[Voice] Is the system for choosing textbooks working?

Who controls the past controls the future; so read the immortal lines of George Orwell’s “1984.” No wonder, then, that the interpretation of complex historical events rarely fails to generate controversy. Not for the first time, the teaching of Korea’s turbulent modern history to the nation’s young has become the subject of bitter division. At issue is the alleged distortion of history by a textbook preliminarily approved for use in high schools by the National Institute of Korean History. Like

Expat LivingJuly 8, 2013

Korea wins world skills competition for 18th time

Korea took first place overall at the 2013 World Skills Competition in Leipzig, Germany. It was the 18th time for Korea to stand on top in its history of participation in the event. In the 42nd edition, which ended a six-day run on Sunday, Korea won 12 gold, five silver and six bronze medals. Switzerland was second with nine gold, three silver and five bronze medals, followed by Chinese Taipei in third with six gold, four silver and eight bronze medals. Korea first joined the 16th World Skills C

PeopleJuly 8, 2013

Unlikely partners: Artworks used to create slush funds

The chairman of CJ Group, Korea’s largest food and entertainment company, was arrested for alleged tax evasion and the creation of slush funds in late June. Chairman Lee Jae-hyun is under suspicions of dodging millions of dollars in taxes by stashing secret funds and misappropriating company funds. Some of the money was alleged to have been laundered through the purchase of artworks. For years, art transactions have been means for Korean conglomerates to create slush funds or evade taxes. Samsun

PerformanceJuly 8, 2013

Drawing traces of light and time

Gallery DOS presents a solo exhibition of artist Choi Eun-hyea this week as part of the gallery’s special exhibitions for up-and-coming artists it selected for this year. Choi, one of the five selected artists, explores a subject that is rarely dealt with in painting ― the journey of light. Light, which largely remained an auxiliary element determining the tone of paintings, has emerged as an independent subject in paintings as contemporary artists explore diverse subjects for their works. The a

PerformanceJuly 8, 2013

2NE1, Brown Eyed Girls to go head-to-head on their return

2NE1 has made its much-awaited return as a group with the release of single “Falling in Love” on Monday. Upon its release, the new single topped nine local real-time music charts, giving the track a certified “all-kill” title. The four members of 2NE1 took their first leap into the reggae scene with the tropical-flavored electro pop song in their first group single in a year. Their last single “I Love U” went public on July 5 last year. Although the ladies are currently one of the most iconic gi

PerformanceJuly 8, 2013

Sogyumo Acacia Band gets back to the sound of nature

South Korean acoustic band Sogyumo Acacia Band put out its fifth album “Slow Diving Table,” a gesture that departs from today’s hectic electronic music to get back to the raw sound where music started. “People live in a world full of disturbing noises, but we wanted to awaken people to notice the beautiful sounds existing in them,” said group member Kim Min-hong.Kim and fellow member Song Eun-ji wanted to offer healing sounds to fans by featuring sounds of nature merged into the tranquil acousti

PerformanceJuly 8, 2013

Actor Namgung Won: A living witness of Korean film industry

Veteran actor Namgung Won joined a highly select group of acclaimed figures in the Korean film industry last week as he became a member of the National Academy of Arts, a state-run organization of Korean artists dedicated to promoting the development of arts in Korea. Namgung is only the second actor to become a member of the organization, after veteran actress Hwang Jeong-soon in 2006. The prestigious group of prominent cultural figures in Korea includes directors Kim Ki-duk, Im Kwon-taek and B

CultureJuly 7, 2013

Sheryl Sandberg: ‘Gender equality benefits all of us’

Facebook’s powerhouse woman Sheryl Sandberg wants Hillary Clinton to be the first U.S. female president. “I would like the United States to have a female president,” Sandberg, the chief operating officer of Facebook, said during a press conference in Seoul last week. “I would like Hillary Clinton to be the female president. I think she is the best hope in the United States for someone to be a female president in the next foreseeable future. And I think she is also really uniquely qualified for t

BooksJuly 7, 2013

Bieber to hit Korean stage for first time

Canadian teenage pop star Justin Bieber, 19, who rose to superstardom after being discovered on YouTube, will be making his way to Korea for his first local concert on Oct. 10 at Seoul Olympic Park’s Gymnastics Stadium. The concert is part of the young singer’s “Believe World Tour” taking him to 39 different countries including the United Kingdom, Dubai, Germany and Turkey. Bieber is scheduled to perform 151 shows and attract around 1.8 million fans during his world tour.  Bieber was first disco

PerformanceJuly 7, 2013

Director Park Chan-wook directs music video

One of the most acclaimed and popular filmmakers in Korea, Park Chan-wook, is directing singer Lee Jung-hyun’s new music video for her upcoming mini album’s title song, according to Lee’s agency Ava Film and Entertainment on Friday.Park Chan-wook is most known for his 2002 film “Joint Security Area,” the vengeance trilogy “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance,” “Oldboy,” and “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance” as well as his latest Hollywood film “Stoker.” His films are noted for their often brutal subject matt

PerformanceJuly 7, 2013

Closer to nature

After spending most of his week sitting at his desk, investment adviser Kim Jong-do sets off with a backpack once or twice a week to explore some of the seldom visited parts of Korea. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a mountain or the seaside. I just pack light and leave,” said Kim, who recently starred in a survival program on cable channel TV Chosun. “I enjoy my time with nature and when it gets dark, I find a spot to spend the night.” His camping gear is basic: a rope, a small bush knife and a

TravelJuly 5, 2013

Creature comforts under canvas

It sure felt like being in the woods at the Hurom Farm Cafe in Gwanghwamun, the bustling area of central Seoul. It was humid and hot outdoors, but inside the cafe was relaxed and peaceful with tent canopies hanging from the ceiling, a display of breads and pastries in a nearby camping car, and murals of the woods. One can choose from a wide range of freshly squeezed juices using a Hurom juicer. Persimmon, tangerine, cherry tomato, sweet pumpkin and black sesame are just some of the choices.“I ha

TravelJuly 5, 2013

Urban camping for the metropolitans at heart

One doesn’t have to be an adventurous wilderness savant to enjoy the splendors of camping in the woods. In fact, one doesn’t even have to leave the city. The original purpose of leisure camping was for people to leave the urban sprawls and retreat to the outdoors, away from the spoils of modern technology and into an environment of simplicity and tranquility. However, for those who are not quite up to the task of roughing it out in the boonies with nothing but a tent and some s’mores, there are

CultureJuly 5, 2013