KoreaTimes - Columnists

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Columnists

Kim Ji-myung

Hallyu and mutual respect

It was truly an accident. I was listening to a speaker talk about hallyu, the Korean cultural wave that’s making its way around the world.

2012-04-13 17:12

Music for Korean unification

When people first meet the easiest and surest way to lay the foundations for warm mutual understanding is sharing a nice meal. The same is true in diplomacy.

2012-03-16 17:26

Special pride in Korean food

On Feb. 15 or 23, many ``families with stout bones” across Korea will produce this year’s soybean paste (doenjang) and soy sauce (ganjang). Making these basic foodstuffs at home is still an important annual tradition in the culinary life of a respectable Korean family.

2012-02-17 17:08

Changing traditions

During Korea’s Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), women of decent families would spend most of their adult lives in the service of others ― entertaining guests and overseeing ancestral rituals called ``jesa.” These two vocations were a housewife’s most visible roles, on top of cooking and caring for one’s husband and children.

2012-01-20 16:10

Talking with a rich Muslim

Three weeks ago I had an opportunity to meet and chat with an Egyptian businessman at a conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bali.

2011-12-23 17:24

An unknown hallyu ― ’homi’

Recently, I was surprised to find that “homi” are sold on Amazon.com. Not surprisingly, the online shopping site doesn’t call it homi, opting instead for ``Korean-style hand plow” or the ``EZ-digger.” What is surprising, however, is the effusive praise from the homi’s many satisfied customers from around the world.

2011-11-25 17:10

Many layers of cultural heritage

Sometimes it’s surprising what you can see with fresh eyes. Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport after a trip abroad, I’ve noticed that Seoul can look different, new and even exotic.

2011-10-28 18:05

As an organic farming villager

Almost 30 years ago I started cultivating some land in a small farming village called Joan-myeon, about 35 kilometers northeast of Seoul. Some 13 years ago, I settled there. While I don’t claim to be a farmer, I spend an average of three hours per week seeding, watering and weeding. Perhaps I could classify myself an amateur farmer.

2011-09-30 17:15

A country within a country

With luck, as one of the 28 final candidates Jeju could be selected as one of the New7Wonders of Nature in November. UNESCO already designated Jeju as a Biosphere Reserve in 2002, a World Natural Heritage site in 2007 and a Global Geopark in 2010. Obviously, Jeju has exceptional and unique natural conditions.

2011-09-02 17:30

Serene cities and safe homes

It is like meeting an old lover again when a tourist revisits places like Paris, Rome or Interlaken after many years. People usually have vivid memories of their first visits ― the serene streets bathed in sunshine, the brisk early morning air of that season, the warm aroma of fresh bread and coffee, the murmuring noises of the market, the mixed sounds from local peoples’ daily living. Almost without exception, these places are now somewhat disappointing, flooded by people from all over the world.

2011-08-05 16:53

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