(EN) Gwangju News September 2015 #163 by Gwangju International Center

Gwangju and South Jeolla International Magazine

I September 2015 Issue No. 163

The Asian Arts Theater Opening and More

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Gwangju & South Jeolla International Magazine

September 2015 Issue No. 163 Published on August 25, 2015 Cover Photo: Tsai Monk Cover Art & Design: Joe Wabe Photographed by: Lin Meng Shan Gwangju News is the first local English magazine in Korea, first published in 2001. It covers local and regional issues, with a focus on roles and activities of the international residents and local English-speaking communities. 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. Gwangju News is published by Gwangju International Center 5, Jungang-ro 196 beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-023, South Korea Tel: (+82)-62-226-2733~34 Fax: (+82)-62-226-2731 Registration No. 광주광역시 라. 00145 (ISSN 2093-5315) Registration Date February 22, 2010 Printed by Join Adcom 조인애드컴 (062-367-7702)

THE EDITORIAL TEAM PUBLISHER Shin Gyonggu MANAGING EDITOR Karly Pierre ONLINE EDITOR Ana Traynin COORDINATOR AND LAYOUT EDITOR Karina Prananto PHOTO EDITOR Joe Wabe CHIEF PROOFREADER Bradley Weiss ONLINE EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Jacqui Page, Sam Page COPY EDITORS Jon Ozelton, Laura Becker, Timm Berg, Kate Blessing, Robert Hinderliter, Brian Kelly, Joey Nunez, Kelsey Rivers PROOFREADERS Christie Fargher, David Foster, Di Foster, Don Gariepy, Jessica Keralis, Jannies Le, Carrie Levinson, Gabrielle Nygaard, Stephen Redeker, Pete Schandall, Teri Venable RESEARCHERS Farah Amin, Ki Su-yeon, Kim Dae-yong, Kim Jiheon, Kim So-i, Lee Harim, Lee So-eun

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GwangjuNews

@GwangjuNewsGIC

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CONTENTS 06 news 08 news 10 feature 12 15 18 20 22 24 26 28

feature feature feature feature local feature feature local

30 32 34 35 36 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 48 50 52

local local local local photography local local photography culture culture culture culture places to see places to see general general

54 general 55 56 57 58

gic gic gic info

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Gwangju City News Upcoming Events Art Begins with Asia: The Asian Arts Theatre’s Ambitious Arrival on the Cultural Landscape Fine Lines: Chang-woo Seok Shock Value: Mariya Haponenko Mental Image: Oh Youngjeong Gwangju Design Biennale 2015 Starts With Sharing Gwangju Talks: “What Do You Think About Gwangju’s Art Scene?” Gwangju on the Move: The Second Metro Line and Beyond Life in Korea: Five Steps to Financial Success Serving Within and Reaching Out: The Vietnamese Community Makes Second Home in Gwangju Boys of Summer: Cricket in Gwangju Gwangju Eats: Yukoe Hanjip Gwangju Cooks: Homemade Jajangmyeon Sauce A Roof Over Our Heads: Revamping a Neighborhood Shelter Photo Essay: Capturing Strong Emotions Which Country Has the Best Sense of Style? Now Trending: Slip Away Photo of the Month: The Purple of Summer Korean Poetry: The Flower Gwangju Writes: Third-Floor Window Behind the Myth: Korea’s Creation Myth: What Can We Learn? Part I Jeolla History: Eulsa Treaty Part 1 My Korea: Ganghwa Island with My Birth Family Departing Gwangju: Island Hopping Green Korea: Recycling in Korea KOTESOL: Qualities That Contribute to Effective Teaching and Learning Health: Public Health Hindsight: How Well Did Korea Handle Its MERS Outbreak? GIC Tour Preview: Jeonju GIC Talk Preview: Working in the Canadian Ring of Fire GIC Talk September Schedule Community Board

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news

GWANGJU CITY NEWS Compiled by Ki Su-yeon, Kim Ji-heon and Lee So-eun Photos courtesy of Gwangju Metropolitan City and Gwangju Design Biennale

GWANGJU DESIGN BIENNALE IN THE MILANO TRIENNALE On July 24, a preview of the 2015 Gwangju Design Biennale was held in the Milano Triennale Design Museum. “To recognize Gwangju as trying to be a new cultural design city, I am here at Milano, the headquarters of design,” said Mr. Yoon, the mayor of Gwangju. “I sincerely wish the Gwangju Design Biennale to grow marvelously with support and interest from you.” A number of designers, including Stefano Giovannoni and Alessandro Mendini, master Italian industrial designers, attended this ceremony and praised the exhibit. Fifty ceramic works made by Italian and Korean designers including Lee Ga-jin, the modern ceramic designer, were displayed. The exhibit area was designed around the theme “Damyang Soswaewon,” with the help of Sang Seung-hyo, an architect and representative of Iroje, as well as Yang Suk-jung, Gwangju native somokjang furniture maker. The Korean artists in attendance were photographer Bae Bien-u, Lee Yeounghye, poets Kim Jun-tae and Kim Yong-teak, former director of Gwangju Design Biennale and writers Heo Dal-jae and Jo Jin-ho. The ceramic works will be also displayed at the Design Biennale, which will open in Gwangju on October 15 with the theme “Conviviality with Design”.

GWANGJU CELEBRATES THE 70TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL LIBERATION DAY Gwangju Mayor Yoon Jang-hyun celebrated the 70th anniversary of National Liberation Day with national patriotic hero, Kim Bae-gil. The mayor visited Sangmu Park to attend a ceremony honoring independence fighters. Only five of these heroes remain in Gwangju. They are all over the age of 88, and most live in veteran’s hospitals. The City supports independence fighters who are living in Gwangju and provides compensation for their bereaved. Furthermore, the City helps the bereaved visit the national cemetery in Daejeon.

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FOOD WASTE DISPOSAL PRIVATIZATION The City significantly decreased disposal of food waste at public facilities in June 2015. Most food waste will be managed by private companies now. The cost of processing waste is expected to change. The City is developing an incentive system to bring about a reduction in food waste.

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SEPTEMBER CULTURE AND ART FESTIVAL Gwangju Metropolitan City will hold various cultural events in September for the upcoming opening of the Asia Culture Center. Starting on September 5, Gwangju Sajik Park will begin a series of autumn cultural events, including a folk music competition for amateur musicians, a folk music relay concert and an international folk music performance on September 6. On September 17 and 18, the musical “Bitgeoul Arirang” will be held at the Gwangju Culture & Art Center, and on September 19 and 20 the 4th World Arirang Festival will being held at the May 18th Democracy Plaza and Geumnam-ro area. The ImBangul Gukak Festival also starts on September 11 and will be held at the Gwangju Culture & Art Center until the final presentation on September 14, culminating in a series of Gugak competitions and a conference. The city will also host the 2015 Gwangju International Art Fair on September 2 at Kim Dae Jung Convention Center. Date Sept 2 - 6 Sept 4-21 Sept 5 - 6 Sept 6 Sept 11 - 14 Sept 17 - 18 Sept 19 - 20

Sept 2 – 23

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Event Location Gwangju Inter- Kimdaejung national Art Fair Convention Center Asia Arts Asia Arts TheaTheatre Opening tre Festival Gwangju Sajik International Folk Music Fes- Park tival Music Concert Kimdaejung Convention Center ImBangul Gwangju Culture Gukak Festival & Art Center Musical Bitgol Gwangju Culture Arirang & Art Center World Arirang the May 18th Festival Democracy Plaza and Geumnamro area Calligraphy Ex- Asian Culture hibition of East Complex, Asian Culture Creation Center, Cities Complex Exhibition Hall 6

GWANGJU DESIGN BIENNALE CHARITY KICKOFF The Gwangju Design Biennale will donate proceeds from an auction of ceramic works currently on display in Italy to children in impoverished countries. Choi Kyung-ran, the director of Gwangju Design Biennale, announced that “the 10th Gwangju Design Biennale will be more than the exhibition itself. Through this donation, we will put ‘sharing’ into action. All the proceeds from the bazaar will be donated to improve educational conditions for children in the third world.”

For more information on Gwangju, please scan the QR code

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info

Upcoming SEP 5

SEP 6

Events

Voice to Voice 보이스 투 보이스 콘서트 - 광주 Kimdaejung Convention Center Multipurpose Hall 7 p.m. ￦ S seats 77,000 won, R seats 88,000 won, VIP seats 99,000 won, VVIP seats 110,000 won Kimdaejung Convention Center bus stop or subway Kim Daejung Convention Center (Mareuk) 1599-0701 http://ticket.interpark.com/ #JUNGDONGHA_CON - 2015 정동하 전국 투어 콘서트 Gwangju Culture and Art Center, Grand Theater 6 p.m. ￦ R seats 77,000 won, VIP seats 100,000 won Culture and Art Center bus stop 062-652-6564 http://ticket.interpark.com

Gwangju Sajik Folk Music Festival 광주사직포크음악제

SEPTEMBER 5-6

Jangheung Gaemaegi Festival 장흥 개매기축제

UNTIL SEPTEMBER 12

Sinri Gaemaegi Experiences place (Sin-ri, Daedeokeup, Jangheung-gun, South Jeolla) Take the intercity bus at Gwangju U-square intercity bus terminal and get off at Daedeok Bus Terminal (2 hours). From there, take Daedeok-Ongam bus (대덕-옹암) for 30 minutes. Get off at Ongam station, and walk for about 600m along Sinri Street. 061-860-0412 http://sinri.seantour.com

until

SEP 13 http://www.dkbart.com/

Sajik Park (49-1, Sajik-gil, Nam-gu, Gwangju) Sajik Park bus stop 062-610-2433 http://gswff.gitct.or.kr

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ACC(Asia Culture Center) Opening Festival 아시아문화전당 개관 페스티벌 ACC Theater 0~2, Atelier 1~2, Gwangju Theatre and Bitgoeul Citizen Cultural Center etc. Please check next page for exhibition’ schedules. Asia Culture Complex bus stop or Culture Complex subway stop, Exit 3 or 4 062-410-3529 http://www.asiaculturecenter.org/asianculture.kr (For more festival info please check the website.)

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info

until

SEP 6 until

SEP 8

until

SEP 9

until

SEP 13

until

SEP 13

Tsai Ming-liang’s ‘The Monk from Tang Dynasty’ 차이밍량 당나라 승려 ACC Theater 1 7 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. ￦ 50,000 won Mark The’s ‘Baling Talks’ 마크 테 발링회담 CC Theater 2 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. (Sat), 6 p.m.-8p.m. (Mon-Tue) ￦ 30,000 won Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s ‘Cemetery of Splendor’ 아피찻퐁 위라세타쿤 찬란함의 무덤 ACC Theater 2 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. ￦ 8,000 won Kim Sung Hwan & David Michael DiGregorio – A Woman Whose Head Came Out Before Her Name 김성환/데이비드 마이클 디그레고리오 피나는 노력으로 한 ACC Theater 2 8p.m. – 9:10 p.m. ￦ R seats 50,000 won, S seats 30,000 won Brett Bailey – Exhibition B 브렛 베일리 B 전시 Acc Theater 2 8p.m. – 9:10 p.m. ￦ 30,000 won September Home Match Schedule Date 3~4 8~9 12 13

Match team Lotte Giants NC Dinos LG Twins LG Twins

Time 6:30 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 2 p.m.

KIA Champions Field,

￦ Weekdays: Adults 8,000 won/ Children 3,000 won, Weekends: Adults 9,000 won/ Children 4,000 won, Mudeung Baseball Stadium or Gwangju KIA Champions Field Bus Stop www.tigers.co.kr

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until

OCT 11

Song Phil Yong Exhibition 송필용 청류 Gwangju Museum of Art, Sangrok Exhibition Hall 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Close on Monday) ￦ 500 won Sangrok Hall bus stop 062-613-7100 http://www.artmuse.gwangju.go.kr/

MOVIES

@ GWANGJU THEATER Chungjang-no 5-ga 62, Dong-gu, Gwangju (two blocks behind NC WAVE), 8,000 won per person per film, 062-224-5858, http://cafe.naver.com/cinemagwangju

La Famille Belier 미라클 벨리에 [Drama/ 12] Karin Viard, Francois Damiens, Eric Elmosnino A sixteen-year-old daughter of the Belier family must decide to leave her family to pursue her dreams of singing and education, or stay and become the helper of her deaf parents. The Immigrant 이민자 [Drama, Mystery/ R] Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix In 1920s New York City, a Polish nurse is forced into life of prostitution after her sister is quarantined at Ellis Island. Sweet Red Bean Paste あん 앙:단팥 인생 이야기 [Drama] Kirin Kiki, Masatoshi Nagase Sentaro, who was recently released from prison, becomes a manager of a dorayaki (sweet red bean cake) store. He hires an older woman who made dorayaki famous. Straight Outta Compton 스트레이트 아웃 오브 컴턴 [Drama] O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins A group of young men emerge from the streets of Compton, California in 1987 and revolutionize hip-hop culture. Right Now, Wrong Then 지금은 맞고 그때는 틀리다 [Drama] Jeong Jae-yeong, Kim Min-hee A movie director meets a woman who is a painter and things begin to unfold between the two.

