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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Storied past of iconic bridge

The river suburb of Mapo in Seoul in 1884 / Courtesy of Robert Neff collectionMapo played important role in trade with Japan, China in mid-19th centuryBy Robert NeffMapo Bridge has a checkered reputation.  It is famous for its role in the recent filming of Avengers but it is infamous as a suicide bridge.  But did you know that prior to the construction of the bridge Mapo was a ferry port?Ferries were used to provide transportation to and from the south and north banks of the Han River.  These were generally small boats and carried not only passengers but goods and livestock as well.  One early Western visitor to Seoul was amused to discover that one of his fellow passengers was carrying a pig strapped to his back.In the mid-1880s, Mapo was an important port for Japanese and Chinese junks that would sail up the river and unload their goods. This was eventually stopped by the Korean Customs Service at Jemulpo (modern Incheon). In early September 1888, Cho Hui-yeon, established the Samho (Mapo) River Boat Company and purchased two small wooden steam launches from Osa

May 25, 2014By Do Je-hae
Storied past of iconic bridge

Flagship museum reopens Silla hall

This Buddhist statue believed to be made in the Unified Silla Kingdom is one of the highlights at National Museum of Korea’s new Silla exhibition hall./ Courtesy of National Museum of KoreaBy Baek Byung-yeulMany remember that there was a huge controversy over the Cultural Administration Heritage’s (CHA) decision to loan the Maitreya in Meditation, the country’s most famous Buddhist statue, to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) last year.Nevertheless, some Korean expected that the seventh century gilt-bronze Buddhist statue would wow the audience at the Met’s “Silla: Korea’s Golden Kingdom” exhibition, which was held from November to February in New York, displaying artifacts of the Korean Peninsula’s ancient Silla Kingdom (B.C. 57-A.D. 935).The biggest highlight was the cast-iron Buddhist statue, believed to be made between the late 7th and 10th century of the Unified Silla Kingdom (668-935) period, Korea’s first unified country.Measuring 1.5 meters in height, the Buddhist statue, discovered at Bowon Temple sit

May 23, 2014
Flagship museum reopens Silla hall

AROUND TOWN 1

Classical Concerts ‘Anderson & Roe Piano Fantasy 2014’LG Arts Center*May 24 Piano duo Greg Anderson and Elizabeth Roe will perform at the LG Arts Center in southern on Seoul May 24. They will play Mozart’s “Piano Sonata No.6 in D major kv 284,” Saens’s “The Swan” and Bizet’s “Carmen Fantasy for Two Pianos.” Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call 070-8879-8485 or visit www.lgart.com. Ivry GitlisLG Arts CenterMay 25 Israeli violinist Ivry Gitlis will perform at the LG Arts Center on May 25. The renowned musician, who has performed with the world’s most renowned orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic and Vienna Philharmonic, will perform compositions by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and Paganini. Tickets cost 50,000 to 120,000 won. For more information, call (02) 2005-0114 or visit www.lgart.com. ‘Trio Ludwig Concert’LG Arts Center*May 29 The Ludwig Trio, comprised of pianist Lim Hyo-sun, violinist Abel Tomas and cellist Arna

May 22, 2014
AROUND TOWN 1

AROUND TOWN 2

Clubs The OctagonNonhyeon Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847. Club VolumeItaewon Offering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the “10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul.” For more information, call 1544-2635. Once in a Blue MoonApgujeong Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr. Club AnswerCheongdam&nbs

May 22, 2014
AROUND TOWN 2

Opera translated into ballet

Created in honor of Kang Sue-jin, “Madama Butterfly” will have its Korean premiere in July at Seoul Arts Center. / Courtesy of CrediaKang Sue-jin to lead dance version of Puccini's magnum opusBy Do Je-haeWhen the Innsbruck Dance Company commissioned a ballet version of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” its choreographer had only one dancer in mind.An arresting beauty with exceptional musicality and charisma, Kang Sue-jin seems like an impeccable pick for Cio-Cio San who, unable to overcome the heartbreak of unrequited love, takes her own life.In choosing Kang as his muse, choreographer Enrique Gasa Valga was convinced he would have a definitive Cio-Cio. “This project and Kang are inseparable,” the former dancer from Cuba said. “I would not have attempted to tell this story without Kang.”A household name at the Stuttgart Ballet for almost three decades, Kang has a special history with dramatic roles like Cio-Cio. In fact, the role that brought her the ultimate prize in the professional world of ballet — the Benois de la Danc

