Oct 9, 2013 / Issue No. 601
Marketer Wanted
Seoul Selection is looking for a full-time marketing/advertising specialist to help us with SEOUL, our monthly travel and culture magazine. If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter to hankinseoul@gmail.com.
Translators Wanted
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 planner@seoulselection.com.
Maija Rhee Devine Press Conference/Book Signing
Author of The Voices of Heaven to discuss suffering of women in war
Korean-American writer Maija Rhee Devine will be holding a press conference at Seoul Selection Bookshop at 3pm, Friday (Oct 11) to discuss her recently released novel The Voices of Heaven. In particular, she will talk about the suffering of women in the Korean War and its aftermath. She will also hold a book signing at 4:30.
A tale that spans decades, The Voices of Heaven has been expertly woven together to reveal not only the injustices of unmitigated life circumstances but also the restorative power of truth and love. Maija Rhee Devine presents a stellar cast of empathetic characters to spin a tale that draws readers into the shadows of Korea’s Confucian web that at once constrains and defines the powerful will of its people.
Around the Web
A miscellany of high-quality hyperlinks from the week, courtesy of SEOUL editor-in-chief Robert Koehler.
– The Korean wedding industry is wooing Chinese customers.
– Learn more about Seoul’s rental bikes.
Events
Picasso de Malaga, Picasso Absoluto
Some 200 pieces of artwork by Pablo Picasso—including prints and drawings—as well as historical data are on view in southern Seoul. The collection is on loan from the Malaga-based Picasso Foundation. The exhibition is divided into four topics: Picasso’s women, explorations of human nature, his views on still life and fauna, and Picasso as an illustrator. In addition, some 100 rare photographs on display offer a glimpse into his personal life, building a complete understanding of Picasso’s artistic career. The photography is the work of renowned Hungarian artist Juan Geynes, who worked in Spain.
VENUE: Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center
PERIOD: Thru Nov 24
MORE INFO: T. 1599-2298, http://picassoabsoluto.com
GETTING THERE: Nambu Bus Terminal Station 남부터미널역 (Line 3), Exit 5
New Media Exhibition from the Centre Pompidou
The Video Vintage: 1963–1983 looks at the birth of video art and its historical development in the context of contemporary art though representative new media artworks from the collection of the Centre Pompidou. The collection dates back to the early 1960s, when video was first used as a means of artistic expression. The collection also features the 1980s, when video art developed in association with various genres such as performance, film, music, dance, television, and literature. Eighty works by fifty artists, including video artists Nam June Paik and Bill Viola and film director Jean Luc-Godard, will go on display.
VENUE: National Museum of Contemporary Art
PERIOD: Thru Dec 31
MORE INFO: T. 02-2188-6000, www.mmca.go.kr
GETTING THERE: Seoul Grand Park Station 서울대공원역 (Line 4), Exit 4. Take the shuttle bus.
Life Photography Exhibition
An exhibition of 130 classic images from the LIFE Picture Collection is now under way in Seoul, under three themes, “People,” “Moments,” and “Life.” Various iconic figures like Pablo Picasso, Audrey Hepburn, Charlie Chaplin, Leonard Bernstein, and Elvis Presley are captured in the people section, while World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Apollo 11, and other historic moments make up another theme. In particular, the exhibition includes a rare image of the 1949 assassination of independence fighter and political leader Kim Gu.
VENUE: Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
PERIOD: Thru Nov 25
ADMISSION: KRW 12,000
MORE INFO: T. 02-747-7790, www.seelife.co.kr
GETTING THERE: Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5), Exit 1 or 8
2013 K-Ballet World
Organized by the Korea Ballet Association, the K-Ballet World festival will present many contemporary performances and classical repertoire from diverse troupes. The opening gala evening will feature “Fresco” of Korea’s Universal Ballet, “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” of France’s Eric Gauthier Dance Company, and “1X1=?” of the Seoul Ballet Theater. Some of Korea’s future ballet leaders, including Han Sung-woo of the American Ballet Theater, will team up to present “Don Quixote” and “Giselle,” among many classic works.
