Lifestyle

Chagall's works with biblical and Jewish motifs arrive in Korea

Marc Chagall's “Le Roi David en Bleu” (1967) / Courtesy of Marc Chagall / ADAGP, Paris ― SACK, Seoul, 2021By Park Han-solRussian-French artist Marc Chagall (1887-1985) and his world of dreamlike enchantment, achieved through a palette of ripe, saturated colors, have long been admired by audiences worldwide. “When Matisse dies,” Picasso once said, “Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what color really is.”Korea has certainly been no exception in terms of its interest in the artist, indicated by the number of retrospectives and exhibitions held in celebration of his masterpieces, most notably since the early 2000s.But what has been lesser known about Chagall among Korean art enthusiasts is the religious nature of a number of his works ― more precisely, biblical themes and visual motifs that often run through his oeuvre, inspired by his Jewish upbringing.My Art Museum's “Chagall and the Bible” exhibition, in Gangnam District, Seoul, brings to light one of the most prominent sources of the artist's creative endeavors throu

DAILY FORTUNE - DECEMBER 10, 2021

Four Seasons Seoul's Charles H. named in 'World's 50 Best Bars 2021'

A view of the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's bar, Charles H. / Courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel SeoulBy Lee Hae-rinFour Seasons Hotel Seoul's bar, Charles H., has ranked 42nd in the “World's 50 Best Bars 2021” list, being the only bar in Korea to make the list in consecutive years. The “World's 50 Best Bars” competition was initiated in 2009 by William Reed Business Media Group in the United Kingdom to promote bar experiences and celebrate high levels of cocktail craftsmanship. A group of 600 evaluators, consisting of bartenders, beverage experts and industry reporters, vote based on their firsthand experiences to select the top 50.The 2021 list of the top 50 bars from 17 countries was released via livestream on Dec. 8.Charles H. was ranked at 42 this year, higher than last year's 49. In addition, Charles H. ranked 13th in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2021 and No.1 in Korea.Located on the lower lobby level of the hotel, the bar is accessible only through a secret passageway covered with Korean artwork. The bar is named after American author Charles Henry Baker Jr., who is be

Urban regeneration projects turn derelict facilities into scenic attractions

People look around the inside of a former oil container at Oil Tank Culture Park in Mapo District, Seoul. Courtesy of Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Lee Hae-rinUrban regeneration is the process of transforming old buildings and facilities to give them a new form and use. It adds new value to forgotten sites and aims to take an eco-friendly approach to preserving the sites' historical identity and creating a new harmony with its surroundings. For those who are interested in protecting the environment and learning about the country's modern history, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) recommends visiting these urban regeneration sites.Seonyudo Park / Courtesy of Korea Tourism OrganizationSeonyudo Park, SeoulSeonyudo Park is an eco-friendly ecological park built in the ruins of a former water purification plant in the middle of the Han River in Yeongdeungpo District, southwestern Seoul.Seonyudo was originally a small island. For its beautiful scenery, it was named to mean “where Taoist hermits come to play,” and was praised by many poets and artists of the 1392-1910 Joseon Ki

Judge's comment: Award winners stand as hope for multicultural Korea

The judges for the 10th Korea Multicultural Youth Awards participate in the evaluation of award applicants online, Nov. 25. They are, clockwise from top left: Asian Friends Honorary Chairman Kim Joon-sik; Migrant Youth Foundation Board Chairman and Hanyang University professor emeritus Cha Yun-kyun; Asian Friends Chairwoman Lee Nam-sook; adviser to Woongjin Foundation Sohn Wie-soo; Seoul YMCA's civil society movement department representative Ju Gun-ihl; and Korea Cultural Diversity Organization Chair Jasmine Lee. / Captured from ZoomBy Cha Yun-kyungFirst of all, I sincerely congratulate you on being selected as the winners of the 10th Korea Multicultural Youth Awards organized by The Korea Times.I'm confident that the 11 children selected as winners this year will grow into valuable people who will lead the future of Korean society with extraordinary sincerity and talent.We judges were deeply touched and felt regret at the same time reading the applicants' life stories.The stories of the children with multicultural backgrounds were very impressive. Someone was a role model for many

