Gwangju & South Jeolla International Magazine
#152/ October 2014
Get down to
BUSINESS with DAIN Systems President
JUNG SOON-LIM
and more of Gwangju’s entrepreneurs!
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Meet Our Contributor CARL HEDINGER (Gwangju News Online Administrator, Writer, U.S.A.) Last month, our Gwangju News Online webmaster and regular contributor Carl Hedinger, a.k.a. Duke Stewart, decided to reprioritize his passion for travel writing. He has consequently departed from our team. It is generally agreed that we pretty much have to let him go, since no organization could be so shameless as to ask for more than Carl has already volunteered in the last few years. A core member of the team since 2012, Carl started our website, wrote an article a month for the print edition, and was known for a dedication that often outmatched the drive of the editors. All of us here at Gwangju News wish him well and of course will be following his further adventures at Dukestewartwrites.com. Carl’s own farewell begins below.
Dukestewartwrites.com @dstewartwrites facebook.com/dukestewartwriting
Few opportunities come along that don’t offer some measure of enrichment or growth. Some will inspire a bit of action while others leave us with a feeling that we’ve truly learned something and want more. The great folks at the GIC (Dr. Shin, Karina) and Gwangju News (Adam, Ana) deserve nothing but admiration and praise for the work they do to foster this great community. I’m so happy to have shared a space with them over these past couple of years and even though most of my work might have been completed in places far from Gwangju, the gratitude and sense of belonging are two things that I’ll take away from all this. They made me feel like a part of something and for that I just want to say “Thank You.” Of course, I’ll keep reading, like most of the others who’ve left. Just keep on making and improving this great thing that we all know and love.
Carl
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#152 October 2014
Publication Date: September 25, 2014
THE EDITORIAL TEAM Publisher: Professor Shin Gyonggu
GWANGJU NEWS PRINT Editor-in-Chief: Professor Robert Grotjohn Editor: Adam Volle Senior Coordinator: Kim Minsu Coordinator and Layout Editor: Karina Prananto Photo Editors: Karina Prananto, Simon Bond Chief Proofreader: Bradley Weiss Copy Editors: Timm Berg, Kate Blessing, Heinrich Hattingh, Kate Jarocki, Joey Nunez, Jon Ozelton Proofreaders: Don Gariepy, Christie Fargher, Jessica Keralis, Fellin Kinanti, Jannies Le, Carrie Levinson, Joey Nunez, Gabriella Nygaard, Jennifer Peedin, Stephen Redeker, Pete Schandall, Teri Venable Creative Consultant: Warren Parsons Researchers: GIC Foreign Support Team: Jo A-ra, Kim Yoo-joong, Kim So-hyun, Park Eun-young, Ivan Yososaputro
Cover Photo: DAIN Systems President Jung Soon-Lim Photograph by Joe Wabe
GWANGJU NEWS ONLINE Editor: Ana Traynin Online Editorial Assistants: Amanda Miller, Jacqui Page, Adriano Salamone 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 Gwangju News is a monthly English magazine, published since June 2001, written and edited by volunteers. We welcome your contributions for proofreading, copy editing, administration, layout, design and distribution. Please write to gwangjunews@gic.or.kr to tell us your area of interest. Gwangju News also welcomes letters to the editor regarding articles and issues. Articles and submissions may be edited for reasons of clarity or space. Gwangju News is published by Gwangju International Center Address: Gwangju International Center 1-2 Fl., 5, Jungang-ro 196 beon-gil (Geumnam-ro 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 E-mail: 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.
Special thanks to the City of Gwangju and all of our sponsors. gwangjunewsgic.com
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GwangjuNews
@GwangjuNewsGIC
P.10 Photo courtesy of the Gwangju Information and Culture Industry Promotion Agency
Just Folk: The Sajik International Folk Music Festival Introduces New Sounds CORRECTION On page 42 and 43 of our September 2014 issue, the correct name is Jonathan Joseph Chiarella. We apologize for the error.
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Contents
Featured This Month:
P.6
DAIN System Co., LTD and the Entrepreneur Behind It
P.14
FEATURES 6 DAIN System Co., LTD and the Entrepreneur Behind It 10 Just Folk: The Sajik International Folk Music Festival Introduces New Sounds 12 A Purposeful Life in the Philippines LOCAL 14 Gwangju Works: OSIXTWO – The Hip Hop Movement In Gwangju 16 Gwangju City Hall News 18 Gwangju Talks: How concerned are you about finding a good job in your field when you graduate? 20 Gwangju Plays: Monday Night Meditation 22 Gwangju Cooks: Ohora Dumpling 23 Gwangju Eats: Foreigner Mart - Indonesian Food PLACES TO SEE 24 My Korea: Jogye Mountain’s Meditation Trail 26 Korea in the World: Denmark 28 Departing Gwangju: The Buddha of Borobudur PHOTOGRAPHY 30 Photo Essay: South Coast Bike Ride 32 Photo of the Month: Capturing Kindness 33 Gwangju Clicks: Blue Hour
34 35
[Gwangju Works] OSIXTWO – The Hip Hop Movement In Gwangju
P.30
36 37 38
CULTURE Behind the Myth: The Three Founders of Jeju Korean Sayings: “Meat tastes better each time you chew, while books taste different each time you read” Korean Poetry by Choi Jeongrye Gwangju Writes: Motherhood Gwangju Writes: A Child
GIC 40 GIC Culture Tour: Jindo 42 GIC Talk Preview: Creating Your Own Travel Adventure 43 GIC Talk October Schedule GENERAL 44 Health: Ebola: Know Your Epidemic 46 KOTESOL: Tech Tools for Student Projects 48 BIRDS Korea: Fall Migration in the Yellow Sea
[Photo Essay] South Coast Bike Ride
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INFO 49 Community Board 50 National Pension Service: Social Security Agreement for Japanese, Uzbek and Mongolian Nationals 52 Upcoming Events
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COVER STORY
DAIN System Co., LTD and the Entrepreneur Behind It Words by Kate Jarocki Photos by Joe Wabe and Shin Gyonggu
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H
ave you ever seen those huge cylindrical rolls of paper at a printing or packaging plant? Or even the much smaller rolls that sit on our desk, from which we peel off the sticky mailing labels we place on our envelopes? Somehow, those rolls become perfectly wrapped for intended use. But how? Enter DAIN System Co., LTD. Located in northeast Gwangju, the successful company manufactures equipment to aid in the process of wrapping paper and other materials around cylindrical rolls. The equipment made here is sold throughout Asia, though mostly to China, and helps other companies in the industry get their jobs done more effectively. DAIN System prides itself on being open to its customers and offering them solutions by developing the highest technology and supplying the best equipment. DAIN System’s key product is the POSCO Strap Master, which is based on DAIN System’s own innovation, the “Roll Wrapping and Roll Handling System.” This is a process in which robotic arms help wrap materials around large cylinders. To create a mental image of this roll wrapping system, imagine two large, robotic arms about 30cm in diameter and up to seven meters tall, similar to something you might see in a modern automotive plant. Together, these arms perfectly wrap a variety of materials, including steel and paper, around large cylinders that are then shipped to various manufacturing plants. You may recognize the name POSCO, the name of the world’s fourth-largest steel manufacturing company, attached to DAIN System’s key product, the POSCO Strap Master. POSCO, headquartered in Pohang on South Korea’s east coast, acknowledged DAIN System’s cutting-edge technology and asked the company for permission to include POSCO in the name of the product. What is intriguing about this branding is that POSCO approached DAIN System, not the other way around. POSCO saw this product being used successfully within DAIN System and the companies that purchased the product, and recognized it was an integral part of the roll wrapping industry. Now four in ten of these products made by DAIN System are sent to POSCO for use in its own steel plant in Pohang. In 15 years, the company has become one of the most prosperous small to medium-sized enterprises in Gwangju, with an annual output of more than 10
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billion won. It has continued to grow since its inception in March 2000 and employs a group of seven researchers in areas relevant to the roll wrapping industry. Largely responsible for the success of bringing DAIN System from a local company based in Gwangju to a major player in the international manufacturing industry is Mrs. Jung Soon-Lim, president of DAINSystem Co., LTD. Her business sense and entrepreneurial mind help her manage the company and its employees in a harmonious way. When the company was first established, she was partnered with two other entrepreneurs, men who each had a mind for machinery. Paired with her business knowledge, they made the perfect team. Over the years and due in part to illness, however, the company eventually became hers alone. While she admits she is ignorant of machinery, she invests a great deal of energy to make up for the knowledge gap. She says she must invest more energy and time than a man in order to get ahead. She spends time memorizing everything about the machinery in order to be able to better present her company’s
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products to prospective clients. She says, “Presentations must impress the audience at whatever the cost to do it.” POSCO has not been the only company to approach DAIN System asking if it can put its name on one of its products. However, it is one of the only proposals that has been accepted. Her “impressive presentations at any cost” tactic is working well enough that she can reserve the right to accept or reject proposals from other companies. She says she must be firm in her decisions and not waver in making them. “It is important to understand the mental thinking of clients, of those making proposals, and also of my employees.” “A fundamental part of the company,” she adds, “are my employees. Without them, the company would not have progressed as far as it has.” She gives each area in the company its own autonomy; she is a macro-manager rather than a micro-manager. “Each department makes their own decisions. They must propose changes to me, and I will accept if it feels right.” Mrs. Jung also says she wants her employees to have a satisfying life that balances both work and family.
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Mrs. Jung (center) and her employees in front of DAIN System’s office
She has to balance her own life in the same way, so extending this encouragement to her employees is only fair. This attitude may be one of the reasons why her employees stick with her long-term. Mrs. Jung says, “Most of my employees have been with me since the beginning.” Mrs. Jung is also happy with her work because for her, there is no retirement age. In Korea, a company can tell an employee to retire at a certain age because the government deems it is time to retire. If you own your own business, however, you can work as long as you desire, and that is what she intends to do. She says she often forgets her age because she is busy with her own enterprise. “It is not an easy job, but it is a satisfying job.”
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Global Food, Global Talent Show, Global Community, GIC Flea Market and many more fun activities!
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Just Folk:
The Sajik International Folk Music Festival Introduces New Sounds Words by Ali Saleh Photo courtesy of the Gwangju Information and Culture Industry Promotion Agency
I
n a dimly lit backstage tent, rising country star Jeffrey Charles and international “conga dynamo” Henry Brun sat down with Gwangju News to discuss their take on music in Korea. The musicians played alongside some of the country’s most notable folk singers at the 2014 Sajik International Folk Music Festival on Saturday, August 23. Gwangju News (GN): First of all, thanks for meeting with me, and welcome to Korea. How long have you been here and how do you like it so far? Henry (H): We’ve only been here a couple of days but I feel like I’m back home. I was here 31 years ago, playing with the Air Force. I think the biggest difference is space. There’s so much space in Texas but Korea has only so much land.
Jeffrey (J): I love it here. I’ve gotten the full royal treatment. Really, it’s been a wonderful stay the short time we’ve had. GN: Some of our audience may not be familiar with you as musicians. Could you talk about your background; when you started playing, what got you into music, and maybe some of your influences? H: I started playing very young, gravitated to jazz after starting out with Latin American salsa. The moment that changed my life and my music was when I played with Bob Hope. I toured all over the world after that for some time before developing the Latin Playerz in the late 80’s. [My] influences are across the board, from Miles Davis and Charlie Parker to Barbara Mandrell and Campbell.
J: I grew up in a musical family. My dad was a drummer and my mom was a piano player. They always played Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and Buck Owens around the house. So a lot of my influence came straight from the family and singing in church. But
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it wasn’t until 2000, in the Air Force, that I started playing guitar. I wanted to pick up a hobby so I just picked up the guitar and I was hooked. The song that, I guess you could call it my breakthrough, was called “Ali Ali Al Salaam.” It’s about a soldier that goes to the [Persian] Gulf because he hears there’s a girl on every tree, but when he gets there he realizes there are no trees. The song became the base anthem and that gave me the initial push to pursue music. GN: How did you hear about the folk festival? H: I’m the chairman of the cultural advisory board in San Antonio, which happens to be sister cities with Gwangju. Everything that has to do with art or culture goes through my hands.
They told me Gwangju was putting together an international festival and were looking for something very specific. They wanted a country set and Jeffrey was the first name that came to mind. I got a call 24 hours after sending his stuff and they said ‘we love him.’ And uh... here we are. GN: Do you know why they were interested in a country singer? H: A rep from Gwangju came to San Antonio and loved hearing country music during his stay. GN: The fact that we have both country and jazz musicians here in one venue is kind of a big deal. Both of these genres receive relatively little exposure here, especially so for country, so this is a case of a new cultural experience. What do you think about that? J: We were saying earlier that music bridges friendships. So I think if you go out and say, “Here I am, I want to introduce you to this music,” and are sin-
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Jeffrey Charles performs “The Other 3” live at the Sajik World Folk Festival in Gwangju
cere about it, people will recognize that. We have a very international set, because Latin jazz is his home base, and country is mine. When you put the two together it brings an international flavor, which is what this festival is kind of about. I think people will enjoy it. H: I look forward to these opportunities. We have to go for what hasn’t been done and see how far we go, that’s the whole point of our collaboration. GN: For an audience that has possibly never heard the kind of sounds you are bringing, what would you like them to take from it? H: I want them to take an experience away from it all. Something they can look back on later.
