(EN) Gwangju News October 2015 #164

2015 International Design Congress Date

2015. Oct 17- Oct 23 (Opening Ceremony is held on 19 October.)

Venue

KDJ Convention Center, Asian Culture Center, Chonnam National University, City of Gwangju

Theme

Eeum(

Hosted by

Gwangju Metropolitan City, Korea Craft and Design Foundation

Supported by

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Registration Date

Online registration at www.2015idc.org until Sep 30.

Contact us

02-398-7959, secretariat@2015idc.org

)繙好esign Connects

Congress Program

Main Speakers

Exhibition

10.17~10.18 Workshops, Academic Conference

10.17~10.18 Soren Petersen,

Design City Zone Introduction of design culture of city

10.19~10.20 Opening Ceremony, Keynote Speakers Discussion, Integrated Sessions, Parallel Sessions 10.21 City Culture Design Summit, Closing Ceremony

Founder and President Ingomar&Ingomar - Consulting

Hitoshi Miura,

Representative and 3-Dimensional Illustrator Miura Creations

Anna Meroni,

Associate Professor, Department of Design, Politecnico di Milano

10.19~10.20 Victor Margolin,

Professor Emeritus Design History University of Illinois

Cameron Sinclair,

Co-founder, Architecture for Humanity

Partner Zone Exhibition of prize-winning design works of partner organization members

Neville Brody,

Dean Royal College of Art

10.22~10.23 General Assembly

International Design School Zone Introduction of design educational philosophy of domestic and international universities

Hartmut Esslinger,

Founder of frog design Professor for Strategic Industrial Design, DeTao Masters Academy

Sponsor Zone Promotion exhibition of sponsor partners

Gwangju & South Jeolla International Magazine

October 2015 Issue No. 164 Published on September 30, 2015 Cover Photo: Toyo Ito Cover Art & Design: Joe Wabe Photographed by: Toyo Ito & Associates, Architects 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 (Geumnam-no 3 Ga), 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 Minsu Kim PHOTO EDITOR Joe Wabe CHIEF PROOFREADER Bradley Weiss ONLINE EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Jacqui Page, Sam Page COPY EDITORS Laura Becker, Timm Berg, Elizabeth Butler, Robert Hinderliter, Brian Fitzroy, Joey Nunez, Kelsey Rivers, Kim Dong-hun, Jon Ozelton PROOFREADERS Lianne Bronzo, Don Gariepy, Fellin Kinanti, Carrie Levinson, Joey Nunez, Gabrielle Nygaard, Stephen Redeker, Pete Schandall, Teri Venable RESEARCHERS Farah Amin, Ki Su-yeon, Cho Nam-hee, Lee Harim, Lee So-eun

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Gwangju City News

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Compiled by Ki Su-yeon, Cho Nam-hee and Lee So-eun Photos courtesy of Gwangju Metropolitan City

CITY BUS ROUTES CHANGING Gwangju’s city bus routes will be revised in June 2017. With new housing land development, Suwan, Cheomdan, Hyocheon and Hanam districts will need more transportation services. To address this problem, Gwangju city officials have organized a consultation team that consists of the director of construction, professors, civic groups and other people in similar positions. They will discuss analysis of the transportation system and the direction of a study focusing on ties between the KTX and subway line 2. City officials will analyze commuter demands to increase convenience for citizens.

GWANGJU GREENWAY PARK PRECEIVES ASIA TOWNSCAPE AWARD Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on September 23 that the city’s Greenway Park, in Jinwoldong, Nam-gu District, has received the 2015 Asia Townscape Award. The award recognizes Asian cities/organizations for creating urban environments that are sustainable, culturally appropriate and contribute to residents’ well-beings. The United Nations Human Settlements Program and Regional Head Office in Fukuoka, will host the annual Townscape Awards, along with the cooperation of the Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center, the Asian Habitat Society, and the Asia Township Design Society. Gwangju’s Greenway Park joins Seoul’s Han River Park, and the Olle Trail on Jeju Island in receiving recognition this year. Past award recipients include Moere Numa Park in Japan, Tsing Tao Garden in China and Bungkul Park in Indonesia.

GWANGJU TO HOST ASIA EUROPE MEETING 2016 The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced that Gwangju Metropolitan City as the 2016 host of the Asia-Europe Meeting. This summit will focus on promoting cultural, political and economic dialogues between Asian and European countries, at the Asia Culture Center in June 2016. Over 200 officials and ministers from 53 countries are expected to participate in the 3-day event entitled: “Culture and Creative Economy”. According to the head of Heritage Resources Development Kim Il Yoong, hosting ASEM will raise Gwangju’s global presence, with its Asian Culture Center. The department also plans to establish an administrative support group to ensure efficient preparations for the event.

For more information on Gwangju, please scan the QR code

October 2015 Issue No. 164

Contents News and info

5 Gwangju City News 7 Cycling Through the City: A Review of Huni Oppa Bike Tours 8 Upcoming Events 58 Community board

Feature 10 12 14 16 19 22 24 26

Local

Five Questions with Architect Toyo Ito “Real Fun” at Design Biennale Choi Kyung-ran shares expertise and insights Eeum Design Connects Go with the Flow East Asian Calligraphers Collaborate Looking to the Past for a New Future: World Bamboo Fair Damyang Korea 2015 and World Bamboo Congress Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team: Giving to Those in Desperate Need Live from the Sajik World Folk Festival: A Talk with Damon and Naomi Talking Business: GIC Small Business Translation Service

28 Now Trending: Maru Guest House 30 International Community: An Ingenious Way to Meet People 32 Gwangju Eats: Monday Off Please 33 Gwangju Cooks: Bean Sprouts & Beef Soup 34 Right to the City: The Dangers of Heat Waves 35 Right to the City: Sewol Update 36 Gwangju Talks: “Have you attended Design Biennale in the past? What is your opinion of the event?”

Photography

37 Fashion on the Street 38 Photo Essay: 5 Tips for Better Smartphone Photos

Place to see

40 My Korea: Discovering Suncheon Bay 42 Departing Gwangju: Mongolia’s Undisturbed Beauty

Culture

44 Behind the Myth: Korea’s Creation Myth What Can We Learn? Part 2 45 Jeolla History: The Birth of Buddhism in Jeolla 46 Gwangju Writes: DOROTHY LINGERS ON IN THE LAND OF OZ 47 Korean Poetry: This Azure Day

General

48 KOTESOL: Finding the Inclusive Testing Gulf 50 Green Korea: Donating Clothes 51 DVD Reviews: October DVD Releases 52 Health: Health Care and Health Insurance in South Korea: An Overview

GIC

53 Community Classes at GIC 54 GIC Tour Preview: Exploring Gochang 56 GIC Talk Preview: Vegetarian Nutrition Essentials You should Know 57 GIC Talk October Schedule

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Cycling Through the City

A Review of Huni Oppa Bike Tours Written by Farah Amin Photo provided by Kim Ok-ryeol

H

ave you ever seen the bike (in the picture above) in the downtown or Asia Culture Center area?

Well if you haven’t, it is called Huni Oppa Bike Tours. It is the first and only bicycle tour for visitors in Gwangju. Launched during the 2015 Universiade in July, the eye-catching, eco-friendly vehicle takes visitors sightseeing around the downtown area (Chungjangno, Geumnamro and Asia Culture Center).

work in the area, after hearing fun stories about the history of downtown from Huni Oppa, I learned a lot of things! He even pointed out street names and small alleys that I had never noticed before. You will absolutely enjoy taking a tour in the fresh air instead of being enclosed in a car or bus. On the bike tour you can look up at the sky and view the scenery around you freely. However, you might be a little bit embarrassed while being a passenger on the tour because a lot of people will look at you and sometimes strangely. This is because the bike tour is still new to people in Gwangju. But worry not! Huni Oppa advised us to smile and wave at the people we passed. And it worked! The people waved and smiled back.

On September 16, my co-worker and I took this bicycle tour and our guide was the man who created the tour, Kim Gwang Hun. Notice the ‘Hun’ in Huni Oppa Bicycle Tours? He said it was an easier name for visitors, especially foreign tourists, to say and remember.

“Oppa” is what girls call their older brother, so my co-worker and I called him Huni Oppa for the whole journey. The tour was fun and I would highly recommend others try it too.

Going on the Huni Oppa Bike Tour really reminded me of my home in Malaysia, too. Actually we have I should first mention that Huni Oppa is so friendly something similar to Huni Oppa’s type of tour, but it and funny! Even before beginning the tour, he joked goes back ages. It is called “becha” which means a around with us and that really made us feel comfort- vehicle moved by cycling. I never would’ve thought I able. He first checked the vehicle’s tire pressure and would see anything even to similar to that in Korea. the hitch connected to the bike. But don’t worry: I can assure you the bike is strong and safe. The bike So no need to babble more, if you are in Gwangju, and carriage reach a speed of 5km/hr, which makes do not miss the chance to experience Huni Oppa tour both relaxing and safe.

Bike Tours because all you’ve got to do is sit back, relax and enjoy!

We started the tour around the downtown shopping area and then headed toward Art Street. What’s spe- How to find Huni Oppa Bike Tours Just search for Huni Oppa and his ‘co-cyclers’ in front cial about the tour is that it is not like those typiof the Asia Culture Center cal boring bus tours with a monotone-voiced tour guide. Huni Oppa will surely entertain you for the ￦ Fee: 10,000 won per person Reservation: Gwangju Eco Bike (062-374-2245) entire tour. Even though I’ve been to the downtown or http://blog.daum.net/hunioppa1004 area a lot and thought I knew a lot about it since I

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Upcoming Events 7080 Chungjang Recollection Festival 추억의 7080 충장축제

During the festival, the streets in the venue are made to be similar to the scene of 70s and 80s. The 7080 Chungjang Recollection Festival hosts various programs, such as street parade, alumni reunions, intangible cultural asset performances, and more.

Oct. 7-11 The Asian Culture Center, Chungjang-ro, Geumnam-ro, and Hwanggeum-ro roads, and Art Street in downtown Gwangju Take city bus (Take 07, 09, 36, 45, 61, 74, 80, 95, 98, 151, 518, 1187), and get off at Asia Culture Cener.

062-608-2421~4 http://www.cjr7080.com

2015 International Agricultural Exhibition 2015국제농업박람회

It is an agriculture-related festival for the exhibition, promotion and sales. Experience events like Makgeolli and field studies such as cheese making are held for families to enjoy. Special lectures are also held for both domestic and international visitors.

Oct.15-Nov.1 Agricultural Research Services, Jeollanam-do (1508, Senam-ro, Sanpo-myeon, Naju-si,) Take city bus Daechon 170 and get off at Agricultural Research Servces Jeollanam-do. ￦ Admissions: Adults 8,000 won, Children 3,000 won 061-339-9200 http://www.iae.or.kr

Seopyeonjae Bosung Sori Festival 서편제 보성소리축제 Bosung County, Jeollanamdo will host the 18th Seopyeonje Boseong Sori Festival at the city’s Seopyeonje Inheritance Hall, Dahyang Gymnasium, and Boseong County Culture and Art Center from October 17th to 18th.

The festival, celebrating the traditional Jeollanam-do seopyeonje pansori opera, will feature various cultural and musical performances along with a pansori contest sponsored by the Boseong Cultural Center Those interested in participating in the contest, which will take place over the two days of the festival, can submit application forms to the Boseong County Office or Boseong Cultural Center until October 16th.

Hwasun Healing Food Festival 화순 힐링푸드 페스티벌 Opening ceremony, Sale event (Healing food tent, Black food, kids food, etc.), Healing garden, Garden camp, Book concert, and more.

Oct. 22-25 Hwasun Public Stadium (2698, Hakpo-ro, Hwasuneup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do) Take the intercity bus at Gwangju Bus Terminal and get off at Hwasun Terminal (30 min). From Hwasun Bus Terminal, take the No. 125 bus. Get off at the Byeongna kyo (벽라교) bus stop (5 stops, approximately 10 min). It is a 2 minute walk from the bus stop to Hwasun Public Stadium.

061- 379-3579 http://healingfood.hwasun.go.kr

info

Hampyeong Grand Chrysanthemum Festival 대한민국 국향대전 Visitors will enjoy large fields of chrysanthemum, the quintessential autumn flower, and large-scale artworks made of chrysanthemum. The festival will also have a farmers market, while various hands-on experiences will provide much amusement.

Oct. 23-Nov. 8 Hampyeong Expo Park (27, Gonjea-ro, Hampyeong-gun) Take the intercity bus at Gwangju Bus Terminal and get off at Hampyeong Terminal (40 min), it is a 10 minute walk to the festival venue (Expo Park). ￦ Admissions: Adults 7,000 won, Children 3,000 won 061-320-3364,3349,3733 www.hampyeong.go.kr

Gwangju World Kimchi Festival 2015 광주세계김치축제 Learn all about Kimchi at the festival. Various Kimchi exhibitions, demonstrations and contests take place at the Market Street in Kimchi Town.

Opening ceremony and special concerts are also held to celebrate the 22nd Gwangju World Kimchi Festival.

