Gwangju & South Jeolla International Magazine
# 157/ March 2015
The Governor
Changing South Jeolla
# 157/ March 2015 March 2015_
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March 2015 #157 Published on February 24, 2015 Cover Photo: Lee Nak-yeon, South Jeolla Governor Photograph courtesy of South Jeolla Provincial Office Cover Art: Joe Wabe
GWANGJU NEWS EDITORIAL TEAM Publisher: Shin Gyonggu Editor-in-Chief: Adam Volle Print Editor: Karly Pierre Online Editor: Ana Traynin Senior Coordinator: Kim Minsu Coordinator and Layout Editor: Karina Prananto Photo Editor: Joe Wabe Chief Proofreader: Bradley Weiss Online Editorial Assistants: Mathew Jacob, Amanda Miller, Jacqui Page Copy Editors: Benjamin Grady Young, Joey Nunez, Kate Jarocki, Laura Becker, Timm Berg Proofreaders: Christie Fargher, Don Gariepy, Angie Hartley, Jessica Keralis, Fellin Kinanti, Jannies Le, Gabrielle Nygaard, Stephen Redeker, Pete Schandall, Teri Venable, Gilda Wilson Creative Consultant: Warren Parsons Researchers: GIC Foreign Support Team: Lee Jeongmin, Lee Jeonghwa, Kim Hyunyoung, Han Jeongbong, Han Juyeon, Yong Yurim Gwangju News is published by Gwangju International Center Website: www.gwangjunewsgic.com E-mail: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr Registration No.: 광주광역시 라. 00145 (ISSN 2093-5315) Registration Date: February 22, 2010 Printed by Join Adcom 조인애드컴 Address: Gwangju International Center 1-2 Fl., 5, Jungang-ro 196 beon-gil (Geumnam-no 3 Ga), Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-023, South Korea Phone: +82-62-226-2733~4 Fax: +82-62-226-2731 Website: www.gic.or.kr Email: gic@gic.or.kr Copyright by 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. gwangjunewsgic.com
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CONTENTS features
10
Jeolla: Koreans’ Bridge to the Past?
6 South Jeolla Governor Lee Nak-yeon and His Six Trillion Won Plan
local 18 Gwangju City Hall News 20 Gwangju Talks: “What changes have you noticed in South Jeolla over the past ten years?” 21 “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer” 22 Right to the City: After an Assault 23 Sewol Update March 2015 24 Gwangju Plays: Yoga: More Than a Stretch 26 Gwangju Works: A Place to Call Home: Sung Bin Girls Home 28 My Korea: My Journey As A GIC Volunteer 30 Gwangju Eats: Holiday Inn Gwangju 32 Gwangju Cooks: Kimchi and Tofu Wraps
photography 33 34 36 37
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Photo of the Month: Antisocial Networking Photo Essay: Hearts in a Cage Fashion on the Street: Men’s Smart Casual Attire Tailor Made
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Go East, Young Man: Pioneer Educator Dr. David Shaffer Reflects
14
Are the Good Times Gone for Native English Teachers?
places to see 38 Departing Gwangju: Shanghai, China 40 Korea in the World: Hitting the High Notes: A Korean Opera Singer in Italy
gic 42 GIC Tour Preview: Haenam 44 GIC Talk Preview: Tabletop Gaming in Gwangju 45 GIC Talk March Schedule
culture 46 47 48 49
Korean Poetry: A Sijo by Hwang Jini Gwangju Writes: After Visiting Unjusa Behind the Myth: Is “Han” Uniquely Korean? Jeolla History: Jeolla in the Imjin War
general & info 50 51 52 54 55
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Health: Get Your Pokes: Adults Need to Keep Up with Their Vaccines, Too! Green Korea: Sustained Growth KOTESOL: 10 Commandments for ELT Community Board Upcoming Events March 2015
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[Cover Story]
South Jeolla Governor Lee Nak-yeon:
The Six Trillion Won Plan Words by Choi Nam-hyun Photos courtesy of South Jeolla Provincial Office
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S
outh Jeolla Province, or Jeonnam for short, has many islands, most of them inhabited by elderly people, the young having left for urban life. It also has many transnational-marriage families in its rural areas. These people are among the underprivileged vying for the attention of Governor Lee Nak-yeon; he is responsible for improving their welfare as governor. On the other hand, the governor needs to raise the income level for the entire province, and he has to raise provincial cash cows if he is to fatten pockets. For this purpose, he is focusing on a new town built to be the new home of Korea Electric Power Corp., one of the largest government-invested corporations in the nation, and other government-invested or funded organizations. Proper care for the underprivileged and attracting corporate investments into a province with inferior infrastructure are daunting tasks for Lee, and yet they are the tip of the iceberg. The variety of projects he is committed to ranges from the greening of Jeonnam to the building of a structure for “lowcost, high-income” agriculture. But people in Jeonnam may find solace in remembering that not many would be better positioned to do the job than Lee, who developed connections first as a student at the Law College of Seoul National University, later as a highly regarded journalist and finally as a veteran member of the National Assembly. He does not mention his old-boy network in referring to an increase in the amount of money his province is set to take from the central government, but it undoubtedly worked when the national budget allocated 5.3 trillion won for the province this year, up a whopping 11 percent from last year. As a consequence, the 2015 provincial budget has surpassed the 6 trillion won mark for the first time. Nine months having passed since his inauguration, now is a good opportunity for him to look back on his past performance and reexamine his projects that are being implanted. Here is what he has shared with Gwangju News. Gwangju News (GN): Is there anything you regret about when you look back on your nine months of governance? Lee: I wouldn’t say all I have done is satisfactory. But I think I have laid the cornerstone of hope during that period of time. The increase in the provincial budget has made it
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possible to start building a cluster of factories in the Gwangyang Bay area for the manufacture of basic chemical materials and run a technical center in Suncheon to assist corporations in basic manufacturing processes such as welding, molding, surface treatments and heat treatments. It [has now been made] possible to restart work on the railroad linking Mokpo and Boseong after an eight-year break, start construction of the highspeed rail linking Songjeong and Mokpo as part of the Honam KTX project, and launch other big-ticket projects. Yet, I wouldn’t say I have no regrets. Though I have worked hard to create jobs and raise income for people in our province, I find few economic indicators have improved remarkably as the economic conditions are worsening both in the nation and in the outside world. In addition, we grieved over the sinking of the Sewol ferry, a fire in a hospital providing facilities for senior citizen care in Jangseong and another fire at a pension in Damyang. GN: What do you have in mind when you are going ahead with your project to turn islands into places worth visiting for a vacation? Lee: We have 2,219 large and small islands in our province, more than 65 percent of all islands in the nation. These are highly valuable assets for us. We are working hard to promote them as places worth visiting for their unique natural environment, culture and history. In a ten-year project, we will select 24 islands [to develop them as tourist attractions] that are renowned for their scenery, ecosystems, history and cultural asset... We will select six for the project this year and continue to add two each year. We will help develop tourism themes for the islands, such as a dinner table with dishes prepared with island specialties, home stays in fishing villages and island festivals. These tourism themes will help increase income for the island residents. GN: What do you mean when you propose to build a “wooded Jeonnam?” Lee: The project is aimed at turning large parts of the province into wooded land and parks and raising the value of forests. It is also aimed at raising the value of public benefits from the provincial forests,
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which was estimated at 14 trillion won in 2013, to 30 trillion won when it is completed in 2024. We will create two kinds of wooded land — one for scenery and the other for income. For scenery, we are planning to plant beautiful trees... Urban areas will have more parks and forests in addition to trees planted along the roads and the streams. High-value trees will be planted on hills, in marginal agricultural lands, reclaimed lands and public lands to help raise the income of the residents. They will include trees for building materials, fungus cultivation and charcoal making as well as nut trees and honey trees. We will have large plots of land for pomegranate trees in Goheung, walnut trees in Jangeung and camellias in Wando.
Governor Lee among the local citizens
These two key projects of mine are not likely to produce any tangible results in the short term, and it may not be possible for our generation to benefit from them, either. Yet, when they are successfully implemented, we will be able to leave valuable assets behind for our future generations. GN: What is your plan for Chinese tourists visiting South Jeolla? Lee: For Chinese tourists, we will spruce up Chineserelated historical sites, such as a shrine dedicated to Zhu Xi, a renowned Song Dynasty Confucian scholar, in Hwasun and another shrine in Haenam for Chen Lin, a Ming Dynasty general and admiral, who was dispatched to Korea in 1598 to help repel the Japanese invasion. In addition, Chinese will find it easy to visit our province. Chinese charter flights will get easier access to Muan International Airport and Chinese cruise ships to Yeosu Port. We are promoting our province in China, too — running promotional pavilions at expositions, sending promotional teams to travel agencies and starring popular entertainers in promotional video clips for broadcasting. GN: Your incipient “100-won-taxi-ride” project is gaining popularity. Are you planning to expand it? Lee: It is a project that allows residents of villages where no bus service is available to call a taxi for a ride to the nearest bus stop for 100 won, with the difference being subsidized by the municipalities concerned. We ran pilot programs in two counties, Boseong and Hwasun, last year. They were very popular among residents. Six more municipalities have since been
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Governor Lee at the opening event of international airline route from Muan to China
Governor Lee visit to Gwangju International Center
running the programs and five more will follow suit when the administrative procedures are completed this year. Concerns that residents would call taxis more frequently than necessary have proved to be unwarranted. It is confirmed that they called taxis when it was necessary to visit a hospital or their children. GN: The province under your governance has been promoting a “low-cost, high-income” agriculture. Now you are putting an emphasis on organic farming. What is your plan for eco-friendly agriculture?
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rea Electric Power Corp.’s plan to create an “energy valley in the city of light and water” by inviting 500 energy businesses to relocate themselves into the city by 2020. For its part, our provincial government is working on its own plan to build a cluster of informationcommunication technology businesses and content providers as well energy companies. In what we call a “5/6/700 Roadmap,” we are planning to work with five agencies — KEPCO, KEPCO KDN, the Korea Post Information Center, the Korea Internet and Security Agency and the Korea Creative Content Agency — to relocate 700 corporations to Naju in six years. GN: Jeonnam has so many transnational-marriage families. What policy do you have for foreign women married to Korean men and their children? Lee: Our provincial government has created an exclusive office for women and families and empowered it to handle matters concerning transnationalmarriage families.
Governor Lee participated in the demonstration of harvest cultivation
Lee: The era of organic farming is opening now, with the certification of low-level pesticide use scheduled to be abolished in 2016. Though next year will be first year of certified organic farming nationwide, we are starting it in our province this year. Currently, our province accounts for 50 percent of the nation’s agricultural products certified as environment-friendly. We will try to keep our share of the nation’s agricultural products certified as organic above the 50 percent level. To keep the sale of environment-friendly agricultural products steady, we will ensure that all rice supplied to nurseries, kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools is organically grown. GN: Korea Electric Power Corp. and other government-invested corporations have now moved into Naju. What will you do to create more jobs and encourage more investments in the city? Lee: We are trying to get the most out of their relocation by encouraging their suppliers and businesses under their supervision to move into Naju, while training skilled manpower for employment in the city in cooperation with other government agencies and municipalities. Encouraging in this regard is Ko-
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To make use of their native language skills, we are running programs of hiring those immigrants as language teachers in after-school classes, as language and culture instructors at multi-cultural centers and lifetime educational institutions and as tourist guides. Some of those proficient in the Korean language are hired to give advice to new arrivals from their native countries and work as interpreters for them at hospitals and other public institutions. We are also running a variety of educational programs to assist them in overcoming cultural and social difficulties they encounter here and in settling in our society. The programs include Korean language classes, from which 21,000 people benefited in 2014, and cross-cultural classes, from which 61,000 people, mostly parents-in-law and spouses of immigrant women, benefited last year. GN: What message do you have for foreigners reading the Gwangju News? Lee: The provincial government is trying to help them settle in our society without too much difficulty and prevent them from being isolated or discriminated against. At the same time, I urge foreign residents to be open-minded, try to understand Korea and Jeonnam, help them promote diversity in the society, economy and culture and take pride in the contributions they are making.
Choi Nam-hyun is a former editor-in-chief of the Korea Herald.
