m ay 2 0 1 5
효 Love Your Parents
Filial love is still a virtue worthy of praise Travel Gwangju, City of Light Special Issue Daegu, Gyeongju to host 7th World Water Forum
contents
korea
4
26
42
Love Your Parents
Daegu, Gyeongju to host 7th World Water Forum
Lee Joong-seop, the most-celebrated modern artist
14
28
44
The Broth of Life, Jeon Seong-geun
Go
A Salutation to Side Dishes
16
30
46
Master Bowyer, Kwon Mu-seok
President Visits South America
A Good Samaritan, Father Kim Ha-jong
18
34
48
City of Light, Gwangju
A New Future Through Innovation Two Years of The Park Geun-hye Administration
Hangang River
22
38
50
Sports Management, Kim Seong-geun and Shin Chi-yong
Wear Your Device
Healthy Temple Cuisine on Buddha’s Birthday
24
40
The transition from eating to cooking
Hope with Vision
Cover Story
PEOPLE 1
PEOPLE 2
TRAVEL
SPORTS
ENTERTAINMENT
/
May 2015
SPECIAL ISSUE
CURRENT KOREA
Summit Diplomacy
POLICY REVIEW
CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
GREAT KOREANS
MY KOREA
MULTICULTURAL KOREA
NATURE
FLAVOR
Global Korea
Publisher Park Young-kook, 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 at the website www.korea.net. Publication Registration No. : 11-1110073-000016-06
3
CURRENT Cover Story KOREA
Love Your Parents We live in an era of nuclear families and even increasingly smaller families, but love for one’s parents is still highly valued. Although it is admittedly fading, little by little, society’s sense of extended filial love, where all senior citizens are considered parents in the broad sense, remains alive and well. Written by Kim Nae-on
4
korea
5
/
May
T
he poem “Concerned About My Mom” by Ki Hyong-do was recently trending heavily on social media. Kim was a genius who died 26 years ago at the age of only 29, and his poem goes as follows: Thirty bundles of young radishes on her head, My mom’d left for the market, but She’d yet to come back Though the sun had set long ago. Left in my room like cold rice in a bowl, No matter how slowly I did my homework She’d yet to come back. The pitter-patter of her footsteps, as soft as cabbage leaves, I could not hear, terrified and in the dark. The silent sound of raindrops floating through
the crack in the window Found me alone in the empty room, prostrate and sobbing. Days in the dim past Which still move me to burning tears Were in that season of my cold and distant childhood. He was born into a poor family. His father was sick and his mother struggled to support the family. Ki Hyong-do’s heart always ached for his parents, and it was from these feelings that he finally composed this beautiful poem.This poem was put to song by Jang Sa-ik, a singer renowned for powerfully expressing suppressed sorrow. The poem is especially heartbreaking because
the poet died when his parents were still alive. To die when one’s parents are still alive has long been considered one of the most unkind things one could do to one’s parents. The uncontrollable, heartbroken love for one’s parents is a common thread that runs through many artists’ works, including songs by famed traditional singer Jang Sa-ik, songs by celebrated singer Lee Mi-ja and novels by renowned author Shin Kyung-sook. Shin’s novel “Please Look After Mom” sold more than one million copies in ten months after its publication in November 2008.The first line of the novel is “It’s been one week since Mother went missing.” In the novel, Mother goes missing
Small communities used to erect memorial gates and stones at the entrance to the village in honor of those citizens who had been recognized for their deep, sincere filial love.
6
korea
/
May
at Seoul Station and the family members put their memories about her together in hopes of finding her.The author moved to Seoul when she was 16 on a night train. The reflection of her mother’s exhausted face in the window of the train remained in her heart and eventually prompted her to write this novel. Filial love is not a one-way street, but grows in the rich soil of parents’ sacrificial love. Parents sacrificing for their children and children expressing their thanks and love for their parents are frequent themes of TV soap operas. Filial love is about children lovingly and respectfully serving their parents, who sacrifice for their children. It is one of the greatest values and virtues that has long gover ned people’s spir it and behavior. Teachings of Confucianism
Confucianism is undoubtedly the single most impor tant body of philosophy. Roughly speaking, filial love according to Confucianism is about respecting, obeying and supporting your parents, restraining yourself from doing things that would cause them to worry when they are alive and cherishing your memories of them by performing memorial rites for them after their death. Inspecting the complexion of your parents in the morning and evening and checking whether their rooms are cool or warm as the season requires are also your obligations toward your parents. In the past, people would mourn a parent’s death for three years by leading life in solemnity and lamenting the parent’s death. During the three years, the children would stay in a shed near the parent’s tomb and ritually serve breakfast and dinner to the parent as if he or she were still alive. The shed also enshrined the deceased parent’s mortuary tablet. Children robbed of a parent by death were considered sinners for those three years, so they had to wear a special hat that would prevent them from seeing the sky. They were also prohibited from eating meat or imbibing alcohol.
Traditionally, people mourned a parent who passed away for three years in order to express their gratitude for the parent’s love and care. © Hong Ha-yan
In the folk tale of Sim Cheong, the filial daughter lays down her life to the Dragon King of the Sea so that her blind father can see again. 7
Opinion is divided as to why the mourning period was set at three years. Some believe this was meant to repay the love and care that one’s parents gave a child in the first three years of life. Others reckon that it takes three years for a deceased man to reenter the cycle of reincarnation. Some children performed these three years of mourning more faithfully than others. Among famous examples of people who were notable for sincerely mourning their parents are Jeong Do-jeon (1342-1398), who helped establish the then new dynasty of Joseon, and Yi Mun-gyu, a disciple and nephew of the prominent Confucian scholar Yi Hwang (1501-1570). Legend has it that Yi Mun-gyu wanted to stay near his parent’s tomb longer than the required three years and Yi Hwang had to discour-
age him from doing so. The Royal Seal of King Deokjong, the Deokjong Eobo, was recently returned to the National Museum of Korea from the Seattle Art Museum. It is a powerful witness to the royal family’s filial love. This royal seal was the Joseon king’s ceremonial stamp. It was made on the orders of King Seongjong (r. 1469-1494) in memory of his father,
Filial love is not a oneway street, but grows in the rich soil of parents’ sacrificial love.
Crown Prince Uigyeong (1438-1457), who was posthumously honored as “King Deokjong” in 1471, though he never actually formally ruled. The royal seal is in the shape of a dignified turtle, exquisitely carved, and bears the phrase, “Gentle and Civil King Uigyeong”( 溫文懿敬王 ). King Seongjong is singularly well-known for his deep love for his parents, grandparents and other elders in the royal family.The Changgyeonggung Palace, located to the east of the Changdeokgung Palace, was built for his grandmother, mother and aunt, who were all queens as the wives of King Sejo (r. 1455-1468), his grandfather,“King” Deokjong, his father, and King Yejong (r. 14681469), his uncle. A king of Joseon would perform a funeral involving more than 60 procedures
In 1471, King Seongjong (r. 1469-1494) ordered the creation of a royal seal in commemoration of his deceased father, Crown Prince Uigyeong, who was posthumously honored as ‘King Deokjong’ that same year. © Yonhap News 8
korea
A family of four generations introduces itself during a festival in Daejeon last year to promote filial love. © Yonhap News
when his f ather passed away. He also enshrined his father’s spirit in a majestic royal tomb. More than 40 Joseon royal tombs remain intact, testifying to the royal family’s devotion to its parents. Nobody’s filial love should be less noble or sincere than a king’s. Today, you can spot a monument in a sunny spot at the entrance to many rural villages called a “filial son monument,” or hyojabi. Filial son monuments were set up in memory of the filial love of those who expressed their love for their parents in an exceptional manner. For example, one may have stayed near his parent’s tomb for a long time, or another may have prayed earnestly to heaven when his father was critically ill and who then recovered.
/
May
cities pay a “filial love allowance” to families where four generations live together. Yangju City in Gyeonggi-do Province pays such an allowance to families where four generations have lived under one roof for at least one year, including one person of at least 70 years of age. Changwon City in Gyeongsangnam-do Province grants a “filial love encouragement allowance” to any family of four generations that lives together. On Seollal Lunar New Year’s in the spring and on Chuseok in the autumn, the two most important traditional holidays, many people who left their towns of birth to pursue their studies or a career in the capital or some other big city visit their parents with bundles of gifts. They cause a
Filial Love Today
Filial love has been the utmost virtue in people’s psyche for centuries and has been demonstrated in many ways.A case in point is names. The syllable hyo, which signifies “filial love,” is commonly used in names, such as Hyo-suk or Hyo-seop. Those who generally believe that children should leave their parents’ home to seek economic and social independence at the age of 20 or so may find this strange, but many young people choose to continue living with their parents. In some households, there are three or four generations living together. Some
Young people help their seniors get out of the car. © Yonhap News
9
nationwide traffic jam on the highways in what is popularly known as the Great National Migration.The voyage can easily take two to three times longer than usual. Yet, people still willingly set out on such a journey, to and from their parents’ homes. This reveals their love for their parents. According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, a whopping 33.5 million people—65 percent of the population—joined in the Great National Migration this past Seollal. May, Month of Carnations
One’s love for one’s parents should be sincere throughout every month of the year. Nonetheless, it is true that May carries particular importance. May 8 is Parents’ Day. Most people present carnations or other gifts to their parents. Many also dine with
Droves of people visit their parents on traditional holidays in what is dubbed the Great National Migration, causing a nationwide traffic jam.
them. For its part, the government holds events to encourage filial love. May 8 was designated as Mother’s Day in 1956, but became Parents’ Day in 1973 to include fathers and other senior citizens as people to whom younger people should express their thanks and respect. As seen in the example of Parents’ Day, filial love is not only for mothers or fathers, but is extended to include respect for all seniors. On the subway or bus, young people are expected to give up their seats to seniors. In many cases, people call any senior citizen “Mother” or “Father.” It was not a coincidence that Joseon was dubbed the “Eastern Country of Manners,” and there is evidence throughout history that people have traditionally emphasized respect and care for one’s parents and other senior citizens.