Oct. 24-28 Gwangju Kimchi Town (60, Kimchi-ro, Namgu, Gwangju) Take city bus Jinwol 78 and get off at Gwangju Kimchi Town.

062-613-3993 http://kimchi.gwangju.go.kr

October Home Match Schedule Date

Match team

Time

1

Samsung Lions

6:30 p.m.

2

Dusan Bears

6:30 p.m.

3

Dusan Bears

4 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

@ 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

Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own 그녀, 잉그리드 버그만 [Documentary, Biography] Ingrid Bergman, Alicia Vikander, Isabella Rossellini A captivating look behind the scenes of the remarkable life of a young Swedish girl who became one of the most celebrated actresses of American and World cinema.

Amadeus(Director’s cut) 아마데우스 감독판 [Drama] Tom Hulce, F. Murray Abraham, Elizabeth Berridge This is the incredible, mostly true story about the relationship between two composers in the 18th century Vienna - Antonio Salieri, the successful court composer for Emperor Joseph of Austria, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a child prodigy who, while vulgar and irritating, writes the greatest music the world has ever heard.

Slow West, 슬로우 웨스트 [Western, Thriller, Action] Michael Fassbender, Ben Mendelsohn, Rory MnCann The end of the nineteenth century, 16-year-old Jay Cavendish (Kodi Smit-McPhee) journeys across the American frontier in search of the woman he loves. He is joined by Silas (Michael Fassbender), a mysterious traveler, and hotly pursued by an outlaw along the way.

The Homesman, 더 홈즈맨 [Western, Drama/R] Tommy Lee Jones, Hilary Swank, Grace Gummer Three women who have been driven mad by pioneer life are to be transported across the country by covered wagon by the pious, independent-minded Mary Bee Cuddy, who in turn employs low-life drifter George Briggs to assist her.

Danny Collins, 대니 콜린스 (Drama/R) Al Pacino, Jennifer Garner, Annette Bening Aging 1970s rocker Danny Collins can’t give up his hard-living ways. But when his manager, Frank Grubman, uncovers a 40-year-old undelivered letter written to him from John Lennon, he decides to change course and embarks on a heartfelt journey to rediscover his family, find true love and begin a second act.

A special project series of the 80th anniversary of opening: the Chronicles of Gwangju cinema and film. (The cinema will screen a total of 20 films, from the 1920s to 2000s), October 15th~November 1st.

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Five Questions with Architect

Toyo Ito Written by Karly Pierre

Photos courtesy of Gwangju Design Biennale

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oyo Ito, one of Japan’s most revered contemporary architects, will attend the 6th Gwangju Design Biennale, which will be held Oct. 15-Nov. 13.

GN: You often cite nature as inspiration for your architectural designs. Why is nature important to your work?

Born in Seoul in 1941 to Japanese parents, Ito’s family returned to Japan in 1943. Ito graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1965 with a degree in architecture. Ito began working for his mentor Kiyonori Kikutake, one of the leading figures of the Japanese architectural Metabolist Movement, which sought to incorporate organic concepts in urban structures. When Ito began his own firm, Urban Robot (renamed Toyo Ito & Associates) in 1971, the legacy of his mentor deeply influenced his work as Ito tried to create structures that were “a piece of clothing that must be wrapped around human beings.” He created notable structures such as The Tower of Winds (1986), an interactive tower whose lights respond to variations in sound and wind, and his most iconic design, Sendai Mediatheque (2001), which relies on glass and a weaving of tubes to create a transparent and “barrier-free” environment between nature, media and humanity. Following the devastating 2011 Japanese earthquake, Ito joined the Home-For-All Project with other Japanese architects to create living spaces for communities destroyed in the disaster. In 2013, Ito received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in the field.

TI: Human beings used to live in nature as other animals did. However, in modern society, human beings have been separated from nature and have lost their instinctive feeling and flexibility. Therefore, in the modern architecture, I would like to revive the living space as if the human beings are still living in nature.

Gwangju News was able to interview Ito to find out more about his life and work.

TI: I am seriously thinking how to put my answer to the last question into practice in modern architecture. To realize this, I have been going to local communities from the city and continuing designing and making architecture with the local people.

Gwangju News: Your designs have been described as airy and interactive. Why are these characteristics important to you in design?

Toyo Ito: Many architecture works in the world are coercive and it feels like they are putting pressure on human beings. My architecture these days is not always light. What I am trying to create recently is a comfortable space where people would love to stay.

The “interactive” impression may come from my attempt to create a harmonious relationship between people and the atmosphere.

1. Toyo Ito with a model of ‘Minna no Mori’ Gifu Media Cosmos 2. ‘Minna no Mori’ Gifu Media Cosmos_(c)Kai Nakamura 3. National Taichung Theater_exterior

GN: You worked on the Home-For-All Project after the 2011 Japanese earthquake. How did that experience affect your ideas about the purpose of an architect in society?

TI: For whom and what do many architects create architecture? I wonder if architects are making architecture for architects.

After the 3.11 Great East Japan Earthquake, I was trying to restore the social status of the architecture made and designed by all. And I hope young architects can always keep this in their mind.

GN: You have a prestigious career spanning decades. Is there an architectural problem that you are still trying to solve?

GN: What is your life like on a typical day?

TI: I wake up around 5 o’clock in the morning and then take my dog for a walk. And before breakfast, I think about architecture, and draw some sketches.

If I am at the office, I enjoy lunch with my staff, but I do not have lunch so often. At night, I drink alcohol, mostly wine, to reduce stress and watch baseball games on TV at home. The amount of work depends on the day and the situation at the office.

Good ideas do not come even if you think of it all the time. I think it will be better to focus your thinking for a short period of time.

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“Real Fun” at Design Biennale Choi Kyung-ran shares expertise and insights Written by Joey Nunez Photos courtesy of Gwangju Design Biennale

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his year’s Gwangju Design Biennale will recognize the power of design, under the direction of Choi Kyung-ran, with the exhibition “A Real Fun with Design.”

“The things that are interesting to me are the everyday objects, so it is important to find something that is very useful and valuable,” said Choi, Design Biennale Directing General.

After completing her education in design, Choi became both a professional educator and a professional designer.

“The background of my education gave me ideas of what design has to do, what I should do with my role and what I am to do with design.”

Organizing an international event has required sacrifices. A Seoul native, Choi originally thought that she would visit Gwangju only once a month. “Now, I live once a week in Seoul. ... It is a unique and very important situation,” she said.

While staying in Gwangju, Choi has been able to recognize what changes were possible to benefit this year’s Design Biennale.

First, Choi has defined design’s essence and necessity. “Design is something that we can see easily, [and] I have found the area of design in everyday life. ...

There is the basic idea to be engaged with design, to enact it in our lives to be better and to help us be happy.”

Second, this year’s Gwangju Design Biennale will differentiate itself from next year’s Art Biennale. “Design is something that you need, that you can buy and that you can use. It should be designed in production, to be equal in use, so all people have the chance and the freedom to use it.”

Third, healthy attendance and participation rates are Choi’s aims. “Right now, the Biennale is very far from [residents’] activities. They do not have many chances to go and see design, because of their occupations, businesses or teaching. ...

We need ideas and thoughts, for showing our thoughts with exhibitions. People should speak, talk and present.”

Choi explained how Gwangju photographers’ favorite images assembled into a design piece and how participants can create “design flowers” are first-time efforts to involve the community’s involvement at the Biennale.

Choi added that this year’s community support of the Biennale will generate many more future benefits. “To know what Koreans are thinking together, in better interpretation between Korea, China and

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These are some of the diverse designs that will be exhibited at Design Biennale

Japan, will [help us] then learn more about these cultures. These three countries have design, so it is very special to have design.

Gwangju residents will have a month to visit, with the Design Biennale opening October 15 and closing November 13.

“And, of course, Gwangju is becoming an Asian Culture Hub. We learn more every year, as Asian culture has strong content, with not only solving problems, but also with trying to find what the exhibition means.”

Choi’s final remarks show appreciation for the community’s anticipated attendance and point to this event’s upcoming impacts on Gwangju.

At “Real Fun,” participants will venture through four major areas of design by looking into what “upgrading” Gwangju involves, visualizing the incorporation of Eastern and Western values, “pleasant sharing” through presentations and discussions, witnessing global university and enterprise collaborations and enjoying work from Korean, Chinese and Japanese cultural curators.

“The Gwangju Design Biennale is not only focused on what we can show in Korea or in Gwangju. The Biennale is already international,” she said.

“People keep watching, keep waiting, for this event.

Why? People love their Biennale. The people are waiting for their Biennales, always.

We are ready to be evaluated and to give our feedback. We are ready to hear what people say.”

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Written by Matthew Endacott Photos courtesy of International Design Congress 2015

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he world is driven by innovation. Throughout history people have created inventions to propel our quality of life to new heights. The possibilities of modern technology are limitless. There is a 3-D printer that can print ten houses in twenty-four hours from scrap materials, prosthetic limbs that are capable of being controlled by the person’s mind, solar panel roadways that would eliminate the need for fossil fuels, among countless other designs in every field imaginable. Ideas, no matter how big or small, can affect society in positive ways. Designers turn these ideas into creation.

Beginning October 17, Gwangju will host the Eeum Design Connects: International Design Congress (IDC) to foster communication between local and international professionals, students, educators, and the public.

The conference is the largest event for the design industry with 3,000 leading design experts from over 30 countries in numerous fields of design and technology gathering to review the increasing role of design in our lives. It’s also a great opportunity for students and professionals to network for a broad range of fields, such as, visual, industrial, interior, service and interactive design.

Eeum, this year’s theme, is a Korean word that translates loosely to ‘joint’ or ‘connector.’ It carries both a utilitarian and poetic meaning that Koreans delightfully use in multiple contexts and situ-

ations. The Congress seeks to explore this idea of design as a connector from a multifarious range of thinking, and points of view. Gwangju was chosen to showcase the cultural and economic values of

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Korean design and to gain feedback and exchange knowledge between world-class design professionals to help the city and world grow by bridging the gap between the past, present and future.

During the Congress there will be sub-themes for each day. Monday, October 19 will be “Open and Create” and will focus on creating awareness of design processes and projects. Tuesday will be “Share and Participate.” This day’s proceedings will emphasize the core values of the entire event: the creation of an open platform for multi-disciplinary discussions and collaboration. Wednesday will be “Innovate and Continue,” which will drive discussions about design, especially it’s connectedness, sustainability and future applications. Each day will feature a slew of speakers and workshops.

One of the many admirable key note speakers presenting is Hartmut Esslinger of frog design (originally esslinger design). Esslinger began his company with the hope of “improving the everyday lives of people.” The company helped Sony produce the first standalone television, the black-box Sony P R O G R A M

11:00 11:30 12:00

13:00

14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00

17:00

ALL DAY

16:30

10.20

Keynote Speakers Discussion

9:30– :00

Partner's Announcement

Opening Ceremony

WEDNESDAY

Share and Participate

Break Future With Design

11:00–11:30

Session 1 Entrepreneurship and Design Luncheon, Spotlight

Session 2 Designing for Cause

Luncheon, Spotlight

13:00–14:30

Parallel Sessions

14:30–16:00

These sessions will take place simultaneously.

Session 1 Open and Create in Communication Break

Session 2 Open and Create in Industries

Session 3 Design Accessibility

9:30–13:00

City Culture Design Summit

13:00–14:30

Session 4 Open and Create in Interactions

Session 5 Open and Create in Services

Session 1 Share and Participate in Communication Break

Initiated By, With and For Design

16:30–18:00

Session 3 Share and Participate in Spaces

Session 4 Share and Participate in Interactions

Session 5 Share and Participate in Services Break

16:00–16:30 16:30–1 :00

16:00

Closing Ceremony 16:30–17:30

Session 2 Session 3 Multidisciplinary Future Design Collaboration Education 18:00

Session 2 Share and Participate in Industries

Innovative City — Gwangju, Gwangju City Tour & Exploration

These sessions will also take place simultaneously.

Welcome Dinner

14:30–16:00

These sessions will take place simultaneously.

Session 3 Open and Create in Spaces

16:00–16:30

Integrated Sessions

18:00

Montreal Night (Invitation Only)

19:30

11:30–13:00

Gwangju Culture Events

13:00–16:00

Parallel Sessions

Session 1 Design Led Innovation

19:00

Impact and Accessibility

Integrated Sessions

11:30–13:00

These sessions will take place simultaneously.

17:30

18:30

9:30–11:00

1 : –11:

11:00–11:30

Keynote Speakers Discussion

10.21 Design Future & Design Incubation

ALL DAY

13:30

TUESDAY

ALL DAY

12:30

S C H E D U L E

Open and Create

Registration

Break

With so many avenues to pursue in the field of design we must reach common ground through knowledge to make the world a better place for us all to live. The IDC hopes to provide a rare venue for international thinkers and pioneers in the field to connect and create a greater awareness of the “the responsibility of design.”