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Jeolla: Koreans’ Bridge to the Past? Words by Ali Saleh
T
he development of South Korea into an advanced economy has put South Jeolla in a curious position. Its history and general tendency to be at political odds with the rest of the country have long labeled it “the renegade province,” but its troublemaker image, as a result of the economic boom, has started shifting. With South Jeolla’s emphasis on the environment, its array of natural sites and its traditional foundation, the province’s image is transforming into a kind of nostalgic throwback to what Korea once was, or at least being advertised as such. “It’s the Jeolla provinces where you’ll find the essence of Korea at its most potent,” said one tour guide. “A somewhat ironic contention since the Jeollanese have long played the role of the renegade.” “Jeollanese cuisine is the envy of the nation,” a website claims. “Pride of place on the regional menu goes to Jeonju bibimbap, a local take on one of Korea’s favourite dishes.” Of course Jeollanese culture is not as black and white as that. Locals in the region are apprehensive about subscribing to such views. One Jeolla local named Lani agreed that while the province does hold a high standard for Korean food, she was far from confident to say it is very traditional. “Maybe it’s because I live here, but I don’t know if it’s very traditional. Maybe for people who live in Seoul it is, because they think everything outside of the major cities is just a rural country.” She went on to say, however, that she does hear often that the values of Korean culture are changing. She mentioned the lack of funds that the government provides to rebuild and sustain temples, as well as low or non-existent entrance fees to museums. “Many people don’t care about museums.
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Even if there is [only] a 5,000 [won] fee, people will complain and say this is too high. In this way, maybe Jeolla people care more about some things, like the temples being rebuilt.” Jeolla’s identity within South Korea’s fast-changing culture is an ambiguous one. On the one hand the province prides itself in the environmental integrity of such sites as Suncheon Bay and the Boseong green tea fields. On the other hand, its representatives are always seeking more people and funding through industrial attractions like the Yeosu Expo or the Korean Grand Prix, both of which were relatively unsuccessful. “The new representative for Suncheon is a conservative,” noted Lani, ”I don’t remember the last time we had a conservative leader in Suncheon. Some people are upset, but others think that we need a change if we are going to receive any funding from the government.” According to GIC tour guide Warren Parsons, “It is no longer just ‘fast-fast’ which Koreans have been so proud of, but a feeling of people wanting a subtle return to simple ways. This province seems to be smack in the middle of these contradictory tendencies.” So where does Jeolla fit? Is it the bridge between South Koreans’ speedy transition into industrialism and their fading past? Or is it much like the rest of Korea, simply trying to profit from the fruits of its economic success and create an infrastructure that can compete with its counterparts? Maybe no one knows the answer, but the ambiguity of the region and its future, like much of the change in South Korea, has made the province a national anomaly and a point of interest to keep an eye on.
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Go East, Young Man: Pioneer Educator Dr. David Shaffer Reflects Words by Benjamin Grady Young Photos by Joe Wabe
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I
t’s easy to look around Gwangju and convince oneself that it has always been as it is now. The vast majority of expatriates in Gwangju only ever get a snapshot: a year or two in one of the larger cities in one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. However, even a little historical curiosity turns up the truth that Gwangju, at least the Gwangju of today, is a recent development. Even a few decades ago, this bustling city would have been unrecognizable. For most, the evidence of this sometimes shocking change must come from textbooks and museums and Google. But for some, it is more a matter of reminiscing over coffee.
a chuckle that is more thankful for distance than longing, “That was the edge of town, really, my hasuk-jib [home stay] — beyond it was just rice paddies…and that was terrible for mosquitoes.”
David Shaffer has been in Gwangju since the early 70s and has been a professor at Chosun University almost as long. When Shaffer first arrived in Gwangju, he lived in Nongseong-dong, an area in the West District that most would consider a stone’s throw from downtown, but back then, he says with
Directly after getting married, Shaffer and his new wife wanted to take a trip to the US to spend time with his family, but the bureaucracy surrounding Korean passports was so impenetrable that applying for a long-term immigration visa, even for a simple three-week trip to Pennsylvania, was the only option
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Aside from the open sewage troughs on the sides of the roads — which have thankfully disappeared – and the tallest building being only about five stories high — the old tourist hotel — Shaffer says that the most noticeable changes stem from exposure to the West and foreign cultures. In the 70s and 80s “Korea was lucky to know about Korea,” let alone anything further afield.
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available. Now he recognizes that most students have been abroad before they graduate university and many aim to live abroad eventually, for a year or longer. His first job in Gwangju was vocational workshop training with the Peace Corps. Being one of only four volunteers in the program in Korea, the immediate need for communication with his students spurred him to pick up as much Korean as he could. This has served him well, and he encourages anyone coming to Korea to do the same, claiming that he is “treated and looked at differently from people before they know I speak Korean and afterward.” Shaffer’s motivation for becoming an English teacher was initially an opportunity to continue to live and work in Gwangju rather than a calling. He admits to a recognizable lack of direction in his early twenties that caused him to fall, rather than to gracefully step, into his position at Chosun. He has outgrown his partying days, “some time ago” if he is to be believed, though he took delight in recounting stories of taking the school bus home at the end of the day with other instructors, but being waylaid by intervening drinking places until late at night. Somewhere along the way, and not without its bumps and pit falls, he discovered a love and a talent for teaching. Now with a curriculum vitae stretching many pages with awards to compliment it, he has dreams of starting up a TESOL certification program and hopefully do some teaching materials development. When asked who would be replacing him at Chosun he quipped that it might be himself and did not have a second best guess. His years at Chosun University have put him in a unique position to talk about the future of ESL instruction in Gwangju and Korea. He says the greatest success of the Korean education system doesn’t come directly from the schools. Rather it is the parents’ and society’s intense focus on education and dedication to education as a path for self-improvement and social advancement that Shaffer believes is most worthy of praise. Unfortunately this devotion falls short, in his opinion, because of a teaching methodology that places memorization and highstakes testing center-stage, “We learn by experiencing, and that is almost absent in the Korean system.” While some have observed that the market for English academies is quickly becoming saturated and predict a rapid decline, Shaffer sees things different-
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ly. Korean parents recognize the value of language education from a native speaker, and as Korean public schools cut jobs for international educators, families and students will turn to the private academies to get that education. The only risk to the academy system, he says, is a lack of warm bodies to fill the seats. The birth rate has been dropping recently, and Chosun, as well as universities nationwide, is already beginning to notice a decline in its enrollment. “This coming year, our incoming students are going to be less than before. I think that has been happening already at other universities. Chonnam and Chosun Universities are the biggest and are thought of as being the best in Gwangju, so we feel the effects of things like that last.” Before we started our interview, Shaffer wanted to clarify that this piece should not be, “He’s done. He’s finished.” And by the end, I was convinced of it. Shaffer has grown in tandem with the small, conservative city he found in 1971 — and like that city, he is far from finished developing.
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Are the Good Times Gone for Native English Teachers? Words by Katrin Marquez
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he 2015 school year has begun without the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education hiring any new native English teachers to replenish its ranks, leaving roughly as many teachers working in Gwangju schools as in 2011. Last July, Incheon Metropolitan City announced that it would also cease hiring new native English teachers (NET), citing budget concerns as the primary cause. English is still necessary for socio-economic mobility in Korea, but in what appears to be a cyclical pattern— similar decreases have happened before—the demand for NETs in both government-run programs and cram schools has significantly decreased. In ceasing new hiring, Gwangju and Incheon are following in the footsteps of Seoul itself, which initiated a program to phase out all secondary level NETs in 2011 after implementing the Teaching English in English initiative, which was meant to provide further training to Korean English teachers in conversational English. Gyeonggi Province started to downgrade its NET program in non-rural areas in 2009. According to The Korea Herald, the number of NETs decreased by more than 580 between 2012 and 2013. The various education offices cited different reasons for cutting their programs; thus, highlighting just how multifaceted the causes of these changes are. English language education holds an interesting place in Korea’s history as a tool for both combating and increasing economic mobility and disparity. Parents seeking to ensure their children gain admissions to top universities spend $15 billion on private English education — mostly through hagwons. A recent article in the Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that an estimated 500,000 Korean families are “goose dad” families — families that have moved abroad to study English while the father continues working in Korea. Because these practices inhibit students whose families cannot afford hagwons or study
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abroad, President Park Geun-hye’s administration has created new regulations that vastly limit what hagwons can teach. For example, hagwons can no longer teach students material above their grade. It is not just hagwons that have been affected by President Park’s administration. President Park’s education agenda has emphasized the need for Korea to overcome its “English fever” and become self-reliant. For Korea to remain dependent on foreigners for English education is said to be embarrassing, so she has promoted much stricter requirements for NETs to meet in order to teach. Meanwhile, some education officials argue that the
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quality of English education provided by Korean teachers has increased. That is somewhat true. Half of Koreans surveyed under age 40 say they can understand basic English and 10% claim to be fluent, many more than a decade ago. However, many Korean English teachers remain less effective than they could be. In one notable case, a Korean teacher was denied retirement benefits after working for nearly 20 years when it was discovered that his TOEIC score was about 250 points lower than most Korean English teachers. English teacher qualifications really matter for student outcomes.According to Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL Chapter President and Chosun University professor David Shaffer, students benefit from exposure to authentic English usage and NET knowledge about modern English teaching techniques. While Korean teachers have a vast knowledge of English grammar, their teaching methods may not emphasize English as a communicative tool. A study published in a Jungang University Research Institute of Korean Education journal stated that nearly seven out of ten Korean secondary school students are dissatisfied with English education due to the lack of emphasize on conversation. Not all NETs, however, are effective, as some lack sufficient training or cannot adjust to Korean culture. Interestingly, having fewer NETs now may mean increased demand later. Decreasing the number of NETs may negate some gains already made in English education. David Shaffer, who has taught English in Korea for decades, claims that cutting back on NETs has historically shown where the weakness remains in English language education. “There is the realization that NETs are still needed in certain areas, and more [are] hired to fill those needs.” As such, the best that NETs worried by these cuts can do is to improve their skills. One of the primary reasons why such cuts can be justified is because some NETs really are underqualified. Dr. Shaffer emphasizes that at a minimum, NETs should have a 100-hour certificate on English language teaching. He also recommends learning about Korean culture—particularly school and work culture—and utilizing the many resources available for continued training—books on pedagogy, textbooks, online certificate programs and online and in-person Master’s and doctorates programs. Maybe next time the Incheon office makes an announcement it will be about the increasing need for NETs.
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www.holidayinngwangju.com
Welcome to March!
An exciting time to look forward to!
LA PLACE (10 FL.) GRAND OPENING We proudly introduce our new trendy spot, ‘La Place’ grill & bar. You can enjoy fine dining with the amazing view of the sky bar. Excellent wine list and fresh cocktails are also prepared for you at a reasonable price. Make a fantastic memory with your friends and family at La Place! Opening hours: 18:00 – 24:00 (Sun-Thu)/ 18:00 – 02:00 (Fri, Sat) * Reservation: 062- 610-7095
HOURGLASS (1F) KOREAN FOOD FESTIVAL Holiday Inn Gwangju tempts the demanding palates by the iconic Korean delicacies. We present a wide selection of representative Korean menu from Gangwon, Jeju, North Korea as well as Honam, region of gourmet, to home and abroad guests from March. Period: from March 1 to April 15, 2015 Price: From 43,000 won (VAT included)/ person A Unique Lifetime Experience at Holiday Inn Gwangju For more information: 062-610-7063~4 www.holidayinngwangju.com
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SALT: A New Gallery For Art, Experimental Music, Culture Words and photos by Ana Traynin
“T
he name SALT, it’s a reminder for myself. I don’t want anything bland.” Gwangju native Johan Ahn is the curator of SALT, a new art gallery that opened in September 2014 on a quiet residential street across from Gyerimdong’s Gwangju High School. “I was born here in Gwangju. Gyerim-dong is my neighborhood from childhood. I went to Gyerim Elementary.” At age 8, Ahn moved with his family to Belgium, where he spent seventeen years and studied advertising, as well as music theory and piano at an academy. He moved back to Korea eight years ago and after a few years settling back into his hometown, he went to Seoul for a four-year stint working as a composer and experimental musician within the creative community at Hongdae’s expression gallery Yogiga.By chance, an opportunity opened for curating a gallery in Gwangju. “The owner of the space was looking for someone to do the whole thing — design, opening, directing, finding artists,” Ahn said. “If it was in Busan or Daejeon, I wouldn’t have done it but... I know Gwangju. I came back to Korea, I lived here four years before going to Seoul. It’s more like coming back.” Ahn built SALT from the ground up, with the first floor reserved for art exhibits, performance art and music, and a developing basement space for more open and experimental work. “I might even be welcoming rock bands,”Ahn said. Since its opening, SALT has hosted events as varied as a breast milk painting project by Venus Lukic,
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SALT Art Gallery Curator Johan Ahn
a 30-minute experimental video installation by ArtemIvanov and a Valentine’s Day performance by Gwangju jazz band Wanshin Park Trio, with guest vocalist Lim Chae-hee and vibraphonist John Bell. Ahn says he remains open to any new creative ideas thrown his way. “The art scene in Gwangju is new for me and I moved here to learn, to do something together. Even the operation of a gallery is new for me. I learned from gallery directors in Seoul, just hanging with them. At the beginning, it’s going to be really organic and learning on the spot. That’s why I’m open to new artists and non-professional artists. Maybe in the future, in a few years, I may have a more strict vision of control, but for now it’s really open.” One project that Ahn wants to set up is a regular monthly open mic for experimental musicians and performance artists which he says would be “open to even non-professional artists who just want to express something: poetry, scream, dance.”
