R. O. Kwon‘s debut novel explores angst, violence and the savagery of relationships

R. O. Kwon’s eagerly anticipated and ecstatically reviewed debut novel “The Incendiaries” is a classic love triangle set on a prestigious American university campus that ultimately ends with a violent act of extreme terrorism. Kwon’s novel may have shades and echoes of other American campus-set novels like Donna Tartt’s “The Secret History,” Bret Easton Ellis’s “Rules of Attraction” and Marisha Pessl’s “Special Topics in Calamity Physics,” but “The Incendiaries” is a truly zeitgeist-capturing novel for our current moment about millennial ennui, angst and disillusionment.

It tells the story of a trio of students — Korean, Korean American and American — rebounding off each other and dealing with love, lust, infatuation, grief and religious faith. Phoebe Lin is a former child prodigy and pianist dealing with the death of her mother and estranged from her pastor father. She abandons her dreams of being a pianist when she realizes she isn’t quite good enough to be among the best in the world. Now directionless she turns into something of a social butterfly and party animal and eventually becomes easy prey for a nascent cult leader. John Leal is a former activist who helped smuggle North Korean refugees through China until one day he was captured by soldiers from the North and thrown into a North Korean gulag. Leal’s experiences in the gulag turn him into a fundamentalist, and after his release he returns to America and starts recruiting. Will Kendall was raised as a fundamentalist Christian but lost his faith after his mother became ill and struggles to fill the void left by the absence of religion. During their first semester, Phoebe and Will meet and start a relationship in which Will’s infatuation with Pheobe takes the place of his former all-consuming religious belief. The novel explores how Phoebe and Will are drawn into John Leal’s cult of Jejah and where this leads them all.

The novel begins with an act of terrorism on American soil and then flashes back to unravel the strands that lead to this devastating attack and reveal which of the three main characters are involved and how this came to be. Kwon writes with a clarity and precision that captures the fragile inner lives of her characters. “The Incendiaries” is a novel about the intimate violence and inherent savagery of relationships from a brilliant new voice in fiction.

More Info

‘The Incendiaries’

Riverhead Books, Jul 31, 2018

Written by R. O. Kwon

224 page

Written by Barry Welsh

The original K-pop boy band to hold an official concert after 17 years

When first generation K-pop boy band H.O.T. reunited earlier this year after 17 years away, it was a big deal. Never mind that no one expected the legendary group to ever reunite, but to do it to such praise and acclaim was something else entirely. Decked in white and armed with the iconic white balloons (remember, they are from an age before lightsticks), longtime fans known as White Angels converged for the Infinite Challenge broadcast of their faves and promptly lost their minds.

After all, how often does a K-pop group actually get to reunite and perform?

H.O.T., which does not stand for “hot,” but rather “High-five of Teenagers,” debuted in 1996. The group consists of Moon Hee Jun, Jang Woo Hyuk, Tony Ahn, Kangta and Lee Jae Won, and together they put out five iconic albums.

This was before the main Hallyu craze swept Asia, let alone the rest of the world. This was before Google and YouTube. Yet H.O.T. still made a huge impression, and essentially created the model of the K-pop boy band with their matching outfits, synchronized dance moves and attractive looks coupled with outlandish hair. Really, they were the first K-pop boy band.

Well, it seems that the Infinite Challenge reunion was successful, because H.O.T. is coming back for a concert this month. This will be the first official spectacle since the group held a concert all the way back in 2001 when they broke up.

While it’s unclear what the concert will be, fans are already plenty excited. It’s unlikely that a reformation of the group will permanently occur. All of the members have had many years of solo work or simply living out their post-K-pop lives, yet new songs are a rumored possibility. Even if that proves to not be the case, a full concert of the old hits like “Candy,” “Warrior’s Descendant,” “I Yah!” and “Hope,” is hardly a bad time.

H.O.T. is looked up to by many other K-pop groups, so one has to wonder if there will be any special guests or attendees at the concert itself. Regardless, it’s a great moment for the members to have the chance to perform again as a unit.

It’s wonderful for fans as well who never thought the showcase on Infinite Challenge would be a thing, never mind getting a full concert. We’ll see what this means for H.O.T., as a successful concert tends to lead to other things.

Stay tuned White Angels, you never know!

