April 2013 #134

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

On The Cover:New Stadium for Our Tigers

Korea by MotorbikeMeet the Two-Wheel Trekkers

English in KoreaThen and Now

April 2013Issue No. 134

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:1 PM Page 1

Gwangju News April 20132

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Gwangju News April 2013 3

THE EDITORIAL TEAM

Gwangju News is a monthly English magazine written and editedby volunteers. We welcome your contributions for proofreading,copy editing, administration, layout/design and distribution. Pleasewrite to [email protected] and tell us your area of interest.

Special thanks to the City of Gwangju andall of our sponsors.

Copyright by the Gwangju International Center.All rights reserved. No part of this publicationcovered by this copyright may be reproduced inany form or by any means - graphic, electronic,mechanical, photocopying, recording orotherwise - without the written consent of thepublishers.

Gwangju News welcomes letters to the editor([email protected]) regarding articles andissues. Articles and submissions may be edited forreasons of clarity or space.

Publisher: Dr. Shin Gyonggu

GWANGJU NEWS PRINTEditor: Kathleen VilladiegoSub-Editor: Shay MeineckeCreative Consultant: Warren ParsonsCopy Editors: Vanessa Cisneros, Michael Moak, Joey Nunez,Jon Ozelton, Bradley WeissCoordinators: Karina Prananto, Kim MinsuLayout Designer: Karina PranantoPhoto Editor: Karina PranantoProofreaders: Brittany Baker, Heather Douglas, Don Gariepy, JonOzelton, Pete Schandall, Bradley Weiss Special thanks to Jessica KeralisResearchers: Kang Heera, Jo Ara, Park Soyoung

GWANGJU NEWS ONLINEEditor: C. Adam VolleTechnical Manager: Carl HedingerAssistant Site Administrator: Nathan FulkersonOnline Administrator: Brittany Baker

Gwangju News is published by Gwangju International CenterAddress: Jeon-il Building 5F, Geumnam-no 1-1,

Dong-gu, Gwangju 501-758, South KoreaPhone: +82-62-226-2733~4 Fax: +82-62-226-2731Website: www.gwangjunewsgic.comE-mail: [email protected] No.: 광주광역시라. 00145 (ISSN 2093-5315)Registration Date: February 22, 2010Printed by Logos (Phone +82-62-444-8800)

Publication Date: March 28, 2013

April 2013

Cover Photo: Once the new Mudeung Stadium iscompleted, more Gwangju residents will be able tocheer on the KIA Tigers to future victoriesPhotograph: Courtesy of KIA TigersThe image has been edited for layout purposes.

www.gwangjunewsgic.com

ON THE COVER

Feature

13 Sliding Forward By Joey Nunez

16 The Two-Wheel TrekkersBy Rachel Redfern

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5Gwangju News April 2013

contentsinterview travel language

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English in Korea: A LookBack/ Dr. David Shaffer

In a Taxi/ Jannies Le

Learn Korean IdiomaticExpressions with Talk toMe in Korean

Asia by Bike/ Lindsay Nash

Wanderlust: A List of Do’sand Don’ts While in Taipei/ Colleen Mayo

GIC Culture Tour to Naju/Warren Parsons

Bigeum Island/ Choi Seul-bi

An Interview with ChunMoon Sunim/ Adam Hogue

Filling a Void – the JSA/ Tammy Friend

Homegrown Expat Hiphop –‘Megook Movement’ & DJHypnotiq/ Matt Furlane

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This Month in Gwangju

Upcoming Events

Event PreviewSpring FestivalBy Kelly Kim

Event PreviewSupport GIC and Celebrate Spring with MayConcertBy Karina Prananto

Photo EssayThe Fire and the Fight: A Night at theGwangju Chilseok Gossaum FestivalBy Heidi Haley

Living TipsVisas – An E to F GuideBy Bradley Weiss

CultureHangover StewBy Stephen Redeker

CultureKorean SayingsBy Jackal

LiteratureCorean PostcardsBy Jose-Luis Moctezuma

LiteratureSelected Poems by North Korean PoetsTranslated by Song Chae-pyong and Anne Rashid

HealthThe Article that Could Save Your LifeBy Kristal Lee

FashionCome on, Get Happy!By jjdp

Event PreviewPizza, Mount Etna and the Mafia: Oh, My!By Calen Cygan

Food and DrinkGet on the Sushi Train/ By Gabriel Ward

Food and DrinkCheese Rapokki/By Park Soyoung

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6 Gwangju News April 2013

Photo of the Month

By Yvan Christian“Flower Basket”Photo taken at Chonnam National University, Gwangju

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A brief roundup of news stories from in and around Gwangju

By Carl Hedinger

This Month in Gwangju

Seo-gu to Support “Little Moms”This month's news starts with something we missed fromMarch, but which is still worth mentioning. Gwangju'sSeo-gu (district) office announced in late Februarythat it would begin supporting so-called “little moms”who became a mother at a young age and are goingthrough financial difficulties. This is the very first serviceof its type in Gwangju and it plans to help “little moms”have healthier families. Seo-gu selected 20 mothersunder 24 years old who receive welfare. The winnerswill be supported with childcare products (extrapowdered formula and diapers) worth 10 million wontotal. Additionally, they will have access to theparenting education and mentorship program,“Mentoring with Married Women's Mothers”.

Kimchi Training Course Open to PublicGwangju's Kimchi Town Academy is running a 16-week“Kimchi Server Course” from March 5 to June 18. Thiscourse hopes to cultivate experts in kimchi and willinclude practice and theory in making various kinds ofkimchi from across the nation as well as southernprovincial influences. This course will be on every Tuesdayfor three hours beginning at 10 a.m. and will allow peoplethe opportunity to work in kimchi making and distribution.An official said, "Kimchi is a traditional food that Gwangjuis proud of and we hope many people, not only Koreanhousewives but housewives in multicultural families, willjoin this program.” If you did not hear about this courseprior to the deadline, the Kimchi Academy's “PickledFoods” course in May and “Traditional Gayangju(Homemade liquor)” course in September are stillavailable to those interested.

March 1 Taegeuk Bicycle Parade There were various events including the TaegeukBicycle Parade for commemorating the 94th March1 (Korean Independence Movement Day) holidaycelebrations in Chonnam. Gwangju's Regional Officefor Patriots Affairs held a ceremony and officiallypresented a presidential commendation to Cho Gi-seok, a patriot who gave his life for Korea. After theevent, a bicycle parade in honor of taegeukki (thesymbol found in the center of the Korean flag)started from Bitgoeul City Cultural Center toGwangju Station through the Asian culture complexvia Geumnam-ro. This parade was held first andforemost to commemorate the men of merit whohave sacrificed their lives for Korea and secondly tomeditate on the real meaning of March 1. Finally, ataegeukki flag performance was held in front ofChungjang-ro Post Office followed by acommemoration marathon that finished at theWorld Cup Stadium to top things off with some realcompetitive spirit.

Kimchi training course at Kimchi Town AcademyPhoto courtesy of Gwangju Kimchi Town

Gwangju Giving Out Secondhand PCsThe City announced plans to donate roughly 640secondhand personal computers for “informationhave-nots” living in Gwangju for free until December2013. City officials have been accepting applicationsand chose recipients in March. The PCs are PentiumVI (3.0 GHz) and will come with a 1-year warranty.The computers have come from organizations andindividuals and wil l be given to the disabled,recipients of basic l iving assistance, and otherunderprivileged citizens. Since 2009, Gwangju hasdistributed over 3,000 secondhand computers totackle the “citizen information gap” and to promotea green information policy by recycling computers.

You Can Now Call “120” Everyday!Gwangju's 120 Call Center, which provides citizens with“call counseling,” is now open all year round beginningin March. Open hours have expanded from 8 a.m. to 10p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. onweekends and holidays. The center previously operatedfrom 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays andweekend/holiday calls were responded to by city hallstaff or returned on the next business day. The changesare due to increasing demands of citizens and visitorswho wish to utilize call counsel services quickly andconveniently. In addition, the center will broaden therange of counsel, not limited to civil complaints. It willprovide weather, phone numbers, directions andinformation on performance and sporting events.Citizen's satisfaction rates measure a high 96%. A centerrepresentative is quoted in saying, "We will continue togive these types of citizen-centered services, regardinghappiness of our people as first priority."

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Upcoming Events April 2013

No Cave 반반달달곰곰Genre: DramaDirector: Lee Jeong-hongStarring: Choi Gyeong-jun, KangYun-jeong, Park Ji-sungLanguage: KoreanSynopsis: Won-seok is livingwandering about internet cafeswithout any job after graduation.His sister asks him to work at herfiancé's, Ji-sung, chicken diner. Sohe starts a job as a deliveryman.

She buys him an expensive Gore-Tex jacket and hopes hewill settle down. However, Won-seok has a hard timeadjusting to a new life. One day, he gets told off by Ji-sung for a small delivery accident. He takes off the jacketand goes back to his cave, the internet cafe.

Shadow Dancer 섀섀도도우우 댄댄서서Genre: Drama, ThrillerDirector: James MarshStarring: Andrea Riseborough, CliveOwen, Aidan Gillen, Martin McCannLanguage: EnglishSynopsis: In 1990s Belfast, Colette, amember of the IRA, gets caught byMI5 for an attempted terror attackon the London Underground train.Mac, an MI5 agent, offers her adeal; be an informant for MI5 or go

to prison and be separated from her son. To protect herson she becomes an informant.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower월월플플라라워워Genre: DramaDirector: Stephen ChboskyStarring: Emma Watson, LoganLerman, Ezra Miller, Andrew StockeyLanguage: EnglishSynopsis: Charlie, an introverted highschool freshman, is stuck in his smallworld with trauma from the past. Hegets to meet Patrick and hisstepsister Sam who enjoy their lives

without caring about what others think about them. Aftermeeting them, he steps out of his world, but finds himselffalling in love with Sam.

Jiseul 지지슬슬Genre: DramaDirector: OmeulStarring: Lee Gyeong-jun, HongSang-pyo, Moon Seok-bum, YangJeong-wonLanguage: KoreanSynopsis: In November 1948, peopleliving on Jeju island hear a fearfulrumour that all people living 5kilometres outside of the SouthKorean Peninsula are labeled as

communist rebels. Some of them decide to take refuge ina cave, where they share potatoes (In Jeju dialect, jiseul)and worry about the livestock and people they have leftbehind. The people try to not lose their sanity by tellingjokes with the hope that it will be over soon.

Contributors: Kang Heera, Park Soyoung, Jo Ara (GIC Gwangju News Team)

Movie @ Gwangju TheaterAddress: Chungjang-no 5-ga (two blocks back behind Migliore)Phone: 062-224-5858Films change weekly to bi-weeklyFee: 8,000 won per person per filmCheck online for calendar and prices: (in Korean) http://cafe.naver.com/cinemagwangju

SportsGwangju FC TeamApril Match Schedule

Date

72028

Match Team

Suwon FCGoyang HiFC

Korean Police FC

Time

2 p.m.2 p.m.2 p.m.

Venue: Gwangju World Cup Stadium (광주월드컵경기장)Directions: Buses 6, 16, 20, 26, 47 and 74. Get off at theWorld Cup Stadium bus stopTicket Price: VIP 10,000 won, GOLD 5,000 won (10%discount for online ticket purchases)Website: www.gwangjufc.com

KIA Tigers Baseball TeamApril Match Schedule

Date

9 - 1116-18

262728

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DoosanLG

SamsungSamsungSamsung

Time

6:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.6:30 p.m.

5 p.m.2 p.m.

Venue: Gwangju Mudeung Baseball Stadium (무등경기장)Directions: Take buses 16, 38, 51, 53, 58, 89, 95, 98, 151and get off at Mudeung Stadium bus stopTicket Price: Adults 9,000 - 13,000 wonWebsite: www.tigers.co.kr

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Accommodation in a Deluxe King or Twinbedded RoomTwo course Italian Dinner (from the menu) inCloud Lounge on the 10th Floor including twoglasses of wine per personBeautiful full buffet breakfast in HourglassRestaurant for two personsComplimentary internet, sauna, indoor pooland gymnasiumJunior Suite price additional 100,000 wonExecutive Suite price additional 250,000 won

Thursday, Friday and Saturdays from 6.30 p.m. to9:00 p.m. for 28,600 won per person includingsnack buffet and unlimited wine, draft beer(local) and soft drinks

For reservation: 062-610-7063, 7064For more information, please visit:

www.holidayinngwanjgu.com

240,000 won for two

Happy Hours in Lobby Lounge

Breakfast Includes

advertisement

Breakfastat

Holiday Inn Gwangju

Junior Suite Buffet BreakfastCloud Lounge 10th Floor

PerformancesMARIONETTE 마마리리오오네네트트Venue: Grand Theater, Gwangju Cultural and ArtCenter Date: April 5 - 6Time: 8:00 p.m. Friday, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.Saturday Admission: VIP Seat 66,000 won/ R Seat 55,000 won/ S Seat 44,000 won Phone: 010-9885-2434

SHEN YUN 2013 World Tour – Gwangju션션원원 22001133 월월드드투투어어 -- 광광주주Venue: Grand Theater, Gwangju Cultural and ArtCenter Date: April 11Time: 2:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m.Admission: VV Seat 300,000 / V Seat 200,000 won / RSeat 150,000 won / S Seat 110,000 / A Seat 80,000 BSeat 50,000Phone: 1544-8808

REBECCA 레레베베카카Venue: Grand Theater, Gwangju Cultural and ArtCenterDate: April 26 - 27 Time: 3:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Saturday Admission: VIP Seat 120,000 won/ R Seat 100,000won / S Seat 80,000 won / A Seat 50,000 wonPhone: 1588-0766

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Exhibitions

2013 KSBB Spring Meeting andInternational Symposium ((22001133년년도도 한한국국생생물물공공학학회회 춘춘계계학학술술발발표표대대회회 및및 국국제제심심포포지지움움Venue: Kimdaejung ConventionCenter Date: April 10 - April12Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.Admission Fee: FreePhone: 02-556-2164For more information:www.ksbb.or.kr

Moonlight Anthology (Lee Jaesam Solo)Venue: space k_GwangjuDate: March 4 - April 26Time: Tuesday - Sunday 10 a.m.- 6p.m. / closed MondaysAdmission Fee: FreePhone: 062-370-5948For more information:www.spacek.co.kr