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SALT Art Gallery Exterior
Since SALT gallery is not only a new concept but in a lesser-known neighborhood than downtown Gwangju, Ahn will work hard to stand out. “I want something fun. Try to provoke a little. If I can, differentiate myself from other galleries, something modern and a little provocative. I wouldn’t mind if this place becomes a good place for people to hang out around culture and art instead of around loud music and drinks. That’s good too, but it’s a different style.” Live music performed at SALT Art Gallery
SALT ART GALLERY 광주 동구 동구 계림동 578-10 578-10 Gyerim-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju (Across from Gwangju High School) Monday-Saturday: 1p.m. - 9 p.m. Closed on Sunday 062-415-0750 06, 39, 54, 87, 98, 151, 180, 184, 419, or 518 get off at Gwangju High School (광주고) bus stop http://saltartgallery.wix.com/main
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In particular, because of his diverse background, Ahn says he is committed to collaborating with international residents. “If there must be a vision, it’s working with the foreign community in Gwangju. I think it might be easier for me to work with foreigners even though I’m going to work with Koreans too.”
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[This Month in Gwangju] Our municipal government would like to share some information with you.
Gwangju City Hall News Words by Benjamin Grady Young Compiled by Lee Jeonghwa, Kim Hyunyoung, Han Jeongbong, Han Juyeon, and Yong Yurim Photos courtesy of Gwangju Metropolitan City
GWANGJU CITY TO RESTORE DAE-HWA APARTMENT
Unveiling ceremony of 5.18 Clock Tower
UNVEILING OF 5.18 CLOCK TOWER In January, the new 5.18 Clock Tower was unveiled in front of the May 18th Democracy Square’s Asian Culture Complex. The singing of the anthem “March for the Beloved” and the ringing of the 5.18 Bell accompanied the unveiling. Originally, the Minor Chamber of Japan presented the clock to the Minor Chamber of Korea in 1971 in recognition of their relationship. At the base of the clock, a QR code can be scanned to listen to “March for the Beloved” in five different languages. City Hall hopes this will enhance tourists’ and citizens’ awareness of Gwangju’s history.
GWANGJU EXPORTS INCREASED OVER FIVE YEARS Gwangju City’s exports have grown consistently for five years now and stand at about $16 billion. In 2014, Gwangju registered a surplus of over $11 billion, the second highest of seven Korean metropolitan cities. Though Busan’s population, economic output and geography are larger, Gwangju still registered a higher surplus than the seaside city. In 2014 alone, Gwangju’s automobile exports grew 16.5% and accounted for 40% of Gwangju’s exports. Similarly, home appliance exports increased 14.7% and steel exports increased 7.6%.
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On February 5, a large retaining wall collapsed at Dae-Hwa Apartments in Bongseon-dong, Nam-gu (South District). Gwangju City reacted quickly by setting up a safety and countermeasures task force headquarters nearby. The city worked with local disaster relief and Korea National Red Cross to provide daily necessities, facilities, meals and relief goods. More than 350 police, fire fighters and medical professionals were called to the scene along with 23 emergency vehicles. On February 6, the area was checked for stability and initial attempts to remove the debris were made. City Hall’s priority is restoration to Dae-Hwa Apartments and preventing further incidents in similar locations.
4,000 CHINESE GWANGJU
STUDENTS
COMING
TO
On February 4, Gwangju City announced 4,000 Chinese teenagers will come to Gwangju in 2015 through youth exchange programs between Korea and China. The Chinese visitors will participate in cultural exchanges that will include art and sports events with local students in Gwangju. They will travel to local education-tourism locations such as The National Science Museum, The Green Energy Experience Center, the Media Center of Gwangju and will participate in Korean culture at Gwangju Hyanggyo. This is another move by City Hall to promote internationalism within Gwangju and to open the city to Chinese tourists.
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HOUSE OF FILM OPENS AS CULTURAL SPACE Located downtown, The House of Film, winner of the 2014 Culture Design Business Project, is finally complete after a seven month renovation. The concept for the space was conceived when local designers asked the city to transform idle space into a cultural center. The House of Film houses a multipurpose auditorium for viewing films, workshops and exhibitions on the first floor, and a guestroom, outdoor venue and office on the second floor. The City hopes the venue will act as a cultural hub to attract independent film enthusiasts seeking a venue to watch and discuss alternative art and non-profit films.
Sajik Park Observation Tower Jeong Yool-seong
SAJIK PARK OBSERVATION TOWER COMPLETE
100 YEARS OF GWANGJU
A new observation tower in Sajik Park will open in March. The new tourist attraction will provide panoramic views of the entire city, including Mudeung Mountain and the newly opened Asian Culture Complex. The tower is 13.7 meters high and includes three floors and a basement. On the third floor, the viewing floor, there will also be a scale model of urban Gwangju, a recreation of visible constellations and a book cafe.
A new series of plays entitled “100 Years of Gwangju” intends to trace Gwangju’s history and development over 100 years and will debut in April. The series will highlight characters such as Jeong Yool-seong. Jeong was born in Gwangju during the Japanese Colonial Era. The play will focus on Jeong’s music, his tough life and journey as an activist. The director, Park Yoon-mo, hopes that including a person who is meaningful both in Korea and China will promote cultural exchange between the two countries. The musical play, “The Bandmaster: Jeong Yool-seong,” is scheduled for five performances in the Little Theater in the Gwangju Culture and Art Center, April 10-12.
To get there, take bus no. 55 and get off at Seonamdae Hospital bus stop or take bus no. 06, 07, 12, 45, or 74, and get off at the Gwangju Hyanggyo (Confucian School) bus stop and walk for about 600 meters to the Sajik Park Observation Tower.
Please scan the QR Code for more info on Gwangju
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2015-02-24
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[Gwangju Talks] Each month, Gwangju News surveys a particular demographic of Gwangju’s residents for their perspective on a topic of interest. What topics would you like to see discussed, and from what viewpoint? Email your requests to gwangjunews@gic.or.kr.
“What changes have you noticed in South Jeolla over the past ten years?” Compiled by Lee Jeonghwa, Kim Hyunyoung, Han Juyeon, and Yong Yurim Photo courtesy of Simon Bond
Suncheon Garden Expo
PARK SEONG-HYANG (23) Above all, I think Naju Innovation City is the biggest change. Not only is KEPCO (Korean Electric Power Corporation) now located there, but many other public companies have come to the city, too. Another change can be seen in Suncheon. Many people used to confuse the city with other cities with similar names, such as Sunchang or Chuncheon, because the name recognition just was not there. However, after the Suncheon Garden Expo was held in 2013, the city’s recognition rose, and now people are no longer confused about Suncheon. The Yeosu Expo also helped Yeosu to further positively develop its reputation.
LEE JAE-HOON (55) I think Naju Innovation City has made South Jeolla really different. Before, Naju was famous for its landscape. We called it the “Naju Plain”, the symbol of the plain in Honam Plains. Blue skies and open land used to make people calm in Naju. However, after the Naju Innovation City project finished, it changed quite a bit. The scene changed. There are now a lot of tall buildings, many people wear suits and there are more buses and cars. We can easily see these things. There are also apartments for those who work in South Jeolla. As far as I know, most people who work in Naju have homes in other cities such as Seoul but they have come to Naju for work. As new people have come here, South Jeolla has changed to become more like Seoul. YOON NA-RAE (23) I am just turning 23 years old, so 10 years ago I was just 13. Even so, I can feel there have been a lot of changes made in Gwangju and South Jeolla... When I was an elementary school student, there were not so many places for cultural experiences to be had. But now, there are a lot of places for culture, such as the skating rink at the city hall and various festivals around Gwangju and South Jeolla province that relate both nationally and globally. I think that is the biggest change here. CHOI MIRAN (47) My hometown is Iksan, located in North Jeolla. Iksan is a small city near Jeonju. As one of many new suburbs and satellite cities, Iksan has grown a lot in the past ten years. Luxurious new streets have been constructed and my elementary school has been rebuilt. A middle school has also been constructed in my village. However, the old sections of the city have become weakened by the new sections, and many young people are moving to new parts of the city.
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2015-02-24
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V-Day Gwangju (The Vagina Monologues) Presents
“A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer” Words by Joey Nunez Photos courtesy of Ynell Lumantao
V
-Day.org bills the V-Day movement as “a global movement to end violence against women and girls.” — and that is exactly the vision of the performers participating in V-Day Gwangju’s “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer.” 25 female and male performers have been preparing since January 2014 with weekly rehearsals to participate in this special event for the Gwangju community. Monologues will showcase the courage that can arise against brutality when just one person chooses to say “no” to violence. Performance dates will be on Saturday, April 4 at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 5 at 3 p.m. at Yunbaram Theater. More ticket sales will be announced and posted in the future. The Gwangju community is invited to be involved with more than just watching one performance. Bi-weekly fundraisers will be held throughout February and March 2015, to help support three local charities: Our Home, Women’s Hotline and Gwangju Settler Women’s Support Center. Ynell Lumantao, a two-time Vagina Monologues actress, will be directing this production with the help of her assistant director, Calen Cygan, a 2013 Vagina Monologues actress. They will guide the cast and crew members as the group brings the community together, enjoys activities and advocates for the end of violence against women. Lumantao would also like to thank the Gwangju Performance Project for their administrative and counseling assistance along the way, the Gwangju International Center for its space and support in
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Top and Bottom: Rehearsal for MMRP
numerous ways, and the Our Home, Women’s Hotline and Gwangju Settler Women’s Support Center charities that have partnered with this year’s MMRP cast and crew. Come and be counted among the “One Billion Rising!”
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[Right to the City]
After an Assault Words by Joey Nunez
I
n late 2014, Kelsey Minnig was unwinding with friends at a bar in downtown Gwangju. An attempt to help a friend resulted in an angry man giving her a head injury; she had to be rushed to the emergency room. “I only remember putting my hand to my hair and seeing blood everywhere. I was taken to the hospital, where I had to get stitches.” During the process that followed, Minnig experienced the full spectrum of emotion. First, there was the shock of being the deliberate target of violence for the first time in her life. “That feeling lasted that night and for the next couple of days.” Shock was followed by confusion, anger, and frustration. “Honestly, even if this would have happened in America, I probably still wouldn’t have known what to do, because I haven’t been in a situation like it before... I was frustrated because I was involved, others were involved and it seemed like a lot was not really happening. I was also not getting a lot of information.” After the incident, Minnig received assistance from the city, including Korean translation and counseling. Complications quickly arose and Minnig felt lost. “At most points of the process, I had no idea what was going on or what I was supposed to be doing.” Minnig still recalls the entire matter as being frustrating. Circumstances supposedly prevented Minnig from truly knowing how the case was even progressing. All parties involved seemed willing to cooperate and eager for resolution, but she was unimpressed with that resolution when it came: she received her hospital expenses and an apology. She is happy the incident is behind her, though. “As far as I am concerned, it’s over: the situation is done. Even though I don’t know what happened [concerning the third party] in the end, I did eve-
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rything that I had to do.” Of course the events could have been far more grim. “Although dealing with an act of violence in a foreign country was not easy, the incident could have been a lot worse. I could have had worse injuries, and I was lucky to have the support of the community around me. Throughout the whole thing, from beginning to end, the community in Gwangju has been phenomenal.” “Male or female, drunk or sober, in any circumstance, there is no reason why this happened.” Minnig hopes that this situation does not happen again to anyone else. Minnig urges future victims to report the incident and know the Gwangju community is ready to support them. “People are willing to help, especially in this community that is great. There are resources and people available when you need them.” Minnig will be participating in the Gwangju Performance Project’s production of “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant, and A Prayer.” “Violence against women happens all over the world, and in many cases, victims are not able to do anything to stop it. I decided to participate in MMRP in order to help to give a voice to women who cannot speak for themselves.” You can support Minnig as she performs with 24 other female and male MMRP performers, on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5. To report any crime of any nature, please call 119 immediately. For international residents an interpreter will be provided by the city during emergencies.
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[Sewol Update]
March 2015 The Sewol Update provides the latest information on events related to the sinking of the MV Sewol on April 16, 2014, which left 295 dead and 9 missing.