Written by Kristina Manente

With hot new makeup trends popping up constantly, sharing skincare tips and makeup secrets never gets old. And since K-beauty is one of the big pillars of Hallyu, there’s no shortage of beauty reality shows that uncover the best tricks of the trade. Both for those who have trouble telling the difference between an ampoule and a serum as well as for beauty aficionados eager to up their beauty game, here are some interesting shows to catch up on.

‘Get It Beauty 2018’

Hosted by model Jang Yoon-ju, OnStyle’s “Get It Beauty 2018” is all about promoting healthy beauty tips and habits that upgrade your life. As one of the longest-running beauty reality series in Korea, the show has a fairly big following. One of the highlights of the show is their blind test of cosmetics designed to discover products that give you the best bang for your buck. The show’s panel of judges tests every type of product imaginable, including blushes, concealeres, blackhead removing creams, and many more. Based on their blind test, the judges give out their very own “beauty-life-balance” (뷰라벨) seal of approval to the best products that catch their eye.

Various celebrity guests and other beauty experts are invited to each episode to share their own unique skincare tips and beauty hacks. In one episode, EXID’s Jung-hwa shared that she likes to apply eyeshadow primer to her lips as a way to make her lipstick last all day. The show also invites male beauty influencers to get their take, and they discuss a wide array of products geared towards both women and men.

‘Mimi Shop’

JTBC4 has launched an interesting new beauty reality show called “Mimi Shop.” Starring celebrities like Tony Ahn, Sandara Park, and Cheetah as Mimi Shop “employees,” the show follows them around as they learn new makeup techniques and try them out on various guests that visit the shop. From timeless looks that never go out of style to avant garde makeup tricks that give you that oomph you need, Mimi Shop staff learn it all.

Unlike “Get It Beauty,” which focuses on sharing beauty tips, “Mimi Shop” is more of a talk show that offers makeup sessions as a way to cheer people up and bring therapeutic healing. Mimi Shop employees and visitors don’t just share their makeup tips but also talk about their personal stories of hope and hardship.

‘Beauty Girl’

DongaTV’s “Beauty Girl” (뷰티엔부티) is back for season two and has a new panel of “beauty masters,” including Jeong Ga-eun, Hwang-bo, Sleepy and Maeng Seung-ji. The show features a wide variety of practical beauty tips on how to take your makeup and skincare routine up a notch. For the most part, the show is a roundtable of celebrities and beauty experts reviewing the latest cosmetics and skincare tools and devices.

While there are plenty of beauty variety shows that are both entertaining and informative, Korean networks have yet to launch any beauty competition series like those currently popular abroad, such as Lifetime’s “Glam Masters” and “American Beauty Star.” It’ll be interesting to see how Korean networks put their own spin on future beauty programs.

Written by Miruh Jeon

For my last column, I have decided to do something rather different and reflect on the past few months in the world of Korean cinema, which continues to be a vibrant and healthy industry with no fewer than 100 films released each year and admissions to local films surpassing 100 million annually since 2012. The market has now reached saturation point and the Korean studios such as CJ E&M and Lotte Cultureworks are now expanding into parts of Southeast Asia and further through their cinema chains in order to generate growth.

‘Along with the Gods’ breaks box office records

As I write, Kim Yong-hwa’s fantasy epic “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” is looking to become one of the most successful Korean films of all time having smashed a number of box office records including biggest opening day (1.2 million) and weekend (3.8 million) just seven months after its concurrently shot predecessor, “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds,” pulled in more 14 million viewers. A huge gamble for the studio Lotte, it turned their fortunes around in the film industry following a string of flops. Although not a big hit with critics, the two-part series is an example of how far the industry has come in delivering spectacle, not only for Korean audiences but viewers across Asia where the studios are increasing their presence.

‘Illang’ disappoints

One week before the release of “Along with the Gods,” Kim Jee-woon’s much anticipated and expensive science fiction action film set in a hypothetical future where North and South Korea are on the verge of reunification drew largely negative reactions from audiences and critics alike. As such, it became this summer’s box office flop and was pulled from most screens just seven days after it was released on July 25. I personally enjoyed it more than most, but I agree it’s not among Kim Jee-woon’s most accomplished pieces, which rank as some of the best genre films in contemporary Korean cinema.

