Jan 15, 2014 / Issue No. 615
Translator and Copy Editor Needed
Seoul Selection is looking for 1) a part-time Korean-to-English translator, preferably one who majored in economics, and 2) a full-time copy-editor who is familar with academic papers and publications, especially economics. If you’re interested, please send a resume and cover letter to atoz@seoulselection.com.
1st KF Architecture and Design Documentary Film Festival
The first program at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center in 2014 is a documentary movie festival that will take place at the center for two weeks thru Jan 26 on the theme of architecture and design. Guests at the movie festival can encounter three films included in the city and architecture category at the EBS International Documentary Festival and two films about graphic design. You can visit the webpage of the center for detailed information about the screening schedule for the movies and related programs.
Space for Human, Space for Culture
The featured films include three documentary works related to the EIDF’s category of “City & Architecture”— Coast Modern,” “TINY: A Story about Living Small” and “The Human Scale”—in addition to short features like “The Home,” which reveal various aspects of architecture from different viewpoints.
Audiences will also have an opportunity to learn about world cultures through the films: “Buzkashi!” that introduces a traditional sport of the Tajikistan people; “The Impermanence of the Ordinary” which records the changing landscape of Toronto over the past 30 years; and “And Who Taught You to Drive?” that provides a glimpse into the “cultural differences” that foreigners must overcome in order to obtain a driver’s license in a foreign country.
In line with the theme of this program, “Documentary Films on Space,” the screening venue will be the art gallery of the Korea Foundation’s Cultural Center, which will provide a distinctive ambience for the moviegoers.
In addition, the film screenings will be supplemented by a “talk session” on Jan 18 (Saturday) with architect Seunghoi Koo, who is known for “Seo-yeon’s House” in the movie “Architecture 101.” This event will provide visitors with a chance to learn more about recent architectural trends from one of Korea’s most innovative architects.
VENUE: KF Cultural Center Gallery
PERIOD: Thru Jan 26
MORE INFO: See this link.
GETTING THERE: See map here.
James Blake – Live in Seoul
British electronic musician holds first solo concert
British electronic musician James Blake will hold his first solo concert in Seoul, though he once performed as a headliner in the 2012 Jisan Summer Rock Festival in Korea. His eponymous debut album was released in Britain in 2011 and nominated for the Mercury Music Prize the same year. His second studio album “Overgrown” won the Mercury Prize in 2013. Blake is also known as Harmonimix, especially when releasing remixes.
VENUE: UNIQLO AX (formerly AX-KOREA)
DATE: Jan 19, 6pm
ADMISSION: KRW 88,000
MORE INFO: T. 02-457-5114, www.uniqlo-ax.co.kr
GETTING THERE: Gwangnaru Station 광나루역 (Line 5), Exit 2. Cross the road, turn left and walk 5 minutes. The hall is located behind the youth center.
Good Eats in Insa-dong
Looking for good Korean food in Insa-dong? Kimchigol (T. 02-720-6436) does Great kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew) and steamed pig’s trotters. Give the kimchi shabu-shabu a try, too. Todamgol Charcoal Beef Barbecue (T. 02-733-4592), meanwhile, does a lovely sutbul gamagui—tender slices of beef, roasted in a charcoal oven.
Around the Web
A miscellany of high-quality hyperlinks from the week, courtesy of SEOUL editor-in-chief Robert Koehler.
– A Korean artist is beautifying a New York landmark.
– Should Korean food go back to the basics?
– LA’s Korean Friendship Bell gets a restoration.
– The East Sea goes to Virginia.
– Few places are more beautiful in winter than Chuncheon’s steamy Soyanggang River.
Events
Jersey Boys
The original cast of the hit Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” is coming to Seoul. The production is the true story of the remarkable rise to stardom by one of the most successful bands in pop music history, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. The show features the electrifying elements in the group’s history—the mob, the heartaches, the triumphs and the music. This production features many of the band’s biggest hits including “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Sherry” and “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”
VENUE: Blue Square
PERIOD: Jan 17–Mar 23
ADMISSION: KRW 80,000–140,000
MORE INFO: T. 1544-1591, www.bluesquare.kr
GETTING THERE: Exit 2, Hangangjin Station (Line 6)
Vienna Boys Choir Tour in Korea
The Vienna Boys Choir is coming to Korea with its Korean conductor Kim Bo-mi. Following its Seoul show, the choir will tour the provincial cities of Guri, Daegu, Gimhae and Yeosu for a series of concerts. Comprising male sopranos and altos, the choir is the modern-day descendant of the boys choirs of the Viennese Court dating back to the late Middle Ages, whose role was to provide musical accompaniment to Mass.
VENUE: Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center
DATE: Jan 19, 8pm
ADMISSION: KRW 30,000–100,000
MORE INFO: T. 1577-5266, www.sac.or.kr
GETTING THERE: Nambu Bus Terminal Station 남부터미널역 (Line 3), Exit 5. Transfer to shuttle bus, or green bus No. 4429.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra
A psychedelic indie rock band with American and New Zealand members, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) first dropped on the world scene in late 2010 as a Bandcamp account carrying the single “Ffunny Ffrends.” The group’s debut self-titled album was released in June 2011 and quickly received critical acclaim. In November 2013, the three-member group won the award for Best Alternative Album at the New Zealand Music Awards.
VENUE: ROLLING HALL
DATE: Jan 18
ADMISSION: KRW 32,000–40,000
MORE INFO: T. 02-325-6071, supercolorsuper.com
GETTING THERE: Exit 1 of Sangsu Station (Line 6)
Seoul Snow Festival
Embrace the seasonal temperatures and venture out! A snow festival is underway at the heart of the nation’s major metropolis. On this occasion, many exciting activities are on, from exhibitions to traditional games and competitions for all ages. Most of all, visitors can enjoy a full day of sledding and tubing as the site itself is a wintry amusement park complete with music and entertainment. Join in the fun and frolic of winter!
VENUE: War Memorial Museum of Korea
PERIOD: Thru Feb 9
ADMISSION: KRW 12,000–15,000
MORE INFO: T. 02-780-8102, www.seoulsnowfestival.org
GETTING THERE: Exit 12 of Samgakji Station (Line 6)
RASKB Excursion: Gwangneung and Sanjeong Lake
A favorite “break the winter blahs” excursion, this will help to cure that feeling of “cabin fever”! The RAS prescription is to get out into the countryside and back in touch with nature. This excursion will take us to Gwangneung, the tomb of King Sejo and his queen, located near Seoul in a picturesque National Forest Reserve, and then on to the enchanting Sanjong Lake.
DESTINATION: Northern Gyeonggi-do
DATE: Jan 25
ADMISSION: KRW 51,000 (member); KRW 61,000 (non-members)
GETTING THERE: See this link.
MORE INFO: See link above.
Everyday Koreans
Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang Market’s food court at night. 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 (January 2014)

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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
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e-mail: hankinseoul@gmail.com tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563