On Parents’ Day, May 8, children pin carnations onto their parents’ or grandparents’ chests to express their thanks. © Yonhap News 10
korea
/
May
families are fundamental units of society. After all, filial love was deeply steeped in the fundamentals of morality and in the principles of the universe and of existence. OLD IDEA IN NEW FORMS
The essence of filial love remains the same, but society has since undergone great change throughout the years. Extended families have given way to nuclear families and even smaller family units, requiring modern interpretations of filial love. Many children have given up on their personal pursuits and goals to meet their demanding parents’ definition of success. Many parents have sacrificed their enjoyment of life to People put together paper carnation bouquets as gifts for their parents.
Filial love is not only for mothers or fathers, but is extended to include respect for all seniors.
During Joseon times, filial love started with love for one’s parents, but expanded to engender respect and care for all seniors, and even for one’s ancestors, who gave them life, as well as to the worship of heaven in the abstract, which created the universe and everything in it.The ancestral ritual to commemorate one’s ancestors and to pray for health and happiness was rooted in filial love. The concept of filial love was combined with the concept of loyalty.This gave rise to the belief that those who practiced filial love at home could make great contributions to society. In other words, filial love was not only a natural family virtue, but also a social norm and obligation. It stemmed from people’s notion that Shin Kyung-sook’s novel ‘Please Look After Mom’ has been published in 22 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Poland and Thailand . © KL Management 11
support their children. Painful self-reflection reveals that an obsession with filial love can force people into hierarchical relationships, creating chasms between the generations. Professor Lee Jin-woo of the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences at POSTECH says that it is now time to reexamine Confucian values, which in some respects can be oppressive. A more flexible, healthy way of expressing filial love must be found, he says. It is likely for this reason that artists have drastically reinterpreted the traditional tale of the filial daughter Sim Cheong. Some famous performances of the story of Sim Cheong combine dance and traditional pansori music, a genre where a vocalist, accompanied by a percussionist, sings and chants a story. Modern versions of the
The musical ‘Story of Cheong’ reinterprets the traditional Sim Cheong myth and poses many questions about filial love. © Yonhap News
tale bare new, critical interpretations, but in a polite, witty manner, posing such provocative questions as, “Was Sim Cheong, who chose to die so that her blind father could see again, really a filial daughter?” The musical “Taming Father” humorously depicts Sim Cheong’s father as an immature, spoiled person. Nevertheless, filial love is still a virtue well worthy of praise that adds shine to society.What underpins filial love is to give others’ parents the same respect as one’s own parents and to love others’ children the same as one’s own children. This involves both humanism and philanthropy and makes us more expectant of the new ways to show filial love as we move forward in the 21st century.
Children shout, ‘I love you, mom and dad!’ © Yonhap News 12
interview
korea
/
May
What do young people think about filial love? Let’s meet Kim Jae-hyeon, who created the video clip “Dad and I,” which received first prize at the third Nonsan Youth Filial Film Contest last year. Interviewed by kim nae-on
Dad and I
N
onsan has traditionally been known as a city of loyalty and filial love. In 2012, the Nonsan Cultural Center launched an annual contest where teenagers submit videos about filial love, hoping to inspire youth to reflect on their relationship with their parents. Last year, when the contest marked its third year, Kim Jae-hyeon, a then high school senior, created a short video entitled “Dad and I” with a running time of around three minutes. He wrote, filmed and edited the video himself . Filmed in Kim’s house, four of his friends helped out with the acting during their free time when Kim’s parents were out of the house. Due to the weighty and somber topic of filial love, you might assume that the video must be serious and boring, but it is not. Instead, the video is quite witty and humorous.The rebellious and irritable protagonist mysteriously switches bodies with his father and then comes to understand his father’s genuine concern and love for him. “You can’t really express your love and respect for your parents well enough in your everyday life,” says the young man. “I
wanted to show my heart to them.” What did his parent say about his video? “They said, ‘Good job, son.’” He adds that he took his parents out to dinner with the prize money. In fact, it wasn’t Kim’s first entry.A year earlier, he submitted a video in which the main character awakes one morning only to realize that his parents are gone. The character is confronted with the imminent challenge of living alone and ultimately learns that parents are precious. “The video fell a bit short in terms of workmanship,” confesses this latest contest winner.“So I decided to try again.” Unlike the father and son in the video, Kim has a very good relationship with his father. “We are like friends,” brags this happy son. “I have heart-to-heart conversations with my dad about my future. We used to go to the gym together before I left home for school earlier this year. We also used to go out for dinner, leaving my mom and sisters at home.” What mainly inspired the content of
13
the video were news stories about adolescents becoming angry or violent toward their parents when told, for example, to cut down on playing video games. He thought parent-child relationships could improve if kids put themselves in their parents’ shoes. One of the four actor friends saw the video with his dad and now, as a result, has a better relationship with his father. Regarding traditions of filial love, Kim clearly distinguishes between what we should keep from the past and what should be reinterpreted to keep up with the times. He believes a child’s unconditional obedience to his or her parents has to give way to mutual understanding based on communication. However, he hopes that more youth will respectfully give up their seats to the elderly on the subway or on buses. If given another opportunity to make a video about filial love, he wants to make one focused on filial love from the grandparents’ point of view. What does he anticipate for this upcoming Parents’ Day? “I would like to visit them and have dinner together.”
PEOPLE
Jeon Seong-geun’s Broth of Life The fourth owner of the restaurant Imun Seollnongtang preserves the original 1904 recipe of his ox bone soup. Written by Kim Hyeon-tae Photographed by Hong ha-yan
14
korea
T
he rich, milky broth of ox bone soup (seolleongtang) has a singular flavor, and the warmth of the beef soup lingers in your mouth. Just when it feels slightly oily, the sharp taste of the spring onions adds a kick of freshness. A bite of radish kimchi (kkakdugi) then renders a perfect finish to this mild, calcium-rich soup. The harmony of sweetness, acidity and richness is irresistible. The soup bowl will be empty before you know it. Soul food from Seoul
The Imun Seollnongtang restaurant in Jongno in central Seoul was originally called the Imun Sikdang. It was established way back in the early 20 th century. The owner of the Imun Sikdang sold the business during colonial times (1910-1945), and the second owner of the restaurant sold it in 1960 to the mother of the current owner, who passed it down to her son, Jeon Seong-geun. According to many food columnists, the Imun Sikdang was the face of ox bone soup throughout colonial times. The first owner, Hong Jong-hwan, frequently made headlines for providing free rice cake soup to laborers who worked in the area. It was not so long ago that this beef soup was a popular delivery food, like pizza today. Police stations and government offices were regular customers.The Jongno Police Station near the Imun Sikdang ordered it almost every day. Even suspects who were brought into custody were given a bowl of the soup before interrogation. Most ox bone soup restaurants were open 24 hours, so it was an ideal food for police officers given their long, irregular duty hours.
ing the savory broth. The cook must stand by the pot at all times. “Time is a key factor in making this soup. We use beef parts, including the ox’s head, tongue, spleen and brisket. We cook the bones for 12 hours, the brisket for four and a half hours and the spleen for one hour and ten minutes. Our customers often tell us that our broth is too bland, but that is because we add no seasoning. I could season the broth, but my job is to preserve the original taste of the soup as it was 111 years ago, just as my mother taught me.” It is a simple food made with love. According to Jeon Seong-geun, there are no secret ingredients in the broth. “If there is anything special, that would be the spleen.”When it is cooked, cow spleen has a particular smell and a squishy texture. People either love it or hate it. With great pride, Jeon Seong-geun insists that once people sample the real taste of well-cooked cow spleen, they cannot resist it.
/
May
Even after the lunch hour rush, customer after customer continues to walk into the Imun Seollnongtang restaurant for a hot bowl of soul food. Most customers are in their 60s or 70s. “Thirty years is not enough to qualify you as a long-time regular here,” the owner says.The list of regulars dur ing colonial times is incredible. It included Lee Si-yeong, Korea’s first vice president, Kim Du-han, the famous Jongno mob boss-turned-lawmaker, and Sohn Kee-chung, the first ethnic Korean to win an Olympic gold medal when he won the marathon at the 1936 Berlin Olympics as a member of the Japanese team. Jeon Seong-geun’s favorite customer was linguistics scholar Lee Hui-seung. “He was my mother’s professor in college. He loved ox bone soup very much and frequently ate at our restaurant. In his later years, even when he could no longer come here to eat, his children would come by and order it for him to go.”
“Regular customers have been eating here for decades.They are the best judges of the taste of our ox bone soup.”
Old is good
The recipe for ox bone soup is simple: put beef in a big pot of water and simmer it for several hours. The process is not complex, but the water temperature, cooking time, the water-beef ratio and different beef parts are each equally important factors in creat-
A bowl of ox bone soup is served with kimchi on the side.
15
‘We cook the bones for 12 hours, the brisket for four and a half hours and the spleen for one hour and ten minutes’, says Jeon.
PEOPLE
Master Bowyer Kwon Mu-seok Meet the master of crafting traditional horn bows Written by Yoon Se-eun
A
rchery has been practiced for thousands of years. Education in the literary arts and training in the martial arts were both considered extremely important in ancient times, and mounted archery was the representative martial art.The bow was the primary weapon of the military until the sixteenth centur y. In f act, many kings throughout history, including King Dongmyeong of Goguryeo (r. 37 B.C.-19 B.C.)
and King Taejo of Joseon (r. 1392-1398), were renowned archers themselves. To be a good archer requires more than simply aiming well or hitting the bull’s-eye. According to Kwon Mu-seok, a maker of traditional horn bows and Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage person No. 23, archery is about training your mind and body and learning about basic manners. One must concentrate on many things
16
simultaneously while shooting. Pinch the end of the arrow between thumb and index finger and your hand should not be strained. Breathing steadily, release the arrow. “Archery has rules of etiquette. All archers must obey these rules. ‘Show love and kindness. Be faithful and honest. Be careful in all your actions. Do not blame your defeat on others or their arrows.’
korea
Archery teaches basic manners and how to live in harmony with others,” says Kwon. Unlike the bows used in the West, the bows used in Korean traditional archery are soft and flexible. The softness and flexibility are not from the material, nor are they achieved by any kind of processing of the mater ials. They, in and of themselves, simply embody the true spirit of the traditional bow.