‘Herstory’ surprises

Although not a box office hit, for me one of this year’s surprisingly good films was Min Kyu-dong’s “Herstory.” Min is a talented director, having co-written and co-directed “Momento Mori.” His other credits include “All About My Wife,” but his last film, “The Treacherous,” is frankly atrocious. His latest film is a return to form for Min. Dealing with comfort women — and more specifically, a challenging legal battle in the 1990s in Japan demanding an official apology from the Japanese government — it’s by far the best film to approach this subject. Restrained and yet powerful, it’s a superbly acted drama starring Kim Hee-ae and Kim Hae-sook.

‘Burning’ ignites Cannes jury grid record

When it comes to consistency, Lee Chang-dong delivers. His latest film is an example of that; another masterpiece from one of Korea’s most talented filmmakers. “Burning” is perplexing, nothing is what it seems as it focuses on a love triangle between two young men and a woman. Requiring multiple viewings, it explains, perhaps, why initial reaction in Korea was somewhat lukewarm. In Cannes, however, it broke Screen International’s jury grid record making it the best reviewed film at the festival.

Other films worthy of mention so far this year are Yim Soon-rye’s enchanting “Little Forest,” Jeon Go-woon’s whimsical drama “Mirohabitat” and Lee Hae-young’s explosive action thriller “Believer.”

Written by Jason Bechervaise

Historical. Rustic. Laid back. Pastoral. Provincial.

These are the words that usually come to mind when you think of Ganghwado.

But cool?

Gyeongnidan-gil or Yeonnam-dong it is not, but Ganghwa-eup, the county seat of the west coast island, is turning trendy. Not so long ago, travelers often gave the town a pass, moving as quickly as possible to Ganghwado’s mountains and beaches. Now, however, local authorities and creatively minded residents are making local history fresh, restoring and renovating pieces of the community’s past and tying them together to create broader narratives reflecting the country’s modern history. The result is a town worth visiting on its own merits, a place where the story of 20th century Korea is entirely within walking distance.

Textile Town, Korea

Though most people associate Ganghwado with its ancient dolmens, Goryeo palace ruins, Joseon fortresses, tranqil temples, sacred mountains, extensive mudflats and poignant views of North Korea, the island at the mouth of the Hangang River — sometimes likened to an unsinkable aircraft carrier guarding the road to Seoul — was a major industrial center. And not so long ago, either. From 1916, when Ganghwado’s first textile association was formed, to the 1970s, textile factories large and small covered the island, pumping out some of the nation’s finest fabrics. By the 1960s, there were some 6,000 hand-operated looms in private homes throughout the island and another 1,000 power looms at textile factories. In Ganghwa-eup alone, some 4,000 people worked in textile factories.

The opening of larger, more modern textile factories in the Daegu region marked the end of Ganghwado’s textile golden age. Competition from imported fabric didn’t help, either. Most of the island’s textile factories closed down, though a handful still remain.

One of the island’s oldest and largest textile factories was Choyang Textile (T. 032-933-2192). The factory, completed in 1934, is the oldest surviving modern textile factory in the country and two years older than Seoul’s more famous Gyeongseong Textile, founded by influential businessman, educator and politician Kim Seong-su in 1936. By the 1960s, Choyang Textile’s looms were producing Korea’s finest artificial fabrics.

Like most of Ganghwado’s other looms, Choyang Textile eventually shut its doors, the old factory falling into disrepair. The historical property wasn’t town down, however. A couple from Seoul eventually acquired the site, which they renovated and turned into one of Korea’s hottest cafés. Opened in February of this year, the cafe — which kept the name of the old factory — is part museum, part gallery, part coffeehouse and all cool. Its myriad spaces, from the high-roofed factory space to the colonial-style former office and even the old safe, have been preserved in their charmingly disheveled state, the addition of art pieces, vintage furniture and other antiques only accentuating the site’s historicity. In a strange way, it’s a bit like walking around a Roman ruin, but with coffee.

On a weekend, the place is packed with visitors, many of them young and social media savvy. Be warned, though, that DSLR photography is strongly discouraged.

