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Yongsan Legacy Searching for lost love in Hannam

George Breen holds a sign asking for help searching for Marie Hwang. / Courtesy of Yongsan LegacyAs the U.S. military relocates out of Yongsan Garrison, Yongsan Legacy aims to archive the living memories of those who served, worked and lived there. This is one of them. ― ED.By Kyung LeeIf you've been in the alleys of Hannam-dong in Seoul in recent months, maybe you spotted a flyer showing a portrait of a woman that reads “Looking for My Love” in Korean, taped to a pole situated along an alley that once linked the back gate of the now demolished Hannam Village.The flyer, written and posted with a heavy heart, leaves a trace of the intimate memories, battered by memories of artillery shells and poor sanitary conditions, that one couple, then-U.S. Army service member George Breen and a woman he knew as Marie Hwang, shared between the summers of 1958 and 1959 in Hannam, east of modern-day Itaewon Station.Now an 83-year-old grandfather living in Florida, Breen still kindles fond memories of Marie, devoting considerable time and effort to searching for her since their last corr

Mar 27, 2018
[Yongsan Legacy] Searching for lost love in Hannam

Kyung Hee University to hold Korean speech contest for foreigners

By Kang Aa-young, Park Si-soo Kyung Hee University is receiving applications from foreigners who want to show off their Korean speech ability in a coming contest. The Seoul-based university will hold its 21st “World Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreigners” on May 15. Applications can be made on the website of the school's international education institute by April 12. Applicants are also required to send a three-minute written script to the following email (speechkorean@khu.ac.kr).This year's topics are “Unique presence of Korea in the world” and “Hidden charm of Korea.”Those who pass the document screening will compete in the preliminary round on April 24-25. The final round will be on May 15 at the school's Crown Concert Hall.The top prize winner will receive 1.5 million won ($1,399). Second prize is 1 million won, third prize 800,000 won and fourth prize 500,000 won. For more information, call 02-961-0106 or email speechkorean@khu.ac.kr.

Mar 23, 2018
Kyung Hee University to hold Korean speech contest for foreigners

Seoul Players stage Moliere's 'Imaginary Invalid'

Actor Michael Everhard stars as Argan in Moliere's “The Imaginary Invalid.” / Courtesy of Robert Michael EvansBy Celeste KrielExpat theater group Seoul Players is presenting their mainstage production of Moliere's “The Imaginary Invalid,” a comedy about the hypochondriac Argan and his misadventures. Their opening shows are this weekend at Yeollim Hall in Jongno-gu.The play is based on a modern translation by Dan Smith of Constance Congdon's adaptation of the original Moliere play. Though the production is based on the modern version, Seoul Players director Cassandra Hendricks prepared for the production by researching the time period and sharing her findings with the cast and crew. “Even though we always maintained we would not be setting the play in that time period (17th century) it was important to know the socio-political climate of that time to understand the text,” she said.“We also talked about what and how Argan's hypochondria could be seen today. We all agreed hypochondriacs still exist and large pharmaceutical companies and medical

Mar 20, 2018
Seoul Players stage Moliere's 'Imaginary Invalid'

#MigrantsToo

Migrant workers at a lettuce farm in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province / Korea Times fileBy Jung Min-ho, Kang Aa-youngThe government will carry out a month-long inspection of employers of migrant workers.As part of an effort to better protect female workers from sex crimes amid the #MeToo movement, the Ministry of Employment and Labor said Monday it will check more than 500 workplaces across the country between March 20 and April 27.“The main targets of our inspection this time are the workplaces where the ratio of female workers is high,” the ministry said in a statement.About 70 percent of the targeted workplaces are in the agriculture and fishing industries, the ministry said.Interpreters will assist the inspectors in communicating with workers who are not fluent in Korean.If any signs of abuse are found, the ministry said it will immediately report the case to police and take necessary measures against the employers.“I hope this inspection will improve overall working conditions for all migrant workers,” said Kim Dae-hwan, a ministry PR manager.

Mar 20, 2018
#MigrantsToo

Korea Encounters How US-style drug laws helped crush 1970s Korean youth culture

A Korea Times editorial column on June 10, 1970, derides the long-stalled Habit Forming Drugs Bill proposed in 1968 that would have closed a loophole on legal marijuana in Korea.By Matt VanVolkenburgWhile the occasional drug bust of entertainers results in nationwide condemnation today, few remember the largest such case in 1975. At that time, over 50 entertainers were arrested for smoking marijuana at the height of Park Chung-hee's Yushin dictatorship. One reason so many were caught was that few realized it was even illegal.The reason for this can be traced back to a loophole in the 1957 Narcotics Law which banned only “Indian marijuana,” but ignored the use of Korean hemp. In the early 1960s it was sold around U.S. bases in Korea as “happy smoke,” and in mid-1966 U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) authorities brought this up for the first time, asking Korean authorities to remove the legal loophole allowing its sale. Korean authorities had little interest in their request, however. Although marijuana's active ingredient, THC, was added to a bill to control the habit-f

