Opinion - The Korea Times

Joseon folk arts champions

By Kim Ji-myung While Koreans had the talented hands to create remarkable artifacts, it was the Japanese who had the eyes to appreciate their value. It is a provocative equation, but this dynamic comes to mind when we think of the handful of Japanese art connoisseurs who helped awaken Koreans to the beauty and value of Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) porcelain and crafts during the occupation (1910-1945). Yanagi Soetsu (1889-1961), also known as Yanagi Muneyoshi, is probably the most famous and respected researcher and collector of Korean folk crafts. Of course, there are many others whose names were obscured from the general public until recent years. For example, since last year, a series of events have been held in Korea and Japan to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the birth of Takumi Asakawa (1891-1931), and his brother, Noritaka (1884-1964). Special exhibitions commemorating the brothers were held in 2011 at Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art in Kofu City, Japan, the Chiba City Art Museum and the Museum of Oriental Ceramics in Osaka. In Korea, an in

Jun 8, 2012By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

Stories to tell about cultural heritage

By Kim Ji-myung Several years ago, while traveling in the United Kingdom, I had the opportunity to test a long-held question of mine. Depending on the interpreter, how differently can cultural heritage be interpreted? While at a castle in Cardiff, Wales, I decided to find out by following the same one-hour tour led by two different guides. Indeed, it was like two different stories. I assume they used the same basic guidebook with identical facts about the castle’s architecture, history, people and events, but while one offered a lecture, the other guide presented a compelling drama. At another ancient place, the interpreter was very creative and fun. He assigned the participants to play historic characters at the site of a tragedy. One member of our group played the city mayor, who had a beautiful daughter. Another man played her courtier. Ultimately, everyone’s character died in a (simulated) scene of terrible bloodshed. From my vantage point, it was impressive but hard to take seriously. ``Heritage interpretation” refers to conveying information about, or explaining,

May 11, 2012By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

Hallyu and mutual respect

By Kim Ji-myung It was truly an accident. I was listening to a speaker talk about hallyu, the Korean cultural wave that’s making its way around the world. He showed many photos and video clips as vivid proof that youngsters in Europe, the Americas and even in the Middle East had fallen for Korean singers. These adolescents knew the verses and sang the simple mixes of Korean and English words in unison. More surprising, was their ability to follow every dance step and choreographed motion by heart. The speaker was fresh from an attendance at K-Pop performances in many countries. He seemed quite overwhelmed by the heat and zeal of these young people. While expressing his surprise and welcome to see a similar response from young Arab Muslim women, he said, ``I heard that some young girls like K-Pop so much, they sometimes gather together at one girl’s home, and sing and dance after taking off their hijab (traditional head covering). Of course, afterwards they would return to their normal lives and put the hijab back on.” No one in the room, as far as I could tell

Apr 13, 2012By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

Music for Korean unification

By Kim Ji-myung When people first meet the easiest and surest way to lay the foundations for warm mutual understanding is sharing a nice meal. The same is true in diplomacy. Then what moves people most when there is a lack of common understanding or when hostility and antagonism prevails? In this regard, non-governmental cultural exchanges between North and South Korea have created high expectations. Once again, recent discussions regarding a joint performance of orchestras from the two Koreas in Pyongyang in 10 years is drawing keen attention. A joint concert by the two philharmonic orchestras was held in Seoul in August 2000, two months after the historic inter-Korean summit. This paved the way for other performances in Pyongyang. In 2001, South Korean pop diva Lee Mi-ja held a recital in Pyongyang. Many classical and pop singers stood on the Pyongyang stage in 2002, and Cho Yong-pil was there in 2005 The New York Philharmonic made a historical tour of the Korean Peninsula, bringing Antonin Dvorak's ``New World'' Symphony to Pyongyang and Seoul in 2008. Howev

Mar 16, 2012By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

Special pride in Korean food

By Kim Ji-myung On Feb. 15 or 23, many ``families with stout bones” across Korea will produce this year’s soybean paste (doenjang) and soy sauce (ganjang). Making these basic foodstuffs at home is still an important annual tradition in the culinary life of a respectable Korean family. Just 10 years ago, among middle and upper class Korean families it was considered indecent to buy basic foodstuffs. Even today, when most Koreans gladly rely on food companies to produce traditional food items, many Korean families still boast about their time-honored bean paste and soy sauce, much like Italian families that cherish their balsamic vinegar. Their recipes will be undoubtedly handed them down to the next generation. Although I witnessed the process of making bean paste as a child, as a career woman, I’ll admit to not having paid the process much attention. Instead, I buy farm-produced bean paste from Sujinwon Farm in Gyeonggi Province. The former owner, the late Jung Seong-hwa, was a champion of traditional Korean food. In fact, he cultivated only Korean bean species, believ