Choyang Textile is one of the centerpieces of the so-called Sochang Course, one of three themed walking trails through Ganghwa-eup’s alleyways. The Sochang Course focuses on Ganghwa-eup’s textile industry and the role it has played in the town’s history. The trail links the sites of some of the old factories. Though some of the factories have disappeared completely, pieces of others remain, including crumbling walls and lonely smoke stacks.

One site on the trail definitely worth visiting is the Sochang Experience Center (T. 032-934-2500). The center boasts two historical properties, an old Hanok from the 1930s and a disused factory — now museum — from the 1950s. The space houses an exhibit of old looms and other textile machinery, shares historical information and hosts classes on textile making and other hands-on programs. It also has a gift shop where you can purchase locally made fabrics.

Freedom and religion

As noted earlier, the Sochang Course is but one of three themed walking trails weaving their way through the alleys of Ganghwa-eup’s historical downtown.

The Dongnip Undong Course takes you to sites connected to Korea’s struggle for independence. Though most of the destinations relate to the 20th century fight against Japanese colonial rule, one of the sites — the Joseon era stone monument to Kim Sangyong — is dedicated to a scholar official who blew himself up with a stockpile of gunpowder just as invading Manchu forces were taking Ganghwa-eup, where the Korean royal family had fled.

The star of the Dongnip Undong Course is the so-called House of Kim Koo. It is said the famed independence activist Kim Koo stayed at this charming old Hanok for three months in 1900, working as the headmaster of a local Confucian school. A photograph taken in 1946 lends some credence to the claim. Near the house is the Nammunno 7 (T. 032-933-9300), a delightfully vintage café, and Sogeumbit Seojeom-Yurim  Sanghoe (T. 032-934-3456), a conjoined bookstore and pottery shop run by a husband-and-wife team.

The other trail is the Jonggyo Course, highlighting the town’s religious heritage. Confucian, Catholic and Protestant sites feature prominently on this excursion. The most breathtaking by far, however, is Ganghwa Anglican Church. Built in 1900 by a royal architect at the behest of British missionaries, the church is built in traditional Korean style, with colorfully painted eaves, tiled roof and wood and paper windows, though the spacial layout is that of a Roman basilica, with a high central nave, flanking aisles and clerestory. The church is one of Ganghwa’s most stunning sights.

A bit of cool

The walking trails aren’t all Ganghwa-eup has to offer. Even off the beaten track there are places to explore.

For a bit of spiritual healing, find Ttalgi Books (T. 070-8865-0385), a small independent bookstore in one of the downtown’s old alleyways. To make their shop, the owners renovated an old Hanok home, exposing the rafters of the original ceiling. Though small, the space is warm and inviting. The collection is heavy on picture books and children’s literature, though there are some interesting used books on sale, too. Coffee is also available.

To sample a bit of the new Ganghwa-eup, try the nearby café Sol’t (T. 010-4083-8553). With its minimalist decor, handmade macarons and creative drink menu that includes a Ssuk Vienna, a cup of mugwort tea topped with cream, the place has all the hip sophistication of the best Yeonnam-dong or Seongsu-dong cafés. It makes the perfect spot to relax and Instagram a bit after a long day walking around.

More Info

STAY> Need maps of Ganghwa-eup’s walking trails? Head to the tourist information center on the third floor of the B Wing of Ganghwa-eup’s Central Market. There you’ll find maps — in English as well as in Korean — along with VR exhibits and more.
On the second floor, meanwhile, is a youth mall where young entrepreneurs have opened restaurants and other shops. It’s a popular place to eat, especially for local youth.

GO> Bus No. 3000 to Ganghwado depart from a stop near the Hyundai Department Store in Sinchon (travel time: about two hours).

Written and photographed by Robert Koehler

Swedish home cooking thrives at Hemlagat

Walking into Hemlagat is like a gentle embrace, warm and welcoming. Swedish folk art touches dot the walls, and the wood surfaces that make up most of the interior space gleam happily. If ever a restaurant looked happy to see its patrons, Hemlagat is it.

It’s a reflection of the attitude of its owners, husband and wife team of Chef Daniel Wikstrand and Soojin Oh, who started the restaurant a few years ago when they moved to Korea to be closer to Oh’s family after a globe-trotting romance.

