Jon Dunbar is a copy editor at The Korea Times, as well as editor of the Foreign Community page and curator of the Korea Times Archive. If you have suggestions for possible articles, or wish to contribute articles yourself, contact jdunbar@koreatimes.co.kr.
Foreign Line
Celebrate founding day in shamanistic style
This Thursday is Gaecheonjeol, commemorating the mythical founding of Korea 4,352 years ago. It is an important day for Korean shamanism.
David Mason, an academic specializing in spirituality and tourism related to Korea's mountains, is leading a visit to a major public ceremony honoring Korea's ancient founding king and a walk up nearby Mount Inwang, where participants have a good chance of encountering active shamanistic rituals.
The tour costs 25,000 won, or 20,000 won for RASKB members. Visit raskb.com for more information.
Songdo offers retro music festival
The music festival season is not over yet, as Songdo's Caisson24 is hosting a free festival featuring live music, food trucks, a retro market and various hairstyling events.
Bands include punk group Crying Nut, ska ensemble Kingston Rudieska, “kimchibilly” group Streetguns and Japanese band Runners.
There will also be a swing dance party, barbers offering hair styling on site as well as a showcase, a punk style workshop and a screening of the 1990 musical romantic comedy “Cry-Baby.”
The free event is on all day this Thursday. Visit fb.com/RetroFestivalinSongdocaisson24 for more information.