Let's play at the pleasant Museum 즐즐거거운운 미미술술관관에에서서 놀놀자자Venue: Gwangju Museum of ArtDate: Feb. 21 - June 9 Time: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m./closed MondaysAdmission Fee: Adult 500 won/Youth 300 won/Children 200 wonPhone: 062-613-7100For more information:www.artmuse.gwangju.go.kr

Gwangju Spring Flower Show 2013 22001133 광광주주봄봄꽃꽃박박람람회회Venue: Kimdaejung ConventionCenterDate: March 29 - April 7Time: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.Admission Fee: Adult (14-64) 5,000won/ Children (4-13) 3,000 won/Above 65 2,000 wonPhone: 062-611-2124For more information:www.flowershow.kr

2013 An elder Painter previewKang Bong Kyu – Trees AndPeople22001133 원원로로작작가가초초대대전전 강강봉봉규규 – 나나무무와와사사람람Venue: Gwangju Museum of ArtDate: Feb. 27 - April 21 Time: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. /closed MondaysAdmission Fee: Adult 500 won/Youth 300 won/Children 200 wonPhone: 062-613-7100For more information:www.artmuse.gwangju.go.kr

NEW ACQUISITIONS 2012 신신소소장장품품 22001122Venue: Gwangju Museum of ArtDate: March 5 - April 10 Time: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. /closed MondaysAdmission Fee: Adult 500 won/Youth 300 won/Children 200 wonPhone: 062-613-7100For more information:www.artmuse.gwangju.go.kr

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Seomjin Riverside Cherry Blossoms Festival 섬섬진진강강변변 꽃꽃축축제제Date: April 6 - 7Venue: Jukma-ri, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do Program: singing contest, fusion Korean music performance,paragliding competition, 7080 concert, local art group concert, digitalcamera contest, trekking, etc.Directions: Take the bus to Gurye from U-square (Interval Time: 15-1hour15 minutes). From the Gurye bus terminal, take the bus (Gurye-Guryong) and get off at Obong bus stop and walk for about 10minutes.For more information: 061-780-2821

Festivals

2013 Cheongsando Slow Walk Festival 22001133 청청산산도도 슬슬로로우우걷걷기기 축축제제Date: April 1 - 30Venue: Cheongsan-myeon, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do (the entirearea of Slow City Cheongsan-do)Program: Making "slow food", catching fish, slow experienceprograms (writing letters, treasure hunts, making footprints, etc.),cultural art programs (concert, revival of Seopyonje and plow pulledby oxen, etc.)Directions: Take the bus to Wando from U-square (Interval Time: 30 - 1hour 30 minutes). From Wando bus terminal, take a taxi or walk forabout 30 minutes to the Wando passenger ship terminal and getaboard a ship to Cheongsando. For more information: www.slowcitywando.com

The 35th Jindo Miracle Sea Festival 제제3355회회 진진도도 신신비비의의 바바닷닷길길축축제제Date: April 25 - 28Venue: Hoidong-ri, Gogun-myen, Jindo, Jeollanam-do Program: Sea parade, Korean traditional performances (Jindossitkimgut, Namdo jabga, Seoul Metropolitan Traditional MusicOrchestra performance, Ganggangsullae, etc.), experience events(Korean traditional music, paintings and calligraphic works, Jindo localproducts, etc.)Directions: Take the bus to Jindo from U-square (Interval Time: 30 - 1hour45 minutes). From Jindo bus terminal, take the bus (Jindo bus terminal-Gagye. Hoidong) and get off at Jisuri bus stop and walk for about 2minutes.For more information: 061-544-0151

Suncheon Bay Garden Expo 201322001133 순순천천만만 국국제제정정원원박박람람회회Date: April 20 - Oct. 20Venue: The entire area of Suncheon Bay, Anpung-dong, Suncheon-si,Jeollanam-do Program: Exposition & media day events, view the exposition, officialopening performances, performances by celebrities, performance ofhope (Lighting of lanterns, etc), etc. Directions: Take the bus to Suncheon from U-square (Interval Time: 10 -30 minutes). From the Suncheon bus terminal, take bus 1, 101 or 111and get off at Myeongmal bus stop and walk just over 12 minutes.For more information: 1577-2013

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Calling all Canadians in Gwangju!

Canadian Ambassador coming to GIC

May 7, 2013(keep this date free!)

For more info please checknext month’s Gwangju News!

For more info:www.athleticssupporters.com/current-events

April 20th Athletic Supporters V-day

Volleyball Tournament

Venue: Gwangju Foreign School in Buk-guDate: April 20 Time: 11am to 1pm

Event: Volleyball Tournament. 30,000 wonregistration fee.

Athletic Supporters is collaborating with V-Day Monologues at the Spring Festival toraise money for women shelters in Korea.

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 12

s spring blossoms in Korea, construction onthe KIA Tigers' Mudeung Stadium isbooming in Gwangju. As Lee Suk-beom, the

team's Public Relations Manager, stated, the newstadium is for everybody: players, employees andfans, bringing positive results to all.

Lee confirmed that the stadium's development willlikely conclude this December, with the ability for22,000 to 25,000 fans to sit and see games. Beforethe stadium's construction, that number onlyreached 12,000.

Additional benefits from the stadium's constructioninclude the guaranteed business. Lee alluded thatnew employment will be necessary for the generalcleaning, security and grounds keeping of thestadium, among other responsibilities. Also, hestated that general concession stands, along withcoffee shops and fast-food establishments, will beinstalled for consumption choices while fans watchthe baseball.

The Tigers' fan support has always been alive andimpressive, initially promoted by the baseballteam's f irst championship win in 1983. Mostrecently, in 2009, the Tigers played thechampionship game with over 9,000 fanswatching, either sitting or standing among tightcrowding. Yet, as Lee recalled, little leg room and

narrow seats could not silence fans from cheeringand applauding enthusiastically, as the fanswitnessed the Tigers win their first championshipgame in 12 years, and their first win as the KIATigers. Lee reiterated that having the residents'support meant so much to the baseball players,installing a cheerful atmosphere for all in Gwangju.

The stadium has always been in the same locationwithin northern Gwangju. Lee described the olderfacilities as providing narrow and uncomfortableseats, so he and others knew an upgrade wasvital. The stadium's updates have followed afterGwangju's beloved baseball team's namechange

The Haitai Tigers were initially founded as the thirdprofessional baseball team in Korea, and theprevious stadium was initially constructed in 1965.The team's former name, Haitai, was sponsored bya food brand headquartered in Gwangju. With asolid partnership with Haitai, a brand reminiscentto Kraft in North America, the Haitai baseball teamcould only be enhanced. With ninechampionships between the years of 1983 to 1997,the Haitai baseball team established itself amongthe elite in Korean baseball team competition.

But with changing economic times, Haitai wasunable to generate national profit, and thus the

feature

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Sliding ForwardBy Joey Nunez and Kim SeraPhotos courtesy of KIA Tigers


Gwangju residents have always been enthusiastic fans of the KIA Tigers

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 13

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encourage their children to begin their futureendeavors at earlier ages, even in sports. And withmore youth interested in playing baseball, thelevel of competition has been raised to evenhigher standards. Lee stated that the baseballteam members are now expected to havestudied well in school, be knowledgeable of theirsport and have proven that they are able toperform to their best potential, all before playingbaseball with the KIA Tigers.

Lee, along with the rest of the KIA Tigers'management staff, is grateful for such supportersas KIA Motors, Sports Toto and the Ministry ofCulture and Tourism for their financial support ofGwangju's baseball. Along with the local mediareporting the stadium's development and theteam's progress, Gwangju's baseball will continue,as, to date, each group has invested a combinedtotal of nearly 100 billion won.

The support of the KIA Tigers is interconnectedwith the pride within Gwangju. Lee explained thateach major Korean city receives funds from itscitizens to support and enhance its image. So, forKoreans, a major aspect of their projected imageis how strong their baseball team is. From thoseborn in Gwangju, this means of giving is alsoviewed as a portion of Korean culture, as one ofthe citizens' strongest relations in life is with theirbirthplace.

In each of Korea's major cit ies, a singleprofessional baseball team exists. So when one's

company was on the verge of declaringbankruptcy. In order to preserve the baseballteam's sponsorship, KIA, a Korean car brand alsobased in Gwangju, stepped up and took over asthe team's sponsor. Since the take over, the Haitaibrand has recovered and still is operated locally inGwangju. And through the entire transition, thebaseball team has remained the Tigers, just withKIA as its sponsor.

With the pre-season in ful l swing, the field isanything but uninhabited. The current team is nowtraining to conduct more exhibition games for theirseason's warm-up. So the field inside the stadiumunder development is being put to beneficialusage.

In addition to the stadium's positive development,the players are among the best prospects. Leeexplained that in the past, Korean society wasdifferent, so baseball was too. Players came frombigger families with more siblings, so one son couldplay baseball, while another son could pursueanother endeavor. Parents did not feel pressure tohave their children start early with pursuing futuredreams. This past Korean society dimensionpromoted a playful approach for youth as theychose more freely to play baseball as arecreational sport.

Now, Lee further explained, that mindset hasdisappeared, as smaller families exist with childrenhaving fewer siblings. With this previous attitudereplaced, parents are now more deliberate to


Mudeung Stadium’s construction is expected to conclude in December 2013

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Some KIA Tigers players in action: 1. Lee Yong-kyu; 2. Seo Jae-eung; 3. Ahn Chi-hong; 4. Yoon Seok-min; 5. Lee Beomho; 6.Choi Hee-seop

baseball team wins, the city's pride reaches itshighest, with additional positives of generatingnational promotion for Koreans to visit this city andof solidifying the bond between residents.

So, any financial support given to Gwangju'sbaseball provides the funds and means for the KIATigers to then train interested youth in learning howto play baseball well. Gwangju's baseball team hasbeen able to organize and lead day trainingcamps and monthly sponsorship programs, whereplayers interact one-on-one with the youth, andthen, the players are able to set aside money tohelp students successfully continue their educationwithout difficulty.

Lee mentioned that all the children who attendthese training sessions are then invited to attendany baseball game, free of charge, at theirconvenience. And from such recent bonds beingdeveloped between Gwangju's youth and the KIATigers players, Lee stated the children can choosefor themselves whether they would like to pursuebaseball in the future. In essence, the presentgiving to baseball by many people invests in thefuture winning in baseball for many other people.

Lee is satisfied that the athletes' conditions aregreat and at their best. Lee commented thatduring recent practices, Kim Ju-chan, a newaddition to the KIA Tigers' roster, has shared how hepersonally views the KIA Tigers as being among thebest teams, and the fact that he is glad to havejoined the ranks. Kim, a former player for Busan'sLotte Giants, has also imparted his advice tomotivate his teammates in preparation for thisupcoming season.

Lee is also pleased with the determined match-upsthis season, further stating that the KIA Tigers areprepared and thrilled to participate in anotherseason that is expected to be filled with success.With the likely possibility of winning again in 2013,just as they did in 2009, Lee and the KIA Tigers havehigh expectations to perform their best, withdefinite plans to slide forward successfully, intohome base and into the future.

Lee made sure to say that the KIA Tigers baseballteam is always looking for enthusiastic fans, bothKorean and foreigner alike. So know that you arepersonally invited to come and support the KIATigers!

For more information about upcoming games andevents, visit www.tigers.co.kr or look at page 8.

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Seoraksan, as well as participate in temple stays,and even scuba diving in Jeju.

When asked about their inspiration for this trip,Adrian talked about how much he has missedKorea, while Ryan reiterated his commitment tofilming Korea and how amazing this opportunity is.

orea is a country with a history now beginningto have success and growth. With the goal ofexperiencing Korea and hopefully spreading

more awareness of it, Adrian Tegler and RyanMariotti decided to spend one month exploring theentire country from motorcycles, (well, onemotorcycle and one very-large scooter, actually).

Hailing from Canada, Adrian and Ryan haveextensive histories in traveling. Adrian lived in bothBusan and Gwangju teaching for a year in eachcity, while Ryan has spent months traveling throughAfrica. This is Ryan's first trip to Korea, and as afreelance filmmaker, he will document their entiretrip, producing weekly webisodes for their blog:www.twowheeltrekker.com, pictures, a series ofshorts about 'A Day in the Life of a Korean,' and hehas hopes of producing a documentary abouttheir experiences.

Adrian first proposed this ambitious project about ayear ago. The pair have spent the past five monthspreparing for this journey by contacting motorcycleclubs and enthusiasts, finding motorcycles to rentand planning a route that encompasses all ofKorea. Adrian and Ryan started their journey inSeoul and will travel around the exterior of Korea,spending a week in Jeju, before hopping back tothe mainland and circling up through the Jirisanand Seorksan National Parks then heading back toSeoul.

Both men have several years of experience onmotorcycles (Adrian has been riding since beforehaving a driver's license) and there's a good reasonwhy they chose motorcycles for this trip. Accordingto the guys, when you are on a motorcycle, it is acommunal world. “Experiencing the world on amotorcycle, or even a bicycle, lets you see theworld in such a different way. You're open to theelements. You're not in a bubble like you are in acar.” Even though the motorcycle is integral to theirtrip, they say getting off the bikes and experiencingthe landscape and locals is the big umbrella underwhich their love for motorcycles sits. They haveambitious plans to hike Hallasan, Jirisan and

The Two-Wheel Trekkersfeature

K

By Rachel RedfernPhotos courtesy of Adrian Tegler

Upper: Sleeping between flights in Vancouver AirportLower: All packed up and ready to start theadventure, outside a motel in Seoul.

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 16


Adrian and Ryan have big goals for this trip andhave endeavored to keep the attention on Korea,rather than themselves. Ryan said, “It's about howKoreans live. We just want to put the focus onKorea, not on us motorcycling all the time.”

In planning this trip, Adrian and Ryan realized thatthere is still much about Korea that is unknown tothe rest of the world. “People in the West just don'tknow a lot about Korea, when you say Korea theysay, 'North Korea.'” The duo hopes to spread moreinformation about the peninsula with their films andAdrian's weekly blog updates.

A trip of this magnitude required a lot ofpreparation, and so far, the trip has been madeeasier by Koreans who have been helpful andsupportive of Adrian and Ryan reaching theirgoals. Finding a business that would allow them torent two motorcycles for an entire month wasdefinitely a challenge. Luckily they found Harley-riding, “Seoul Joe,” who graciously helped themlocate one motorcycle and one large scooter torent.

