The House of Sharing is both a museum and home to former ``Comfort Women,'' victims of sexual slavery at the hands of the Japanese military during the Asia-Pacific War (1932-1945). It is the world's first human rights museum centered on the theme of sexual slavery. The museum opened on Aug. 14, 1998 to record Japanese war crimes, to restore the honor of the victims and to function as a place of historical education.
Daedong Construction donated the buildings of the House of Sharing, and it is a privately funded by citizens and organizations in Korea and Japan.
The House of Sharing International Outreach Team works to raise awareness of the issue of Japanese military sexual slavery and to support the on-going struggle for historical reconciliation and justice.
The team is comprised of both foreign and local volunteers who lead visits at the House of Sharing in English, and work to highlight the continuing crimes against humanity in the form of sexual violence during war.
The visit includes a short documentary about one of the halmonis (respectful term for grandmother) and time in the history museum on a semi-guided tour.
Depending on the health of the halmonis and their availability, visitors might also get to listen to one of them speak about their experiences.
Please understand that they are quite frail -- fewer and fewer are able to give testimonies on a regular basis but are often happy to chat with and otherwise meet visitors.
The tours take place on a Saturday one month and a Sunday the following one. The next visits are arranged for April 25 and May 15. The number of guests is capped at 35 so if interested you need to email your name and cell phone number to visit@houseofsharing.org.
The tour will meet inside Gangbyeon Station, Line 2, at Exit 1 at 10 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. The museum is a 40-minute bus ride on Bus 1113 or Bus 1113-1 from there.
A packed lunch is required as there is no place to buy food
and also about 8,000 won for bus fares and a group taxi.
A donation to Sharing House is also appreciated and there is a small souvenir/bookshop. The cost of the museum entrance and a comprehensive English language booklet on the history of comfort women is about 8,000 won.
For more information, contact Jyoung-ah Kim (010-9822-5683) or Heather Evans (010-9928-8850) or visit https://www.houseofsharing.org.
Stones in His Pockets is a sad, hilarious and irresistible two-man show about the filming of a Hollywood epic in rural Ireland. Two extras on the film, Charlie and Jake, tell the story by taking on all the roles themselves.
After four successful years in the West End, a sensational run on Broadway, and a sell-out world tour, BH Productions is pleased to stage Stones in His Pockets for the first time in Korea in English.
The show opens on April 22 and will run from Thursday to Sunday until May 16. The play starts at 8.30 p.m. with matinee performances on Saturdays and Sundays at 4.30 p.m.
Stones in His Pocket will be performed at Vin Vino (formerly Kabinett) in Itaewon. Take Exit 2 from Itaewon Station and walk for about 200 meters passing Hana Bank. Vin Vino is next to the IP Boutique Hotel.
Tickets cost 16,000 won for the performance and meal/drinks specials will be available.
There will be a Charity Gala Night on April 29. All proceeds from this evening will be donated to a charity operating in Korea. The evening will commence at 6:30 p.m. with a reception and buffet dinner, with the performance beginning at 8:30 p.m. and is priced at 60,000 won.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by emailing stonesinkorea@yahoo.com.
REspectacle is a group show featuring the works of three foreign artists, Anna Phillips, Mark Trussell and Eric Williams. The exhibition is at the Soul Underground Cafe in Hongdae and runs until May 2. It is open from 11 a.m. to late at night and closed on Thursdays.
The cafe is located near Hongik University Station, Exit 4. Soul Underground is on the third floor of the building behind Seven Springs Restaurant. Further information is available at https://www.soulunderground.co.kr