Chung seeks to attract more foreign visitors to NMOCA

Artist duo Moon Kyung-won and Jeon Joon-ho’s works are on display at 2012 Korea Artist Prize at the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. / Courtesy of NMOCA

Chung Hyung-min, director of the National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea, wants the museum to represent Korean art and support Korean artists advancing overseas.

The National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea (NMOCA) is on the way to becoming the key place of Korean art and Chung Hyung-min, 60, named new director in January, is leading the innovation.

Chung was an art history professor at Seoul National University before she took the position of the head of the nation’s contemporary art institution. She also led Seoul National University Museum of Art.

With her expertise, Chung is ensuring the museum showcases the essence of Korean art and supports Korean artists advancing overseas.

“The NMOCA should represent Korean contemporary art and I think it has the collection to do so. However, it was not researched thoroughly or put on display for public viewing,” Chung said.

That is why Chung is reorganizing permanent exhibition halls based on these works. Currently, the main museum in Gwacheon has nine halls with two of them being used for special exhibitions. Chung is reorganizing them to present hidden gems from the collection.

“I think Korean artists are strong in craft, but there was no space dedicated to craft art. So I renovated one of the permanent exhibit halls to a craft art gallery. The same goes for photography and print, which are important genres of modern art but were exhibited with paintings,” the director said. “The museum is archiving architectural works and maybe we could hold an exhibition shedding light on Korea’s contemporary architects.”

Her move came as a part of a bigger plan to specialize the Gwacheon building about a year ahead of the opening of the NMOCA’s new Seoul branch named UUL National Art Museum Seoul.

There was a fire at the construction site in August, creating worries that the completion might be impeded by the fatal accident. However, Chung assured the public that the art museum will open on schedule.

“The UUL was scheduled to be completed by February and open at the end of 2013. The completion is going to be delayed but it won’t affect the opening of the museum,” Chung explained.

Architect’s rendition of UUL National Art Museum Seoul

The UUL is located in central Seoul, right next to Gyeongbok Palace and tourist district Samcheong-dong and has a good accessibility. Designed by Min Hyun-jun, the new museum encompasses Korean history as it includes a 21st century building, the former Defense Security Command headquarters from the 1930s and an office building from the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) that is being relocated.

“Buildings from three different times physically co-exist in the UUL and visitors will experience the continuity of time,” Chung said.

The museum should also see an increase of international visitors at the new location. Currently, only 2 percent of the visitors to the museum are foreigners.

“Those who are interested in contemporary art generally visit the Gwacheon location, but the new Seoul museum should attract more tourists,” Chung said. “This is a good time to open a new art museum in Seoul since interest in Korean culture is picking up across the globe.”

Chung aims to research artworks academically and present them in a more comprehensive and popular way for ordinary viewers. “The UUL will also introduce the ever-changing trend of international contemporary art to Korean audiences as well as interdisciplinary art.”

When the UUL opens, the NMOCA will strengthen uniqueness of each branch — the Deoksugung branch will focus on modern art from the early 20th century and Gwacheon will feature more works from the museum’s collection.

The budget of NMOCA allocated for purchasing artworks is relatively small — only 3 billion won for the museum and 2 billion won for the Art Bank. Previous directors of NMOCA bought some works of renowned international artists, but Chung put the budget together solely for Korean artists.

“I see great potential from the NMOCA’s collection. My goal is to enrich the collection and make anyone who wants to see Korean art to come to the NMOCA,” Chung said.

The primary function of the art museum would be exhibitions, but Chung also aims to reinforce the educational and research function of the NMOCA. A research center and storage of the NMOCA planned in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province reflects Chung’s ambition.

“Research is positively necessary in networking with the world’s leading museums and introducing Korean contemporary art to the world,” the director said. “I hope the center becomes a hub of Asian contemporary art.”

People think contemporary art is difficult to understand because they are not used to the system of symbols in the 21st century art, according to Chung. “The phenomenon is normal since it is something currently underway. I think that’s why people have to come and see contemporary art — it portrays ‘our’ life, not the life of someone 100 years ago. Appreciating contemporary art will make their life richer,” Chung said.

Chung’s ultimate goal is to place the NMOCA in the rank of world-class museums. “With the opening of the UUL in Seoul, we will promote cooperation with world’s top art museums and try to stand equally with them,” the director said.