Special Educational Session

10:30

Young Designers/Students Workshop

10:00

MONDAY

10.19

International Design Conference of KSDS and ADADA with Cumulus 2015

9:30

SAT–SUN

10.17–18

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Trinitron, and the Walkman. In 1984, frog designed a language for Apple in the Apple IIc system, which Time Magazine applauded as the “Design of the Year.” In 1982, Apple’s revenue stood at $700 million. By 1986 it had sky-rocketed to $4 billion. This shows how crucial design is to the success or failure of a product. frog continued to grow, adding a number of clients and innovations in multiple fields. In 2008, frog launched Project Masiluleke, and was praised by The Economist as “the world’s largest field trial in mobile health technology.” The project is the first attempt to tackle South Africa’s HIV epidemic with a mobile solution. Individuals like Mr. Esslinger attending the IDC embody the values of the conference and its hope to elevate the status of design.

Farewell Party 18:00

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Go with the Flow

East Asian Calligraphers Collaborate Written by Kartin Marquez Photos courtesy of Gyonggu Shin

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n China, calligraphy was used in divination ceremonies as early as the 14th century BCE. By the third century CE, Chinese calligraphy was introduced to Korea, later reaching Japan. Since then, artistic, linguistic and political influences altered the practice significantly. Such influences have allowed each of the three countries to develop unique styles while calligraphy became a respected art form.

Calligraphy has greatly impacted the cultures of Korea, Japan and China. The Calligraphy Exhibition of East Asian Culture Cities held from September 3 to 23 sought to celebrate for this reason. Based on the themes of city, relationships and tea, the exhibition brought together calligraphers from the three countries to both showcase their individual art and to collaborate.

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Chinese calligrapher, Huang Hong Qiong

Japanese calligrapher, Yamamoto Hiroshi

The exhibition opened with the artists working together on a long roll of paper. Each was assigned a section in which to create their own art, but which would be next to the work of other artists. Though lacking cohesion, the resulting piece is beautiful.

The various styles range from traditional to abstract, which are integrated together in a way that conveys the distinct but interconnected histories of the three countries. For the participating artists, this was a unique chance to engage with peers possessing different aesthetic sensibilities.

while many of her counterparts had more drawinglike pieces. For her, working on the collaborative piece felt like the entire scroll “represented nature” with each artist working on “some aspect” of the larger scene somehow still reflecting how “each artist has his own way.” For Huang, calligraphy is a special art form she hopes will help her students develop.

“Chinese calligraphy is very different from Korean and Japanese calligraphy,” explained Huang Hong Qiong. A professor of calligraphy theory as well as an artist, Huang explained that participating in the exhibit allowed her to better understand the differences in style between her and the Korean and Japanese artists. She describes her style as “formal,” wanting to convey the “elegance” of the characters

Just as Huang sees calligraphy as a way to help her students, Gwangju-based artist Jeon Myung-ok says calligraphy allows him to develop himself. For Jeon, calligraphy is a form of meditation that allows him to gradually improve his work, which he says is better when he is not thinking too much about it. Thus, he likes to drink a glass of makgeolli before beginning each piece since it allows him to relinquish just enough control to let the natural rhythms of the characters come out in his work. Mirroring Huang’s comments, Jeon said the exhibition helped highlight

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Jeon has begun to work with Roman characters because he aspires to see calligraphy spread internationally. A similar desire to see calligraphy further popularized prompted Yamamoto Hiroshi to represent Niigata Prefecture in the exhibition. He said that calligraphy “represents East Asia” and thus wanted to get the impressions of the other artists.

He found the spirit of collaboration especially helpful in promoting calligraphy internationally. Speaking of Gwangju, he said that, unlike Seoul, it has a special “welcoming spirit” while adding it would be an honor to participate in the Gwangju Biennale.

Korean calligrapher, Jeon Myung-ok

clear distinctions between contemporary calligraphy originating from the three countries: China is strictly character based; Japan is primarily concerned with drawing; and Korea is somewhere in the middle.

In his own work, he always uses the shape of the characters, like hanja, hangul and Roman letters, as a necessary base, but creates images, especially faces, to convey his belief that calligraphy should reflect humanity.

The welcoming spirit Yamamoto identified is vital for Gwangju’s branding as Asia’s Culture City. It promotes the international connections that can be built through art. For a Jeolla native like Jeon, it is especially gratifying to see Gwangju take a lead role in promoting East Asian art forms internationally.

As the Asian Culture Complex starts to invite artists to learn about and from Korea, art forms like calligraphy, which have developed through hundreds of years of cultural exchange into distinct concepts while still rooted in a common tradition provide a perfect means to showcase the artistic value of Asian cultures.

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Looking to the Past for a New Future

The County governer of Damyang, Choi Hyung-sik

World Bamboo Fair Damyang Korea 2015 and World Bamboo Congress Written by Matthew Endacott Photos courtesy of World Bamboo Fair Damyang Korea 2015

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houghts of bamboo evoke images of ancient Asian art and architecture. The allure to this natural and elegant style is compelling, yet there is more to bamboo than its ties to cultural heritage: it pro-

vides a key to a promising future. Choi Hyung-sik, the county governor of Damyang, and his vision of “happy human life with bamboo” will lead to building a state-of-the-art cultural “sustainable eco-city”

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through bamboo. Mr. Choi plans to accomplish this feat by through the combined effort of the World Bamboo Congress (WBC) and the World Bamboo Fair: Damyang.

From the time of the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) the villagers of Damyang would gather on the May 13 on the lunar calendar for Juk-sul Day, the day for bamboo, but by the 1920s this practice had ceased. Industrialization crippled the bamboo industry and people desired plastic and artificial products over bamboo and natural ones. Since Mr. Choi was elected as county governor of Damyang, he has set out to make his dream of ensuring a place for bamboo in Damyang’s future a reality. He began by replenishing the bamboo forests even though he received immense criticism because of it. As a result of this backlash, he subsequently lost his position in the next election, but eventually citizens began to see the future Mr. Choi envisioned and re-elected him to a second and third term.

The WBC is a meeting dedicated to developing social and environmental goals through the diverse applications of bamboo. This congress meets every three to four years bringing together 1,800 members of all professions from

over 40 countries. The theme for this WBC is “Bamboo for a Greener Future.” We cannot continue to build the same way because trees are being exhausted, and the production of concrete accounts for over 10% of the carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Darrel Deboer, an architect and keynote speaker for the WBC, said the idea is to make bamboo the answer to all questions: food, medicine, agriculture, architecture, fuel, textiles, landscaping, furniture, biotechnology, etc. “Born in a bamboo cradle and buried in a bamboo coffin,” he said. He states the current problem with the bamboo industry is people’s preconceptions of it: people think bamboo is a poor man’s timber. His example was that an unskilled craftsman collects the inappropriate type of bamboo because it is easily accessed and cheap to harvest. The craftsman then creates and sells inferior products that break and the misconceptions of bamboo continue. Mr. Deboer said that we should use bamboo as we do wood.

With the right bamboo species at the right age and after treating it correctly we could theoretically use bamboo to erect a 40-story building. These types of designs are being displayed at the World Bamboo Fair: Damyang, an expo for bamboo innovations.

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The World Bamboo Fair is a medium for people to realize the potential for bamboo and its uses. Companies from around the world showcase their designs for bamboo lotions, teas, buildings, clothing, furniture, art, medicine, and much more. This expo combined with the promotion of ideas from 100 papers presented at the WBC is the platform Mr. Choi organized to gain the support of local citizens, the Korean government, and the world. Currently the plan for the bamboo forest is in the beginning stage.

Mr. Choi said that development of designs for bamboo products, finding different species of bamboo to cultivate, and presenting the culture of bamboo to tourists is what is important at this time. As of now with less than 1,800 hectares (1 hectare=2.5 acres) of bamboo forest, Damyang produces 90 million USD of revenue each year.

According to the Korean Department of Agriculture, 5,000 jobs will be created and produce over 180 miliion USD of revenue each year with the envisioned 10,000 hectares of bamboo for tourism, industrialization, and commerce.

The county governor of Damyang was very successful in his endeavor to make the most of local natural resources to create a self-sustaining eco-community, getting the county’s residents to think traditional and natural over industrial and plastic, receiving support from the central government, as well as support from the WBC. The Korean Minister of Agriculture promised monetary support to Mr. Choi’s cause because he agrees that bamboo can play an important role in the future. The chair of the WBC also promised the backing of Damyang as the bamboo capital of Korea. Recently, Mr. Choi and his assembly asked for the United Nation’s support of bamboo as a significant sustainable resource of the future.

Take trip to Damyang this month and enjoy the World Bamboo Fair, which will be held until October 31. Learn more about bamboo and how it will shape our world.

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Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team

Giving to Those in Desperate Need Written by Joey Nunez Photos courtesy of Joey Nunez and the AMURT organization

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ada Shillabhadranandaji (Dada) expressed what motivates him to give to others: “My motivation actually comes from the recipients,” he said. “The most memorable moments are the ones where you’re really, really helping someone who really, really needs the help. It is a very moving experience. I actually feel blessed to be able to participate.”

Dada is joined by Dada Priyabodhanandaji and Dada Shubhacintananada as representatives from Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT), an Indian organization formed in 1965 that assists populations affected by natural disasters.

AMURT and AMURTEL (Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team, Women & Children) have established chapters in 34 countries and, according to their website, have successfully created “a network that can meet disaster and development needs almost anywhere around the world.”

AMURT provides assistance to poor and disadvantaged people. Their website states: “We help individuals and communities to harness their own resources for securing the basic necessities of life and for gaining greater economic, social and spiritual fulfillment, while respecting their customs, language, and religious beliefs.”

Dada and his companions’ efforts have concentrated on those affected by the Nepal earthquakes in April. According to the AMURT website, the Nepali Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that 8,219 people have been killed and 488,789 homes have been destroyed. The website also states: “In the most affected districts, up to 80 percent of the public schools were damaged or destroyed, leaving most

AMURT leaders

children out of school. The United Nations estimate that three million people were in need of food aid.”

Dada gave a first-hand account of what both AMURT Nepal and AMURT India collectively have accomplished. “Our team rushed to the scene and began immediate relief work,” he said. “In the first month ... 7,500 people received medical assistance, 15,300 people received food parcels and 2,088 received tarpaulins [waterproof cloth canvases]. We were able to carry out these particular operations in nine affected districts.”

Dada further explained that the first two months involve relief, immediately followed by rehabilitation, which can last from one to five years. Phases last as long as the disaster’s damage demands assistance.

In addition to infrastructure reconstruction’s importance, psychological reconstruction is likewise a priority.

“Trauma healing and counseling are very important relief aspects of all operations, post-disaster,” Dada

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1. Tarp distribution in hard-to-reach villages of Sindhupalchok. 2. Students in grade 5 or lower receive a nutritious vegetarian meal as part of the program. 3. Nepalis in remote villages receive food parcels. 4. Free medical camps in remote villages

said. “This trauma healing is the most important service for children, and what children need more than anything is normalcy: to get them back into their school environment.”

In addition, Dada also invests in the future leaders of disaster-stricken nations. “The best way to support the children is to enable them to remain in their communities, because there is resilience in communities and strength,” he said. “They will feel much more comfortable if they are able to remain where they have lived, and even though it might have been destroyed, it rebuilds up again.”

AMURT personnel also have to take care of themselves while caring for others. Dada stated that meditation and vegetarian practices help with his and others’ physical energy, mental strength and spiritual strength. “We never neglect it. It might get a little bit loose because there are too many things to do, but we never neglect, because we know that keeps us in balance,” he said.

Dada Priyabodhanandaji explained how such practices assist him. “There is a beautiful ideology fun-

damental to our work, and it inspires us to do good things. That very internal inspiration always gives us a chance to assist with these opportunities,” he said.

Dada Shillabhadranandaji continued by stating how financial contributions and volunteers joining existing teams will immediately help with any natural disaster. In addition, he recommended: “Nowadays there are natural disaster measures and exercises, and trainings that are carried out in different countries. First aid training is always useful to have at one’s disposal, even if it is not in a natural disaster, but in any given situation.”

Dada finally concluded his remarks by encouraging the Gwangju community. “Keep an open heart, keep an open mind,” he said. “Try to remind yourself that we are all one universal family, and the suffering of one is the suffering of all. ... The joy of one is the joy of all.”

More information about AMURT will be presented during the GIC Talk on Saturday, October 24, in the Gwangju International Center’s Hall at 3 p.m., followed by a benefit lunch on Sunday, October 25.

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Musician Naomi Yang warming up before the Sajik Concert

Live from the Sajik World Folk Festival

A Talk with Damon and Naomi Written by Ana Traynin Photos courtesy of Sajik World Folk Festival

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n a warm weekend under the trees, historical Sajik Park set the stage for the 2nd Gwangju International Folk Festival, Sept. 5-6. Sunday night’s Korean showcase included prominent long-time singer-songwriter Kim Doo Soo backed by Czech musicians, as well as some of Korea’s other veteran and rising folk stars.

