Korea(2015.4.) by Korean culture and information service

APRIL 2015

옛 집 In Praise of Old Houses In this era of abundance, why do we still enjoy staying in traditional homes? Travel Goryeong, a Journey into Gaya History Special Issue The 28th Gwangju Summer Universiade

CONTENTS

KOREA

In Praise of Old Houses

The 28 Gwangju Summer Universiade

Bedazzled by Your Nails

Entertainer, Song Hae

Of the pets, for the pets, by the pets

The Rainbow School

Kim Gyu-heun, a Master Confectionary Maker

President Visits the Middle East

Seomjingang River

Goryeong, a Journey Into Gaya History

Business Allies With Sports, the Arts

Cold Noodle Desserts on Hansik Holiday

Rising Stars

Smart Protection for Smartphones

Battle of the Voices

Mun Ik-jeom, Bringing Revolutionary Change to the Clothing of the Common People

Cover Story

PEOPLE 1

PEOPLE 2

TRAVEL

SPORTS

ENTERTAINMENT

April 2015

SPECIAL ISSUE th

CURRENT KOREA

SUMMIT DIPLOMACY

POLICY REVIEW

MY KOREA

MULTICULTURAL KOREA

NATURE

FLAVOR

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY

GREAT KOREAN

Publisher Kim Jae-won, Korean Culture and Information Service Executive Producer Han Seong-rae E-mail webmaster @ korea.net Magazine Production The Book Company Editor-in-Chief Lee Min-jeong Production Supervisor Kim Min-kyung Copy Editor Gregory C. Eaves, Hwang Chi-young Creative Director Oh Seong-min Head Designer Kim Se-ryeong Photographers Moon Duk-gwan, Hong Ha-yan Printing Kumkang Printing Co,.Ltd 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. If you want to receive a free copy of KOREA or wish to cancel a subscription, please e-mail us. A downloadable PDF of KOREA and a map and glossary with common Korean words appearing in our magazine are available by clicking on the thumbnail of KOREA on the website www.korea.net. Publication Registration No. : 11-1110073-000016-06

COVER STORY

In Praise of Old Houses Amid all the marvelous technology we enjoy today, we still miss old houses, with their underfloor heating, time-stained wooden flooring in the living room, latticed doors and tiled roofs. WRIT TEN BY LEE SANG-HYEON (HANOK HISTORIAN) PHOTOGRAPHED BY HONG SANG-DON

KOREA

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Songso Gotaek has been home to the “Wealthy Sim” family for generations. 5

OLD HOUSES AND NATURE

“The home fought on, bravely. At first, it creaked and moaned; the worst of the winds attacked from all sides at once, with an acute hatred and of such howls of rage that, for a few moments, I shivered in fear. But the home stood its ground.” This is a translation of a passage from “La Poétique de L’espace,” or, “The Poetics of Space,” by the French philosopher Gaston Bachelard (1884-1962). The passage describes a Western structure that fights a pitched battle against nature. Reading it may evoke a sense of noble human refusal to yield before seemingly chaotic and threatening nature. The implication is that nature must be tamed by humanity.

In Korean traditional architecture, on the other hand, nature is considered neither chaotic nor threatening. It is a willing background for Hanok, the Korean architectural style developed from the 1300s to the 1900s, and exists in harmony with homes and how people live in them. The architects of Hanok houses chose to make them part of nature rather than pitting them against it. Thus, the distinction between a Hanok home and its surrounding environment tends to be vague. Hanok homes from Joseon times (1392-1910) are steeped in philosophy. They stand in stark contrast in nearly every way to the very utilitarian modern concrete residences that have arisen across

Gyejeong, as seen from the dale, seems a natural part of the landscape. 6

Korea over the past few decades. It was only around 1900 when Western-style structures began to appear. These old Hanok homes have something more than just the long years they have endured. They hold an affection between nature and humans, and have many stories to tell. Standing before an old Hanok home, your mind’s ear can hear a mother calling the family to dinner and a grandmother telling fairytales. Let’s take a look at three old Hanok homes and hear their stories from a time long past. DONGNAKDANG, WHERE NATURE BECOMES ARCHITECTURE

Dongnakdang originally referred only to the men’s quarters of a certain old home,

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but it now also refers to the entire structure. It literally means a “house that is happy in solitude.” Dongnakdang is considered to be representative of traditional architecture. When you stand before it, you will see a lofty roofed gate with lower roofed wooden walls on each side. Together, they appear rather like a triptych on an altar.The walls seem to underline the hill to the rear, or, as my wild imagination suggests, they perhaps grew from the earth.Aged with the experience of hundreds of years, the gate stands like a man with a placid face. It is actually high enough to let people come and go in a sedan chair or on horseback. If you step through the gate, you may be intimidated by the seemingly poker-faced buildings that reveal themselves one after another with the courtyard. Of course, they are not strictly poker-faced because what you see are their backsides. My first impression of the house was that it was like an aloof scholar. On your way to the men’s quarters, you go through another gate. Pushing open the doors of the second gate, you may feel suffocated when you are confronted by a dead-end alley.The door to the men’s quarters is on the right, near the end. More surprisingly, inside, you will see a narrow alley beside the door to the men’s quarters, and the alley leads you, unexpectedly, to a small dale. Thus, after passing through two gates and going by one building after another and several courtyards, you find yourself outside again. Like an ant travelling on a Möbius strip, you become bewildered.The inside is outside; the outside is inside. Nature is in the house, and the house is in nature. The environment is part of the house, and the house is incorporated into nature. Dongnakdang is also well known for its pavilion near the small dale, named Gyejeong. From the inside of Dongnakdang, Gyejeong looks like an ordinary building, but seen from the dell, it soars high, revealing a second, totally different visage. If the structure did not have a balustrade facing

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Dongnakdang, believed to have been built in 1516, is Treasure No. 413, though it is still a private home.

Yi Eon-jeok named the dale, the hills and the large rocks that were visible while leisurely sitting in Dongnakdang, causing architecture and nature to become one.

The dale and its stream can be seen through a latticed window.

the glen, no one would know that it is a pavilion. However, the moment you enter and sit, ever ything seems to become brighter and more interesting.You hear the gurgling of the clean water from the stream below, and you feel the gentle tickling of the moist breeze from the woods and dale. At this point, the barrier between architecture and nature vanishes. The pavilion is considered to be the best of all Korean pavilions, and its construction did not change any part of its environment. Everything is as it was, as natural as possible. So captivating is the view from the pavilion that there is a saying about it:“Easy to go in, difficult to come out.” However, without the pavilion, the dale would lose its lure and remain only the normal brook that it had been.Where on earth is the boundary between architecture and nature? Another reason Dongnakdang is so renowned is because of the man who built it.Yi Eon-jeok (1491-1553) was one of the leading philosophers of Joseon. Thus, visitors use their humanistic imagination when they tour every corner of Dongnakdang, sur mising the reason why Yi

included each architectural element. In his twenties,Yi was already acclaimed for his philosophical arguments. He seemed to be thriving as a public official, but he was ousted as a result of political conflict. He was only 40. He did not go back to his hometown and instead came here, where his second wife was living. Then, he had this fascinating menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quarters built and had the entire house repaired. He read widely and philosophized deeply. He installed lat-

ticed windows in the walls so that he could see the water flowing through the dale. He was very right to do so because the water seen through the latticed windows is enticing. Sitting in the pavilion, he seriously mused and leisurely named things that he saw: the dale, hills, big rocks, et cetera. Naming them, he must have become one with the pavilion and its surroundings, as you, too, would do. This kind of experience is impossible

in Bachelardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s view of nature, in which architecture and nature are engaged in a ferocious confrontation. SONGSO GOTAEK, MAJESTIC WITH 100 PILLARS

Songso Gotaek imparts very different feelings from Dongnakdang. Getting there requires driving along a steep, meandering mountain path.You had better be mentally prepared before setting out. After some

KOREA

April

Seen from the men’s quarters, there seems to be six peepholes in the wall, but only three of them can be seen from the women’s quarters. A rather large flower bed in the courtyard on the men’s side keeps people away from the wall.

Part of Songso Gotaek has been renovated so that tourists can enjoy an overnight stay with some modern amenities.

hard driving, you will suddenly see a huge basin deep in the backwoods. After driving down the precarious, rambling mountain path, your sense of surprise gives way to a feeling of security and tranquility. In the peaceful village below is Songso Gotaek, named after the pen name of its original owner, Sim Ho-taek. His family was better known as the “Wealthy Sim” because the family was so rich. Songso Gotaek is unlike Dongnakdang in many respects.Yi Eon-jeok, who built Dongnakdang, named the surroundings -the dale, hills and big rocks, for exampleand in doing so incorporated nature into the architecture, and vice versa. In contrast, the mountain where the Sim family has lived has no name. Dongnakdang exudes a feeling of the academic tenacity of an aloof scholar, but Songso Gotaek seems more like a practical and trendy fellow.The latter overflows with the kind of worldly confidence that many wealthy people have. During Joseon times, only the king had a house with 101 pillars. Even the richest nobleman could only have 100 pillars on his house, and Songso Gotaek does indeed have 100 pillars. It also has 12 repositories.

Its detached house has its own courtyard surrounded by a wall. All these things attest to how affluent the Sims truly were. This sumptuous old home is reminiscent of an intrepid man sitting at the center of the village. Entering through the lofty gate, you see big and small men’s quarters on your right and left.You are impressed. The enormous courtyard strikes a contrast with the circumambient mountains.You feel invigorated.The walls render the inordinately large courtyard beautiful.The large men’s quarters, the small men’s quarters, and the women’s quarters are visually divided by walls, too. Built in the 1880s, Songso Gotaek has gardens in the courtyards of the men’s quarters, perhaps an influence of Japanese architecture. Joseon people generally did not have big gardens in their courtyards. They used them for daily activities. The fact that there are gardens at Songso Gotaek implies that Sim was very trend-conscious. Between the men’s quarters and the women’s quarters is an elaborately decorated wall made of roof tiles and earth. Called a “flower wall” (kkotdam), such a wall is not only beautiful, but also serves a

unique architectural function. A flower wall has holes in part of it through which the women could see what was happening in the men’s quarters. Perhaps the men sometimes tried to peep the other way, too, to see what was happening in the women’s quarters. A rather big flower bed was laid in the courtyard of the men’s quarters to prevent such prying. More interesting is that you see what appear to be six holes constructed of roof tiles from the men’s quarters, but in fact only three of them allow a line of sight when seen from the women’s quarters. It is a witty trick that Songso Gotaek plays on you.

