52 Quintessential Modern Korean Designs Chosen

The Korea Design Foundation has selected tin delivery containers, palace-shaped wedding halls and ``Red Devil’’ T-shirts among 52 ``quintessentially Korean’’ designs from the past half-century.

The Foundation, an organization within the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, announced the list Tuesday for the purpose of exploring and promoting Korea’s design heritage. Selection standards were based on the items’ influence on everyday Korean life and embodiment of the Korean spirit, rather than aesthetics or design value.

• The ``cheolgabang,’’ or tin delivery container widely used for delivering local Chinese cuisine, has no known inventor, but is deemed a ``perfect design,’’ even from a cultural anthropological standpoint.


• The bright red ``Be the Reds!’’ T-shirt, of which over 20 million were sold during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup.


• Instituions like Wedding plazas mimicking Western castles that dot the country are rooted in a fascination of the West, while omnipresent garden-style ``galbi’’ (Korean barbecue) restaurants reflect the rise of the middle class. Also included are the retailer E-Mart, which changed consumption patterns here, and Hansem’s system kitchen, found in the latest homes (particularly en masse in apartment buildings).


• Also included on the list are characters such as Hodori, the 1988 Seoul Olympics mascot; animation characters Pororo and Dooly. Even commercial items were selected for their cultural significance, and the reason for choosing Dooly was that the baby dinosaur and its cartoon friends resemble the typical Korean next door, and it would be difficult to doubt their ``nationality.’'


• Electronics such as the iRiver MP3 player, LG Chocolate phone and ``cheonjiin’’ or the ``hangeul’’ (Korean alphabet) system used in cellular phones.


• Landmarks such as the Olympic Stadium and Tower Palace apartment buildings, Cheonggye Stream, Gyeongbu Highway and the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin in Gwanghwamun.


• Judges also selected things that mark quotidian Korean life including ``samgyeopsal hoesik’’ or dinner with co-workers over boned rib pork barbecue,


• Longtime bestselling items like Monami’s 153 ball point pen, Shin ``ramyeon’’ (instant noodles), Chilsung Cider, Bingrae’s banana-flavored milk, OB Beer and terry towels dubbed ``Italy towel.’’


• Many ``firsts,’’ such as the Seun Shopping Center in Jongno, the first of its kind Seoul, Keum-Sung black and white television, and the first Korean cabs known as ``sibal taxi.’’


• Things inspired by tradition like Korean metallic spoons that are thinner than those made in China and Japan, Dimchae kimchi refrigerator, Cucu rice cooker and ``dolchimdae’’ or masonry mattresses (which draws inspiration from ``ondol'' heating system). Another ``historical'' item is a portrait of the late protester Lee Han-yeol, which is almost as symbolic like Heroic Guerilla (Che Guevara photo) here.
  

The foundation plans to compile a list of such Korean designs each year, and collect and exhibit the chosen items overseas beginning this year. ``Considering its emphasis on socio-cultural significance and common usage, the list is bound to be skewed by the subjective views of the judges,’’ said the foundation. ``However, collecting such lists over the years to come will be beneficial in studying the nature of Korean design and promoting it overseas.’’

Mid-Budget Film Gives Hope to Local Cinema

Woohoo! My first front page story in quite a while :)

The South Korean film industry had already been staggering for over two years and was hit especially hard by the global economic crisis. But the 2009 season begins hopefully, as ``Scandal Makers,’’ a mid-budget film, continues to top the box office for a whopping seventh week and signals positive market trends.

As of Wednesday, the family comedy has attracted over 6.59 million viewers since its release Dec. 3, according to Lotte Entertainment. It is expected to sell more tickets over the Seollal (Lunar New Year) holiday, and perhaps break the 6.62 million record for domestic comedies set by ``200-Pound Beauty’’ in 2006.

