Sep 25, 2013 / Issue No. 599
SEOUL October Issue
Seoul festivals, PIFF and More
Seoul Selection is happy to announce the imminent release of the October issue of SEOUL, Seoul Selection’s travel and culture monthly. In this issue of SEOUL, we look at some of the city’s festivals in October, give you a quick peak at the Busan International Festival, show you where to buy a good book, talk with poet Oh Eun and designer Chris Roh, and much, much more. And if that’s not enough, take a look at our Goings On Around Town, your roundup of the month’s concerts, festivals, exhibitions and other events.
Pick up your copy this week at a bookstore near you.
Around the Web
A miscellany of high-quality hyperlinks from the week, courtesy of SEOUL editor-in-chief Robert Koehler.
– Hide the women and children: soju takes aim at America.
– Japan’s First Lady defends her love of Korean culture.
– Mexico is becoming a land of opportunity for migrants, including Koreans.
– I’m not sure I’d describe Spam as a luxury item, even here.
– Northern Seoul gets an art gallery. Finally.
– Here’s a map (in Korean) of when to expect the leaves to turn color.
– Yours Truly spent the Chuseok holiday photographing foggy sunrises, old fortress gates and trains.
Events
Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival
The festival aims to promotes the traditional culture and art of Suwon and preserve the spirit of Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The filial affection and political innovations of King Jeongjo, who built the fortress in the late 18th century, will also be cherished. Visitors will be treated to a range of performances and reenactments: the king’s royal procession to his father’s grave and the ensuing memorial rite; a nighttime military drill; the 60th birthday party for the king’s mother, Lady Hong; a court service test; and more.
PERIOD: Sep 27–Oct 1
VENUE: Yeonmudae Square @ Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon
ADMISSION: Free
MORE INFO: T. 031-290-3564, http://shfes-eng.suwon.ne.kr
GETTING THERE: Suwon Station 수원역 (Line 1), Exit 4
Jarasum Int’l Jazz Festival
The Jarasum International Jazz Festival, held on Jaraseom Island in Gapyeong, is a large-scale jazz festival that attracts over 100,000 visitors every year. With fresh autumn air and the island’s colorful mosaic as a backdrop, the festival will invite some 50 acts from Korea and abroad. Headliners of the four-day annual event include Ibrahim Maalouf, Madeleine Peyroux, Erik Truffaz Quartet, Abdullah Ibrahim, and the Steve Gadd Band. The event will kick off with Jo Young Deok Trio, who won the Jarasum International Jazz Concours 2012.
PERIOD: Oct 3–6
VENUE: Jaraseom Island, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do
ADMISSION: KRW 45,000–110,000
MORE INFO: T. 031-581-2813, www.jarasumjazz.com
GETTING THERE: Namchuncheon-bound trains depart from Cheongnyangni Station, stopping at Gapyeong Station.
Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival
At the spectacular Jinju Namgang Yudeung (Lantern) Festival, colorful lanterns parade along the Namgang waterfront across from Jinjuseong Fortress and Chokseongnu Pavilion. Visitors will enjoy a parade of traditional lanterns while floating lanterns downriver and hanging lanterns to make wishes. The festival dates back to the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598), when lanterns were used as a military strategy to prevent Japanese troops from wading across the Namgang River. Also on offer are an exhibition of the world’s traditional lanterns, and many more participatory cultural programs.
PERIOD: Oct 1–13
VENUE: Namgang River, Jinju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
ADMISSION: Free (entrance to Jinju Fortress is KRW 2,000)
MORE INFO: T. 055-761-9111, www.yudeung.com
GETTING THERE: Bus to Jinju depart from Seoul Express Bus Terminal (travel time: 3 hrs, 50 min)
RASKB: Visit to SUWON – Country Palace and Fortress City Walls
The walled city of Suwon is the best constructed (late 1700’s), most original /well preserved examples of monumental fortifications in Korea. The current city walls were built to protect the new royal country palace, the “Hwaseong Haeng Gung,” which itself is an exquisite example of Korean monumental architecture, constructed on a more human and aesthetic style for its country setting and purpose.
This excursion to Suwon, its country palace and impressive walls, gates and fortifications will be led by Mr. Peter Bartholomew, a 45 year resident in Korea who has made intensive study of the Joseon Dynasty from an architectural and historical perspective.
DATE: Sep 29
VENUE: Suwon
COST: KRW 38,000 (members), KRW 45,000 (non-members)
MORE INFO: See this link.
GETTING THERE: See link above.
Everyday Koreans

Sunrise at Yangsu-ri

Photographer capturing the scenery of Yangsu-ri, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Robert Koehler.
*Click the photo to see a full-size version at our website.
NOTE: If you have a photo you would like to see in our Everyday Koreans section, please sent it to story@seoulselection.com. Photos should be AT LEAST 950px wide. Send a one-line bio, too.
Notifications
Tell Us About ‘Your Korea’: If you’re a longtime resident of Korea and would like to share your story in KOCIS’s KOREA Magazine, shoot an email with your story idea to book@seoulselection.com.
Looking for Translators – Seoul Selection is looking for a few good translators (Korean to English) for general translation work. Those interested should send a resume and cover letter to Kyehyun at trans@seoulselection.com. Experienced translators only.
Seoul Selection eBooks – You can purchase some Seoul Selection titles in ebook format via Amazon.com (for Kindle) and Apple’s iBookstore. Titles include Ask a Korean Dude, Moon Tides, Doing Business in Korea, Once Around the Sun, and seven volumes of our Korean Film Directors series: BONG Joon-ho, IM Kwon-taek, KIM Jee-woon, LEE Chang-dong, LEE Man-hee, PARK Chan-wook, and SHIN Sang-ok.
Send Your Event Info – If you would like to advertise any upcoming events you are organizing, please send us the press release material at book@seoulselection.com by the preceding Friday in order for it to appear in the following Tuesday’s issue.

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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 Magazine
SEOUL (September 2013)

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New DVDs
Very Ordinary Couple
That Winter, the Wind Blows
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Publisher: Hank Kim / Editor: Robert Koehler
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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