Fashion answers cultures

        We all derive to look good, but we all have different ways to look good.

 

           People from all over the world have different eye and skin colors. Even though we all look different on the outside, people all derive the same purpose-good-looks. In order to look good, the first thing that most people concentrate on is fashion. With the start of the windy weather in October, fashion across the world is changing in a fast speed. In Korea, from October 22~28th, Seoul Fashion Week, a global fashion business event held by Seoul City to show the fashion of the upcoming season. Also the New York Fashion Week was held last month. People all want to look good. However, each culture has their unique way of looking good.

           Out of the many people in the world, who are the most interested and sensitive to fashion? As a person who just has passed one’s own teenager years, one has no doubt that the answer is teenagers. Teenagers are very sensitive and aware of what kind of clothing their friends wear. As there are Fashion Weeks in each country of the United States and South Korea, the clothing style also differs. Therefore, the styles of teenagers are different in these two countries.

Let’s take a look at the daily fashion differences of the teenagers from the United States and South Korea.

 

United States of America Fashion

Andrew Droste(19)

Boys

Boys in the United States dress very dandy. In the summer they usually dress with a clean t-shirt and jeans. When it gets cold, they try not to wear too many layers. The key to their fashion in “simplicity”. This helps the boys dress very neat. Also usually tennis shoes are worn.  

 

Sarah Kraft(19)

Girls

When the key to boys fashion was simplicity, the key to girls fashion in the United States is “vivid uniqueness”. Fashion is something that defines personality and characters to many young girls. They try not to be something that someone else has. Also they are not afraid to dress short and wear clothing that many show lots of the skin.

 

South Korea

JongGeun Park(20)

Boys

Korean boys can be fashion by layering. Often they layer shirts on the inside and a knit or a cardigan on the outside. Also a new “it” item for Korean boys was tee-shirts with different colorings on the shoulder and arms. Besides jeans, they also wear cotton pants.

 

Dakyung Yoo(20)

Girls

There is a big hit in the cold weather for girls in Korea-skirt leggings. It is leggings that are connected to a skirt. On top, they usually wear knits or simple shirts as shown. They are usually afraid to show their skins off. Also more than uniqueness, they derive the same kind of dress codes.  

              Two cultures were compared through fashion. Boys seem to have much similar fashion to each other even though they are in different countries. The fashion code for boys all over world seems to be simple. Even though they may look similar, differences still exist. For example, boys in the USA like to wear their jeans very big while boys in Korea prefer to wear jeans that are their size. Yet, the girls fashion differed visibly. While one culture liked uniqueness and is not afraid to show their skin, another culture likes to be sensitive to each others’ fashion and not show too much skin. These differences do not only come from the fashion taste of each culture. Fashion is the hint to a culture. Through fashion people can see each other’s cultures. What is important is that people accept each other’s differences and acknowledge it-not discriminate it.

 

 

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We Need More Scientists

 

 

Photo credit to WCUIC

 

"We need idol stars, but what we need more are scientists." This is a famous quote from a recent Korean commercial. In this commercial, the need for more scientists is publicly presented to the viewers. Scientists are experts in the field of fundamental science. Lately, however, young people have shown a preference for majors such as business administration, medical science, and public administration—majors showing utilitarian characteristics. The Education, Science and Technology Committee revealed that the majority of International Science Olympiad winners chose to attend medical school. According to the Dong-A Daily News and staffing agency Incruit Corporation, thrice as many companies gave special preference to business administration and economics majors this year as compared to 2010. These majors are obviously preferred by society and individuals. As the interest for certain kinds of majors are on the rise, interest in other majors has been waning. The majors that are less popular are in the field of fundamental studies.

 

There are many types of fundamental studies. World Class University (WCU) is an organization that focuses on the fundamental sciences. WCU focuses on research studies and invites elite foreign researchers and scientists to Korea. The 2012 World Class University International Conference was held on September 14. The primary purpose of this conference is for international scholars to share their research developments. The secondary purpose is to support the dreams of young students who wish to grow in the research field. During this year’s conference, 200 middle and high school students had the opportunity to meet Nobel Prize laureates and receive educational advice from them. To learn more about students’ aspirations to become contributors to the international community, the following is an interview with Dr. SeongYong Ahn from the Research University Promotion Team at the National Research Foundation of Korea.

 

 

Dr. SeongYong Ahn

 

Q. What is the main goal of the WCU International Conference?

 

A. The WCU International Conference (IC) is an international academic event that is hosted in conjunction with the World Class University Project, run by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST). This project is an opportunity for Korean and foreign scholars to share their research findings. WCU IC’s main purpose is the same as the reason for its founding. The WCU Project’s main goal is to raise the level of Korean universities so that Korea can bring in the research culture of scientifically advanced nations and furthermore gain recognition on an international level. WCU wishes to form an infrastructure for Korean universities to reach international standards.

 

Q. “Junior Session” is an opportunity for selected middle and high school students to present their topics and listen to various opinions and suggestions from Nobel Prize laureates. This shows a promising future in the sciences for Korean youths. In order for Korean students to have a promising future, what kinds of support structures do we need?

