Travel the world through children's books

An exhibition featuring a wide collection of children's books from all around the world opened its doors in downtown Seoul last week. 

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of its establishment, the Korea Foundation (KF) launched the exhibition "Encounter the World Through Children's Books," featuring 400 children's books in 28 languages from 44 countries. The exhibit will run from April 27 through to June 8 at the KF Gallery.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Korea Foundation opens 'Encounter the World Through Children's Books,' an exhibition featuring 400 children's books in 28 languages from 44 countries. Books such as 'I Want My Hat Back' from Canada (left), 'Star and Poppy Seeds' from Ukraine (center) and 'A Week Full of Saturdays ' from Germany will be available to young readers.

At the show, visitors can explore books in two sections: "Explore the World with Children's Books" and "The Little Prince in a Variety of Languages." 

The first section takes readers on a journey around the world as they discover different books and their countries of origin. Here, readers can find books from diverse cultures, ranging from "The War that Changed Rondo" from Ukraine, "Tap, Tap, Tap" from Iran, "I Want My Hat Back" from Canada and the Moomin series from Finland. 

The second section introduces children to the familiar story of "The Little Prince" in 14 different languages. By engaging with the text through various educational activities, children can learn to appreciate the differences and similarities that exist between the various translations and the world's cultures. 

The exhibit 'Encounter the World Through Children's Books' also features a special book-reading program where ambassadors to Korea from 26 countries will read books in their own language to groups of children. The Swedish tale 'Pippi Longstocking' (left), the Ukrainian story 'The War that Changed Rondo' (center) and the Spanish version of 'The Little Prince' are some of the books that may be read at the event.

During the exhibition, there will also be a special book-reading program whereby ambassadors to Korea from 26 different countries will read books in their own language to groups of young children. The stories will be translated into Korean with added dramatization. The program is intended for children between six and 12, with 30 children allowed in per reading. Parents will need to sign up for the program via the link provided at the Korea Foundation website, provided below. Reservations for larger groups can be made by calling 02-2151-6520.

The KF Gallery will also be hosting the "World Through Magic" program on May 5, Children's Day. Other events throughout the rest of the month include film screenings of cartoons from around the world, as well as face painting and the taking of Polaroid pictures, among other things. 

More information about the exhibition and other related programs can be found at the link below.
http://en.kf.or.kr/?menuno=3827&type=view&evnt_no=2109&pageIndex=1&searchevnt=

Characteristics of Korean soap operas, from an overseas viewer's perspective

By Lyudmila Mikheesku 

I guess I naturally developed the new hobby of enjoying Korean soap operas ever since I began to learn the Korean language. I wasn't initially interested in Korean TV dramas, but I gradually watched Korean shows as I learned the language. I thought sensibly that, “Korean TV will be a good aid to studying the Korean language, as it will have dialogue that's easy for foreigners to understand.” The more I watched Korean soap operas, the more I fell in love with them. However, as I watched many shows, I found some strange sides to them. Today, I would like to talk about such features. 


Soap operas from the U.S. and Europe aren't aired until they're fully completed, like films. So the structure and flow of the story are logical and compelling. As it takes a long time to produce dramas, the producers, writers and actors can better prepare, which contributes to creativity and completion through to the final episodes. A few years ago, the quality and technical level of soap operas from the U.S. and Europe improved. Both viewers and film critics say the stories in soap operas has gotten more interesting with excellent performance from the actors and actresses. “Game of Thrones,” “House of Cards” and “Sherlock” are some such examples. Compared to these shows, Korean soap operas are in such a different environment. As two episodes are broadcast every week, writers have to write the screenplays for two episodes each week, and the staff and crews have to work under time pressure. They sometimes have to change the story in order to increase ratings. However, what creativity can you expect from them, as soap operas are produced in such hurried, stressed conditions? As a result, Korean dramas often have low-quality scenes and features, and some actors and actresses show inconsistent behavior. To increase the number of broadcasts, they frequently use flashback, which makes the story boring. 