Words by Yoon Junyeong Translated by Kim Dong-hun Photo courtesy of Gwangju Citizen Sangju(Mourners) Group
T
he bereaved families of the Sewol Ferry disaster organized a massive march on January 26, 2015 in the hopes of pushing the government to salvage the sunken ship, continue search operations for those still missing and further inquire into the causes of the accident. 30 participants joined the march every day for ten hours. The march lasted 20 days, ending on February 14 and spanning approximately 450 kilometers from the governmental memorial altar in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province to Paengmok Harbor on Jindo Island, South Jeolla Province. The Gwangju Citizens Chief Mourners Group joined the march on February 8 when the participants were passing through Gwangju after Suwon, Daejeon and Iksan. They marched with signs and flags that read: “The Truth of the Sewol Ferry Disaster: We need action-oriented, enlightened people,” “Please salvage the sunken Sewol Ferry and seek the truth” and “Bring those still missing back to their families.” “Please Come Back Home on Friday” The second grade students from Danwon High School were supposed to return from their twonight, three-day school excursion on Friday, April 18, 2014, but most of them never did. The April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster Archive Committee published a book titled “Please Come Back Home on Friday” compiled from interviews with parents of victims in December 2014 after they had endured about 240 days from the day of the incident. The book tour started in Ansan on January 29 and visited Gwangju on February 28. All profits from book sales will be donated to the ongoing project to commemorate the victims of the Sewol Ferry disaster and agitate for further inquiry about the accident.
Gwangju Citizen Sangju Group gathered in Asian Culture Complex to show support to the bereaved families of Sewol Ferry disaster
Special Investigation Committee Although the Sewol Ferry Disaster Special Law was enacted, opposition from the government has caused a delay in establishing the Sewol ferry disaster special investigation committee and appointing committee members. The ruling Saenuri party delayed the establishment of the committee with allegations about its budget and size, which include the accusation that the committee requested an exorbitant amount of money, that it is demanding more staff than originally requested and even that the organizers of the committee are not public officials but tax thieves. The People’s Countermeasures Meeting for the Sewol Ferry Disaster, made up of approximately 600 civic organizations, responded to the Saenuri party’s accusations by stating that sufficient staff and budget are required to complete the given tasks within a limited time and that the Saenuri party should stop infringing upon the committee’s independence and hampering its efforts.
Delayed establishment of the Sewol Ferry Disaster
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2015-02-24
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[Gwangju Plays] Gwangju Plays publicizes sports and recreation opportunities in Gwangju.
Yoga: More Than a Stretch Words by Matthew Endacott Photos courtesy of Meghyn Cox
“W
hat is yoga? To many yoga is just a form of eccentric exercise, but Meghan Cox, Chosun University yoga instructor, believes it is much more. For her, yoga is the union of the lower and higher self, the combining of the conscious and the subconscious. It is a spiritual, mental and physical practice to get in touch with your inner self.
relieves stress, calms the mind, detoxifies while increasing flexibility and awareness of the body, improves sleep, develops physical and mental strength and much more.
“Yoga for me is about helping people realize you do not have to be anything more than you are,” Cox said. “To reach this element that is quiet, calm and just amazing. I like showing people you can be strong, you can be any shape and size and find success in yoga, because it is only about yourself.”
Cox began practicing yoga ten years ago, but it was not a big part of her life until she moved to Korea. “I began viewing yoga just as a sweaty cardio exercise, as most of western society does, but once I started learning about the history, the morals, and the guiding point within me, that is when I began to really get into yoga. I had a good teacher and it was the first time I was exposed to Indian yoga and the values, depths, and layers behind the exercise.”
There are numerous benefits to practicing yoga: it
She decided to travel to Mysore, India, the place
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Previous page: Wellness workshop in Damyang This page: left: Mermaid pose Top: Workshop in India Bottom: Practising yoga
where yoga was born, to become an instructor. For six rigorous weeks she studied diligently from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. everyday and completed her certification. After returning to Gwangju, she began sharing her knowledge through teaching.
ung Mountain and a winter potluck at the end of the semester. The next events will be a half-day Yin yoga intensive workshop, a full-weekend yoga retreat and an extended hike up Mudeung Mountain.
Priscilla McCelvey recently joined her class. “I have practiced yoga through different studios and on my own, and working with Meg has been my favorite hands down. She is really knowledgeable, kind, and helpful and is able to guide practice really well. Plus her voice is really soothing, which helps during meditation.”
“Yoga is really an awesome way to exercise; it is a complete mind/body experience,” said Roxanne Kockott, another yoga student. “I feel like yoga changes your life in so many ways. You generally feel like a happier person, more able to cope and deal with the daily stresses of life. Meg has a lovely energy that makes you feel welcomed and at home, which in my opinion is what yoga is fundamentally all about.”
To keep the energy high, Cox creates many enjoyable activities for her yoga students. She has done a wellness workshop in Damyang, which included transportation to a countryside house, food, discussions about wellness and digestion as well as students’ personal journeys and goals, and an evening bonfire with tea. There have been hikes up Mude-
Cox’s program is a great opportunity for those of any level who are interested in yoga. You can join this welcoming community and experience a newfound peace for yourself. See Cox’s group Facebook page, YogaY O G I 요가 여기.
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2015-02-24
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A Place to Call Home: Sung Bin Girls Home Words by Kate Jarocki Translation by Lee Jeonghwa Photos by Relja Kojic, Lee Jeonghwa and courtesy of Sung Bin Girls Home
O
pen since 1952, Sung Bin Girls Home in Gwangju is a children-centered group home for girls. Affiliated with the Gwangju YWCA, Director Lim Yaeng Lam makes sure the girls home provides a welcoming home for girls without families to live comfortably until they reach adulthood. LIFE AT SUNG BIN GIRLS HOME With 55 girls aged one to 19, Sung Bin Girls is a lively place. There are six living facilities, in which girls are grouped according to age, a cafeteria where meals are enjoyed, a multipurpose room for events, music and studying, staff offices and more. The residences are laid out in similar fashion to a college dormitory. Roughly eight girls share an apartment-style dorm with four separate bedrooms, two girls to a room. Each bedroom is comfortable, providing beds, closet space and a desk. In the middle is the common area, consisting of a kitchen, living room and two bathrooms. Each apartment also has an office for the social worker, or “aunt”. Each aunt works in 24-hour shifts and watches over the girls’ needs, cooking meals and managing things like sleep, study and play time. On school days, the girls home can be relatively quiet as over 70 percent of the girls attend middle and high school. During this time, the younger girls are watched over by their room mothers and other staff. But after school and on weekends and holidays, the girls home can be a busy place. Programs and events are a huge aspect of life here, and they include everything from art and culture, religion, safety, social community programs, and emotional therapy. Sung Bin even provides a program to help young adults who have left the girls home and are finding their way on their own. Events are also planned for the children. Among others, there is
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Exterior look of Sung Bin Home For Girls
an annual Christmas event, summer vacation event, and samgyeopsal party. Not only do the various programs offer enrichment, but they also help the girls get into their preferred type of high school. In Korea, there are two distinct types of high schools: those that prepare students for university and those that train students in vocations they can use immediately after graduation. The girls are encouraged to develop many skills and ultimately choose their own path. Director Lim says, “I want to concentrate on helping them by respecting their own will and what they want.” THE NEED FOR A GIRLS HOME Sung Bin is one of many children’s homes in the city that opens its doors to children with no other option for shelter. Children in residence here and at other similar organizations have been abandoned for various reasons, including divorce, mental illness and physical assault. Because of this, Lim says, “Ordinary people feel that the children are pathetic. There is a lot of prejudice.”
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Gwangju’s international community helps fulfil Christmas wishes of the girls every year by organzing “Adopt A Child For Christmas” program
Community support is fundamental to the girls home, as well, and without the donations of time and money, Sung Bin would not be as successful as it is. Lim says, “I continue to thank our supporters.”
Author (left) with Sung Bin Home For Girls’ Director Lim (Center) during the interview at Sung Bin
Sung Bin, however, exists to provide a caring and welcoming place for abandoned children to thrive. Director Lim says, “My goal is to raise the children to be good societal people.” Lim wouldn’t be able to do it without the support of the community and the government. Each month, the government contributes 200,000 won per child. It helps to pay for necessities such as food and clothing, but the money does not go very far. Rather than directly giving the funds to each child, Sung Bin pools the government money and uses it as a whole to pay for necessities, events and programs.
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ON DIRECTING A GIRLS HOME Though she is the director, Director Lim sees herself as more of a communicator between the children, teachers and social workers. Lim is a mother herself and knows the importance of communication and equality. Without her role as liaison, she knows the girls home would not run as smoothly. “People think raising orphans is more difficult,” she says. “But I want to raise them equal to my own children. They are equal.” There are many organizations that only receive attention during certain parts of the year. After an event or holiday, attention gets placed elsewhere. Organizations that are so intently and generously focused on for a short period of time, though, need support year round. Sung Bin Girls Home is only one such example. Imagine the possibilities if this organization, and others like it, received holiday-style attention throughout the year. To get in touch with Sung Bin to give your support, discover ways you can help or find out how to give a donation of time or money, please call 062-2228278.
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[My Korea] My Korea allows readers the opportunity to explain why particular locations in Korea are special to them. To submit your own recollection, email: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
My Journey as a GIC Volunteer Words and photos by Park Ho-yeon
T
he word globalization is one that seamlessly describes our current world as we know it. It is an ideal that truly connects us all as people, which was impossible in our not so distant past. Nowadays, we can communicate using a variety of technologies, such as, cell phones and the internet. Now in mere seconds we can tackle huge tasks, like international trade or smaller ones, such as telling a friend about my day. Therefore, globalization is reshaping our world for the better and deepening our bonds as people. My father, who has worked as a journalist for many years, often speaks about “true globalization.” According to him, true globalization gives people a chance to gain mutual understanding through cultural interaction. With mutual respect, different countries can interact with each other in positive ways in order to better understand languages, traditions, and cultural differences. We have a responsibility to use our unprecedented level of interconnectedness in a positive way, one that leads to a harmonious global community, and not as a social weapon to disseminate negative stereotypes or biases. My mother, who has been educating students for more than 25 years, emphasizes the importance of education in globalization. Education shapes people, cities, and entire countries. Moreover, education is the key to learning how to use globalization to benefit humanity rather than further distancing us from one another. Because she values globalization and education so strongly, my mother donates money to nonprofit organizations that aid countries in need, including Tanzania, Pakistan, and the Philippines. With donated funds, organizations construct deep-capped wells for fresh wa-
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Writer helping with the proofreading of Gwangju Guidebook
ter and build schools along with centers for free food services. My mother gladly donates money because, as she says, “We are the world.” Influenced by my parents, I had been looking to volunteer for an organization in Gwangju. I searched for an organization that specifically dealt with glo-
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Writer is helping with the packaging of Gwangju postcards
balization. This organization also had to encompass education in some form. It did not have to be traditional education as Koreans generally think of it, but rather education through cultural exchange with foreigners from different countries. I found the perfect organization by chance. I picked up a magazine published by the Gwangju International Center (GIC), and after reading it, I told my mother that I wanted to volunteer my skills with this organization. The Gwangju News magazine dealt with globalization by bringing together people from different countries and backgrounds, and it was educational to read about the perspectives of other people and get their opinions on various topics. That was my motivation for becoming a volunteer at GIC. I thought it would be a rather small organization. However, when I visited the GIC I was surprised to find out that it was bigger than I expected. At GIC, staff and volunteers work together to create events and programs such as the Gwangju International Community Day, GIC language classes, and the GIC Culture Tours. These events and
programs bring Gwangju’s diverse community together. While tending to my duties of sorting the Gwangju News issues and proofreading GIC guide books, I finally understood the essence of globalization. The idea is to have many people from different countries and cultures come together and create a positive message and atmosphere for the community. I could see boundless scenes of different cultures harmoniously working together while I was volunteering. As a result of my work with the GIC, my perspective on having mutual respect for others and trying to understand other cultures has changed immensely. Currently, I proofread the guidebook for foreigners in Korea who might have difficulty communicating or adapting to Korean culture. Through this job I experienced empathy for those who were having a hard time in Korea, and I felt motivated and dedicated to making them feel more comfortable. I am proud of GIC’s devotion to globalization and education, and I appreciate them for giving me this memorable opportunity.
Jeolla Safety Alliance is a group of Koreans and international residents alike to create awareness of crimes. This safety card is for you to cut out and keep handy! FB group: Jeolla Safety Alliance
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2015-02-24
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[Gwangju Eats] Gwangju Eats highlights the best and most unique dining experiences in Gwangju and South Jeolla.
