Korean Musicals Take Center Stage

Monthly Magazine
August 2016
August 2016
Cover Story
ISSN: 2005-2162
www. korea.net
Korean Musicals
Take Center Stage
CONTENTS
04
36
Special Issue
Korea in Brief
Night Breathes Life into
Traditional Markets
Korea Monthly Update
38
08
Policy Review
The Next Silicon Valley?
Cover Story
Korean Musicals Take
Center Stage
42
Home-grown musicals
develop an international
fan base
Creative Economy
Powering the Future of
Motoring
18
44
Travel
Brand Korea
Another Side to Busan
Korean Crafts a Hit in Paris
26
46
People 1
Global Korea
Novelist Jeong
You Jeong
Helping Artists Achieve
Their Dreams
30
48
People 2
Arirang School founder
Moon Hyun-woo
Flavor
32
50
Samgyetang
Korean Keyword
Arts & Entertainment
Aegyo
K-Pop Rising
34
Korea & I
Rediscovering
Spelunking in Korea
August 2016
KOREA
Publisher Kim Kabsoo, Korean Culture and Information Service Executive Producer Park Byunggyu Editorial Advisers Cho Won-hyung, Lee Suwan, Park Inn-seok Email [email protected]
Magazine Production Seoul Selection Editor-in-Chief Robert Koehler Production Supervisor Lee Jin-hyuk Producers Kim Eugene, Im Ian Copy Editors Gregory C. Eaves, Eileen Cahill
Creative Director Lee Seung Ho Designers Lee Bok-hyun, Jung Hyun-young Photographers aostudio Kang jinju, RAUM Studio Printing Pyung Hwa Dang Printing Co., Ltd.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission from KOREA and the Korean Culture and Information Service. If you want to receive a free copy of
KOREA or wish to cancel a subscription, please email us. A downloadable PDF of KOREA and a map and glossary with common Korean words appearing in our magazine are available by clicking on the
thumbnail of KOREA at the website www.korea.net. Publication Registration No: 11-1110073-000016-06
Cover photo “Hero” © Acom co,.Ltd
Special Issue
© Robert Koehler
In a world where a mobile phone has the power
to bring groceries to the door, traditional markets
were all but forgotten until recently. Sales at Korea’s
old-fashioned markets had plummeted, and
the livelihoods of independent merchants were
disappearing along with them.
Night markets are an attempt to resuscitate
these languid local communities. Several traditional
markets have become hangouts for young people and
families after sundown. This is benefiting the local
economies and creating jobs for young people in
provincial towns.
The night market project has met with great
enthusiasm from tourists and young people, who say
they enjoy the exotic atmosphere.
Four night markets are currently operating
with government support, the first of which was
established in 2013 in Busan. The others are in
Jeonju, Mokpo and Gyeongju. This year the Ministry
of the Interior plans to open night markets in Buyeo,
Gwangju and Ulsan. By early next year, it expects
to have four more: in Incheon, Ulsan, Donghae and
Jeju.
New forms of entertainment
1
© Jung-Gu, Daegu Metropolitan City
Old spaces become nighttime hot spots and
rejuvenate local communities
_ Written by Lim Jeong-yeo
2
Mascot of the Daegu
Gyodong Dokkaebi
Night Market
3
Roasted pork at
Gyeongju Jungang
Market
The market itself predates the Korean War. The
Korean word kkangtong, meaning tin can, refers to
the wartime canned food supply from the United
States. The historic space became the first of its kind
to feature a night market.
College student Lim Jeesong, who recently
returned from a weekend trip to Busan with a group
of friends, said he could go on endlessly about the
food she saw at the famous night market.
“Baked clams topped with melted cheese, tropical
fruit juice squeezed on the spot, boneless chicken
drumsticks stuffed with fried rice fillings, skewered
fish cakes and rice cakes, boiled eggs wrapped in
bacon and barbecued, imported liquor and candies.”
Lim said the market alleys were chock-full of
young people, families and non-Koreans. She also
noticed that some of the vendors seemed to be around
her age or not too much older.
Lim compared the night market to the food stalls
in Seoul’s Myeong-dong.
“It’s kind of similar in that they have original
snacks you can’t find elsewhere,” she said. “I would
definitely come back here next time I’m in Busan.”
Jeonju Nambu Market
Jeonju is known for its traditional Korean
architecture, its annual film festival and its diverse
street food, all of which fan tourists’ enthusiasm for
the city.
© Lee Jin-ha, Gonggam Photo
Night Breathes Life into
Traditional Markets
The Korean government estimates that the four
markets together have welcomed more than 17,000
visitors a day on average, generating profits of KRW
690 million (USD 588,000) every month and creating
at least 300 jobs.
Visitors said the markets represent the local
community in a positive way by showcasing local
artists’ handicrafts, selling regional specialties
products, and staging cultural performances.
In a survey targeting non-Korean tourists,
respondents were asked what activities they were
most interested in experiencing when in Korea, and
47.4 percent said they wanted to visit traditional
markets. A further 54.2 percent said they wanted to
try the local street food and 50.4 percent said they
wanted to visit a Hanok house.
1
Busan Bupyeong
Kkangtong Night
Market
Busan Bupyeong Kkangtong Market
2
KOREA _ August _ 4
The Bupyeong Kkangtong Market opened in October
2013 in the district of Jung-gu in Busan. Since then
it has been featured in a number of English media
outlets including Tripadvisor, Stripes Korea and
HiExpat Korea.
3
KOREA _ August _ 5
Jeonju-born Seoulite Moon
Young proudly promotes the
Nambu Night Market, which has
steadily gained popularity
since opening in
October 2014.
“Inside the market,
there’s an area called
the Cheongnyeon Mall, which
means it’s run by the youth for
the youth,” Moon said. “In one
1
corner there is always a live
music performance.”
On a recent trip back home,
Moon spent “family time” exploring the market
streets with her mother.
“Personally, I think the night market in Jeonju is
better than Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Village,” she said.
“The market has so many things all gathered in one
spot, and it’s conveniently located next to Jeonju’s
Hanok Village. So the place is always crowded with
tourists from other towns and even abroad.”
Among the foods featured at Jeonju’s market are
rose pancakes, sweet meatballs, torch-seared beef,
and bite-sized steaks of every kind of meat.
Visitors can try on traditional attire and stroll
through the time-capsule streets lined with Hanok
homes and bed-and-breakfasts.
Mokpo Namjin Market
1
Mokpo Namjin
Market is named for
the famous singer
Nam Jin.
2
Gwangju Daein Art
Market
3
Bread shaped like
Hanok homes is sold
at Jeonju Nambu
Market.
4
People wait in line as
their food is prepared
at Daegu Gyodong
Dokkaebi Night
Market.
5
People flood Daegu’s
Seomun Night
Market.
Buyeo’s Baekje Market, Gwangju’s Namgwangju
market and Ulsan’s Jungang Market are slated
to open no later than October this year. Daegu’s
Gyodong Dokkaebi Market and Seomun Market also
have night markets.
The Ministry of the Interior said that unemployed
young people would constitute 50 percent of the
vendors, and that the marketplaces would enable
them to start their own businesses. Multicultural
families, low-income families and senior citizens will
also be encouraged to take part.
In a separate move, Seoul Metropolitan City
has opened four night markets not associated with
traditional markets. Open every weekend night at
Yeouido Hangang Park, Dongdaemun Design Plaza,
Cheonggye Plaza and Mokdong Stadium, these
markets operate independently and feature different
themes: internationalism at Yeouido, youth fashion
at Dongdaemun, crafts at Cheonggye and outdoor
leisure at Mokdong.
© Jung-Gu, Daegu Metropolitan City
© Jung-Gu, Daegu Metropolitan City
© Yonhap News
KOREA _ August _ 6
Gwangju’s Daein Market first opened in 1976. It
soon became one of the largest traditional markets
in the southwestern province of Jeollanam-do. When
the provincial capital moved from Gwangju to Muan
in 2005, however, the market began to decline.
To bring life back to the market, the Gwangju
Biennale dispatched a group of artists to live and
work in the market in 2008. The move proved
a success, and today, the market is filled with
tourists armed with cameras and maps to its many
workshops, cafes and art spaces.
The Daein Art Night Market is held on the
fourth Friday and Saturday of the month, 7:30 p.m.
to midnight, from June to October. The night market
features not only exhibits by resident artists where
visitors can purchase unique works of art, but also a
special market where local residents sell handicrafts
and second-hand goods. The Han Pyeong Gallery,
The Gyeongju Jungang Market is the fourth
traditional market to become a night market. In April
2016, it began opening for business every evening
from 6:30 p.m. to midnight, except on the first and
3
More to come
Gwangju Daein Art Market
Gyeongju Jungang Market
© KOCIS
2
meanwhile, offers artists free space to hold exhibits
and meet with the public.
15th day of each month.
In the historic city that once was the capital of
ancient Silla, young people now serve up authentic
Pakistani kebabs, Vietnamese pho, pad thai noodles
from Thailand and more.
Korean snacks, such as pigs’ feet, blood sausage
and locally fermented alcohol, are also available.
The Mokpo Namjin Market is named after the city’s
famous singer Nam Jin, who came to the opening
ceremony to meet and greet marketgoers.
Since opening in mid-December 2015, the
market is seeing over 2,000 daily visitors and
more than KRW 500,000 in profits per day per
vendor, according to the Mokpo merchants’ guild.
The success of the night market is spilling over
and benefiting existing merchants, too, who have
reported a 20 percent sales hike.
The Mokpo night market sells local delicacies
such as fried pancakes with cinnamon and honey,
chicken feet, fermented fish sashimi, mussels, and
spicy squid wrapped around a stick.
The city’s immigrants show off their cooking skills
with authentic Southeast Asian food. Handmade
goods are sold alongside the food.
University clubs perform flamenco dances on
stage, while from another corner of the market
visitors can hear Nam Jin’s recorded songs.
4
5
KOREA _ August _ 7
© Acom co,.Ltd
Cover Story
Korean Musicals
Take Center
Stage
Homegrown musicals develop an
international fan base
_ Written by Park Young Hee, actor, director and co-founder of JAM Box Theatre Company
__ These days,
it’s common
for Chinese and
Japanese fans
to fly to Seoul
just to line up
outside venues in
the Daehangno
district that
feature the latest
local musical
productions. To
many Koreans, this
is all quite new
and shocking, but
they’re gradually
becoming
accustomed to
Seoul being seen
as a major player.
KOREA _ August _ 8
What do you think of upon hearing the
words, “Korean Wave?” Do you think of
the Korean soap opera sensation that’s
producing fervent fans around the world?
Or perhaps international K-pop stars such
as Psy and “Gangnam Style” or G-Dragon?
That may be, but when asked about
what’s hot these days, some people will
think of the rise of musicals, which are
rapidly spreading throughout Asia and
across the world. In recent years, the
Korean musical industry has grown into
one of the largest in the world, joining
giants like the United States and the United
Kingdom. Consequently, producers and
directors involved in major non-Korean
productions are starting to recognize the
importance of the Korean market. These
days, it’s common for Chinese and Japanese
fans to fly to Seoul just to line up outside
venues in the Daehangno district that
feature the latest local productions.
To many Koreans, who grew up
thinking of New York’s Broadway and
London’s West End as the meccas of
musicals, this is all quite new and shocking,
but they’re gradually becoming accustomed
to Seoul being seen as a major player.