Furthermore, I'm not sure whether the writers have enough time, but they frequently use clichés or stale techniques. Russian fans of the "Korean Wave," or Hallyu, have even made a list of humorous features or clichés they can often find in Korean soap operas online. Some of them are like, “If the leading actress opens her eyes wide when the couple kisses for the first time, it must be a Korean drama,” and “In Korean soap operas, you can more than once find the same scene where the leading actor and actress are close by somehow in public but they don't see or recognize each other.” 

In my view, the strangest thing that I continue to notice about Korean soap operas is when the characters put on a Band-Aid. They always put on a Band-Aid even if they only have a very tiny scratch. This always later becomes a romantic memory that the lead actors and actresses cherish and keep for a long time. In “Oh! My Venus,” the lead actor and actress even used the same Band-Aid for more than a year, reminding each other of the same romantic memory! (Flashback, flashback!) Don’t you find it strange? Why do Koreans consider such an unhygienic thing romantic? Is it because one of the main investors in the soap opera is the billionaire of a Band-Aid company? 

The other thing I can't get used to is the scenes of actors and actresses crying, which can be found all the time. In Korean dramas, women cry, men cry; not only children, but grownups cry, too. They cry when they're sad. They cry when they're happy. They certainly cry when they meet or separate. They shed tears when they're touched. This is really weird for Russians. Russians are also emotional people, but we don't cry that often. In Russia, shedding tears is considered shameful or weak, and in particular not manly at all. 

Another difference is in regard to men, as the sophisticated or even girly appearance of the actors is often found on Korean TV. In Russia, masculinity is highlighted in movies and in reality. When I watched the Korean drama “A Gentleman’s Dignity,” I took screenshots of the four male actors who are all handsome and nicely dressed. I put the pictures on my blog and explained that Korean men aged 40 look as young as these pictures. Many Russians who read my blog, however, wrote comments that, “They are not men.” 

If I begin to talk about the weird characteristics of Korean soap operas from a non-Korean's poitn of view, I can't stop myself. I find the habit of talking loudly to themselves very strange. I don’t think it's fun to see embarrassing toilet scenes which are often seen in many episodes. Commercials inside the soap operas are annoying and irritating. The final episode of many soap operas often sucks. 

Despite their many weaknesses, however, why do I love Korean dramas and why do I keep watching them? Why do I wait for the next episode of “Neighborhood Lawyer Jo Deul-ho” when my Russian friends are waiting for the next season of “Game of Thrones”? For me, the over-the-top romantic Korea soap operas are like pure and beautiful fairy tales for the modern world. Nonetheless, I will talk about the strengths of Korean soap operas in my next column. 

Lyudmila Mikheesku is a photo editor at the Russian media company Nezavisimaya Gazeta. 
Translated by Yoon Sojung, Korea.net Staff Writer 

Korea’s Public Sector Basks in the Limelight

Diplomatic Corps in Korea Invited to National Police Agency and Incheon City Hall

The Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Korea arranged a tour programme for diplomatic corps in Korea and invited them to hear about best practices in Korea’s public sector.

The Interior Ministry is working with many countries around the world as a government body in charge of public administration.

On April 28, the Ministry started its one-day tour programme with the Korean National Police Agency and the Incheon Metropolitan City Government. Members of diplomatic corps in Korea who attended the tour had a chance to visit the two organizations and learn about their best practices and policies.

For this first round of tour on April 28, 34 members of diplomatic corps in Korea from 31 countries, including four ambassadors, attended to visit the National Police Agency and then the Incheon City Hall. After their visit to the City Hall, they headed to the Incheon Free Economic Zone, and toured its PR Center and Integrated Urban Management Center of U-City. U-City is an ICT-driven city designed to deliver quality services to citizens whenever and wherever they want.

Starting from this first tour, a total of six rounds of one-day tours are organized throughout the year, engaging twelve government bodies or public organizations in Korea. The organizations include the Ministry of Government Legislation, the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission, and the Ministry of Personnel Management.

As the organizer of the programme, the Ministry of the Interior hopes to share Korea’s development experience by introducing its best practices and policies to the international community and enhance its partnership and cooperation with countries around the world, thereby making its contribution to administrative capacity building and development of the international community.

MOTIE Vice Minister Lee Addresses Korea EUREKA Day 2016

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE)’s First Vice Minister Lee Kwan-sup underlined the importance of “technological innovation and structural reform” in a low-growth global economy in his opening speech to Korea EUREKA Day 2016 on April 26.