May 21, 2014By Do Je-hae
Opera translated into ballet

Subdued anniversary

Cultural heritage agency's reputation is at its worst in 15th year By Do Je-hae It was in 1999 when Korea established, for the first time, a separate government agency to oversee the preservation of cultural heritage rather than charging a culture ministry department with the task.As the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) marks its 15th year, it is facing harsh criticism for deserting its key mission. The CHA will have a subdued ceremony at its Daejeon headquarters on Thursday. Many will agree that CHA has little to celebrate. The anniversary comes at a grim time for the agency. Just last week, the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) issued a verdict that the agency had failed in rebuilding the No.1 National Treasure Sungnyemun Gate which suffered critical damage a few years ago. The historical Seoul city gate reopened in May last year after damage from a 2008 arson attack. After a five-year restoration project, the paint on the gate was peeling and some of its wooden columns and beams were cracking, which is far from what the public had expected to see. The renova

May 19, 2014By Do Je-hae
Subdued anniversary

Turtle Marathon to take place on May 25

The readers of The Korea Times are encouraged to come to Mt. Nam in downtown Seoul for a stroll on Sunday, May 25.The Hankook Ilbo, a sister paper of The Korea Times, is holding the 439th Turtle Marathon with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The monthly event has drawn more than 1.2 million people since 1978.Chung Seung, minister of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, will lead the walkathon.After the walk, TV presenter Lee Sang-yong will host a prize draw. This month’s prizes include assorted duck meat gift sets, free cable car tickets, climbing Mt. Nam, movie tickets, tickets to non-verbal performance “Drumcat,” energy drink and more.Middle and high school students who participate in the cleanup afterwards will receive certification for completion of three hours of voluntary work. Admission is free. For more information, visit turtle.hankooki.com.― When: Sunday, May 25, meet at 7:40 a.m. (walk begins at 8 a.m.)― Where: The outdoor plaza of the National Theater of Korea, near Dongguk University Station on subway Line 3, Exits 2 and 6 (Parking space

May 16, 2014By Do Je-hae
Turtle Marathon to take place on May 25

Pyeongchang emerges as chamber music center

The Great Mountains International Music Festival and School (GMMFS) has a tradition of showcasing chamber music at an elite level. / Courtesy of the GMMFS Organizing CommitteeBy Do Je-haeAlthough unknown to many Koreans, Pyeongchang is home to one of Asia's most comprehensive chamber music festivals.Despite its remote location, the annual Great Mountains International Festival & School (GMMFS) has succeeded in gathering large audiences year after year as a rare platform for extensive chamber music experience in Korea. The GMMFS will be held from July 24 through Aug. 3 with participation from some of the world's foremost instrumentalists gathering for chamber music ― the most enjoyable form of music-making. The GMMFS has transformed the cultural landscape of the region, with an ultra-modern 640-seat auditorium and a tented theater with a seating capacity of 1,300. The festival has grown over the years to fulfill its aim of becoming Korea’s “Aspen Music Festival.”“The festival has gained an international reputation since its establishment 10 years ago.

May 16, 2014By Do Je-hae
Pyeongchang emerges as chamber music center

Around Town 1

Classical Concerts Sonus Cello EnsembleNowon Culture and Arts CenterMay 17 The Sonus Cello Ensemble will perform at the Nowon Culture and Arts Center in northern Seoul on May 17. They will play Boccherini’s “La Casa del Diavolo” and Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major K. 488.” Tickets cost 20,000 won. Located near exit 3 of Hagye Station, subway line 3. For more information, call 010-3519-6544 or visit www.nowonart.kr. ‘2014 Julius & Friends — Mozartiana’Seoul Arts CenterMay 19 Pianist Julius Jeong-won Kim will perform at the Seoul Arts Center on May 19 with violinist Kim Su-yeon, pianist Kim Tae-hyung and Quartet Knecht. Tickets cost 40,000 to 80,000 won. For more information, call 070-8879-8485 or visit www.sac.or.kr. ‘Trio Ludwig Concert’LG Arts Center*May 29 The Ludwig Trio, comprised of pianist Lim Hyo-sun, violinist Abel Tomas and cellist Arnau Tomas, will perform at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul May 29. Tickets cost 30,000 to 70,000 won. For more information, call

May 15, 2014
Around Town 1

Around Town 2

Clubs The OctagonNonhyeon Near the New Hilltop Hotel in Nonhyeon, this club is notable for its stylish interior and elite clientele. The venue offers a club stage, lounge bar and dining area to satisfy any night out after work or on the weekend. Near exit 4 of Hakdong Station on subway line 7. For more information, call (02) 516-8847. Club VolumeItaewon Offering a venue for specially-themed weekly events and world-class DJs, Club Volume is located in the Crown Hotel near Noksapyeong Station. Club Volume was listed by Time magazine among the “10 things to do in 24 hours in Seoul.” For more information, call 1544-2635. Once in a Blue MoonApgujeong Once in a Blue Moon is one of the best known and well established jazz clubs in the city. It features live jazz sets from two different bands every night, usually starting at 7:30 p.m. It is located between the Hakdong intersection and Galleria department stores in the posh district of Apgujeong. For more information, call (02) 549-5490 or visit www.onceinabluemoon.co.kr. Club AnswerCheongdam&nbs

May 15, 2014
Around Town 2
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