Holiday Inn Gwangju Words and photos by Cody Jarrett
A
fter a 12-year absence that took him around the world, Chef Allen Cha has finally found his way back to Korea. Chef Cha began his career of 20 years at the Sheraton Grande Walkerhill in Seoul. After moving around kitchens in Seoul and Incheon, he spent the last 12 years working in Shanghai, Singapore, Oman, and most recently, Naples, Florida. He only recently returned to Korea to serve as the executive chef for Holiday Inn Gwangju’s two restaurants, Hourglass Restaurant and La Place, which opened on February 3. Needless to say, he has been a little busy. “What’s Gwangju like?” he asks, laughing. “I’ve only been here two weeks.” Speaking over lunch and dinner in the Hourglass Restaurant, which serves a buffet of international fare, Chef Cha said he will focus on improving presentation to bring it up to a more international level. However, his biggest plans are obviously for his new restaurant, the recently opened La Place. Stating that the restaurant focuses on French cuisine, Chef Cha made it clear that he wants to bring something new to Gwangju in terms of authenticity, flavor and presentation. “We try to make it simple and modern as well, like only the French know how. I want to give Gwangju residents a chance to taste authentic cuisine emphasizing freshness, quality and flavor,” he said. Making the most of its limited space, the new restaurant seats only a small number of guests. The more intimate chef’s table atmosphere allows Chef Cha to interact with his guests one-on-one. He noticed that in many Korean restaurants, there is a lack of communication
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Chef Allen Cha
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Clockwise from top left: Delicious foods served at Hourglass Restaurant, dining room at La Place Restaurant, bar at La Place Restaurant
between the chefs and the customers. He hopes to improve this by speaking with customers directly and using this feedback to enhance the quality of the service. He said he always wants to know, “How can the service be better than before? I’m proud of my food and make sure to only provide the best every day.” One way Chef Cha says he is focusing on quality is by importing ingredients from all over the world to ensure authenticity and flavor despite the short amount of time the restaurant has been open. He strives to provide the most authentic flavor in a city not typically known for its variety of foreign food. To achieve that, Chef Cha will personally train his young culinary team and share his extensive experience. “Our guests knew only two kinds of oil: olive oil and lemon oil. I showed them garlic and basil oil, which are both homemade. We made tuna fish with not only one or two, but three different flavors. They tasted the first one. ‘Oh yeah. That’s good!’ They then tasted the second one, and then the third.
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They said ‘Wow!’ They didn’t realize, it could be so different and each time.” Chef Cha has many ideas to shape the restaurant in the future and cannot wait to try making La Place “the best of the best in Gwangju.”
LA PLACE AND HOURGLASS RESTAURANT AT HOLIDAY INN GWANGJU 광주광역시 서구 치평동 55상무누리로 55 Sangmunuri-no (Chipyeong-dong), Seo-gu Gwangju 062-610-7000 Hourglass: Daily 6 a.m. – 10 a.m., 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. La Place: 6 p.m. – 12 a.m., 6 p.m. – 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday 01, 38, 64, 518, 1000 (Kim Daejung Convention Center Stop) Geumnam-no 4ga Kim Daejung Convention Center
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[Gwangju Cooks] Gwangju Cooks equips would-be cooks with recipes for both classic Korean dishes and innovative fusion food.
Kimchi & Tofu Wraps Recipe and photo by Joe Wabe
INGREDIENTS (1 SERVING) ½ cup chopped red bell pepper 1 cup sliced lettuce leaves ½ cup cut by half cherry tomatoes ¼ cup plain yogurt 1 tsp. Thai sweet & sour sauce 8 ounces of firm tofu 1 10-inch tortilla ½ cup of kimchi 2 tbsp of olive oil ¼ cup pickles salt
PREPARATION Dry the tofu with a paper towel and cut the tofu in small rectangular pieces. Season the tofu with a pinch of salt. Heat olive oil in a frying pan and add the tofu. Fry both sides of the tofu until golden. Remove the tofu from the frying pan and place it on a paper towel. Place a tortilla on a plate, then place a lettuce leaf in the center of the tortilla. Transfer the tofu onto the lettuce leaf and then add kimchi, pickles, red bell peppers, and tomatoes as desired. At last, spoon the yogurt and Thai sauce as a topping. Or you can serve with extra yogurt separately.
Do you have an original kimchi recipe you would like to share? Share it with us and let Gwangju know how good it is! Email: recipies@kimchitales.com
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[Photo of the Month] By George A. Boyle
“I
t has always disturbed me how often I see people in social settings separate themselves from the crowd, so that they can check their phones. When I saw this young woman checking her phone in the middle of a busy club, I knew I had to capture the moment. I think it speaks not just towards Korean culture, but to where we are moving as a global society. The more we invest our time in social media, the less social we actually become.”
SHARE YOUR PHOTO WITH GWANGJU! Interested in having one of your pictures as Gwangju News’ Photo Of The Month? Send your picture of Korea to our photo editor at info@photographersinkorea.com. We look forward to sharing your work.
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[Photo Essay]
Hearts in a Cage Words by Simon Slater Photos by Simon J Powell
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eju, with its blend of natural beauty and shamanic mythology, is the perfect base for Simon J. Powell to show his home as an “ancient, towering volcano, rising out of the middle of the ocean.” But, as he further explains, the semi-tropical island’s powder white beaches are “a five-minute stroll away on a lazy lunch-break, but a world away from students’ daily lives.” Even within the relaxed environs of Jeju, Powell stated that students spend weekends and vacations packed cheek-by-jowl in public libraries, cramming for wave after wave of examinations. This highpressure path to young adulthood was the grounds for Powell’s SCHOOL photo series. His images, taken at the school he teaches, show students sleeping on desks, carrying out punishments in the hallway, looking caged behind windows and doors and stuck studying in empty classrooms. “I would say the series reflects to an equal, if not greater, degree the emotions of my personal life, as much as my opinion of the school system.” Powell’s black-and-white style adds weight to the serious subject matter, explaining that it has a “tendency to distance the subject matter from reality.” He continues, “We are accustomed to seeing life in color, so a rendition of the world in monochrome forces us to pause and look more closely. Black and white portraiture lets the audience see a face and read the eyes without distraction. In essence, color photographs of people accentuate the external; black and white shows us something of the soul.” Growing up in England, Powell had a starkly different experience to what he portrays in his SCHOOL imagery. “Mine was a positive experience, characterized by a nurturing, open-minded atmosphere of choice, opportunity, and self-motivated learning and specialization.” This is not to say that he can’t
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relate to the struggles of those around him, as he explains, “There is something profoundly universal about the nature of youth and the trials of adolescence. By and large, we are all born with far more similarities than differences. Children are children everywhere. However, the ways we are educated to act and think, how we are taught what the world is and what it means to be human and alive: these things vary dramatically. They shape not only how we perceive the world, but the essential nature of the world itself.” The desolate world he shows in this series is not entirely true to life, but honestly and deliberately one-sided. “My time teaching here has been fantastically rewarding and positive, filled with laughter and inspiration.” To see the latest in the SCHOOL series, and other works, go to the Facebook page, “Simon J Powell Photography.”
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[Fashion on the Street]
Smart Casual Attire Photos by Joe Wabe Special thanks to Lee Jeonghwa and Kim Hyunyoung We are proud to launch a new fashion section in Gwangju News. Each month, we will profile a local boutique and canvas the streets of downtown Gwangju searching for fashion forward looks.
Age: 23—I love wearing this outfit because I standout.
Age 24—I was a shirt model, so I feel pride when I wear formal clothing
Age: 30—I think time and place is an important factor when I wear clothes.
Age: 27—The weather is great today, so I’m wearing this coat because it makes me feel like I’m Sherlock Holmes.
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Age: 23—I just wear clothes to satisfy myself and reflect how I feel each day.
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Tailor Made Words by Lee Hyun-ah Photos by Joe Wabe Translation by Kim Hyunyoung
F
or 44 years Lee Gang-guk, 69, has worked as a tailor from his shop in downtown Gwangju. He did not always want to be a tailor, but growing up as young boy in the devastation of Korea during and after the Korean War, he and other youth had to support their families and could not attend school. Lee dropped out of school before middle school and walked eight kilometers to work at the Daeheung tailor shop. “When I began learning to tailor at Daeheung 54 years ago, I was a little boy and I started by running errands,” said Lee. “I delivered box lunches to senior tailors. I’m afraid to say that there was no special motivation for me to be interested in tailoring. Instead, I naturally got accustomed to tailoring and it became my job.” He worked as an apprentice for ten years, and eventually opened his own shop. His first customers were government officials requesting suits. Being a tailor for over five decades, Lee has been a keen witness to changes in men’s fashion over the years. During Park Jung-hee’s presidency, a man wore ajaegunbok, which was a shirt with a short collar and a white scarf wrapped underneath. Nowadays in Korea, many young men like wearing short
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tight clothing—a trend that Lee says he is not particularly fond of. “The modern suit has a style like a ready-made suit,” said Lee. “Though there has been no change in terms of fabric, in the past people preferred a bit bigger size and a more comfortable style.” Lee has earned a reputation as a passionate tailor amongst older Korean men and foreigners in Gwangju. Many of Lee’s customers choose fabric from Cheil Industries. It is less expensive that imported fabrics and the quality is similar. To make a custom-made suit a customer must be measured and return three more times for fittings. He feels that the waistline is the most important aspect of a suit when tailoring. “An accentuated waistline gives the suit a great shape and helps a man look slim,” said Lee. Lee has one son and two daughters, none of whom became tailors. However, Lee is happy about his children’s decision not to follow in his footsteps. “When I learned to be a tailor, life was hard and there were many economic difficulties,” said Lee. “My children had more choices. I wanted them to study in school and they did.”
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[Departing Gwangju] Departing Gwangju is Gwangju News’s monthly travel column. To submit your own adventure, email: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
Shanghai, China Words and photos by Boipelo Seswane
Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life. - MICHAEL PALIN
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he urge to travel has always burned in me, and being in Korea rather than on the southern tip of Africa really does make the possibility of seeing other parts of the world that much easier and more tangible. After months of talking about hopping on over to China to visit my long-time friend Noxy, I finally booked my flights and organised the all-important visa through SoHo Travel, a travel agency based in Seoul whose team made my life significantly easier, considering the trip was a bit of a last minute decision. Shanghai: three and a half days, one green traveller, one old friend, one heap of pre-New Year’s madness, lots of new people and voilaà — an unforgettable “let’s do that again” experience of Shanghai. Considering I was a “travelling for leisure” newbie, this trip taught me a lot about planning ahead, as well as trusting your instincts, and most importantly, having fun. Shanghai, like any big city in the world, exudes magic. Magic made up of things like bright lights; rich culture and history; art; architecture; and food. Shanghai did not disappoint in any aspect during the short but sweet time she hosted me. My trip was memorable because I saw Shanghai through the eyes of people who live there, living and breathing Shanghai along with them. My friend told me that Shanghai was crazier than usual over New Year’s, but it also meant there was even more magic in the air. I may now be spoiled on Shanghai abuzz with
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The Peace Hotel (left) and Bank of China building (right) in the Bund
New Year energy, but those serendipitous meetings of time and place are what make traveling so special. Shanghai is a fascinating and sprawling city with far too much to see in a few short days, but considering I was there for such a short time, I think I was able to take a good bite out of it. We started off by venturing around Moganshan Lu /Moganshan Arts District. The arts district is said to be the biggest hub of Shanghai’s vibrant contemporary art scene. It’s made up of studios and galleries arranged like a piece of art themselves with coffee shops, and bookshops sprinkled in between, and graffiti along the walls leading up to the M50. It was here that I was reminded that I have a great love for doors with personalities and stories to tell, as in the “Old Door” series of photographs by one of the districts most prominent artists, photographer Xuanmin JIN of XMJ
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Shanghai Pudong seen from the Shanghai Bund with Oriental Pearl Tower on the left
Left: A Shanghai bus Top: Urban art in Shanghai
Photography. The next day was a double adventure. We went to The Bund, the well-known boulevard on the west side of Huangpu River where history and the present come together in a time-warp mash-up of old and new architecture. Unfortunately, because of the New Year, it was much too crowded to appreciate past taking pictures. Another gem worth appreciating is The French Concession, which isn’t too far from The Bund. The French Concession is gorgeous and deserves to be seen during the day, spilling into
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the evening with its quaint shops, galleries, restaurants and boutiques in case you forgot to pick up trinkets to take home or just to indulge in some cake and coffee. Here is where negotiating prices for anything from postcards to an umbrella, at least in the little stall shops, is perfectly acceptable. Beware the prices of things; considering the differences in currency between Korea and China, prices will sound wonderful until you convert and realise they are in fact rather scary — or maybe that’s just first trip jitters. I’ll have to check when I go back.
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[Korea in the World] Korea in the World is a look at the varied experiences of the Korean diaspora.