He also stressed the need for industrial cooperation between the Republic of Korea and European countries, especially in new technology areas. About 400 government officials and industry representatives from South Korea and European nations attended the event, which was held at the Stockholm City Conference Center.

MOTIE Hosts 2nd China Week for Chinese Investors

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Joo Hyunghwan hosted a roundtable meeting with representatives from 11 major Chinese companies in Seoul this week.
During the meeting, Minister Joo and the participants discussed ways to promote business investment between South Korea and China on the back of their bilateral free trade agreement.
The minister also pledged to provide all support for Chinese investment in South Korea, especially high-end consumer goods, services and new industries.
Today’s meeting took place on the sidelines of the Second China Week, an investment forum for Chinese investors hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE).

MOTIE and Saxony Seek Economic Cooperation

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Joo Hyunghwan received a visit by Stanislaw Rudi Tillich, Minister-President of Saxony at his satellite office in Seoul this week.
During their meeting, the two exchanged views on how to promote economic cooperation between South Korea and the German state, especially on energy storage systems (ESS) and intelligent transportation systems (ITS).

MOTIE Vice Ministers Seek to Promote Korea’s Global Economic Cooperation

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE)’s two vice ministers are stepping up efforts to promote economic cooperation between South Korea and the rest of the world.
The MOTIE’s First Vice Minister Lee Kwan-sup met with China’s Deputy Commerce Minister Gao Yan in Seoul last week to discuss ways to strengthen industrial ties between their countries.
The MOTIE’s Second Vice Minister Woo Taehee also visited Warsaw last week to deliver a congratulatory speech at the Korea-Poland Business Partnership 2016.

“2016 Korea & Timor-Leste Friendship Week” Event to Take Place

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Timor-Leste, together Timor-Leste’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts, will hold the “2016 Korea & Timor-Leste Friendship Week” event in Timor-Leste capital of Dili from May 9 through 14. The two sides first held this event in 2015.

The event will consist of a Korean Film Festival at universities and the Dili Convention Center (DCC) from May 10 through 12; and a Korea & Timor-Leste Friendship Concert at the DCC on May 14.

The Friendship Week event, which will take place around Timor-Leste’s independence day, the most celebrated day in the country, is expected to serve as an opportunity to elevate the festive mood and to spread Hallyu (Korean Wave) in the country. Going forward, the governments of the two countries will hold the Friendship Week event on a regular basis in active efforts to promote their friendship.

Vice President of Argentina to Make an Official Visit to the ROK

Vice President and President of the Senate Gabriela Michetti of Argentina will make an official visit to the Republic of Korea from May 8 till 10 at the invitation of Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn.

During her first visit to the ROK, Vice President Michetti will pay a courtesy call on the President, attend a working luncheon with the Prime Minister, meet with the National Assembly Speaker and receive an honorary doctorate from Catholic University of Daegu.

Argentina, the third largest economy in Latin America after Brazil and Mexico and a country with abundant minerals and energy sources, has been actively implementing market-friendly and pro-Western policies for cooperation with other countries since the launch of the incumbent government in December 2015. The visit of Vice President Michetti to the ROK is expected to contribute to efforts to increase substantive cooperation between the two countries based on their friendship.

Prime Minister of Kuwait to Make an Official Visit to the ROK

Prime Minister H.H. Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah of Kuwait will make an official visit to the Republic of Korea from May 8 till 11 at the invitation of Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn.

During his first visit to the ROK after his taking up the current post in December 2011, Prime Minister Jaber will pay a courtesy call on the President, hold meetings with the ROK Prime Minister and leading Korean entrepreneurs, and visit medical facilities. He will be accompanied to the ROK by ministers in charge of oil, education, housing, health and foreign affairs, among others

The ROK and Kuwait, since establishing diplomatic relations in 1977, have enhanced their friendship and substantive cooperation mainly in the sectors of energy, construction and power plants. Since President Park Geun-hye’s visit to Kuwait in March 2015, the two countries have seen bilateral high-level exchanges continue, coupled with active ongoing efforts of Korean companies to expand their presence in Kuwait. The visit of the Kuwaiti Prime Minister to the ROK is expected to serve as a significant opportunity to further step up cooperation between the two countries.

