Lifestyle

20th-century Korean photography: Search to immortalize 'spiritual truth' of era

Park Ju Seok, a professor of the Research Institute for the Visual Language of Korea at Myongji University, and an archivist of 20th-century Korean photography, poses at the Art Space Eonju Round in Seoul's Gangnam District, Feb. 22. In this touring exhibition, which will continue in Gwangju and Daegu in the coming months, 50 historic vintage and original photographic prints produced from the 1920s to the 1980s from his “Jipyung Collection” have been unveiled to the public for the first time. Nearly 30 pieces from the collection will also travel to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in September. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukCollection shows modern-era Korean photographers' pursuit of truthBy Park Han-solWhether it is employed in the field of science, art or media, the term “photography” ― essentially meaning “drawing with light” ― encapsulates a strictly technical process. However, the very first Korean encounter with photographic images ― recorded in Yi Hang-eok's 1863 journal entry of “Yeonhaeng Ilgi,” when a team of envoys fro

DAILY FORTUNE - MARCH 03, 2022

Seoul's iconic cathedral feeding homeless in times of difficulties

Fr. Paik Kwang-jin makes soup to feed homeless people at Myeongdong Cathedral, Sunday. Korea Times photo by Lee Hae-rinIn the past, Myeongdong Cathedral provided refuge for pro-democracy protesters; now it serves the neediest with free mealsBy Lee Hae-rinAt the heart of Seoul's bustling downtown core stands a 68-meter high Gothic-style steeple surrounded by skyscrapers. It's the historic Myeongdong Cathedral. As the country's best-known sacral architecture, it is the national cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul and a symbol of Catholicism's persecution and survival in Korea. It also tells the story of Korea's turbulent modern history as it once provided refuge for pro-democracy protesters in the 1980s. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it has now become a place to serve free meals for the homeless and underprivileged. Over 600 to 800 homeless people and senior citizens who live alone visit the place for food. Free meals are served every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.“Myeongdong Bab-jib,” which means “an eatery for home-cooked meals

DAILY FORTUNE - MARCH 02, 2022

Korea's major art biennales to tie transnational themes to host cities' dynamic histories

Lee Sook-kyung, the artistic director for the 14th edition of the Gwangju Biennale, slated for April 2023 / Courtesy of the Gwangju Biennale FoundationBy Park Han-solWhat is known as the “Gwangju Spirit” is a foundational mindset of Korea's southwestern city historically, which witnessed one of the most tragic events of the modern era, the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. The Gwangju Biennale, Asia's oldest biennial of contemporary art, has continuously revisited this spirit in both its mission and exhibition themes since its founding in 1995.To Lee Sook-kyung, the newly appointed artistic director for the 14th edition of the Biennale, the spirit of Gwangju is a rich concept that still leaves plenty of room for constructive redefinition and reinterpretation.“The city's spirit didn't emerge out of nowhere along with the May 18 pro-democracy movement. Rather, it has been a [deep-rooted] mindset that simply burst out in the form of resistance in the face of extreme adversity in 1980," Lee said at Monday's press conference in central Seoul."In fact, the concept can be traced back

Indian embassy presents awards to video contest winners

Oh Young-jin, left, The Korea Times president-publisher, Indian Ambassador to Korea Sripriya Ranganathan, second from left, and Kim Sook-ja, second from right, an official from Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, pose with the winners of video contest at Indian Cultural Center, Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Indian Embassy in KoreaBy Lee Hae-rinThirteen college students won video contest awards hosted by The Korea Times and the Embassy of India in Korea, Monday. Under the theme of “Diversity and Multiculturalism,” the event was held to celebrate India's 75th anniversary of independence.The Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin, Indian Ambassador to Korea Sripriya Ranganathan and India's Deputy Chief of Mission Surinder Bhagat, Kim Sook-ja, an official from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and nine winners joined the event.In her speech, the Indian envoy underlined the importance and value of diversity and multiculturalism, sharing India's effort to bring its diverse population together in its political and social system.“With this experience, we ha

DAILY FORTUNE - MARCH 01, 2022

Late minister Lee O-young was 'cultural icon' of literary criticism

Former Culture Minister Lee O-young poses at the Young-in Literary Museum in this August 2021 file photo. YonhapBy Kwak Yeon-sooLee O-young, who died on Saturday at the age of 89, roughly five years after being diagnosed with cancer, was an eminent literary critic who served as Korea's first culture minister and helped the country reach its status as a cultural powerhouse. A renowned scholar, he had long been considered one of the brightest minds in the country. While attending Seoul National University in 1956, he made his literary debut as a critic through an article titled “Destruction of an Idol,” which criticized thinkers and writers for their authoritarianism while arguing that literature and creative arts must possess a spirit of resistance. Lee worked as an editorial writer for several newspapers including Chosun Ilbo, JoongAng Ilbo, Seoul Shinmun and Kyunghyang Shinmun. He wrote more than 130 books over 60 years, including novels, poems and essays, and prided himself on writing about Korea's vibrant cultural legacy. Some of his established works include “In

Dong-A Ilbo publisher named head of Korean Association of Newspapers

By Dong Sun-hwaLim Chae-chung, publisher of Dong-A Ilbo newspaperLim Chae-chung, publisher of the vernacular newspaper Dong-A Ilbo, has been appointed as head of the Korean Association of Newspapers.The association said it selected Lim at its general meeting last Friday. He will lead the group for two years. “Our association should put its utmost effort into promoting press freedom and protecting the public's right to know,” Lim said in his inauguration speech. “We should never compromise when there is an attempt to suppress these rights. The launch of a new government this year will bring about a lot of changes, but I believe we can get over all hardships if our members join forces.” Founded in 1957, the association aims to promote the growth of the newspaper industry and make newspapers more approachable for readers. Its membership includes 52 daily newspapers and two news agencies, including The Korea Times and its sister paper, the Hankook Ilbo. Lim, who majored in law at Seoul National University, joined Dong-A Ilbo in 1984, and has served as its managing

'She's Gone' vocalist to receive appreciation letter from Korea for promoting hanbok

Miljenko Matijevic, right, vocalist of Steelheart, is dressed in hanbok in the music video of the rock band's upcoming song “Trust in Love.” Captured from YouTube By Kim RahnMiljenko Matijevic, the vocalist of rock band Steelheart, will receive a letter of appreciation from the Korean government for promoting hanbok, after wearing the Korean traditional clothing in the group's upcoming music video, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Monday.The ministry said the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles would hold a ceremony, Friday (EST), awarding the letter and an article of hanbok to the singer, who is best known in Korea for the band's 1990s hit song “She's Gone.”The ministry has been issuing letters of appreciation to people who have contributed to the promotion of hanbok around the world.Matijevic appears in hanbok in the music video of the group's new song “Trust in Love,” which will be officially released at midday on Thursday (KST). In the vi