Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Dokdo in poetry and song at Rhode Island conference

By Choi Yearn Hong My poem, “Dokdo,” was turned into a song by composer La In-yong, a professor emeritus at Yonsei University and a member of the Korean Academy of Arts, which was then sung by baritone Choi In-dal, a professor emeritus at James Madison University in Virginia, and tenor Kim Young-suk, a professor at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania,. As a poet, I am thankful for the opportunity to debut as a songwriter for the special occasion of the international conference on Dokdo . It was my honor to have a famed composer and opera singers bring my poem to the musical world.The stage was not set for a musical performance but rather for a scholarly conference, specifically the International Conference on the Territory and Maritime Issues: Sovereignty over Dokdo from   Historical, Political and Cultural Perspective . The conference was co-sponsored by the Korean-American University Professors’ Association and the Northeast Asian History Foundation and held at Omni Providence Hotel in Providence, R.I.   on June 5-6, 2015.The associa

Jul 3, 2015

Remembering Korean War veterans

Andrew Salmon talks about his new book, “Scorched Earth, Black Snow: Britain and Australia in the Korean War, 1950,” at the British Embassy in Seoul, on June 19. / Photo by Kim Jae-heunBritish journalist captures wartime memories in new bookBy Kim Jae-heunKorea-based English freelance reporter Andrew Salmon published his second book on the memories of some 93 survivors’ first-hand experiences during the Korean War.Salmon’ book, “Scorched Earth, Black Snow: Britain and Australia in the Korean War, 1950,” released on June 25, celebrates the 65th anniversary of the war since it broke out in 1950 upon the invasion of North Korea. The story highlights the fact that the country’s tragic event may be forgotten after more than six decades as the last remaining participants continue to die.“In English literature we say there are two genres,” said Salmon during the press conference at the British Embassy in Jung-gu, Seoul, on June 19. “There are comedy and tragedy. And war is great tragedy. And I think right now it’s almost impo

Jul 3, 2015

In pursuit of difference

Lush is one of the brands that successfully differentiated itself from others. / Courtesy of Lush“Better is not enough. Be different”; Hong Sung-tai, JohSu-yong; Book Stone; 284 pp., 16,000 wonBy Yun Suh-youngThe recently released book, “Better is not enough. Be different," may become the branding bible for young marketers, mid-level professionals in the field and young CEOs preparing to launch their own brands.The book is jointly written by a scholar and a field expert ― Professor Hong Sung-tae of Hanyang University's Marketing Department, who is also the president of the Korea Marketing Association; and the branding director and president of JOH company, Joh Su-yong, who publishes creative magazine "B," operates two restaurants, Ilhochic and Second Kitchen in Hannam-dong, and directed the design concepts for hotels such as Nest in Incheon and Glad in Yeouido, Seoul. As "differentiation" has become a keyword among companies to survive in this competitive society, this book can be a guide to those seeking advice.Citing numerous examples in each chapter to

Jun 26, 2015

Novelist apologizes for plagiarism

By Chung Ah-youngShin Kyung-sookProminent novelist Shin Kyung-sook Tuesday admitted plagiarizing passages of a famous story translated from Japanese to Korean and apologized to her fans.The 52-year-old author broke her silence six days after novelist and poet Lee Eung-jun alleged that Shin’s 1996 short story “Legend” contained translated parts of Japanese author Yukio Mishima's “Patriotism” in his Huffington Post column on June 16.  “Patriotism” was translated into Korean by renowned poet Kim Hu-ran in 1983.“I think that it might be right to raise the question of plagiarism,” she said in an interview with The Kyunghyang Shinmun, a vernacular newspaper.But she avoided the core of the criticism in the interview, saying that she can’t remember if she has read “Patriotism” but she can’t trust her own memory.Shin also said that she will not announce the end of her writing career. “I cannot say I won’t write to avoid criticism right now. As the literature is my life itself, if I cannot write, I a

Jun 23, 2015

Novelist Shin Kyung-sook admits plagiarism

Breaking her silence on allegations that she partly plagiarized the Korean translation of a Japanese short story, renowned novelist Shin Kyung-sook admitted she plagiarized and apologized to her readers Tuesday.The apology came a week after novelist Lee Eung-jun wrote in an article published on Huffington Post Korea that Shin's "Legend," a short story collection published in 1996, included plagiarisms of the Korean translation of "Patriotism" (1961) by the late Japanese writer Yukio Mishima.The 52-year-old writer denied the allegation the following day and has since kept silence on the issue."After comparing the sentences in question in Yukio Mishima's novel 'Patriotism' and those in 'Legend' several times, I thought that it might be right to raise the plagiarism allegation," Shin said in an interview with the Kyunghyang Shinmun newspaper."I desperately tried to recall my memory only to find that I haven't read 'Patriotism,' but now I'm in a situation where even I can't believe my own memory."She then made a public apology."I sincerely apologize to the literary writer who raised the