Incredible growth since 2000
In the late 1990s, “The Last Empress,”
which was already a big hit in local theaters,
became the first Korean production to
debut on Broadway, leading to an era
of incredible market growth in the new
millennium. At one point, production
was so active that audiences couldn't keep
up. Fortunately, the industry acquired
fresh vigor as quality Korean productions
began infiltrating non-Korean markets.
In 2001, for example, “Line 1” became the
first Korean production to debut in China,
where it received a good response, and the
consistent success of nonverbal productions
such as “Nanta,” “Jump” and “Sachoom”
has inspired CJ E&M, a marketing and
content company, to pursue co-productions
with Chinese firms. In Japan, Korean
productions were limited to intermittent
performances that were held upon
invitation, but after the 2010 rendition of
“Mozart!” which starred former TVXQ
member Kim Junsu, Korean productions
skyrocketed in popularity among Japanese
audiences. Interestingly enough, although
“Mozart!” nearly flopped when it first
debuted, shows started selling out after the
Scene in “The Last Empress” where Queen Min marries King Gojong.
KOREA _ August _ 9
©
National Park Service
© Korea
PMC Production
__ “Bachelor’s
Vegetable
Store” has been
licensed for local
productions in
Japan and China,
demonstrating
the potential for
Korean shows
abroad.
Nanta is a groundbreaking nonverbal performance that turned kitchen utensils
into musical instruments.
© Live Corp.
© R&D works
KOREA _ August _ 10
Compared with their American and
British counterparts, however, Korean
musicals are still young. Long before
Korean performers fully adopted Western
musicals in 1966, Koreans flocked to
performances of changgeuk, Korean
traditional opera based on a storytelling
form known as Pansori, as well as the
slightly more modern musikdrama that
truly expressed the Korean spirit. In 1966,
the Yegreen Troupe gained mass appeal
by performing “Sneak Up on Me,” a story
based on the classic novel “Baebijangjeon,”
which is regarded today as Korea’s first
work of modern musical theater. When
the production’s soundtrack was released
on vinyl, the title track, performed by
legendary singer Patti Kim, topped the
nation’s pop charts, marking a spectacular
beginning to Korean musicals. Throughout
the 1970s and 1980s, Korean musicals
mainly thrived in smaller venues. At the
center of the scene, however, was Hyundai
Theatre Company, which supercharged
the industry with productions such as
© Live Corp.
© Chngmu Arts Center
Korean productions expand
global market
© Live Corp.
(Top) “Frankenstein”
(Bottom) “Sherlock Holmes”
K-pop icon was cast, which set the stage
for a smooth transition into the Japanese
market. Initially, the success of Korean
musicals was limited to productions
featuring pop stars, but fans have since
developed a greater appreciation for other
talented performers and actors. Korean
productions are now regularly featured
in Tokyo’s Amuse Musical Theater, which
opened in 2013.
When Korean musicals first ventured
abroad, local production crews and
actors had to take frequent international
tours, but production rights are now
sold to overseas companies. The rights
for three major Korean productions,
“Bballae,” “Finding Mr. Destiny” and
“Bachelor’s Vegetable Store,” have been
sold to companies in Japan and China, and
“Frankenstein,” “Sherlock Holmes” and
“Hero” recently joined their ranks.
“Bachelor’s Vegetable Store” tells the story of youth who hold on to hope despite difficult circumstances.
KOREA _ August _ 11
© CJ E&M
© Acom co,.Ltd
Hong _Kwang-ho,
KOREA
August _ 12 the actor seen here without an umbrella in “Bballae,” was the first Korean performer to star in a West End production.
© Acom co,.Ltd
© CH SOOBAK
__ As Korean
companies
increasingly obtain
the rights for major
overseas musicals,
it’s essential
to continually
develop original
productions
to maintain a
balanced market.
© Acom co,.Ltd
A story of first love, “Finding Mr. Destiny” was a critical and commercial success.
“Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Evita” and “Les
Misérables.” Thanks to such persistent
growth, the 1990s saw the rise of theaters
that focused on musicals, such as the Lotte
Art Hall, presently the Lotte Card Art Hall.
Although it no longer exclusively produces
musicals, the theater’s productions of
“West Side Story,” “Les Misérables” and
“Man of La Mancha” throughout the 1990s
recruited increasingly talented performers,
while stage crews perfected their stagecraft.
Consequently, they proved to audiences
that the Korean market could also release
high-quality productions. Encouraged by
this success, companies started actively
pursuing the rights for major overseas
productions. Starting with Acom in the
mid-1990s, musical companies soon
sprouted up, and the new millennium
gave rise to firms like CJ E&M, Seol and
Company, OD Company and Show Note.
In just one decade, the Korean musical
industry skyrocketed from around KRW 20
billion to over KRW 200 billion.
As Korean companies increasingly
obtain the rights for major overseas
musicals, it’s essential to continually
develop original productions to maintain
a properly balanced market. In the early
1990s, original Korean productions
primarily revolved around smaller theaters.
In 1995, however, Yun Ho-jin’s “The Last
Empress” obtained a record-breaking
budget of KRW 1.2 billion to become
Korea’s first major original musical, and
was received favorably by both audiences
and critics alike, thus launching Korean
musicals into a grand new era. “The
Last Empress” also marks the directorial
debut of Kolleen Park, Korea’s first
prominent musical director and conductor,
and became the first original Korean
production to run on Broadway and in the
West End.
Not only have Korean musicals
become widely popular nationwide,
they’re now performed in venues across
China and Japan. No longer focused on
expressing Korean sentiments, directors
and writers are exploring more universal
KOREA _ August _ 13
any
l Comp
Musica
KOREA _ August _ 14
“Mata Hari” stars
Ock Joo-hyun.
© EMK
It seems difficult to deny that Koreans’
longtime affinity for song, music and dance
has provided a stable social base upon
which musicals have prospered. Old-time
Koreans wouldn’t hesitate to hold songand-dance celebrations at the local market
or in a neighbor’s yard, and held frequent
performances that were rich in amusing
tales and satire. So musicals may be the
optimal performance genre for modern
Koreans.
The rapid growth of Korean musicals
over a brief period can also be attributed to
industry talent and dedication as well as to
the passion of Korean performers. When
the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
opened in the late 1970s, it absorbed the
Yegreen Troupe and established the Seoul
Metropolitan Musical Theater, which
began producing original musicals and
nurturing performers who specialized in
the genre. The 1990s saw the rise of Korea’s
first generation of professional musical
theater stars, including Nam Kyeong-ju,
Nam Kyeong-eup and Choi Jung-won.
Although Nam Kyeong-ju and Choi Jungwon are well into their 40s, they’re still
active and performing. With appearances
in such productions as “Chicago” and “Kiss
Me, Kate,” they continue to uphold their
reputations as industry veterans.
The establishment of academic
departments devoted to the genre meant
more and more performers now undergo
systematic training. Compared with
performers in the West, Korean performers
are more accustomed to shorter runs and
have been conditioned to adapt to a variety
of styles, factors which have greatly driven
the Korean industry’s rapid growth. In
the new millennium, the Korean scene
produced big names that attracted a loyal
following, beginning with Oh Man-seok of
“The Rocky Horror Show” and continuing
“Chicago” stars Jeon Soo-Kyeong (left) and Choi Jung-won (right).
__ The rapid
growth of Korean
musicals in a brief
period can also
be attributed to
industry talent and
dedication, as well
as to the passion of
Korean performers.
© Seensee Company
Success based on talent and local
traditions
Comedian-turned-musical actor Jung Sung-hwa is in “Hero.”
© Seensee Company
and diverse themes that can appeal to
non-Korean audiences. Furthermore,
with the increasing number of venues
designed specifically for musicals ‒ such
as Charlotte Theater in Jamsil-dong, Blue
Square in Hannam-dong and the D-Cube
Arts Center in Sindorim-dong ‒ Korean
productions can now run for even longer.
© Acom co,.Ltd
© CJeS Culture
“Dracula” stars Kim Junsu.
Jo Seung-woo is in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”
with Jo Seung-woo and his role in “Hedwig
and the Angry Inch.” Jo Seung-woo’s
appearance in “Jekyll and Hide” and “Man
of La Mancha” caused both shows to sell
out almost as soon as tickets went on sale.
Performers boasting both singing and
acting chops, such as Jo Seung-woo, Oh
Man-seok, Jo Jung-suk and Um Ki-joon,
quickly developed into powerhouse names
that attracted die-hard fan bases and
boosted ticket sales.
The arrival of pop stars, who already
had massive domestic and international
followings, began a new trend in Korean
musicals. A move to draw larger crowds,
the casting of pop stars in Korean
musicals has stirred much controversy.
Opportunities for industry professionals
have diminished, and observers have cited
the problems of casting young pop icons,
fledglings in terms of musicals, for lead
roles. The practice of casting K-pop names
began with Bada, Ock Joo-hyun and Kim
Junsu, who, despite initial controversy
concerning their talent as actors, gradually
silenced naysayers with their vocal abilities
and the undeniable ability to boost ticket
sales. Having proven their abilities across
a wide spectrum of productions, they have
since been recognized by fans as worthy of
their place onstage.
Some performers have made it onto
stages in Japan and the United Kingdom.
In the mid-2000s, productions by the Shiki
Theatre Company, one of Japan’s premier
producers of musicals, recruited Korean
actors Kim Ji-hyeon, Kang Miae and Lee
Ju-yeon for lead roles, to the delight of
Japanese fans. Last year, Yang Joon-mo
garnered public attention by becoming the
first non-Shiki performer from Korea to
take a lead role in a Japanese production,
playing Jean Valjean in “Les Misérables.”
Hong Kwang-ho became the first Korean
to perform in the West End, playing Thuy
in the 25th anniversary revival of “Miss
Saigon.” His performance won him the
prize for Best Supporting Actor at the 2014
BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards.
Daegu International Musical Festival
and beyond
Korean musicals are slowly venturing
outside Seoul’s Daehangno district and
furthering the cultural enrichment and
economic progress of other provinces. A
good illustration of this phenomenon is
the Daegu International Musical Festival
KOREA _ August _ 15
© DIMF
© DIMF
Interview
Better Talent Leads to Better Productions
‘Bballae’ director Choo Min-joo discusses why Korean musicals are succeeding
_ Written by Robert Koehler
Opening ceremony of the 2015 DIMF Awards at Daegu Opera House.
© CH SOOBAK
__ The Daegu
International
Musical Festival
is the world’s first
festival devoted to
musical theater. It
celebrates its 10th
anniversary this
year.
“It’s about love that becomes known
through doing laundry. Because of
laundry, the heroine Nayeong falls in
love with the man who lives next door,
and she learns how to love through
laundry when she’s suffered a wrongful
termination.”
That’s what “Bballae,” or “Laundry,”
is all about, says director Choo Minjoo, who also wrote the long-running
musical. Since its debut in 2005, the
show has been staged over 3,000 times
before 50,000 theatergoers in Korea,
China and Japan. The production has
demonstrated the potential of Korean
creative performances overseas.
Choo explains that the first country
to show interest in the show was even
further away.
“The first person to respond to the
show was an Egyptian theatergoer,” she
says. “Unfortunately, we could not go to
Egypt, but people from halfway around
the globe with a very different culture
from Korea liked the show.”
The show’s international appeal may
stem from the universal nature of its
story, she says.
“The show tells the tale of the
majority of migrants living in the city,”
she says. “It shows that not only Solongo,
the young man from Mongolia, migrated
© CH SOOBAK
KOREA _ August _ 16
sword. Increased involvement from
conglomerates like CJ Group and Lotte
continues to fan more opposition and
anxiety among industry insiders. Yet
corporate influence in the industry has
already become irreversible, so artists
and investors must devise measures that
encourage cooperation and mutual growth.
