Weekly SEOUL: Seoul Selection’s Summer Reading List

July 10, 2013 / Issue No. 588

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Around the Web

– Asiana’s flight attendants are being praised for their heroics.

– Does Korean culture shed light on the Asiana crash?

– An African-American take on the Korean Wave.

– Korea’s No. 1 “cultural planner” leaves academia to found a school of Asian culture.

– Will saving Korea’s music industry kill it?

– Dale goes to Yeongheungsa Temple.

– Fireworks in Songdo.

– Beautiful hydrangea in Busan. They’ve got their own festival.

– What to do around Dongjak Station.

– Wonderful shots of Mt. Baekdusan, Korea’s sacred mountains.

Events

Czech artist Alphonse Mucha was one of the leading artists of the Art Nouveau movement, displaying his immense talents in painting, decorative arts, arts and crafts and illustration. In fact, in wouldn’t be an exageration to say that Art Nouveau began and ended with him. Some 235 works are on display.

VENUE: Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center

PERIOD: Jul 11–Sep 22

ADMISSION: KRW 12,000

MORE INFO: T. 1666-2775, www.mucha2013.com

GO: Nambu Bus Terminal Station 남부터미널역 (Line 3), Exit 5. Transfer to shuttle bus, or green bus No. 4429.

The Korea Foundation is hosting the Canada Wood & Architecture exhibition jointly with the Embassy of Canada and Canada Wood Korea. The exhibition is related to the Canadian lumber industry—Canada is, in fact, the world’s largest producer of timber and wood products. The exhbition will feature special seminars by nine Korean architects.

VENUE: KF Cultural Center Gallery

PERIOD: Thru July 26

ADMISSION: Free

MORE INFO: T. 02-2151-6520

GO: Short walk from Euljiro 1-ga Station 을지로입구역, Line 2. The gallery is on the 2nd floor of the Center 1 Building West.

During the hugely popular Boryeong Mud Festival, everyone is happy to be covered in mud from head to toe. Now in its 16th year, the festival will run July 19–28 on Daecheon Beach, taking advantage of the abundant mud found in nearby tidal flats.

Tourists flock to the beach to experience the beneficial properties of Boryeong mud; the mud is considered rich in minerals and used to manufacture cosmetics. Festivalgoers also have their pick of fun activities, like the Mr. Mud contest, mud wrestling, mud races, and even a mud boot camp. Colored mud is also produced for body painting.

Those looking for a more laid-back experience can opt for mud facials, pottery demos, soapmaking, and lounging on the beach. A big stage is erected for live music, competitions, and various other types of entertainment. A small market runs along the seafront selling cosmetics made from Boryeong mud. In the evening, music and fireworks enliven the party on the beach.

VENUE: Mud Plaza, Daecheon Beach, Boryeong-si, Chungcheongnam-do

PERIOD: Jul 19–28

ADMISSION: KRW 6,000–10,000

MORE INFO: T. 010-5438-4865, www.mudfestival.or.kr

GO: Head for Daecheon Station 대천역 by train or Boryeong by intercity bus. Then transfer to a local bus bound for Daecheon Beach

Fried chicken and beer—two great tastes that go great together. Daegu, the spiritual home of Korea’s fried chicken industry, has held this unique festival since 2010, but this year, the city is teaming up with the Chinese city of Qingdao, which can only mean one thing—you get to wash your chicken down with Qingdao Beer!

VENUE: Duryu Park, Daegu

PERIOD: Jul 18–21

ADMISSION: Free

MORE INFO: T. 053-631-0052, www.chimc.or.kr

GO: KTX trains to Daegu depart from Seoul Station (travel time: 2 hours).

The concept of RESPECT is the everlasting theme of this massive four-day event. Over 300 artists, musicians, grassroots-content creators, promoters, producers, urban enthusiasts, hip-hop heads and b-boys from around the world convene in Korea, in an attempt to provide the proper inspiration necessary to push the movement forward. What started out as a world-championship-level b-boy tournament has now evolved into a massive annual festival, which seeks to encompass all aspects of urban youth cultures, as the festival draws visitors and spectators not only from Korea, but also from different regions of Asia and the world.

VENUE: Olympic Hall, Olympic Park

PERIOD: Jul 13–14

ADMISSION: KRW 10,000–50,000

MORE INFO: T. 02-576-3463, www.r16korea.com

GO: Olympic Park Station 올림픽공원역 (Line 5), Exit 3

Everyday Koreans

A corner in the historic Seochon neighborhood. Photo by Robert Koehler.

Notifications

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