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Street artist behind 'We.Seoul'd.U' artwork comes forward after 5 years

The "We.Seoul'd.U" heads of former U.S. President Donald Trump and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un wheatpasted on the wall of U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in central Seoul's Haebangchon neighborhood show signs of wear, Nov. 20, 2021. Korea Times photo by Jon DunbarBy Jon DunbarFormer U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met for the first time on June 12, 2018, in Singapore. The next morning, grotesque versions of their faces appeared on a cinder block wall in central Seoul's Haebangchon (HBC) neighborhood, at the southern end of Sinheung-ro over the iconic kimchi pots that mark the alley. Above the two faces was stenciled “We.Seoul'd.U,” a parody of Seoul Metropolitan City's divisive former slogan. The work of art has remained in place for over five years, left alone for most of this time but still observed by all those who enter the neighborhood on this side. The heads, which are made of paper affixed to the wall by wheatpaste, have been peeling a little in recent years, and more recently someone appears to have attempted to paint over t

Jul 16, 2023By Jon Dunbar
Street artist behind 'We.Seoul'd.U' artwork comes forward after 5 years

PINNACLE'S ITAEWON Itaewon Global Village Center marks 15th anniversary

Katherine Corteza, director of the Itaewon Global Village Center, right, poses with a coworker at the center in central Seoul's Hannam-dong, July 14, on the center's 15th anniversary. Korea Times photo by Jon DunbarThis is the first article in the Serving Itaewon series exploring assistance-related agencies and businesses that aid the assimilation and development of migrant residents of Itaewon and surrounding communities.By Pinnacle TheHustlerThe Itaewon Global Village Center (Itaewon GVC), a vital resource for foreigners residing in Korea, has been diligently serving the international community since its establishment on July 14, 2008, having just passed its 15th anniversary. But no celebration was held last Friday to mark the day, only a T-shirt upcycling class. Katherine Corteza, the director of the center, said it slipped everyone's minds. “We celebrated the 10-year anniversary in 2018 with a big party, but then the pandemic happened, and we've been too busy ever since,” she said.With a mission to facilitate foreigners' adjustment to life in Korea, the center has bec

Jul 16, 2023By Jon Dunbar
[PINNACLE'S ITAEWON] Itaewon Global Village Center marks 15th anniversary

LIFE'S OLLE TRAILS 6 Discovering deer carcasses at the tea museum

Two deer eye a human intruder on Jeju Island. Courtesy of Rachel StineBy Rachel StineThe deeper I went into the woods, the more dissatisfied I became with some of the negative patterns I had picked up in Seoul.This became very clear at work. In February 2022, I decided to limit my relationship with the teaching environments of Jeju Island and Daechi-dong, where students compete so viciously for university admissions they compare their lives to “SKY Castle.”Instead, I took a new job at an English library. The student demographic there was mixed, with some students attending elite boarding schools and others at local public schools.My new boss also enjoyed hiking. When she asked for new field trip ideas, I suggested we explore an Olle Trail near our campus.That's how I ended up in the backseat of a minivan, reading an Olle Trail plant guide to second graders. If a time traveler told New York Rachel that her career would involve not only hiking, but hiking with a screeching pack of second-grade girls, she would have spit out her coffee.Truly, I was a long way from home.After

Jul 15, 2023By Jon Dunbar
[LIFE'S OLLE TRAILS 6] Discovering deer carcasses at the tea museum

PINNACLE'S ITAEWON Getting fit at Itaewon's gyms

Upfit Fitness & Pilates in Itaewon / Courtesy of Upfit Fitness & PilatesBy Pinnacle TheHustlerSummer is here, but is your body ready for it?With the summer season in full swing, many are eager to shed those extra layers and feel our best. Whether your goal is to improve your overall fitness, tone your body or boost your energy levels, here are some valuable tips to help you get fit for the summertime.Start by setting specific, achievable goals for yourself. Whether it's aiming to exercise a certain number of times per week or losing a few pounds, having clear targets will keep you motivated.Design a balanced workout routine that combines cardiovascular activities such as swimming, sports or cycling, coupled with strength training and flexibility exercises. Also engaging in group activities like joining a sports league or fitness class can make your workouts more enjoyable.A healthy diet goes hand in hand with regular exercise. Incorporate nutritious foods into your meals, such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. Minimize the consumption of processed foods,

Jul 12, 2023By Jon Dunbar

Busan bursts with live music this weekend

Busan band Yajasu plays last year's Platform Magazine Busan Weekender show at HQ Bar, July 16. / Courtesy of Abi RaymakerBy Jon DunbarBusan's music scene is overflowing with great shows this weekend, beckoning people from all across the country to visit the city for its live music, beaches and World Expo 2030 promotions everywhere. Seoul-based Platform Magazine will be hosting its second annual Busan Weekender across two nights at two venues, Ovantgarde and HQ Bar. Also on Saturday, there are two shows at local venues Ovantgarde and Basement that are sure to grab attention as well. The Korea Times reached out to people involved in all three shows and presented them with a three-way prisoner's dilemma: Why should people choose to go to your show rather than the others? “I'm a lover, not a fighter,” said Ali Safavi of the Busan post-punk band Bandits, which will be playing at Basement on Saturday. “I wish we could go to all the shows happening next weekend. Each gig is at a great venue with some brilliant bands playing.”Bandits will be joined by the new Busan ba

Jul 11, 2023By Jon Dunbar
Busan bursts with live music this weekend

Japanese hardcore band KLONNS comes to Korea for 'revenge tour'