UNJORU, A HOUSE BUILT OVER SEVEN YEARS

Yu I-ju (1726-1797) built Unjoru in the late 18th century. He was infatuated with the auspicious geomantic features of its site. Joseon people believed that the “energy” of a house site influenced the family’s wealth and honor, so they naturally took geomancy very seriously.Yu built this house over seven years for his retirement. Today, his descendants 10 generations later still live there. On the gate of the house hangs the bone of a tiger that Yu is said to have killed with his bare hands. The skin of the tiger

The façade of Unjoru faces a large pond. 10

was reportedly offered up to King Yeongjo (r. 1724-1776), and the bone was hung to fend off evil spirits. Entering through a lofty gate, the large men’s quarters and small men’s quarters welcome you, and in between the two is a gate leading to the women’s quarters. Up to this point, the premises are not very different from Songso Gotaek. However, walking deeper inside, you will notice that the attitude toward space is different. In Songso Gotaek, the women’s quarters were big and the stylobate of the men’s quarters was low. In the 1880s when Songso Gotaek was built, Neo-Confucianism, the governing philos-

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ophy of Joseon, was losing its grip. In compar ison, Unjoru was built when NeoConfucianism still held great sway. So, its women’s quarters are more compact and closed, heartlessly confining the women to their own quarters. If the heart of Songso Gotaek is the women’s quarters, the architectural center of Unjoru is its men’s quarters. The high stylobate of the men’s quarters also reveals a similar intent. However, the realization of the spirit of Neo-Confucianism was not the only reason for having such a high stylobate. Standing on the lofty floor of Unjoru affords you an excellent

Bamboo baskets sit on a shelf in the living room of the women’s quarters.

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view of the village, through which you walked to get to this old house, framed by the pillars of the floor. Called numaru, the lofty floor of a Hanok home is a salient feature of Hanok architecture. It is a floor as high as an attic, with big windows on all four sides, and functions as a pavilion. Such a structure is rare in ancient Western architecture, in which space is enclosed by walls and a roof.Windows could not be as big in such a structure, but they were structurally feasible in Hanok since Hanok houses were built with load-bearing wooden frames. Such a gorgeous view in an ordinary village is almost certainly due in part to the

fine aesthetic tastes of the owner of the house. I believe, however, his rich poetic mind that instilled metaphors into architecture also played a role.The rich world of scholars that can be sensed at Unjoru echoes the romantic dreams of the nobility of those times. Near the lofty numaru floor, Yu planted bamboo, pine trees and plum trees. Joseon nobility called those the “three friends in the winter” and considered them to be friends to all gentlemen. When Yu stepped onto the lofty floor, he became a gentleman who was friends with those three varieties of trees. The lofty floor was the center of the house in a narrow sense and the center of the universe in a broader sense.This is in line with Yi Eon-jeok pulling nature into his Dongnakdang as the center of the surrounding environment.To Joseon nobility, their houses were the center of the universe.

STAY IN AN ANCIENT HANOK More and more old Hanok homes are being opened to guests who want to have a one-of-a-kind lodging experience. The homes are generally renovated and furnished with antique furniture. They include Chiam Gotaek (82-54-858-4411), Suaedang (82-54-822-6661) and Nongam Jongtaek (82-54843-1202) in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, as well as Songso Gotaek (82-54-874-6556) in Cheongsong of the same province, which is featured in this article.

The 10th generation of Yu’s descendants continues to live in the women’s quarters of Unjoru. The jars store a range of delicacies and sauces. 12

INTERVIEW

KOREA

Old Homes Reborn

any instruction on how to serve guests,” says this tourism promoter. “Customer orientation and service consistency were alien concepts to them.The owners would reply, ‘Aren’t a hearty welcome and a homecooked meal enough, after all?’ especially when their homes are authentically traditional and aesthetically exceptional. However, the homeowners could actually do better if they addressed a few more matters.” The “Han Stay” Hanok B&B program, is a provincial government initiative operated in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It focuses on turning old Hanok homes into more convenient places to stay, and also on linking Hanok visits to the rich experience of local traditions. “The province is home to roughly 40 percent of Korea’s traditional Hanok homes,” says Kim. “It is also the seat of all three of Korea’s most representative historical subsets: Confucianism, Buddhism and the ancient Gaya Confederacy (42-562). This fortuitous confluence of history and tradition makes the province the perfect place for international tourists to stay and enjoy quintessential “Koreanness.” Kim is a staunch believer in Hanok and does not hesitate to say that Hanoks are the most environmentally friendly form of housing on the planet. He says that he guarantees that staying just a few days in a Hanok B&B would make visitors fall in love with them, regardless of where they are from. Of course, Kim is duly aware of the limits of old Hanok homes. One strength can be a weakness. For example, Hanoks are designed to be one with nature, and this compromises privacy. Its outhouse, for example, would be considered by many to be an inconvenience. “Hanok owners are now renovating their homes, one room or two at a time, to offer tourists a more convenient experience,” says this Hanok advocate. “We help them by rectifying specific inconveniences.”

The government of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province has launched a bedand-breakfast promotional program that encourages tourists to stay in traditional Hanok homes and offers assistance to the homeowners to maintain their heritage buildings. The so-called “Han Stay” program keeps many people busy, especially Kim Il-hwan, head of the tourism promotion division in the provincial government. WRIT TEN BY KIM HYEON-TAE

“O

ur Hanok bed-and-breakfast (B&B) program is, ultimately, the result of a little difficulty that was experienced by a tourist some time ago,” says Kim Il-hwan. “A tourist stayed at an old traditional house. It was a Hanok home, where the head family of one particular clan had been living for many generations. The woman went to the toilet and found that there was no towel. She thought to ask the owner of the house, an elderly gentleman, for a towel, but was very reluctant to impose on him on account of his age. So, she had to use her own handkerchief to dry her hands.When we heard about this, it was obvious that we had to establish a program to assist the owners of her itage homes and wr ite a manual that would better connect elderly Hanok owners and tourists from around the globe.” Many people cherish their memories of having stayed at their own grandparents’ rural homes; they had so much fun there as kids. So, most domestic tourists wanting to stay in an old Hanok home don’t expect five-star service.They would actually rather get away from all that.A particularly outgoing tourist, for example, if he finds out too late that there’s no toilet paper in the bathroom, may push the door open a little bit and shout, “Sir, may you please bring me a roll of toilet paper?” On the other hand, if tourists have no experience with rural Korea, inconveniences like that could develop into larger problems. “Many Hanok B&Bs hadn’t received

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PEOPLE

“ I am the oldest entertainer ” At 88, Song Hae is still full of energy in front of the camera. WRIT TEN BY KIM HYEON-TAE

ong Hae has been hamming it up as a comedian for 60 years and hosting the “National Singing Contest,” a TV show broadcast by KBS, for the past 30 years.The veteran show host turns 88 this April, six years older than famous talk show host Larry King. Song gets up early every day, works out, has breakfast and then goes to work by subway. He is a highly respected, successful celebrity, but enjoys an ordinary life. He is simply doing what he has to do, just like everyone else. STAYING HEALTHY

The “National Singing Contest” first aired in 1980 and is the longest-running program in Korea by any measure. The live talent contest is filmed all over the country, giving everyone an opportunity to show off their singing and dancing skills before a nationwide audience. Song Hae, whose real name is Song Bok-hee, started hosting the show in 1988. Except for six months in 1994, he has been shouting, “Let’s start the National Singing Contest!” at exactly 12:10 p.m. every Sunday since then. To be so energetic at his age requires more than just passion.When asked how he manages to stay healthy all these years, he said, “I have breakfast between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. every morning to warm up.You need some food; not too much or too little. That is how I keep my health.” He also

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shared his “BMW” principle for staying fit and healthy. If you think BMW stands for a high-end German car, you’re wrong. It is the initials for “bus, metro and walking.” It is not just an occasional workout. Using public transportation requires a lot of walking, and Song has been riding the subway and stepping up and down the stairs almost every day for the past 20 years. Of course, you would think that using public transportation would be an issue for someone who is such a household name. He laughs and says, “Meeting my fans on the bus and subway is the most exciting thing of all.” Song is especially careful about his health because he does not want to be a nuisance to the young people who work with him. “The show is now 35 years old, and I have been on the stage as host for about 30 years. During that time, I missed the show just once. It was the sultr y summer of 2013. I had to film a show in

Busan where it was 38˚C and then in Ulsan where it was 40˚C. After coming back to Seoul, I had to go to Incheon, but I collapsed because of heatstroke. Needless to say, I couldn't do the show that day, and I felt ashamed about that,” he said. EARNEST AND PROFESSIONAL

The entertainment industry is fiercely competitive. Ability and popularity are essential for long-term success. Song's professionalism shines not only on the stage but also off the stage. Before filming, he researches the history, historic sites, parks and specialty produce of the area where the show will be filmed. If necessary, he even goes to some of the places in the area before the show starts. This is why he can relate so easily with the participants during the live talent show.This kind of dedication is understandable of someone during the first couple of years of his or her career.

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However, people are bound to loosen up over nearly three decades. Not Song. He remains as consistent and energetic as he has ever been. Song started his career in the entertainment industry as a singer in a musical troupe. He became a comedian in 1970 and is now considered a “national show host.” The saddest point in his fascinating life was the loss of his son. However, this tragedy did not stop the natural-born comedian. He has never revealed his sadness on stage. The unbearable sorrow made him even more humble and serious about his work. In 2012, the experienced show host was dubbed the most reliable celebrity for advertisers over a slew of young, rising stars. He is still in his prime, not because he has any secret to success or extraordinary talent, but because he has always made the best of every moment.

At 88-years-old this year, Song Hae says his secret is ‘BMW’: the bus, metro and walking.

1 Song Hae is awarded the Silver Crown, or Eungwan, Order of Cultural Merit, the second highest order possible, at the 2014 Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards. 2 Song Hae has been the host of the ‘National Singing Contest’ for thirty years. His trademark call is a big, hearty laugh.