It’s imperative to pressure corporate
investors to continue fostering new
talent, consistently sponsor local original
productions and work to expose Korean
musicals to wider non-Korean audiences.
Of course, it’s also essential for the public
sector to serve as a stabilizing force through
long-term measures and ongoing support.
If Korea’s community of directors, writers,
producers and performers can efficiently
collaborate with both public and private
sponsors, it should not be infeasible for the
Korean musical scene to join the ranks of
Broadway and the West End. After signing
a recent deal for Korean productions to
tour China, one Chinese producer said,
“Korean musicals have a unique energy
that is not present in Chinese or Japanese
productions. The explosive talent and
energy of the performers enrapture
audiences who cannot even understand
the lyrics. From the lead role to the musical
ensemble, they all exude that uniquely
Korean energy and vitality. Korean stories,
on the other hand, present Chinese
audiences with an exotic lure while still
appealing to certain commonalities.”
© DIMF
(DIMF), the world’s first festival devoted
to musicals, which is celebrating its 10th
anniversary this year. The DIMF aims to
secure consistent collaboration between
local and foreign production companies,
and in 2010 signed a deal with the city
of Dongguan in China. The DIMF
production of “Turandot” went on to
win the Special Grand Prize at the third
Dongguan International Musical Festival
in 2011. “Turandot” is scheduled to run
in August at the Harbin Opera House
to commemorate the anniversary of its
opening. The DIMF not only supports
original productions but invests in
university musical festivals to scout new
talent, striving to balance Korea’s market
with more local productions. The festival’s
opening and closing ceremonies both
incorporate programs that encourage
local residents to participate, an effort
to make the event into something for
everyone and not just for a small number
of musical fans. On June 24, the DIMF
held its 10th gala, which featured a diverse
range of productions from many countries,
including “Madame de Pompadour” from
Slovakia; “Gambrinus,” an exploration of
the musical identity of Russian gypsies;
and the West End’s rendition of “Legally
Blonde.”
In a short time, Korean musicals have
made both massive and humble strides to
achieve today’s dazzling success. Yet many
are pointing to the growing influence of
corporate sponsors as a double-bladed
to the city. Few people are born and
raised in Seoul; most are people who
struggled to live in the city. It tells of the
suffering of people who moved to the
city and tries to soothe that suffering.”
Indeed, Choo herself is a native of
the southeastern city of Daegu and a
migrant to Seoul. “Bballae” is partially
based on her own experiences when she
moved to the city.
Satisfied fans and an expanding
talent pool
“Bballae” is one of several Korean
productions that are succeeding not only
at home, but abroad. According to Choo,
Korea’s musical scene is unique due to
the bewildering growth in its creative
productions and its receptive audience.
“Fans buy tickets because they
like musicals,” she says. “They create
discussion, which creates stars. This
brings in good talent to write or score
musicals.”
It’s true that local productions of big
Broadway and West End shows have
helped grow the Korean musical market.
“But even before that,” she adds,
“Koreans traditionally have enjoyed
musical theater, and they have been
making musicals on their own.”
Indeed, the growth in Korea’s
musical scene has largely been thanks
to an expanding talent pool. Good
productions came after more actors and
more writers started to work on musicals
rather than other genres.
Then the money started to flow in,
she says.
“New works were staged, and
audiences began showing interest,” she
says. “We found space to breathe, and it
became fun to be in that space.”
For the musical scene to continue
to grow, artists need to find their own
stories rather than rely on established
tales. A sense of modesty might help,
too.
“We shouldn’t be simply filled with
confidence just because Chinese or
Japanese theatergoers are interested
in Korean musicals,” she says. “We
should strive to satisfy the tastes of the
audiences.”
KOREA _ August _ 17
Travel
Another Side
to Busan
Get off the beaten track and discover some of
the hidden gems of Korea’s second city
_ Written and photographed by Robert Koehler
Perched atop cliffs, Hinyeoul Culture Village is often likened to the Greek island of Santorini.
KOREA _ August _ 18
KOREA _ August _ 19
The leaf of Yeongdo Bridge lifts at 2 p.m. every day.
As Korea’s second-biggest city and its
most important port, Busan is one of
Korea’s top travel destinations, especially
in summer, when Haeundae Beach - the
“Korean Riviera” - is so densely packed
with people that you could walk from
one end to the other with your toes never
touching sand.
You don’t need to travel far to get
away from the crowds, however. Some of
Busan’s most scenic spots are well off the
proverbial beaten track. If you’re willing
to make the effort, the city’s picturesque
islands and relatively remote stretches of
coast are perfect places to recharge amid
nature and history.
Busan icons: Yeongdo Bridge
and fish cakes
Downtown Busan, seen
from Mt. Bongnaesan
KOREA _ August _ 20
Yeongdo is a large island separated from
mainland Busan by a narrow channel.
The northern part of the island, linked to
downtown Busan by several bridges, is
densely urbanized, but the mountainous
middle and southern regions are
characterized by wooded hillsides,
scenic coastlines and older, picturesque
communities. In fact, on much of the
island, you’d hardly know that you’re
in Korea’s second-largest city at all. The
combination of history, nature and
almost rustic charm, combined with its
proximity to downtown, make it a perfect
summertime retreat for Busan residents.
One of Yeongdo’s best-known
historical sites is the iconic Yeongdo
Bridge, which connects the northern,
urban part of the island with downtown
Busan’s waterfront area and Jagalchi
Market, Korea’s largest fish market. Built
in 1934, it is Korea’s only drawbridge. In
the old days, the northern span would lift
seven times a day to allow boats and ships
to pass, much to the awe and amusement
of locals and tourists, who flocked to the
bridge in droves to watch. Nowadays, it
lifts only once a day at 2 p.m., but still
very much to the delight of tourists.
During the Korean War, refugees
from other parts of Korea gathered at
the bridge - then Busan’s best-known
landmark - to search for lost family
members.
Around the southern end of the
bridge is a colorful waterfront district
where, at night, you’ll find plenty of
food stalls selling raw fish and other eats
meant to be washed down with liberal
amounts of soju. Also in this area is the
historic Bongnaesan Market, a sprawling
web of alleys lined by small shops of all
kinds. Bridge and road development and
the formation of the Namhang Market
just across the strait have reduced the
market’s importance, but it’s still a vibrant
© Eomji
If you’re willing
to make the
effort, the city’s
picturesque
islands and
relatively remote
stretches of coast
are perfect places
to recharge.
Visitors stroll along the Hinyeoul-gil.
Hinyeoul Culture Village was used as a
backdrop in the hit film “The Attorney.”
place. One spot of particular culinary
importance is Busan Samjin Eomuk, the
best-known manufacturer of Busan’s
famous fish cakes, or eomuk. Founded
in 1953, Busan Samjin Eomuk operates
a workshop/shop/museum/hands-on
classroom in the market, the company’s
original home. Try the eomuk croquettes.
They are fantastic.
Another spot near Yeongdo Bridge is
the Namhang-dong area, where the many
shipyards are usually busy repairing and
maintaining the countless ships that call
Busan Harbor home.
You can take in spectacular views
of Yeongdo’s waterfront area - and the
rest of Busan Harbor, for that matter from the rooftop garden of the massive
department that overlooks the Yeongdo
Bridge in Gwangbok-dong.
Several flights of steps link Hinyeoul
Culture Village with the sea below.
KOREA _ August _ 21
View out the window of Hinyeoul Culture Village’s tourist information center.
Yeongdo’s
picturesque western
coast is, in terms
of atmosphere, as
far removed from
Busan’s urban jungle
as you can get.
Taejongsa Temple is famous for its many hydrangeas.
Taejongsa is
renowned for its
many spectacular
hydrangeas, which
are in bloom
from late June to
September. It’s
a lovely place,
especially when
the rain and fog
add an extra level
of mystery.
KOREA _ August _ 22
Korea’s other Santorini
Yeongdo’s picturesque western coast is,
in terms of atmosphere, as far removed
from Busan’s urban jungle as you can get.
The jumble of glass, concrete and steel
gives way to relaxing seaside walkways
and picturesque villages atop dramatic
coastal cliffs. This is where you go to
relax, take in the views and breathe in the
salt air.
The Jeoryeong Coastal Walkway
in Yeongseon-dong is a beautiful trail
flanked by the deep blue sea on one
side and rugged, weather-beaten cliffs
on the other. Go in the morning, and
you’ll find plenty of locals taking their
constitutionals or engaging in light
exercise. Dozens of large ships are usually
moored on the horizon.
Above the cliffs, meanwhile, is the
Hinyeoul-gil, or “White Rapids Path,”
which runs through a charming old
village perched rather precariously atop
the precipice. The village, originally a
shantytown formed by refugees during
the Korean War, is sometimes called
“Korea’s Santorini,” a distinction it shares
with another old Busan shantytown,
Gamcheon Culture Village. Unlike
the heavily touristed and highly
commercialized Gamcheon Village,
however, Hinyeoul Culture Village is still
a tranquil seaside community. Here and
there you’ll see laundry hung out to dry,
small vegetable gardens, and clay pots
where locals ferment sauces and other
condiments.
Thanks to the village’s rustic charm
and scenic views over the sea, film
directors have used it as a backdrop,
most notably in the hit 2013 film “The
Attorney,” based on the early life of late
Korean President Roh Moo-hyun. Six
local artists have also tastefully spruced
up the place with colorful murals, too,
to draw tourists. If you’re feeling a bit
hungry or thirsty, one of the homes has
been turned into a café with inspiring
views from the second floor. Another
empty home has been turned into a
tourist information center where you can
pick up Korean-language maps of the
village.
Bird’s-eye views
Murals (top) and stairs (bottom) of
Hinyeoul Culture Village
The center of Yeongdo is occupied by Mt.
Bongnaesan, a 395-meter peak that is the
island’s most significant topographical
feature. In the old days, the mountain was
said to be the home of Taoist fairies. The
fairies have since moved out, however,
to be replaced by television, radio and
communication companies that have set
up relay stations near the peak.
Much of the mountain is covered in
beautiful, thick forests that generously
provide shade from the summer sun.
Near the peak is a small park with a
couple of observatories that provide some
of the most awe-inspiring views in all
of Busan. Go in the late afternoon/early
evening, when you can take in the sunset
over the city and the electric night views
of downtown. One scenic point is the
Busan Harbor Bridge, a 1.11-kilometer,
60-meter high cable-stayed span over the
body of water for which it is named.
A nice thing about Mt. Bongnaesan
is that it’s possible to drive almost to the
peak, which is perfect if you lack the
time or inclination for a proper hike.
On the minus side, however, the peak is
sometimes obscured by clouds and/or by
Busan’s famous fog.
You don’t need to go all the way to
the peak for good views, however. On
the eastern flank of the mountain is
Cheonghak-dong Baesuji Observatory,
which offers views of Busan Harbor
Bridge and Sunrise Village, a delightfully
chaotic collection of hillside alleys
lined by colorful homes overlooking
the harbor. You can take in views of the
sunrise from the observation deck of
Yeongdo-gu Office or from the National
Maritime Museum.
KOREA _ August _ 23
1
1
and fog add an extra level of mystery.
The temple also possesses supposed relics
from the Buddha, gifted to Korea by the
Sri Lankan government in 1983.
