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'Missionary Photography in Korea: Encountering the West through Christianity'
Korean History Through Rare Photos
Seoul Selection is happy to announce the release of " Missionary Photography in Korea: Encountering the West through Christianity." Edited by renowned Korean history scholar Donald Clark --- who would know a thing about missionary history in Korea --- and organized by the Korea Society, the hardcover volume is full of rare old photos, interviews and essays: "Missionary Photography in Korea: Encountering the West through Christianity" is a captivating visual addition to the material available on this period. More than 70 prints, taken between 1887 and 1938, give glimpses of the dramatic social changes in progress--missionary doctors, Korean doctors, switchboard operators, Christian weddings, new buildings, schools, teachers, football and tennis teams, crowded roofs, hairdressers, Benedictine industrial schools, Bible translation sessions and much more constitute the subject of images that absorb the reader with their abundance of character and richness of detail. Each photograph is accompanied by explanatory notes on the facing page, giving further insight into the scenes they present. If you live in New York, Prof. Clark will be speaking at the Korea Society on Oct 22 --- copies of the book will be available for purchase. In Korea, Gyeonggi Suwon International School will be hosting a one-week exhibition of the book's photographs from Oct 27. |
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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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 From Cowboy to Mercenary When I first arrived in Korea, it was the time of the "ESL cowboy," but nowadays, like real cowboys, they are a dying breed, being increasingly replaced by what I personally call the "ESL mercenary." The ESL cowboy shared some characteristics with their historical counterparts. They didn't have professional training (e.g. freshly-minted bachelor's degrees that were unrelated to education, and/or no teaching experience). They had a reputation (rightly or wrongly) for drinking and having a good time, including chasing women. They worked in a "frontier town" that was devoid of law-and-order (English as a Second Language, ESL, was new to Korea, and regulations were either poorly-enforced or nonexistent.). They liked to explore and had a sense of adventure. Their carefree attitude was sometimes criticized as careless or even reckless. Their rugged individualism made a workers' (or teachers') union almost impossible. As one person put it, it's like trying to herd cats. They freelanced for extra money, setting up (illegal) private tutoring lessons. To this end, they all had pagers to keep in touch with their clients. (At this time, cell phones were very rare in Korea. Pay phones were more numerous, and usually had long lines.) Gradually, the "ESL cowboy" gave way to the "ESL mercenary," who have certain characteristics that lead me to call them thus: They have some training and/or credentials. Because they're professionals, they expect to be paid well. This is, of course absolutely reasonable, especially since many of them have responsibilities, such spouses and/or children to support. What leads me to call them mercenaries is the single-minded drive to make money. Like the cowboys, they freelance to this end. The difference is that the money goes to things like stocks or wide-screen plasma TVs, instead of things like beer or movie tickets. This is also the reason why most expatriates in Korea don't speak Korean above a basic level of fluency. Every hour spent studying Korean is an hour not spent earning money. Also like the cowboys, they work in a lawless land --lawless not because it's a frontier, but because law enforcement is hindered by things like corruption and politics. (ESL has now been in Korea for almost fifteen years, but because of a lack of will or ability to enforce regulations, it remains quite lawless.) They don't have the same reputation for debauchery as the cowboys, but neither do they have the sense of adventure. If they like to travel, it's to other countries, during their vacations. While some cowboys have moved on, and mercenaries have taken their place, some cowboys have evolved into mercenaries. They improved their teaching credentials, but also lost their curiousity about Korea. What remained was the desire to make money, though it may be spent differently. If Korea wishes to attract teachers who are professionals (unlike the cowboys) but are not overly-focused on money (like the mercenaries), then it is going to have to do some decisive, concrete things. But that is the subject of another column. P.S. To see archived "Streetwise in Seoul" columns, please go to http://streetwiseinseoul.wordpress.com. Written by Richard Stansfield (smaug1004@hotmail.com). The writer has been living and teaching English in Korea since 1996. |
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The world's largest-scale 10K running event, Nike+ The Human Race takes place in more than 30 cities worldwide on the same day, Oct. 24. In Seoul, footballer Ji-sung Park, figure skater Kim Yuna and hip hop group DJ DOC will each lead running teams as part of an effort to get youngsters into running shoes. There is also a chance to participate virtually by running 10K anywhere you like---search online for Nike+ Human Race for further details. Things begin at Yeouido Park Culture Square. More Information: Click here.
