SEOUL Weekly: April 5, Issue No. 471

April 5, 2011 / Issue No. 471 Honorary Publicity Ambassador of Gangnam-gu Gangnam-gu is recruiting volunteers who will promote lovely Gangnam-gu, a global district where traditional and modern lifestyles coexist. MHonorary publicity ambassadors will carry out promotional activities, introducing Gangnam-gu via personal SNS such as Twitter, Facebook and blogs or by sending e-mails to their home countries. - Number of ambassadors required: approximately 100 foreigners - Registration period: Thru April 11 - Working period: Starting from April To register, please send an email with your name and email to yeoksam@sba.seoul.kr or call us at (02) 3453-9038~9. More Info: Contact Gangnam-gu Office at (02) 2104-1260 or choi222@gangnam.go.kr Spring Blooms Anew Hangang Yeouido Spring Flower Festival Celebrate the spring by strolling beneath the beautiful cherry blossoms of Yeouido in Seoul’s most famous spring festival. In addition to the flowers, there will be cultural performances, photo exhibits, poetry readings and other things to see and do. VENUE: Yeouiseo-ro, Yeouido PERIOD: Apr 8—19 ADMISSION: Free MORE INFO: (02) 2670-3114 GETTING THERE: Yeouido Station or Yeouinaru Station, Line 5. Please Fill Out Our Survey! As part of our on-going efforts to improve our monthly magazine SEOUL, we are conducting a survey (.doc file) to gather opinions and suggestions regarding the magazine. As added incentive, if you send in a filled-out survey, we’ll add your name to a lucky draw in April in which five people will win two tickets each to the popular Korean non-verbal performance NANTA. Send your completed surveys (downloaded from the link above) to sense@seoulselection.com. Streetwise in Seoul Incheon Airport: Deserving of Praise You may have heard of Incheon International Airport. You may be aware of the fact that it has won numberous awards for being one of the best, if not the best, airport in the world.[1] You may have been through this airport and, like me, experienced its cafes with free Internet access, restaurants, bars, and shops (many of which are duty-free). You may even have indulged in things that I haven’t, such private sleeping rooms, a spa, and even a museum. However, to truly appreciate it, you have to do as I have done, and experienced a South Korea without it. When I first came to South Korea, Incheon International Airports was but a gleam in a bureaucrat’s eye. At the time, international flights were handled by Gimpo International Airport, and let me tell you, it was a zoo. One time, I went to Gimpo and had given myself plenty of extra time. However, I found myself waiting in a long line in front of the check-in counter that, for some inexplicable reason, was virtually immobile. As minutes turned into half-hours, and then into an hour-and-a-half, I began to get genuinely worried that I might miss my flight. At the time, I had quit my job and, even though I was intending to begin a new one, visa laws dictated that I leave the country immediately* and return later. I had no home in Korea to return to and my luggage contained all of my possessions. Missing my flight would have been much more than an inconvenience. The “cushion” of time that I had given myself was effectively evaporating. I don’t know what the problem was, but there was no end in sight. I began to feel hysterical and after I made some agitated inquiries, the line finally began to move. I made my flight, barely, but I dreaded having to go through that airport again. When plans for a new airport were announced, I felt relieved. At first, there was no subway that went there, so you had to take a shuttle bus. I was worried that the bus would get stuck in Seoul’s infamous traffic, but to my pleasant surprise, on the many times that I took the bus, delays were never too severe. I don’t know if it was because I was lucky, or if the buses had special routes, or if there were some other reason. Nowadays, you can take the subway all the way to the airport and bypass traffic altogether. Now, I don’t dread going to the airport, and in fact look forward to it. Of course, when you have to go through a thirteen-hour flight, check-in, security screening, immigration, and a baggage carousel, there’s a limit to how positively you’re going to anticipate going to the airport. However, I was only hoping for something better than Gimpo, which was setting the bar very low. I have to say that Incheon International has exceeded all of my expectations. * These days, immigration allows you to stay for a little while after you stop working, but this was not the case back then. Written by Richard Stansfield (smaug1004@hotmail.com).The writer has been living and teaching English in