ROK and Japan Hold the 19th Meeting of Directors-General for Consular Affairs

The 19th meeting of Directors-General for Consular Affairs of the Republic of Korea and Japan took place in Seoul on April 29, co-chaired by Director-General for Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs Kim Wan-joong of the ROK Foreign Ministry and Director-General of the Consular Affairs Bureau Masaki Noke of the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

In the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress in bilateral cooperation on the full range of consular affairs, including the protection of their nationals in the other country as well as immigration matters. They drew a common understanding that substantial cooperation between the two countries on consular affairs will help promote not only people-to-people exchanges but also cooperation across the board, including political affairs, economy, social affairs and culture.

The two sides, in order to better protect their nationals, agreed to work together, including by sharing consular information, in the event of crises in third countries, such as the outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Zika virus and other international epidemics, disasters and large-scale accidents.

The two sides agreed to work together for the success of the third Global Consular Forum and the symposium on the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which will be held in the ROK in October and in Japan in June, respectively.

The two sides agreed to hold their next meeting in Japan in the first half of the year 2017.

ROK Government Establishes its 2017 Plan on Foreign Grants

The Foreign Ministry held the 2016 interagency meeting on foreign grants on April 29 and established a plan on foreign grants for the year 2017. Second Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul presided over the meeting that brought together officials from about 30 relevant government agencies.

From April 18 till 20, the relevant regional and sectoral sub-committees reviewed and adjusted a total of 1,249 grant projects worth 1.5199 trillion won submitted by 45 government agencies. The 2017 plan is the result of such efforts.

The interagency meeting focused on demands of recipient countries; the validity of the projects; whether there were any overlapping projects and ways to enhance the connectivity among projects. In particular, the sub-committee on development cooperation initiatives held a separate meeting to seek ways to implement such initiatives of the Republic of Korea government in a substantial manner.

In order to attain the main goals -- “an integrated ODA policy,” “substantial ODA” and “ODA to share with others” -- of the ROK government’s basic plans for international development cooperation for the years from 2016 through 2020, the Foreign Ministry will continue to hold the interagency meeting on foreign grants as a platform for seeking ways to implement the foreign grants policy in a less segmented and more integrated manner.

Reaches Deals Worth 42 Trillion Won through Economic Diplomacy in ROK-Iran Summit Meeting

President Park Geun-hye Reaches Deals Worth 42 Trillion Won through Economic Diplomacy in ROK-Iran Summit Meeting

President Park Makes State Visit to Iran, Becoming First ROK President to Do Since 1962

President Park Makes State Visit to Iran, Becoming First ROK President to Do So Since Establishment of ROK-Iran Diplomatic Relations in 1962

Outcome of the ROK-Russia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Held on the Sidelines of a CICA Meeting

On the sidelines of the fifth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Beijing, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se met bilaterally with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia on April 28. In their meeting, the two top diplomats discussed in depth the way forward for the Republic of Korea-Russia relations and ways to respond to repeated provocations from North Korea. 

The two Foreign Ministers voiced deep concern over North Korea’s repeated provocations in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2270 and especially its possibility to engage in further strategic provocations ahead of the Workers’ Party Congress in May. They drew a common understanding that the international community should respond more sternly to such violations. 

Minister Yun extended appreciation to Russia for expressing its strong refusal to accept under any circumstances North Korea’s claim that it is a nuclear state and for playing an active role as a permanent member of the Security Council in the lead-up to the Security Council’s adoption of a press statement over North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile on April 15 and another over its test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). 

In addition, Minister Yun asked Russia to work closely with the ROK in ensuring the implementation of the Security Council resolution as well as in deterring and responding to further provocations from North Korea. In response, Minister Lavrov brought renewed attention to the need for the Security Council to respond immediately, should North Korea engage in another provocation. 

With regard to the ROK-Russia relations, the two Ministers took note of robust high-level exchanges, including the summit talks in November 2015 and the National Assembly Speaker’s attendance at the meeting of parliament speakers of Eurasian countries in Moscow, and agreed to reinforce the momentum. 

