Thought of the day : Life become happier when things around are so beautiful and colourful

Women walk through a gourd tunnel at the Rural Development Administration in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province on Monday. /News 1

Korea's Economy Sees Small Stirrings of Growth in Q2

Korea barely managed to emerge from nine straight quarters of near-stagnant growth with GDP rising 1.1 percent in the second quarter, the Bank of Korea said Thursday. The country's economy had grown less than 1 percent since the first quarter of 2011.

Government spending and investment in the construction sector were the main reasons behind the growth. Fiscal expenditures in the second quarter grew 2.4 percent compared to the previous quarter after the government frontloaded W17.3 trillion (US$1=W1,117) of supplementary budget allocations.

It was the biggest growth in government spending since the first quarter of 2012.

Also, investment in the construction sector grew 3.3 percent, continuing two consecutive quarters of growth for the first time in four years. It rose 4.1 percent in the first quarter.

On top of that, private spending, which had dropped 0.2 percent in the first quarter, grew 0.6 percent during the April-to-June period.

Lady Luck Helps Ryu Hyun-jin to Win No. 8 Against Blue Jays

Ryu Hyun-jin of the Los Angeles Dodgers rode his luck against the Toronto Blue Jays for his eighth win of the season on Monday. He allowed nine hits, two walks, and struck out three on the road while giving up four runs over five and one-third innings.

The Dodgers' line-up was on fire throughout the game, earning 14 runs from 16 hits to beat the Blue Jays 14-5.

Thousands of Korean residents and expatriates visited the Rogers Centre in Toronto to watch Ryu pitch, with over 1,000 mobilized by a local Korean travel agency alone. Yahoo Sports ran an article titled, "Korean star Ryu Hyun-jin steals spotlight from Yasiel Puig in Dodgers' blowout win over Blue Jays." When Ryu got leadoff hitter Jose Reyes out in the bottom of the first, the Korean crowd erupted into loud cheers that left one broadcaster questioning which country he was in.

Fans cheer after Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin defeated the Blue Jays in Toronto on Monday. /AP-Newsis

Toronto has one of the largest settlements of Koreans in North America, with a population of around 200,000. As the Dodgers play in the National League, and the Blue Jays in the American League, the two rarely meet. Monday's game was their first match in six years, and they are unlikely to face each other again in Toronto for a long while.

Many Koreans living in the area did not want to miss this opportunity to see Ryu in action, and bought tickets well in advance, or made large group bookings online. Monday's game drew 34,515 people, more than the Rogers Centre average this season of 31,884.

After the game, Ryu said, "There were a lot more fans today than I expected, which gave me a lot of encouragement. It felt like I was in Korea when I heard my name being chanted."

Annie Harper's best collection about Korea

 

 

The Art of Making the Most of Korean Summer

 

The Korean summer is a beautiful season which welcomes fresh rain and hot breezes, transforming the country into a great festival of art, music, and literature, enchanting visitors from all over the world. You just have to head down one of Seoul’s bustling markets to revel in colorful lanterns and exuberant people celebrating one of the world’s most fascinating and sophisticated cultures. Korea serves up a delicious palette to sate every taste, from the avid sports fan to the tech genius with its multitude of conventions and conferences for which the capital has become so renowned. But while this modern metropolis of the East gets the buzz for its technological and economic prowess, the real treasures of Korea are steeped in a vast and intriguing history which dates back to the Joseon Dynasty and earlier. Korea is most beautiful through the eyes of the artist and art-lover alike, and all its regions – from the neighborhoods of Incheon to the breathtaking coasts of Busan – have something to offer.

 

Koreans take great pride in the cultural and natural heritage which has flourished for centuries, and to this day it pays special attention to preserving its wilderness and honoring its traditions. Much of the artifacts and relics of Korean history are still living and breathing in its ancient mountains and dignified monuments. There are hundreds of locations across the peninsula offering a fulfilling experience for the art lover or historian; rugged mountains carving out the sky with their white-peaked caps and forested slopes melting into the azure coastline, elaborate hanoks overseeing fields of endless green, and picturesque ports that illuminate the night sky – all have the stuff of inspiration that artists chase so fervently.