Hitting the Notes in Italy:
A Korean Opera Singer Abroad Words by Karly Pierre Photos courtesy of Nam Hyun-ju Translation by Karina Prananto
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wangju News (GN): When did you begin to love opera music? Nam Hyun-ju (HJ): It was initially just a dream of mine while I was a high school student, but after I entered university and attended stage performance and opera classes, I finally experienced first hand my love for opera.
GN: Why did you become a singer? HJ: I won an award for singing when I was a child, and after that I studied music. When I was in high school I went to the musical “Empress Myeongseong,� which I thought was really awesome and I felt so touched by watching it. The actress who played the empress was a music major, and that influenced me a lot to become a singer and stand on an opera stage one day. GN: Why did you choose to study in Italy? HJ: There were a lot of countries to choose from, but Italy is the birthplace of opera. Many operas that I like are written in Italian. I thought if I wanted to study music more in-depth, then I had to go to Italy. GN: Did you study Italian? HJ: There were not many places to study Italian in Korea. However, I studied Italian diligently for three months as I knew I would be studying in an Italian school. In that short time I could not learn much
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Hyun-ju after a performance
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Italian, so I thought I would Italian while studying there. Because of the language barrier though, I faced many difficulties. GN: How long did you stay in Italy? HJ: I stayed there for around five years. GN: What was the training like in Italy? Where did you study? How was it different from your training in Korea? HJ: I attended a music school in Pavia, a suburb city in Milan. In Italy, students concentrate mainly on the subject related to their major and sometimes there are exams, discussions and oral examinations. In Korea, professors use cram methods for studying. I think in Italy, students are more free to express their opinions and apply more of their studies to their future careers.
Hyun-ju and fellow singers in Italy
GN: Were there other Koreans in your program? Who did you spend time with? HJ: Compared to other Italian schools my school didn’t have many students, but I studied with several Korean students. I was the only Korean student in my major, so I spent time with my Italian friends and some other international students from other countries. At home, I made Korean meals with my Korean roommate. GN: What were some of your favorite experiences in Italy? HJ: I went to the hometown of my favorite composer. There I could experience the environment that influenced his music. I also went to La Scala Theater, one of the world’s three biggest theaters and watched a live performance, I also had the chance to meet my favorite Italian singer, who I had only listened to by CD before.
Hyun-ju performing in a choir in Italy
GN: How did your experience abroad change you? HJ: First, through opera I learned about Italian culture and language. I learned about the nuance of different cultures. I feel like I understand the country and people’s attitudes there. GN: Do you remain in contact with Italians you met? HJ: After returning to Korea, I kept in touch with my Italian friends by phone so that I would not forget the Italian. But now we often talk through messenger. GN: Will you return to Italy? HJ: I always wish to return to Italy whenever the opportunity comes. GN: What are your future plans as an opera singer? HJ: I still consider myself very young, a rookie, so through participating in different performances, I hope to become well established. I also want to help train future generations and help the public to become more familiar with opera, I hope to do my best.
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Hyun-ju wants to train future generations and help public to become more familiar with opera
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[GIC Tour] Each month the GIC’s knowledgable guide offers a new, budget-friendly chance to experience the authentic South Jeolla. Sign up now!
GIC Tour
Haenam
Words by Warren Parsons Photos by Warren Parsons and Lee Jeongmin Date: March 28, 2015 Price: GIC Members 50,000 won/ Non-Members 60,000 won/ Pre-schoolers 30,000 won Contact: 062-226-2733 (이보람 Boram Lee) or gic@gic.or.kr / gictour@gic.or.kr
Gwangju
Uhangri Dinosaur Track Site
Lunch @ Country Chicken Village
Gosan Yun Seon Do Historic Site (Nokudang)
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arch welcomes the first buds of the year and begins another exciting travel season with the GIC Culture Tour! This month, the tour heads to Haenam at the very tip of the Korean peninsula to greet spring where it starts and to enjoy a dinosaur fossil adventure, aristocratic Joseon heritage, hearty country fare, and a high flying ride to the mountaintops for a 360-degree view of where the sea meets the land! First up on the itinerary is the Uhangri Dinosaur Fossil Site in the marshy mud flats along Geumho Lake. During the Cretaceous Period, which lasted from 145 to 66 million years ago, the area was not much unlike it is today, a tidal area facing a shallow sea. However, temperatures were warmer and dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and ichthyosaurs ruled the land, the sky, and the sea. These animals left their tracks in the mud, which over the course of millennia have
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Duryunsan Cable Car Experience
Gwangju
fossilized in the sedimentary rock. The diversity of footprints in the area is unique in the world and the large sauropod tracks are particularly stunning. In addition to these important fossil remains, there is a large park with life-size dinosaur replicas and a modern museum to help give context to the area. After wandering around the world of prehistory, the tour moves into the heart of Haenam County for a special lunch of local chicken served over four courses. The first course, and a testament to the freshness of the poultry, is minced meat and sliced gizzards, both served raw. Then comes a heap of
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marinated boneless meat grilled at the table, which is followed by an invigorating boiled baeksuk, a chicken soup. The meal ends with a filling bowl of chicken porridge. This quality of cuisine is a rare treat and should please the hungriest participants! From the restaurant the next destination is the nearby Gosan Yun Seon-do Historic Site. Yun Seon-do was an important early 17th century scholar and royal tutor whose home and estate, originally built by his great great grandfather in the late 15th century, exemplifies upper class Joseon dynasty architecture. When Gosan returned to his hometown of Haenam during exile in the mid 1600’s, he transferred his house from Suwon, which had been given to him by his former student King Hyojong, and expanded his ancestral property called Nokudang. Today, the 14th generation descendents of Yun Seon-do still live here and maintain this beautiful establishment, which includes shrines, forested walking trails, and a well curated exhibition hall. On display are works, documents, and artifacts
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owned by the Yun family. Also of special note is the Self Portrait of Yun Seon-do, which is a national treasure. Finally, to end the day, the tour visits Duryunsan Provincial Park, the southernmost high mountain area in the country, where participants will ride a cable car to one of the peaks, Gogyebong, at an elevation of 638 meters. From here the sea closes in on three sides with the bulk of the peninsula and nearby mountains visible to the north and the offshore islands as far away as Jeju visible to the south. At the top there is an observatory and a short path along the ridge that affords views into the valleys below which protect the Daeheung Monastery, and up to the other peaks that form the shape of a reclining Buddha. Please come out this month for the first trip of 2015 on an adventure to Land’s End with the GIC Culture Tour!
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[GIC Talk Preview] GIC Talk Preview samples the discussion being had at this month’s GIC Talk. See the GIC Talk Schedule for more information.
Tabletop Gaming in Gwangju: Cards, Counters, and Critical Hits Words and photos by David St. John
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ith the 3rd International TableTop Day on April 11 fast approaching, Gwangju’s gamers are gearing up for an all day marathon of gaming, friendship and fun. Last year’s event reached over 80 countries on all seven continents, and this year’s TableTop Day promises to be even bigger. To prepare for this amazing event, the Gwangju International Center is proud to host the GIC Talk, “Tabletop Gaming in Gwangju: Cards, Counters, and Critical Hits.” Join this GIC Talk on March 21 for a brief look at the long history and recent resurgence of tabletop gaming. David St. John, the GIC Talk’s speaker, will show the audience how millennia-old board games, like Chess and Go, still remain popular alongside modern games, such as Trivial Pursuit and Ticket to Ride. St. John will also discuss the dozens of new games being published every year as hardcore fans request deeper gameplay and higher complexity, while casual players seek quick, fun games that can be learned in minutes and enjoyed for any length of time. This special GIC Talk will examine role-playing games, including the medieval fantasy found in Dungeons & Dragons, the sci-fi/magic within Shadowrun and the fast and furious fun of the Savage Worlds system. The GIC Talk audience will also receive an overview of Magic: The Gathering, a card collecting game with an estimated six million participants from 70 different countries and an invitation-only world championship, with cash prizes of up to $50,000. Immediately after this GIC Talk, starting at about 4 p.m., attendees will be invited to join our team of volunteer veteran gamers to play some games!
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Everyone is welcome to participate — by playing or watching — as our gamers play basic to intermediate level games. David St. John, volunteer veteran gamers, and the GIC Talk Team are looking forward to rolling the dice with you on Saturday, March 21, starting at 3 p.m.! For more information about International TableTop Day, please visit tabletopday.com.
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[GIC Talk Schedule] Are you a fan of TED Talks? Koreans and internationals gather weekly to hear and discuss a variety of presentations.
GIC Talk March Schedule Theme of the Month: “Spring” Forward Time & Location: Saturdays from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., GIC Auditorium (Samho Center, 1st Floor) For more information, contact gictalk@gic.or.kr
MARCH 7 Speaker: Mark Stock Topic: Kwangju Foreign School: Preparing a new Korean Generation This GIC Talk will be about the history of the school, where it is now and its future. The GIC Talk will show how an American curriculum is utilized in a Korean school setting, what activities the group hopes to do both inside and outside the school, its diverse teaching staff, and other areas of general information. MARCH 14 There will be no GIC Talk, due to the 3rd FreeCycle Event. Created by Lianne Bronzo and Adam Greenberg, the Freecycle is designed for all Gwangju residents to donate items they no longer use for reuse by others in the community. Give and get! All participants are asked to also support the GIC. This free event takes place all day on the GIC’s first floor, and all are welcome! MARCH 21 Speaker: David St. John Topic: The Games People Play: An Introduction to Tabletop Gaming in Gwangju Please see the GIC Talk Preview Article on the previous page for more information. MARCH 28 Speaker: Lisa Crone Topic: Finding Your Element: Inspirational Guide to Help Yourself This GIC Talk is based on the non-fiction novel “The Element” and “Finding Your Element” by Ken Robinson. Lisa has learned so much while reading both of these books in Korea. She will also be discussing her personal journey sharing her own element as motivation for others to do the same. Her tips and suggestions will help audience members find their own element.
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[Korean Poetry] Korean Poetry translates the works of Korea’s prominent poets into English.
A Sijo by Hwang Jini Words by Hwang Jini Photo by Abhishek Sahu Translation by Robert Grotjohn
Clear Stream, don’t feel so proud in your running. Once you flow into the blue ocean, it will be hard to return. Why not rest here, where the Bright Moon fills the empty mountains? 청산리(靑山裏) 벽계수(碧溪水)야 수 이 감을 자랑 마라. 일도창해(一到蒼海) 하면 돌아오기 어려우니 명월(明月)이 만공산(滿空山)하니 쉬어간들 어떠리.
TRANSLATOR’S NOTE: Hwang Jini was a gisaeng, a courtesan skilled in the arts of music, dance, and poetry, who lived in the first half of the 16th century during the Joseon dynasty. She is well known for her sijo, a Korean verse form of three lines. Her gisaeng name was Myeong-wol (명월/ 明月), “Bright Moon,” so the last line is an invitation to enjoy more than the beauty of nature. That is not the only pun on a name, however. Byeok Kye-su was an aristocrat whose name means “clear stream” (벽계수 / 碧溪水). I have capitalized those translations to suggest that they refer to personal names as well as parts of nature.
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[Gwangju Writes] Gwangju Writes presents the poems, short stories and creative nonfiction of South Jeolla residents. Views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily supported by Gwangju News or even the author. To submit your own work, e-mail: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
After Visiting Unjusa A short poem by Anca Hariton
After visiting Unjusa*1 for me, Korea is the sound of a bell: a dragon released by people moving, toning, dancing together, full hearted runners toward one human core, messengers in rocks dreaming, chisel faced past to future born of one thousand bows, innocence of heart and trust, rounding the old world tortoise back with bones and tears. Perhaps pain and purpose were both lifted when its body was vaulted to house hermit, priest, shaman, offers food for the hungry of light so listen to the ondol river washing its hollows — adjourn fear, converse with death — for reborn ancient prayers, like roots, guide searching souls, young minds flowering inner mountains, vision climbs. The land turns temple when evening furrows ash, silk, flesh and ink: melting crown and saber alike. This, for me, is Korea: human ore flagging the valley as lanterns-perpetual, showing the way. (Thanksgiving 2014)
Note 1): The undated Unjusa Temple and sacred site is believed to have been raised prior to a 15th century mention on a geographic record References: • toning, dancing together: reference to the two Greek words khoros, khoreia – transl. in English: choir, dance • full hearted runners: reference to the two Latin words: cor, currere - transl. in English: heart, run • messengers: synonym to courier
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[Behind the Myth: Exploring Korean Tradition] Behind the Myth examines the origins of Korean myths and traditions.
