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Korean women surfers shine in Busan

By John Redmond In near perfect conditions with waves reaching over two meters, the Busan International Festival 2011 came to a close this weekend. With authorities and competitors reaching a new level of cooperation, the surfing event was an enjoyable experience for entrants and spectators alike, with a very high standard of surfing set by locals and foreigners. With the foreign section comprising of surfers from Japan, North America, Australia and South Africa, it was the talent of the locals that caught the eyes of the crowds, particularly the women. With perfect offshore winds and sets of waves at times dwarfing those in the water, it was the heat featuring the women that saw some real talent. Billabong team surfer, Na Eun pulled off some spectacular moves in her first round, easily outgunning her rivals. It was clear to this writer that the surfer had some true talent as she showed flawless judgment in her wave selection, both what to ride and what to avoid. With a flowing style comprising of radical moves, she went on to not only win her heat but, th

English teacher to run in fundraiser marathon

By John Redmond With the exciting ambition of raising more than 1 million won for the Korean Multiple Sclerosis Society (KMSS) Joseph Riley, the creator of the 4IN4 mission will run a distance of 170 kilometers in four Korean cities over four days. The English teacher from the United Kingdom based in Daejeon is an active member of the city's vibrant running scene, and has put together a fund and awareness raising initiative. The 4IN4 (four marathons in four cities in four days) will begin on Sept. 10 in Seoul and will end with a bang on Riley's home turf in Daejeon on Sept. 13. The mission aims to reach out to the communities of Busan, Daegu, Daejeon and Seoul to donate to the KMSS for research into this debilitating disease. The starting event in Seoul kicks off at 7 a.m. at Olympic Park and will involve a distance of 42.195 kilometers. Riley states that his inspiration to run for charity came from British comedian Eddie Izard. “I was really inspired by Eddie Izard when he did that run across England. I felt I could do the same for Korea here,” he told The K

Expat theater company to stage play

By John Redmond Expat troupe Probationary Theatre Company (PTC) will open its doors with “If These Tables Could Talk,” a full-length comic drama, on Sept. 2 through Sept. 4 at the White Box Theater located in the Hyochang Park area. Set in modern times in a New York restaurant with a variety of characters that may seem all too familiar, “If” allows the audience a chance to eavesdrop on peoples’ private conversations from the safety of their own seats. Presented in the style of a one-act play, three tables are arranged, center stage, and individually lit for each new scene. The comical play follows two cynical waitresses as they traipse from table to table serving food and drinks, whilst the audience unravels the dysfunctional, hilarious and astonishing lives of these “normal” people. “If” was fortunate to hone the talents of Kevin Lambert, Kimberly Thomson and Desiree Munro to direct the comedy. Additionally creative director of Probationary Theatre Company, Ms. Munro arranged the hilarious play and acts in it herself, while performing opposite her husband and co-own

International surfing festival to hit Busan

Haeundae Beach of Busan will host an international surfing competition, the BISF2011, from Sept. 2 to 4. As the summer season comes to a close, surfers from all over Korea and representatives from the international surfing community will be taking over Haeundae Beach for three days. In cooperation with authorities and sponsors, the Korea Surfing Association (KSA) invites participants to enjoy the waves at Korea’s most famous beach. As with the recent Busan Mayor International Surfing Competition, where authorities closed down the event, rules regarding storm conditions apply. Cheryl Kim of the KSA sent a notice to all participants regarding typhoons and beach closures. “Though most beaches have now closed for the season, the Busan beaches remain open until Oct. 1, so please obey the current summer marine laws until we are notified of any changes,” she told The Korea Times. “This includes wearing rash-guards when surfing. Haeundae is open to surfers daily from 6 to 8 a.m. but we still haven't been advised of any changes to the evening surfing ban so please refr

Lecture me on NK ’manhwa’

By Agnes Yu “Who said that communist literature was all drab and boring?” asks Jacco Zwetsloot as he aims to prove otherwise in his lecture on Sept. 6 at the Resident’s Lounge of Somerset Palace in Seoul. Presented as part of the lecture series offered mainly every second and last Tuesday of every month by the esteemed Royal Asiatic Society’s Korea branch, “Spy Hunting, Re-writing the Korean War and Sowing Fear of the World: North Korea has ‘manhwa’ too!” will be sure to enlighten and entertain. “Manhwa” is Korean for cartoon or comic. Starting at 7:30 p.m., Zwetsloot’s lecture will be a glimpse into the world of North Korean comic books and highlight examples from some of his favorites. The contents are broadly divided into three categories ― warnings against spies and how to spot them, cautionary tales about the evils of the world, and heroic tales set during the 1950-53 Korean War or pre-1910 Korean history. Published since the early 1980s despite occasional paper shortages, comic books form the DPRK encompass illustrated story books for children, some caricatur

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Expats to present Shakespeare monologues

By John Redmond The recently renamed Seoul Shakespeare Company will present an evening of Shakespeare’s monologues at Club After in Itaewon on Aug. 27 and 28. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday, the theater company invites audiences to an event under the banner of “Shakespeare's Mirth and Merriment.” The evening will feature monologues and scenes celebrating Shakespeare's most beloved comedies. Pieces will be taken from titles such as “Taming of the Shrew,” “The Tempest,” “As You Like it,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and much more. The company also plans to explore humor in a number of unlikely places. The entrance fee is 15,000 won. To get to Club After leave Itaewon station at exit 3. Go straight and turn right at Dunkin Donuts. Take a quick right at Day Club. Turn left at VIVA GLAM. Club After will be straight ahead on the left-hand side. There are no reservations so patrons are advised to please arrive early to insure seating. A map and more detailed information is available at https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=261963240