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State of Art

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Chang-woo Seok (Photo by Park Jong-in)

Art Begins with Asia

The Asian Arts Theatre’s Ambitious Arrival on the Cultural Landscape Written by Karly Pierre Photos courtesy of the Asian Art Theater

n September 4, the Asian Arts Theatre (AAT) will officially open its doors to the public in a highly anticipated three-week festival. The festival will feature 33 international presentations and 12 world premiere productions by Asian artists with the goal of rebranding Asia as a contemporary arts powerhouse. “I think that from the late 19th century to the 20th century, the world has looked to the West — Europe — as the center of culture and economic power,” said Kim Seonghee, director of the Asian Arts Theatre. “Now economic power is steering toward the East, and I’m questioning what young Asian artists will do and what their responsibility is to interpret their society.” Asians controlling the narrative of the Asian experience is important to Kim. She remarks that most of Asian art history was written or interpreted by Westerners. And while she does not call for an East verses West rivalry, she does feel that Asian artists should value their own unique perspectives. “Many [Asian] art professionals use Western art and philosophy as a guideline for their work and thought,” said Kim. “But interestingly, Asians have never looked to each other. I want to know, what is your philosophy? What is your voice? I think there must be a lot of artists [with unique Asian perspectives], but they are difficult to find.” The AAT is a part of the Asian Arts Complex, undoubtedly one of the most ambitious arts endeavors in Korean history. Kim feels that the development of arts facilities in Asia like the AAT will help to balance the artistic playing field in which most of the arts infrastructure and influence resides in the West. Many Asian artists, she notes, lack the support they need to sustain the longevity of their work.

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Director Kim Seonghee

“After one or two performances, there is no chance to show their work again. Our theatre will create a supportive production system that will help Asian artists continue to gain exposure on the international scene… We will partner with various festivals such as the Avignon Festival, the Taipei Festival and the Shanghai Festival to invest in artists and share their art, so that audiences have greater access. Maybe an artist will have access to an audience of 2,000 people at the [AAT], but through our sharing system, they can also show their work to 20,000 people in Avignon.”

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11 State of Art

Kim began her career in the arts as a dancer. She received a Bachelor of Dance from Ewha University and performed for several years before switching gears and graduating from New York University with a master’s degree in business administration and Ph.D. in business administration from Kyung Hee University. “My talent is planning and supporting artists,” said Kim. “I’m happier doing this than performing on the stage.” Kim has directed and managed a number of events including Festival Bo:m and Guangzhou Asian Arts Theatre. Her directing strategy for the AAT’s opening festival was simple: find artists with a powerful message and get out of their way. “I try not to have a theme when I’m curating because I feel there is a danger in putting my pride at the forefront,” said Kim. “I am only presenting a playground for the artists. I was looking for 30 unique perspectives, so it’s impossible to fit them into one thematic box. It was really an organic orchestration… All of the power belongs to the artist, not me.” She hopes that in the future, Gwangju will become a window into the world of Asian contemporary art, and an invitation to the AAT will be as prestigious as one to the Avignon Festival in southern France. The Avignon Festival began with just three outdoor performances and, over the next 60 years, grew to become a premiere arts festival. Kim feels that for the AAT to realize its potential to match such success, continued patience and investment from both the community and government is critical. “The community needs to have the confidence for long-term patience,” said Kim. “This is a government project, and considering the government has invested in the foundation of this project for the last 10 years, they cannot expect to give up on the project if they don’t see results in one or two years… Like Avignon, Gwangju can become the most interesting cultural city in Asia. It is worthwhile to give this project a chance long-term.” Because the AAT will be a production instead of presentation-based theater, it will give the community and especially students and young artists the ability to interact with intellectuals and artists during the creative process. The theatrical season will be five months long, with the rest of the year available

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for community projects, lectures and workshops. “Also, within the season, one-third of our projects will be for the community and developing an audience here,” said Kim. “Educating young people is important because they are the future leaders of the complex. They will ensure its survival.” Kim thinks that Korea and Asia are ready to recognize and embrace the importance of the artist’s role in society. Like politicians, businessmen and bankers have a function in society, an artist has a function too, explained Kim. “Today, society asks people to do everything fast. We are so busy that we don’t have any time to think and reflect on the society we have built. That is something that we have to do. That’s what an artist does and that’s why we should spend tax money on it. Artists turn a critical eye on where society is hurt, where it’s fragile, where there are minority voices, where things have gone wrong. They purify the air. Art is like a medicine that brings healing and balance.”

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Photo by Park Jong-in

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Chang-woo Seok

State of Art

Fine Lines

Written by Karly Pierre Translated by Farah Amin, Lee Jeongmin and Karina Prananto Photos courtesy of Chang-woo Seok

n October 29, 1984, Chang-woo Seok was rushed to a hospital. Moments before, a work accident sent 22,900 volts of electricity surging though his body. A year and a half and thirteen surgeries later, Seok finally returned home from the hospital with no arms. Seok was given prosthetic limbs — stiff plastic and metal hooked replacements. While they helped him complete routine tasks, for the then 30-year-old electrical engineer, this meant the end of his career. His youngest son was three months old, and the future seemed uncertain. “I was worried,” said Seok. “I couldn’t work to support my family anymore. I wanted to show that I could do something without both arms rather than my kids growing up hearing people say, ‘Your dad doesn’t have arms. He can’t do anything.’” It was in this time of despair that Seok’s 4-year-old son approached him with a notebook and asked his father to draw a picture. Seok drew a bird. “My wife and my sister-in-law saw the drawing and encouraged me to learn to draw, so I began taking art lessons,” said Seok. As a child, Seok expressed interest in art but lacked access to the education he would need to explore it. Now a disabled adult, he was again being denied access, facing constant rejection by art schools.

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“I understood why they turned me down. As a double amputee, it would be hard for me to deal with lots of paint colors, and they had no experience teaching people like me. This inspired me to focus more on calligraphy than painting.” Traditional Korean calligraphy requires only a handful of tools: ink brushes, black ink, paper and an inkstone. The simplicity of the art form appealed to Seok, and eventually Yeo Tae Myung, a calligraphy professor at Wonkwang University, accepted him as a student. Seok was undeterred by challenges he faced. He drilled a hole in the handles of his paintbrushes since they would often slip from the grip of his prosthetic arms, falling to the floor. “My wife had to come with me to art classes, so we both couldn’t work. I would get blisters, and my toes were left bleeding at times because I had to use them to grind ink sticks. My back and whole body would ache, and I would get nosebleeds because I had to bend over to draw on the worktable. But after three months, I got used to it.” In 1991, Seok won his first award in a calligraphic competition. Eventually, Seok adopted a more dynamic form of calligraphy called calligraphic croquis, which captures movement and emotion in one brisk brush

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State of Art

stroke.

several appearances on television programs.

“When I paint, I use my whole body, even to draw a single line. I used to practice ten hours, but recently, I draw when I want to,” said Seok. “In the case of performance painting, although I have to pour all of my energy and strength into it within 15 minutes, because I think of it as a regular task, I am able to think of it as fun.”

Seok’s drive and matching talent have earned him worldwide admiration, but he attributes most of his success to his family.

Seok admires Picasso both for his art and ingenious ability to market himself. He also reveres the work of Lee Jung-seob, particularly the bold strokes in his white ox series. “I read Kim Sang-il’s thesis called ‘Han Philosophy and Fuzzy Logic. He is a professor at Hanshin University. This thesis helped me to integrate Korean philosophy into my art.” Seok has had numerous solo exhibitions and performed high-intensity demonstrative art pieces across Korea and internationally in Europe, the U.S., Russia, Japan and China. In addition, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History has acquired one of his sketchbooks; he has been a featured artist in both the Paralympic and Olympic games and made

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“This all began because my son asked me to draw a bird,” said Seok. “My family opened up the opportunity for me to draw. As long as I keep drawing with joy, I’ll be able to touch the hearts of others.”

Chang-Woo Seok (石敞宇) Pen name: Keumkok (金曲), Yubing (流氷 Sungetjang) Born in the year 1955 Website: http://www.cwsuk.com (English/ Japanese/ Chinese) Joins Blog (Joong-Ang Ilbo Blog): http://blog.joinsmsn.com/cwsuk Daum Cafe: http://cafe.daum.net/cwsuk E-mail: seokchangwoo@daum.net cwsuk@naver.com

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15 State of Art

Shock Value

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Mariya Haponenko Written by Karly Pierre Photos courtesy of Mariya Haponenko

Feed the Crave

ook at this painting. What do you see? Teeth biting a lip? Aggression? Whimsy? Sex? “I think this painting really gets into the viewer’s mind,” said artist Mariya Haponenko with a laugh. “If you think sexual thoughts, then you will see something sexual. If you have an innocent mind, like a child, then you may just see an angry mouth. These paintings are created to provoke the mind.” Haponenko’s recent project depicting expressive mouths was inspired by the ultra-realistic paintings of Marilyn Minter and the vibrant colors of pop artists like Andy Warhol. “The mouth is an everyday object,” said Haponenko. “The mouth has so much expression even without the face. You can tell a lot by it, and you can

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tell a lot by the lips… My boyfriend and I [posed] for this series, so I suppose that [painting] is a bit sexual… I like the shock value of it, and especially in Korea sex is such taboo thing.” Haponenko’s fascination with art began at the age of four. “I began drawing when I could hold a pen… I would copy from books. I would draw over my family photos, every important document. I would ruin the walls in our house. In Ukraine, we didn’t have many materials to draw with. I just had a pen and paper.” Haponenko’sfamily moved from Ukraine to Toronto, Canada in 1998 when she was seven years old. That same year, she got her first set of crayons.

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State of Art

Haponenko painting a mural of her “crystal monsters” outside Salt Art Gallery.

“I was so happy. I don’t know why, but I think my family didn’t think that this talent was important. They thought it was just a hobby.” At school, she began to realize her artistic talentsafter getting attention from other students. They admired her work, and that made her feel special. As a teenager, she decided to attend Etobicoke School of the Arts, majoring in Visual Arts mainly because she was excited about the idea of being required to do art everyday for four years. “I think there is no such thing as talent… I think that at a young age you have interests and you practice so much that you just become good at it, and people see it as a talent… but if you don’t use it, you lose it.” After graduating from high school, Haponenko studied at Ryerson University School of Interior Design and received a Bachelor of Industrial Design. She worked at an architectural firm briefly

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before deciding to come to Korea. “I didn’t want the rest of my life to be in an office working on a computer all the time,” said Haponenko. “I chose to come to Korea to teach English and travel. By coming to Korea, I realized that all I want to do is art.” Haponenko came to Gwangju in August 2013 as a teacher at a middle school in Damyang. The bulk of her recent work reflects the mixture of new influences she has discovered in Asia. She has been creating a series of “flower monsters” inspired by the Korean lotus succulent echeverias and “crystal monsters” inspired by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. As a child she was obsessed with geology, so when creating the monsters, she began doodling crystals in their hollow bodies. “It is like a creature coming from the core of the earth, like crystals come from volcanic magma and they grow. I’m thinking of a story for them right

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17 State of Art

now, and I want to develop it into figurines and some sort of merchandise. They would have their own world like Pokemon.” Once Haponenko arrived in Gwangju, she began seeking out the city’s art scene. Unfortunately, it was quieter than she expected. Seeking to change this,last July she began teaching three-hour art classes every Saturday at the Gwangju International Center (GIC). The response to her adult classes was so positive that she also began teaching art classes for elementary students at the GIC. Haponenko has found three teachers to take over her classes when she returns to Canada this month,and she is optimistic that these classes will be a lasting legacy. “If I didn’t start those art classes, there would be no opportunities for someone like me to draw nude models or do some painting on the weekend. Everything is kind of do-it-onyour-own here. But I think these classes are helping to change that.”

Self portrait

With the aid of her boyfriend as interpreter, Haponenko has befriended many talented artists in the Korean art community at Daein Market, an experience that she has found both enlightening and frustrating. “The artists here are shy. They just lock themselves in their studios and work… I want them to do something for the public. Show the public that there are artists here.” Haponenko feels that because manyof these artists are introverts, they need representation to help them market and promote their work. However, she thinks that a cultural shift must first occur.