Minister Yun brought attention to the fact that despite the particularly difficult economic situations domestically and internationally, the largest-ever number of 300,000 people from the ROK and Russia engaged in people-to-people exchanges in 2015, and suggested that the two countries work to continue this streak. 

The two Ministers shared the view that the ROK and Russia are the best partners for development cooperation in Russia’s Far East region. They agreed to have the deputy prime minister-level joint economic committee and other consultative channels actively seek and implement mutually-beneficial cooperation projects in such sectors as agriculture, livestock industry, fisheries, healthcare and medical service. 

The ROK-Russia Foreign Ministers’ meeting on April 28, which came merely two months after one held in Munich in February, served as an opportunity to seek continued cooperation with Russia, a member of the Six-Party Talks and permanent member of the Security Council, amid repeated provocations from North Korea; and to reinforce the momentum of high-level exchanges and growing substantive cooperation between the ROK and Russia. 

2016 MAY TREASURY BOND ISSUANCE PLAN & 2016 APRIL AUCTION RESULT

The Ministry of Strategy and Finance plans to issue Korea Treasury Bonds worth about 7,700 billion won in May 2016 through competitive bidding.   

1) KTBs of 7.70 trillion won will be issued through competitive bidding.

3-year KTB worth 1,900 billion won is scheduled to be issued on May 3rd (Tue). 
Among the issued amount, KTB worth 1,100 billion won will be fungible with “KTB01750-1812,” and
KTB worth 800 billion won to be pre-issued will be fungible with “KTB01500-1906.”

5-year KTB worth 1,750 billion won scheduled to be issued on May 10th (Tue) will be fungible with “KTB02000-2103.”

10-year KTB worth 2,000 billion won is scheduled to be issued on May 17th (Tue).
Among the issued amount, KTB worth 1,200 billion won will be fungible with “KTB02250-2512,” and
KTB worth 800 billion won to be pre-issued will be fungible with “KTB01875-2606.”

20-year KTB worth 850 billion won scheduled to be issued on May 24th (Tue) will be fungible with “KTB02625-3509”.

30-year KTB worth 1,200 billion won scheduled to be issued on May 4th (Wed) will be fungible with “KTB02000-4603.”

* Auction time: 10:40 am-11:00 am of the auction day (auction time for KTB to be pre-issued is 9:40 am-10:00 am)

Government to Promote Industrial Restructuring

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Il Ho presided over the 6^th Ministerial Meeting on the Economy on April 28, and discussed plans to tackle low growth, which include carrying out corporate restructuring and accelerating industrial restructuring.

The following is a summary of Deputy Prime Minister Yoo’s keynote address:

Corporate Restructuring

As the economy has to successfully deal with corporate restructuring in order not to fall into a slow growth trap[1], the government has announced strategies to support fast corporate restructuring.  The government will promote market-based and creditor-led restructuring, while providing the public financial institutions involved[2] with financial support they need in the process as well as addressing problems that arise in the process, such as laid-off employees. 

Creditors, corporations and government need to act timely and decisively in order for the corporate restructuring to be successful.  The government will keep an eye on how well the restructuring is going and provide help if necessary.

Industrial Restructuring

For the Korean economy to avoid slow growth, corporate restructuring should be accompanied by industrial restructuring.  The government will provide the strongest-ever support to accelerate industrial structuring:

-          Up to 30 percent tax reduction for R&D investment in new growth engines

-          Up to 10 percent tax reduction for facilities investment to commercialize new technologies

-          Expanded tax reduction for R&D investment in new medicines

-          Expanded support for service sector job creation by adopting a negative list approach

-          New tax incentives to promote the content industry

-          A 1 trillion won worth of new growth engine support fund, which is aimed at promoting high risk investment in new technologies and products through risk sharing[3]

-          Revision to macroeconomic policies with a focus on promoting industrial restructuring[4]

[1] The Korean economy grew 0.4 percent in Q1 due to slowing exports and investment.

[2] Korea Development Bank, and the Export-Import Bank of Korea

[3] The fund is designed for losses to be first taken by public investors.

[4] 6.5 trillion won of a fiscal spending increase in the 1st half through frontloaded spending and another 6.5 trillion won increase in the 2nd half through public sector investment and by minimizing budgets left unspent

‘2014 Korean Pop Culture and Art Awards’ SM Producer-slash-Songwriter Yoo Young-jin Wins ‘Presidential Commendation’!