J: I hope people enjoy the music and feel something, whatever it is, after the time we’re on the stage. GN: Do you know much about Korean music? Do you like K-Pop? H: I do like K-Pop. While I do respect their integrity, I don’t see it as something that I would call a musi-
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cian’s music. I learned to recognize this only years after doing music. But, you have to keep an open mind with all music. A musician is someone who needs to get on the stage and play whatever it is, right there and then. K-Pop artists do this very well. J: It’s fun – good energy and good beat. Actually, I’m a big fan of PSY. What I love most about him are the visuals he brings. His videos are full of color and movement. It’s very entertaining and reminds me of American pop. GN: Do you see yourselves returning to Korea or East Asia anytime soon? H: I’d love to get something bigger over here, particularly in Gwangju. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for any opportunities that might get us back here.
J: I’d be thrilled to play in South Korea anytime they’re willing to have us. You can find their work and tour information here: http://www.jeffreycharlesmusic.com/ http://www.henrybrun.com/
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A Purposeful Life in the Philippines Words by Doug Stuber Photo by Ynell Lumantao and courtesy of the Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani Ferdinand Marcos photo courtesy of Trikosko, Marion S.
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hat if your father were murdered and later in life, as a human rights educator and democracy advocate working for an important museum, you found out that some of the people memorialized in your museum had joined the same group that killed him? Mary Rose D.T. Sarturio, a human rights intern at the 518 Foundation who hails from the Philippines, also works for the Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani, or Martial Law Museum, an organization that has compiled as much information as possible about the atrocities that occurred during martial law in the Philippines under Ferdinand Marcos (1972-1986). Some of those who once fought against Ferdinand Marcos joined the New People’s Army (NPA) that claimed to seek “truth, justice, peace and freedom,” four principles that the Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani still espouses. “My father ran a grocery store and always gave people credit, and helped out with free food when people needed it,” Sarturio said. “He was also asked to pay a ‘revolutionary tax’ by the NPA, which he always paid. But they started asking for much more money. He stopped when they asked for more. He was shot in front of his own mother. I never saw his grave, I only have a picture.” Some of the people memorialized at the museum were members of the NPA, creating an internal conflict for Sarturio. She asked, “So why am I working for them? I pray to my father, ‘Why?’ Maybe I need to see their side. I knew their thinking, but it was not enough. Maybe my father doesn’t want me to hate them. Maybe it’s a goal for me to understand it all.” The distinction between good guys and bad guys is often shifting in the Philippines. Getting a grip on who now represents the people the best is hard because so many of the country’s elected officials, like
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1
the dictators before them, are apparently corrupt. But the NPA created a hard life for Sartorio. “I was born in 1986 in Bicol, where my father had his store and some land with sugar cane on it,” she explained. “I was nine months old when my father was killed. I was able to visit my home town once before coming to Korea. It took a long time to be able to get back to my home town.”
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2
By
By her senior year, though, things had changed. In the Philippines, the decisions you make about whether to be an activist or part of the establishment can easily decide your fate for the rest of your life.
“A
4 1. Mary Rose plans to teach justice, peace and freedom in the Philippines 2. Office of the Bantayog Ng Mga Bayani 3. Ferdinand Marcos 4. Plague honoring heroes and martyrs in the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship.
After her father died, she was sent away to live with an older half-brother; they were adopted together into a home. “But after two years we were sent away from there, and my brother sacrificed everything for me. He saved my life, and my mom’s. Once I got into college, he was worried that I would become an activist. I was disappointed with the activists, they were rude to me, and were pushy, so I waited before deciding. I went to freshmen dorms and talked people out of becoming activists at first.”
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“A small group, just two boys and me, were given community service activity by our sociology department,” she recalled. “We worked with squatters who lived by a river. Our sociology professor said we had to stay there for a number of months as organizers. They were facing government demolition of their makeshift homes, and were going to be removed. The elders there said I would not last long in those conditions, but I was immersed in how to survive and I made it. I realized right then that starving people don’t need ideology or revolution, they need food.” Mary Rose plans to use the knowledge she has gained at the 518 Foundation, in addition to her university work, to move on from teaching visitors about truth, justice, peace and freedom to teaching in the Philippines’ public school system. “My main concern is to teach the younger generation about our history,” she said. “Then maybe we can have fewer victims.”
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OSIXTWO
The Hip-Hop Movement In Gwangju Words by Kate Jarocki Translation by Jo A-ra and Kim So-hyun Photos courtesy of OSIXTWO
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n the summer of 2011 two guys had an idea to create an image for the local hip hop movement. The guys, known as Twelvey and Jinwon, decided right then that their endeavor would not be not about them creating a brand – instead, it would be about the image for hip hop they wanted to create for their hometown of Gwangju, in which hip hop was the least understood genre of music. OSIXTWO is their attempt to change that. The goal is to put hip-hop culture on the map in Gwangju. How Did It All Start? The pair finds it important to note the East versus West hip-hop rivalry that started in the USA in the early 1990s. When the movements came to Korea, the pair noticed the differences between the sounds that were coming out of Los Angeles and New York City. They saw these differences as a roadmap for creating something distinctive for Gwangju; the hip-hop sound from here can be different from the sounds that come out of cities like Seoul, Busan and Daegu. In recognizing this, the idea behind the OSIXTWO movement was born. Why OSIXTWO? The strategy behind OSIXTWO begins with getting the word out that there even is a hip-hop culture in Gwangju. Before OSIXTWO, there was not much of a hip-hop feel to be found here at all, and artists often left Gwangju to search for recognition in larger cities like Seoul or Busan. After giving much thought to the movement they wanted to create, the two innovators decided the best way to do it was to create a name and image linking both the type of music and their city in a way that is uniquely Gwangju. The numbers “062” are of course the area code for the city of Gwangju, dialed whenever one needs to connect to a landline phone number in the city from the outside. Using the numbers, but spelling them out in all capital letters gives an exclusive banner to the Gwangju hip-hop movement. After deciding on the movement name, they needed to continually get the word out about it. The use of apparel such as snapback hats, beanies, t-shirts and hoodies is key for the movement because such apparel is already popular in the hip-hop community. Putting the OSIXTWO name on such items and selling them through online stores that carry other hip-hop apparel was an important step.
found on social media networks such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. This virtual word-of-mouth suggests a certain authenticity to people who enjoy street culture as a hobby or lifestyle. Collaboration In order to further the OSIXTWO movement, the creators have collaborated with a number of industries. Among the list of those they have collaborated with GFX, as well as local photographers and florist shops to help them create photographic images for Summer 2014. In the future, they would like to work with Nike in an effort to make the OSIXTWO movement international and put the Gwangju hip-hop scene on the cultural map. “When you wear your OSIXTWO apparel, you become OSIXTWO,” they say about bridging the movement with the apparel. As when Snoop took a photo of himself wearing the Gwangju t-shirt made by Gwangju International Center last year, they hope big stars in the hip-hop world will offer recognition to OSIXTWO, identifying themselves with the movement. You can find OSIXTWO on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Links to apparel sales can also be found on the OSIXTWO Facebook page, or via a search of their name at both www.hiphopplaya.com and www. sopooom.com.
Key to spreading the word about the OSIXTWO movement is that information about it can only be
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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 Jo A-ra, Kim So-hyun, Kim Yoo-joong and Park Eun-young Photos courtesy of Gwangju City Government
Future Planning for the Gwangju Design Biennale A meeting was held earlier this month to discuss themes, innovations and opportunities for the future of the Gwangju Design Biennale (GDB). Inaugurated in 2005 to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Gwangju Biennale, the GDB is an ever-expanding showcase of art and design. The meeting was moderated by Professor Song Jin-hee of Honam University. While interested groups such as the Gwangju and Jeonam Design Association and the Korean Fine Arts Association attended, individuals from the Gwangju community were also invited to participate and contribute their ideas. Topics of discussion ranged from listing past successes to proposing new strategies for expanding future involvement.
70,000 New Jobs by 2018 The City of Gwangju recently revealed its goal to create 70,000 new jobs by 2018, with 10,000 in the private sector and 60,000 in the public sector. Approximately 200 citizens, researchers, interested organizations, universities and business leaders attended a discussion of the proposal at the 5.18 Commemorative Culture Center. The discussion began with an analysis of the current job situation in Gwangju and evolved into a conversation about potential strategies for stimulating job growth. Ideas being considered include an automanufacturing company, an electronics industry and a green energy initiative. The employment of women and young people was also discussed at the meeting. The final results and plans of this meeting are expected to be announced by the end of September.
A Camping Experience for Sharing Happiness Though laws protecting South Korean residents with disabilities have been on the books since the early 90s, many disabled Koreans still find themselves looked down upon or marginalized. This past month the City tried to improve the quality of life for a few of its often-overlooked citizens.
Sharing Happiness Camping Ground
“A Camping Experience of Sharing Happiness” invited disabled citizens and their families to the Seung-Chon-Bo campsite on the Yeongsan River for an all-expenses-paid camping trip lasting two days. Camping equipment was donated by Camping Trunk, and food and other supplies were donated by local companies.
Five families participated. One attending mother commented, “It was painful that my child’s home was just a hospital and a house. My kid loved making memories in nature very much.” The event organizers have made it clear that after the event’s success, they are eager to get more families involved in future events.
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The First Multicultural Family Day The Lions Club International Building played host to the first Multicultural Family Day at the beginning of September. The focus of the event was bringing together Korean and foreign women of Gwangju. The timing of the event deliberately coincided with Chuseok, in order for newcomers to feel welcome in Korea during the holiday season. Attendees cooked traditional Korean holiday dishes and shared letters to and from family members abroad.
Gwangju Engages in Youth Exchanges with Malaysia On August 31, 14 students returned from a six-day cultural exchange in Malaysia. Since 2010 Gwangju has participated in youth exchange programs to promote friendships between and knowledge of Korea’s neighbors. Participants have also visited China, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore since the program began.
Gwangju International Youth Exchange participants before leaving Gwangju for Malaysia
The most recent Malaysia exchange allowed participants to visit Seberang Perai and Penang for three days. They visited City Hall, participated in a project workshop focused on helping the environment and gave a traditional Korean performance with their Malaysian counterparts.
Reopening the bicycle hub terminals on the Yeongsan-Gwangju River Frequent cyclists will be glad to hear that in September the City decided to reopen the bicycle hubs along the Yeongsan-Gwangju River Bike Path. These hubs can be found under the bridges along the river at Namgwang, Gwangcheon 2, Cheomdan, Sandong and Eodeung. The hubs will operate through the end of November. On Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., they will provide free repairs, temporary storage, and path guides as well as convenient meeting points for cyclists.
T-Way Airlines starts offering a Gwangju-Jeju flying route September 4 marked the first flight of T-Way Airlines, a low-cost airline flying out of Gwangju Airport and servicing Jeju Island. The dedicated planes for this flight have fewer than 200 seats and a one-way ticket cost of 61,000 won on weekdays. Currently it departs three times a day but an increase to 8-11 times a day is expected in the future. For their flight schedule, please visit http://www.twayair.com/.
Open the Future With the Past The mayor of Gwangju, Yoon Jang-hyun, met with the Japanese ambassador to Seoul, Bessho Koro, to discuss cultural exchanges and cooperation between Japan and Gwangju. The talks focused on an optimistic future, despite a troubled history. The ambassador agreed with Mayor Yoon that cooperation between Japan and Gwangju could be mutually beneficial across a variety of fields, stating, “We should step forward to the future with the past, and I hope Gwangju can maintain an effective policy of exchange, across a variety of fields like economics, culture, education and athletics.”
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Gwangju Mayor Yoon Jang-hyun (right) with Japanese Ambassador Bessho Koro
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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? E-mail your requests to gwangjunews@gic.or.kr.
How concerned are you about finding a good job in your field when you graduate?
VS How important was it for you to find a job in the field which you studied at university? Compiled by Jo A-ra, Kim So-hyun, Kim Yoo-joong and Park Eun-young
Connie, exchange student from the U.K. “I majored in English literature, and one of the jobs I want to have in the future, when I get out of Korea, is a writer, which is related a lot to my major. However, when considering the job I will have to get in Korea after graduation, I am kind of concerned because I don’t have good grades, compared to Korean students studying at Ewha University in Seoul. It’s easy for me to become an English teacher, but I don’t want that, and I want to use my Korean bachelor’s degree, so I want to apply to banks or the British Embassy, which doesn’t necessarily use my major. I want to complete transactions that fund foreign investments into the bank. So in my case, what I am now concerned about is not my major, but my grades.”