May
World Archery Festival, the first of which was held in October last year in Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, was also the work of Kwon Mu-seok. Aiming for the world
One year, 1,000 steps
The Kwon family has been making traditional horn bows for 12 generations. Kwon Mu-seok had considered other job options earlier in life, but he eventually chose to be a bowyer. His son, Kwon O-jeong, is also following in his father’s footsteps. “Traditional horn bow-making is a challenge. A year’s work only yields about 50 bows, and it takes a full year to completely finish a bow,” says the bow master. The Korean traditional bow is a composite bow made from water buffalo horn in the “belly,” the surface of the bow that faces the archer. Throughout the year, a bow master processes his bows one step at a time. He obtains water buffalo horn and harvests and bakes oak for the handle. For the core of the bow, he puts mulberry wood in boiling water, letting it simmer for 12 hours, and then dries the wood for over a month. The glue to hold the bow together is made from the air bladder of a fish. The entire bow making process requires about 1,000 steps over a one year period. Kwon is also an archer. He often takes his bow and arrows for a round of shooting and teaches youths, too, many of whom consider archery as only an interesting sport and not as an important tradition. Many students mistakenly believe that shooting an arrow is nothing more than technique. He has, in fact, taught archery to many celebrities, and he welcomes anyone desiring to learn archery from the basics. He has also initiated a campaign to preserve the traditional sport, held archery competitions and wr itten books. The Yecheon
/
Traditional horn bows made by masters can shoot arrows 300 to 400 meters.
Kwon wants to make archer y a wellknown sport that is representative of Korea. Toward that end, he has toured mainland China, the U.S., Europe and South America to put his bows on display and to teach archery. His most recent trip was to Budapest. Many people there, even some ethnic Koreans, were fascinated by the Asian traditional bows.The positive response Kwon received in Budapest shows that he is on the right track to make his dream come true. “I will continue to promote traditional archery so that people from all across the world can associate it with Korea and try the bow if they visit the country,” says Kwon with passion. The Chinese character for “bow” means, “to save people.” Kwon Mu-seok says that the time he has devoted to bow-making has taught him how people should live. He adds that the bow has kept him healthy throughout the years. At 74 years of age, he can still read the newspaper without glasses.
Traditional horn bows are made partly from water buffalo horn.
17
TRAVEL
City of Light Gwangju is getting ready for its busiest year to date as it prepares to host the Summer Universiade and the Design Biennale. Written by Kim Nae-on Photographed by Moon Duk-kwan
18
korea
S
hin Suk-ju (1417-1475), a renowned Joseon scholar and statesman, once said of Gwangju that,“It is a place of extraordinary grandeur in the southern region, where the old traditions remain. It has a temperate climate and expansive plains. Its villages have long been known for their beautiful scenery, and they are also home to numerous high-ranking officials.” Dubbed the
“City of Light,” it captures the pleasant ambience of the region that emanates from Mudeungsan Mountain. Gwangju has long represented liberty and equality and is today also a symbol of art and youth. The city of Gwangju has hosted the Gwangju Biennale since 1995. Founded to commemorate the spirit of civil uprisings and the 1980 democratization movement,
19
/
May
the Biennale celebrates Korean history, aesthetics and commercialism. Previously, the Gwangju Design Biennale had been held as part of the Gwangju Biennale, but this year it is being held independently, by the Gwangju Design Center. The overarching theme is not just design. The event will explore all forms of art, philosophy and life itself.
Jeungsimsa Temple is the oldest Buddhist temple on Mudeungsan Mountain.
The “City of Light” assumes a completely different façade at night. To see the twilight transformation, one needs only go to the Daein Art Market. This traditional open-air market is now an art exhibition space where young artists display and sell their works. Structures designed by artists such as Seo Do-ho and Rem Koolhaas as part of the Gwangju Folly urban revitaliza-
tion project are scattered throughout the city, inspiring a different state of mind. The 28 th Summer Universiade
This year, Gwangju brims with youthful exuberance in the lead-up to the Summer Universiade, to be held from July 3 through 14. Over 12,000 athletes from 170 countries will compete in 21 different sports and
revel in their global friendship. The slogan for the Gwangju 2015 Universiade is, “Light Up Tomorrow,” which, appropriately, connotes both the host city’s character and the vitality of youth. The excitement of the collegiate athletics competition is sure to make Gwangju even more vibrant and enjoyable. mudeungsan mountain
Jeungsimsa Temple is a representative Buddhist temple from Silla times (57 B.C.-A.D. 935).
20
East of downtown Gwangju, Mudeungsan Mountain hovers over the city like a guardian.The mountain embraces the beauty of southwestern Korea, famous for its fine seaside shores and rich traditions. According to folk legend, the mountain’s name, mudeung, is derived from mudeungdeung, a name that refers to Buddha, meaning that its natural essence is unfathomable and incomparable. Hexagonal stone pillars near the peak, called the Jusangjeollidae Cliffs, add to the mountain’s mystique. These rocks, including Ipseokdae and Seoseokdae, were formed over 70 million years ago by rapidly cooling magma. Ko Gyeongmyeong (1533-1592), a militia leader from the mid-Joseon period, said that the rocks resemble high-ranking officials wearing traditional hats.
korea
old Temple and the Uijae Museum of Korean Art
Yangnim-dong History and Culture Village
Located on the wester n foothills of Mudeungsan Mountain, Jeungsimsa Temple is the representative Buddhist temple of Gwangju. Founded in 517 during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935), the temple was burned down during Hideyoshi’s invasions of Korea between 1592 and 1598, and was reconstructed in 1609. It underwent several restorations before being destroyed again by fire during the Korean War (1950-1953). It was restored to its current state in 1970. The Uijae Museum of Korean Art was established in memory of famous Korean artist Heo Baek-ryeon (1891-1977). Built to mimic the curve of the gentle slope of Mudeungsan Mountain, the museum sits in harmony with its natural surroundings. Heo’s old home and his tea garden adjacent to the museum remain intact, much as they were in his day.
Also refer red to as the “Jer usalem of Gwangju,” Christian missionaries from the U.S. and Canada settled in Yangnim-dong when they first arrived in Korea some 100 years ago. The village was designated as a significant historic site because of its history and singular atmosphere that combines Western-style houses and Korean traditional buildings.There are numerous historical sites there, including the former home of missionary Robert Wilson, who went by the Korean name U Il-seon. His home was the first Western-style brick building in Gwangju. There is also the Owen Monument and Memorial Hall, built in 1914 in memory of U.S. missionary Clement Owen, and the house of Lee Jangwoo, an upper-class, tile-roofed home that is representative of late Joseon architecture. Street murals by young ar tists from Gwangju give the neighborhood a modern touch.
/
May
What to Eat Gwangju specialties include minced and seasoned beef ribs (tteokgalbi), set meals of Korean traditional cuisine (hanjeongsik), duck soup, kimchi and barley served with a variety of greens (boribap). Barley restaurants at the foot of Mudeungsan Mountain are renowned for their delicious and plentiful side dishes. The best place to sample the true taste of kimchi is the Jeonbuk Sikdang (T: 062227-1449; 414 Ullim-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju), owned by a kimchi master. Pan-fried sliced beef (yukjeon) is another Gwangju delicacy, and the Daegwang Sikdang (T: 062-226-3939; 90-5, Bullo-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju) makes amazing pan-fried sliced beef using cross-cut hind shanks.
Korean traditional cuisine (hanjeongsik)
Where to Stay If you want to stay in a modern hotel, the Ramada Plaza Gwangju is a good choice. If you are looking for a different experience, try Ogaheon, a 77-room traditional Hanok home built in 1866. It is ideal for large groups and offers set meals with three, five or seven side dishes. Getting There The new high-speed KTX train connecting Seoul and Gwangju opened in April 2015. A one-way ticket costs KRW 46,800, and travel time is only about 90 minutes. You can also take a Gwangju-bound bus from the Dong Seoul (East Seoul) Bus Terminal or from the Central City Bus Terminal. A ticket costs between KRW 20,000 and 40,000, depending on the type of bus, and the ride takes about three and a half hours.
Seoul
90 min
Gwangju
The Uijae Museum of Korean Art won the Korean Architecture Award in 2001.
The Owen Memorial Hall is named after Missionary Clement Owen who was martyred in 1909.
21
Busan
SPORTS
Kim Seong-geun is the subject of therecent documentary ‘Foul Ball’.
Sports Management Two renowned managers share what their leadership is all about. Written by Park Dong-hee
W
e all know about the gods of ancient mythology: the god of love, the god of war and the god of intelligence, just to name a few. In the coaching world of sports, there are only two gods: the god of baseball and the god of volleyball. Who are they, and what have they done to deserve such divine acclaim? The god of baseball is Kim Seonggeun, manager of the Hanwha Eagles.The god of volleyball is Shin Chi-yong, man-
ager of the Samsung Fire Bluefangs. They both ear ned their f ame due to their extraordinary leadership. Turning defeat into victory
Baseball’s Kim Seong-geun has often said, half-jokingly, that he never had any luck with his teams. This cannot be denied, because he has always led one of the weakest teams in the league, ever since he managed his first team, the OB Bears, in 1984.
