESOL and AsiaTEFL not only for your continuous professional development but also for life enrichment. I am so grateful for the life of leadership and service that I have had through my two favorite organizations, and I am sure that you will have similar or even better experiences. So, please consider participating in them.

For full event details: • Website: http://koreatesol.org/gwangju • Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL

gwangjunewsgic.com

an hour, non-stop, covering all kinds of songs that I can sing – from Korean pop to gagok or lyric songs, CCM [contemporary Christian music], American pop, and even old Chinese pop songs. Oh, I will also tell you my open secret: I started ballet lessons last July and have now become a fervent advocate of ballet. I had never imagined myself doing ballet, but I am so glad I found something, before it is too late, that I can continue doing after my retirement.

I also try to read books on some unfamiliar topics and fields such as AI but often find it difficult to move on to the next page. Then I give up and turn to my favorite music shows. Lastly, my other favorite thing to do is learn foreign languages. I have learned English, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, German, and French from school, and tried to teach myself Russian and Portuguese but was not very successful.

I would like to take some classes in the future.

Check the Chapter’s webpages and Facebook group periodically for updates on chapter events and other online KOTESOL activities.

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30 Learning Korean

Everyday Korean

이

새없 뜰 눈코 빴어요 바

Episode 54

눈코 뜰 새 없이 바빴어요 I Was Very Busy.

TEACHING & LEARNING

By Harsh Kumar Mishra

The Conversation

Grammar Points

정민:

V ~은/ㄴ 줄 알았어요.

오랜만이네. 광주에 없었어? 못 본 지 참 오래됐어.

Jeongmin: Long time no see. Were you not in Gwangju?

I haven’t seen you in a long time. 멍지에: 아니요, 계속 광주에 있었는데요.

Meongjie: No, I was in Gwangju only. 정민:

네가 중국에 돌아간 줄 알았어.

Jeongmin: I thought you left for China. 멍지에: 논문을 준비하느라 눈코 뜰 새 없이 바빴어요.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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Meongjie: I was very busy preparing my thesis. 정민:

멍지에: 네, 언니. 지난주 금요일에 제출했어요. 곧 심사가 시작될 예정이에요.

Meongjie: Yes, eonni. I submitted it last Friday.

The review will start soon. 축하해. 이제 자주 놀러와.

Jeongmin: Congratulations. Come by more often now.

The Author

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Ex: 기차가 떠난 줄 알았어요.

I thought the train had already left. 오셨네요. 바쁜 줄 알았어요.

Oh, you’re here. I thought you were busy.

그랬구나. 원고를 잘 제출했어?

Jeongmin: I see. Did you successfully submit your manuscript?

정민:

This grammar point is used with verbs and adjectives to express the idea “I thought that something happened (or something was like something).” This is also used in a similar manner to “I didn’t know that…” in English.

When a verb stem ends in a batchim (final consonant), use ~은 줄 알았어요, and when it ends in a vowel, use ~ ㄴ 줄 알았어요.

눈코 뜰 새 없다.

This is a frequently used idiom in Korean. It simply means “to be very busy” (literally: to not have time to open one’s eyes and nose).

Ex: 동생 결혼식 준비 때문에 눈코 뜰 새 없어요.

I am very busy with my younger sibling’s wedding preparations.

기말고사가 시작되면 눈코 뜰 새 없이 바빠질 거예요.

I will get very busy when the final exams start.

Vocabulary Harsh Kumar Mishra is a linguist and Korean language educator. He volunteers with TOPIKGUIDE.com and Learnkorean.in. He has also coauthored the book Korean Language for Indian Learners.

눈: eyes, 코: nose, 뜨다: to open, 새: time to spare, 중국: China, 돌아가다: to go back, 논문: thesis / dissertation / paper, 준비하다: to prepare, 바쁘다: to be busy, 원고: manuscript, 제출하다: to submit, 곧: soon, 심사: inspection / review, 시작되다: to start, 예정: schedule

2022-05-26 �� 3:06:09

Opinion 31

What Is a Turn Signal?

Part Deux.

By William Urbanski

WHAT IS AN INTERSECTION? In a perfect world, people would be able to drive in relatively straight lines all the time, but such a paradise on earth does not exist. Almost all roads (especially in a city) connect to other roads, and a common place where they cross or “intersect” is known as an intersection. Intersections represent a tremendous cognitive leap in city planning but also pose a wee bit of a safety hazard because, it turns out, they are a great place to smash into other cars at high speeds. In an effort to minimalize the number of high-velocity collisions at these “intersections”

Gwangju News, June 2022

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The amount of effort required to operate a turn signal is exactly equal to the amount of strength and muscular dexterity required to lift a finger.

Therefore, anyone with the physical capacity to open a car door and sit down in the driver’s seat can, by default, operate a turn signal lever (also called just a “turn signal” for short).

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RECAP Cars are basically large, fast-moving metal boxes that people of all shapes and sizes like to whiz around in because it makes them feel important. Furthermore, driving one the way a five-year-old would operate an overpowered go-kart is, admittedly, quite a bit of fun. The problem with cars (well, besides the environmental, social, and financial problems they cause) is that two-ton steel boxes whipping around densely populated urban areas, often mere centimeters from pedestrians, is just a little, teensy bit dangerous. As anyone who has been in a car accident can attest to, it turns out that automobile collisions at any speed are not a whole lot of fun, especially if you happen to be on foot when a car runs into you.

About a hundred years ago, someone figured out that if a car can somehow “signal” where it is going, this dramatically reduces the incidence of collisions because other drivers and pedestrians will actually be able to determine its approximate trajectory. This was the reason turn signals were invented and today, unbeknownst to many, all cars are equipped with them. For those of you unsure of what a turn signal is, take a quick look at the front of your car. There is one located about 60 centimeters to either side of the Mercedes-Benz logo on the hood. It looks like a lightbulb, but unlike the lightbulbs in your house, these ones go “blinky, blinky, blinky” when turned on.

Turn signals can greatly increase road safety if (and this is a big “if ”) the driver has the resolve and mental fortitude required to turn them on when required.

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After my previous article about turn signals, I was ready to drop the whole issue and move on with my life. I said my piece and did not really think there was much more to add to the discourse about the tremendous lack of savoir faire surrounding these devices that, when used as intended, “signal” where a car is going. But lo and behold, the tremendous response to “What Is a Turn Signal” by the general public and, in particular, the extremely well-balanced and learned comments about it by the Gwangju Social Justice Facebook Keyboard Warrior Brigade, showed me without a shadow of a doubt, that there are many people who are just as passionate about this issue as I am. The people of Gwangju have spoken and this past month I felt a renewed sense of purpose in my quest to continue and expand my research into the blatant and egregious misuse of turn signals in our fair city.

