Lifestyle

DAILY FORTUNE - SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

From 'Oceans' to 'Alone,' Korean musicals become more diverse

Two scenes from the upcoming musical, “Oceans” / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company By Dong Sun-hwaIn the past, most musicals in Korea were adaptations of European or North American theatrical shows or “original productions” highlighting well-known historical figures from the West. However, a growing number of musicals these days are attempting to deviate from these norms by centering on more diverse characters and topics. “Oceans” is the first historical fiction musical by production company EMK Musical, which revolves around Admiral Jang Bo-go (787-841) from the 676-935 Unified Silla Kingdom. Jang is one of the most revered maritime figures in Korea, who established the “Cheonghaejin” base in Wando ― an island of the southern coast of South Jeolla Province ― and dominated the trade between Korea, China and Japan over the decades while defending the coasts. “Oceans” intends to impart a message of hope by showing how Jang etched his name into history and earned the nic

DAILY FORTUNE - SEPTEMBER 13, 2022

Korean food industry sees diversification in HK amid pandemic and hallyu

A Korean restaurant opening in October is seen in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, where some small and fancy restaurants form a restaurant district, Sept. 3. Korea Times photo by Park Ji-wonBy Park Ji-wonHONG KONG ― For foodies, Hong Kong has been a go-to place to enjoy various cuisines from all over the world even though it has never been known as a place for Korean eats. If you ask Hong Kong residents about Korean food, they mostly think of Korean BBQ or spicy things, with many other dishes remaining unfamiliar for the majority. But the trend has been changing with the diversification of Korean restaurants and Korean grocery stores amid the growing popularity of Korean cultural content, as well as following the implementation of strict restrictions on travel to and from Hong Kong with the COVID-19 pandemic. Sandy Li, 32, an office worker, regularly goes to Korean restaurants to have Korean dishes with friends and family members. She also often buys ready-to-eat meals to enjoy at home.“I eat Korean-style chicken at least once a month and often go to eat Korean together with a couple of f

LACMA's 'The Space Between' brings into limelight underrepresented chapters of 20th-century Korean art

Kim Whanki's "Mountain and Moon" (1958) / Courtesy of the Whanki Foundation, Whanki MuseumExhibition shows how cultural shifts in tumultuous era affected Korean artistsBy Park Han-solAs Korea continues its ascent as a cultural powerhouse with the likes of K-pop group BTS and Netflix series “Squid Game,” there has been increasing academic interest in examining how the country's works of modern art led to the present moment ― because contemporary arts and culture don't suddenly materialize out of a void.“The Space Between: The Modern in Korean Art,” opening at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on Sept. 11, is a rare survey of oil and ink paintings, sculptures and photography that all attest to woefully underrepresented chapters of 20th-century Korean art history.In fact, this is the first show of its kind held in the United States, let alone in the West, covering from the year 1897, when King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty proclaimed the establishment of the short-lived Korean Empire, through Japanese colonial rule (1910-45), up to the 1960s post-Korean

DAILY FORTUNE - SEPTEMBER 09, 2022

Winners of Student Reporter Contest recognized at ceremony

Winners of the Korea Times-ETS Student Reporter Contest pose with award plaques at an award ceremony at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Wednesday. Representatives of the sponsors of the event and judges also participated in the ceremony to congratulate the winners of the competition. Students submitted videos in which they selected a news item and reported about it in English. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Jeon Yae-woolThe winners of the 2022 Korea Times-ETS Student Reporter Contest received awards for their outstanding achievements at a ceremony at the Korea Press Center, Wednesday. A total of 56 students from middle and high schools as well as universities across the nation were recognized for their creative work in the competition. This year's student reporter competition called on applicants to submit a video report on any issue or subject they regard as newsworthy ― whether it be a person, social issue or personal experience. The Korea Times has been hosting the annual event, sponsored mainly by ETS, the creator of the TOEFL iBT® test, to help students improve their E

Giant Rubber Duck to take over Seoul's Seokchon Lake once again

Visitors take photos of Dutch visual artist Florentijn Hofman's massive “Rubber Duck” floating on Seokchon Lake in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, in this Oct. 14, 2014, photo. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul By Park Han-solA giant yellow rubber duck that took Seoul by storm eight years ago with its sparkling eyes and tangerine beak is making its way back to the city this fall.The super-sized inflatable bath toy will return to Seokchon Lake in Songpa District, southeastern Seoul, as part of Rubber Duck Project Seoul 2022, scheduled to run from Sept. 30 to Oct. 31, according to the event's organizers, Lotte Property & Development and Songpa District Office.The “Rubber Duck” series is designed by Dutch visual artist Florentijn Hofman, who is well-known for monumental yet temporary urban installations that often have a playful tone to them.The series made its debut in 2007 in France's Saint-Nazaire and has since traveled to 16 major cities around the world, in

INTERVIEW How 'Senior Market' turns waste pickers into elderly artists

A senior artist at “Senior Market” draws a design for a stationery item that will be sold. Courtesy of Senior MarketStationery items made by elderly gain popularity among young peopleBy Dong Sun-hwaShim Hyun-bo, 31, grew up watching his grandmother collecting waste paper and cardboard. As both of his parents had full-time jobs, the young Shim spent most of his time at his grandmother's house, which was located nearby his home in Gangdong District in southeastern Seoul. One day, he saw a waste paper pile in the corner of her house and asked her why she was collecting it. He knew she wouldn't be doing it for money because her four sons regularly gave her enough to make a living. Her response was simple: she needed a way to kill time.Shim Hyun-bo, the founder of Arip&Werip / Courtesy of Shim Hyun-boShim did not want her to keep doing this physically strenuous and low-paying work, which was often viewed negatively by people. He said he was sometimes embarrassed by her. However, Shim's grandmother was not the only one picking up waste. A lot of her friends ― including thos

DAILY FORTUNE - SEPTEMBER 08, 2022