March 13, 2013 / Issue No. 571

Curious about Korean culture? Got a Kindle or Kindle reader for your computer/tablet? Well, your ship has come in—Seoul Selection CEO Hank Kim’s best-selling guide to all things Korean Ask a Korean Dude is now available in Kindle format from Amazon. The US price is $9.99 (prices in other countries may differ).

Amazon.com (US/India)

Amazon.co.uk (UK)

Amazon.de (DE)

Amazon.fr (FR)

Amazon.es (ES)

Amazon.it (IT)

Amazon.co.jp (JP)

Amazon.ca (CA)

Amazon.com.br (BR)

Reviews are not only welcome, but highly encouraged!

And in case you didn’t realize, Ask a Korean Dude is also available on iTunes.

Around the Web

Why aren’t there any Korean restaurants on S. Pellegrino’s list of Asia’s top 50 restaurants?

The “insufficient dress” rule goes viral.

The discovery of a Goryeo Dynasty stele in China has got scholars talking.

Seoul City is considering restituting foreign tourists who have been ripped off.

Check
out Love X Stereo’s video for “Soul City (Seoul City).”

The Seongsu Bridge at night.

The QiRanger goes to Incheon’s Chinatown.

Seoul Suburban explores Hangangjin Station.

So… what are the 12 best gay bars in Seoul?

Danyang’s Dodamsambong is one of my favorite views in Korea.

Events

Pink Martini, the famed “little orchestra” group from the US, will give a concert in Seoul on March 20. The 12-member band draws inspiration from music from all over the world, thus creating a repertoire that skillfully blends classical, jazz, and old-fashioned pop. Likewise, the band performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, and North America. The Portland, OR-based band is characterized by its signature eclectic, acoustic-oriented sounds and is often associated with the neo-swing trend of the 1990s. While most neo-swing acts favored a combination of jump blues and early rock & roll, the diverse Pink Martini have offered a risk-taking blend of jazz (mainly swing), world music, cabaret, lounge, and classical film music.

VENUE: Concert Hall, Seoul Arts Center

DATE: Mar 20, 8pm

ADMISSION: R: KRW 120,000, S: KRW 90,000, A: KRW 50,000

MORE INFO: T. 02-599-5743, www.sac.or.kr

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

Southeast Asia comprises various cultures and communities, many of which are indigenous, but some have been formed by unions between foreign traders and local women. This exhibition showcases the Peranakan culture, a unique hybrid culture in Southeast Asia. The Peranakan are descendants of Chinese traders who married women in Southeast Asia and settled in the region. On exhibit are Peranakan objects produced between the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century, when Peranakan culture flourished. The objects were drawn from collections held by the Peranakan Museum, a component of the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore. Visit the ornaments, costume, ceramic ware, and portraits of the Peranakans and learn about their unique culture.

VENUE: National Museum of Korea

PERIOD: Mar 19–May 19

MORE INFO: T. 02-2077-9000, www.museum.go.kr

GETTING THERE: Take the underpass at Ichon Station 이촌역 (Jungang Line, Line 4).

Festival Bo:m is an international festival of performing and visual arts that is multicultural as well as multigenre in nature. The interdisciplinary show encourages experimentalism and challenging performances, with a strong emphasis on innovative and avant-garde works. The annual show strives to introduce artists with diverse cultural backgrounds, especially those from Asia, on the international stage. This year, a total of 26 art exhibitions and productions of dance, drama, and music will be featured at various venues throughout Seoul March 22–April 18. Six different lectures and workshops will also be held during the month-long event.

VENUE: Doosan Art Center, Sogang Univ. Mary Hall, and five other venues

PERIOD: Mar 22–Apr 18

ADMISSION: Ticket prices vary from free admission to KRW 110,000.

MORE INFO: www.festivalbom.org

Toronto native Claire Boucher, who goes by the stage name Grimes, will steal the limelight in a Seoul concert. Her music has been noted for its atypical combination of vocal elements as well as a wide array of influences, ranging from industrial and electronic to pop, hip-hop, R&B, noise rock, and even medieval music. The experimental Grimes draws upon vastly different influences and creates a mystical sound and feel with her haunting vocals. Grimes’ live show is sonically and visually appealing, with infectious beats, dancers, and improvisation. Don’t miss her live concert in Korea, where she will be appearing with her new setup, a full band.

VENUE: Rolling Hall

DATE: Mar 23

ADMISSION: KRW 54,000 (KRW 45,000 in advance)

MORE INFO: scstickets@gmail.com, http://supercolorsuper.com

GETTING THERE: Hapjeong Station 합정역 (Line 2, 6), Exit 5 or 6 or Sangsu Station 상수역 (Line 6), Exit 1

VENUE: Novotel Ambassador Gangnam

DATE: Mar 21, 4pm–9:30pm

MORE INFO: www.accessmba.com

GETTING THERE: Sinnonhyeon Station 신논현역 (Line 9), Exit 4

Celebrate the dazzling age of art deco and jazz!

Join ANZA for an evening of fine dining, live entertainment, and fabulous prizes in Art Deco splendour at the luxurious Conrad hotel.

VENUE: Conrad Seoul

DATE: Mar 16, 6:30pm–Mar 17, 2am

ADMISSION: KRW 245,000

MORE INFO: www.anzakorea.com

GETTING THERE: Yeouido Station 여의도역 (Line 5, 9), Exit 3 or 4

Jeonju, a bustling city of over 700,000, is the capital of Jeollabuk-do and the hometown of the Lee family that founded the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), as well as where the last living descendant of the royal family, Lee Seok, still lives. It has been designated by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy and is considered the culinary capital of Korea, famed for its delicious local food.

DATE: March 16

COST: TBA

MORE INFO: See this link.

GETTING THERE: See link above.

Everyday Koreans

A view of the Hangang River from Ttukseom Resort. Photo by Arnab Sen.

Notifications

Seoul Selection via Ingram – Seoul Selection now has a direct wholesale distribution agreement with Ingram Book Group, the world’s largest wholesale distributor of publisher content. By choosing to allow Ingram to represent our material, we have opened our titles to a wider audience. Our titles will be available for order through Ingram at more than 35,000 distribution channels worldwide. Ask your local bookstore to have Seoul Selection titles available!

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.