Mar 20, 2018
[Korea Encounters] How US-style drug laws helped crush 1970s Korean youth culture

Business seminar focuses on Korea

By John RedmondA Doing Business in Korea (DBIK) seminar titled “Understanding Consumers Through Context: 12 Keywords for the Korean Market Consumer in 2018” will be presented by the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AustCham Korea) at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on March 28.Presented by Brandon Chon, guest speaker Ehwa Choi, an expert in content marketing and applied media intelligence from Isentia, will share her perspective on 12 keywords that represent the Korean consumer market in 2018 and how brands can utilize these frameworks for their marketing efforts in Korea.Powered by technology and inspired by people, Isentia is a media intelligence firm specializing in PR and marketing communications. Isentia provides media monitoring, media analysis and content strategy services.The seminar takes place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Namsan V.The cost is 40,000 won for members and 50,000 won for non-members and includes a full-course American breakfast.Tickets are available at austchamkorea.org/austevent/consumerscontext.Visit fb.com/AustChamKorea for more information.

Mar 20, 2018

Service company upgrades bilingual program

By John RedmondPersonal services company, Wonderful, has launched a new time-based bilingual personal assistant service for expats and travelers in Korea.Clients can now pay by-the-minute for help with anything to help save time, overcome language difficulties in Korea and get things done. The personal assistant service is staffed with highly educated and trained people that help with tasks as simple as ordering dinner, making reservations, purchases, event planning and research projects.There are few if any other services in Korea that offer a similar service.“Wonderful marries technology and personal service to enhance your life in Korea as an expat or traveler. Don't struggle with language barriers, complicated websites, research and other things that take too much time. Our goal is to free up your time so you can focus on the things you love the most,” the website states.Previously the company offered only membership services which limited users to only those who needed ongoing support. The new time-based service opens the door to one-off help and for those who are in

Mar 20, 2018

Group to offer paragliding experience

By John RedmondThe Seoul Hiking & Nature Group invites participants to experience paragliding, bungee jumping and hiking at Danyang on Saturday.The paragliding will be in tandem with a veteran paraglider, while bungee jumping will be from a 62-meter ledge over a lake. A group hike along the lake will give a closer look at the unique rock formations of the area.Non-paragliders can relax at the water, watch people paragliding or visit the famous Dodam 3-bong and the stone gate on the hill.Aside from bungee jumping, the tour also offers ejection seat and zipline rides.It costs 32,000 won which pays for chartered bus and trip leader.Booking is advised as only 40 spots are available for paragliding.Contact comingweekend@gmail.com to make a reservation.There is a late choice option of 45,000 won on the day only if spots are available.Buses will leave early in the morning from Hapjeong Station, Sinyongsan Station, Express Bus Terminal Station and Pangyo Station.The day itinerary will be, arrive at paragliding site 10:30 a.m., bungee jumping 1 p.m., group hike 3 p.m. and return to Seoul

Mar 20, 2018
Group to offer paragliding experience

Iranian-Dutch singer Sevdaliza to hit Seoul

Iranian-Dutch singer-songwriter SevdalizaBy John RedmondIranian-Dutch singer-songwriter Sevdaliza brings her unique brand of music to HanaTour VHall near Hongik University in western Seoul, March 20.Following the success of her debut album “ISON,” the singer, songwriter and record producer has embarked on a world tour with sold-out shows in Europe, the U.S. and Asia.Sevdaliza’s extraordinary style mixes trip-hop influences with mysterious Persian elements and a voice reminiscent of a gothic Sade.In the provocative music video for her single “Human” Sevdaliza appears as a centaur and erotic dancer performing in a large room with a dirt floor and classical detailing in front of an audience sitting on a mezzanine. Her small audience is men who are clearly rich, being served food and receiving this seemingly private and exclusive performance.The clip is accompanied by the quote, “The basic human need to be watched was once satisfied by god.”The singer claims her music is inspired by ideas of womanhood, identity and motherhood.In 2015, Sevdaliza r

Mar 13, 2018
Iranian-Dutch singer Sevdaliza to hit Seoul

Chinese Football bring emo to Seoul, Busan

The bassist of Chinese Football performs a trust fall during a concert at Vox Livehouse in Wuhan, their hometown in China. Image courtesy of Chinese FootballBy Ali SafaviChinese emo band Chinese Football will visit South Korea this weekend to perform in Seoul and Busan, the last two stops on their East Asia tour. The Wuhan-based band has been building a worldwide fanbase through word of mouth, since releasing their 2015 self-titled first album. That album plus last year’s “Here Comes A New Challenger” mini-album are a mix of delicate picked guitars, cathartic lyrics and atypically structured yet melodic songs typical of mid-90s emo.“When I was in college I listened to a lot of so-called emo music.” Xu Bo, guitarist and sometimes vocalist, told The Korea Times. “I like new-school emo bands a lot too, and those bands inspired me. With the band, we all like different kinds of music so when we get together we inspire each other.”The band has also gained many ears due to their name, a clear nod to the critically acclaimed American Football from Ur

Mar 13, 2018
Chinese Football bring emo to Seoul, Busan
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