Two Japanese folk acts and an American dream pop/ folk duo Damon and Naomi represented the international side.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts based duo Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang, are former members of the seminal indie rock band Galaxie 500, which was active from 1987-1991. During their first tour of Korea in 2005, Damon and Naomi discovered Kim Doo Soo’s 1991 song “Bohemian.” They included it on their first compilation of world music called “International Sad Hits,” produced by their 20-20-20 label. Ten years later, Kim’s sixth album, “Dance of Hunchback,” brought the duo back to Korea to open for Kim’s record release in Seoul, following their own separate performances in Gwangju and Hongdae’s Veloso.

Before the start of the folk festival, in a quiet café near Sajik Park, Gwangju News sat down with Krukowski, Yang and their Tokyo-based tour organizer Koki Yohata to discuss their return to Korea and their first performance in Gwangju.

Gwangju News: This is your first tour in Korea in ten years. How did you first come here?

Krukowski: Some of our records were licensed by [Korean music label] Pastel. We were going to Japan to play and I think I suggested it to them: “If you could bring us from Japan, would you want us to play?” It was not very hard for them to do. I think it was very unusual for a US band to come and play at the time.

We brought two of the Japanese musicians that we played with called Ghost. We played as a quartet in Seoul. It was really wonderful. We’ve said yes a lot of times before a lot of other bands.

Krukowski recounted their recent tour in Istanbul, where the promoters who brought them to Turkey

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Krukowski: It’s hard to get to know it from a distance.

That’s why it’s really important to us to travel. Before streaming, you couldn’t really get the records from a non-English-speaking band from another country.

That’s why we started the International Sad Hits. We met a 4-year-old girl on the [KTX Seoul-Gwangju] train today who spoke English. The dominance of English in music can be really a little stifling because the only records that are exported and sold in the English-speaking world are in English. There are always bands in the native tongue, but people don’t tend to recommend them to outsiders.

Yang: So whenever we travel, we tend to ask the local musicians whatever they like to listen to that maybe wouldn’t be popular overseas. Both in Japan and Turkey and here too.

Musician Damon Krukowski at Sajik World Folk Festival

years ago admitted that the duo was their first show booking experience.

Krukowski: After us, a lot of American bands started coming to Istanbul so I feel like we’ve done this a couple of times. We said yes when other bands would have said no because there was no track record. We came [to Korea] because we wanted to see it.

Yang: We were excited to be back again.

GN: What made you come back?

Krukowski: Kim Doo Soo has a new record. He is launching in Seoul. We found his music when we were here last time and took it home and liked it a lot. So we got in contact and he released a few songs with us in the US. That’s been a wonderful thing because he’s gotten to know one of the other singers on the compilation who is Japanese. They’ve gotten to be friends and have played together.

GN: How did you come to the Sajik Folk Festival?

Koki Yohata: It came about because they asked me to help with the booking of international artists. The first idea I came up with was Kim Doo Soo and the Czech musicians who collaborated with him on his new record which came out in January of this year. Then I thought about who else I could talk to. It was a good time to connect him and Damon and Naomi.

GN: What do you think of the Korean music scene, especially folk music?

Krukowski: Sometimes it takes someone from the outside to cross the line.

The day after performing at the folk festival, the duo headed to Seoul to play their 2015 release “Fortune” at the Hongdae venue Veloso, named after a famous Brazilian musician.

GN: Your latest record, Fortune, is based on a short film. Can you talk about that?

Yang: I’ve been making music videos for other bands.

I always did photography. Because I was doing that, I thought I would make imagery behind our live show.

So when I started, I would collect different imagery and randomly screen it while we played our sets. But I started working with this friend of mine who I knew since college and it became really intense and semibiographical about his life. All of a sudden it didn’t seem like it would just work to put our music behind it. It seemed like it needed its own soundtrack. So I finished that as a silent film and I wrote a soundtrack for that and that’s what “Fortune” is.

GN: Is there anything else you want to add about your experience in Korea?

Krukowski: I make my own kimchi now. I learned from a book. I do my best to cook Korean food at home. I love the food.

During the folk festival, Damon and Naomi performed Tim Buckley’s classic “Song to the Siren” and two of their own songs.

Sajik World Folk Festival: gswff.gitct.or.kr/ Damonandnaomi.com 20-20-20.com

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Talking Business

GIC Small Business Translation Service Written by Karly Pierre

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or many small Korean businesses, breaking into the global marketplace is difficult because of language barriers.

In 2013, the Gwangju International Center (GIC) expanded its translation program to break down that barrier for small businesses in South Jeolla. Partnering with Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and Gwangju City, the program pairs ambitious Korean companies seeking to tap into overseas markets with foreign translators living in the Gwangju area.

Many of these translators are international students or immigrant women living in multicultural families.

Piao Shannu, a Chinese immigrant, has become a GIC translator. Once she arrived in Korea, Shannu had difficulty finding a job because of cultural and linguistic barriers.

“When I heard about this program, I saw it as a golden opportunity I could not miss,” said Shannu.

“I was lucky to pass the interview and started working with some companies soon after.”

Translators visit companies once a month and translate the company’s mission statement as well as other documents and contracts. Shannu specializes in Chinese translation. She researches the Chinese market and helps companies with promotional product catalogues.

“I have gained more self-confidence as I realized I

HeartPlus_NT-180 developed by Nanoom Tech

could get involved in activities while using my native language in Korea,” said Shannu.

Twenty-five companies are currently using this service, and there are 15 primary translators. Translators come from a number of countries, including Bangladesh, China, Japan, Morocco, Russia and Taiwan.

Nanoom, a medium-sized business specializing in defibrillators and portable medical devices, is one company that has benefitted from GIC’s Chinese translation services. The company, based in Bukgu, began in 2005 and has seen demands for its products growing domestically in hospitals, government facilities, private apartments and senior care facilities. While the company has entered the global market, it hopes to make a bigger impact.

Along with defibrillators, the company’s X-ray bone mineral density (BMD) scans have the potential to find success abroad as well.

“In terms of our BMD scans, in developing countries it is used in clinics, so that they don’t have to have radiology departments,” said Terry Kim, overseas sales manager. “With quick training of clinicians, they can operate the machine for their community.”

Last year, GIC translators accompanied Nanoom employees in meetings with buyers from Taiwan and China and played a key role in closing the deals and finalizing contracts. The start-up also has plans to put an innovative high-frequency device that stimulates joint flexibility for seniors on the market.

“Next year we expect to enter the Vietnamese market, so we chose a GIC translator to translate documents such as manuals, catalog instructions and simple instructional video text,” said Kim. “In overseas business, the most difficult barrier to entry is not being able to communicate with the target audience... A company cannot hire a person from every country or cultural background, so it makes sense to use this kind of service if it is available and we are very glad that it is.”

Translating has been a fulfilling job for Shannu, and she hopes more opportunities like this will become available for immigrant women.

“I was greatly touched by one GIC Coordinator in charge of the program,” said Shannu. “She felt sympathy for immigrant women like us who have become subjected to many job restrictions when we move to Korea after marriage.”

The GIC translation program is helping both immigrant women like Shannu and young businesses overcome obstacles and find success abroad.

HOURGLASS (1F)

“ALL ABOUT SOUTHERN ASIA” SOUTHERN ASIA FOOD FAIR Discover the exotic atmosphere of Southern Asia. You can experience the various kinds of traditional cuisine by special guest chef. We also present Indian Painting exhibition of professional artist “Hyunki Kim” and serve traditional Indian Tea, Majedaar.

Period : 2 Oct ~ 4 Nov 2015 (Mon-Sun) Price : 43,000 won (VAT included) per person 1 adult 1 kids Free (under 12 years old) Operation hours : 17:30 – 22:00 (Mon-Sun)

“FALL IN AUTUMN” HONGSI PROMOTION Feel the soft autumn breeze and fall in autumn. Holiday Inn Gwangju presents special Hongsi beverage which you can enjoy during this season only. Sweet Hongsi Juice and Hongsi smoothie will be provided in Lobby Lounge. Enjoy your romantic autumn with sweet taste.

Price : Hongsi Juice / Hongsi Smoothie 11,000 won (VAT included) Opening hours : 09:00 – 24:00 (Mon-Sun) Live Band : 19:00-23:00 (Mon-Wed) 20:00-24:00 (Thu-Sat) Reservation : 062- 610-7063,

LOBBY LOUNGE (1F) Our team is committed to producing the greatest Korean and most authentic Western food A Unique Lifetime Experience at Holiday Inn GwangjuFor more information: 062-610-7000 www.holidayinngwangju.com

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Maru Guest House Written and photographed by Karly Pierre Translation by Farahiah Aminuddin

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outique guesthouses have been popping up around Gwangju, offering chic alternatives to “love motels” which are the usual form of lodging, but often have sketchy reputations. The Maru Guesthouse recently opened in June and is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Gwangju.

We spoke with the owner and native of Gwangju, Yun Su-han, about his vision for this guesthouse.

Do you travel a lot?

I was in the Philippines for about a year. I don’t really have a lot of experience in terms of travelling overseas. I have more experience travelling in Korea. I realized that in Korea, especially Bong-gu and the southern part of the country, there is a lot to see but there are not many places to sleep or stay.

What was your vision when you were designing the guesthouse?

After I renovated the building, I wanted to make the guesthouse more “Korean-like”. On

Maru communal living space

the fifth floor, I wanted a space for guests to be comfortable and feel peaceful especially after climbing stairs. I wanted to include aspects of nature in the design too. That explains the wooden interior and traditional Korean house-like lay-out.

Why did you pick downtown for the guesthouse?

I first came to know about the building when it was owned by an acquaintance. It was a one-room building at that time. However the business wasn’t going well. Yet, the location was very strategic to me. It is bustling with people coming and going.

With the new Asian Culture Complex, a lot of people come here for business trips or any other tasks.

Young people like to come to this area and shop, drink, have meal dates with friends or just hang out.

Not to mention a lot of tourists come too. Even though downtown is noisy, in this alley where the guesthouse is located, it is very quiet and peaceful.

I see that there are a lot of hotels or motels here, but they do not provide guests with any special ex-

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Six person shared room

Communal patio area

where they can study. They can also use the space to play games, watch movies etc.

Twin room

perience. Plus most hotels are expensive too. So I thought of setting fairly cheap rates for guests.

What is your vision for the future of your guesthouse?

I love Gwangju, but I believe that people are mostly misinformed about Gwangju. I want people to come here and say, “Ahh it is a very nice place indeed.” I would like to meet people from a variety of backgrounds, hang out together and show them the charms of Gwangju. Therefore I have a plan in September to advertise interesting and fun places to go to in Gwangju. Like display a poster in the guesthouse about Damyang etc.

Regarding the seminar room, we do receive guests who come here for business trips/ work related purposes, and they need a space to discuss and hold a meeting. Besides that, young people who come as guests also sometimes need a place

However, more than that, I just would like to provide warm and friendly treatment to whomever visits this guesthouse so that they can enjoy their stay in Gwangju. I always try to greet them nicely and ask for their reviews when they checkout.

I even try to text them personally from time to time while they are staying in the guesthouse and enquire about anything they need. I would like to provide a home-like space that is well equipped, has a beautiful interior but is cheap. Because I have a heart to let know about Gwangju, even if I do not get a lot of money, it is okay because I feel satisfied.

Below your guesthouse is a new coffee shop, Café Oma. Is there a partnership between you and the coffee shop?

Yes, I don’t own it personally, however I co-own it and manage it with my friend. I offer a 30% discount coupon for the coffee shop per night during my guests’ stay at the guesthouse. With that, they can get 5,000 won worth of coffee and bread/ sandwiches. I did this because I’d rather have them enjoy a real cup of coffee in a nice environment rather than just making coffee out of the instant coffee mix in the room. I do not get any profit from this special deal, but I feel satisfied in providing my guests that service.

Maru Guest House 12-31 Seoseok-ro 7beon-gil, Dong-gu, Gwangju Phone: 010-5042-0666 / 062-222-1134 ysh@cafeomakorea.com

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Tabletop games have been around for ages, functioning as a social arena where a community can be built. So it is a no brainer that the members of this board game society benefit from an improved quality of life through the human interactions shared between members. The interactions from this society have helped many members to step out of their comfort zones and to interact with people away from the computer screen. Some members initially joined through a general curiosity to learn more about board games, but ended up staying because of the social interactions with the other members.

“I really wanted to get information for when I buy board games. But after joining this club, I am often with people now, so that is a good thing,” said Lee Cheol.

These games offer members a way to relax and interact with people outside of their working environments. “After joining this club, I can play board games whenever I want to, and I can meet many people whenever I want to” says Noh Jun Hee. She adds jokingly that the only downside to this club is when she comes home late at night and gets scolded by her mom.

An Ingenious Way to Meet People Written and photographed by Victoria Lee

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hile Korea is known for its computer game playing addicts of the P.C. room, the Genius Board Game Club (a tabletop board game society) serves a greater purpose which is simply this: an ingenious way to get people to play together in real time.

Away from the glare of the computer screens, this dedicated group of board game loving enthusiasts commits itself to meeting once or twice a week for a highly entertaining evening.