22
His teams, on the other hand, have always had good luck with their manager. In every case, the team miraculously began to win once Kim was appointed manager. The secret to Kim’s leadership is intense training and excellent tactics. Teams managed by Kim train twice or three times more than others. The day usually starts at around 7 a.m. and does not end until 9 p.m. Players run and slide back and forth, sweating profusely. They gasp for air the entire
korea
day. Kim watches them from the side with an unmoving face. “You play sports with your body, not your head.Your body should react first, without even thinking, in order to handle fast-moving balls and bats. Hard training is the only way to train your body to react and to move fast,” says Kim. As important as it is, extreme training is not the only element of Kim’s leadership. Kim tries to change his players’ mindset about their careers.“To be good at baseball, players need to be able to answer fundamental questions, such as why they are playing the sport and why they have to be good. The first step to finding the answers is to push themselves to the limit. Players who complete the intense training neversecond-guess themselves, even under challenging circumstances, because they believe in their potential.” Kim does much more than stand on the sidelines during and after training, however. At 72 years of age, he still hits fungos for hitters during practice and personally coaches pitchers in the scorching sun. After field practice, he returns to his office to analyze data to find relationships that back up his philosophy about training. In fact, he often stays up all night in his hotel room during the season, studying data and planning tactics for the next game. Baseball player s have the utmost respect for Kim Seong-geun and rely on his wisdom, because he is as passionate and hard-working as any active player. Speaking of a leader’s role, he says,“It is about finding the reason to keep fighting, rather than finding the reason to give up. Baseball is like tightrope walking. It becomes dangerous if you are standing still.” Each day, Kim Seong-geun works hard alongside the players to find a reason to continue fighting.
“Players need to keep training to improve their reflexes.” Kim Seong-geun is a strong advocate of boot camp training.
/
May
ally do. The team’s glor ious history is attributable to the excellent players of unparalleled skill, such as Kim Se-jin and Shin Jin-sik, but the decisive factor has always been coach Shin Chi-yong. He helps star players focus on the team instead of on personal glory, and he encourages partnerships between players rather than competition. Shin also remembers to employ back-up players who are often not g iven enough chances to play, while encouraging them to persevere and wait until their time comes.The patience of several of these back-up players pays off in the future. In fact, many have actually since become big stars. This is precisely the reason why the Samsung Fire Bluefangs have been able to stay at the top of the league for the past 20 years. Neither Kim Seong-geun nor Shin Chi-yong were famous as players, but they have become irreplaceable as managers. The lessons we can learn from these two great leaders is simple: nothing is impossible if a manager is respected and supported by his players, and that the manager must work harder than the players to be respected and supported.
Staying on top
In volleyball, the word “defeat” is not in Shin Chi-yong’s lexicon. He has been the manager of the Samsung Fire Bluefangs since 1995. The Bluefangs so rarely lose a game that it makes news when they actu-
Shin Chi-yong treats every game as his final game.
23
Entertainment
Kim Sungjoo and Jung Hyungdon rummage through a celebrity’s refridgerator in JTBC’s ‘Please Take Care of the Refrigerator’. © JTBC
The transition from eating to cooking The food fad continues, now with a focus on cooking. Written by Julianna Chung
U
ntil recently, people were in awe of the “eating broadcasts” food fad, or the “meokbang” fad, featuring online channels live-streaming people eating massive amounts of food for a living. Now, however, the focus on food has shifted from consumption to cooking. The origins of “eating broadcasts”
“Eating broadcasts,” or “meokbang”, is a portmanteau of the Korean verb “to eat,” meokda, and the noun “broadcast,” bangsong.
It started around 2008 on the website Afreeca. Individuals known as “broadcast jockeys” would stream themselves eating live, while interacting with their viewers. Fans would watch the amateur foodies eat, put in their requests and chat, all while sending donations in Internet currencies, the source of the broadcasters’ income. Following this trend, television programs introducing famous restaurants where celebrity hosts eat and provide commentaries emerged. “Eating broadcasts” also became part of non-food entertainment
24
shows, such as “Superman Returns” on KBS, featuring celebrity kids eating enormous amounts of food. “Cooking broadcasts” on the rise
Building on that trend, now we see more people watching “cooking broadcasts,” or cook-bang, a portmanteau of the English word “to cook” and the Korean noun “broadcast,” bangsong. The main difference between traditional cooking shows and “cooking broadcasts” is that “cooking broadcast” chefs can either be professional
korea
or amateur chefs, as well as celebrities who are not necessarily talented cooks. These chefs show how to cook simple one-of-akind everyday dishes with basic ingredients. This appeals not only to housewives, who are still generally the main cooks in Korean households, but also to those who would like to try their hands at cooking for the first time.The programs also fulfill people’s interest in healthy cooking and introduce cooking as a fun hobby, rather than a household chore. These new cooking shows are especially great hits among people who live alone. ‘What Shall I Eat Today?’ on channel O’live stars Shin Dong Yup and Sung Shi Kyung, two male gastronomes. They cook simple meals by instinct alone.There are no recipes or professional guidance. By watching the whole process and witnessing the triumphs and failures of the two cooks, viewers start to relate with them and to learn from them. A recently ended hit series, ‘Three Meals a Day’ on tvN, starred three celebrities living in a rural and secluded fishing village.They had to cook their meals completely from scratch. They had to harvest, catch and prepare their own ingredients. The show became a hit due to the presence
/
May
Singer Sung Shi Kyung and comedian Shin Dong Yup debate the second step of cooking kimchi stew in O’live’s ‘What Shall I Eat Today’? © CJ E&M
All of the stars of “cooking broadcasts” have been men.
of macho star Cha Seung Won. He easily prepared meals not commonly cooked at home. The program also highlighted the effort and meaningfulness that goes into each meal, which won the hearts of busy city-dwellers who miss home-cooked meals. ‘Please Take Care of the Refrigerator’ on JTBC features amateur and professional chefs who compete by cooking using ingredients from a celebrity’s refrigerator. The chefs use oridinary ingredients found in the celebrity’s refrigerator, as opposed to using ingredients in a proffessional kitchen, and cook dishes within 15 minutes.Viewers watch to identify recipes they can replicate at home. “Cooking broadcasts” and men
Macho actor Cha Seung Won transforms into a sexy kitchen maid in tvN’s ‘Three Meals a Day’. © tvN
25
Interestingly, all of the stars of these “cooking broadcasts” have been men. The male stars attract female viewers and give men confidence that they, too, can cook.This is indeed refreshing in a traditionally Confucian country where it was long taboo for men to be in the kitchen at all. Only time will tell how much impact the “cooking broadcasts” will have.
special issue
Daegu, Gyeongju to host 7th World Water Forum The world gathers in Korea to tackle global water challenges. Written by Julianna Chung
F
rom April 12 to 17, the cities of Daegu and Gyeongju in southern Korea hosted the seventh World Water For um, the world’s largest forum for the discussion of water and water resources. Over 30,000 participants from around the globe came together to find solutions to water security and to the global water shortage. The U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals, set in 2000, are coming to a close, and 2015 marks the next step in the global development process for the cause of water. The seventh World Water Forum, therefore, played a pivotal role as the starting point for
the post-2015 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, which the global community will seek to achieve over the next 15 years once they are laid out. The World Water Forum and the World Water Council
The World Water Forum has been held triennially since 1997. Experts from the public and private sectors, academia and industry gather and discuss how to resolve water challenges. It is organized by the World Water Council, an international organization that aims to promote aware-
26
ness, build political commitment and trigger action on critical water issues. It aims to facilitate the efficient conservation, protection, management and use of water in an environmentally sustainable manner. Headquartered in Marseille, the Council brings together around 300 member organizations from more than 50 countries. Political, regional, thematic and scientific preparation
Necessitating two years of collaborative preparation with stakeholders from around the world, the forum involved four prepa-
korea
ratory processes to catalyze collective action and positive change: the Thematic Process, the Political Process, the Regional Process and the Science & Technology Process. The Thematic Process discussed solutions to current water challenges. The Political Process facilitated discussion among heads of state, ministers, legislators and local and regional authorities to call for political action. The Regional Process enabled participants to discuss solutions on continental and regional water challenges, including water management and political mobilization. Finally, the new Science & Technology Process allowed for a discussion of the development of needed technology and the dissemination of that technology to address water issues from a scientific perspective. Core value of ‘implementation’
Under the themes of, “Water Security for All,” “Water for Development and Prosperity,” “Water for Sustainability: Harmonizing Humans and Nature,” and, “Constructing Feasible Implementation Mechanisms,” the seventh World Water Forum focused on the implementation of solutions identified during the sixth meeting in Marseille in 2012.
/
May
The 2015 World Water Challenge Ceremony was held on Apr. 15 in Daegu. © Yonhap News
The seventh World Water Forum focused on the implementation of solutions that had been identified during the sixth forum meeting in Marseille in 2012
The legacy of the seventh World Water Forum included: moving from solutions to implementation: linking science and technology to water issues: and ensuring a significant place for water in the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals. Events
The Soyanggang Dam in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do Provice is a rock-fill dam built with mud, sand and gravel.
27
During its six-day run, the seventh World Water Forum ran various associated programs, including the International Expo & Fair at the Daegu EXCO convention center. It showcased water policies and cutting-edge water technologies from many different countries. The Citizen’s Forum hosted organizations, youth, women and children from around the world as they discussed the use and management of water. This sub-forum has been recognized as being quite effective in raising public awareness of the importance of clean water.
CURRENT KOREA
1
Go Mastering life through the game of go Written by Sean Lim
I
n Joseon-era Korea, a gentleman was expected to master four arts: calligraphy, music, painting and the game of go, known in Korean as baduk.To a Western audience, this classic board game resembles a cross between checkers and chess. Dating back 3,000 years to ancient China, the earliest known account of Korean go is from 475, during Korea’s Three Kingdoms Period (57 B.C.-A.D. 668). To win a game of go, one must grab as much territory and as many of the enemy’s stones as possible, while protecting one’s own pieces and space on the game board. Two opponents battle each other: white versus black.The story goes that King Jangsu of Goguryeo (r. 413-491) ordered his
top go player, the monk Dorim, to enter the rival Baekje Kingdom under the guise of an exile. Dorim managed to become close to King Gaero of Baekje (r. 455-475), and the king followed the monk’s advice to allocate state funds for costly projects, such as the construction of palaces. When the Baekje Kingdom’s coffers dried up, the monk notified his true master, King Jangsu, who swiftly attacked the weakened state. Victory was declared in a week, all with minimal bloodshed. As in the battlefield and as on the game board, the winning stroke in the game of go is often planned well in advance of its execution, and often has been hidden right under the opponent’s nose all along.