 

A. First, the basic perception on pursuing one’s career in the sciences and engineering needs to change. Currently, students are still stuck in an education system that focuses only on college entrance via cramming-based teaching methods. Therefore the social perception of well-performing students is that they neglect science and engineering. Those who do pursue careers in science and engineering often consider medical school their ultimate goal. In order for science improvement to happen, many top students need to make an effort to be interested in the fundamental sciences. Competitions such as the Science Olympiads cannot have much meaning if their only purpose is to enter a better university. Youths should cultivate personal interest in the sciences and schools and government programs should support and provide programs that will help draw students’ attentions to this field. Korea needs a social system that can grow out of cramming-based teaching methods and grow into an environment where science prodigies can grow.

 

Q. In order for there to be a first Korean Nobel Prize laureate in the sciences, what kind of changes are needed for Korea’s education?

 

A. Nobel Prize laureates are not decided by education. Even if there are academic prodigies, it will be impossible for them to earn Nobel Prizes until Korea changes scientists’ research environments and culture. First, government supported policies need to change in order to support scientists to pursue creative research. If research results are demanded in such a short period of time, as in the present reality, they will lose the opportunity to be recognized internationally by the Nobel Foundation as well as other international organizations. For example, Japan continues to provide research funding as an investment for the future. Even if the results are not visible right away, they provide funding continuously for more than ten years. Through this kind of system and research culture, they have been able to rise to a global level in the field of fundamental science and as a result have turned out many Nobel Prize laureates.

 

Q. What kind of improvements can Korea’s education gain by inviting distinguished foreign scholars to this country?

 

A. By inviting distinguished foreign scholars to Korea, the biggest outcome Korea can gain is a mutual exchange in advanced education. This also creates international networks for Korean scientists. International scholars, including graduate students, can share and debate each other’s research topics. Through such networking and active communication, Korean scientists can develop an international perspective toward their science research. Distinguished foreign scholars coming into Korea have worked as a bridge for our scientists to increase their international awareness. Therefore Korean scientists can have more opportunities to continue their education in leading foreign universities or conduct research in conjunction with foreign scholars.

 

*These opinions are the personal opinions of Dr. SeongYeong Ahn, not the opinions of WCUIC.

          

            The 2012 World Class University International Conference emphasized the importance of the fundamental sciences. By sharing their knowledge and experiences with scientifically advanced nations, Korea hopes to learn the importance of fundamental sciences and research.  Not only should people concentrate on the fundamental sciences, but they should also emphasize basic studies such as the humanities. It is welcoming news that WCU is trying to reinforce the importance of the fundamental sciences through such events. The future of Korea’s fundamental science development is in the hands of the next generation. Who knows? Perhaps one of the student participants may end up becoming the first Korean Nobel Prize laureate in the sciences.

 

                                                                 

Exchanging each country’s culture by exchanging each other’s hearts

Be Related In Diverse Global Exchange Project

 

Photo Credit to BRIDGE Project

       

While the summer of 2012 is almost over, what did you do this summer? Did you go on a vacation? Or did you enjoy movies, television, sleep and etc.? While some students take a rest from their hard-living lives, some decide to take a new opportunity in a new culture. July 16th through August 17th, for six weeks, BRIDGE Project (Be Related In Diverse Global Exchange Project) took place in Sookmyung Women’s University. The BRIDGE Project consists of Koreans and foreigners sharing each others’ cultures in a cross-cultural exchange. Korean students could sign up to be part of this program and the foreigners participating were the interns from AIESEC. AIESEC is a non-profit organization by students with the purpose to transmit internships overboard and receive interns from other nations.

 

Korean students and foreign interns had six weeks of culture-exchanging through the BRIDGE Project. Since hallryu has been raised to many people’s interest in the topic of Korean culture, AIESEC noticed that spread of hallryu has been only through one-way culture sharing and also commercial. To supplement the missing elements of a “real culture exchange” AIESEC decided to hold a project where many cultures can be shared at once. In order for a cross-culture exchange program, the BRIDGE Project was made. To know more about this program, an interview with YuJin Lim, the section manager of BRIDGE Project, is as the following.

 

 

Q. The three topics of Bridge Project is correct culture exchange, cross-cultural contents and hallryu’s topic relationship with globalization. Why did AIESEC choose these three topics?

                                                                                         

A.      When AIESEC was first picking the topics for the project was not to end the project by simply introducing and advertising Korean culture. Instead it was more focused on actually showing the Korean cultures and Koreans learning foreign cultures together. AIESEC focused on cross-cultural exchanges. We worried and wondered a whole lot about how to introduce each other’s cultures in the term of fun. The decision was made to first listen to the speeches and training. By receiving back ground knowledge, students participate in debate. Lastly the students were to take a more active role related with the topic. Through the big picture, AIESEC chose three topics.

 

           More than that the three topics are related with globalization, they are more connected to the key of cross-culture exchanges. At first, we believed that before starting culture exchange, students needed to know about what really is the correct culture exchange. With the base of such knowledge, we wanted a more fun type of culture exchange. We believed that by making culture exchange contents, the natural cross-culture exchange can happen. This thought of “fun” decided on our second topic. Lastly, since hallryu is one of the representatives of Korean culture, we chose the topic of hallryu’s topic and relationship with globalization.

