my timesThe Korea Times
Lifestyle

Books

Korea Times
About Us
Introduction
History
Contact Us
Products & Services
Subscribe
E-paper
RSS Service
Content Sales
Site Map
Policy
Code of Ethics
Ombudsman
Privacy Policy
Youth Protection Policy
Terms of Service
Copyright Policy
Family Site
Hankookilbo
Dongwha Group
FacebookXYoutubeInstagram
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.

Book traces life of ballerina Kang Sue-jin’s Stuttgart partner

By Do Je-hae Prima ballerina Kang Sue-jin of the Stuttgart Ballet is an inspiration to young Korean ballerinas and some have even followed in her footsteps by taking top prizes at international competitions. The 44-year-old has been a principal with one of the world’s foremost dance troupes since 1997 but there has not been much written about her. The latest book on her favorite partner Robert Tewsley, one of the most renowned ballerinos from the United Kingdom, carries special photos and stories of the pair which elevated Stuttgart Ballet’s reputation in the early 2000s. Iris Julia Buhrle, a Stuttgart-based professional dance journalist, penned the book entitled “Robert Tewsley — Dancing beyond borders.” It was published in December 2011, and the bilingual book in English and German is available at online bookstores. “Kang and Tewsley used to be Stuttgart’s star couple from 1998 to 2002 and they performed together in Korea several times,” Buhrle said via email. The author studied history of art, comparative literature and international relations in Stuttgart,

Jan 6, 2012By Do Je-hae

Impact of English on late Joseon

By Do Je-hae Korea is a nation obsessed with English. It is an important tool for promotion at workplaces and some universities such as Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) are adopting it as the official language in the office and on campus. There has also been some public debate about whether this country, which has no colonial experience with an English-speaking country, should adopt English as a second official language to promote globalization. “English Awakens Joseon,” a two-part series by journalist Kim Young-cheol, provides a detailed historical reference on how English entered the country during the late Joseon Kingdom (1392-1897) and how it has impacted Korean society. Kim writes for the city desk of one of Korea’s major news dailies. He majored in diplomacy at Seoul National University. This book is particularly useful for diplomats, students and professors in international relations because they are very informative about how the Joseon elite used English in dealing with foreign powers. “The book is intriguing in that it takes a look at

Jan 6, 2012By Do Je-hae

Seoul Olympics’ lessons for 2018 PyeongChang

By Do Je-hae Hosting mega international events requires the work of so many people. Needless to say, the role of government officials and diplomats is crucial to bringing the events like the Olympics to their countries. The nation was collectively jubilant when the remote mountainous town of PyeongChang was confirmed as the host of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games after three failed bids in July. One of the most detailed accounts of the story of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games was recently re-published on the occasion of PyeongChang’s successful bid. “The 1988 Seoul Olympics: A Success Story” by Chyung Sang-jin, a former career diplomat, is a book on how Korea prepared to bid for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. From a government official’s point of view, the book tells the backstage stories of how the newly democratized Korea dealt with an unprecedented task in its modern history — taking on the role of Olympic host for the first time. While Koreans over 30 years of age remember the triumph of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, younger people are not as aware of the even

Dec 30, 2011By Do Je-hae

Recent books

Moon Sook’s Recipes of Nature Moon Sook; Image Box: 262 pp; 14,000 won With the New Year, one of the resolutions people tend to make is to become healthier eaters. “Moon Sook’s Recipes of Nature” is the author’s latest book and her first cookbook, filled with easy-to-make healthy dishes and drinks. This book is recommended for people who don’t have a lot of time in the kitchen but are serious about eating right. The best feature about the former actress’s recipes are that they are simple, like oven-baked tofu or carrot soup. She provides an easy explanation about the health effects of the ingredients and vegetables used in each of her recipes. The recipes are not confined to any one nationality, encompassing foods from Korea, Japan, and the Middle East. After a longtime absence from public life, Moon re-emerged with a book titled “Moon Sook’s Natural Healing” last year about self-healing through yoga and the right food for the mind and body. She shared these tools to her salvation after leaving Korea 30 years ago, right after the death of her lover Lee Man

Dec 30, 2011

Building world-class orchestras

Haffner's German classic on 30 finest ensembles published in Korean By Do Je-hae Germany is the birthplace of numerous composers and musicians who have made indispensable contributions to Western classical music. Naturally, the European country has also been an active publisher of important literature on Western classical music as well. Not being able to speak German can be frustrating for many Korean fans, because there is so much fine literature on the subject that has been available only in German. The Korean version of “Orchestras of the World” (Orchester der Welt; Kyung Dang Publishing House: 778 pp., 39,000 won), the story of the world’s finest 30 orchestras, was recently published here. It is one of the most comprehensive books every written on the history of top orchestras in Europe and North America. Herbert Haffner, a German culture critic, has published several renowned book on orchestras and conductors, including the acclaimed 2003 “Furtwangler,” the story of the former director of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) and predecessor of Herbert von Kar