Taejongdae takes its name from
Taejong Muyeol, who ruled the kingdom
of Silla in the seventh century. The king,
whose reign oversaw the unification
of Korea, was captivated by the beauty
of Taejongdae and visited often. In
the days of Joseon (1392-1910), local
magistrates used to hold rites to pray for
rain at Taejongdae whenever the country
suffered from drought. In fact, the rains
that fall on the 10th day of the fifth lunar
month are called Taejong Rain.
WHERE TO STAY
Busan is blessed with plenty
of accommodation options.
In Yeongdo, this writer
recommends the Hotel Bridge
(T. 051-415-100), a pleasant
and reasonably priced motel
with views of the waterfront,
including Yeongdo Bridge.
WHAT TO EAT
Being Korea’s largest port,
Busan is renowned for its
seafood, naturally enough.
High-quality, reasonably
priced raw fish can be had
aplenty at Jagalchi Market.
In Yeongdo, pop by one of
the food stands near the
waterfront at the end of
Yeongdo Bridge. Kkangtong
Market, a night market in
downtown Busan, is also a
popular place to eat.
Igidae, Oryukdo, Gijang and
more
2
3
1. Busan Harbor and the Busan Harbor Bridge at night, seen from Mt. Bongnaesan 2. The rocky islets of Oryukdo
3. Gijang’s Haedong Yonggungsa, a rare Buddhist temple on the sea 4. Lighthouse, Taejongdae
Cliffs and hydrangeas of
Taejongdae
One spot of
particular culinary
importance is
Busan Samjin
Eomuk, the
best-known
manufacturer of
Busan’s famous
fish cakes.
KOREA _ August _ 24
At the southernmost tip of Yeongdo is
Taejongdae, a scenic coastline composed
of craggy cliffs topped by gnarled pines.
The 100-meter cliffs, battered by the
waves and the wind, offer views of some
of Busan’s offshore islands, including
Oryukdo, a chain of rocky islets that is a
symbol of Busan. On a clear day, you can
see all the way to the Japanese island of
Tsushima.
The best way to see the cliffs is from
the sea. There's a pier near the park
entrance where you can board one of the
tour boats that take visitors along the
cliffs. Tours take about 35 minutes.
Taejongdae has an observation
pavilion and a lighthouse, the latter being
a popular place to take in the sunrise. You
need to walk about 30 minutes up a hill
from the park entrance to the lighthouse.
The park is thickly forested.
Taejongdae is home to about 120 kinds
of trees, including pines, camellia
and cinnamon trees. The forests are a
magical place to walk around in the
early morning, when the sunlight breaks
through the canopy in rays.
An increasingly popular spot, at least
in summer, is Taejongsa, a small Buddhist
temple hidden within Taejongdae’s forest.
The temple is renowned for its many
spectacular hydrangeas, which are in
bloom from late June to September. It’s
a lovely place, especially when the rain
Igidae and Oryukdo are worthwhile spots
off the beaten track, too.
Igidae and Oryukdo are on the
southeastern tip of Busan’s mainland. The
coastal walk between them constitutes an
especially scenic stretch of the so-called
Seagull Trail, or Galmaetgil, a larger
network of walking paths along Busan’s
southeastern coast, including popular
summer destinations Haeundae Beach
and Gwangalli Beach.
Igidae is located near the southern
GETTING THERE
KTX trains to Busan depart
from Seoul Station (travel
time: just under three hours)
Busan
end of the Gwangan Bridge, a scenic
suspension bridge that is one of Busan’s
most recognized landmarks. Igidae
offers beautiful sunrises, but even more,
it yields beautiful views of the bridge
and, just beyond, the futuristic cityscape
of Haeundae’s Marine City, a complex
designed by De Stefano & Partners,
Daniel Libeskind and others.
From Igidae, it’s a scenic - if a bit
rugged - walk along cliffs, wooden
staircases and pedestrian bridges to
Oryukdo. Oryukdo means “Five Six
Islands,” and true to its name, the
chain consists of five or six rocky islets,
depending on the tide. The dramatic
rock formation is one of Busan’s most
iconic images. To allow visitors an even
better view of the islets, and to get the
adrenaline flowing, an observation deck
with a glass floor has been built into a
bluff overlooking the chain.
Further up the coast is the district
of Gijang, by far Busan’s most rural
region. Gijang consists largely of small
fishing villages and empty fields, with
stretches of beautifully rugged coastline,
most of which has been included in the
Galmaetgil Trail. Rocky points such as
Sarangdae and Orangdae are popular
with sunrise photographers, but the
most popular destination in Gijang is
Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist temple
on a rocky spot overlooking the sea.
The temple, perched above the crashing
waves, makes for a breathtaking photo.
Many visit the temple on New Year’s Day
to watch the sun rise over the ocean.
Gijang
Igidae and Oryukdo
Yeongdo
4
KOREA _ August _ 25
People 1
A Walk on the Dark Side
Jeong You Jeong discusses her new thriller,
‘Beautiful Demon’
_ Written by Young H. K. Pae
Photographed by RAUM Studio
Thrillers are not
especially popular
in Korea, and Jeong
is a former nurse
with no formal
background in
literature or writing,
yet she consistently
makes the bestseller list every time
she releases a new
book.
Propelled to international fame
on the strength of complex,
disturbing tales
Jeong You Jeong has been called “Korea’s
Stephen King.” A huge fan of King’s
thrillers, Jeong told KOREA in a recent
interview that she considered the U.S.
author a sort of mentor, a person who
has taught her the craft of writing
through his work.
“Definitely my main literary mentor
is Stephen King,” she says. “My favorite
work by him is ‘The Body’ in the book
of four short stories titled ‘Different
Seasons.’ This is a magnificent story
about teenagers growing up, and it was
my first encounter with Stephen King.”
Thrillers aren’t especially popular in
Korea, and Jeong is a former nurse with
no formal background in literature or
writing, yet she consistently makes the
best-seller list every time she releases a
new book. She is self-taught, she says,
having thoroughly studied the work of
Raymond Chandler and Charles Dickens
in addition to that of King.
“The structure and the suspense of
his stories are certainly genuine,” she
says of King. “The plot of his stories
and the human mind meet and cause a
chemical reaction that creates outrageous
suspense.”
© Jeong You Jeong
Jeong’s sketch of the city where “Beautiful Demon” takes
place
KOREA _ August _ 26
Jeong’s past works include “Seven Years
of Darkness,” published in 2011, and “28”
two years later. The powerful “28,” about
a city beset by a strange new disease, is
billed as “a thrilling, multilayered tale
of undying loyalty and unlikely kinship
during uncertain times.”
However, it was “Seven Years of
Darkness” that really propelled Jeong
to stardom around the world. Overseas
publication rights have been sold in
France, China, Taiwan, Thailand and
Vietnam, in addition to Germany, where
it is now a massive hit. The German
publication Die Zeit included “Seven
Years of Darkness” among the 10 bestselling crime novels of 2015 - a rare feat,
according to Jeong’s domestic agent, Lee
Gu-yong of KL Management. Lee says it
is unusual for major European media to
take such a strong interest in a novel by
a Korean writer. He predicts that Jeong’s
success will generate greater interest
in Korean literature around the world,
particularly in mysteries, crime novels
and thrillers.
The novel depicts a young man
who lives with the stigma of being a
murderer’s son, never knowing why his
father committed such a horrific crime.
While working as a security guard, the
father opened the floodgates of a dam
and destroyed a village. The answer to
the mystery involves Jeong’s villain, a
violent man named Oh Yeong-je.
Jeong explains how she was inspired
to create the character of Yeong-je and
why he is a pivotal part of the story.
“I needed a character who was
confrontational and drove the
protagonist crazy,” she says. “A novel
needs to power itself, to lead. The writer
can’t lead the plot.”
Her latest work, “Beautiful Demon,”
titled “The Origin of Species” in Korean,
was released in May and centers on
the internal processes of Han Yu-jin,
KOREA _ August _ 27
© Unionsverlag
a seemingly ordinary young man
who turns out to be a predator and a
psychopath. Jeong, who relentlessly
focuses on evil in all her novels,
continues to reflect on the nasty side of
human nature in “Beautiful Demon.”
Critics have called the story thoughtprovoking and socially relevant in light
of recent high-profile crime cases.
Yet in our interview in a coffee shop
near Hapjeong Station, Jeong has a
bright smile. Unlike the hardened thriller
writer one might imagine, she is bright
and cheerful. Nevertheless, Jeong says
she had a “dark youth,” having spent her
20s taking care of three younger siblings
after their mother’s death from cancer.
© EunHaeng NaMu
The ‘beast that can’t be tamed’
KOREA _ August _ 28
(Top) German edition of
“Seven Years of Darkness”
(Bottom) “Beautiful
Demon”
“To transcend
time and space,
literature must be
formed originally.
Even though it may
be set in an exotic
place, it should
include universal
emotion, behaviors
or circumstances.”
it, readers are saying that I am the writer
who wrote ‘the evil trilogy,’ but I do not
dig into evil. I am trying to talk about
human nature, and when one has to
confront a violent destiny, then there is a
story of overcoming it or sinking into it.”
What lies ahead: a natural
disaster thriller
“Beautiful Demon” will also be published
in English. Jeong already has a rough
idea of her next book, which she says will
be a “natural disaster thriller.” Like all
good writing, it will deal with universal
themes and emotions.
“To transcend time and space,
literature should be original,” Jeong
says. “Even though it may be set in an
exotic place, it should include universal
emotions, behaviors or circumstances.
Thus, even though the story is based on
the writer’s cultural and physical space
and background, if it has a universal and
original story, it will get broad attention
wherever it is read. So the purpose of the
writing should be to write an interesting
story rather than to be popular.”
© EunHaeng NaMu
“When a human
needs to confront
the violence
of destiny, the
effort in choosing
between the
choices that are
offered and trying
to overcome them
can result in them
sinking into the
abyss.”
“I wanted to be a writer,” she says, “But I
couldn't fulfill my dream because of my
situation, and my anger began to pile up.”
Life had made her a pessimist, she
confesses. Later, she had experiences as
a nurse that forced her to confront her
fears.
“When I worked at a hospital for
over five years, I worked in neurosurgery
and in an intensive care unit,” she says.
“I was confronted with death and saw
dying patients. Most of the neurosurgery
patients had hurt their heads or
needed brain surgery. I observed death
numerous times over those years.”
Those encounters with death terrified
her, she says, and her fear of death is still
very strong. However, she goes on to
qualify her statement.
“Death itself doesn’t scare me at all,
but death means that I am going to be
disconnected from the world. Human
emotions such as desire, jealousy and
envy, which can cause problems in our
lives - I call these kinds of emotions ‘the
beast that can’t be tamed.’ When such a
wild, evil emotion is ignited but hidden
deeply inside a human mind, it jumps
out from the shadows and into the light.”
Jeong connects these dark emotions
to violence, which is what drives her
novels, and, undoubtedly, why they
resonate with so many readers.
“As the tornado of destiny runs into
my life and shakes everything from the
top to the bottom, I call it the violence
of destiny. When a human needs to
confront this, the effort in choosing
between the choices that are offered
and trying to overcome them can result
in them sinking into the abyss. Then,
instead of resulting in good or altruism,
an evil side develops, like a chemical
reaction, and its going to make cracks in
people’s lives.”
“Beautiful Demon” may be seen as a
more intimate look at evil than Jeong has
offered in the past.