 

 

Q. Bridge Project involved many foreigners. Where are these foreigners from?

 

A.        The foreigners that participated in the Bridge Project are the students from AIESEC internship program. AIESEC is an organization is working with the vision of world peace and human potential. When the AIESEC organization was first made, the people in part organization believed that culture exchange and internship is necessary for the vision to come true. Therefore the main business for our organization is internship transmission. As I have mentioned above, Bridge Project was made as a sort of an internship. The foreigners are the interns that came to Korea through AIESEC. The foreign students are college students from variety of countries such as China, Slovakia, Indonesia, Germany and etc.

 

Q. In the 21st global century, culture exchange is one of the hot topics. During culture exchanges, what should people be aware of or what kind of attitude should people have?

 

A.         Through the Bridge Project, I personally learned how important attitudes are while culture exchanging with foreigners. Also many participants agreed with me. To me, I think the best attitude is not to just think that foreign cultures are different from ours. People in culture exchanges should have the attitude to learn why there are such differences. I was able to learn that both Asians and Western friends are all different. In small gestures or face expressions, I could see the small cultural differences with foreign friends. When I felt such cultural differences, I didn’t simply end my thinking with “Oh, they’re different.” Instead I thought to myself, “Why is it different?” After being aware of such differences, trying to learn the differences is the key to the true culture exchange.

 

            Also before starting culture exchange, throwing away fear for English is a step that the person has to take. At first, many people believe that only people who speak fluent English can communicate with foreigners. However, as the participants in the Bridge Project experienced 6 weeks of long communications with foreigners, they realized that that was only a prejudice. People need to break out of their shell and free themselves from the language barrier.

 

Q. Recently, the biggest key in culture exchange has been through Hallryu. Besides Hallryu, what other cultures can we share? Or what areas of cultures should Koreans improve in order to share with the world?

 

A.       Hallryu is currently too concentrated on K-pop music and commercial contents. There is a need to expand the areas of Hallryu. Also songs, dances, movies and etc. types of entertainments are easily spread to other nations. However, it is hard for other contents to draw attention of foreigners’ eyes. Therefore it is important to have a powerful advertising in foreign countries. As a personal opinion, I believe that the other area to improve besides hallryu is food. Through the Bridge Project, I learned that South Korean dishes have variety of tastes and foods, compared to foreign countries. By enlightening such strengths of Korean dishes, it will be great to globalize our food more than the present.     

 

Photo Credit to BRIDGE Project

At the end of the six weeks, on the 17th of August, the participants of the BRIDGE Project put together a boot in the Seoul Plaza. There was a booth for each nation, consist of the natives from the particular nation-China, Indonesia, Slovakia and Korea. It consisted of many cultural items in each nation that was learned throughout the project. “The works of six weeks of culture-exchanging was visible through the booth. It was great to see that this project was not simply about learning the Korean culture-rather it was sharing each others,” answered Samuel Vandyke, a native-speaker teacher who had a chance to visit the booth. It is great that Korea is trying to share one another’s cultures rather than forcing learning on ours. Instead of natives representing and preparing for their booth, one nation’s student should prepare for a country that is not their race. That way, there may be more active culture exchanging. However, most importantly, if you want to participate in culture exchange in some sort of way, it is important to exchange your hearts with them first.

 

 

ABOUT AIESEC

 

 

         AISEC is the abbreviation for Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales’ in French, meaning global leadership student organization. This organization has students participating over 110 different countries, 2,100 universities and over 60,000 members. AIESEC has a history of 60 years and now is the world’s largest youth-run organization. Through AIESEC, many students can reach an opportunity to take experiences across the borders. They offer global internship programs, global leadership programs and global learning environments. If you would like an opportunity to expand experiences in the global network, you can join AIESEC. Fill out the registration form in http://live.myaiesec.net/ and make sure that you contact your local office.

 

More information about AIESEC can be found in http://www.aiesec.org/

                    

                               

                      

Girl’s Dream

 

 

Alternatives to sanitary pads exercise

 

 

 

           Problems concerning sanitary pads have become a big issue in today’s society. With manufacturing companies trying to win the competition through the use of more chemical ingredients, the respect for safety and women’s bodies has drastically decreased.

 

Sanitary pads manufacturing companies try to satisfy their buyers by emphasizing on their products’ comfort and lightweight. However, this forces companies to use more chemical components, which cause skin diseases and serious menstrual pains. For this reason, national feminist groups like Korea Women Link(한국여성민우회) and Blood Sister Regiment(피자매연대) have started to take actions from 2000(statistical data: Google) in order to save the planet from pollution of chemical sanitary pads and to prevent women’s bodies from the danger of toxic materials.

 

 

What is ‘Girl’s Dream’?

In Korea, there are not many organizations which promote the making of alternatives to sanitary pads. However, there are many small groups in public institutions like youth centers which make sanitary pads out of natural material. To learn the process of making pure cotton pads and to find out more about the sanitary pad problem, I personally visited a feminist activity group called ‘Girl’s Dream’. ‘Girl’s Dream’ is a group from Gangnam Youth Center which makes pure cotton pads for young girls suffering from poverty and war in the 3rd world countries.

 

Girls in poor countries fail to buy normal sanitary pads and they are in a terrible situation where AIDS is spreading vastly. Also, they cannot go to school and continue their daily routines during their menstrual cycle period. In order to solve this problem, members of ‘Girl’s Dream’ make pads of 100% natural cotton and donate them to girls in need.

