Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Review: Book curator provides tips on running sustainable local bookstores

Independent bookstore owner, book curator and author Noh Hee-jung / Courtesy of Noh Hee-jungBy Park Han-solThe future of physical bookstores in the digital age has been a topic constantly revisited in recent years, and has become especially apparent in the era of COVID-19 that made social distancing a part of everyday life. For almost two decades the number of bookstores nationwide has been dwindling, from 3,589 in 2003 to 1,976 as of December in 2019, according to the Korea Federation of Bookstore Association.But within such seemingly bleak conditions, there lies an inkling of hope as independent bookstores with distinctive features are finding their own ways to survive. For them, a critical question comes in the form of “What does running a sustainable local bookstore look like?”Noh Hee-jung, author of "I Recommend Some Books to You Today," has run a children and youth bookstore in Busan called “Gomgomi” for more than two decades. When she first opened up the shop back in 2000, there were more than 120 similar children's bookstores across the country; now th

Mar 9, 2021By Park Han-sol

Review: Book curator provides tips on running sustainable local bookstores

INTERVIEW Author of 'comfort women' series urges world to hear their testimonies

Author Kim Soom / Courtesy of Hyundae MunhakNovel depicting Japan's wartime sex slavery to be reprinted in US By Park Han-solIn recent months, Harvard Law School Professor John Mark Ramseyer's paper “Contracting for Sex in the Pacific War” has created an uproar in political and academic circles by challenging the dominant discourse of Japan's wartime sexual slavery.In his article published in December, Ramseyer labelled World War II sex slaves as “voluntary prostitutes,” not wartime victims who were taken to comfort stations against their will and forced to provide sexual services to Japanese soldiers.As expected, his paper has been weathering a torrent of criticism from historians the world over.The professor's controversial claims, which echoed the views of Japanese far-right activists, meanwhile, rekindled some U.S. readers' interest in Japan's wartime crimes. Those relatively unaware of the horrendous sex slavery during World War II, began to wonder about the truth behind these women's stories.Kim Soom's first book of the “comfort women” serie

Mar 5, 2021By Park Han-sol

[INTERVIEW] Author of 'comfort women' series urges world to hear their testimonies

Bestseller author apologizes over plagiarism, returns with new fiction

By Kang Hyun-kyung Shin Kyung-sook / Korea Times file Million-seller author Shin Kyung-sook released her new fiction novel “I've Gone to Father” Wednesday, offering her belated formal apology in response to allegations that her 2016 work “Legend” plagiarized the late Japanese author Yukio Mashima's short fiction novel “Patriotism.”Noting it was untended, Shin said she was sorry for causing a stir. “I deliver my sincerest apologies to readers for my carelessness,” she said during an online press conference for her new fiction on Wednesday. “I took my mistake and flawed past seriously and will not forget what I did in my future work.”This is her first in-person apology since the plagiarism allegation was raised six years ago. She resumed her literary career in 2019 with the release of her fiction “The River Never Knows What's Loaded on the Ship.” At that time, she offered a written apology. On Wednesday, a nervous-looking Shin said she had been feeling extremely uncomfo

Mar 3, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

Bestseller author apologizes over plagiarism, returns with new fiction

Review: Coming-of-age book untangles protagonist's inner self

“Dok-dae” by Kim Dong-ha / Courtesy of gasseBy Park Han-solMaking up the book's title as well as the protagonist's first name, the term “dok-dae” is a Korean word that can also mean a one-on-one meeting. Kim Dong-ha's novel candidly follows Dok-dae's own “private consultation” with his inner self, as the boy sees his mother leave him and witnesses the incompetence of his father, highlighted by his domineering grandmother.After his mom, subject to years of tyranny and conflict with her mother-in-law, runs away from home, his dad abruptly decides to remodel the old house. As the interior is torn down, Dok-dae also falls apart.Seeing his family and his home being ripped apart throws him into a state of confusion and misery. In the chaotic, complex world of adults, the only thing the young Dok-dae can do is be engulfed by his hatred of his grandmother, who was brutal to his mother, and be overcome with guilt over the unexpected death of his grandfather. These feelings often manifest as merciless, abusive behavior toward small animals and insects.In the

Feb 23, 2021By Park Han-sol

Review: Coming-of-age book untangles protagonist's inner self

Despite falling book sales, number of small bookshops increases six times

A screen capture of a small bookshop with a map of its location, from the Dongneseojeom website.Bookshops in transition from place to buy books to cultural venue for likeminded peopleBy Park Ji-wonBook sales continue to fall. Feeling the pinch, bookshop owners closed down their businesses one after another. Amid the bleak news about the publishing industry, the latest data shows a six-fold increase in the number of small bookshops across the country over the past five years. There were 97 small bookstores in 2015, but the number surged to around 600, according to Dongneseojeom (www.bookshopmap.com), an online platform service provider offering a map and related information on 647 indie bookstores in Korea. Dongneseojeom CEO Nam Chang-woo. Courtesy of DongneseojeomNam Chang-woo, CEO of Dongneseojeom, said that the notion of bookshops has been changing.In the past, he said, bookshops were only places to buy and sell books. But nowadays, bookstores have evolved into places where likeminded people gather to share ideas about common interests and deepen their ties by exploring books about