Finding the fun, together

“We met in China and lived there for 10 years. For five years, we operated a café together. When we were newlyweds, we worked corporate jobs and had no time together. We decided to quit so that we could spend more time together. Some people were really worried about us, but we love being together 24 hours a day!” Oh explains, telling the story of how they moved from being burned-out professionals who met taking language classes in China to a husband-wife restaurant team. “For his first birthday together, I gave Daniel an oven, since his hobby was cooking. I liked coffee and he liked cooking, so we decided to start a café.”

True to its name, meaning “home cooking,” the small, cozy restaurant brings the Swedish foods of Daniel’s family and homeland to Seoul, but also with an eye to what will appeal to local tastes. While not trained as a professional chef, Wikstrand’s firm vision and talents have created a wonderfully flavorful and beautiful menu of Swedish favorites, while Oh’s resourcefulness has turned ideas into reality. All the usual suspects appear, including meatballs and pickled herring, but also exciting dishes like wild game and a schnapps-laden cheese.

Swedish food for the Seoulite

“We never change our recipes to ‘Koreanize’ them,” insists Wikstrand, “but we do pick Swedish foods that have some similarities to Korean foods. Korean customers tell us they feel at home here because of the flavors, the smoking and the pickling. They don’t feel foreign even though it is a foreign restaurant. You have to see how the same flavors fit in the Korean palate. At the same time, we are really strong on not making adaptations. At first, people wanted kimchi, etc., but we are a Swedish restaurant, just in Seoul.”

Oh notes, “For me, it’s so similar to Korean foods. Nature isn’t so good, so it’s about getting the maximum from the ingredients, getting through the winter. We both like to pickle things, salt things.”

Hemlagat is serious about its pickling process, necessary to create the many varieties of traditional herring dishes that appear on the menu, including mustard and dill, and sour cream. “In Sweden, you can go ahead and order the herring pre-salted so you can flavor it any way you want. But we had so many problems sourcing good herring here! We spend two weeks salting them for the base, then a week or so marinating so it takes about three weeks total,” says Wikstrand. “We have three kinds per platter, and they vary by season. It’s all about the herbs and vegetables — onions, scallions, carrot, allspice, clove, white pepper and carraway.” The devotion to the process results in a deeply satisfying array of fish that brings to mind the Korean winter delicacy of gwamegi, a rich, chewy dish of half-dried herring.

Game for new flavors and old ideas

Just as bold but a little bit more off the beaten path is Hemlagat’s elk dish, served with Hasselback potatoes, mushroom cream sauce and cranberry sauce, a bit of a risk in Korea where game meats aren’t popularized yet. It took more than two years to source the elk, but the resulting dish is deeply satisfying, with crispy potatoes and creamy mushrooms playing foil to the strong, rich flavors of the elk meat. It’s the kind of traditional family fare Wikstrand and Oh want to share, bringing their love of tradition and family to the fore.

Not every dish is so straightforward though. One of the menu’s lighter delights is made from chopped cheese and came from a vintage recipe book.

“My parents found this Swedish cookbook from the 1950s by the Swedish version of Gordon Ramsey. He had a dish for leftover cheese by mixing it with herbs and schnapps. We said, ‘We have to try it!’ It works!” Wikstrand exclaimed. Served with crispy pork skins and house-made bread rich with different grains, the cheese dish packs a punch, with pungent cheese and bracing schnapps forming the perfect partner with the wholesome bread and brilliant snap of the pork rinds flavored with caraway and salt.

The perfect end to the meal is a slow sip from one of their thirty varieties of house-flavored schnapps, ranging from fruity to herbal to spicy. But however the meal ends, Oh and Wikstrand want people to walk away with a sense of how important tradition and family are: “For us, that’s what this is all about. Traditional and home cooked, true to our name. That’s the whole thing. Quality of life.”

More Info

Hemlagat

#123 Namsan Lotte Castle 35 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu

02-318-3335

Reservations strongly recommended

Written by Jennifer Flinn
Photographed by Noe Alonzo

Expat theater takes center stage

Change is afoot within the Seoul theater scene. While contemporary Korean productions have thrived in the city for decades, recent years have seen a dramatic increase in both the quality and quantity of works emerging from the local expat community.

