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Seoul Selection Guides: Seoul
City Finally Gets Guidebook It Deserves
Seoul Selection is proud to announce the release of " Seoul," the first in Seoul Selection's groundbreaking guide book series. At 464 pages, no other guidebook on the planet covers the dynamic city of Seoul in as much detail, with comprehensive neighborhood-by-neighborhood descriptions of all there is to do and see. More than 400 color photographs bring alive the city's scenic charms, while a plethora of culture and history notes provide the reader with fascinating background information to enrich the tour experience. Detailed maps make sure you don't get lost... unless you want to. "Seoul" is written by Robert Koehler, a 13-year resident of Korea and editor-in-chief of Seoul Selection's monthly travel magazine SEOUL. Price: 24,000 won. You can pick up your copy from Friday at major bookshops around the country, including Seoul Selection.
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2009 Great Battle of Myeongryang Festival
Celebrating One of Naval History's Greatest Victories
Co-hosted by the province of Jeollanam-do and the counties of Haenam-gun and Jindo-gun, the 2009 Great Battle of Myeongryang Festival (Oct 9---11) celebrates the miraculous triumph at the Battle of Myeongryang, when war hero Admiral Yi Sun-sin led 13 Korean ships to victory over an enemy Japanese fleet of 333 ships. The four-day festival, to be held from Oct. 8 to 11 in the area around the Myeongryang Strait (also known as the Uldol Strait), is highlighted by a spectacular recreation of the battle --- the massive reenactment features about 100 boats owned by local fishermen, with a total crew of 3,000 men. While you're in town, you can take in the wonders of the so-called Namdo region, which encompasses the far southwestern corner of the Korean Peninsula. Sites include the beautiful Buddhist temples of Daeheung-sa and Mihwang-sa and the scenic island of Jindo. Throw into the mix some of the finest food in Korea, and you're set for an outstanding weekend. More Information: (061) 286-5251 or www.mrdc.kr. Getting There: Most of the festival activities take place along the Myeongryang Strait, near the Jindo Bridge. To get there from Seoul, take the KTX from Seoul's Yongsan Station to Mokpo (travel time: 3hr 30min). There are shuttle buses to the venue from Mokpo Station. |
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- Good tours of the DMZ are conducted by the USO (795-3028) and TOURDMZ (755-0073). For more information on their tours, click here (USO) and here (TOURDMZ). - The Seoul City Bus Tour is a great way to explore the city of Seoul, especially if you're new to town. For more information, click here or call 777-6090. - The Royal Asiatic Society conducts entertaining and informative tours to some of Korea's most historic sites. Click here for more information, including schedule. - For self-starters, the Seoul City Tourism website has several walking tours and self-directed tours. You can also give them a ring at 2171-2461. - The Korea Tourism Organization website is another great place to get information. If you're on the road, just call 1330 for up-to-date tourist information.
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 "You Can't Handle the Truth!" Anyone who's seen the movie " A Few Good Men" probably remembers the scene in which Tom Cruise's character demands that Jack Nicholson's character come clean, and Nicholson bellows the response, "You can't handle the truth!" Such a sentiment may help to explain the tales of Vera Hohleiter and Shunpei Mizuno. These two foreigners, German and Japanese respectively, became celebrities in Korea, and went on to write books. Given that they had hardly ever publicly said a negative thing about Korea, there was surprise when their books were found to contain criticisms of Korea. Some Koreans reacted with hurt and anger, and accused them of being two-faced. [1], [2], [3], [4] However, every foreigner in Korea learns soon after their arrival here that even the smallest criticism is met with indignation. When a fellow teacher pointed out to a student that Korea's choco pies were similar to the much older moon pies and wagon wheels (82- and 51-years-old, respectively, as opposed to the choco pie's 35-year history), the student became very upset. Also, one of my students once described Rain/Bi as a "world star." I replied that while he was very well-known and successful in Asia, his attempts to break into the American music market didn't pan out (as evidenced by his canceled concerts). [5] He seethed and growled that Rain was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, a global superstar because ... he had read it ... somewhere. If Koreans can react like this about such trivial matters as snacks and pop music, then one can imagine the fury and accompanying histrionics if one were to touch upon anything the least bit more serious. So if expatriates in Korea are two-faced, then it's because there is a lack of tolerance for any expression of one's honest opinion. Written by Richard Stansfield (smaug1004@hotmail.com). The writer has been living and teaching English in Korea since 1996. |
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The Pusan International Film Festival (Oct 8---16) is Korea's premier celebration of cinema and one of the biggest film festivals in Asia. On the program this year will be some 355 films from 70 countries (a festival record), including opening film "Good Morning President" (Korea) and closing film "The Message" (China). Some 200,000 visitors are expected to be in attendance. Even if you're not a film buff, Busan and the Haeundae Beach area are more than pleasant enough places to pass the weekend. Admission: Depends on program. More Information: 1688-3010, www.piff.org. Getting There: It takes three hours to get from Seoul to Busan by KTX. Take the subway to Haeundae Station, Dongbaek Station, or Centum City Station.
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2008's Seoul Design Olympiad helped to transform people's understanding of design with the message that everything around us counts in some way as design. This year, the Seoul Design Olympiad (Oct 9---29, Jamsil Sports Complex and its vicinity) is back to show the direct link between design and economics by giving examples of design transforming individual and public life. Highlights of this year's exciting program include the World Design Market 2009, an exhibition of the 2009 winners from Copenhagen's biyearly Index Awards for life-improving designs, and a "Corporations and Organizations Exhibition" showcasing the work of Korea's most successful design companies. More Information: (02) 3705-0062~4, http://sdo.seoul.go.kr. Getting There: Sports Complex Station, Line 2, Exit 6 & 7.
