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| Happy Holidays! |
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We here at Seoul Selection would like to wish our readers all the best this holiday season and a happy and healthy 2010.
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SEOUL January Issue Hits Stands
Cheonggyecheon, Hwacheon and More
Warm up your winter with the January issue of SEOUL, Seoul Selection's monthly travel and culture magazine, which hits stands Thursday. This month, we stroll down the lit-up Cheonggyecheon, head off to the wilds of Hwacheon, talk with W Hotel chef Ciaran Hickey, take in a performance of "The Ballerina Who Fell in Love with a B-Boy," and much, much more. Of course, there's always our "Goings On Around Town" section, the best roundup of the city's performances, festivals and events anywhere. Pick up your copy at any major bookstore across Korea, including, of course, Seoul Selection, your one-stop center for English-language books and DVDs on Korea. If you're too busy to stop by the shop, you can always subscribe and we'll deliver it to your doorstep. |
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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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 Korean Men and Western Women, Part I One thing that you might notice while in Seoul is that there are far more Western men-Korean women couples than Korean men-Western women couples.* Why is this, since whenever I visit Canada, I see a more balanced ratio? One big reason is simply numbers. The majority of Western expatriates in Korea are ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers, and the majority of those are male. Is this because Korea fails to attract female teachers, or fails to keep them? My guess is that it's both. An interesting phenomenon is the " Charisma Man Effect." This refers to a comic book written by expatriates who lived in Japan. It describes an ordinary westerner who, upon his arrival in Japan, is transformed into "Charisma Man," who is very attractive to Japanese women. [1] The Charisma Man Effect holds true in Korea too. Even if a white man is balding, obese, and has a gangrenous skin disease, you can guess that some Korean woman, somewhere, will think that he looks "just like Brad Pitt." This phenomenon affects western women too, and even more so. The Charisma Man Effect only applies to white men, but it applies to foreign women of all skin colors. There is a television show, Mi-nyeo-deul-ee-su-da, known usually by its abbreviation "Misuda," which could be translated as "Chat with Beauties." The "beauties" are foreign women who can speak Korean, and not all of them are Caucasian. [2] There are also chat groups on Daum and Naver, Korea's most popular portal sites, that are dedicated to discussing ways to find foreign girlfriends. [3], [4], [5], [6] The attraction is not just one-way, either. Anecdotes from talks with expatriate women indicate to me that Korean men are just as attractive as their Western counterparts. In fact, they have the advantage of being naturally lean and also of not becoming too bulky when they lift weights. Also, even though it's common in Korea to have plastic surgery to widen one's eyes (particularly among pop singers and actresses), westerners do not find anything at all unattractive about their almond-shaped eyes. [7] For example, actress Megan Fox and model Jessica Gomes both find singer Rain to be very sexy. [8] Some might point out that most intercultural couples in the movies are Asian woman-Western man couples. For me, it's simply that the hero gets a girl, be she white, black, Asian, Hobbit, or green-skinned alien, and the heros are usually not Asian. When the hero is Asian, he gets the girl just the same. Examples are Chow Yun-fat, Jet Li, and John Cho in The Replacement Killers, The One, and Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, respectively.** There is also the implied mutual affection between Chow Yun-fat's character (the Thai king) and that of Jodie Foster's character (Anna Leonowens) in Anna and the King. One exception to this is Jackie Chan. In both his Hong Kong and Hollywood movies, his characters are often too Charlie Chaplin-esque to have real girlfriends. Another exception is the "martial arts master" character. He's usually too busy perfecting his Kung-fu skills to have a girlfriend. So, why aren't more (of the relatively few) female western expatriates in Korea dating Korean men? I believe that it's rooted entirely in culture. [ To Be Continued ] * It should be pointed out that the majority of inter-cultural marriages are between Korean men and non-Korean, Asian women. Most of these men are farmers out in rural areas, and their wives come from developing Asian nations like Vietnam and the Philippines. [9] ** Noteworthy is the fact that Harold is Korean-American, and his family and Korean friends try to set him up with a nice Korean girl, but he has his heart set on the sexy latina girl next door, whom he finally kisses at the end. P.S. If you would like to see the presentations that my students made (with help from me), please go to http://richardlstansfield.wordpress.com/category/student-presentations/ Written by Richard Stansfield ( smaug1004@hotmail.com). The writer has been living and teaching English in Korea since 1996. Note: The views of the writer do not necessarily reflect the views of Seoul Selection. |