So, here we go again.

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32 civil engineers as well as policy makers have come up with safety schemes that drivers, in theory, are supposed to be at least cursorily familiar with.

TRAFFIC SURVEYS I took a chunk out of one of my Saturdays to sit at the intersection of 중앙로 and 제봉로 near downtown Gwangju and make a tally of all cars that turned left or right and how many actually used their turn signals.

I chose the intersection of 중앙로 and 제봉로 for some very specific reasons. First of all, it is busy but not absolutely bonkers, meaning that drivers would have a good chance to use their turn signals if they really wanted without having to focus on contending with heavy traffic. Second, this is a very straightforward intersection. It has just four ways with no additional turn lanes or anything like that. Last, it has high visibility, meaning it was easy for drivers to see what is happening and easy for me to record the data.

When collecting data, if a car’s signal was obscured, blocked or not fully visible for any reason (like the

Gwangju News, June 2022

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One rule that stands above all others, a rule that is so basic and self-evident to not require explanation, is that when approaching an intersection, the driver must obey the traffic signal. While the intricacies of how to obey a traffic signal go far, far beyond the scope of this article, for now, just remember that “red” means stop. Almost as critical as the need to stop at a “red light” is the need for a driver to activate their vehicle’s turn signal before making a right or left turn at an intersection. Now, between the two of these (stopping at a “red light” or using the turn signal), I would say that stopping at a “red light” is the more important thing to remember, but overall, they are both kind of helpful in preventing catastrophic injury. A driver should really strive to obey the traffic signal and use the turn signal.

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glare of the sun), I assumed the car did in fact use its signal. The results of this traffic survey show that the number of people who used their turn signal correctly was approximately equal to those who were randomly playing with the shiny buttons on their dashboards.

When turning left, 27 percent (or 38 of 143) of cars did not use their signal. When turning right, a full 44 percent (58 of 132) did not signal at all!

In a second survey conducted at a different type of intersection called a “roundabout,” the results revealed that correct turn signal usage was only slightly above what could be considered a statistical error.

ROUNDABOUTS “Roundabouts” are big, strange circles that connect roads. While they lack those fancy traffic light thingamabobs hanging high in the sky, roundabouts are deceptively simple since drivers can, in essence, only drive around them counterclockwise and always, always exit to the right. Many people may think that roundabouts are a relatively new thing (circular shapes, by the way, are not new things), but they have been in use for decades at least.

The most important thing to understand about a roundabout is that a roundabout is an intersection.

While the signaling rules when entering one are pretty complex and easy to misunderstand,1,2 one thing is absolutely certain: When exiting a roundabout, regardless of where you entered, what your direction of travel is, or your inflated sense of self-worth, you must use your right turn signal. For the sake of simplicity (and fairness) in this survey, I only included information on whether people signaled properly when exiting.

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33 to activate their turn signals: About half of all drivers in 2022 are either unaware that their cars have turn signals or believe turn signals are activated by the sheer force of magic.

Let’s be real for a second here: Driving is pretty tough.

In addition to regulating the speed of the vehicle, a driver has to steer it. Even if a person can manage these two gargantuan tasks (and from what I have seen out there, ▲ Remember the acronym *YES* when using a roundabout. Yield. Enter. Signal. You can do it! that is a big “if ”), controlling A paltry and quite frankly scanty seven percent of the vehicle is only half the story. A driver also has to motorists activated their turn signals at all. I would pay attention to what other drivers are doing while like to mention that I counted any sort of turn simultaneously (in principle, anyway) obeying signal activation that I saw within the roundabout, traffic laws. Given how complex a task driving a car including a number of hazard signals that were is, it is a wonder anyone decides to drive at all! employed as well as a few drivers who, bafflingly, used their left turn signals when exiting.

But if you are among the brave souls who choose to drive or at some point in time are considering driving, please, please, pretty please, at the very "For those of you unsure of what a least, test out the turn signal in your car. It can be activated by pushing the lever located behind the turn signal is, take a quick look at steering wheel either up or down. It is difficult at the front of your car. There is one first, but if you really focus, you can do it!

When pouring over this remarkable data and using every statistical, graphical, and analytical tool that Microsoft Excel has to offer, I was forced to accept the only plausible explanation as to why motorists fail

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References Kim, Sk. (2022, January 5). 회전교차로 통행방법(Roundabout) 에 대해 그림으로 쉽게 설명 [Video]. YouTube. https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=wKM3gwApCrw Roundabouts. (n.d.). Region of Waterloo. https://www. regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/roundabouts.aspx#Howto-videos

The Author

William Urbanski is the managing editor of the Gwangju News and a turn signal aficionado.

Instagram: @will_il_gatto

Gwangju News, June 2022

SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS The evidence collected clearly shows that there is an epidemic of turn signal misuse (and nonuse) that exponentially exceeds the scale, scope, and severity of a certain other epidemic that has been making the rounds lately. Mind you, this study only included the signal infractions around intersections and not the myriad other instances (such as changing lanes, merging into traffic, pulling over, etc.) where turn signals are, in theory, supposed to be employed.

That is all for now, and I hope to finally be able to lay this particular issue to rest. See you in the next installment of the “What Is…?” series when I attempt to answer one of the most daunting and perplexing questions human society has ever faced: “What Is a Parking Spot?”

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located about 60 centimeters to either side of the Mercedes-Benz logo on the hood."

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34 Technology

Game Localization

A Blossoming Industry in South Korea

By Chloe Chan

Gwangju News, June 2022

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COMMUNITY

A

ccording to Cambridge Dictionary, the term localization is generally defined as “the process of making a product or service more suitable for a particular country or area.”1 Technically, localization is mostly applied to the business activities where cultural elements are highly involved, such as applications, software, and websites. Under the strong influence of globalization, businesses have begun to recognize the significance of accommodating cultural differences while selling or designing a product. In order to cater to the needs of certain demographics, it is considered crucial for businesses to find out what kind of “cultural flavor” suits customers best.

One of the common ways to localize is simply through languages. Although language is not the sole cultural element in a localizing process, it is definitely essential. Yet, one might doubt, have we not come to a consensus that English is the lingua franca? We are less likely to encounter situations where a global product fails to provide English as an alternative language support, so is it not enough to have everything translated into English? Why is it important to have the products or services localized?

Localization of language is indeed an “advanced” form of translation. Through translation, essential information is ostensibly delivered to the audience.