Korea since 1996. The views of the writer do not necessarily reflect the views of Seoul Selection Around the Web A miscellany of high-quality hyperlinks from the week, courtesy of SEOUL editor-in-chief Robert Koehler. Sydney gets a Korean cultural center. The “Mini Korea” out in Yeongwol has been designated a Scenic Spot of National Culture Heritage. Seoul’s Chungmuro is set to become a Korean Wave theme street. With Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea fast approaching, the Korea Times gives us some travel tips in Jeollanam-do. In the JoongAng Ilbo, Seo Ji-eun introduces Chan’s Espresso Bar in Hongdae. Matt of Discovering Korea looks at Korea’s makgeolli renaissance. Eat Your Kimchi goes backstage to Seoul Fashion Week. Steve the QiRanger brings us to Seoul Forest, Seoul’s urban escape. Need somewhere to go this spring? Check out Gurye’s Sansuyu Village. Yours truly took his camera for a walk at Seoul Square and Cheonggyecheon Stream. Goings On Around Town Draw Kolleen Park! Shinhan Bank and Artpoli host the “Togethership with Kolleen Park – Open Art Contest.” This is a very experimental art event in which artists submit works online to Artpoli, and works selected by viewers will be exhibited offline at Shinhan Gallery Yeoksam. Voting began on March 15 and will continue until April 12. You can see a variety of the art works — all with the same subject, Kolleen Park — at http://www.artpoli.com/contests/1/. Kolleen Park, a famous musical director in Korea, will select three artworks herself and award some gifts to artists. And 100 viewers, who have participated by voting, commenting and sharing the event, will be given a coupon, worth 20,000 won, with which you can commission your portrait from Artpoli artists. With this event, Shinhan Bank, a leading bank, and Artpoli, an online startup, want to make art more accessible, using modern technologies like online social media and smartphones. Another goal of this event is to give young artists an opportunity to show their work to a broad audience. This contest celebrates the opening of Shinhan Gallery Yeoksam, which Shinhan Bank wants to establish as a proactive and multi-purpose art space. VENUE: Shinhan Gallery Yeoksam DATE: Thru June 15 ADMISSION: Free MORE INFO: See here. GETTING THERE: See website Jang Sa-ik & Korean Jazz Orchestra—A Spring Night’s Enjoyment With his wondrous combination of Korean traditional music and jazz, Jang Sa-ik is one of Korea’s most beloved singers. This spring, he lends his voice to the Korean Jazz Orchestra, the successor to the Korean Pops Orchestra and one of the busiest jazz bands in the country. VENUE: Mapo Arts Center DATE: Apr 9, 7pm ADMISSION: R: 60,000 won, S: 50,000 won, A: 30,000 won MORE INFO: (02) 3274-8600 GETTING THERE: Daeheung Station, Line 6, Exit 2. Go straight and turn right at the intersection. Cirque du Soleil’s Varekai Deep within a forest, at the summit of a volcano, exists an extraordinary world where something else is possible. Meaning “wherever” in the Romany language, “Varekai” is Cirque du Soleil’s tribute to the nomadic soul, and features the ancient and rare circus traditions of Icarian games, watermeteors, Georgian dance and revolutionary twists on such acts as Russian swings, slippery surface and triple trapeze. VENUE: Big Top Theater, Jamsil Sports Complex DATE: Apr 6—May 29, 8pm (weekdays) / 4pm, 8pm (Sat) / 2pm, 6pm (Sun, no performances on Mondays) ADMISSION: Tapis Rouge (VIP Package): 220,000 won, R: 130,000 won, S: 90,000 won, A: 60,000 won (Tickets: http://ticket.interpark.com/global) MORE INFO: (02) 541-6235, www.cirquedusoleil.co.kr GETTING THERE: Sports Complex Station, Line 2, Exit 6 or 7. Eric Benet—Live in Seoul 2011 R&B singer Eric Benet wants you to feel good. “There’s so much to be depressed about right now and I think this more so than ever that you need to remember how good it feels to get back to the real. People just need to have some feel good R&B in their lives,” he says. Well, this is your chance to get back to the real. VENUE: AX-Korea DATES: Apr 12, 8pm ADMISSION: Standing/Seat: 99,000 won (Tickets: http://ticket.interpark.com/global) MORE INFO: (02) 563-0595 GETTING THERE: Gwangnaru Station, Line 5, Exit 2. Cross the road, turn left and walk 5 minutes. The hall is located behind the youth center. Hilary Hahn & English Chamber Orchestra American violist Hilary Hahn is joined by the English Chamber Orchestra for a night of Hayden, Mozart, Purcell and Britten. The tech-savvy Hahn—she has her own Youtube and Twitter pages—is one of the 21st century’s most sought-after violinists. About the ECO, label Gramophone lavished the praise, “No band plays quite so lightly and elegantly as the