 

 

The process of making the cotton sanitary pads is not complicated. There are two separate cotton sheets and members are required to sew them together and add buttons on each side. Making one sanitary pad can be done in less than 40 minutes. Each member makes two sanitary pads in every group meetings which are held on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month. A member of ‘Girl’s Dream’ mentioned that she felt rewarded to participate in a meaningful activity in an easy and enjoyable way.

 

               

 

Moreover, ‘Girl’s Dream’ contacts with other organizations to send the cotton pads with different materials like dolls, stationary, etc. ‘Girl’s Dream’ fills a box with the handmade cotton pads and makes sure that it is delivered to the poor villages. While cotton pads have no harm to the user, they also have no negative effects to the environment. Members of ‘Girl’s Dream’ try to lessen the harm of sanitary pad problems and the rate of pollution by making cotton pads with great care.

 

 

To hear more about ‘Girl’s Dream’ I had the chance to reach Yang, Jin Hwa, an assistant administrator of the Gangnam Youth Center.

 

How could you briefly explain ‘Girl’s Dream’?

Girl’s Dream(小女之夢) began with the purpose of giving hope to poor girls suffering from war and poverty. We are currently donating sanitary pads that we have made to the girls in Thailand, Burma and in Uganda. This year, we have sent 100 pads to our friends in Thailand and Burma and 350 pads to the orphan girls who are suffering from AIDS in Uganda. Last year, we donated sanitary pads with stationery materials and warmers that we collected from our youth center’s CLUB DAY festival.

 

How do people participate in this activity?

‘Girl’s Dream’ functions in a form of a regular club. On January and February, interviews are held for girls wishing to participate in “Girl’s Dream” for the whole year. By taking part in the interviews by themselves, girls feel responsible and the ones who are selected feel proud and participate actively.

 

What could be the purpose or meaning of ‘Girl’s Dream’?

‘Girl’s Dream’ was formed in 2008 when the news that women in Thailand and Burma were not able to attend schools because of the lack of sanitary pads was heard by the Seoul YWCA International Cooperation (Gangnam Youth Center’s operating business). The club was organized to help poor girls living on the other side of the world who couldn’t even satisfy their most fundamental needs. I personally think that this can be a true act of global leadership.

 

Could you explain the plans for the future of ‘Girl’s Dream’?

From now on, ‘Girl’s Dream’ is planning to continue its donations to women in Thailand and Burma, orphans in Cambodia and to orphan girls suffering from AIDS in Uganda. Also we aim to collect un-used stationery materials to donate with the sanitary pads. To add, ‘Girl’s Dream’ is planning a pen-pal activity between girls in Korea and Uganda. We wish to hear from anyone who is interested.

 

 

Recently, middle schools and high schools in the Seoul district have gotten involved in the cotton sanitary pad making programs. This made more citizens to grow interest in the sanitary pad problem and it caused more feminist groups to shout out for the ban of chemical ingredients in sanitary pads. Like ‘Girl’s Dream’, the contribution of national groups will save more women from danger.

 

 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED INGIRLS DREAM

Gangnam Seoul Youth Center

Phone) 02-544-9725

Fax) 02-548-2462

Website) www.gangnamyc.or.kr

 

 

          

 

 

ALTERNATIVES TO SANITARY PADS NATIONAL FEMINIST GROUPS

Korea Women Link(한국여성민우회)   http://www.womenlink.or.kr/

Blood Sister Regiment(피자매연대)    http://www.bloodsisters.or.kr/

 

ALTERNATIVES TO SANITARY PADS FOREIGN SITES

Canada-Manymoons www.pacificcoast.net/~manymoons

Canada- Lunapads www.lunapads.com (Available in Korea)

USA-Gladrags www.gladrags.com

England-Menses www.menses.co,uk

 

 

Nonverbal performance with chopping boards and knives

 

Nanta mixes Korean traditional beats with the modern performance cultures and

 breaks the borders of countries

 

Photo credit to NANTA

   

  Like the hot weather in this season of summer, 'Hallryu', Korean wave, is the hot topic to foreigners. Hallryu's spread of Korean televisions and stars has been spread out to the performance arts. In the year of 2011, last year, according to the Korea Tourism Organization, over 1.1 million tourists from all over the world had the experience of watching a performance art during their visit in South Korea. Out of these tourists,according to PMC production in 2011, 700 thousand foreign tourists, 64% of the tourists, watched the performance 'Nanta'.

    

Nanta started in 1997 at Hoam Art Hall. It has been known for its unique performance style of a nonverbal performance. There is no talking, actors are dressed as chefs, and they hold knives and pound them on chopping boards. This may sound boring. Yet the performance includes lively dancing and making Korean traditional beats while mixing with modern music and performance cultures. Nanta is breaking the borders of performances between countries. Nanta is already probably familiar to lots of foreigners. Therefore to know about the role of Nanta in the world market an interview with Young Joo Lee from the PMC Production(Co.) Nanta Marketing team.

 

Q. What is the background of the start of Nanta?

 

A. Song Seung Hwan, a famous Korean actor, has always been interested in performance arts. Through his interest in such area, he started to make performance arts in Korea. At first he started small. However, as he started to expand the scale of the works, he grew to realize that language was a barricade for Korean works to spread out into the world. Song wanted to make a Korean performance work that can be loved by people from all over the world. While thinking about what can be a special attraction of Korean pieces, he came up with the idea of samulnori, Korean traditional music performances. Mixing familiar beats with Korean traditional music beats seemed like the completion of a new kind of performance. Therefore on stage, there are traditional Korean wedding ceremonies as backgrounds while there are familiar tools such as knives, chopping boards, pots, and plates.