Skinny

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“I feel that art is not as appreciated in Korea as inother developed countries because I don’t think Koreans see art as an investment, not yet anyway. Because the country developed so quickly, art was never in the mainstream. So I think it is going to take a while for people to appreciate art and buy art. There is an economic uncertainty with buying art, especially with artists who aren’t as renowned. For many Koreans, if they can afford it they will buy art from a well-known artist like a Damien Hirst or Marilyn Minter. It is like buying a Louis Vuitton bag or a Prada bag. It’s a brand name and they want to show it off. They don’t really buy emerging artists, as opposed to New York or LA or Chicago where they do support emerging artists, and people will buy any art. I hope Korea develops its art community and its value.”

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State of Art

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Mental Image Oh Youngjeong Written by Karly Pierre Photos courtesy of Oh Young-jeong

hen Oh Youngjeong was 13 years old, she saw a movie about Vincent Van Gogh. It would be the reason she became an artist. “[The movie] was so beautiful,”said Oh. “I remember it so clearly, and it still influences me today.” That the notoriously unstable artist was the catalyst for her entry into the world of art is unsurprising. Oh has always had a fascination with the inner workings of the mind, an interest that runs in her family. Both her mother and sister have doctorates in psychology. The stark, discordant world she creates through her art, much like the jarring tones of experimental jazz, are evidence of a deep understanding of the subconscious. “I usually read books on philosophy or psychology — especially psychological analysis and theory — before I begin creating,” said Oh. “Studying gives my artwork structure. I spend most of my time studying, and then I make my art very quickly, like a robot, because I’ve already made a story in my head.”

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Oh, a Gwangju native, has traveled the world as a visual and performance artist. She has had numerous exhibitions across Korea, as well as in China, Japan, India and Germany. “I was chosen to represent Korea in the Nippon Performance Art Festival in Japan,” said Oh. “It was a great honor because every year they only invite one person from each country, and somehow they found me. I performed in Tokyo, Nagano, Kyoto and Yokohama.” In 2009, Oh developed and directed the Gwangju International Human Rights Performance Art Festival. She chose artists from around the world whose work she felt embodied social awareness. “I’m a Gwangju citizen, and I feel human rights are a part of our identity,” said Oh. “I wanted the festival to present art with similar goals. I wanted artists who felt that we could make a better world with art.” She recently completed a residency in Germany with

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19 State of Art

Detail cut - A Human in the Glass Bottle

Installation - Standard of Perspective, 2013

the Mecklenberg Art Center at Pluschow Castle. She was given a grant along with three other international artists to live and work at the Art Center for three months. She admires the German art scene because it delves into the mind and behavior. “For Germans, art isn’t just about outer beauty,” said Oh. “I feel that German art is really similar to my way of thinking. Germans have such a long history of psychology and philosophy that has influenced art. I love the European mentality and freedom of inner discovery... I think my art tells my personal story, just my thoughts at a certain time. But I feel these thoughts connect with every human and can be understood by everyone.” Though Oh is happy with the path she has chosen, she admits that she would discourage her children from becoming artists. “It is not easy being an artist anywhere, but that is especially true in Korea,” said Oh. “Korea is so fast-paced, and a successful life for a Korean is different from other cultures. In Korea, some still feel that artists just enjoy life, but don’t work hard and therefore are poor. It’s not a very positive image to be associated with... Artists don’t enjoy their artwork. Creating art requires pain and hurt.

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Road of Thought - 100x100cm, acrylic on canvas, 2012

Art is for others to enjoy.” Oh would ask a young aspiring Korean artist one question. “Can you spend your whole life doing only art?” asked Oh. “If the answer is yes, then jump into it. Who knows the future?” Currently, Oh is studying for a doctorate in art therapy. For Oh, art therapy is a uniquely effective way to reach patients suffering from mental illness. “Many great artists had mental problems,” said Oh with a smile. “I feel that art is a great outlet for patients to express and understand themselves and work their way back to being normal... I knew a young artist who committed suicide, and I initially wanted to study art therapy as a way to help young artists. Young artists are very sensitive and have difficult lives. I hope to start an art foundation in the future to help support them mentally.” With the help of Oh, maybe the world’s next Van Gogh will have all the great painter’s talent without the mental demons.

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State of Art

Gwangju Design Biennale 2015 Starts With Sharing Written with images provided by Gwangju Design Biennale

preview exhibit of the 2015 Gwangju Design Biennale was held this July in Milan, Italy to promote this year’s month long Biennale which begins October 15. At the opening ceremony in Triennale di Milano, many international designers including famous Italian industrial designers Alessandro Mendini, and Stefano Giovannoni were in attendance. About 200 people including the Mayor of Gwangju Yoon Jang-hyun, the director of the Triennale Design Andrea Cancellato, design critic Cristina Morozzi and various media outlets also explored the exhibit. GLOBALIZATION OF KOREAN CULTURE AND DESIGN The exhibit was designed to promote Gwangju as a city of culture and art, and establish Korea’s unique presence in the art world. The vivid contemporary Korean celadon pottery of Lee Ga-jin was on display as well as the modern aesthetic and spatial concepts of architect and President of Iroje, Seung Hyo-sang. Seung used the Korean garden Sosaewon and traditional Korean designs as inspiration for his creation. All the furniture in the exhibition was crafted by Yang Suk-jung, a somokjang furniture designer. KOREAN AND ITALIAN DESIGNERS COLLABORATE The exhibition, named “Korea’s Phantasma,” was organized to show the convergence of Eastern and Western values through the collaboration of inter-

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Gwangju Design Biennale Director-in-General Choi Kyung-ran

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21 State of Art

Celadon exhibition

Contemporary potter Lee Ga-jin

A Korean architect Seung Hyo-sang

national designers. All art pieces were donated by popular contemporary artists from Italy and Korea. Fifty pieces were made by the contemporary potter, Lee Ga-jin and there were collaborative works by 25 Korean designers and 25 Italian designers. Many Korean artists and designers actively participated in this exhibit: poets Kim Joon-tae and Kim Yong-taek, former Gwangju Design Biennale General Director Lee Young-hye, photographer Bae Byeong-woo, and artists Huh Dal-jae and Jo Jin-ho. Also, master of Italian industrial design Alessandro Mendini, architects Aldo Cibic and Riccardo Dalisi, the furniture designer Anna Gili and many other

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Exhibition opening of the celadon exhibition

famous Western artists took part in this collaboration. DESIGN SHARING This exhibition will continue in the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall in October. The ceramics will be auctioned off at a charity bazaar at the opening ceremony. “The Gwangju Design Biennale 2015 is not just an exhibition, but also a venue to share through design,” said Director-in-General, Choi Kyung-ran. “The proceeds from the auction will be used for the educational improvement of children in the third world.”

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local I gwangju talks

What Do You Think About Gwangju’s Art Scene? Written and interviewed by Ki Su-yeon and Lee So-eun

HAN SAE-BYEOL (25, UNIVERSITY STUDENT) As a person who has lived in Gwangju for about 20 years, Gwangju is a really boring city. Gwangju has several art exhibitions like the Biennale where artists deal with traditional themes and political issues. There was even a picture that was exhibited in the Biennale but was banned from inclusion because it was mocking President Park Geun-hye. Right next to the Biennale, there is a provincial art museum about traditional ways of farming, fishing, studying and living in the past. But it is still too formal and uninteresting. Gwangju needs to improve its arts in many ways to be enjoyable, especially to the young generation. For instance, if Gwangju adopted western art culture like Comic-Con, it would be much more exciting for young people. I’m proud of my city and my culture, but something needs to change so it can be more energetic and enthusiastic. LEE JIN-AH (28, HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER) I think Gwangju’s art scene has a lot to offer, especially this year. But currently I’m not planning to go to the art museum or other exhibitions, not because I’m not interested in art, but because they are too complicated to understand. I sometimes read books about aesthetics, and even went to Paris just to sit for a half-day in front of Monet’s Water Lilies at the Orangerie Museum. The thing is, Gwangju’s art scene is not to my taste. According to an aesthetics lecture I attended recently, post-modern art does not serve a decorative function anymore, and people can interpret the same picture differently depending on their own experiences. Put simply, they are neither pretty nor easy to understand. Sadly, Gwangju’s art scene follows the latest trend, and most of the art displayed is post-modern art. If citizens in Gwangju were well-cultivated from an artistic perspective, they could accept a wide range of artistic forms. But in Gwangju and everywhere in Korea, artistic education has always been put behind academic achievements. I think the directors or curators of art exhibitions should understand that reality. Post-modern art is too separated from our daily lives and not even beautiful in my eyes. If it were the works of Alphonse Mocha or Gustav Klimt, I would definitely want to see it. However, the art from 2013 Design Biennale is not that attractive to me. Well, that is post-modernism, but what does “art” mean if only a small portion of professionals can enjoy it?

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gwangju talks I local

LEE GYU-SEOP (32, PHYSICIST) I have lived in Gwangju for seven years, and until now I thought the Gwangju Biennale was just a one-time exhibition and didn’t know that it takes place every two years. I admit I’m not that interested in art, but still, the promotion of the art scene is not enough. A few weeks ago, I went to a jazz concert and was surprised to see that even though the concert was free, not many citizens were there. That might be similar to the Gwangju art scene. Even though there are many exhibitions and events, people do not know about them due to the lack of promotion. Also, the themes look too complicated to understand and too restricted to attract people. It might be much more interesting if 3D holograms were used in artworks. KIM SOO-HWA (33, SWING DANCER) I think works of art should be much easier to understand. Looking back on my elementary school days, the first Biennale was a really big deal. I remember a great number of people waiting in line in front of the art museum, and many events were held to celebrate the opening. These days, however, the Biennale doesn’t seem to get much attention. There are many reasons, like financial restrictions or lack of education about art. But the real problem is that the artworks are too difficult to understand. Also, education about art should be different. I used to go to the Biennale for a school picnic, but that was a terrible memory. Among the pack of students, running out of time, I had to skip over many of the works of art, just glancing at them without understanding. For many people of the younger generation, going to the Biennale for a school picnic might be their first experience with art. But that only gives a terrible memory. If there had been hands-on experiences, it might have been much more interesting.

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2015-08-24 오후 3:17:23

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Gwangju On the Move The Second Metro Line and Beyond Written by Ana Traynin Photos courtesy of Park Nam-eon

he city of Gwangju has historically taken longer to develop than other Korean cities, but the past few years have seen a big spark, particularly in the expanding transportation system. Following the March 2015 opening of the KTX Line at Songjeong Station, Gwangju Metro Line 2 is one of the biggest projects currently in development.

Line 2 looks to substantially increase the number of subway users, connecting the subway with many more Gwangju city bus routes and important landmarks such as Gwangju Station and Chonnam National University. A line off the southern section of the loop will connect to Hyocheon Station in Namgu.

Coming off the success of the 2015 Summer Universiade, Gwangju News recently sat down with Gwangju Transportation and Construction Director Park Nam-eon at his office in City Hall to discuss recent events, Line 2 and other changes that residents can expect to see in coming years.

“There are people in favor of and against Line 2,” Park said. “Opposition comes from the high running and management costs. Reasons for support include the subway being more efficient and convenient for the increasing elderly population.”

“The KTX train shortens the distance between Seoul to Gwangju to less than two hours,” Park said. “I expect more people to come and enjoy the cultural and culinary advantages.” According to Park, Gwangju’s city transportation is already recognized as one of the best and most efficient in the nation. The National Transportation Agency has found Gwangju to have the shortest commute times in the country. In particular, the 5.6 km-long Second Beltway makes a drive to any point in the city no more than 30 minutes. Recognizing that traffic is still centered on the roads and expressways, public transit is undergoing an overhaul, with the building of Line 2 at the forefront. Although Metro Line 1 has been in partial operation since 2004 and in full operation since 2008, subway riders make up only 4% of Gwangju’s total transportation use, compared with 35% for bus use.

