contents november 2012 Vol.8 No.11
02
Cover Story
Healthy and Tasty
Kimchi
Taste of Korea Kimchi The Kimchi Talk
12 pen & brush The Sound of Thunder by Kim Joo-young
16 People Spokesman for Korea Seo Kyung-duk
20 Great Korean Great Scholar and Calligrapher Kim Jeong-hui
22 Seoul A Walk through Korea̓s Cultural Heritage Jeongdong-gil
26 Travel Lanterns Glittering on the Water Jinju
30 festival The Hi Seoul Festival 2012
32 Now in Korea Bus Tour Package for Foreigners K-Shuttle
34 Sports A Hope for Korean Women’s Volleyball Yang Hyo-jin
36 Special Issue Honored with the Golden Lion in Venice Pieta by Kim Ki-duk
40 Summit Diplomacy Paves the Way for Success in International Diplomacy
42 Global Korea Reaching 100 Million Homes Arirang TV
45 Flavor Yukgaejang Spicy Beef Soup
46 My Korea Autumn Scenes of Jeollanam-do
49 Learn Korean Hello, this is Naoko.
publisher Woo Jin-Yung, Korean Culture and Information Service Editing the book company e-mail webmaster@korea.net printing Jeonkwang Printing&Information All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from KOREA and the Korean Culture and Information Service. The articles published in KOREA do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. The publisher is not liable for errors or omissions. If you want to receive a free copy of KOREA or wish to cancel a subscription, please e-mail us. A downloadable PDF file of KOREA and a map and glossary with common Korean words appearing in our text are available by clicking on the thumbnail of KOREA on the homepage of www.korea.net.
발간등록번호 11-1110073-000016-06
COVER STORY
Healthy and Tasty
Kimchi Few Koreans would ever want a meal without kimchi. Repulsive to many foreigners at first, but incredibly addictive after a few tastes, kimchi is rich in lactic acid bacteria. Kimchi undergoes two rounds of fermentation, by which it becomes full of more than 200 types of healthy lactic acid bacteria. It helps prevent high blood pressure and obesity, slows down aging, facilitates weight loss, and bolsters immunity. The popularity of kimchi is soaring worldwide as its health benefits become widely recognized. Its spicy kick is addicting to the palates of more and more people around the world. This healthy and tasty Korean traditional food has long been a source of strength for Koreans.
2 korea november 2012
3
COVER STORY
T
im Carmen of The Washington
Post wrote an article about kimchi
titled "Kimchi: Korea's affordable
health care" after visiting the Gwangju World Kimchi Culture Festival held in northern Virginia, U.S. on September
14. He also told readers how he ate raw kimchi and used it to make "Grilled
Kimcheese sandwiches" with a slice of tomato as a football snack.
Why do non-Koreans like this food
so much? It’s in part because of its
antioxidative effect of removing free
once but twice. Kimchi is believed to
to cause a range of adult diseases
vegetable dish.
oxygen radicals, which are believed and accelerate aging. The American
the most common type of kimchi.
alongside Spanish olive oil, Greek
are placed in a salt solution and then
of the world’s five healthiest foods
yogurt, Indian lentils, and Japanese
natto. All five are good for preventing adult diseases and slowing the aging process.
the sauce called kimchi yangnyeom to
permeate into the vegetables. Now that
chili pepper, and chives, and the
cucumber, which are rich in
cabbage and radishes are then
Vitamin A, the B Vitamins,
massaged to evenly distribute
the yangnyeom for better
and a variety of minerals, so it
slows aging and improves skin
absorption. As fermentation
elasticity.
progresses, what oozes out of the
yangnyeom and garnishes percolates
Kimchi also helps counter
obesity and hypertension.
through the vegetables, harmful
The Rural Development
bacteria are destroyed, and healthy
Ajou University Hospital jointly
for your digestive tract) proliferate.
Administration of Korea and
lactic acid bacteria (which are good
researched the efficacy of kimchi
About one milliliter of the juice from
mass index (BMI), blood pressure,
100 million lactic acid bacteria, up to
on obese people’s weight, body
well-ripened kimchi contains roughly
blood sugar concentration,
four times more than the same weight
insulin level, and cholesterol level
according to their kimchi intake and In cooperation with the Korea Kimchi Association and stylist Lee Chae-hyun
out moisture, which in turn allows
added including ginger, garlic,
cabbage, radish, green onion, and
4 korea november 2012
harmful microorganisms and forces
array of yangnyeom and garnishes is
fresh vegetables like kimchi
by Lee Jeong-eun, Im Sang-bum, and Chung Da-young / photographs by Lee Jin-ha
rinsed, a process that gets rid of many
conditioned for fermentation, a full
ingredients of kimchi are
Kimchi is fermented twice, which makes it rich in lactic acid bacteria. Fresh vegetables are used as ingredients, so it is also full of a variety of vitamins, fiber, calcium, iron, phosphorous, and other nutrients. Let’s delve into the health benefits of kimchi and see why so many people around the world go crazy over the dish once they develop a liking for it.
First, kimchi cabbage and radishes
the cabbage and radishes are perfectly
The primary raw
Kimchi
Let’s follow the process of making
magazine Health called kimchi one
health benefits.
Taste of Korea
be the world’s only double-fermented
the maturity of the kimchi.
Kimchi is welcomed around the
world as a low-calorie diet food. Many types of kimchi contain chili pepper as a key ingredient, and capsaicin
(the active component in chili pepper) speeds up metabolism and helps
burn body fat. Kimchi also has a lot
of dietary fiber. These facts and more
explain the sudden popularity kimchi has recently gained among young women in Japan.
Other benefits of kimchi have
recently come to light including its
of yogurt. The basic ingredients for making kimchi
A RICH SOURCE OF
LACTIC ACID BACTERIA
What makes kimchi so healthy? It is
mainly fermentation. Some countries
have tried to create their own versions of kimchi, such as Japanese kimuchi. They may look similar to kimchi,
but there are major differences in
the ingredients and the fermentation process. Japanese kimuchi is made
simply by pickling cabbage without
natural fermentation, but kimchi is first pickled and then fermented, not just
The species of lactic acid bacteria
in kimchi number more than 200,
and the major lactic acid bacterium
changes along the maturation process. Leuconostoc mesenteroides abounds the
most in kimchi that has not developed a sour taste, while kimchi rich in
lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria found in yogurt) tastes sour. Leuconostoc
mesenteroids produces dextrin (which is often used as a fiber supplement),
helping prevent constipation. It is also a potent fighter against Helicobacter
pylori, which is known to cause gastric ulcers, stomach cancer, and other
5
COVER STORY
by Yi Gyu-bo (1168-1241), Dongguk
affection for the country when he
mentions “pickled radish,” an early
“I’m addicted to kimchi. I’m happy to
isanggukjip in 13 books of 53 volumes, type of kimchi. It was during the
Joseon period (1392-1910) when Koreans started putting chili powder, salted
fish, and garlic in kimchi like today. It was also most probably in the
Joseon period when Koreans started
doing gimjang, a custom of making a
in early winter, the whole process in
fact covered the entire year. Koreans
winter now, so the Korean dietary
lifestyle has changed. Not as many
tangy kick and has a strong umami
flavor. That’s why people—Koreans
and foreigners alike—find themselves so easily addicted to this fermented
families do gimjang anymore, especially as it requires a lot of time and effort to make enough kimchi for winter all at
and single-parent families.
kimchi is compared to the sparkling
When did Koreans start eating kimchi?
and the director of the Hollywood
kimchi is fermented,” says Lee Ha6 korea november 2012
least the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392).
A vast collection of poems and essays
Almost every Asian supermarket
seven other chefs from top-class hotels
kimchi or locally made kimchi. But
around the city.
for kimchi has been proven as major Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, and Safeway
have begun to stock packaged kimchi on their shelves. Kimchi can also be
spotted at the buffets of major global hotels in the salad section as more people ask for kimchi. In January, Executive Chef Toni Robertson at
the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New
The Korean government initiated
awareness of kimchi throughout the recent successes is the Kimchi Bus
it, and have begun to develop their
own kimchi using new ingredients and eating it in different manners. As it is
fused with other foods, it is recreated as a new variety of food.
Korilla BBQ, a food truck that has
to 36 countries for 400 days in their
so that people can come to the truck for
year, these men set off on a journey
mini bus to hold free tasting events. They introduced kimchi to the local
people and cooked dishes made with kimchi and local ingredients. In
addition to featuring kimchi dishes, they
its yummy delicacies. More than 18,000 twitter followers are crazy about the
“Porkinator” (a pork taco with kimchi) and “Wonder Bird” (a chicken taco with kimchi).
Angelo Sosa, a popular chef cast
on American TV food show Top Chef,
aspects of kimchi and
and many other fusion Korean foods
Hansik. They finished their trip in Europe
and are currently in the U.S., organizing taste events in New
York and Washington, D.C. The Kimchi Bus Project will come to
an end when the bus 2
York City this year, tweets its location
also promoted the nutritious health
blockbuster Battleship visited Korea to
Director Peter Berg expressed his great
people around the world are craving
enjoyed explosive popularity in New
In April this year, the leading actors
promote the movie’s world premiere.
GLOBAL VILLAGERS
Project led by three young men. Last
girls who are the heads of households,
The World Meets Kimchi
mesenteroides, which proliferates as the
Kimchi is going global. More and more
the gimjang kimchi to the needy such
delicious.”
The history of kimchi goes back to at
him how to make kimchi along with
public offices do gimjang to give away
GIMJANG: MAKING OF KIMCHI
kick of soda pop thanks to Leuconostoc
world.
and then. Many charity groups and
as elderly people living alone, boys and
FOR WINTER
KIMCHI ON THE TABLEs OF
a kimchi expert to the hotel to teach
kimchi in small amounts every now
dish.
“The refreshing, tangy taste of
York invited Korean chefs including
finally won people over all around the
once. But, many households still make
the cold Korean winter) for weeks,
it ferments just right to become very
the appealing taste of kimchi has
world beyond big cities. One of the
it is easy to get fresh vegetables in
typical temperature underground in
3
supermarkets in the U.S., such as
and it is a big family event. However,
ripened kimchi gives a refreshing,
too strong for non-Koreans. However,
various projects and events to improve
The custom of gimjang is still alive,
preserved at around 7°C (which is the
savory kimchi has long been loved by
the global popularity and demand
winter as a main side dish.
“When freshly made kimchi is
The popularity of kimchi is now
grew vegetables for more than half a was a major source of vitamins in
increasingly popular worldwide. Well-
press.
in major cities sells imported Korean
year, all for gimjang. Gimjang kimchi
weren’t also delicious, it wouldn’t be
became popular among the Korean
pickled fish in spring, prepared chili
pepper and garlic in early autumn, and
chair of the Korea Kimchi Association.
conference. After his visit, Peter Berg
Koreans, but the taste was considered
Although the gimjang kimchi was made
Kimchi is certainly healthy, but if it
I arrived in Korea,” he said at a press
vegetables in winter, so when autumn enough kimchi to last the winter.
yeon, a master maker of kimchi and the
more than 24 pounds of kimchi since
global. The enticing flavor of spicy-yet-
gave way to winter, Koreans made
gastric conditions.
eat kimchi every day. I think I’ve eaten
lot of kimchi for winter in advance.
Back then, it wasn’t easy to get fresh
1
admitted that he was a kimchi-lover.
1 Baechu kimchi made with cabbage is the most common type of kimchi. 2 Fermented shrimp is added to the kimchi yangnyeom for a richer flavor. 3 The three young chefs of Kimchi Bus Project travelled to 36 countries to promote kimchi and kimchi dishes.
returns to Korea in late November.
sells kimchi fried rice, kimchi grits,
with kimchi at his restaurant Social
Eatz. Jean-Georges Voongerichten,
a world-renowned chef who has over
20 restaurants around the world, sells
kimchi hotdogs at Mercer Kitchen. His interest in Korean food is evidenced in his other culinary creations, including the steak with gochujang butter he sells
at Perry St. Dubbed one of the three greatest chefs in the world, Pierre
7
COVER STORY
Gagnaire developed French dishes by
developed bite-sized kimchi rolls
version of kimchi to pigeon and foie
and kkaennip yangbaechu mari kimchi
adding his own less salty and spicy gras.