For those interested in starting their own scooter ormotorcycle trekking experience, Adrian and Ryanare encouraging. There is a substantial populationof motorcycle and scooter clubs in Korea that arehappy to include new riders. Locally, the Gwangju

Gunners Motorcycle Club is a foreigner-based clubhere in Gwangju that will even be joining Adrianand Ryan on the road. If you're interested in gettingyour own vehicle, purchasing a bike is cheap andrenting is possible (Adrian and Ryan both suggestwww.eggmoto.com for scooters). Adrian and Ryanreiterated how excited and generous this country'scitizens have been towards them. Many Koreanshave offered suggestions for little-known places tovisit, and pass along information about othertravelers and motorcyclists in Korea who would beexcited to share in their journey. In just a few weeks,the guys will meet two Korean women who went allthe way from Russia to Europe on the back of ascooter, a contact they never would have made ifnot for a friendly local in Seoul.

Both of them hope that this trip is not the end oftheir motorcycle adventures. In the future, theywould like to motorcycle through more countries(for their next trip, they are thinking maybe Canadaor Russia) utilizing their unique style, which consistsof spending longer amounts of time in a specificregion, and exploring and filming rather than racingthrough a country. For now, you can follow themon their website: www.twowheeltrekker.com andoffer suggestions for good places to visit andunique things to do in Korea on Facebook atfacebook/twowheeltrekker.

Enjoying beautiful Dongho Beach on the west coast before continuing on to Gwangju

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 17


edal, pedal, push, push, turn, turn, turn, TURN!

Huffing and puffing up the steep concrete path,we realized quickly how sharp the turn was at thetop. We volleyed just in time, a hairpin left thatsuddenly opened up to a breath-taking view ofthe West Sea and its small islands popping up likemushrooms from the fog. Our rickety tandembicycle creaked beneath our flip-flops as wecontinued our journey around the island.

But for us, on this beat-up metal bicycle for two,chugging along this beautiful island of Seonyudooff the western coast of Korea, it's a recipe forraucous adventure, hearty laughs and a side ofthe country one rarely sees from any other modeof transportation.

Cycling is surely one of the best ways to see Korea,from the city streets of Seoul, Busan or Daegu tothe dirt trails dividing luscious green rice paddies inthe heart of the country. It's not only a weekendpastime on a sunny spring day. It's also a new wayto see the world.

Now in my fifth year of living in South Korea, I amthe Asia Tour Specialist at Bike Tours Direct, a U.S.-based company that represents local bicycletouring companies around the world. Now living inDaegu (after spending four years in belovedGwangju), I am helping expats and Koreans getconnected to participate in these amazing cyclingadventures. At the same time, with two more toursto be added in Korea in the coming months, I willalso be focusing on bringing more cyclists to seethe beauty of The Land of the Morning Calm.

We offer cycling tours in the usual hotspots likeVietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. But we havealso recently expanded our roster of routes toinclude destinations like India, Burma and Bhutan.We also have hundreds of European tours, all runby local European tour operators.

P

Words and photo by Lindsay Nash

travel

We offer everything from short 5-day leisurely bikerides around Angkor Wat to 15-day mountain bikeadventures in Nepal. We have long distance roadcycling tours in Japan, as well as beachy, laid-back bike rides in the islands of the Philippines.

One of the many great things about these bicyclevacations is that they provide local guides –someone who will take you along the un-troddenpath to the little-known restaurants, sites and backroads, making your adventure unique and muchmore special than the typical foray into a popularAsia destination.

Here are a few of my favorite guided routes weare now offering.

- Angkor Wat Explorer Tour, 5 days- Burma Heritage by Bicycle, 6 nights- Discover Bhutan, 7 nights- Classic Kerala (India), 8 nights- South Japan's Kyushu Island, 7 nights- Mongolia Off-Road, 13 nights- Bike, Raft, Safari in Nepal, 13 nights- Island Hopping in the Philippines, 12 nights- Thailand: Northern Highlights, 6 nights

And, make sure to check out our more than 400tours in 70 countries!

Next time you are planning a vacation to anearby Asian locale, consider booking a bicycletour.

Learn more about Bike Tours Direct atwww.biketoursdirect.com. In addition to the biketours listed above, we now have more than 60guided and self-guided bike tours in Asia. Startsearching these offerings now, and feel free toemail me at [email protected] withquestions on tours in Asia and beyond!

Asia by BikeTour company offers morethan 400 tours in 70 countries

Lindsay and her husband, Whit

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:28 PM Page 18


Spring FestivalWords and photos by Kelly Kim

Spring Festival Details:Date and Location: April 20, 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.Gwangju Foreign School (next to the GIST campus)106 Samso-Ro, Oryong-dong, Buk-Gu, GwangjuPrice: Free. Parents only buy tickets for carnivalgames. Food: There will be BBQ hamburgers, hotdogs andvarious treats for sale. Also, a Kebab truck will makean appearance. Contact Information: Please contact Kelly PalmerKim via the Facebook event:(www.facebook.com/#!/events/228457820627530/)page or via email at: [email protected] details about the Gwangju Dusters baseballteam, please contact Jeff Hamilton, via email at:[email protected] details about the ice-skating, please contactQuentin Boehr, via email: at [email protected]

he weather is getting warm and it is time tostart playing outside. The Global Families ofGwangju are busy again.

On Saturday, April 20, we will hold an outdoorfestival for kids (and for “kids at heart”). There willbe carnival games, BBQ burgers and sportsactivities. As we are still in the planning stages, weare looking for help in the form of ideas for games,sponsorship and volunteers. Volunteers are neededto design and/or run carnival games, plan andsupervise sports events, and people to help cookand sell food.

The Global Families of Gwangju is a non-profitgroup of foreigners dedicated to providing anactive outdoor lifestyle for our children. We also tryto bring people together to celebrate the holidaystogether and share our traditions with Koreans andpeople of all nationalities.

We hold a yearly Christmas dinner, where familiescan meet and enjoy a meal together. The kidsenjoy meeting Santa and playing with each other.

In October 2012, we had our first Halloweencarnival. Thanks to all the volunteers who madegame booths, as the kids loved the games and atea lot of candy. They got cool Halloween prizes andeven got a crack at a spider piñata.

The Global Families of Gwangju also holds abaseball league for boys and girls, ages 5 to 10. TheDusters meet every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. atthe Gwangju Education University. They will beginthis season as soon as the weather is warm enough.Coaches Quentin Boehr, Jeff Hamilton and MarkKunza teach youngsters the basic skills of baseball.The older kids have participated in tournamentswith Korean teams. We also meet every Tuesdayfrom 4:30 - 5:30 at the Yeomju Gymnasium for iceskating.

We hope to see a great turnout for this event. Let'swork together to make a great day for the kids.

T

event preview

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 19


estled at the base of Mt. Geumjeongsan (금정산) on the border of Busan lies Boemeosa(범어사). It is a beautiful old temple that was

first built 1,300 years ago by the monk Ui Sang andKing Manmu of the Silla Kingdom. The temple wasdestroyed during the Japanese invasion of 1592,but it was rebuilt in 1713. In the geography book,'Donggukyeojiseungram,' the temple was said tohave come from “a well on the top of Mt.Geumjeongsan [that held golden water]”. Thegolden fish in the well rode the colorful clouds andcame down from the sky. This is why the mountain isnamed Geumsaem (gold well) and the temple isnamed 'fish from heaven'. (visitkorea.or.kr)

In February, I took some friends on a Templestay atBeomasa. Having done some temple stays in thepast, I knew it would be a uniquely Koreanexperience that I wanted to share with my friends.Beomasa and the great hiking opportunities in themountains around it was just the place I wanted myfriends to experience. I also wanted to show themaround Busan, so early one Saturday morning, wehopped on a bus and did it.

Beomasa is a very short cab ride or subway/bus ridefrom the Nopo Bus Terminal in Busan. The temple is alittle ways up Geumjeongsan, so if you are planningon making a hike, plan extra time for traveling. Onthe way to the Templestay area, we passedthrough the front gate called the Il Ju Gate. Il Jumeans “one pillar.” The gate itself is the only four-pillar gate in all of Korea, but it looks like one pillarwhen viewed from the side (it is unsurprisingly anational treasure).

After arriving and getting comfortable in our monk-

N like robes, we were introduced to Chun Moon (천문). Chun Moon was the monk who would beleading our Templestay and I was surprised to seethat he was not Korean. I was immediately intriguedby this western monk in Korea.

Chun Moon is a Polish man living and practicing atBeomasa. He first started his journey to the monasticlife at the Zen Center in Cumberland, Rhode Island,in America. After some small talk, he was thrilled tolearn I was from Woonsocket, a “stone's throwaway” from the Zen Center in Cumberland. It was adefinite moment of synchronicity.

Chun Moon's Polish background, his time spent atthe Zen Center in Cumberland and his presence ata mountain temple in Korea fascinated me, and Iwanted to learn a bit more about his story andsome of his thoughts on Buddhism from a monasticpoint of view; particularly a monastic in Korea, oneof the predominantly Buddhist regions of the world,as opposed to the Western lens of Buddhism that Iwas brought up with. After the Templestay, I madean appointment to chat with Chun Moon about hislife as a monk living in Korea. The following is atranscript of our interview:

You are probably one of the few Western-bornmonks living in Korea, and I, for one, was surprisedwhen I met you. There are actually quite a few western monks inKorea. There are American monks, Russian monks,some Argentineans; there are over fifty monks livingin the Cho Gye Jong Order.

Where did your path to being a monk begin? Wasthere an epiphany moment? Many Christians speak

An Interview withChun Moon Sunim

interview

Words and photos by Adam Hogue

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:29 PM Page 20


of hearing a call to priesthood or to be a monk, butwas your calling more subtle?It was not really a calling. I don't like those Christianterms. I started getting into yoga and Buddhism inmy late teens/early twenties. At twenty I met myteacher Soong Sang (숭상). He was a Korean and hestarted a Zen Center in Providence, Rhode Island. In1986, I went to the United States to study at the ZenCenter, and after Soong Sang's death in 2004, Imade the decision to become a monk. In 2007, Icame to Korea and started living as a monk.

What is the difference between a Zen Center, whereyou were, and a Temple?Zen Centers are for lay people where they go topractice meditation, [who are] concerned with thepractice side of Buddhism or meditation. Lay peoplego to practice living in the present. If you are doingsomething, just do it; nothing else. If you eat, just eat.If you drive, just drive. The Cultural Revolution in the1970s brought a lot of Eastern philosophy into theUnited States and the popularity of meditationcame out of that. Zen Centers started to open up togive people a place to go.

There are no monastics in the West. Temples areonly in Korea and in this part of the world. KoreanBuddhism is engrained in the society and has beenfor thousands of years, much like Catholicism isengrained in parts of the Western world. And muchlike old women and people in general f indcommunity in churches in the west, old womencome to temples to pray, but also for socialpurposes.

Buddhism is one of the major religions of the world;do you think that all religions attempt to answer thesame fundamental questions? Or were you drawn toBuddhism because it was different?You have to answer it. The questions are there for youranswers. Buddha teaches that anyone can beBuddha. The big question is simple, 'Who am I?'Everyone can answer it. My teacher, Soong Sang,used to teach Trappist monks at the Abbey ofGethsemani ways to meditate, and he used to say itwas so simple because they were doing the samething. Do you know Thomas Merton? It was his abbey.

We are caught up in a realm of name and form. It'sonly transitory, this whole world and the names andforms we give things don't make a difference. Ourlanguage works in absolutes: light and dark, blackand white, good and bad. We are too caught in theconcepts and language, it is really very simple: 'Whoam I?'

Is meditation as simple as breathing or should it bedone with more intent, like a prayer?I don't like the term 'prayer.' It is loaded. Prayer

immediately makes me think of asking forsomething. People pray with the wrong intent. Theypray for something. They have a goal or a desire. Agreat mind once said, 'prayer is the petitionconsidering himself or herself unworthy before apower.' Praying for something is not how it works, it isa good intention, but it ends there. It is just anintention.

Meditation is special attention. It is breathing andsimply being. There is no focused thought or desire. Itis being as one is.

'Outside people's' meditation has often become tobecome better; to be more focused or to preparefor something. But in truth, meditation should haveno goal, you already have everything; nothing elseis needed. Meditation is just about clearing yourmind. A good mantra is to simply inhale 'clear mind'and exhale 'don't know.' It is all about keeping amoving mind on this moment. It is all there is, weshould not be separate from it. And underlying allmeditation is the question, 'who am I?'

A big obstacle is constantly checking yourself to seeif you are doing it right. Meditation is an act of GreatFaith, Great Courage and Great Question. GreatFaith, like a hen on eggs waiting patiently for theeggs to hatch, knowing they will hatch. GreatCourage, like a cat focusing on a hole a mouse justran into, waiting ready to pounce when he comesout. Great Question, 'Who am I?'

Let's talk about mindfulness. In this day and age, weare completely hyper-connected. Everything isinstantaneous and at our finger-tips. Define beingmindful for the Millennial Generation.When you do something, do it 100 percent. Only dowhat is present, completely. Information and mindswork fast and our concentration is scattered.Mindfulness is being fully aware of what you aredoing. Mindfulness also means not getting attachedto words. Just do what you are doing, 100 percent,and you will never be anywhere but the present.

My teacher was once seen going to the bathroomwith a newspaper and when he came out, some ofthe people at the Zen Center cornered him andsaid, 'You are always telling us to do everything 100percent, how can you go to the bathroom andread?' and without missing a beat my teacher said,'I was shitting and reading 100 percent.'

Beomasa is a wonderful place for a Templestay and agreat start to a weekend in Busan. If you would like todo a Templestay at Beomasa and meet Chun Moonfor yourself, you can visit their website atwww.beomeo.kr/eng_templestay/idt.php and sign up.

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:29 PM Page 21


Filling a Void – The JSAinterview

crime, Harcar added. “When you're living in aforeign country, you're away from home and asupport system. A lot of times you don't know whereto go for information.” The alliance is currently in theearly stages of forming what they hope willbecome an extensive resource of information forvictims of crime about where to go and who tocontact for assistance. While this information iscurrently available to foreigners, it needs to becompiled and verified to ensure its reliability andaccessibility. This is the service that JSA provides.The JSA is very keen to work alongside local officialsand is currently in the process of forging positiveconnections with the police and media in the city.The alliance believes that the expat and Koreancommunities can work together on crime-relatedissues in a manner that will benefit everyone. Forexample, Harcar said, “When a bulletin is releasedabout a crime committed towards a foreigner, theycan send it to us and we can post it on our site inEnglish to spread the word and make peopleaware.” The JSA have also been communicatingwith a local English-speaking lawyer who hasprovided extensive information about Korean laws,expat rights and ways in which, as foreigners, wecan remain culturally-sensitive while still prioritizingour safety.

feel far safer in Korea than I do in my owncountry.” I've often heard this statement saidby foreigners in Korea. But does this renewedsense of safety make expats a more

vulnerable target for crime? As Nancy Harcar, jointfounder of the JSA (Jeolla Safety Alliance) highlights,“We're foreigners, we stand out.” And while wegenerally enjoy a favourable interaction with theKorean community because of this fact, it cansometimes attract unwanted attention.