VENUE: Seoul Arts Center
PERIOD: Oct 12–23
ADMISSION: KRW 20,000–70,000
MORE INFO: T. 02-538-0505, www.koreaballet.or.kr
GETTING THERE: Nambu Bus Terminal Station 남부터미널역 (Line 3), Exit 5.
The Chorus; Oedipus
Directed by Seo Jae-hyung and composed by Choe U-zong, this piece weaves together music, dance, and drama. This stage production emphasizes the existence of the “chorus,” a key characteristic of ancient Greek drama. Although faithful to the original form of the play, it also aspires to successfully transform itself into a modern musical play. The minimal, circular stage, the powerful energy of the male actors, and the modern but unforgettable melody will maintain a sense of tension among audience members.
VENUE: LG Arts Center
PERIOD: Oct 9–20
ADMISSION: KRW 50,000
MORE INFO: T. 02-2005-0114, www.lgart.com
GETTING THERE: Yeoksam Station (Line 2), Exit 7
13th Seoul International NewMedia Festival
The Seoul International NewMedia Festival (NeMaf) defines itself thusly:
One, NeMaf are with those who consider other people as one with ourselves.Two, NeMaf firmly believe that everyone is an artist playing with new media arts. Three, NeMaf dreams of the world where the individuality of everyone is respected. Four, NeMaf places itself squarely against the uniformity of popular culture, preferring resistance and cultural difference.
As a new media art festival of alternative video, the Seoul International NewMedia Festival was launched in 2000 as an indie video festival. NeMaf has since been destorying the boundaries between video and art with creative energy and passion. It is dedicated to introducing new media art works that offer new imaginations and new uses for art and media, aiming to discover artists with potential and support them with the belief that everyone can be a new media artist. The festival is highly interactive, encouraging communication between artists and audiences.
As a festival which has been developing and producing new genres of film and art, it has previously explored media genres such as media symphony (rhythm and image), image poem (prose accompanied by a mental picture), visual performance, digital media art, video activism, video diaries, and B-grade kitsch cinema. NeMaf is on the front line of experimentalism, radiating a vivid imagination and redefining creativity in the movie/media/image arts.
Included on the program is Saturday Night Special, in which Martyn Thompson, Da-yeon Kim, and Matt Gale show new video art at an outdoor theater in front of Hongik University from 7 to 7:30pm, Oct 19.
VENUE: Seoul Art Cinema, Media Theater iGong, Seoul Art Space Seogyo, Gallery Sup and around Hongik University
PERIOD: Oct 16–25
MORE INFO: http://www.nemaf.net
Shake Shop Vol. 9
The Shake Shop concert series is a monthly event that mixes Korean independent music and belly dancing. Each show features some of the top talents from the local music scene doing live collaborations with shimmying belly dancers. Volume 9 of the event takes place on Friday, October 11 and will feature instrumental rockers Romantiqua, punk band … Whatever that Means, and ambient / electronic duo Tennger (Itta & Marqido) all teaming up with the stunning Canadian-born belly dancer Eshe and her Navah troupe.
DATE: Oct 11, 11 pm
VENUE: Club Freebird, Hongdae
ADMISSION: KRW 10,000 (with 1 free drink)
MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/events/168081610064875/
RASKB: Bukchon Walking Excursion
Bukchon or North Village because of its location North of the Cheonggyecheon (“clean water stream”, since July 2003 under restoration) – is located between Gyeongbok-kung and Changdoek-kung, two royal palaces of the Jeoson Dynasty (1392-1910). The close proximity to the palaces, the ideal geomantic location and the commanding view of Bugaksan and Inwangsan made the area a favourite residential area for high-ranking government officials and the nobility throughout the 600-year-old history of the capital Seoul. Nowadays, the name Bukchon refers to a hanok conservation zone (hanok = traditional Korean house).
DATE: Oct 12
VENUE: Bukchon, Seoul
COST: KRW 36,000 (members), KRW 30,000 (non-members)
MORE INFO: See this link.
GETTING THERE: See link above.
Everyday Koreans
2013 Seoul International Fireworks Festival

2013 Seoul International Fireworks Festival. 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 WantedSEOUL 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 Magazine
SEOUL (October 2013)

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Publisher: Hank Kim / Editor: Robert Koehler
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