 

Q. Nanta is currently performed throughout Korea and the United States of America. Which other countries is Nanta planning on expanding to and how is Nanta going to achieve these goals?

 

A. Nanta is a piece of work that has been made with the thought of oversea expansion since the planning stage. Overseas markets biggest barrier was the language barrier. However there is no longer this barrier since Nanta is a nonverbal performance. Nanta team belives that there is still many countries to expand to. Through continuous foreign marketing, we plan to make Nanta world famous. According to a research on December 31st, 2011, Nanta has been performed in 41 countries, 274 cities and 21, 760 times total.

 

Q. What makes Nanta special compared to other performance works?

 

A. In Korea we have Korea traditional beat that is wordly acknowledged for its speciality. In Nanta we use this acknowledged traditional beat for audiences to feel the exciting atmosphere. Combining korea traditional beats with modern performance culture, Nanta is now a strong performance that can have a strong place in the world market. Also nonverbal performances had the defect of repeating the same beat. Therefore it gave the audience boredom due to repetition of beats. However Nanta has been able to overcome this defect. By setting the ordinary and familiar kitchen as the background of the stage and adding dramatic factors to the performances, anyone can enjoy the joyous atmosphere. Also another special point of Nanta is that audiences can come up to the stage and take a part of the show. Nanta's specialty of all is that audiences and actors can symphathize with each other during the performance.

 

Q. How does Nanta show parts of Korea? Also do you think Nanta can now be absorbed as a part of Korea's culture and history? Yes or no, and why does Nanta Team belive so?

 

A. Nanta has done a well job on melting the Korean traditional factors modernly. Korean dishes with soul, chopping board noises that remind people of the traditional beats, and actors continuous trying to communicate with the audience show the Korean's characteristic of having lots of feelings for each other. Also the traditional instruments that have been interpreted modernly and fashionably throughout the performance takes a big role in helping the audience understand Korean culture. Due to these reasons Nanta team believes that Nanta is already part of the Korean culture.

 

Q. What kind of role does Nanta do in the global century?

 

A. Nanta mixed the friendly beats with the traditional beats. Through this mixture it shows Korean arts throughout the world. Also it helps performances in the world to be officially named as a brand, have their own theaters, and have long term performances. Lastly, Nanta has a value as a traveling product. As the values go up, it draws many tourists to Korea and helps increase the income for tourism industry.

   

  Since 1997, Nanta has been continuously acknowledged for its speciality through awards such as Grand Prix, Republic of Korea Culture and Art Award, and more. Theaters specially made for Nanta is placed in Gangnam, Jeju, Hong Dae and Myeong Dong. Also performed at Broadway in New York as the first Asian performance work. Korea has been criticized for its weak performance and culture life. With the strive of Nanta toward the world, there is bigger hope for Korea to expand on the cultural life. Overcoming the language barrier and specializing the Korean traditional specialties was the key point of success in the oversea market.

 

Iwamoto Yuka(Photo credit to Nanta)

 

   Nanta is a Korean performance art. However now foreigner actors perform on the Nanta team also. In 2009, Iwamoto Yuka became the first foreign actor to be part of the performance team. She came to Korea in 2002 on a tour with her family and watched Nanta. From this occasion, she was amazed by the delightful new performance and dreamed of performing on the stage herself. With this dream she came to Korea in 2007 and started her way into becoming a Nanta actor. In 2012 out of 50 actors she is the only foreign actor.

The auditions are held in at random times of year, according to the schedules of the Nanta team. In the 2012 audition notification, if you are over 24 years who can travel to foreign countries, you are legible. As the Nanta is becoming a wordly performance, foreign actors performing such art will be a visible bridge of the global century.

 

For further information about Nanta and ticketing please visit http://nanta.i-pmc.co.kr/Nanta/en/Intro.aspx (english website).

 

For further notification on the audition for Nanta team as an actor please visit

http://www.i-pmc.co.kr/community/notice.asp (Korean website).

 

 

Show the World through the Eyes of Lenses-13th JeonJu International Film Festival

 

Goal: A Beautiful Change of the World through Cinema

 

                      

   

     Recently, the power of seeing with the eyes is growing bigger than ever. In Korea, the book ‘Silenced’ by Cong Jee Young was made as a film in 2011. People paid attention to the issue mentioned in this book even more when it was made as a film. Films have the power not only as a media, but also as something to see with our own eyes. The massive power and strength of films have been influencing many people not only in Korea, but also in the world. Due to such kind of power of films, people are paying more attention to the impacts of films. Therefore, film festivals are continuing on their history to spread more films throughout the world. One of the top film festivals in Korea is the JeonJu International Film Festival (JIFF).

 

     The 13th JeonJu International Film Festival was held in April 26 to May 4, 2012. Under the slogan, 'Freedom, Independence and Communication' the festival's goal is to show alternative and independent films to the world., To know about the leading effects of the film festival, an interview has been done with YoungHee Park, the manager of publicity department of JIFF.