The JSA was set up in response to an incident inOctober 2012 in which a foreign teacher wasallegedly raped by a taxi driver here in Gwangju.This incident acted as a catalyst for some intensedebates about the safety of expats here in Koreaand the formation of the alliance is one of thepositive outcomes to emerge.The alliancefundamentally aims to provide research about theprevention of crime, as well as to assist those whohave been victims of crime here in Gwangju.

Primarily, the alliance encourages people to remainalert and aware. Korea is not without crime;therefore it is necessary to take safety precautionssimilar to those that would be taken in any othercountry. The JSA promotes awareness in variousways. For example, they give notifications aboutself-defense classes in the city, and in the future,they plan to provide people with safety-relatedprotection in the form of whistles and methods ofhow to carry them, and to invite people to attendpublic seminars with speakers from around thecountry. They also encourage people to use the JSAFacebook group as a medium for sharing usefulinformation about anything else safety-related.Harcar was very keen to emphasise that, althoughthe alliance was set up in response to an attack ona woman, the JSA represents all people. “Allforeigners incur a certain level of danger just bybeing in a foreign country and we are here to helpeveryone.”

While these preventative measures arefundamental to the JSA, equally important is thehelp they provide those who have been victim to

“I

By Tammy FriendPhotos courtesy of Nancy Harcar and Gwangju City Blog “Gwangjurang” www.saygj.com

Nancy speaking for JSA at the Foreigners’Consultation Meeting with Gwangju’s mayorPhoto by www.saygj.com

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 22


Gwangju is a large and sprawling city, and the JSAis currently very focused on finding people who arewilling to volunteer as representatives for their localareas. This person or group would become the firstpoint of contact for any safety issues within theirneighbourhood. Ultimately, the JSA's aim is to havea number of representatives around the city whohave access to extensive information regarding theservices available to victims. With this informationimmediately accessible, the JSA hopes to increasethe efficiency of the legal process and reduce thestress that a victim would usually incur while tryingto navigate these services in a foreign country.Harcar said “We are looking to build a biggernetwork of connected people so that more peopleare involved in a more streamlined way.”

Fundraising is another important aspect of the JSA,since many of the plans the alliance is keen onimplementing require funding. One such plan is toprovide the fee for a victim's first consultation withan English-speaking lawyer so that he or she canbetter understand their rights. The JSA also plans toestablish a system whereby they can contribute toany medical bills and travel expenses a victim mayincur.

As expats living a long way from home, we can bevery encouraged and comforted by the progress ofthe JSA. It has primarily been established as ameans for foreigners to help each other to stay safe,as well as to provide a strong network of supportand practical help for those who need it. While thealliance is still in its early stages of development, ithas already established a strong foundation onwhich to implement its plans for the future.

Nancy (right) in a JSA meeting

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:31 PM Page 23


n the fall of 2009, a gathering of beginning rapartists, led by Bryan Simmons (aka DJ Hypnotiq),committed to promote Hip Hop music in South

Korea. They formed the group “MegookMovement”. It began in Gwangju but has playedall over Korea in the last three years. Bryan is alsodoing solo work and has a new album coming outthat is exploring more biographical themes. I satdown with Bryan to find out more about his groupand his solo work.

What is Megook Movement about? We invite other groups to play with us and we mixRock, Rhymes and Reggae. No one in Korea hasdone what we do. We fuse all three genres intoone good show. We do it here in Gwangju, we getartists like G-MO from Gunsan (originally from LosAngeles in California) and people from Seoul tocome down here and participate. And it's crazy,we had a couple of artists come down for anevent, and once they got off the bus, they thoughtthere was going to be rice fields everywhere. I waslike no, man, it's a city here, just like anywhere inKorea. They had never left Seoul before, it's so big,there are hundreds of clubs to play in, you could

interview

Homegrown Expat HipHop –'Megook Movement'/DJ Hypnotiq

By Matt FurlanePhotos by Jeff Dalgleish

I

Megook Movement in action

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 24


spend your whole life in Seoul and never see therest of Korea. So I want to change that. They weresurprised by all of the local support here.

And the name?We're a collective group of people so we came upwith 'Movement,' and we were all foreigners, soobviously: 'Megook'. And the 'MM' makes it simplerfor designing. Some people misinterpreted it as a'revolution.' and they thought we were an anti-government revolutionary group, but we're notthat. We just talk about partying in Korea.

Where has Megook Movement played?We've played in Seoul, Busan (Vinyl Undergroundand Fabric), Daejeon, Suncheon, Daegu andMudFest in Boryeong. Busan has a greatatmosphere. That's a great place, good peopleand beautiful people. And at Daegu, we did ashow where we had almost all soldiers. And here inGwangju, we've played at Nevermind, Mix, ClubIlly, House, Bubble Bar and Speakeasy. We'rehoping to play more in Seoul, and we're gettinghelp from a manager up there named Josh Roy,who is internationally known and I think is the topreggae artist in Korea.

Who are your members and what albums have youreleased so far?We originally started with 10 members. We werelike the Wu-Tang Clan of Korea. Now there are fourof us, me from Chicago, Cliff De Trong fromCameroon, AC Cutta from Kentucky and StickFigure from Seattle, U.S.A. We've done two albums,“Listen and Repeat” and “Next Level Up.” We haveour own recording studio with AC Cutta here inGwangju. We also have a third untitled albumcoming out this year.

Where can people listen and learn?We're on iTunes. We have a Facebook page and aReverb Nation account. We have several videoson YouTube. Most are like slide shows but we havetwo full music videos: “Pay Back”, which was shotin Seoul, and "Another Day in the SK”, which was allrecorded here in Gwangju.

When did you become DJ Hypnotiq?It came when I was in college. I did Hip Hop, R&Band Chicago Juke (a faster version of GhettoHouse), as some people call it. It's faster than theelectronic they play here. It's like 160 BPM. It's awhole lot faster, and when people dance to it,they do what's called “Foot Work", which is derivedfrom various other dances. I played some of it atChonnam National University and they liked it, butthey couldn't dance to it. It was way too fast.

What did you do in college?I graduated from Southern Illinois University (SIU),with a degree in radio and televisionbroadcasting. The reason I chose that major wasbecause I did acting and stand-up comedy atplaces like Riddles Comedy Club. I did that for afew years. And SIU had one of the top radio/TVprograms in the nation. Another reason was thatthe person who got me into stand-up wasHannibal Buress, the guy who writes for NBC's 30Rock. He's been on late-night TV in America also. Idid stand-up with him for a while, until later hedropped out of college and went to New York.

Does coming from Chicago influence you in termsof your life and music?I was born and raised in Chicago, and it had thehighest homicide rate last year, and growing upthere from middle school to high school, I dealtwith gangs and drugs in the community. Beingfrom the 'South Side' and living in it, it didn't seemlike much, growing up. But now from the outsidelooking in, it's crazy. I would say a lot of my earlymusic is not about Chicago. It's about Korean life,partying and having fun. But now I feel I've grownas an artist, and I feel more comfortable talkingabout personal things and what I experiencedgrowing up. I want to put that in my upcomingsolo music.

What is the name of your solo album? It's going to be called “Drunken Days and SoMberNights” with a capitalized M, so it could be readalso “Drunken Days Sober Nights”. It's basicallydescribing me dealing with difficult personal things.I think being in Korea has influenced me in someways, both positively and negatively. Back home Iwasn't a big drinker, but here you work long hours,Monday through Friday, and you need to relievestress. And there's more of a cultural influence orpressure to drink. So my solo work will address someof that and be more serious. The album comes outin late May.

Who are your Hip Hop influences?Any artist that I can draw from. It doesn't matter. Itdoesn't have to be just HipHop artists for me. I likeLincoln Park, Nirvana, Korn and Spanish Jazz. I getinspiration from all artists. Also, I get my inspirationfrom life experiences, both good and bad.

Why is Hip Hop getting popular in Korea?I think it 's becoming more popular in Koreabecause it's new to Korean culture and it's western.But Korea is mostly into electronic dance right now.But I think in 10 years, Hip Hop in Korea will be morein the clubs than electronic music.

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 25


Support GIC and Celebrate Springwith May ConcertBy Karina PranantoPhotos courtesy of GIC

event preview

ay marks many historical events in Gwangju, which makes itone of the most significant months for Gwangju citizens. Themonth of May itself is a very important month for the GIC as

it is when May Concert is held. This year's May Concertpromises to bring more diverse musical performances.

The May Concert carries out one of GIC's missions to promoteintercultural understanding by raising funds for third-world

countries and countries stricken by natural disasters. A groupof GIC's musicians will play music together in harmony for

people of all nationalities to enjoy. This year, however, will be abit different. It is known to many that the GIC will be moving to a

new location by the end of June. It will be a very big transition as theGIC will need funding and support from the local and international

communities to keep its doors open and provide services for the community. This year's May Concert willput a focus on the funding and the profits raised from the event will be used to help the GIC reach its goalto find the most suitable future location.

The May Concert will be held at the Gwangju Culture and Arts Center – SmallTheater on May 12. You can buy tickets in advance or on the spot, however,it is strongly recommended to buy tickets beforehand to secure your seat.We expect a greater turnout to this year's concert classical and jazzmusic will be the main genre for this event.

The GIC invites you to come and show your support. Join this event and support a good cause!

M

GIC May Concert OverviewDate: May 12, 2013 (Sunday)Time: 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.Venue: Small Theater, Gwangju Culture and Art Center, Buk-gu, GwangjuDirections: Buses no. 12, 16, 18, 27, 48, 49, 51, 58, 72, 84, 85, 95, 101,192 (get off at Gwangju Culture and Art Center)For more info, please check out next issue of Gwangju News!

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 26

Period: From March 31, 2013 at 1 p.m.Price: 60,000 won/ session or 300,000 won for 6 sessions (participants need to pay for any transport orentrance tickets incurred during the course)

Week 1: Composition and types of light (Photo walk in Suncheon Bay)Week 2: Camera settings and shutter speed (Photo walk in downtown Gwangju)Week 3: Aperture and using the light (Photo walk in Maegok-dong, Gwangju)Week 4: Design elements (Photo walk in Suncheon riverside)Week 5: Portraits (Photo walk in Nagan Folk Village, Suncheon)Week 6: Project work and camera equipment (Photo walk in Songgwangsa)

Get a signed copy of Simon’s Simple Scene: Sensational Shot book for those who completed the six-weekcourse.

For more information and registration: [email protected] check out Facebook page: YourSceneYour Shot

Learn skills to quickly improve your photos!Expert guidance from international travel photographer, Simon BondEach session will last for 4-5 hours per week. The course will comprise of both theory and practicalelements, where students can participate in a guided photo walk where they’ll be given expert advice.Handouts will be available.Learn how to profit from the photos you take!Each course will have a maximum of 8 students

Your Scene, Your ShotBeginner’s Photography Workshop with Simon Bond

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:2 PM Page 27

TThhee FFiirree aannddTThhee FFiigghhtt::A Night at TheGwangju ChilseokGossaum Festival

By Heidi Haley

photo essay

Heidi Haley studied Film and Video at Georgia StateUniversity getting her Bachelors in CommunicationArts with a minor in Theatre and Linguistics. A fan ofthe “moving image” with cinematography heroes likeEmmanuel Lubezki and Christopher Doyle, herinterest in photography was always present, but onlyrecently has it become a more passionate hobby. Witha filmmaker's eye she tries to tell a story with eachimage she shoots. She came to South Korea inFebruary 2010 where she has lived in Gwangjuteaching High School English for the last three years.

Playing with fire

Enemies meet with helping hands

The warm glow


he freezing cold night air was illuminated by tinybonfires throughout the festival grounds.Hundreds had gathered to welcome the first full

moon of the Lunar New Year. A tradition happeningthroughout all of Korea held a special precedencehere in Gwangju. Three hundred years ago, a famousfolk game was invented here in Otdol Village inChilseok-dong, Nam-gu. The game, calledgossaumnori, (고싸움놀이) is brought back to life everyyear at the Gwangju Chilseok Gossaum Festival.Visitors were welcomed to a weekend of events,however, Saturday night hosted the main eventswhich were not to be missed.

T

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:31 PM Page 28


For more information about this festival, visit Gwangju Gossaum Theme Park (광주고싸움놀이테마파크) located at Chilseok-dong, Nam-gu,Gwangju. To get there: take buses no. 61, 69 or 170 and get off at Hachilseok – Gossaum Instruction Hall bus stop (하칠석 고싸움전수관)

Burning down the Moon House A leader’s entrance

A leader’s spirit

A mystical fire

The boy and the fire Fireworks

A New Year’s prayer

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:31 PM Page 29


o get a travel buddy. Meet mine: G. Last yearwe tackled Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.This winter we took on Thailand, Hong Kong

and Taipei. Our raison d'être while on the road:meet everyone, eat everything and never sleep.

Do find a guide, speak Chinese or risk completebamboozlement. I l ive in Korea yet wield thevocabulary of a five-year-old, which means I'vegrown comfortable with a certain level ofconfusion and general helplessness. But even atraveler acquainted to daily bewilderment riskstotal stupefaction in Taipei. Taipei is not English-Friendly. Many street signs stick to Mandarin. You'relucky to find a menu with pictures, much less Englishand most folks raise their eyebrows at any Englishoutside of “Hello,” “Thank you” and “How much?,”although the younger generations are moreEnglish-savvy. Even with the language barrier,Taipei is too thrilling a place to skip. The solution:Find a guide or make a friend who can show youtheir city. Lucky connections got us hooked up withnineteen-year-old Romeo, a university student andTaipei local. As a guide, Romeo helped us buysubway cards (it saves you money) and navigateTaipei like natives. As a friend, Romeo showed usthe country's biggest gem is the kind-hearted,buoyant Taiwanese people. The runner-up? Food.

Don't smell the Tofu. Unless you're the sort of personwho regularly lifts old sneakers to their face for thefun of taking a hearty sniff, close your nose at thefirst sign of Taiwan's trademark street-food nosh,“stinky tofu.” The traditional method for producingthis famous snack is to ferment milk, vegetable andmeat brine for several months. This brine, when friedwith tofu, concocts an offensive smell similar to afart or an ogre’s breath.