However, in terms of effective communication, having only the content literally translated might appear to be insufficient. According to a survey conducted by the management consulting company Common Sense Advisory, in 2020, 76 percent of online shoppers in 29 countries claimed that they preferred to buy products with information in their

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native language. In addition, for respondents from countries with relatively lower English competence, such as South Korea, the percentage even reached 92 percent.2

In the gaming industry, localization is particularly requisite in determining a successful launch.

Whether or not the language used in a game is localized and fun can cause a major difference in users’ experience. Besides the game’s language, other localized lingual supports, including user guides and CS services, also contributes to increasing the level of satisfaction for users. Even for the seemingly minor components of a game, such as the tone and speaking habits of a character, subtle changes can remarkably affect the aesthetics and finish of a game.

Therefore, localization can be challenging in actual practice. From the consideration of cultural differences, the balance of creativity and accuracy for intonations, nuances, sentence structures, and word length – basically all the little linguistic details – ought to be deliberated when localizing a piece of text. After all, an 80-year-old, dialect-speaking village lady clearly sounds way different compared

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35

to an 18-year-old young adult living downtown.

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First-hand information in this article was provided by Marimu.

Sources Cambridge Business English Dictionary. (2011). Localization.

Cambridge University Press.

2 CSA Research. (2020, July 10). Third global survey by CSA Research finds language preference of consumers in 29 countries.

Slator. https://slator.com/third-global-survey-by-csa-researchfinds-language-preference-of-consumers-in-29-countries/ 1

The Author

Originally from Hong Kong, Chloe Chan is currently working in Gyeonggi-do as a project manager, but her heart always belongs to Gwangju. Instagram @hoi0305

Gwangju News, June 2022

Taking the game localization studio in Gyeonggi-do, Marimu, as an example, the company’s localization projects are assigned to overseas linguists with no limitation on national borders. This enables businesses to achieve high quality of localization, and in the meantime produce great job opportunities for foreigners, as well as those who are currently living abroad. Under a collaborative working system, linguists can manage tasks in real time, working sideby-side with the managers in South Korea, which greatly improves projects’ consistency and efficiency.

To learn more about the localization business, please visit Marimu’s website: http://marimu.net/?lang=en.

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Although the pandemic has had a negative impact on almost all kinds of businesses, the gaming industry, on the contrary, happens to be fortunate enough to benefit from it. By utilizing high-tech devices and tablets, games have become more accessible than ever. On top of that, people are likely to use games as a social platform to connect and, no doubt, fight against lockdown boredom. As a significant sector in tech, game business operation can therefore be handled virtually without a physical working environment. This is indeed very beneficial for localization since linguists across the world are able to contribute to the foreign gaming business by simply working from home.

Let us say our dear GN reader – who possesses incredible language ability – is now chilling in Gwangju (or any corner of the world) wondering perhaps if it would be nice to work at home during some feasible time. If that is the case, it might be a good idea to seize this opportunity and consider starting off a new career of becoming a freelance localization specialist.

2022-05-26 �� 3:06:11

36 Expat Living

Beyond the Books Anjel Abroad

By Anjel Iriaghomo

COMMUNITY

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came from the United States to South Korea with very few expectations. Unlike most of the students I’ve met here, I am not in love with K-dramas, I do not listen to K-pop, and had no inkling of the language. You are probably thinking, “Well why did you come to South Korea?” There honestly were not many factors that went into the decision, but being here has opened my eyes wider than I imagined.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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I do not know many seniors who decide to study abroad in their last semester of undergrad, but I would honestly recommend it. Studying abroad is an amazing opportunity

Islands in Shinan, South Jeolla ▲ The very photo-friendly Purple ite purple piece!

Province. Be sure to wear your favor

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that I urge every student to take part in during their academic career. It can be very stressful and costly, but if you are diligent and resourceful, a life-changing experience awaits you. Universities have their own policies, but if you intend on transferring credits, make sure you are aware of the process! At my school, Clemson University, the process was fairly smooth. I first had to fill out a study abroad application where I was paired with a special advisor who walked me through the entire process and was there to help answer my questions. Luckily, I finished my degree requirements last year, so I did not need to worry about transferring any credits back and was able to take classes I was actually interested in. If I were worried about that, I would have had to make sure the classes taken at Chonnam National University aligned with the requirements for my degree back home. After getting the application approved, I had to select the country and program I wanted to attend.

I selected the USAC (University Studies Abroad Consortium) Gwangju program. The main factors in choosing a program were cost and lifestyle. Korea was one of the few countries with program fees less than $10,000, and Gwangju was thousands of dollars cheaper than Seoul. I also was slightly interested in East Asian culture, having attended an elementary school where I learned a lot of Japanese. Of course, with visa applications, flights, quarantine fees, and more, the true cost really started to accumulate.

Fortunately, being awarded a Gilman International Study Abroad Scholarship, USAC scholarships, financial aid, and working full time up until my departure, I was able to be comfortable with coming here for a semester. I cannot emphasize scholarships enough! I have met so many students who did not know they qualified or did not know where to start.

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37 Once I was committed to the program, the next steps were securing my visa, flights, and packing. USAC always did their best to answer any and all questions we had, so they really helped ease the stress. I took it upon myself to contact all the students who were also going to Gwangju and added us to a group chat, which I highly recommend if possible to help establish a friend group, and just for knowing you are not alone in this huge step in your life.

After getting out of quarantine – the longest seven days that felt like forever – and getting acquainted with my new surroundings, I quickly adopted a new routine. I signed up for a membership at the gym on campus, located my favorite cafes in lieu of a meal plan, and started to get comfortable with my new home. Overall, the food is pretty yummy but not as nutritious as I assumed. Fruits and vegetables are imported, so they are quite a luxury. In a normal week, I go to the gym five times in the morning, go to my classes, and the rest is up in the air. Almost every weekend is spent traveling either within Gwangju or throughout the country. I have been to Seoul, Busan, Yellow City, Purple City, and am going to Jeju Island at the end of May.

Photographs by Anjel Iriaghomo.

The Author

Anjel Iriaghomo is a Nigerian-American senior animal science major studying abroad this spring. She loves to travel and explore different cultures. Writing and photography are two of her favorite hobbies. If you see Anjel around town, do not be afraid to say hi! Stay connected on Instagram @__anjel

Gwangju News, June 2022

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If you had told me a year ago I would be studying abroad in South Korea, you could not have paid me to believe it. While living here has presented its fair share of challenges, I do not regret coming.