Fire destroys Baekje-era Naejang Temple

Police and firefighters investigate the cause of fire on-scene at Naejang Temple in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, Wednesday. The main building in the temple was gutted by fire early Wednesday morning. Police presume the fire to have been caused by short circuit problems. / Yonhap

The main building of an ancient temple in the heart of Mt. Naejang, North Jeolla Province, burnt down Wednesday, apparently due to a fire caused by a short circuit.
Naejang Temple’s central building was completely destroyed due to the sudden fire that erupted inside it at around 2 a.m.

Buddhist paintings and a statue of Buddha were among the items destroyed in the blaze.

Police immediately dismissed any links to arson, saying that the fire occurred because of an electrical fault. They said a surveillance camera at the temple showed no intruders in the temple.

“We plan to investigate the exact cause of the fire together with the National Forensic Service,” said an officer.

The fire was first discovered by an employee of a security company, who contacted the security guard at the temple after being alerted by a fire detection system.

By the time firefighters got to the scene, there was almost nothing to salvage. Temple officials tried extinguishing the fire but only managed to prevent it from spreading to trees on the mountain.

Many expressed regret and sorrow for the loss of a national heritage famous for its location amid beautiful scenery. “The temple incident reminded me of the Sungnyemun fire incident. We need measures to protect our cultural assets,” said Kim Su-mee, a citizen.

Poor management of temple buildings and national heritages has been a recurrent problem. In 2008, the Sungnyemun or South Gate of Seoul was gutted by arson. Naksan Temple located in Yangyang, Gangwon Province was also destroyed by a forest fire in 2005.

Naejang Temple boasted of colorful scenery especially in the autumn.

The temple was re-constructed in 1938 after a series of repeated fires. It was first constructed in 636 A.D during the Baekje Kingdom but was destroyed in the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592 and during the Korean War in 1950. The last time it was reconstructed was in 1958.

The building was vulnerable to fire because the entire building is made with wood.

Naejang Temple itself is not listed as a cultural asset designated by the government but possesses one ― the Joseon copper bell ― in an adjacent building. Important Buddhist assets such as a pagoda preserving the relics of Buddha are also located in front of the main building.

The main building will be rebuilt.

 

Firework Art

Festival of firework art at Busan / Korea

 

 


 


 







Source: Chosunilbo news

Why Does Hair Loss Get Worse in the Fall?

Fall is a particularly trying season for people who are losing their hair. Wide fluctuations in temperature can hamper ample blood circulation to the scalp, and hair loss is exacerbated by other conditions like stress and pollution.

"In the past, balding was considered to be genetic, but now more and more people lose their hair due to stress and other external factors," said Ha Tae-joon of a baldness clinic.

Ordinary people lose around 20 to 50 strands of hair a day, but this rises to 50 to 100 in the fall. Losing more than 100 strands of hair a day may be a sign of balding.

Drinking water can help since dehydration slows blood circulation, causing hair loss and dandruff. Green tea may also be helpful since it makes small blood vessels expand and promotes circulation.

Tuna, anchovies, mackerel and other types of oily fish, as well as lettuce, radishes, green peppers and fruit also strengthen the follicles and improve blood circulation in the scalp. Black sesame seeds, black beans, brown rice, walnuts, kelp, seaweed and laver can bolster the tensile strength of hair.

A good night’s sleep of between seven or eight hours can also stop hair falling out. But the key to maintaining a healthy mane is hygiene and stress release. And regular scalp massages can help new hair to grow by promoting blood circulation. Some people also swear by tapping their scalp gently 20 times or more a day with a brush.

Psy Makes Cover of Billboard Magazine

Rapper Psy will appear on the cover of the next issue of Billboard magazine when the U.S. weekly is released later this week. He posted a picture of the cover on his Twitter account Friday.

The singer of the smash hit "Gangnam Style" is shown wearing a light-green tailcoat and black bow tie while performing the horse-riding dance. The photo is accompanied by the sub-headline "500,000,000 Psy Fans Can't Be Wrong."

Meanwhile, Psy said in an interview with CNN that the lyrics of his next song will be a mixture of English and Korean. He added that will also come up with a new dance routine.

He has been in the U.S. since Oct. 19 promoting his album, including an appearance on the popular ABC talk show "The View" where he performed his signature dance along with Barbara Walters.

As of Thursday, "Gangnam Style" ranked second on the Billboard Hot 100 for the fifth straight week behind Maroon 5's "One More Night."

