Seoul Selection is looking for translators to help us translate four books on Korean culture (food, modern art, animation and architecture) by the end of the year.
We’d prefer translators with specialized knowledge about the topics or with experience translating works in those fields. The manuscripts are about 40 pages (A4) each. If this interests you, send a resume to atoz@seoulselection.com.
Seoul International Fireworks Festival
A spectacular evening of fireworks and music. Don’t miss it.
A favorite of Korean photographers, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival brings thousands to the banks of the Hangang River around and across from Yeouido for an evening of music and fireworks. Professional fireworks—both overseas and local—light up the night sky with dazzling displays of pyrotechnic beauty. Bring a blanket and bottle of wine riverside and enjoy the spectacle, preferably with someone you love.
Many spectators head to Yeouido Hangang Park for the show. This is not a bad idea, but the best place to see the fireworks is Ichon Hangang Park, on the other side of the river. If you’ve got a camera and want to photograph the event, a word of advice—get there early! This writer got there several hours early last year and still barely found a place for his tripod.
VENUE: Hangang River around Yeouido
DATE: Oct 5, 1pm—9pm
GETTING THERE: Yeouinaru Station 여의나루역 (Line 5), Exit 3
Officetel URBAN 194
The brand new officetel URBAN 194 has got spiffy full-option studios for KRW 620,000—700,000 (no key money needed). Close to Janghanpyeong Station (Line 5). See here for more information.
Around the Web
A miscellany of high-quality hyperlinks from the week, courtesy of SEOUL editor-in-chief Robert Koehler.
Every year, the SPAF challenges the conventional notion that performing arts is only for the supremely intellectual by inviting all who simply enjoy the aesthetics of art and crave something new and fresh. This year, a total of 19 entries—including ten foreign invitational works from France, the US, Belgium, Poland, China, and Japan—will dazzle the audience. The roster consists of eight theatrical works, seven dances, and four multi-genre productions. Some of the highlights include Victor ou les enfants au pouvoir from France, about a boy crying out at the absurdity of life and the laws of the society, and Zbrodnia (The Crime) from Poland, which tells a story of captivating mystery written by highly praised Polish novelist Witold Gombrowicz. King Lear, a joint production between Korea and Japan, is directed by Suzuki Tadashi, a living legend in Japanese theater history. Of particular note is Sontag: Reborn from the US, which is adapted from renowned author and activist Susan Sontag’s early journals.
VENUE: Arko Arts Theater, Daehangno Arts Theater
PERIOD: Oct 2–26
ADMISSION: Depends on program. http://ticket.interpark.com/global
MORE INFO: T. 02-3668-0100, www.spaf.or.kr
GETTING THERE: Hyehwa Station 혜화역 (Line 4), Exit 2
Jarasum Int’l Jazz Festival
The Jarasum International Jazz Festival, held on Jaraseom Island in Gapyeong, is a large-scale jazz festival that attracts over 100,000 visitors every year. With fresh autumn air and the island’s colorful mosaic as a backdrop, the festival will invite some 50 acts from Korea and abroad. Headliners of the four-day annual event include Ibrahim Maalouf, Madeleine Peyroux, Erik Truffaz Quartet, Abdullah Ibrahim, and the Steve Gadd Band. The event will kick off with Jo Young Deok Trio, who won the Jarasum International Jazz Concours 2012.
PERIOD: Oct 3–6
VENUE: Jaraseom Island, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
ADMISSION: KRW 45,000–110,000
MORE INFO: T. 031-581-2813, www.jarasumjazz.com
GETTING THERE: Namchuncheon-bound trains depart from Cheongnyangni Station, stopping at Gapyeong Station.
Typojanchi 2013
Typojanchi is a biannual international exhibition of typography to explore various elements of the art as a visible language and a cultural discipline. Under the theme, titled “SUPERTEXT (Typography as Literature),” the 2013 edition explores the dual identity of typography, in the sense that it is as much an art of language as a visual art platform. Through exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and multidisciplinary performances, Typojanchi strives to share with the public the literary potential of typography in the overlap of the two realms.
VENUE: Culture Station Seoul 284
PERIOD: Aug 30–Oct 11
MORE INFO: T. 02-398-7945, www.typojanchi.org
GETTING THERE: Seoul Station 서울역 (Line 1, 4, Airport), Exit 2
The Paju BookSori celebrates literature and its history with exhibitions, lectures, performances, and other public-oriented events like book fairs and flea markets. The annual book-themed festival is hosted by Paju, which is home to a cluster of some 260 publishing companies. The exhibition Hangeul Nadri 569 brings together materials drafted in hangeul in the early days of Christianity in Korea. The festival has invited celebrated Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, acclaimed Korean poet Shin Kyung-lim, and French columnist Guy Sormam.
Paju BookSori 2013
The Paju BookSori celebrates literature and its history with exhibitions, lectures, performances, and other public-oriented events like book fairs and flea markets. The annual book-themed festival is hosted by Paju, which is home to a cluster of some 260 publishing companies. The exhibition Hangeul Nadri 569 brings together materials drafted in hangeul in the early days of Christianity in Korea. The festival has invited celebrated Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, acclaimed Korean poet Shin Kyung-lim, and French columnist Guy Sormam.
