Taekwondo, which literally means “the way of the hand and foot,” is an indigenous Korean tradition and the world’s most popular martial art. This book is an excellent guide for people new to the sport as well as those familiar with the beauty, efficiency and sophistication of taekwondo.
The chapters cover topics ranging from taekwondo’s origins in Korea and the meanings of both the martial art and sport to taekwondo’s rapid spread worldwide and adoption as an official Olympic event. Anything and everything about taekwondo is jam-packed in this book, which appeals to both the novice and the advanced black belt.
Price: KRW 9,800
Le Saint-Ex Celebrates 13 Years with Xmas Menu
Itaewon French bistro Le Saint-Ex celebrates its 13th anniversary with a special Christmas menu (Dinner: Dec 24, 25–31 & Jan 1, KRW 85,000/Lunch: Dec 24, 25–31 & Jan 1, a la carte). There’s a takeout menu on Dec 24–31, too. See here for more info, including menu specifics.
Around the Web
A miscellany of high-quality hyperlinks from the week, courtesy of SEOUL editor-in-chief Robert Koehler.
Gold Panda is returning to Seoul to support his critically-beloved new album “Half of Where You Live.” He is an electronic music producer, performer, and composer from Britain. Gold Panda has only been on the musical radar since 2009, when he released several 7″ records and singles, which were uploaded to his blog and then landing on Pitchfork’s Best of tracklist for that year. In that short period of time, he managed to garner some much-deserved attention.
VENUE: Prism Hall
DATE: Dec 7
ADMISSION: KRW 38,000–45,000
MORE INFO: T. 070-8150-2979, http://supercolorsuper.com/2013/09/22/goldpanda14/
Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life 1990-2005
A wide collection of famed American photographer Annie Leibovitz’s works is going on a three-month exhibition in Seoul. In the 70s and 80s, she worked for Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair magazines. While with Rolling Stone, Leibovitz developed her trademark technique, which involved the use of bold primary colors and surprising poses. Many of her Rolling Stone covers became collector’s items, like the one that featured a nude John Lennon curled around his fully clothed wife, Yoko Ono.
VENUE: Hangaram Art Museum, Seoul Arts Center
PERIOD: Dec 7–Mar 4, 2014
ADMISSION: KRW 15,000
MORE INFO: T.02-6263-2621, www.sac.or.kr
GETTING THERE: Nambu Bus Terminal Station 남부터미널역 (Line 3), Exit 5. Transfer to shuttle bus, or green bus No. 4429.
SIWA: National Folk Museum of Korea Guided Tour
Located within the grounds of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the National Folk Museum of Korea presents over 4,000 historical artifacts that were used in the daily lives of ordinary Korean people. Join SIWA for an English-language tour.
The German School in Seoul will be hosting its annual Christmas Market. There will be a lucky draw with prizes from Bosch and Swarovski, handicrafts for children, waffles, bratwurst, traditional German delicacies, and gluhwein—German mulled wine.
This year the market will support AutiSTAR (Autism Special Talents and Rehabilitation). Enjoy AutiStaR’s products are designed by individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Profits are used to support their individual socioeconomic lives in society.
VENUE: German School Seoul
PERIOD: Dec 7, 4:30–8:00pm
MORE INFO: www.dsseoul.org
RASKB: Tongdosa Temple
There are 3 great temples in Korea which are known collectively as the Three Jewel Temples: Tongdosa, Haeinsa and Songgwangsa. Today the RASKB will visit Tongdosa, perhaps the least familiar of the three. Tongdosa, with its ancient relic of the Buddha, represents the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni; Haeinsa, which houses the 81,258 wooden printing blocks of the Buddhist scriptures, represents the teaching of the Buddha; Songgwangsa represents the sangha, the community of all Buddhist monks. Each of the three temples offers training sessions attended by many younger monksfor 3 months each summer and winter.
VENUE: Gyeongsangnam-do
DATE: Dec 8
COST: KRW 120,000 (members), KRW 144,000 (non-members) per day. Transportation not included.
Late autumn leaves at a coffee shop in Samcheong-dong. 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.
Freelance Contributors Wanted – SEOUL Magazine needs writers who are fluent in both Korean and English. Writers should have a strong interest in Korean culture and be able to interview Koreans. Send your resume and writing samples to book@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.
Kim Dae Jung and History of Korean Opposition Parties
New DVDs
Where are to go?
Green Days
Secretly, Greatly
Pluto
Doctor
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
Seoul Selection Web Site: https://www.seoulselection.com
e-mail: hankinseoul@gmail.com tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563
https://magazine.seoulselection.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/export.png868620rjkoehlerhttps://magazine.seoulselection.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Seoul-logo.pngrjkoehler2013-12-04 10:47:582013-12-04 10:47:58Weekly SEOUL: Seoul Selection Holiday Sale
Seoul Selection is happy to announce the release of “
The German School in Seoul will be hosting its annual Christmas Market. There will be a lucky draw with prizes from Bosch and Swarovski, handicrafts for children, waffles, bratwurst, traditional German delicacies, and gluhwein—German mulled wine.
Seoul Selection Holiday Sale: Get the Korean Film Directors for just KRW 3,000...