PEOPLE

Kim Gyu-heun, a Master Confectionary Maker If you have already tried kimchi or Korean barbecue, maybe it’s time for some traditional confectionaries. WRIT TEN BY KIM HYEON-TAE

“S

weets were a rare treat when I was young, be they Western candies or Korean traditional confectionaries.You could only get some after perfor ming one of the ancestral rites or on a traditional holiday. The traditional snacks that I was given after an ancestral rite always tasted great.” Kim Gyu-heun is a master of traditional confectionaries, or hangwa, and his sweet memories of them are shared by countless other middle-aged or retired people. The most common type of tradi-

tional sweet is made by adding honey, taffy and sugar to a mixture of grain powder, with some fruit, edible roots or leaves as well. It is an essential dessert for Lunar New Year’s Day, 60th birthday parties, wedding ceremonies and ancestral rites. HANGWA COMES INTO KIM’S LIFE

Kim’s fond childhood memories of traditional hangwa snacks flooded back to him when he first met his future wife. On that day, she gave him a couple of deep-fried

honey cookies wrapped in paper. Her brother-in-law ran a confectionary factory. From that moment on, both his wife and such delectable goodies have been extremely important to Kim. He began to work for that very factory after they got married. He started as an operations manager, but soon devoted himself to learning how to make traditional snacks. “I had always enjoyed old-fashioned sweets, but didn’t know how much time and effort it required to make them.” He learned how to

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make hangwa snacks by asking questions to his wife, to his wife’s brother-in-law and to his colleagues. Kim is not from a family with a history of making traditional confectioneries. Nor was he a student of a well-known baker or chef. However, that didn’t stop him from learning how to make or develop some 170 types of traditional snacks, including candies with a variety of ingredients, such as honey, red insam(ginseng), chocolate and green tea with honey. He also improved the quality of the sweets by packaging them individually and by developing new natural ingredients. His efforts have given confectioneries a longer shelf life. For these achievements, Kim has become known as the “President of Hangwa.” His reputation is a product of his incessant trial and error in creating new and better flavors.

HANGWA GOING GLOBAL

Making hangwa snacks and sweets should be easy after making them for 35 years, but Kim disagrees. It is still very challenging, he says. “Let’s say that I have to make a batch on April 1. I have to first check my notes over the past three years to come up with the optimal recipe with meticulous care, considering such factors as the weather. I have to check my records of the temperature, humidity, recipe and flavor from April 1, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and adjust and fine-tune the recipe accordingly,” said the master. Even now, he keeps records of his recipes, as well as the temperature and humidity on the day he makes them. This naturally raises the question of what Kim considers to be the ultimate traditional snack. “It’s the sweet considered the most deli-

Hangwa snacks are a form of heritage that embody the people’s spirit.

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cious in one’s entire life. Candies can give such pleasant memories that some people on their deathbed will be struck by the desire for one last taste.” Trying to bring forth such an ambrosial creation must be awfully challenging and stressful, but he continues to say that, “I think it requires quite a commitment and effort to bring traditional snacks closer to people both at home and abroad. I want to see these recipes inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage items because it is not just tasty confectionaries, but part of our heritage.What festivities or ancestral rituals would be complete without hangwa snacks?” His affection for and research into hangwa snacks does not stop there. He founded HanGaOne in 2008, a traditional snack & sweets museum and educational center. This is in line with his passion for developing his recipes and passing them on to those who will commit themselves to creating various types of traditional sweets for future generations.The greater his passion for making his confectionaries, the heavier his sense of duty. Perhaps Kim does not need to feel so much pressure from his sense of duty after all. Anyone who tastes any of his hangwa creations will almost certainly become hooked on their sweet, delicious taste anyway.

1 - Kim exercises utmost care in selecting the ingredients for his hangwa snacks and sweets.

2 - Hangwa snacks are so pretty that it's almost a shame to eat them.

TRAVEL

A Journey Into Gaya History Goryeong was the capital of Daegaya, an ancient city state that holds great importance in the ancient history of East Asia. The town still shines today, with the ancient city's legacy and remains all around. WRIT TEN BY KIM NAE-ON

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h e m o m e n t yo u s e t f o o t i n Goryeong in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, you feel as if you have traveled far back in time. Goryeong was the capital of Daegaya, a city state founded around 42 that was part of the larger Gaya Confederacy. It was eventually conquered by the growing Silla Kingdom in 562. The history and artifacts of Daegaya remain well-preserved in the town today.

The city state of Daegaya prospered, in part, because of its steelmaking.Though less militarily powerful than the neighboring kingdoms of Silla and Baekje, the city state boasted sophisticated arts and crafts. Gayaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artisans were extremely skilled, and its musicians were unusually creative. The musician Ureuk is believed to have invented the 12-stringed zither, the gayageum, in his hometown of Goryeong. The

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town is also home to the ancient village where descendants of Kim Jong-jik (14311492), a renowned Neo-Confucian scholar of Joseon times, have lived for more than 350 years.Visitors to Goryeong become oblivious to the passage of time and are immersed in the intriguing history of the town, with artifacts dating back to ancient times, including many myster ious and meaningful historical sites. Tombs of Dae-

Goryeong is renowned for its ancient Daegaya tombs. ÂŠ Yonhap News 19

gaya rulers and noblemen lie along the ridge of Jusan Mountain (311 meters). In the playground of an elementary school is the Wangjeong Well, from which Daegaya rulers drank. It never goes dry or gets tainted, regardless of the weather.The riparian port of Gaegyeongpo is conjectured to have been used for trade with ancient Japanese and Chinese kingdoms, and for transporting the famous Tripitaka Koreana. April is the best time of the year to visit Goryeong. Every April, in and around the Daegaya History Theme Park and the Daegaya Museum, the “Daegaya Experience Festival” is held. This year, the festival will be held from April 9 to 12. It will be an unforgettable time to experience ancient arts, crafts and performances.There will be comical and humorous traditional outdoor musical-like plays and puppet shows, kite flying and a gayageum competition.

earth and stones that lie atop a grave, which together form a curved arc. To date, 704 tumuli have been excavated. It is believed that they are for rulers and noblemen of ancient Daegaya. In those days, people believed that life on this earth did not end with death, but that it extended into the next world. That belief, seemingly, urged people to bury their rulers in high and dry places.These tumuli have yielded a treasure trove of earthenware, ironware, gilt-bronze crowns & gold earrings worn by rulers and many other artifacts, all of which give a glimpse into the life and society of upperclass Daegaya.The dome-shaped tombs rise to varying heights, and some are steeper than others. Strolling through them is a completely otherworldly exper ience. Walking down the mountain is also a pleasure, as you will see a sweeping view of downtown Goryeong and the stream that flows through the town.

ANCIENT TOMBS IN JISAN-DONG

At the top of the itinerary for your trip to Goryeong should be the ancient barrows in Jisan-dong.The ridge of Jusan Mountain embraces Goryeong to the west and is lined by large and small barrows, mounds of

THE DAEGAYA MUSEUM

After fully absorbing the myster ious ancient tombs, saunter down to the Daegaya Museum, where numerous ancient artifacts are on display. The museum com-

prises three parts: the Daegaya History Pavilion, the Daegaya Royal Tomb Pavilion and the Ureuk Museum. Through both historical records and excavated artifacts, the Daegaya History Pavilion provides an overview of the history of Daegaya across a much longer time span than just the duration of the city state; it covers the Paleolithic Era through to modern times. This spr ing, the temporar y exhibit “Old Goryeong Through Historical RecordsGoryeong’s Treasures” will be held. More than 110 historical items are on display, all of which were retained by prestigious local families and Confucian academies that were run by the government or individual scholars during Joseon times (1392-1910). Visitors can even make their own rubbings and prints and try their hand at making their own pottery. The dome-like design of the Daegaya Royal Tomb Pavilion is intended to mirror the ancient tombs on Jusan Mountain. Inside is a full-scale replica of the interior of Jisan-ri Tumulus No. 44. The Ureuk Museum exhibits items concerning Ureuk, the ancient musician believed to have invented the gayageum. It has a history of the instrument and also shows the step-by-step process of how to make a 12-stringed zither. A combined ticket to all three museums costs KRW 2,000. GAESIL VILLAGE

Descendants of the renowned scholar Kim Jong-jik still live in Gaesil Village to this day. This great scholar helped establish Neo-Confucianism as the governing philosophy of Joseon. The village today appears quaint and quiet. Most of the houses remain very much the same as when they were built during Joseon times and reveal how people lived over the past 500-odd years.Two of the tile-roofed traditional structures are the house of Kim’s direct descendants and the Doyeonjae, which local Confucians built in 1886 to commemorate Kim. Confucian scholars frequented this pavilion to hold intellectual discussions. © The Goryeong-gun Office 20

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1 The Daegaya Royal Tomb Pavilion is modeled after an ancient tomb. © Yonhap News 2 This bronze crown was excavated from the tumulus of a Daegaya ruler. © Yonhap News 3 The Daegaya Museum is the perfect place for children to learn and to have fun. © The Goryeong-gun Office

Visitors can experience ancient Joseon in the village by making traditional food, such as rice cakes and other snacks, and by playing traditional games including yunnori, a traditional four-stick board game, and jegichagi, kicking a shuttlecock around.You can also ride a traditional swing. Make sure to not miss the hiking trail in the village, ablaze with royal azaleas in the spring and summer. JANGGI-RI ROCK ART

Toward the entrance of Alteo Village in Janggi-ri are rock carvings of tree ring-like concentric circles, crosses and rectangular masks. They were discovered in February 1971, the second such discovery in Korea. Interpretations of these carvings vary, but many conjecture that the concentric circles symbolize the sun, the cycle of the seasons or a human’s return to eternity, and that the masks are the faces of deities. This rock art offers valuable insights into the psyche of the region’s people during the Paleolithic Era. It is believed that these carvings express their yearning and prayers for a rich harvest and prosperity.

BALLYONGSA TEMPLE

Ballyongsa Temple was originally built in 802 during the reign of King Aejang of Silla (r. 800-809). The temple was burned down during Japanese invasions of Joseon between 1592 and 1598, but later rebuilt. Legend has it that the revered Buddhist monk Wonhyo (617-686) said that the spir it of a dragon was felt inside. The temple is famous for its stone pagoda and bronze bell, but you cannot see those important artifacts there today.They are in the collection of the Daegaya Museum, where they are better protected against theft and damage.

Hanu Myeongpumgwan serves high-quality beef. © The Goryeong-gun Office

WHAT TO EAT Goryeong is famous for its insam, acorns and a kind of soup with hand-torn dough flakes (sujebi). However, it is even more famous for its beef. The cattle are slaughtered locally, so you can enjoy fresh beef at reasonable prices in many different dishes: short rib soup (galbitang), raw beef slices (yukhoe) and broiled meat. Hanu Myeongpumgwan (522 Gijok-ri, Seongsan-myeon; tel. 82-54-954-3881) attracts many locals and tourists alike for its tasty short rib soup and rice topped with raw beef slices, among other toppings. It is also fun to broil different delectable cuts, including sirloin, tenderloin and loin ends, right at your table. After the main dish, you will be served luscious strawberries organically grown in Gaesil Village. WHERE TO STAY This is your opportunity to stay in an authentic Joseon Hanok house. In Gaesil Village and Gayatgo Village, there are many Hanok lodgings available at reasonable prices. Daegaya Pension is a good choice for families. Made of logs and located in the Daegaya History Theme Park, it is clean and comfortable. One caveat: if you want to go there on weekends or during peak tourist season, be sure to make a reservation well in advance. GETTING THERE An intercity bus runs from the Nambu Bus Terminal in Seoul to Goryeong. The bus runs six times a day at an interval of about two hours. The trip takes three and a half hours, and the fare is KRW 19,000. From the Goryeong Terminal, the tumuli in Jisan-ri are about a 20-minute walk away. Taxis are also available, and the base fare will likely be enough to cover the ride.