28
Mastering the game of life
The game of go today retains its old-fashioned image by showing up most frequently in front of two elderly players or among family members during moments when not distracted by computer games or television. Many households are now dusting off their old go boards and giving them new life as a learning tool for children.This new go craze is underpinned by the belief that mastering its concepts can help one master the game of life. The post-modern Korean mother, famous for trying anything to give her offspring an edge in life, seems particularly drawn to the idea that one activity can raise cognition and create a fully functioning member of
korea
society. An increasing number of children, especially those in pre-kindergarten and elementary school, attend afterschool enrichment programs specializing in the game of go. These extracurricular schools, commonly known as hagwon, promise that go will transform youngsters by giving them new skills ranging from increased concentration to improved manners. An education in the game of go
In the tony Gangnam district, one cram school even claims that parents can expect to see a change in their children’s behavior after only one or two months, and new strategic abilities and sharpened focus after six months.To get to this level, go is taught just like any other playtime game.The key is connecting fun with the process of learning the rules, says Sung Ki-chang, author of over 250 books on the game of go. Most texts, he says, focus on memorizing and repeating moves. Sung notes that this strategy fails to foster independent thinking.
New books written specifically for children, along with specialized instructions, are keeping minds focused on this age-old game. Although go is played one-on-one, children are not merely thrown into the game and left to fend for themselves. For youngsters, the game of go is usually taught in a group format.The classroom is divided into two teams where a teacher leads the game. Each group can decide together how their next move should be made. Decisions of the group versus individual instincts can be tested, and participants learn to be effective team players while also sometimes being the leader who comes up with the winning move. The children assume an aura of little scholarly ladies and gentlemen as they meditatively turn the smoothed stones between their fingertips. The occasional burst of childhood exuberance is all that reminds you of their youth. However, it can’t be denied that the game is very much a “mind
1 - Young students play the game of go. © Yonhap News 2 - Jang Geu-rae (left), the protagonist in the popular TV soap opera ‘Misaeng,’ which aired in 2014, uses the lessons he learned from over 20 years of playing go to navigate office politics at a large company. © tvN
2
29
/
May
sport,” and that this explains the rising interest in it. Inquiries for enrollment at the Myongji University Lee Se-dol Baduk Academy in southern Seoul have more than tripled since late last year, after the cable network tvN’s surprise hit program, ‘Misaeng,’ or, ‘Incomplete Life,’ captured close to 10 percent of the national viewership in its time slot.The game of go is featured on the show. Go goes mainstream
TV audiences were captivated by the story of Jang Geu-rae, played by Yim Si-wan, a member of the pop group ZE:A. He plays a go apprentice who fails to become a professional player. Confronted by the need to make a living, our protagonist, by a stroke of fortune, manages to get a job at a major stock trading company. Woefully unprepared for the office jungle of corporate finance, he at first is an outcast and is disregarded by his coworkers. However, drawing on his go training, he eventually finds his own footing and adapts to his new life. The show was especially a hit among viewers in their 20s and 30s. They quickly understood how this traditional board game could give them some tools to survive in the fast-changing global world. “Your life is the aggregate result of your choices,” is among the many truisms of ‘Misaeng’. Experienced go players will tell you that obvious attacks can backfire and that the game’s fortunes can be completely reversed at a single stroke. Moreover, how one plays the game quickly reveals one’s personality and character. In the end, however, the outcome is a result of all the moves and choices the player made throughout the game. Such knowledge and skills are assets for the next generation.They will not only have to consider competition at home but also abroad. As many go, or baduk, players before them have learned, the game will teach you how to handle life’s complexities with grace and composure.
SUMMIT DIPLOMACY
President’s diplomatic efforts bear fruit President Park Geun-hye returned on April 27 from her visit to four South American countries: Colombia, Peru, Chile and Brazil. EXCERTED FROM KOREA.NET
President Park Geun-hye(left) and Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff(right) shake hands before their summit. © Yonhap News
30
korea
/
May
A
ccording to Cheong Wa Dae, the visit expanded the president’s diplomatic efforts to include South Amer ica and strengthened the country’s partnership with Pacific Rim nations. This milestone, Cheong Wa Dae said, has now established partnerships that will create high valueadded trade opportunities, a common market and will foster the sharing of each nation’s knowledge and experience. Confirmation of Latin America’s strong willingness to cooperate with Korea
The president’s visit to the four Latin American nations helps form a basis to further strengthen current business and trade activities, and to expand partnerships across various fields. Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos stressed that it is his dream to replicate Korea’s education system in Colombia. President Santos said he considers Korea to be the ideal partner for developing the Colombian education system, one of the three main goals of his National Development Plan. He expressed his willingness to promote bilateral cooperation on education and to expand access to college education. Peruvian President Ollanta Humala called on the Korean ambassador to Peru after President Park’s visit and asked about the Korean side’s evaluation of the visit. He expressed his willingness to implement measures discussed during the bilateral summit between Korea and Peru. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff greatly appreciated Korea’s economic success, innovation and technological competence and said she hopes to develop a strategic partnership with Korea.
President Park Geun-hye(left) and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos(right) shake hands at the presidential palace in Bogota on April 17. © Yonhap News
She signed numerous MOUs with the four nations to further expand economic ties, seeking closer cooperation in areas where Korean technology can be used to enhance development and trade.
31
Expansion of partnership from traditional areas to high valueadded sectors
During the visit, President Park agreed with the South American leaders that they need to reestablish the foundation of their bilateral cooperation. In particular, they discussed cooperation not only on traditional trade, but also on high value-added sectors, including the defense industry, security, online government services, health and medical services, education, human resources and the arts. Korea and the South American nations signed many memoranda of understanding (MOUs) and founded the legal basis for mutual cooperation and co-existence. Antoni Estevadeordal, a manager in the Integration and Trade section of the Inter-American Development Bank (BID), wrote in a column in Portafolio, a Colombian economic daily, that Korea is fast becoming one of the biggest strategic partners for Latin America and that Korea and Colombia are expected to develop an
Korean pop groups performed in Chile, and fashion shows and more pop concerts were held on the same stage in Brazil. President Park met with representatives of Korean pop music fan clubs in Peru and helped to raise the level of closeness through other such cultural exchanges.The Americano Economia, a Chilean newspaper, reported on April 21 that the “Korean Wave,” referring to the growing popularity of Korean pop music and mass media, is not a trivial cultural phenomenon but is a new engine to promote all things Korean. The MOU covering the short-term science and engineering university internship program, the invitation to Korea of Chile’s national scholarship recipients and Brazil’s Science Without Borders program are all meaningful in terms of the expansion of educational exchanges and the exchange of human resources. An MOU was signed to cover working holidays in Chile and Korea. It is expected to expand youth exchanges and contribute to the improvement of mutual understanding. The science and engineering university internship program is likely to expand exchanges of talented young people and reinforce the foundation for cooperation on science and technology.
President Park Geun-hye(left) and Peruvian President Ollanta Humala(right) attend a ceremony to mark the joint production of Korea’s KT-1P trainer plane at a private aviation school at Las Palmas Air Base in Lima on April 21. © Yonhap News
investment and trading model that will create many mutual benefits. President Park’s visit to Peru created a new model for cooperation that expands their bilateral partnership to include high value-added industries, as the president witnessed the successful joint production of the KT-1P, a trainer airplane, after a twoyear long partnership, and its virgin flight. President Park and President Ollanta Humala agreed to extend their partnership further to include the joint production of the FA-50, Korea’s multipurpose advanced trainer jet. Expansion of bilateral exchanges to include the arts, sports, education and human resources
The president’s visit also focused on expanding bilateral exchanges to include education, the arts, sports and human resources. In Peru, there was a concert for traditional music of both Korea and Peru.
President Park Geun-hye (not pictured) attends fashion show and K-pop concert for Korean Wave fans in Sao Paolo, Brazil on April 25. © Yonhap News
32
korea
Strengthening the partnership regarding the Korean Peninsula and regional and global issues
The president’s visit was also an opportunity to reaffirm the four nations’ support for South Korea in dealing with North Korea’s nuclear weapons and human rights abuses. It allows for the expansion of multilateral cooperation on the international stage. President Park asked for continuous support and cooperation on efforts to encourage North Korea to make true changes in its attitude, to give up nuclear weapons program and to open its door to the international community. The four South American leaders said they support South Korea’s policies toward the North, as well as Korean reunification, and will take
part in efforts to denuclearize the North and to improve its human rights. The visit is expected to spread the international consensus in support of South Korea’s policies for the peaceful reunification of the peninsula. President Park and the four leaders exchanged opinions on how to strengthen their cooperative partnerships in a new Pacific Rim era. The president agreed with the need for efforts to strengthen multilateral cooperation through the “Pacific Alliance.”The Pacific Alliance is an economic bloc launched in 2012 to boost competitiveness, attract foreign investment and expand economic cooperation through free trade among Colombia, Peru, Mexico and Chile.