I have met so many people from all over the world that it feels like a movie most of the time. Did you know Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan were two different countries? Yeah, me neither! I am incredibly blessed to now have friends all over the globe, and I still have two months left here to meet so many more. Studying abroad continues to be one of the best decisions in my life, and I wish everyone the opportunity to really immerse themselves in a foreign country.

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I did not know what to expect about living in Korea, but as an African-American woman with a colorful personality, I figured I would not go unnoticed easily.

Let me preface by saying I have never been blatantly mistreated or disrespected; for the most part, the people I have encountered are very good-hearted.

When people repeatedly started asking for pictures with me, a lot of my friends concluded it was because of my long pink braids, but when my hairstyle changed and it was still occurring, I really started thinking.

Prior to coming here, I watched many videos from black bloggers who experienced the same thing when they went abroad. They concluded it is because we are so different, locals think we are celebrities, and that we are very beautiful. While positive, it is still very strange when I am out and people literally flag me down to take videos and photos with me. Aside from that, my appreciation for Korean culture has definitely evolved. The overall cost of living is significantly cheaper than America, which is a huge plus, and I will never get over the mountainous landscapes. I appreciate the historical significance throughout the country and how the people here are very warm and kind.

▲ In front of Enrogel Teapot Café , a hidden gem in Jangseonggun. This quirky little spot offers drink s, local cuisine, and is only a 15-minute taxi ride to Yellow City.

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38 Expat Living

From China to Korea

Gwangju News, June 2022

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COMMUNITY

By Ellie Goodwin

T

Teaching is a popular career choice for the expat community, and given the perks that come with the job, it is easy to understand why: a healthy salary with decent saving opportunities, a comfortable work-social life balance with some of the living costs covered. And let’s not forget the students who (for all our exasperated sighs and hair pulling) tug at our heartstrings with their quirky ways and infectious laughs.

quicker or save money and take the train, which will add another four hours to my journey?’ For me, the considerably smaller size of Korea is an inexpressible plus. Though a fraction of China’s size, it has just as much to offer, perhaps more, and with the added bonus of a shorter travel time. For me, Korea wins the first round for domestic travel opportunities.

These perks alongside the travel opportunities are the reasons why I chose to take my teaching career to Asia.

Before moving to Gwangju, I was a teacher in China.

Naively, I figured that given the two countries were not that far apart geographically speaking, then there would be many similarities between the neighbours.

I could not have been more wrong. In this article, I have written about some of the differences and similarities about my time in each country.

DOMESTIC TRAVEL First of all, I loved living in China (and currently love living in Korea) but for entirely different reasons.

There’s the Great Wall of China, the Terrocotta Army, the Yellow Mountains and Avatar Mountains in Huangshan and Zhangjiajie, respectively, the West Lake in Hangzhou, Yu Garden in Shanghai, and the Gobi Desert in Xinjiang. It goes without saying that China has a lot to offer. The downside? Getting to these places. China is the third largest country in the world. Travel in China was not as convenient as a three-hour bus ride from U-Square or a train ride from Gwangju’s Songjeong Station. I would often have to give far more thought to travel time, weighing up the everlasting debate of ‘shall I spend more money on a flight which will get me to point B

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▲ The iconic Bund skyline.

AFFORDABILITY One of the biggest selling points for those considering work in China (be it teaching or another line of work) are the saving opportunities. I arrived in China with a malnourished bank account and left with a nice, chubby figure. I was able to save money without compromising my lifestyle. I could afford to go to restaurants and bars, take day trips, and travel abroad (imagine a world before COVID-19 and PCR tests) while saving money all the while. That is not to say that I do not think it possible for me to save some pennies in Korea, especially considering all the living expenses that are covered, but I do not expect to save

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39 and far between, and the pile is far less mountainous.

The buses and trains here are spacious, and the public toilets are clean. On that note, I can categorically say that I have not missed the squat toilets. (One word: mess. I will leave the rest up to your imagination).

Along with a higher quality of life, I am also enjoying some liberties that I did not have in China. Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, Western news outlets, and Facebook are all examples of platforms blocked in China. The only way to access these platforms was by using a VPN, which was often temperamental, not to mention illegal. On top of that were certain conversations which were not to be had aloud, let alone via WeChat – the Chinese equivalent of KakaoTalk. Talk of Hong Kong, the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, as well as conversations about politics, religion, sexuality, and so forth were not discussed. Even now, I forget that I can freely talk about Tiananmen Square and not have to drop my voice to a whisper and was surprised to hear conversations about the 5.18 uprising being freely spoken about. So, the winner of the ‘quality of life’ round is Korea, without question. ▲ Suzhou, famed for its canals and referred to as “the Venice of China.”

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▲ Jeonju, my first Hanok Village experience.

Gwangju News, June 2022

QUALITY OF LIFE There is a perk to living in a costlier country, namely an improved quality of life. China was a cheaper country to live in, with lower taxes to pay and cheaper rent, and that showed. You paid for what you got. I should add here that I did not live in either Beijing or Shanghai. However, I did live in a first-tier city which, by definition, is a city with a high income level, infrastructure, consumerism, and career opportunities. And still, the quality of life did not compare to Korea. Piles of trash, spitting, derelict buildings, and kids wearing split pants (I will let you Google that one) were common sights for me during my time living in China. True, I have seen the odd pile of trash on the street in Gwangju, but these are few

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as much given that the cost of living here is higher.

Depending on how large my appetite was on a given day, a meal out at my favourite restaurant would average between 6,000 and 10,000 won. The cost of my weekly shopping would be around 30,000 won.

Cocktails at my favorite bar would be between 5,500 and 10,000 won. An IMAX 3D cinema ticket would cost 11,000 won. So, China wins this round.

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40 countries, as my experience in China far outstrips that of Korea. There are the obvious similarities: the students that find a special place in your heart and nestle there, whose cute picture you will have saved on your phone and who (years down the line) will make you wonder what kind of person they have grown into, or if they remember you as fondly as you remember them.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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▲ A lone walk on the Great Wall in Beijing.

CULTURE SHOCK Experiencing culture shock comes with any relocation, be it a country of a shared continent or one on the other side of the globe. For me, the culture shock that came with moving to China was far more pronounced than moving to Korea. Written English is not used as much, and when it was, it was often mistranslated. I would breathe a sigh of relief whenever I went to a restaurant with an English translation or saw a bus station offering timetables in English. Of course, there is no obligation for a country whose first language is not English to cater to those who do not speak the language fluently or who cannot decipher those confusing characters, but it certainly makes for an easier transition when a country has English translations widely provided. For me, settling into my life in Korea has been far easier than China. But like I mentioned, I did not live in either Beijing or Shanghai. Perhaps if I had lived in either of these cities, then the culture shock would not have been such a slap in the face.

