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| Thank You |
Seoul Selection would like to thank everyone who attended last Friday's Potlatch 2009 celebration. It proved a valuable opportunity for the Seoul Selection family to come together, and we can only hope you had as much fun as we did. For those looking perhaps to relive a bit of the evening, we've uploaded some photos from the event at Flickr for your viewing enjoyment. |
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Korean Film Directors: LEE Man-hee
Explore the World of One of Korea's Greatest Filmmakers
Lee Man-hee (1931---1975) has been called a "martyr of film," "a director who advanced Korean realist film," "a Korean film auteur armed with a fierce artistic spirit," and a "cinematic genius and experimenter." Between 1961 to 1975, he made 50 films, including 11 in 1967. "Korean Film Directors: LEE Man-hee", the latest in KOFIC's series on prominent Korean film directors, gives readers insight into Lee's life and art through in-depth interviews with those who knew him and synopsis of his films. It's a must for any self-respecting Korean cinema buff. Price: 18,000 won. You can pick up your copy at Seoul Selection bookshop. |
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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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After a series of sold-out concerts in major cities in Korea, New York and Hawaii, Jang Sa-ik is back to wow audiences with his "Flower Viewing" vocal performance at Seongnam Arts Center on Dec 12 (5pm). Jang's songs of life, death and dreams have proved a hit and met with wild enthusiasm so far. And the latest stop for this late starter of a star, who first hit the stage at the age of forty-five, is Seongnam Arts Center's Opera House. Since releasing his first record in 1995, "Way to the Sky," Jang has moved audiences throughout Korea with his unique mixture of Korean traditional music and jazz. The powerfully voiced singer, who's released five albums, reduced American audiences to tears during a 2007 US tour, despite language and cultural barriers. Jang's music is often referred to as "fusion," since it mixes both modern Western genres (particularly jazz) and Korean traditional elements, particularly pansori. The Dec 12 concert is divided into three parts: "Death," "Life" and "Dreams." Admission: VIP: 120,000 won, R: 90,000 won, S: 70,000 won, A: 50,000 won, B: 30,000 won. More Information: (02) 548-4480. Getting There: Imae Station, Bundang Line, Exit 1.
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Rock legends Guns N' Roses will be performing at Gymnasium No. 1, Olympic Park on Dec 13 (7pm). Surprisingly, this is GNR's first concert in the Land of the Morning Calm, and the latest in a string of big name overseas acts coming to Korea. Last year, GNR released its long awaited "Chinese Democracy" album, the product of 17 years of work. Admission: R (Seat/Standing): 132,000 won, S: 110,000 won. More Information: (02) 3141-3488. Getting There: Olympic Park Station, Line 5, Exit 3.
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As a rule, there aren't many Czechs in Korea, but their central European republic punches well above its weight class when it comes to culture. Not long after this autumn's opening of the Czech Info Center in Seoul's Hongdae area, the Prague-based children's choir Bambini di Praga is coming to town to share a variety of classical works and Christmas carols at the Sejong Center on Dec 9 (7:30pm). The Czech and Moravian Christmas carols on the program are a particularly rare treat to look forward to. Admission: R: 80.000 won, S: 60.000 won, A: 40.000 won, B: 20.000 won. More Information: (02) 548-4480. Getting There: Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5, Exits 1 & 8.
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Under the self-imposed slogan "Hit&Run," Seoul Independent Film Festival will take place over nine days from Dec 10 to 18 at Indie Space. A record 722 films were entered into the competition earlier this year: now, after a rigorous preliminary round, 34 shorts and 11 feature films have been selected to compete in the festival proper for glory and more than 51 million won in prize money. Insider opinion says that standards this year are higher than ever, promising festival-goers a glimpse of the best of raw Korean film talent today. Admission: Depends on program. More Information: (02) 362-9513, www.siff.or.kr. Getting There: Myeong-dong Station, Line 4, Exit 10. Walk straight and turn the corner. Go straight and you will find Joongang Cinema. Indie Space is the third theater inside.
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The non-verbal play "Handcart, Overturned" will be playing at Arko Arts Theater on Dec 8---13 (8pm on weekdays, 3pm and 7pm on Sat, 3pm on Sun). The handcart: a symbol of the joys and sorrows of life in Seoul throughout the later half of the twentieth century. The play has no spoken words, relying instead solely on the movements of its actors and a handcart. Full of metaphor, this visual play is a constant source of stimulation for the imagination of those who watch it. Admission: Adults: 20,000 won, Students: 15,000 won. More Information: (02) 764-7462. Getting There: Hyehwa Station, Line 4, Exit 2. Turn left and pass Marronnier Park. The theater is located on your left.
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The Royal Asiatic Society will be heading to one of this writer's favorite Buddhist temples, Magoksa in lovely Gongju, on Dec 13. As an added bonus, they will be stopping in on Cheonan's Gakwonsa, too, famous for its massive bronze sitting Buddha, Korea's largest. Despite being a rather large temple, Magoksa is geographically isolated and relatively unknown --- a true hidden treasure. Cost: 43,000 won for members and 51,600 won for non-members. For more information, click here.
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The CJ Culture Foundation will be holding the 2nd CJ Picture Book Festival at the Korea Foundation Cultural Center through Dec 24 (10am---6pm). Supported by the Korea Foundation, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korean Publishers' Association, the exhibition will present 100 works for the New Publication Category and 50 for the Illustration Category, selected from hundreds of works submitted by publishers and artists from around the world. Kveta Pacovska, popular with children worldwide for her illustrated books, will be invited to the exhibition to introduce her unique three-dimensional picture books that engage all five senses. Special events to be held in conjunction with the exhibition include a picture book forum, picture book animation screenings and a picture book library. Admission: 5,000 won (adults), 3,000 won (children). More Information: www.cjbook.org, 02-338-6672, info@cjbook.org.
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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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Texting Versus Skating
Text messaging at the ice rink of Lotte World. Photo by Robin Nystrom.
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Seal Engraving Classes - Yejang in Bongcheon-dong is recruiting students for a year-long seal engraving class. Classes, which meet twice a week (two hours per class), begin from Jan 6. Calligraphy lessons are included, too. Classes are 300,000 won per three months. For more information, call 017-353-6818 or send an email to yejang@yejang.com. 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 December, the KFCC will be screening "Special Films in Retrospective." 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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