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See PAN "2009 Noreum Machi" at Seoul Namsan Gugakdang on Oct 13 (8pm). The title of this work is a term used only for the most skilled performer in a traditional troupe of strolling players. Noreum Machi this time, however, is a group of highly skilled performers of Korean traditional percussion music. Their music features neither melody nor singing: all they have to communicate to the audience is their passion. The only instruments they use are hourglass drums and gongs. Add this to shamanistic chants and acrobatic dances, and you have an electrifying performance that gives an unforgettable taste of Korea's traditional rhythms and popular entertainment. Admission: 30,000 won. More Information: (02) 323-2257. Getting There: Chungmuro Station, Lines 3 & 4, Exits 3 & 4. Walk 200m along the alley between Dongguk Univ. Culture Contents Complex and Maeil Business Newspaper bldg.
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The New York Philharmonic will be playing at Seoul Arts Center on Oct 12---13 (8pm). This Seoul concert is the first in the New York Philharmonic's inaugural international tour under the leadership of Alan Gilbert, who began his tenure as Music Director in September 2009. The Oct 12 concert will feature Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, with Gilbert conducting and Korean violinist Choi Ye-eun making her debut with NYP. Oct 13 will see Gilbert conducting and German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann as soloist, playing Brahms' Violin Concerto and Mahler's Symphony No. 1. Admission: R: 280,000 won, S: 230,000 won, A: 150,000 won, B: 80,000 won, C: 40,000 won. More Information: (02) 6303-7700. Getting There: Nambu Bus Terminal Station, Line 3, Exits 4 & 5. Walk 5---10 minutes or take shuttle bus, bus No. 12 or bus No. 4429.
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The Embassy of Switzerland and Switzerland Tourism have the pleasure to present Swiss Festival 2009 at the Raemian Gallery in Unni-dong from Oct 9 until Oct 13. This first edition of the Festival is an initiative of the Swiss Embassy and Switzerland Tourism in Korea. The purpose of this open door Festival is to share with the Korean public some aspects of Swiss culture through special events like concerts, exhibitions, food tasting, special events for children and information stands. All events organized at the Raemian Gallery in Unni-dong are free of charge but reservations are needed to join the concerts and workshops. More Information: (02) 739-9511. Getting There: Exit 4, Anguk Station, Line 3.
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Special screenings of " art21: ART IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY" will be held in the Cinema Room of the Korea Foundation Cultural Center on Oct 17 and 24. Produced by art21 in the United States and sponsored by the Korea Foundation, Season 5 of 'art21: ART IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY' features world-renowned contemporary artists and their art world. The screening event will serve as a special occasion to see the contemporary artists' vision, inspiration and creativity, as well as how they deal with major issues of modern society through their works. It will provide art experts and students with a rare opportunity to meet world artists, rarely reachable otherwise, including Kimsooja, Jeff Koons, John Baldessari, Cindy Sherman, Mary Heilmann, and Cao Fei, all at the same time. Admission is Free. Those who wish to attend the event are asked to first sign up for membership at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center website, and leave a message on the Freeboard thru Oct 9. (For details, please refer to the News section (Notice) on the website.) Reservation Notification: The results of reservation requests will be announced on News (Notice) of KFCC website and individual notifications will be sent out on Oct 12. Contact: 02)2151-6520, mschoi@kf.or.kr
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| These are just some of the diverse events taking place in and around Seoul. SEOUL Magazine's ever-expanding events section is colorfully designed and jam-packed with the latest information. For the complete round-up pick up a copy of SEOUL Magazine at any of the quality bookstores in the city and you'll never have to spend another month in the dark. |
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Moon Over the Fortress
An almost-full-moon over Suwon Hwaseong's Janganmun Gate. Photo by Robert Koehler.
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SEOUL's Next Top Model - SEOUL, Seoul Selection's monthly travel and culture magazine, is looking for people who'd like to show off themselves in their favorite Seoul backdrops. You name the place and pose, and we'll do the photographing. If we like what we see, we'll put your photo in the magazine. If this sounds fun, send an email (with a photograph of yourself) to sense@seoulselection.com. Both foreigners and Korean nationals are welcome. 
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).
Language Exchange Club - LEC, the multilingual language exchange club, has had great events every month like barbecues, Thanksgiving, Halloween, hiking, swimming, snowboarding and rafting. This month they will be going snowboarding and skiing --- contact discgolf@naver.com for more information. The nonprofit club, located in Myeong-dong, is for people who are interested in exchanging languages and culture as well as making good friends from all over the world. KFCC Films - The Korea Foundation Cultural Center runs regular screenings of both Korean and foreign films, with subtitles. In October, the KFCC will be screening African films. 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 reporter@seoulselection.com by the preceding Friday in order to appear in the following Tuesday's issue. Advertise in SEOUL magazine - Advertisement space available in SEOUL magazine and weekly newsletter. For rates, click here. For more information, please contact at 734-9567 ( ad@seoulselection.com, selector@seoulselection.com). 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 reporter@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 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 the best prices possible. Please contact Hank Kim at selector@seoulselection.com for details.
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Publisher: Hank Kim /
Editor: Robert Koehler /
Designer: Jun Shinwook / Website Manager: Ray Hong
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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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Seoul Selection Web Site: http://www.seoulselection.com e-mail: hank@seoulselection.com tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563 |
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