TEACHING I spent three and a half years teaching in China and am currently into my third month teaching in Korea, so I may not be the fairest judge between these two

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And now to the more practical similarities. It just so happens that I taught at a private institution in China (commonly known as a training center) and currently teach at a hagwon in Korea. The pay and packages are similar: My accommodation has been paid for as have some of my utility bills and start-up costs. The holiday allowance is similar: a break for summer and winter with national holidays scattered in between, though not as generous in number compared with a teaching job at a public school. The only striking difference I have personally experienced is the role of the teacher.

In China, I often felt like I was more of a performer or entertainer rather than a teacher. For the school where I worked, the color of my skin and my British citizenship was a commodity, whereas my experience and qualifications took a backseat. I do not feel like this is the case here. I will be the first to say that my experience may not be an accurate representation of all schools in China, and that I am not a well-seasoned English teacher in Korea, so this final point should be taken with a pinch of salt (and then some).

It was difficult at times, but I loved the years I spent in China, and though I have only spent a few months in Gwangju, intuition is telling me that I am in for another good few years. At present, I can say only positive things about the little life I have set up for myself here. Korea is a beautiful and diverse country, easy to travel around, and has friendly locals welcoming me and other expats into their culture.

Opportunities are ripe for the taking, and I am sure I am not alone when I say that I am going to try and take as many as humanly possible.

The Author

English teacher by trade and keen traveler the rest of the time, Ellie Goodwin has been to 35 different countries, lived in China for over three years, and has been living in Gwangju for as many months. In her free time, she enjoys (you guessed it) traveling, hiking, reading, and the occasional soju.

Instagram @elliee_goodwin

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Restoring the Past 41

Chapter 4 Gwangju’s Mass-Produced Hanok – Square or Round

By Kang Dong-su

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▲ 1970s Jeonju hanok with a Japanese-style beam structure.

BEAMS AND PILLARS Beams and pillars have long been two of the most symbolic parts of the hanok structure. Regarding the former, long and naturally curved crossbeams are a main charm of hanok that many quickly

Gwangju News, June 2022

ROOF STRUCTURES As I briefly wrote about roof structures in the previous chapter, developers cut down on a lot of processes by not exposing rafters in ceilings (except for attics and sometimes front porches known as toenmaru, 툇마루). By doing that, they only had to plane the eaves and some parts of the house.

The second thing we have to look into are square

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For traditional Korean architecture, a structure is not just a structure. Depending on social class, there was a strict law regarding the structure of a house.

For example, cylinder-shaped pillars were only used for the nobility, important people, or a man’s space in a building, as the round shape represented “sky,” while square pillars represented “earth.” This kind of discrimination in housing structure was based on Confucianism, and this strict hierarchy collapsed in the modern era. This chapter will show you how each structure of Gwangju’s mass-produced hanok developed through the modern period and made its own unique style.

rafters on the edge of eaves called buyeon (부연). In the Joseon Dynasty, only those of high social rank could embellish their houses by adding these items, but starting in the late 19th century, as the new bourgeoisie could build their houses as they saw fit, they freely used these items as a decoration. They were also influenced by exotic styles like Westernstyle buildings or Japanese-Western styles. The people of Gwangju and Jeonnam Province started to make their buyeon rounded on the edge, which was used until the 1970s for mass-produced hanok. This design only exists in this region, and I think it came from Japanese-Western-style wooden buildings or Western missionaries’ houses. Those buildings usually had rounded rafters on the porch, and that style had an influence on newer hanok designed during the colonial period, which survived until the 1990s.

CULTURE & ARTS

L

ast time, we looked at the design history and material of mass-produced hanok roofs in Gwangju. Because it was a mass-production real-estate product, developers tried to adopt the concept of rich, noble people’s houses from the previous period to attract those common people who had a fantasy for roof-tiled houses with proper style and sometimes modified the original design to be better for trade. But they also had to reduce the cost as much as possible to supply the houses fast and affordably for the average individual, which led to a deterioration in structure quality. There are also a lot of ornamental roof details that were mostly derived from colonial period houses in this way.

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42

Gwangju News, June 2022

gwangjunewsgic.com

▲ From left: Square-type Gwangju hanok façade structure seen in Dongmyeong-dong, recycling original clay plaster to restore a hanok in Gyerimdong, hanok from the 1970s with a round pillar and foundation stone.

recognize. But you can only see short crossbeams on the front porches of mass-produced hanok in Gwangju, as they are usually hidden by plywood ceilings. The hidden structures sometimes look more like Japanese houses because making the rough structure and then covering the ceiling with plywood was a practice copied from Japanese colonial period houses or hybrid houses. As for pillars, there are a lot of different possible shapes, including rectangles, cylinders, polygons, entases, trapezoids, natural wood, and others. But for mass-produced houses, developers simplified their models, so it was mostly the rectangle or cylinder type (without the entasis or trapezoid technique).

I mentioned in the introduction that the cylindertype pillar was only allowed for high-ranking people and men. But during the 1970s, developers made a new type of cylindrical pillar with new technology: the wood lathe. They used huge cylindrical pillars for the facade with decorations on the top enabled by woodturning. Thanks to this new advancement, those who could afford to be middle class could buy this new, fancy cylindrical-pillar house irrespective of social status or sex.

CLAY WALLS Bamboo strips, woven together with straw ropes, and clay-lime plaster finishing were still the dominant construction method for making hanok walls until

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the 1970s. But the quality of these walls decreased a lot compared to those of the previous era. Before, there were strong wooden sticks to support the bamboo strips standing in the middle of walls and jointed without nails. In earlier hanok, at least three layers of plaster were used to make the walls hard and intact. With the start of mass-produced hanok, bamboo sticks were substituted for wooden supports and they were jointed with nails. The plastering process was also simplified to just one layer of red clay, which was finished with lime plaster where it was exposed.

DECORATIVE STRUCTURES In the Joseon Dynasty, keeping housing structures as simple as possible was regarded as a virtue of modesty. However, in Gwangju, hanok of the rich in both the colonial period and the 1960s–1970s were far from that. Builders used a number of decorative structures from the previous Joseon-era nobility, Japanese buildings, or even Western-style carpentry.

Chapiters at the tops of columns called judu (주두) jointers and smaller jointers, known as soro (소로), are some of the better examples of this. Even until the 1950s–1960s, most of the hanok in Gwangju did not have judu and soro, as only rich people’s houses did. But starting in the 1970s, developers started to use these decorative structures for mass-produced hanok in new residential hanok towns.