/
May
Korea joined the alliance as an observer in June 2013, and suggested the establishment of the Korea-Pacific Alliance Vision Group. Colombian President Santos stressed the importance of Korea as a partner for the alliance during the Trans-Pacific Summit in early March. Chilean President Bachelet said she hopes to seek cooperation between the Pacific Alliance and observer countries, including Korea. The Pacific Alliance is expected to increase competitiveness through free trade, encourage foreign investment and expand cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region, and lead economic development in Latin America.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet (right) presents a pen to be used during the MOU signing ceremony to President Park Geun-hye (left). April 22. © Yonhap News 33
Policy Review
A Future of Innovation A New Future Through Innovation : Two Years of the Park Geun-hye Administration Excerpted from the Korean Culture and Information Service
President Park enjoys a Korean traditional performance with global leaders. Š Yonhap News
34
korea
P
The Reinvent the Nation initiative’s aim is to eliminate corruption and unacceptable or abnormal practices through law and order, and to enact a new wave of innovative policies in order to create a safer and more efficient national administration.The initiative focuses on public sector reform, rooting out corruption and bolstering disaster-response and safety awareness across the populace. The Park Geun-hye administration aims to reform the public sector through a new wave of innovative policies. State-run enterprises are in urgent need of oversight are now subject to strict debt-reduction plans, as the government seeks to reduce the total amount of debt held by such institutions by USD 104 million between now and 2017.Also, irrational practices that have come about due to lax management at public enterprises are to be identified and phased out.To stop corruption, stern measures have been taken to break collusive ties and to ensure thorough investigations into both public officials and business people who operate in the state-run sector. An overall plan to prevent the misuse of government subsidies is being devised, with legislation being drafted that would prevent fraud. It is called the “Act on the Prohibition of Improper Solicitation and the Offer and Acceptance of Money, Gifts, Etc.” There are also many noteworthy steps are being taken to bolster disaster-response
May
and safety. A disaster response system to deal with accidents and catastrophes, stricter control of maritime traffic and other safety-related organizations and systems will all be realigned to increase their effectiveness. In regard to safety, management guidelines for the treatment of potentially harmful chemicals will also be reassessed to ensure a professional and systematic approach in dealing with chemical-related accidents.
resident Park Geun-hye has shattered glass ceilings, has been selected as the th World’s 11 Most Powerful Woman by Forbes and ever since her inauguration in February 2012 has been working tirelessly at home and abroad for peace and prosperity. Her administration has focused on four main strategies to strengthen the nation and to help change the world: Reinvent the Nation; Economic Innovation; Cultural Enrichment; and, Building a Foundation for Unification. OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
/
Working tirelessly for peace and prosperity at home and for countries around the world, President Park Geun-hye has helped Korea stand out as a force for good in these hard times.
PREPARING FOR 30 MORE YEARS OF ECOMOMIC GROWTH
While the world’s economic recovery has stagnated since the global economic downturn began, the Korean economy has continued to improve under the Park administration. In line with its three-year plan for economic innovation, the administration has broadened the reach of Korea Inc. through free trade agreements with five more countr ies. It has also cor rected abnormal processes and what used to be customary malpractices, all while working to balance domestic consumption and exports. By late 2014, the debt-to-equity ratio at major public institutions had gone down to 220%, credit ratings rose. GDP growth
President Park showing a big smile after delivering a speech. © Yonhap News
35
and other areas have all seen a growth in global recognition. In 2014, tourism flourished with 14.2 million visitors and estimated revenue reached USD 17.6 billion, 18th in world rankings. Korean actors and musicians are also traveling, but outside of Korea, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide. In hopes of improving the quality of life, initiatives aimed at making the arts more accessible to people at home were also launched. For example, every last Wednesday of the month has been designated as “Culture Day” in an effort to increase people’s ability to enjoy a whole range of cultural activities. There has also been an increase in traveling movie theaters, libraries and musical concerts, which seek out audiences in underprivileged neighborhoods and districts. The government has worked hard to spread the spirit of the humanities and to promote exercise as part of everyone’s daily routine. There is also great anticipation as Korea steps up in the world of sports.There are three major international sporting events that will be held in Korea in the th coming years. From July 3-14, the 28 Summer Universiade Gwangju 2015 will attract university aged athletes from around the world. Likewise, the CISM Military World Games Mungyeong, Korea, 2015, held from October 2-11, 2015, also promises to be a great event. Let’s not forget the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
People from around the world show their love for Korea. © Yonhap News
reached 3.3%, showing a slowly recovering economy amid the global economic downturn. After the G20 summit, Korea received praise for being an exemplary model of structural reform. Also, the Korean economy has achieved “triple-crown” status: for four consecutive years, the trade volume exceeded USD 1 trillion; for two consecutive years there have been record exports; and, there have been record trade surpluses for two consecutive years. Korea Inc. now links 73.4% of the world’s GDP through its network of FTAs. As a result, trade with FTA partner-countries increased by a dramatic 62.7% following the agreements going into effect, and an increasing numbers of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are winning contracts overseas.
A FRAMEWORK FOR PEACE IN KOREA AND ACROSS NOTHEAST ASIA
PROMOTING HEALTH AND HAPPINESS THROUGH THE ARTS, SPORTS AND social ACTIVITIES
As the global popularity of Korean pop culture remains unabated, singular items, both traditional and modern, are gaining more recognition. The Korean alphabet, Hangeul, the Korean language, Korean cuisine, traditional Hanji mulberry paper, franchises, fashion, medical care, video games, sports, publishing, logistics, tourism
The number of inbound tourists millions.
36
President Park has been much concerned with building a foundation for the unification of Korea. A principled approach to North Korea its led the administration to put forth Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process. The administration’s aim to resume exchanges and other projects, like reunions of separated families and high- level talks between officials of both governments, is
korea
an attempt to rebuild the unity of the Korean people and to normalize interKorea relations. Also, both effor ts to improve human rights and the quality of life for the North Korean people and international policy cooperation have been strengthened. To further assure peace on the Korean Peninsula, the administration hopes that with the support of the international community it can solve the North Korean nuclear weapons issue and prevent any provocation. Already, based on the trust between President Park and leaders in the U.S. and China, the county’s diplomatic
stance on unification was able to gain international momentum. Finally, President Park has sought the international community’s sympathy and support for its Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative, aimed at establishing a fir m system of cooperation on both politics and security across Northeast Asia. A BRIGHT FUTURE THROUGH INNOVATION
Reinventing the nation, economic innovation, cultural enrichment and building a foundation for unification are the four
President Park Geun-hye has achieved much over the past two years, with her policies on reinventing the nation, economic innovation, cultural enrichment and building a foundation for unification.
/
May
simple guidelines that outline all of President Park Geun-hye’s achievements. Her quest to sweep out cor ruption and to reform the public sector through a new wave of innovative policies has paved the way for a healthier gover nment. Not simply basking in the current economic climate, the administration is constantly finding new ways to improve the economy and to invest in the future.The global wave of Korean pop culture is not slowing, but is adding to other less mainstream facets of Korean culture, increasing its global impact. To assure peace on the Korean Peninsula and across Northeast Asia, the administration looks to the international community for help and partnerships as it takes a great step toward a united future. President Park truly deserves her position as the World’s th 11 Most Powerful Woman.
President Park meeting President Obama at the White House. © Yonhap News 37
CREATIVE TECHNOLOGY
1
Wear Your Device Amazed at how smartphones have changed our way of life? Get ready to experience the new world of wearable technology. Written by Cheong Kyu-young
Y
our glasses not only help you see better, but contain a full GPS navigation device, displaying maps and your current coordinates.You can tap on your watch to give you directions.Your belt fastens itself and alerts you if your waist has expanded over the past week.Your ring can activate a flash light with a wiggle of your fingers. These sound like scenes out of a science fiction film, but these technologies are actually available today in 2015. Whether or not you realize it, wearable technology has already become integral to modern life, changing how we live in more dramatic ways than the smartphone ever
did. It also has countless potential applications.The technology is sufficiently developed and we can find Wi-Fi connections almost everywhere. The difference will be made by innovative ideas that utilize this cutting-edge technology to improve people’s lives in a practical manner. For this reason, the wearables market is the best area today for startups. Smart fitness trackers
Hardware startup Zikto launched Arki, a wearable device to improve one’s posture while walking. In December 2014, it completed a wildly successful campaign on
38
Kickstarter, raising almost USD 165,000 from about one-hundred private investors. This made Zikto the most successful Korea-based company on the crowdfunding website, thanks to an innovative idea combined with strong government support. Arki is not an ordinary fitness tracker. It analyzes the user’s walking posture through sensors in the wrist that are connected to a smartphone app. The technology monitors and records one’s gait, alerting the user of slouching shoulders or warped hips. By doing so, Arki helps users improve their posture and find the right
korea
/
May
2
balance for their body.The device can even identify its user based on his or her data or walking posture. Its sleek design and interchangeable bands, available in both leather and fabric, make Arki a great fashion item, too. Zikto is currently taking pre-orders for USD 119. InBody won an Innovation Award in Wearable Technologies at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show for its latest product, and it also achieved its funding goal on Kickstarter. The InBody Band is the world’s first fitness tracking device that can measure your body composition via bioelectrical impedance. After putting the device on the wrist, place your fingers on the front-facing sensors and it will display your body fat percentage, muscle mass and body mass index. It also tracks your calorie intake and physical activity. The band’s aggregate data can help you get in better shape and lead a healthier life. InBody plans to release its newest product in Apr il for KRW 180,000, approximately USD 165.
index, and analyzes user’s skin condition in real time. In short, it is your personal dermatologist, providing daily beauty tips. Yband is a wearable device developed by Ybrain, a neuroscience hardware startup. The band provides electrical stimulation to the brain, focusing on both diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It is currently in clinical trials at major hospitals in Seoul. Finally, lineable is a tracking bracelet for kids, designed to help parents keep tabs on their children. Install the Lineable app on your smartphone and set parameters for your children’s tracking areas. The device will send a notification if your child goes outside those boundaries, and it allows
3
other Lineable users to transmit the location of bracelets found in the vicinity to the cor responding parents through a cloud-based system. The best thing about this particular device is that it only costs USD 5.
1 - T he InBody Band is a smart bracelet that can measure your body’s fat or muscle composition. 2 - Petfit is a wearable device for one’s pet. © SK Telecom
3 - L ineable, a wearable tracker for children, alerts parents if their child goes beyond a preset boundary. 4 - T he Yband can diagnose and treat people with Alzheimer’s disease.
