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Poet brings a striking poem of war, love

By Han Sang-hee The recent artillery attack by North Korea shook the nation as a whole, but those who experienced the devastation 60 years ago would certainly have wished the news reports were mistaken. Poet Mun Dok-su, 82, was one of them. “Of course I was devastated and worried. That’s what started the Korean War,” Mun told The Korea Times. “It’s all about greed for power. That is what causes terrorism, war and other terrible incidents in the world,” he added. Those who have gone through treacherous times such as war experience aftereffects, and while some simply withstand the nightmares alone, Mun wrote a long poem called “The Postman” to soothe his emotional pain and also remind the world that war and terrorism is never the answer to greed. “The Postman” received rave reviews when it first came out last year, not only because it dealt with the universal theme of love meshed with Korea’s history of war, but because of his stylish use of words, realistic descriptions and elegant and calm manner amid the terrible chain of events during the darkest times in Kor

Dec 3, 2010

Recent Books

Japan Road Cha Baek-seong; lbig Media: 364 pp., 15,000 won Cyclist and traveler Cha Baek-seong inspired fellow bike riders in Korea with his first book ``America Road’’ in 2008, and the enthusiastic writer is back again, this time from trails in Japan. Cha’s new book ``Japan Road’’ features his travels and thoughts during his 80-day trip across the Asian country, along with interesting historical facts, tips and advice for travelling by bicycle. The book is divided into three main themes ― ``Korean Traces Within Japan,” ``In the Search of the 88 Temple Road of Shikoku’’ and ``Following the Trails of Joseon Tongshinsa.’’ Each section includes personal incidents, bike routes, eateries and background information specific to the locations. ``As I traveled Japan on my bicycle, I realized once again how fascinating it is to travel with it. The biggest benefit of bike-traveling is the leisure,’’ the writer writes in the preface, beckoning readers to follow suit. Readers will easily find the new book engaging as it focuses on the writer’s personal insights and experiences as a

Nov 26, 2010

Czech cartoon Krtek vying to win Korean hearts

By Ines Min The world of children’s literature has transformed and adapted with the times, but one cannot help but feel that pang of warm nostalgia whenever confronted with a character embodiment of youth. Whether it is the 1960s furry-eared Cheburashka of Russia or the well-known endless dichotomy of a clever rabbit and a lisping Elmer Fudd, the characters of children’s stories reserves a particular power. For the Czech, it was round-faced Krtek. The National Library for Children and Young Adults opens ``Czech Picture Book and Illustration: Here Comes the Krtek’’ Dec. 1 for a month-long exhibition of the beloved character’s published and animated career. Comprised of some 60 illustrated children’s books from the country’s publishers Albatros and Brio, the exhibition will focus predominately on Krtek, though the showcase will offer an opportunity for visitors to peek into other popular titles. Czech ambassador to Korea Jaroslav Olsa, Jr., will open the event alongside library director Lee Sook-hyeon, officially introducing the endearing ``little mole’’ to the Korean pub

Nov 26, 2010

Sandel challenges readers on morality with new book

By Bae Ji-sook Before looking at Michael J. Sandel’s new book “Why Morality,” we need to consider its predecessor. Gimmyoung Publishers hit the jackpot earlier this year with one of the biggest “unlikely” bestsellers, “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?” As its philosophical title indicates, the book itself isn’t an easy read. After all, modern society seems to have long distanced itself from contemplating morals or justice, especially in Korea where giving remissions to villains or criminals for the sake of the economy comes easy. The author, Harvard University professor Michael Sandel, however, looks into every bit of society’s growing numbness toward what he considers is a very essential part of our lives with bountiful fables, citations and most of all, real life stories. Korean readers responded by buying more than 500,000 copies in less than six months, which is considered a miracle for a piece of work from the humanities. Whether it was out of worry or fascination, coincidence or a swift response, President Lee Myung-bak said he read the book during h

Nov 19, 2010

An American ambassadors Korean diary

By Lee Hyo-won “My name is Shim Eun-kyung,” Kathleen Stephens, undoubtedly the most popular American ambassador assigned to the country as of late, said in fluent Korean to introduce herself upon arriving at Incheon Airport to assume her post on Sept. 23, 2008. The Korean name was given to her when she served as a Peace Corps volunteer during the 1970s, and now graces the title of her new book for Korean readers. As suggested by its English title, “An American Ambassador’s Reflections on Life in Korea” (Joongang Books: 296 pp., 13,000 won), it is a recollection of her personal experiences since returning here. But “fans” of the diplomat may well recognize the content from her blog, a much visited corner of the American embassy’s official online community site, Cafe USA. “(The blog) gives me a way to share with a broader audience, to share a little bit of what I experienced here, including all the hospitality and warmth I’ve received,” Stephens said during a press meeting, Wednesday, at Habib House, the official residence of the U.S. ambassador to Korea in Jongno, Seoul. Some