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43 As for these decorative structures, Gwangju’s massproduced hanok can be classified into two types, round and square. Square judu and soro were used for hanok starting from a long time ago, but only for high-ranking individuals. The people of Gwangju finally achieved the opportunity to have a house with these decorative structures in the 1970s. Moreover, they created a new style using the aforementioned woodturning technique for making soro and pillars.

This woodturning skill actually came from the colonial period when Japanese carpenters made Western-style furniture. Those carpenters passed on their skills to Korean carpenters, and they in turn played a role during the 1960s–1970s in building the “new town” mass-produced hanok in Gwangju. This style (hanok built with woodturning techniques) only exists in Gwangju, and we can say it is the latest evolution in Gwangju hanok.

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I can say that the late 19th century to the 1950s was a period of new changes and experimentation in hanok. There were so many distinctive designs and styles during this period as people tried to mix all the different new cultural influences into the hanok style. But by the 1960s–1970s, all those new trials got boxed into one of two types, the “squaretype” and “round-type,” for commercial real estate products. Even though most Koreans either do not know about or are ignoring the existence of massproduced hanok in Gwangju, I think it is a really important architectural style showing the whole history of the turbulent modern period of Gwangju.

If you know more about the history behind the details of hanok design, you will be surprised how many influences they encountered as they evolved through the decades.

Photographs by Kang Dong-su.

The Author

Kang Dong-su is a traditional Korean carpenter born in Gwangju in the year 1996. He started studying and archiving historical architecture in Gwangju at the age of 17. He is currently the representative of his company, Baemui, which researches and renovates homes and historical architecture in Gwangju and the Jeolla provinces. @baemui.naru

Gwangju News, June 2022

FOUNDATION STONES Foundation stone design also changed a lot from the Joseon Dynasty and received many influences from China and Japan. For residential homes, natural stones without fabrication were the most dominant type in the Joseon Dynasty. As with other building features, there were restrictions for using chiseled foundation stones based on the social hierarchy of the time. During the colonial period, the growing middle class in Jeonnam started to use different styles of foundation stones for their hanok. Trapezoidal shapes from Japan are one such example. (Korea does in fact have the same shape, but it is slightly different, as the Japanese stones are more angular.) Amphora-shaped stones from China became a new trend among the people of Jeonnam as well. This local trend lasted until the

1970s, as people remembered the standard of good houses, like those of the rich, from the previous era.

In Gwangju, echelon-shaped stones became the standard for “square-type” hanok, while amphorashaped stones became the standard for “round-type” mass-produced hanok.

gwangjunewsgic.com

▲ Interior of a 1973 Gwangju hanok in Dongmyeong-dong with decorative plywood ornaments covering the attic.

▲ Three main designs for pillars and basement stones seen in Gwangju hanok from the 1960s–1970s.

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44 Photo Essay

The Coral Triangle

▲ Raja Ampat

Gwangju News, June 2022

gwangjunewsgic.com

CULTURE & ARTS

By Wira Praja

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A

s the largest archipelagic country in the world, Indonesia consists of more than 17,000 islands. These islands have approximately 81,000 kilometers of coastline where you can find many beautiful beaches spread all around Indonesia. With its tropical climate all year round, Indonesia surely is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Who does not know Bali? It is one of the most visited islands in Indonesia, not only by locals, but also foreigners. If you find Bali is too crowded for your holiday, just find Wakatobi, Komodo Island, Ambon, Sumba, Derawan, or Raja Ampat on your map and be amazed. Imagine drinking fresh coconut water while lying down on the beach and watching the sunset to make your soul at peace. Their white, powder-like sand will make your feet not want to go anywhere else. But do not stop there, as you should explore what lies beneath them – their underwater life.

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45

▲ A newborn turtle at Sumba Island.

▲ Yellow snappers at Misool.

▲ An orangutan crab at Misool.

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▲ Clown fish at Menjangan Island.

Gwangju News, June 2022

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▲ Raja Ampat

Gwangju News, June 2022

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46

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▲ Clown fish at Ternate Island.

Ternate Islands Raja Ampat islands Misool

Bara Beach

Wakitobi

Menjangan Island Sumba Island

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47

▲ A sea fan at Misool.

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Gwangju News, June 2022

▲ A lion fish at Misool.

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48

Gwangju News, June 2022

gwangjunewsgic.com

▲ A school of fish at Arborek Jetty, Raja Ampat.

▲ Corals at Wakitobi.

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49

▲ Bara Beach, South Celebes.

▲ A scorpion fish at Menjangan Island.

Wira Praja is an orthopaedic surgeon from Jakarta, Indonesia. He is currently doing his fellowship training at Chonnam National University Hospital for foot and ankle surgery. Scuba diving is one of his hobbies.

Instagram: @wirapraja

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Gwangju News, June 2022

The Author

gwangjunewsgic.com

Named the Coral Triangle, it is one of the largest, most diverse, and most important reef systems in the world. According to the WWF, it contains around 76 percent of the world’s coral species. Stretching from the Philippines up in the north to Papua New Guinea in the east, most of this triangle area is located in Indonesia, with its epicenter at Bird’s Head on Papua Island, where you can find the famous Raja Ampat islands. Scuba diving in this triangle will give you a surreal experience as you can find more than 3,000 species of fish with different sizes playing around you, colorful corals covering the bottoms of the ocean, and crystal-clear visibility. Exploring Indonesia’s marine life could be addictive as you cannot stop at one place and will ask for more. Once you try scuba diving in one of Indonesia’s diving sites, you will go the extra mile to discover more. No wonder many scuba divers all around the world go on pilgrimage to Indonesia every year to enjoy this experience. You should pay a visit!

2022-05-26 �� 3:06:33

50 50 Book Review

Klara and the Sun

By Kazuo Ishiguro

Gwangju News, June 2022

gwangjunewsgic.com

CULTURE & ARTS

Reviewed by Michael Attard

K

lara is an artificially intelligent robot designed for the purpose of being a friend and helper for a human. As futuristic as this may seem, Klara perceives the sun as godlike. From the moment we meet her in the store, where she is for sale, Klara is aware that solar power gives her energy, and she weakens in its absence.

Klara initially expects that when someone eventually buys her, the owner will give human love to her.

But she is very observant of the world passing by on the street and comes to realize that this will not necessarily be the case. She contemplates the weariness that this would cause and ponders what the feeling of not being wanted would be like. At the end of part one, Klara is purchased by a 14-year-old girl named Josie.

