By Lee Hyo-won
A government-run English blog has emerged as an online hotspot for scoops on contemporary Korean culture and power-blogging.
Having launched only a month ago, The Korea Blog (blog.korea.net) has attracted over 40,000 users, said its operator, the Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (director Seo Kang-soo).
Moreover, 42 of 75 applicants were recruited as bloggers. The pool of hopefuls included foreigners, either living here or abroad, as well as Anglophone Korean expatriates.
“The applicants had various nationalities. They were not only from Southeast Asia, where the Korean ‘hallyu’ wave is prevalent, but also from the Americas and European countries like the United Kingdom, Poland, Hungary and Russia. They also came from a diverse range of professional backgrounds: students, English teachers, actors, bankers, journalists and wine importers,” said KOCIS.
KOCIS has selected bloggers according to a set criterion, and they are slated to report on Korean culture, Korea-related events held overseas and other issues until December this year.
Successful candidates will receive invitations to cultural center events and be designated a Korea.net partner, and be entitled to include an icon indicating their affiliation on their blogs.
“The group of bloggers will promote, run the blog more effectively and contribute different perspectives with their diverse backgrounds,” said Seo.
Meanwhile, more than 60 photos were submitted for the blog’s opening event.
Participants from around the world, including Indonesia, Australia and Russia, submitted photos inspired by the question, “Where is your Korea?” Jordi Sanchez Teruel, who took a picture of his flip-flops featuring the word “Korea” took first place and received a ticket to the Korea National Ballet Company’s performance of “Giselle.”
Sanchez runs a blog (bitsandbeats.blogspot.com) and is also famous for his photo essays (www.flickr.com/photos/sunxez). Thirty others received culture vouchers or Amazon.com gift cards.
The winning photos can be seen on Korea.net’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/ gatewaytokorea.
For more information about KOCIS, visit www.kocis.go.kr.