It’s not only non-Koreans who
are rolling up their sleeves to make
such as mini roll bossam kimchi
(kimchi rolls wrapped with sesame and cabbage leaves).
“Kimchi looks simple, but it is an
new versions of kimchi to better suit
excellent fermented food for well-
applying their creativity to making
are intricately harmonized,” wrote
their palates. Koreans, as always, are kimchi with a novel appearance and taste. Kim Sun-ja, CEO of Hansung
Food and a master maker of kimchi,
being, in which a variety of elements French chef Pierre Gagnaire in his
contribution for Korea Focus. “Kimchi can have a wide array of flavors,
aromas, and textures, depending on the degree of fermentation.”
Yes, Master Chef! Kimchi has great
potential for endless transformation. Different vegetables will render
differences in taste and nutrients, but
you can use any ingredients for kimchi and you can fuse it with almost all
kinds of foods to develop novel dishes. Sooner or later, people around the
information
Main Types of Kimchi
Some say there are hundreds of types of kimchi out there, while some claim that there are literally thousands of variants of kimchi because families in different regions of Korea have traditionally had their own recipes. Yet, there are still some basic types of kimchi, which are familiar to every Korean. Here is a short list of them:
world will have their own versions of
Try to cook Kimchi Baechu Kimchi (Cabbage Kimchi) Ingredients Napa cabbage, radishes, leeks, chili powder, shrimp sauce, garlic, ginger
kimchi to enjoy.
Instructions
Fusion dishes made with kimchi - kimchi pasta, kimchi burger, kimchi natto, and kimchi burrito
8 korea november 2012
Baechu kimchi (cabbage kimchi) Cut a whole cabbage vertically, brine it in salt, and rinse in water. Stuff kimchi sauce made of chili powder, fermented pickled fish, chestnut, pear, and so forth in between the cabbage leaves. You may eat the kimchi when it’s freshly made (this fresh kimchi is called geotjeori) or enjoy its differing tastes along the process of fermentation. This is the most representative variant of kimchi, so it is made in the greatest volume.
Chonggangmu kimchi (whole radish kimchi) Small, seven-to-eight-centimeter-long daikon radishes with a short white body and long stem are seasoned with a thick red sauce with chili powder and fermented salty fish. Chonggak means bachelor, and in the old days a bachelor’s hairstyle looked like the radishes of this variant of kimchi, hence the name. Chonggangmu kimchi is loved for its crunchy taste and bite size.
Kkakdugi (radish cube kimchi) The white roots of daikon radishes are cut into cubes and brined in salt before being mixed with other vegetables and a sauce made of chili powder, spring onion, garlic, and ginger, among other ingredients. Some maintain that kkakdugi was served in the royal court, while others argue that it was a humble food for commoners, simply brined in salt.
Baek kimchi (white kimchi) People usually think kimchi is spicy, but it was in the 17th century when Koreans first added chili powder to kimchi. So, there have traditionally been non-spicy kimchis that are only brined in salt. Baek kimchi is made without chili powder, so it is good for children whose palates have not yet become accustomed to the spicy taste and elderly people who want to avoid stimulating flavors.
1. Cut the cabbage in quarters lengthwise and brine in salt water, made with 6 cups water and 6 tbsp coarse sea salt, for about 8 hours, until the stem part of the cabbage is flexible and does not break easily. 2. Cut 1 sprig of leek into 3cm slivers. 3. Season 2/3 medium julienned radishes with 1 cup chili powder, and thoroughly mix together with 4 tbsp shrimp sauce, 4 finely chopped garlic cloves, and 4 tsp finely chopped ginger for the stuffing. 4. Place the cabbage on a sheet pan. Starting with the outer leaves and working toward the core of the cabbage, insert the stuffing between the leaves, smearing it generously on each leaf. 5. Tightly press the leaves of the cabbage together, fold in half, and use the outer leaf to create a bundle. Transfer it into a container and store at room temperature for one day before moving it to the refrigerator.
9
COVER STORY
The Kimchi Talk Curtis File from Canada is a fan of Hansik who enjoys cooking kimchi fried rice and spicy Korean dishes at home. He met Lee Ha-yeon, an artisan producer of kimchi, to talk about the profound world of the spicy dish. edited by Chung Da-young / interview by Curtis File
(side dish) that is brined in salt water,
seasoned, and fermented. Kimchi can be made with any vegetable that has gone through this process.
F: Have you invented any new type of kimchi?
L: I made a paprika kimchi when
paprika was still fairly new to the Korean table.
F: Has kimchi always been spicy? What did the first kimchi look like?
L: The first kimchi in history did not have any spicy chili powder in the
seasoning and it wasn’t even made
because of its fresh crispy flavor after
F: Is there a health benefit of each type
imported into Korea only 300 years
kimchi can be used as an ingredient for
L: The health benefits depend on the
ago, and before that kimchi was white,
other dishes.
first kimchi were made with cucumber,
F: I see that a lot of ingredients go into
F: I get stomach aches from weak
for the taste and to preserve it.
prepare the ingredients.
you recommend for me
F: When was kimchi first made?
would spend the whole night just
Koreans have been making kimchi for
making kimchi. Do you how many
brined, and seasoned with salt. The
eggplant, and radish. Salt was added
kimchi and that it takes a long time to L: When I was young, my mother
1,000 years. The first kimchi was white,
different flavors of kimchi there are?
F: I should eat more radish kimchi from
red chili powder was added.
F: No. How many are there?
fermented kimchi is great for making
but when chili came into the country,
always made delicious food and kimchi
F: There are so many types of kimchi.
mothers in Korea.
ever got ill. I think it was all due to my
over the years?
F: Ha ha. That’s clever.
One example is kimchi made with
cheese made in France tastes different
People don’t make kimchi with dongha
same with kimchi. Kimchi tastes
from China, it became the vegetable of
the ingredients and the amounts used
started to make my own kimchi when I got married. Making kimchi became a profession when I began my own
for her nine children, and none of us mother’s nutritious kimchi.
kimchi business 30 years ago.
F: I think I need some of your mother’s
F: Did you learn to make kimchi from
makes kimchi kimchi? How would you
another artisan? Who did you learn to make kimchi from? 10 korea november 2012
delicious kimchi. I wonder, what define kimchi?
L: Kimchi is a vegetable banchan
L: Radish kimchi such as kkakdugi
or dongchimi. The radish helps the
digestive system.
L (Lee Ha-yeon): I helped my mother
make kimchi when I was young, but I
digestion. What type of kimchi would
chopping the ingredients that go into
L: I learned everything from my
mother. She was a great cook. She
main vegetable and the seasoning.
L: According to historical records,
F (Curtis File): How long have you been making kimchi?
of kimchi?
with cabbage. Chili powder was
fermentation, and also because cabbage
Have any types of kimchi been lost
L: There are as many kimchi as
L: Many types have indeed been lost.
L: It’s similar to how every wine or
a type of old squash called dongha.
from one winery to another. It’s the
anymore. When cabbage was imported
different at every household because
choice in many cases. This is mainly
are all different.
now on. I know that well-ripened or
kimchi jjigae or stew. How would you eat fresh kimchi?
L: Just-made kimchi goes well with
steamed pork. Just wrap the sliced pork with kimchi and add a bit of fermented shrimp sauce.
F: That’s a great tip. I must prepare
steamed pork when I make my first kimchi at home.
Lee Ha-yeon Lee Ha-yeon is the CEO of Bongwoori Chan Kimchi and also the president of the Korea Kimchi Association. Her company, located in Namyangju in Gyeonggi-do, makes high-end kimchi for her online store and features kimchi-making classes for visitors. Her kimchi can also be tasted at her Hansik restaurant, Bongwoori, in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul. www.bongkimchi.co.kr
11
PEN & BRUSH
THE SOUND OF THUNDER BY KIM JOO-YOUNG
“Yes.”
baby—but Hwang Chom-gae was
it up in the air. No matter how long he
“I’ve been gone for eight days to get
second baby, a child still unnamed,
to turn into a precious jewel. Still, he
“Where is he?”
some food and just got back.” “You’re lying.”
“I swear on my ancestors’ name.”
The Sound of Thunder, a novel by Kim Joo-young, is set during an excruciatingly painful part of Korean history. The sad, difficult life story of a lady named Kil-nyo is entirely representative of the trials and tribulations of the Korean nation during the mid 20th century: the social confusion in the wake of the Japanese occupation as well as the Korean War, ideological conflict, and grinding poverty.
“Swear on their name? You think
that’ll save you? I’ll kill you.” “….”
“Listen, comrade, if you mean to lie,
by Lee Jeong-eun/ illustration by Park Hyeon-ju
(…)
The sun was nearly down when at last she arrived back in Hamyang. After the journey, Kil-nyo was skin and
bones and her clothes were little better than rags. She pushed open the gate
and walked in to find the whole house a wreck. Murderous looking men
wearing red armbands were busily ransacking the house.
What little furniture there had been
in the main room had been thrown into the yard along with all the
kitchenware. As the men rushed about they kicked things out of their way.
Kil-nyo’s mother, the baby held tight
in her arms, was sitting there vacantly watching the house being turned
inside out. Among the men running
amok, Kil-nyo spotted one who looked
familiar. It was the short man who had
“Where have you been? Where did
come when her father was arrested and
head back and forth.
but he was the one who first spoke to
you’re talking about.”
taken away. She recognized him first, her. A cigar was in his mouth as he
emerged from the outbuilding where
reactionary, don’t you?”
nothing out of the ordinary about the
of the wooden floor and sat down,
her father had been staying. There was man’s behavior. As soon as he saw Kil-
nyo come into the yard, he rushed over to her and, pulling the cigar out of his mouth, said, “You’re the daughter of this family, aren’t you?”
Pointedly, as if to preempt her
fabricating an alibi, he went on immediately.
prove she had hidden Cha away? Or
proof than she? But when pressed,
“Isn’t he?”
Through the wide-open door Kil-
and pieces of half a lifetime would
nyo could see her seated mother’s hand
have hounded her ‘til the end. In a way,
patting the baby’s back. The sight made her feel calmer.
“I am the daughter.”
And yet, the monumental efforts she
had slipped it onto her finger just once, now.
If it hadn’t fit her finger, she could
now smile secretly to herself. What’s
short man.
the ring finger of her right hand, she
predicament was not Kil-nyo but the
She fumbled through the folds of her
down on the edge of the floor. The man “What’s this?”
“A silver ring, what else?” “You know what I mean.” Kil-nyo knew.
“The family I went to see gave this
away any food. They told me to sell it
proud.
In fact, the ring didn’t even cross her
one actually in control of this desperate
bury the signs and clues of her past:
of her past about which she could feel
In cooperation with Galerie Gaia
another man? In the end, however, the
to me. Times are so bad they were more
to forget. There was not a single trace
12 korea november 2012
her daughter had gone off to see yet
her whole life up to that point had
been an endless series of struggles to
home as soon as possible.
she would not have felt so utterly lost
looked down at it.
If she had not, all those ragged bits
past four days? Since leaving Kanggu,
would she accept the evidence that
crow pecking away at a hatchling in its of proof there ever was.
Kil-nyo felt her heart sink. Why had
mind during the journey. If only she
skirt, took out the silver ring and laid it
own nest, she had swallowed every bit
“You are Shin Kil-nyo, correct?”
“You have to prove it’s not your own
want her to produce something to
Kil-nyo couldn’t come up with a single piece of evidence to satisfy him. Like a
“….”
