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Thu, June 21, 2018 | 11:16

Opinion > Columnists > Kim Ji-myung >

Korean names in English matter

A high school teacher called Michael Herbert Dengler, living in North Dakota in the United States, petitioned the state district court for permission to change his name to “1069” some decades ago.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-09-27 17:20

The art of giving

When a friend of mine asked people around her to donate a certain amount per kilometer she would run in a marathon race, many were amazed. She runs and people donate for that? This concept was new to the Koreans.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-08-30 17:18

Korea to fly above the radar

A new book on Korea is always welcome, especially when it is in English and even more so when it is written by a foreigner. I do agree that the latest tome “Korea, the Impossible Country,” by the Economist correspondent Daniel Tudor, serves Korea by opening her secrets to the world.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-08-02 17:15

Friends for traveling together

“To know the true character of a person, you need to do three things together with him - drink wine, take a public bath and play golf.” Koreans often apply this simple rule when a daughter brings a guy home and tells her parents that she wants to marry him.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-07-05 17:47

Do you know 'Yushukan'?

This column is supposed to mainly deal with cultural topics, traditional and modern heritage. However, the last one in May was an exception because it was about an episode in which former chancellor of Germany reprimanded Japan and advised it to be honest about history.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-06-07 17:24

Chancellor Schmidt scolds Japan

In May, 1995, former President Roh Tae-woo attended the Inter-Action Council Meeting in Tokyo. His 5-year term ended in February, 1993, and he was ready to play a visible role, as the first former Korean president, in this international arena of retired political leaders - former presidents and prime ministers.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-05-10 17:31

The Koreans are coming, again

"The Koreans Are Coming" was the headline on the cover of the June 6, 1977 issue of Newsweek magazine.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-04-12 17:44

Constancy and change in tradition

In early April, some 20 artisans of traditional Korean crafts will board a plane for Italy. Many of them are holders of the government's Intangible Cultural Heritage title. Most have spent their lives doing the same old-fashioned handicrafts ― including ceramics, lacquer coating, wood joinery, mother-of-pearl inlay, rice paper making and hanbok clothing making.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-03-15 17:12

A true story of 'hanok'

Foreigners often praise traditional Korean houses or “hanok.” Long-time residents here sometimes rue the disappearing of old ``things Korean” ― villages, thatched roofs, Korean costumes, good old habits and caring relationship among people. Yes, I agree. We also miss them.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-02-15 17:22

In defense of accordions

In retrospect, I have kept on doing some things just for my own fun throughout my career, even if in secret.

Kim Ji-myung | 2013-01-18 17:17

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Daily life in North Korea