Jun 23, 2015

Former HUFS president publishes 'Don Quixote II' translation

Attendees celebrate the publication of former Hankuk University of Foreign Studies President Park Chul’s translation of “Don Quixote II” in Seoul, June 15. From left in the front row are Mexican Ambassador Jose Luis Bernal, Spanish Ambassador Gonzalo Ortiz, Venezuelan Ambassador Yadira Hidalgo de Ortiz, Park, Asociacion Europea de Profesores de los Espanoles President Pilar Celma, Asociacion de Cervantistas President Jose Manuel Lucia Mejias and Professor Chung Kyung-won. / Korea Times photo by Kim Jae-heunBy Kim Jae-heunPark Chul, the former president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) and a permanent member of the Royal Spanish Academy, held a conference on Monday at the university in Seoul to celebrate the publication of “Don Quixote 2,” his translation of the original Spanish novel. “Don Quixote I,” the first part one of the translation of the novel, was published 10 years ago.There have previous Korean translations of “Don Quixote,” including been a 15-page summary by poet and publisher Choe Nam-seo

Jun 19, 2015

Former HUFS president publishes 'Don Quixote II' translation

Book depicts life of military leaders

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Choi Yoon-hee, second from right, patrols along a barbed wire fence near the border with North Korea, Wednesday. Military commentator Kim Jong-dae, in his new book “Desperate Generals,” sheds light on the power struggle among military generals. / YonhapCover of “Desperate Generals”/ Courtesy of Medici MediaBy Baek Byung-yeulIt is clear that the military has played an important part in Korea’s modern history ― it cultivated a brilliant and respectable group of military leaders who sacrificed themselves to defend the country during the Korean War and Cold War.Today, however, amid the rampant military corruption, many ask, “Does Korea still have good military leaders? In all seriousness, can we consider the incumbent generals as true patriots?”Kim Jong-dae, who has been commenting on military issues for over two decades, attempts to answer those questions in his new book “Desperate Generals,” in which he sheds light on how some military generals in the country, which is still in a quasi-state

Jun 19, 2015

Novelist denies plagiarism accusations

Shin Kyung-sookBy Baek Byung-yeulRenowned novelist Shin Kyung-sook, best known for her globally celebrated novel “Please Look After Mom,” has been accused of plagiarism.Novelist and poet Lee Eung-jun accused Shin of plagiarizing passages of her 1996 short story “Legend” from Japanese author Yukio Mishima’s “Patriotism,” in an article Lee posted on the Huffington Post online news outlet, Tuesday.In Lee’s article titled “Darkness of idol, corruption of literature: Shin Kyung-sook plagiarized Yukio Mishima,” Lee insisted a passage from Shin’s short story starting with a sentence “Both were possessed of healthy body. Their relationship was passionate,” is completely plagiarized from a passage in Mishima’s short story starting with a sentence, “As both were possessed of young, vigorous bodies their relationship was passionate.”After citing passages from two stories, Lee wrote, “This is a clear case of plagiarism, a dishonest act of a literary work which cannot be acceptable to any profess

Jun 17, 2015

Literature meets social media

Popular SNS poet Choi Dae-ho’s “Ilgeobosijip” is shown on his Facebook page. He published a collection of his poems early this year, which were posted on his SNS accounts. / Captured from Choi’s FacebookAmateur writers turn to social networking services to promote work  Ha Sang-wook’s “Seoulsi” Lee Hwan-cheon’s “Literature Salon”By Chung Ah-young Literature has been slow to adapt to social change and the rapidly changing tastes of readers. But in this digital era, authors are breaking out of tradition and turning to digital platforms to promote their work and expand their readership.Although the pros and cons of digital platforms in promoting literature are still debatable, social networking services (SNSs) have already been shown as effective tools for strengthening the connections between readers and writers.The so-called “SNS poets,” such as Ha Sang-wook, Choi Dae-ho and Lee Hwan-cheon, have expanded their horizons, having started out as SNS sensations and then proving themselves

Jun 12, 2015

Artworks step out of museum

“Tree... #2” (2011) from Lee Myoung-ho's “Tree Abroad” series / Courtesy of Yossi Milo Gallery, New YorkBy Kwon Mee-yooIn October 2014, a giant, 19-meter-tall yellow rubber duck sculpture floated on Seokchon Lake in southern Seoul. The "Rubber Duck," created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, soon became Seoulites’ favorite character. More than 5 million people came to see it. The popular inflatable duck left the lake after the prearranged dates, but it left "skin" behind. Design group Fabrikr up-cycled the yellow polyvinyl chloride used for the duck to make rocking chairs and bags.More and more artists bring their work outside the museum and Hofman's Rubber Duck is a good example of public art, which is exhibited at a public space and readily available for a wide audience.Public art has a wide range of diversity, just as contemporary art does. It could be colored sheer, ethereal material hanging over a river ("1.26 Amsterdam" by Janet Echelman); a litter-strewn seashore with garbage collected from the six continents ("Washed Up" series by Alejandro Dura

Jun 5, 2015

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