Dec 23, 2011By Do Je-hae

Recent books

Barefoot Youth Shin Seong-il; Munhaksegyesa; 360 pp; 13,500 won When veteran actor Shin Seong-il published his biography, the media focused mostly on an extramarital affair that he disclosed for the first time. The self-proclaimed "legend of Korean films" is a charismatic actor who dominated the industry in the 1960 and ‘70s. As Korean movies are gaining more popularity abroad, this book, if translated into English, would serve as an interesting guide for foreigners on how the local film industry developed following the Korean War. The 74-year-old gives a detailed account of his career as well as the directors and actors he worked with. The Daegu native started his career with director Shin Sang-ok in "Romance Papa." The name "seong-il" was actually given to the actor by Shin Sang-ok. It means "new rising star." And rise he did, eventually becoming one of the most sought-after actors of his generation, working with the most popular actresses of the time, like Yun Jeong-hee, who now is married to Paris-based pianist Paik Gun-woo. Having appeared in some 500

Dec 23, 2011By Do Je-hae

Recent books

SHINee in Barcelona Onew, Key and Taemin; Woongjin Living House: 328pp., 25,000 won Three members of boy band SHINee — Onew, Key and Taemin — flew to Barcelona to explore the Spanish city and published a book on their experiences there. Full of colorful photos taken by the three, the book introduces Barcelona by district — Ramblas, Raval, Barceloneta, Born, Eixample and Barri Gothic. It also reveals the hidden charm of the members which doesn’t always come across on the small screen. Onew makes Spanish rice dish paella for Key and Taemin, while Key is fascinated by the artists and designers of Spain. Taemin, the youngest, excitedly visits Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC Barcelona and dashes to the beach of Barceloneta. Travel writer K, who lives in Barcelona joins them to give insider information and tips including on architect Gaudi’s legacy and the passionate flamenco dance. “SHINee in Barcelona” is not only a must for the boy band’s fans, but a great guide to Barcelona, written with much affection. — KWON MEE-YOO

Dec 16, 2011

Suzy Lee explores beyond borders in books

By Kwon Mee-yoo A girl, in the left page of a picture book, plays on the beach by the water’s edge. The waves from the right page cannot penetrate the left page, as the binding line works as a border between reality and fantasy. The girl sticks out her tongue expecting that the mountainous waves will never flow over to her side. But over the next pages, the waves pass over the line and sweep her away. As the waves hit two pages together, fantasy blends with reality and the girl changes. This is part of what happens in Suzy Lee’s illustrated book “Wave.” Lee is known for a series of wordless picture books — “Mirror,” “Wave” and “Shadow” — using the innate physical property of books as major characteristics of her work. The binding line in the center of two facing pages of the book, the square-shape of paper and custom of reading from left to right are all closely related to her themes, content and structure. In “Mirror,” the binding line works as a mirror of a girl, but the same line separates the real world and shadows in “Shadow.” She exercises her imagination e

Dec 16, 2011By Kwon Mee-yoo

Recent books

A Guide for Professors: For Instructing Undergraduate Students’ Employment and Career Development Kim Woong-tae et al; CBS Consulting Co.: 94 pp., 12,000 won As the youth unemployment rate has reached an all-time high in Korea, there have been many efforts at a governmental level to help curb the numbers. A career development expert has taken the initiative to start the process at the academic level. This guide, penned by the supervisor and consultants of the Global Career Development Facilitator-Korea (GCDF) features step-by-step instructions for professors, rather than students. “Given the current socioeconomic climate, college graduates’ foray into society is no longer an individual problem but a task for which all stakeholders in an academic institution should be responsible,” says Kim, president & CEO of GCDF-Korea. The book aims to direct instructors on how to give career advice but also boost decision-making skills that are required to enable not just professional consultants but all faculty members to help students develop a successful career. It is currentl

Dec 9, 2011By Do Je-hae

Introducing Korean Zen to the West

Renowned Buddhist monk's teachings published in English By Do Je-hae One of the most effective means of globalizing Korean Buddhism or introducing it to the West is through good books. “Open the Mind, See the Light” by “Seon” (Zen) master Jinje is highly recommended for anyone who is interested in learning more about topics related to Korean Buddhism and meditation in everyday life. Ven. Jinje is a leading monk of the Joyge Order of Korean Buddhism and one of the greatest living masters of the practice of Seon. He was awarded the title of “daejongsa,” meaning “most eminent monk,” by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in 2004. A book containing Ven. Jinje’s latest interviews and Dharma talks was published in English last month. An impressive feature of this book is that it was translated and edited by non-Korean experts who are exceptionally knowledgeable about Korean Buddhism as well as the Korean language. It was translated by the American monk Ven. Hyongak, popular author and translator of several books related to Korean Buddhism. He is the leader of a Korean Zen

Dec 9, 2011By Do Je-hae
previous page
125126127128129
next page

Most Read in Lifestyle