Global Community

Various events to mark St. Patrick’s Day

By John Redmond Seoul’s annual participation in the international celebration honoring Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland and the man accredited with having brought Christianity to Ireland, will start off in Insa-dong on March 19. One of the capital’s most popular and widely participated in cultural events continues with the support of Daesung Corporation, Seoul Global Center, the Embassy of Ireland and a number of individual and private sponsors. The 11th Saint Patrick’s Festival in Seoul will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Having attracted over 15,000 spectators in the past, the Irish Association of Korea (IAK) said that this year’s festival will concentrate on music and dance performances. Every festival has been a showcase and celebration of Irish culture and the open air concert, which has become synonymous with Saint Patrick’s Day in Seoul, will be the centrepiece. This year will see traditional folk-dancers and musicians playing Irish music, including both traditional and popular rock, all coming from Korea. Musicians from Ireland will also featur

(404) Place to study ― Gosiwon (II)

(403) Place to study ― Gosiwon (I)

(402) King Sejong

(401) Phil Kyung Jae traditional house

V-Day Seoul to host benefit events for unwed mothers

By John Redmond V-Day Seoul will host two events to raise money for the Korean Unwed Mothers and Families Association (KUMFA) this weekend. There will be a free screening of “Until the Violence Stops,” at PLATOON KUNSTHALLE, a performance space in Gangnam, on March 12 at 8 p.m. This empowering and heartbreakingly funny film documents how Eve Ensler's play, “The Vagina Monologues,” spawned a worldwide phenomenon known as V-Day, a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. “Until the Violence Stops” explores localized cultural issues with global relevance. Personal stories are explored through emotionally-charged interviews and readings. Collectively, mothers, daughters, celebrities and even repentant abusers demonstrate the power of positive change. Since its inception in 2007, V-Day Seoul has generated awareness and raised funds in support of several other organizations including the Korea Women’s Hotline, Dasi Hamkee Center and the Marriage Migrants Network of the Seoul Immigration Office at the Ministry of Justice. The evening will be comple

Expat mart, tea house in Hannam-dong

By John Redmond For many non-American expats living in Korea, getting a taste of home ― literally, in the form of familiar foods, spices and dressings ― does not come easy. The limited options include eating at one of the few foreign restaurants in Seoul, or relying on care packages from home or friends working in embassies. Then, about three years ago in the multicultural neighborhood of Itaewon, a few stores opened up specializing in foods and spices not found in Korean supermarkets. Prices and food selections vary, but overall, the choice was good. Recently, an international supermarket and tea house opened, though not in Itaewon. Located in Hannam-dong, a neighborhood dotted with embassies near the U.N. Village, Expat Mart offers an extensive range of international groceries including spices, sauces and condiments as well as grains, canned foods and dairy products. Specializing in food products from around the world the range includes Indian breads such as chapatti, naan and paratha. The canned food selection includes cans a full range of global choic

From the Hilton in Pyongyang to the Westin in Seoul

By Agnes Yu The day begins with a headache. ``It’s as if his soul, having lay dormant in his body, woke up, discovered the heavy and authoritative being trapping it, and began pounding on it loudly in protest.’’ And so starts the book ``Your Republic is Calling You’’ written by Kim Young-ha in 2006, his fourth of five novels and the second translated recently into English by Kim Chi-young in 2010. Unfurling within an intense and eventful 24 hour period, the plot revolves around 42-year-old Kim Ki-yong, a North Korean spy. He opens his inbox one morning to find an unexpected and unwelcomed email, one that pushes the “on” button for the agent after ten years spent blending in with the enemy in the South and falling into normalcy. With elements of espionage, self-reflection and social commentary weaved expertly together, readers can expect to get a glimpse of various characters in modern day Seoul as Ki-yong tries to figure out who sent the email, whether or not he's been compromised, and if he's really going to go back. The plot and atmosphere might be considered

(400) Going green (II)

(399) Going green (I)