 

YoungHee Park, manager of publicity department (JIFF)

 

Q. What are the differences of JeonJu International Film Festival (JIFF) compared to other film festivals?

 

A. Normally, people call JeonJu International Film Festival, BuSan International Film Festival, and PuChon International Fantastic Film Festival are the 3 film festivals in South Korea. JeonJu International Film Festival is the Mecca of the whole world’s independence films. At this film festival, you can approach films from in and outside the country that you can’t approach anywhere else. These films include the 3rd world countries’ films or films of great masters in the experimental film industries. Also, there are many big and small performances and events to enjoy. These kinds of characteristics set our film festival to be young and an energetic film festival.

 

   In JeonJu, there is a specialized street called ‘Street Film’, and the happy smiles of the JeonJu citizens and the ‘JIFF volunteers’. JIFF is trying to take it up to the next level by fitting in with the century by changing the way of communication. For example, JIFF has given mass information about JIFF to all over the world by using SNS. Through these efforts, JIFF is trying to be a film festival through communicating with the audience, citizens and movie-makers and movie-lovers. Also, JIFF is the only film festival to have the system to make films and distribute it. Through this system, they are leading the distribution of different kinds of movies and working hard to provide different kinds of movies in Korea.

 

Q. Why is there the word ‘International’ inside the title, JeonJu International Film Festival?

 

A. There was 184 films by 42 different countries screened at the 13th JeonJu International Film Festival this year. Also, there are about 300 international guests and foreign audiences that head to JeonJu. Therefore, JIFF is specialized as an international film festival rather than just a film festival. It will be visible why this festival is an international event if you visit JeonJu during the film festival season!

 

Q. Why is JIFF held in JeonJu? Is there a special reason that this festival is held in this city?

 

A. It is true that JeonJu has only been recognized as a traditional city to many people for a long time. However, Jeonju pursues fast-moving generation cultures as much as any other cities. Also, this city does not hesitate to invest for the films and movie cultures. This kind of direction of the city’s growth and the interest in investment for films has made this city, the city of JIFF.

 

Q. What is the meaning of JIFF in the 21st global century? Also what are the true goals of JIFF in the global world?

 

A. We live in a world where the development of science and civilization makes it easy for us to easily share each other’s cultures in the global century. However, the cultures shared, especially films and movies can only be limited. The films that has been appreciated and favored publicly in foreign countries are hard for Korean audiences to encounter them at the theaters. This is the starting reason for the film festivals. Therefore, JeonJu International Film Festival not only brings the new films of the masters of films, but also the films that are hidden to publicly. By bringing out all kinds of films, JIFF wants to take a part in sharing such films to these hidden but shining films and work of art. Eventually, the goal of JIFF is to stand as an incomparable, creative, and experimental film festival in the whole world.

 

    

 

 Films are now showing more impact in the world. More than just the films that are easily available at theaters, there are also many independent and alternative films. Through Jeonju International Film Festival, it is more visible to many people about the importance of such films.

 

 

 About JeonJu International Film Festival

 

   1.     How to get to JeonJu International Film Festival-

    Take the bus to JeonJu Bus Station

    During the weekdays, the shuttle bus comes at 10:20, 12:40, 16:00, and 19:00

    During the weekend, the shuttle bus comes at 10:15, 12:10, 12:40, 15:00, 16:10, 18:50, and 21:35.                            *The shuttle bus is provided on no charge by JIFF

 

 2. How to watch the films

     ①  To watch the films, you must reserve a ticket through www.eng.jiff.or.kr. If you want 

        to reserve on-site, you can do so from 11:00-19:00 at ZIP&JIFF located next to the

         restaurant Sam-baek-jip on Cinema Street.

    ②  The tickets vary from 5,000~10, 000 won per movie.

       Credit card (Visa, Masters, Amex) can be used for the reservation.

 

      3.  How to become a JIFF volunteer

    Visit www.volunteer.jiff.or.kr

    You must be able to communicate in Korean.

    You must be at least 18 in the United States age.

    You volunteer for about 9 days from 9a.m. to 22p.m.

    First application is through personal statements.

    People who pass the first part will be able to take the interview.

    If you pass the interview, you can become part of the JIFF volunteer!

 

          For more information on JIFF, you can research through http://eng.jiff.or.kr .

 

 Korean Literatures’ Biggest Task to overcome


Delivering the Korean beauty through translation


          
          Author Shin Kyung Sook’s book ‘Please Look after Mom’ has been acknowledged not only in Korea, but also world widely for its sentimental and cultural writing. Like this book, manyKorean literatures are known for its unique and beautiful portrayals. Yet Korean literatures still have not been recognized through Nobel Prize of the literature field or big world prizes. In order to receive a prize in the world contests, the literature needs to be translated to English. In this process the Korean literatures loose their traditional beauty. It is obvious that one of the biggest tasks that Korean literatures have to face in the global century is keeping its own beauty during the translations.

To overcome such tasks, there is a library made by an organization working in the translation field. The Korea Literature Translation Institute is an organization made in 2001 to spread Korean literatures to the world. This institute performs tasks to translate Korean literatures to different languages, distribute these books to other countries and also run an Academy to train students to translate. At first there was only a collection of translated books. However as the number of books grew, the collection of books expanded as a library in 2007, which is the library now known as the Korean Literature Translating Library. Korean literatures go through the translation process at the Institute in various different languages and then they are delivered to the library for readers. To learn more about the Korean Literature Translating Library, I interviewed Kim Hye Young, the head librarian (Information Management Department).