Group EXO Receives ‘Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation’

S.M.Entertainment (hereinafter SM) producer and songwriter Yoo Young-jin and globally popular EXO were honored as recipients of the ‘2014 Korean Pop Culture and Art Awards’. 

At the ‘2014 Korean Pop Culture and Art Awards’ that will be held at the Hongik University Daehangno Art Center at 6 p.m. today (17th), Yoo Young-jin will receive the ‘Presidential commendation’ and EXO the ‘Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism commendation'. 

The ‘2014 Korean Pop Culture and Art Awards’ supervised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and hosted by the Korea Creative Contents Agency awards those who contributed to the development of popular culture and arts and the spreading of Korean Wave. Award winners are selected according to the service period, domestic and overseas activities and achievement, contribution to the industry, and social contribution to receive the Order of Cultural Merits, Presidential commendation, Prime Minister’s commendation, and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism commendation. 

Yoo Young-jin has worked as a producer and songwriter for SM and created multiple hit songs such as BoA’s ‘Girls On Top’, TVXQ!'s ‘Rising Sun’, Super Junior’s ‘Sorry Sorry’, and SHINee’s 'Ring Ding Dong’ and received the ‘Presidential commendation’ as recognition for his contributions in spreading Korean popular music to the world. 

EXO debuted simultaneously in Korea and China in 2012. In 2013, sales for their first full-length album ‘XOXO(Kiss&Hug)’ passed 1 million and swept year-end awards in both Korea and China and was selected as Most Loved Thing about Korea for Chinese. They set a number of records and were recognized for their achievements in the Korean, Chinese and global music markets to receive the ‘Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism commendation’ once again showing the high influence of EXO. 

EXO will not only receive the award, but also put on a performance to liven up the ceremony. 

Next King of Ballad Kyuhyun Takes First Place in Weekly Album Chart with ‘At Gwanghwamun’!

Online Songs and Albums All Take First Place! Kyuhyun Takes Music Industry by Storm!

Kyuhyun took first place in the weekly album chart with his first solo album ‘At Gwanghwamun’. 

‘At Gwanghwamun’, Kyuhyun’s first mini album released on the 13th took first place in the real-time and daily charts of various album sales tally websites such as Hanteo Chart and Synnara Records, and also took first place in the weekly charts (November 10 – November 16). He thus took first place in both online songs and albums once again demonstrating Kyuhyun’s status as the next king of ballads. 

Kyuhyun released all the songs of his first mini-album to the entire world through domestic music sites and iTunes on the 13th. His title song ‘At Gwanghwamun’ swept real-time and daily charts on various Korean online music charts, while also being first place in iTunes album charts in eight Asian regions such as Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Macao. He also ranked high in the pop album charts around the world such as Columbia, Mexico, Finland, Chile, Canada and the US showing his global popularity. 

Kyuhyun also appeared in various music shows such as KBS ‘Music Bank’, MBC 'Show! Music Core’ and SBS ‘Inkigayo’ last week where he performed ‘At Gwanghwamun’ live and mesmerized fans and home viewers with mature vocal abilities and deep sentiments. 

His title song, ‘At Gwanghwamun’ is a ballad that perfectly combines the sweet voice of Kyuhyun with lyrical melodies. The lyrics express breaking up with a lover by comparing it with the beauties and changes of seasons, and is being said to be this autumn's best ballad. 

Meanwhile, Kyuhyun is actively promoting his new song ‘At Gwanghwamun’. 

Canadian artist residing in Seoul, Paul Kajander

Paul Kajander, a 34-year-old Canadian artist living in Seoul, often pays a visit to Euljiro Street. He finds inspiration from numerous light stores and light displays placed by these stores on the street. 

Since moving to Seoul from Vancouver in 2012, Kajander has been working on video and installation art works. Last summer, he took part in the Universal Studios exhibit involving art by non-Korean artists living in Korea at the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA). 

Like many artists who lead a nomadic life and work in diverse cultures, Kajander gets his inspiration by living in Korea and expresses what he has experienced in Korea through his art. 