Lee Hyun Ho, a relatively new member who joined two weeks ago, says that by joining this club, he feels that every day is new and exciting to him, and he hopes to build friendships with the other members.

Other members have benefited from the companionship that board games create. Lee Se Hyeon feels that this has helped his life a lot. “This board game club not only plays board games, but has other socializing activities too, such as going on trips and much more. I enjoy my time with this club.” The

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society even puts on the occasional field trip to places like Gurye, Sansuyu, Suncheon Bay Garden or local trips to the Songsan Recreation Area. Park Eon Jong said: “since board games cannot be played alone, I have to come here and there are many people who can share my hobby, so it is good for me�, a feeling other members agree with.

At your average meeting you can expect around 10 to 25 members who are actively involved, but there are around 74 members in the club who have participated in the society since it was created by Ki Su Yeon over a year and a half ago. The ages of the members range from people just out of college, to working adults in their thirties. The members are all Korean because of the language barrier, but they welcome anyone who wants to participate in the games.

What came as the biggest surprise for club organizers Ki Su Yeon and Chae Su Hun was the growth rate of the club. The club started out with around nine to 10 members, but has since grown to 74 mem-

bers. The club has a webpage where members can interact with each other by posting reviews of the different games. The club meets twice a week and the schedule can be checked through their website at http://cafe.naver.com/gjboardgame.

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Monday Off Please Written and photographed by Cody Jarrett

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izza at its best is a simple thing. Aside from crust, tomato sauce and cheese, everything else is secondary, with each additional topping risking that perfect union. Monday Off Please finds a nice balance between simple and modern with its menu of well-done pizzas.

Atmosphere and Service The atmosphere at Monday Off Please is relaxed, with a minimalist design and a large open dining area that would lend itself well to larger groups.

Enjoying a pizza by the open windows overlooking the street is a nice way to spend a warm evening.

Food What Monday Off Please does best is simple yet delicious pizza. Although options like the Nutella banana pizza and the potato pizza test the traditionalist, most of the pies stick a little closer to the formula. The best example of this is the Margherita pizza, which is topped with nothing but cheese, tomato sauce, basil and olive oil. While the crust was a little on the weak side, the sauce came through loud and clear and the fresh basil leaves rounded things out perfectly. The kitchen had a slightly heavy hand with the olive oil, but it did not overwhelm.

and red pepper added enough flavor to keep the pizza interesting.

Outside of the pizzas, things start to get a little more inventive with several choices of French fries and an Italian cheese dog that demands another visit. The garlic fries came topped with a creamy garlic sauce and bits of fried garlic, which added texture and flavor. On the other hand, the sauce seemed to miss the mark a little.

For a restaurant touting its pizza and beer, Monday Off Please has a decent assortment of bottles. However, as is often the case in Korea, the prices are a bit high, ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 won. For a cheaper option, the M.O.P. draft beer is a good choice at only 3,000 won. Pizzas range from 9,000 to 12,000 won, while the fries go for 5,000 to 7,000 depending on toppings.

Address: 광주 동구 문화전당로43 2F (2F 43 Munhwajeondang-ro Dong-gu, Gwangju) Take a bus or the subway to the Asian Culture Complex stop. With the YMCA on your right, head straight and cross the street toward

For something with a little more kick, the Diavola pizza was perfect. Beginning like the Margherita, the Diavola has pepperoni, black olives and enough red pepper flakes to add some heat. A few more olives would have been welcome, but the pepperoni

Pho Bay. Monday Off Please is just around the corner.

Tel: 010-4415-0084 Hours: 5:00 – 1:00 Sunday –Thursday, 5:00 – 2:00 Friday and Saturday (Closed Monday) Bus: 9, 12, 36, 45, 51, 55, 57, 58, 59, 61, 80, 87, 95, 98, 161, 419, 518, 1187, 1000 (Asian Culture Complex Stop)

gwangju cooks I local

Bean Sprouts & Beef Soup Recipe and photography by Joe Wabe

T

his quick and easy to make soup, rich in vitamin C and protein, is a great friend to have for the next few months when the temperatures drop and extra warmth will be welcome. It also works well as a “hang-over” soup.

INGREDIENTS (1 SERVING)

PREPARATION

100g bean sprouts I loaf of tofu (diced in small cubes) 150 g beef 1 leek stalk (chopped ) 1 ½ tbs red pepper paste (gochujang) 1 tbs red pepper powder (gochugaru) 1 tbs minced garlic 1 ½tbs beef stock ½ black pepper 1 red pepper (*extra spicy) 5 cups of water

Bring the water to a boil in a pot, add the red pepper paste and let it dilute, stirring the water constantly. After 3 minutes combine the bean sprouts and beef, lower the heat, and add the tofu. Do not stir too much at this point in order to keep the tofu intact. Add the rest of the ingredients and close to simmer for 10 minutes.

Turn off the heat and wait 10 minutes before serving.

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local I right to the city

The Dangers of Heat Waves Written by Laura Becker

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t the peak of summer in July and August, many Gwangju residents seek out beaches, water festivals, and air-conditioned oases during the hottest days. The high heat is energy-sapping for everyone, but for some it can be deadly. In August, the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that over 610 people had suffered from heatstroke this year, with half of the cases diagnosed between July 26 and August 1. The heat wave of that week caused a 7.3 percent jump in heat illnesses from the same week of the previous year. The figure includes anyone who visited the emergency room due to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, or heat convulsions.

These conditions can be life-threatening if not rapidly treated: at least seven people have died from heat-related causes this year.

The most vulnerable are the elderly, who made up 60 percent of those hospitalized. Men accounted for 74 percent of the total, and 80 percent of the cases occurred outdoors. Farmers are especially at risk: among the seven fatalities, six were elderly farmers working outside in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Without the luxury of being indoors, farmers can overwork themselves and quickly become weak. In addition, those with existing medical conditions are at elevated risk for heat-related illnesses. When the degree of environmental heat exceeds the body’s ability to regulate its temperature, the body’s core temperature rises and exerts stress on the organs, particularly the cardiovascular system. For this reason, heart and respiratory conditions, along with a wide range of other pre-existing diseases and chronic conditions, can leave people more susceptible to extreme heat spells.

Recognizing the danger of heat waves to elderly people, a number of senior district centers in Korea provide air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Older adults can access these spaces for free in their communities. However, elderly people who are mostly or completely homebound due to poor health are unlikely to be able to get to a community center without help. Those who are more socially isolated, without neighbors or family members checking on them regularly, can become ill from the heat and be unable to get help on their own.

The present heat wave watch and warning system, launched in 2007, issues a warning if the temperature is expected to remain above 35 degrees Celsius for two or more consecutive days. The system concentrates on servicing the elderly, nursing homes, and childcare professionals, but with heat waves continuing to claim lives and make hundreds ill, there is a need for further development and implementation of mortality prevention policies and programs. Keeping the community informed and healthy during the summer months is an important part of making the city accessible and safe for everyone.

right to the city I local

Sewol Update Written by Kim Singsing

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ommemorating the 500th day of the Sewol Ferry disaster last August 28th, the controversial documentary film, “Diving Bell: The Truth Shall Not Sink with Sewol” directed by a former MBC reporter and a photographer, was finally released for free on YouTube. There already have been more than 577,000 views of the Korean version since its free release on September 1. None of the major theaters in Korea agreed to show the film, for unknown reasons.

Lee Sangho, one of the two directors, tweeted after the premiere of the documentary film that he would willingly risk going to jail for the film.

The reasons why the government did not allow a private contractor to work on the Sewol rescue efforts are thoroughly examined in the documentary.

The filmmakers were invited to present the film at Busan Int’l Film Festival (2014), Salaya Int’l Film Festival(2015) and were awarded Grand Prix at Fukuoka Asian Film Festival (July, 2015). Check out the English verison https://goo.gl/HSiw8N Salvage Operations China’s state-run Shanghai Salvage Co. and a Korean company consortium were chosen to initiate salvage operations for the sunken Sewol Ferry in July. Shanghai Salvage Co. offered to raise the sunken Sewol ferry at a cost of 85.1 billion won ($74.6 million). Its technical skills were evaluated as the second best to the Smit Salvage consortium.

The salvage operations started in September and are expected to last for about one year.

Attorney Attorney Park’s Park’s Law Law Firm Firm We're ready to serve your best interests in legal disputes.

We provide affordable consultation & representation.

▶ Areas of Specialty contracts, torts, family law, immigration, labor ▶ Civil & Criminal Attorney Park, Duckhee former judge, GIC board member Services available in Korean, English & Chinese

#402 Simsan Bldg, 342-13 Jisan-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju Location: next to Gwangju District Court

Tel: 062) 222-0011 Fax: 062)222-0013 duckheepark@hanmail.net

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local I gwangju talks

“Have you attended Design Biennale in the past?

What is your opinion of the event?”

Written and interviewed by Ki Su-yeon and Lee So-eun

Ki Ha-ri (21, Female) When I was a middle school student, I attended Design Biennale on a field trip. It inspired me to want to be an art designer. As you know, Gwangju is famous for being a city of art.

So I think this event helps to revive the local economy. It also brings cultural awareness to citizens. Some people, such as students majoring art, know about this event, but most people don’t know anything about this event. I think we need to find some way to attract more people.

Cho Nam-hee (27, Male) Though I am a citizen of Gwangju, it is a shame to say that I have never been to the Gwangju Design Biennale or the Gwangju Biennale. However, I have heard plenty about how successful those exhibitions were. These two renowned exhibitions give the citizens opportunities to see and experience high-end artworks not offered in other places in the country. I have no doubt that these two events are icons that represent Gwangju which everybody feels proud of.

Lee Eun-ju (29, Female) I saw Design Biennale in 2011. Although I didn’t know much about art, I enjoyed various works of art at that moment. Most art works were made of materials which we can easily see in our life. Design Biennale made me feel a profound interest in art design. I think it is a very good way to help people better understand art. I hope many people would understand the value of holding this interesting art exhibition through Design Biennale in Gwangju.

Han Lee-seul (27, Female) It was really difficult to understand the works as beginner of art and there were not many pieces which attracted my attention. Even if Design Biennale was held, I am not really interested in it after that experience. It was quite a long time ago, so I hope that it has changed a lot.

fashion on the street I photography

FASHION ON THE STREET Photographed by Karly Pierre Translated by Lee So-eun

Colorful hair and punk fashion are appearing on the streets of Gwangju. We asked a few people on the streets of Gwangju with alternative styles, which is their favorite season for fashion.

1. Kim Do-kyeong: Fall 2. Sin Mi-jin: Fall 3. Lee Han-jin: Winter 4. Hyun Ju-yeon: Winter 5. Nam A-reum: Summer

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photography I photo essay

5Tips

for Better Smartphone Photos Written and photos by Joe Wabe

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hone photography is fun, easy and best of all, it does not require any heavy baggage or expensive gear. All you need is there in your pocket. Composition is the heart and soul of every photograph and regardless of the camera you use, achieving a good photograph has become accessible to anyone, anywhere.

No room for excuses.

There are two elements in every photograph we capture: what we see and what we feel. The combination of these two will result in a good photograph, so it’s important not only to be able to share what we see, but also what we feel.

Here are some tips to take your phone photography to the next level: Crop & Align Get rid of all things around the subject that will cause distraction to the eye. Make sure the eye will go straight to where everything is happening on your photo. Also it is important that your photo is properly aligned horizontally and vertically. You want the symmetry within your photo to be pleasing to the eye. Do not use the zoom feature since this feature will only degrade the amount of pixels on your photos.

Use Editing Apps The standard editing tools for phones are limited. Filters are nice but they won’t always give you the look and feel you need. In order to bring emotion to your photo, you need to recreate the drama that went on in your heart and editing apps can help you bring this into your photos. One app I use, is SNAPSEED, which was recently acquired by Google. It has great options which will help you bring out the best in your phone photos.

Don’t Over Edit Adding extra blurs to recreate depth of field, or extreme sharpening and contrast to try to reach an HDR look will only make your photo look unreal and distracting. You want to give the photo an editing touch that will continue to make your photo look natural.

Find a Better Angle If you want to achieve a good photo you need to experiment and try every possible angle. The common eye-level angle is good for landscape but for a more dramatic photo you will need to get low and high.

Sharing & Details I love adding extra text to my phone photos before sharing them. As the saying goes, “a photo is worth a thousand words.” However, I believe an extra word won’t hurt. Just don’t overdue it; hardly anyone wants to read a long text. Make it short and expressive. To add text and other cool stuff to my photos I use Phonto. And finally if you want to share your photo find the proper platform for phone photography and let the world know how good you are at it. I use INSTAGRAM, but there are many others where you can sell and print your photos. Make it fun!

photo essay I photography

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places to see I my korea

Discovering Suncheon Bay Written and photographed by Sam Handerson

A view of the Suncheon wetlands

J

ust an hour or so away from Gwangju, the coastal wetlands of Suncheon Bay feels like another country and time, far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern Korean urban living.