                                                              photo credits to KLTL

Q. What kind of people usually visits the Korean Literature Translating Library?

A. The people that usually visit the Korean Literature Translating Library (KLTL) are translators and students studying Korean literature or Korean language as their 2nd language. Our library has been operating a program called "Translator Academy Program". In this program people are trained to translate literatures. Due to this type of program run, mostly people who show interest in our library are people with jobs in the translating fields or students interested in studying and reading Korean literatures in their languages. Sometimes parents also visit to borrow books for their children who may be interested in such translated literatures.

Q. When foreigners visit, what kind of books are they most interested in?

A. Our library is the only Korea Literature library in the world and we have books translated into 33 different languages. Most translated books in the library have been published by receiving support from our organization. These types of translated books are the most popular ones to foreigners. Foreigners are usually interested in the Korean literatures that are translated into their own languages. Since they can feel the Korean literatures' charms and at the same time easily understand it in their own language, they prefer the translated types of books that is only available in our library.


Q. Are the books in the library sold in Korean book stores?

A. The translated books are rare to find in Korean book stores unless you find the specialized translation book stores. The books in our library are mostly only possible to purchase through foreign book stores such as Amazon. We allow foreign countries to publish the books for reinforcing the distribution of the books.

Q. What is the percentage of Koreans and foreigners that visit?

A. The percentage of Koreans and foreigners that visit is about 50:50. Our library has been distributing the translated Korean literature books over worldwide libraries, embassy and culture centers, etc. We try to distribute to many countries as possible so that many foreigners could find Korean literatures at their libraries more easily without visiting KLTI library in Korea. Most people who visit our library have interested in Korean literature in various languages.

              
         
          By expanding the visitors of the library to foreigners, and distributing many Korean literatures to different countries, Korean literatures are reaching their hands out to the world through the KLTL. In KLTL, there are over 8000 Korean literature books in 33 different languages. The library is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to anyone interested. Through the active translating and distribution, there are hopes that the traditional Korean writings will be more acknowledged in the world for their beauty and uniqueness.

If interested in visiting the Korean Literature Translation Library, please refer to http://library.klti.or.kr.

 

The KLTL is open for everyone interested in lending, researching or just looking.

*
For researchers, translators and writers- Books are available to lend for 30 days, maximum of 7 books and available to extend the period once.

(Researchers usually mean professors, graduate students and Korean Literature Translation Institution students)

* For others-Books are available to lend for 15 days, maximum of 5 books and available to extend the period once.

 

 

    1st MIZY Youth Reporters expand the territories for teenagers to make an impact toward the world

As a teenager, I wondered what kind of impacts I can make in the world that I am living in. After a long period of thinking, I have always been disappointed with the fact that I am only a teenager. Because I am a teenager I believed that my power will be small and that there would not be people listening toward my words. However, as I started MIZY Youth Reporter program, my doubts about my abilities as a teenager has changed.

             The MIZY Youth Reporter program started in January of 2011. Through document screening and interviews, 15 teenagers of age between 15~24 were selected to grow as an active citizen of the global society. Every month each youth reporter wrote an article related with the international society. The articles varied from author interviews, international events, global campaigns, current events and etc. All of the articles contents differed from one another, yet all with the purpose to expand the territories as a teen journalist toward the global world.

             At first, I couldn’t tell that people were reading our articles. Yet, as more articles of the MIZY Youth Reporters are posted on the Mizy Tistory, it was clear that more people were visiting the website. With the start of about 40 people visiting the website, now over a hundred of people visit to read our articles and read other Mizy Center news. Also many more people have been responding to the articles by commenting on the articles and showing interests. My doubts about the effects that teenagers can make have slowly changed through my growing as a 21st century citizen of the world. As I was coming to an end as the 1st youth reporter of MIZY, I interviewed hundred teenagers varying from actively participating teenagers to timid teenagers. They were asked about how much of an impact that they can make toward the world currently as a teenager.


As shown above, 98% of teenagers themselves believe that they can make at least some kind of effect in the world. Personally, I have experienced that my words can be heard to other people and even though it might have only been a small impact, I am expanding the strengths to make bigger effects in the world. As many of the Youth Reporters of MIZY experienced the same kind of feeling as I did, I have interviewed ChoRok Lee, a junior at Dae-Won Foreign Language High School and a member of the 1
st MIZY Youth Reporter, about her experience as a youth reporter. She is a young but dedicated teenager that is actively participating in the global society. I decided to hear about her experience as a youth reporter on how it helped her to grow as a more active teenager. 

Photo credit to Mizy center



Q. How did you get to apply to a teen journalist at Mizy?

A. Hi. I have participated to writ e monthly English articles about international affairs and exchange as a member of MIZY Youth Reporters. I applied in January and after some orientation sessions we began writing the articles and upload them online, on the MIZY Tistory page. I was particularly interested in environmental issues and activities, so I wrote mostly about them as my theme throughout the year. My purpose in writing was to inform other fellow students who also have the same interest with me but is short in information where they could contribute their passion to. I thought not only could this activity benefit me by the means of improving article writing skills but also benefit those who are willing to search for their ways to specify their dreams and interest. And also officially writing a piece of an article gave me the sense of being the spokesperson of the contemporary affairs.