SPORTS

Rising Stars They may be fledgling young athletes, but they are as hardworking and passionate as the big stars who inspire them. WRIT TEN BY JEONG KYU-YOUNG

Hong Seong-chan shows his resilience in every match. He is currently ranked No. 3 in the world at the junior level.

igure skater Kim Yuna and swimmer Park Tae-hwan are two of Korea’s most prominent athletes. They achieved their excellence in an environment that did not have the best support system for their sports. The two stars made history and brought joy to their fans over the past decade by winning numerous medals at World Championships and Olympic Games. As glorious as the past decade has been, nothing lasts forever. Kim Yuna

retired from competitive figure skating after the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, and it is unclear whether Park Tae-hwan will be able to participate in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. It is now time to shift our attention to new sports stars. SWIMMING: A 13-YEAR-OLD PRODIGY

3:58.75. The crowd gave a thunderous applause when Lee Ho-jun’s record was displayed on the time board in the boys 12-

to 15-year-old 400 meter freestyle finals at the International Children’s Games in Lake Macquar ie, Australia, on December 8, 2014. Lee won the race that day, beating his own personal best of 4:01.81 by more than three seconds and setting a Korean middle school record. He was also the only swimmer out of eight to finish below four minutes. In addition to the 400 meter freestyle, the young athlete won two more golds in the 100 meter freestyle and the 400 meter

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relay. Lee’s time in the 400 meter freestyle was faster than times posted by earlier prodigies at the same age, such as Ian Thorpe, Grant Hackett and Park Tae-hwan. Just 13 years old, Lee is 1.81 meters tall and his shoe size is 280 millimeters. He has grown seven centimeters since 2013 when he was not yet in the press’ spotlight. Although he is shorter than the now 25-year-old Park Tae-hwan, he has bigger feet. Lee Ho-jun started swimming in second grade to lose weight. He weighed over 60 kilograms at the time. He inherited amazing reflexes and a competitive spirit from his father who is a former handball player on the national team. Lee is now working on improving his stroke and flexibility, while building muscle.What does the next swimming star hope to achieve? “I want to make it onto the national team, like my father did, and win gold medals at the World Championships and at the Olympics, like Park Tae-hwan,” said Lee with conviction. TENNIS: NO GIVING UP

Hong Seong-chan, an 18-year-old tennis player, finished second in the Australian Open Junior Championships on January 31, only losing in his final match. He is the fifth Korean player to finish second in a grand slam junior tournament, following Jeon Mi-ra (Wimbledon, 1994), Lee Jongmin (Australian Open, 1995), Kim Sunyong (Australian Open, 2005) and Chung Hyeon (Wimbledon, 2013). Despite high hopes for a title, Hong lost to Russia’s Roman Safiullin in a tiebreaker in the second set.The second place finish was not discouraging, however, considering the difficult circumstances under which he competed. For years, Hong has had to pay for his trips to international competitions himself because he did not have a sponsor. Neither does he have a personal coach. Hong Seong-chan started playing tennis at the age of nine and showed his talent when he came in first place in the

Lee Ho-jun is widely considered a child prodigy. © Speedo

Lee Ho-jun’s time in the 400 meter freestyle is better than those of earlier prodigies at his age, including Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett.

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boys’ 10-year-old category at the national elementary tennis competition held in his hometown, Hoengseong, and by winning 106 consecutive matches when he was in the sixth grade. In the international arena, he rose to prominence after winning the Boys 12 title in 2009, and the Boys 14 title in 2011 at the Junior Orange Bowl. He also played a central role in the national team’s victory in the 2011 World Junior Tennis Championships and in taking the team to the finals in the 2013 Junior Davis Cup. Last year, he reached the quarterfinals in the French Open, the best any Korean junior player has ever done in that tournament. Hong Seong-chan has a strong forehand and fast footwork. His forehand stroke is so swift and strong that it is difficult for the opposing player to return the ball. His defense, supported by his effective footwork, is also renowned. His role model is Novak Djokovic, who also has fast footwork, and he hopes to become one of the world’s top ten tennis players. People often cite his height (1.74 meters) and small physique as weaknesses, but these do not seem to be a problem: Michael Chang was 1.75

Swimmer Lee Ho-jun won three gold medals at the International Children's Games 3 in Lake Macquarie, Australia in December 2014.

meters tall, and he became the youngest male player to win a grand slam singles title at the age of 17 with sharp strokes and relentless energy. WOMEN’S FIGURE SKATING: FRIENDS AND RIVALS

In 2018, Korea will host its first Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. While excitement is building, people can already feel the void of Kim Yuna’s absence. Korea was never a strong contender in figure skating before Kim Yuna came along. The country’s previous best results were 17th place in the 1990 World Figure Skating Championships and 21st place in the 1994 Winter Olympic Games with KoreanAmerican Lily Lyoonjung Lee. Medal hopefuls for the post-Kim Yuna era are 18-year-old Park So-youn and Kim Hae-jin, both of whom participated in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics alongside Kim Yuna. As a 12-year-old, Kim Hae-jin successfully landed all five of her triple jumps and became the first junior skater since Kim Yuna to win the Korean Figure Skating Championships at the senior level in 2010. She claimed gold at the national championships for two more years, and won the Junior Grand Prix in Slovenia in 2012. Kim Hae-jin only finished 16th in the Sochi Olympics due to injuries, but is currently recovering for the next Olympics. Park So-youn started her career in competitive skating winning four consecutive silver medals in the Korean Figure Skating Championships between 2011 through 2014. After the Sochi Olympics, Park finished 9th in the 2014 World Figure Skating Championships and 5th in her first senior Grand Prix competition in Chicago. She then won gold medals in two national championships in December 2014 and January 2015, and is considered the strongest m e d a l p ro s p e c t f o r t h e u p c o m i n g PyeongChang Olympics. Would a healthy rivalry between Kim Kim Yuna inspired Park So-youn. © Yonhap News 24

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Figure skaters Kim Hae-jin and Park So-youn are training tirelessly for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.

Lee Jun-hyeong and Kim Jin-seo are rivals of the same age. © Yonhap News

Hae-jin and Park So-youn be of any help? “I compete against all other athletes in every competition, so I do not wish to beat any one particular competitor, especially not my friend.We have trained at the same ice rink since we were very young, and we know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.We learn so much from each other,” said Park So-youn with a smile. MEN’S FIGURE SKATING: BABY STEPS AND TUMBLING

There is a rivalry between 18-year-old

Lee Ho-jeong and Kim Gang-in have been a skating pair for six months. © Yonhap News 25

male skaters Lee Jun-hyeong and Kim Jinseo.They have both opened new doors for Korean men’s skating. In 2014 Lee Junhyeong reached the Junior Grand Prix Final, and Kim Jin-seo scored over 200 points at the World Figure Skating Championships, both firsts for Korean male skaters. Kim Jin-seo has a stronger physique and performs dynamic, technical skates, while Lee Jun-hyeong focuses more on the s o f t f l ow o f m ove m e n t a n d a r t i s t i c expression. In the 2015 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships held in Seoul in February, Kim finished only 15th and Lee 18th, but they are both working hard to improve and are creating stronger prog rams in preparation for the next Olympic Games. Finally, pairs figure skating is gaining ground in Korea, and the first skating duo in over a decade was recently formed. Kim Gang-in and Lee Ho-jeong have only been training together for six months, but they participated in their first Junior World Figure Skating Championships in March and finished 19th. Commending the pair’s p e r f o r m a n c e, o n e c o m m e n t e r s a i d , “Expecting more from them would be like asking a toddler to tumble.”

ENTERTAINMENT

Professional singers and impersonators compete against each other in ‘Hidden Singer.’ ©JTBC

Battle of the Voices Are amateurs in the audience capable of evaluating professional singers? Creatively formatted live singing competitions have TV viewers tuning in for dramatic matches between singers. WRIT TEN BY JEONG KYU-YOUNG

n January 30, the competitive singing talent show “I am a Singer” returned to TV network MBC for its third season. First aired in 2011, the survival show was the first to stage matchups between professional singers. Seven talented veteran singers perform in front of a carefully chosen audience that votes on their performances. The singer who receives the fewest votes in a round is eliminated. Having an audience of people aged from their teens to their 50s,

instead of other professional singers or critics, vote on the contestants’ performances was unprecedented. The show attracted a great deal of interest and a broad viewership for its originality, but it also came under fire over the rules of the competition. During season one, the show’s producers tweaked a rule to keep one of the more seasoned singers in the competition when he was eliminated in the first episode.This prompted an angry backlash from viewers,

and the chief producer, the mastermind behind the show’s format, was replaced after only three episodes. Following this sudden, unexpected setback, the show set more reasonable rules to maintain its viewership. Replacing every eliminated singer with a new one kept the program interesting, but its popularity gradually declined along with the buzz that surrounded it. “I am a Singer” then took a long hiatus after the second season in 2012.

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OTHER NETWORKS BECOME INSPIRED

While “I am a Singer” was taking a break, other TV networks created competitive singing talent shows using similar formats which became big hits. “Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend” was created by KBS and has been airing every Saturday evening since June 2011. A legendary artist is invited on every episode. Each contestant performs a song by that famous singer, and the audience gives them a score.The show was initially cr iticized as copying the format of “I am a Singer,” but it has, over time, earned acclaim for offering more varied performances than its predecessor. Cable network JTBC added an innovative twist when it created its competition show “Hidden Singer.” Each round, one famous singer and several impersonators of the singer each sing one verse of a song from behind a screen. The audience votes to eliminate the person who sounds least like the singer. In the fourth and final round, the audience votes to identify the real singer; that is, if the singer survives to

The Mandarin version of MBC’s “I am a Singer” is causing a sensation across mainland China, and JTBC has sold the format of its “Hidden Singer” show to channels in the U.S., China and Turkey.