What would her mother expect her
nothing but empty hands. Where did
Proof. Who could have had more
husband, isn’t he?”
that would determine whether her
to do, Kil-nyo wondered. Would she
that you actually went out to get food.”
he continued, “Cha Pyong-jo is your
wanted from her was a mere trifle.
a whim, did you? You had a plan. And
then. You’ve got to have some evidence
After sending them outside the gate,
“What?”
her only thought had been to get back
“Very well. Show me some proof,
inside to come out into the front yard.
Compared to these traces of her
Abruptly, he said, “Try it on.”
entire family lived or died.
“I never hid anybody.”
the man summoned the others from
penetrating to her very marrow.
a tooth-mark on the edge of the silver.
she not thought of trying it on these
you hide that bastard?”
As Kil-nyo moved over to the edge
an incurable disease of some kind,
Still, as the man said, it was a trifle
here you are, eight days later, with
“Cha Pyong-jo. You know that
wretched fate itself, now had become
he put it in his mouth and bit, leaving
in search of food. So how is it you’re
“You didn’t just walk out of here on
“Hide who? I have no idea what
physical evidence was the fact of her
this way and that in the twilight. Then
ring.”
“I failed.”
Inside, her mother was shaking her
Sang-mo. And starker than any such
went on rotating the tarnished metal
shameful past, what the short man
coming back here empty-handed?”
you hide Cha Pyong-jo?”
was living evidence of her tie to Chi
examined it, the ring was not going
you’d better do a better job than that.
You say you’ve been gone for eight days The Sound of Thunder
still around to testify to that. And the
willing to part with this than to give
more, if it hadn’t been the right size for might have tried her left hand, instead. What Chi had said flashed back into
her mind: show your left hand to the
bastards who like left hands, and if you run into a bastard who likes the right, put your left hand in your pocket and stick out your right.
Only four days had passed since she
heard those words from Chi Sang-mo.
At the time she’d paid them little heed,
for my trip back.”
The short man picked up the ring.
He rubbed it against his pants and held
had made were all melting into air. To conceal the fact of her coupling with Cha, she had abandoned a newborn
13
PEN & BRUSH
but now she’d fallen into a fix she could
might as well go with both.
just moments before. Disappointed, he
reception and again encounter
story about a marketplace of the Joseon
also, he believes, destroy the literary
she hadn’t the slightest idea whether
hands held out before him. Now it was
to himself:
Her father is suspected of helping
the novel, he had to read more than 100
foreign readers of The Sound of Thunder
left.
raised his left hand and slapped down
neither ignore nor escape. A dead end: the man wanted her right hand or her
Chi must have been the kind of man
who could sense which hand might be
The short man stared at the two
he who had to choose. Suddenly he her right.
“Take that away. No woman wears
briefly glanced at Kil-nyo and muttered “Well, seems the reactionary
sneaked out of here at dawn today, after all.”
It was not until much later, long
better to offer. But she, a woman who
rings on her right hand.”
after the short man was gone, that Kil-
for revelation. To stick out your left
working at a bellows, he tried the ring
him.
but more to the point, there was no
off of each with astonishing speed.
knew no better, could only wait in vain hand to another would be unseemly— time to dwell on such things. If the
lifeline of the whole family depended
on which hand she now extended, she
Then, like a blacksmith’s helper
on every finger, slipping it on and
It fit none. A look of embarrassment replaced the expression of smug
anticipation plastered across his face
T
he Sound of Thunder is one of
Korean novelist Kim Joo-young’s
representative works, along with
Tradesman, A Skate Fish, and Anchovy.
The novel was first published in 1986, and a revised version came out in
2000. It was translated into English in
1990 and became the first Korean novel translated into Russian a decade later. The historical background of The
Sound of Thunder is a period beset by
relentless turmoil beginning with the last years of Japanese colonial rule.
It then runs through national liberation, the Korean War, and ideological
conflict, always under grinding poverty.
The author embodies this excruciatingly painful part of Korean history in the life of the female protagonist named Kil-nyo, and whenever she suffers a
shocking experience, the clouds above
(or deep inside her) release a loud crack of thunder.
Kil-nyo is married to the son of the
head family of a clan which is on the
decline. She is soon widowed and must
live alone with her mother-in-law. Nine
14 korea november 2012
nyo realized he had taken the ring with “Close the gate and come in, dear.” Her mother’s voice was soft. (…)
by Kim Joo-young
translated by Chun Kyung-ja
years after her husband’s death, a
servant named Pyong-jo rapes her and leaves in ambitious pursuit of success. She gives birth to a baby and hears a roll of thunder. The baby is secretly
raised by a butcher named Chom-gae
and his wife. After national liberation
from Japanese colonial rule, Chom-gae leaves, and her mother-in-law passes away. During the mourning period, Pyong-jo returns from Japan, rapes
Kil-nyo again, and sells her to a tavern. She runs away with the help of Sangmo, a truck driver, but he also rapes her. To Kil-nyo’s shock, Chom-gae
returns as a leader of the North Korean partisans, and she hears another
Pyong-jo, who has been hiding there. Pyong-jo hide, but Chom-gae helps him dispel the suspicion and kills Sang-mo. Kil-nyo gives herself to
Chom-gae and hears about the death of
Dynasty (1392-1910). In order to author theses on the commercial history of
the late Joseon period and visit all the marketplaces throughout Korea. A huge part of Kim’s lexicon
Sang-mo. Witnessing the killing of a
naturally comes from the rural
in her bones the same fate will befall
hamlets, where raw Korean sentiments
village leader by partisans, Kil-nyo feels Chom-gae and hears a roar of thunder.
When Chom-gae is later killed, Kil-nyo calls him “yeobo” (my darling) in spite of herself.
The excerpt at the start of this article
marketplaces and mountainous
of him. One of the young men robs
Kil-nyo of her silver ring she had been given by Sang-mo’s wife.
A WRITER ON THE ROAD
others can easily take advantage of her, and she does not know how to say
“I love you,” but still knows true love.
Kim Joo-young is now over 70, but his
languages.
“The late novelist Lee Moon-
letters and said, ‘These are your
communists scour the house in search
and innocent to such an extent that
resists effective translation into foreign
Pyong-jo, who has become a rightist, Kil-nyo’s parents, and young
nyo is a woman who is illiterate, naive,
NOVELS SHOULD MOVE OUR
his novels a kind of elusiveness that
koo once saw my notepad crammed
goes into hiding in the home of
will know enough to realize that Kil-
are still alive and well, rendering
is from “ The Silver Ring,” the sixth chapter of the nine-chapter novel.
essence of his works. For example,
with handwritten memos in small
blood and capillaries,’” recalls Kim. “He added, ‘You and I are most
probably two writers whose works are untranslatable.’ The Korean language itself has numerous ambivalent
expressions that can be interpreted in any number of acceptable ways, and the novels and short stories he and I
HEARTS
pen is still young. So are his feet, as
he’s still on the road much of the time studying life in the field. About three
years ago, he found a path that used to
be trodden by packmen in the old days in Uljin, a city on the east coast of the
country. The discovery motivated this old writer still young at heart to add another volume to the already nine-
volume Tradesman. The first volume of
the novel was published in 1981, about 30 years ago.
“Novels ought to be touching,”
write contain many such expressions.”
says, Kim Joo-young. “I experience as
exposes himself to real-life experiences
jettisoning his style of language to
experienced, and state what I vent with
experience, hence his nickname “Writer
doing so would be a serious departure
Kim Joo-young diligently goes out to
witness life first-hand in the field. He that his characters will likely also
on the Road.” The novel Tradesman, a byword for this nomadic writer, is a
Kim says he has no intention of
render it less untranslatable because from the uniqueness of the Korean language and sentiments. It would
much as I can, give vent to what I have candor.”
That must be the secret of the deep
resonance his works have with the reader.
rumble of thunder. When the Korean War breaks out, Kil-nyo comes back
to her parents’ home only to get a cold
About Novelist Kim Joo-young Kim Joo-young’s works fall into different genres, ranging from historical novels marked with wit, obscene volubility, and extensively detailed descriptions of scenes and customs, to novelettes on love pure as snow glittering with delicate sensibility, to fun short stories unfolding at a jaunty pace with witty, surprising twists. Kim was born in a small village in the mountainous region of Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do in 1939. He studied creative writing at Sorabol Arts College and debuted with A Period of Dormancy in 1971, which earned him the New Writer Award by The Literature Monthly.
His novels and short stories include Tradesman, The Sound of Thunder, A Skate Fish, Anchovy, Hwalbindo, Hwacheok, Arari Nanjang, and Ttongchin Makdaegi. He has received most of Korea’s prestigious literary awards including the Korea Culture and Arts Award, the Yi Sang Literary Award, and the Daesan Literary Award. In 2007, he received the Eungwan Cultural Medal from the Korean government.
About Translator Chun Kyung-ja Chun Kyung-ja is a professor emeritus at the Catholic University of Korea. Since 1986 she has translated many Korean literary works for English-speaking readers including Hwang Suk-young’s The Shadow of Arms, Kim Joo-young’s The Sound of Thunder, Choi In-hun’s A Grey Man, and Jo Jung-rae’s Playing with Fire. She won the Korean Cultural and Arts Foundation grand prize for Korean literature translation for her translation of Chae Man-sik’s Peace Under Heaven.
15
PEOPLE
Spokesman for Korea
Seo Kyung-duk While travelling Europe with a rucksack on his back, Seo Kyung-duk fell into shock when he realized that very few people knew about Korea. This experience prompted him to promote the Republic of Korea across the world. Now, 18 years later, he’s still promoting Korea globally in many ways. By Lee Jeong-eun / photographs by Lee Min-hui
World Cup, so he draped himself in the FIFA
of Korea. In celebration, the Seoul Metropolitan
(the national flag of the Republic of Korea) to
of the designation of Seoul as the capital
Government decided to bury a time capsule to be opened in 2394. The time capsule was
loaded with 600 items that were believed to best represent Seoul and Seoulites in 1996.
One of the most conspicuous among the 600
items was a table that predicted statistics on
the lifestyle of future generations who would live in Korea 400 years later. Most people
naturally considered items that represented
World Cup flag and attached the Taegeukgi
his backpack, cap, and T-shirt. “I was a walking PR board for Korea’s success in its bidding to
host the global event,” recalls Seo. “But, people asked me whether I was Japanese or Chinese. Famous museums and historic monuments
didn’t provide any Korean service.” In shock,
this young man was imbued with a passion to promote Korea by whatever means.
To begin, Seo planned a small event to
Seoul and Korea of 1996, but a college student
celebrate Korea’s National Liberation Day in
with the idea to include an item depicting
a message to the Korean travelers he had met
club named “Fight for Survival” came up what Korea would be like in the future.
This incident changed the life course of the
leader of the student club, who is now a guest professor at Sungshin Women’s University,
but prefers to go by his nickname “Promoter of the Republic of Korea.”
Seo studied landscape architecture in college.
After graduation, he decided to work for the public interest. He started planning events
that he thought would benefit Korean society as a whole, and years later he found himself
walking a unique life path as a self-appointed spokesman for Korea.
In 1996, when Korea and Japan were locked
in fierce competition to win the right to host the
front of the Eiffel Tower on August 15. He sent during the trip and encouraged them to come to the tower. Finally, the day broke, and his
heart pounded. He went to the tower and was
surprised to see more than 200 Korean travelers. He led them in singing the national anthem of the Republic of Korea, circling the tower
hand in hand. They also sang Arirang, a dearly loved Korean traditional folk song. Someone
chanted “Daehanminguk Manse!” (lit. Long live the Republic of Korea), and everybody else
followed suit. They developed a sense of unity and patriotism beyond words. Well, according
to one saying, “Whoever goes abroad becomes a patriot,” and it was true.
