Unusual Movie with Songpyeon
  
  If you are worried about where to hang out during Chuseok, stop by Seoul Selection for free Chuseok refreshments (songpyeon and hangwa) and one of the most unusual Korean films "Bad Guy". Seoul Selection stays open, Sept. 10, Wednesday (closed on Sept. 11 and 12) for those who still might not want to miss the Seoul Selection Cinema. The screening will start early at 5 p.m. this week instead of the regular time at 7:30 p.m. "Bad Guy" is a movie directed by Kim Gi-deok who is well-known for utterly real yet grotesque stories and images in his films.

Giving Thanks
   Chuseok, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, has traditionally been a day for Koreans to give thanks for another year of good harvest to our ancestors, family, and neighbors. As Korea moved away from being a predominantly agricultural society, Chuseok has become an occasion for people to visit their hometowns and families. It is also an occasion to send pre-packaged gift sets of food products, alcoholic beverages, or personal hygiene products to our superiors and elders. This form of gift giving is one way Koreans show thanks on special occasions like Chuseok and Sol-nal (New Year's). But how and in what contexts do Koreans show thanks in our everyday lives? In the United States, for example, saying "thanks" is omnipresent. Americans say "thanks" when the waiter or waitress serves them their food. They also say thanks when someone says they like their sweater. Most Koreans generally reserve uttering "thank you" for extremely, dramatically, and genuinely thankful situations and people. Having spent more time in cultures that prefer excessive thanks in everyday situations to none at all, I still occasionally say "thank you" unnecessarily. This Chuseok will be a time for me to give some thanks in the form of gift sets and suppress some "thanks" from the vendors who sell them.

  Junhee June Kim (jun_hee_kim@yahoo.com) recently arrived in Seoul for graduate studies.
  Interpreting anew the turbulent life of a notorious Joseon Dynasty despot, the 2003 production of the experimental drama "Prince Yeonsan" will be presented again between Sept. 11 and Sept. 21 at the Haeoreum Hall of the National Theater in central Seoul. Written and directed by veteran Lee Yun-taek, the National Drama Company's 200th commemorative drama production adroitly and exquisitely mixes life with death, restoring the traditional elements on today's stage. Although the drama takes the form of a history play, it actually depicts and satirizes the reality of contemporary Korea. When the drama was staged first in 1995, it earned director Lee crowning fame. Compared with the grotesque images eight years ago, this year's version will focus coolly and objectively on the historical aspects of Yeonsan, After mounting the throne, he mercilessly revenges the murderers of his mother Yun who died under their false accusations. Yeonsan, nevertheless, is depicted here not as an atrocious and lascivious character but one who challenges conventional morality. Tickets are available through Ticketlink (1588-7980, www.ticketlink.co.kr). The National Theater is about a 15-minute walk south from Exit 2 of Dongkuk University Station on Line 3. Or take a free shuttle bus from Exit 2 of the station. The bus leaves 20 minutes and 40 minutes before the performance. For more information, call the producer (02-2274-1173 or 02-2274-3507~8; www.ntok.go.kr). Additional Korea-related events may be seen at clickkorea.org.

  A dance company led by choreographer and Soonchunhyang University professor Jeon Hong-jo dramatizes the founding myth about Goguryeo Kingdom into a ballet production. "Yuhwa-Weeping Willow's Dream" highlights the story of Yuhwa, the mother of Goguryeo founder Jumong, as depicted in two sources dating from the Goguryeo period: "Dongmyeongwangpyeon," an epic poem and "Samkukyusa," a history book of the Three Kingdoms period. Using Yuhwa and her two sisters (Hwonwa and Wihwa), the ballet is a study of the many faces of "woman," the beautiful, self-sacrificing giver of life as well as an individual with her own wants and desires. Various music will accompany the ballet, from traditional Korean music to Chopin. The performance will be staged on Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. in the Main Hall of Korean Culture and Arts Foundation (KCAF) Arts Theater in Daehangno. The theater is near Exit 2 of Hyehwa Station on Line 4. For more information contact the producer (02-2263-4680, www.creamart.com; Korean only). Additional Korea-related events may be seen at clickkorea.org.
  In a rare attempt to stage a dance and a traditional Korean pansori, narrative-song style number on one stage, choreographer Kim Mae-ja reenacts "Sim Cheong" as an experimental Korean-style dance mixed with sound between Sept. 16 and 17 at the Towol Theater of the Seoul Arts Center. The story revolves around Sim Cheong who has virtually has been established in Korea as a paragon of filial piety. The upcoming dance will present a young, female pansori singer Seo Jeong-geum. Dubbed "Sound in Dance & Dance in Sound," this unique dance is choreographed by Kim who leads the Chang Mu Arts Center. Kim's choreography is not only based on traditional Korean dance but is also newly adapted to the present times. The upcoming performance of dance and pansori was the brainchild of the late pansori master Kim So-hui (1917~1995), the government-designated human cultural asset, who had long dreamed of staging the experimental performance. In pursuance of Kim So-hui's will, choreographer Kim first staged the piece in 2001 with senior artist An Suk-seon doing the pansori role. Tickets are available through Infoart (3453-3969, www.infoart.com; Korean only). The Seoul Arts Center can be reached by a free shuttle bus service at Exit 5 of Numbu Terminal Station on Line 3. For more information, contact the organizer (02-337-5961). Additional Korea-related events may be seen at clickkorea.org.

