Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Novelist embraces 'cultural virus' amid Yemeni refugee dispute

Novelist Pyo Myung-hee, who wrote "Suddenly Refugee" published by Changbi. Courtesy of Changbi.By Ko Dong-hwanThe arrival of more than 550 Yemenis asylum seekers on Jeju Island in May is “an unfamiliar infiltration of a cultural virus,” says Korean novelist Pyo Myung-hee. But, defending the Yeminis against local residents and other Koreans upset about the Muslims and wanting the government to toughen refugee laws and reject the newcomers, she says the virus has “provoked Koreans so hard they have recoiled to an extent beyond rational understanding.” Since the Yemenis landed (from Malaysia) on the tourism-centered island, Korea has been divided over the migrants, debating whether the government should embrace or reject them. Pyo said the root of the problem was neither racial bigotry nor, as popular politician-turned-novelist Rhyu Si-min said, an ethical clash, but Korean society's chronic “cultural dilemma” ― its inability to assimilate foreign cultures.“Korean society has only proved its resistance to alien cultures,” Pyo told The Kore

Jul 10, 2018

Novelist embraces 'cultural virus' amid Yemeni refugee dispute

Book review 'Time for empirical study of Korean stock market'

By Park Si-sooThere is a bunch of guide books analyzing anomalies in the South Korea stock market. The rub is, however, most are merely focused on verifying if some anomalies of foreign stock markets occur also in the Korea. As a result, empirical analyses using a Korean dataset are not well known to the international investment communities and academia. In many foreign countries, on the contrary, research results based on thorough analysis of stock markets are used by the investment communities concerned to produce more reliable and empirical analysis, and vice versa. A case in point is the so-called Halloween effect, an investment technique in which an investor sells stocks before May 1 and refrains from reinvesting until October 31 in order to increase capital gains. In South Korea, however, there are few intellectual bridges between the academic and investment communities, which is basic motive for the authors to write this book -- “Analyses of The Korean Stock Market: Behavioral Finance Approaches.”The co-authors -- Professor Kim Keun-soo of the Graduate School

Jul 8, 2018

[Book review] 'Time for empirical study of Korean stock market'

How to stay out of trouble from irritating people

Japanese author's tips to handle disturbing people By Jin Yu-young Throughout your life, you will meet an incredibly wide range of people. Some you will find pleasant. Others will frustrate you no end. Although avoiding the latter altogether would be preferable, you'll see this is not something in your control, and moreover, is an unavoidable part of your life as a social being.When facing those who invoke in you a sense of anger, how do you properly deal with these emotions in a healthy way?“The Book to Help Remove Irritating People Around Me”Written by Japanese author Oshima Nobuyori and translated into Korean by Go Joo-young, “The Book to Help Remove Irritating People Around Me” not only helps readers recognize the different categories of people who may cause them stress but also provides in-depth explanations on how to effectively communicate with them and cope with the negative feelings that occur upon meeting. Throughout the book, the author, CEO of Insight Counseling who is a seasoned counselor of 24 years in 80,000 cases, depicts various scen

Jul 6, 2018

How to stay out of trouble from irritating people

'Shamanism is part of genetic code for Korean masterpieces'

Book unravels driver behind great Korean paintingsBy Kang Hyun-kyungUnlike some Westerners' perception that Koreans are dull and accustomed to doing long hours of tedious work without complaint, Koreans are fun-loving people who know how to add excitement and enthusiasm to their lives. Choi Kwang-jin, author of the book “Koreans' Sense and Sensibility of Art Revealed in Paintings,” says the state of euphoria _ a critical element in the making of several Korean artistic masterpieces _ originated in the practice of shamanism which has been part of this society since ancient times. According to him, such Korean traits have prompted some to excel in their fields of art and creative works as seen in ancient murals drawn during the Goguryeo Kingdom in the oldest days and modern artworks as demonstrated by globally renowned video artist Paik Nam-june. Koreans, however, have gradually lost their artistic identity as sweeping modernization took place at the expense of “Koreanness,” the art critic laments. “Fun and excitement which lead to a state of euphoria has

Jul 3, 2018

'Shamanism is part of genetic code for Korean masterpieces'

Book debunks 'fake news' about India

Cover of “India, 100 Questions and 100 Answers” by Lee Kwang-su'India, 100 Questions and 100 Answers' corrects misconceptions about the countryBy Jin Yu-young How do we know what we know about India is correct?Lee Kwang-su, author of the new book “India, 100 Questions and 100 Answers,” claims there are plenty of misunderstandings about the Southeast Asian country and this encouraged him to work on the book to educate the public.“It is not that people have little knowledge of India, but rather, that they are misinformed,” said Lee, a professor of history at Busan University of Foreign Studies and an expert on India.Lee said the book provides accurate information on the country and gives a detailed explanation of its history.Lee Kwang-su / Courtesy of Lee Kwang-suEach chapter covers a different facet of the country. Topics range from the characteristics of the Indian people to post-colonialism. Each chapter has subsections that further organize the book's contents. The title of each subsection is one of the 100 questions Lee addresses. Answering comm