Korean Air's Earnings Soar

 

Korean Air achieved W3.4 trillion in revenues and an operating profit of W313.2 billion (US$1=W1,103) in the third quarter of 2012, the carrier said Thursday. Revenues were up 2.6 percent over the same period in 2011, and operating profit increased 30.5 percent.

It was the second time that Korean Air has exceeded the W300 billion mark in quarterly operating profit since 2010.

Net profit stood at W340 billion, swinging back into the black after three quarters.

Analysts attribute the recession-beating results to an aggressive push to upgrade the carrier's fleet, which led to record-high transport volume. Korean Air has been operating the Airbus A380 superjumbo jets on long-haul routes to the U.S. and Europe since last year.

Increased first and business class custom contributed to improved profitability.


On the other hand , In-Flight Meals Make Korean Air Top Food Exporter:

CJ Cheiljedang led Korean food manufacturers in terms of domestic sales last year, according to figures from the Korea Food and Drug Administration. Next came Nongshim, Lotte Chilsung Beverage, Lotte Confectionery, and Coca-Cola Korea.

But among food exporters Korean Air Catering topped the list with W196 billion (US$1=W1,110), according to the KFDA.

Korean Air operates two food processing plants, at Gimpo and Incheon airports, which can produce 50,000 meals a day and process about 20,000 kinds of in-flight meals, including Korean food.

Sixty percent of them are served on Korean Air and the rest is sold to about 40 airlines whose planes make stops in Korea.

Koo Eun-kyung of Korean Air explained that all in-flight meals on Korean Air are counted as exports because they are served in skies over international waters.

White sugar topped the list of Korean export food stuffs until 2009, but it was replaced by in-flight meals in 2010 amid increasing demand for air travel.

Korea's food industry, except for agricultural produce and liquor products, suffers a trade deficit, which rose 29 percent from W3.82 trillion in 2009 to W4.93 trillion last year.

Korean Air Makes Good on A380 Investment:

Korean Air's fleet of Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger jet, have carried more than 400,000 passengers since the nation's flagship airline began operating flights six months ago, it announced Monday.

According to the airline, its five super jumbo jets have flown a total of 409,000 passengers almost 6 million km as of Dec. 16.

Most passengers used the flight route from Incheon to Narita in Tokyo, the first service route operated by the aircraft, which welcomed a total of 141,770 fliers. This was followed by flights to Hong Kong (120,090 people), New York (85,771), Los Angeles (36,903) and Paris (15,475).

The average passenger load of the A380's five routes stood at 80 percent, but this jumped to 87 percent for flights heading to the French capital, or 83 percent for the Big Apple, 80 percent for Hong Kong, 78 percent for LA and 76 percent for Tokyo.

Notably, the number of passengers flying business-class on long-haul routes to New York, LA and Paris has soared in recent months.

Since the jets, which have their entire second floor given over to 94 business-class seats, went into service, the airlines' total number of business-class travelers has risen 41 percent to 27,637 from 19,551 during the corresponding period of 2010. The growth was considerably higher than that of first-class (30 percent) and economy-class (18 percent) seats.

Korean Air is planning to introduce its sixth A380 next year to enlarge its European flight paths. It will buy four more of the aircraft by 2014 with the goal of ferrying 3 million passengers around the world on the fleet annually starting from 2015, it said.

UN Secretary-General Learns Psy's Horse-Riding Dance

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) is taught the "Gangnam Style" horse dance by rapper Psy during a photo opportunity at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday. /Reuters-Newsis

Singer Psy met United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN headquarters in Manhattan, New York, on Tuesday.

Ban then performed the singer's "Gangnam Style" horse-riding dance with Psy during a photo opportunity.

Indian food ‘ambassador’ in Seoul

	An exotic Indian concoction Provided by Oakwood Premier Coex

About a dozen people from as many as seven countries including Saudi Arabia, Australia and Korea are trying to follow an Indian chef who is showing them how to make three Indian dishes: Paneer tikka, kadai sabzi and subz biryani.

The suite at the Oakwood Premier Coex Center in southern Seoul is already warm from the blazing electric stoves and aromatic with the fragrance coriander, cumin and other Indian spices.

In the center of the crowd, Shailendra Singh, an executive sous-chef of the Oakwood Premier in Pune, India, gives instructions.

The Indian chef visited Seoul for the first time to carry out an Indian cuisine promotion at Seoul’s Oakwood. A total of 20 Indian dishes will be prepared by him and his fellow chefs through Sunday.