Canadian media and installation artist Paul Kajander


Kajander heard about Seoul from his friends who took part in the Mediacity Seoul exhibit in 2011 and decided to move to the city. He said that Seoul is a great city in which to do creative work and that, now, it feels like home. 

He has been using various media, including video and photography, to create his installation art works. He uses such diverse media and materials. "Because it allows you to do the most. There are flexibilities in doing many things. Also, I like complexity. I like feelings of doubt," he said. 

He has a great deal of interest in Korean history, society and arts. Last year, he took part in the "Real DMZ Project" and worked with elementary school students living in Cherwon County, Gangwon-do (Gangwon Province), near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the Korean Peninsula. He took photographs of innocent children with the ruins of buildings devastated by the Korean War (1950-1953) in the background. Then, he inserted images of the division to create a contrast, trying to express the memory, agony and scars of war. 

"It is an opportunity and responsibility to reflect on the conditions of the world and the state of the world at this time," said Kajander. "It is a way to organize reality and yourself in reality," adding that he wants people to have a chance to think about something through his work. 


Kajander was interviewed at his studio in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, and asked how he decided to move to Korea and what he thinks of art. 

- Why did you move to Seoul to work as an artist? 

It was curiosity mixed with desperation, and I decided to work and stay here because it was a good chance to explore a different part of the world. Curiosity came from friends who took part in the Mediacity Seoul exhibition in 2011. I heard a lot of great things about the city at the time. I knew a little about the city from films and history, like the Korean War. The peninsula is divided. I was interested in Korean films. Recently, Korean filmmakers are making interesting films. 


- You worked in New York and Tokyo. What's it like to do creative work in Seoul? 

Seoul is great in the sense that it is an interesting place to work, to think about materials and to think about culture and politics. I made a few small projects in Tokyo and New York for only a few months. Seoul is becoming more like home. I never thought that New York or Tokyo would be a home base. I only went there to do some projects or to take part in residence programs, but I never moved there. 

When you are based somewhere, it is different from when you are visiting. When you visit somewhere, you have a limited routine as to where you go, such as the museum or gallery. When you are based somewhere, however, you know the city in a complex way. You become aware of the city and it offers possibilities to learn about the city and to explore different parts of the city that are unfamiliar to you. 


- Why did you become an artist? Are there people who influenced you to become an artist? 

It is a complicated question. The role of the artist now is determined by your relationship with culture and society. When I was young, I was curious about participating in a culture that was strange to me. If you are an artist, you don't need to compete or survive. You can definitely think outside the economic relationship to labor. 

When I was young and made drawings, people said I was so talented. That kind of influence shaped my sense of identity. When I went to art school, reality started kicking in. When you are 18 years old, what you did in art is different from what you do when you are 34. My perspective on art has changed a lot since then. Actually, I don't know why or when I first made the decision, but I am glad that I did. I continue to work as an artist. 

There are a few people who influenced me the most. When I was studying for my undergrad, I met my teacher Judy Radul in 2008. She is a powerful figure in terms of thinking about art and knowing about how you want to live your life. I had a lot of admiration for how she works and how she thinks of her work. Although I met her as a teacher, she later became a friend. 


- Why did you choose media and installation art among others? 

Generally, I think of my work as different layers of being, either material or durational. A lot of the time, they involve videos. Video allows you to do something very unique. In videos, sound, space and language happen at all once. If you are making a video, people are watching, speaking and hearing sounds at the same time. Then, there is the montage. I want people to think about something. I use a lot of labor and time. Mostly, I work from research. I encounter something and it works as a trigger to make something. 

- Why do you use various materials and genres, such as painting, sculpture and video, to create your works? 

Media and installation art allows me to do make different things. You can incorporate different objects, images, time and duration. Video and sound seem to be a way to get a feeling of life. It can happen in art. You are not entirely sure whether it is fixed or finished. When we are on the subway, we can see LCD screens everywhere. Media allows you to do that. 

I know that every person approaches everything differently. There is an amazing poet whose name is CAConrad. His poems say it very well. He says I have one poem, but if thousands of people read it, there are 1,000 poems. It is because you are the result of your experience, knowledge, personal beliefs and everything else you carry with you. 