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Close your eyes and imagine a music festival that is grand, cool and refreshing. The result may well be something like Grand Mint Festival 2009. Taking place over two days (Oct 24---25) in Seoul's picturesque Olympic Park, which is home to some rabbits, GMF will comprise several stages: Mint Breeze Stage, Club Midnight Sunset, Loving Forest Garden and Cafe; Blossom House. The lineup includes such artists as The Black Skirts, Monni, Seoul Jeonja Eumakdan, Oh Ji-eun, Alice in Neverland, Bulldog Mansion, Heum, and many more. This festival aims for a placid but refreshing "picnic" atmosphere, while challenging the concept that festivals are exclusively for bands by including solo and instrumental artists in its lineup. More information: (02) 322-0014, www.grandmintfestival.com. Getting There: Olympic Park Station, Line 5, Exit 3.
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Mr. Big Concert will be playing at Olympic Park on Oct 24 (7pm) and 25 (6pm). Mr. Big in the United States in the 1990s, the hard rock band has maintained its popularity among East Asian fans, including Koreans. After breaking up in 2002, they responded to appeals from fans and reformed in 2009. Tickets: Standing R: 110,000 won, Standing S: 99,000 won, R: 110,000 won, S: 88,000 won, A: 66,000 won. More Information: (02) 540-1225. Getting There: Olympic Park Station, Line 5, Exit 3.
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The Lee Hyun Seoul Gallery in Cheongdam-dong is hosting an exhibition of the work of photographer Shin Mihe from Oct 23 to Nov 18. Utilizing old bottles, scrap metal and thrown-away cardboard boxes, the exhibit forces us to contemplate the fleeting nature of existence. The opening reception is Oct 23 (6pm). More Information: (02) 549-5668, www.leehyungallery.com. Getting There: Exit 9 of Cheongdam Station, Line 7.
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Wanna take in the autumn scenery? The Royal Asiatic Society Korea is heading to Mt. Seoraksan National Park on Oct 24---25. In addition to the usual magnificent beauty of this scenic area, participants will have two options of dipping in to the local Cheoksan hot springs, first night, and to even extend the chill-out to second day, at the Seorak Waterpia. This is a hot-spring resort that features a spa, hot sauna, 18 kinds or artificial waves, etc. For those who would not take the options and rather enjoy the mountain range, you are guaranteed to enjoy the tour just as much. For more information, click here.
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The photo exhibition " El Mapuche con Buenos Ojos" (Mapuches with good eyes) is the photographer Lincoyan Parada's project, who tries to reveal the ordinary life of the Mapuche people. It is worth mentioning that the Mapuches are an indigenous community who are concentrated in Regions VIII and X of the Republic of Chile. The exhibition is a social and anthropologic document that aims to spread information about the Mapuche's culture. Hosted by the Embassy of Chile, the exhibition will be held at the Korean Foundation Culture Center between Oct 23 and Nov 10. Lincoyan Parada was born in Santiago in 1947. He is a recognized photographer who has carried out many exhibitions in Chile and around the world. The photos on display have already been featured in several exhibitions in art galleries and cultural institutions in Chile. A documentary on Chile will be shown additionally during the exhibition. For more information, please contact to the Embassy of Chile in Seoul (02-779-2615) or the Korea Foundation Culture Center ( www.kfcenter.or.kr, 02-2151-6500).
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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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Now That's Some Danpung
Fall foliage at Mt. Juwangsan National Park in Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Much more in the upcoming November issue of SEOUL. 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 Shin Jiwon at sense@seoulselection.com or Hank Kim at hankinseoul@gmail.com. Of you can give us a ring at (02) 734-9567. 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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