“‘Seven Years of Darkness’ and ‘28’
were written from the third-person point
of view, but I have felt limited when I
had to describe villains from the thirdperson perspective,” she says. “That’s
why I wrote ‘Beautiful Demon’ from the
first-person point of view. This novel
is not a story about a psychopath, but
it is his own defense presented to the
world. Human nature is more attracted
to evil than to good. Come to think of
KOREA _ August _ 29
People 2
“Arirang” is one of Korea’s single most
recognizable cultural symbols. Although
every region in Korea has its own
variation, the plaintive folk song has a
status and meaning equal to that of the
official national anthem in the hearts of
many people. Moon Hyun-woo truly
holds its beautiful sounds to heart,
and has taken “Arirang” all around the
world in an effort to raise international
awareness and create new connections
between people around the globe,
culminating in the creation of a private
academy, the Arirang School.
The idea for the school first emerged
from controversy, when China included
“Arirang” on a list of its cultural traditions
back in 2011, as practiced by the Korean
ethnic minority in northeast China
The Korean version of the song was
recognized by UNESCO the following
year.
The events inspired Moon, still not
30 at the time, to get involved. Together
with performers and artists, he brought
Korean traditional cultural performances
to major landmarks around the globe.
On his return home, he created a school
focused on bringing Korea’s arts to
ordinary people.
A man with a plan
_ Written by Jennifer Flinn
Photographed by RAUM Studio
KOREA _ August _ 30
© Soo Kim in VODA studio
Arirang School founder Moon Hyun-woo
brings a national song to the world
© Junyoung Park in Crepas factory
The Allure of ‘Arirang’
“I’m a Korean cultural planner,” says
Moon, explaining his unique niche. He’s
gone around the world promoting Korean
cultural traditions, and now he brings
them to both local and foreign visitors
through his Arirang School.
“I started with the idea for the
Arirang School after the controversy
over China’s designation of the song as
part of its cultural heritage really blew
up in 2012. I thought we ought to do
something to protect our heritage, so I
formed this organization to go around
the world and give street performances,
with the assistance of cultural groups and
embassies.”
The project was warmly received.
“I thought we
ought to do
something to
protect our
heritage, so
I formed this
organization to
go around the
world, giving street
performances with
the assistance of
cultural groups and
embassies”
Together with traditional performance
artists, Moon would stage concerts,
demonstrations and other artistic
performances at famous spots throughout
Europe, Asia and the Americas. Wherever
they went, they drew in curious
onlookers, who turned into enthusiastic
audience members. “People were really
interested in Korea,” he says. “If we wore
traditional clothes, people would follow
us, taking pictures.”
The projects were diverse, and sought
to bond with the local traditions and local
people wherever they went. “The projects
were collaborative. Instead of just writing
someone’s name in Hangeul calligraphy
on Korean mulberry paper, we’d do it on
papyrus.” In Scotland, for instance, they
played janggu alongside bagpipes. In one
event, they played “Arirang” while people
wrote about what was in their hearts
using brushes and ink. Some people
even cried. He says, “That’s how I came to
understand that Arirang wasn’t just a song
for Koreans, but something that could
touch people’s hearts and help them heal.”
As the trip progressed, though,
Moon’s thoughts turned toward creating
a sustainable future for the promotion
of Korea and incorporated a key
demographic: ordinary Koreans back
home.
“Together with the performers, we
thought we shouldn’t just travel and tell
non-Koreans about Korea, but also spread
the word in Korea. So we took the content
we developed for the Arirang School
overseas program and decided to use
them here. We formed a company and
started offering classes.”
Back to school
Starting the school was a real challenge
for Moon. Although his interest was
strong, he didn’t have the background
one would expect for the head of an
independent academy devoted to Korean
traditional music, performances and arts.
Drawing on his overseas experiences,
Moon set to work.
“We formed a company and started
offering classes back in 2013. At first, there
was some conflict because I didn’t know much
about performance, since my background
is in tourism. We didn’t have a full slate of
classes, and I didn’t know anything. However,
I learned a lot as we moved forward, and it’s
actually been a real benefit to learn about the
job as I go.”
“At first, we had five or ten people coming,
but now we’ve got a 150 to 200 people.
We’ve got lessons in traditional court music,
gayageum, haegeum, Pansori. We’re also
teaching sanjo and other difficult subjects, but
geared for regular people.”
“Some people come for a year, others
study for six months. Non-Koreans often end
up coming to classes because a friend brings
them. This time around, we have students
from Spain, the U.S., Malaysia, Vietnam and
Indonesia. We even have a Pansori student
from Japan.”
A social mission for Korean culture
Moon knows that it’s not easy to bring Korean
traditions to the masses, whether here in
Seoul or around the world at large. Still, he
has a vision for traditional music that goes
beyond its current boarders. “I want to make
traditional music more broad. When you
study traditional music, there’s a particular
teacher and a particular line of teaching.
However, that prevents it from expanding.
I want it to be more like taekwondo. NonKoreans usually know kimchi and taekwondo
as being representative. However, that’s
something that people in taekwondo have
worked on, and it’s really cool. But it’s not
something people have done in traditional
music.”
“I have a social mission to bring traditional
Korean music to the world, and create a selfsustaining vision of the art that can be fun,
enjoyable, and interesting. I want to bring
Korean traditions to the whole world.”
KOREA _ August _ 31
Arts & Entertainment
K-Pop Rising
KCON brings Korean pop and media from Seoul to the US, France
_ Written by Rhiannon Shepherd
Photos courtesy of CJ E&M
KCON 2016 NY takes place at New York’s Prudential Center.
If you’d asked a typical French teenager
10 years ago to associate one thing with
the word “Korea,” “pop music” would
perhaps not have been the answer. “TV
soap operas,” “boy bands” and “cosmetics”
are unlikely to have been mentioned either.
However, times are changing. KCON,
a global festival for all things young
and Korean, expanded its ever-growing
international reach last month to include
France, with a concert in Paris on June 2
that attracted more than 12,500 mostly
European K-pop fans.
KCON was originally launched in 2012
in Irvine, California, to cater to the existing
base of non-Korean K-pop followers and
to give a further, calculated push to the
KOREA _ August _ 32
growing global momentum of Hallyu, also
called the “Korean Wave.” The event is a
powerful collaboration between K-pop
website Koreaboo, Los Angeles–based
event promoter Powerhouse Live, and
magnates of the Korean entertainment
industry CJ E&M and Mnet Media. It
offers a glitzy, addictive concoction of live
pop music, celebrity entertainment and
pop culture exhibits.
K-pop in the heart of Europe
The KCON brand has become a
blossoming global phenomenon since its
modest 10,000-attendee show in 2012. A
total of more than 100,000 international
fans attended KCON events in New York,
Abu Dhabi, China and Japan in 2015,
leading the festival to expand further
this year to include the AccorHotels
Arena in Paris. The move also coincides
with ongoing celebrations to mark the
130th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic ties between Korea and France.
Determined not to disappoint, KCON
France included performances by six
of the biggest K-pop groups currently
in the game: SHINee, f(x), F.T Island,
Block B, Bangtan Boys, and the new kids
on the block ‒ IOI, the recently formed,
11-member reality girl group and singers
of the infinitely catchy “Pick Me.” The
evening was hosted by Leeteuk of Super
Junior, while Jin Goo of “Descendants of
the Sun” fame and fellow actor Han Ji-min
also made cameo appearances on stage.
“Descendants of the Sun” is a hot topic
in the world of K-things. The show made
headlines recently when it was revealed
that investors in China had funded its
production to the tune of more than USD
11 million.
Although still far smaller in scale than
its stateside counterparts, KCON’s first
foray into Europe has been pinned as a
resounding success, uniting fans from
France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and
the U.K. in their love for all things K. The
French daily Le Monde published a large
spotlight on Bangtan Boys, also known as
BTS, prior to the concert, touting them as
one of the most popular hip-hop groups
to be coming out of South Korea. Indeed,
BTS have sold a staggering 1 million
albums internationally since their debut
in April 2015, a feat no doubt spurred by
multiple appearances at global KCONs and
a growing international fan base.
KCON’s launch in France, however,
reflects more than just an attempt to
satiate the appetites of European K-pop
enthusiasts. The French government
has reiterated a “joint determination to
strengthen relations with Korea in all
areas” throughout the 130th anniversary
celebrations, while the first day of the
commemorations last September saw
the Eiffel Tower lit up in the colors of the
Korean flag. An estimated 200 Francerelated events are also planned throughout
the year in Korea, covering traditional
dance, literature, music, art and food.
Big in America, too
Visitors try making Korean food (top) and
perform K-pop dances (bottom) at a KCON
event.
KCON’s first foray
into Europe has
been pinned as
a resounding
success, uniting
fans from France,
Germany, Belgium,
Italy, Spain and the
UK in their love for
all things K-pop.
In the U.S., the KCON craze is already
in full swing. On June 24 and 25, KCON
New York saw performances from KoreanAmerican Ailee, BTOB, Dynamic Duo,
and BTS, as well as two days of panels,
meet-and-greets, shopping, beauty
seminars and other Korea-themed content.
The largest and longest KCON yet, KCON
LA, will take place from July 29 to 31,
boasting three full days of celebration, as
well as appearances from longtime pop
kings SHINee, Block-B and CNBLUE.
Ticket prices will range from USD 50 to
USD 250, with exclusive platinum tickets
selling for as much as USD 800.
Despite rocketing popularity, however,
outside of the peninsula, Korean pop
culture is still far from a mainstream
interest. International KCON events
offer a rare opportunity for the scattered
fan community to come together for a
shared experience, with many fan groups
organizing their own subevents and
renting exhibition booths to sell handmade
K-pop memorabilia and personalized
souvenirs to fellow attendees.
With the success of the first European
event suggesting that the demand for
such an experience is significant, KCON
is expected to blossom into a flagship
event for K-pop lovers outside of Asia.
The brand opens doors not only for the
expansion of the K-pop craze elsewhere
on the continent, but for many Korean
export ventures looking to utilize Hallyu’s
growing momentum as a doorway to
international business. One thing is for
certain. The Korean Wave, propelled in
part by the explosion of brands such as
KCON, isn’t receding any time soon.
A KCON visitor tries on some Korean make-up.
KOREA _ August _ 33
Korea & I
Rediscovering Spelunking
in Korea
Romanian ambassador
photographs Korea’s caves
_ Written by Cälin Fabian, Ambassador of Romania to the
Republic of Korea
Illustrated by Kim Yoon-myung
For many years, caves have played a special role in
my life. As a teenager, I joined a cave exploration
club. That is what sparked my lifelong interest
and passion. Thanks to cave exploration, I
became curious about geology. I even became a
geology professor for many years before changing
professions and entering Romania’s foreign
service. I learned a great deal from my fellow
spelunkers about cave photography. Thanks
to those early days learning how to make do
with relatively crude gear, I had to develop my
photography skills. To this very day, I remain
passionate about photographing everything
around me.
So, when my old friends from my teenage
years came from Romania to visit my wife and
me in May 2015, it was obvious we must visit
Gosu Cave. In spite of the lack of information
available in English at that time, we were
nonetheless able to find our way to the town of
Danyang in Chungcheongbuk-do. Ideally, we
wished to explore the caves in our preferred
spelunker-photographer style, but that was not
possible given the number of cave visitors.
Nonetheless, we were very impressed by our
90-minute visit. After a very helpful orientation
on the geology and history of the cave, we were
on our way. We appreciated that the guide
service gave us the option either to visit the
caves unattended or as part of a guided tour. We
chose the first option so we could take our time,
photographing the beautiful natural wonders.