The feat, in terms of numbers, may not seem big when compared to homegrown blockbusters that brought in over 10 million viewers. But ``Scandal Makers’’ points to something significant: first, it is a smaller franchise starring familiar faces rather than superstars, being thus an unexpected hit with a snowballing effect like the 2005 dark horse ``King and the Clown.’’ Second, it signals market trends that are expected to endure.

``Scandal Makers’’ is about a star DJ (played by funnyman Cha Tae-hyun) that must face unforeseen consequences of his adolescent philandering when he discovers that he already has a daughter and a grandson at the age of 30. This past weekend (Jan. 17-18), the low-key film reclaimed the top box office spot in three weeks, beating the big budget epic ``A Frozen Flower’’ starring superstars Zo In-sung and Joo Jin-mo. >>More

Winter, the Way It Used to Be...

In the winter, kimchi and other fermented vegetables and sauces were stored in ``jangdok'' or clay pots. These pots were buried in the ground for natural refrigeration. This tradition continues to this day, with many urbanites trading in jangdok for modern kimchi refrigerators. / Korea Times File

The temperature may be falling below zero these days, but they say Korean winters aren't as harsh as they used to be. The Han River, once a popular resort for ice skating and fishing, rarely freezes. How did people bear the cold back in the days? Here's a peek into how Koreans endured the winter chills during the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).

Home Sweet Home

``Hanok'' (traditional homes) were designed to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They used ``ondol,'' or an underfloor heating system that transfers heat directly from a stove to the bottom of a masonry floor. Basically, houses sat elevated on a huge fireplace. Koreans enjoy ondol to this day and boast a unique ``jjimjilbang'' (sauna) culture in which people relax in various precious stone-encrusted ondol rooms.

A major source of wood smoke was the kitchen. Cooking rice in a ``gamasot'' (iron pot built into a clay fireplace) would produce the smoke necessary for heating floors.

Inside, one would sit on a nicely heated ondol floor (shoes off, of course) and keep even warmer with a`` hwaro'' (brazier). One would take wood from the ondol fireplace and put it in the hwaro and carefully cover it with ash to keep it burning. The hwaro was also used to light pipes, warm irons and roast simple food, like sweet potatoes. The hwaro flame was then used to relight the fireplace. Its versatility made it a household necessity that mothers guarded with care.

The cold weather kept people at home, and pastimes included simple indoor games like ``finding the ring.'' Girls sat around in a circle and passed around a ring, while the ``it'' person would guess who had it.

Fun in the Snow

The frightful weather didn't discourage people from indulging in outdoor fun. `Jegichagi'' (kicking a shuttlecock), for example, is a game that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere. But it was particularly practiced in the winter and early spring, as it encouraged the player to break a sweat while getting fresh air outside.

The Han River was transformed into a playground for everyone: children played with snowballs and sleighs and spun tops on ice while adults enjoyed ice fishing. As recently as the 1960s, when modern refrigeration was rare, the frozen river provided citizens with ice cubes that were stored in sawdust until the summer.

In an agricultural society strongly rooted in shamanism and dependent on Mother Nature, snowfalls had a deeper meaning. Snow was used for fortune telling, with heavy snowfall forecast as the harbinger of good barley crops and ample rain. This custom was actually stemmed from careful observation and farming experience. The insulating effect of snow prevented barley roots from rotting and produced heat when melting, rendering soil moist, healthy and germ free. Furthermore, the amount of winter snow is correlated with summer precipitation, so heavy snowfall was usually followed by lots of rain in June.

Winter Wear

Joseon's citizens braved the winter without compromising fashion. Men and women wore quilted cotton or silk ``hanbok'' (traditional clothes). They layered themselves with undergarments, pants or skirts, fur-lined vests and full-length coats. They also wore ``tosi'' (wristlets) for insulation and men tied ``daenim'' (cloth ribbons) around their ankles.