Jun 29, 2018

Psychiatrist says 'take it easy to relieve stress'

Book “Let Me Take a Break”'Let Me Take a Break' helps readers save themselves from stressful environment By Kwak Yeon-sooIf you're stressed out, the book “Let Me Take a Break” may help you prevent burnout and suggest a new healthy lifestyle for you.Yoon Dae-hyun, a professor of psychiatry at Seoul National University, draws on his experience and expertise to explore the challenges average Koreans face, such as building constructive relationships with in-laws and maintaining a work-life balance. Based on his counseling experience with his patients and research, Yoon provides readers with opportunities to evaluate their lives and enjoy healthy fulfilling lives.“Today, many problems in our lives are caused by stress and burnout syndrome. Koreans are overly self-conscious and experience fatigue due to fierce competition and social obligations,” Yoon writes in his book. The seasoned psychiatrist delves into the factors that cause stress based on cases of his own patients. A key part of the commentary is written in a Q&A format.This book consists of

Jun 22, 2018

Psychiatrist says 'take it easy to relieve stress'

Translated literary works gaining influence

Kim Sa-in, president of Literature Translation Institute of Korea, makes opening remarks during the International Translation and Publication Symposium held at COEX in southern Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of LTI KoreaSeoul Int'l Book Fair opensBy Kwak Yeon-sooIn the literary circles of most countries, translated works have never been the mainstream.But they are becoming more and more important. Earlier this year the United States National Book Foundation announced it would present the National Book Award for Translated Literature to honor a work of fiction or non-fiction that has been translated into English and published in the United States.The decision has left those who are familiar with the distinguished awards scratching their heads because the National Book Award was initially designed to honor the “great American” novels.Ira Silverberg, a senior editor at the U.S. publisher Simon & Schuster, said the NBF's decision reflects the growing significance of translated works.“In the United States, translated novels have always been the exception, never the rul

Jun 20, 2018

Translated literary works gaining influence

Short and readable, the emerging trend in publishing industry

This double-pan balance scale shows three thick books, left, weigh the same as 11 slim books, right. Books became slimmer because readers prefer readable, short stories rather than thick, text-heavy books. / Courtesy of publisher MimesisYoung readers prefer shorter stories over text-heavy booksBy Kwak Yeon-sooFor most readers, it isn't always easy to find time to read a thick 400-page novel while striking a balance between work, household duties and other social obligations. Thus readers nowadays prefer stories in the minimalist mode over text-heavy stories because amid the bustling, stressful city life, reading is no longer a relaxing, enjoyable hobby. With the influence of social media, young readers tend to disclose their reading habits or favorite books by posting pictures or excerpts from a book. Rather than a source of quiet activity, reading is more about showing off how much they stack up books and check off arbitrary must-read book lists compared with others. In other words, how many books you've read has become an instrument through which you can be judged by others. Follow

Jun 17, 2018

Short and readable, the emerging trend in publishing industry

Book review A dissection of 'created diseases'

'Created Diseases' shows side effects of chemotherapyBy Jin Yu-young For some cancer patients, chemotherapy is no longer an option.Yet it is a hard decision for patients to take it. While undergoing chemotherapy, patients suffer enormously and healthy people can hardly imagine how severe the circumstances are that those patients experience. There is a role doctors can play to help the patients, according to a new book, “Created Diseases.” It is a collection of four interviews pop culture critic Kim Tae-hoon conducted _ three doctors in the fields of obesity, cancer and psychiatry and a personal trainer. “One of the patients I treated today is in his 70s,” said Dr. Seo Jae-geol, who spoke on cancer. “He is weary, becomes thinner and thinner as time goes by. He couldn't eat anything because he vomits whenever he tries food.“Facing such a patient, doctors like me are plunged into the hard question of what kind of cancer drugs we need to use this time because there are fewer options for patients such as him ... Chemotherapy will be more effective if do

Jun 15, 2018

[Book review] A dissection of 'created diseases'

Feminist book 'Born in 1982' back in spotlight

Deep-seated discrimination makes women furious By Kang Hyun-kyungThe 2016 bestseller “Kim Ji-young, Born in 1982” is back in the spotlight as the feminist movement has gained momentum and attracted an unprecedentedly high number of women to rallies. On Saturday, 22,000 protesters gathered near Hyehwa Station in Seoul for a feminist rally accusing the police of using a double standard in their investigation and punishment of voyeur video makers. The fury of female protesters has raised a key question _ what made them so upset?Cho Nam-joo, author of the feminist book “Kim Ji-young, Born in 1982” / Korea Times file“Born in 1982” gives a sneak peek into their grievances and discontent. The narrator Kim Ji-young, a college graduate who quit her job as a publicist at a PR company to take care of her newborn baby girl, says gender-based discrimination is widespread and equal opportunity for women is an empty slogan. In the home, she says discrimination against women takes the form of special treatment of sons. While she was raised, the narrator says her y

Jun 12, 2018

Books