New, expanded uses
Fitness is not the only purpose for which wearable technology can be used. Waywearable has introduced a product for skincare.The product monitors environmental factors that affect one’s skin condition, such as temperature, humidity and the UV
4
39
GLOBAL KOREA
Hope with Vision Good People, a non-profit humanitarian organization, helps people in the developing world see again. Written by Yoon Se-eun Photographed by good people
T
he Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa by area. It borders nine countries in Central Afr ica and is home to more than 250 ethnic groups. It is also one of the poorest countries in the world: over 70 percent of the population lives on less than USD 1 a day. Needless to say, proper medical care is difficult to get in Congo. In March 2014, the Inter national Blindness Prevention Team from Good
People offered a ray of hope to this impoverished nation. The 16-member team of eye doctors and volunteers performed free cataract surgeries for 61 people at the Nengalema National Medical Center in Kinshasa. The hospital swarmed with medical staff and crowds of patients during the two days that the Blindness Prevention Team offered its services. Volunteers visited nearby villages to find people who needed their help and drove them to the hospital.
1
40
Other patients came to see the medical team themselves, after hearing the news of their arrival in town. The free surgeries were a gift and a blessing to the 61 Congolese who had not received any type of care for months, years or even decades. Going beyond borders
Good People is an international development and relief organization. Since its founding in 1999, it has been offering
korea
2
/
May
3
4
assistance across the world to people whose livelihoods are at risk due to poverty, disease or natural disaster. It initiates projects primarily in remote areas, and the projects are conducted for purposes such as disease prevention and treatment, emergency relief, child education and community development. Good People’s International Blindness Prevention program is a perfect example of the organization’s mission to serve those in need and to reach out to people around the world. Joined by professionals
Good People has been performing free cataract surgeries in developing countries since 2001. In June 2004, it officially launched the International Blindness Prevention Team in cooperation with the JC Bit Somang Eye Clinic in Seoul, to more effectively achieve its goals.The team offers free surgeries to those who have cataracts but who are too poor to afford the operation or treatment. The blurred vision or blindness caused by cataracts poses serious
difficulties in places where the margins of human survival are thin. People are often plunged into even greater poverty and even an early death in such situations. Poor families cannot afford to lose a worker, or to feed and care for someone who needs immediate help. Since the project started, the Blindness Prevention Team has helped some 1,682 people regain their eyesight in nine countries around the world, including the Philippines, Mongolia, China, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Fiji, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands and Congo. In 2008, the team performed surgery on a teenage boy in the Philippines. He was afterward able to attend high school, and he has now joined the team as a volunteer on every trip, giving back to the project that helped him start a new life. The Blindness Prevention Project does not operate on a set schedule. Trips are planned upon the request of a recipient country and based upon the assessment of local conditions regarding the residents’ eye
41
health. The team has 15 to 20 members, including surgeons from the JC Bit Somang Eye Clinic, optometrists, nurses, pharmacists, interpreters and volunteers. In the long-term, Good People hopes to serve as a model for the development of systematic healthcare programs in the developing world.
1 - Volunteers care for patients and their families. 2 - G ood People strives to provide effective medical care in developing countries around the world. 3 - T he International Blindness Prevention Team’s surgeries are performed by experienced surgeons. 4 - S ome 80 patients have been treated by the International Blindness Prevention Team in Tajikistan.
GREAT KOREANS
family, but he could only stay in Japan for one week. At this time, Koreans were not legally permitted to stay in a foreign country for over a week, and Lee did not want to cause any trouble for the person who had vouched for his return. After returning to Korea, Lee devoted himself to his work, while regularly sending postcards and letters to his family. Sadly, Lee never saw his family again. Love, war and art
Lee Joong-seop The masterpieces created by this most-celebrated modern artist tella bittersweet story. Written by Kim nae-on
“N
ext time I see you, I will kiss you until the stars in the sky close their eyes and fall asleep.” “I will keep drawing so that I can sell my paintings at exhibitions. I will make money and come to you with many presents. Until then, stay safe and healthy.” In July 1952, at the height of the Korean War (1950-1953), Lee Joong-seop
said goodbye to his family. He sent his Japanese wife and their two sons to live in Japan because they were suffering from malnutrition.The wrenching pain of separation left Lee physically and emotionally weaker by the day, so much so that Ku Sang, poet and Lee’s friend, obtained a seafarer’s ID card for him to visit his family in Japan. Lee 1 Joong-seop was finally able to see his
42
Through the short 40 years of his life, Lee Joong-seop was many things, but he had always been an artist. Lee was born in 1916 to a wealthy farming family in Pyeongannamdo Province, in what is today North Korea. His family wanted Lee to focus on academic studies, but his artistic calling was suddenly awakened when he first saw the mural paintings of ancient tombs dating back to the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C.-A.D. 668). Mesmerized by the lively, dynamic ancient murals, Lee continued to take an interest in art. In 1935, he moved to Japan to attend the Tokyo Teikoku Art School, now the Musashino Art University, and then the Bunka Academy. There, he developed and established his own artistic style, marked by his powerful line drawings. During his years in Japan, he also met and fell in love with his future wife,Yamamoto Masako, whose Korean name was Lee Nam-deok. In 1944, Lee Joong-seop returned to Korea after graduation.Yamamoto followed Lee on the last ship connecting Korea and Japan, and the two tied the knot. Lee’s happiness, however, did not last long. Lee and Yamamoto’s first baby died of diphtheria soon after birth. Lee had been absorbed in his paintings and did not have a steady job, and his first baby’s sudden death left him in shock. They were able to have two sons afterward, but immediately after their younger son was born the Korean War broke out and threw Lee’s life into utter confusion once again. Lee and his family had to constantly move from one town to another across the country until they finally
korea
/
May
work, mostly drawings on cigarette packagings and hand-painted postcards, depicting the family he desperately missed. In deep frustration over the thwarted hopes of seeing his family again, Lee Joongseop died of malnutrition and liver failure in 1956. Posthumous fame
‘Dog and Family’ (1950s), on silver paper. © Lee Joong-seop Gallery
settled in Seogwipo on Jejudo Island. The family lived together in a small living space for a year before Lee decided to send his wife and children back to Japan. He felt that his family was suffering too much in Korea. After separation from his family, Lee dedicated more of his time and energy into his paintings. His most famous works, including the “Bull” series, “Couple” and “A Tree, the Moon and White Birds,” were created during the war and the period of separation from his family. Many people say that Lee’s paintings represent the Korean people’s spirit in one of the nation’s greatest times of trial, and epitomize his yearning for his family and his passion for art. Lee lived in poverty throughout his career, but he never stopped painting. In the hope of reuniting with his family, he regularly submitted his works to exhibitions so that he could sell them to make some money. Despite artistic success, however, Lee’s financial condition did not improve. If he could not afford proper materials, he would paint and draw on any paper he could find. The sketches he drew with an awl on pieces of foil paper from cigarette packets show just how destitute he was. Lee left behind a large body of
Like many great artists, Lee Joong-seop’s works received wide acclaim after his death. In 1957, Lee’s works were displayed in a memorial exhibition thanks to Arthur J. McTaggart, the director of the U.S. Cultural Center in Korea at the time. McTaggart purchased three of Lee’s small silver foil drawings in 1955 and donated them to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York a year later.The MoMA assessed the drawings carefully and indeed decided 2 to include them in its collection.This made Lee Joong-seop the first Korean artist to be represented in the permanent collection of the MoMA. Lee’s other prominent paintings, including “Fantasy of Seogwipo” and “Scenery with Seopseom Island,” and his letters to his beloved wife, are on display at the Lee Joong-seop Gallery in Seogwipo on Jejudo Island.
‘Bull’ (circa 1953). Lee Joong-seop captured the fierceness of a bull with his keen eye. © Hongik University Museum
43
MY Korea
44
korea
/
May
A Salutation to Side Dishes The Uniqueness of Korean Banchan Written by Isaac Colson illustrated by ha sun-kyung
The Encounter
Rice, rice and more rice. Plain, white, sticky, bland rice is served at every meal. Give me bread and I’ll smear butter on it. Give me pasta and I’ll drown it in tomato sauce. Give me rice, however, and I’m at a loss. It was my first trip to Korea, and the culture shock was reaching high voltage. Accustomed to a fast food diet, my body craved salt and sugar. Relief came from my first side dish, or banchan: salted, toasted laver. A small, dark green, crispy square of seaweed had just the right amount of salt and oil to transform humdrum rice into a tasty treat. At any given table, there can be three to sevenusually odd numbers for luck-different side dishes to enjoy. Restaurants are known for covering the whole surface of the dining table with small circular plates of side dishes. For nearly eight years, I have been bombarding my taste buds with new flavors, matched in perfect harmony with that otherwise wearisome rice. A Guide to Side Dishes
There are numerous different side dishes featuring diverse flavors, prepared with a variety of ingredients.Whether sweet, spicy, salty, nutty or any combination of these, side dishes are meant to complement the rice and the main dishes being served. There are two main categor ies of side
dishes: vegetable dishes and protein or fat dishes. A meal can be nutritionally complete, even when lacking a main dish, thanks to the vitamins and minerals from the veggies and the protein from the meat and bean dishes. Side dishes provide great dietary balance, but one may wonder how they differ from the sides found in other countries. The main difference is the price, in fact: banchan are complimentary. It is said that Japanese tourists are reluctant to partake in Korean side dishes out of fear of being charged an arm and a leg, and that in China one must pay extra if they want to enjoy even a simple cup of tea with their meal. In
Korean side dishes are a delicious yet crucial part of a well-balanced meal, as well as an embodiment of the generous and hospitable attitude found in Korean cuisine.
