Kyujanggak By Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies(AcaNet, 30,000 won)Founded in 1776 during the reign of King Jeongjo, the Kyujanggak served as the Joseon Dynasty’s royal library. It housed countless royal books and documents that are now considered priceless Korean historical records. The Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies of Seoul National University ― where the library is now located ―

Books June 10, 2011

The last scene of Oscar Hijuelos’ new memoir, “Thoughts Without Cigarettes” (Gotham Books, $27.50), is a moment of contact with a ghost -- that of his father, Pascual.“I remember when that moment came to me,” says Hijuelos. “It was a mystical reaching of a different dimension. I don’t know what happens when you die, but there is a mystical presence in our lives that extends to people who are no lo

Books June 10, 2011

Kim In-sook’s new novel talks of hope in extreme despairAuthor Kim In-sook started her writing career early. She made her literary debut when she was barely a university student, at the age of 20. Now 48, she has won Korea’s three major literary awards ― Yi Sang, Dong-in, and Daesan ― with more than 30 books published. But Kim says she still longs to write something different, something new.“It’s

Books June 10, 2011

Koreana, a quarterly on Korean culture and arts published by the Korea Foundation, has gone through a major editorial and design revamp this year, with a more visual and story-focused concept. Its 2011 summer edition, its first issue with the newly-designed layout and stories, was published in late May.The revamped edition is bigger in size so the all-color magazine can effectively mix photographs

Books June 9, 2011

Buddhist sect to seek religious independenceThe Jogye Order, Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, announced on Tuesday that it would “normalize” its relationship with the ruling Grand National Party after a six-month standoff over the government’s cut of state aid for temple stay programs.Ven. Jaseung, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, released an official statement at the Center for Kore

Social Affairs June 7, 2011

Director says film inspired by a true case from 1990 adds new genre to Korean cinemaBack in 1990, a private named Yoon Seok-yang, who had been serving in the Defense Security Command of Korea’s Armed Forces, ran away from his camp with a floppy disk. The disk had a list of the country’s big figures, including former presidents, religious leaders, politicians, and social activists that the DSC had

Film June 6, 2011

Seoul’s major river parks offer ideal routes for cyclistsThe weather is warming up, and many Seoulites are heading for the water. The Han River, in particular, offers plenty of ways to stay cool while having fun. From inline skating to fishing to water skiing, there are countless ways to enjoy the river and its surroundings. Yet for those who are environmentally-minded and want to stay active, bik

Performance June 3, 2011

White: The Melody of the Curse (Korea)Opening June 9Horror. Directed by Kim Gok and Kim Sun. Pink Dolls, an unpopular girl group, gets a sudden taste of stardom after releasing their new single, “White.” The piece is a version of a song that has never been released by any singer before. As the group becomes even more popular, each member tries to be selected as lead vocalist. Meanwhile, Eun-joo (H

Film June 3, 2011

Marcelo Ramirez watches over a stall piled with pirated movies and music outside a busy Metro stop flanking the capital’s elegant Reforma Avenue. For him, buying and selling pirated goods is a way of life.“There are no good jobs,” he said while customers browse the discs, each with a makeshift cover slipped inside a cellophane envelope. “If people could make a good living there wouldn’t be piracy.

Film June 3, 2011

IndignationBy Philip RothTranslated by Jeong Young-mok(Munhakdongne Publishing Corp, 11,000 won)Nobody really “gets” adolescence. Not the kids themselves, not the parents and teachers who have left it behind. Not even us as we look back years later. It implies mystique. An alluring mix of whimsy and danger, when everything seemed more important than it was, but also more possible. How do we lose t

Books June 3, 2011

Years ago when Megan McDonald, the now-52-year-old author of the popular children’s series “Judy Moody,” was writing picture books for the 2- to 4-year-old set, a grandmother came through her signing line at an event in Florida.Clutched to the elderly woman’s chest was a waterlogged, tattered copy of McDonald’s debut, “Is This a House for Hermit Crab?” The woman proceeded to tell McDonald that bec

Books June 3, 2011

Roy Blount Jr. is a man who loves to talk. And one of his favorite places to talk about ― and in ― is New Orleans.“People there are loose and unpretentious and tend to enjoy talking,” says Blount of the Big Easy, which he calculates he has visited 42 times in his 63 years. “I love to be around people who like to talk picturesquely, without getting too forced about it.”Blount (pronounced “Blunt”) i

Books June 3, 2011

Defector makes first movie based on his early life in N. KoreaWhen he was growing up, death was not shocking but ordinary. He saw dead bodies in the street, people being executed in public, and people dying of hunger.North Korean defector Kim Gyoo-min, who has been living in South Korea since 2001, is debuting as a film director with “Winter Butterfly.”Based on a true tragic incident that Kim had

Film June 1, 2011