Prime minister's message: For more diverse, inclusive society

By Kim Boo-kyumPrime Minister Kim Boo-kyum / Courtesy of Prime Minister's SecretariatGreetings, beloved children. I'm Kim Boo-kyun, prime minister of the Republic of Korea.You are receiving very special awards today. Yang Geun-mo, Noh Yeon-kyeong, Jun Blessing, Lee Yu-rim, Wu Zhengxiu, Lee Jeong-in, Ban Jun-hwi, Jo Un-ol, Pak Olga, Han Ga-in and Pyo Yoon-seo ― I congratulate all of you 11 award winners. I also congratulate and express gratitude to your parents and teachers who have led you as students to these achievements.I also thank President-Publisher Oh Young-jin and staff at The Korea Times which has provided children with special and meaningful memories for the last 10 years.On this happy day, I wish I could shake hands with you in person, and it is regretful that I can't do so but instead send my message through this video because of the COVID-19 social distancing rules.Dear children, Korea now has more than 1 million people from multicultural families. Korea has become an international society of diverse cultures and races. You are citizens of Korea and also citizens of the

INTERVIEW Rediscovered cache of color photos gives life to ordinary people of postwar Korea

Bustling Namdaemun Market was located a few blocks from the Bando Hotel. Regardless of what the weather was like, it attracted hordes of buyers at all times, boasting everything from cooked food, rice, herbs and produce, to fabric and clothing. Courtesy of Marie Ann YooHawaiian-born, Korean American photographer Marie Ann Yoo, 85, captured resilience of Korean society three years after Korean WarBy Park Han-solIn December 1902, 102 people flocked to Wolmi Island to climb aboard a ship en route to Hawaii, a land of new hopes and possibilities, marking the start of the first wave of Korean immigrants to America (Hawaii was annexed as an American territory in 1898).As they toiled in sugarcane plantations under the grueling heat, the majority of these migrant workers ― who initially hoped to return to their homeland with a hefty sum after a few years ― eventually began to settle down. With many of them being Christians, a Korean church was soon established for them to practice their faith and form their own community in a foreign land.Chin-tae John Choy and Elizabeth Pahk were among thes

Winners of 10th Korea Multicultural Youth Awards Outstanding middle school students

Lee has linguistic talents, compassion for othersLee Yu-rimLee Yu-rim is in her second year at Hopyeong Middle School, Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. Born to a Japanese father and a Korean mother, Lee is an exemplary student who developed her linguistic talents with diligence and excels in her academic performance. Lee plays a leading role on her school's student council as the vice president. She helped lead the zero waste challenge on the campus and actively gathers students' ideas to develop and carry out school activities and events. She shows great diligence and talents in academic achievement, especially in the linguistic fields. Lee had full marks in Korean and English last semester and has won several awards in writing competitions. Lee has been studying English, Japanese and Chinese as she wishes to attend a foreign language high school.Beyond her scholastic achievements, Lee offers her talents in volunteering activities to help others. As a publicity ambassador of the school, she made the school's online newspaper. She puts her passion for the environment into action by lead

Winners of 10th Korea Multicultural Youth Awards Outstanding high school students

Lee's positive energy, linguistic talent inspire other studentsLee Jeong-inBorn to a Vietnamese mother and a Korean father, Lee Jeong-in is a second grader at Goseong High School, Goseong, Gangwon Province.Having spent her early childhood in Vietnam, Lee put in a lot of effort to develop her multilingual communication skills. She won medals at an annual bilingual speaking competition, two years in a row, in Korean and Vietnamese. Lee displays great academic performances in Korean and English and shares her language skills by volunteering to teach other multicultural students in her school.Lee always reaches out to help others in need and plays an active role in charity and volunteer activities inside and outside of her school. All teachers appreciate her responsible and earnest character and say that she never hesitates to work with people around her. Lee was also elected as the student president and will lead the school's student council through 2022. As the eldest child in her family, Lee is a proud daughter to her parents and a caring and loving sister to her two younger siblings.

Winners of 10th Korea Multicultural Youth Awards Outstanding volunteer

Jo, leader in community green projects, finds solutions for environmental issuesJo Un-olBorn to a German mother and a Korean father, Jo Un-ol is a third grader at Chonbuk Mechanical Technical High School in Iksan, North Jeolla Province. Jo has a keen eye for environmental problems inside and outside of school and offers creative solutions while leading multiple volunteering projects..He improved the milk carton disposal system on his school campus by engaging in a carton exchange project run by the city government. He led a carton-washing activity voluntarily with his friends, and this activity was covered by a local newspaper for contributing to environmental protection and to show others the joy of community service.Jo also upgraded the town's recycling system. With the help of his neighbors and financial aid from the Korea Safety Health Environment Foundation, Jo built a waste disposal platform and educated local residents by distributing a self-made recycling guide. He was given the 2021 Youth Volunteer Award by the city government of Gunsan, North Jeolla Province.Acknowledged fo