‘I am a Singer’ was the first talent show featuring professional singers. ©MBC 27

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sing in the final round. Even if the singer makes it to the last round, he or she may not win if the impersonator receives more votes. Throughout its three seasons, “Hidden Singer” has been praised for arousing nostalgia through its live performances of well-known, loved songs and for bringing attention to incredibly talented amateurs. The show is scheduled to return for a fourth season. Over the Seollal Lunar New Year’s holiday in February, MBC aired a pilot for its new singing competition program, “Mystery Music Show: Mask King.” Combining elements from “I am a Singer,” “Immortal Song” and “Hidden Singer,” the show is a tour nament of eight singers wearing masks and will soon be aired regularly on the network. A NEW WAY TO ENJOY MUSIC

On February 13, two weeks after the first episode of “I am a Singer” season 3 aired, the mainland Chinese version of the same program also started broadcasting. China’s Hunan TV purchased the rights to remake the show and creates episodes in cooperation with MBC’s production team. Broadcasting every Friday night, the Mandarin adaptation of the show has caused a sensation with ratings reaching 2.3% in a country where even the most popular entertainment programs barely reach 1%. Also, JTBC sold adaptation rights to “Hidden Singer” to channels in the U.S., China and Turkey, a first for a Korean cable network. Having the audience cast votes to rate the performances of veteran singers may at first seem unreasonable, but not everyone has to be an expert to truly appreciate music. The live audience in each of the singing competitions enjoys a unique experience when it scores professional singers’ performances and distinguishes them from amateurs.The true value of the competition between professionals lies in giving the audience an opportunity to appreciate well-known songs in different forms and from different voices.

SPECIAL ISSUE

The 28 Gwangju Summer Universiade The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s youth prepares to gather in Gwangju to celebrate unity and peace through sport. WRIT TEN BY HONG HEA-WON

Cheerleaders from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology pose after their performance celebrating the upcoming Universiade Gwangju 2015 on Jan. 31. ÂŠ Yonhap News 28

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orea will host another electrifying sports saga this coming July: the Universiade Gwangju 2015. Previously hosted by Korea in 1997 and 2003, the Universiade will run from July 3 through July 14. Some 20,000 college students and officials from 170 countries around the world will compete for 272 gold medals, while showcasing their sportsmanship and shar ing their friendship. SECOND ONLY TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES

A portmanteau of “university” and “Olympiad,” the Universiade is an international sporting event organized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). It is held every odd-numbered year. In the sports world, it is second only to the Olympic Games in importance. The event is hosted in different cities around the world in both the summer and the winter. In most sports, the Universiade has set better records than the Asian Games. In fact, about 48 percent of Olympic medalists previously won medals at a Universiade. Collegiate athletes who win medals at a University Games are quickly dubbed the next stars. To qualify, all athletes should be underg raduate or g raduate students between the ages of 17 and 28 as of January 1 of the year in which the games are held. Graduates who received their degree in the previous year can also participate. UNPRETENTIOUS AND NO-NONSENSE

With the Universiade Gwangju 2015 just three months away, the organizing committee is in the final stages of preparations, based on the “EPIC” vision for this year’s games.“EPIC” stands for each theme of the Gwangju Summer Universiade: ecofriendliness, peace, IT and culture. Construction of the venues and the athletes’ village are over 90 percent complete, and the final works are under way for four new facilities, including Korea’s first cuttingedge swimming venue with an automatic depth regulator. Preparations for the overall

1 A bird’s eye view of the Nambu University International Aquatics Center 2 The Kwangju Women’s University Universiade Gymnasium © Universiade Gwangju 2015

“We are putting forth our best efforts to make the Gwangju Summer Universiade an extraordinary experience, for it is the greatest sports festival for college students.”

versiade. This will greatly reduce costs, while facilitating urban regeneration because the apartments will be sold to the public after the games. In consideration of both the tangible and intangible legacy of the sporting event, the organizing committee is determined to make it meaningful. One official from the committee said, “We are putting forth our best efforts to make the Gwangju Summer Universiade an extraordinary experience, for it is the greatest sports festival for college students.” TUNE IN FOR THE EXCITEMENT OF YOUTH AND SPORTS

management of the games are also finished. The programs are set for each competition, volunteers have been recruited and safety measures are in place. The Universiade Gwangju 2015 is notably aimed at being less pretentious or flashy than other competitions. To minimize fiscal strains on the city budget, the organizing committee decided to renovate 34 existing venues and to build only four new ones. Old apartment buildings will be remodeled to serve as the athletes’ village, which will accommodate some 12,800 participants over the duration of the Uni-

Poet Kim Jun-tae once called Gwangju, a “city of eternal youth.” It is appropriate that the 28th Summer Universiade should be held in Gwangju because the city symbolizes democracy, human rights and peace. After North Korea confirmed its participation in this year’s games, people are curious to see whether or not the two Koreas will compete as one joint team. Since 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of Korea’s independence, the organizing committee is considering all possibilities to form a single team for the Universiade as part of efforts to improve inter-Korean relations. Whether they compete as one team or not, youth of both Koreas and across the world will go head-to-head in a thrilling summer powwow of heroic athletics.

CURRENT KOREA

Of the pets, by the pets for the pets, “Dogs have the fate of kings” is a well-known saying. People say this when they feel especially overworked and pressured. Nowadays, this saying is proving to be as true as ever as more and more people spend their money on their pets.

any people consider bragging too much about one’s wife, husband or children to be gauche. Bragging about your pets, too, will soon become forbidden, as so many pet owners are chattering on and on about their animal companions. Calling themselves “pet families,” they post numerous pictures of their pets on social media. ‘PET FAMILIES’ ON THE RISE

WRIT TEN BY HONG HEA-WON

The number of “pet families” is rising. According to Statistics Korea, about 10 million people, or 17.5% of the population,

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live with a pet, and the estimated pet population is 7 million. Pet ownership has increased sharply due to changes in family structure. Many single men and women in their 20s and 30s, childless couples, DINKs, and senior citizens living alone choose to live with a pet. Owners consider their pets to be much more than just a cute animal.They are part of the family. So it is hardly surprising that “pet families” spend considerable sums of money on their animals. The pet products market exceeded KRW 2 trillion in 2013 according to the Nonghyup Economic Research Institute. The institute also projects that the market will grow at doubledigit annual rates for the foreseeable future, reaching KRW 6 trillion by 2020. With improvements in animal awareness, the well-being of one’s pets has grown to prominence in the pet products market. AN AVERAGE DAY IS FULL OF GLAMOUR

Pet owners consider their pets to be much more than simply cute animals.They are part of the family.

body massage by a professional therapist before a trimming. The trimming station has glass windows so that owners can watch their pets getting groomed. The pet market today is characterized by the buzzwords “wellness” and “premium.” Various premium brands of pet food and pet care products are available, and pet cafés, pet schools and pet hotels are rapidly springing up across the country. EVOLVING PET CARE FACILITIES

Kongi is a dog in Bundang, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. Each morning, Kongi has a breakfast of organic, holistic food. On days when he goes to the grooming salon, his owner dresses him in a sky-blue, 100%cotton T-shirt and puts him in his stroller. Kongi is a regular at a grooming salon that is becoming popular for offering dogs a full

Animal clinics are expanding beyond health care, providing a complete package of services, including pet training and daycare services. A clinic commonly has a pet hotel and boutique, and some high-end facilities even have a pet spa to help the animals relax. Eco-friendly clothes, tableware and furniture are highly sought-after by pet owners. Some “pet families” prefer

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expensive, custom-made products from Europe, the U.S. or Japan. Subscription services have also entered the pet industry. Petsbe, Petbox and BB-Box are just a few examples of companies that deliver a box of assorted pet food, vitamins, toys, clothes and beauty products to pet owners every month. Pets can also enjoy conveniences made possible by technology. Owners can install home cameras to monitor their pets at all times.The cameras are often equipped with a microphone and speakers. The owners can talk to their pets even while they are away. In the U.S., a television network was created exclusively for dogs in 2012. DOGTV has over 10 million dog viewers across the U.S., and Korea has now become the third country in which the channel broadcasts, after Israel. In the past, people had dogs simply to keep their homes safe.The dogs were usually on a chain tied to a doghouse in the back yard.As animals moved into the home, people began to consider them as more than pets. The animals have increasingly become more important parts of their owners’ lives and have earned the moniker of companion animals. Such changes in perception will continue, and humans will keep learning from and growing with their beloved animals.

1 , 2 Pet hotels are especially busy during the holidays. © Irion 3 Veterinarians use cutting-edge equipment to examine a dog. © Irion 4 This automatic feeder dispenses food when a dog puts a specific ball into the hole. © Ballready

SUMMIT DIPLOMACY

President Park Geun-hye (left) holds summit talks with the emir of Kuwait, Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait City on Mar. 2. © Yonhap News

President Visits the Middle East President Park Geun-hye’s visit to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar focused on economic cooperation and expanding ties. EXCERPTED FROM WEEKLY GONGGAM

resident Park had a very busy diplomatic schedule during her four-state visit to the Middle East from March 1 to 9.The purpose of her visit was to lay the foundation for a “second Middle East boom,” pushing for cooperation on the health care and food industries and promoting the Korea-designed SMART nuclear reactor. Her trip was also intended to strengthen ties with gulf nations to bolster economic

growth, marking the 50th anniversary of Korean construction firms first winning contracts for projects in the Middle East. During the president’s trip, Korea signed 44 memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the four countries.These are expected to expand bilateral cooperation beyond simply energy and construction to cover value-added industries, such as the service and “knowledge” industries.

KUWAIT: NEW ECONOMIC COOPERATION

President Park kicked off her tour in Kuwait on March 2. Her visit to Kuwait was the first since March 2007 by a Korean president, and the first for the current administration. President Park Geun-hye and Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber alSabah acknowledged that the “Kuwait Vision 2035” is in line with the Korean

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government’s “Three-Year Plan for Economic Innovation.” Both are designed to tap new growth opportunities and to promote value-added industries by promoting creativity and innovation. President Park emphasized the importance of bilateral cooperation in not only the conventional areas of energy and construction, but also in new sectors, including health care, information and communications technologies (ICT) and defense. She said that the signing of the MOUs to cooperate on health care would facilitate the sending of Kuwaiti patients to Korea for treatment, the training of Kuwaiti medical professionals and the building and managing of hospitals in Kuwait. In response, the emir said that Korea is widely known for its successful completion of overseas projects and hoped that Korean companies would take part in IT infrastructure projects across

Kuwait. The two heads of state also discussed bilateral cooperation on international issues and on building peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East. President Park noted that Kuwait is the only gulf nation that has a North Korean embassy and that it maintains a cooperative relationship with North Korea through humanitarian aid. She then asked for Kuwait’s support and hoped it would play a constructive role in Korea’s efforts to overcome the 70 years of division on the Korean Peninsula and that it would help solve problems involving the North. The emir shared her view about the importance of ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons development program and said that, as a country that has diplomatic ties with both the South and the North, it would take great interest in and offer its support for unification.