That was the first step he took as a devoted,
2002 FIFA World Cup, he set out to travel across
self-designated spokesman for Korea and is
to be a small help to Korea’s bid to host the FIFA
Korea.
Europe, carrying only a backpack. He wanted
16 korea november 2012
now opularly dubbed “the” expert promoter of
In cooperation with www.forthenextgeneration.com
T
he year 1996 marked the 600 th anniversary
17
PEOPLE
a delivery company in Canada made copies of
scientific Korean writing system invented by
fork out money to run
2008, Seo put an ad about Dokdo in the New York
artist born in Korea and living and working
letters via post and email
the ad and attached them to delivery boxes. In
Times and the Washington Post with sponsorship by singer Kim Jang-hun, grabbing the attention of the world’s media.
Seo also denounced Japan’s denial of what
the Japanese did to other Asians in the first half of the century by running an ad on so-called
“comfort women,” who were de facto sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II. He has placed ads in influential foreign media
outlets to call for the restoration of the human rights of old Korean ladies who were dragged
to battlefields as “comfort women” and Japan’s apology and compensation for them.
His ads entitled “Error in NYT,” “Error in
WP,” and “Error in WSJ” ran in the New York
Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal and resonated very widely. The ads
themed on Hangeul, which Seo permanently
installed at major buildings around the world including the UNESCO headquarters in Paris
and the office of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea during World War II in
Chongqing, China, in order to show the world
how beautiful Hangeul is. He persuaded worldrenowned museums and galleries including
the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the American Museum of Natural History in New York City to provide guide services in Korean. He headed the
publication of an English PR booklet about the Korea Gallery in the Smithsonian Museum of National History in Washington, D.C.
When China allegedly attempted to register
Arirang (a dearly loved Korean traditional folk
Peninsula) as the Sea of Japan in their articles.
unofficial national anthem) as a Chinese cultural
BIBIMBAP, ARIRANG, AND HANGEUL
song, which is widely regarded as Korea’s
his ads for Korea. He sent to 1,800 people including
former US President George W. Bush, every member
of the US Senate and the
House of Representatives, the governors of 31 US
states, the heads of United Nations delegations, and
professors who study East
Asian issues and history for the restoration of human
rights of the Korean women who were forced to provide sexual service to Japanese soldiers in the name of
“comfort women” during “Whenever I was hit by a
brilliant idea, I immediately put it into practice
newspapers and also on electronic billboards in Circus in London. It is through food that people
property on the grounds that ethnic Koreans
regardless of whatever
The year 2005 is unforgettable for Seo. He ran
served with colorful natural ingredients, mixed
by placing an ad about Arirang in Times Square
be waiting,” says Seo.
New York Times. Japan had enacted an ordinance
rice wine) are especially loved by non-Koreans
(Takeshima is what Japan calls Dokdo) to claim
to help the world better understand what Korea
to historic issues. He placed ads for Korean foods—bibimbap and makgeolli—in leading
Times Square in New York City and Piccadilly AN ERROR IN YOUR NEWSPAPER
naturally learn about a nation. Bibimbap (rice
an ad entitled “Dokdo Is Korean Territory” in the
before eating) and makgeolli (unrefined Korean
to designate February 22 as Takeshima Day
and were selected as representative Korean fare
its sovereignty over Dokdo. Enraged, Seo
is about.
media to the issue based on objective information
learned that most non-Koreans don’t like to
stoke Americans’ interest in the issue first and
is a common practice in Korea. He featured a
pockets to run that small ad, which helped bring
it was a success. The key take-away from this
Korean who was running a laundromat in the
your own culture when you understand and
decided to draw the attention of the world’s
and chose the New York Times as a vehicle to
In preparation for an ad on bibimbap, he
have an uncooked egg on their bibimbap, which
living in China sing the song, Seo responded and downtown Tokyo and uploading the ad file on YouTube and tweeting it in real time,
especially targeting young people across the world.
crazy, but I have a fearless
spirit of challenge, without
which I couldn’t have done so many things.” Since his sophomore year, he’s traveled to
running an ad in the New York Times and
Korea better-known to the world.
the Washington Post is almost as difficult as
photo of bibimbap with a fried egg on it, and
reaching the sky to grab a star. Seo frequented
together Koreans living abroad for the cause. A
experience was that you can better promote
his ad drafts for months. Big businesses and
United States printed the ad on plastic covers for
respect others’ cultures as well as your own.
Seo also endeavors to promote Hangeul, the
“Somebody said that was
more than 300 cities throughout the globe and
thereby pique global interest. He emptied his
the laundromat. A Korean who was operating
difficulties seemed to
A PERSON OF ACTION
For an individual who is plain in every aspect,
the ad department of those newspapers with
government offices in Korea were also haunted
day and night by this persistent and passionate promoter of Korea, who encouraged them to
1
World War II.
“It is to install a billboard exclusive for Korea in Times Square in New York City, as the first of its kind, and run ads on Arirang, Dokdo, the East Sea, and so forth 24-7, 365 days a year. Another idea is to place a surprise ad during a break in the Super Bowl.”
Seo’s promotion of Korea is not only confined
18 korea november 2012
in New York, donated his installation works
refuted these newspapers’ referring to the East Sea (the sea off the east coast of the Korean
Ad on “comfort women,” who served as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II in the Washington Post
King Sejong (r. 1418-1450). Ik-joong Kang, an
2 1 Ad on bibimbap in the New York Times 2 Ad on Hangeul in the Washington Post
attempted many fun and exciting ways to make “I have a dream to achieve on a national level,”
says Seo. “It is to install a billboard exclusive for Korea in Times Square in New York City, as the first of its kind, and run ads on Arirang, Dokdo, the East Sea, and so forth 24-7, 365 days a year.
Another idea is to place a surprise ad during a break in the Super Bowl.”
19
GREAT KOREAN
Great Scholar and Calligrapher
and research and pursued factual truth with an unwaveringly upright scholarly spirit.
Kim Jeong-hui
His achievement in epigraphy is especially
notable. He made rubbings of the inscriptions
Kim Jeong-hui was an outstanding scholar in multiple disciplines and a celebrated poet, calligrapher, and painter. Here is a brief look at his life and art. by Im Sang-beom / photographs provided by the National Museum of Korea (NMK)
of stone monuments scattered far and wide and interpreted their content and determined when they had been created.
His innate talents, tireless efforts, and
discussions with foreign scholars together
made him a great scholar-artist, whose feats are admired to this day.
K
SOLITUDE REFINES ARTISTS im Jeong-hui was born into a prestigious family in 1786, the late Joseon period.
In the Joseon Dynasty, calligraphy was believed
to be an act of expressing one’s character and an
His genius was obvious even at a young age.
indication of scholarly caliber. Kim’s inner world,
calligraphy at the very tender age of three.
in his calligraphic style Chusache.
and rose to high government posts. For a long
him as an artist. Influenced by the art of Qing
upward, but the good times ended in 1840.
painting together in unity, he endeavored to
largest island off its southern coast, in the midst
like letters. Muksogeosajachan, one of his
He is said to have held a brush and practiced
character, and scholarly depth were all expressed
He was given the best education of the time
His ten years of solitude in exile deepened
time, his life path seemed to extend endlessly
China, which brought poetry, calligraphy, and
That year, he was exiled to Jejudo, Korea’s
write letters like paintings and draw paintings
of political upheaval, and he spent almost a
calligraphy works (which advises you to keep
decade in exile there. He was exiled again in
silent when you should do so and to laugh when
you should do so) shows long, thin characters
with greatly varying strokes. His masterpiece Sehando is one of Korea’s official national
treasures. The work features vertical lines of
text, a scene of four trees, and a small house. In the work, the composition of the painting
and calligraphy is extremely well-balanced and strikes exquisite harmony, and the extensive
blank space instills in the viewer a feeling of
quiet solitude. He also authored many books including Haedongbigo (a book on epigraphy
based on his research). His disciples compiled his posthumous books including Wandangjip
1 Bojeongsanbang, which means that Kim Jeonghui really values Chung Yak-yong, a contemporary scholar of the Realist School of Confucianism 2 A rubbed copy of Shilla Jinheungwang Sunsubi (monuments commemorating King Jinheung’s tour) in Bukhansan Mountain 3 Sehando depicts moral duties among people.
(a collection of his writings). Kim Jeong-hui was
compelled to lead a lonely
life in his old age in the midst of political strife, but his life was still full of books and
ink. The masterpieces he left behind and the footsteps he took as a scholar-artist with
an unyielding noble spirit still have much to tell despite the
many years that have passed since his time.
1851 to Bukcheong, which is in modern-day
North Korea, and released the following year. He passed away in 1856 in Gwacheon, which is just south of the Gangnam area of modern Seoul.
Kim Jeong-hui is generally called Chusa
Kim Jeong-hui or simply by his pen name,
1
2
Chusa. His unique style of calligraphy is thus called Chusache (lit. Chusa’s calligraphic
style) and has long been admired by Koreans. However, few Koreans know that he was also one of the best artists and scholars of his day.
He was, in fact, a brilliant poet and painter as well as a multidisciplinary scholar who had
profound knowledge of epigraphy, Buddhism, geography, astronomy, and other fields.
As a young man, Kim travelled to Qing
China with his father, where he was exposed to a new culture and studies. Back home, he
established a school named Chusapa (lit. Chusa school) where he emphasized experimentation 20 korea november 2012
3
21
SEOUL
Jeongdong-gil
A Walk through Korea’s Cultural Heritage The quaint street of Jeong-dong, popularly known as Jeongdong-gil, in downtown Seoul is full of cultural heritage and bears vestiges of Korea’s long and storied history. A walk through Jeongdong-gil is sure to take you far back in time. by Chung Da-young / photographs by Hong Sang-don
1
J
eong-dong is a small area in downtown Seoul across the street from Seoul City Hall that
stretches from Deoksugung Palace to the Seoul Museum of History. Despite its central location
in the heart of Seoul, Jeong-dong is tucked away from the bustling streets of the city, escaping
much attention from residents and visitors alike. And yet, the area is most popular for its narrow
The quiet street of Jeong-dong, running
along the stone perimeter wall on one side of Deoksugung Palace up to where Seodaemun (Great West Gate) once stood, still resonates
with the history of early modern Korea. During the Joseon era (1392-1910) it was a residential
area for court officials and yangban (the upper
picturesque street called Jeongdong-gil (lit.
class of the Joseon era) due to its close proximity
wall of Deoksugung Palace. The beautiful
the Joseon royal court. In the late 19th century,
Jeong-dong Street) that runs along the stone tree-lined cobblestone streets flanked by the
stately palace walls and historical buildings are
among Seoul’s most beautiful. Being designated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government as the first “Beautiful Street for Walking” in 1999
only made it official. But it is the cultural and
historical heritage along the street that makes Jeongdong-gil so special. 22 korea november 2012
THE HISTORY
to Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace of when the country opened its doors to the
Western world, the first Westerners settled in
Jeong-dong and the area increasingly became
known as “Legation Street” or the “European Quarter.”
Before 1880, foreigners could not live within
the city walls of Seoul. The first American envoy to Korea was granted land in 1884. The opening
Running along the stone wall of Deoksugung Palace, Jeongdong-gil was designated as the first “Beautiful Street for Walking” in 1999. 23
SEOUL
of the U.S. Legation brought a rush
including Korea’s first president
Legation, and on the right is the Central Hall
from France, Germany, and Russia,
and independence activist Ji
building remains the headquarters for the
of foreign settlement to the area
Syngman Rhee, poet Kim Sowol,
and two red brick buildings were
Cheong-cheon.
constructed for the British Embassy
Across from the Seoul Museum
soon after. Along with the diplomacy
of Art is Chung Dong First
Jeong-dong was where the country
Also founded by Henry Gerhard
of the great world powers at the time,
Methodist Church built in 1898.
was first introduced to Western
Appenzeller, it was Korea’s first
education, religion, and medicine.
