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Get Your Copy of the May Issue of SEOUL
Bugaksan, Bongamsa and Pyeongchang-dong Galleries
Head out to the bookstores now and pick up your copy of the May issue of SEOUL, Seoul Selection's monthly travel and culture magazine. In this month's issue, we hike the landmark mountain of Mt. Bugaksan, visit the very special Buddhist monastery of Bongamsa, stroll about Pyeongchang-dong's galleries, take in a showing of Miss Saigon, sip wine at some of Seoul's best terrace wine bars, nibble on some nice picnic lunch sets, and so much more. Of course, even if none of this appeals to you, there's always our Goings On Around Town section, the best roundup of the month's performances, exhibits and events anywhere. Pick up your copy at any major bookstore across Korea, including, of course, Seoul Selection, your one-stop center for English-language books and DVDs on Korea. If you're too busy to stop by the shop, you can always subscribe and we'll deliver it to your doorstep.
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- Good tours of the DMZ are conducted by the USO (795-3028) and TOURDMZ (755-0073). For more information on their tours, click here (USO) and here (TOURDMZ). - The Seoul City Bus Tour is a great way to explore the city of Seoul, especially if you're new to town. For more information, click here or call 777-6090. - The Royal Asiatic Society conducts entertaining and informative tours to some of Korea's most historic sites. Click here for more information, including schedule. - For self-starters, the Seoul City Tourism website has several walking tours and self-directed tours. You can also give them a ring at 2171-2461. - The Korea Tourism Organization website is another great place to get information. If you're on the road, just call 1330 for up-to-date tourist information.
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The Un-hidden
This past April 21st was Persons with Disabilities Day. How might one describe the conditions for disabled people in South Korea?
They're certainly much better than they used to be. Most subway stations now have Braille and ramps or elevators. The building in which I work finally got an elevator a couple of years ago (albeit over fifty years after the school was founded). While shopping in places like Homeplus and E-mart (Korea's version of Wall-mart), I've seen people in wheelchairs and parents with children with autism. Just last week, while shopping, I saw a family with a child who had Down's Syndrome. (I've worked with children with autism and Down's Syndrome back home in Canada, which is why I was able to recognize their conditions.) This is a far cry from the past, when the disabled, especially the mentally disabled, were such a source of shame that they were hidden, and family members refused to speak of them.
The disabled have also accomplished more. I've seen disabled students at my school. I've also seen people who were riding the subway communicating with sign language, which is something that I didn't see when I first arrived in Korea. Audio books have been published and libraries for the blind have been built.[1] Earlier this year, a man named Choi Young became the first visually-impaired person to pass the final stage of the bar exam.[2]
There is also support from ordinary citizens. Figure skater Kim Yu-na recently donated forty million won for the disabled, and described the pride that she felt when the Korean wheelchair curling team won the silver medal at the Vancouver Winter Paralympics.[3] Movies like "Oasis" and "Marathon" have help to raise awareness about the disabled, and recently, a movie was made about some people who volunteer to have sex with the disabled.[4], [5]
However, much still remains to be done. The disabled remain in low-paying jobs, and South Korea's support for the disabled is the second-lowest in the OECD.[6], [7] A demonstration by disabled people on Persons with Disabilities Day unfortunately went awry.[8], [9] Also, the streets and cars of Korean cities are hazardous even to able-bodied pedestrians. Were I to give a report card, I would, personally, write, "Good results, but more effort needed."
Related Topics: Marathon of Life (A Journey, Not A Destination)
Written by Richard Stansfield (
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This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it). The writer has been living and teaching English in Korea since 1996.
The views of the writer do not necessarily reflect the views of Seoul Selection
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 Sound of Heaven, Music of King Sejong
This performance is the result of historical research into the Hoeryeyeon, a banquet that took place in 1433 (the 15th year of the reign of Joseon era monarch Sejong).
