Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Saju allows peek into your future

Prof. Shin publishes guidebook on reading four pillars of destinyBy Cho Jae-hyonSaju MyngliAre our lives predestined? Is what happens to us already decided? This is a question that crosses everyone's mind every once in a while.Some believe we have no choice but to follow the course of our destiny, while others say there is no such thing as fate and we are entirely responsible for our lives.Regardless of whoever is right, we sometimes falter in the face of adversity and come to wonder: “Why me? What have I done wrong?”Are we humans weak creatures doomed by destiny? Can we change our destiny with our will and effort?Only if there are ways we can prevent misfortunes or ready ourselves to mitigate the impact, it would be worth a try.Fortunetellers say we will be able to know what's reserved for us, if we study saju _ the four pillars of destiny as derived from birth. Saju comprises eight letters composed of birth year, month, day and hour.Janet Shin, a professor of the Oriental Science Department at Wonkwang Digital University, recently published “Saju Myngli,” an

May 3, 2019By Cho Jae-hyon

Photobook praises Jeju's brave 'haenyeo' divers

By Jin Yu-young On Jeju Island, the “haenyeo” (sea women) make their livelihood as the free divers of Korea. Currently numbering at 4,500, the haenyeo have a rich history and unbreakable bond as mothers, daughters and sisters of the sea. To capture their work and livelihood, photographer Y. Zin has compiled her first photo book in which she illustrates their unique stories both in and out of the water. Y. Zin is Korea's first National Geographic underwater photographer and went to Jeju Island on multiple occasions to observe the haenyeo. It took her five years to complete this project. The haenyeo dive to the ocean floor for a variety of sea harvests such as abalone and shellfish. They spend approximately five hours a day diving and can gather up to 60 kilograms each session. This is an impressive feat for the haenyeo, whose ages mostly range from 60 to 80. Even the eldest among them, who are over 90 years old, are still agile as ever. “Haenyeo: Women Divers of Korea” by Y. ZinY. Zin describes the women's relationships as “based on a beautiful harmony of

May 2, 2019

Photobook praises Jeju's brave 'haenyeo' divers

Author touts short-term investments for beginners

By Jin Yu-young Yoo Mok-min, who founded the investment company Three Steps in 2018, was not always a successful finance man. In fact, he began working as a contracted part-timer in his mid-thirties after giving up on his pursuit to become a government official. At this age, he was years behind members of his cohort, some of whom were already working in managerial and higher corporate positions. He quickly turned around his financial and professional situation by opening his eyes to the world of investment and stocks. With just a little over $4,000 he had scraped together from his part-time job, he earned close to $3 million in just three years, a 60,000% profit. He gives readers a detailed explanation of how he managed this feat in his book “The Salary Independence Project.” “The Salary Independence Project” by Yoo Mok-minRather than using complicated and jargon-filled language, Yoo simplifies the world of stocks and investments by talking from personal experience, writing the book from the perspective of short-term investors, and focusing on changing attitud

Apr 26, 2019

Author touts short-term investments for beginners

Sharjah inaugurated as World Book Capital

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, right, receives the banner for the World Book Capital from Markos Bolaris, Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, during an inauguration ceremony of Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 at the Al Majaz Amphitheatre in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, Tuesday. Courtesy of Sharjah Govt Media BureauBy Kwon Mee-yooSHARJAH, United Arab Emirates ― Sharjah, the third largest city of the United Arab Emirates, began its term as the World Book Capital (WBC) 2019, designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Tuesday, coinciding with World Book and Copyright Day. World Book Capital is a title given to a city to promote books and reading through various year-long activities, started in 2001 with Madrid, Spain. Sharjah is the first city in the Gulf Region and third city in the Arab World to be designated as the WBC.The Emirate of Sharjah is known as the emirate of culture and knowledge and winning the title reflects Sharjah's relentless efforts in enco

Apr 24, 2019By Kwon Mee-yoo

Sharjah inaugurated as World Book Capital

Tie up loose ends, be meticulous with transactions

Book offers tips for successful negotiators By Jin Yu-youngWhether it be in our personal or professional relationships, communication plays a crucial role in bringing about desired outcomes. Although negotiating may seem intimidating, Natalie Reynolds makes it more approachable in her step-by-step guide, “We Have a Deal: How to Negotiate with Intelligence, Flexibility & Power,” which was shortlisted for “Best Commuter Read” and was the CMI Management Book of the Year in 2017. This book was recently translated into Korean by Park Sun-ryung. Reynolds teaches readers how to approach a wide range of situations with confidence. She starts with the premise that “the ability to negotiate is a skill that can be learned by anyone,” and that by “identifying your strengths and weaknesses… you can start to negotiate more effectively in all parts of your life.” “We Have a Deal: How to Negotiate with Intelligence, Flexibility & Power” by Natalie ReynoldsThroughout the book, she offers tips to those wanting to become su

