Recent Books
A Photo of the Moment: Photojournalist Log 1968-1991
Photos and prose by Jeon Min-jo; Noonbit: 237 pp., 12,000 won
Recently photos capturing moments of modern Korean history, ranging from those taken by Japanese colonialists (1910-45) to U.N. forces during the Korean War (1950-53) have been published.
Works by Koreans themselves however are rare. Given how photography serves as a source of historical evidence, the lack of a Korean perspective translates into deprivation of ownership of a good part of the country's past and identity.
This book presents some 120 shots Jeon Min-jo took between 1968 and 1991 as a photojournalist for Hankook Ilbo, a sister paper of The Korea Times, and Dong-A Ilbo: former first lady Yuk Young-soo's private bazaar party to fisherwomen making their way home and an actress on trial.
These photos transcend the realm of informative photojournalism to become symbolic metaphors of a time and place ― rather than turning the lens toward the people fleeing the great Seoul fire in 1972, he would take notice of the piles of shoes scattered around a building (what is now the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts) to depict the desperate skirmish for survival.
If a picture paints a thousand words then a single photograph provides numerous invaluable lessons of history.
-Lee Hyo-won
Korean Jun Yong-bok
Jun Yong-bok; Sigongsa: 320 pp., 13,800 won
Perhaps the author of this biographical essay came to the public eye because of his massive restoration of Meguro Gazon, a large historic banqueting hall in Tokyo. Koreans are well aware of lacquer art, having grown up with it. But the tendency is to associate it as antiquated and usually in rather dull colors of purple and black. Reading this essay and encountering Jun's work on the pages however turns on that notion. His works are adroit and colorful, as if just painted with regular water/oil colors. Born Jun Yong-bok, a master lacquer artist, details how he a Korean landed the project. A native of Busan, the author details how he was born at the end of the Korean War (1950-1953), and like many Koreans grew up in poverty having to support his family from an early age when his older brother died. But he was always interested in drawing, and it seemed like fate led him to lacquer art.
The book details how he tenaciously kept at the art, and didn't stay content after achieving a certain level of fame in Seoul. He looked toward Japan and planned ahead of the possible restoration of Meguro Gazon, which was filled with lacquer work done by master artists that included Koreans. In chapters on the restoration project, readers can see how much was at stake and how much the artist poured his heart and soul into the project, or rather into lacquer art. The book is an expanded version of his earlier book, "I am Joseon's Lacquer Painter."
-Kim Ji-soo
The Geopolitics of Emotion
Dominique Moisi; Translated by Yoo Kyung-hee; Random House: 256 pp., 13,000 won
"The Clash of Civilizations" by political scientist Samuel Huntington offered a new paradigm shift in the post Cold-War era. This book is in line with the main theme of "The Clash of Civilizations" written in the 1990s, but focuses more on emotions that provoke geopolitical clashes and explores how the culture of fear, humiliation and hope are reshaping the world.
The author chronicles how geopolitics today is characterized by the "clash of emotions." Muslims and Arabs have historical grievances and anger, and create a culture of humiliation and hatred. Also, Asia has a better future through economic growth and is manifesting a new culture of hope.
The book helps readers understand the changing world through the various emotions behind cultural differences. It also offers a forecast of the future in 2025 on whether humiliation and fear, or hope and security will prevail.
-Chung Ah-young
The Happiness of Korean Food
Moon In-young; Story Blossom: 232 pp., 22,000 won
As the government pushes ahead with its drive to globalize Korean food, interest in the cuisine is increasing. The photo book offers a glimpse of Korean food through various colorful photos and short essays in order to help foreigners better appreciate it.
The book provides the correct way to experience the food with proper directions on how to eat and enjoy its delicate taste.
Filled with essays about popular Korean must-eat dishes, the book depicts table manners, eating directions and information about the dishes along with a section on easy recipes for selected dishes.
The book consists of three parts ― Some Interesting Facts about Korean Food; Delicious Essays about Korean Food; and Delicious Korean Food Recipes.
It also makes information and recipes available to those interested by providing "adjusted" recipes for people in countries where some ingredients are not available.