The Hoeryeyeon was a highly significant event, where the results of the previous nine years of musical research and experimentation were announced. This recreation of it by the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts combines magnificent clothes, accessories and instruments, dignified dancing and solemn music for a vivid reconstruction. VENUE: Yeakdang, National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts
PERIOD: Apr 28~May 14, 7:30pm (weekdays) /
4pm (weekends, no performances on Mondays)
ADMISSION: S: 30,000 won, A: 20,000 won, B: 10,000 won
MORE INFORMATION: (02) 580-3300
GETTING THERE: Nambu Bus Terminal Station, Line 3,
Exit 5. Transfer to green bus No. 12 or 4429
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Jongmyo Daeje (Royal Shrine Ritual)
 Jongmyo Daeje is a royal ancestral rite, originally held five times a year during the Joseon era. It is now held once a year, and is registered with UNESCO. The ceremony is quite spectacular, accompanied by both music and dance. In particular, it's a good opportunity for visitors to hear the Jongmyo Jeryeak (Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 1), the solemn ceremonial music that accompanies the rite, and the parilmu dance, performed by 64 dancers. PARADE ROUTE: Gyeongbokgung Palace--- Jongmyo Royal Shrine
DATE: May 2
ADMISSION: Free
MORE INFORMATION: (02) 765-2124, www.jongmyo.net
GETTING THERE: Gyeongbokgung Station, Line 3 or Jongno 3-ga Station, Lines 1, 3 and 5
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 11th Jeonju International Film Festival
"Freedom, Independence and Communication" is the optimism-charged title of this year's festival, which features 209 feature and short films from 49 countries, including 65 premieres. Jeonju International Film Festival has always striven to introduce Korean audiences to diverse, award-winning international films in the face of commercial dominance by large multiplexes. It has also brought some talented Korean directors global attention. Check out the talent for yourself.
VENUE: Jeonju Cinema Town, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
DATE: Apr 29~May 7
ADMISSION: Admission depends on program
MORE INFORMATION: (063) 288-5433, www.jiff.or.kr
GETTING THERE: It takes two hours to get from Seoul to Jeonju by express bus. Take a cab from the terminal.
It takes 20 minutes to get to the festival venue.
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Andrea Bocelli---Incanto Tour  Having originally left Seoul off the list of venues for his Incanto World Tour, Andrea Bocelli was persuaded by a special invitation from Hyundai Card to drop in to Korea as well. As a result, audiences in Seoul can look forward to program that mixes Bocelli's passionate arias with Italian love songs in his own inimitable and brilliant style. Performing together with Bocelli will be a variety of other stars including Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Heather Headley, soprano Sabina Cvilak and flautist Andrea Griminelli, creating a lineup irresistible to classical enthusiasts and fans of this remarkable singer. VENUE: Jamsil Indoor Stadium, Jamsil Sports Complex
DATE: May 2, 7pm
ADMISSION: R: 290,000 won, S: 240,000 won, A: 190,000 won, B: 100,000 won
MORE INFORMATION: (02) 599-5743
GETTING THERE: Sports Complex Station, Line 2, Exit 6 or 7
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 Chuck Mangione---Live in Seoul While you probably know Chuck Magione best for his 1977 jazz-pop single " Feels So Good," this renowned flugelhorn player has released more than 30 albums since 1960. Oh, and he has a recurring voice-acting role on the animated television series King of the Hill, too. VENUE: Sejong Grand Theater, Sejong Center for
the Performing Arts
DATE: May 2, 4pm, 8pm
ADMISSION: VIP: 120,000 won, R: 100,000 won, S: 80,000 won, A: 60,000 won
MORE INFORMATION: (02) 548-8690
GETTING THERE: Gwanghwamun Station, Line 5,
Exits 1 & 8
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Royal Asiatic Society Tour to Gangneung  Join the RASKB for a tour to the lovely east coast town of Gangneung, home of the Ojukhon, the historic residence of great Confucian scholar Yi Yul-gok, and a number of other major Korean traditional homes and pavilions. Oh, and don't forget Gyeongpo Lake and Beach, too! VENUE: Gangneung, Gangwon-do
DATES: May 1~2
ADMISSION: 188,000 won for members and 208,000 won for non-members
MORE INFORMATION: Click here.
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 KFCC: My Swift Wandering --- Agustin Barios Mangore
The Korea Foundation Cultural Center presents a photo exhibition of some 30 images featuring the life of Agustin Barrios Mangore (1885~1944), a renowned Paraguayan guitarist and composer, from April 26 to 28 under the title of "My Swift Wandering - Agustin Barios Mangore." Although Agustin Barrios Mangore, called the erlking of guitar for his outstanding musical talent and performance, is still loved worldwide, his wandering life has scarcely been known to the public. The title of the exhibition, "My Swift Wandering" is quoted from the first line of "Bohemian," written in 1925, which was his farewell poem to his home country, Paraguay. Agustin Barrios Mangore was born in San Juan Bautista, Los Misiones, Paraguay, in 1885, and died in San Salvador, El Salvador, in 1944. Through the photos showing the musician since his youth, the exhibition will provide a good opportunity to trace the life of Agustin Barrios Mangore, reckoned as one of the best classical guitar composers and players in the 20th century. VENUE: The Korea Foundation Cultural Center
DATE: April 26~28
ADMISSION: Free
MORE INFORMATION: (02) 2151-6520/6514,
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GETTING THERE: City Hall Station, Line 2, Exit 9. Walk 5 minutes. The center is located inside Joongang Ilbo bldg. |
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| These are just some of the diverse events taking place in and around Seoul. SEOUL Magazine's ever-expanding events section is colorfully designed and jam-packed with the latest information. For the complete round-up pick up a copy of SEOUL Magazine at any of the quality bookstores in the city and you'll never have to spend another month in the dark. |
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Songdo New City
A harbor tug sails out from Incheon Harbor as Songdo New City looms in the distance.