Do eat everything that comes on a stick and/orfrom the street. Taiwan is not a country for the small-stomached. I daresay Taiwanese love to hunker,snack, and taste more than Koreans – a true feat.Eating is as much an activity in Taipei as riding tothe top of the world's third tallest building, Taipei101. Romeo crafted every adventure around whatwe could nibble. After a few days of impressive

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travel

stomach-stretching, G and I ate it all: soy-saucemarinated quail eggs, seasoned sweet potatoes,peanut ice-cream, pig-blood rice paddies, oysteromelets, tempura, pork balls, braised pork,Taiwanese-style hamburger, pineapple cake … thelist goes on (and includes stinky tofu). An Englishteacher living in Taipei told me the city has over 40streets dedicated to street cuisine. This countrysnacks on an epic scale. Follow the locals: it's asubiquitous and stylish to hold a paper-wrappedfried treat in your hand as it is to sling a designerbag around your shoulder.

Don't drink Bubble Tea in the subway. Street-foodshould fill your stomach and Bubble Tea shouldquench your thirst. I didn't even like Bubble Teabefore I walked Ximending District's trendy neonstreets. The Ximen experience is a satisfying crossbetween Seoul's throbbing Myeongdong and off-kilter Hongdae. Add a more impressive medley ofstreet food, languages and clothing styles andXimen has that unique, Taiwanese personality. Thegoods are flashy, the people flashier, andeveryone drinks bubble tea. (Don't believe me?

Wanderlust: A List of Do’sand Don'ts While in TaipeiWords and photos by Colleen Mayo

The famous Mengjia Longshan Temple, near “SnakeAlley” in Taipei and a vendor selling music CDs

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 30


YouTube: Bobalife by the Fung Brothers). But don'tcarry your swanky prize too far. Taipei has strictsubway rules, which read in bold English that nopassenger may “spit phlegm, smoke, drink, eat,chew gum or betel nuts within Taipei Metro.”

Don't plan on saving your money at the nightmarkets. Roahe, Shihlin, Linjiang, Tanshui: everymarket has its own selection of eats and threads.Addicted to the rows of free samples and sea-sidelandscape, G and I went to Tanshui twice. You'llf ind recommendations for Shihl in in all theguidebooks but we scored the best loot at Roahe.It doesn't matter. The night market experience isabout smells, sights and people-watching morethan shopping. Do save some packing room for allyour bounty. We ended up toting extra bags onthe flight home.

Don't sleep but do find a good bed. My advice forpocket-pinchers and high rollers alike: The MeetingPlace hostel. G and I are not “hostel-types.” Weprefer to hunt for economy rooms that comewithout 15 other people, but the reviews were tooglowing to resist and we booked some nights here.It was the best decision of our trip. The MeetingPlace is flooded with generous, sage travelers.

Many have been living in Taipei for months and loveto share their Taiwan experiences, advice and funwith newcomers. A night at the Meeting Placebegins wrapped around the hostel's kitchen-tablewith a guitar and band of backpackingtroubadours. It ends on the streets of Taipei, drinking(weak) Taiwanese beer and dancing at a local barwith new friends. G and I never believed much insleep; since Taipei, we're true anarchists.

Do make a wish, Taiwanese style. Take a train intothe mountains. You'll see a sky full with a hundredlanterns. Buy a lantern. Hold a heavy, blackpaintbrush. Write your wishes. When you're readyand the lantern is painted full, stuff it with papermoney. Light the money on fire. Because it isfighting to rise, you and your travel buddy and yourguide must stand on different sides to hold thelantern down. Then, “one-two-three,” you releasethe lantern and it lifts fast as heat into the air. Allaround you locals and travelers will cheer. They'lljump and hoot and clap their hands. Arch yourneck up and count slowly as the lantern ascends.Until – breath held and fingers clung tight aroundfriends' fingers – it disappears with the others,another striking sight to remember.

A close up of a street-food stall at Roahe NightMarket in Taipei

The writer (left) and G on a bridge at Pinxi Roadnear Taipei, on the way to Lantern Festival

Presenting the lantern the writer (center) and her friendswrote together in English, Korean and ChineseA shot of the lantern-filled, night sky

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 31


any, if not most foreigners living here inGwangju, are in Korea on an E-2, or ForeignLanguage Instructor visa. These are one-

year renewable visas, but limit what the holder canlegally do for employment in Korea. What manyforeigners are perhaps unaware of is a program thegovernment instituted in February of 2010 wherebyforeign nationals possessing “professional” visas(the E-2 is included in this categorization) canchange their visa status to that of F-2, or Long-termResident status, if they have lived in Korea for atleast a year and meet certain other requirementsbased on a point system.

Some foreigners may have heard of the existenceof the process but also may have heard that, likemost things involving governmental bureaucracy, itwas difficult to the point of being impossible tosuccessfully complete. However, U.S. national andSeoul resident Devin Whiting successfullycompleted the process in September 2011 andshared his insights on obtaining an F-2 visa.“Foreigners who have looked at the point systemfor the F-2 visa and said it was an extreme hassleare pretty much right,” said Whiting. Thegovernment has instituted a point system, withpoints being allotted for different categories, suchas age, academic career, Korean languageability, income and social integration. Whitingadvises that the first step for someone wanting toobtain an F-2 visa is to download the documentdetailing the point system from the Ministry ofJustice website and calculate to see if theindividual meets the minimum number of 80 points.“Korean ability is essentially a must,” said Whiting,adding that most people without an advanceddegree or a degree earned in Korea do notachieve the required number of points. He advised,“If you find yourself short eight or ten points, you'llprobably have to enroll in the Korea ImmigrationIntegration Program (KIIP).”

Whiting describes the KIIP as being “like a five-levelKorean language course where you learn aboutKorean culture and civics,” including a writtenexam and interview at the end, similar to a

M naturalization test. The program was originallydeveloped in part for foreign spouses of Koreannationals, and Whiting added that he was the onlyWesterner in a class otherwise comprised of SouthAsian, Southeast Asian and Chinese immigrants.Information on signing up for the KIIP is available atwww.kiip.kr, but the site is only in Korean anddescribed as “daunting” by Whiting, who adviseshaving a Korean friend help foreigners navigatethrough the site.

Whiting warns that the KIIP might be “impractical forsome because it takes anywhere from six months totwo years to complete.” The first step for beginningthe program is taking a placement test. “This test iscrucial because if you do poorly, you'll be in classthe full two years. But if you do well you could bedone in a matter of months.” However, his overallimpression of the program was favorable. “Itappeared to me that the Korean government,more than trying to put up barriers with KIIP, is tryingto bring people in. The material was focused ongiving [recent immigrants] a sl ightly betterunderstanding of their new country and makingthem feel welcomed.”

Completion of the KIIP is worth ten points towardthe 80 required to be eligible to apply for an F-2visa. A table detailing the point system is availableat www.hikorea.go.kr/pt/index.html. (Click on“Announcements,” then “Notices,” then “Notice ofPoint System for Excellent Human Resources.”)

However, one may ask what are the advantages ofobtaining an F-2 visa that justify jumping through somany bureaucratic hoops. Acquiring Residentstatus allows the visa holder to pursue employmentopportunities other than teaching. For those lookingat starting a business, the F-2 visa also exempts theholder from the stipulation of having to bring theequivalent of 100 million won in foreign currencyinto Korea to do so. Also, the spouse and children ofsomeone that obtains an F-2 visa will also gainresident status. In addition, instead of the one-year,renewable conditions of an E-2 visa, the F-2 visa isvalid for up to three years. For foreigners who are

living tips

By Bradley Weiss

Visas – An E to F Guide

image from Cafe24

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 32


looking to remain in Korea even longer, afterstaying in Korea for three years under F-2 status,the holder is eligible to apply for a permanent F-5visa.

For Whiting, the impetus to obtain an F-2 visa wasrelated to his work in broadcasting. “It quicklybecame apparent to me that many people in thebroadcasting field had far more opportunities thanme because they were married to a Korean andthus had an F visa. As soon as the point system wasannounced, I knew that's what I had to do. Andsure enough, [after obtaining an F-2 visa], I foundmany new opportunities.” He also warned that themost difficult part of the process was navigatingthe bureaucracy. “When I started on that path,not many people had yet done it, so no one onthe immigration hotline was able to give me muchhelp. It was quite stressful.” However, once hisdocuments were submitted, the process wassurprisingly smooth. “I finished the KIIP in September2011 and went to immigration the very day myresults came out. I was able to get the visaprocessed that day and picked up my new ARCcard a couple of weeks later.” Whiting does advisebeing vigilant with the governmental offices aftersubmitting the necessary documents. He warned,

Find more information aboutliving in Gwangju at GwangjuGuidebook.Pick up a Gwangju Guidebooktoday. Available at the GIC for1,000 won donation or checkonline:www.gwangjuguide.or.kr

GWANGJU GUIDEBOOK

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“Bug them constantly to make sure they'reprocessing everything correctly, because one littlemistake by them can throw off your F-2 by sixmonths.”

Despite all of the bureaucratic hurdles, Whiting feelsthe process was worthwhile. “If I hadn't done it, Iknow my options in Korea would have been muchmore limited. Not to mention [the KIIP] is like a freeKorean language class!”

To find out more, E-series visa holders can contactimmigration directly at (02)1345.

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 33


travel

pril blossoms with the flowers of spring. Itbrings back the original, and the perenniallyenjoyable, GIC Culture Tour to Naju. Over

the years this trip has been refined and expandedto its current robust itinerary with all of the bestfood, culture and nature in the province.

This year the first stop is the old East Gate of the cityand the adjoining traditional market which sells ofone Naju's signature foods, fermented skate, orhong-eo. This pungent sinus-clearing delicacy isunique to Naju; it is not for the faint of palate and itis sure to brighten any morning. Behind the marketand outside the old fortress walls stands a one-thousand-year-old tutelary stone totem used forrituals of protection and prosperity for the capitalcity of Naju. Like a sentinel it looks over all of thosewho enter the city gates.

After a brisk introduction to the outskirts of the city,the tour moves to the historic center of Naju for aguided tour of the Joseon Dynasty era provincialgovernor's residence and administration centeralong with a visit to the Naju museum. The highlightof this palace compound is the imposing royal“hotel” in Geumseong-Gwan, which dates fromthe late 1400s. Gomtang is for lunch. No trip to Najuis complete without eating this hearty beef stewpacked with energy for a day of traveling.

From the restaurant, participants can wander thestreets and alleyways of the old aristocrats' quarterfinally arriving at the Naju Confucian Academy, thesecond oldest of its kind in the country. Thisinstitution has been operational since the mid-fifteenth century and several buildings are extantfrom the school's founding along with its beautiful

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GIC CultureTour

[GIC Culture Tour] NajuBy Warren ParsonsPhotos by Warren Parsons and Lee Boram

Date: April 20, 2013 (Sat.)Price: 40,000 won GIC members/ 50,000 won non-membersItinerary: East Gate and Market - Geumseong-Gwan - Lunch Gomtang - Confucian Academy - Teahouse -Wansa-cheon - Bannam Gobun - Soybean Farm ExperienceRegistration: Please sign up at the GIC website (www.gic.or.kr) by April 17 (Wed.)For more information: [email protected]

Upper: Naju Confucian AcademyLower: Soybean pots with Bannam Gobun in the background

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 34


600-year-old ginkgo tree. Towering above andbehind the academy is majestic Geumseong-san.Tea grows on this mountain and a visit to a lovelyteashop nearby to drink tea enlivens the senses forenjoying the spring scenery.

Following teatime, the tour transfers by bus toWansa-cheon, an important spring water well,where Wang Geon, the first king of the Goryeo

1. The writer in the soy bean farm2. Gomtang3. Traditional tea in Naju teahouse4. Geumseong-gwan

dynasty met his queen and prepared his army forbattle. From Wansa-cheon, the road is more than15 kilometers of undulating pear orchards andfields to Bannam Go-bun, a pre-Baekjae burial site.The large burial mounds dwarf the surroundinglandscape and provide a nice backdrop for awalking tour of the local farmland to a traditionalsoy sauce maker's home.

At the soybean farm, participants can learn aboutthe process for making soy sauce, soybean pasteand roasted bamboo salt. Also, with arms deep inclay jars and hands full of soft paste, participantscan do their fair share of the farm work, separatingthe soy sauce and mixing the bean paste. Allproducts are organic and each participantreceives a small bottle of soy sauce and a jar ofbean paste as part of the experience! Additionalitems like pepper paste and bamboo salt can alsobe purchased directly from the producer.

This month come out and get your hands on theheartland of Jeollanam-do with the GIC CultureTour!

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By Stephen RedekerPhoto by Maria Lammy

Hangover Stew

fter spending the night with friends andconsuming large amounts of alcohol, apopular Korean tradition is eating

haejangguk (해장국) to combat the effects of ahangover. The name literally means “relief fromdrinking alcohol”. It's been long believed that thisparticular dish will help cure a hangover. Is this justanother myth, or is there some truth to this?

First, it's important to see what causes a hangover.The main culprit is a loss of water in the body.Alcohol is a diuretic, causing the body to drainitself of liquid (including from the brain). This is whyyou feel a headache after waking up the nextmorning from an all-night bender. The liver andkidneys have been working overtime to help filterout the toxins found in alcohol. Thus, the body isalso depleted of salts, sugars and electrolytes. Thebest way to handle this is by adding these backinto the bloodstream.

Nutritionists have provided a menu of food anddrinks that can help remedy the effects of ahangover. The most important is water. Drinking afew glasses of water before going to sleep canprevent a bad hangover. If the hangover hasalready struck the next morning, water will still helpre-hydrate the body. Some other drinks that helpnourish the body are sports drinks (they addelectrolytes and sugar), fruit juice (sugar andvitamins), pickle or sauerkraut juice (sodium andvinegar), tomato juice (lycopene antioxidant),ginger and peppermint tea (soothes the stomach).

Hunger can strike during a severe hangover. It'sbest to stick to foods that don't irr itate thestomach, but will add necessary nutrients to theblood that the body needs. Eggs should be a partof your breakfast, as they contain amino acidsthat help break down the toxins from alcohol.Soups, such as chicken noodle or miso, are helpfulbecause they contain salt and are easy on thestomach. Potassium rich foods like bananas, kiwisand spinach are also beneficial. Honey helps

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culture

This series of articles will shed light on some Korean myths, folklore, traditions and superstitions. Every country has their own share of beliefs, fact orfiction, and many foreigners living in Korea are yet to hear or understand the basis of various Korean beliefs as they become apparent.