 

Q. What helped you grow as an active teenager while participating as a MIZY Youth Reporter?

A. Well the most obvious answer that is expected at this question is when someone read my article and was inspired by it and went ahead to dream of becoming a diplomat. But I remember I visited New York to attend the Youth Assembly in the United Nations. It was an international conference in August about MDGs and future roadmaps. I actually hoped to see Mr. Secretary General Ban but I was not lucky enough. But it was told that he peeked at us having a conference twice! Anyways I was able to interview numerous students and activists from all six continents and numerous of countries. It was the biggest breakthrough in my temporary career as a Mizy Youth Reporter.


MIZY Youth Reporters program surely is not the only program that is expanding the territories for teenagers to speak and be heard. There are many other programs launching or being progressed inside of MIZY Center and also outside. What is important is that many teenagers realize their power as a teenager and are actively participating in the society as a valued citizen. With realizing the importance of making one small effect at a time, MIZY Youth Reporters 2nd has officially started. Through the baton touch from the 1st youth reporters to the 2nd, the MIZY Youth Reporters are starting on ground that the first reporters have opened. 1st reporters duty was to open the ears of many people to hear our voices. Now I believe that the 2nd   reporters' duties are to expand effects of voices of teenagers.

 

Two faces of Audition Programs-Is it a chance, or is it planned?

           Lately, programs such as American Idol and America’s Top Model have been taking over the television in the United States. In the spread of audition programs, in Korea, programs like Super Star K, Dancing with the Stars, Shin Yip Sa Won (New announcer of broadcasting station MBC) and etc. have been showing up also. Audition programs differ from regular television broadcasts because they have regular people instead of stars. Regular people compete for the chances they dreamt up. In American Idol, contestants sing with all their might to be a singer through the show. In Shin Yip Sa Won, people competed to become the next MBC, a Korean broadcast channel, announcer. Today, I interviewed each contestant from American Idol and Shin Yip Sa Won. These two people both participated in audition programs. Yet, they take different views about audition shows. One says it’s an everlasting experience, and the other says it’s an unfair competition. Let’s hear about the two sides of audition programs from these two participators.

 

                                            Tiffany Preston

                                                American Idol in United States.  


Q. Could you please introduce yourself?

A. My name is Tiffany Preston. I'm 19 years old, currently attend Grand Valley State University with a major in psychology and have a huge passion for music, my family and friends, and God.


Q. How did you get to participate in the American Idol show?

A. In order to participate in the American Idol show, I had to register in the audition city which was Kansas City, MO for me. You have to fill out forms and then when you register, you get a wristband and a number for your audition.


Q. What kind of experience was ' American Idol' to you?

A. American Idol was an interesting experience to say the least. It was a great opportunity to meet new people who have the same love for music as you and fun to be able to show the world what you love doing. Some things about the competition weren't very fair, including letting on contestants who obviously weren't on for the right reasons but to get fame or letting contestants on who couldn't sing. This didn't give people who actually had a talent to succeed in the competition because someone who wasn't talented at singing took their spot.


Q. Is there anything different about before the competition and after? If there is, what is it?

A. Before the competition, I didn't have as many opportunities to grow in music until I made it on the show. After the show, I was contacted by radio stations and newspapers which made me feel so blessed and humbled to be able to do these things.


Q. Would you recommend 'American Idol' to people with dreams of a singer? If yes (or no) why?

A. I wouldn't necessarily recommend American Idol to others who have dreams of becoming a singer because I believe the process isn't very fair. Those who don't make it with talent normally get cut if they don't have a shocking life story which in unfair.

 

 

 

                                                            Lee Siu 
                                            Shin Yip Sa Won  in South Korea


Q. Could you please introduce yourself?

Hello. I am model Lee Siu that has been taking responsibility of the Korean fashion. Actually, to be exact, I was. Now I’m Lee Siu who wants to take lead in Korean broadcast.

 

Q. How did you get to participate in the ‘Shin Yip Sa Won’ program?

Since I was young, I liked to talk in front of many people. Also since it made me very happy to make others laugh, I had a dream of becoming a MC. However due to my situations, I was bent on making money. So I chose the career of a model. While modeling, I forgot my dream. However through the encouragements my friends I decided to participate in the audition program. Most of all, the biggest appealing part was that there was no age or educational background limit. 

 

Q. What kind of experience was ' Shin Yip Sa Won’ to you?

It was the greatest experience in my life. Through the program I met many people. I’ve only met people in the fashion industry. However through this chance, I’m so happy to get to know many people in the broadcasting field. Most of all, despite of educational backgrounds, I felt that that I can do it through my passion in my dream.

 

Q. Is there anything different about before the competition and after? If there is, what is it?

When I walk around, many people seem to recognize me and cheer up me. If there is anything bad, because my image on the audition show was kind of humorous, the image still lasts even when I’m modeling now. It’s been hard to stand on runways.

 

Q. Would you recommend ‘Shin Yip Sa Won’ to people with dreams of a singer? If yes (or no) why?

I really recommend it. You earn what very much and I believe that learning in this kind of experience will give you lots of help.

 

Q. Was there a specific reason why you dreamt about becoming an MC, even while you were standing top in the fashion industry as a model?

While I was modeling, I had a chance to MC a show. Through this experience I was able to feel that this job was very charming. The woman MC was Ahn Hye Kyung and watching her talk so well impressed me. By this experience, I was able to dream about broadcasting once again.

*These two opinions about audition programs are personal opinions according to their very personal experience.


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