Thermal ``beoseon'' (socks) were double-layered and stuffed with cotton for extra warmth. People didn't forget to wear a hat that covered the ears and cheeks. Unisex hats were called ``nambawi,'' while women enjoyed ornate ``jobawi,'' and children, quilted patterns called ``gulle.''

Commoners, who didn't have the privilege of traveling by palanquins as aristocrats did, kept their clothes dry from the snow by wearing ``dorongi'' (tightly knit straw waterproof capes) and ``satgat'' (cone-shaped reed hats). There were short, wooden skis and snowshoes, as well as ``wanggoljipsin,'' or straw snow boots.

New Year Wishes

In addition to New Year's, ``jeongweol daeboreum'' (Jan. 15 of the lunar calendar) was an important day. Traditionally, the sun symbolized the male while the moon represented the female and fertility. A full moon falls on the 15th night of each lunar month, and so people prayed for prosperity and health during the first full moon of the year. Jeongwoel daeboreum falls on Feb. 9 this year.

Various festivities took place on the special day, ranging from special snacks to games and rituals. In the morning, people ate hard-shelled nuts to ``crack'' the chances of getting boils. Already looking forward to having a safe summer, people greeted one another saying ``please buy my heatstroke.'' Cows also got a special treat of multigrain rice, as it was believed to bring a fruitful year of farming.

Children flew kites with ``misfortune'' written onto them and cut the strings at sunset, bidding farewell to bad luck. At nightfall, people gathered to watch the full moon, and good luck supposedly went to the first person to see it.

A winter treat was ― and still is ― ``patjuk,'' or red bean porridge. The sweet concoction is often served with rice cake balls, making for a hearty snack. The color red is also traditionally believed to ward off bad spirits. A popular eatery serving patjuk is The Second Best Place in Seoul. The name comes from the owner's claim that her patjuk will always be second best after her mother's. It is located on the main strip in Samcheong-dong, northern Seoul, near Gyeongbok Palace. Call (02) 734-5302.

Also see "Summer, the Way it Used to Be..."
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/

Korean Film Remakes Debut in U.S.

Hollywood adaptations of such South Korean movies as ``The Tale of Two Sisters’’ make nationwide releases in the United States at the end of the month.

``The Uninvited," the Dreamworks version of the Kim Jee-woon thriller inspired by a famous Korean folktale ``The Tale of Two Sisters,’’ will appear in theaters Jan. 30. Brothers Charles and Thomas Guards direct the franchise and actresses Arielle Kebbel (``The Grudge 2’’) and Emily Browning (``Lemony Snicket’s: A Series of Unfortunate Events’’) have replaced Korean stars Lim Soo-jung and Moon Geun-young, respectively.

Meanwhile, ``Possession,’’ based on ``Addiction’’ starring Lee Byung-hun and Lee Mi-yeon, will be released Jan. 23. Directed by Joel Bergvall and Simon Sandquist, the Hollywood rendition stars Lee Pace as a man claiming to be his brother opposite Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Of the Korean movies that have sold adaptation rights to American producers, three have been released: ``The Lake House" based on Lee Hyun-seung’s ``Il Mare’’ in 2006 and ``Mirror’’ inspired by Kim Seong-ho’s ``Into the Mirror’’ and ``My Sassy Girl’’ adapted from the Kwak Jae-yong film of the same title in 2008.

Quintessential Korean Horror Returns

"Evil Twin" ("전설의 고향/Jeonseolui Gohyang," Korea)

Directed by Kim Ji-hwan. Starring Park Shin-hye, Jae Hee.

"Evil Twin'' heads the series of scary movies due this summer, giving audiences a whiff of nostalgia as it signals the rebirth of quintessential Korean ghost stories in cinema.

Retaliation, reconciliation and redemption are the three classic formulas of the movie, which features Korea's iconic specter of the vengeful virgin, out to scare others in her white robe and long, black hair.

