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Nogymx utilizes traditions of Korean music to make waves

By Daniel J. Springer Every artist, if they stick with their creative endeavors through a period of years, will go through an evolution in their creative and personal lives. We all do. But what makes creatives unique is that they are doing so publicly, for anyone willing to listen or look. Such is indeed the case with Irish expat beatmaker Jimmy Dunne, who has spent the last 10 years since arriving in Korea creating a lush and prolific discography of hip-hop and lo-fi soundscapes under the Nogymx (pronounced “no gimmicks”) brand: a bifurcated collection of jazz-dipped bumps and gugak-infused deep dives that provide more of a narrative than your average chill beats. Feb. 2 marks the release of Dunne’s latest independent full-length, "Pahdo" (Wave), his career eighth. The record is a definite milestone for the artist, marking the completion of a decade spent living in the Land of Morning Calm. Looking back and forward all at once, the album is special to Dunne and most likely will be to his many fans all over the world. “I chose the name Pahdo to represent the ebb and flow of those

Feb 2, 2024
Nogymx utilizes traditions of Korean music to make waves

Life goes on in Uiwang's Gocheon-dong as destruction looms

A ginger cat approaches prudently on a snow-laden side street of Uiwang's Gocheon-dong, south of Seoul, stopping and then disappearing into the vacated spaces of this liminal place, once a flourishing neighborhood now awaiting its own destruction. In the depths of winter, mid-January, broken windows, death-rattling pipes, severed wires and hazard tape tell the story of Gocheon-dong’s ponderous demise, but there is still life in this fading community, albeit one stuck in limbo.

Jan 30, 2024By Saul Latham
Life goes on in Uiwang's Gocheon-dong as destruction looms

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Sam's Sushi serves Japanese cuisine in Pyeongtaek

In Anjeong-ri, a short jaunt from the Walk-In Gate at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Sam’s Sushi is serving a mouthwatering odyssey across landscapes of seafood, rice and spice. Sam’s Sushi is one of the most popular restaurants in the neighborhood and the hands-down favorite for Japanese food including fresh sushi, sashimi, maki, teriyaki and specialty rolls. For those in search of sashimi, the quintessential Japanese delicacy, Sam’s serves an extensive selection of thinly sliced cuts of fresh raw seafood. They offer classics like tuna, octopus, crab and yellowtail, along with house favorites like crab, swordfish and red snapper. The chef’s selection of assorted sashimi, a treasure trove of oceanic gems more dazzling than pirate loot, comes in nine-piece or 25-piece sets. Their cuts are esteemed for their natural flavors and delicate textures. For maki aficionados, Sam’s serves large eight-piece sushi rolls wrapped in seaweed and sweet vinegar rice. Their lineup of house specialties includes the California Roll with crab, avocado and cucumber,

Jan 30, 2024By Mark Boesch
[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] Sam's Sushi serves Japanese cuisine in Pyeongtaek

TEMPLE ADVENTURES Poroe, the dragon that adorns temple bells

The Western idea of dragons is one of ferocity. Arguably, “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon” have had a bit to do with this opinion in recent years. And with this being the Year of the Blue Dragon according to the lunar calendar, it would come to reason that this is a year of some fieriness, especially when one looks at the personality traits associated with people born in the Year of the Dragon. Traits such as confidence and intelligence come to mind. In addition to this dominant idea of dragons being ferocious and independent in Western thinking, as well as the personality traits found within the Chinese zodiac, you’ll also find the pervasive idea in Korean society that dragons are a sign of good luck. This thought about dragons carries over to Korean Buddhism, as well. In Korean Buddhism, you can find these mythological creatures everywhere including in paintings, statues, adornments, latticework, canopies, shaman deities and under bridges. They typically appear to have deer antlers, a snake belly, a fish tail, claws and whiskers. They can also be blue, red, yello

Jan 28, 2024By Dale Quarrington
[TEMPLE ADVENTURES] Poroe, the dragon that adorns temple bells

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK JJ's offers soul food, comfort food

In Anjeong-ri, a short stroll from the Walk-In Gate at U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, JJ's American Diner is doing some down-home cooking. This casual eatery has all the nostalgia of a retro diner in small-town USA, offering a wide range of Southern classics and homestyle American dishes. Owners Jessica Fry and Hwang Jin-cheol opened JJ’s American Diner in 2013 and recently celebrated a decade of business. As a Michigan native, Jessica grew up working in a Coney Island, a type of restaurant that is prevalent in the northern United States, particularly in Michigan, named after the Coney Island hot dog, which they commonly serve. After relocating to Korea and marrying Jin-cheol, who was looking for a new career after a tenure as a bank executive, the husband-and-wife team opened JJ’s American Diner. Their mission was to give homesick customers a sense of home. JJ’s offers an extensive lineup of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, wraps and omelets. Their all-day breakfast menu epitomizes the quintessential comfort and versatility o

Jan 25, 2024By Mark Boesch
[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] JJ's offers soul food, comfort food

'Hallo Chunhyang' play-within-a-play explores foreign experience in Korea's arts scene

It’s said that "The Tale of Chunhyang" (or "Chunhyangga" in Korean) is one of the most iconic love stories of Korea, a centuries-old folk tale that originated as a work of pansori. What would happen if a foreigner performed the starring role? German-born actress Anna Rihlmann explores this scenario in “Hallo Chunhyang: The Tale of Anna,” about a fictional production of "The Tale of Chunhyang." She stars as herself, a foreign actress with a master's degree in acting from the Korea National University of Arts (K-ARTS), playing the iconic Korean role of Chunhyang. The show examines the experiences of foreign artists seeking acceptance, work and fame in Korea, while facing barriers because of their language, nationality, appearance or other reasons, as they overcome their limitations, discover themselves and find their own identity. Besides Anna, the play includes Anupam Tripathi, an Indian actor who played a role in the Netflix drama "Squid Game," but is usually cast to play the role of a foreign laborer, and Songa, a Chinese actress who can pass as Korean, but her distinctly Chinese

Jan 23, 2024By Bereket Alemayehu
'Hallo Chunhyang' play-within-a-play explores foreign experience in Korea's arts scene
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