Methodist church. The single-
The area gradually became the center for Western diplomacy, the base
birthplace of modern education. The
opened Korea’s first summer Bible 1
THE HERITAGE
Jeongdong-gil begins at the main gate of Deoksugung Palace, Daehanmun, and follows along the stone
walls of the palace. It is a
pedestrian‐friendly street with wide sidewalks, and its curves and one-way
roads limit traffic speed.
2
The street leads to a small
roundabout with a fountain in the middle. To
symmetrical pillars designed in a neoclassical
style is one of Seoul’s finest examples of colonial architecture.
The main section of Jeongdong-gil continues
is located on the right, and right before the
magazine, Gyohoe (lit. church), and
of early modern Korea.
The red-brick building with its sturdy
symbolic of the introduction of
published Korea’s first monthly
dong is still redolent with the history
gallery, café, and cultural center for visitors.
on the road to the right of Chung Dong First
American culture to Korea. It also
rich architectural heritage of Jeong-
Korean Salvation Army and houses a chapel,
story red-brick church, built in an American-Gothic style, was very
for Christian missionaries, and the
of the Salvation Army. Completed in 1928, the
school in 1922.
1 The white tower is all that remains of the original Russian Legation. 2 Small charming parks, such as the Jeongdong Park, can be found along the roads. 3 The Seoul Museum of Art was formerly the Supreme Court of Korea. 4 Ewha Girls’ High School remains as one of the most prestigious schools for young women in Korea. 5 Jeongdong-gil is visited by many locals and foreigners alike.
To the right of
the roundabout is a narrow road that is lined by old stone
walls on both sides. On the left is the
U.S. ambassador’s
residence, still located on the original
site of the first U.S.
Methodist Church. The Canadian Embassy
embassy there is a small sign that leads to the site of the former Russian Legation built in
1890. The Russian Legation was the scene of an
important incident during the political turmoil of the Joseon Dynasty. When Queen Min was assassinated in 1895 inside Gyeongbokgung Palace., King Gojong and the crown prince
fled to the Russian Legation for their safety and resided there for a year. At that time,
pro-Japanese members of the royal cabinet were sacked and pro-Russian ones installed. After
returning to Deoksugung Palace, King Gojong
renamed the nation as the Great Korean Empire and proclaimed the country an independent
nation. The Russian Legation was a two-story
brick building built in a Renaissance style, but most of it was destroyed during the Korean
the left up the hill is the Seoul Museum of Art,
War. Today, only the white three-story tower
formerly the Supreme Court of Korea. Built
remains on the site, as majestic as ever. The new
in 1928 as a courthouse during the Japanese
modern Russian Embassy is located nearby.
Colonial Period, the Romanesque edifice
Back to Jeongdong-gil, pedestrians will
stands over the hill about six meters above its
come to a cluster of large red brick buildings
after national liberation and turned into the
Simpson Hall, which are built on the site of the
surroundings. It was used as the Supreme Court museum in 2002, now featuring international and national exhibits all year round.
Further down the street is the original
building of Paiehai Hakdang, a school founded by the missionary Henry Gerhard Appenzeller in 1885. It was the first modern school for boys. King Gojong himself named the school and
wrote the calligraphy for the wooden sign at
its gate. The graduates were some of the most influential men in Korea’s modern history, 24 korea november 2012
4
3
5
most prestigious in higher education for women
to the left. This is Ewha Girls’ High School and
in Korea to this day.
first modern school for women in Korea, Ewha
News Building, where it meets a busy six-lane
Jeongdong-gil ends at the Kyunghyang Daily
Hakdang. The school was founded in 1886 by
roadway. After walking along the quiet street
to Korea. The school opened with only one
weight of history, the sound of heavy traffic and
into kindergarten, pre-school, middle school,
and almost uncomfortable, making oneself
on campus is Simpson Hall, built in 1915 as
relentlessly modern city, the quiet peace and
students. The name Ewha remains one of the
reassurance and a very welcome respite.
Mary F. Scranton, an American missionary
shaded by ginkgo trees and bearing the solemn
student and later expanded over the years
the sight of tall office buildings seem jarring
and a women’s university. The oldest building
want to turn around and go back. Within this
a school house for the growing number of
timeless comfort of Jeongdong-gil comes as
HOW TO GET THERE The neighborhood of Jeong-dong can be reached on foot from City Hall Station, Line 1 or 2, or from Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5. Look for the main entrance of Deoksugung Palace and just follow the road to the left along the palace wall.
25
travel
Lanterns Glittering on the Water
Jinju
Jinju has long been famous for its refined taste in the arts as well as its delicious cuisine. As if that weren’t enough, the city has even more to show every October, when the Namgang River becomes a long strip of gems strewn under the night sky. Let’s look into the spectacular Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival and other attractions to see and taste. by Lee Jeong-eun/ photographs by Moon Duk-gwan
26 korea november 2012
27
travel
was an exception as the soaring cliffs raise the fortress well away from the danger of floods
and were excellent defensive structures in their own right.
JINJUSEONG FORTRESS AND RAW BEEF BIBIMBAP
Jinjuseong Fortress is a sacred site of Jinju,
encapsulating the history and culture of the
city. The fortress is where General Kim Si-min scored a major victory against the Japanese in 1592. Sadly, General Kim fell in battle at the
head of an army of more than 70,000 Korean soldiers, officials, and peasants when the
numerous different foodstuffs, and it naturally
of the city a second time. After this second
representative dishes of Jinju is yukhoe bibimbap
Japanese managed to breach the outer defenses battle, a lady entertainer named Nongae was called to a party for Japanese officers, where she embraced a Japanese general and threw
herself into the Namgang River, taking him 1 1 Jinjuseong Fortress was filled with various lights. 2 Jinjuseong Fortress keeps the tragic and bitter moment of history.
J
inju in southwestern Korea has a long-
The festival finds its origin in General Kim
standing reputation as a center of arts and
Si-min’s use of lanterns in October 1592 as a
culture. Every October, the city glitters like a
gem when it hosts the Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival. Marking its tenth year, this year’s
festival commenced on October 1. Some 12,000
together with the Yeongnamnu Pavilion of
The Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival this
fairy tale land like no other place you have ever
more days, lasting a full two weeks. This year,
intricate lanterns. It is even being held for two
the festival features more than 12,000 lanterns. Traditional and modern Korean lanterns as well as lanterns from 31 foreign countries
made the festival a true feast of art. Both the
Namgang River and Jinjuseong Fortress were
Miryang and the Bubyeongnu Pavilion of
Pyongyang. Chokseongnu is one of the 50
must-see destinations in Korea recommended a 400 m2 rock from which Nongae threw herself and the Japanese general into the Namgang)
and Uigisa (a shrine where a portrait of Nongae is enshrined) are both highly recommended sites for your visit to Chokseongnu.
Jinyangho Park is another must-see in Jinju.
city of Jinju. Finer than the texture of silk and
it is an artificial lake, it is beautiful with curvy
snakes its way below the walls of Jinjuseong Fortress and along rocky cliffs until it meets
Namgang Dam was built. Despite the fact that banks and has been featured in many Korean
Few Korean fortresses were built near rivers due
mountains, lakes, and plains—all within a
to the risk of flooding, but Jinjuseong Fortress
ingredients, yukhoe bibimbap is enjoyable both to the eyes and palate. The story of this dish
begins with General Kim Si-min’s first battle
against the Japanese. Ladies of the city brought meals for the officers and were wise enough
to put all sorts of herbs and beef on top of rice in each bowl to efficiently serve such a huge
number of men. Other famous dishes of Jinju include Jinju naengmyeon (cold buckwheat
noodles), Jinju Hanjeongsik (full course Korean meal), and Namgang jangeo gui (broiled eel).
Travel information what to eat Jinju Naengmyeon The stock for the Jinju naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles) is made by simmering cow bones and such seafoods as anchovies, shrimp, hwangtae (pollock naturally freeze-dried in the cold of winter through repeated freezing and thawing), mussels, and short-neck clams. The clean and light taste of Jinju naengmyeon has long captivated countless gourmets. This dish is garnished with beef Seoul slices coated in egg wash and pan-fried.
During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Jinju
was the center of the southwestern region of
on a sheer cliff that affords a sweeping view.
raw beef and mung bean sprouts, among other
movies, TV dramas, and commercials.
Chokseongnu, a pavilion majestically perched
the country. It had easy access to the sea, rivers, one-hour distance. It was a major producer of
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival hosted various programs.
(lit. raw beef bibimbap). Topped with slices of
by CNNGo. Uiam (lit. Rock of Righteousness,
Jinyangho Lake was formed in 1970 when
deeper than indigo blue, the Namgang River
28 korea november 2012
one of the three best pavilions of Korea
filled with light.
The Namgang is a river that represents the
2
The most conspicuous feature of Jinjuseong
of defense during a raging battle against
outside Jinjuseong Fortress and also as a means
year is even larger and features more colorful,
seen before.
patriotic deed.
Fortress is Chokseongnu, which is considered
Namgang River (a river running through Jinju). The area along the river assumed an air of a
after been remembered for her heartbreaking,
means of communication with assisting forces
invading Japanese forces.
yudeung (lit. floating lanterns) floated on the
with her. Both drowned, but she has ever
developed its own unique cuisine. One of the
Jinju
how to get there Bus Buses run between Seoul Nambu Terminal and Jinju Intercity Bus Terminal at 20-minute intervals. The trip between Seoul and Jinju takes three and a half hours. Car Seoul – Gyeongbu Expressway – Daejeon-Tongyeong Expressway – Seojinju Interchange. It takes less than three and a half hours.
29
FESTIVAL
Project (PPP; a joint puppet project by Snuff
Puppets of Australia and residents of Jongno-
gu, Seoul), and Merry Urban Mess (a cheerful and colorful procession by Vernisseurs of France).
At 8 p.m., the night air of Seoul bloomed with
fireworks and the spectators were bewitched by Magic Night, a street performance by the Xarxa Teatre of Spain. This dynamic performance
covered every nook and cranny of Taepyeongno and featured unique fireworks, flaring to the
exciting percussion rhythms and enthralling the spectators in wonder and emotion.
At 9 p.m., Seoul Plaza hosted the official
opening ceremony of the tenth Hi Seoul
Festival. It commenced with “Seoul Fantasia”
jointly performed by Transe Express of France, Project Nalda of Korea, a choir of more than
200 citizens, and some 200 Korean traditional
percussionists. The grand finale of the opening
ceremony was “Ganggangsullae,” a representative
Korean folk activity where participants—Korean and foreign alike—joined hands in a big circle 1
A Street Festival of Art
The Hi Seoul Festival 2012 The tenth Hi Seoul Festival unfolded in the autumn of 2012, transforming the streets of Seoul into mobile stages and turning the city center into a work of art. by Lee Jeong-eun 2
1 A scene of Looking for the Fairy Wings, a large-scale puppet play by Art Stage SAN of Korea 2 A poster of the Hi Seoul Festival 2012
S
eoul hosted a grand street festival of art for Seoulites and global villagers alike,
mingling in vitality and jubilation. One could hardly be faulted for believing that this was
Dresden, Firenze, or Paris, all renowned global
centers of art. The Hi Seoul Festival 2012 was on
Korea while working with Koreans,” says
percussionists.
local communities, we’ve had a really good
exciting performance of Korean traditional
A FESTIVAL TO WATCH AND TO BE PART OF
For the seven days following the opening
ceremony, the streets of downtown Seoul were strewn with 41 performances by
year, this year’s Hi Seoul Festival was themed
NONI as well as 24 performances
featured many different types of performances
Vapeur of France and La Fura dels
on “Gestures That Set the City in Motion” and
by foreign groups such as Generik
including parades, street theatre, circus acts,
Baus of Spain.
and dances.