Unlike American or Japanese horror films such as "The Ring,'' in which the ghost is a source of evil that the hero must fight off, "Evil Twin'' portrays reconciliation between the living and the dead.

Horror movies in the traditional Korean style abounded when the domestic film industry peaked in the 1960s, but disappeared in the 1980s. These tall tails aimed to deliver moral messages rathe than chills. Then, starting in the mid-1990s, modern scary movies such as the "Whispering Corridors'' took firm ground as prime summer season entertainment. More.

Right to Watch Movies

The 11th Seoul Human Rights Film Festival (SHURIFF) opens Friday to provide the capital’s residents with films carrying a special message -- the significance of human value. More.

In the spirit of supporting human rights and the right to freely access art, all films can be viewed free of charge. The festival will be held at Seoul Art Cinema, located in Jongno-gu. For more information, visit www.sarangbang.or.kr/hrfilm.

Afternote: Okay, free movies, human rights... great. But as hoardes of people flocked to the theater, mayhm ensued and the press wasn't even able to watch movies for reports!

Taegeukgi Flying Over the Croisette

Korean films will shine at the 60th Festival de Cannes, the creme de la creme of international film festivals.

In competition:

• For the presitigious Palme d'Or among over 20 contenders, includng four Asian films: ``Secret Sunshine'' by Lee Chang-dong and ``Breath'' by Kim Ki-duk.
• Short film: ``My Dear Rosetta'' by Yang Hea-hoon.

Out-of-competition pool:

• Cannes Classics: ``Bound by Chastity Rules'' (1962) by Shin-Sang-ok (digitally restored version). This is an amazin feat for Korean cinema history, that a classic masterpiece
• Cinefondation: Hong Sung-hoon's ``A Reunion.'' This section features up and coming talent.
• Un Certain Regard: ``Munyurangabo'' (Liberation Day) by up-and-coming Korean-American Lee Isaac Chung. Amazing movie -- the only film I got to see at the 12th PIFF. Less than 10 Korean films have been included in the lineup hitherto, including ``The Bow'' by Kim Ki-duk last year.

This year at Cannes, a total of about 50 feature films make up the Official Selection, chosen out of some 1,600 candidates from 95 countries. The festival will continue until May 27. For more information, visit the official Web site.

More details about Korean cinema in Cannes 2007.

Green Cinema

Forget the stereotype that eco-friendly films are boring, and expect an exciting and enlightening experience at the 4th Green Film Festival in Seoul (http://www.gffis.org/), to take place from May 17 to 23 at the CGV Sangam, near the Seoul World Cup Stadium. More.

'Soo': Revenge, Redemption

"Soo" ("Su," South Korea)
Directed by Choi Yang-il (Yoichi Sai). Starring Ji Jin-hee, Kang Seong-yeon, Oh Man-seok.

It's bloody and brutal, and harrowingly so. Japanese-born Korean director Choi Yang-il (Yoichi Sai) brings the Korean audience a hardboiled vengeance film with a slightly different flavor.

When you think of blood-splattered retaliation, Park Chan-wook's vengeance trilogy or Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill" series may come to mind. But imagine such a film stripped of fancy cinematographic techniques and devoid of stylishly choreographed action sequences. Every gesture and grimace is meticulously planned, according to the director. Yet Choi keeps the camera at a certain distance to portray the no-cut skirmishes.

The product is heightened realism, and you believe in the intense violence and the raw human instinct for survival.

[...] In Korean, "soo" means water, the very essence of life. Throughout the film Soo seeks to free his brother from "han" or spiteful grudge, as well as his own soul from staggering guilt. Even the bad guy wishes to spare his father the fires of hell. Choi's lasting imagery of water washing away blood suggests the pervasive human instinct to survive and the desire to purge oneself of one's impurities. More

My first published review as a film critic for The Korea Times. "Soo" was an extremely distressing cinematic exerience, but the review ended up at more Web sites than usual (though many a time uncredited -- how annoying).