Humble beginnings

The seeds of this current creative climate stretch back over fifteen years, when a group of foreign English teachers of varying theatrical backgrounds sought to put on a play. Initially, their shows were small in scope and predominantly performed in bars. Even back in the early 2000s, Seoul had already amassed a healthy population of foreigners, most of who were ESL teachers or stationed with the U.S. military. For them, English theatre was a rare treat.

As the scale of their productions grew, this original group banded together under the moniker of Seoul Players, an expat-run theater company that is still going strong today. Their current slate entails a minimum of three productions per year, all of which are performed in theaters to professional industry standards.

While their main stage show took place early in the spring, they still have two upcoming events set to open in 2018. The first is the “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” which goes up in late October. This shadow-cast performance is widely regarded as one of the best Halloween parties in town. The second is their annual Ten Minute Play Festival, which this year received a staggering 380 submissions, a new record for the company. These have been whittled down to the best sixteen scripts, all of which will be performed over a series of nights mid-November. Both shows have upcoming auditions that are open to the general public.

All the world’s a stage

In the wake of Seoul Players, countless other expat-led companies have taken shape within the city. The influx of these groups has been a direct, if not unexpected, side effect of the growing ESL industry. For most English teaching jobs in Korea, the required prerequisite is a bachelor’s degree. However, it is rarely stipulated that this qualification need be based in education. While those in more “professional”-oriented degrees (law, medicine, etc.) tend to secure employment back home, the allure of steady work and the chance to live abroad has become an exceedingly popular option for students graduating from the arts. The result has birthed an expat community rich with actors, dancers and musicians, all with a reliable income and time to spare on creative pursuits. This is a talent pool comprised of artists from all around the world, eager to come together and contribute towards culturally diverse, high-end production companies.

One such group is Starlight Productions. Providing a unique hybrid of theater and burlesque, their creative output (along with their crowds) has seen a steady increase since they stormed their way onto the scene with their first show in 2015. Through locally sourced scripts and an abundance of non-binary queer characters, they challenge their audience’s notions of sexuality and herald body positivity on high. Their upcoming show, “Drop Drag Gorgeous,” is set to open this November.

Another company on the rise is The Collective. With a firm focus on diversity, they provide underrepresented artists with a means to collaborate, grow and foster new bonds within the local creative community. Going up this November, their production of “Romeo and Juliet” is already set to be unlike any you’ve seen before. The script has been flipped, with the show now set in a matriarchy and the two titular characters being portrayed as lesbian lovers. They also happen to be hosting their annual fundraiser this September, an epic party at Emu Artspace that promises to showcase some of the best musical talent in Seoul.

With each new batch of ESL teachers comes fresh creative blood. While the current expat theater companies will only continue to thrive here, the scene is ripe for the unexpected, ready to be defined by the next wave of foreign artists seeking to stake a claim upon the stage. Buckle up, sit back and enjoy the show.

Seoul Players

Website: www.seoulplayers.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SeoulPlayers/

Instagram: @seoulplayers

Starlight Productions/House of Tease

Website: www.starlightburlesque.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/1215749935219287/

Instagram: @houseoftease.com

The Collective

Website: www.discoverthecollective.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/discoverthecollective/

Instagram: @discover_thecollective

Written by S. C. Clarke
Photographed by Robert Michael Evans

At Jarasum, Korean-American jazz phenom Grace Kelly debuts in the land of her ancestors

“Grace Kelly plays with intelligence, wit and feeling,” said legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. “She has a great amount of natural ability and the ability to adapt that is the hallmark of a first-class jazz musician.”

The saxophonist, singer and songwriter now brings that intelligence, wit and feeling to the Jarasum Jazz Festival, Korea’s premier celebration of jazz, accompanied by pianist/keyboardist Devon Yesberger, bassist Julia Adamy and drummer Ross Pederson, who form with Kelly the Grace Kelly Brooklyn Band. Jarasum represents not only the musician’s official Korean debut, but her Asian debut, too, making it doubly significant.

The festival coincides with the release in October of her latest album, “GO TiME: Brooklyn 2,” available by pre-order now through her website. She says, “We will be playing a lot of originals and ‘Gracified’ cover songs like ‘Miss You’ from my new albums, GO TiME: Brooklyn and GO TiME: Brooklyn 2.”

To put it mildly, Kelly is looking forward to performing at Jarasum.