The festival began in spectacular fashion at
a Korean traditional percussion band of over 200
in which spectators could mingle
the street of Sejong-daero became saturated
as the performances unfolded.
Looking for the Fairy Wings (a large-scale puppet
in nine projects including the
amateur percussionists from Seoul. At 7 p.m.,
with the professional artists
in a festive mood as crowds gathered to watch
Some 3,000 Seoulites participated
play by Art Stage SAN of Korea), People’s Puppet
opening and closing ceremonies.
Square—from October 1 to 7. Marking its tenth
another.”
“The artists were fantastic,” said Sienna
Parker from the United States. “Every
performance was brilliant and dynamic.”
The 2012 Hi Seoul Festival
was especially unique, featuring
Government and the Seoul Foundation for Arts
Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza, and Gwanghwamun
experience helping and learning from one
Momggol and Creative Grou
many participatory performances
place in downtown Seoul—in and around Seoul
an artist with Snuff Puppets. “Working with
3 Children enjoyed the performances as well as adults. 4 Magic Night, a street firework performance by the Xarxa Teatre of Spain
Korean groups including Theatre
six in the evening with a cheerful parade led by
and Culture, the Hi Seoul Festival 2012 took
“I’ve had a wonderful time observing
chanting the chorus, “ganggangsullae,” to the
for one and all to enjoy!
Co-organized by the Seoul Metropolitan
30 korea november 2012
and swirled around under the moonlight,
3
4
31
now in korea
uttle
Travel to Gyeongju by K-sh
K-Shuttle has been well rece ived by the 50 visitors who ha 0 foreign ve used it.
Jeonju, Yeosu, and Busan, Southeast Course A to
with any questions or problems that they
and Pyeongchang, and Southeast Course B to
passengers are free to explore the area on their
Busan, Gyeongju, Andong, Wonju, Gangneung,
the same cities as Course A but in reverse order.
H
ahoe Folk Village in Andong, Gyeongpo
the departure time.
Another great feature of the K-Shuttle is
in Gyeongju are just some of Korea’s popular
person, the packages include the shuttle bus
of a route of their choice or get off at any
to the country and have limited time, it can be
two breakfasts), and admission tickets to
Beach in Gangneung, and the 1,500 year
quite difficult and confusing to find the right local transportation and accommodations in rural Korea.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government began
K-Shuttle
offering the K-Shuttle service, the perfect
Would you like to explore the southern parts of Korea but only have a few days to spare? We suggest you travel with K-Shuttle, the all-inclusive bus tour package offered by the Korean government, so you can relax all the way.
Government created an all-inclusive bus tour
transportation travel package for such foreign tourists this past July. Together with the Visit Korea Committee, the Seoul Metropolitan
At KRW 290,000 or around USD 260 per
fare, accommodations for two nights (including some of the tourist attractions. A professional English-speaking tour guide will accompany
several other popular tourist hotspots in Korea such as Busan (Korea’s second biggest city)
passengers can purchase bus tickets for a part stop they want. So far, the K-Shuttle has been well-received by the 500 foreign visitors who have used it.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government and
the passengers on the bus all three days. The
regional government offices offer the K-Shuttle
(EFR) certified to ensure the safety and well-
for foreign visitors to see the less-frequented
tour guide is also emergency first response
being of travelers at all times. The guide not only provides detailed explanations of the
locations en route, but also helps the travelers
package to the three cities mentioned above and
service as a safe and convenient travel option parts of Korea, and they hope that it boosts
tourism and the economy in provincial areas. For more information visit www.k-shuttle.com.
K-SHUTTLE SERVICE INFORMATION K-Shuttle Routes
and Jeonju (the gourmet capital of Korea). The
Route
Departure Day
Itinerary
Southwest Course
Tue, Thu, Sat, Sun
Seoul – Buyeo – Jeonju – Yeosu – Suncheon – Busan – Seoul
cities in three days, letting them enjoy the trip
Southeast Course A
Tue
Seoul – Busan – Gyeongju – Andong – Wonju – Gangneung – Pyeongchang – Seoul
Southeast Course B
Sat
Seoul – Pyeongchang – Gangneung - Wonju – Andong – Gyeongju – Busan – Seoul
K-Shuttle packages take travelers to six must-see without having to worry about transportation and accommodations.
There are three routes that travelers can
choose from: the Southwest Course to Buyeo, 32 korea november 2012
own. They only need to return to the bus before
the flexible boarding option. At a lower fee,
tourist destinations. But for those who are new
by Chung Da-young / photographs provided by Visit Korea Committee
Free Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul and
southwest
may have. When the bus stops at a city, the
return to the same location.
old astronomical observatory Cheomseongdae
Bus Tour Package for Foreigners
All three packages depart from Dongwha Duty
on the Suncheon course
* All buses depart from Dongwha Duty Free Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul at 8:30am. • Ticket Price: KRW 290,000 for full package • Reservations : K-Shuttle website: www.k-shuttle.com telephone reservation: +82-1899-2508
33
SPORTS
S
outh Korea had long struggled in
women’s volleyball, but its national team
demonstrated through a series of thrilling
matches at the London Olympics this summer
that the country was making a strong comeback. The women’s national volleyball team of South
Korea tasted the joy of victory when it defeated the Japanese team in a preliminary round at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, though this
was followed by 22 defeats by the Japanese. The Koreans had long been underdogs, but
let alone whether she even liked volleyball.
Today, volleyball is her only life pursuit. She
went pro when she joined the Suwon Hyundai E&C Hillstate Volleyball Team in 2007. She
received the Best Blocker Award at the 2009
FIVB Women’s World Grand Champions Cup. She was dubbed the player of the year in
women’s volleyball by the 2010 DongA Sports Awards. Her solid performance coupled with
her cute appearance has won her plenty of fans. Whenever the name Yang Hyo-jin is
they went up against traditionally strong teams
mentioned, the phrase, “a hope for women’s
The Koreans scored one win after another and
not, which clearly shows how well she is
like the Americans, Brazilians, and Italians.
advanced to the Olympic semi-finals for the
first time in 36 years. The team failed to win a medal, but they impressed volleyball fans worldwide.
Yang Hyo-jin (22) was on the team. Only
ten centimeters shy of two meters, this tall
center played her role to the fullest in every
match she fought in London. Yang was also on the team when it failed to secure a spot in the
volleyball of Korea,” follows more often than actually faring. Committed to playing her role perfectly on any team she belongs to, Yang
hopes to play on a foreign team someday. To make that dream come true, she is keen to
make herself stronger and wait for the right
time to come, when she will feel ready not to be disappointed even if such an attempt ends in failure.
For the present, she is spurring herself for the
Beijing Olympics in 2008. This year competing
2013 Asian Games to be held in Incheon, Korea.
her determination was as firm as ever. Simply
2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, and
in the Olympics for the first time in her life,
playing on the Olympic court was exciting and touching enough for a young athlete like her; she felt as if she had achieved her life dream. The cheering spectators and breathtaking
The South Korean team clinched silver at the
she hopes to win gold in 2013. Fans out there,
cheer for her so that this young, hopeful player will bring volleyball glory to Korea.
1 Yang Hyo-jin shows her transcendent blocking abilities at the London 2012 Olympics. 2 Yang Hyo-jin is emerging as a new hope for women’s volleyball in Korea.
matches with the world’s top teams stirred her fighting spirit. The team as a whole showed
perfect teamwork, as the other team members were also determined to make up for their
failure to break into the Olympic tournament four years ago. 1
A Hope for Korean Women’s Volleyball
YANG HYO-JIN
During the London 2012 Olympics, the volleyball court witnessed a series of incredible matches between the South Korean women’s national volleyball team and the traditional volleyball powerhouses. Team center Yang Hyo-jin, who blocked numerous attacks, says her life is only about volleyball. by Im Sang-beom/ photographs by Ha Ji-yeong and Hyundai E&C Hillstate Volleyball Team 34 korea november 2012
At the London Olympics, Yang keenly sensed
her weaknesses as an athlete, and she will train with even greater focus on her offensive skills and agility to respond better to unexpected situations in the future.
EMERGING AS A NEW HOPE
When Yang was in school, the volleyball coach spotted her because of her height. Her family didn’t like the idea of her playing volleyball,
and she wasn’t sure whether she was talented,
2
35
special issue
T
he film industry worldwide watched
Korean director Kim Ki-duk’s controversial
movie Pieta with rapt attention when Korea
was still beset by scorching summer heat, and it was September 8 when the film was finally announced as the winner of the Leone d’Oro (Golden Lion) for Best Film at the closing
ceremony of the 69th Venice International Film
Festival. This was the first Korean movie to
receive the top honor at any of the world’s three major film festivals, held in Berlin, Cannes, and
Venice. The movie, telling the story of a twisted
Honored with the Golden Lion in Venice
mother-son relationship, also garnered three
collateral awards: the Leoncino d’Oro Agiscuola
Pieta by Kim Ki-duk
(Golden Lion Cub), the Mouse d’Oro (Golden
Korean director Kim Ki-duk’s shocking movie Pieta won the Golden Lion for Best Film at the 69th Venice International Film Festival in September this year. Here is the story of Kim Ki-duk’s life and films and the implications of Pieta to the world of Korean movies.
film in the Panorama section of the 1999 Berlin
by Yang In-sil
Mouse), and the P. Nazareno Taddei.
Kim debuted with Crocodile in 1996. His 1998
movie Birdcage Inn was screened as an opening International Film Festival. His next movie The Isle won the Netpac Award—Special Mention
and wrath, feelings that in turn damage and
The same year, his Real Fiction was presented
and bitter tragedy.
at the 2000 Venice International Film Festival. in the competition category of the Moscow
Kim’s films have been well-received abroad,
International Film Festival. His 2001 movies
but they have not generally fared so well at
to the competition category of the Venice
delving deep into uncomfortable truths, his
Address Unknown and Bad Guy were invited International Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival, respectively.
In an interview after winning the Leone
d’Oro this September, Kim said that he could feel the intense interest and affection of both
audiences and critics for Pieta since its premiere and that the Leone d’Oro was not only for him but also for all those involved in the movies in
Korea. He then thanked all the people who had supported him.
A GOLDEN ROAR OF
THE NONMAINSTREAM
The film Pieta is a story about today’s extreme capitalism. One day, a woman appears to a
devil-like man named Gang-do and claims that
she is his mother. The two experience confusion while a terrible secret gradually comes to light. According to Kim, the film shows how money,
the heart of capitalism, creates mistrust, hatred, 36 korea november 2012
destroy human beings, giving birth to a brutal
home. Using biting symbols and metaphors and films feel unfamiliar to Korean audiences and make them feel ill at ease, especially after all
these years of conditioning to commercial films. Kim has largely been ignored by the Korean public, but remains as committed as ever to
his chosen course. Certainly, he must consider this September’s Leone d’Oro a validation of
his decision to walk his own way, as solitary or lonely as it may be.
Even if Kim has garnered many awards
from prestigious international film festivals,
he has always been outside of the mainstream of the Korean film industry because of the idiosyncratic nature of his movies and the
oligopolistic dominance by a handful of large multiplex theatre chains and distributors.
In Chungmuro, the Korean counterpart to
Hollywood, Kim is called an “outsider.” Both Korean society and the Korean film industry
are tightly closed and only embrace mainstream 37
special issue
conviction that theatrical screens should not
be monopolized by successful movies, wanting to share the opportunity with less successful movies. This declaration was not completely
realized because 22 theaters ran the movie 46 more times, adding another 1,511 to the total
number of tickets sold nationwide. At the 2012
Busan International Film Festival which opened
films more
on October 3, Pieta was screened five times at
five different theaters on five different days, and all were resounding successes. All 1,100 seats of the Sohyang Musical Center, the largest of the five theaters, sold out.