 

 

Art Imitating Nature

 

One of the great national treasures of Korea is Jeju Island, situated just off the south coast of the Korean peninsula. A popular holiday destination among locals, it is also a must-see for international travelers as well. Home to the majestic Halla Mountain – Korea’s tallest peak – Jeju is a year-round draw. The Hallasan National Park has a network of scenic trails and featuring stunning views of the landscape as well as the famous Gwaneumsa, an old Buddhist temple. Not only providing great material for an artist’s imagination, Jeju’s Seogwipo Continued Learning Center offers numerous classes on technique including muninhwa which is popular among foreigners seeking to gain insight into Eastern aesthetics. A perfect summer activity, the classes are engaging, informative, and insightful, and a great way to become more “hands-on” with Korean culture. There is nothing more immersive than taking the artist to the source of creation, a premise which is gaining popularity as an industry as well as practice, with all kinds of ventures from art-themed cruises with on-board classes to art techniques practiced in public parks. Taking off across the country as well as the world, this is one way in which artists can gain a sense of “community” via the artistic process itself, rather than individual endeavor alone.

 

Reverence for National Treasures

 

Although Korea’s natural wonders are plentiful and intoxicating, what a visitor marvels at in nature is paralleled in the architectural wonder of the many monasteries and palaces heralding from days of yore. Some of Asia’s most spectacular temples are nestled deep in the Korean mountains, including the legendary Magoksa, predating the Joseon period, Baegyangsa, renowned for its autumn splendor, and Haeinsa, a UNESCO World Heritage site to name but a few. These are but a small sampling of the vast network of unforgettable locations to make an artistic pilgrimage to, so don’t hesitate to look further afield.

 

Downtown Is the Place to Be

 

Of course, it’s not all about bold silence and tranquil ambience for the art lover – cities like Seoul and Busan are abuzz with galleries and festivals which celebrate Korea’s long history of art, from the ancient masterpieces of Choi Buk to the modern ingenuity of Han-Soo Lee. Both national and global exhibitions enjoy enthusiastic receptions at Korea’s art venues like the Seoul Museum of Art, the Museum of Korean Buddhist Art, the Museum of Photography and several others that cover virtually every period and genre like folk, classical, and contemporary around the world. There is no shortage for any artistic preference, and fulfillment is guaranteed.

 

It comes as no surprise, then, that Koreans are just as passionate about bringing the arts to life in methods other than immortalizing them in a museum. The Korean summer offers the art lover endless opportunities to enjoy live music and entertainment, as well as a variety of visual and performance arts, film showcases, and more. The Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival is a highly-anticipated event just like its other counterparts in the movie industry. The Jecheon International Music and Film Festival delights audiences with a grand finale under the stars. A spectrum from Taekwondo to the Lotus to all the various aspects which make up Korea’s eclectic culture are featured during the height of festival season, drawing in some of the largest crowds across the continent. The famous and the fringe alike are on equal playing fields when it comes to gaining exposure in the art world in festival terms, perhaps making these occasions the most interesting, experimental, and sincere.

 

Grab a Canvas

 

Few nations exhibit a more prolific and dedicated adherence to the arts. Young students practice classical art and music vigorously, an integral part of childhood which is deeply-rooted in the essence of the country. Art lovers from the West will be especially enthralled with the tremendous amount of respect and support which the arts enjoy, as well as enraptured by endless sources of inspiration and imagination. Though Korea promises to satisfy the senses year-round, making the most out of summer is one of the most rewarding and memorable ways to revisit the world through an artistic lens.

