Lifestyle

Salvador Dali's dreamlike art illuminates Seoul's once-forgotten luxury hotel cabaret

Installation view of the immersive multimedia exhibition, “Dali: The Endless Enigma,” at the Theatre des Lumieres at Grand Walkerhill Seoul ⓒ Salvador Dali, Fundacion Gala-Salvador Dali, c/o SACK 2023 / Courtesy of TmonetBy Park Han-solOn the towering walls inside of a former luxury cabaret at Grand Walkerhill Seoul, Salvador Dali's (1904-89) melting clocks, swarming eyeballs and elephants with spindly legs emerge from the darkness.The floor-to-ceiling digital projection of the Surrealist icon's dreamlike art is what reanimates the hotel's underground Walkerhill Theater, which was established in 1963 as the country's first commercial performance venue before fading into history half a century later.Reborn as the “Theatre des Lumieres” last year ― as part of the global immersive art project realized by the French company Culturespaces ― the once-forgotten structure now hosts its second exhibition, “Dali: The Endless Enigma.”The show follows the success of its predecessor, “Gustav Klimt, Gold in Motion,” which filled the venue with the qu

Goryeo-era transcription of Buddhist text returns home from Japan

Bae Young-il, director of the Seongbo Museum at Magok Temple, points to an illustration inside Vol. 6 of “Saddharmapundarika Sutra,” also known as “The Lotus Sutra,” during a press event held at the National Palace Museum of Korea, Thursday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooA Goryeo-era transcription of a Buddhist sutra written in gold on indigo-dyed paper has been returned to Korea from Japan, the Cultural Heritage Administration (CHA) said Thursday.The manuscript, which is Vol. 6 of “Saddharmapundarika Sutra” ― also known as “The Lotus Sutra,” is made of indigo-dyed paper in a concertina format and its front cover is decorated with a motif of four lotus flowers with vines drawn in gold and silver. The delicate and dense golden lines show that this illuminated manuscript was produced during the latter part of the 918-1392 Goryeo Kingdom, according to the CHA. However, the exact production date and the person who created or hand-copied it remain a mystery. In Korea, the practice of transcribing Buddhist scriptures is referred to as “sagyeong

Translators - unsung heroes behind globalization of Korean literature

Still underpaid despite growing popularity of translated fictionBy Kwak Yeon-sooAfter the #NameTheTranslators hashtag went viral 10 years ago, English-language publishers have begun making an effort to intentionally credit translators on the front covers of novels. Before the social media campaign, one had to flick through a few pages of books to find out who the translator was.Sora Kim-Russell, a Korean-American literary translator who has translated over a dozen books, including four by author Hwang Sok-yong, recently observed that her latest work, “Mater 2-10,” was the first translation of that author's work to feature her name on the cover.The established translator explained that there has been a notable shift in the level of respect given to translators compared to a decade ago. To make strides, translators have become activists in their field and have requested fair contracts, fair pay and proper recognition.“While respect and recognition have improved, the pay has not. That is one area that is still lacking. It's still impossible to survive as a literary tra

DAILY FORTUNE - JUNE 16, 2023

Urban Break 2023 to spotlight AI technology, interactive events

The promotional image of a live graffiti battle, “The Wall Breaker,” which will unfold at Urban Break 2023 in July at COEX in southern Seoul / Courtesy of Urban Break CommitteeBy Jung Da-hyunThe main poster for Urban Break 2023 / Courtesy of Urban Break CommitteeUrban Break 2023, renowned as Asia's premier contemporary urban and street art fair, is set to make its highly anticipated return at COEX in southern Seoul this July, offering an array of captivating interactive exhibits.Since its inception in 2020, the art fair has evolved into a dynamic gathering that captivates Millennials and Gen Z, showcasing a fusion of subculture works, including art toys, webtoons, graffiti and tattoos. Last year, it attracted over 50,000 visitors.The fourth edition will run from July 13 to 16 under the theme of “Crazy Experience.”The event aims to provide visitors with engaging artist booths, immersive activities and live performances.“Our focus lies in creating an enjoyable art festival rather than a traditional exhibition,” Daniel Jang, CEO of the Urban Break Com

Diplomats unveil hidden talents at Culture Communication Forum

From left, French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Lefort, CICI President Choi Jung-hwa, French pansori singer Laure Mafo, Millenasia Chairman Eugene Bang, magician Ed Kwon and German Ambassador to Korea Michael Reiffenstuel, pose with their awards at the 2023 Culture Communication Forum held at the French ambassador's residence in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooDiplomats showcased their hidden talents at this year's Culture Communication Forum (CCF), creating a buzz of excitement among attendees. Under the theme of “Communication through immersion, hidden talent and conviviality,” a Hidden Talent Performance and a ChatGPT Question Competition took place at the French ambassador's residence in Seoul, Tuesday. The 2023 CCF was hosted by the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI).Some 50 leaders attended the forum, including Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Park Min-shik, CJ Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, JoongAng Holdings Chairman Hong Seok-hyun, Poongsan Group CEO Jin Roy Ryu as well as Italian Ambassador to Korea Federico Failla, Switzerland Ambassador to Kore

54th Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards

DAILY FORTUNE - JUNE 15, 2023

Seoul Int'l Book Fair brings together writers, publishers from 36 nations

Visitors check out an exhibition booth by Sharjah, the guest of honor of the Seoul International Book Fair, at COEX in southern Seoul, June 14. YonhapThe Seoul International Book Fair, Korea's largest book fair, opened Wednesday with a rich and diverse selection of writers and publishers from around the world, featuring the latest literary trends. The book fair will run through Sunday at the Convention and Exhibition Center (COEX) in southern Seoul under the theme of "Nonhuman," according to the Korean Publishers Association. The 65th edition, the first held without social distancing measures since COVID-19, will bring together 530 companies and publishing houses from 36 nations.Sharjah, one of the seven United Arab Emirates, is participating in this year's event as the guest of honor, showcasing books and hosting book talk sessions and cultural programs. On the sidelines of the event, acclaimed novelists from home and abroad will give lectures on various themes and have conversations with literature lovers. Yann Martel, the Canadian author best known for his 2002 Booker Prize-winnin

Misrepresentation profoundly harmful: 'Pachinko' author Min Jin Lee

Award-winning Korean-American author speaks about deep affection for people of her birth countryBy Kim Bo-eunMin Jin Lee / Courtesy of Beowulf SheehanAsian representation in America's culture and entertainment sphere has improved in recent years, but acclaimed Korean-American author Min Jin Lee says what matters is accuracy and truth. “I think representation is a worthy goal, but accurate and thoughtful representation is too often missing,” the author of best-sellers “Pachinko” (2017) and “Free Food for Millionaires,” (2007) said in a written interview with The Korea Times last month.“I am not interested in ever privileging representation over the values of ethics, accuracy or truth. Misrepresentation is profoundly harmful.”Lee, who emigrated with her family to the U.S. from Seoul at the age of seven, grew up in Queens, New York. She majored in history at Yale, and obtained a degree at Georgetown Law, practicing for several years before she took up writing as a profession. She has published two parts of a trilogy about Korean immigrants