Now, brace yourself for a surprise. The movie
Pieta was produced according to a very tight schedule and on an even tighter budget. Its
production cost only KRW 150 million (approx. USD 136,400), the shooting was done in a
month with only 15 people on staff. The male
and female protagonists are quite well-known in Korea, but not exactly major draws at the
box office. Actress Jo Min-soo, who played the part of the mother in the film, was soaked in
emotion and well-earned pride when she said she was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to hear that the film had been seen by nearly
600,000 Korean movie-goers and was so well received at the film festival. Kim Ki-duk poses with the main actors of Pieta at the 69th Venice International Film Festival.
culture. Kim’s winning the Leone d’Oro has shaken both to their very foundations.
LOW-BUDGET FILMS WHIP UP A STORM
Kim believed that Pieta would arrest the hearts
of the world’s movie-goers and critics because
the film was so Korean, and he turned out to be right. However, nobody could be assured that the Korean film would succeed in Korea, and
many were watching closely to see what would happen.
The film premiered in Korea on September 6,
attracting some 200,000 movie-goers in eight
days nationwide. The number rose to 300,000, the breaking-even point, in ten days. It then
surpassed 500,000 in 18 days, and Kim declared that he would end the theatrical run of the film on October 3 in order to honor his 38 korea november 2012
STERN CHALLENGES AHEAD
Those involved in the Korean movie industry believe that Kim’s Pieta not only raised the stature of Korean movies globally but also
posed stern challenges to them, considering
what the low-budget film has achieved. Voices demanding the diversification of the Korean film market are getting louder.
Kim also expresses his hope that independent
films will receive more interest and support
from the Korean movie industry. “Many of the
famous directors and actors and actresses who now work with major studios worked on low-
budget, independent films with me years ago,” says Kim. “We were all poor and hungry, but
full of passion. Thinking of the Korean movie
industry of a century later, investors and movie theaters should give low-budget, independent
opportunities in
investment and the number
of screens.”
Following Pieta’s winning of the
Leone d’Oro, multiplex theater chains in
Korea rushed to give it more showings, though they did not do so out of a newfound love of
independent films. The documentary film Jinsuk
and Me, which premiered on September 27,
managed to secure show-time slots at only five theaters across the country.
Another low-budget film, Grape Candy, has
managed to sell 1,000 tickets nationwide since
its premiere on September 6, though it features
MORE SUPPORT FOR INDIE FILMS
The Korean government is rolling up its
sleeves to provide more support for low-
budget, independent art films. They will be
shown at more than 150 cultural and art centers across the country, and they will receive more funding. The Korean Film Council (KOFIC),
an organization charged with supporting and promoting Korean films by the Ministry of
Culture, Sports and Tourism, announced at a
press conference on September 19 that it would
increase the funds it manages for art films from the KRW 17 billion today to KRW 50 billion by 2015.
KOFIC also announced that it will invest
popular actors and actresses including Park
heavily in films that are produced on budgets of
Nae-sang and received the Artreon Award
KRW 400 million from the council’s art film
Jin-hee, Park Ji-yoon, Kim Jeong-nan, and Ahn and Audience Award at the 13th International
Women’s Film Festival in Seoul last year.
Produced on a stringent budget of KRW 200 million, the film was first screened in more
than 20 theaters, but in the second week the
number was below ten with one show a day each. This cold reception at home contrasts markedly with its myriad invitations from
international film festivals. Grape Candy has
less than KRW 2 billion. In fact, Pieta received fund for marketing and promotion. KOFIC
has primarily invested in films that are in the
making or are already made, but it now plans
to invest more at the stage of ideation in order to
facilitate the realization of creative ideas into real
films. To this end, the council will grow the early stage funds from the current KRW 36 billion to KRW 70 billion by the end of 2015.
The council’s support program for the
been invited to the 28 Warsaw International
production of independent films will be more
section of the Tokyo FILMeX, a film festival
support for more films. The budget will grow
th
Film Festival (October) and the competition
aimed at the promotion of Asian independent films (November).
The documentary film Two Doors addresses
a tragedy that happened in January 2009, in
the process of evicting residents from an area
substantially funded next year to provide
from this year’s KRW 700 million to KRW 1.2
billion next year, and more than 50 independent films will benefit, about ten more than the 40 films this year.
In order to help people living in remote areas
slated for redevelopment in Yongsan, central
enjoy independent films and art films, the 14
film, feels the bitter reality of independent films
municipal cultural and art centers throughout
Seoul. Kim Il-gwon, head of the distributor of the in Korea once again as the 72,000 tickets sold are widely viewed as a mark of unexpected success.
Still shots from low-budget films Two Doors and Grape Candy.
regional video media centers and more than 150 the country will be used as theaters for such films.
39
summit diplomacy
take the lead in global green growth efforts ranging from financing and strategies to
technologies, with both the Global Green
Growth Institution (GGGI) and the Green
Technology Center (GTC) located in the nation. South Korea joins United Nations
Security Council for
the second time
On October 19, 2012, South Korea won a non-
permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the second time since it
joined the UN in 1991. The two-year term will begin in January 2013.
The UNSC consists of five veto-wielding
permanent members including the U.S., UK,
France, China, and Russia and ten elected nonpermanent members with two-year terms. The council is responsible for maintaining
international peace and security and has the
South Korea Paves the Way for Success in International Diplomacy
power to set up peacekeeping operations,
This October, South Korea celebrated two major international triumphs, the hosting of the headquarters of the United Nations Green Climate Fund and joining the United Nations Security Council, as well as meeting the president of Myanmar to forge economic ties. by Julianna Chung
the UNSC’s sanctions.
implement economic sanctions, and authorize military action that threatens global peace or
S
outh Korea hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Green Climate Fund.
First proposed in 2009 and established in
December 2011, the 190-member Green Climate
North Korea security issues that are subject to
in Korea was the Central Training Institute of
Korea is expected to have a stronger voice on
South Korea became a UN member state
at the same time as North Korea in 1991 and
be held in Doha, Qatar, from November 26 to December 7.
It is said President Lee Myung-bak played an
UNSC for 1996-1997. South Korea held the
Presidency of the 56 Session of the General th
Assembly in 2001. In 2006, former Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon was elected as the
Secretary-General of the UN and re-elected in 2011.
extensive role in winning this bid. He placed
problems associated with climate change. The
to a GCF board meeting. Green growth has also
stated the results of the election reflect the
presidency.
South Korea with the country's past efforts and
GCF is projected to reach above USD 100 billion by 2020.
On October 20, 2012, the 24 board members
phone calls to other heads of state in the run-up been Lee’s key initiative from the start of his
Starting next February, the temporary bureau
of the GCF voted for Songdo International
of the GCF in Bonn will move to a 33-story
headquarters. Korea beat strong competitors
for use by international organizations. Using 15
Business District in Incheon as its the
such as Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Mexico, and Namibia for the seat. The selection will be endorsed at the UN Framework Convention
building in Songdo that is being built specifically floors of the building, the GCF secretariat will launch next year.
By hosting the GCF secretariat, Korea will
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
international community's high expectations for contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and world peace.
South Korea and Myanmar agree
to strengthen economic ties
Myanmar President Thein Sein made a three-
day visit to Seoul from October 8 to 10, 2012, to
The GCF will launch the official secretariat in Songdo next year.
During his visit, the Myanmar leader
engages in acts of aggression. As such, South
Fund (GCF) aims to help developing countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fight
40 korea november 2012
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference to
Naypyidaw in May.
expressed great interest in learning from Seoul’s
served as a non-permanent member on the Myanmar President Thein Sein met President Lee Myung-bak to build economic relations between the two countries.
reciprocate President Lee Myung-bak’s visit to
development history. The first place he visited Saemaul Undong, which focuses on training foreign officials in charge of the agricultural
sector and modernizing rural villages. Sein also visited the STX shipyard in Jinhae and had a
meeting with STX Group Chairman Kang Duksoo to discuss business cooperation in areas
such as energy development, power generation, and shipbuilding. STX Group is one of South Korea’s major industrial business groups.
On October 9, President Lee and President
Sein agreed to launch negotiations to forge an investment guarantee pact between the two countries to lay the foundation for greater
economic cooperation. The two sides also signed a framework agreement on grant aid.
About three times the size of the Korean
Peninsula, Myanmar has one of the world’s
largest natural gas reserves and big deposits of iron ore, zinc, nickel, and other mineral
resources. The resource-rich nation is viewed as an emerging market for investors.
41
global korea
EMPOWERING THE KOREA BRAND
gugak (Korean traditional music) from a novel
Korea in the mid-1990s was already beginning
the footsteps rock music has taken in Korea.
The landscape of the broadcasting industry in
to transform with the introduction of cable and satellite broadcasting. Back then, the demand for a channel to promote the country across
Broadcasting Foundation in April 1996.
Foundation has invested in its equipment for
domestic cable TV channel, and in August
1999, it embarked on overseas broadcasting
for the Asia-Pacific region. In September 2000, it established a true global reach by sending
signals to Europe, Africa, and the Americas. In January 2012, the Korea International
Broadcasting Foundation launched a channel named Korea Today through Sirius XM Radio, an American satellite radio platform that has
more than 200 paid channels and 22.5 million
subscribers in all 50 US states. The foundation
has also inked agreements with 76 broadcasting companies in 50 countries to boost bilateral exchange.
COMPETITIVE CONTENT
The Korea International Broadcasting
Arirang TV
Foundation has achieved many important feats. It has been the main broadcasting company for
overnments around the world are heavily promoting their countries through the
media, and the competition between them is
fierce. They capitalize on global broadcasting
channels in order to lead international opinion
In October this year, the Korea International
42 korea november 2012
and communication and the accelerating
transition of broadcasting from analogue to
digital technology. Arirang will start providing HD TV services by the end of this year.
The foundation is also keen to air the same
content through multiple channels via social
networking services (which are being fervently embraced as a new type of media) and smart phones. In particular, on the four YouTube
channels (YouTube Arirang World, YouTube
Arirang News, YouTube Arirang Korean, and
YouTube Korea Today), Arirang has uploaded more than 4,000 videos which are enjoyed
by more than 140,000 subscribers around the
world. Smartphone users can watch and listen
to Arirang TV & RADIO programs by installing
1 Arirang News has been sending Korea’s perspective across the world for the last 16 years. 2 Arirang TV news program department. Staffs are busy with delivering Korean news to all around the world.
their diplomatic activities at the APEC, G8, and Broadcasting Foundation reported that 103
million homes in 188 countries, or more than 330 million viewers around the world, were watching Arirang TV.
Now that Korea has a broadcasting channel
culture and spread news about Korea. Global
TV.
tandem with the convergence of broadcasting
Its crews have accompanied top leaders to cover
outlets are France 24 (France), Russia Today
(Japan). Korea’s leading counterpart is Arirang
(HD) technology into its broadcasting system in
and the 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit.
that reaches more than 100 million homes
(Russia), CCTV News (China), and NHK World
years in order to incorporate high-definition
events including the 2010 G20 Seoul Summit
in their interest and improve their national
image. Some of the examples of national media
The Korea International Broadcasting
the overseas promotion of major international
The Korea International Broadcasting Foundation was founded in 1996 to promote Korea to foreigners at home and abroad. Arirang TV now has a worldwide viewer base of over 100 million homes. by Yang In-sil / photographs by Lee Min-hui
G
INNERview, and Insight are also popular. FORWARD-LOOKING
In March 1997, Arirang TV launched a
Reaching 100 Million Homes
Talk shows on Korea such as Heart to Heart,
the world reached a fevered pitch, leading to the establishment of the Korea International
1
perspective, and Rock on! Korea, which shows
around the world, it can better promote its
fans of Hallyu, or the Korean wave, can more
easily hear the latest news about their favorite Korean stars and see more of their shows and performances.