 

Credit  goes to "Annie Harper"

2AM to perform at K-pop festival in Yokohama

 

Source: Photo Bucket

Four-member Korean boy band 2AM will perform at the “K-Fest Summer! 2013 in Yokohama” in Japan on Aug. 10-11. The festival presents four performances, twice a day.

According to the official website (kfes.brokore.com), four groups are scheduled to hit the stage on the first day, including leading K-pop group 2AM, Korean idol group My Name and Glam, and recently debuted k-pop group History. On the second day, idol group C-Clown, History, and boy band A-Prince will perform.

2AM recently celebrated their five-year anniversary. After making their debut with their digital single “This Song” in 2008, 2AM continues to produce hits such as “Confession of a Friend,” “Even if I Die I Can't Let You Go,” and “You Wouldn't Answer My Calls.

Infiniti leads cultural marketing

Infiniti M

By Kim Tae-jong

The Infiniti Motor Company stresses the value of “modern luxury” in its efforts to allow customers to experience its premium vehicles. They boast strong driving performance, elegant design, high technology for drivers and passengers and reasonable prices.

The automaker is also an innovator in terms of cultural marketing, a different approach from other automakers to meet the needs from high-end customers.

One of the finest examples of this is that the company has been sponsoring various cultural events such as stage performances, exhibitions and fashion shows.

The firm has signed a global partnership with Cirque du Soleil, one of the world’s most famous modern circus troupes originating in Canada, to become an official sponsor. Later, it sponsored the troupe’s performances “Quidam” in 2007, “Alegria” in 2008 and “Varekai” in 2011.

In July, the firm will sponsor the local stage performance of the “Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour,” a collaboration of the troupe to commemorate the legendary pop singer.

As an official sponsor, the firm will also offer its customers the opportunity to enjoy the performance. It offered two VIP tickets to customers who bought the firm’s flagship sedan Infiniti M from June to July 10.

It has also sponsored popular exhibitions such as Gallery G, Kim Joong-man’s photo exhibition, Tiffany jewelry exhibition and performances including Matthew Bourne's “Swan Lake,” Blue Man Group’s “Megastar World Tour” and “Billy Elliot.”

It was also an official sponsor of Pret-a-porter Busan in 2010 and 2011.

“Through these creative cultural marketing ventures, we’ve been trying to enhance our brand image and present our goal of modern luxury,” an official from Infiniti Motor Company Korea said. “This also allows our customers to participate in more rich cultural and artistic events and consequently enjoy a better quality of life.”

The company advanced into the Korean market eight years ago, offering a rich lineup to meet sophisticated demands of local customers. Its lineup includes the Infiniti JX, EX, FX, QX, G and M.

It also became the first Japanese brand to launch diesel-powered sedans and SUVs in the local market, which are the Infiniti FX30d and M30d.

It recently launched the large-sized crossover utility vehicle JX for the first time in Korea.

For some, Samgyetang is not best dish

“Samgyetang,” or ginseng chicken soup that is traditionally known as healthful summer dish here, may not benefit some people. / Korea Times file

It is important to know your constitution to choose the right food
By Yoon Ja-young

This Saturday is “chobok” on the lunar calendar, or the first of the three hottest days of summer. Koreans typically take “boyang” cuisine, or dishes that replenish their depleted energy on these hot days, and “samgyetang,” or ginseng chicken soup, is the most popular.

While the soup is made with a number of healthy ingredients — a young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, ginseng, garlic, jujube, and chestnut — doctors of Korean Oriental medicine say that the soup isn’t beneficial for all. According to Prof. Lee Eui-ju at Kyunghee University Oriental Medicine Hospital, it depends on their constitution, or body type. Samgyetang is most beneficial to people categorized as “So-Eum-in,” while it isn’t recommended for those who are “So-Yang-in.”

