The Korea Times

Korea's development models help other countries

Delegates of Tanzanian local government officials participate in a “Meet the President” hour with Rheem Chae-ho, fifth from left, president of Local Government Officials Development Institute (LOGODI), at its headquarters in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on June 10./ Courtesy of LOGODISome 2,540 officials fom 83 nations receive LOGODI education Rheem Chae-ho, LOGODI presidentBy Park Jin-haiKorea’s development model has been largely regarded as raising the country from the ashes of war to the fastest economic development, dubbed as the “Miracle of the Han River.”As a responsible member of international society, Korea now exports the development model, giving a beacon of hope to the developing world.Korea’s move is praised highly, in that unlike one-time material assistance, the model teaches them “how to catch fish.”At the center of this effort is the Local Government Officials Development Institute (LOGODI), spreading the country’s tips for administrative innovation.“Senior officials of developing countries often say that t

Jun 24, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Korea's development models help other countries

Shows & Dramas

Primary mission is to spread 'administrative hallyu'

Seen above is an artist’s concept of the new site for LOGODI now in its final stage of construction in Wanju, North Jeolla Province. The institute will move to the new place in August. / Courtesy of LOGODBy Park Jin-haiLocal Government Officials Development Institute (LOGODI), founded in 1965, is a training center for local government officials by building their administrative capacities.Toward that end, it helps enable the policies of central government to be adopted efficiently at the local level. This year alone it runs a total of 177 courses and about 170,000 local government officials enrolled for these programs.The institute, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Security and Public Administration, has been also running international programs since 1996 to aid developing countries by sharing Korea’s development tips with them.Courses are categorized into three major areas; “Korean Economic Development at a Glance” includes studies on state-led rural development initiative of “Saemaeul Movement”; “Local Government Administration System i

Jun 24, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Primary mission is to spread 'administrative hallyu'

Shows & Dramas

Nonghyup supports multiracial families' hometown visits

By Park Jin-hai Choi Won-byungNonghyup Foundation will pay for the flights and expenses for selected multiethnic families to visit the home countries of the foreign spouse.Under the Home Country Visit Project, 629 people from 162 multiracial families, all living in rural areas, will receive round trip tickets and additional expenses including travel insurance.   “We will spare no effort to assist multiracial families settle here as responsible members of society,” said Choi Won-byung, chairman of the foundation’s board of directors.By home country, Vietnam accounts for the most with 287 people from 77 families followed by China with 106 from 29 families; the Philippines with 89 from 29 families; and Cambodia with 60 from 15 families.Nonghyup’ welfare unit, founded in 2004 to support farming families, started the project in 2007 and about 4,100 family members have benefited so far.The number of beneficiaries has risen over recent years. In 2010, Korean Air joined the program, helping expand the numbers further.The candidate families are recommend

Jun 20, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Nonghyup supports multiracial families' hometown visits

Shows & Dramas

Korean stars faring well in China

Choo Ja-hyun acts in the Chinese drama “Wood House Storm,” aired in 2012. / Courtesy of Zhonghua TVEffective localization leads to success despite ebbing hallyuChae Yeon left Korean entertainment business in 2007 to explore the Chinese market./ Korea Times fileSuper Junior M, a sub-group of the popular Korean boy band Super Junior, was formed targeting Chinese audiences. / Courtesy of SM EntertainmentBy Park Jin-haiKorean culture, including its catchy pop music videos, is gaining popularity across the globe, especially in China. This phenomenon, called “hallyu,” has introduced many people to Korean culture, but a recent poll predicts the popularity of K-culture could lose steam within five years.A survey conducted by the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange shows about 71 percent of Chinese respondents believe hallyu’s popularity will dissipate in their country within the next five years. About 24 percent of them said Korean products are no longer considered cool.However, while many pop stars got their start as a result of hallyu, they ar

Jun 19, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Kooksoondang earns two stars

Kooksoondang, a traditional beverage maker, announced Tuesday that its canned makgeolli brand earned two stars at a tasting event in Belgium.It’s rice wine brand “Icing” was given two stars ― with three stars being the best quality ― at the “Superior Taste Award,” where famous brewers and sommeliers sample beverages and grade them according to taste and quality.This year, some 1,300 drinks competed and 150 received three stars, while some 400 including Icing gained two.“Due to the low brand recognition, it scored low in the beginning. But its taste and fragrance were regarded highly,” said a marketing manager of the firm.Icing gained silver awards in the San Diego International Wine Competition and Consumer Wine Awards, held in the United States this year.       