  Indangsu Sarangga, an adventurous theater experiment combining chang,Korea's traditional folk singing, dance, and puppet performance adapted to modern taste, will be on stage at Samchonggak from Sept. 11 through Dec. 28. The story is a commbination of two of the most popular Korean classics from Joseon Dynasty, Chunhyangjeon and Sim Cheong Jeon. Chunhyang Jeon is a love story between Mongnyong, the son of a 18th century nobleman and Chunhyang, the daughter of a humble family. Sim Cheong Jeon is about a daughter who sacrifices her life so her blind father can see. Tickets, priced from 20,000 won to 40,000 won, are available through Ticketlink (1588-7890, www.ticketlink.co.kr). Various shuttle buses go to Samchonggak (02-3676-3460, www.samcheonggak.or.kr) from Seoul's Gwanghwamun neighborhood. Additional Korea-related events may be seen at clickkorea.org.
  As many as 37 abstract paintings by three major foreign artists are on display under the theme of landscape until Sept. 21 at the Total Museum of Contemporary Art in Seoul. Dubbed "Three Creative Passions," the exhibition of the artwork, mixed media on canvas, includes a three-part "Korean Sky" series by Denis Bowen, "From Baufort to the Tenom" by Edwin Easydorchik, and "Vendome" by Pindaros Michaeledes, among others. Bowen, whose work strongly relates to spatial landscapes and Celtic mythologies, has created mystical images in his paintings. Evoking poetic, romantic and primeval images, Easydorchik's paintings search for the memory and trace of his recent trip to Malaysia between 1999 and 2002. Cyprus-born Michaeledes thoroughly investigates the relationship between pictorial space and colors. The Total Museum of Contemporary Art is about a ten-minute walk from the terminal station of the Bus No. 135-2 or 135-3. The buses are available in front of Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Line 3. For more information, call curator Ahn Eun-young at 011-261-6056 or contact the museum (02-379-3994).
  German guitarist Reinbert Evers is to perform at Kumho Art Hall Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m.. With a profound understanding of both classical and contemporary music, Evers is one of the much sought-after performers at major venues and festivals in Germany and abroad. So far he has performed in about 60 countries. Born in 1949, he was the youngest professor at the College of Music in Munster when he was appointed in 1976. His discography comprises works by composers from diverse eras, ranging from Bach through 19th century masters such as Sor and Giuliani to those of our time, De Falla, Henze, Britten and Trojahn. Tickets are priced at 15,000 won and are available through ticketlink(1588-7890, www.ticketlink.co.kr). The Kumho Art Hall (02-6303-1919, www.kumhoarthall.co.kr) is a 5-minute walk from Exit 7 of Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5 and located in the Kumho Building between Saemunan Church and the Salvation Army Center.
 Books
Surfacing Sadness : A Centennial of Korean-American Literature 1903-2003

Edited by
Yearn Hong Choi, Ph.D and Haeng Ja Kim

  Published to commemorate the centennial of the first landing of Korean Immigrants in America in 1903, this book primarily contains English translations of Korean-American literary works orginally wrtitten in Korean. There are some poems and short stories which were originally published in English. Overlooked in the U.S. because their work is written in Korean and overlooked in Korea because they live in the U.S., these first generation Korean American poets and writers contribute a valuable perspective on the Korean Diaspora. Hopefully, this publication will bring these authors to the forefront of American and Korean literature. Publisher: Homa & Sekey Books. Hard cover: 215 pages. Dimensions (in inches): 0.75X6.25X9.25. Price: 30,000 won.

