Global Community

Working women unite

By Agnes Yu Credited for holding up half the sky, women are also referred to as “the weaker sex, the speaker sex.” These same women are celebrated on International Women’s Day on March 8 to toast the female population. Marked every year by women’s organizations around the world, this particular day is designated to recognize the contributions that women make as well as to foster their equality and emancipation. This day is once a year but once a month on every last Wednesday evening here in Korea, the Working Women’s Network (WWN), a branch of the Seoul International Women’s Association (SIWA) meets to do just that in addition to more practical goals. Of course these lofty ambitions are considered while eating and drinking in empathy. Only women are permitted to attend. Each month the venue is a different restaurant and the meeting starts at 7 p.m. with casual chatter and greetings as everyone slowly arrives. By about 8 p.m. the group sits down for dinner and each person leaves afterwards at her own pace. Women don’t have to be a member of SIWA to attend but must pay

Clean and safe NZ food showcased in Busan

By John Redmond New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) hosted the “New Zealand Food Connection 2012” on Feb. 29 at the Grand Ballroom, Paradise Hotel, Busan, with over 200 New Zealand and Busan-based food and beverage (F&B) industry professionals attending. In the third year of this event, 15 New Zealand-based companies including Airborne Honey, Silver Fern Farms, Zespri and Heinz displayed their honey, grass-fed beef, fruit, sauce, liquor, organic juice and other food products, while performing cooking demonstrations from appetizers to desserts. NZTE hosts the New Zealand Food Connection once in Seoul and once in Busan each year in order to build credibility through actually experiencing New Zealand F&B as well as promoting business cooperation opportunities between New Zealand and Korean F&B industry members. In welcoming all companies, Graeme Solloway, Trade Commissioner of NZTE, said: “New Zealand Food Connection has been running for three years thanks to support from Korean F&B industry professionals. We’ll keep devoting to build cooperative relationships betwe

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(586) Fermented foods

(585) Gosiwon (III)

(584) Hobby

Concert to raise funds for Gangjeong villagers

By John Redmond A benefit concert to highlight the Gangjeong villager’s position will be held at Club Freebird in Hongdae on March 2. Titled “Rock & Resistance” the event will bring concerned citizens from Seoul and around the country together for a night of solidarity, learning, and live music. The issue of concern is the government construction of a naval base in the Gangjeong Village on Jeju Island. Villagers and their supporters are steadfast in their opposition to the project. Nine local bands have decided to donate their musical talent for one night of eclectic and electrifying music. The concert will feature Jambinai, fresh off their award-winning performance at the EBS Hello Rookie Awards. They will be joined by Korean folk metal rockers Goguryeo Band as well as SmackSoft, Momguamaum, Reska, Cosmos Sound and Billy Carter. The organizers are a small group of concerned global citizens. The concert is from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and entry is a 10,000 won donation. To get there from Hongdae Station, leave via exit 9 in front of KFC. Head towards the

Actor-comedian James Adomian to perform in Seoul

By John Redmond Stand Up Seoul presents James Adomian performing live at Rocky Mountain Tavern in Itaewon on March 2 and 3. Adomian is an Armenian-American actor and stand-up comedian who currently lives in New York City. He is best known for his work on “Comedy Bang Bang,” “Last Comic Standing” and “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” He is known for many impressions, including Vincent Price, Lewis Black, Orson Welles, Jesse Ventura, Paul Giamatti, Michael Caine,Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Elliott, Al Franken, Huell Howser, Christopher Hitchens, Gary Busey, John McCain, Joe Lieberman, Jimmy Kimmel and Andy Kindler. He began frequently appearing as former President George W. Bush on “The Late Late Show” after Craig Ferguson took over hosting the show in January 2005. He has performed several impressions as recurring characters on the “Comedy Bang Bang” podcast. Beginning at 10 p.m., this show will also feature some local opening acts from Stand Up Seoul. The entrance fee is 30,000 per person and includes a drink. To reserve tickets, email standu

Take a tour and learn some more

By Agnes Yu A burgeoning English-speaking community in Seoul has in turn spurred an influx of wide-ranging services made to cater to the whims and wants of a foreigner in a foreign land. There are various restaurants to appease your stomach’s cravings, websites and magazines to keep your finger on the pulse as well as clubs and tours to get you involved and keep you active. One walking tour of the popular Bukchon neighborhood in particular takes place every Saturday afternoon with Robert Koehler, the editor-in-chief of SEOUL magazine. This tour is organized by Seoul Selection, the joint publisher with the city government of SEOUL magazine and according to the website, ``Situated between two of Seoul’s most important royal palaces, Bukchon contains the city’s highest concentration of Korean traditional ‘hanok’ houses, intersected by steep, narrow streets and flights of steps. It is also home to a rich variety of museums, traditional teahouses, restaurants, cafes, shops and more.’’ It starts at 2:30 p.m. with some “outstanding” views of the trendy Samcheong-dong stree

(583) Mobile phone shop