In the beginning chapters, the writing may make the book seem simplistic. But the author, Kazuo Ishiguro, is a Nobel Prize recipient, and from reading two of his other novels, I learned that there is a lot more happening than might first appear.

Klara lives with Josie and her divorced mother. The relationship between mother and teenage daughter is typical. However, Josie is in poor health and requires help from time to time, and this is one reason that they bought Klara. In the story, having an artificial

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friend or “AF,” as Klara is referred to, is common. We also meet Rick, Josie’s long-time childhood friend.

The plot thickens when we learn that Rick is not like the other kids.

However, it is really Rick who is normal – by our standards – while the other ▲ Kazuo Ishiguro kids are the socalled “uplifted.”

Klara does her best to learn about and understand Josie and her mother so that she can better help Josie. She knows that comprehending humans is not easy, as humans change their emotions quickly.

With regard to Josie’s health and the poor prognosis, Klara has hope, and it is to the sun to which she turns for help.

The adults in the story act as if and claim that they want the best for their children. Klara accepts this as true, although she expresses surprise at how parents are willing to behave or sacrifice in a manner that

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51 would increase their own loneliness. But Ishiguro subtly questions this motive. Whom do any of us really do things for?

The parents we meet in the story have taken risks for their children. As per a conversation between Josie and Rick, Josie claims that people need “society,” and her parents are providing this for her in spite of the previously known danger and negative health outcome for Josie. Josie accuses Rick’s mother of being selfish by her not having had Rick “uplifted.”

I think that in the book Ishiguro is questioning the personal motives that each of us has in life and asking us to examine the type of society we are creating by our actions.

Klara is the one who remains loyal. She is steadfast in her hope and plan to make Josie well. With Rick’s help, Josie goes to see the sun as it sets behind a nearby barn. Klara is determined to convince the sun to help but remains humble and childlike in her reasoning and beseeching.

It is Josie’s father who asks Klara, “Do you believe in the human heart? Something that makes each of us special and individual?”

The trip to the city had been demanding for Josie and her health noticeably deteriorated. Klara once again makes a trip across the fields to where the sun sets in order to request its help. But before she does, she asks Rick if his and Josie’s love is genuine. He replies that it is, and Klara feels more confident.

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From this point in the story, there are 17 more pages, but I will not tell you the ending. Suffice it to say that Klara was happy with her own behavior and her devotion and loyalty were often recognized and appreciated. If only humans could have comprehended her uniqueness.

In conclusion, some other reviews claim that what Ishiguro says and implies about human nature is nothing new. This may be true, but I think his use of Klara allows the reader to perhaps see life from outside the box. Regardless, I really enjoyed the book.

The Reviewer

Michael Attard is a Canadian who has lived in Gwangju since 2004. Though officially retired, he still teaches a few private English classes. He enjoys reading all kinds of books and writes for fun. When the weather is nice, you may find him on a hiking trail.

Gwangju News, June 2022

It is in relation to the artist’s so-called portrait of Josie that Ishiguro presents us with perhaps the crux of his questioning. The artist is convinced that his work will be successful because there is no uniqueness within humans and no unreachable part inside each of us that cannot be transferred elsewhere. He believes that he can create a continuation of Josie.

“Do you believe in the human heart? Something that makes each of us special and individual?”

gwangjunewsgic.com

There are also subplots like Rick and his mother, Josie’s father, seeds of mystery, Josie’s so-called portrait, her deceased sister, innuendoes, faulty genetic engineering, and hints dropped along the way that maintain reader interest. Some of this is backstory but also provides controversy and conflict, which all good novels require.

A few mornings later, Josie was sleeping, the sky was dark with the clouds becoming denser. Suddenly, the weather changed and the sun began to break through the clouds. The gloom blew away. Klara exclaimed that they must go to Josie right away.

Josie was sleeping peacefully under the bright rays of the sun. When the housekeeper went to draw the curtains, Klara again was insistent and demanded that they let the power of the sun land on Josie.

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52

Top of The Drop

Gwangju News, June 2022

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CULTURE & ARTS

By Daniel J. Springer

Each month, Daniel Springer of the Gwangju Foreign Language Network (GFN) picks his favorite newly released tunes that you may not have heard yet, along with some upcoming albums and EPs that you might want to keep on your radar. — Ed.

SAY SUE ME – “THE LAST THING LEFT” This is the title track to the latest LP from the Busan-based indie rock project fronted by Choi Su-mi.

Although they had to delay their North American tour a bit until after the release of this brilliant LP, this band is ready for the big time, gathering a very serious following in Western countries of Europe, Australia, and the aforementioned North America.

Unlike in most places, this kind of popularity abroad will add to their growing but still nascent popularity here in Korea, and the sky’s the limit right now. The album is out, and Su-mi’s band are ready for their closeup!

MONOPHONICS – “SAGE MOTEL” This is the title track to singer-songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Kelly Finnigan and his band’s latest album. As per usual, this latest installment and career sixth for the band is psychedelic and funky as hell. However, the songwriting and arrangements are just that much tighter, with the depth of feeling going right to the core of emotion itself. Don’t miss a check in on this record – it’s a night not to be forgotten.

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JAZZANOVA FEAT SEAN HAEFELI – “FACE AT MY WINDOW” A couple of years ago, DJ Amir put out a compilation of songs from Strata Records, a jazz-funk label based in Detroit in the 1970s. Now, we have the followup to this LP, with Berlin-based Jazzanova putting out that compilation once again, but this time with the collective putting their own reimagining of the originals in order. Strata Records: The Sounds of Detroit Reimagined by Jazzanova is available everywhere, and we’d highly recommend checking both compilations out.

JEAN CARNE FEAT ALI SHAHEED MUHAMMAD & ADRIAN YOUNGE – “THE SUMMERTIME” For the last several years, jazz veteran Adrian Younge has teamed up with former A Tribe Called Quest maestro Ali Shaheed Muhammad on a new label project called Jazz Is Dead, based in LA. In their 12th installation for the label, they invited Jean Carne, who’s been around since the 1970s and, even into her 70s now, can still flash that five-octave range that made her a name over the years.

PRATEEK KUHAD – “FAVORITE PEEPS” Back in 2018, a relatively unknown Kolkatta-based singersongwriter put out what was probably the best single of the year in “cold/mess,” which caught fire all over the map with the indie heads. “Cold/mess” would also be the title track to that album which came much later. The multilingual Kuhad has since spread his artistic wings, composing for Bollywood and indie films on the subcontinent, and this tune heralded The Way That Lovers Do, which dropped May 20 and is not to be missed.