“I’m very, very excited to be coming to Korea! This is my debut performance with my band in Korea, and I have heard so much about the Jarasum Festival over the years,” she says. “I’m pumped to be on the main stage presenting my music to everyone.”

A regular on the “Late Show with Stephen Colbert” band, Jon Batiste and Stay Human, and featured in Amazon’s Emmy-nominated TV show “Bosch,” CNN.com, Glamour Magazine’s Top Ten College Women 2011, Forbes, Billboard, Huffington Post and NPR, Kelly is a rising star in the American jazz scene, lauded for her genre-bending zest and onstage charisma. Though she’s only 26, it seems she’s been around forever. Called the “finest young saxophonist on the scene today” by no less than David Sanborn, the prodigy wrote her first song at 7 years old, recorded her first CD at 12, orchestrated and performed her original composition with the Boston Pops Orchestra at 14, and performed at President Obama’s inauguration at 16.

As a bandleader, Grace has performed over 800 concerts in over 30 countries in notable venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall and Symphony Hall and festivals such as Montreal, Newport, and Montreux. Grace has performed or recorded with Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, Steve Martin, Tina Fey, Martin Short, Maya Rudolph, Emma Stone, Lin Manuel, Questlove, Esperanza Spalding, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Ron Carter, David Sanborn, Marcus Miller, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Huey Lewis and Gloria Estefan, just to name a few. Fans even voted her 10th CD, “Trying To Figure It Out,” the No. 2 Jazz Album of The Year in a readers poll by Downbeat Magazine in 2016.

An artist returns to her roots

Kelly’s official Korean debut represents more than a career milestone. It also allows the artist, a Korean-American, an opportunity to explore Seoul and reconnect with her heritage. “It’s particularly interesting to me because I’m Korean American and eager to connect with my Korean roots and learn about the culture and people right now in 2018,” she says. “I also love Korean food! Bibimbap is one of my favorites. I will be taking in all the sights, sounds, foods and experiences.”

Not only will she be taking in all those experiences, but she’ll be documenting them, too. She plans to shoot impromptu videos for her weekly video series, “Grace Kelly PopUPs,” for Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, sharing her Korean experiences with her online fans all around the world.

While in Seoul, Kelly will attend Seoul Fashion Week, one of Asia’s hottest fashion events. “I have a deep love for fashion and look forward to this inspiration,” she says. “I love expressing myself visually with all sorts of colors.”

Always keen to share with fans, she’ll be video blogging Seoul Fashion Week. She may do a bit of impromptu performing, too, should the opportunity arise.

More Info

Grace Kelly will be performing at the Jarasum Jazz Festival on Oct. 14. For more info about the festival, including ticketing information, visit www.jarasumjazz.com. For more information about Kelly, including info on purchasing albums and social media links, visit www.gracekellymusic.com.

Written by SEOUL
Photographs courtesy of Grace Kelly

The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Culture House is celebrating its first year in operation.

The ACH opened in Busan’s Haeundae district on Sept. 1, 2017. Operated by the Korea Foundation, the complex was a follow-up project to the 2014 ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, which was also held in Busan. Speaking at its opening ceremony, which was attended by 500 guests including such luminaries as Secretary General of ASEAN Le Luong Minh and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano, Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said, “The establishment of the ASEAN Culture House in Korea is the first of its kind among ASEAN’s dialogue partners, and it will mark a significant milestone toward a closer relationship with ASEAN, which the Korean government seeks as a priority.”

The eye-catching building pays tribute to the traditional architecture of Southeast Asia with its prominent roof, eaves and terrace. The architecture also symbolizes the ACH’s vision of enhancing a local understanding of the many cultures and societies of ASEAN’s member states and promoting mutual awareness and friendship between the people of Korea and the peoples of ASEAN.

To execute its vision, the ACH aims to provide Koreans with accurate information about ASEAN and its member states. It also seeks to deepen mutual understanding between Koreans and local expats from ASEAN nations. The complex initiates cultural and academic networks between Korea and ASEAN, too, and functions as a community center for ASEAN missions in Korea. Lastly, it also promotes ASEAN-related diplomatic cooperation in central and local government.