VENUE: Asia Publication Culture & Information Center
PERIOD: Sep 28–Oct 6
MORE INFO: T. 031-355-0079, www.pajubooksori.org
GETTING THERE: Take bus 2200 or 200 at Hapjeong Station 합정역 (Line 2, 6), Exit 2
Busan Int’l Film Festival (BIFF)
The BIFF, considered one of the most significant film festivals in Asia, is returning to Busan with 301 movies from 70 countries. Among them, 137 entries will record world premieres. Since its establishment in 1996, BIFF has focused on introducing and supporting new Asian directors and their films. Opening the festival will be Vara: A Blessing, which revolves around Bhutan’s traditional Bharatanatyam dance and tells the story of two lovers and their self-sacrifice through beautiful imagery. The 2013 Bhutani feature was directed by Khyentse Norbu.
VENUE: Centum City, Haeundae, Nampo-dong
PERIOD: Oct 3–12
MORE INFO: T. 1688-3010, www.biff.kr
GETTING THERE: It takes three hours to get from Seoul to Busan by KTX.
RASKB: Discovering Baekje History and Culture in Gongju and Its Neighborhood
Today’s cultural excursion will lead us to Gongju, the previous capital of the Baekje kingdom during the three kingdoms period and Chungcheong province during the Joseon dynasty. The exursion will focus on some selected sights of Gongju, mostly related to Buddhism.Gongju was originally named Ungjin and became the second capital of Baekje from AD 475 to 538. In this period, Baekje was under threat from Goguryeo, the territory of today’s North Korea. Goguryeo had overrun the previous capital of Hanseong, modern-day Seoul, which forced Baekje to find a new center of strength. Gongju was the Baekje capital for only 63 years before King Seong retreated south in 538 and moved the capital to Sabi (nowadays Buyeo County).
Hangang Railway Bridge in the morning. Photo by Robert Koehler.
*Click the photo to see a full-size version at our website.
NOTE: If you have a photo you would like to see in our Everyday Koreans section, please sent it to story@seoulselection.com. Photos should be AT LEAST 950px wide. Send a one-line bio, too.
Notifications
Tell Us About ‘Your Korea’: If you’re a longtime resident of Korea and would like to share your story in KOCIS’s KOREA Magazine, shoot an email with your story idea to book@seoulselection.com.
Looking for Translators – Seoul Selection is looking for a few good translators (Korean to English) for general translation work. Those interested should send a resume and cover letter to Kyehyun at trans@seoulselection.com. Experienced translators only.
Seoul Selection eBooks – You can purchase some Seoul Selection titles in ebook format via Amazon.com (for Kindle) and Apple’s iBookstore. Titles include Ask a Korean Dude, Moon Tides, Doing Business in Korea, Once Around the Sun, and seven volumes of our Korean Film Directors series: BONG Joon-ho, IM Kwon-taek, KIM Jee-woon, LEE Chang-dong, LEE Man-hee, PARK Chan-wook, and SHIN Sang-ok.
Send Your Event Info – If you would like to advertise any upcoming events you are organizing, please send us the press release material at book@seoulselection.com by the preceding Friday in order for it 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 have a strong interest in Korean culture and be able to interview Koreans. Send your resume and writing samples to book@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.
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: https://www.seoulselection.com
e-mail: hankinseoul@gmail.com tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563
https://magazine.seoulselection.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/export.png632629rjkoehlerhttps://magazine.seoulselection.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Seoul-logo.pngrjkoehler2013-10-02 14:40:162013-10-02 14:40:16Weekly SEOUL: Seoul International Fireworks Festival
The Jarasum International Jazz Festival, held on Jaraseom Island in Gapyeong, is a large-scale jazz festival that attracts over 100,000 visitors every year. With fresh autumn air and the island’s colorful mosaic as a backdrop, the festival will invite some 50 acts from Korea and abroad. Headliners of the four-day annual event include Ibrahim Maalouf, Madeleine Peyroux, Erik Truffaz Quartet, Abdullah Ibrahim, and the Steve Gadd Band. The event will kick off with Jo Young Deok Trio, who won the Jarasum International Jazz Concours 2012. 
Typojanchi is a biannual international exhibition of typography to explore various elements of the art as a visible language and a cultural discipline. Under the theme, titled “SUPERTEXT (Typography as Literature),” the 2013 edition explores the dual identity of typography, in the sense that it is as much an art of language as a visual art platform. Through exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and multidisciplinary performances, Typojanchi strives to share with the public the literary potential of typography in the overlap of the two realms.
The Paju BookSori celebrates literature and its history with exhibitions, lectures, performances, and other public-oriented events like book fairs and flea markets. The annual book-themed festival is hosted by Paju, which is home to a cluster of some 260 publishing companies. The exhibition Hangeul Nadri 569 brings together materials drafted in hangeul in the early days of Christianity in Korea. The festival has invited celebrated Japanese poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, acclaimed Korean poet Shin Kyung-lim, and French columnist Guy Sormam.
The BIFF, considered one of the most significant film festivals in Asia, is returning to Busan with 301 movies from 70 countries. Among them, 137 entries will record world premieres. Since its establishment in 1996, BIFF has focused on introducing and supporting new Asian directors and their films. Opening the festival will be Vara: A Blessing, which revolves around Bhutan’s traditional Bharatanatyam dance and tells the story of two lovers and their self-sacrifice through beautiful imagery. The 2013 Bhutani feature was directed by Khyentse Norbu.
INTERBATTERY 2013: NEW SEOUL EXPO TO SPEARHEAD