Jun 18, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Jang to come back with new drama

Jang Keun-sukTentatively titled “Pretty Man,” the drama gained attention as Yoo Young-ah, the star-screen writer of the movie “A Gift from Room Seven,” wrote the script.Jang decided to act in the drama, after reading the script.Already industry experts cautiously predict that the series will repeat the success of the last TV drama he starred in and be the next hallyu production. In the drama, based on a cartoon of the same name, Jang will play the role of a man with perfect looks but a cold heart. He gets the attention of many women, but ignores them. However, as the series progresses he eventually finds his true love.Pretty Man will air in the latter half of the year.    

Jun 18, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

LG taps 2PM for marketing

Thai customers who bought LG Electronics’ smartphones pose during a video meeting with 2PM, held at the Grande Centre Point Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 13.  / Courtesy of LG ElectronicsLG Electronics invited customers in Thailand to a 2PM video meeting, as part of promotional events for its products.The local electronics giant announced Sunday it invited 100 customers who purchased LG smart phones to the meeting three days ago at Grand the Centre Point Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.In addition, it partnered with JYP Entertainment to provide other activities such as a dance competition and game shows, all related to the six-member boy band.LG Electronics has been actively employing hallyu marketing in their promotions. Late March this year, it has put 2PM’s music video trailers on the screens at Time Square in New York as well as at Piccadilly Circus, in London.“We are both aiming at a synergic effect. Through K-pop stars we can communicate with local customers and promote our brand image. But at the same time, we are playing the importa

Jun 16, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Shows & Dramas

Asia and Europe embrace K-beauty

Spanish models pose during a Skin79 promotional campaign at its Madrid branch on April 18. / Courtesy of Skin 79By Park Jin-haiLocal cosmetic companies have expanded their reach from Asia to Europe.Following the lead of Nature Republic, a number of Korean cosmetics brands, including Coreana Cosmetics, Gowoonsesang and Skin79 recently opened local shops in both continents.Nature Republic opened a shop in Yangon, Myanmar, on May 29, its 12th overseas store and first in the Southeast Asian nation. It markets its products by focusing on a brand that emphasizes natural ingredients.Following this, it plans to open four more shops in major commercial districts in the nation by July.Coreana Cosmetics’ Zeniswell has ventured into Hong Kong. The organic cosmetics brand opened its first overseas shop there in the Wing On department store on May 30.“We hope our products will win over Hong Kong customers’ hearts as they have shown an immense interest in natural and organic cosmetics,” said a managing director.“Based on the local trend and market analysis, customized

Jun 16, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Travel & Food

Millennium Seoul Hilton holds 'Filipino culinary festival'

A dish of kare-kare or oxtail and peanut sauceBy Park Jin-haiCelebrity chef Sau Del Rosario,brings traditional Filipino foods to the Millennium Seoul Hilton during the Filipino Culinary Festival in June.Kaldereta or a traditional Filipinopork stew, made with tomato sauce, potatoes, spices, liver pate, olives, and bell and hot peppers./ Courtesy of Millennium Seoul HiltonTo commemorate the Independence Day of the Philippines, the Millennium Seoul Hilton’s international buffet restaurant is devoting the month of June to introducing Koreans to Filipino cuisine. The Orangerie buffet tapped renowned Filipino chef Sau Del Rosario to showcase taste-bud tingling traditional Filipino dishes during the “Philippine cultural and food festival.”Chef Rosario spent seven years in France as a protégé of several Michelin chefs including Christian Plumail and is entering the 20th year of his career. “I want to promote Filipino cuisine because I owe my country for being Filipino. I want to leave a legacy that the next generation would

Jun 13, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Millennium Seoul Hilton holds 'Filipino culinary festival'

Shows & Dramas

Hologram helps K-pop

Girls’ Generation performs during the “2013 Girls’ Generation World Tour — Girls & Peace” concert held on June 8 and 9 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in southern Seoul. Members’ holographic images are projected onto a stage backdrop. / Korea TimesBy Park Jin-haiGirls’ Generation concerts show where the future of K-pop lies ― holographic back projection.In the nine-member girl group’s “2013 Girls’ Generation World Tour – Girls & Peace,” hologram technology was used during their performance.The concerts held on June 8 and 9 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in southern Seoul, had members’ holographic images projected onto a stage backdrop.The images, appeared in the opening song “Hoot.”“The heart of our concert today is holograms,” said Tae-yeon, at a press conference before the concert.Holography is a technology that enables 3D images of the singers to be projected onto a backdrop. Major entertainment agencies including SM Entertainment and YG Entertainment joine

Jun 11, 2013By Park Jin-hai

Park Jin-hai

Read more

Korea's development models help other countries

Primary mission is to spread 'administrative hallyu'

Nonghyup supports multiracial families' hometown visits

Korean stars faring well in China

Kooksoondang earns two stars

Jang to come back with new drama

LG taps 2PM for marketing

Asia and Europe embrace K-beauty

Millennium Seoul Hilton holds 'Filipino culinary festival'

Hologram helps K-pop

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