Feb 17, 2012By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

Changing traditions

By Kim Ji-myung During Korea’s Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), women of decent families would spend most of their adult lives in the service of others ― entertaining guests and overseeing ancestral rituals called ``jesa.” These two vocations were a housewife’s most visible roles, on top of cooking and caring for one’s husband and children. Even in modern Korea, these expectations stubbornly persist. This is especially true for us wives of first-born sons. To be honest, I’ve always felt some resentment for spending so many hours in late December and early January preparing for the New Year ancestral rituals. After all, the end of one year and the beginning of the next is a special time. Nevertheless, family tradition holds and I’ve long tempered my personal misgivings. While the specific rituals depend on family tradition, most Koreans observe the same Confucian fundamentals. I think my reluctance is grounded in the fact that I don’t believe the old lore that on special holidays the spirits of our deceased ancestors descend to Earth to taste real food and wine. Let’s face it,

Jan 20, 2012By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

Talking with a rich Muslim

By Kim Ji-myung Three weeks ago I had an opportunity to meet and chat with an Egyptian businessman at a conference at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bali. He was the first Egyptian whom I personally had met in my life. He was obviously very affluent. And although he did not mention it, I assumed that he was a Muslim ``When were you sick last?” he posed as a rather awkward question to me. I could not respond right away as I haven’t really been sick in recent years. Whenever I start feeling like I am catching a cold or experience some physical ailment, I cancel all my appointments and take a good rest. My belief is that even a minor illness can deal a heavy blow to someone’s health if he or she stands at the threshold of old age. ``I don’t remember the last time when I fell sick. Why do you ask?” ``By sickness, I mean, you have fever, you don’t eat well, feel uncomfortable and cannot sleep at night ― that kind of thing.” Later I found that he was trying to explain why he had no time to have a so-called hobby. I asked him earlier that morning what his hobby was. He coul

Dec 23, 2011By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

An unknown hallyu ― ’homi’

By Kim Ji-myung Recently, I was surprised to find that “homi” are sold on Amazon.com. Not surprisingly, the online shopping site doesn’t call it homi, opting instead for ``Korean-style hand plow” or the ``EZ-digger.” What is surprising, however, is the effusive praise from the homi’s many satisfied customers from around the world. To Koreans who live in the countryside, homi are like air. That is to say, they have always been a ubiquitous presence around village homes, and in the hands of the elderly women who typically work Korea’s small-scale farms. What’s more, homi are cheap. At a farmer’s market or Nonghyup agricultural cooperative, you can usually pick one up for just 2,000 or 3,000 won (less than $3). Some years ago, my husband said to me, ``Your one-day fee for simultaneous interpretation could purchase a truck-full of homi.” There is a saying, ``Only a fool would steal a homi.” This saying probably comes from the fact that homi is inexpensive and plentiful. Perhaps this is also why I’ve never considered its true merits. It was only after reading the simple

Nov 25, 2011By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

Many layers of cultural heritage

By Kim Ji-myung Sometimes it’s surprising what you can see with fresh eyes. Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport after a trip abroad, I’ve noticed that Seoul can look different, new and even exotic. Like many Koreans, I am proud of Seoul, although I rarely express this. Thanks to the country’s robust economic growth, many people, including former mayors, have worked hard to ``modernize” the city and enhance livability. Over the past decade, Seoul’s infrastructure, public areas and facilities have improved markedly through better sidewalks, public transportation, design and by expanding the quality and quantity of city parks. As a country's per capita GDP reaches $10,000, $20,000 and higher, noticeable changes usually emerge. These changes are typically seen in physical ways ― infrastructure and facilities ― as well as in the environment and even in terms of public etiquette ― e.g. standing in a queue. By any measure, today’s Seoul is a world-class metropolis, and I am pleased to see a growing number of foreigners who have decided to make Korea’s capital their h

Oct 28, 2011By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

As an organic farming villager

By Kim Ji-myung Almost 30 years ago I started cultivating some land in a small farming village called Joan-myeon, about 35 kilometers northeast of Seoul. Some 13 years ago, I settled there. While I don’t claim to be a farmer, I spend an average of three hours per week seeding, watering and weeding. Perhaps I could classify myself an amateur farmer. Over the decades I have witnessed many changes to my village and its surroundings. The area’s name, alternatively ``Yangsuri” or ``Dumulmeori,” means `where the two rivers meet. On the shores of the vast Paldang Lake, a favorite destination is the famous Semiwon lotus garden. At this area a truly historic event is taking place through Oct. 5, 2011. Some 1,100 organic farmers and sustainable farming experts from around the world are participating in the 17th Organic World Congress. In Asia for the first time, the event features academic presentations, market festivals, a food show, exhibitions and many other events. According to the host organization, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement, or IFOAM,

Sep 30, 2011By Kim Ji-myung

Kim Ji-myung

Read more

Joseon folk arts champions

Stories to tell about cultural heritage

Hallyu and mutual respect

Music for Korean unification

Special pride in Korean food

Changing traditions

Talking with a rich Muslim

An unknown hallyu ― ’homi’

Many layers of cultural heritage

As an organic farming villager

Top 5 stories