Japanese hardcore band KLONNS / Courtesy of Chihiro YoshikawaBy Jon DunbarThe Japanese hardcore band KLONNS is coming to Korea this weekend seeking revenge. “It's revenge,” said Korean noise musician and promoter Park Daham, who helped make the tour happen. “Revenge against COVID-19 and the world. Because they had planned to come to Korea originally in 2020, and COVID-19 stopped that.”“We're happy to be able to fulfill that promise after three years,” KLONNS vocalist Shu Oshima said in a statement in Japanese translated to English for The Korea Times by Park. “I know that there are many great bands and artists in Korea, and many of my friends' bands and artists have toured Korea, and everyone says they had a great experience, so I thought that if I had the opportunity, I would absolutely want to go.”KLONNS is signed to the Seattle-based label Iron Lung Records, which has also signed the Korean bands Scumraid and Slant, the latter of which will be sharing the stage with them on the second show here. “I'm checking out the bands arou

Jul 11, 2023By Jon Dunbar
Japanese hardcore band KLONNS comes to Korea for 'revenge tour'

RAS KOREA Visiting Haein Temple over the decades

A view of the valley and mountains around Haein Temple / Courtesy of Steven L. ShieldsBy Steven L. ShieldsEstablished around the start of the ninth century, Haein Temple is remarkable for many reasons. The temple is tucked away high up on the slope in Gayasan National Park, not far from Daegu. While accessible by modern paved roads, the temple is somewhat out of the way, lacking convenient public transport. My first trip there was more than 30 years ago with Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea. I've been back several times.The temple's name begins with “hae” (ocean) but is far inland. The sea is not visible from the temple precincts. The second word in the temple's name is “in” (stamp, imprint or seal). Curious, I wondered how the name fit together. A well-versed docent at the temple office was able to help me to understand. She explained “mudra,” or hand signs used in meditation in the Buddhist tradition. So the “stamp” is a “mudra.” She cautioned me against taking it too literally and suggested a deeper meaning comes through

Jul 10, 2023By Jon Dunbar
[RAS KOREA] Visiting Haein Temple over the decades

DRIPDROP cafe encourages upcycling to combat excesses of fast fashion

The pink interior of DRIPDROP near western Seoul's Hongik University / Courtesy of DRIPDROPBy Jon DunbarThe all-pink interior of the newly opened DRIPDROP cafe in western Seoul looks like it was designed by Barbie. But it's actually the combination of visions of two entrepreneurial foreign gentlemen ― Shuttle Delivery co-founder and CEO Jason Boutte and artist James Beckwith ― and the interior is entirely made using upcycled materials. This new cafe, which opened on June 3 near Hongik University, specializes in desserts such as chocolate lava cake and gluten-free brownies, as well as marble lattes and various teas, ades and smoothies. It also has an array of slush machines, with shots of vodka offered to give the drinks a kick, and it has an extensive wine-in-a-glass selection. It has also launched the Lil' Kim, a blonde stout with chocolate and coffee made in collaboration with Magpie Brewing Co. The latest DRIPDROP branch marks a significant change for the brand, which already has four other locations. But those already-opened DRIPDROPs are delivery-only ghost kitchens, accessible

Jul 9, 2023By Jon Dunbar
DRIPDROP cafe encourages upcycling to combat excesses of fast fashion

Ukrainian media expert calls for vigilance against wartime propaganda

Ruslan Deynychenko, co-founder of StopFake, gives a talk to journalists at the Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul, June 30. / Courtesy of Bereket AlemayehuBy Bereket Alemayehu A Ukrainian media expert urged Korean journalists to be vigilant against fake news in combating harmful disinformation by Russian propagandists looking to justify the war in Ukraine.Ruslan Deynychenko, co-founder of the Ukrainian media project StopFake, told a group of gathered journalists about how he co-founded StopFake, a Ukrainian website revealing false information in pro-Kremlin media. Run for almost 10 years as a project of the nongovernmental organization Media Reforms Center, StopFake fact-checks, debunks, edits, translates, researches and disseminates information.“Right now, because of the ongoing war, because of the Russia invasion of our country Ukraine, I have to tell you that it's very dangerous in there now,” he said during the talk on June 30 hosted by the Ukraine Embassy in Seoul. “Every night we rush to the shelters when we hear alerts, we hear rocket explosions and bombing. Those pa

Jul 9, 2023By Jon Dunbar
Ukrainian media expert calls for vigilance against wartime propaganda

Korea's No.1 surfer stands up to the task

Kanoa Palmiano rides on the face of a wave in Yangyang, Gangwon Province, in this undated photo. Courtesy of Melvin PalmianoBy S LathamAt just 15, Kanoa Palmiano of Yangyang, Gangwon Province, is Korea's top-ranked male surfer. Last month, the junior pro competed for South Korea, his country of birth, at the 2023 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games in El Salvador as the national team's youngest-ever competitor. Having tasted the thrill of surfing and success, the challenges of adolescence and elite athleticism remain on the horizon for the young gun, including navigating military duty.During the competition, Kanoa competed against one of his heroes, world No. 2 Griffin Colapinto of the U.S. “It was fun because he's so good that I didn't have much pressure competing,” he later told ISA Surf. “I just tried my best to surf.” The Korean team, comprising Yang Jin-hyuk of Jeju Island, 16-year-old Yun Do-hoon and Su Jae-hee who competed in the women's section, came away with its best results since it began competing in the ISA competition in 2

Jul 6, 2023By Jon Dunbar
Korea's No.1 surfer stands up to the task
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