I love it when people who are not educated in art, but who are open-minded, see your work and say the most amazing things to you. They are really observant and they find one element of your work that is really meaningful for them because they can grab on to it. It is the most useful part of an exhibition. 

Last year's 'The Real DMZ Project' by Paul Kajander involves elementary school students living in Cherwon, Gangwon-do, and a range of materials and media. (photos courtesy of Paul Kajander)


- You took part in the "Real DMZ Project" in Cherwon County, Gangwon-do, near the Demilitarized Zone last year. You worked with elementary school children living in Cherwon County. What kind of message were you trying to deliver? 

In that case, it is like when you are presented with an opportunity for a very specific context. It was an opportunity to make art and answer my own questions. I had a chance to visit there many times. The message in that work is kind of complex. It comes down to the atrocity and violence that happens on a large scale. It leaves psychological scars. I could feel that in Cherwon. I can only understand it as a foreigner from textbooks, films and documents, media representations of war. 

I wanted to work with children who grew up there. They were totally children of this time. They had smartphones. You also see tanks driving along the road. They were living right here in proximity to the situation. I wanted to talk to children and ask what freedom means to them and how they think about life. 


- You took part in the International Artists Residency Program supported by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. How did you participate in the program and what did you gain from the program? 

I thought it would be a great opportunity to work and meet other international artists so I applied for the residency program. Korea has some of the best opportunities for residence programs. Other countries have artists of one nationality but Korea has a very nice mix of both non-Korean and Korean artists. 

For an artist anywhere, at anytime, having time to work in Seoul would be great. I learned that it is important to have a material space. I have been traveling a lot and I lost a sense of being based in one location. The residency program gave me a chance to such a large work. Otherwise, I would not have made such work. 



- You exhibited "Lights Lit for Show" at the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) for the Universal Studios show last summer. How did you come up with that work? 

They are photographs of fluorescent light boxes. It is a type of low level advertising printed on latex. The subjects of the work were amazing light displays. All these light vendors have these fluorescent lights along Euljiro, showing all these things as a form of advertising. I always love to see this. It gave me motivation to see Euljiro. 

They were obviously put together by some shop owners. Taking photos of these is a bit of a tongue-in-cheek joke. I was always capturing light displays. They were idiosyncratic. They are quite fascinating sculptures. 

They put the sculptures outside the store or on the streets. That is something I love about their neighborhood. It's as if Home Depot exploded. 


- In what kind of subjects are you most interested? What kind of projects are you working on or planning to do? 

I am interested 3-D art. I am doing a project that involves 3-D components. I am going to take part in the New Forms Festival in Vancouver in August. It will be a 3-D sound installation. 

When I was in New York recently, I saw something incredible. Ken Jacobs has been working with 3-D. This was a kind of experimental filmmaking. I saw Jean-Luc Godard‘s 3-D work. It was very inspiring. Media is always evolving. 


- Where do you get your inspiration from, such as Korean society or history? What do you do to find inspiration? 

A lot of inspiration comes from reading. For interesting places in Korea right now, Euljiro is really fascinating to me. It is inspiring to make new works. Or, I go to the mountains in the suburbs just to wind down. When I lived in Bukchon, Seoul, I walked along the Changdeokgung Palace for night-time walks. That has been my favorite walking trail at night in the summer. There are a lot of trees so it is cool. Since I moved to near Beotigogae Station, I started walking along the fortress trail. The Shilla Hotel is beautiful at night time. Walking is a source of inspiration. 


- What does Korea and art mean to you? 

Art means everything to me. It is a way to come up with new questions. Art means a lot of struggle and pleasure. Good artists honestly reflect the conditions of being in the world today. Their work becomes meaningful when people see it and think that they are alive. Contemporary art is more likely to help people think about society. There are different perspectives to approach art. Only human beings create art. No other life form seems to do that. It is a very unique form of being conscious. 

To me, Korea means a lot of contradiction. Vancouver is a multicultural city. In the subway in Seoul, however, everyone knows that I am not Korean. It is a useful experience. You are always aware of who you are and how you behave. It is like inverting your sense of taking for granted. Korea has been instructive in that regard. There is a lot more possibility to spend time and make more art works.