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Kim Yumin, University student “In my case, I want to get a job that is related to industry management. For this reason, I’ve studied the fields of social psychology and management. But the firms have required higher stipulations that are not connected to job offerings, such as the TOEIC or computer licenses. Even the SSAT test for each company burdens me financially. I can’t concentrate on what I really want. Instead, I just try my best to live a competitive life.”
Yoon Junyoung, 25, University student “My major is statistics. First, I’m concerned about finding a job with my major. There are many seniors who get jobs with their majors, because a lot of companies need many people who majored in [statistics], thus various firms recruit students from my field. However, I’m more worried about things, such as: ‘Will I be able to work all my life in a job related to my major, not according to my preference?’ I don’t think I can do that. Therefore, I really want to do the work I’m eager towards, even though I should spend more time to prepare for that. I think it would be great to spend my life in this way.”
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A teacher in a public high school in Gwangju “In my case, my major highly contributed to getting my job. I majored in English Education, and now, I am working as an English teacher in a public high school. People whose major is English Education like me usually decide to take an exam to become an English teacher in a public school. My major did not make me an English teacher in public schools as soon as I graduated, but the test to become a public school teacher requires my degree and is greatly related to my major.
www.holidayinngwangju.com
Welcome to October!
Cloud Lounge Italian food Promotion for Dinner Indulge yourself with a complete set today!
In addition, before passing the exam, I had to have a temporary job, so I worked as an English teacher in an elementary school for two years. I got the job from what I learned in university. My major helped me receive a temporary job and pass the exam to get my dream job. The field that I studied at university is very important to me, because I could not take an exam without it!”
Lim Aream, business administration professor in Chosun University “Students choose majors based on their dreams. So, it is needless to say that it is surely related to work. When a company hires people, they consider how good and well the applicants are. Unfortunately, students who majored in Humanities have limited choices when they get related jobs. So, they either change their major or they choose to double-major. This is why choosing the correct major is very important.”
A business woman in a major company “According to recent survey results, 36.1 percent of businessmen stated that their major is not related to their job. Also, 82.4 percent of those questioned said they found it difficult to put it to work because of low salaries compared to colleagues who find jobs in their field, job-changing difficulties or the lack of work expertise. Also, most companies give preference to jobseekers having majored in the same field related to their jobs. For these reasons, I think it is important to find your job in the field that you studied at university. The most important thing, however, is considering your aptitude for the job. If you don’t want to get a job related to your major, you make an effort to appeal your own competency to the recruiters.”
Overlooking the city with its astonishing view on the 10th floor, Cloud Lounge has become a popular venue for refined dining. Inspired by Italy’s hearty cuisine, Cloud Lounge serves authentic and sophisticated regional Italian dishes that incorporate the best of locally and internationally sourced produce, meats and fish. Through simple preparation techniques such as braising and roasting, fine ingredients are transformed into satisfying and popular food.
Coming Soon! Truly and authentic Mexican food at Holiday Inn Gwangju • Special Mexican food November 7 to November 30, 2014 at our buffet restaurant Hourglass • The Wine Dinner on November the 14th, 2014 at the Lobby Lounge • A unique occasion to try iconic and delicious tacos and quesadillas. Our chef flew directly from Los Cabos to deliver you a great experience with Mexican food. Don’t miss it. A Unique Lifetime Experience at Holiday Inn Gwangju For more information and reservation: 062-610-7063~4
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20 local
[Gwangju Plays] Gwangju Plays publicizes sports and recreation opportunities in Gwangju.
Monday Night Meditation Words by Ana Traynin Mugak Temple photo by Na Seungju
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lthough far from the bustling Seoul metropolis, life in Gwangju can still be hectic and stressful. To help people remain calm and balanced amidst work, family and social life pressures, the Gwangju International Center is offering meditation sessions every Monday night at 7 p.m. Maria Lisak, a professor in Chosun University’s Public Administration and Social Welfare department, leads the weekly English-language sitting and walking meditation. “Monday night is a good night to start your week and get your perspective.” Lisak said. “Empty out on Monday nights.” Lisak believes that people’s lives are out of balance and that meditation can “give energy, more balanced energy, to whatever is out of whack. I find that people are too caught up in modern life. We say we’re so busy, but we’re really not that busy. Meditation makes us stop and just ‘be’ instead of ‘do’.”
She hopes that meditation practice will spread all over Gwangju, including as a service for workers in the various factories. Over time, Lisak has seen many different people attend the sessions. “People come, people go. We have a lot of people who come and try it. They don’t have the time to commit. Maybe the only people I haven’t seen are factory workers. It doesn’t work with the time. Over the years, there have been kids at different events.” Lisak says that sitting on a mat is not the only way to practice meditation. “Prayer, sports, having a great game of tennis. Those people are pure in being in attendance. People should look at whatever gives them balance and peace, that is meditation.” While meditation can be practiced alone or in different forms, Lisak emphasizes the usefulness of group sessions. “Getting together helps us improve our meditation. It helps us stay more present and more
According to Lisak, meditation practice for Gwangju’s international community started around 2006, when former Gwangju resident and English teacher Jennie Lee Ulrich offered local sessions and organized temple stays at Musang Temple’s International Zen Center at Gyeryong Mountain near Daejeon. In 2010, former Gwangju National University of Education professor Ross Chambers began facilitating night sessions at the GIC, and Lisak joined them as co-facilitator in 2013. Beyond these efforts, Lisak has seen a wide range of meditation services around the city, “everything from churches offering meditation to non-religious organizations, culture centers, temples and people who do art and meditation. Those are just things I have noticed. I am looking with eyes that are noticing meditation.”
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GWANGJU MUGAKSA CLASS ON BUDDHISM Mugak Temple, Seo-gu, Gwangju Buddhism Introductory Course: English: Every Sunday 10 - 11:30 a.m. Korean: Every Saturday and Sunday 2 - 4 p.m. 062-383-0108 Bus no. 45 and 50, and get off at Sangmu Hospital. Or bus no. 16, 19, 69, 160, or 500 and get off at Uncheon (Honam University) Station Uncheon (Honam University) Exit 3 www.mugaksa.com
MONDAY NIGHT MEDITATION
Entrance to Mugak Temple
awake, for the space it’s in and the community at large.” Besides the GIC Monday night meditation, Mugak Temple in the Sangmu residential district’s 5.18 Memorial Park currently offers English-language introductory courses in Buddhism on Sundays 10-11:30 a.m., and Korean-language sittings 2-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Gwangju International Center Office 1st Floor Every Monday evening from 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. (From September 1 - December 29) ￦ Free Bus no. 06, 07, 57, 58, 61, 87, 98, 151, 419, or 518, and get off at Art Street Entrance. Or bus no. 09, 36, 39, 49, 51, 57, 61, 95, 184, 518, 1000, or 1187 and get off at Geumnam-ro 4-ga Station Geumnam-ro 4-ga Exit 4 Facebook: Gwangju Meditation Group gwangjumaria@yahoo.com
Join Our Team! Gwangju News always need volunteers who want to share their expertise or gain some. We welcome anyone who would like to join our team of enthusiastic individuals to bring Gwangju to the world. Feel free to contact us with your interest and your idea to get involved! The Gwangju News Print Team needs illustrators, photographers and writers. Please contact the print editor at gwangjunews@gic.or.kr. The Gwangju News Online Team needs online editorial assistants. Please contact the online editor at gwangjunewsonline@gmail.com.
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22 local
[Gwangju Cooks] Gwangju Cooks equips would-be cooks with recipes for both classic Korean dishes and innovative fusion food.
Ohora! Dumpling Words and photos by Kim Yoo-joong
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his is a dish that was broadcast on a Korean TV program, ‘Yagan Maejeom (야간매점)’. It has become popular because it is so easy to cook. More and more young people also like ohora mandu because it is so tasty. If you are getting bored with the same food, then do not hesitate to try this dish tonight!
INGREDIENTS (serve 2 persons) dumplings (mandu), sliced or shredded cheese, hot sauce, ketchup, and nacho chips
COOKING METHOD 1. First, get a bowl and pour your dumplings into it. Make sure they are completely thawed. 2. Mix the mandu by hand so that they break apart. 3. Drizzle hot sauce and ketchup over the top. Add to your taste. 4. Now, layer the cheese over the mandu and sauce mixture. 5. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes or until the cheese melts. 5a Optional step: Add more ketchup and hot sauce over the melted cheese. 6. Crumble the nacho-cheese chips and sprinkle over the whole mixture. Enjoy with beer or soju!
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[Gwangju Eats] Gwangju Eats highlights the best and most unique dining experiences in Gwangju and South Jeolla.
Foreigner Mart: Indonesian Food Words and photos by Cody Jarrett
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ew people would visit Pyeong-dong without a reason. Stepping out of the most western station on Gwangju’s subway line, a wayward explorer might look around, see the endless sprawl of factories, and turn back around to catch the next train to civilization. However, anyone doing so would miss out on a number of attractions, including what may be the only taste of Indonesian food in Gwangju. The neighborhood may be bit of a trek, but it is worth it. Atmosphere and Service Foreigner Mart is a combination restaurant and market, so expect the interior to be simple, but clean. The menus are located at the front counter, where you place your order. If you are unfamiliar with Indonesian food, the menus have pictures along with dish names written in English and Hangeul. Most dishes are 6,000 won and drinks are 2,500 won. The service is fast and direct. After your meal, you can browse the market to stock up on hard-to-find spices, curry mixes or a few bottles of Filipino brandy.
Food Most of the dishes on the menu feature different kinds of meat or fish paired with a fried egg on rice. We ordered the nasi rendang, or spicy stewed beef, and the nasi goreng ayam, the fried chicken rice. For drinks, we tried susu kelapa muda and jahe susu. Of these, the susu kelapa muda was the best, with a slightly toasty coconut taste that was really refreshing. The jahe susu was a warm, slightly spiced milk
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drink that was good, but a little too sweet. The nasi rendang was exceptionally tender and heavy, with that mix of spices that makes Indonesian food so remarkable. The nasi goreng ayam was a wonderfully crispy fried chicken leg that was missing the heavy batter one normally finds on similar dishes. Instead, the star here was the perfectly crisp skin and moist meat, crunchy without being greasy. The spicy fried rice with bok choi worked well with the lightly seasoned chicken. This reviewer’s only complaint was that the eggs topping the rice were cooked over hard rather than having nice, runny yolks. However, both were topped with fried garlic chips, which were delicious. Directions Take Exit 3 out of Pyeongdong Station. Turn left and walk until you reach the intersection. There is a GS25 across the street, with Foreigner Mart on the third floor above GS25. Just look for the sign advertising “Good food/Rest room.” 광주광역시 광산구 옥동 1238번지 3층 1238 3F Ok-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju 062-962-6963 Daily 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. Bus no 700, and get off at Pyeongdong Station or no 93 get off at Pyeongdong Station (North) Pyeongdong Station Exit 3
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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, e-mail: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
Jogye Mountain’s Meditation Trail Words and photos by Kim Soonra
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very day in the afternoon, Immanuel Kant would stroll along the quiet street that is now named “The Philosopher’s Walk” in his honor. Might we do the same in Korea? We can; let me introduce you to a Korean Philosophenweg!
Garden Expo. I had no idea about this trail until I read a travelog, even though I had visited these two temples many times previously. From the Suncheon Bus Terminal, the bus number 111 takes visitors to Songgwang Temple in one hour.
In Suncheon, there is a famous trail running all the way from Songgwang Temple to Seonam Temple. Both temples are on Jogye Mountain; they share over a thousand years of history and are connected by a 6.8 km trail on which people can meditate.
Songgwang Temple is my personal favorite temple in Suncheon. It shows stunning scenery every season. I also like to visit the monks who have learned so much about the Buddha and practice so many traditions.
The first experience I had along this trail was when I was a travel blogger charged with making recommendable travelling routes around Suncheon for the Suncheon
After looking around Songgwang Temple, I went up into the mountain. As soon as I went into the forest, I felt fulfilled. The woods, flowers, small streams,
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birds and summer breezes provide a perfect walking meditation atmosphere. I walked up along and saw the temple’s signs, passing by a few small waterfalls and stream bridges. The path upwards is not very difficult. One time I reached one of two main hills on the planned route - I had not planned this summit hike and I discovered an ice cream salesman. I have always wondered how a salesman can make the journey every day. There were many other people to greet and cheer me, as well. It seemed that most of the nicest people in Korea were on that mountain. I found a must-eat-at place and actually made a decision to have a super healthy meal at the restaurant. The restaurant is located in the middle of the mountain on the way from Songgwang Temple to Seonam Temple. Only people who walk up in that direction can have this meal. After two hours of slow
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walking, I rushed in and ordered bibimbap. The food dishes came only with a tray, but the bibimbap was amazing and the best one I have ever had. The way downward to Seonam Temple was fairly steep but still enjoyable. It took me an hour from the restaurant to reach the temple. It was not as big or as flashy as Songwang Temple, but it was still great to visit. With the end of the day approaching, I went back to the entrance and took bus 01 from Seonam Temple to the Suncheon Bus Terminal. Different people have different styles of travelling. Some love hopping around, spending the moments doing things, while others prefer staying in one place, resting for a moment. I like to travel, walk and eat good food. If you would like to join me along the meditation trail, you are highly welcome.