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Local environmental groups have also raised concerns about Line 2’s effect on the Pureun-Gil Greenway Path, an 8-kilometer urban forest running from Gyerim-dong in Dong-gu to Juwol-dong in Nam-gu that overlaps with the southeastern portion of the planned loop. “One of the basic principles is to keep the Greenway Path,” Park said. “Despite the higher cost of keeping it, we have to preserve it. We have to dig underground.” With the debates over the advantages and disadvantages of a second metro line, the start date for the 10-year construction project looks to be pushed back from the end of 2016 to another year or two in the future. Park clarified some other points about Line 2’s operation. “The first step is to build the loop and the second step is to connect it down to Hyocheon Sta-

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“We learned that collaboration is crucial between City Hall, police agencies and private transportation companies,” Park said. “We were worried about the voluntary support of the citizens, but we were given quite a lot of enthusiastic support. We decided to form a transportation committee among the relative parties for future transport.” Although the recent spread of the MERS virus threatened to affect the long-awaited sporting event, there was no patient infected in Gwangju and the games went on as planned. “The event was a great success, so the president invited Universiade leaders to the Blue House,” said Park

tion,” he said. “We are planning to continue our policy of free transfer between the bus and the subway.” To accommodate cyclists, Line 1 allows bicycles on its cars during the weekends, but the Line 2 concept includes a different plan to encourage more recreational and commuter cycling. “We constructed a road along the three rivers that we consider a ‘bike highway,’” Park explained. “Another plan is for people to come to the subway by bike and use the bike to go back home. Line 2 cars will be smaller than cars on Line 1, so the bikes may not be allowed. We expect them to be parked in the station. We are planning to expand the city bike system.” The city received a positive evaluation of transportation after the Summer Universiade, based on a number of key measures that Park explained. “On even-number dates, cars with even-numbered license plates were allowed to drive and on oddnumber dates, cars with odd-numbered license plates were. Public transportation was limited around the Athlete’s Village. To lower the use of individual cars, we implemented a shuttle bus system between major spots of transportation.” Future development plans can benefit from the lessons learned during the event.

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The September World Bamboo Festival in Damyang could also benefit from improved transportation infrastructure, with Park and the Damyang County Governor agreeing to run a shuttle bus from Songjeong Station to the event. As for the city bus system, the new 02 express bus route opened just before the Universiade, chiefly to accommodate the influx of workers at the new Naju Innovation City, who as Park explained “wanted a faster bus that would go from the southern part to major areas such as City Hall and Cheonnam University.” Commenting on transportation safety, Park admitted that despite the efficiency of the system, accidents are at a very high level, which he attributes more to drivers’ attitudes than to infrastructure. He also explained that while the southwest region of Korea is less susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, there are other manmade safety issues. “The safety concern is mostly from infrastructure such as buildings and bridges. The biggest concern is the Yeonggwang Nuclear Plant. We developed a manual for the possibility of nuclear disaster.” With all the current and future changes in the way Gwangju moves, Park encourages local residents to make their voices heard. Subway and bus riders, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians can always contact the Transportation and Construction Department with requests, criticisms and suggestions.

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Life in Korea

Five Steps to Financial Success Written by Jackie Bolen Photos courtesy of Jackie Bolen

ike money? Me too. Everybody does and I am sure we would all like more of it to get a new gadget, travel the world, help others or go back to school. Except as English teachers, we do not make a lot of it. Sure, we can live comfortably but it is no “get rich quickly”scheme. However, we can use our time in Korea to set ourselves up for financial success by following these five simple steps. STEP 1: MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ABOUT JOBS When you are deciding which job to take in Korea, there are many things to consider including salary, airfare, housing, teaching hours and vacation. One Example: Job A has a salary of 3.0 million won, but you could have 30-plus teaching hours, which will leave you exhausted and likely hating your life. Result? Spending way too much money to compensate for your unhappiness.

Job B has a salary of 2.0 million won, but comes with low teaching hours and lots of vacation. If there are legal overtime opportunities, it could be a better deal than the previous job. Job C has a salary of 2.3 million won and 30 teaching hours, but it’s a company in which there are opportunities for promotions, so it might make a better choice. It is a big decision! Do not take it lightly. STEP 2: BUILD A SMALL EMERGENCY FUND An emergency fund is a necessity. I am sure we have all seen those stories floating around the Internet of someone who gets sick and has a bill of a couple thousand dollars they cannot afford to pay so they are forced to beg from total strangers. If those peo-

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Jackie Bolen

ple had some money in the bank they could have just paid the bill and not had all that stress. Ideally, you would have some money saved up before you went abroad but if not, it is time to get started. I recommend $2,000 USD because that should cover most emergency situations that you would face here in Korea. Later, once you pay off your debts, you should build this up even more so that you have around six months of living expenses stacked away. STEP 3: PAY OFF YOUR DEBTS Once you have built your small emergency fund, it is time to turn all your attention towards paying off debt. The key to having a bright financial future is to pay off these debts as quickly as possible. You

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want to have your money working for you (earning interest) and not against you (paying interest). STEP 4: BUILD A POOL OF MONEY AND RESEARCH INVESTMENT OPTIONS Once you have paid off your debts and have an emergency fund, it is time to get started with investing. It pays to do your research and you should trust nobody but yourself when it comes to making any final decisions about your money. Here are three resources to get you started: Investopedia (www.investopedia.com). Easy to understand definitions of common financial terms as well as educational articles. Andrew Hallam — “THE GLOBAL EXPATRIATE’S GUIDE TO INVESTING.” Required reading for any expat who works abroad. I wish I had found it sooner than I did!

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Jackie Bolen — “THE WEALTHY ENGLISH TEACHER.” The only personal finance book specifically for English teachers, written with the total beginner in mind. Also, check out the Wealthy English Teacher’s website. (http://wealthyenglishteacher.com/) STEP 5: INVEST NOW AND BE REWARDED LATER! After you have done your research it is time to finally invest. You do this by opening up a brokerage account — “The Wealthy English Teacher” and “The Global Expatriate’s Guide to Investing” both have recommendations for ones that you can use while living abroad. Keep researching, investing and of course, pat yourself on the back for your financial good sense and making an investment in your longterm success. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jackie Bolen has been working in South Korean universities for the past ten years and is the author of The Wealthy English Teacher, which is available on Amazon (http:// amzn.to/1O4WFaH). You can find her other books about teaching English and life in Korea at www.jackiebolen.com.

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local I international community

Serving Within and Reaching Out The Vietnamese Community Makes Second Home in Gwangju Written by Joey Nunez Photos provided by Nguyen Thi Le Hoa

way from their first home, a Vietnamese community has made a second home in the Gwangju area. The Association of Vietnamese Communities in the Gwangju area was established in 2011, providing resources to help Vietnamese workers thrive in Gwangju and information for Korean residents wanting to go to Vietnam. Currently over 10,000 Vietnamese reside in the Gwangju area, with 29 representative commissioners serving this Association. Nguyen Viet Phong, chairman of the Vietnamese Community, Truong Phi Hung, vice-chairman and chairman of the Vietnamese Students Association at Dongshin University, and Nguyen Le Hoa Sophia, vice-Chairwoman, all visited the Gwangju International Center to share more information about their organization. Viet Phong first came to Korea in 2006. Despite many difficulties, he had a greater vision while living in

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Gwangju. “I decided there should be some community founded and also an association for the Vietnamese people to help others who first come to Korea and I became the one to found the association,” he said. Phi Hung also came in 2006, joining the leadership in 2013 after studying at Dongshin University. “I have been involved in many activities and know many Vietnamese, so I have been considered reliable and even elected by the Vietnamese people to be in my position. I like serving the community,” he said. Le Hoa joined the team after discovering this community’s outreach abilities. “We were all happy to know that we have the same desire of building a strong and unified Vietnamese community in Korea,” she said. The Association’s fellowship has benefited the group’s stay in Korea. “I am very happy to know many Vietnamese here, and we are becoming more of a family,

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international community I local

like sisters and brothers,” Le Hoa emphasized. Every success story always has its bumps, and like Viet Phong and Le Hoa, Phi Hung admitted that his studying and work have been affected while serving this community. “Sometimes my family and other people suggest me to stop [helping], but I love this community and I give my support to this community,” Phi Hung said. Still, with all their personal triumphs and trials, this Association advances its community by meeting needs. Viet Phong shared that he and others, through their 4 organization, have assisted Vietnamese residents in receiving counseling, learning Korean, earning their 1. driver’s licenses, teaching Vietnamese to children and 2. 3. providing other helpful resources. Viet Phong added, “We also want to spread Vietnamese culture to Korea and to other international communities. … As a result, we have helped counsel organizations for how to invest and live in Vietnam, and anything they need to know about Vietnam.” Le Hoa additionally stated why continuing to support other organizations is still crucial. “The Vietnamese community also wants to help other international communities when possible. I know a lot of Korean organizations are now cooperative with Vietnam and now wanting to go to Vietnam, so we would like to help and have collaboration together.” The Association’s official office is located now in Muan, but all three members desire to set their base of operations within Gwangju in the near future. For now, the chairmen and chairwoman of the Association desire to continue the outreach and extension of their services. When asked what the Association desires the Gwangju community to know, Le Hoa stated, “We really hope that other communities also gather … help and exchange together with our community.”

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Committee members (term: May 2015 to May 2017) Vietnam’s Charm Contest (February 2015) Free Vietnamese class for multicultural children and their fathers Free Korean class for Vietnamese laborers, migrants and students

Viet Phong encouraged the entire Gwangju community. “All students are studying so hard, so I hope that they keep their health. … To the migrant workers, I would like them to live happily and take care of their families. To the labor workers, please continue to work hard and keep the laws in Korea. For other communities, I wish for all of us to come together in collaboration to make us all stronger and to promote each other.” Every year, the Association holds two big festivals. First, the “Tet Festival” is held to celebrate Vietnam’s New Year. Second, the 3rd “Vietnamese Culture Festival” will be hold on Sunday, September 20, at Chodang University in Muan. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., participants will have the opportunity to enjoy food, experience culture, receive free medical treatment, sing and dance karaoke-style, buy items at a flea market and more. Come for this full day of fun with the Vietnamese community!

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local I gwangju plays

Boys of Summer

Cricket in Gwangju Written and photographed by Karly Pierre

here are only a few days of summer left. The low hum of cicadas fills the thick August evening air as another crack of the bat is heard echoing through the courtyard. The hit sends the ball soaring into the distant trees. A player resting near the benches cheers for his teammate in a flurry of Bengali before taking another gulp of water. This group of Bangladeshi men gathers every weekend at Chonnam University to play what is the national pastime in their country — cricket. “I’ve been playing [cricket] since I was a child,” said Soumitra Kundu. “It is more popular than football now [in Bangladesh]. We are crazy about it.”

who began holding cricket games together in 2009. First, they played off-campus on concrete but eventually were given permission to play in an open field behind the Pharmacy Department building. What began with only six players has blossomed to 18 or 19 players who meet consistently. “I came [to Korea] to study,” said Kundu, who graduated with a Ph.D. in business administration. “Now I work for a company here. This is the easiest way for us to gather… The students on the team work hard and have a lot of stress, but when we play cricket we forget everything.” A few weeks earlier, the group organized a tournament of Bangladeshi students, factory workers and

Kundu is a part of a group of Bangladeshi students

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gwangju plays I local

2 1. 2.

The local cricket team poses after a game. Preparing to take a swing at the pitch.

businessmen at Chonnam. Over 40 people participated.

had the opportunity [to be a cricketer]. But I play now whenever I get the chance.”

“A lot of times it is difficult for foreigners to find things to do in Korea in their free-time or feel comfortable traveling in Korea,” said Kundu. “Language is the main barrier here. Of course English is being used more, which is making things better… Groups like this are an important part of our community.”

While living in Suwon for a year, Hatue had the opportunity to play with the National Korean Cricket Team. Unlike the local Gwangju group, the national team plays a more formal version of cricket.

Aminel Hatue, a Chosun University biomedical student, joined one year ago after finding out about the group through a Bangladeshi friend. Kundu pointed him out as one of their best players, a compliment Hatue dismissed with laughter. “The quality of the players has increased,” said Hatue with a broad smile. “There used to be high quantity, but low quality. Sometimes I like to help the other players if they want to learn how to do something.” Hatue also began playing cricket as a child and once hoped to be a professional cricketer. “My father was a school teacher though,” said Hatue. “He said his son should study hard, so I never

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“[Formal] cricket can be expensive because of all of the special equipment,” said Hatue. “A [formal] bat can cost one million won and equipment is difficult to find here… But I plan to play with the national team in Incheon next week… About 150 to 200 players will be at the stadium.” Kundu is quick to remark on Korea’s growing curiosity about the sport. “Sometimes Koreans see us playing and stop and ask, ‘How do you play this game?’, ‘What are you playing?’” said Kundu. “I think the seeds of cricket were just planted in Korea two or three years ago. There are teams in Seoul and I hope an organization to teach people interested in cricket can begin in Gwangju. This would be a great way to bring students and workers from countries like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal together. That is a dream of mine.”

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local I gwangju eats

modern sushi place than a beef restaurant. Service was quick and attentive; as few things on the menu are cooked, the food comes out fairly quickly. FOOD The best way to dive into eating raw beef is to try the hanwoo modeum, or assorted beef set. The first part of the set to come out was yukhoe or beef sashimi. The yukhoe makes an impressive presentation as a mound of raw, lightly-seasoned beef strips topped with a raw egg yolk. To eat, stir the yolk into the beef and then use this mixture to make small wraps with dried seaweed squares, sticks of pear, hot peppers and triangles of American cheese. The combination of raw beef and American cheese is more than a little odd, but it seems to be normal at many yukhoe restaurants. If the vaguely cheese-like substance is not to your taste, the dish works just as well without it. The thin slices of beef sashimi were also delicious, with a much milder flavor than cooked beef. The next dish was not only the one disappointment of the meal, it was also the only cooked dish. The beef chobap, or beef sushi, featured thin strips of beef placed on rice balls which were grilled with a torch and topped with mayonnaise and a soy-based glaze. Normally, beef cooked this way gets a nice, smoky flavor from the quick searing, but the amount of mayonnaise on top completely drowned out any beef flavor.