Feb 22, 2021By Park Ji-won

Despite falling book sales, number of small bookshops increases six times

INTERVIEW UK-based author warns of uncertain future for Hong Kong, Taiwan

The portrait of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong is seen on Tiananmen Gate, which is covered during renovation works, in Beijing, China, in this May 2019 file photo. Reuters-Yonhap'China 1949' tells the story of lingering fallout of Chinese civil war on East Asia and beyondBy Kang Hyun-kyungGraham Hutchings, author of “China 1949: Year of Revolution” / Courtesy of Graham HutchingsGraham Hutchings, an associate at Oxford University's China Center and honorary professor of politics and international relations at Nottingham University, revisited what happened in China about seven decades ago in his recently published book, “China 1949: Year of Revolution,” providing clues as to what to expect in East Asia in the foreseeable future. Calling 1949 “a decisive year” in China's modern history, the British scholar claimed that China and the world still live in the shadow of China's 1946-49 civil war that resulted in the establishment of the Chinese Communist Party. “Unfortunately, the Chinese civil war, so far from being over, might flare up again. And

Feb 18, 2021By Kang Hyun-kyung

[INTERVIEW] UK-based author warns of uncertain future for Hong Kong, Taiwan

'Life out of Orbit' author tells there is no need to live extraordinary life

Lee Ji-su, author of an essay book titled “Life out of Orbit,” poses for a photo at a bookstore in Seoul in this February 2020 photo.  Courtesy of Lee Ji-suBy Jung Da-minStudents who excel in school often take advanced courses so they can go on to a special-purpose high school and then a prestigious university to eventually get a coveted job such as a doctor or lawyer. Lee Ji-su, 29, the author of a book of essays titled “Life out of Orbit,” said she thought she would also take a similar route after graduating early from a science high school. But she failed to get into a prestigious university. She then thought her life could not enter the ideal “orbit” she had pictured in her mind.“As I wrote in my book, I think the biographies of great men had ruined my perspective on life. They made me think that I need to live an extraordinary life,” Lee said during a recent interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province.“After failing to enter the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) that I ha

Feb 17, 2021

'Life out of Orbit' author tells there is no need to live extraordinary life

Why K-pop girl groups resort to 'feminine' appeal ― can they escape it?

"Is Being Called Goddess a Compliment? ― Questions Surrounding Female Idols" by Choi Ji-sun / Courtesy of Sandi Books Pop music critic argues female singers are especially prone to objectification partly because of weaker fan base, and discusses their attempts to break narrativeBy Park Han-solHow does the camera typically gaze at K-pop female idols? What are some of the archetypal adjectives associated with girl groups? Why is it rarer for female idols to produce their own songs?And is being called things like 'elf' and 'goddess' really a compliment for female idols?In her new book “Is Being Called Goddess a Compliment?” Choi carries out a thorough examination of the way K-pop idol groups, especially girl groups, are produced and consumed, uncovering the unseen gender dynamics within the music industry along the way.Based on her 20 years of experience analyzing popular music, Choi raises dozens of questions regarding topics that range from color schemes, adjectives

Feb 16, 2021By Park Han-sol

Why K-pop girl groups resort to 'feminine' appeal ― can they escape it?

Children's book author jailed for sexually abusing children: report

A person takes out a book in this undated photo. Gettyimagesbank By Park Ji-wonHan Ye-chan, a children's book writer who penned more than 100 works, was jailed in December after being found guilty of molesting an 11-year-old child, a local newspaper revealed Monday.According to the Hankyoreh, the 52-year old was sentenced to two and half years in prison in December for violating laws preventing sexual violence against minors aged under 13. He was also ordered to undergo a correctional program for 40 hours and banned from working in facilities related to children, teenagers and people with disabilities. Both Han and prosecutors appealed the ruling.Han was reported to have inappropriately touched the 11-year-old 27 times, including putting his tongue into the minor's mouth. Han pleaded not guilty, but the court sided with the victim, saying that the testimony given was specific and consistent and the writer had enough power to coerce the victim into unwanted sexual re

Feb 15, 2021By Park Ji-won

Children's book author jailed for sexually abusing children: report

Four veteran campers share tips on enjoying the outdoors in 'My Camping Life' series

The "My Camping Life" series by Kang Sung-gu, Moon Na-rae, Jang Jin-young and Seo Seung-beom / Courtesy of Joongang Books By Park Han-solCarefree outings without wearing face masks have become a luxury in the age of the coronavirus pandemic.Four campers offer a peek into the great outdoors by sharing their own adventures and tips on how to enjoy nature to help people, who've grown tired of being locked up at home, consider camping to tune into their inner voices.“My Camping Life,” a four-volume essay series, introduces readers to basic camping gear and methods, as well as recreational activities and recipes that can be enjoyed outdoors. Pocket-sized and lightweight, the books serve as perfect guides for readers to take on any trip. Vibrant illustrations by artist Relish, along with photos taken by the authors themselves during their escapades, add special charm.In “My Camping Items,” the first book in the series, author Kang Sung-gu defines camping as, “an activity

Feb 9, 2021By Park Han-sol

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