Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Poet Kim Ki-taek lectures in Washington

Kim Ki-taek By Choi Yearn-hongKim Ki-taek is a totally non-sentimental poet, different kind of poet from the Korean poets I know. He is uniquely his own poet. He maintains a reputable name in modern Korean literature. The Korean Cultural Center invited him to Washington. Last Friday, he read several poems and delivered his speech, “Resilience of human body against the life-long pressures.” It was interesting to hear his poems and his commentary on his poetry. I could understand his poetry better. The American audience must have expanded the knowledge on modern Korean literature with his talk.He is a poet of precision, with a microscopic, anatomical, and coldly objective vision of the things around him. His keen eyes on human bodies and living things are noticeable with his debutant poem, Hunchback. Below I present his three poems, my humble translation from Korean into English. I served the night as his interpreter and translator. The Hunchback In the underground corridor,the old man was not always seenunder the pressure of bending darkness.On my way to wor

Nov 16, 2014

Recent Book

Kim Byoung-wan: Dong-A Ilbo; 280 pp., 14,000 won  Author, lecturer and self-improvement trainer Kim Byoung-wan, who has been building the concept of self-enrichment through reading a lot of books, has published another self-help book.In “Book Training,” Kim, a former researcher for Samsung Electronics researcher, introduces himself as a person who barely read at all, then shares his experiences after reading more than 10,000 books. Based on his experiences, the author emphasizes how reading can bring “qualitative change” in our lives and why we should keep reading.In each chapter, Kim also gives several actual cases of people who underwent life changes through reading.― Baek Byung-yeul

Nov 7, 2014

International theologian publishes sermon in seven languages

“Man of Flesh, Man of Spirit” by Rev. Lee Jae-rockBy Kwon Ji-younA series of books authored by international theologian Rev. Lee Jae-rock has been published in seven different languages.The series, titled “Man of Flesh, Man of Spirit” (Vol. 1 and 2), is a compilation of Rev. Lee’s sermons on the Book of Job and will be published in both Korean and English, as well as Chinese, Spanish, Russian, French and Indonesian. The Korean version of Volume 1 was first printed in April 2007, and Volume 2, in Sept. 2007.Prof. Kim Byung-jong of Seoul National University has endorsed the book. Kim teaches oriental painting at the university, and his work was presented to the Chinese president Xi Jin Ping during his visit to Seoul on July 4.“Through this magnificent drama about the Book of Job, I have come to understand that the ultimate goal of Rev. Lee Jae-rock’s ministry of healing of the body and spirit he dreams is to lead as many people to the kingdom of heaven,” Kim wrote in his endorsement.“Now I am glad to see this powerful work that can

Nov 4, 2014

International theologian publishes sermon in seven languages

'Sallim Knowledge Collection' to mark 500th issue

A ceremony commemorating publishing the 500th issue of educational book series, “Sallim Knowledge Collection” was held at the Press Center in downtown Seoul, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Seon-ahBy Baek Byung-yeulThe Sallim Publishing Company, a medium-sized publisher specializing in literature, has released its 500th issue of its educational book series, “Sallim Knowledge Collection.”Ever since its first issue came in 2003, the pocket-sized series with less than 100 pages have sold more than 2.5 million copies in total, shedding light on wide range of fields including philosophy, history, current social affair, business, art and more.“It is the first time that 500 books in a series mark have been published,” said Sim Man-su, CEO of the publisher at a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday.Sim Man-su, CEO of the Sallim Publishing Company, left, and author Nam Jung-wook, center, who wrote the 500th issue of the company’s educational book series, “Sallim Knowledge Collection” talk to reporters. / Courtesy of Sa

Oct 17, 2014

'Sallim Knowledge Collection' to mark 500th issue

Sa Min Pil Ji - Korea's first Hangeul textbook

Kimball A. Hulbert, right, receives the Geumgwan medal from Prime Minister Chung Hong-won on behalf of his great-grandfather, during a ceremony in Seoul to mark Hangeul Day, Thursday. / YonhapDr. Homer B. Hulbert’s 1891 ‘Sa Min Pil Ji’ Courtesy of the Hulbert Memorial SocietyBy Do Je-haeDr. Homer B. Hulbert (1863-1949)’s Geumgwan Medal, Korea’s highest cultural award, on Hangeul Day renewed attention to one of the late American missionary’s key legacies — the nation’s first textbook in Hangeul or Korean alphabet.Many remember Hulbert as a journalist and political activist who protested Japan’s actions to annex Korea in early years of 20th century. The Vermont native was in fact one of the pioneers in spreading Hangeul when most of Korea was still using Chinese letters for writing.His 1891 ‘Sa Min Pil Ji’ was a landmark publication, as it was the nation’s first textbook on world geography.With Hulbert’s Geumgwan medal, which his great-grandson Kimball A. Hulbert received on his behalf in Seoul Thursday,