Photo by Robert Koehler.
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Queen's Birthday Ball - Organized every year by the British Association of Seoul (BASS) the Queen's Birthday Ball has a well-deserved reputation as one of the year's biggest international fund-raising events for Korean charities. This year the Queen's Birthday Ball will take place on June 5th at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, starting with cocktails from 6.30 pm. The fantastic night includes gourmet food and wine, a live auction, lots of top-notch raffle prizes and dancing to the superb music of "The Lightyears," a British band which has already delighted its growing fan-club at previous Balls. Tickets: 200,000 won for BASS members, 220,000 won for non-members. To purchase tickets for the Ball or for further information please contact:
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. Bella Coolla 63 Celebrates One Year - Bella Coolla 63, the outstanding Italian restaurant of the historic Astoria Hotel near Myeong-dong, is celebrating the first anniversary of its opening. Thru April 30, the eatery will be giving diners a small gift to mark the occasion. Shinhan Bank's Seoul Global Center Opens - Shinhan Bank has launched its own Seoul Global Center on the first floor of Gwanghwamun's Seoul Finance Center. This is a branch specially made for foreigners, with financial consulting services for foreigners (individual/group), financial counsellings at your place of work (even for one person) and commemorative events such as special rates on currency exchange and interest rates. For more information, contact Deputy General Manager Jeon at (02) 773-3149 or 010-7275-9006. Mt. Bugaksan Hiking Routes Open - The last of Mt. Bugaksan's hiking routes will be opened to the public on Feb 27. Now it will be possible to hike from the Bukgak Skyway to the Bugak Haneul-gil. See this Korean newspaper article for a small map of the new routes.
Learn Korean Traditional Dance - Chumsae Dance School is offering lessons on Korean traditional dance. Morning (10:00---11:30, Tue Thu), afternoon (4:00---5:30, Mon Wed) and evening classes (7:30---9:00 Tue Thu) available. Classes are limited to 10 persons each. Tuition is 200,000 won a month. For more information, call (02- 762-7731).
KFCC Films - The Korea Foundation Cultural Center runs regular screenings of both Korean and foreign films, with subtitles. In April, they'll be running Indonesian films and films with "fabulous OSTs". Click here for more information.
Korean Language Classes - The Korea Foundation Cultural Center Offers free Korean language classes for foreigners residing in Korea. The classes, led by Korea Foundation volunteer teachers, are held at 7:00-9:00 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (two classes at 4:00 and 7:00 on Wednesdays). Anyone interested in learning Korean language and willing to participate in the language class is welcome to join. For more information, click here.
Calling all photographers - SEOUL WEEKLY could use your help with our Everyday Koreans photo section. If you have a camera and enjoy snapping shots capturing everyday scenes in the Republic of Korea, send your photos in along with captions and a brief, one- line bio.
Send Your Event Info - If you would like to advertise any upcoming events you are organizing, please send us the press release material to
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by the preceding Friday in order to appear in the following Tuesday's issue.
Freelance Contributors Wanted - SEOUL magazine needs writers who are fluent in both Korean and English. Writers should be able to interview Koreans and also have a strong interest in Korean culture. Send your resume and writing samples to
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.
We Buy & Sell Used Books - Seoul Selection buys and sells used books in English. Unlike our regular selection of publications that specialize in Korea-related topics, our Used Book Section carries books on all subjects. It's all part of our effort to make life easier for the English-speaking community.
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Publisher: Hank Kim /
Editor: Robert Koehler /
Designer: Suh Su Kyoung / Website Manager: Ray Hong
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Seoul Selection reserves all intellectual property rights on information provided in this newsletter. Some event information has been provided by the Korea Foundation. The IPRs are protected by pertinent laws.
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Seoul Selection Web Site: http://www.seoulselection.com e-mail:
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tel: 734-9567 fax: 734-9563 |
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