At Suncheon Station the city itself seems similar to other smaller Korean cities, but a short bus or taxi ride towards the bay is where the holiday really begins. As the ride progresses, busy streets and bigbox supermarkets are soon replaced by beautiful expansive views and glimpses of the gardens and wetlands Suncheon is famous for.

While the main village of Suncheon Bay is a little way inland, anybody disappointed by the lack of sea views will surely be charmed by the winding lanes

and beautiful traditional architecture. There are a lot of restaurants and pensions for tourists, but most of the houses are very much lived-in by locals. A stroll down these alleyways affords a look at another way of life, seemingly a world away from cookie-cutter apartment block living. Traditional Korean architecture complete the illusion of visiting another time with trees and shrubs peeping over beautiful stone walls, showing an abundance of different fruits and vegetables being grown.

For the full experience, it is worth staying in one of the several refurbished hanok, traditional Korean house, pensions. The rooms are often sparse, but comfortable. A mat on the floor is normally the only furnishing, but you can just step out of your door

my korea I places to see

into the beautiful garden to enjoy a morning cup of coffee in the pleasant breeze, with the rustle of the trees in the wind to complete the peaceful atmosphere.

The nearby International Garden Exhibition is one of the main sights. This beautifully realized park features small areas are landscaped in different international styles: a British garden, a Thai garden and, of course, a Korean garden amongst others. A small lake and various pieces of artwork dotted around are great for photo opportunities.

Another one-of-a-kind for Korea is the Skycube — the only fully-automated personal rapid transport (PRD) system in the country. High-tech individual pods travel on a raised track the four-and-a-half kilometers or so from the garden to near the entrance of the ecological park. Do not rush on too quickly though because the Dream Bridge that leads to the station is worth more than a passing glance. Small tiles decorated by children from across the globe line the walls, showing their hopes and dreams for the future.

The pod journey is enjoyable and seating is up to six people. But if it is not too crowded, you can have one pod for just you and your companions for the true “personal” transport experience. After you are deposited at the Literature Museum in view of a photogenic group of hanok on the river side, it is a short but enjoyable walk from there to the entrance.

As the river winds itself towards the ocean, the landscape as far as the eye can see consists of marsh-

lands full of reeds swaying in the breeze. Look a bit closer and you will start to see the wildlife as well: red-clawed crabs scurrying around wherever you look and goggle-eyed gobies skipping over the mud.

A short hike up a nearby mountain leads to the highlight of the trip — a stunning view looking towards the coast, where you can watch the river expand into an estuary and be able to forget all of your stresses and problems and just enjoy the beauty of nature.

I am constantly surprised by the beauty of this small country – while Suncheon is just one of several scenic places in Jeolla province, it was certainly one of my favorite recent short-breaks and let me return to the hustle and bustle of normal life and work refreshed. Suncheon should definitely be on your bucket list!

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places to see I departing gwangju

1

Mongolia’s Undisturbed Beauty

B

efore its first democratic election in July 1990, Mongolia saw 100 years of socialism as a Soviet satellite state. Before that, it was under the Manchu (Qing Dynasty) rule for nearly 200 years. A country in transition, Mongolia has not reached market efficiency and will not for another 25 to 50 years.

Because of the lack of infrastructure, it is best to hire a tour guide when visiting Mongolia. Most travel in the countryside is by horse, camel, oxcart or Russian Jeep, to which the typical tourist is unlikely to have access without a guide. There is no shortage of tour providers, but Ger to Ger sets itself apart as Mongolia’s first geo-tourism agency incorporating corporate social responsibility and audited by the Mongolian government. Ger to Ger provides a non-touristic method of community-based exploration and supports nomadic families’ livelihoods by returning 70-80 percent of the revenue to the families. Partnering nomadic families provide homestays, meals and cultural experiences and receive supplementary income that helps them sustain their traditional way of life. To a traveler on a budget, Ger to Ger’s low operating costs mean very affordable trips: a six-day tour costs only 300 USD. Approaching Mongolia’s Chinggis Khaan International Airport is a strange and thrilling experience.

The vast steppe, resembling wrinkled fabric and as

Written and photographed by Laura Becker

foreign as the surface of the moon, yields suddenly to Ulaanbaatar’s blocky Soviet architecture and crowded streets. Ulaanbaatar is a study in contrasts: sheep and goats graze beside streets clogged with taxis and foreign cars, nomadic herders rub shoulders with wealthy businessmen, Buddhist lamas shop at the massive State Department Store and tattooed youths skateboard in Chinggis Khaan’s shadow at Sukhbaatar Square.

The Ger to Ger office is guarded by a life-size metal predator sculpture at the front door. This gives the traveler a good idea of the experience that awaits in the Ger to Ger travel orientation. The director, confident in his decades of experience, gives a Mongolian history lesson and complete run-down of possible disasters. Because the orientation is only four hours long, he talks rapid-fire to cover everything from wild animals to vodka-drinking etiquette. While his forceful personality can be grating to some visitors, he manages to put the traveler somewhat at ease: bragging about the low rate of accidents, as he points out that the few accidents that did occur were when tourists failed to take his advice.

After the orientation, travelers are set loose into the countryside. Buses from Ulaanbaatar reach across Mongolia’s vast, diverse geological terrain carrying tourists, locals and urban-dwelling Mongolians who

departing gwangju I places to see

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1. A ger in Terelj National Park 2. A herd of yaks at sundown in Terelj 3. A typical breakfast for nomadic family 4. Chinggis Khaan statue at Sukhbaatar Square 5. Mr. Enkhbat, a former welder and now a herder

leave their modern flats in the hot summer months for the unmatched comfort of the ger.

Staying with four different nomadic families for five nights is an uncomfortable experience. The rushed Mongolian lesson included in the orientation might leave you unable to say more than two words. You will be presented with vast amounts of unfamiliar food, you will bathe in a cold river when you can no longer stand yourself, your body will hurt all over after seven hours in a Mongolian saddle and your guide will laugh at your painful bowlegged walk even as he tries to be sympathetic.

Sometimes the most uncomfortable thing is the feeling of gratitude you have for your hosts, who slip mugs of salty milk tea into your hands, teach you to play games with sheep ankle bones and graciously offer you a bowl of cut-up mutton and a fork, while the rest of the family cracks the bones open for the marrow inside. You offer small gifts from Korea, but you are unable to even come close to repaying these people for their warm generosity.

Nomadic families share their daily activities as well as their homes, and riding with the people who

practically invented horsemanship is an unparalleled experience. Mongolians grow up riding from the age of three, race horses at age seven and think nothing of spending entire days on horseback. Many young men enjoy singing long folk songs while riding and prefer to travel at a dead gallop. Racing across smooth stretches of green steppe under the breathlessly blue sky is perhaps the quintessential Mongolian experience.

Certainly, traveling in an undeveloped country requires visitors to have open, flexible and respectful minds. Culture shock comes when you see a severed horse head lying next to an ovoo, a ceremonial cairn. It comes when your host performs a shamanistic ritual to cure your upset stomach. These moments are infused with wonder and beauty, like the awe you feel when you step out of the ger in the middle of the night and look up at the Milky Way, or when an eagle flies so close overhead that you can count its wing feathers. In many ways, Mongolia is the last undisturbed gem of Asia. It is a stunningly beautiful country whose people take fierce pride in their history and traditional ways of life.

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culture I behind the myth

Korea’s Creation Myth

What Can We Learn? Part 2 Written by Stephen Redeker Image courtesy of San-shin.org

E

very society has its own Koreans also heavily rely on garlic myths. As explained in last as a side dish and as an ingredient month’s Behind the Myth, “Danin various cuisines. Both of these gun, The First Korean King” plants have strong medicinal propserves as the most famous creaerties, so it is no wonder how these tion myth. Exploring this story particular plants were incorporated can shed some light on a few into Korea’s creation myth. modern-day practices and beliefs in Korea. Keep in mind that The responsibilities of a woman are many parts of the story can be shown with the bear’s destiny. But interpreted in a number of ways. Dangun, seated underneath the sacred tree it was not enough for it to become between the bear and tiger from his legend- a beautiful woman, as it wanted to ary story. Image courtesy of san-shin.org Why did the Heavenly Prince be married and have children. The choose to settle in this area of the world? Kore- woman was sad and prayed for happiness until ans are very proud of their country’s beauty, so it the wish was granted. Fortunately, Korea’s first (natwould make sense that this Heavenly Prince decided ural born) king started life on October 3rd. And with to rule over that particular piece of land when he the recording of this birth, we in Korea now celebrate could have chosen anywhere to be in the world.

“Foundation Day.” The ministers of Rain, Cloud and Wind, who aided the prince in setting up his kingdom, certainly can account for the weather conditions common to the area. Having a special department for hunting, the grain can symbolize the food staples like meat and rice needed for the early inhabitants to survive.

Life, death, sickness and health make up for the life expectancy of the people and their reasons for mortality. Customs and morality could be dictated by those who were in charge of overseeing the good and evil aspects of life.

As mentioned in last month’s column, the tiger and bear can teach us lessons. If people pray, they are reverent and can withstand personal suffering, as the gods will act favorably upon them. The tiger gave up and ran, so it did not get rewarded. Patience and persistence are good virtues.

The food chosen for the animals has some significance as well. Mugwort is still prevalent today as an herb that is used to flavor rice cakes and soup.

Such myths have their variations, depending on the source from which it was gleaned. There is also much more to this story that has not been explored here.

The question of whether or not Dangun actually existed was already covered in a previous “Behind the Myth,” and it was also noted that many Asian nations have similar creation stories. It is believed that Dangun’s reign began around 2,333 B.C., coinciding with the reign of ancient China’s Emperor Yao. After ruling for 1,500 years, Dangun died and became a “mountain god” which is an immortal spirit called San-shin (further explained in last August’s edition of “Behind the Myth”).

Since these stories were imagined so long ago, they were first passed down through word of mouth.

Details have been changed over time and what has been left are the memorable and favorable parts of the story. Although it cannot be proven with factual evidence, Korea’s creation myth is fascinating in its details and helps us to understand many cultural aspects of Korean life today.

jeolla history I culture

The Birth of Buddhism in Jeolla Written by Won Hea-ran

Bulgap Temple in Yeonggwang

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any people believe that Korean Buddhism came from China, but that is not entirely true, at least in the Jeolla region. Before Korea was united by Goryeo, it was divided into three countries: Goguryeo, Shilla, and Baekje, wherein Jeolla is currently situated. While Goguryeo imported its Buddhism from China and Shilla later received Buddhism from Goguryeo, Baekje directly accepted Buddhism from India along with its unique culture.

Marinanta, the ancient monk Buddhism was first introduced to Baekje through the Indian monk Marinanta. Originally from the Gandara region, Marinanta was born in the highest caste of Brahman. Although his class standing guaranteed him success in his life, he ultimately chose to become a monk in order to spread the virtue of Buddhism. He crossed the Silk Road to China and took a ship to reach Baekje. It took about ten years to reach Baekje from Gandara, but Marinanta was ultimately rewarded when the king helped him to build Baekje’s first temple, Bulgap Temple. The harbor town at which Marinanta landed still remembers this historical event. People of Baekje originally called this place “Amupo” after the statue of Amitabha (a kind of Buddha) that the Indian monk brought; now it is called Beopseong Po, which means “the holy harbor where Buddhism was introduced by a saint.”

The Birthplace of Baekje Buddhism The Birthplace of Baekje Buddhism in Beopseong Po, Yeonggwang is the place where Marinanta first stepped ashore in Baekje. Therefore, its monuments reflect the building structures of Marinanta’s hometown, the culturally rich Gandara. The Central

Plaza of the Birthplace, for example, was built to symbolize the Buddhist painting Mandara. Placing Buddha in the middle, Buddhist saints on four sides, Buddhist gods on eight sides, and Four Devas on the four entrances of the painting, Mandara visualizes the world of Buddhism that is both united and diversified. Following the structural beauty of Mandara, the central plaza placed a linden tree in the middle to celebrate the birth of Baekje Buddhism. This particular tree is an important symbol in Buddhism because Buddha gained his Enlightenment under the linden tree.

Other monuments also reflect the Gandara architectural style. The great four-sided statue of Buddha follows the unique structure of a Gandara stone cave temple with the main Buddha on the front side, Marinanta on the opposite side, and two Buddhist saints on the other sides. Beneath the statue of Buddha is a complex two-story building called Bu Yong Ru. The first floor contains stone walls that depict the stories of Buddha’s life and previous lives in 23 sides, and the second floor houses the wooden structure of Buddha.

The effect of Buddhism in Baekje was strong both culturally and politically. While teaching virtue and forgiveness, the main themes of the religion, Buddhism introduced a new culture to the people of Baekje that helped them develop their own, unique style of art and architecture. Eventually Baekje started to affect its neighbors, even being the first to introduce Buddhism to Japan. Considering the historical importance of Buddhism in Korea, the Birthplace of Baekje Buddhism in Beopseong Po is worth a visit.

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culture I gwangju writes

Dorothy Lingers On in the Land of Oz Written by Leb Mofsky

“I think it’s better not to be thought of on a Monday.”

The yellow light did not flicker.