MARK EVICH – “PRIME” You might be amazed to listen to this LA-based artist croon over his extra smooth bars and 90s R&Binspired arrangements and then learn he’s actually from Russia, but it’s true indeed. In a brilliant

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53 appearance on The Drop, Evich bravely discussed his broken feelings over Russia’s recent hideous invasion of Ukraine, and just that would be enough to earn mention here. However, the fact that this tune is amazing buttery smoothness just slams it home.

BOBBY OROZA FEAT COLD DIAMOND & MINK – “THROUGH THESE TEARS” Back in May 2019, this Finnish crooner and guitarist made a scintillating debut with This Love.

Now, we have another album coming out in just over a week on June 10 called Get Into The Otherside. We’ll be having an early listen to some unreleased stuff when Bobby makes his second appearance on the show on June 3, so don’t miss it if you want a sneak peek!

NATURE TV – “MIKE FAKE” This was the final preview single to the Brighton-based band’s Heartbreak Skyline EP, released on April 21. Interestingly, the band featured a Korean street scene in Hangul on the artwork for the cover, with signs for makkeoli, noraebang, and other such things you see everywhere here.

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Sharon Van Etten – We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong (May 6) Jack Harlow – Come Home The Kids Miss You (May 6) Ibeyi – Spell 31 (May 6) Arcade Fire – WE (May 6) IDK & KAYTRANADA – Simple (May 6) Monophonics – Sage Motel (May 13) Say Sue Me – The Last Thing Left (May 13) The Black Keys – Dropout Boogie (May 13) Kevin Morby – This Is A Photograph (May 13) Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (May 13) Lykke Li – Eyeye (May 20) SOAK – If I Never Know You Like This Again (May 20) Porridge Radio – Water Slide, Diving Board, Ladder to the Sky (May 20) Alfie Templeman – Mellow Moon (May 27) Coheed & Cambria – Vaxis II: A Window of the Waking Mind (May 27) Dehd – Blue Skies (May 27)

JUNE RELEASES Andrew Bird – Inside Problems (June 3) Angel Olsen – Big Time (June 3) Horsegirl – Versions Of Modern Performance (June 3) Post Malone – Twelve Carat Toothache (June 3) BTS – [Title TBA] (June 10) Joyce Manor – 40 oz. to Fresno (June 10) Vance Joy – In Our Own Sweet Time (June 10) Foals – Life Is Yours (June 17) Hercules & Love Affair – In Amber (June 17) Perfume Genius – Ugly Season (June 17) TV Priest – My Other People (June 17) Alexisonfire – Otherness (June 24) Goose – Dripfield (June 24) Regina Spektor – Home, before & after (June 24) Soccer Mommy – Sometimes, Forever (June 24) Conan Gray – Superache (June 24)

Gwangju News, June 2022

CASTLEBEAT – “LOOKING FOR SOMETHING” This is the latest from the Brooklyn-based Josh Hwang, who’s not only been a bedroom pop originator over these years, but a very busy person. Aside from the CASTLEBEAT project,

MAY RELEASES

gwangjunewsgic.com

MONSTER RALLY – “GOLDEN SHORES” One of our favorites out there right now on the beat production tip is Ted Feighan, the visual and recording artist out of Cleveland who calls himself this when making beats, which seems more appropriate for a thrash metal band. But alas, Monster Rally makes some of the smoothest lo-fi and downtempo beats out there, always with a tropical twist of exoticism that makes it go down smooth.

This is a feature tune on Feighan’s latest LP, Botanica Dream, which should drop this month, but nothing is set in stone yet.

Hwang is also the head of Spirit Goth Records which, just like his solo stuff, is one of the best label projects going over the past few years.

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Gwangju News, June 2022 gwangjunewsgic.com

CULTURE & ARTS

54 Comic Corner

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55

gwangjunewsgic.com

Yun Hyoju was born and raised in Gwangju, and somehow ended up married to an Irish guy named Alan. She has been working on her short comic, “Alan and Me,” which is about their daily life. She publishes a new comic every week on Instagram. It can be found here: @alan_andme.

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Gwangju News, June 2022

The Author

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56

CROSSWORDPUZZLE Created by Jon Dunbar Look for the answers to this crossword puzzle to appear in July in Gwangju News Online (www.gwangjunewsgic.com).

Gwangju News, June 2022

gwangjunewsgic.com

DOWN

ACROSS

1 4 7

11 12 13 14 16 17 19 22 26 27 30 31

Pokemon’s Ketchum Private messages on SNS Style of Motley Crue, Twisted Sister Agricultural agency in Jeonju “Produce 101” band Kia pickup truck Kang Woong-min’s barbecue restaurant (2 words) Desires World Cup sport held in Gwangju Mexican sandwich Dig up from the riverbed German-American actress Hagen Law & Order actress Helgenberger Paddles Move slowly

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32 Penname or nickname 34 10 percent tax on goods and services 35 Swedish furniture seller 37 RPG not played on a tabletop or computer 38 Goes with cream or fishing 39 Color of Banwol and Bakji 41 Snake 43 “K-opera” 46 Where farmers and athletes work 49 Dasan Jeong ___ 53 Spherical roofs 54 League for Canadiens, Bruins 55 ___ Leppard 56 Chunhyang translator Richard 57 White ball in billiards 58 Korean basic cable channel

1 “It’ll cost you an ___ and a leg” 2 Samsung’s battery unit 3 An internalized feeling of deep sorrow, resentment, grief, regret, and anger 4 Elaborate miniature model 5 Internet-based lesson 6 Turban wearer 7 Korean kingdom from 918 to 1392 8 Type of fuel 9 Era 10 Tatooine’s ___ Eisley 13 Comedian Bill OF “F is for Family” 15 Calico or Maine Coon 18 Poet Allen Poe 19 Flower in Dutch Golden Age paintings 20 Japanese nerd 21 Wild party 23 “Called by Another Name” author Dolinger 24 “___ under pressure” 25 Fragrant compound 28 Early missionary Horace Newton ___ 29 Narrow waterway 33 Twinkle 36 Background computer program 40 Boys 42 Home improvement project 44 Harmonized 45 Hawaii’s main island 46 New Deal president 47 Borrower’s promise 48 Ambulance passenger 50 Star Trek shapeshifter 51 Noh Jeong-hee’s former agency 52 98.7 FM

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GIC광주국제교류센터 GIC’s

Ch GIC광주국제교류센터

new Kakao Talk Channel!

Now, with our new Kakao Talk Channel, you can get the latest information on GIC’s events or inquire on any of GIC’s programs! Add us now on Kakao :) Opening Hours

Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 5p.m.

Or leave us a message anytime and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

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