Behind the Myth: Exploring Korean Tradition

restore blood sugar levels and should beconsumed in tea, or with toast.

Some food and drinks to avoid, contrary to popularbelief, are greasy foods, coffee and caffeine,orange juice, and the “hair of the dog” (morealcohol). Greasy foods containing meat are goodto eat before a night of drinking. Consuming thesefoods the next day can irritate the stomach ordehydrate the body further.

Which brings us back to haejangguk. Does it reallyhave what you need to cure that hangover?Haejangguk contains pork meat, doenjang paste(similar to miso), onions, garlic, ginger, pepper,mushrooms, cabbage and sprouts mixed in a hotbeef broth. There is no doubt this delicious, hotbowl of wholesome stew can cure a raginghunger, but it's not complete when it comes tohaving all the anti-hangover ingredients. It doescontain salt and water, but it's missing the sugarsand electrolytes needed to replenish the body. Thisdish may also be somewhat harsh on the stomach,especially for the uninitiated. The food containedinside a bowl of haejangguk will actually absorbalcohol, helping to prevent a bad hangover. Itmay not be the most complete thing to have afterdrinking, but it could be better suited as a mealbefore party time. Haejangguk tastes so good, itshould be eaten as a meal both before and after anight out on the town.

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:32 PM Page 36


By Jackal

Korean Sayings

호호랑랑이이는는죽죽어어서서가가죽죽을을남남기기고고사사람람은은죽죽어어서서이이름름을을남남긴긴다다

“A tiger leaves his skin behind him and a manleaves his name behind.”

In the Korean movie, Once Upon A Time in theBattlefield (2003), General Gyebaek of Baekje killshis entire family before his last battle against Shillaand says, “A tiger leaves his skin behind him whilea man leaves his name behind.” What does thisphrase mean?

A long time ago, a tiger skin was very expensiveand rare. Not only were tigers hard to kill, but atiger skin would produce a nice coat for winter.People realized that animals like tigers leave theirprecious skin behind after they die and bringbenefits to the society. Then, what aboutmankind? The Korean ancestors taught theirchildren that they should accomplish evengreater work for the society and leave their namesbehind. General Gyebek must have felt the samewhen he killed his own family members and wentto die on the battlefield. He tried to protect hispeople and the king of his country by raising thesoldiers' morale. He showed his determination byleaving nothing behind on the battlefield (even bykilling his family), leaving his name in history whenhe died.

The first person to use this proverb was a Chinesegeneral named Wang Un Zang. He was arespectable general who began as a commonsoldier. Although a brave warrior, he was illiterate,so he left his words in proverbs, instead of inwriting. He used to say, “A leopard leaves his skinand a man leaves his name behind.” And whenthe expression spread to Korea, it became a tigerinstead of a leopard.

When you want to show your determination for agreat work to a Korean friend, use this saying.

호호랑랑이이 굴굴에에 들들어어가가지지 않않고고서서는는 결결코코 호호랑랑이이 새새끼끼를를 얻얻을을수수 없없다다

“To catch a tiger, you have to go to the tiger's den”

Westerners like to say, “No pain, no gain.” Well,Koreans like to say “to catch a tiger, you have togo to the tiger's den.” This quote explains thatwithout putting all of one's might into catchingone's tiger, one cannot achieve what he or sheaspires to accomplish.

Imagine what it takes to catch a tiger. First, youneed to remember its sharp eyes and teeth. Itwould be really scary to be bitten by this tiger. Butyou have a sick mother, and the tiger's meat andskin would be enough to cure her illness. Youshould always risk something, like getting bitten, toearn something.

This quote's origin comes from a man namedBancho of Han (China). Once in Korea, Banchovisited a neighbor province, Shinson in Gangwon-do, as a diplomat of Han. However, the king ofShinson treated him negligently, because at thesame time, he had a diplomat from Hyungno,whose military power was well-known in the region.Irritated, Bancho conspired to attack Hyungno withhis own soldiers. In order to raise the soldiers'morale, he used his famous quote. With suchmotivation, he and his troops went into Hyungno'sbivouac and launched a surprise attack during thenight when the soldiers were asleep. Afterwards,Han was never underestimated and its diplomatsreceived a proper welcome.

culture

image from Wikimedia

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:32 PM Page 37


igeumdo is an island near Mokpo. I have totake a ship for about three hours to get there.My grandmother lives on Bigeum. She is very

kind and warm-hearted. I like her.

Bigeum Island is very special to me becauseBigeum is my second home. Since childhood, Ihave often gone there. I remember mygrandfather working in the saltern. I followed himand played with the salt, but he passed away andthe saltern was sold.

My grandmother has a spinach farm. Bigeum isfamous for its spinach, and my family helps with thespinach farming by chopping the spinach,trimming, washing and putting it in boxes. This workis very hard.

From my grandma's house, after a little walking,you can find the ocean. The seaside has very fewpeople, so the sea seems to be only for our family. Igo there to swim and go fishing with my relativesand siblings. It is very exciting. After playing in theocean, we go back home and eat seafood withthe rest of the family in our garden. The food is verydelicious. I like my family and Bigeum Island.

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My Korea is a new column which represents the voice of young Korean University students eager to share their stories and experiences.

My Korea

community

Words and photos by Choi Seulbi

Bigeum Island

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 38


Corean PostcardsBy Jose-Luis Moctezuma

literature

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 39


Leaving Mount Kumgang by Rhee Jung-tek

Mount Kumgang,as I am about to leave you,your twelve thousand peaks seem to call me,as if they all have mouths.

Picturesque, high-rising rocksseem to tell so many stories,as if they all have hearts.

It is a great pity thatI have to depart–the sound of Biro Peak Falls.

The thrilling song of Nine-dragon Pondrings the universeand rips apart my heart.

White fog that descends at every valley,like fairies' winged dresses,wraps around me,like a lover's embrace.

Ah, Mount Kumgang,two nights and three days with you–though the time, so short, passed as in a dream,I was ravished by you,my long-cherished love.

As I am to leave you,Chosun's Mount Kumgangenters the core of my heart–pride of my beautiful country,pride of the Chosun people born of this land.

With no land to return to, spring would rather not comeby Pak A-ji

A shepherd's reed pipe mourns–its subtle note shakes my heart;with no land to return to, spring would rather not come–the spring that left my hometown, it ought not come.In spring wild flowers laugh because they like to,in spring birds cry because they like to–but if it's a spring in which I can neither laugh nor cry, distressed and worried, it had better not come.

literature

SSpprriinngg PPooeemmss bbyyNNoorrtthh KKoorreeaann ppooeettssTranslated by Song Chae-Pyong and Anne RashidPhotos by Kamolwan Chaiputta and Mates II

Cherry blossomsPhoto by Kamolwan Chaipputta

“Baekdusan’s Heaven’s Sea” by Mates II (Wikimedia Commons)

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 40


Chae-Pyong Song was anassociate professor of Englishat Marygrove College in Detroit,Michigan, where he taughtsince 2001. He publishedarticles on modern fiction, aswell as translations of Koreanpoetry and fiction. His

translations of Korean literature have appeared inGwangju News, list, The Korea Times, New Writing fromKorea, Illuminations, Metamorphoses: Journal of LiteraryTranslation, and Azalea: Journal of Korean Literature andCulture. Along with Anne Rashid, he won the Grand Prizein the Poetry Category of the 40th Modern KoreanLiterature Translation Awards for translating KimHyesoon's poems. His f ields of interest includedtwentieth-century English literature, postcolonial literature,translation studies, and globalization of culture.

Anne M. Rashid is anassistant professor of Englishat Carlow University inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sheand Chae-Pyong Songreceived the 40th KoreanLiterature Translation Awardin Poetry Translation given byThe Korea Times. She and

Song have published translations in New Writing fromKorea, list, Gwangju News, Azalea: Journal of KoreanLiterature, Women's Studies Quarterly and Illuminations.

Translators Brief Biography

Azaleas on Mount Paektuby Pak A-jiLook at the beautiful azaleas,mountain's twilight held in every mouthin full bloom on a snow-covered cliff,as though a slow-coming spring suddenly emerged.

As though their burning light signified speechless happiness,it washes their petals over and over,against the wind, the mountain's windafraid that even one speck of dirt might descend on them.

Like the azaleas' bright laughter following the sunlight,I mirror every step of my lifefor you: if even a speck of dirt is found,I would be ashamed to laugh together.

Ah, today, like yesterday,without a smudge, without a speck–amidst the mountain's sleet,readily I offer my heart!

Last Station Regret by Cho Byok-am You are not the only one who rushes on, panting–I become more out of breathas the station gets closer

The south seashore where the smell of seaweed soup wafts sweet and camellias burn red

This route goes toward my hometown that I miss–it leads to PusanAnd Yosu too

Locomotive!Move on like this,without holding your breath

When your clanking stops,why don't you budge a bit?Where's your will that hurried you on?

Your heart's broken too?a whistle that echoes across the field,a sound that flags steam

This is today's last station–should I unload my luggage again, like a person waking up from a dream?

I am delighted at this place whereI come even one step closer

As if again hung on a thousand-ton pendulum,standing upright like a stone at the platform,I look out at the sky of the south

Unloading my burden hereI will pave your way, awaiting the day,counting the days on my fingers

Let us not waste our time getting there,holding this hope that stretches toward the souththat you promised me

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 41


language teaching

By Dr. David ShafferPhotos courtesy of KOTESOL

English in Korea: A Look Back

he year was 1971, Park Chung-hee's ThirdRepublic, and Kim Daejung had just shockedPresident Park by almost beating him in the

presidential election. It was then that this writer cameto Korea and began to witness the many changesthat have taken place in all facets of Korea. Not leastamong these have been the changes that haveoccurred in the area of English education, aspects ofwhich are the topic of discussion here.

English, English EverywhereEnglish, in its written form, at least, seems pretty muchubiquitous in Korea. A walk through Seoul'sMyeongdong district will quickly confirm this. It is quitedifficult to find a storefront sign that is not in English.Brand names, whether foreign or Korean, appear inEnglish. This was not the case forty years ago. Then,the same Myeongdong area sported an English signhere and there. Many signs were in Hangeul, butmany more were in Chinese characters, which werethought of as being more formal than Hangeul. TheEnglish appearing on storefront windows was usuallynot intended to be read, but merely there to indicatethat the wares inside were quality products(suggesting that they were foreign-made).

Similar to signboards, the newspapers and magazinesof four decades past carried very little in English otherthan an occasional initialism or acronym of a propername such as “UN” or “CIA.” Because of theabundance of Chinese characters used in 1970’snewspapers, the college student of today would notbe able to read them. English loanwords, too, werethen a meager portion of the Korean vocabulary, instark contrast to the inundation we see and heartoday, over 20% by some counts.

The English ClassroomThe comforts and conveniences of today's classroomsare taken for granted. The air-conditioning, centralheating, and even the computer are allcommonplace. The coal briquette- or sawdust-fueledpotbelly stove of the '70s failed to keep out the wintercold just as the electric fan failed at bringing theclassroom down to room temperature. Classroomswere larger then, holding 60-70 high school students,

compared to the 30-40 of today. The single fan orheater per classroom was no match for the extremesin temperature. Language learning materials arereadily available for use in today's classroom – games,activity sheets, songs, storybooks, readers, PowerPointpresentation capabilities, and an internet connectionthat opens up the world of resources to the classroom.The classroom of the early '70s, however, was prettymuch barebones, containing little more than thestudents' textbooks and activity books, and if lucky, acassette tape recorder with dialogue tapes to listen toand repeat after. Study conditions were much lesscomfortable and study materials and equipmentwere much less available.

The English TeacherThe public school English teacher in Korea today isquite lucky in that there are a wide variety of in-service training programs available, both duringvacation time and during the school term.Transportation and lodging expenses are provided, asare those for trips abroad for training. The schoolteacher is more traveled and has an internationalawareness. They have satisfactory communicativeEnglish skills and are versed in a variety of teachingmethodologies. However, they still favor outdated,inefficient methods that may be helpful in raisingstudent scores on standardized examinations in their

T

A typical Korean high school classroom of the 1970s

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 42


The Korean English teacher of years gone by.

test-driven world but do very little to raise their level ofEnglish skills. The English teacher of the '70s had verylittle contact with English in use and only limitedcommunicative skills. Their English pronunciation, stillbearing a strong influence of the Japanese colonialperiod, was far from native-like. “This is a book”sounded more like “Disu iju booku.” Teaching methodsrelied heavily on translation with grammar andvocabulary explanation. However, the English teacherwas motivated, and was recognized as the brightestand most able of teachers, as English was consideredthe most difficult of subjects.

The English StudentThe secondary school student of the '70s was muchlike the student of today in that they were bothoverworked and sleep-deprived due to study forschool examinations and ultimately the collegeentrance examination, on which English, Korean, andmathematics were tested. Today's student beganEnglish in the third year of elementary school, but likelystudied at a language school or kindergarten at anearlier age. The student of the '70s began English studyin middle school. Language school English study is nowcommon throughout the primary and secondaryschool years; study abroad is becoming more andmore common. But in the '70s, the English hagwon wasa rarity and study abroad an impossibility. Theimportance of English for testing purposes hascontinued to provide external motivation for theEnglish student, but it is only the more recent learnerwho more clearly sees how English ability can impacttheir future.

The NESTThe native English-speaking teacher (NEST) of the 1970swas quite a different person than the NEST of today

and was found in far fewer numbers. Back then, therewere a scattered few native-speaker missionariesteaching at Christian schools, but the common NESTwas a US Peace Corps volunteer teaching at themiddle school or university level for a two-year periodof service. The Peace Corps NEST was typically arecent college graduate with no TEFL training otherthan the basics received in Peace Corps training.Today NESTs of various nationalities are found at everylevel of public and private English education, andqualifications required for employment are constantlyrising with the increasing availability of distance TESOLcertificate and degree programs.

A lot has changed on the English education scenebetween the time of President Park Chung-hee andthat of his daughter President Park Geun-hye, and Iexpect the changes to continue at an acceleratingpace in the future.

David E. Shaffer is the currentPresident of the Gwangju-JeonnamChapter of Korea TESOL (KOTESOL).On behalf of the Chapter, he invites youto participate in the teacherdevelopment workshops at theirmonthly meetings and special events.