His castle in the Kingdom of the West

There were no messages.

kept him busy, as did his people.

“Busy as they are. Always,

As for the Cowardly Lion, well,

so busy,” thought Dorothy.

the last time she saw him was

Even so, it was not long

nearly a year ago, when they all met

since she had seen the Scarecrow.

in the depths of another cafe, during

Only yesterday,

one of his rare trips from the wilderness.

at a slick cafe near the Palace

But he liked it better where

they sat in large, plush chairs

he could feel the earth beneath his feet,

in a dark corner, where

so he soon went back. Rumor was,

Dorothy sipped a cool lemon tea.

he had found a mate. Dorothy

“This place is popular for

felt such a fondness for the Lion.

blind dates,” said the Scarecrow.

Outside, the cool breeze

“On account of the darkness.”

kept away the mosquitoes. The Scarecrow

They shared a laugh. Neither

walked her back to the subway stop.

had seen the Tin Woodman

Their next plan: bicycle-riding, when

for several months, ever since

the weather turns cooler. If only three clicks

Dorothy’s birthday. The Woodman

of the heel could wrangle another visit

had kindly given her a book.

from the Woodman, she might try it. But no.

korean poetry I culture

푸르른 날

This Azure Day Written by Seo Jung-ju Translated by Chae-pyong Song and Anne Rashid

서정주 (1915~2000)

눈이 부시게 푸르른 날은 그리운 사람을 그리워하자.

저기 저기 저, 가을 꽃 자리

On this blindingly azure day, 초록이 지쳐 단풍 드는데

let us long for those we miss. 눈이 내리면 어이 하리야 봄이 또 오면 어이 하리야

There, where autumn flowers sit, green has given in to red. 내가 죽고서 네가 산다면! 네가 죽고서 내가 산다면?

Let the snow fall.

Let spring return. 눈이 부시게 푸르른 날은 그리운 사람을 그리워 하자.

What if you are alive when I die?

What if I am alive when you die?

On this blindingly azure day, let us long for those we miss.

Seo Jeong-ju (1915 – 2000) was born in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do.

He is considered the founding father of modern Korean poetry.

Under the pen name Midang, he published at least 15 collections of poetry. He taught Korean literature at Chosun University, among others. He was also nominated five times for the Nobel Prize in literature. His grandmother’s stories and his interest in Buddhism had a strong influence upon his writing. His works have been translated into a number of languages, including English, French, Spanish and German.

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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.

Fording the Inclusive Testing Gulf Written and images provided by Phillip Schrank

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hen I was doing my MA in English Education, I had to work hard to apply the things I learned to the Korean context. The program I did was America-centric and focused on teaching to bilingual and culturally diverse classrooms. In Korea, we don’t have the same demographic of bilingualism or cultural diversity, so I spent much of my time using the research to help better understand problems in Korea. One of those things was “democratic” or “inclusive testing.” Here the question of democratic or inclusive testing lies squarely within the gulf between rich and poor.

One of the main problems in making your tests inclusive is to think about and try to incorporate a student’s cultural awareness. I studied history for my undergraduate degree and spent a great deal of time studying and reading about the Korean War. When I came to Korea, one of the first places I visited was the Korean War Memorial. This was my first experience seeing how culture changes fact. The Korean War, as I knew it, was a completely different thing to Korean people. Everything I knew about the Korean War was challenged by a history written from a different perspective.

Another example is a Korean student who may have a test question that references the American Revolution.

Wright (2010) tells us that an English language learner (ELL) would have to “unpack” the term by explaining certain facts and events that a [Korean] student may not be familiar with (p. 256–257). So culture, economics, and where you were born most surely affect facts as we know them. The history and meaning behind a question can take away from a student’s ability to answer the question well.

Elana Shohamy (2005) contends, “Adoption of a more democratic or inclusive approach to testing implies

mostly considerations of different groups of test takers from a variety of multicultural groups so that the different knowledge will be acknowledged and not be viewed as deficient” (p. 109). When she is talking about democratic or inclusive approaches to testing, she is looking at five principles. We must: 1) monitor and limit the uses of tools of power, especially those with the potential for exclusion and discrimination; 2) have citizens play a participatory and active role, and for elites to transfer and share power with local bodies; 3) hold those who develop tools of power responsible for their consequences; 4) consider the voices of diverse groups in multicultural societies; 5) protect the rights of citizens from powerful institutions.

Shohamy contends in the fourth item on her list that democratic testing will consider the input of the people they serve.. Shohamy explains further, “The application of democratic principles in this case implies a need to consider different groups in the process of test construction and to consider their knowledge as legitimate knowledge” (2001, p. 384). The way we as native English speakers view things may not be the same way that other nationalities and cultures view things. Not only do we need to consider these viewpoints, but we also need to consider them to be true and valid.

A few years ago, the National English Ability Test (NEAT) was being produced to help alleviate the problems with inclusive testing in Korea. The foreign English teacher community was quite excited for the implementation of the NEAT. Renowned applied linguist, Lyle Bachman wrote about the efficacies of NEAT in an opinion piece in The Korea Times (2013). His sentimentalities reflected

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the excitement of the foreign English teacher community. This was the culmination of President Lee Myungbak’s inaugural promise to change English education to a more communicative method and mirror the testing to that method. Unfortunately, the NEAT currently ceases to exist.

As I stated earlier, democracy in testing in Korea is a problem that does not necessarily mirror America. In Korea, there is no problem of lack of inclusivity of CLD (culturally and linguistically diverse) students and parents. The problem in Korea is the exclusion of poor and “country” Koreans. Research has shown that test scores are directly associated with wealth. The CSAT (college scholastic aptitude test) also does not mirror the national curriculum. If you want to do well on the CSAT, you must invest thousands of dollars in after-school tutoring in order to be able to answer the questions that are on the test.

As teachers, we can do our small part by selectively choosing not only what we teach, but also what we put on our tests. We can choose books that don’t try to force Western culture into a lesson on past-participles.

It will be much easier for the students to learn the lesson if they are not focused on understanding the cultural or historical references. Also, take time to learn Korean culture and sentimentalities! Including Korean culture into your lessons will help the students understand better and may give them a sense of ownership of the things they are learning.

[References] Bachman, L. F. (2013, April 10). NEAT to have positive impact on English learning. The Korea Times. Retrieved from http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/ news/nation/2013/11/181_133721.html Shohamy, E. (2001). Democratic testing as an alternative.

Language Testing, 18, 373-391.

Shohamy, E. (2005). The power of tests over teachers: The power of teachers over tests. In D. J. Tedick (Ed.), Second language teacher education (pp.

101–111). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Wright, W. E. (2010). Teaching English language learners: Research, theory, policy, and practice. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon.

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

Phillip Schrank moved to Korea in 2009 and spent the first four years living and working in Gwangju. He considers Gwangju to be his Korean hometown and visits often. Currently, he lives in Seoul, teaching at the Korea Military Academy, and is working toward a PhD in Peace and Security Studies at Korea University. On behalf of the GwangjuJeonnam Chapter, Phil invites you to participate in the teacher development workshops at their monthly meetings and special events, as well as at the upcoming annual Korea TESOL International Conference in Seoul October 9-11.

Upcoming KOTESOL Events Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL Monthly Chapter Meetings Date & Time: 2nd Saturday of month (usually), 1:45 pm Place: Gwangju National University of Education EFL Presentations and Discussions Morning (11:00) Reflective Practice Session Admission: No Charge [For more details] Website: http://koreatesol.org/gwangju Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL Email: gwangju@koreatesol.org

The Korea TESOL International Conference and English Expo Friday Pre-conference Workshops (Oct. 9) Main Conference (Oct. 10-11), COEX, Seoul For details: http://koreatesol.org/ic2015

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Donating Clothes Written by Karly Pierre Photos courtesy of Lee Jeong-min and the Beautiful Store

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f you lost (or gained) a lot of weight or are moving, you are probably planning on getting rid of some of the clothes in your wardrobe. Instead of throwing your clothes away in a trash bag, consider more charitable options.

1. The Green Box In every neighborhood, you can find green clothing donation bins discreetly located on the streets. They look similar to large mailboxes and you can easily slip your donation into them or leave it stacked beside the bin.

While these bins are one the most convenient means of donating clothes, they are somewhat of a mystery. The bins are not government-run, instead they are managed by separate charities and even businesses. So, you are never sure where your clothes are going. They may end up at a charity or a thrift store or be shredded and turned into a rug for a manufacturer.

2. The Beautiful Store Goodwill and the Salvation Army are just a few international charities with a smattering of locations

in Korea. However, one of the most prominent Korea-based charitable thrift stores is The Beautiful Store. The store began in 2002 and collects used clothing, books and household items to sell in the store. Profits go to charitable endeavors locally and to third world countries. The company hires otherwise marginalized individuals such as homeless, ex-convicts and abused women on its staff. There are 110 locations around Korea with a recorded $25 million in profits as of 2009. These shops also support fair trade

3. Churches and Other Organizations There are a myriad of other local options to consider when donating clothing. Seek out a local church.

Look for local organizations that help immigrants such as the Universal Cultural Center in Gwangju. If you have clothing for children, make a donation to the local Sungbin Orphanage. Also, look for the next Freecycle event at the GIC (in spring 2016) to trade used items with other international residents.

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What to Watch this Month

October DVD Releases Written by Kyle Chandler

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here are plenty of titles coming out on DVD this month—from box-office smashes like Jurassic World (Oct. 20), Avengers 2: Age of Ultron (Oct. 2), and Magic Mike XXL (Oct. 6), to flops including Tomorrowland, Terminator: Genisys, and San Andreas (both Oct. 13). Here are some that may have flown under your radar.

One more documentary is Batkid Begins (Oct. 6).

On a much smaller scale than the previous two documentaries, this film is centered on a day in November 2013 when San Francisco came together to grant a 5-year-old cancer patient’s wish to be Batkid for one day. The effect is heart-breakingly touching and uplifting.

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief (Oct. 6) is a documentary based on the bestselling book of the same name. The film tracks the history and expansion of the controversial religion, exposing its brutal and exploitative dark side. Featuring candid interviews from former high-ranking members, director Alex Gibney gets unprecedented access to some of Scientology’s most guarded secrets, including startling accounts of some of its more prestigious Hollywood stars. Gibney also documents the life of Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and his successor, David Miscavige. This must-see film is illuminating, deeply engrossing, and often unsettling.

Max (Oct. 27) is a fictional tale about a military dog who, after witnessing his handler’s death in Afghanistan, is adopted by his handler’s family in America.

This family-friendly drama has received mixed reviews, with general praise for its depiction of postconflict trauma. It may be a bit clunky in places, but for a film that aims to deliver thought-provoking themes to younger audiences, it is a worthy attempt.

October also sees the release of Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Look of Silence (Oct. 13). Following his 2012 BAFTA award-winning documentary The Act of Killing, Oppenheimer returns to Indonesia and the brutal 1960s state-sanctioned massacre, which still haunts the country. This time, however, the focus is more intimate. Whereas Oppenheimer focused on a larger study of the genocide in The Act of Killing, his new feature gives a personal account of the tragedies from the film’s main star Adi, a survivor of the killings who attempts to confront the men who murdered his brother. Using more traditional documentary styles, such as traditional narrative construct, talking heads, and in-frame interviews, Oppenheimer delivers a tone as somber and effective as that of the film’s predecessor. The Look of Silence has already won the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival and is a likely contender at this year’s Oscars.

Mr Holmes (Oct. 26) is a more introspective reworking of the Sherlock Holmes character. Here, Sherlock (Sir Ian McKellen) is long retired and in the twilight of his life when an unsolved case from his past resurfaces. Rather than sticking to the now-common whodunnit action Sherlock — Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch — this film is slower-paced, concerned more with contemplations of death and regret. However, Mr Holmes is still thoroughly enjoyable with a powerhouse performance from McKellen.

Me & Earl & The Dying Girl (Oct. 6) is a high school coming-of-age drama. Based on the popular Jesse Andrews young adult novel, the film follows high schooler Greg and his friend Earl as they find their lives transformed after befriending a classmate who has just been diagnosed with cancer.

Other releases this month include Escobar: Paradise Lost, Insidious 3 (both Oct. 6), Cop Car, Paper Towns (both Oct. 20), The Human Centipede 3 and Poltergeist (both Oct. 27). With all these and more, there are plenty of reasons to stay in and enjoy a few good films.

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Health Care and Health Insurance in South Korea: An Overview Written by Jessica Keralis

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outh Korea has mandated universal health insurance since 1989, and it integrated all health insurance companies into one national program in 2000.

The National Health Insurance (NHI) Program provides coverage for nearly everyone who lives in the country.

The insurance premium is about 5 percent of a person’s salary, of which the employee and the employer each pay half; for those who are self-employed, the premium is calculated based on income, property, and standard of living.

The program is funded by premium payments, government subsidies and tobacco surcharges. When seeking medical care, individuals are charged a copay (a set percentage of the total cost of care) depending on the type of facilities used. The cost of each visit or procedure is set by the government.