Is “Han” Uniquely Korean? Words by Adam Volle Photo provided by http://kimstreasure.tistory.com/
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ne fact well established by the globalization of our age is that emotional experiences are universal among peoples, if not individuals. Nevertheless, many Koreans and students of their culture somehow continue to accept the existence of what the popular blog “Ask the Korean!” once satirically called “super special Korean emotions.” Much hay is particularly made of han — the emotionally burdensome sense of having been badly wronged and being helpless to ever rectify the injustice. No non-Korean should have trouble understanding that idea, yet in a 2009 article for The Korea Times, columnist Jon Huer wrote that han is a “uniquely Korean” concept that “explains much of ‘the Korean mind’.” John M. Glionna defined han for The Los Angeles Times in 2011 as “the ineffable sadness of being Korean” and claimed, “For outsiders, grasping the notion is key to fathoming the Koreans themselves.” For all that such writers have attempted to weave an air of oriental mystery around the concept, people throughout the world would nod their head knowingly at its description. In fact an entire genre of American music arguably coalesced around the notion: the Blues, sung by African-Americans in the Deep South. Ironically, even the word han comes from outside Korea. Han is actually the Korean pronunciation of the classic Chinese word hen, meaning regret or unresolved revenge. Mind, it is understandable that Koreans believe themselves particularly cursed. Another universal tendency among all people is to self-centeredly assume one’s own troubles are unique or rare. Rather than fight this negative impulse, however, the concept of han indulges and elevates this mistaken feeling into a national virtue.
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한(恨) Like other exaggerations promoted by Korean nationalism — the idea that Koreans are pure-blooded, or the supreme righteousness of Admiral Yi Sun Shin — Koreans’ overemphasis on their difficulties through han probably dates back to the Colonization Era. Prior to Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910, there was little reason for Koreans to feel sorry for themselves. Until then, the history of the peninsula was relatively peaceful. Only two truly devastating invasions had occurred in over a millenia. It is of course impossible to begrudge the men and women who lived through colonization, war and dictatorships the bitterness they defined as han. Like so much else in South Korea, however, han is fast becoming dated. South Koreans now live in a high-income, advanced economy frequently listed among the world’s top ten by various metrics. It is now a privilege to be a South Korean. Still, han cannot be called a myth. How can a felt emotion be a myth? Say instead that in the twenty-first century, the concept of han is in need of reconceptualization.
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[Jeolla History] Jeolla History examines history and culture unique to Jeolla.
Jeolla in the Imjin War Words by Won Hea-ran Photo by Byeon Bak
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he year was 1592. Through Busan’s harbor, 160,000 Japanese soldiers invaded Korea and marched north to Korea’s capital of Seoul. It was the beginning of a seven-year war. With only 7,000 regular soldiers available for immediate defense, it took 20 days for the Japanese to take over Korea’s capital. The Japanese continued to march north, threatening regions like Pyongan and Hampyeong. They imagined fast victory because they had easily conquered Korea’s capital Seoul, but their assumption was wrong. Hearing the news that the capital was taken, Koreans, including the people of Jeolla Province, did not stop fighting but fought even harder to defend their homeland. Jeolla Province became an important strategic point after Seoul was taken. The region was preserved from Japanese attacks, primarily because the Japanese were more concerned with heading north, straight to the capital than meddling with the South. Additionally, the south had long been the breadbasket of Korea. It was the region of food, weapons and supplies, which was crucial in making counterattacks. Thus, the region acted as a base for the government’s army and the citizen army that fought against the Japanese. It also accepted refugees from other provinces, such as Gyeongsang Province. Loyal government officers led first counterattacks from the Jeolla region. Jeolla Provincial Governor Yi Kwang led his forces north several times to save the king and take back the capital, but many hindrances, such as rebellion, made the army withdraw. When Yi Kwang finally gathered forces and joined with other officers of the region, the army had amounted to 100,000 men. They tried to attack Seoul from behind, but the Japanese made a surprise attack the night before, greatly impacting the army. Jeolla Province’s royal forces were mostly unsuccessful, but they did not give up and tried continuously to take back the capital. A brave citizen army in Jeolla Province brought the
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A painting of the Japanese landing at Busan
real hope for the region. Called “Yeonam Three Righteous Army,” it was led by five leaders: Go Yeong-myeong, Kim Cheon-il, Yu Pyeong-ryo , Im Gyemyeong, and Choi Kyoung-hee. These citizen armies were not regular forces; they had not received any orders or training from either the government or the king. Rather, they were independently created by citizens to protect the country in times of chaos. They were also crucial to national defense. Jeolla Province’s citizen army victory in Jinan helped dampen the spirit of the Japanese army in the beginning of the Imjin War. Some citizen armies went farther from the Jeolla region and tried to take back Seoul. The citizen’s army led by Kim Cheon-il headed north and stayed in Ganghwa Province, a region behind the capital, for a long time, continuously harrying the Japanese army to make them more anxious. The role of the Jeolla region overall was very important in the Imjin War. This was not only because of strategic importance, but because the people of Jeolla were united under a strong motivation to defend their country. The citizen army contributed to the eventual removal of the Japanese army from Korean soil.
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[Health] The health column is written by a health professional to inform on health-related issues.
Get Your Pokes: Adults Need to Keep Up with Their Vaccines, Too! Words by Jessica Keralis Image courtesy of Baitong333 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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he vaccine “debate” came roaring back into the national spotlight this year with a measles outbreak in the US that started at Disneyland. The outbreak likely began with an infected traveler who visited the park and passed on the infection to unvaccinated individuals that he or she came into contact with. As of February 6, the outbreak consisted of 121 cases in 17 states and had also spread to Mexico. Last year saw the highest number of cases in the US since measles was proclaimed eradicated in 2000. Of course, it is not a true debate — despite what some celebrities and politicians might argue. For the scientific community, questions regarding the safety and efficacy of routine vaccinations have long been laid to rest. This article will give the reader the tools to be proactive about his or her health by staying up-to-date on adult vaccinations. That is right — the pokes do not stop after you reach adulthood! Several of the vaccines we receive as children require boosters to remain effective, while others are beneficial during pregnancy or as we age. Still others are a good idea to have even if you think you may not need them. Here is a round-up of the most important vaccines that healthy adults should get if they can. All of these pokes should be available at Korean clinics, and doctors should be familiar with them. These recommendations are from the US CDC. Non-US nationals are encouraged to look up the specific recommendations from their national public health agency. Td/Tdap: Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis- Adults should receive one dose of Tdap and a Td booster every ten years. MMR: Measles, mumps, and rubella — Recommend-
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ed for anyone who did not receive this as a child. Varicella: Chickenpox — Two doses are recommended for those that did not receive the vaccine or have chickenpox as a child. Influenza: The flu shot — Get one every year! HPV: Cancer-causing strains of the human papillomavirus — Three doses are recommended for women and men. Hepatitis B: Three doses are recommended for all sexually active adults. Note to travelers: For you fearless backpackers and intrepid wanderers, your country’s public health agency will have country-specific recommendations for those immunizations that are not needed in Korea (e.g., yellow fever, typhoid, hepatitis A); be sure to check before you book your flight! If you believe you may not have received all of your recommended immunizations as a child, there are catch-up schedules for adults available as well. Protect your health; get vaccinated!
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Sustained Growth Words and photo by Ana Traynin
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WOOF — to some people, it is a dog’s bark. To those engaged with sustainability and environmental awareness issues, however, WWOOF stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, a program that started in England in 1971 as a weekend volunteer opportunity. The program connects farmers practicing sustainable agriculture to willing volunteers, exchanging work for food, housing, and immersion into farm life. The program has spread to over 50 countries, including Korea, since 1997. WWOOF Korea now has a total of 64 hosts in all nine provinces. In September 2011, Korea also hosted the International WWOOF Conference. I joined WWOOF Korea in spring 2012 and worked as part of an enthusiastic international team of volunteers at the famous Boseong green tea fields here in South Jeolla province. Through WWOOF Korea, I have met amazing Koreans, expats and visitors working hard to keep sustainable organic agriculture alive in a country that has seen its farming population dwindle to 6% since the 1970s. I have been inspired to branch out and pursue my own rooftop gardening; learned about permaculture, vermicompost, and a variety of local foods; and been immersed in the political and economic struggles of local farmers in Korea. Prospective participants could be worried that volunteers might take the place of regular, paid farm workers. Many farms in Korea are actually lacking workers, especially young people, for regular farm work. WWOOF Korea has been able to provide farms with much-needed help from local and foreign participants. These short-term experiences are intended to enrich young volunteers from different backgrounds and empower them to support sustainable agriculture, whether through buying local and organic products or getting their hands dirty in their own farming projects.
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Author (left) at Namyangju Hansol Farm with farmer Kim Byongsoo
As with other large and non-centralized organizations, such as Couchsurfing, WWOOF depends on feedback from participants to ensure a positive experience. It is important for prospective volunteers to ask the host any questions they have before agreeing to a farm stay. Volunteers should have respect for local culture and, above all, be flexible. The local WWOOF chapter has strong ties to another international organization, the Slow Food Movement. Slow Food Korea works with domestic producers to preserve “good, clean, and fair” food for all. In pursuit of these goals, WWOOF Korea started a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in January 2014 that has since grown into a separate group, Gachi CSA. For more information on WWOOF, WWOOF Korea, Slow Food Korea, and Gachi CSA, visit their websites: wwoofkorea.org, slowfoodkorea.kr, gachicsa. com Facebook: WWOOF Korea For more information on my experiences with WWOOF Korea, visit my blog: agirlcalledsun.blogspot.com
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[KOTESOL] KOTESOL promotes scholarship, disseminates information, and facilitates cross-cultural understanding among persons concerned with teaching and learning English in Korea.
10 Commandments for ELT Words and image provided by Dr. David Shaffer
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ave you ever sat down to consider what the main principles are that you follow, or that you should follow, in English language teaching (ELT)? We can find “ten commandments” for many fields of endeavor these days, and that of teaching is no exception. Each list, good as it may be, varies from others, and none are particularly specific to second language teaching or to ELT in Korea. Here we will take a look at ten items that seem to be most important in the Korean context of teaching English as a foreign language. 1. BE MOTIVATED The more motivated the teacher is, the more motivated the students will be. You should feel enthusiastic about teaching your class before you enter the classroom door; before you enter the door at work in the morning, actually. If students do not detect in you a sincere enjoyment in teaching them, whatever motivation they brought into the classroom will also drop to a lower level. But how can one keep motivated when teaching numerous classes day in and day out? Knowing your subject matter, knowing how to best present it to your students, knowing your students’ interests and needs, and taking pride in knowing that you are providing your students with your best efforts will go a long way in keeping yourself motivated. 2. BE MOTIVATING Any intrinsic motivation that a student may have for learning is great. But when the subject is a required one – as English is for more than a decade of the Korean student’s life, intrinsic motivation may need to grow. It becomes the teacher’s job to supplement by providing extrinsic motivation. This can readily occur by the teacher showing sincerity in
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their teaching, by showing that they actually care about each individual student, and that they want the student to be successful at language learning and in life afterwards. 3. SEE YOURSELF THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUR STUDENTS The way others view us is always different from the way we view ourselves, and that difference of view can be particularly pronounced when it is a student’s view of a teacher. The Korean view of teacher has traditionally been that of a highly respected person in society, an authority whose words are not to be questioned, and whose shadow is not to be stepped on. This becomes challenging for the EFL (English as a foreign language) teacher who is trying to maintain a friendly, interactive classroom atmosphere. Rather than merely thinking from our own English knowledge base, we need to think from the student’s to understand the language problems they may be facing and how to go about solving them. 4. KNOW THE MATERIAL It goes without saying that every teacher should have a firm grip on the material that they are teaching. The non-native English-speaking teacher (nNEST) puts many hundreds of hours into this. The native English-speaking teacher (NEST), however, needs to avoid the false confidence created merely from being an L1 speaker of English. While having native intuition is good, the NEST needs to be able to explain to the questioning student why an English structure is used the way it is rather than just replying to the student, “Because that’s just the way we say it.” 5. KNOW HOW TO BEST PRESENT THE MATERIAL Just knowing the material one is to teach does
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not make a good teacher. In addition, the teacher must know the best methods and techniques available to present the material to the students they are teaching. To the EFL teacher, this means that they must take into consideration both student age and language proficiency. Because of differences in student cognitive development, the good teacher knows that they cannot give grammatical explanations to the young learner that they might give to the teenager. They also know that teaching methods are constantly improving and that they need to keep up with developments in their profession. 6. KNOW YOUR IMPACT In your role as a teacher, you undoubtedly have many class hours with the same students. This gives plenty of time to make deep impressions upon your students. As students view teachers as authority figures to be respected, and Korean students are certainly no exception, what you say may have a profound influence on the student. Therefore, it is important to not say jokingly what students might take very seriously. In particular, the NEST needs to be careful to give positive rather than to provide a negative stereotype about NESTs and about learning English. 7. BE SURE THAT YOUR STUDENTS KNOW THE “WHYS” People are reluctant to do things when they don’t know why they are to do them and can do a job better when they know the reason for doing it. The same is true of students and learning English. Explain to your students why you are using a certain technique instead of one that they are more familiar with. Point out what the focus of an activity is. Point out what the purpose of the lesson is, what the goal of the course is. Let them know what is expected of them by the end of the lesson, and by the end of the course. Knowing why will lead to learning how. 8. CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE OF INQUIRY Humans are innately curious; they want to learn new things through new experiences. The teacher needs to foster this inquisitiveness in the classroom. Emphasize understanding; de-emphasize memorization. All too often, and particularly in the Korean EFL classroom, one will see employed the outmoded, outdated method of the teacher orally transferring information to the student – information which they are then expected to memorize and regurgitate on a written test, only to forget the next day. Effective learning, learning that “sticks,” best comes through inquiry. It is the teacher’s role to guide students in this discovery process, to encourage students to take risks, to
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not be afraid of making mistakes, to have students realize that language learning best occurs through making mistakes and learning from the. 9. CHALLENGE YOUR STUDENTS The role of the teacher is to help their students exceed the expectations that they have of themselves. They can be attained by challenging them. Challenges should come in small, attainable, and regular doses. A good teacher knows their students’ abilities well and knows at what new tasks they will be able to succeed. It is for the teacher to lure them toward that success. 10. BE REFLECTIVE The good teacher does not sit down at the end of the day, wipe their brow, and put the day behind them. The good teacher will again put the day before them to reflect upon. They will reflect upon how each lesson went and how it could be improved upon for the next time. Not only that, they will reflect upon how well they have done on the nine items above to help them in their professional development to be a better teacher tomorrow.