Dr. Shaffer is a professor of English at Chosun University,where he has taught graduate, undergraduate, andpostgraduate courses for many years. He is a long-timemember of KOTESOL and holder of various positions. Heis also the recipient of the KOTESOL LifetimeAchievement Award.

Upcoming Gwangju KOTESOL EventsGwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOL April Chapter Meeting

Date & Time: April 13 (Saturday) at 1:30 p.m.Place: Chosun University, Main Building, Left Wing

Featured Workshops1. “Time, Place and Person: Cultural Dimensions of

English Teaching and Learning in Korea” Dr. Steve Garrigues (Kyungpook Natl. University)

2. “Communicative Teacher Talk”Ross Chambers (Gwangju-Jeonnam Chapter)

Swap-Shop: Share your teaching ideas and activities.Admission: No Charge

Next Event: Monthly Chapter Meeting: May 11 (Sat.)

Facebook: Gwangju-Jeonnam KOTESOLWebsite: http://koreatesol.org/gwangjuEmail: [email protected] Twitter: @GwangjuKOTESOL

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 43


language study

PPaasssseennggeerr:: 안안녕녕하하세세요요!! (Annyeonghaseyo!)Hi!

DDrriivveerr:::: 안안녕녕하하세세요요!! (Annyeonghaseyo! ) Hi!

PPaasssseennggeerr:: 시시내내YYMMCCAA**로로 가가주주세세요요.. (SinaeYMCA-ro gajuseyo.)Please go to the downtown YMCA*.

DDrriivveerr:: 네네.. (Ne.) Okay.

OORR

잘잘 모모르르겠겠어어요요.. (Jal moreugyetseoyo.)I don't know that place.

PPaasssseennggeerr:: 양양동동시시장장에에 도도착착하하면면 가가르르쳐쳐 드드릴릴게게요요..(Yangdong sijang-e dochakhamyeon gareucheo deurilkeyo.)When we arrive at Yangdong Market, I will tell you the way.

DDIIRREECCTTIIOONNSS

직직진진해해주주세세요요.. (Jikjinhaejuseyo.) Go straight please.

왼왼쪽쪽으으로로가가주주세세요요.. (Woenjjok-euro gajuseyo.) Go left please.

오오른른 (Ohreun) Right

왼왼쪽쪽으으로로 가가다다가가 오오른른쪽쪽으으로로 가가주주세세요요.. (Woen jjok-euro gadaga oreunjjok-euro gajuseyo.)Go left and then right please.

GGooiinngg ttoo ttwwoo ppllaacceess::양양산산동동**으으로로 갔갔다다가가 첨첨단단**으으로로 가가주주세세요요.. (Yangsan-dong-euro gatdaga Cheomdan-euro gajuseyo.)Please go to Yangsan-dong* and then Cheomdan*.

RREEQQUUEESSTTSS

얼얼마마나나 걸걸려려요요?? (Eolmana geolryeoyo?)How long will this take?

창창문문을을 닫닫아아주주세세요요.. (Changmun-eul dadajuseyo.)Please close the window.

히히터터를를 켜켜 주주세세요요.. OORR 꺼꺼 (Kkeo) Off(Hiteoreul kyeo juseyo.)Please turn on the heater.

Replace heater with: 에에어어컨컨 (eokon) Air conditioner

택택시시에에서서((IInn aa TTaaxxii))By Jannies Le

LLooccaattiioonnss wwiitthh pprreeppoossiittiioonnss:: 일일곡곡동동 롯롯데데슈슈퍼퍼** 앞앞에에 가가주주세세요요.. (Ilgok-dong Lotte Supeo ape gajuseyo.)Please go to in front of Lotte Super in Ilgok-dong*.

호호반반아아파파트트**에에서서 집집이이 가가까까워워요요.. (Hoban Apateu-eseo jibi gakkawoyo.) My house is close to Hoban Apartments*.

앞앞에에 (Ap-e) In front of뒤뒤에에 (Dwi-e) Behind맞맞은은편편 (Majeun pyeon) Across from

** EExxcchhaannggee ffoorr::버버스스터터미미널널 (Beoseu teomineol) Bus Terminal

전전남남대대후후문문 (Chonnam-dae humun) Chonnam National University Back Gate

월월드드컵컵경경기기장장 (Woldeu keop gyeonggijang) World Cup Stadium

광광주주역역 (Gwangju yeok) Gwangju Train Station

공공항항 (Gonghang) Airport

image from Cafe24

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:34 PM Page 44

language study

귀귀 [gwi] means “ear” and 얇얇다다 [yalp-da] means “to be thin,” therefore 귀귀가가 얇얇다다 is literally translated as “tohave thin ears.” But since people normally do not talk about how thin one's ears are, when you hear thisexpression used in a conversation, you can almost always assume that this has a different, idiomaticmeaning. When a word, an idea or an opinion is heard and passes through your ears, figuratively, if yourears are “thin,” it means that you accept what you hear very easily. So when you say that someone has“thin ears” in Korean, it means that the person is very gullible, or easily influenced by what others say.

Variations and examples 저는 귀가 얇아서 문제예요. [jeo-neun gwi-ga yalbaseo munje-yeyo.]= I'm easily influenced by other people's opinions, and that's a problem.

그 사람은 귀가 얇아서 다른 사람들이 하는 말은 너무 쉽게 믿어요.[geu sarameun gwi-ga yalbaseo, dareun saram-deuri haneun mareul neomu swipge mideoyo.]= He has “thin ears,” so he believes what other people say too easily.

벼락 [bye-rak] means “lightning” and 치기 [chi-gi] is a noun form of the word 치다 [chi-da], which means “tohit.” So when lightning strikes, that is 벼락 치기. But even when you are not talking about certain weatherconditions, you can still use the expression 벼락 치기 when you want to describe how someone crams for anexam, without studying in advance.

Variations and examples벼락 치기 하지마세요. [byeorak-chigi hajimaseyo.]= Don't cram for your test.

벼락 치기로 공부하면 나중에 다 잊어버려요. [byeorak-chigi-ro gongbuhamyeon najung-e da ijeo beoryeoyo.]= If you study by cramming for the test, you forget everything later.

There are a lot of interesting idiomatic expressions that stem from cultural backgrounds and aredifficult to translate literally. Every month in collaboration with 「「Talk to Me in Korean」」, you can readabout some fun and useful Korean expressions.

귀귀가가 얇얇다다 [gwi-ga yalp-da]

Literal translation: to have a thin earActual usage: to be easily influenced by other people's opinions, toeasily believe what others say

벼벼락락 치치기기 [byeorak chigi]

Literal translation: Lightening StrikeActual usage: cramming for an exam


April 2013 2013.3.27 5:34 PM Page 45


Emergency situations happen more often thanpeople like to think. Hundreds of thousands ofpeople die each year from unintentional injuries,falls and poisoning but knowing what to do in suchsituations can keep you from joining the statistic.Here are some instructions on how to handle sevenemergency situations when no one is around tohelp.

CHOKINGIf you find yourself choking after overzealouslyattempting to suck off every drop of BBQ flavorfrom a Korean short rib galbi and no one is aroundto give you the Heimlich here's what you can do tosave your shameless self.

Put your finger down your throat and try to removethe object. If you cannot reach the blockage, letyour body's natural gag reflex try to dislodge it. Stillnot working? Give yourself the Heimlich! Walk overto a chair or sofa with a thick armrest, the kitchencounter or any other piece of furniture with anedge you can press your upper abdomen against.(The upper abdomen is the soft part of your thoraxbelow your ribcage.) With force, thrust up andinward until the object is expelled.

Even if you are unable to speak call 119 and leavethe l ine open; write the word “choking” onsomething nearby.

HEART ATTACKNot all heart attacks are sudden and intense. Infact, heart attack victims report being unsure ofwhat was happening. Their heart attacks startedslowly with mild pain or discomfort. Whether youare sure or not you should always call for help.Symptoms of a heart attack include a squeezing orpressure feeling in the chest, discomfort in otherareas of the upper body (i.e. neck, jaw, back, one

or both arms), shortness of breath, nausea, andbreaking out in a cold sweat.

What should I do? Act fast.

Chew up a 325-milligram tablet of aspirin. Grindingit up in your mouth prior to swallowing it will allow itto absorb more quickly into your bloodstream,thinning your blood and often times stopping theheart attack. If you start to feel lightheaded, liedown to put less stress on your heart and thump onyour chest or cough deeply to get your heart backinto normal rhythm.

IMPALEMENTA truck hits a faulty crash barrier sending an eight-foot metal shaft through the driver's body. Realizingno one was around to have witnessed the freakaccident Jason, the driver, managed to phone hisboss to say, “I've had a bit of an accident – I'm in aspot of bother.”

How did he manage to survive? (Yes, he survived.)Other than the rod missing all his major organsanother factor that helped keep Jason fromexpiring was that he left the rod in place.

Lesson learned? If you have been impaled by anobject do not remove it. The object may be theonly thing preventing you from bleeding out. If youhave been jabbed by a large object, like a treebranch, you can trim off pieces but do not removeit.

BLEEDINGSay you're bleeding profusely, what's your initialreaction? Make the bleeding stop, right? It mightbe instinctual to want to tie off the wound with atourniquet. Forget about tourniquets, just don't doit. If you do not know what you are doing you

health

The Article that Could Save Your Life:What to do in 7 emergencysituations when no one'saroundBy Kristal LeeImages from Cafe24

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 46


because the strong currents f low in narrowchannels.

POISONINGNew rule! Do not induce vomiting!

At one time, first aid manuals advised people tovomit if they ingested poison. Now, however,emergency procedures for poisoning have beenrevised to say “Do not vomit.” There are severalreasons for this. First, if you swallowed somethingcaustic it burned your esophagus going down andyou don't want to damage your esophagus furtherby bringing it back up. Second, your stomach hasother fluids and juices in it that will dilute the toxin.Third, the lining of your stomach is sturdier than thelining in your esophagus. Fourth, there is a chanceyou could accidentally inhale the contents you arethrowing up which will damage your lungs.

One rule that has not changed is the mostimportant of all – call poison control immediately.When it comes to understanding the nature ofchemicals always deflect to the experts.

Go forth and stay safe.

could lose your entire l imb by cutting offcirculation to that area. Tourniquets should onlybe used when you are absolutely sure everythingbelow the tie-off point is beyond saving.

Instead, apply pressure to the wound, pushingdown with your hand or any clean cloth nearby.

VEHICLE SINKING IN WATERIf your vehicle has hit water, roll down yourwindows as soon as possible before the electricalsystem fails. Yes, you want to let water in becauseit will equalize the pressure between the space inthe car and the space outside, allowing you to beable to open the door or swim out the window.

Additionally some drivers keep a tool called alifehammer in their cars which is designed toshatter automotive glass and cut seatbelts inemergency situations. [Note: Shattering the sidewindows wil l be easier to break than thewindshield because the windows are thinner.]

OPEN WATER/STRONG CURRENTSSwimming can be dangerous if you get caught ina riptide as the seaward flowing water will carryyou out to sea. When caught in a riptide peopleinstinctually swim directly towards the shore,favoring the shortest route possible. However youcannot strong-arm Mother Nature and swimmingagainst a strong current will tire you out andexpend the precious energy you need to survive.

Don't swim directly towards the shore, swimparallel to the beach line in either direction untilyou feel the pull of the tide decreasing. This works

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 47

here is something about the onset of warmermonths and the rays of sunshine that hit myskin, they make me want to go explore, do

some hiking and most importantly break into thissong whenever I can! Of course it is time to gethappy! Great weather is on the way. (For a limitedtime that is; why, oh why must the monsoon seasonhit?)

With inspiration from nature bursting into bloom,update your style this month. Why not try one of thesuper bright colors for the spring season that is alsogoing to be huge for fall/winter: orange. To start offwith, I would still err on the side of caution when itcomes to carrying an extra layer as it can becomechilly unexpectedly. Also the rise in pollen andyellow dust that will soon arrive, can send yourimmune system into a frenzy, so be careful.Therefore, invest in a versatile rainproof outer shellcoat that will protect and also see you throughsummer and the latter chilly months. One of theessentials for the season is a vibrant unmistakablestatement piece; an all-weather Parka, whichcomes with a detachable l ining to adjust totemperature fluctuations. It also serves as araincoat too.

With pollution and UV levels on the up, also invest ina pair of sunglasses. The Korean sun can be quitedirect and punishing during the changing monthsand if you don't wish to create any wrinkles bysquinting or damage your eyesight, the best optionis to get some dark-tinted glasses that oozeeffortless cool. I have gone for a retro pair with aroyal blue trim to contrast the colors and don'tforget to start stocking up on sunscreen too.

Furthermore complete your starter spring look andindulge in nature's palette, but turn the color

FFaasshh--OOnn wwiitthh xxxxll jjjjddpp

By jjdpPhotos by Brian KleinShot on location at Gwanghwamun Plaza,Seoul

fashion

CCoommee oonn,, GGeett HHaappppyy!!

T“Forget your troubles, comeon get happy, you betterchase all your cares away.Shout Hallelujah, come onget happy, get ready for thesummer days.”– from themovie Summer Stock


April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 48

volume way up. Here it can be seen in a limeyellow cotton hooded top, another key investmentitem that will last you throughout the year. Wearwhen it is a bit cooler in the mornings and night orjust use it to exercise in. You can never go wrongwith a hoody, it just depends if you dress it up ordown.

Underneath the hoody, I went for a moss green100% cotton t-shirt that will help control heat andalso bring a fresh edge to your look. It is all aboutkeeping it simple and letting the colors radiate.

Clothing care: Taking care of clothing is pretty easyduring the spring months. If you are going to bewashing clothing pieces with such high dyecontent (as the ones featured) you are mostdefinitely going to need to separate whenwashing. Select a cold wash and wash similarcolors or shades together such as greens andyellows, reds and oranges, dark greys and blacksand so on. Take note though and do not mixdarker shades like olive greens and bright oranges,unless you want to end up with a whole new shadeof clothing or some variety of tie-dye. If lightercolored fabrics do change color in the wash youcan usually rinse these under the tap and it shouldclear. Otherwise rewash the clothing on its ownusing cold water. Washing in hot water usually fixesthe colors permanently. And please don't eventhink about putting any whites or neutrals in withbrights like these because you will end up ruining

your clothing – unless you really love pastels. Avoidbleaching at all costs.