Advantages The advantages of a single-payer system are obvious. Patients have the freedom of choice when choosing their doctor, clinic or hospital and are not restricted to “in-network providers.” Doctors can also choose whether to work in a private or public (government-funded) facility. A single insurance program that covers the entire population and regulates costs also helps to keep essential care affordable. There is no pressure to cost-compare in the middle of a medical emergency to get the best price for needed medical care, and it does not cost USD 35,000 (KRW 35 million, or about GBP 23,000) to fix a broken arm (such as when my husband broke his in a car accident in 2010).

Challenges Unfortunately, no system is perfect. The most commonly lamented (and frequently featured in K-dramas) shortcoming is that the system only covers

primary care and essential services, so supplemental insurance must be purchased in order to cover elective procedures, such as chemotherapy. The system is also struggling with increasing costs as Korea’s population ages, and fewer people are paying into the system as the elderly population grows and requires more care. “Doctor shopping,” a practice indirectly encouraged by the system, also drives up costs; patients prefer to go to expensive hospitals for minor ailments, and hospitals and clinics find themselves in a “medical arms race” to provide cutting-edge technologies and therapies in order to compete with one another for clients.

Your Rights For all its shortcomings, enrolling in the NHI is crucial to ensuring that your needs are met and your rights are respected, particularly for foreign nationals. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most common things foreigners are cheated out of. Migrant laborers are often simply not provided with insurance and in some cases are forced to pay for their own care out-of-pocket. Hagwons frequently hire English teachers as “independent contractors” and provide them with poor-quality private insurance to avoid paying the required contributions (as well as the pension contributions). Such practices are against the law.

If you suspect that your employer is withholding these benefits from you, you should file a claim with the Labor Board. The GIC has staff members who can help with this matter.

Jessica Keralis has a Master of Public Health and four years of experience in the field of public health. She is currently working as an epidemiologist. Feel free to suggest future health article topics by contacting her at jmkeralis@gmail.com. All views expressed here are her own and not those of any employer.

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Community Classes at GIC Zumba Class

Art Club

GIC Hall, 1F @ GIC 7:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m. Wednesdays \ 5,000 won / each session Facebook page: Zumba with Cailin in Gwangju

Room 3, 2F @ GIC 12:30 p.m. ~ 3:00 p.m. Saturdays \ participation fee varies depending on the class theme and material Oct 10: Figure Drawing Oct 17: Caricatures Oct 24: Illuminate Oct 31: Halloween Costumes Facebook page: Gwangju Art Class

Yoga Gwangju Room 5, 2F @ GIC 7:00 p.m. ~ 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays 3:00 p.m. ~ 4:30 p.m. Sundays 4:45 p.m. ~ 6:00 p.m. Sundays \ 12,000 won / each session Facebook page: Shuddha Shakti Yoga Gwangju

GIC Book Club Room 3, 2F @ GIC 4:00 p.m. ~ 6:00 p.m. Saturdays Facebook page: GIC Book Club

GWANGJU Petit à Petit 쁘띠 따 쁘띠 프랑스 그룹 Room5, 2F @ GIC 4:00 p.m. ~ 6:00 p.m. Saturday, October 24 Facebook page: GWANGJU Petit à Petit 쁘띠 따 쁘띠 프랑스 그룹

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Exploring Gochang Written by Bradley Weiss Photographed by Lee Jeongmin

Start 9:00 am

Gochang Dolen Site No. 6

Seonunsa Temple

Lunch Grilled Eel & spicy eel stew

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he height of autumn is a perfect time to explore Gochang, the most southwesterly county of North Jeolla Province. Though rustic in nature, Gochang is home to a wealth of important cultural and historical sites, many of which can be enjoyed al fresco in the crisp autumn air.

Nestled on the slopes of Dosol Mountain and with origins stretching back to the sixth century CE, Seonun Temple and its scenic forested surroundings provide the first tranquil stop on October’s tour.

Participants can explore the natural beauty of the

Gochang Dolmen Museum & Sites

Gochang Pansori Museum

Gochang Eupseong (Fortress)

Arrive 4:30 pm

camellia forest behind the temple, featuring trees nearly 500 years old, or simply enjoy a soothing cup of tea on the spacious pavilion located in the center of the temple complex.

A cursory glance at the signboards of the restaurants that dot the area around the temple is enough to see that most all of them offer the region’s specialty, locally-produced eel. Lunch will include two dishes featuring this fish, which is highly-prized for its invigorating effects. Each participant will indulge in his or her own bowl of spicy eel stew, while each

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Infomation Date: October 17, 2015 Price: GIC Members 65,000 won/ Non-Members 75,000 won Itinerary: Gochang Dolmen Site No.6 → Seonunsa → Lunch → Gochang Dolmen Museum & Sites → Gochang Pansori Museum → Gochang Eupseong Contact: 062-226-2733 or gictour@gic.or.kr (Lee Jeongmin)

table of four will be provided with a plate of marinated, grilled eel to share.

Properly fueled from lunch, our next stop is a historical site possessing an antiquity nearly twice that of Seonun Temple, The Gochang Dolmen Park. Dolmen are megalithic tombs mostly dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods and can be found in many sites around the world. Relatively unknown is the fact that the Korean peninsula is home to more than 40 percent of the world’s dolmen, mostly concentrated at three sites. Gochang is one of those, with a large and varied concentration dating back to the seventh century BCE. Participants will have the chance to learn all about these ancient stone structures at the well-organized museum before going out to see for themselves the UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site.

After immersing ourselves in so much ancient history, the tour will get to experience an important part of traditional Korean culture at the Gochang Pansori

Museum. Pansori is a musical genre native to Korea that is comprised of a kind of musical storytelling performed by a single vocalist and drummer. The museum itself offers a chance to learn about the history and development of this art form, but also houses an experience hall where participants will be guided in trying their hands at the musical style.

The museum is conveniently located just a short walk from our last stop, the formidable and imposing Gochang Fortress. Though what visitors can see today is largely a modern rebuild, it is easy to see how impressive and effective the original fortification, built by civilians in 1453, must have been. The spacious interior is home to a towering bamboo forest as well as reconstructions of Joseon Dynasty-era government buildings. Participants can enjoy the enclosed expanse with a sit or a stroll, or the more adventurous can test out the local legend that says anyone who can walk around the top of the walls three times while balancing a stone atop her head will ascend to heaven.

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Vegetarian Nutrition Essentials You Should Know Written by Edgardo Torres

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hen we outline our plans for achieving our goals, we include everything: the institution of higher education we will attend, the major we will choose, the way in which we want to obtain experiences, the kind of spouse we want to marry, the place we want to live, and so on.

Yet there is one thing that we must have, no matter what goal we pursue. It is the one thing that we simply cannot do without and cannot be replaced: our health. Health is an integral part of achieving our goals, yet we rarely think of it as an intentional part of our outline for life. Why is that? Because we have it. When we are young and strong, we tend to unconsciously think that we will always be this way.

The importance of any and all dreams and goals in life pales in comparison to being healthy. What good is it to achieve any goal if by the time you achieve it, you are in such bad shape that you cannot perform well or enjoy it? What if you reach financial freedom only to have to spend your money and time on medical treatment, with every day putting you further away from proper health?

What? You say I am exaggerating? I invite you to ask anyone suffering from any health condition or chronic disease if I am exaggerating. Some will tell

you they have learned to live with it, while others will say there is nothing they can do about it now.

But many will say that they would happily give away all they have achieved in exchange for their health.

How well-informed we are on any given topic can seriously affect our choices, whether negatively or positively. When it comes to nutrition, it is even more serious because our choices affect the one thing that is necessary to achieve every goal we have in life.

Even though there is a lot of information available on vegetarian nutrition, the truth is that the average person still has a great lack of factual knowledge about the topic. There are a lot of misconceptions about vegetarianism.

Whether you would like to be better informed just to be more knowledgeable or to find the encouragement to make changes in your eating and lifestyle, I invite you attend my GIC Talk, “Vegetarian Nutrition: Essentials You Should Know.�

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday, October 17, at 3 p.m. in the GIC Hall, located on the first floor!

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GIC Talk October Schedule

Theme of the Month:

Interests for All Time & Location: Saturdays from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., GIC Auditorium (Samho Center, 1st Floor) For more information, contact gictalk@gic.or.kr

OCTOBER 3

OCTOBER 24

There is no GIC Talk due to National Foundation Day.

Speaker: Dada Shiilabhadrananda Topic: AMURT Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team (AMURT) is a global organization committed to serving suffering people all over the world. AMURT has been active in Nepal to repair the damaged school buildings from the recent earthquakes and constructing new buildings for schools. AMURT is also currently active in the distribution of daily needs in Nepal.

Enjoy the Korean holiday remembering Gojoseon, the first state of Korea. The GIC Talk Program will return on October 10.

OCTOBER 10

There will also be an event on Sunday, October 25th, to continue conversation and raise support with a benefit meal. .

OCTOBER 31 Speaker: Kate Morris Topic: 12 Songs in 12 Months This GIC Talk is based on a New Year’s resolution that got a bit out of hand for amateur musician and songwriter, Kate Ann Morris. The project’s name, “12 Songs in 12 Months”, was her challenge to herself of writing and recording one original song a month. During her time in Gwangju, inspiration has come from a picture to a phrase on a t-shirt to a Buzzfeed quiz.

Kate feels that the stranger the message, the better.

OCTOBER 17 Speaker: Edgardo J. Torres Alicea Topic: Vegetarian Nutrition: Essentials You Should Know The speaker will present the basics of vegetarian nutrition along with a pros and cons analysis supported by academic research. The speaker will also discuss available nutrition sources and options to help prepare anyone interested in transitioning to a vegetarian diet.

Speaker: Travis Groves Topic: English Media in South Korea The speaker will discuss his experience of transitioning from an E2 (Teaching) visa to an E6 (Culture and Entertainment) visa, explaining the benefits of each. For those interested in media specifically, the speaker will outline the major differences between Western and Korean media by highlighting the cultural differences of both workplaces, discussing English mediaoutlets (broadcasting), and sharing tips on how to enter the business.

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Community Board Have something you want to share with the community?

Gwangju News community board provides a space for the community to announce clubs’ activities and special events. Please contact gwangjunews@gic.or.kr for more information.

UNESCO KONA VOLUNTEERS UNESCO KONA Volunteers is a registered organization that helps underprivileged kids to learn English independently through storybooks and story-maps.

We are looking for long-term volunteers who desire to enrich their lives.

We are asking volunteers to commit to helping at least once a month (please check the days and locations below).

Foreign volunteers who are interested in practicing their Korean and learning more about Korean culture with Korean children are welcome to stay at the center on any Saturday morning or Saturday evening for a short cultural exchange.

If you have any picture books, storybooks, puppets and any educational items, we accept all donations in order to distribute them to the local children’s homes or community children’s centers in Gwangju and 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, 062-4349887) 3rd Sunday afternoons / 3-5 p.m.

Location: Youngjin Children’s Home (Imgok-dong, Gwangsangu, 062-9528040) or Gwangju Children’s Home (Dongrim-dong, Buk-gu, 062-513-0859) 4th Friday afternoons 3-5 p.m.

Location: Grandmother’s Community Children’s Center (Punghyang-dong, Buk-gu, 062-524-2076) 3rd Sunday mornings and afternoons/ 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (Lunch is provided) Location: Haein Temple (Jangseong, South Jeolla, 061-393-5135)

For more infomation, please visit: 1. http://cafe.daum.net/konavolunteers 2. www.facebook.com (UNESCO KONA Volunteers) 3. contact KONA (Kim Young-im) at 062-434-9887 or at konacenter@ gmail.com JOIN THE GWANGJU PERFORMANCE PROJECT CHOIR No experience is necessary and all are welcome. The choir will be learning and singing a wide variety of material, including pop, jazz, choral, and musical theater! The GPP Choir meets every Saturday from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Gwangju International Center.

For more information, visit our Facebook page or e-mail at gwangjuplayers@gmail. com

GWANGJU ICE HOCKEY TEAM Looking for men and women of all ages to join us every Saturday night from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Yeomju Ice Rink near World Cup Stadium. If you are interested, contact Andrew Dunne at atdunne@gmail.com GWANGJU INTER FC The Gwangju International Soccer Team (Gwangju Inter FC) plays regularly every weekend. If you are interested in playing, email: gwangju_soccer@yahoo.com or search ‘Gwangju Inter FC’ on Facebook.

COMMUNITY GROUPS IN GWANGJU Gwangju – 광주 Gwangju Freecycle Gwangju Performance Project GFOG (Global Families of Gwangju) Gwangju EPIK Teachers Gwangju Community Builders Gwangju-Jeolla Job Bank Ladies of Gwangju and Vicinity Jeolla Safety Alliance Gwangju Yoga Gwangju Veggies

WE ARE LOOKING FOR WRITERS! Get involved and make Gwangju News an outlet for you to express yourself.

For more info: gwangjunews@gic.or.kr

Gwangju News is only as great as it is because of the community it serves, and the writers, photographers, editors and proofreaders within it who regularly volunteer their services.