Yukoe Hanjip Written and photographed by Cody Jarrett

ome days in Korea are just too hot to cook, especially in the late summer months. Yukhoe Hanjip is a restaurant that embodies the idea of fresh food minus the heat, with a menu built primarily around raw beef. For adventurous diners, Yukhoe Hanjip is a great place to try something new without breaking a sweat. ATMOSPHERE AND SERVICE Decorated with sake bottles and posters for Japanese craft beer, Yukhoe Hanjip looks more like a

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The final dish, which was not part of the set, was the yukhoe bibimbap. Not only is this a good way to ease into eating raw beef, it can also be a good way to add some vegetables to a meat-dominated meal. The beef’s subtle flavor barely stands up to the pepper paste, but it does add a nice bit of bulk to the dish. The beef set is available for 42,000 won and includes everything featured here except the bibimbap, which costs 7,000 won. Dishes may also be ordered à la carte. DIRECTIONS Address: 광주광역시 광산구 수완동 1396번지 1396 Suwan-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Tel: 062-954-1396 Opening Hours: 5 p.m. – 12 a.m., closed Sundays Bus: 10, 12, 72 (Eunbit Village Stop) Directions: From the Eunbit Village bus stop, turn around to see Public House directly across from the bus stop. Walk straight past Public House to find Yukhoe Hanjip on the left.

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:33

gwangju cooks I local

Homemade Jajangmyeon Sauce Recipe by Joe Wabe Photographed by Roy Cruz

t the beginning of this year I started making my own jajangmyeon sauce, and after a couple of months of trial and error, I am now happy to share this recipe with you. It is an easy and affordable recipe, in which all ingredients can be found at your local market.

INGREDIENTS (1 SERVING)

PREPARATION

2 tbs black bean paste (choonjang) 2 cups pork loin, cut into cubes 1 medium size onion, chopped 1 1/2 cup cabbage, chopped 1/2 cup zucchini, chopped 1 tbs sugar 2 cups water 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tbs chicken or beef stock 2 tbs corn or potato starch 1 pack of jajangmyeon noodles

In a non-stick frying pan, sauté pork on medium heat until it looks almost cooked, yet still tender. Drain the extra fat before adding cabbage, zucchini, and onions. Stir for about five minutes. Next, push all ingredients to the edge of the pan to make space in the middle for the black bean paste. Slowly combine all ingredients from the center out. Keep mixing for about three minutes, and then add the water, sugar and stock. Cook for another six minutes. On the side, dissolve the starch in ¼ of a cup of water at room temperature. Add the solution to the pan, to thicken the sauce. Finally, cook for another two minutes on low heat while stirring, and then turn off the heat. Serve over a bowl of rice or warm noodles.

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2015-08-24 오후 3:17:34

local I community

Smiles from elderly neighbors helped by PUBLICO

A Roof Over Our Heads

Revamping a Neighborhood Shelter Written and photographed by Lee Peizhi

UBLICO, a Gwangju community service group, started with a belief in the power of good people. Talents are all around us, even in our own neighborhood. Through a collaborative effort between people and organizations, PUBLICO aims to add positivity to people’s lives. Our collaborative system is very flexible. We welcome people from all over the world and we do not require a long-term commitment. We simply ask the public to contribute to our projects in any way they can.

talents in Gwangju. Brad Evans, who is the host of Gwangju Television Network’s “Welcome To Gwangju,” contributed his knowledge of wall painting. Along with Tong Chen, they gave the shelter a good base coat of paint. Maia Gillet, who is currently an English teacher with the EPIK program, also helped with painting. She graduated from the Maryland Institute of Art. Kotchaphon Krittiyanan, a language student at Chonnam University, is not only talented at handicrafts, she paints skillfully too.

Our recent Shelter Revamp Project is an example of what can happen when good people come together to improve their community. We noticed a group of elderly ladies sitting by the road and chatting every evening. Yet five meters away, there was an abandoned shelter. The shelter could provide them protection from the sun and the rain, yet the ladies preferred sitting by the road because they said the shelter was “dirty and lifeless.”

The experience was especially fulfilling when the residents got together to support us. One neighbor supplied us with water to clean, another contributed her broom and one more also painted alongside us. Our neighbors also generously treated us to kimchi jeon (Korean savory pancake) and makgeolli. We hope that PUBLICO grows as a community and that we can share resources and support more projects for the good of the public.

Through this project, we discovered some hidden

Sept-2015.indd 32

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:39

photo essay I photography

Capturing Strong Emotions Written and photographed by Joe Wabe

ne of the most wonderful things about photography is to be able to capture a time in life and present it to someone as a cherished memory. Cameras are like little magical time machines — they can freeze time even while it is still going and bring back the feelings, emotions and colors of a moment to make them live at any given point later in time. As a photographer, people usually ask me the type of camera I use or the kind of lenses I carry with me. Some even make inquiries about the software I use for processing: “Did you use Photoshop or Lightroom?” Even though I cannot deny those factors influence the final outcome, it is my opinion that it barely covers 30% of the process. To me, the heart and soul of a photograph lies in its composition.

Sept-2015.indd 33

Composition is the harmony within all the elements in a picture. It is not how much or how little details there are, but how well they are placed, and how well they can communicate with the eye of the viewer — a communication that should go beyond the eye and straight to the soul. There are different rules to achieve a good composition, depending on the subject being photographed. Especially when capturing landscapes, places or urban settings (street photography), there is plenty of information on how to achieve a good photo. However, when it comes to photographing people, there is one rule that goes above and beyond any existing rule, and one I am an advocate of: the rule of relationship with the subject.

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:40

photography I photo essay

The closer the relationship with the subject, the better the chance to get a wonderful photograph. Now, in this statement, the word relationship does not imply a strong emotional bond, which could also be good, but about how well we know the people we are about to work with. Knowing your subjects, having a relationship with the subjects, will help you in many ways. Not only will it be easier to direct them, but you will also know their better side and angle, and it will be more comfortable for you to move around them. This photographer-subject relationship offers abundant benefits. Having mutual confidence plays a big role in making them feel more natural and relaxed. By being in control of these aspects, there will be little chance for error. When you know what makes them tick, you can manipulate the moment and bring out the best of them. Strong and natural emotions, and pure facial expressions are the core for dynamic and natural portraits. Of course, not every photographer will have the luxury of knowing the subject prior to a shoot, and this is why at least a 30-minute ice-breaking chat and a laugh is needed. Understanding your subject, how they talk, look and think are valuable keys for a good photograph. Use the magical power of relationships and human communication to bring out the best of them, and you will be able to give them a timeless memory that will last forever.

Sept-2015.indd 34

2015-08-24 ě&#x2DC;¤í&#x203A;&#x201E; 3:17:42

photo essay I photography

Sept-2015.indd 35

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:45

fashion

WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE BEST SENSE OF STYLE? Interviewed and translated by Ki Su-yeon Photographed by Karly Pierre and Ben Robbins France. Their style is unique.

The United States, especially African-Americans. They wear clothes freely and are creative. They usually set trends, and we follow the trend they set.

The United States, especially New York. They have a good sense of style.

Britain. I believe good fashion sense should reflect your own culture and customs such as trench coats in Britain.

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2015-08-24 오후 3:17:50

fashion I local

Slip Away

Interviewed and translated by Kim So-i and Kim Dae-yong Photographed by Karly Pierre Fashion insight from 달팽이세마리(Three Snails) boutique and their latest selection of slip-on footwear. Gwangju News (GN): What is the most popular style now? People prefer to wear wide pants because wide pants make people look slim, so they don’t need to worry about their thighs or hips. Also, it goes very well with various T-shirts, so it’s easy to style. You are able to work comfortably and be stylish. GN: . What other popular styles have you noticed? Most people prefer to wear blue colored T-shirts because it looks neat and cool. Nowadays, men prefer to wear dark-colored slacks contrary to woman. Woman wear flower printed pants. GN: What brands are popular? No particular brand is popular. Many people wear simple dresses. I don’t wear brand names that often and I prefer to wear clothes with no brand. I look for good quality and prices.

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GN: How long has the shop been open? For about six years. Many customers come to the shop when the seasons change. Even though they have a lot of clothes, they like to keep up with the latest fashions. GN: What kinds of outfits do you recommend to customers and why? Simple T-shirt and long skirt. I think a T-shirt goes with everything. Also, long skirts can flatter any shape and make our waistline stand out. Some people think that long skirts are only for tall girls, but that’s not true. 달팽이세마리(Three Snails) Address: 광주 동구 서석로7번길 6-32 (6-32 Seoseokro 7beongil, Dong-gu, Gwangju) Tel: 062-236-0887

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:52

photography I photo of the month

The Purple of Summer By Thịnh Phát Cao

n reality this flower is indeed nicely purple. But through black and white photography, we tell the story in an alternative manner. Why did I name this picture with a colorful name? That is my feeling about the beauty of nature expressed in only shades of grey.

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2015-08-24 오후 3:17:56

korean poetry I culture

The Flower Written by Kim Chun-soo (1922-2004) Translated by Song Chae-Pyong and Anne Rashid

Before I called her name,

내가 그의 이름을 불러 주기 전에는

she was nothing

그는 다만

more than a gesture.

하나의 몸짓에 지나지 않았다.

When I called her name,

내가 그의 이름을 불러 주었을 때

she came to me

그는 나에게로 와서

and became a flower.

꽃이 되었다.

Like I called her name,

내가 그의 이름을 불러 준 것처럼

will someone please call my name

나의 이 빛깔과 향기에 알맞은

that suits my light and fragrance?

누가 나의 이름을 불러다오.

I, too, long to come to her

그에게로 가서 나도

and become her flower.

그의 꽃이 되고 싶다.

We all long to be something.

우리들은 모두

You, to me, and I, to you,

무엇이 되고 싶다.

long to become a gaze that won’t be forgotten.

너는 나에게 나는 너에게 잊혀지지 않는 하나의 눈짓이 되고 싶다.

Sept-2015.indd 39

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:57

culture I gwangju writes

Third-Floor Window A short story written by Eden J. Jones

So this is what it feels like. I’m sitting on the third floor of a coffee shop, looking out the window, and sipping a café latte as the cars pass by down below. This wasn’t my idea, so it sort of seemed unfair that I should be the one sitting here alone, surrounded by couples laughing and smiling while they gaze into each other’s eyes. I supposed he could still be coming. Looking down at my phone for the hundredth time, I saw that it was 5:30 p.m. — precisely one hour later than our agreed upon meeting time. Kwanu, my currently M.I.A. date, was just as much a mystery to me now as he had been the day I met him. It was on Valentine’s Day, exactly one month ago. I had been walking hurriedly toward my eye appointment when I was tapped on the shoulder from behind. When I turned, there stood Kwanu, out of breath, clad in a yellow puff-jacket. He also had on a black cap that sat just above a set of beautifully brown Asian eyes. “Escuz me,” he said in his broken accent, “I see you walking back there…” he paused as if he didn’t know what to say next. “I was just wondering if you busy now.” It took me a moment to process the stranger’s words. How random they seemed… was he asking me on a date? “Um, well, I’m actually on my way to the eye doctor,” I explained, not knowing what else to say. I motioned to the tall building across the busy street, the one with the giant eye on top of it. “Ah, I see,” he said, looking rather nervous. “Well, uh, I think if maybe you want, let’s have coffee sometime. Maybe I can get your phone number?” I smiled at him. Ordinarily it is not my custom to give random men my number, but I was rather impressed by the courage it must have taken for him to run after me like this… and there was something about those brown eyes, and the way they looked out at me from under his cap. “I have a new phone, so I don’t remember my number,” I told him (which was true). “But, I have Kakao Talk. Why