2014-09-25
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26 places to see
[Korea in the World] Korea in the World is a look at the varied experiences of the Korean diaspora.
Korea in the World:
Denmark Words and photos provided by Kasper Eriksen
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n recent years there has been a surprising increase of Korean immigrants to Denmark. According to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, statistics show that the overseas Korean population in Denmark has risen by 83.3 percent between 2011 and 2012. By and large, though, the vast majority of people of Korean descent in Denmark are Korean adoptees. Since the 1960s, approximately 9,000 South Korean children have been adopted and transported to Denmark, and from 1972 to 1985, around 400 children arrived annually from South Korea. These children grew up in Danish families, making Danish friends and speaking Danish day after day, not really knowing anything about their birth country, culture or language. Many are fine with this, thinking of themselves simply as Danes and not really caring about their origins. Many others, though, feel conflicted about their identities or simply want to know more about their origins. For those, there is the Korean adoptee association Korea Klubben: the Korea Club. Korea Klubben sees its mission as facilitating contact among Korean adoptees, as well as to increasing awareness and understanding of issues related to international adoption. The association provides
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a social forum for adult adoptees sharing cultural and adoption experiences. It also promotes postadoption services, such as counselling, and education to professionals. Activities and events include monthly dinners, yearly summer camps, group tours to Korea, Korean language schools, conferences and seminars, workshops and social activities. The club was founded in 1990 as an independent non-profit volunteer association by adoptees, for the adoptees themselves as well as their families. Today it has close to 600 members and is one of the driving forces behind the international network IKAA (International Korean Adoptee Associations), a global umbrella organization for Korean adoptee associations in Europe and America. Birth Searching One of the most important and personal services the association provides is assistance for Korean adoptees to search for their biological parents. A blog called “I am Mee” puts well how many Danish adoptees feel. “Even though it sounds completely wrong in my head, I am Korean. I am a full-blooded Korean and I cannot run from it. Korea is no longer intangible. Korea has suddenly become something I can see and feel. Something that has been formed already, but I have to sculpt on to. It’s the process
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27 places to see
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1. Korean Klubben’s Annual Fall Camp 2013; Autumn camps have been held every year since 2002 and offer adoptees and their families a chance to socialize with other adoptees through social and cultural activities. 2. The Copenhagen Kimchi Festival 2014; The Copenhagen Kimchi Festival was organized by Korea Klubben and Kotra (Korea TradeInvestment Promotion Agency) in June 2014 to introduce Korean food culture to Danes. 3. Ch’ingu is a quarterly magazine published by Korea Klubben since 1996. The magazine features a wide range of topics related to adoption and Korea, with most of its articles written by Korean adoptees. 4. The Korea Klubben logo
I’m in now… I am ‘Cecilie’, I am ‘Choon Mee’ and I am an adopted child, who now must learn to reconcile the two. How I do it remains to be seen.” The Korea Club offers practical advice and individual counselling about this personal, complicated and often frustrating process. As adoptees find their biological parents, a host of emotional, linguistic and cultural issues emerge.
of U.S. adoptee association Also-Known-As Inc., says, “For adult adoptees, our adoptions did not end the day we were placed in the waiting arms of our adoptive parents. It was only the beginning of our lifelong journey of self-discovery and the very beginning of our adoption journey. Our adoption journeys have not always been clear, nor have they been simple. But today adoptees have an unprecedented opportunity to share the wisdom gained from our journeys.”
Thankfully, they now have help, and the opportunity to offer help to others. Hollee McGinnis, founder
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28 places to see
[Departing Gwangju] Departing Gwangju is Gwangju News’s monthly travel column. To submit your own adventure, e-mail: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
The Buddha of Borobudur Words and photos provided by Lianne Bronzo Background photo courtesy of Gunawan Kartapranata
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estled in the outskirts of the ancient city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is an intricately designed Buddhist temple. Borobudur, meaning “Buddhist Monastery on a Hill,” is the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Spreading 118 by 118 meters wide and standing 35 meters tall, Borobudur has thousands of Buddhist lessons carved into its panels.
Soon after completion, however, Buddhism declined in Java and Borobudur was abandoned. Over hundreds of years, the massive temple was buried under volcanic ash in the jungles, leaving it hidden until it was rediscovered in 1814. Several restoration projects followed, with the largest renovations occurring from 1975 to 1983.
The outstanding stone temple is a must-see in Indonesia; a visitor can get lost for hours in the bewildering detail and overall serene atmosphere. On a clear day, a view of the active volcano Merapi can be enjoyed in the backdrop. Every year, about 2.5 million domestic and international tourists flock to central Java to marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Learning a little bit about the structure aids in understanding its significance. The temple is designed in the shape of a mandala, a central theme to Buddhist and Hindu structural art. A mandala is designed in the shape of a square with four entry points representing consciousness. The zones lead up to the central point, which symbolizes nirvana.
Borobudur was built between 750 and 842 AD, meaning it was constructed 300 years before Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Little is known about how people built such a massive and detailed temple before the advent of more modern engineering technologies. The entire temple is built on a hill, so there is nothing but ground underneath the thousands of carefully placed stones. Remarkably, it is estimated that it only took 50 years to build.
Visitors must enter the first platform at the east gate and walk around west, working their way up deep staircases to the main stupa, a mound-like structure with a Buddha inside. The graduation is a metaphor for introspection and understanding as one progresses through the stages to truth through Buddhist teachings. The lower base is called Kamadhatu, signifying the world of desires. Kamadhatu can be observed
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29 places to see
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Borobudur view from northwest plateau, Central Java, Indonesia. Borobudur stupas overlooking a mountain. Each one has a Buddha inside. One relief decorating the temple is about Siddhartha choosing a wife. A part of Borobudur wall with Buddha’s statue and very detailed relief.
in a relief picturing people engaging in bad manners (e.g., gossiping) or good manners (e.g., making offerings). Rupadhatu, the world of forms, is next, consisting of five square platforms that create the body of the temple. These platforms are ornamented with 2,670 narrative and decorative reliefs intricately carved into stone. This traveler’s guide explained a handful of them, such as Buddha’s life and his teaching to respect all forms of life, but it could easily take years to analyze each panel. Upon climbing higher, one will encounter three circular layers and a large middle stupa known as Arupadhatu, or the formless world. Once people can surpass their desires and live a content life without materialism, it is possible to reach the highest level of enlightenment, nirvana. A total of 504 Buddhas, some with missing heads due to vandalism, are scattered throughout the monument. They sit in meditative poses and exhibit six different hand gestures, representing themes such as wisdom and protection. Tourists can easily book a tour including personal transportation and a meal. This is the most convenient option, especially if you want to view the majestic sunrise while beating afternoon crowds. For the independent route, you can to take the local buses for 20,000 rupiah ($2 USD). From Yogyakarta, the journey takes one hour. The temple is within walking distance to the bus terminal.
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To be respectful, dress modestly. Knees should be covered, but sarongs are also provided to cover up. Additionally, bring sunblock and a hat; the Indonesian sun’s rays are quite strong. At the foreigner ticket booth (220,000 IDR or about $20 USD for adults, half that price for students), dozens of guides compete with each other to offer their services to tourists. We initially dodged their bothersome attempts, but later found ourselves puzzled at the temple. We then opted to hire a guide who offered wisdom, knowledge and smiles. The $10 USD to help a local out was well worth it. I highly recommend a guide to explain the significance of the temple and answer any questions you have about Indonesia in general. After departing the peaceful temple, many vendors attempt to sell souvenirs. If you are not interested, kindly decline and keep walking, but you may be followed for a few minutes until they give up. Walk further and you will discover decent museums, gardens showcasing the “unfinished Buddha” and fallen temple stones as a result of a damaging earthquake. It is easy to go to the temple, snap a few photos, and call it a day, but I recommend taking your time strolling through the levels and marveling at the mysteriousness of it all.
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30 places to see
[Photo Essay] Each month Gwangju News publishes the pictures and accompanying reflection of a photographer in South Jeolla. If you would like to submit your own, e-mail gwangjunews@gic.or.kr.
South Coast Bike Ride Words and photos by Simon J Powell
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s a photographer, I have learned that my skills in observation are far more valuable than the price of my equipment. This is why I relish roaming across the globe; travelling forces me to view life from fresh and original perspectives. It hones my eye by engendering in me a child-like curiosity at even the smallest ingredients of the day. My vehicle of choice is the bicycle. When my body is the engine rather than an idle passenger, the stimulation and intensity of the experience are heightened exponentially. On the saddle, my every sense is fully immersed in the immediate surroundings. There is no detachment, no numbness: I am plugged in to the place. At pedal-pace, I can savor the beauty of fine details and pause to connect with the world rather than merely gawk at it slipping past through tinted panes. One learns to appreciate the primacy of journey over destination. This summer I explored Korea’s island-speckled
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southern coast for six nights and 600 km along the road less travelled from Wando to Busan. Dusty lanes meandered though rusty rural hamlets where gnarled fishermen and wizened octogenarians cackled in the shade of ancient trees. I was treated to swaying fields of glowing green nestled between craggy, misty-topped mountains where billowing clouds of dragonflies danced in the floral-scented breeze. Buzzing wetlands alternated with vast, shimmering mudflats where slender-necked birds soared silhouetted against the distant horizon. Hazy mornings turned to sun-drenched days playing fiddle to turquoise waves on empty beaches before sleeping wild under twinkling skies. Having cycled across Southeast Asia and along the Korean west coast last year, next summer I plan to continue my journey in Europe, hitting the road from Istanbul to London. Wanderlust and wonder are intimately intertwined. Before buying new gear, though, I will always choose to buy new experiences.
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31 places to see
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32 photography
[Photo of the Month] Interested in taking the spot of Gwangju News’ Photo of the Month? Send your pictures of Korea and background information to our photo editor at: alternative_si@hotmail.com. We look forward to seeing what you have captured on film!
ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER OF “CAPTURING KINDNESS” Joe Wabe is an expat who has been living in Korea for the past 11 years. He has been involved in the art and photography scene in Gwangju and Korea for more than seven years. Currently, he is the editor of the photography magazine PIK (Photographers In Korea), as well as a contributor for Gwangju News, Gwangju Blog and Revista N in Seoul. He is also a freelance stock photographer for YooniQ images in Seoul and Shutterstock in New York.
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33 photography
[Gwangju Clicks] Gwangju Clicks offers advice each month to amateur photographers.
Blue Hour Words and photos by Simon Bond
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I have taken there have been only 30 minutes later, during the blue hour. Where to shoot during blue hour? Hills and rooftops of buildings are also great locations to shoot during blue hour. Anywhere with an unobstructed view over the city has potential. If you can find a striking building to include in your shots, all the better; but waiting for the right light as it changes quickly during the blue hour is the most important thing to consider.
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ight is all-important in photography, so choosing the right time of day to take your photos is a must for getting the best results. For portrait photography that can mean shooting during the hour before sunset, the “golden hour.” In landscape photography, and especially with cityscapes, the favored time to shoot is the hour after sunset. The hour after sunset is known as the “blue hour” for the rich blue color you get in the sky at that time of day. Why shoot at blue hour? Shooting cityscapes at blue hour allows you the chance to shoot the city lights on buildings, while still offering enough ambient light to bring out the details from the rest of the scene, giving you the best of both worlds. If you really want, you can also take an early blue hour photo, and then perhaps 20 minutes later, take a late blue hour photo so you can merge the images using Photoshop for an even more dramatic scene. Shooting in blue hour does not have to be limited to cityscapes though, as this type of light can also work well along the coast, where a combination of long exposures and blue hour lights can produce some dramatic results. I have also often wondered why so many people leave the viewpoints at Suncheon Bay straight after sunset, when some of the best photos
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The coastline can also provide images with nice, moving water, as waves crashing against the shoreline will always look nice if taken with longer exposures. That might mean you will need to get out onto the rocks themselves or right down to the shore line of a beach, so you can get the best angle to go with the blue hour light. But it is worth it. 1. Seoul – Mount Ansan in Seoul is another good choice for blue hour. 2. Busan – Blue hour is a great time to photograph from the top of Busan’s Zenith Tower.
