Global Community

(1759) End-of-life care (I)

(1758) Firefighters (II)

Yongsan Legacy Historian uncovers Yongsan Garrison's ancient roots

Kim Chun-soo, a research director at the Yongsan Cultural CenterAs 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 LeeKim Chun-soo first set foot on Yongsan Garrison in 2002 when he entered his mandatory military service. There, he encountered scattered pieces of trimmed stone blocks while on a routine tour of Camp Coiner in the northern corner of the garrison, and suspected their origins were significant.Already versed in Korea’s history dating from the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom through the post-war and contemporary eras, Kim suspected the stones were once bigger and more geometrically refined ― more akin to Sajik Altar located northwest of downtown Seoul. A single media report in 2005 indeed confirmed his first suspicions the rocks also served as a ritual platform called Namdan, according to an 1861 Joseon map.Recent photographs showing barbecue grills placed casually on either end of one stone, as well as a reasonable height of bric

Seoul football league to play Hong Kong expat players

Nite Spartans Football Club. / Courtesy of Nite Spartans FCBy John RedmondThe Seoul Sunday Football League (SSFL) Allstars consisting of players from various teams in the Sunday league will host the Wanchai Spartans from the Hong Kong expat league for their first friendly match at Suwon World Cup stadium training ground on Saturday.The Hong Kong Wanchai Spartans Football Club, also known as the Nite Spartans, is made up of English expats and was formed in Victoria Park 1988.The Nite Spartans annually take part in a “Walk Up Jardine House” to raise funds for MINDSET Hong Kong to enhance mental health awareness and provide support for people suffering or recovering from mental illnesses. Members embrace the opportunity to meet expat players from other countries.“This is an excellent opportunity to represent your team and promote the league while making new friends and contacts from the Hong Kong expat league,” SSFL player Darren Bernardo said. The SSFL was founded in 2002 by Darren Barber and Daniel Behrendt and is recognized by the Korea Football Association, w

KIXFF kicks off Oscar fever in Seoul

By Celeste KrielKIXFF founder Kevin Lambert at its first pre-Oscars party fundraiserOscar fever has begun. To celebrate this year’s Academy Awards to take place on Sunday in Hollywood, the Korea International Expat Film Festival (KIXFF) team will host a pre-Oscars party at Emu Artspace in Gwanghamun, Seoul, Saturday, with a best-dressed award and live performances by expat and Korean musicians.KIXFF is a nonprofit organization established in 2015 by Kevin Lambert, a director in the expat theater and film community. It relies on donations for its operation, so the party serves as a fundraiser as well as spreading awareness about the KIXFF film festival to be held in September. “Our festival will screen movies that have never been seen by a big audience in Seoul and therefore we want people to come and enjoy them with us when the time comes,” said Lynne Lambert, the KIXFF marketing and events coordinator. KIXFF aims to bring films with an "expat perspective" to Seoul. “It is an important festival because it became apparent to Kevin that the experience of the exp

Photo zine explores Korean heavy metal

Michael O’Dwyer sells copies of his photo zine “Bleeding Kimchi: Soju, Metal, Korea” at GBN Live House in Seoul last Saturday. / Courtesy of Michael O’DwyerBy Jon DunbarAs U.S. expat Michael O’Dwyer nears the end of his stay in Korea, he looks for ways to memorialize his time here. The cheerful bald-headed metalhead appeared at a metal show in GBN Live House in Mullae-dong, southwestern Seoul, last Saturday, selling copies of his photo zine “Bleeding Kimchi: Soju, Metal, Korea.” “Books and zines about music or music scenes are attempts to make a snapshot of a time and place, and hopefully convey the emotions and community that is happening at that time,” he told The Korea Times. “It really frustrates me that the Korean metal scene is so underground and unknown. I think there are some many highly skilled and talented bands that are toiling in total obscurity that I would love to shine a light on and share their experiences with others.”Heavy metal came to Korea in the late 1980s as government control over youth culture

Fire destroys popular Itaewon pub

A fire ravages Bull & Barrel last Wednesday. / Korea Times Photo by John RedmondBy John RedmondA fire completely gutted the popular expat bar and restaurant Bull & Barrel last Wednesday night, casting doubt over future operation.The blaze started in the kitchen. Staff attempted to extinguish the fire, but had to evacuate the building and call 119.“The fire started as a result of a malfunction in one of the fryers,” owner Chad Murphy said. “The oil ignited and my staff tried their best to put it out with fire extinguishers, but it wasn't enough so we had to call 119. I got everybody out of there no problem. The fire was still small at this point.”On arriving, firefighters were informed of the small oil fire in the kitchen, but as a result of using high-powered hoses, the fire spread to the floor.“Everything in the bar was melted or burned. So much water was used there was about 12 centimeters of water on the floor after the fire went out, and it was leaking heavily on the downstairs clothing shops.”With extensive damage to the building and n

(1757) Firefighters (I)

(1756) Fire prevention and safery (II)

(1755) Fire prevention and safery (I)