With this in mind, the ACH hosts exhibitions of art from ASEAN member states, cultural performances, film festivals and cultural festivals, maintains educational spaces, invites lecturers and promotes person-to-person cultural exchanges.

Multifunctional and hi-tech

No effort was spared in making the ASEAN Culture House an ideal space for cultural exchange. The four-floor complex boasts dedicated spaces for exhibitions, performances, lectures and classes. To enhance learning and create an immersive experience, designers incorporated the latest in information technology, including virtual reality.

The immersion begins right from the high, well-lit Community Hall, a lobby where visitors can sit, relax and reflect on what they’ve learned. Also on the ground floor is the Special Exhibition Gallery, which hosts themed exhibitions from ASEAN members states as well as ones to commemorate important events in Korea-ASEAN relations. Past exhibits have included a commemorative exhibit of clothing from ASEAN nations and Korea to celebrate the first year anniversary of ASEAN Culture House, a photo exhibit on ASEAN lives and an exhibit of works by young Vietnamese and Korean artists to celebrate 25 years of diplomatic ties between Seoul and Hanoi.

The ground floor houses the ASEAN Cultural Heritage VR Experience Room, too. This is where you can use virtual reality technology to experience and explore important historical monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in ASEAN member states such as Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, Indonesia’s Borobudur Temple and Myanmar’s temples of Bagan.

The second floor houses the Permanent Exhibition Gallery. Here you’ll find fascinating displays of arts, crafts and media from all of ASEAN’s member states. The embassies of member states donated many of the items on display. There’s also a seminar room for academic and cultural programs, including lectures by ASEAN cultural figures and researchers. The seminar room also hosts classes on the arts and crafts of ASEAN nations.

A dedicated space for cultural exchange programs is on the third floor. Children, youth, college students and multicultural families come here to learn and promote an understanding of one another’s culture. For instance, on the day of this writer’s visit, the foreign-born spouses of local multicultural families were learning to make Korean dishes such as soybean paste stew.

The ACH hosts demonstrations of the performing arts at the ACH Hall on the fourth floor. Music and dance troupes from ASEAN member states perform here. The hall has held various shows, including a recital by the young star pianist Poom Prommachart of Thailand to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Seoul and Bangkok and the Korea-ASEAN Flute Festival, featuring 44 traditional flutists from Korea and ASEAN member states.

The hall also hosts screenings of films from ASEAN nations. As these films are not widely available in Korea, this is a real treat for film buffs.

Understanding One Another, Becoming Friends

ASEAN Culture House Director-General Ham Seunghoon hopes to turn complex into hub of international exchange

“By promoting academic programs and cultural exchanges pertaining to ASEAN such as exhibits and performances aimed at diverse audiences, from local residents to immigrants from ASEAN nations and students of all ages, we wish to turn the ASEAN Culture House into a platform of international exchange where we can introduce ASEAN nations, which Koreans still don’t know especially well, and help Korea and ASEAN learn about each other and become friends.”

Ham Seunghoon, Director-General of  the ASEAN Culture House, sees the complex as a meeting place, where the locally born and those from places further afield can come, mingle and learn from one another. He hopes it could become something of a salon, too. He says, “We are planning programs for multicultural families from ASEAN nations in conjunction with Busan’s multicultural family support centers so that the ACH can help Koreans understand ASEAN better and play the role of a sarangbang — the living room of a traditional Korean house — for expats from ASEAN countries and Koreans.”

In its first year, the ACH has accomplished a lot, says Ham, noting its long list of exhibits and performances, including his personal favorite, the Korea-ASEAN Flute Festival, which brought the audience of 250 together through the music of Korea and ASEAN. Still, he’s not resting on his laurels. “To mark the first anniversary of the ACH, we plan to host even richer exhibits, performances and educational programs as a hub of reciprocal international exchange with ASEAN,” he says. “We are currently preparing for the second half of 2018 a special exhibit on traditional and modern games from ASEAN, a project to invite fans of Hallyu from ASEAN nations and a commemorative event to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties between Korea and Thailand.”

More info

162, Jwadong-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan

Open Tue- Fri 10 A.M. – 6 P.M.,

Sat-Sun 10 A.M. – 7 P.M.

Closed Mondays and public holidays

www.ach.or.kr

T: 82-51-775-2000

Written and photographed by SEOUL