Simon Bond is a professional photographer living in Suncheon, South Jeolla. He has travelled throughout Asia and has been published in many publications. This and other articles are available online by visiting Simon’s website: www.simonbondphotography.com
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34 culture
[Behind the Myth: Exploring Korean Tradition] Behind the Myth examines the origins of Korean myths and traditions.
The Three Founders of Jeju Words by Bradley Weiss and Shim Kyu Photo provided by Bradley Weiss
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n Jeju Island, one can visit a shrine and complex in the heart of Jeju City centered around three holes in the ground, known as Samseonghyeol. According to legend, this is the site where three demi-gods emerged in the era before the island was inhabited. The three, referred to with the honorific title eulla, “head of clan,” are known as Go, Yang and Bu, and are also seen as the progenitors of those three family names, which remain prominent on the island today. The legend continues that the three lived by hunting and gathering until the arrival one day of a ship onto the beach. Within were three princesses from the Kingdom of Byeongang, who were to be brides for the demi-gods. The princesses brought with them cattle and horses as well as five different seeds to help establish agriculture on the island. The families established Jeju’s Tamna Kingdom and an agriculturalist way of life. No solid evidence establishes the time of these legendary events, but they have been conjectured to have coincided with the Three Kingdoms Period on the mainland (57 BCE – 668 CE). Other legendary history lends support to the idea, as three brothers - including a certain Go-Hu, also known as Go Deuk-jong - were purported to have been received by the Silla court. They are said to be 15th generation direct descendants from Go Eulla, and it was at this time that the name of Tamna was officially recognized. The title used for the three demi-gods, eulla, might provide another indication as to the antiquity of the legend. The word comes from the language of the Buyeo kingdom, which existed from the 2nd century BCE up to 494 CE, pre-dating the Three Kingdoms Period. However, maybe we can draw more significance from the story’s symbolism. The tale seems to be a
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A Samseonghyeol shrine in Jeju
fairly straightforward allegory, a microcosm of the transition from a hunter-gather lifestyle to that of sedentary agriculturalists which the vast majority of humanity has undergone since the Neolithic. Note also how the emergence of the three brothers from the earth to marry seaborne women clearly reflects the maritime geography of the island, diverging from the mainland’s more typical identification of men with the sky and women with the earth. In the end, perhaps the purpose of this legendary history is simply to reflect and justify the position of a few prominent families on the island. If we compare the frequency of the three family names with the mainland, we see that even today Go, Yang and Bu are far more represented on Jeju*. Even today, they continue to collectively own and operate the Samseonghyeol shrine, where rites are held every spring and autumn. *In Korea today, the Go family name is the 22nd most-common name, Yang is 25th, and Bu is 108th, while on Jeju Go is ranked 3rd, Yang 6th, and Bu 21st
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35 culture
[Korean Sayings] Korean Sayings explains the backgrounds behind common Korean expressions.
“Meat tastes better each time you chew, while books taste different each time you read” 고기는 씹을 수록 맛이 나고 책은 볼수록 그 맛이 다르다. Words by Won Hea-ran
K
ing Sejong is, of course, one of the most beloved historical figures in Korean history, and both his portrait on the 10,000 won bill and his bronze statue in front of Gwanghwamun Gate can be attributed to one major accomplishment: his sponsorship of the creation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. The king’s decision to support Hangeul probably stemmed from his exceptional devotion to reading. He not only read books from a variety of fields - astronomy, history, law, music, politics, and economics - but read each of these books at least 30 times, or even 100 times in the case of Confucian scriptures. King Sejong’s love of reading is exemplified in his famous remark, “Books taste different each time you read.” By the time he became a true ruler, he was an expert in multiple fields, allowing him to plan critical aspects of the newborn dynasty, including Hangeul. October 9 is the 567th anniversary of Hangeul Day. Before this historical moment, Koreans did not have their own writing system, even though they had their own language. They used the difficult ideographs that served as Chinese letters. Because the reader could not easily infer sound from the letters, he or she had to memorize individual letters together with its sound. This made literacy a privilege for elites. Without proper education and the time to dedicate to reading and writing, the public was illiterate. Hangeul was made to solve this problem, to increase the literacy of the public and stimulate communication. King Sejong and his subjects published the first Hangeul book Hunminjeongeum, “A Book To Teach The Public.” Simplicity was a key issue for its purpose, so the book was an easy combination of basic consonants, vowels, and a point. The consonants made Hangeul much easier than the Chinese letters because it imitated the
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Statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul
shape of the mouth when making its sound. For example, the first consonant, giyeok (ㄱ), comes from the shape of the tongue sticking to the ceiling when making the sound. The vowels are also just combinations of the horizontal line, vertical line, and a point, which makes them much easier to memorize. At first, some of King Sejong’s subjects opposed his popularizing of Hangeul in fear that nobody would learn Chinese letters. However, Hangeul was later found to be very useful. Hangeul did largely increase the literacy of commoners, which gave more political power to the public. Hangeul has also been found very suitable for modern devices, since its simple combination of consonants, vowels and points make typing easy, even in small cell phone keyboards. And most importantly, Hangeul is a source of ethnic pride to Koreans, just like other languages are to their people.
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[Korean Poetry] Korean Poetry translates the works of Korea’s prominent poets into English.
Poetry by Choi Jeongrye Words by Choi Jeongrye Photo and translation by Park Yeon-seong
Choi Jeongrye (최정례) was born in a city near Seoul. She studied Korean poetry at Korea University and received her Ph.D. from the same school. She published seven poetry/essay books and received awards from the Korean Poetry Society. She participated in the international writing program of the University of Iowa in 2006 as a poet and spent one year at the University of California at Berkeley as a visiting writer in 2009. Her poems have appeared in Free Verse, Iowa Review, Text Journal, World Literature Today and various Japanese literary magazines. She also co-translated the English-language collection “Instances” with Wayne de Fremery and Brenda Hillman. She is currently a lecturer at Korea University.
호랑이는 고양이과다
Even if a cat does not grow up to be a tiger
고양이가 자라서 호랑이가 되는 것은 아니지만 장미 열매 속에 교태스런 꽃잎과 사나운 가시를 감추었듯이 고양이 속에는 호랑이가 있다 작게 말아 구긴 꽃잎같이 오므린 빨간 혀 속에 현기증 나게 노란 눈알 속에 달빛은 충실하게 수세기를 흘러내렸을 것이고 고양이는 은빛 잠 속에서 이빨을 갈고 발톱을 뜯으며 짐승 속의 피와 야성을 쓰다듬고 쓰다듬었을 것이고 자기 본래의 어두운 시간을 가만히 바라보는 것처럼 고양이,
Even if a cat does not grow up to be a tiger, the tiger exists in the cat like a rose berry hides coquettish petals and fiery thorns. Moonlight probably faithfully flows for centuries over the red pursed tongue that looks like a folded petal rolling into smallness; The cat probably grinds its teeth and scratches its toenails in silver sleep; Thereby it tames its blood and wilderness. As if it looks into its innate dark hours The cat,
눈 속에 살구빛 호랑이 눈알을 굴리고 있다 독수리가 앉았다 날아가버린 한 그루 살구나무처럼
in its eyes, there are the rolling apricot-colored eyes of a tiger like an apricot tree from which a sitting eagle has flown off.
호랑이는 고양이과다
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[Gwangju Writes] Gwangju Writes presents the poems, short stories and creative nonfiction of South Jeolla residents. To submit your own work, e-mail: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr
Motherhood Words and photo by Lisa Mynhardt
Gwangju’s first Poetry Slam was a slamming success on Saturday, September 20, on the GIC’s First Floor. Lisa Mynhardt of South Africa won the evening with her poem “Motherhood”, reproduced below.
I’m a woman, I’m a mom, I play sometimes But most of the time I have none. I am creative, I am free, But I have stress you see. For the life of me is filled with complexity!
Motherhood, they say is a blessed gift from above Blessed temptation, blessed tortured love. A screaming infant keeps you up, makes you want to cut and run. A whine and cringe to keep you sober when all you want to do is roll over. You remind yourself that this life was yours for the creating. You try to remember whether you chose this gift or perhaps it was just given. You close your eyes before the tears start streaming. Single friends get lost in translation; your mouth just spouts words of diapers and lactation. They tell you, that you have a glow but you know. You know, it’s the sheen of pure desperation. Motherhood is a blessed gift from above, you love. Oh, how you love. You love selflessly, you give without return You love your child even though you think it will be your ruin. You see the sleepless nights as chances for the taking. A chance to dream of the future of the one you hold so tightly in your arms. You try to remember what you were before. A party girl, a teacher or more. You close your eyes because tears start streaming, you know your choice was worth the dreaming. Single friends pity you – laugh in their faces because you are the one that get these tiny embraces. They tell you, it’s not their thing. But you hear the true envy ring. Motherhood, a rite of passage. Sometimes paved with pain but mostly a blessing!
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A Child By H.P. Wallace
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ars twitched. Once. Twice; flicking away at phantom irritations. A shake of the head; a twitching limb. Ivory claws extended lazily to their apex and retracted, leaving shallow grooves in a wooden floor that had seen a lot of small footsteps. Bronze-freckled, its burgundy fur caught the slivers of moonlight in dazzling phantom fireflies. Hackles undulated like a broad road from the thick of its mane and narrowed to the base of its tail, vanishing to start over from the top. A new scent. Flews twitched in agitation. Eyes snapped open whilst far-off thunder burgeoned from its chest. The Fura’s purple irises contracted to thin four-pointed stars, pinpointing That-Which-DidNot-Belong. Canines gleamed like polished flint in the dissipating moonlight. Torpid air currents stirred subtly as things dropped from various heights. Wings unfurled in the billowing of myriad cloaks. Their inaudible chirps and hunting pulses disturbed those that lived beneath them. Spiny-haired legs rose from the rotten crevasses to probe the land around them. Clicks flowed through the silence like lost souls until the fog swallowed them up. Silence. Answering clicks faintly echoed back as ancients ascended on thick cobwebs from abyssal fissures.
and torment. It flowed with purpose and malign intent towards the small single wooden bed. The child in it rolled around restlessly. Her sheets lay strewn half off the bed. Eyes rolled under twitching eyelids as she gazed upon a figure hidden behind a cloak of serpentine limbs. Some of the limbs flailed as if tortured, others rippled like a calm open ocean. Her face contorted in fear. Breathing became difficult as the presence drew closer. Saya put one paw forward, pushing against the asphyxiating atmosphere around them. Its own presence swelled outwards like an erupting flare of fire, howls signaling the hunt. The presence ceased all movement, and in that idleness one could feel the gentle probing of the land by spiny-haired legs and the tasting of the air by various forms of antennae. Abyssal eyes opened like curtains on some macabre stage, where the dramatis persona - a little girl - would be the entertainment. The concussion of crumbling mountains shook the bed, cracking floorboards and scattering furniture. Chitin cracked and shattered as things were torn apart by ivory claws and flint teeth. Bones snapped and flesh ripped in dull wet sounds. Maddening ululations and unyielding howls reverberated in a cacophonous fugue.
The Fura named Saya rose to her feet, claws splintering the wooden floor beneath. The room had grown into a landscape of boiling mist and creeping shadows. Veiled objects stood like petrified ghosts in the flowing haze that blanketed foul and unwholesome soil. The landscape was littered with ancient snapped limbs and blackened trunks. The bark was burnt skin petrified in blistering and scarred tissue; the branches like burnt victims reaching for help.
The land shuddered as a deep sigh buckled the earth into a sagging depression. Claws raked slabs of coarse stone, releasing showers of sparks. Drool flew between the ferocious snapping of teeth. Ragefilled howls sank into the earth as rock ground on rock, gradually muffling the ferocious din until there was nothing but the feint rustling of things in the dark.
