June 18, 2013 / Issue No. 585

Bibliophiles, rejoice! Pop by the COEX this week to check out Seoul International Book Fair 2013, Korea’s biggest celebration of all things book. This year’s nation of honor is India, while the “culture focus” will be on Canada.

Seoul Selection will be in attendance, of course. Stop by Booth K29 and say hello—we’ll have 78 Korean-language and English-language books on display, which you can purchase at 20% discounts. We’ll also be handing out a couple of titles for free, too, including “Minifiction” (Korean, 2005), “Seeweed and Shamans” (Korean, 2007), and “Poems for Planting Love: A Collection of Poems and Artwork by Children with Disabilities” (2008, Korean and English).

VENUE: COEX A, B Hall

PERIOD: June 19—23 (Wed~Sun)

ADMISSION: 3,000 won

MORE INFO: http://sibf.or.kr

GETTING THERE: Samsung Station, Line 2

Around the Web

– Miranda Kerr Instagrams Korea.

– Psy’s tourism campaign has got some confused.

– Does Korea’s corporate culture breed alcoholism in Korea?

– Old coal mines are being turned into art galleries.

– Seo Tae-ji is getting a year-long exhibition.

– Dale goes to Daegu’s Pagyesa Temple.

– An afternoon at Seoul’s Noeul Park.

– Mt. Namsan seen from Noksapyeong Station.

– Beautiful cloudy landscape seen from Guksabong Peak in Imsil.

– Yours Truly has been running around a bit lately, including some strolls about Soechon.

Events

Violinist Jo Yeong-mi and her Anima Chamber orchestra will entertain classical music lovers with an evening of Beethoven, Dvorak and Schubert. Founded in 2010 on the 10th anniversary of Jo becoming a Yonsei University professor, the Anima Chamber is composed of Jo’s students. Jo sometimes plays as well, but the focus is on her students.

VENUE: Seoul Dream Forest Art Center

DATE: June 21

ADMISSION: KRW 20,000

MORE INFO: T. 02-720-3933

GETTING THERE: Not far from Mia Station, Line 4.

A total of 1,300 layout sketches that gave birth to Japan’s animation films of global reputation are now on display in Seoul, under the sponsorship of Hyundai Card. The exhibits belong to the Tokyo-based animation powerhouse Studio Ghibli which was founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata in 1985. The studio is famous for creating the highest quality Anime, which includes “Castle in the Sky” (1986), “Grave of the Fireflies” (1988), “My Neighbor Totoro” (1988) and “Princess Mononoke” (1997).

VENUE: Hangaram Gallery, Seoul Arts Center

PERIOD: Jun 22–Sep. 22

ADMISSION: KRW 15,000

MORE INFO: www.superseries.kr

GETTING THERE: Nambu Bus Terminal Station 남부터미널역 (Line 3), Exit 5

This unique event is hosted by the Partners for the Future Foundation in order to raise scholarship funds that will help Korean university students from unemployed families. For one special night only, CEOs from Korean and multi-national companies exchange their business suits for aprons to act as a waiter for their designated guests. Participating CEOs make donations in the form of a participation fee to provide for the scholarship fund. They invite their families, friends, and co-workers to promote the fun fundraising concept by demonstrating the ease and joy of making donations and volunteer work.  Also, the event becomes more meaningful because while CEOs serve their invited guests, they are able to show their appreciation toward their guests.

VENUE: Conrad Seoul

DATE: Jun 26, 6pm–9:30pm

ADMISSION: Adults: KRW 120,000, Children: KRW 50,000

MORE INFO: www.amchamkorea.org

Mt. Naejangsan is famous for having some of the most spectacular scenery in Korea. At any time of year, this densely forested mountain area is worth a visit. The more northern of the park’s two sections is ringed by a horseshoe-shaped ridge, with the most dramatic rock outcrops in the area. In the valleys beneath this ridge lie the temple Naejang-sa, several hermitages, two waterfalls, a grotto cave, and a cable car leading to a lookout on the hillside, making Naejang-san a perfect place to ‘commune with nature’ at this or at any time of the year.

VENUE: Naejangsan, Jeollabuk-do

PERIOD: June 23

ADMISSION: KRW 58,000 for members, KRW 70,000 for non-members

MORE INFO: See this link.

GETTING THERE: See link above.

Everyday Koreans

The Ryugaheon Gallery in Seochon. Photo by Robert Koehler.

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.

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.

SEOUL (June 2013)

Buy Books at Seoul Selection’s ONLINE Bookshop!

The Great Successor Kim Jong-Un

School 2013

4cut Cartoon Korean: Onomatopoeia, Mimetic word

Bonjour Corée: Chapeau, Savon et Moulin à Vent

The Passing of Korea

Korean Food : The Originality, The Impression

Korea Annual 2013

Man on the Edge

Night And Day

Duresori: The Voice of East

Asako In Ruby Shoes

Night and Day