OECD summits. It also produced and aired
programs on national policies and international issues. The two flagship English programs of Arirang are Arirang News (a news show that
has broadcast Korean perspectives on current events to the world for the past 16 years) and Korea Today (a live news magazine program
that gives a glimpse into today’s Korea—its
economy, industrial trends, cultural trends, and more). Showbiz Korea, Pops in Seoul, and Simply
K-Pop are all must-see programs for Hallyu fans
at home and abroad. Other Arirang programs to note include The Sensation, a music program on
2
43
global korea
FLAVOR
app developed by Arirang.
The Korea International Broadcasting
Foundation plans to develop programs for all
kinds of viewers and improve its broadcasting quality through a program assessment
system and surveys on the effectiveness of its broadcasting. It seems that you may get your hopes high for Arirang as a promoter of the Korea brand and a window through which global villagers look into Korea.
Talking about Arirang
Sohn Jie-ae, CEO of Arirang We wonder what changes you are making to
Arirang as a young and energetic female CEO
with your leadership and perspectives.
I worked as a CNN
correspondent for 15
years and served as a spokesperson for the
Presidential Committee
for the G-20 Summit in Seoul. In doing so, I
developed my own opinions and knowhow
in promoting Korea through the media. Since I took office, I’ve addressed a range of issues
Country Service Provider Singapore StarHub Japan Inter Local TV Hong Kong I-Cable UAE DU(TELCOM) France Canal Plus Germany Kabel BW Italy Sky Italia Spain Digital Plus United States KXLA(LA) WRNN(New York) Brazil TV Coreia do Brasil Argentina Cablevision&Multicanal Chile GTD manquehue
program about Korean rock music as well as K-pop programs.
You said Arirang TV will take the lead in the diplomatic competition among nations in the media to represent Korea.
What roles do you envision for Arirang TV? What do you hope Arirang TV will achieve internationally?
The international competitors today include Russia Today, NHK World, CCTV News,
and many more. France had long clung to
spring onions, and oyster mushrooms simmered together for a long time in a beef brisket broth. With white rice, it is the perfect hearty meal for a chilly day in November. Yukgaejang is also a popular summer time dish for
enduring the sultry, oppressive chobok, jungbok, and malbok
heat,” which means “control and soothe heat with more
more loudly in the international community. The success of Al Jazeera, the Arabic
broadcaster, is very telling. The age of the
hottest days of summer). Like the saying “fight heat with heat,” it is believed that eating hot soup and sweating from the heat is rejuvenating and cools down the body.
To make yukgaejang, beef brisket is boiled in water for
absolute power of Western media has gone. In
at least an hour. The liquid is set aside as broth, and the
the world watch the CCTV English channel of
chili powder, light soy sauce, sesame oil, chopped garlic,
order to hear Asian perspectives, people around China. In light of the mad dash by Korea, China, and Japan to establish FTAs and the issues
like Dokdo, we shouldn’t simply sit back and
watch, but communicate with the other parts of the world through news and programs on
Korea, including Hallyu. By doing so, Arirang
boiled beef is torn into small pieces and seasoned with
and spring onions. The seasoned beef is added to the broth with julienned spring onions, gosari, and mushrooms and boiled until all the ingredients are well cooked.
by Chung Da-young photographs by Lee Jae-hui food & styling by Kim Young-bin
will cement its status as the major promotion channel for Korea.
What are the unique merits of Arirang TV?
including an innovative gugak show and a
This spicy soup is a mix of beef, gosari (bracken fern),
channel, in order to make France’s voices heard
Gulf War, it established France 24, an English
events news and information in order to better We’re also reinforcing our K-culture programs
Spicy Beef Soup
days (the three days of the Lunar calendar that mark the
Tell us why people—Koreans and non-
fulfill the fundamental raison-d’être of Arirang.
Yukgaejang
broadcasting only in French, but after the
through communication with employees. We have bolstered its function to convey current
44 korea november 2012
CHANNELS TO VIEW ARIRANG
Koreans alike—MUST watch Arirang TV?
Korea is rising in stature in the international
community diplomatically, economically, and culturally. This is a strong enough reason for
everyone to take note of Korea. Arirang TV is
like a window through which the international community can look into Korea. It is also an effective vehicle for Korea to promote itself to the worlds since Arirang has produced
broadcasting content for foreigners for the
past 16 years. A range of programs on Arirang TV are useful means for foreigners in Korea
and abroad to learn about the nation. Arirang TV has the best experience and knowhow in
making Korea known to the world, and that’s the unique strength of Arirang TV.
45
MY KOREA
Autumn Scenes of Jeollanam-do Jeollanam-do, the southwest of Korea, is full of beautiful attractions and scenic spots to enjoy all year round. But it is during the autumn months when you can appreciate the true beauty of this region. Derek Stelma thought so too as he journeyed to Hwaeomsa Temple and Suncheonman Bay last November. by Derek Stelma / illustrations by Yoon Joo-ya
T
here’s no shortage of great tourist
attractions in the greater Seoul area.
N Seoul Tower, Cheonggyecheon Stream,
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Kimchi Museum,
and must see attractions. Two of the stops and highlights of the trip were Hwaeomsa Temple and Suncheonman Bay.
Hwaeomsa Temple is located inside Jirisan
and the Myeongdong shopping district are just
Mountain National Park which is located in
the peace, quiet, uniqueness, and pure beauty
Order of Korean Buddhism, it was originally
a few to name. If you’re someone that enjoys of the countryside, then perhaps you should
consider paying a visit to Hwaeomsa Temple and Suncheonman Bay in Jeollanam-do. In
November last year, I had a chance to visit both locations.
My trip down south was all part of a trip to produce an episode of a program called
Korea Top 10. Korea Top 10 is one of the many programs
produced by Arirang TV.
The theme of the episode
was bicycle tours in Korea.
While the main focus was based on
places where one can ride a bike in Korea,
stops were made along the way for famous
Jeollanam-do. The main temple of the Jogye
constructed during the Silla Kingdom in 544. Unfortunately, the temple was burned down
during the Imjin War in the 1590s. Since then it has been rebuilt and undergone several
renovations. Some parts of the temple area
were under renovation when I visited. I’ve been to several Buddhist temples throughout Korea, but Hwaeomsa Temple stood out to me more
than others. Hwaeomsa Temple doesn’t have the largest marble statue of Buddha that can be found at Seokguram in Gyeongsangnam-
do, nor is it the largest Buddhist temple in all
of Asia like the Yakcheonsa Temple that can be found on Jejudo Island, but it does offer a very unique arrangement and overall layout and beauty that other temples just don’t have.
Upon entering the temple area, one will
notice that the layout is very similar to a giant staircase. As you make your way towards the inside and back part of the temple area, you
continue to go up level after level after level.
On each of the levels are buildings, statues,
and monuments. Over the past several years, much of the temple area and buildings have
been renovated and restored, giving it all a very
fresh new look. Like other temples, temple stays are available for people who want to experience the life of a Buddhist. Moreover, one can also
sample the green tea that grows wildly in the area surrounding the temple. I had the honor
46 korea november 2012
47
MY KOREA
Learn korean
Hello, This is naoko.
Have you ever called a friend in Korean? Let’s call and answer the phone in Korean! A: 여보세요.
B: 안녕하세요. 영수네 집이죠?
Hello? yeoboseyo.
Hello, is this a Yeong-su’s home? annyeonghaseyo. yeongsune jibijyo?
A: 네, 그런데요. 누구세요?
B: 저는 영수 친구 나오코인데요.
Yes, it is. May I ask who is calling? ne, geureondeyo. nuguseyo?
This is Naoko, Yeong-su’s friend. jeoneun yeongsu chingu naokoindeyo. 영수 바꿔 주시겠어요?
May I speak to Yeong-su? yeongsu bakkwo jusigedtsseoyo?
A: 네, 잠시만 기다리세요.
Yes, hold on a second, please. ne, jamsiman gidariseyo.
and privilege to have a cup of tea and a nice conversation with Monk Moon. All of these
things make Hwaeomsa Temple stand out from other Buddhist temples in Korea.
If you are a bird- and nature-lover then
Suncheonman Bay located in Jeollanam-do is
a must-see. Before entering Suncheonman Bay, About the Writer Derek Stelma is a Korean American born to a Korean mother and American father. He originally came to Korea in 2008 to study Korean and teach English. For two years he taught at a small English academy in Seoul and is currently finishing his second year of teaching at Chung-Ang University. Last year he began doing small roles as a reporter working with several broadcast networks and has also made several cameo appearances in Korean dramas. Next year he hopes to do more work as a reporter and an actor.
you’ll first walk through an ecological park
full of trees and grass. As an American I truly
enjoyed that sight, as trees, grass, and lakes are some of the things I miss the most about home and Suncheonman Bay helped cure a little of
that homesickness. Suncheonman Bay is most famous for the huge reed fields that surround
the bay and also for the large number of birds that migrate to that area. The whole area is a
large wetland that covers almost 5,500 acres.
Boat rides are available and will allow you to
take in the beautiful sites of the reed fields, bay, surrounding mountains, and migrating birds. Due to the abundant resources of food and
proximity to the sea, birds flock to this area in droves.
According to one park guide, on any
given day, one can see up to 400 birds in
Suncheonman Bay area. Several species of birds including herrings, ducks, and cranes can all be
48 korea november 2012
spotted at Suncheonman Bay. To get up close and personal, wooden walking paths have
been constructed inside the reed fields which allow visitors to see and feel all of the reeds.
The reeds, bay, mountains, and wildlife offer
photographers excellent opportunities to take
pictures fit for paintings and scenes right out of a drama or movie.
I rode with the Korea Top 10 main producer
and cameraman in a car together, though
there are several means of transportation that
-(으)ㄴ/는데요 ‘-(으)ㄴ/는데요’ has the effect of making the sentence sound a little softer than ‘-어요’ or ‘-습니다’ when explaining the situation. It’s also used when the speaker expects a response from the listener. ‘-은데요’ is attached to the adjective stem ending in a consonant, and ‘ㄴ데요’ is attached to the adjective stem ending in a vowel. ‘-는데요’ is attached to the verb stem, ‘있다/없다’.
more formal
more informal
-습니다/ㅂ니다 알고 싶습니다 I want to know. algo sipsseumnida
-어요/아요 알고 싶어요 I want to know. algo sipeoyo
-(으)ㄴ/는데요 알고 싶은데요 I want to know. algo sipeundeyo
그렇습니다* Yes, it is. geureosseumnida
그래요 Yes, it is. geuraeyo
그런데요 Yes, it is. geureondeyo
지금 안 계십니다 He is not in now. jigeum an gyesimnida
지금 안 계세요 He is not in now. jigeum an gyeseyo
지금 안 계시는데요 He is not in now. jigeum an gyesineundeyo
Let’s practice
Let’s call your friend’s home as the upper conversation
one can take south to Jeollanam-do. Highway buses are readily available that depart both
from Gangnam Central City and Dong Seoul
Bus Terminal roughly every 20 minutes. Trains
softer
* Some verb or adjective that ends in ‘ㅎ’ don’t go by a regular conjugation rule. When adjective ‘그렇다’ are followed by an ending beginning with a vowel, ‘ㅎ’ is delete.
to Suncheon can also be taken from both
Yeongdeungpo and Yongsan stations. Bus rides to Suncheon will take approximately four and
a half hours, while train rides to Suncheon will
미라에게 To Mi-ra miraege
영수에게 To Yeong-su yeongsuege
take roughly three to four and a half hours
depending on whether you take the KTX or
Mugunghwa. The next time you visit Korea, you may want to consider getting away from the
hustle and bustle of the city and experience the peace, quiet, uniqueness, and sheer beauty that
Hwaeomsa Temple and Suncheonman Bay have to offer.
나오코 Naoko
영수 아버지 Yeong-su’s father yeongsu abeoji
크리스 Chris
미라 어머니 Mi-ra’s mother mira eomeoni
49
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Jeongdong-gil, A Walk through Korea’s Cultural Heritage
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