A forest of autumn leaves rustled as a presence approached. Pale grass swayed back and forth, entranced by the caress of slithering limbs. The remaining light of the abdicated sun dwindled, giving way to the ascending darkness. With the first tremor of fear, the air, heavy with anticipation, ruptured and bled out in rivers of violence
The presence pulled its splintered bones and rent flesh together in a mauled cloak of agitated limbs and billowing wings. Four green eyes appeared like ship lanterns in a dense fog. They swirled and churned in anticipation of her awakening. The girl rubbed her eyes in confusion and alarm - her mouth opened in a silent scream as she stared at the Eldritch. It reveled in her recognition of him and the
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consequences of that recognition. It whispered her name. Its voice hissed like immeasurable slithering things combined with the clicking of eager pinchers. It lingered with the chirping of faroff winged beasts locating their quarry. Her red hair hung in wet tangles, a few strands trembled before her eyes like dead vines. Her slouched shoulders carried the weight of her leaden arms; her legs anchored her to the bed. It whispered her name again. The walls cracked and the floorboards fissured further. The bed gave a shudder and tilted to one side - her body did not change position. The linen on the floor writhed and rippled as things crawled beneath it, up the wooden legs and onto the bed. Behind her things churned under her pillow. The Eldritch told her that her dog was gone and that there was no one else to protect her. It told her that she was alone. It laughed in screams of abhorrent mares; unseen teeth elongating with maddening hunger. “Saya is no dog,” a voice said absentmindedly. The new voice startled the creeping of spiny-haired legs and the slithering of undulating bodies. Wings exploded in a gust of surprise and took off into the sky above. “She is Fura.” * Half of the deadened landscape was swallowed up by the snapping and crackling of encroaching ice. A glacier stood like a titan, its warped facade reflecting nothing but the color of deep ocean. The Eldritch shifted its attention to a cavernous shadow near the base. It could sense him there, sitting on a small ledge of cold blue and thermal veins - his features concealed in shades deeper than its own. Emotions of intrigue, rage and megalomania reverberated through the space between them. The figure waved it away in a manner of absentmindedness and stared in the direction Saya had disappeared. “I remember you. You have changed.” The seated figure surveyed the room he knew so well until he focused on the enormous caped figure standing between him and the small wooden bed. “You always liked things that crawled and slithered. The wings are new,” he said in an amused voice. Confusion. Hissing. Thought. Old memories. Boy. Not alone. Wolf. Resemblance. Dog. Fura. Perplexed. Recognition.
ice in every direction. Spires of ice fell towards the child chained to the bed in fear. The glacier wall gave way to the absence of matter and the existence of pure oblivion. Ancient ice cracked. Fissures ran along its frigid veins right to the heart of the descending spires. They bulged outwards like overstretched sails and burst into a shower of harmless hail. The Eldritch did not turn its head, since it didn’t have one. Eyes lit up on every side of its body and surveyed the whole region simultaneously. It found the figure standing at the foot of the bed; his blue-green eyes shone like the destroyed glacier. Old nightmares galloped at him in the violence of primordial waters. It rose like a giant serpent, frothing and hissing before it would swallow you into the depths of its embrace. It battered and tore at him, but was as harmful as a light drizzle on a hot day. The Eldritch writhed in agitation at its repeating failure. A sharp ululation bellowed forth from its depths. The figure gave a wry smile. Another enormous Fura stepped into the landscape. Its volcanic grey fur rippled in anticipation and its yellow eyes narrowed to slits. Thunder filled the room as it rolled out in uninterrupted arcs from its low growl. Loathsome smells exuded from the opening, bringing an echoing rhythm of raking talons. The thunder ended abruptly as it swung around to confront the approaching defilers. It gave a snort in disgust and bound into the gaping hole. Wrathful howls leapt forward like a legion of wolves. “Finis,” the figure said as it drew two short, slightly curved hilts from beneath the folds at his sides. The one was white as ancient compressed ice; the other was of volcanic rock. Mocking and deceit snaked out in chains, winding round and round until it covered the figure in an iron maiden. The encapsulated figure showed no movement or anxiety; it stared at the Eldritch in judgment of its uncountable crimes against children perpetuated over centuries. The ancient ice hilt grew into an elongated shard, the jagged edge curving forward longing to caress its claim. A molten scimitar grew from the other, pulsing with currents of the first hearth. There was only enough time for comprehension. Eternal fire brings justice and primordial ice brings death. There is nothing else beyond these two opposing forces. Now, the child sleeps deep and peacefully. Her exhaustion left her dreamless and unmoving. He traces the lock of hair that dangles from her brow along her cheek. “You look so much like your mother,” he said, covering her with a blanket. The wall sealed shut with the weight of locking ice as the two Fura walked through. The landscape became void as they traversed it towards the sleeping child. Saya took her place next to the bed, and settled into a slumber.
The Eldritch struck - the detonation flung shards of leviathan-blue
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[GIC Culture Tour] Each month the GIC’s knowledgable guide offers a new, budget-friendly chance to experience the authentic South Jeolla. Sign up now!
GIC Culture Tour
Jindo
Words and photos by Warren Parsons Date: October 25 (Saturday) Price: GIC Members 55,000 won/ Non-Members 65,000 won Contact: 062-226-2733 (이보람 Lee Boram) or gictour@gic.or.kr
Gwangju
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Marine Energy Park
Yongjang Temple & Mountain Fortress
Lunch at Mysterious Sea Road Viewpoint
Ullimsanbang
Hansaem Hongju Factory
Jindo Dog Center
Gwangju
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ctober obliges the colors of autumn to grace the land, tinged red and russet, and for the briskness of fall to descend into the wind. This month, the GIC Culture Tour journeys down to the island of Jindo for a comprehensive cultural and historical immersion. After a long drive from Gwangju, the tour will first stop at the Jindo Marine Energy Park. Participants can enjoy the view of the Jindo Bridge and the massive bronze statue of General Yi Sun-shin, who stands guard over the swift flowing currents of the Myeongryang channel that divides the island from the mainland. During the Imjin War at the end of the 16th century, General Yi found himself outnumbered and overwhelmed by Japanese forces. However, he was able to secure victory through brilliant naval tactics, ingenious “turtle boats” and a little help from Mother Nature. This area has recently garnered a lot of attention due to the popular film “Myeongryang,” which was filmed here and has become the highest-grossing film in Korean history. Moving into the interior of the island next, the tour will visit Yongjang Temple and Mountain Fortress. Throughout the mid-13th century, the Mongolian army invaded Goryeo and eventually forced the Korean king to surrender and accept defeat. Unhappy with King Wonjong’s acquiescence, Bae Jung Son led a group of Korean elite armed forces, called the Sambyeolchol, to Jindo in 1270 and established a new kingdom with a Korean royal, Wang On, as monarch. The Sambyeolcho fought against the Mongolians, but ultimately lost and retreated to Jeju Island. Yongjang Temple is their only standing building and provides a living contrast to the palace ruins. Leaving the temple and driving along the coast, participants will arrive at their lunch destination. Overlooking Jindo’s Miraculous Road, guests will enjoy an unexpected but delicious meal of hand-made pork cutlets and pizzas prepared with fresh dough and tomato sauce, both made by a hotel-trained chef. Jindo’s Miraculous Road is a natural phenomenon with religious significance. Twice a year, the sea parts, revealing a sandy passageway that connects the mainland to a nearby island. Legend has it that a lonely grandmother, separated from her family, prayed to the god of the sea so that she could see her loved ones again. Sympathetic to her sadness, the Dragon King drained the channel water so the woman could walk across and be reunited with her family.
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After lunch, the tour visits Ullimsanbang, the former home and studio of one of Korea’s greatest painters, Sochi Heo Ryeon. Sochi lived on Jindo at the end of the Joseon dynasty and painted in the southern style, namhwa. He studied with Cho-eui, an influential monk living in Haenam, and also learned from the great master painter Chusa, Kim Jeong Hui. Ullimsanbang boasts a garden with a pond, a temple, and a thatched roof home where Sochi lived. A museum also displays the work of Heo Ryeon and his descendents. The grounds here are immaculately maintained and have inspired many leisurely walks for admiring nature. Following an outdoor stroll, participants can enjoy a digestive drink at the Hansaem Hongju Factory. Hongju is a traditional distilled spirit made from sticky rice and barley that has a bright red color thanks to the addition of a local medicinal root called jicho. At the factory, participants can learn about the liquor-making process from start to finish, as well as enjoy a sample of this strong drink. With an alcohol content of 40 to 60%, it is not for the faint of heart. In addition to the sample, everyone will receive a small bottle of hongju to take home. The tour ends at the Jindo Dog Center. The Jindo dog is the most famous icon of the island. Known for their loyalty and hunting skills, Jindo dogs are loved by people around the world. Many dogs are bred, trained and cared for at the center, and every afternoon there is a dog show, complete with jumps, loops, and tunnels. Nearby at the kennel, adult dogs are kept for viewing, and in a small park many puppies are allowed to play with visiting guests. While the sinking of the Sewol Ferry earlier this year has focused much attention to Jindo, this island and its residents have suffered from a drop in tourism. Coincidently, this year’s blockbuster film “Myeongryang” has brought attention to Jindo again, but in a different way. Visiting Jindo with a respect to the victims of the sinking ship and a sense of awareness of the issues that still remain is important, but visiting to support the island and learn about its people and culture is a rewarding experience. So please come out this month for a full day of adventure, island scenery and history 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.
Creating Your Own Travel Adventure Words and photos by Crystal Smith
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t the end of the movie “Titanic”, as Rose slips into the great adventure of death, the camera pans out to the pictures of her life arranged about her room. You could tell that she enjoyed her life and lived it fully. That moment in the film impacted my life immensely. I wanted to live my life that way too, so that when my life was over, people would say that I lived it fully. For me, traveling and experiencing different cultures is how I enjoy life to the fullest. I have visited 16 states in the U.S. and 7 different countries (Canada, Germany, Israel/Palestine, Jordan, Turkey, Greece and South Korea). However long or brief the visit is, I make the most out of it and capture the memories for years to come. Here are some important things to do when preparing for a trip.
Visiting Monasteries at Meteora, Greece
1. Research the place you are going. Do not always believe what you hear on the news. If I did that, I probably would not have come to South Korea because “North Korea is about to nuke it any day now.” I would not have gone to Israel/Palestine either because it was supposedly too dangerous. Talk to people who have traveled recently to the place you are going. Look up places of interest and have an idea of what you want to see on what days. If you are single, stay at hostels or
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guesthouses, but check out reviews before you book. 2. Take pictures. A lot of pictures. Make sure you are in them too! Sights are beautiful to see, but you can pull up pictures of scenic places online and say I have been there. Smile in your pictures! You will look back on them many times over the years and you want to remember how happy you were. Plus, they will serve as illustrations for the great stories you can tell once you are home. 3. Do things that you normally would not do. Talk to strangers. Eat foods that you would have never considered putting in your mouth. Do spontaneous activities because it looks like a lot of fun. You often regret more things that you did not do than what you did do. Do not compromise who you are or your beliefs to experience something new, Making dye from natural but go out of your comresources in Boseong fort zone to see how others live or to write a new story that has not been told. It is also important to rest while you are on a trip. We usually take trips on our vacation from work and it is OK to sleep in. In fact, it is ok to sit somewhere for a few hours and read a book. You can still enjoy your trip and see many incredible things, but make sure that you take time to rest and recharge before you go back to “real life.” Come to my GIC Talk to hear more, on Saturday, October 19, at 3 p.m.
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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 October Schedule Time & Location: Saturdays from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., GIC Talk room (Samho Center, 1st Floor) For more information, visit www.gic.or.kr or contact gic@gic.or.kr
October 4 Speaker: Dr. Sven Hort PhD in Sociology from Stockholm University. Served as a Fulbright scholar in both Washington D.C. and UC-Berkeley, Berkeley, California. Professor, Department of Social Welfare at Seoul National University Topic: Social Rights and Human Rights - Korea and Sweden in a Global Perspective The starting point of this Talk’s scholarly interest was the evolution of social rights in Scandinavia and the institutional development of human security – in short, the welfare state – in late 19th century Europe. The current research on social rights, human dignity and security focuses on the contemporary development and enlargement of social policies in a dozen emerging economies and territories, divided into two groups of Asian countries, which will be later shared during the Talk.
October 11
tory from Redemmer University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada English Teacher at Samyook Elementary School Topic: The 2014 Adopt a Child for Christmas initiative in Gwangju A program started by Gwangju pillar Al Barnum five years ago to benefit the girls at Sungbin Orphanage, the Adopt a Child for Christmas initiative in Gwangju now seeks to put a gift in the hands of every child left parentless during the festive season. Together with the phenomenal expat community here in Gwangju, the organizers hope to raise enough support to cover every single one of the city’s 700+ children.
October 18 Speaker: Crystal Smith Youth Ministry at Montreat College, Montreat, North Carolina, U.S.A. English Teacher at EiE English Institute Topic: Creating Your Own Travel Adventure See the GIC Preview article on the previous page for more information about this GIC Talk.
October 25 Speaker: Courtney Snyder B.A. in Psychology at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.A. Children’s Ministry Director at Mdream Orphanage Topic: On the Fringes of Society: Institutionalized Children in Korea This talk will offer insight into the worlds of orphans and other children housed in institutions in Korea, cultural attitudes towards these children and current political debates involving adoption. Descriptions of personal experiences of working with a local children’s home right here in Gwangju and practical suggestions for volunteering in Korea will be offered as well.
Speaker: Jordan VanHartingsveldt BA in English Language and Literature and Art His-
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[Health] The health column is written by a health professional to inform on health-related issues.