KOREA _ August _ 34
Perfect for beginners
Having visited many caves around the world,
I consider Gosu Cave to be mid-rank in terms
of aesthetics. However, I must say, for first-time
cave explorers it is excellent. There are limestone
stalagmites and stalactites, dry and wet caverns,
clay floors, ponds, and a bit of everything that
one could hope to find underground. One can
even experience the unique sound of water
underground.
Unfortunately, there is no opportunity to
experience complete darkness during a cave
tour. We were, however, very impressed at the
cleverness of the artificial lighting.
Lighting a cave for visitors is a must, but
too often it is done poorly. I have seen caves
where the lighting is too harsh and contrasty,
whereas in Gosu it is soft and expertly done.
Equally important, the lighting engineers
avoided the use of tacky colored lighting. Beyond
aesthetics, colored light allows algae to grow and
destructively eat into the limestone. At Gosu,
only white light is used. While white light, too,
may promote some algae growth, we could not
see any algae. All of the surfaces looked clean and
undisturbed.
With so many tourists, real harm to the caves
and injury to the visitors are easily imaginable.
However, we found the walkways largely
restricted to wooden paths and steel stairs,
protecting both the humans and the caves. We all
noticed that the caves were remarkably clean and
free of litter.
As a cave photographer, I was somewhat
inconvenienced since I could not use my tripod.
There were too many visitors, and setting up
a tripod would have created a safety hazard.
However because of the wonderful lighting with
cleverly disguised electricity cables, we walked
away with some excellent pictures, largely taken
with our cameras handheld.
Would I return to Gosu Cave? Absolutely.
We all loved the experience. Unfortunately, after
more than four wonderful years in Korea, I have
been recalled to Romania. My wife, Mihaela, and
I will reluctantly depart this coming August, but
we look forward to visiting Korea in the future.
Time permitting, we hope to make a return visit
to the excellent Gosu Cave.
KOREA _ August _ 35
Korea in Brief
Korea Monthly Update
Zealand; Riga, Latvia; Bangi, Malaysia;
Yangon, Myanmar; Manama, Bahrain;
Krakow, Poland; Adelaide, Australia; and
the Vietnamese cities of Qui Nhơn and Thủ
Dầu Một. The move brings the number of
Sejong Academies worldwide to 144 across
57 countries.
Park In-bee has become the youngest
golfer ever to qualify for the LPGA Tour
Hall of Fame. The 27-year-old is the
second South Korean to be inducted
into the hall, joining Pak Se Ri, who was
inducted in 2007. A 10-year veteran of
the tour, Park has recorded 17 LPGA
Tour wins, including seven major
championships. Her career highlight thus
far was 2013, when she became the first
woman since Babe Zaharias did it in 1950
to win three majors in a single season.
Last year, she added to previous victories
at the ANA Inspiration, KPMG Women’s
PGA Championship and the U.S. Women's
Open with a victory at another major tour
event, the Women’s British Open, giving
her a career grand slam.
© PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic
© The King Sejong Institute Foundation
KOREA _ August _ 36
The Publication Industry Promotion
Agency of Korea has launched a Mini Book
Fair to promote Korean books overseas and
to boost the competitiveness of the Korean
publishing industry.
The first of the fairs was held in
Nanchang, China on March 25 and 26.
Some 23 Korean publishers and 20 Chinese
publishers took part. Another show was
held in Bangkok on June 8 and 9, and
another one is slated for July in Chongqing.
The fair will run in Nanjing, China in
September and Taipei in November.
Interest in Korean literature is growing
alongside non-Korean adoration for
Korean pop culture. Han Kang’s novel “The
Vegetarian,” which won this year’s Man
Booker International Prize, has heightened
international appreciation for Korean
publications, too.
Park In-Bee Qualifies for LPGA Tour Hall of Fame
Nine New Sejong Academies Open
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism has opened nine new branches of
its overseas chain of schools where students
can study the Korean language and learn
about Korea. Sejong Academies, named
for the king who oversaw the invention
of Hangeul, will open in Auckland, New
Mini Book Fair Promotes Korean
Books
© KPIPA
newspaper that “The Heirs” star Lee
Min-ho “may need more security guards
than President Obama” if he visits the
Caribbean nation. In fact, a Korean club
formed in Havana in April last year and
has no fewer than 1,300 members. The
love of pop culture has led to heightened
interest in other aspects of Korea, as well.
In February, a Korean speaking contest in
Havana drew 25 contestants. At Havana’s
José Martí Cultural Center, some 100
Cuban students attend a Korean language
course taught by a lecturer sent by
Seoul’s Korea Foundation. The Korean
club mentioned above even held a flash
mob in Havana to mark Korea’s March
1 holiday, with participants dancing in
traditional Hanbok made by an elderly
club member based on internet photos.
The Jecheon International Music and Film
Festival will run from Aug. 11 to 16 in the
beautiful lakeside town of Jecheon.
Launched in 2005, the festival is a unique
celebration that brings together cinema,
music and nature. Focusing on musicthemed films, the festival also features
concerts, a film music academy, street
performances and more. One of the
highlights will be the World Music Film
Today competition, where a five-person
international jury judges the world’s latest
music-centric films. The two winners
will receive the Grand Prize and the
Special Jury Prize. Another highlight is
“One Summer Night,” a series of musical
performances on the festival’s specialized
stage next to the scenic Cheongpungho
Lake. Musicians who have had a particular
impact on Korea’s film and music will
receive the Jecheon Film Music Award.
This year, the festival will screen 101
films from 25 countries. The opening
title is director Kim Dae-hyun’s “Try
to Remember,” a documentary about
pioneering Korean War–era pop group
The Kim Sisters.
© JIMFF
Korea and Cuba held their first foreign
ministerial talks on June 5. Korean
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, in
Havana to attend a summit of the
Association of Caribbean States, met with
his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez
at the Palacio de Convenciones for an
hour and 15 minutes. The two exchanged
views on a broad range of bilateral,
regional and global issues. After the
meeting, Yun expressed optimism
that full normalization of bilateral ties,
effectively suspended since 1959, would
be the topic of follow-up discussions.
As political ties warm, cultural ties
are blossoming. In Cuba, Korean media
has really taken off. DVD copies of soap
operas like “Descendants of the Sun” and
“The Heirs” are so popular that a cultural
coordinator who visited Cuba earlier
this year told Korea’s JoongAng Daily
© Yonhap News
© Yonhap News
Korea-Cuba Cultural Ties Bloom
Jecheon International Music and
Film Festival Opens
Mascots for PyeongChang Olympic, Paralympic Games Selected
The Organizing Committee for the 2018
PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic
Winter Games has chosen its mascots
for the upcoming games. Soohorang, a
white tiger, is the official mascot of the
2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
The white tiger has traditionally been
regarded as a sacred guardian animal. It
is also sometimes used to symbolize the
Korean Peninsula itself. Additionally, its
color symbolizes the snow and ice upon
which the games will be held. Meanwhile,
Bandabi, an Asiatic black bear, is the
mascot of the Paralympic Winter Games.
The Asiatic black bear is the symbol of
Gangwon-do, the province in which the
games will be held.
KOREA _ August _ 37
Policy Review
_ Written by Lee Kijun
© Gonggam Photo
Creative Economy Valley could become
the next global center of innovation
© Gonggam Photo
A ‘Korean Silicon Valley’
Pangyo Techno Valley has become the heart of Korea’s IT industry.
KOREA _ August _ 38
While many state-run incubators tend
© Gonggam Photo
International cooperation
The Gyeonggi Center for
Creative Economy and
Innovation is an incubator
for startups, including
game software, fintech
and IoT.
© Gonggam Photo
© Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Promotion
The plan involves creating a high-tech
industrial park that will be linked to the
Pangyo Techno Valley so that the entire
area can be converted into a Korean
version of California’s Silicon Valley. The
companies will be provided with various
forms of government support, including
rents far below market price.
“Creative economy” refers to
President Park Geun-hye’s flagship policy
that aims to merge different industrial
sectors, especially with information
and communications technologies, to
generate new business opportunities and
to foster the growth of startups.
The first step in establishing the
Creative Economy Valley was opening
the Pangyo Startup Campus in March.
This new business incubator is the
country’s largest government-backed
startup support center, consisting of two
eight-story buildings and one five-story
structure that can accommodate up to
200 startups.
“I hope that the startup campus will
become a gateway that will link our
startups to global markets,” President
Park Geun-hye said at the opening
ceremony.
to provide only passive support, such as
working space and one-time mentoring
services, the Pangyo center will likely
offer more practical help thanks to the
presence of onsite accelerators. For
instance, one of the larger buildings will
house the Yozma Campus, run by the
prominent Israeli venture capital fund
Yozma Group. When its chairman, Yigal
Erlich, visited Korea last year, he made
it clear that Yozma would do more than
just fund young startups. He expressed
his intention to cooperate with the
Korean government, consulting firms,
research institutes and big corporations
in Korea and abroad to nurture a
favorable ecosystem for startups in
Korea. Specialists at the Yozma Campus
will help Korean startups launch their
services abroad and will connect them to
investors.
Experts from non-Korean venture
capital firms like 360IP, Fenox and
Brightstar Partners will be accessible
from the Yozma Campus, as well as
those from investment consulting firm
Clearbrook, accounting firm Samil
PricewaterhouseCoopers. Market
exploration assistance firm Panda Korea
and management consulting firm Global
Excellence will also both offer their
services.
Treasure trove of innovation
Kwak Jae-won, president of the Gyeonggi
Institute of Science and Technology
Promotion (GSTEP), said the Pangyo
Techno Valley was “like a treasure trove
of innovation coveted by information and
communication technology behemoths,
such as Samsung Electronics and SK
Telecom.”
In cooperation with the new campus,
the GSTEP will provide active support for
companies in emerging industrial sectors,
such as cloud computing, big data and
the internet of things.
“At the new incubation center,
startups will work on state-of-the-art
KOREA _ August _ 39
© Yonhap News
The Next Silicon Valley?
Might a 430,000-square-meter patch
of land just outside Seoul become
the world's next Silicon Valley? The
government certainly hopes so. Work has
already started on the “Creative Economy
Valley,” a new community for startups
and high-tech firms that is being built in
Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, next to Pangyo
Techno Valley, Korea’s leading tech
cluster. The government plans to invest
KRW 1.5 trillion to establish this “second
Pangyo Techno Valley,” with the goal of
drawing 1,600 additional companies and
providing more than 100,000 jobs.
© Cheong Wa Dae
Number of Pangyo-Based Companies and
Proportion of High-Tech Companies
Corporate support
Source: Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Promotion
Information technology
Biotechnology
Arts- and entertainment-related technology
President Park Geun-hye attends the opening of the Pangyo Startup Campus.
Nanotechnology
Pangyo Startup
Campus is the
country’s largest
governmentbacked startup
support center,
capable of
accommodating up
to 200 startups.
CT 4%
BT
46%
Other
IT
KOREA _ August _ 40
BT 10%
BT 9%
Other
Other
16%
CT
17%
Other
6%
BT
12%
CT
17%
IT
IT
IT
46%
56%
64%
77%
83
870
1,002
1,121
2014
2015
2016
Among the 1,121 Pangyo-based companies surveyed, 1,052, or 94 percent, are
high-tech firms in the fields of IT, biotech, arts- and entertainment-related tech
and nanotech. IT firms are increasing at a much faster rate compared to other
industries, exhibiting a 31 percent increase in market share from 2011.