KOTESOL MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING
Date & Time: March 14 (Saturday), 10:30 – 17:00 Place: Chosun University, Main Building, Left Wing 10:30-11:50 12:00 13:00 13:45-17:00
Pre-Conference Workshops Registration Plenary Session Concurrent Sessions
For more details: Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL Website: http://koreatesol.org/gwangju Email: gwangju@koreatesol.org Twitter: @GwangjuKOTESOL ABOUT THE AUTHOR David E. Shaffer is the President of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter of Korea TESOL (KOTESOL). On behalf of the Chapter, he invites you to participate in the teacher development workshops at their monthly meetings, their March 14 chapter conference, and special events. Dr. Shaffer is a professor of English Language at Chosun University, where he has taught graduate and undergraduate courses for many years. He is a long-time member of KOTESOL and a holder of various KOTESOL positions, including Publications Committee Chair. He is also a multiple recipient of the KOTESOL President’s Award and a recipient of the KOTESOL Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Community Board
Have something you want to share with the community? Gwangju News community board provides a space for the community to announce clubs’ activities and special events. Please contact gwangjunews@gic.or.kr for more information. UNESCO KONA VOLUNTEERS UNESCO KONA Volunteers is a registered organization that helps underprivileged kids to learn English independently through storybooks and story-maps. We are looking for long-term volunteers who desire to enrich their lives. We are asking volunteers to commit to helping at least once a month (please check the days and locations below). Foreign volunteers who are interested in practicing their Korean and learning more about Korean culture with Korean children are welcome to stay at the center on any Saturday morning or Saturday evening for a short cultural exchange. If you have any picture books, storybooks, puppets and any educational items, we accept all donations in order to distribute them to the local children’s homes or community children’s centers in Gwangju and Jeonnam province. The days and locations of the facilities are as follows: 1. Every Saturday mornings / 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Every Saturday afternoons (evenings) 5-7 p.m. Location: UNESCO KONA Volunteers Center (Ssangchong-dong, Seogu, 062-434-9887) 2. 3rd Sunday afternoons / 3-5 p.m. 1) Location: Youngjin Children’s Home (Imgok-dong, Gwangsangu, 062-952-8040) 2) Location: Gwangju Children’s Home (Dongrim-dong, Bukgu, 062-513-0859) 3. 4th Friday afternoons 3-5 p.m. Location: Grandmother’s Community Children’s Center (Punghyang-dong, Bukgu, 062-524-2076) 4. 3rd Sunday mornings and afternoons/ 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (Lunch is provided) Location: Haein Temple (Jangseong, South Jeolla, 061-393-5135) For 1. 2. 3.
more infomation, please visit: http://cafe.daum.net/konavolunteers www.facebook.com (UNESCO KONA Volunteers) contact KONA (Kim Young-im) at 062-434-9887 or at konacenter@gmail.com
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GWANGJU ICE HOCKEY TEAM Looking for men and women of all ages to join us every Saturday night from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Yeomju Ice Rink near World Cup Stadium. If you are interested, contact Andrew Dunne at atdunne@gmail.com GWANGJU INTER FC The Gwangju International Soccer Team (Gwangju Inter FC) plays regularly every weekend. If you are interested in playing, email: gwangju_soccer@yahoo.com or search ‘Gwangju Inter FC’ on Facebook. INTRODUCTION TO YOGA Introduction to Yoga program at Chosun University’s Lifelong Education Center starting March 3rd. Class is every Tuesday from 7-8:30 in English, all levels welcome. For more information and sign up can be found at www.chosun.ac.kr/lifelong JOIN THE GWANGJU PERFORMANCE PROJECT CHOIR No experience is necessary and all are welcome. The choir will be learning and singing a wide variety of material, including pop, jazz, choral, and musical theater! The GPP Choir meets every Saturday from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Gwangju International Center. For more information, visit our Facebook page or e-mail at gwangjuplayers@gmail.com
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Upcoming Events March 2015 Compiled by Lee Jeonghwa, Kim Hyunyoung, Han Jeongbong, Han Juyeon, and Yong Yurim
EXHIBITIONS Woo Jae-gil’s 81st Exhibition: A Beam of Hope 우제길 화백의 81번째 작품전 “희망의 빛” Mudeungsan COBOC (67-5 Jisan-dong, Dong-gu) until March 10, 2015 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. ￦ Free Bus no. 81 get off at the Jisan Amusement Park bus stop (entrance to Mudeung Park Hotel) 062-223-5947
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Ha Jeong-woong’s 6th Donation Celebrating Exhibition <Kang Keong-Ja> 하정웅 6차기증기념<강경자-人間萬事> Gwangju Museum of Art November 25, 2014 – March 22, 2015 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. / Closed on Mondays Free Bus no. 64 or 83, and get off at the Gwangju Biennale bus stop, or take Bus no. 83, and get off at the Gwangju Biennale Entrance bus stop 062-613-7100 http://artmuse.gwangju.go.kr
Ryu Yeonbok Exhibition <Cross of May 18> 류연복의 5.18 십자가전 May Hall 3-4 Floor (Mayhall Building, Munhwajeondang-ro 23beongil 1, Dong-gu) February 2 – April 4 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. / Closed on public holidays Free Bus no. 9, 12, 36, 45, 51, 55, 59, 61, 98, 151, or 518, get off at Asia Culture Complex bus stop Culture Complex Exit 1 010-6432-9037 www.mayhall.co.kr
In Blue and White: Porcelains of the Joseon Dynasty Special Exhibition 푸른빛에 물들다: 조선 청화 Gwangju National Museum Special Exhibition Gallery February 10 – May 10 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. / Closed Mondays ￦ Free Bus no. 29, 48, 63, 84, or 95, get off at the Gwangju National Museum bus stop 062-570-7000 http://gwangju.museum.go.kr
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MOVIES AT GWANGJU THEATER ￦
Chungjang-no 5-ga 62, Dong-gu, Gwangju (two blocks behind NC WAVE) 8,000 won per person per film Bus no. 06, 07, 12, 45 74, or 170 get off at Gwangju Tax Office Bus Stop or 06, 07, 12, 45, 55, 59, or 74 get off at Chungjang Public Office Geumnam-no 4ga Exit 2 062-224-5858 cafe.naver.com/cinemagwangju
Little Forest: Summer and Autumn 리틀 포레스트: 여름과 가을 リトル・フォレスト 夏・秋 / Drama, 12 Director: Junichi Mori Starring: Ai Hashimoto, Mayu Matsuoka, Yoichi Nukumizu Language: Japanese Synopsis: Ichiko leaves the big city to return to her small mountain town, where she tries to become one with nature. The Salt of the Earth 제네시스: 세상의 소금/ Documentary, Drama, PG-13 Director: Wim Wenders Starring: Sebastiao Salgado, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado Language: French, Portuguese, English Synopsis: Photographer Sebastiao Salgado travels around the world for 40 years, documenting major events in world history. Ida 이다/ Drama, PG-13 Director: Pawel Pawlikowski Starring: Agata Kulesza, Agata Trzebuchowska, Dawid Ogrodnik Languages: Polish, Latin, French Synopsis: A Polish orphan goes on a journey to learn the tragic story of her family’s past.
Socialphobia 소셜포비아/ Drama, 15 Director: Hong Seok Jae Starring: Byeon Yohan, Lee Joo-seung, Ryu Jun-yeol Language: Korean Synopsis: Two young men who are preparing for the police academy exam become involved in a case of a woman’s death. Force Majeure포스마쥬어:화이트 베케이션 / Drama, R Director: Ruben Ostlund Starring: Johannes Kuhnke, Lisa Loven Kongsli Languages: Swedish, English, French Synopsis: A Swedish family on holiday in the French Alps endures a surprising turn of events when an avalanche occurs. Strangers on the Field그라운드의 이방인/ Documentary, All Director: Kim Myeong-joon Starring: Kwon Hae-hyo Language: Korean Synopsis: Korean-Japanese high school athletes in baseball history search for the motherland they have not seen in 30 years.
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PERFORMANCES
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Circus Pizza (musical) 서커스피자 – 광주 Postal Insurance Gwangju bldg., Good Feel Theater February 21 - April 5 8 p.m. weekdays / 4, 7 p.m. Saturday / 3, 6 p.m. Sunday (Monday is day off) All seats 35,000 won Bus no. 46, 22, 1000 and get off at Jijeokgonsa(Korean Cadastral Corporation) 1600-6689 http://ticket.interpark.com
Snow Queen (family musical) 눈의 여왕 – 광주 May 18 Memorial Cultural Center, Minju Hall February 28 - March 1 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. ￦ All seats 30,000 won/ 15,000 won (advance ticket) Bus no. 46, 22, 518, 64, 63, 63 and get off at May 18 Memorial Cultural Center 1666-1318 http://ticket.interpark.com
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FESTIVALS Gwangyang Maehwa Festival 광양매화축제 Seomjin Village and its vicinity (55 Jimak 1 Street, Daap Township, Gwangyang City, South Jeolla Province) March 14 – 22 The walk beneath the apricot blossoms; sample and purchase local organic apricot products Take the intercity bus at Gwangju bus terminal and get off at Gwangyang bus terminal (2 hours). From there, take the shuttle bus for the festival and get off at Seomjin Village. (During the festival period, shuttle buses run between Gwangyang Terminal and Seomjin Village.) 061-797-3714~5 http://www.gwangyang.go.kr/gymaehwa/
Jindo Miracle Sea Road Festival 진도 신비의 바닷길 축제 Hoedong Village, Gogun Township, Jindo County, South Jeolla Province March 20 – 23 Miracle Sea Road Walking Experience, the Sea Road Beacon Light Parade, Legendary Story of Grandmother Ppong Reenactment, and more Take the intercity bus at Gwangju bus terminal and get off at Jindo bus terminal (2 hours). From there, take the local bus for Gagye-Hoedong ( 가계 회동) or Songgun-Hoedong (송군 회동) and get off at Hoedong (1 hour). Go 40m along the sea to reach the festival venue. 1588-9601 http://miraclesea.jindo.go.kr/
Gurye Sansuyu Festival 구례 산수유꽃 축제 Jirisan Hot Springs area, Nogodan-ro, Sandong-myeon, Gurye-gun, South Jeolla March 21 – 29 Ritual Ceremony for Good Harvest, Gugak (Korean traditional music) Hanmadang, Cornus Fruit Liquor Making, Cornus Fruit Makgeolli Tasting, World Traditional Music Performances, etc. Take the intercity bus at Gwangju bus terminal and get off at Gurye bus terminal (2 hours). Then, take the local bus for Gurye-Jungdong(구례-중동), Gurye-Wolgye(구례-월계), Gurye-Namwon(구례-남원), or Gurye-Hwaeomsa Temple(구례-화엄사) at Gurye bus terminal and get off at Jungdong. Walk 300m to Jirisan Hot Springs area. 061-780-2726~7 http://sansuyu.gurye.go.kr/sanflower/
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