Ebola: Know Your Epidemic Words by Jessica Keralis
E
bola virus is the perfect plot device for a suspense thriller. It spreads quickly, is highly fatal, emerged from “the heart of darkness” (i.e., central Africa) and scientists are still not quite sure where it came from or how it is transmitted to humans. The current epidemic in West Africa began in December 2013 in Guinea, though it was not recognized until March of this year, and has since spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone, with a handful of cases in Nigeria and Senegal. It is the most severe outbreak since the discovery of the virus in 1976. As of August 31, there have been 3,700 cases and over 1,800 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (the more recent outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a separate incident and unrelated to the West African outbreak.) Understandably, people around the world are concerned – international travel makes it easier than ever for diseases to cross borders and travel thousands of kilometers, and viruses make no distinctions for race, ethnicity, or nationality. Unfortunately, fear inevitably brings ignorance and misinformation along for the ride. There have already been several instances of discrimination against Africans in South Korea: invitations to Korean academic conferences for African students have been withdrawn, and a sign in a pub window in Seoul refusing to serve Africans has drawn widespread condemnation after going viral on social media. The best way to combat ignorance is through information, so here are some important facts about the virus. Fiction: Ebola virus is airborne. Fact: Ebola virus is contagious, but transmission is easily preventable.
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Ebola virus is transmitted through the body fluids of a sick person (e.g., blood and saliva) and typically enters the body through mucus membranes (e.g., eyes, nose, and mouth). However, you must come into direct contact with infectious fluids to risk catching the virus – it is not like the flu, which you can catch when an infected person coughs or sneezes near you. Several studies have failed to show that the virus can be transmitted through the air, and major health organizations like the CDC and Doctors without Borders confirm that there is practically no risk of airborne transmission.
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Fiction: You could catch Ebola virus from anyone who has been in areas where it is spreading. Fact: You can catch Ebola virus from sick patients. This myth has been a major driver of discrimination against Africans, many of whom feel they are being singled out simply because they are from countries where the virus has appeared. The fact is that only patients who are actively showing signs of illness are infectious. Ebola outbreaks are actually relatively rare; they can be devastating to African communities, but this is primarily because the health systems in those areas are poor and underdeveloped. It is not transmitted “silently” like polio and is relatively easy to avoid by washing your hands frequently and not coming into contact with sick patients. Fiction: Governments should implement travel bans to stop Ebola virus. Fact: Governments should ensure that health systems are prepared to deal with Ebola virus. Calls for travel bans are becoming increasingly common as global fears of the virus spread, but this is neither a realistic nor effective way to contain the spread of Ebola virus. Banning people from countries battling the outbreak is blatantly discriminatory, while blanket travel bans will do no good: an infected person could arrive from Paris, New York or Munich
just as easily as from Monrovia, Conakry or Lagos. Moreover, such bans are usually not enforced effectively. The case of a Canadian border agent who, when alerted to a travel ban on an American lawyer with a dangerous strain of tuberculosis, allowed him to enter the US anyway because “he didn’t look sick” is a classic example of this inconsistency. Ensuring that laboratories are prepared to test for it, that healthcare personnel are properly trained in treating sick patients and that hospitals know to isolate any cases until they are no longer infectious is a much better use of resources and, in the end, saves more lives. Ebola virus is a very real threat to public health, and no one should believe they are immune to it. However, knowing your facts about the virus is the most powerful tool we have to make sure that we protect our health. Do not spread panic or discriminate against others. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jessica Keralis has a Master’s of Public Health and three years of experience working on public health projects. After finishing her teaching contract in Gwangju in December 2013, she accepted a position as a laboratory emergency preparedness program coordinator, specifically focused on biological agents. She is currently working as an epidemiologist.
Attorney Attorney Park’s Park’s Law Law Firm Firm We're ready to serve your best interests in legal disputes. We provide affordable consultation & representation.
▶ Areas of Specialty contracts, torts, family law, immigration, labor ▶ Civil & Criminal Attorney Park, Duckhee former judge, member of GIC board Services available in Korean, English & Chinese
#402 Simsan Bldg, 342-13 Jisan-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju next to Gwangju District Court
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Tel: 062) 222-0011 Fax: 062)222-0013 duckheepark@hanmail.net
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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.
Tech Tools for Student Projects Words by Lindsay Herron
T
he internet offers a wealth of engaging, intuitive tools that are ideal for student projects! Incorporating online tools into project-based learning can help the learning to “stick” and projects can provide a context for authentic language use. Projects using tech tools can also enhance motivation by providing; autonomy, offering users lots of choices and options for personalization; purpose, as students are creating projects for an authentic audience; and opportunities for mastery, as students seek to create the best projects possible and revise them according to feedback. Below are a few tried-and-true tech tools, all of which are free and easy to use, and all of which modify or even redefine tasks, offering new opportunities and options that would be impossible without technology. Sites for Making Videos 1. Animoto (http://animoto.com) Students choose a video style, upload photos or videos, add text, and choose a site-provided soundtrack or upload their own. When they are ready, Animoto turns these elements into a video that can be exported to YouTube, posted on social networks, or emailed as a link. Tips: Teachers can apply for a free Animoto Plus a c c o u n t for classroom use (http://animoto.com/ education/classroom) and share this account with their students. Animoto Plus offers additional free styles and allows the creation of videos up to 20 minutes long. There is also an Animoto app available that makes it easy to start videos with photos and videos from a smartphone or tablet.
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2. PowToon (http://www.powtoon.com) PowToon is probably the most entertaining, userfriendly alternative to PowerPoint currently available. Students can create video presentations that feature animated characters and text, eye-catching transitions, and a wide variety of images and music. Tip: The basic account is free, but teachers might like the educator upgrade that allows longer, higher-quality videos. Coupon code POW1 usually yields a discount. 3. AdobeVoice (http://voice.adobe.com) This tool is a must for iPads! Users can choose an image, icon, or uploaded photo; add text; and then record their voice line by line. It is simple, fast, and intuitive. Note: Users must have an Adobe or Facebook account to log in, and it is currently only available as an iPad app. Sites for Making Still Images 1. Smore (http://www.smore.com) Students can create an interactive online poster that incorporates photos, text, music, videos, links, buttons, and more. The font, color, and background are customizable, but Smore also offers suggestions for compatible colors and themes. Smore is compatible with most mobile devices. 2. ThingLink (http://www.thinglink.com) ThingLink lets users “tag” pictures they have uploaded from their computer or imported from a website. These tags are small icons that link to additional information such as YouTube videos, SoundCloud music, Wikipedia entries, relevant websites, and the
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creator’s own text. It is an easy and fun way to make information more interactive and multimodal.
rative work, but opens up potential problems with mischief-makers altering others’ stories. 2. Marvel Comics’ Create Your Own Comic (http://marvel.com/games/play/34/create_your_ own_comic) Students can use provided backdrops, objects, and text bubbles to create their own comic strips or comic books featuring Marvel characters. Tip: Photovisi (above) also offers comic-style framing options for students who prefer to use their own drawings or photos. 3. Bookemon (http://www.bookemon.com) This is the most complicated tool recommended here, but it is also the one that offers users the most options and control. Users can create a real book online, and they have complete control over every design element of their book, from start to finish. Students can import photos, write text, choose colors and layout, and read the finished product on their tablets.
With Photovisi, students can have fun creating their own photo collage
3. Photovisi (http://www.photovisi.com) Photovisi is a photo collage site. Users can choose a template, upload photos, add text or “stickers” and then download the finished product. Tip: Ask students to create a photo collage, and then upload it to ThingLink for additional elaboration through text and media. 4. Padlet (http://www.padlet.com) Padlet is a collaborative online corkboard where you or your students can post text, pictures, links, and more. It is free, and the privacy settings, URL, and board style can all be customized. Students can share their ThingLink projects on a class Padlet board, for example, or create their own team boards to display the results of photo scavenger hunts. Sites for Making Books 1.Tell-a-Story StoryBuilder (http://kidsspace.torontopubliclibrary.ca/story.html) The Toronto Public Library’s StoryBuilder site provides characters, backgrounds, props, and text bubbles that students can drag and drop to easily create stories up to 14 pages long. No log-in is required, and students can share the URL or print out the story when they are finished. Note: The biggest drawback to this site is that the final product seems to be edit-able by anyone who can access it (i.e., anyone with the link). This is great for collabo-
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KOTESOL Monthly Chapter Meeting Date & Time: October 18 (Saturday), 1:45 pm Place: Chosun University, Main Building, Left Wing, Rm 4211 Admission: No Charge 1. Special Question-and-Answer Session with Special ELT Panel Everyone is strongly encouraged to bring their pressing and not-so-pressing questions and curiosities about ELT to pose to the ELT panel and audience. 2. Short Presentation: Why is Korean Like That? By Dr. David Shaffer (Chosun University) 3. IC 2014 Swap-Shop: Sharing of ideas, activities, and info gained from the October International Conference. Oct. 11 (11:00) Reflective Practice Session Peer Observation (Jocelyn Wright & Tyson Vieira, Facilitators) For more details: Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL Website: http://koreatesol.org/gwangju Email: gwangju@koreatesol.org Twitter: @GwangjuKOTESOL
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lindsay Herron is Treasurer of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter of Korea TESOL (KOTESOL). On behalf of the Chapter, she invites you to participate in the teacher development workshops at their monthly meetings and special events. Lindsay is a visiting professor at Gwangju National University of Education, where she has taught for the past six years. She is also presently the National Membership Committee Chair of KOTESOL, a chair on the International Conference Committee, and nominee for KOTESOL 1st Vice-President.
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[Birds Korea] Birds Korea advocates for the conservation of birds and their habitats through research, education and public-awareness raising
Fall Migration in the Yellow Sea Words and photo by Patrick Blake
A
s summer comes to a close and the cooler weather of autumn begins, birds once again embark on incredible journeys from their breeding grounds in the north to warmer wintering grounds in the south. For some species, this journey takes them farther in one season than most of us will travel over the course of our lives. Imagine driving down a long highway through endless barren countryside. When you start your journey, your gas tank is full. You have eaten a large breakfast and are ready to start the long drive to your destination. And things go smoothly, for a while. But as time passes, the needle on the gas gauge begins to fall. Your stomach starts to rumble, then growl. The needle dips lower. But everywhere you look, you only see more barren countryside. And the highway goes ever on… There! Up ahead, you spot a small rest stop. It may not be the cleanest or the prettiest. It may even be crowded, with many other travelers already there. But you can see a gas station for your car and a GS 25 for you. So you do the only thing you can do: pull over and refuel.
A Blue rock-thrust
it is an oasis in the “desert” of the Yellow Sea. When I arrived at Gageo Island, I encountered many of the breeding birds that call this island home. Some live their entire lives here; others return every spring and leave every fall. Blue rock-thrush, white wagtails, and grey herons make up some of these full-time avian residents. But a little bit of searching reveals a plethora of migrants.
For a small bird migrating from the Siberian tundra to the warm climates of Australia, this story is real life. Crossing the Yellow Sea is a perilous endeavor, and birds that make the attempt rely heavily on Korea’s abundant islands.
Some of these birds only pass through Korea on their way to other locales, and can only be seen here during this short window. Still others are lost travelers, forced to stop here due to weather or exhaustion. Indeed, islands like Gageo are well known for hosting very unusual species that only arrive in Korea by accident. On this trip, I was able to find two long-tailed shrikes, common birds of prey in China and Taiwan, but exceedingly rare in mainland Korea.
I recently paid a visit to Gageo Island to experience the fall migration at Korea’s most westerly point. Gageo Island lies some 140 kilometers southwest of Mokpo. The island is only 9 kilometers from end to end, and has only around 400 permanent residents. It is the most remote location in Korea, but to migrating birds
On this small remote location, lost in the expanses of the Yellow Sea, it was clear how delicate the balance of these island ecosystems really is. It is up to all of us to recognize the true value of these islands, and the roles they play in the wellbeing of our own communities and those of the birds all around us.
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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. 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, e-mail: gwangju_soccer@yahoo.com or search ‘Gwangju Inter FC’ on Facebook. 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 in downtown Gwangju. For more information, visit our Facebook page or e-mail at gwangjuplayers@gmail.com Waygeek Waygeek is a Gwangju-based celebration of geek culture and a safe space for all geeks, regardless of race, gender or planet of origin. Check out our Facebook page and our website at waygeek.me
UNESCO KONA Volunteers UNESCO KONA Volunteers is a registered organization that helps underprivileged kids by teaching English through storybooks. 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: one Friday afternoon, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon per month. For more infomation, please visit: 1) http://cafe.daum.net/konavolunteers 2) www.facebook.com (UNESCO KONA Volunteers) 3) contact KONA (Kim Young-im) at 062-434-9887 or at konacenter@gmail.com
Photo Gwangju Plus For photographers, Google+ has become a tool and part of their overall social media strategy. There is a lot to love. If you are an aspiring photographer that is looking for inspiration, education and other individuals to connect with and share your passion for photography, we have an opportunity for you. If you are serious about photography and want to walk a couple steps higher, there is a community that shares pictures that you are more than welcome to join. For more information, please visit “Photo Gwangju Plus” at #photogwangjuplus.