Revenue for Tech Firms in Pangyo Techno Valley
Source: Gyeonggi Institute of Science and Technology Promotion
Opening of the Pangyo Startup Campus
Unit: KRW
© Yonhap News
The Korean government is also
planning to attract global startups to
the cluster. In May 2016, it launched
the K-Startup Grand Challenge,
hosting 40 international startups and
providing an intensive three-month
accelerator program sponsored by the
Ministry of Science, Information and
Communications Technology, and Future
Planning. It was the first such attempt to
bring non-Korean startups to Korea.
Erik Cornelius, a spokesman for the
initiative, said in an interview that the
© Cheong Wa Dae
Bringing non-Korean startups to
Korea
program’s aim was to foster the startup
ecosystem in Korea, which until now has
been dominated by big companies such
as Samsung and LG.
“The government and corporations
realized that the economy is based
too heavily on big conglomerates,”
Cornelius said, noting that there had
been significant movement on the issue
“since President Park Geun-hye came
into power in 2013, pumping billions
into domestic startups under her Creative
Economy initiative.”
The government has laid out a plan
to offer USD 4,100 a month in living
expenses for up to three team members
each per startup that comes and works
out of the new campus in the Pangyo
Techno Valley. Local accelerators will
work with the government and help
facilitate the initiative. In addition, a
number of big companies have promised
mentors and other resources.
NT 2%
16%
CT 4%
NT 1%
34%
2011
technologies including virtual and
augmented reality,” Kwak said. “The
GSTEP will also spare no effort to
bring those Korean venture firms to
global markets by working with startup
accelerators SparkLabs, ActnerLab,
FuturePlay and Venture Port.”
NT 1%
Other
Increase over past
2 years
16.27 trillion
30.14%
54.00 trillion
2014
70.27 trillion
Large companies are major supporters
of the cluster’s startups. More than 100
chief technology officers from companies
based in the Pangyo Techno Valley were
invited to the latest monthly forum held
at Samsung’s newly opened R&D center
in Umyeon-dong in southern Seoul. At
the event, Samsung promised to allow the
ventures and startups to use facilities on
the first and second floors of one of the
center’s buildings.
The CTOs’ meeting was facilitated
by GSTEP, which is fully funded by the
Gyeonggi-do government, as a means
to grow local startups and vitalize the
science going on in Pangyo Techno
Valley. Along with the CTOs of Samsung
and SKT, their counterparts from
conglomerates such as Hyundai Motor
participated in the event and rubbed
shoulders with executives from the
Pangyo-based companies.
The GSTEP president and top officials
at government-run institutes, including
the graduate school of convergence
science and technology at Seoul National
University, launched the Global CTO
Forum late last year to encourage
exchange and collaboration between the
chief technology officers at Pangyo-based
companies.
Following the success of the Pangyo
Techno Valley, the provincial government
plans to build another “Techno Valley”
in Ilsan, Goyang City, in the northern
part of Gyeonggi-do. On June 29,
Gyeonggi-do announced plans for the
new tech complex, tentatively called
“North Gyeonggi Techno Valley,” to
which it hopes to attract some 1,900 tech
companies beginning in 2020.
“The success story of the Pangyo
Techno Valley will be retold at the Ilsan
complex,” said Governor Nam Gyeong-pil
of Gyeonggi-do at a press conference.
2016
Kakao chairman Kim Bum-soo presents the
vision of the Pangyo Startup Campus.
KOREA _ August _ 41
Creative Economy
Korean companies take on the electric
vehicle battery market
_ Written by Colin Marshall
© LG Chem
All that has changed, thanks in part to Korean electric vehicle
battery research and development. Worldwide demand for
electric vehicles grew by 87 percent last year, according to
a study by SNE Research. The manufacturers charged, as it
were, with making the batteries to power the cars that will fill
that demand include LG Chem, which works with carmakers
Chevrolet, General Motors, Renault, Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo
and Hyundai; Samsung SDI, which supplies batteries to BMW;
and SK Innovation, whose customers include Kia and Daimler
AG, with which it recently made a deal to supply battery cells
for its Mercedes-Benz brand electric vehicles.
None of them yet make batteries for Tesla, which currently
works with the electronics corporation Panasonic. Japan
currently holds 60 percent of the global market for electric
vehicle batteries, with Korea coming in second at 30 percent,
far ahead of China’s eight percent. Industry watchers now have
plenty of reason to believe Korea could continue to gain on
Japan and perhaps even take the No. 1 spot, just as it has done
with other technologies such as smartphones and flat screens.
The clearest reason has to do with sheer investment.
Samsung SDI, which together with LG Chem already controls
one-third of the worldwide electric vehicle battery market,
has planned to put KRW 1 trillion into batteries this year
and KRW 3 trillion won by 2020. Both companies have built
battery factories in the Chinese cities of Nanjing and Xi’an,
and SK Innovation is reportedly considering doing the same.
Though a great deal of its manufacturing happens in Korea,
the industry has also reached outside Asia and will continue
to reach farther. LG Chem already operates a production base
in Michigan, cradle of the U.S. automobile industry, and has
plans to open a large facility in Poland. Samsung SDI may
build a factory in Europe, as well.
The 28th International Electric Vehicle Symposium and
Exhibition was held in May 2015 at Kintex in Goyang,
Gyeonggi-do.
© SK Innovation
© SK Innovation
Samsung SDI
and LG Chem
already control
one-third of
the worldwide
electric vehicle
battery market.
A world of drivers, a world market
Electric cars used to look like nothing more than a hobby,
something for devoted environmentalists, unconventional
gearheads, and speculative technology enthusiasts alone. Now,
within just a short time, electric cars look like the clear future
of motoring. Not only can humanity see a world without
fossil fuels just down the road ‒ something unimaginable
for most people in the 20th century ‒ but companies like the
new carmaker Tesla have, to great acclaim, brought electric
vehicles to levels of luxury and style they had never known
before. While not every driver of the future will have a car as
flashy as a Tesla, they’ll certainly have some kind of electric
one.
It goes without saying that you can’t drive an electric
car without electricity, and no electric car can make use of
electricity without a battery. For most of the history of private
automobiles, the progress of the electric car was held back by
one technological limitation above all: battery life. For decades
and decades, cars that could only go a relatively short distance
before needing some time at the charging station ‒ assuming
a charging station, which have only become numerous in the
21st century, stood anywhere nearby ‒ simply couldn’t hope
to compete with the internal combustion engines and the gas
stations at which to refill their tanks, scattered so conveniently
all over the world.
© LG Chem
Powering the Future
of Motoring
Researchers examine battery production at SK Innovation’s
Seosan factory.
The race has just begun
However many batteries it can manufacture, though, the
Korean electric vehicle battery industry will stand or fall on
the merits of the technologies themselves, many of which
come down to compact size and long life. LG Chem, the
country’s industry leader, has the world’s largest battery
production capacity, but it also has in development a new
type of “pocket battery” that can power a 600-kilometer drive
on a single charge. The outside world seems to approve of
its prospects. A study late last year of the competitiveness of
global electric car battery manufacturers carried out by the
market research firm Naviant Research assigned LG Chem the
No. 1 rank.
No matter how much progress electric cars have made
with consumers in recent years, much more innovation
remains to be done. In the words of SK Innovation vice chairman
Chung Cheol-gil, “If this is a marathon, the electric car battery
business has not even reached the 1-kilometer point.” Right now,
no manufacturer, South Korean or otherwise, can afford to slow
down on research, development or production, especially now
that the development of China has brought about a new and evergrowing demand for vehicles ‒ and, thanks to recently introduced
government regulations there, many more electric vehicles than
traditional gas-powered ones. Those who still find it improbable
that Korea could one day make the majority of those vehicles’
batteries may have forgotten just how improbable electric cars once
seemed.
LG Chem shows off a model of a 48-volt micro hybrid car powered by its electric battery technology.
KOREA _ August _ 42
KOREA _ August _ 43
Brand Korea
©KOCIS
Korean Crafts a Hit in Paris
Shopping websites now offer ‘Excellent Cultural Products,’ too
_ Written by Ian Im
At the “K-content
booth,” visitors
could check out
Korean crafts,
artisanal foods and
other products
designated
“Excellent Cultural
Products” by the
Ministry of Culture,
Sports and Tourism.
especially popular with attendees. On
display at the “K-content booth” was
designer Damyeon’s “K-Dress,” a slightly
updated version of traditional wedding
attire. Participants could also try on
Hanbok or pose for photos with Hanbokclad K-pop stars, such as I.O.I’s Choi
Yoo-jung, Kim Chung-ha and Jung Chaeyeon. Popular French-born model and
entertainer Fabien acted as emcee at three
Hanbok fashion shows. The crowd roared
every time a model stepped on stage, and
between shows there were lines of people
waiting to take selfies with the models.
The emcee of the concert, Leeteuk of boy
band Super Junior, wore a fusion Hanbok
suit from collaborative brand GUIROE.
Manon Ilemoine, a 22-year-old attendee,
said, “It seems even a man’s full dress
can have many uses, such as everyday
outerwear.”
Major French media such as TF1
and FranceInfo covered the exhibit. An
official from the Korean culture ministry
said he was surprised to see how much
interest it was generating.
“We will link products with the
growth in the popularity of Korean
pop culture in East Asia and elsewhere
and secure even greater distribution,
targeting global markets, so that even
more outstanding Korean handicrafts
can receive the benefits of cultural
marketing,” he said.
Korean Hanbok
dress was
especially popular.
Participants could
also try on Hanbok
or pose for photos
with Hanbok-clad
stars.
Korean arts and crafts expand
online presence
©KOCIS
KOREA _ August _ 44
©KOCIS
An exhibit at KCON 2016 France
introduced some of Korea’s best arts and
crafts to one of Europe’s leading cultural
centers. Part of a series of events marking
130 years of diplomatic ties between
Korea and France, the June 2 show at
the Accor Hotels Arena in Paris was an
all-encompassing celebration of all things
Korean. It drew 12,000 people, including
many French fans of Korean pop stars,
such as SHINee, Block B, the Bangtan
Boys, F.T. Island, f(x) and girl group I.O.I.
The evening wasn’t all K-pop,
however. At the “K-content booth,”
visitors could check out Korean crafts,
artisanal foods and other products
designated “Excellent Cultural Products”
by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism. Altogether, 31 items were on
display, including traditional clothing,
ceramics and brass tableware. Sophie
Pailot, a 21 year-old K-pop fan, told
French broadcaster TF1, “I came to
KCON because I like K-pop, but it was
good that I got to experience not only
the music, but various other aspects of
Korea.”
Traditional Hanbok clothes were
Meanwhile, K Mall 24, an online
shopping site operated by the Korea
International Trade Association, now
sells “Excellent Cultural Products.” The
website, which emphasizes products from
small and midsized companies, offers
services in English, simplified Chinese
and Japanese and allows for a simple,
stress-free shopping experience. PayPal,
Alipay, and major overseas credit cards
are accepted.
TradeKorea.com, the Korea
International Trade Association’s
support website for business-to-business
transactions, has also opened a section
for online sales of these “Excellent
Cultural Products.”
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism conferred this designation on
35 products this past March, including
foodstuffs, Korean clothing and works
of art. Another 44 products had been so
designated in previous years. Eleven of
the products are available at K Mall 24,
including red pepper paste, soy sauce,
ginseng tea, brass tableware and Hanbok
clothing.
