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 Embrace World in Korea
Kim Ju-heon; Edit-the-World; 284 pp., 13,000 won
Since the graduate schools of international studies (GSIS) sprung up in the late 1990s, the expectations grew over the high possibility of entering international organizations among students who want to be international workers.
Ten years later, some critics say that the schools have failed to generate proper manpower for international organizations and to fulfill its goal.
However, this book says that the schools are still the main gate to reach international organizations because they teach students with global minds not only eligible for the international institutions but also for foreign companies in various fields.
The book is a complete guideline for entrance to the graduate schools and offers tips for landing jobs in organizations such as UNESCO and WHO based on the alumni's interviews.
The author recommends that aspirants build up their internship experiences at NGOs and other global institutes. Also, the writer introduces how to write the statement of purpose (SOP) and the good examples of the SOPs for applying for the schools.
-Chung Ah-young
 Classical Poetic Songs of Korea
Kim Dae-haeng; Translated by Lee Kyong-hee from Korean to English; Ewha Womans University Press; 144 pp., 15,000 won
Written by Kim Dae-haeng and translated into English by Lee Kyong-hee, the book is the 26th volume of the "The Spirit of Korean Cultural Roots," an ambitious bilingual project of the Ewha Womans University Press to explore major streams of Korean culture for readers around the world.
The book is a chronological study of the diverse styles of songs sung by Koreans for some 2000 years from the 1st and 2nd century B.C. through the 19th century. They include simple songs of the ancient period, native songs ("hyangga") of Silla, the lyrical songs ("siga") of Goryeo, hymns for state events ("akjang") and three-line poems ("sijo") as well as the long vernacular verse ("gasa") and folk songs ("japga") of the Joseon period.
The book introduces important songs representing all these styles and describes the social environment and lifestyle of different eras that gave birth to Korea's rich legacy of poetic songs.
Beyond the traditional academic boundaries, the author looks into the meaning of these songs with focus on the social and cultural ambience, universal human dreams and desires that shroud them.
-Chung Ah-young
 Bachelor Misangu's Recipes for Side Dishes With Your Drink
Misangu; Hestia: 119 pp., 9,500 won
A taste of South Korea is never complete without a bite of its unique drinking culture. Bars and "pojang macha" or street-side stalls welcome groups of family, friends and coworkers 'round the clock.
A round of the quintessential Korean alcohol, "soju" is almost always accompanied by an array of "anju" or finger foods and snacks that go well with the drink. This book offers recipes to 54 favorite dishes so that people ― especially single people ― can enjoy the experience at home.
The author is none other than Misangu, who is famous as the bachelor blogger who knows how to cook. His recipes, which include photos for each step, are highly popular among Koreans through the top social networking Web sites Cyworld and Naver blog.
What makes this book handy is that the recipes feature ingredients that are bound to be found in the refrigerator at home.
The book is divided into three parts: all-time favorite anju among drinkers such as soy sauce grilled eel, Gyochon-style fried chicken and wine "samgyeopsal" (pork); soup-based anju "that seep into the heart" with soju, like oyster "jjigae" (stew); and finally dishes that are to be found on the menu of pojangmacha such as grilled chicken gizzard.
-Lee Hyo-won
 A Book for Shy People
Borwin Bandelow; Translated from German to Korean by Jang Hye-kyeong; Gamlmaenamu Publishing: 224 pp., 11,000 won
``A Book for Shy People'' by Borwin Bandelow, a German specialist for neurology and psychiatry, and an expert of fear research, offers various ways to overcome the anxiety of being the center of attention. The book assures readers that they are not alone, but, in fact, one of many people who face similar problems every day.
According to the book, everybody feels nervous standing in front of a lot of people, and there is no need to fret over something that is considered quite natural.
From meeting new people to interviews and presentations, the book gives helpful tips to make a lasting impression without having a nervous breakdown.
Most books that cover the stress of public speaking and meeting new people offer obvious ways to overcome the condition, but ``A Book for Shy People'' strives to explain to readers that the fear is within yourself and there is no book or doctor who can help you overcome it completely. ``The answer is in you,'' it says.
-Han Sang-hee |
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