45
many Western cuisines, a side is usually a vegetable, fries, a salad or a soup. Since you generally have only one or two with your meal, you relish your sides. A generous soul may share a piece of their broccoli, but side dishes are precious.You may lose a finger trying to swipe some from your friend or loved one. Banchan, on the other hand, are communal and unlimited. Reflecting People’s Values
With the seemingly limitless side dishes found on the Korean table, I started out eating them like I would French fries: by the handful. I quickly realized that binging on banchan is not the cultural norm, however. That said, I have noticed that bachelors living alone tend to ask for liberal helpings of the side dishes, and proceed to suck them down like a Hoover. In the restaurant business, if customers take advantage of free dishes, one would expect a stink eye from the owner. Here, however, in a spirit of pure generosity, workers pile on more kimchi than a person should ever be allowed to eat.With a loving heart, restaurant owners tend to treat guests as family members rather than as strangers. This is why these simple side dishes are not only known for being nutritious and delicious, but are said to embody the spirit of generosity found across all the var ieties of Korean cuisine.
MULTICULTURAL KOREA
A Good Samaritan Father Kim Ha-jong dedicates his life to the neglected members of society. Written by Yoon Se-eun Photographed by Hong Ha-yan
Father Kim Ha-jong reaches out to the homeless in a spirit of brotherhood as he serves them food.
46
korea
F
ather Vincenzo Bordo is an Italian priest who has adopted the name Kim Hajong. He refers to Korea as,“my country.” “I decided that Korea was my country the moment I stepped off the plane. I even assumed a Korean name. ‘Ha-jong’ means ‘God’s servant.’” Father Kim has had a deep interest in East Asia ever since high school, and studied Oriental philosophy at college and graduate school. Perhaps it was only natural that he decided to come to Korea after he was ordained as a priest in 1987. “I always had two things on my mind: Jesus Christ and helping the poor. That is why I decided to become a priest and to serve those who need my help in Korea.” After he arrived in Korea in 1990, Father Kim searched for the country’s poorest neighborhoods. He found one in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do Province, and this is where he has been caring for the most marginalized members of society for the past 23 years. When Father Kim fir st came to Seongnam, he made house calls and gave counseling to underprivileged communities. He expanded his work by starting a soup kitchen for senior citizens living alone and by opening a study center to teach students who could not afford private tutors. In 1997, Korea was enmeshed in the Asian financial crisis and thousands of people lost their jobs. It was then that Father Kim established Anna House to offer free dinners to the homeless, while also helping them get back on their feet in other ways.
simply because they can’t find a job. A confluence of physical, mental, societal and financial issues from earlier on in their lives created a situation in which they found it hard to get along and to work with others. No one wants to live on the street, not even the homeless themselves.” Father Kim Hajong argues that in order to help them, we should first ask how the homeless came to live on the street. Anna House is busy every day. Starting at 4:30 p.m., the soup kitchen feeds about 550 homeless people every day. It also offers services for their rehabilitation back into society, including the distribution of clothes, medical care and employment counseling. In addition to helping the homeless, Anna House runs various programs for adolescents. It provides shelter for teens who ran away from home and counsels them to return to their parents. If this fails, the shelter helps the troubled teens complete public education and find jobs afterward. Father Kim Ha-jong strongly believes that all adolescents deserve to be protected and loved.
/
May
Beauty of serving
Helping people in a foreign land is a challenge. Father Kim listens to the stories of hardship and suffering, but he often finds that there is nothing he can do to help. Each day, he takes up and carries the crosses of others. “My work is not just about feeding the homeless. It’s about giving them the chance for a new start. They are ordinary people, just like you and me.” Anna House plans to keep its doors open for the homeless and for troubled teens. In fact, Father Kim is preparing to reach out to teens in a new way. He will go out into the street and look for troubled teens who need his help. “If they don’t come to the shelter, I will go to them. I will visit the places where they live together and offer counseling so that they can return home.” Father Kim Ha-jong works hard every day, seeking sponsors that could help fund Anna House. He sums up his work for the socially underpr ivileged in one word: grace. He knows very well that to help others is to help oneself.
Caring for the homeless, teens
“People often declare that the homeless are indolent, and many suffer from alcoholism. These people would be right in a way, but we need to first understand why the homeless ended up out on the street before passing any judgment on them. After having done a lot of counseling, I can safely say that the homeless - nearly to a person experienced some type of trauma during their childhood. They are not homeless A hot meal at Anna House comforts the homeless. 47
NATURE
What a Wonderful Place The Hangang River is Seoul’s treasured icon. Written by cheong kyu-young Photographed by Moon Duk-kwan
Banpo Bridge affords a beautiful view at night. 48
korea
/
May
The Hangang River is Seoul’s lifeblood, and over 20 bridges across the river are a crucial part of the city’s traffic. © Topic
“W
e were on the road in a Jeep, about to cross the river. Suddenly, yellow and orange clouds filled the sky and I heard a loud bang. The Jeep flew about five meters into the air,” recalled a foreign correspondent who was near the Hangang Bridge on June 28, 1950. That day, the South Korean military bombed the bridge in a futile bid to delay a North Korean invasion.The massive explosion tore the bridge apart, killing between 500 and 800 civilians who were crossing the river en masse to escape the city. The bridge was reconstructed eight years later, but even to this day, it still reminds people of the heartbreaking tragedy of war. Stretching 514 kilometers east to west across the Korean Peninsula and through the heart of Seoul, the Hangang River has always been the lifeblood of the capital and has played a central role in Korea’s economic development.Very much in contrast to the memories held by older generations, the young think of the Hangang River as a place of recreation and entertainment.The river is lined nearly entirely by parks, bicycle paths, basketball courts and cafés. On sunny days, it is an extremely popular
49
hangout spot for countless people, perfect for picnicking or just going for a bike ride or a walk. As spr ing ar r ives, more and more people participate in outdoor activities along the Hangang River. Ferries cruise the river throughout the day, and sailboats glide leisurely up and down the river. Some people enjoy fishing in the upper reaches of the river, and tourists can take a helicopter tour to get a bird’s eye view of the city. Putting aside their busy lives, Seoul’s residents find comfort and relaxation along the river. At night, the Hangang River affords a beautiful view of the sprawling city. Colorful, dazzling lights illuminate the bridges, and the lights of the skyscraper s are reflected on the water. It is a truly soothing sight. From April to October, the world’s longest “bridge fountain” puts on a show every night. Seoul’s Banpo Moonlight Rainbow Fountain employs 10,000 LEDs and 380 water jets that run along both sides of the 1,140-meter Banpo Bridge. Programmed to move in time with music, the jets shoot out some 190 tons of water per minute, making for a captivating spectacle.
FLAVOR
Healthy Temple Cuisine on Buddha’s Birthday Written by Yoon Se-eun Photographed by Moon Duk-kwan Cooked and Styled by Kim Ga-young(101 RECIPE)
2
1
1 Bibimbap 2 Water parsley rolls (minari ganghoe)
W
hy do Buddhist monks eschew pungent, odiferous greens, such as scallions, garlic, chives and wild chives? According to the Brahmajala Sutra, eating raw vegetables that have a strong aroma can cause you to think wicked thoughts, while eating such vegetables cooked can make you angry. The sutra discourages eating such piquant greens, though it is not a sin, like eating meat, which requires the taking of life. Nonetheless, meals prepared at temples
around the country are still amazingly savory and satisfying, even for meat-lovers with a craving for strongly aromatic, spicy vegetables. Bibimbap, a quintessential Korean dish, is even more enjoyable as temple food: a real treat, not to mention healthy. It is served with a bowl of freshly cooked rice with toppings of mild vegetables: fiddlehead greens, zucchini, bean sprouts and car rots. Red chili pepper paste(gochujang) is added before all the
50
ingredients are mixed. A side dish of small rolls of blanched water parsley(minari ganghoe) is recommended for their refreshing, even thrilling, flavor. Buddha’s birthday, April 8 on the lunar calendar, falls on May 25 on the solar calendar this year. Regardless of their religious persuasion, many people will go to a nearby temple and partake of temple bibimbap to share the joy of the sage’s birthday.
Can you hand in my congratulatory money at the wedding?
결혼식 축의금 좀 전해 줄래요? gyeolhonsik chuguigeum jom jeonhae jullaeyo? Narae, are you going to Jinho’s wedding this weekend?
나래 씨, 이번 주말에 진호 씨 결혼식 가지요?
Narae ssi, ibeon jumare Jinho ssi gyeolhonsik ga-ji-yo? Yes, I am. Why?
밍밍
네, 가요. 왜요?
ne, gayo. waeyo? Can you hand in my congratulatory money? I won’t be able to attend the wedding.
나래
제가 결혼식에 못 가는데 축의금 좀 전해 줄래요?
jega gyeolhonsige mot ganeunde chuguigeum jom jeonhae jullaeyo? Sure. I will do that.
밍밍
그럴게요. 제가 잘 전할게요.
geureolgeyo. jega jal jeonhalgeyo. 나래
Let’s practice!
–아/어 줄래요?
Try to create conversation using the following vocabulary. 상황
부탁
결혼식에 못 가다 gyeolhonsige mot gada
축의금을 전하다 chuguigeumeul jeonhada
cannot attend a wedding.
hand in congratulatory money.
사용방법을 모르다 sayongbangbeobeul moreuda
가르치다 gareuchida
do not know how to use.
teach
한국어를 못 하다 hangugeoreul mot hada
번역하다 beonyeokada
do not speak Korean.
translate
Example 제가 결혼식에 못 가는데 축의금을 전해 줄래요? jega gyeolhonsige mot ganeunde chuguigeumeul jeonhae jullaeyo? Can you hand in my congratulatory money? I won’t be able to attend the wedding.
The pattern ‘–아/어 주실래요?’ is added to verb stems to indicate a request made by the speaker. ‘–아 주실래요?’ is used if the final vowel of the adjective stem ends in ‘ㅏ’ or ‘ㅗ’ and ‘–어 주실래요?’ is used for all other vowel endings.
–는데/(으)ㄴ데 The pattern ‘–는데/(으)ㄴ데’ is added to verb or adjective stems to provide some background information or context for the clause that follows it. ‘–는데’ is used after verbs and ‘–(으)ㄴ데’ is used after adjectives.
Pronunciation
이중모음 ㅢ [ㅣ] 축의금 [추긔금/추기금] [chuguigeum/chugigeum]