Sept-2015.indd 40

don’t we just chat on there?” Kwanu’s face brightened. “Okay, okay,” he agreed, quickly pulling out his phone. I noticed his hands were shaking a little. It was cute how nervous he seemed. “By the way, my name’s Erica. What’s yours?” “Oh! That’s very nice name. I’m Kwanu.” He showed me his phone then, with the messaging application open and I entered my I.D. for him. “E-lee-ca, you don’t have boyfriend, do you?” I smiled again, not sure whether to be put off or flattered by his forwardness. “No, no boyfriend.” The answer seemed to please him. “Ah. I see. Well then, let’s you and I get coffee sometime!” he said, more confidently this time. “Sorry, my English not very good, but I think we can still talk.” “Yes, we can still talk,” I assured him with another smile. Then I glanced at my phone. “I have to go to my eye appointment now, or I’ll be late.” “Ah. Okay, okay. I was pleased to meet you E-lee-ca. Let’s meet soon!” “Okay, bye-bye!” I said, waving. That was exactly one month ago, as I mentioned earlier. Now, I had thought, I would actually have a chance to meet this mysterious young man who had, apparently been taken with me as I passed him in the bus terminal. Guess he couldn’t have been too interested though, or he would be sitting across from me now, instead of an empty booth. Just then, a young guy wearing a black cap emerged from the stairwell across the room. My heart skipped a beat. We made eye contact and I thought just maybe it was

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:58

gwangju writes I culture

him… but no. The guy broke his gaze and walked across the room, settling into a comfy-looking armchair beside a beautiful long-haired girl and began to chat with her without so much as another glance in my direction. I sighed and gazed back out the window, making small circular motions with my, now lukewarm, cup of coffee. Perhaps something had happened to Kwanu, something serious. Maybe he was hit by a bus while rushing across the street to meet me here at the café… Gosh! I hope not! Or perhaps he had some emergency like his dog becoming deathly ill and he had to take him to the vet, and he couldn’t call to let me know because he had been in too much of a hurry. It also could be that he had come upon some unavoidable obligation — like his grandmother’s 89th birthday party — which he had forgotten about until the last minute. Maybe his phone was also dead, and that’s why he couldn’t call to explain. I let out another low sigh. If I was honest with myself, I knew that the most likely scenario for Kwanu’s absence was that I had, for some unknown reason, been stood up. This was a first for me, not that I went on dates all that often. I checked my messages again… nothing. Scanning the coffee shop parlor once more, I hoped to find that Kwanu was sitting in some hidden corner booth and had, in fact been waiting for me this whole time, only we hadn’t noticed each other (due to the location of his invisible booth and all). Alas! Kwanu was not to be found… and I really needed to pee. However, I didn’t want to give up my window seat with the awesome street view. See, this was just another prime example of why being solo was so inconvenient. Had Kwanu come as he had said he would, he could have reserved the seating while I went to relieve myself. But that was neither here nor there, since Kwanu was not here, and probably never would be. I told myself it was okay that Kwanu hadn’t come. This simply opened the door for more exciting opportunities: perhaps, for instance, another random stranger, taller, more handsome, and more interesting than Kwanu would now see me sitting here alone. Perhaps, he’d sit down. He’d introduce himself and we’d begin chatting as though we’d known each other for years. I’d soon learn that he had some killer job — doctor or lawyer, perhaps. After we chatted for a while, he’d invite me to see a movie with him across the street at the CGV. Then we would have dinner together because we didn’t want the magic to end. The night would conclude with a walk about the city in the crisp night air while we gazed at the city lights. It would be mystical, and far better than any

Sept-2015.indd 41

measly coffee date with Kwanu would have ever been. I looked a final time at my phone. It was now 6:45 p.m., and outside, the sky was beginning to darken. Well, that was it then. Kwanu wasn’t coming, and there would be no second chances for him. No excuses. I didn’t care so much that I had been stood up as much as I wanted to know why. Had Kwanu gotten cold feet? Was he nervous about his English? Had he seen me walking on the street from the third floor window (where I was currently watching) and decided I didn’t look as good as he’d remembered? And why hadn’t he at least had the courtesy to message and say, “I’ve seen you from the third floor window and changed my mind?” Kwanu was a mystery, and I guessed he always would be. At least I had learned something from my two hours alone with my lukewarm café latte. Never again would I give a random man this chance — it just wasn’t worth it. Men, in general, were not to be trusted, and this was exactly the sort of reason why. I packed up my things and made my way toward the stairwell. No more “Kwanus” for me. Perhaps I’d treat myself to a movie and a nice big tub of mango-flavored popcorn, followed by dinner and maybe a nice walk in the crisp night air. Yes, that’s what I’d do. I descended to the first floor of the coffee shop, and dumped my tray with the empty coffee cup on it into the trash. In doing so, I also managed to drop my phone onto the ground. This evening just kept getting better. I went to reach for my phone, praying the screen wasn’t cracked, when my hand was met by another larger one. When I looked to see who the hand belonged to, I saw a handsome young man wearing an apron and a hat that read “Angel-in-us Café” across the front. The barista smiled and held up my phone. “You dropped this,” he said, handing the device to me. I couldn’t help but gaze at him. His smile was fantastically white. My brief enchantment lasted only seconds, however, before I came again to my senses. “Thank you,” I said, taking my phone and turning to leave. I only got a few steps before I heard him call after me. “Wait!” When I spun around, he was next to me and holding out a white Samsung Galaxy S4. “Do you have Kakao Talk?” At this request, a slow smile crept over my lipstick-red lips. Normally, it wasn’t my custom to give random men my phone number… but there was just something about those eyes.

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:58

culture I behind the myth

Korea’s Creation Myth What Can We Learn? Part 1

Written by Stephen Redeker Image courtesy of San-shin.org

very society has its own myths explaining how things came about in ancient times before research and studies could provide answers. Some myths are credited as the origin of many societal norms, and others serve as a moral compass to help guide people along the path of life. For Korea, Dangun, “the first Korean king,” serves as the most famous creation myth. Exploring this story can shed some light on a few modern-day practices and beliefs in Korea.

prince’s plans. These two animals wanted so much to become human. They prayed every day at the sandalwood tree for the gods to grant them that wish. Having magic powers, the prince granted them the chance to become human, if they could pass a special test of will. The tiger and bear were ordered to remain hidden in a cave for three months. They were given only a small bundle of garlic and some mugwort to eat during this time. If they could endure this challenge, they would magically become human.

There was once a heavenly king who had a young prince. This heavenly prince asked his father for permission to live on Earth and rule over a beautiful part of the world, which is modern-day Korea. The king agreed and sent his son with three heavenly treasures and 3,000 people to follow him. The prince arrived at the foot of a sacred sandalwood tree (located somewhere near Baekdu Mountain in present-day North Korea), where he established his new An image of baby Dangun with his parents sacred city. With the king were three ministers to help carry out his vision: Earl of Wind, Chancellor of Rain and Chancellor of Clouds. He then created a government of 360 departments to manage laws and codes. These departments handled things, such as life and death, sickness and medicine, good and evil, hunting and fishing, agriculture and other matters. Then, a bear and a tiger get involved in the heavenly

Sept-2015.indd 42

The tiger could not stand the torture, and it fled the cave after only a short time. But the bear survived the ordeal and only after 21 days, the animal was granted its wish. The bear was transformed into a beautiful woman. After some time, this woman became sad that she was alone, so she prayed at the sandalwood tree again. This time, she wanted a baby to nurture. The prince saw her sadness and decided to make her his queen and give her the son she so desired. She finally bore a son who was named “Dangun the Sandalwood King,” and he would become the first human king of the new nation of Korea. But, what does it mean? In October’s edition of Behind The Myth, we will explore the significance of this creation story.

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:59

jeolla history I culture

Eulsa Treaty Part 1

Written by Won Hea-ran

ince the screening of the movie “Assassination” last month, interest in the Korean independence movement has increased. Though the movie had some fictional aspects, showing dramatic gunfights and exciting romance, the assassination attempt was not totally fictional. In fact, many fighters for independence planned to assassinate both those who betrayed the country and those key Japanese figures related to the colonization of Korea.

JAPAN-KOREA PROTECTORATE TREATY (EULSA TREATY) On November 9, 1905, Japanese emissary Ito Hirobumi landed in Korea with an signed letter written by the Japanese emperor. The letter contained a treaty that would establish the colonized status of Korea. Ito wanted consent from the Korean government as soon as possible, so he met King Gojong of Korea twice and forced him to sign the Protectorate Treaty. On November 17, they had a conference with eight Korean officials to conclude the treaty in Gyeongeungung, what is now Deoksugung Palace. However, the meeting at Gyeongeungung Palace was unilateral. Ito asked each of the eight Korean officials if they agreed to the treaty. Those who disagreed were immediately exiled. Five subjects, Yi Wanyong, Park Jae Soon, Yi Ji Yong, Yi Geun-Taek, and Gwen Joong Hyeun, signed the treaty. “The Japanese government completes the treaties Korea has signed with other countries, and Korea must not sign treaties with foreign nations without negotiation with the Japanese government.”

Emperor Gojong, painted by Yi Hancheol and Yu Sook

Sept-2015.indd 43

ARTICLE 2 OF JAPAN-KOREA PROTECTORATE TREATY Signed hastily, the treaty neither had a proper title nor the signature of the Korean king. But caring for nothing beyond the consent of five officials, the treaty deprived Korea of all diplomatic rights. Japan included conditions such as “until Korea becomes strong and rich” and that “(Japan will) guarantee the well-being and honor of Korean dynasty,” but subsequently dethroned King Gojong and extorted Korea both economically and culturally, Japan executed ruthless policies through its 35 years of colonization. The public was outraged and started to call these five subjects The Five Eulsa Traitors.

2015-08-24 오후 3:17:59

places to see I my korea

Ganghwa Island with My Birth Family Written and photographed by Lianne Bronzo

“Y

oon-hee, the last weekend of June. Busy?” “Not yet.” It was only April, but my sisters have learned that my weekends book up quickly, so they now message me with plans in advance. “Good. Appa’s birthday. Let’s meet.” I penciled it into my calendar. Perhaps it will be the last time the whole family is together again before I depart from Korea. While I was growing up with my adopted family in suburban America, my Korean family was a foreign concept. It wasn’t until 2012 that I realized they were real people and subsequently found them. Since then, we have been trying to make up for the 24 years apart. My family decided to spend my birth father’s birthday on the rural Ganghwa Islands of Incheon. We visited a total of three islands, the first being Gyodong. To reach the island, my father had to show necessary documents to the soldiers who were guarding the entrance. We were granted access with the promise that we would leave that night. The military presence reminded me how physically close we were to North Korea — just on the other side of the water. Gyodong Island is barely inhabited. The downtown area was quaint and rustic. There was only one road where a car would certainly not fit, but a bicycle

Sept-2015.indd 44

might be able to finagle its way through. There were interesting little shops with ladies in front tending to their vegetables. Life was slow, a rarity in Korea. We stumbled into a humble visitor’s center to watch a video about the effect of Korea’s north and south split on the island. From what I gathered, local families were separated by the split and were never able to reunite, leaving them longing for each other over the years. It struck a chord with my birth mother because she was left in tears. “We are together now, and we can only move forward, not dwell on the past,” I tried to explain in my limited Korean. We later hopped back in the car, waved farewell to the guards, and headed back to Ganghwa Island. A few curvy roads led us to the ocean, lined with an array of seafood restaurants. My family pointed in excitement to a squiggly octopus. Before I could look away, the woman pulled the animal out of the tank, decapitated it, and chopped away at its tentacles. She scooped up the last bits into Styrofoam before nonchalantly wrapping it up. My sister took the to-go package while I gawked at its squirming tentacles. This was my first time witnessing the iconic Korean food with my own eyes. When we got to the pension, we enthusiastically toured the house like kids moving into a new home.

2015-08-24 오후 3:18:00

my korea I places to see

The ocean views on the wrap-around deck from our second-floor balcony especially delighted us. This called for a celebration â&#x20AC;&#x201D; fresh octopus. The tentacles were still crawling even after its death twenty minutes earlier. My family slurped down the moving limbs and encouraged me to eat. Since it was my first opportunity to try the delicacy, I agreed; it is something everyone should try in Korea. I picked up a small piece without circular suction cups, dipped it in the accompanying sauce, and gingerly put it in my mouth. The savory sauce was delightful, but the chewy tentacle is not something I will actively seek out again. I managed to smile, put down my chopsticks and observed them enjoy a food so foreign to me. I could not help but imagine that I would join them if I had not been adopted and assimilated into American culture. My oldest sister and her newborn baby popped their heads in suddenly. It was the first time meeting my second niece, and I took note of our similar facial features. My other three-year old niece leaped in, acting silly as always. She and I get along well. She recently surpassed my Korean language abilities, so she can officially converse better with my family than I can. We found ourselves outside on the swinging bench with our father pushing us high. We giggled with every push, wind blowing in our hair. As I regressed

Sept-2015.indd 45

1. 2. 3.