Apr 19, 2019

Tie up loose ends, be meticulous with transactions

Urbanite leads poetic Jeju lifestyle

Kim Soo-hong, author of “Sigol Books on Jeju,” poses with his book at his bookshop in Jeju's eastern town of Jocheon-ri in this undated photo. / Courtesy of Kim Soo-hongBy Kang Hyun-kyungKim Soo-hong, 57, is one of a swarm of urbanites who migrated to the southern scenic island of Jeju about a decade ago. The “Jeju rush” phenomenon has been continuing since 2010. Since he settled down in Jeju's eastern rustic coastal town of Jocheon, he opened a small bookstore two years ago. He named it “Sigol Books on Jeju.” Sigol usually refers to the countryside but the name of his bookstore comes from a Korean abbreviation of “a poetic, corner bookstore.” Unlike other bookshop owners, his primary purpose is not earning money.“Jocheon-ri is such a small, underdeveloped town, so demand for books is not outstanding,” he said in a phone interview with The Korea Times. “Sigol Books is serving as a free-of-charge venue for small group gatherings. Artists, poets and authors meet for book club meetings or other cultural discourse. My Face

Apr 19, 2019By Kang Hyun-kyung

'Hunchback of Notre Dame' sales soar after tragic cathedral fire

The steeple collapses as smoke and flames engulf the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on April 15. AFPBy Park Si-soo The tragic fire at France's Notre Dame Cathedral has boosted sales of Victor Hugo's classic novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” in France, according to reports. The novel ― published in 1831 under the original French title of “Notre-Dame de Paris” ― topped Amazon France's bestseller list on Tuesday (local time), one day after the iconic cathedral was engulfed in a massive blaze, according to HuffPost and other news outlets. The bestseller list also included two books about the damaged cathedral's history and construction. “Notre-Dame de Paris” follows the tragic lives of the beautiful Esmeralda and the hunchbacked Quasimodo, the 20-year-old bell-ringer who loves her. The novel has been filmed many times, including an Academy Award-nominated Disney version in 1996.The New York Times previously noted that sales of the French translation of Ernest Hemingway's classic tale of Paris, “A Moveable Feast,” rose after the terrorist a

Apr 17, 2019

'Hunchback of Notre Dame' sales soar after tragic cathedral fire

Toothy smile vs. smiling eyes

The U.S. version of the smiley face emoji, left, comes from a “toothy” smile, whereas the Japanese emoji features smiling “eyes,” according to a Japanese scholar. Korea Times graphic by Cho Sang-won'Culture Code' delves into way of thinking behind country-specific phenomenaBy Kang Hyun-kyungIn the digital age, emoticons or emojis are an essential part of life for Koreans. They are used extensively in emails, text messages and online and mobile messenger apps. According to free mobile instant messaging app KakaoTalk, emoticons were used 2 billion times per month in 2018 and the frequency has surged in recent years. In 2012, for example, emoticons were used 400 million times every month. Kim Sae-won, author of “A Glimpse of Globe Through Culture Code” published by Person and Idea publishing house, says Koreans are educated not to reveal their emotions openly, particularly in working relationships, and their extensive use of emoticons in private communications with their friends or family appears to have something to do with this upbringing. “Un

Apr 12, 2019By Kang Hyun-kyung

Free work culture essential to make startups succeed

By Jin Yu-young Many of the big names in the industry today ― Tesla, Facebook, and Apple to name a few ― began their journeys as startups, which are prevalent in today's economy. Between 2012 and 2017 alone, funding for startups increased by over 50%, according to statistics portal Statista. While some startups go on to become the world's largest power-houses and even cultural icons, most do not even pass the five-year mark and shut down in their initial stages. In the midst of fierce competition and high saturation, startup owners are struggling to make a name for themselves on the market. What is it, then, that will set one entrepreneur apart from the others and skyrocket him or her to success? Tim Draper, an American venture capital investor and founder of Draper Associates and Draper University, gives readers the answer in his book, “How to Be the Startup Hero,” which was recently translated into Korean by Kim Yoon-ha. “How to Be the Startup Hero” by Tim DraperFirst having graduated from Stanford University in electrical engineering, Draper went on to purs

Apr 12, 2019

Free work culture essential to make startups succeed

Happiness report defies popular belief about worst weekday

Seven researchers with the presenter of the report, director Choi In-cheol (third from left) of Center for Happiness Studies of SNU. Korea Times file photo by Lee Han-naBy Lee Han-naKorea is the 57th happiest country among 156 countries included in the World Happiness Report of the United Nations. Countries usually only look at the results without paying much attention to their implications for policies or the public. Seoul National University Center (SNU) for Happiness Studies confronts this traditional approach of happiness and claims that it's time to look deeper ― deeper into the inequalities of happiness present within the country.About H: 2019 Happiness Report of Korea. Courtesy of Book 21On April 15, “About H: Korea Happiness Report 2019,” an infographic magazine, will be published as the first research collaboration between the Center for Happiness Studies of SNU and Kakao Together based on the 2018 data from about 1 million online users of Kakao Together and the search engine Daum. It's the first series of research providing massive and detailed information based

Apr 10, 2019

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