Korea signed 44 MOUs during President Park’s visit to the Middle East.The agreements are expected to diversify Korea’s cooperation and business with the region.

President Park Geun-hye and King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia attend the MOU signing on Mar. 3 at the Erga Palace in Riyadh. © Yonhap News

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SAUDI ARABIA: MOUs ON HIGH TECH, HEALTH CARE

On March 3, President Park arrived in Saudi Arabia. Upon landing at King Khalid Airport, President Park was greeted by the highest-level officials: Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Pr ince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef. During the summit with King Salman, President Park described their bilateral relationship as “rafiqi,” which roughly means “friend” in Arabic. She suggested that the two nations step up their cooperation on national economic development, focusing on creativity and innovation, citing the similar ities between the Korean government’s “ThreeYear Plan for Economic Innovation” and Saudi Arabia’s long-term strategy for 2024. President Park said that the bilateral relationship would expand in the future based on cooperation on securing new energy sources, increasing investment in joint projects and in service industries, in line with the two countries’ new economic strategies. King Salman expressed his complete agreement when President Park proposed that Korea and Saudi Arabia diversify their cooperation beyond just oil and construction and that they work together in the areas of nuclear energy, ICT, public health & medicine, investment and secur ity. During the summit, the two countries signed an MOU to cooperate on the socalled “creative economy” and Korea agreed to introduce its model of establishing innovation and start-up centers across the country. President Park’s visit to Saudi Arabia was meaningful in that she was the first head of state from outside the Middle East t o v i s i t K i n g S a l m a n s i n c e h e wa s enthroned on January 23. The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and agreed on the need for economic cooperation to address major international issues, especially with respect to the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East.

UAE: HALAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

After Saudi Arabia, President Park moved on to the United Arab Emirates and had an official luncheon and a summit with Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi on March 5. The two leaders discussed in depth the situations on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, key global issues and the expansion of bilateral cooperation. “There are only three countries that I have visited

twice since my inauguration. One of them is the UAE,” said President Park. “It reflects our strong strategic partnership.” During the summit, the two countries signed 14 MOUs. The agreements will help Korea export halal food and agricultural products to the Middle East, increase cooperation in public health and deepen cooperation on energy and construction. The governments of Korea and the UAE also signed an MOU to build a Korean cul-

tural center in Abu Dhabi, and to promote exchanges and to develop content together online. The cultural center will provide comprehensive services, offering Korean language education, and taekwondo and cooking classes. It will also house an IT exhibition hall, a library, a cultural experience hall and a movie theater, helping to promote Korean pop culture, arts and tourism. The two countries will step up cooperation in the health care field, too. President Park agreed to the establishment and management of hospitals and medical check-up facilities, including sending patients to be treated in Korea and training medical professionals.The Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital will work together with the UAE’s VPS Healthcare Group to open a health promotion center in Abu Dhabi and to establish and operate another one in Dubai. With respect to the energy sector, Korea and the UAE ag reed to work together to further develop their nuclear energy services industry, including operations, maintenance and safety inspections. In addition, the two countries’ national oil companies signed an MOU to cooperate on developing oil fields and on extending bilateral cooperation to include joint resource development, not simply oil trading. QATAR: COOPERATION ON WORLD CUP

2 1 President Park Geun-hye and Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan hold summit talks at the Al Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi on Mar. 5. © Yonhap News 2 President Park and Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar observe the MOU signing at the Diwan Emiri Royal Palace in Doha on Mar. 8. © Yonhap News

President Park finished her Middle East tour in Qatar, where she held a summit with Qatar i Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on March 8. The two leaders agreed to further solidify cooperation in areas such as energy and construction, and to develop cooperation in new areas, including nuclear power plants, defense, health care and investment. They also agreed to expand political and diplomatic relations to promote peace and security in Northeast Asia and in the Middle East. President Park asked the emir to take an interest in Korean companies that plan to participate in construction projects in

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President Park Geun-hye gives words of encouragement to young Qatari taekwondo practitioners after a taekwondo demonstration in Doha on Mar. 7. © Yonhap News

Middle East countries’ economic strategies for a post-oil era are in line with the Korean government’s “Three-Year Plan for Economic Innovation,” and the heads of state all acknowledged the importance of cooperation.

preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The emir promised that Korean companies would indeed be given a chance to participate in Qatar’s infrastructure projects for the sporting event. In addition to expanding cooperation on health care, education and culture, the two countries acknowledged the importance of enhancing their partnership on nuclear power plants, based on the MOU, to develop manpower and to conduct research.With regard to issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula, the emir said that he actively supports all efforts by the Korean government, and that Qatar is working to implement United Nations sanctions on North Korea. In response, President Park

mentioned the two leaders’ discussions about North Korea’s nuclear weapons and unification during last year’s summit, and expressed her gratitude for Qatar’s support for its North Korea policy. The evening before the summit, President Park attended a taekwondo demonstration by young Qatari taekwondo practitioners, in cooperation with the Kukkiwon, the sport’s official governing body. It was part of a special event that focused on exchanges in the arts, sports and heritage between Korea and Qatar. After the demonstration, President Park expressed her hope that the Korea-Qatar relationship would further expand across sports and the arts.

POLICY REVIEW

Business Allies With Sports, the Arts President Park Geun-hye urges business leaders to promote sports and the arts to form for a more creative and innovative economy. EXCERPTED FROM WEEKLY GONGGAM

President Park Geun-hye invites business leaders to discuss ways to effectively support the arts, sports and entertainment. 36

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The Gyeongnam Mecenat Association supports companies to sponsor arts events.

n Febr uar y 24, President Park Geun-hye invited political and business leaders to Cheong Wa Dae to talk about business-culture synergies over a luncheon. Among the business leaders were representatives of the Federation of Korean Industr ies (FKI) as well as the for mer and incumbent chairs of the Korea Mecenat Association (KMA), a nonprofit group of socially responsible businesses that sponsor the arts and entertainment. Prior winners of KMA awards were also present. President Park thanked the KMA for its support for the arts over the past two decades and went on to emphasize the importance of convergence between business and the arts. She pressed business leaders to provide additional backing to ensure the success of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, reminding everyone that Pyeongchang won the bid to host the games thanks very much in part to the business community’s unsparing support.

MECENAT AND THE MEDICIS

Mécénat is a French word which translates as “patrons.” It has traditionally referred to the sponsoring of the arts, literature and other creative activities by affluent individuals or companies without any str ings attached.The word derives from the name of Gaius Maecenas (67 B.C.-A.D. 8), a diplomat and statesman in ancient Rome. He was a wealthy patron of such poets as Horace and Virgil.

The House of Medici was patron to many Renaissance masters, including Machiavelli, da Vinci and Botticelli. 37

Since 1966, mécénat has referred to the financing of creative works, including the arts and even sports. It started when David Rockefeller, chairman of Chase Manhattan Bank at the time, proposed that some portion of corporate profits be set aside for the arts and sports. This initiative has since spread to 26 countries. In Korea, the KMA was founded in 1994 and presently has about 230 corporate members. So, in the broad sense, a socially responsible corporate citizen that earmarks a share of its profits, whether it be a KMA member or not, may be dubbed a “cor porate Mecenat” or simply a “Mecenat.” The House of Medici is perhaps the most famous patron in history.The Medici family of Florence is widely credited with having spurred the Italian Renaissance through its love and sponsorship of the arts and literature. Through trade and shrewd marriages, the family rose to power and became extremely wealthy and influential

during the late 14th and 15th centuries.The family is remembered through the ages not for how it amassed such great wealth, but for how it used that wealth. Lorenzo de’ Medici (1449 – 1492), known as, “Lorenzo il Magnifico,” was a poet and gracious patron of intellectuals and artists. He built schools and libraries and commissioned the creation of artwork for the decoration of his palace, the “Palazzo Medici Riccardi,” or “Palazzo Medici,” making Florence the center of the Renaissance. The family also supported many great artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Botticelli. Noteworthy is that Niccolò Machiavelli modeled the famous political treatise “The Prince” on Lorenzo de’ Medici. Given that, entrepreneurs who are committed to the

support of artists and other talented individuals may be dubbed “Medicis.” CORPORATE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE ARTS

Dur ing the luncheon, President Park Geun-hye expressed her hope to see more Medicis and Mecenats in Korea. She first underlined the importance of the arts and culture. Not only do they enrich lives, she said, but they inspire individual creativity and imagination. In the 21 st century, frequently dubbed an era of “creative economies,” this will help the economy rise to the next level and help hone corporate and national competitiveness. President Park added that corporate patronage of the arts, sports and entertainment is one of the

Samsung Electronics sponsored the performance by a male vocal group I Maestri. 38

surest ways to tap into creativity and imagination as it helps businesses better contribute to the flourishing of those creative sectors. They, in turn, give back the gifts of creativity and imagination to fuel innovation and the growth of business. The president then drew the attendees’ attention to the seven Centers for a Creative Economy & Innovation and to the so-called “Culture and Creativity Fusion Belt,” which the business community and the government have been establishing hand-in-hand. She said their success will help business and the arts shape and build each other, with individual talents and ideas being fully capitalized upon for economic growth. President Park requested continued support for venture start-ups as well as

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PYEONGCHANG OLYMPICS

Kumho Asiana headquarters building has transformed into an arts center.

for “synergistic partnerships” between business and the arts. According to the president, corporate patronage of the arts and culture has gone beyond simple sponsorship of exhibitions and performances. It has reached a level where it is, “spreading the essence of culture,” to every corner of society by funding artists and other talented individuals, and by g iving less fortunate people more opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the arts, ultimately advancing social integration and human well-being. President Park emphasized that we should remember the roles that Maecenas and the Medicis played in helping ancient Rome and Florence blossom in two of the most magnificent eras of human history. Reminding the luncheon attendees that Korea is opening a new chapter of cultural enrichment, she called on individual business leaders to act as Medicis and offer generous support and take great interest in talented artists and athletes, among others.

“The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games should be a global festival.”

The government is also enacting and amending applicable laws and regulations to facilitate entrepreneurs’ sponsorship, according to the president. She promised that her government would find ways to give incentives to business-culture partnerships by helping “corporate Mecenats” garner tangible and intangible benefits, e.g., helping them build a reputation as a socially responsible corporate citizen through active PR.