Author (right) with her birth sisters in Ganghwa Island View of the pension during low tide Author (right) on ferry

back to being a three-year-old with my niece, part of me saddened that I never had the chance to play with my birth father as a child, but simultaneously lifted because I had the opportunity then. The rest of the night was a cozy one lazing in the pension. I feel absolutely comfortable with them, but sometimes the language and cultural barrier can be isolating. Being so deeply connected yet feeling like strangers has been a remarkable experience to which I am still adjusting. Even though we are not able to have deep conversations, we can still communicate our emotions without words. Our family had meaningful gatherings over the years, and I am nothing but appreciative for their efforts to include me in the family and for showing me some of the hidden gems in my birth country. My time living in Korea will soon end, but our relationship and memories will continue.

2015-08-24 ě&#x2DC;¤í&#x203A;&#x201E; 3:18:02

places to see I departing gwangju

Island Hopping Written and photographed by Ben Robbins

icture the perfect beach. Leave no tropical stone or cliché unturned: feel the soft, bone-white sand of a perfect, unspoiled strand beneath your toes — go on, wriggle them. Allow a warm breeze to stir both your hair and the palm fronds above you. Let limpid, turquoise waves lap your ankles; feel free to allow small, colourful, darting fish to enter this reverie. In conjuring up this paradise, there is a strong chance that you may be channelling “The Beach”: that isolated idyll conjured up by Alex Garland in his 1996 novel. Although the book, as well as the movie adaption, is set in Thailand, the odds of finding an unspoiled stretch of sand in this massively over-visited country are now next to nil. You will find something a lot closer to the mark in the Philippines — which was, in fact, where Alex Garland originally drew his inspiration. This cluster of over 7000 islands does not lack for tropical locales. Steeped in centuries of Spanish maritime history, the cities are dotted with ancient churches, crumbling crenellations and rusted old cannons still vigilant along the old city walls. Where the cities end, the raw country begins: large cities are widely dispersed throughout the country, with

Sept-2015.indd 46

huge stretches of wild mangroves, jungles and islands filling the gaps in between. Some of the most spectacular natural scenery of the Philippines can be found in the isolated island province of Bohol, which is a short ferry-cruise away from Cebu City. During the day, the island of Panglao in Bohol is a quiet coastline of sleepy, palm-shaded coconut stands and restaurants — often with even sleepier restaurant owners napping outside — but at night the trees light up and the bars come to life. Small wooden tents are thrown up for on-the-beach massage parlours, and amiable mariners wander along the beachfront offering next-day boat tours to nearby islands. Meanwhile, restaurants of every conceivable cuisine throw out tables onto the beach itself. Near Panglao is arguably the most famous landmark of Bohol, the Chocolate Hills — huge, bizarrely smooth knolls rolling into the horizon. A central viewing platform shows off unbelievable panoramic views of palm frond forests and a small portion of the 1,268 hills themselves. Many theories exist as to the Chocolate Hills’ origin: scientific suggestions include volcanic eruptions and karsts, while local legends include feuding giants, God’s tears and at least two myths involving the leavings of incontinent

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departing gwangju I places to see

1 and 5. Las Cabanas, El Nido 2. A boat ride in El Nido 3. Boho River cruise 4. El Nido boat cruise

giants and buffalos. Leaving the Chocolate Hills, a number of stops must be made on the return journey to Tagbilaran and Panglao. The Tarsier Conservation Area is home to numerous tiny, adorably goblin-like creatures clutching branches and staring huge-eyed at passers-by. Further down the road the Loboc River winds through the dense foliage, along which floating restaurants slowly drift downriver. A buffet of fresh fruit, seafood and Filipino cuisine is accompanied by live musicians, semi-Jurassic surroundings and dauntless young acrobats throwing themselves from rope-swings into the river to the general applause of the restaurant clientele. A short flight from Tagbilaran will leave you, slightly dustier and better-travelled, at El Nido; a secluded beach town enclosed on all sides by towering cliffs,

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abuzz with life and tricycles at any time of day. Accessible only via a six-hour drive from the nearest capital, Puerto Princesa, El Nido is a coastal wilderness with a small, solitary town in its cove. Daytime wanderers can hitch a tricycle to the luxuriant Las Cabanas beach, or take up one of the many compulsory island-hopping tours; those of a more nocturnal persuasion could stay for a month and still not frequent every beachside restaurant, bar and cafe. Even for the locals, the town feels like somewhere people go to forget the outside world. It would be sacrilegious to visit El Nido without taking a boat tour of the islands, even for those of a less touristy inclination. Most businesses offer a number of routes to entirely different locations, and many include a freshly-prepared barbecue to be cooked on the boat and eaten on an isolated beach somewhere far out at sea. Destinations include an eerily abandoned monastery on Matinloc Island, snorkelling with clownfish and territorial fish and the opportunity to swim under a looming cliff face to discover the actual eponymous Beach which inspired Garland’s novel. Life in the Philippines is a strange, wonderful and often nonsensical experience. Expect to see buses, pickup trucks and tricycles with passengers leaning out of the windows, hanging from rear doors and occasionally sitting atop the vehicle itself. Tables outside restaurants and convenience stores are rarely empty, usually crammed with loud, welcoming groups of the young and old. In the Philippines, if you smile at somebody on the street it is a safe bet that you will get a beaming response. It is a country where people know how to enjoy life and are not shy about sharing the experience with outsiders.

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general I green korea

Recycling in Korea Written by Karly Pierre Information collected by Farah Amin and Lee Harim

n the early 1990s, Korea faced a crisis. Its rapidly expanding economy fueled a startling rise in consumerism and the accumulating waste that inevitably followed. About 90 percent of the country’s trash was in landfills. For a country with a large population and comparatively small landmass, diminishing space in landfills was a big problem. In 1985, the average person generated 4.85 pounds of waste a day. By 2010, that number had dropped to 2.11 pounds. This dramatic change in wasteful behavior can be attributed to two things: volume-based waste bags, followed by a robust recycling campaign.

become a leading example of an environmentallyfriendly country. Often, disposing of trash correctly can be daunting for new residents. Here is a brief list of dos and don’ts for Gwangju residents. FOOD WASTE Food waste buckets can be purchased at local supermarkets and convenience stores. They can be placed outside designated residential areas on scheduled pickup days. Please check the City Hall website at http://english.gjcity.go.kr/ for a more complete schedule.

The volume-based waste system began in 1995. Stores began selling biodegradable plastic bags in a variety of sizes at prices that corresponded to the cost of treating that waste. The same year that the program was implemented, the average daily waste generated dropped by .42 pounds. With a system in place to incentivize reduced waste in the early 2000s, the government made recycling a buzzword. By 2010, Seoul residents recycled 66 percent of their total waste and 54 percent of their plastic waste. Though Korea has made enormous strides in waste management, continued investments in recycling technology such as automatic sorting systems has been needed to remain efficient. Samyang, the country’s largest PET bottling recycler, said that 10 percent of the waste it receives is improperly sorted and only 30 out of 60 large recycling centers have high-tech automated sorting machines, according to a report by Asia Today. It is clear that with continued education and diligence, Korea can further reduce its waste and

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green korea I general

RECYCLING Recycled items should be cleaned, sorted and placed in clear plastic bags outside designated residential areas. The following items are non-recyclable: Paper: plastic-coated paper bags and plastic-coated paper cups Glass: sheet glass, mirrors, heat-resistant dishes, milky white bottles, cosmetic bottles and china dishes Metals: paint and oil containers Clothes: bedding, pillows and bags Plastic: items with either “3” or “7” marked on the container, writing instruments, buttons, sockets, electric heaters, toys, baby walkers, phones and items coated with Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP). Plastic bags: instant noodle wrappers and contaminated plastic bags

charge, please contact www.edtd.co.kr or call 15990903. Nam-gu residents can get disposal information online at: http://eclean.gwangju.go.kr/ Recycling Collection Schedule by Neighborhoods: 동구(Dong-gu) 서구(Seo-gu) 남구(Nam-gu) 북구(Buk-gu) 광산구(Gwangsan-gu)

Once a week (Friday) Every day (except Sunday and public holidays) Once a week (Wednesday) Twice a week (Tuesday and Friday) Once a week (Wednesday)

For recycling questions, contact the Administration of Cleaning and Resource Recycling (청소행정과) at 062-410-6521.

To dispose of large household appliances free of

ws@gic.or.k

gwangjune

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general I kotesol

KOTESOL

KOTESOL promotes scholarship, disseminates information, and facilitates cross-cultural understanding among persons concerned with teaching and learning English in Korea.

Qualities That Contribute to Effective Teaching and Learning Written and images provided by Dr. David Shaffer

he list of qualities of a teacher contributing to effective language teaching and learning is quite long and in constant flux. It would of course be advantageous for the EFL teacher to periodically review this list and reflect on the items therein. Here we will consider several dealing with both the student and with the teacher. BUILDING RAPPORT WITH STUDENTS Students need to know that their teacher cares about them as individuals and that the teacher is genuinely concerned about whether they progress as English learners. People in general function more effectively in an atmosphere of warmth than in one that is cold. Something that may seem trivial to the teacher may be highly important to the student. For example, the teacher may not see the importance of memorizing student names because she has them on her seating chart, but a student might equate the teacher knowing her name with caring about her. Referring to a student by name, without referring to a seating chart, can turn on a light within the student and turn up a smile on his or her face.

Dr. Shaffer collaborating with students on their small-group task rather than telling them what to do.

Small talk can be significant talk, especially when the teacher indulges in it with her students. If it is sincere, the student will recognize it as caring. Showing sympathy is not enough; expressing empathy is more effective in building rapport. Similarly, taking interest in the individual student’s language learning progress will help to create a sense of rapport. Regular student-teacher conferencing in a warm atmosphere will add to building rapport.

CULTURAL SETTING For the Korean EFL teacher in Korea, understanding students’ culture comes easily, but for the nonKorean teacher it may be more of a challenge. The student may translate the teacher’s not understanding as not caring or as considering their own culture as being superior to the students’. When living in the students’ culture, gaining a certain measure of cultural competence is not an insurmountable task. Simple gaffes, such as pointing to students with the index finger, can be avoided with a bit of cultural understanding. Realizing that group work often works better than assigning individual projects makes sense when one understands the social nature of the Korean classroom. Cultural understanding contributes to building rapport with the class, but more than that, it enables the teacher to create lessons, activities, and materials that are related to the students’ lives and fit their interests and needs.

AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF STUDENT

Designing classroom activities or setting policies that

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kotesol I general

go against cultural conventions or identity can have the effect of creating resistance to learning and disapproval of the teachers. Let us again consider student names. It is not uncommon for the expat EFL teacher to require her students to go by “English” names, claiming that their Korean names are too hard to remember or too difficult to pronounce. Because of students’ pride in their real names, mother tongue, and culture, this can have the effect of barrier-building rather than rapport-building between student and teacher. Another barrier-building foible is for the teacher to create a me-versus-them attitude — one in which the teachers sees herself as an authority figure that students must look up to, or one in which the teacher sees her language, culture, and customs as superior to those of her students. Being aware of students’ culture, understanding it, and accepting it can go a long way toward creating a favorable classroom environment for learning. UNDERSTANDING STUDENT NEEDS It is not uncommon for the EFL teacher to be in a situation where the course they are teaching is based on a particular course book. It is all too often the case that the teacher will strictly follow the book, doing every activity in the book and doing them in the order they are presented in the book. The problem with course books by international ELT publishers is that their materials are designed to target as wide an audience as possible (to sell as many copies as possible). In designing for wide appeal, they fail in meeting the specific needs of any one group. Accordingly, the teacher needs to supplement the course book for the class. And he needs to supplement it differently for his class than, say, a teacher in Indonesia would for her class. Additionally, a teacher needs to supplement the book differently for different students within the same class. To do this effectively, the teacher must know the needs of her students; the course book cannot do this for her. In determining student needs, testing may be helpful, but in-class production needs to be monitored regularly, for the individual student and for the class in general. New materials may need to be designed to supplement course book content; some activities may require alteration; others may best be skipped altogether. Some students may benefit most from doing one activity while other students are given a different activity to complete. Student needs analysis should be an ongoing process rather than a once-a-semester undertaking.

the art in ELT is not static but ever changing. This means that the teacher must keep abreast of developments in the field. He can do this through formal education and through less formal means. With the Internet, distance learning has become a desirable option for pursuing TESOL certification, diplomas, and master’s degrees in ELT and related fields. The conscientious teacher is also aware of, and sees the need for, other options for professional development. These include participating in teachers’ associations; attending ELT events such as conferences, seminars, and workshops; and participating in reflective practice activities both individually and with a group of like-minded teachers. Organizations such as KOTESOL have much to offer to upgrade the teacher’s ability and effectiveness in the classroom. KOTESOL MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETING

Date & Time: September 12 (Saturday), 1:45 p.m. Place: Gwangju National University of Education (tentative) Mini-Presentations on (1) Grasping the Class’s Attention and (2) Song Activities for the Classroom “My Favorite EFL Game” (RoundRobin Demonstrations) Swap-shop Session: Present your ideas, activities, advice. Morning (11:00) Reflective Practice Session Admission: No Charge For more details: Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL Website: http://koreatesol.org/gwangju Email: gwangju@koreatesol.org Twitter: @GwangjuKOTESOL

ABOUT THE AUTHOR David E. Shaffer is the President of the Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter of Korea TESOL (KOTESOL). On behalf of the Chapter, he invites you to participate in the teacher development workshops at their monthly meetings and special events. Dr. Shaffer is a professor of English Language at Chosun University, where he has taught graduate and undergraduate courses for many years. He is a long-time member of KOTESOL and a holder of various KOTESOL positions, including Publications Committee Chair. He credits KOTESOL for much of his professional development in teaching, in event planning, and in academic publishing.