Oct 10, 2014By Do Je-hae

Sa Min Pil Ji - Korea's first Hangeul textbook

'Poets must reach out to young people'

By Ko Dong-hwanChildren's poetry critic Kim I-gooAuthors must do more to reflect the modern realities of young people, and breathe new life into children’s literature, a noted critic said. Kim I-goo, 56, a critic focused on children’s poetry, believes that authors – particularly poets ― have reverted back to a standardized approach that was common when the nation was controlled by authoritarian regimes. “The driving force behind children’s poetry should be the depiction of reality, regardless of whether this is done in a direct or indirect manner,” Kim said during a recent interview near Hapjeong, western Seoul. “Poems don’t do that these days. Rather, they are superficial and avoid the aspects of modern life that go beyond the superficial, such as violence or demoralization such as bullying and isolation.” Kim, who gained attention in 2007 for his scathing critique of children’s poetry, “Let’s Discard Old Poems,” said that in the aftermath of the Korean War (1950-53), poets stuck to a &

Oct 7, 2014By Ko Dong-hwan

Looking for next Shin Kyung-sook

The cover of Korean novelist Kim Ae-ran’s “Ma vie Palpitante,” which is a French translation of “My Palpitating Life”/ Courtesy of Editions Phlippe PicquierNovelist Kim Ae-ranBy Kwon Mee-yooA new generation of Korean writers is dazzling the international literary market as more Korean works are translated into foreign languages.Kim Ae-ran, the author of the story that inspired the film “My Brilliant Life,” is enjoying popularity in France.Kim’s 2005 short story collection “Run, Papa, run” was translated into French and published by Decrescenzo Editeurs as two books: “Cours papa, cours!” in 2012 and “Ma vie dans la superette” (“I Go to the Convenience Store”) in 2013.The latter won the Prix de l’Inapercu in June, which honors literary works that the public has overlooked. Nils C. Ahl, a literary critic for Le Monde newspaper, said, “Even if the background of this novel is Korea, this work does not make readers feel isolated by foreign culture.” The review states that the w

Sep 14, 2014By Kwon Mee-yoo

'Sumjin River' poet Kim Yong-taek speaks in Washington

Poet Kim Yong-taek speaks at the Korean Cultural Center in Washinton. / Courtesy of Choi Yearn-hong By Yearn Hong ChoiKim Yong-taek, one of the famous Korean poets,delivered an impressive speech on his poetry and literature to the American audience at the Korean Cultural Center.  It was fascinating to attract the American audience with his unsophisticated country style speech, vocabularies, and manner. He  was born and raised in a small village on the Sumjin River, bordering Cholla Province and Kyungsang Province.  His  parents were farmers.  From a young age, he helped with his parents’ farm work until his mother could no longer do farming due to her old age.  During the most prosperous years, his village had 35 families.  Now, only thirteen or fourteen families live in the village.  Rice paddies and fields are not tilled any more.  Simply there are no farmers who want to live in the farming village, working in the rice paddies, fields, and cultivating the low hill area.  There are no fishermen on the river.&nbsp

Sep 12, 2014

'Sumjin River' poet Kim Yong-taek speaks in Washington

Love and revolution

Shin Kyung-sook’s newly-translated novel seeks universality in youth, tumult Shin Kyung-sook’s second English-translated novel, “I’ll Be Right There” is a portrayal of youthful exuberance during the politically tumultuous 1980s./ Korea Times fileBy Kim Young-jinFollowing the success of her first novel translated into English, “Please Look After Mom,” Korean author Shin Kyung-sook is again stepping into the international spotlight. And again, readers are advised to have a handkerchief nearby.That’s because like the previous, best-selling effort, “I’ll Be Right There” is packed with emotion. But rather than a tearjerker about a mother’s devotion, the book is a portrayal of youthful exuberance during the politically tumultuous 1980s, a time, Shin says, when “young people would rally against the government one day, only to disappear the next.”Available in June from Other Press, “I’ll Be Right There” takes place in Seoul under an omnipresent fog of tear gas. Its characters

May 2, 2014

Learning with humor

Darren Farrell with his four-year-old son Jonah / Courtesy of Penguin Group KoreaChildren’s author discusses new book, inspiring children to readBy Kim Young-jin Artwork from “Thank You, Octopus” by Darren FarrellFor parents, there are many benefits to reading each day with your children. It’s a time to wind down, relax and learn.Of course, it’s helpful to have those books that children ask for night after night. Whether they light up the imagination or prompt incessant giggling, these works make it exciting to read.For Seoul-based author Darren Farrell, getting kids jazzed about books is all in the details. His soon-to-be-released “Thank You, Octopus” is packed with hilarious drawings and “inside jokes” that will keep children and parents laughing. Released by Dial Books next week, the story, appropriate for ages three and up, is about a boy and an octopus who live on a tug boat in New York’s Hudson River.The playful mollusk offers to help his friend as he prepares for bed but each time, the creature surprises him

Apr 25, 2014

Books