It is also wise to invest in a great fabric softener likeDowny which comes with added Febreezeessence, which will make your clothes less grainy. Itwill also leave it smelling great for a longer periodof time. Air drying is advised in the crisp weather sojust open up a few windows in your apartment andlet the air circulate to help prevent a musty 'damp'smell that occurs when clothing is not driedproperly. Before packing your clothes away, makesure that they are completely dry or a 'damp' smellmight still develop. Don't forget to iron them if youhave one.

Right, now that you are ready to explore andventure out into Korea don't forget to take asmany pictures as you can as the cherry blossomsare about to come into bloom. A spectacular sightfor anyone.

peace,xxl jjdp

WardrobeJacket - 8 seconds, downtown GwangjuHoodie - Uniqlo Moss green T-shirt - H&M Jeans shorts - UniqloLeggings - Gmarket


April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 49


icily, the large Italian island off its southwesterncoast, has a rich and thrilling history. With itskey location in the Mediterranean Sea, it has

been conquered time and time again throughoutthe ages, including periods of rule by Greek,Roman, and Arab forces. This frequent change ofpower has led to a diverse and unique Sicilianculture.

Foreign influence has impacted all aspects ofSicilian society. The island boasts a wide cuisine,specific to Sici l ian culinary traditions. Manyingredients, including the use of citrus, raisins,nutmeg, and cinnamon, point to Arab influenceduring the 10th and 11th centuries, whereas grapeand olive vines were brought to Sicily by Greeksettlers as early as 750 B.C.E. Some of the mostfamous and popular dishes include pasta allanorma (pasta with roasted eggplants) and pescespada (grilled swordfish). Limoncello, a traditionlemon liqueur, also originated in Sicily, thanks to thefertile volcanic soil from Mount Etna, which hasallowed for a variety of citrus fruits to thrive.

The diversity of the inhabitants of Sicily has also ledto the advent of the Sicilian language, which is notconsidered to be a dialect, but rather a

event preview

completely different language from the island'sofficial language of Italian. Heavy Greek andArabic influences can be seen within the Sicilianlanguage, as well as an impact from the Norman-French conquests throughout the centuries.

This kaleidoscope of culture has also given rise toone of the most famous and deadly criminalgroups, the mafia. The Sicilian mafia, also known asCosa Nostra (Italian for “our thing”), arose during

[This Month on GIC Talk]

S

Pizza, Mount Etna, and theMafia: Oh, My! Words and photos by Calen Cygan

OverviewDate: April 13, 2013Time: 3 p.m. at Gwangju InternationalCenterSpeaker: Calen Cygan

Calen is currently an English instructorat Donald Feinschule Kindergarten inGwangju. She arrived in Korea in July of2012, after graduating from the University ofPittsburgh with a Bachelor's degree in CulturalAnthropology. She loves to travel, read, write, andlearn new things. One day, she aspires to become aprofessor of Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology, but fornow, she is more than happy to employ her anthropologicalknowledge as a global traveler.

The writer in Rome

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:3 PM Page 50


the island's transition from feudalism tocapitalism, with an increase oflandowners, and stagnation amongstthe numbers of the police force. Themafia grew especially strong in theWestern part of the island, centralizedaround the Sicilian capital of Palermo.

Sicily is also home to Mount Etna, thelargest active volcano in Italy, andone of the most active volcanoes inthe world, as it is in an almostperpetual state of activity.

Come to the GIC on April 13th to hear why all of the above and morelead Sicily to be one of the most exciting and interesting locales in theworld!

Time & Place: Every Saturday, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., GIC office (Jeon-il Bldg 5th Fl.) For more information visit www.gic.or.kr or contact [email protected] out pictures from previous GIC Talks at http://picasaweb.google.com/gictalkWatch highlight clips of previous GIC Talks at www.youtube.com/GICTALKThere is now an open discussion group following every talk in which the audience can talk about theday's topic with the speaker. GIC Talk welcomes your proposals for presentations on topics such as society, culture, politics, science,education or any topic of interest. If you would like to be a presenter, please contact us [email protected] / +82-(0)62-226-2734

[ GIC Talk ] Schedule for April

April 6Speaker: Leigh Hellman-Kang Topic: V-Day Gwangju 2013: Back for MoreThis talk will revisit the global pandemic of gender-based violence and its vast ramifications. We will lookat world statistics that demonstrate the realities ofshame, fear, and violence that women everywhere arefaced with and will see why this problem is no longerone that can be ignored. We will discover what womenand men across the world are doing to combat it andtouch on individual stories of solidarity as well asgrassroots organizations built specifically to advocateagainst and bring awareness to the issues surroundinggender-based violence. We will conclude with thehistory of the V-Day campaign and The VaginaMonologues and how its performances last year inGwangju transformed community perceptions of theseissues. We will share our plans for making an even moresubstantial impact this year, and hopefully continuechallenging audience members' misconceptions aboutThe Vagina Monologues and why they matter inGwangju.

April 13Speaker: Calen Cygan Topic: Pizza, Mount Etna, and the Mafia: Oh, My! (Read more on page 50)

April 20Speaker: Julien McNulty Topic: 8 grapes and tin geese: the real origin of wordsyou thought you knewSo what do an octopus, a knight, geese and a printingpress have in common? More than you might imagine.This talk will explore the philology (history) andetymology (origin) of words in English. Some of themysteries of words, idioms, spelling, and pronunciationwill be uncovered; things you thought you knew aboutEnglish may get turned on their head. Many of thethings we take for granted about what we know are infact misplaced myths, and often, incorrect. From MiddleEnglish to Ebonics, from Chaucer to Shakespeare, thetruth about our origins will be spoken – literally.

April 27Speakers: Lim Seung-ho and Maria LisakTopic: South Gwangju: Daechon Region and CoopsCome and find out about Doori Community Café's workin building community outreach and developing coopopportunities for Daechon-dong, the breadbasket ofGwangju. Highlights of the different programs andprojects Doori Community Café and Vision Root havecreated over the past two years will be shared.Programs include: pop-up vegetable stands,composting container creation, a mural beautificationproject, cafés, lectures, book and movie clubs, musicalperformances, youth programs, tours around Daechon,biking and hiking events.

Above: Sunset in AvolaLeft: A beach in Cefalu

April 2013 2013.3.26 5:58 PM Page 51

hen it comes to culinary experiences, thereare few that I enjoy more than sushi trains.The first time I went to one was with my

dad's friend. I was a first year university studentwithout money for such luxuries and so he took meto one during my holidays. After an hour, havingconsumed more sake than one should in the earlyafternoon, and an absurd amount ofaccumulated stacked empty plates beside us, Iwas enamoured with sushi trains and have beenever since.

Thus it is no surprise that my curiosity was piquedwhen I noticed a new sushi train restaurant hadrecently opened downtown, called Hwoe JeonChobap. Every time I'd go by, it was absolutelycranking, and when I finally went there for dinnerone evening it was no different. The restaurant waspacked with young couples and groups of friends,both sitting at the train, and the tables next to it.

Sushi isn't the cheapest of ways to dine, and trainseven more so than set menus. Usually you have topay by the plate, which is what I was expecting tohave to do here. However the waiter, who spokeexcellent English, told me that it was a flat 16,800won, all you could eat for an hour. I actuallythought I had misunderstood him at first. Granted,it wasn't the cheapest meal I've had in Gwangju,but for sushi, it was a good deal. Init ial lyanticipating on having just a few plates andsampling a few of the varieties of said culinarydelights, I knew that I was going to end up overindulging.

First I mixed some wasabi and soy sauce. My chairwas right in front of the chefs, so for a couple ofminutes I watched as they handcrafted their

culinary delicacies. I must have looked like anexcited child, just watching all the different platesgo round the conveyor belt, sizing up which ones Iwould try. For me, the thing that makes sushi trainsgreat, just as much as the eating if not more, is theinteractiveness of the dining experience. Half ofthe fun is choosing from all the treats passingbefore my eyes. There was a decent amount ofvariety, including prawn, tuna, and salmon sushi, aswell as a few different variations of the CaliforniaRoll. There was also tempura and egg sushi. I triedmost of the offerings and everything I tasted wasgood. There was also a salad bar and soft drinkdispenser, which I could use at my leisure.

Admittedly, I didn't last an hour, I was already fullbefore then, but it was definitely a great meal. Ifyou're into sushi at all, I highly recommend you tryHwoe Jeon Chobap at least once. I'm sure youwon't regret it. If you're at the Baskin Robbins nextto Megabox downtown, walk in the oppositedirection from the river, across the four-wayintersection about 30 meters, and Hwoe JeonChobap will be on your right. It opens for dinner at5 p.m. Lunch is from 12-4 p.m. and is 2,000 woncheaper than dinner.

food and drink

Hwoe Jeon Chobap (무무한한리리필필회회전전초초밥밥)) 이이찌찌바바스스시시Address: 77-1 Hwanggeum-dong, Dong-gu, GwangjuPhone: 062-236-4854 Directions: Buses no. 6, 7, 9, 12, 55, 59, 70, 80, 98, 150,151 and get off at Culture Complex (문화전당역) orChungjang Police Box (충파)

GGeett oonn tthhee SSuusshhii TTrraaiinn

W


Words and photos by Gabriel Ward

April 2013 2013.3.27 5:37 PM Page 52

1. Soak the rice cake in water for 10 minutes.2. Slice onions and cabbage.3. Cut fish cake slices.4. Mix all the above sauce ingredients to makesauce.

1. Put the sauce into 700 milliliters of water to boil.2. Add all the ingredients except cheese.

Cook until the water gets as thick as you want.3. Place it on a plate. 4. Place mozzarella cheese on top. Microwave for

1 minute or until the cheese melts.

Things to prepare (serves 2 - 3 persons)

Sauce ingredients

Preparation

Cooking Method

180 grams rice cake for tteokbokki, 1 pack ramyeon noodles, 90 grams cabbage,sliced, ½ onion, sliced, 85 grams (2 slices) fish cake (eomuk),100 grams mozzarella

cheese

1 tablespoon chili pepper paste (gochujang), 2½ tablespoons chilipowder, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1½

tablespoons oligosaccharides, a pinch of pepper

Cheese Rapokki 치치즈즈라라볶볶이이Words and photos by Park Soyoung

food and drink


teokbokki is one of Korea's most famous foods. It is the first food that comes to our mind when we thinkof Korean street food. Due to its popularity, it has been developed into many variations such astteokbokki with dumplings, sea food, pasta, and pork cutlet. Cheese rabokki is one of the variations. It

adds ramyeon noodle to teokbokki. The name “rabokki” comes from ramyeon and tteokbokki. Cheeserabokki is by far the most famous variation of tteobokki among Koreans as you can enjoy the cheesy andnoodle taste, as well as the sweet and spicy taste of tteokbokki. This is very easy and quick to make (evenfor beginners of Korean cooking) and you can easily get ingredients in local grocery shops.

T

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:4 PM Page 53


Community Board

Gwangju Ice Hockey Team Looking for men and women of all ages to join usevery Saturday night from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. atYeomju Ice Rink near World Cup Stadium. If you areinterested, contact either Andrew Dunne [email protected] or Chris Wilson at:[email protected]

Have something you want to share with the community?Gwangju News’ community board provides a space for the community to announce club’s activity, special events and so on. Please send us the information to [email protected].

Dance Workshop in GIC The dance workshop will be held every secondSunday from 4:30 p.m. by Angie Harley at the GIC. If you are interested in joining, please contact Angie [email protected]. You will learn basic dance and create danceperformance with specific theme in this workshop.

Sung Bin Home for GirlsSung Bin Home for Girls is looking for creative/active/ energetic/ outgoing/ enthusiasticlong-term volunteers to join in our regularSaturday program. We would like you to giveat least two Saturdays per month. Meet everySaturday at 1p.m. in front of downtownStarbucks. All are welcome. For morevolunteering information please contact DanielLister at: [email protected].

Help Gwangju News Delivery GIC needs volunteers to mail outGwangju News. Gwangju News is sentto nearly 2000 addresses each month.We will contact interested individualsone week before the delivery date.Works include labelling, packing,sending the magazines to the postoffice, direct delivery, etc. Volunteersare expected to spend around 2 - 3hours in this delivery day. If interested,please contact Karina [email protected]

The Gwangju Photography ClubThe Gwangju Photography Club is a place wheremany different people can meet, share advice, giveideas, and practice photography. Every month, thePhotography Club goes on a photo outing todifferent places around the city and country tocapture the moment and practice new techniques.Anyone is welcome to join the photography groupand help share in the experience. To join the group,search Gwangju Photography Club on Facebook.

Gwangju Inter FCThe Gwangju international soccer team (Gwangju

Inter FC) plays regularly every weekend. If youare interested in playing, e-mail:

[email protected] orsearch ‘Gwangju Inter FC’ onFacebook.

Cats to haveThey are free, but you need to vacinate them.They are Korean short hairs. The cats are 14months old. Contact Lynne at 010-8692-9101 ore-mail [email protected]

JangHeung Area Children's Center New Classroom Fundraising CampaignGoal: 12,000,000 wonWe have three classrooms, we need to replacetwo that are unsafe.

More information: Search for ‘JangHeung AreaChildren’s Center’ on FacebookDonations of 20,000 - 30,000 won send to:NongHyup BankJangHeung Area Children's CenterAccount Number: 657-01-074288

Have any questionsabout living in

Gwangju?Let us help you! Simply write us an e-mail with your detail inquiry to:

[email protected] andour volunteers will help you find ways to

solve your problems about anythingrelated to Gwangju (legal, medical,

accommodation, education, culture,and many others!)

April 2013 2013.3.26 2:4 PM Page 54


Midway between Kunsthalle and theGrand Hotel, across the main street atthe traffic lights from the Crown Bakery.On the 3rd floor of the T World building.

April 2013 2013.3.26 4:20 PM Page 55

Save GIC! Don't let GIC become Homeless!

After 11 years in Jeonil Building, GIC must move out by June 30.

Help us move to a new home, by supporting our Fundraising Drive

Fundraising Drive:May 4, 2013 (Sat.), 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

@ Jeonil Building

How you can help:1. Donate your goods for GIC Flea Market. 2. Buy goods at the Flea Market.3. Make a donation to GIC (see details below).4. Become a member or renew your membership.5. Spread the word to people around you!

For more information contact: 062-226-2733~34, [email protected]

Kim Jihyun [email protected] Prananto [email protected]

www.gic.or.kr

Every won helps. Donate today!

Kwangju Bank 134-107-000980KEB Bank 040-22-02413-8Drop off donations (cash or goods)

on Mondays - Saturdays 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

April 2013 2013.3.26 4:51 PM Page 56

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April 2013 #134