 Movies (DVDs)
The Childish Wife, the World-Weary Husband And Taekgwon Girl,
'Cheoreomneun Anae, Paranmanjanghan Nampyeon, Geurigo Taekgwonsonyeo' (2002)

  Director Lee Muyeong's second movie is centered round the age-old love triangle formula but instead of the classic two men pining after one woman (or vice versa) combination, Lee's scenario involves one man and one woman both in love with a second woman. Geum-suk and Eun-hi are best friends from high school. Geum-suk was the strong Taekgwondo champion who would defend the beautiful Eun-hi from would-be harassers. Geum-suk is so smitten by Eun-hi's "beauty" that she goes to a prison twice because of incidents caused by a combination of Eun-hui's ridiculous accidents and her own (rather violent) over-protectiveness. Oh Du-chan (Choe Gwang-il), the one man in this love triangle, is a comedian working his way up through the entertainment industry. Du-chan and Eun-hui actually end up getting married but that doen't mean that the dysfunctional relationship between Geum-suk and Eun-hi ends... Region code: 3. Subtitles: English, Korean. Running time: 97 min. Rating: 18+. Sound: DD 2.0, DD 5.1. Price: 19,800 won.

Deep Love, 'Milae' (2002)-Special Edition 08.24

Winner of the Best Actress Prize at the 23rd Cheongnyong Cinema Award (Kim Yun-Jin)

  Adapted from Jeon Kyung-lin's best-seller novel "The One Exceptional Day in My Life". "Deep Love" or "Ardor" depicts the life of an average woman overcoming her dull life through a captivating love affair. We witness the moment to moment changes the main characters must face in response to her actions. This film differs from other films that show an illicit affair as a form of escape because Mi-heun and In-kyu's immersion into their love affair opens doors from their current world of misery into a new world of bravery and hope. DVD. Region code: 3. Subtitles: English, Korean. Running time: 112 min. Rating: 18+. Sound: DD 5.1, DD 2.0. Price: 25,000 won.


  In a typical Korean wedding hall, both bride and groom get dressed for the big event, while an employee and good friend of the bride assist in getting everything just right. Michael Hurt is a researcher and photographer currently preparing a photo book about the lives of everyday Koreans.
Migeum, Beautiful Iron
(Orange Line #3 Extension)

  From adjacent neighborhoods, Gumi and Geumgok. Gumi (Turtle Beautiful) means a mountain shaped like a turtle's beautiful shell (turtles are spiritual guardians, representing Earth-energies) and Geumgok (Iron Valley) is where iron ore was mined.

By Jeremy Seligson, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

(Editor's note- Chorim Station that was included here last week was changed to Sunae Station, Sept. 25. 2002. Sorry for the confusion.)



 to Your Friend?
If you know someone who would like to
receive our e-mail newsletter,
please click here.

Free Admission at Palaces -- Besides tasting songpyeon, Chuseok is a good opportunity to see more of the palaces around Seoul. All palaces (except Changdeok Palace) admit visitors free of charge on Chuseok, Sept. 11 and those dressed in hanbok, the Korean traditional clothes, on Sept. 10 and 12. During the holidays, various events related to Chuseok will also be taking place at the palaces.

SEOUL in bookstores -- Seoul Selection's monthly magazine SEOUL will be available to readers in major bookstores as well. Starting in October stop by major bookstores if you want a copy, or you can still subscribe to it as noted in here.

Seoul Selection Top Sellers -- Seoul Selection updates on the list of the company's best selling books and movie DVDs every month. See the list of this month in here. You can also view this information by clicking on "Top Sellers" next to the banner of "Books & Movies" in the this newsletter above.

DVD Sale! -- Thirteen movie DVD titles released by EnterOne will be discounted from 25,300 won to 14,300 won from August 6 to September 20 at Seoul Selection bookstore. To see the titles click here. For more information contact the marketing staff (02-734-9565, selector1@seoulselection.com, selector3@seoulselection.com).

We Buy Used Books -- Seoul Selection buys and sells used books in English. Unlike our regular selection of publications, which specializes on Korea-related materials, our Used Book Section carries books of all shapes and subjects. It's all part of our effort to make life easier for the English speaking community.

Seoul Selection Looking for Partners Abroad -- Seoul Selection is looking for overseas partners who can sell English books on Korea, Korean language learning books, Korean movie DVDs and Korean music CDs. Since Seoul Selection has links to local publishers and DVD/CD production companies, we can provide at the best prices possible. Please contact Hank Kim at selector@seoulselection.com for details.

Publisher: Hank Kim / Editor: Chu Mi-ok / Copy Editor: Janice Pono
Reporter: Park Sooenn / Designer: Kim Yong-joo / Website Manager: Kim Jung-wook

Seoul Selection reserves all intellectual property rights on information provided in   this newsletter. Support has been given by Seoul Metropolitan Government. Some event information has been provided by the Korea Foundation. The IPRs are protected by pertinent laws.

Seoul Selection Web Site: http://www.seoulselection.com
e-mail: selector@seoulselection.com tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563