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Cia-Cia Come to Seoul A miscellany of high-quality hyperlinks from the week, courtesy of SEOUL editor-in-chief Robert Koehler. - A delegation from Indonesia's Cia-Cia tribe, which made news for adopting the hangeul alphabet as its writing system, is visiting Seoul. - The JoongAng Ilbo introduces readers to the joys of haejangguk, soups usually eaten to chase away a hangover. - The Lee Byung-hun saga continues... - Trying to figure what to give that special Korean in your life for Christmas? The Chosun Ilbo offers some help. - I suppose if you're a pastry fan, you'll want to read this. - Korea's car importers pick their favorite rides. Gotta say, I really appreciate Volkswagen Korea's Na Yun-seok's choice of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL, although I've been a lifelong DeLorean fan. - The Korea Times talks with renowned Korean Studies professor John Duncan, director of UCLA's Center for Korean Studies. - This is certainly a very unusual Korean traditional music concert... - Last weekend, I traveled to Ganghwa Island (and the smaller island of Seodo) to visit two historic churches build in Korean traditional fashion, Ganghwa Anglican Church (1900) and Seodo Central Methodist Church (1923). - Whatever you do, please be sure to check out this photographer's photos of Seoul.
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If you haven't seen it yet, check out the Korea National Ballet Company's performance of "THE NUTCRACKER" at Seoul Arts Center thru Dec 24. A traditional Christmastime favorite, "The Nutcracker" has sold out every performance since its first one in Seoul in 2001. It makes the perfect family outing for the Yuletide.
Admission: VIP: 80,000 won, R: 70,000 won, S: 60,000 won, A: 30,000 won, B: 20,000 won, C: 5,000 won
More Information: (02) 580-1300
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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Korean pop music legend PARK JIN-YOUNG will be performing at Olympic Park on Dec 23---24 (8pm) and Dec 25---26 (7pm). Park has released some seven albums since 1994, but has grown even more famous in recent years as the producer of some of Korea's top acts, including Rain and the Wonder Girls. He's even crossed over into the United States, producing music for Will Smith, Mase and Cassie. The consumate entertainer, Park will delight audiences with a series of concerts that mark his return as a singer.
Admission: Standing (Dec 23): 77,000 won, Standing (Dec 24---26): 88,000 won, SR: 110,000 won, R: 99,000 won, S: 77,000 won, A: 55,000 won
More Info: (02) 3485-4450
Getting There: Olympic Park Station, Line 5, Exit 3.
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Singer-songwriter LENKA, with "a voice like a little girl and melodies as sweet as a lollipop," is coming to give her first concert in Korea at V-Hall on Dec 22 (8pm). The New York Post says that her saccharine surface lies above lyrics that contain "the depth of a woman who knows about life." Go listen to her performing hits like "The Show" and "Ugly Betty" and judge for yourself.
Admission: 77,000 won
More Info: (02) 563-0595
Getting There: Hongik Univ. Station, Line 2, Exit 5. Go straight and turn left at the intersection. Cross the road in front of Richemont Bakery. Walk along the GS25 alley. The club is on your left.
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"PLANET B-BOY," a documentary film featuring the dreams and passion of B-boys from around the world, will be presented at a special screening event at the KFCC. Feel the passion of the youth who share their feelings with each other through hip hop despite their differences in nationality, race and language. "Planet B-Boy" will be shown at the Cinema Room of the KFCC at 3 pm every Saturday from Jan 9 to 30.
About the Film:
Despite the difference in race, nationality and language, young people gather under the banner of hip hop. The documentary that is "Planet B-Boy" depicts the beautiful battle of B-boys to achieve the single goal of winning the annual international B-boy competition "Battle of the Year." Presenting a culture birthed from the desire for freedom and peace and one that has captured the imagination of the youth around the world, the film focuses on the dance, lives and friendships of B-boys that have devoted their youth to dancing. Whether it is getting recognition from their parents or country, or making more widely known the B-boying they love, all of the crews of various countries have their own desperate reasons to win Battle of the Year. The film ends by documenting the dream stage of the B-boys and announcing the final winners of the biggest B-boy competition in the world.
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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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Come On In
Korean-style gate of historic Ganghwa Anglican Church on Ganghwa Island. Photo by Robert Koehler.
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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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