Nov 19, 2010

Recent books

Hot Trend 2011 Korea Trend Research Institute and PFIN; Leaders Book: 230 pp., 15,000 won Trend watchers have been on the rise in the past decade, with innovators and investors looking to surf the next wave of creativity in the modern world. The Korea Trend Research Institute, the country’s first organization to focus on trends, collaborates with the Profashion Information Network (PFIN), a creative strategy group, to prepare and release the latest book on what will be big in 2011. And the keyword for the next year? “Coevolution.” Coevolution, or the process of mutual growth and cooperation, and the seven major categories of 2011 mark themselves with convenience, efficiency and greater networking: Easy Oblige, SMART-ing, Simple-Life-Action Play, The Union of Socialians, E-Teens, Breathe in the City and Mixed-blood Sense. The book suggests the world prepare for the second age of digital technology (in a series of example “cases”), where advancements will grow in conjunction with the development of society, and coevolution will become the norm. — INES MIN Travel

Nov 19, 2010

Recent Books

Bonno Reset Keikocho Ryunoosuke Koike; Bulgwang Publications: 304 pp., 13,800 won People tend to leave a trace of emotion whenever they do, say or think about something. Ryunoosuke Koike, a Japanese monk and writer of the new book “Bonno Reset Keikocho” says this trace is karma. Among the different emotional karmas, the negative ones are anguish, and the monk say people nowadays are swimming in a pool of such feelings. The book is an adorable comic book written and drawn by the monk himself, with short descriptions and guidelines of how to escape anguish and become a happier and less angry person. The short cartoons are far from serious, but readers will be able to take a break from all the stress, anger and greed that follow them on a daily basis. “This book tries to talk about the fundamental teaching of Buddhism: the mind. As you read and skip some parts, you will hopefully learn about the human mind, and I hope the (readers) will get to reset their emotional anguish and start all over again,” the writer wrote on the preface. — HAN SANG-HEE The Accidental

Nov 12, 2010

Korean artbook bursts into English world

By Ines Min Korean art has long held the interest of those abroad. While the U.S.-based Korean Art Society makes regular rounds of exhibitions on the ancient crafts, European academics study the branches of North and South Korean traditional art, and hordes of others still seek the past through the large-scale exhibitions of the National Museum of Korea. All that these aficionados were lacking was a comprehensive book written in English. “Masterpieces of Korean Art,” published this month by the Korea Foundation, is a full historical text that traces the timeline of the country’s greatest works from the Neolithic Period to the late 19th century of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The near 4,000-year range of the book includes 40 articles on roughly 80 works, and readers can learn about the myriad artwork detailing Korean history: from painted murals inside tombs, to gilt-bronze incense burners and white porcelain. The book focuses on the diverse spectrum of Korean art, which serves as the “key to identifying the essence, characteristics, origins and changes over time” for the

Nov 12, 2010

From Rags to Riches: Koreas success story

By Han Sang-hee With numerous international delegations and important business officials heading to Seoul for the G20 summit, a simple yet well written book about Korea is expected to help visitors and future visitors understand the host country and be inspired by the challenging obstacles it overcame throughout the years. “Korea: From Rags to Riches” is the first collection of articles that examines Korea’s path from tragic war to significant wealth. Korea has been described as the nation of the miracle of the Han River, thanks to its fast economic development shouldered by numerous unknown yet hard working patriotic Koreans. “This book is an encyclopedia of the Korean development model. It is designed to further enhance readers’ interest in Korea’s development as well as to provide a guideline for state policy planners in developing countries as they pursue economic development and political democratization,” Park Eung-kyuk, president of the Korea Institute of Public Administration (KIPA) and editor of the book, wrote in the acknowledgements. Indeed, the book will

Nov 10, 2010

Recent books

Peace Story Various authors; Nami Books: 146 pp., $20 The 5th Nami Island International Children’s Book Festival has published a collection of new short stories from authors hailing from Greece to China, focusing on that subject so long elusive from man: peace. Dreamt up by Kang Woo-hyon, an illustrator and Nami Island’s CEO, the book brings a universal concept into a multicultural outlet through tales of families torn apart by war, lessons in love and autobiographical memories. While some of the stories at times seem too visceral for the young, others find a perfect balance of adventure and morality, such as the modest “The Man Who Painted Peace” by Christos Boulotis and the quirky “The Mouth of Silence” by Louis Jensen. But it is the book’s illustrations that are the most eye-catching, and a range of styles line the pages. The classic animated look of Violeta Zabulica-Diordiev is filled with fun detail, Eric Rohmann’s minimalist, subtle palettes a refreshing look, while the imaginative abstractness of writer and illustrator Salah Elmur are fit for the imaginatio

Nov 5, 2010
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