STRIVING FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT The conscientious teacher is aware that the state of

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general I health

Public Health Hindsight

How Well Did Korea Handle Its MERS Outbreak? Written by Jessica Keralis

outh Korea vaulted into international news this summer when its outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, better known as MERS, began making headlines after the first case was identified on May 20. Images of Koreans wearing face masks peppered social media feeds and every major news website. The story dominated headlines throughout June as cases spiked and deaths continued to climb, then ended abruptly in early July as the epidemic was snuffed out, nearly as quickly as it began. There were 185 confirmed cases and 36 deaths by the time the outbreak was declared over on July 28. World Health Organization Director, Dr. Margaret Chan, was mostly supportive of the government’s response. “After a slow start, the government put in place one of the strongest responses I’ve seen,” she told the Associated Press. Other commentators were much less generous. A joint panel of experts identified both a failure to provide transparent and rapid distribution of information and a failure to establish proper governance by the administration. Factors that contributed to the outbreak included doctors’ unfamiliarity with MERS, overcrowded emergency rooms, the practice of “doctor shopping” and the fact that hospital rooms are often bustling with visitors. Nearly 70 percent of the reported cases were among patients, staff and visitors to two hospitals — Samsung Medical Center and Pyeongtaek St. Mary’s Hospital — and the government’s withholding of this information, which it claims it did to prevent panic, only made things worse.

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Foreign Policy’s scathing (and cleverly-titled) article, “NightMERS,” identified two major issues to explain why things went so badly. First, the financial strain on the country’s public health care system has led to cost-cutting measures like overreliance on private hospitals (which are much less willing to take aggressive measures to protect public health), insurance only covering shared rooms and low coverage rates for bedside care (leading to family members attending patients, rather than clinicians). However, the piece did not spare South Korean President Park Geun-hye’s administration, describing a poorly-organized response to the outbreak that allowed the infection to spread without epidemiologic controls. The article stated the following: “Instead of establishing a centralized control tower ... five different task forces emerged in different parts of the government, with little coordination ... As public distrust of the government grew in reaction to this bungled response, local leaders such as Seoul’s mayor clamored to take over the MERS response in their jurisdictions, which added to the chaos.” There are always lessons to be learned from mistakes, such as a poorly-handled outbreak, because failures expose weaknesses in systems that can be strengthened, improved or even redesigned. In South Korea’s case, however, it may take more than examining what went wrong. The MERS outbreak is just another example, like the Sewol Ferry Disaster, of the current administration’s poor leadership in times of crisis. Swift and scientifically-informed actions are crucial in disaster response situations — and no doubt a better solution than quarantining the zoo’s camels.

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gic tour preview I gic

Jeonju

Written by Bradley Weiss Photographed by Lee Jeongmin

Date: September 19, 2015 Price: GIC Members 65,000 won/ Non-Members 75,000 won Itinerary: Geumsansa - Hanbyeokdang, tasting Jeonju Moju - Lunch (Home-made Tteokgalbi) - Jeonju Hyanggyo, wearing Hanbok Jeju Traditional, Janggu Experience - Pungnam Gate, Jeondong Catholic Church - Free time (Option: Gyeonggijeon) Contact: 062-226-2733 or gictour@gic.or.kr (Lee Jeongmin)

ith the onset of autumn, GIC Tour migrates north to our sister province of North Jeolla. The ultimate destination will be the historic city of Jeonju, the provincial capital and an important center for the preservation of traditional Korean culture. Our first stop along the way will be Geumsan Temple, located on the slopes of Moak Mountain. Some Korean temples can appear rather formulaic in layout and design, but Geumsan Temple is fascinatingly unique in many regards. The temple traces its history back more than 1,400 years and is home to 11 National Treasures, perhaps the most eye-catching of which is the Mireukjeon Hall. Built to house a colossal Mireuk Buddha, its three-story construction makes it unique among Korean Buddhist halls. After taking in the tranquil environs of Geumsan Temple, the tour turns course to Jeonju and, more specifically, the hanok maeul, or village of preserved traditional Korean houses. Just as we enter the southeastern corner of the village, we will take a moment to relax on Hanbyeokdang, a historic pavilion perched on a mountainside

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and overlooking the lazy-flowing Jeonju Stream. This restful stop will be complemented with a sampling of moju, a lightly alcoholic (2%) beverage that is a Jeonju specialty. With appetites sufficiently whetted, participants will enjoy a lunch of tteokgalbi, patties of mixed spiced beef and pork, at a restaurant overlooking the stream on the southern edge of the hanok village. Though the tteokgalbi of Damyang may be more renowned, the taste of this particular Jeonju variety more than rivals it. After lunch, our next stop is the historic Hyanggyo, or Confucian Academy, where participants will be able to select and try on a hanbok. While wearing our rented traditional Korean garments, we will then move on to the Jeonju Traditional Culture Center, where participants will be instructed in playing the janggu, the distinctive hourglass-shaped Korean drum. A quick jaunt to the northeast corner of the hanok village places the tour in front of Pungnam Gate, a reconstructed fortified city gate dating to the Joseon dynasty. This gate holds a grisly connection to the final historic site, the 101-year-old Jeondong Catholic Church, consecrated to the early Korean Christians who were martyred just outside Pungnam Gate. Afterward, participants will be given an hour of free time to explore the hanok village, home to a number of spots to satisfy any appetite — be it for history and culture, souvenirs, or just some local food and drink. Come join us for just a taste of what the capital of our northern neighbor province has to offer!

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gic I gic talk preview

Working in the Canadian Ring of Fire Written and photographed by Trevor Homeniuk

wenty hours north of Lake Ontario is a small town called Longlac, which has a small population of predominantly French descendants. There is a little gas station, a couple of restaurants, an abandoned paper mill, a few amenities and a lot of trees and water. The basics are available to keep oneself busy. Apart from cabin fever, the fresh air and starry night skies make Longlac a great place. Migizi Waszisn Elementary School, on the nearby native reservation, was the first school to contact me to work after I completed a frantic job hunt. I leapt at the chance, as it was my first year out of teacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s college and teaching jobs are few in Canada. I studied outdoor education. I loved nature and I was curious about native Canadian life, so I thought I had good reasons to venture North. The youth from the reservation were challenging. I first met four girls between seven and 13, in torn clothes and covered in dirt, trying to shock me by

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talking about drugs and playing funny tricks. About a month and a half into my contract, I was really struggling. I felt I barely survived my introduction. I was in no way an expert in trauma or the emotional needs of northern youth that I would meet there. I typically felt nervous on the reservation, as it seemed dangerous and harsh. My hopefulness and consistency kept me on for the year, but the isolation was rough. However, there were numerous diamonds in that rough. Calling moose on the side of the road, enjoying a fresh kill for morning breakfast at school, bar pool games, bears walking the streets, joining new communities and the slow process of getting to know the kids better were all highlights of my stay. Come to hear what I learned and experienced during my GIC Talk on September 5 at 3 p.m. in the GIC Auditorium on the first floor.

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gic talk schedule I gic

GIC Talk September Schedule Theme of the Month: Community Outreach Time & Location: Saturdays from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., GIC Auditorium (Samho Center, 1st Floor) For more information, contact gictalk@gic.or.kr

SEPTEMBER 5

SEPTEMBER 12

Speaker: Trevor Homeniuk Topic: Teaching on a Native Reservation Check out more information about this GIC Talk in the previous page.

Speaker: Dr. Soumitra Kundu Topic: Chung Culture in the Eye of a Bangladeshi When Dr. Kundu first arrived in Gwangju, he struggled. Today however, life in Korea is much easier. What kind of problems did he face, and how did he overcome them?

SEPTEMBER 19

Many Koreans from various backgrounds helped Dr. Kundu with his adjustment to Korea. He wondered early on if Koreans historically and traditionally had a keen interest in helping foreigners. The speaker discovered the answer in Korean traditions and ancient cultural practices.

There is no GIC Talk, due to the Freecycle event During the last three events, thousands of items were gifted, donated and shared among the community. Let us make this another great event! Drop off donations of gently used clothing/books/home goods at the Gwangju International Center, 9:30 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or at 10:00 a.m.5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Join the Freecycle event at the GIC Hall from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to also support the GIC by donating or purchasing discounted books, souvenirs and more. For more information, please visit the Group’s page on Facebook: Gwangju Freecycle’s 4th Swap, Don’t Shop!

SEPTEMBER 26

Characteristics of traditional Korean social behavior originated from the concept of collective society, just like the speaker’s home country of Bangladesh. Chung culture is centered around Shamanism, which is based on society expressing and sharing sorrow and happiness publicly together. Therefore, Dr. Kundu has witnessed that working, singing, drinking, crying, sympathizing, and caring for each other collectively comes naturally to most Koreans. Come to this GIC Talk to hear more of what he enjoys most about and how he benefits from Chung culture in Gwangju.

No GIC Talk is scheduled because of Chuseok. Enjoy the Korean holiday with family and friends. The GIC Talk Program will return on October 10.

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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info

Community Board

Have something you want to share with the community? Gwangju News community board provides a space for the community to announce clubs’ activities and special events. Please contact gwangjunews@gic.or.kr for more information.

UNESCO KONA VOLUNTEERS UNESCO KONA Volunteers is a registered organization that helps underprivileged kids to learn English independently through storybooks and story-maps. We are looking for long-term volunteers who desire to enrich their lives. We are asking volunteers to commit to helping at least once a month (please check the days and locations below). Foreign volunteers who are interested in practicing their Korean and learning more about Korean culture with Korean children are welcome to stay at the center on any Saturday morning or Saturday evening for a short cultural exchange. If you have any picture books, storybooks, puppets and any educational items, we accept all donations in order to distribute them to the local children’s homes or community children’s centers in Gwangju and South Jeolla province. The days and locations of the facilities are as follows: Every Saturday mornings / 10 a.m.-12 p.m. or every Saturday afternoons (evenings) 5-7 p.m. Location: UNESCO KONA Volunteers Center (Ssangchong-dong, Seo-gu, 062434-9887) 3rd Sunday afternoons / 3-5 p.m. Location: Youngjin Children’s

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Home (Imgok-dong, Gwangcom or search ‘Gwangju Inter sangu, 062-952-8040) or Gwangju FC’ on Facebook. Children’s Home (Dongrim-dong, Buk-gu, 062-513-0859) JOIN THE GWANGJU PERFORMANCE PROJECT 4th Friday afternoons 3-5 p.m. CHOIR Location: Grandmother’s ComNo experience is necessary and munity Children’s Center (Punall are welcome. The choir will ghyang-dong, Buk-gu, 062-524be learning and singing a wide 2076) variety of material, including pop, jazz, choral, and musical 3rd Sunday mornings and aftertheater! The GPP Choir meets noons/ 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (Lunch is every Saturday from 12:30 - 2:30 provided) p.m. on the second floor of the Location: Haein Temple (JangGwangju International Center. seong, South Jeolla, 061-3935135) For more information, visit our Facebook page or e-mail at For more infomation, please gwangjuplayers@gmail.com visit: 1. http://cafe.daum.net/konavolunteers WE ARE 2. www.facebook.com (UNESCO KONA Volunteers) LOOKING FOR 3. contact KONA (Kim YoungWRITERS! im) at 062-434-9887 or at konacenter@gmail.com Gwangju News is looking for volunteer writers to join GWANGJU ICE HOCKEY our team. TEAM Looking for men and women of Build your writing resume all ages to join us every Saturday while learning more about night from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. the South Jeolla commuat Yeomju Ice Rink near World nity. Cup Stadium. If you are interested, contact Andrew Dunne at Gwangju News is the oldest atdunne@gmail.com regional English language publication in Korea. GWANGJU INTER FC The Gwangju International SocSend an email to: cer Team (Gwangju Inter FC) gwangjunews@gic.or.kr plays regularly every weekend. to join our team. If you are interested in playing, email: gwangju_soccer@yahoo.

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