President Park asked for corporate support for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, just three years away. She emphasized her commitment to making the event a success. She said,“The Olympic Games are not just a sporting event, but a global cultural event in which people from all over the world participate and which they truly enjoy,” adding, “We need to make the Winter Olympic Games a successful global festival, just like the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The success of the games depends on interest and support from the business community, as well as on the enthusiasm of the people and on administrative and funding assistance from the government. I would like to ask for your sponsorship of the games to ensure their success.” Park Yong-hyun, chair man of the KMA, made clear that the KMA would redouble its efforts to promote and improve the nation’s image. “The KMA has been consistently working on various programs over the past 20 years, making relatively good achievements in such a short period of time,” said Chairman Park. “Thanks to the incumbent government’s drive to make the nation more ‘creative,’ the number of KMA members has significantly increased. I think that is because more companies share in the president’s belief.The KMA is coming of age and is striving to help more people enjoy and appreciate the arts and media, wherever they are.” Lee Jae-yong, vice chairman of Samsung Electronics, said that his company is replacing old lights at the National Museum of Korea in an effort to better preserve cultural properties and artifacts. Kim Bum-soo, chairman of the board at Daum Kakao, said that young people are creative and have the potential to turn their ideas into something tangible when they are granted some support.

CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY

Smart Protection for Smartphones Cases and screen covers for smartphones are cool and innovative. WRIT TEN BY JEONG KYU-YOUNG

martphones are a disruptive technology.They've wrought significant change in society. For example, people no longer need to carry around multiple devices. Several electronic devices, such as a camera, a digital dictionary, an MP3 player and a portable game player have all converged in the smartphone. Its versatility is one of the main reasons why it is so expensive, and it can be costly to repair if broken. This, in turn, is why so many people are rushing to buy protective cases and screen covers. According to a report published by the KT

Economics & Management Research Laboratory, about 94% of smartphone users cover their devices in a case of some sort. Protective phone cases have become essential in the smartphone age. An increasing number of small- and medium-sized companies are bringing to the market welldesigned and highly functional products. MORE THAN JUST ABSORBING SHOCK

Spigen stands out from the pack of protective case manufacturers.The company went public on KOSDAQ at the end of 2014.

The brand ranks third in the global smartphone case market, after Belkin and Otterbox. It sells a variety of protective cases in some 60 countr ies in both online and offline stores, including Costco, Amazon and eBay in the U.S., and Softbank and Rakuten in Japan. As of December 2014, Spigenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual revenue growth for the previous three years was 39.3%. Its profit margin was 30%. About 81.2% of its sales come from the global market. Among its popular products are the Neo Hybr id product line, which gives the feel of metal

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but uses only plastic, and the Slim Amor line, which is thin yet effective at absorbing shock. Spigen's most recent release, the semi-translucent Air Skin cases for Apple’s iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, is just 0.4 millimeters thick and weighs only 4 g rams. It is intended for those who want to fully enjoy their iPhones while protecting them effectively without excessive bulk or weight. Covering a smartphone provides more than mere protection. Cases with their own functions are also available. At the Consumer Electronic Show 2015, SK Telecom unveiled its SolarSkin. This cover charges the smart phone using solar power. SNJ Sports’Vasy is a water-proof case that allows most of a smartphone’s features, including the camera, phone, text messaging and checking social networks, to be used even at a depth of 30 meters below the surface, making it ideal for scuba divers. RGO World brought to market an innovative case with retractable earphones that has attracted a great deal of interest both at home and abroad. For those who want to use their smartphone camera for professional purposes, XYZ360, SURPASS-I, Ilias Project Inc., as well as other manufacturers, offer cases with a variety of lenses, including wide-angle, telescopic, fish eye and macro lenses.

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QUALITY AND SPEED

1 - Puzlook is a smartphone case that comes with five built-in lenses, each with a different camera effect. 2 - SNJ Sports’ water-proof Vasy case protects a smartphone even at a depth of 30 meters. 3 - Spigen’s Air Skin cases are just 0.4 millimeters thick, which allows users to fully enjoy the native design of their iPhone. 4 - XYZ360’s Snow Spincase case applies filters to the camera, instead of additional lenses, keeping the case thin and allowing users to take various types of photos. 5 - Elsrodinotec’s RGO case has built-in retractable earphones so users can easily enjoy their music.

It is not unusual for mobile users to accidentally drop or bump their expensive device. That is why screen protective films designed to prevent scratches or cracks are popular along with the cases. Korus Korea’s Bangard, a shock-absorbing film, undergoes rigorous quality testing where a 260 gram steel ball is dropped from a height of 1.5 meters onto a smart phone with a Bangard screen protector. BF’s ULTRA TG9+ helps users enjoy clear screen resolution and touch sensitivity with its anti-fingerprint technology. For those who are concerned about excessive exposure to blue light, which can be harmful to the eyes, COMAT released the VIEW FINE film, an anti-blue light screen protector.VA Tech has sold more than 250,000 screen protectors outside of Korea. Its products were the most sought after items in Softbank’s offline and online stores in Japan. Users choose VA Tech’s products over others because they are thin yet protective, and easy to apply to their screen. These products sell well despite their relatively high price of KRW 24,000, two to four times more expensive than other Japanese films. VA Tech's slogan is,“Speedy Management,” and it is striving to expand its export markets.

GREAT KOREANS

Mun Ik-jeom Bringing revolutionary change to the clothing of the common people. WRIT TEN BY JEONG KYU-YOUNG

un Ik-jeom (1329–1398) was a scholar, government official and diplomat in late Goryeo times (918-1392). He was born in 1329 in Jinju, which is today in Sancheong in Gyeongsangnam-do. When he was young, his father taught him how to read and write, but had never worked in the government himself, despite having passed the state civil service exam. At the age of 12, Mun became a student of Yi Gok, one of the most respected scholars of the time. He passed the state exam when he was 31 years old. Unlike his father, he did serve as a government official for a short time. He started his career as a civil servant at the local government level and then served as a professor at the nation’s highest educational institution, the Seonggyungwan

in Gaegyeong. In three years, he became a member of the Office of Censors, the Saganwon, which was intended to serve as a check and balance to the power of the king. During the reign of King Gongmin (r. 1351-1374), Mun was selected as one of the envoys to the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) court in China.The king pursued domestic political reforms and sought to reduce the influence of the Yuan court on Goryeo. It was only natural that the Mongolian emperors became displeased with the un-subservient Goryeo king. Empress Ki was one of the many Goryeo noble women offered as tribute to the Yuan emperor. She was married to Emperor Shundi (r. 1333-1370) and was engaged in a number of machinations behind the

scenes to dethrone King Gongmin back in Goryeo. She was indignant with the king for having overthrown her brother, Ki Cheol, an influential political figure who wielded great political power under her aegis. The Yuan court installed Pr ince Deokheung, a child of the previous king’s concubine, as the king of Goryeo and sent him back to Goryeo with an army of one million troops. Mun had been staying in China during these times and was forced to choose whether to support King Gongmin or the Yuan’s chosen Prince Deokheung. CONTRADICTING STORIES

According to folklore, Mun was exiled to Yunnan Province in souther n China because he was said to have advocated for

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King Gongmin in front of theYuan emperor. There, he observed the cultivation of cotton and the making of clothes out of cotton. He decided to bring cotton seed back to his country. However, taking the seeds out of China was prohibited. Mun was undeterred, and managed to get some of the seeds out of China by hiding them in the hollow cavity of a brush cap when he returned to Goryeo after three years in exile. This tale contradicts with historical records on several points. According to the “Goryeosajeoryo,” a history of Goryeo completed in early Joseon times, Mun had actually sided with Prince Deokheung, not King Gongmin. Another text, the “Goryeosa,” also wr itten in the Joseon period, states that Mun supported Prince Deokheung and had to return to Goryeo the year after the prince fell out of power. Other historical records indicate that Mun did not go into exile in southern China, but came back straight to Goryeo. More so, the cotton seeds that Mun brought back originated not from southern China, but from northern China. The legend of his hiding the seeds in a brush cap was likely fabricated later on.

Mun Ik-jeom brought cotton growing and spinning technology back to Goryeo.

A REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE

How precisely Mun brought cotton seeds to Goryeo remains unclear. More importantly, however, is what he did afterward. With the help of his father-in-law, Jeong Cheon-ik, it took him three years to successfully cultivate cotton upon his return to Goryeo. A Chinese monk instructed him how to take the seeds out of the cotton

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blossoms and make a spinning wheel to spin the yarn. Mun disseminated the spinning method along with cotton seeds, and the common people soon began to make most of their clothing from soft, warm cotton, instead of coarse hemp. There had been cotton clothing and bedclothes in Korea previously, but these were luxuries enjoyed only by the royal family and the aristocracy. Mun came back to the government, but resigned shortly afterward due to conflicts with young aristocrats. He never served in the new Joseon government after the collapse of Goryeo in 1392, and passed away at the age of 69 in 1398.Thus, he did not climb to the upper echelons of government, nor enjoy glory as a successful politician or scholar. He was unlike many others in that he actively reached out to the common people and, thanks to cotton, offered them far greater comfort and protection against the cold than they enjoyed previously. His commitment to cultivating and spinning cotton for the common people brought about a revolutionary change in Korean clothing and greatly improved the standard of living.

1 - This small pavilion houses a stele in honor of Mun Ik-jeom. It was erected to commemorate his achievements. 2 - The stele in honor of Mun Ik-jeom (left) and the stele commemorating the cultivation of cotton (right) are located at the very spot where Mun Ik-jeom first cultivated cotton in Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do.