“Excellent Cultural Products” are
marked by a “seal of excellence” shaped
like the ribbon on a Hanbok dress.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Culture,
Sports and Tourism plans to promote
them as part of its new “K-Ribbon
Selection” brand. The brand will
boost recognition of the good and the
certification system and could be useful
overseas.
“While we accelerate the work of
designating outstanding products that
reveal the essence of Korea as ‘Excellent
Cultural Products,’ we hope to boost
recognition of those products, which are
still relatively unknown both in Korea and
overseas, through the K-Ribbon Selection
brand,” a ministry official said.
KOREA _ August _ 45
Global Korea
Helping Artists Achieve
Their Dreams
MOFA, K-Arts ‘Dream Project’ provides training
opportunities for overseas arts students
_ Written by Robert Koehler
Photos courtesy of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From Nov. 1 to 16, an eight-person team of Korean
volunteers visited the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI)
in Yogyakarta, one of the country’s top fine arts schools, to
conduct a workshop on improvisational theater and a class
on story theater for local students and staff. At the end of
the two weeks, the participants put on for local children
a performance of story theater, a form of theater where a
group of actors, often playing multiple roles, tell or narrate
stories in a simple setting. For the ISI students, it was an
opportunity to take part in youth theater, a genre with
which they had little experience.
“It was a rare chance to experience a round theater
space,” said fourth-year ISI student Tresia Yashara. “The
workshop, held in Korean, Indonesian and English, was a
rare opportunity, too. I learned and experienced a lot.”
The Indonesian program was just one of several
conducted as part of the Dream Project, a cooperative
project run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
and the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) to
assist developing nations in advancing their arts sectors. It
offers short-term workshops or art camps for young artists
in participating countries to help develop their skills and
broaden their artistic horizons by providing professional
training programs and educational opportunities.
Helping overseas art students reach their
potential
Sri Lankan participants in the “Dream Project” talk with a Korean volunteer.
KOREA _ August _ 46
Under the program, the Korea National University of Arts
dispatches teams of volunteers composed of professors and
students to partner institutions in participating countries to
provide specialized art programs. Programs usually run for
about two weeks. The teams are composed of specialists in a
range of genres, including music, video, theater, painting, design,
architecture, dance and the traditional arts. Young artists from
participating nations, meanwhile, are invited to Korea to take
part in a two-week art camp.
The program has grown steadily since its launch in 2013.
In its first year, 32 volunteers were sent to three nations: India,
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Nine individuals - three from each
nation ‒ came to Korea to attend the art camp. In 2015, however,
57 volunteers were sent to seven countries, the list of which
now includes Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and Mongolia. Eight
overseas participants came to Korea.
In Mongolia, for instance, the Korean team took part in a
workshop at the Mongolian State University of Arts and Culture.
They taught students how to use a computer program used in
video editing and animation. In India, volunteers gave lessons,
performed recitals and held master classes at the Delhi School
of Music to give students a rare opportunity to deepen their
Modern art workshop takes place at Sri Lanka’s Colombo
School of Arts as part of the Dream Project.
Bangladeshi graphic design students and Korean
volunteers pose for a photo at the University of Dhaka.
knowledge of Western classical music. At Dhaka University in
Bangladesh, the Korean team took part in community design
and branding efforts.
Artistic cooperation
This year, 60 volunteers will be dispatched to seven nations:
India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and
Mongolia.
The response from local participants has been
overwhelmingly positive. In Mongolia, students demonstrated a
great deal of enthusiasm, saying they hoped to continue learning
even after the conclusion of the program. On the final day of the
program, the students demonstrated what they had learned by
playing their videos before an audience of students, university
officials and Korean diplomats. In Sri Lanka, where Korean
instructors taught the formative arts at the University of Visual
and Performing Arts, many of the students worked through
their breaks and were keen to share opinions on their work.
Wahid Nurcahyono, a professor at Indonesia’s ISI, said, “I
know it’s not easy to run a workshop all day from the early
morning. … I think the class showed good cooperation between
students from the Korea National University of Arts and the
Indonesian Institute of the Arts in Yogyakarta.”
KOREA _ August _ 47
© Food ad
Flavor
© aostudio Kang Jinju
Samgyetang
Beat the summer heat the healthy way with
ginseng chicken soup
_ Written by Eugene Kim
Samgyetang, or ginseng chicken soup,
is a summertime specialty. The hearty,
nutrient-rich soup consists of a whole
young chicken that has been stuffed
with sticky rice and garlic and boiled for
over an hour in a watery broth to which
ginseng root has been added. Salt is
usually added to taste.
People most often have samgyetang on
the sambok, three days in midsummer that
traditionally mark the hottest period of
the year. In the old days, when Korea was
primarily an agricultural society, peasants
would use this period to head for cool
mountain valleys or beaches to escape
the unrelenting heat, which made it all
but impossible to work in the fields. They
would also eat highly nutritious, proteinrich meals to recover from heat- and
work-induced fatigue.
Samgyetang’s history goes back to
the early 20th century, when wealthy
families began adding white ginseng
powder to dakbaeksuk, another kind of
chicken soup that consists of a whole
chicken boiled without seasonings. Later,
KOREA _ August _ 48
restaurants began selling it, and by the
1950s people recognized it as a separate
dish. White ginseng powder was the
preferred seasoning in the beginning, but
after the 1960s, when refrigerators became
common, cooks began to switch over to
dried ginseng root. It was at this time that
samgyetang as we know it today came into
being, and also the time when it became
the national sambok meal of choice.
Ideally, the ginseng used in the soup
should be six years old, when the root’s
efficacy as an herbal medicine peaks.
Chefs sometimes add extra delicacies such
as abalone, green beans or slices from the
branches of the lacquer or castor oil trees.
Being one of Korea’s milder dishes,
samgyetang tends to be highly popular
with non-Korean visitors. Seoul’s most
popular samgyetang restaurants are often
full of tourists from China and Japan. The
dish’s international fans include Chinese
film director Zhang Yimou and Japanese
novelist Murakami Ryu, who have lauded
it as Korea’s best dish.
__ How to make
samgyetang:
Thoroughly rinse the
glutinous rice and mung
beans and leave the
mixture to soak. After
cleaning the chicken and
removing all unnecessary
fat, stuff it with milkvetch
root, ginseng, jujube
fruit, garlic, and rinsed
rice and mung beans.
Completely submerge
the chicken in a pot of
water and bring to a boil.
Once it starts boiling,
turn down the heat and
let it cook for about 40
minutes to an hour. Add
diced green onions and
serve with salt to taste.
KOREA _ August _ 49
Korean Keyword
Aegyo
_ Written by Lim Jeong-yeo
Illustrated by Kim Yoon-myung
A strategy of adorable cuteness
애교 | Aegyo
Aegyo is a Korean word that can be written in traditional Chinese characters. Its syllables literally translate
to “love” and “cute.”
Women are often the more apt players at this game, but starting with celebrities, more men are learning
to express better aegyo, too.
Think dragged-out ends of sentences, pouting, baby talk and animated hand gestures that are meant to
hike up a person’s “cuteness.” Remember the scene in Disney’s animated movie “Shrek” where Puss in Boots
goes doe-eyed with droopy whiskers holding up his paws to his chin? Koreans would call that an accurate
display of aegyo at work.
Aegyo is largely flirtatious, but can also be applied in various situations to loosen up a rigid atmosphere.
For example, when caught doing something wrong in the eyes of parents, children can use aegyo to ease
their way out of the situation. Or, when asking someone for a favor, one could apply a judicious amount of
aegyo to lighten the request.
Some people are born with the talent. The tone of the voice, the batting of the eyelashes or the winks,
the friendly laughs and light nudges – all of that comes to them naturally. These people are described as
having a lot of aegyo, which, in Korean, is aegyo manta. Others, on the other hand, either acquire it later in
life or simply ignore it. Those who are stoic and devoid of aegyo are described as aegyo eopda.
While some Korean men and women think aegyo is a cute and affable trait, others think it is childish
and emotional. Aegyo is used only in informal settings between close people and never in a professional
environment.
KOREA _ August _ 50
Korean Art Through Coloring
Dokkaebi pattern of Gwanchoksa Temple
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August 2016
한국에 오기 전에
태권도를 배웠어요?
Hanguge ogi jeone taegwondoreul baewosseoyo?
As summer enters its final month,
KOREA looks at the nation’s
blossoming musical scene. Korea has
joined the United States and Great
Britain as one of the world’s largest
producers of musicals. Actor and
director Park Young Hee looks at what’s
fueling the success.
Also in this issue we look at the way
in which old traditional markets are
getting a new lease on life by becoming
night markets, some of which are now
local nighttime hot spots. We also
travel down to Korea’s second city,
Busan, to explore its lesser-known and
underappreciated gems. Finally, hit
novelist Jeong You Jeong shares with
us the source of her sometimes dark
inspirations.
_ Editorial staff, KOREA
Did you practice taekwondo before coming to Korea?
아니요, 한국에 온 후에 태권도를
배웠어요.
한국에 오기 전에 태권도를 배웠어요?
Hanguge ogi jeone taegwondoreul
baewosseoyo?
Aniyo, hanguge on hue taegwondoreul
baewosseoyo.
Did you practice taekwondo before
coming to Korea?
No, I started taekwondo after I came
to Korea.
어떻게 태권도를 그렇게 잘 해요?
Eotteoke taegwondoreul geureoke jal haeyo?
How did you get so good at
taekwondo?
태권도 수업이 끝난 후에 항상
연습해요.
밍밍
Taegwondo sueobi kkeunnan hue hangsang
yeonseupaeyo.
I always practice after class.
나래
V-기 전에
Let’s practice!
“V-기 전에” means “before” and shows that one action or event happens before
another one.
보기와 같이 하루 생활에 대해서 이야기해 보세요.
V-(으)ㄴ 후에(는)
“V-(으)ㄴ 후에(는)” means “after” and shows that one action or event happens
after another one.
If the verb stem ends in a vowel + “-ㄴ 후에”: 가다 → 간 후에
Talk about your daily life as in the example.
아침식사를 하기 전에 샤워를 해요.
Achimsiksareul hagi jeone syaworeul haeyo.
샤워를 한 후에 아침식사를 해요.
Syaworeul han hue achimsiksareul haeyo.
If the verb stem ends in a consonant + “-은 후에”: 먹다 → 먹은 후에
Korean Culture
태권도
태권도는 ‘태’와 ‘권’ 즉 ‘주먹과 발’, 그리고 주먹과 발로 대표되는 모든 신체 부위를 올바르게 사용하는
방법을 의미한다. 태권도는 싸움을 억제 또는 진정시키고 평화를 유지하는 방법이다. 이 개념은 ‘주먹
을 통제한다’(또는 ‘주먹을 억누르다’)라는 ‘태권’의 의미에서 비롯된 것이다. 따라서 태권도는 ‘신체 부위
를 올바르게 사용함으로써 다툼을 멈추고 더 나은 세계, 더 평화로운 세계를 건설하는 방법’을 의미한다
고 볼 수 있다.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo means the right way of using tae (feet) and kwon (fists), or all the
parts of the body that are represented by the fist and foot. It is a way to prevent
or calm down fights and keep the peace. This concept comes from the meaning
of taekwon, or “to put fists under control” (or “to step on fists”). Thus taekwondo
means “the right way of using all parts of the body to stop fights and help to build
a better and more peaceful world.”
7:00
7:30
8:30
9:30
샤워를 하다
아침식사를 하다
출근을 하다
회의를 하다
syaworeul hada
achimsiksareul hada chulgeuneul hada
hoeuireul hada