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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[National Pension Service]
Social Security Agreement for Japanese, Uzbek and Mongolian Nationals Foreigners 18-60 years old who are residing and working in Korea, regardless of their nationality, should be covered under the National Pension Service (NPS). Foreigners whose countries do not cover Korean nationals, however, are excluded from the coverage of NPS. Even so, if there are relevant provisions under the Social Security Agreement (SSA) between Korea and a foreigner’s country, those provisions will be applied. To protect the rights of foreigners, the SSA is publishing a series of articles highlighting SSAs in cooperation with Gwangju News. This month’s featured SSA is for foreigners from Japan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia.
SSA between Korea and Japan entered into force : April 2005
Exemption from Dual Coverage 1. In general, an employee or a self-employed person who works in the territory of one contracting country, in respect to that work, is subject to the legislation of that contracting country. 2. Where an employee or a self-employed person works in both countries for the same period, the person is subject to the legislation of the contracting country in which he/she ordinarily resides. 3. A detached worker is exempt from coverage under the pension system of the contracting country to which he/she is sent for less than 5 years if he/ she is covered under the pension scheme of his/her home country (a 3-year extension is available at the consent of both countries’ agencies) 4. If a person who has been self-employed in one contracting country is temporarily self-employed for less than 5 years exclusively in the other contracting country, he/she is subject to the legislation of the former contracting country and exempt from coverage under the pension system of the latter contracting country (a 3-year extension is available by the consent between both countries’ agencies). 5. The spouse and dependents of a detached worker are exempt from coverage under the pension system of the contracting country where the detached worker is sent for less than 5 years if they are not engaged in income-earning activities in that contracting country.
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Benefits under this Agreement 1. Since the Agreement on Social Security between Korea and Japan is a contributions-only agreement there is no provision of totalization of periods of coverage for the entitlement to benefit. 2. Therefore there are no pension benefits under the agreement, whether the payment is granted depends on the each country’s legislation respectively. 3. A Korean lump-sum refund is not paid to nationals of Japan.
SSA between Korea and Uzbekistan entered into force: May 2006 Exemption from Dual Coverage 1. According to the territorial principle, an employee is subject to the legislation of a contracting country in which he/she is employed and a self-employed person is subject to the legislation of the contracting country in which the person works. 2. A national of one contracting country is exempt from coverage under the pension system of the other contracting country for less than five years, if he/she is covered under the pension scheme of his/ her home country. 3. Uzbek workers working in Korea under the Korean
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Industrial Training System or the Employment Permit System are exempt from coverage of the National Pension Scheme for 60 months without any other application procedure required for it. Benefits under this Agreement 1. Since the Agreement on Social Security between Korea and Uzbekistan is a contributions-only agreement, there is no provision of totalization of periods of coverage for the entitlement to benefit. 2. Therefore there is no pension benefits under the agreement, whether the payment is granted depends on the each country’s legislation respectively. 3. A Korean lump-sum refund is not paid to the nationals of Uzbekistan SSA between Korea and Mongolia entered into force : March 2007
Exemption from Dual Coverage 1. According to the territorial principle, an employee is subject to the legislation of a contracting country
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in which he/she is employed and a self-employed person is subject to the legislation of the contracting country in which the person works. 2. A national of one contracting country is exempt from coverage under the other contracting country’s legislation for less than 5 years, if he/she is covered under the legislation of his/her home country. 3. Mongolian workers working in Korea under the Korean Industrial Training System or the Employment Permit System are exempt from coverage under the Korean legislation for 60 months with the Certificate of Coverage of Mongolian legislation. Benefits under this Agreement 1. Since the Agreement on Social Security between Korea and Mongolia is a contributions-only agreement, there is no provision of totalization of periods of coverage for the entitlement to benefit. 2. Therefore there is no pension benefits under the agreement, whether the payment is granted depends on the each country’s legislation respectively. 3. A Korean lump-sum refund is not paid to Mongolian nationals.
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Upcoming Events October 2014 Compiled by Jo A-ra, Kim So-hyun, Kim Yoo-joong, Park Eun-young and Ivan Yososaputro
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 Police Center Geumnam-ro 4 Ga Exit 2 062-224-5858 cafe.naver.com/cinemagwangju
Jimmy’s Hall 지미스 홀 / PG-13, Drama, History Director: Ken Loach Starring: Barry Ward, Simone Kirby, Andrew Scott Language: English Synopsis: In 1921, Jimmy Gralton’s sought to build a dance hall on a rural crossroads in Ireland, where young people could come to learn, argue and dream, but above all dance and have fun. Still the Water 2つ目の窓 소년,소녀 그리고 바다/ Romance Director: Naomi Kawase Starring: Nijiro Murakami, Jun Yoshinaga Language: Japanese Synopsis: During the festival in August on Amami Island, Kaito discovers a dead body. Through the eyes of a 16-year-old girl and a boy, “Still the Water” describes the cyclical nature of life, death and love.
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Coming Home 歸來 / PG-13, Drama Director: Zhang Yimou Starring: Gong Li, Chen Daoming, Guo Tao Language: Chinese Synopsis: A Chinese man is forced into marriage and flees to America, but when he returns home he is sent to a labor camp. Adapted from the novel “The Criminal Lu Yanshi.” Grand Central 그랜드 센트럴 / 18, Drama Director: Rebecca Zlotowski Starring: Tahar Rahim, Lea Seydoux Language: French Synopsis: Gary lands a job as a nuclear power plant contract worker, where he falls in love with a married woman.
Frank 프랭크 / All Audience, Comedy, Drama Director: Lenny Abrahamson Starring: John Ronson, Peter Straughan, Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gyllenhaal Language: English Synopsis: Jon, a young wannabe musician, joins a band of eccentric pop musicians led by Frank and Clara. Frank wears a giant fake head and makes music purely for the joy of creating it.
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exhibitions
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Gwangju Biennale 2014 2014 광주비엔날레 Biennale Exhibition Hall, 111 Biennale-ro(Yongbong-dong), Buk-gu, Gwangju September 5 - November 9 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Adult 14,000 won Modern artwork is featured from various nationalities. Dramatic performances utilizing sound and movement introduces the enjoyable functions of art that help resist suppression and overturn existing orders. Bus no 83 or 64 and get off at the Biennale Exhibition Hall 062-608-4114 http://www.gwangjubiennale.org Gwangju Biennale 20th Anniversary <Sweet Dew> 광주비엔날레 20주년 <달콤한 이슬> Gwangju Museum of Art August 8 - November 9 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (Mondays Closed) Free Bus no 19, 36, 37 or 72, get off at the Sangnok Building, or take bus 1187 and get off at the Seogu Health Center 062-613-7100 artmuse.gwangju.go.kr
Gwangju Biennale 20th Anniversary Ha Jeong-woong Exhibition 광주 비엔날레 20주년 하정웅컬렉션특별전 Gwangju Museum of Art August 8 - November 9 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (closed Mondays) Free Bus no. 64 or 83, and get off at the Gwangju Biennale. Or take bus no. 83 and get off at the Gwangju Biennale Entrance 062-613-5393 http://artmuse.gwangju.go.kr
Song-kyu Jeong <Everything Will Be Fine> 정송규 개인전 <다 괜찮을 거야> Mudeung Hyundai Museum September 3 - November 20 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. / Closed Mondays Free Bus no. 09, 35, 49, 50, 51, 54 or 76, and get off at Jeungsimsa 062-223-6677 http://mdmoca.com
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SaYooDongHang Exhibition 사유동행 Gwangju Buk-gu District Office September 19 - October 9 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ￦ Free Bus no. 07, 18, 180 or 184, and get off at Chonnam University Back Gate (South). Or take bus 19, 27, 28, 38, 55, 80, 81, 83, 187, 518 or 160, and get off at Buk-gu District Office 062-510-1225 http://www.bukgu.gwangju.kr/
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Lee I-nam Exhibition 이이남 展 Gwangju Shinsegae Gallery September 19 - October 9 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. weekdays, 10:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. weekends Free Bus no. 12 or 37, and get off at Northern Shinsegae Department. Or take bus no. 9, 16, 30, 31, 48, 65, 84, 89, or 518, and get off at the Hyundai Motor 062-360-1271 department.shinsegae.com The 1st Asia Design Forum 아시아 디자인 포럼 Gwangju Design Center November 4-9 Asia Design Forum, Thesis presentations delivered by graduate students from Korea, China and Japan, Cultural experiences, Design exhibitions, and more Free Bus no 27, 39, 40, or 46, and get off at Gwangju Design Center 062-611-5024 http://www.gdc.or.kr/eng
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festivals Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival 2014 광주세계김치문화축제 Gwangju Jungoe Park, Buk-gu, Gwangju October 4 - 8 Kimchi Bus South American Tour, Royal Kimchi Academy, Kimchi Master contest, K-Pop contest for international contestants, culture experiences with Kimchi Masters, etc. Bus no. 12, 16, 18, 27, 48, 49, 95 or 192, and get off at Gwangju Culture & Arts Center. Or take the shuttle bus at U-square. (11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00) 062-613-3641~3 http://kimchi.gwangju.go.kr/EN/
The 11th Chungjang Recollection Festival 추억의7080 충장축제 Chungjang-ro/Geumnam-ro/Art street/Asian Culture Complex, Dong-gu, Gwangju October 8 - 12 Parade, global talent show, global food cafe, flashmob, sports activities from the 70s, etc. Bus no. 07, 09, 36, 45, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 61, 74, 80, 95, 98, 151, 518, or 1187, and get off at the Culture Complex. Or take the subway and get off at the Culture Complex (Formerly Provincial Office) 062-608-2421 http://www.cjr7080.com/
The 16th Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival 순천만갈대축제 Suncheon Bay International Garden, Suncheon-si, South Jeolla October 17 - 19 Make reed noodles, build reed houses, enter the Suncheon food contest, cook with local food masters, enjoy bodypainting and more. Local bus no. 60~63, 65~68 or 88 at Suncheon express bus terminal or Suncheon station, and get off at the Suncheon Bay International Garden 061-749-4007 http://reeds.suncheon.go.kr/reeds/
The 14th Gokseong SIMCHEONG Festival 곡성심청축제 Gichamaeul (Seomjin River Train Town), Gokseong-gun, South Jeolla October 2 - 5 Playing Pungmul, art troupe from Pyongyang, experience Blind Sim, making a pole, World Bartender Contest, etc. Take the train from Gwangju Station to Gokseong Station. Or take the intercity bus from U-square to Gokseong Bus Terminal. Once in Gokseong, take a taxi to Train Town (0.8~1.5km). 061-363-2011 http://www.simcheong.com/ ⓒ Gokseong Tourism
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performances
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Brand Performance Festival Oh! Gwangju 2014 2014 페스티벌 오! 광주 브랜드공연축제 Bitgoeul Citizen Cultural Center September 12 - October 11 Check website for timetable R Seats 20,000 won/ S Seats 15,000 won/ A Seats 10,000 won Bus no 59 or 70 and get off at Gwangju Park. Or bus no 06, 07, 12, 45, 74, or 170, and get off at Gwangju Confucian School Entrance 062-670-7463 http://bitculture.gjcf.or.kr, http://festivalo.kr
Fly to the Sky ‘Encore Concert CONTINUUM’ in Gwangju 플라이 투 더 스카이 앵콜 콘서트 “CONTINUUM” - 광주 Grand Theater, Gwangju Culture and Art Center October 26 6 p.m. VIP Seats 110,000 won / R Seats 99,000 won / S Seats 77,000 won Bus no. 16, 18, 27, 58, 63, 83, 84, 85 or 192 and get off at the Gwangju Culture and Art Center Entrance http://ticket.interpark.com/
Sports
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Date
Match Team
Time
1-2
Doosan Bears
6:30 p.m.
3
Doosan Bears
2 p.m.
4
Samsung Lions
5 p.m.
5
Samsung Lions
2 p.m.
11
Samsung Lions
5 p.m.
12
Samsung Lions
2 p.m.
13
Nexen Heroes
6:30 p.m.
17
Hanhwa Eagles
6:30 p.m.
Date
Match Team
Time
11
Daegu FC
2 p.m.
25
Daejeon Citizen
2 p.m.
KIA Tigers October Home Match Schedule KIA Champions Field Weekdays: Adult 8,000 won/ children 3,000 won ￦ Weekends: Adult 9,000 won/ children 4,000 won Get 1,000 won discount if you come with a bicycle Bus no. 16, 38, 51, 53, 89, 95, 98 or 151 and get off at the Mudeung Baseball Stadium Bus Stop www.tigers.co.kr
Gwangju FC October Home Match Schedule Gwangju World Cup Stadium ￦ Adults 5,000 won/ children 3,000 won Bus no. 6, 16, 20, 26, 47 or 74, get off at World Cup Stadium www.gwangjufc.com
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