MY KOREA

s she brushed on the paint in swift lengthy strokes, a smile furtively escaped my lips. I couldn’t help wondering what my mom might say if she saw me allowing the artist to do this. It was the brightest hue I’d ever seen: a green I’d used only to demarcate study zones in my high school notebooks. Here I was literally transforming my digits into ten mini-human markers. The results were remarkable. I was in love. My freshly painted nails were ready to take on the week. Arguably, one of the beautiful aspects of the beauty industry is the nail polish and nail art. It’s bold, it’s adventurous and fun. The shiny silver and gold, playful fluorescent colors, and traditional shades give women a language to express themselves. Nail polish also makes a fantastic gift when traveling back home

because it’s handy and clever and one of a girl’s best friends.Tourists who flock to the Myeong-dong shopping district would strongly agree with me, as this area sees booming sales in nail polish on an annual basis. PAMPERING MADE EASY

It is not difficult to find nail salons in Seoul. From the cozy neighborhood salon to high-end beauty spas, there is something for everyone. About once every week or two, women make reservations at nail salons for a relaxing beauty ritual. For many women who sit in front of a computer all day, their visits to the nail salon make them feel special. Most salons offer a full manicure treatment. Nail therapists first remove cuticles and massage your hands with

Bedazzled by Your Nails Nail artists create works of art on your finger tips. WRIT TEN BY CHRISTINE KATHURIMA-LEE ILLUSTRATED BY LEE WOO-SIK

hydrating cream before applying any color to your nails. Once your nails are primed and ready, you can choose the designs for your nail polish. There is the option of applying a single color on all ten nails, but rarely do women go for just one color. Even with the simplest design, there is always a twist.You can paint nine nails red and one gold, for example. If this is not fun enough, you can paint different shades of one color on each nail. Multicolor nails are quite the norm. Women, however, do not seem to be satisfied with solid-color nails. They try dabbing at least one or two patterns on top. Polka dots, stripes, ombré or floral designs; nothing seems impossible for the nail artists to work their magic on such a small canvas. Pastels are always popular in the spring.Add

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your favorite pattern or put small stickers on for simple decoration, and you have the perfect nails for the season. Those who want to show more character bejewel their nails with rhinestones. These stones come in various shapes and sizes.You can put on a few small stones to accentuate your nail design, or you can also go for a more glamorous look and cover the whole nail with them. If you are not a fan of stones but want to try 3-D designs, you have options. Bows or rose accessories can add sparkle to your manicure.You may wonder if these delicate accessories can stay on your nails for more than a day, but artists use special

glue to make sure they last. These trinkets are not just pretty. They make a statement about your personality. PREPARED TO BE SURPRISED

Korea is a fashion forward country, and people follow fashion trends religiously, even with when it comes to nail polish. A walk through the beauty stores and the aisles of department store beauty counters reveals a sea of attractively packaged nail polish and nail accessories. Some of them are packaged like ice cream cones, while others have cute faces drawn on them. If you are tempted to purchase one and try it

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yourself, you can certainly do it, by all means. On days when you are feeling down or want to treat yourself, however, a visit to a nail salon is worth the time and effort. Just rest your hands on the towel, and relax for a while.You will be surprised at how nail artists draw beautiful designs on your nails, easy and fast. It is a quick remedy that people can use to pick themselves up every once in a while. The beauty industry truly is fun and exciting. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to access, reasonably priced for the value and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m content with my bright nails.

MULTICULTURAL KOREA

Connecting Youth The Rainbow School helps migrant youth adapt to their new society. WRITTEN BY YOON SE-EUN PHOTOGRAPHED BY HONG HA-YAN

t the Rainbow School, about a dozen students are in a Korean language class. They are each from a different country, vary in age and speak different native languages. If they have anything in common, it is that they want to master Korean and adapt to life in the dense, urban society that is modern Korea. The Rainbow School is operated by the Rainbow Youth Center, helping migrant youth assimilate into their new world. The term “migrant youth” refers to

those who immigrated to Korea with nonethnic Korean parents or who have one non-ethnic Korean parent. They range in age from 9 to 24. Most of them have been living in Korea for less than one year, so going to a Korean school or getting a job can still be a challenge. The Rainbow School serves as a gateway to Korean society for migrant youth. “We do not try to teach them to become Korean. We simply help them develop an understanding of the country and the

people,” said Heo Su-gyeong, the center’s chief of planning and administration. She added that the school respects the traditions and backgrounds from which each student came, and does not force Korean norms onto them. EDUCATION FOR THE FUTURE

There are two types of courses at the Rainbow School: Korean language courses and then what could be described as “practical courses.” The practical courses enable stu-

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dents to handle everyday matters and help them discover their interests. One class may involve using public transportation or purchasing medicine at a pharmacy.They also study art, English, the game of go and the martial art taekkyeon. After completing the courses, students can choose to take vocational courses, too. They first learn the basics of economics, and they can also qualify as a barista, a makeup artist or a baker. “Most students want to get a job instead of attending a Korean school after they finish their courses at the Rainbow School. In many cases, their parents moved and settled here first, and they followed several years later.They obviously have not spent much time with their parents while growing up in their native countries, so they didn’t always receive a full education compared to others. This makes it harder for them to get into a Korean school now.” The students’ background is not the only reason they don’t attend regular Korean schools.Very few Korean middle or high schools accept students with low proficiency in Korean. As well, students find classes very challenging, even if they are accepted into a school. Most difficult of all, their peers tend to shun them or discriminate against them. “It’s heartbreaking. We give our students counseling, but they find it very difficult to open up, even in the presence of an interpreter. Many of them would rather hide their anguish or not talk about it.”The Rainbow School hopes to enable students to effectively integrate into their new society.

TIME TO SHOW LOVE AND SUPPORT

Many students are extremely satisfied with the Rainbow School.They have fun learning new things, and they can forge new friendships with others in a similar situation to themselves.

Many students are extremely satisfied with the Rainbow School. They enjoy classes and learning new things, and they can make friends with others in a similar situation. “Young students are full of potential. The Rainbow School aims to develop leadership in our students so that they can become valuable assets to their communities. I hope that society learns to accept migrant youth as an important part of the social fabric.” The school recently called for volunteers, and it received more applications than expected. Heo Su-gyeong said that this is a good sign. Many people in Korea do, in fact, want to help the students.What more hopeful beginning could there be than this?

1 - Teachers at the Rainbow School are like parents and friends to the students. 2 - Heo Su-gyeong, chief of planning & administration at the Rainbow Youth Center. 3 - There are dictionaries in many languages, including Russian, Japanese, Vietnamese, Indonesian and simplified Chinese. 4 - There are paper figurines in the traditional attire of different countries.

NATURE

Seomjingang River Feel the warmth of Mother Nature along an idyllic river. WRIT TEN BY KIM HYEON-TAE PHOTOGRAPHED BY MOON DUK-GWAN

It is most beautiful in the spring, when cherry blossoms line its banks. 48

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People are catching freshwater clams in the Seomjingang River.

he Seomjingang River flows 212 kilometers from the mountains and lakes of Jeollabuk-do to the north, through to Gwangyangman Bay, between Jeollanamdo and Gyeongsangnam-do, in the south. It is the ninth longest river in Korea. The river radiates beauty in the villages and fields through which it runs. Other names for the Seomjingang River include Moraegaram, Dasagang, and Duchigang, all of which refer to the fine sand that makes up the riverbed. In fact, novelist Park Gyeongri wrote in her book “Toji” that, “The wet

sand of the river is as soft as a woman’s skin.” Each spring, the Seomjingang River hosts one festival after another. National Highway 19, which skirts the river, is busiest during the spring, with tourists coming to enjoy the peaceful landscape of the river and the cherry blossoms that line the road. The highlights of the festivals are the local delicacies, including sweet fish, Chinese mitten crabs and freshwater clams caught in the crystal-clear river.

FLAVOR

Cold Noodle Desserts on Hansik Holiday WRIT TEN BY YOON SE-EUN PHOTOGRAPHED BY MOON DUK-KWAN

COOKED AND ST YLED BY KIM GA-YOUNG(101 RECIPE)

1 Mung bean starch cold noodles (changmyeon) 2 Mugwort pancakes (ssukjeon)

he term Hansik refers not only to the broad world of Korean cuisine, but also to one of the four most important traditional holidays, the other three being Seollal Lunar New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the winter, Dano in the early summer and Chuseok in the autumn. Falling on April 5 or 6 on the solar calendar, Hansik is a day when people traditionally eat cold food. Commoners

would usually enjoy food made with spring flowers and tender mugwort, such as flower pancakes, mugwort pancakes or mugwort rice cakes. The royal court ate such cold noodle desserts as flower noodles (hwamyeon) and changmyeon. Changmyeon noodles are made from mung bean starch. The paste is julienned into small, longish noodles, which are then

put in some omija juice made from Schisandra chinensis berries. Sugar or honey and pine nuts are added before serving. The juiceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s red hue is so delicate and fine that you may not want to drink it, but its sweetness combined with the soft texture of the mung bean noodles will surely tempt your appetite.

What did you do last week? Talk about your last weekend in Korean!

Mingming, what'd you do over the weekend?

밍밍 씨, 주말에 뭐 했어요?

Mingming-ssi, jumar-e mwo haesseoyo? I went hiking. The weather was great. Minsu, what’d you do?

민수

저는 산에 갔어요. 날씨가 따뜻했어요. 민수 씨는 뭐 했어요?.

Jeoneun san-eh gasseoyo. Nalshiga ttattetaesseoyo. Minsu-shineun, mwo

Mina and I caught a movie. It was pretty good.

미나 씨하고 영화를 봤어요. 재미있었어요.

Mina-ssi hago yeonghwareul bwasseoyo. Jaemiisseosseoyo.

밍밍

민수

-에

Let’s practice! Try to create conversation using the following vocabulary.

산에 가다 San-e gada

날씨가 따뜻하다 Nalssi-ga ttatteuthada

to go hiking

the weather is warm

공부하다 gongbuhada

힘들다 himdeulda

to study

to be worn out, exhausting or tired

식구들과 불고기를 먹다 sikgudeul-gwa bulgogi-reul meokda

맛있다 masitda

to eat Korean barbecue (bulgogi) with the family

to be delicious, tasty

박물관에 가다 bangmulgwan-e gada

좋다 jota

to go to the museum

to be good, to like

Example A : 주말에 뭐 했어요? Jumar-e mwo haesseoyo? What'd you do over the weekend?

B : 산에 갔어요. 날씨가 따뜻했어요. San-e gasseoyo. Nalssi-ga ttatteuthaesseoyo. I went hiking. The weather was great.

Pronunciation The phonetic spelling is in square brackets.

저는 산에[사네] 갔어요[가써요].

Jeoneun san-e gasseoyo. Notice how the pronunciation changes.

‘-에’ is attached to nouns, including those indicating time,

and is translated as ‘at’, ‘in’ or ‘an’ in English. This ‘-에’ cannot come after an adverb, which makes such combination as ‘내일에’ inappropriate. (오늘, 내일, 어제, 지금)

-았/었/였‘-았/었/였-’ is used to form the past tense of a verb or an adjective. When the final vowel of the verb or adjective (a “descriptive verb”) stem is ‘ㅏ’ or ‘ㅗ’, it takes ‘았’. When the final vowel of the verb or adjective stem is other than ‘ㅏ’ or ‘ㅗ’, it takes ‘었’. When combined with the verbs or adjectives ending with ‘하다’, it makes either ‘하였어요’ or ‘하였습니다’ or ‘했어요’ or ‘했습니다’. In spoken Korean, ‘했어요’ or ‘했습니다’ is more often used.

기본형 Verb Form

현재형 Present Tense

과거형 Past Tense

가다 gada to go

가요

가-았-어요 → 갔어요

좋다 jota to be good

좋았어요

먹다 meokda to eat

먹어요

먹었어요

재미있다 jaemiitda to be fun or interesting

재미있어요

재미있었어요

공부하다 gongbuhada to study

공부해요

공부했어요

따뜻하다 ttatteuthada to be warm

따뜻해요

따뜻했어요

* When a verb or adjective (“descriptive verb”) ends with a vowel, the vowel can be omitted or contracted.