So, people should first know their constitution, or body characteristics. In Korean Oriental Medicine, people are born as one of the four types of constitution — “So-Yang-in,” “So-Eum-in,” “Tae-Yang-in,” and “Tae-Eum-in.” The “Eum” and “Yang” here stand for yin and yang, each, so So-Yang-in and Tae-Yang-in, for instance, have more developed Yang force. Hence, they tend to have stronger and thicker upper bodies while their lower bodies are relatively thin and small. However, it should be kept in mind that it isn’t easy for ordinary people to identify their constitution, and it is recommended that they consult Oriental medicine doctors to determine where they belong.

Each has a different body shape as well as personality and associated emotions, and they also tend to have certain organs that are strong while others are weak. Hence, they have dishes that suit them and those that don’t.

“Among the dishes we have in summer to replenish strength, samgyetang is beneficial to So-Eum-in who typically have cold and weak digestive systems,” Prof. Lee said.

For So-Yang-in, however, it’s quite the opposite. The jujube and ginseng, which are rendered characteristically warm in Oriental medicine, can increase the heat in heart and pancreas. If they eat samgyetang, they can suffer either constipation or diarrhea. Hence, the professor recommends dishes categorized with cool characteristics in Oriental medicine, such as eel, duck barbecue, and summer fruit. However, it doesn’t mean they should eat food that is cold according to temperature. Prof. Lee warned that cold beverages and ice cream can cause them constipation.

For Tae-Eum-in, the professor recommends beef, bean noodle, cold “Omija” tea, or schisandra chinensis, and “Maesil” tea, or Japanese apricot. Tae-Yang-in, meanwhile, would find seafood such as octopus and kiwi juice on the doctor’s recommendation list.

The following are additional health tips from Prof. Lee regarding how people can spend the summer in a healthy way according to their constitution.

So-Yang-in: take steady exercise

Among the four constitutions, So-Yang-in and Tae-Eum-in are especially vulnerable to heat. “So-Yang-in easily feel hot with a small rise in temperature, because they characteristically have much heat in their body and lack patience. Those who find it difficult to tolerate the heat despite being thin are likely to be So-Yang-in,” the doctor says.

He recommends these people to exercise steadily — three times a week for over three months — though they often lack the patience to continue. He cites powerful exercises using muscles, such as weight lifting, “Ssireum,” or Korean traditional wrestling, or parallel bars as recommendable for these people.

Aerobic exercise for Tae-Eum-in

Tae-Eum-in tend to perspire much, and even more so in summer. According to the doctor, those with this constitution usually don’t like moving their body. They prefer sitting, playing computer games, for instance, and more than a few of them are obese. However, as they need to perspire to maintain the body temperature at appropriate level and have good blood circulation, the professor says that exercise that makes them perspire is essential. He recommends aerobic exercise that requires endurance, such as hiking, running marathons, jogging, swimming and cycling. It is also advisable that they take a warm shower in the evening, for the excretion of bodily waste and heat through skin.

Moderate exercise for So-Eum-in

People categorized as So-Eum-in aren’t very very sensitive to the heat, even in summer — it is an easy season for them. However, “as they have a weak digestive function, they easily get stomachache in the summer, and they are vulnerable to cold from exposure to air-conditioning,” Prof. Lee said. He stressed that taking a lot of summer fruits or cold beverages isn’t recommendable for these people.

“Unlike people with other constitutions, excessive exercise only adds to their fatigue. Hence, So-Eum-in are recommended to take light exercises where they don’t perspire much.” He recommended muscular exercises that require endurance, such as golf.

No sauna for Tae-Yang-in

These people aren’t very susceptible to heat, but their hands and feet are often hot in summer because their body emits much heat from the inside, according to the professor. He said that exercise that causes a lot of perspiration isn’t recommended for them. Instead, exercises where they control both body and mind, such as qigong, martial arts and kendo are helpful.

He added that they should avoid saunas, because it will decrease their desire to urinate and make them lose stamina.

Advice: Prof. Lee Eui-ju at Kyunghee University Oriental Medicine Hospital