ECO.” VENUE: Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center DATE: Apr 12, 8pm ADMISSION: R: 160,000 won, S: 120,000 won, A: 90,000 won, B: 60,000 won, C: 40,000 won MORE INFO: (02) 599-5743 GETTING THERE: Nambu Bus Terminal Station, Line 3, Exits 4 & 5. Transfer to shuttle bus, or green bus No. 4429. Jean Jacques Sempe—Little Nicholas’s Beautiful Days Jean-Jacques Sempé (b. 1932) is one of the most successful illustrators in the world. His sharply observed and beautifully drawn cartoons have delighted readers in France and beyond for over forty years. Expelled from school for bad behavior, Sempé took application exams for jobs at the French Post Office, a bank and the French Railways, and failed them all. As a result he became a traveling toothpaste salesman and then joined the army. Having served periods of detention for drawing instead of keeping watch, he eventually won an art prize in 1952 given to encourage young amateur artists to turn professional. Most famous in the English-speaking world for his instantly recognizable New Yorker covers, Sempé’s illustration and cartoons are enjoyed by the readers of Paris Match on a weekly basis. Now, four volumes of his work are available in English for the first time, together with a new range of stationery products. VENUE: Hangaram Design Museum, Seoul Arts Center DATE: Apr 7—18 ADMISSION: Adults: 11,000 won, Youths: 8,000 won, Kindergardeners: 6,000 won MORE INFO: (02) 332-5818 GETTING THERE: Nambu Bus Terminal Station, Line 3, Exits 4 & 5. Transfer to shuttle bus, or green bus No. 4429. The 13th International Women’s Film Festival in Seoul (IWFFIS) See the world through women’s eyes! This non-competitive film festival introduces local and global trends in women’s film. Opening the festival is German director Doris Dorrie’s comedy “The Hairdresser.” VENUE: Artreon Theater DATE: Apr 7—14 ADMISSION: Admission depends on program MORE INFO: (02) 583-3598, www.wffis.or.kr GETTING THERE: Sinchon Station, Line 2, Exit 4. Walk 200m in the direction of Ewha Womans Univ. INCOGNITO Concert in Seoul Still going strong after three decades, British acid jazz group Incognito bring their act to Seoul once again. The newspaper The Independent praised the group as “the UK’s own Earth, Wind & Fire, a national treasure whose founder Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick deserves a knighthood.” Last year they released their 14th album, “Transatlantic RPM.” Fans in Korea will remember them as the headline act of the 2009 Seoul Jazz Festival. VENUE: AX-Korea DATE: Apr 9, 7pm ADMISSION: Standing/Seat: 99,000 won Tickets: http://ticket.interpark.com/global MORE INFO: (02) 3143-5155 GETTING THERE: Gwangnaru Station, Line 5, Exit 2. Cross the road, turn left and walk 5 minutes. The hall is located behind the youth center. “between” Combining adapted work by Asian and adoptee writers and Amy Mihyang’s original writing, “between” encapsulates her experiences as a Korean American woman, a New Yorker, and most of all, a transracial adoptee. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Korean Unwed Mothers & Families Association (KUMFA), the only Korean group and network solely created and run by unwed mothers. VENUE: Club After Mainstage, Itaewon PERIOD: Apr 8—17, (Fri, Sat & Sun), Fri 8pm; Sat 4pm & 8pm; Sun 4pm & 6pm ADMISSION: 15,000 won. Booking: ticketing@seoulplayers.com. MORE INFO: More info: www.seoulplayers.com GETTING THERE: See website RASKB Tour: Fortress Wall of Bugaksan Join the RAS for one some classic views right in the heart of Seoul! Seoul was the capital city of Korea for more than 600 years and is unique for being surrounded by four mountains (Inwangsan—Namsan—Naksan and Bugaksan), four big gates (Namdaemun—Dongdaemun—Seodaemun and Sukjeongmun) and four small gates. This tour in particular will explore Bugaksan, Sukjeoungmun gate and of course, the views. This tour is special to all Seoulites as this part of Seoul had actually been closed to the public for 40 years and was re-opened only in 2007. VENUE: Mt. Bugaksan, Seoul DATE: Aug 9 ADMISSION: 20,000 won for members / 24,000 won for non-members MORE INFO: See here. GETTING THERE: See link above. Modern Bangladeshi Art II In the spring of 2011, we will once again have the opportunity to appreciate modern Bangladeshi art, a rarity in Korea. The modern artwork of Bangladesh, while strongly rooted in tradition, is also seen as succeeding remarkably at capturing a vivid and vital mixture of worlds. Coming on the heels of 2009’s successful Contemporary Paintings of Bangladesh I exhibition, this event will be a prime opportunity to encounter the current state of modern art in Bangladesh. Visitors will enjoy around 50 dynamic works of art by 16 Bangladeshi