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Festival offers int'l perspectives on shamanism

While politicians in this country have come under scrutiny for their alleged ties to shamans and popular television dramas like "The Glory" have portrayed shamanism as a "backward" or "evil" practice, the 2023 Shamanism Festival highlighted a very different picture. It demonstrated the richness of shamanic practice as a cultural symbol that traces its roots to traditional societies around the world while showcasing regional forms of shamanism as vibrant and engaging parts of contemporary life. The festival was held over two days, from Oct. 6 to 7, at the Museum of Shamanism in northwestern Seoul’s Eunpyeong District. It also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the museum and the first anniversary of the World Shamanism Forum (WSF), which was founded at its premises. Initially established in nearby Seongbuk District at the home of Dr. Yang Jong-sung, its founder and WSF president, the museum has occupied the historic Geumseong Shamanic Shrine since May 2016 per an agreement with the local government. The shrine is the only one of its kind in Seoul that remains in its original locat

Oct 9, 2023By Jack Greenberg
Festival offers int'l perspectives on shamanism

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK Root Everyday champions healthy food

By Mark Boesch Root Everyday believes that healthy food is the root of a healthy lifestyle. This family-owned restaurant, on the east end of Itaewon-ro in central Seoul’s Hannam-dong neighborhood, was founded in April 2016 by Chef Kristin and her daughters, Jenny and Julia. Kristin loves feeding people. She grew up in a large family and at an early age began cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner for her siblings. She later went to culinary school and after her daughters graduated from Cornell University, with degrees in hospitality management, the family opened Root Everyday. Back in 2016, the consumption of salads, vegetarianism and veganism all saw noteworthy global increases. Despite the global trend, there were not many salad-focused restaurant concepts here in Seoul. “Salad wasn’t really even considered a meal,” Julia reflected. The philosophy of Root Everyday centers around the belief that healthy food is an essential part of living a fulfilling life. Their menu is meticulously crafted, free of sugar and artificial additives, featuring raw, fresh ingredients prepared exclusiv

Sep 26, 2023
[RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK] Root Everyday champions healthy food

Palestinian refugee calls for Koreans’ broader awareness

By Bereket Alemayehu Saleh Elrantisi, a 26-year-old Palestinian with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, moved to Korea in 2022 to escape war in his homeland. While suffering with memories of Palestine, he continues struggling with the refugee application process in Korea. “So far, my experience in Korea has been very positive,” he told The Korea Times. “Korea made me feel like I am in a safe place, far from war and killing, and I therefore hope to live here until Palestine is liberated from occupation, and then I shall return to living in my country peacefully.” But even though he was able to share paperwork from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) about his status, he has had to fight to stay in Korea. “It was a shock to me when I understood that the Korean government didn’t recognize me as a refugee immediately, even though I submitted official documents from the UNRWA proving that I had an asylum number,” he said. "Unfortunately, I am not being dealt with as a refugee, but rather I have to apply as a n

Sep 25, 2023
Palestinian refugee calls for Koreans’ broader awareness
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