artists who are experimenting with a variety of media, techniques, and styles such as painting, installation art, and media art. Among the artists with works on display are Syed Jahangir, winner of the top art award in Bangladesh and an artist active throughout Asia and in the United States, and Kanak Chanpa Chakma, a female artist whose main focus is on depicting the lives of minority peoples. We hope this exhibition serves as a great opportunity for the people of Korea and Bangladesh to develop a broader understanding of one another. VENUE: Korea Foundation Cultural Center PERIOD: Apr 8—15 ADMISSION: Free MORE INFO: (02) 2151-6513, 6520, www.kfcenter.or.kr GETTING THERE: City Hall Station, Lines 1 & 2, Exit 9. / Seodaemun Station, Line 5, Exit 6. Walk 5 to 10 minutes. Everyday Koreans Cheonggyecheon Stream Cheonggyecheon Stream at night. Photo by Robert Koehler. *Click the photo to see a full-size version at our website. Notifications Looking for Volunteer English Conversation Teacher (Part Time) – Dialogue in the Dark, the revolutionary Sinchon-based permanent exhibition that takes place in total darkness and allows visitors to experience the world via their remaining senses, is looking for volunteers to teach English conversation to its staff and exhibition guides. For more information, please send an email to writer@seoulselection.com. Shinhan Bank’s Seoul Global Center – Shinhan Bank has launched its own Seoul Global Center on the first floor of Gwanghwamun’s Seoul Finance Center. This is a branch specially made for foreigners, with financial consulting services for foreigners (individual/group), financial counsellings at your place of work (even for one person) and commemorative events such as special rates on currency exchange and interest rates. For more information, contact Deputy General Manager Jeon at (02) 773-3149 or 010-7275-9006. Learn Korean Traditional Dance – Chumsae Dance School is offering lessons on Korean traditional dance. Morning (10:00—11:30, Tue Thu), afternoon (4:00—5:30, Mon Wed) and evening classes (7:30—9:00 Tue Thu) available. Classes are limited to 10 persons each. Tuition is 200,000 won a month. For more information, call (02- 762-7731). KFCC Films – The Korea Foundation Cultural Center runs regular screenings of both Korean and foreign films, with subtitles. In April, they’ll be running “Brokeback Mountain,” “Inner Senses,” “La Sconosciuta,” “Rosso come il cielo” and more. Click here for more information. Korean Language Classes – The Korea Foundation Cultural Center Offers free Korean language classes for foreigners residing in Korea. The classes, led by Korea Foundation volunteer teachers, are held at 7:00-9:00 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (two classes at 4:00 and 7:00 on Wednesdays). Anyone interested in learning Korean language and willing to participate in the language class is welcome to join. For more information, click here. Calling all photographers – SEOUL WEEKLY could use your help with our Everyday Koreans photo section. If you have a camera and enjoy snapping shots capturing everyday scenes in the Republic of Korea, send your photos in along with captions and a brief, one-line bio. Send Your Event Info – If you would like to advertise any upcoming events you are organizing, please send us the press release material to book@seoulselection.com by the preceding Friday in order to appear in the following Tuesday’s issue. Freelance Contributors Wanted – SEOUL magazine needs writers who are fluent in both Korean and English. Writers should be able to interview Koreans and also have a strong interest in Korean culture. Send your resume and writing samples to writer@seoulselection.com. We Buy & Sell Used Books – Seoul Selection buys and sells used books in English. Unlike our regular selection of publications that specialize in Korea-related topics, our Used Book Section carries books on all subjects. It’s all part of our effort to make life easier for the English-speaking community. Forward this email to a friend Unsubscribe / Change Profile Sponsors Recommended SEOUL, April Issue What?: 108 Zen Poems I Saw the Devil New Books ASIA, MAGAZINE OF ASIAN LITERATURE The Surrendered Yonsei Korean Reading 1 (with Audio CD) GANADA Korean for Foreigner (WORKBOOK, Intermediate 1) Moon Tides Koreana (Spring 2011) New DVDs Plan B A Better Tomorrow I Saw The Devil Petty Romance Queen of Reversals Vol. 2 Publisher: Hank Kim / Editor: Robert Koehler / Website Manager: Ray Hong Seoul Selection reserves all intellectual property rights on information provided in this newsletter. 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: hankinseoul@gmail.com tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563