In his career, Singh has tried his hand at many cuisines including German and Middle Eastern. He finally settled on Italian. But he has no trouble teaching Indian cooking, of course. “Being Indian,” he says, matter-of-factly, “I know what Indian food is.”

Outside his country, Singh often conducts cooking classes for non-Indians as a kind of Indian food ambassador.

“India is a pretty big country and it has 31 states,” he says. “Every place has different ingredients, spices, cooking methods and tastes.”

	Shailendra Singh, an executive sous-chef at the Oakwood Premier Pune

According to Singh, more than 150 spices are available in India and they bring a range of flavors. Only a few of them bring heat, like chilies. “Most people think of Indian cuisine as spicy hot,” he says, “but that is not true.” Many Indians, especially women, eschew very hot food.

“India is a place of gods,” Singh says. “And an amazing range of different dishes were served to delight the kings back in the old days. For many reasons, Indian food is bound to be rich, diverse and aromatic.”

Oakwood and other hotels in Seoul promote Indian cuisine every few seasons, and the city has many Indian restaurants, mostly low budget. Nonetheless, Indian food is still foreign to many Koreans, unlike Chinese, Vietnamese and Italian.

When asked about the perfect introduction to Indian food for people who think it’s nothing but curries, Singh says, “They should start with seafood.”

Spices don’t fully penetrate seafood, especially fish, he says.

“The spice coats the fish, but the inside tastes the same. You can taste the flavors of India and still enjoy your fish.”

For more information about the Indian promotion, call (02) 3466-7000.

UFC Presenter to Step Inside Ring as Korea's First Octagon Girl

Kang Ye-bin

TV personality Kang Ye-bin will soon serve as Korea's first Ultimate Fighting Championship Octagon Girl. She will make her debut at a UFC event in Macau that is scheduled to be aired on Nov. 10.

Kang's appointment was supported by Super Action, a Korean cable channel that broadcasts mostly action movies and sports. Kang is hosting the channel's "UFC Inside" program.

With her debut as an Octagon Girl, Kang is expected to raise her profile and career across Asia.

Kang, who has already graced the cover of the Korean version of Maxim magazine dressed in racy lingerie, is reportedly working out hard to get in the best shape of her life prior to starting her new job.

"I'm thrilled to be Korea's first Octagon Girl. I'm just a little anxious whether I'll be able to do a good job, but I'll try my best and hopefully I can raise the spirits of our three Korean fighters in the UFC," she said. "I'd like to look sexier and hotter than [Mexican-American Octagon Girl] Arianny Celeste."

The upcoming UFC event in Macau will feature three Korean fighters.

e

Soybean Festival in Paju

A soybean festival will be held between Nov. 16 and 18 at Imjingak, a remote outpost overlooking the heavily armed inter-Korean border, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

It is aimed at promoting Paju's specialty produce of Jangdan soybeans, which grow in a pristine area of the DMZ. Organizers also hope it will revitalize the region's economy by promoting the produce as a regional brand.

For more information, visit http://kong.paju.go.kr/.

 

 

Restored Japanese gov't map shows Dokdo as Korean territory

A deteriorated map created by the Japanese government has been restored in South Korea and shows the easternmost islets of Dokdo as Korean territory, officials said Wednesday, in what they say is yet more proof refuting Japan's claims to the islets.

The back of the map, printed on both sides of the paper in 1936, was unreadable because it had been pasted over with a sheet of thick paper. After five months of efforts, the National Archives of Korea, an agency charged with preserving government records, restored the original version of the map.

The map is one of few copies in existence that played an important role for Allied forces to recognize Dokdo as Korean territory shortly after Japan's World War II surrender, a scholar said.

Shin Yong-ha, a chair professor at the University of Ulsan and head of the Dokdo Institute, said the map "provided important grounds for Allied forces to recognize Dokdo as our territory on Aug. 15, 1945, when Japan surrendered."

The map was donated in 1988 by bibliographer Lee Jong-hak to the Independence Hall of Korea.

Dokdo, which lies closer to Korea in the body of water between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, has long been a thorn in bilateral relations. Korea keeps a small police detachment on the islets, effectively controlling them.

Koreans view Japan's claim over Dokdo as tantamount to denying its rights because the country regained independence from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule and reclaimed sovereignty over its territory, which includes Dokdo and many other islands around the Korean Peninsula. (Yonhap)

Foundation launched to upgrade Hangeul institutes

Song Hyang-geun, president of the King Sejong Institute Foundation, left, and Google Korea CEO Yeom Dong-hoon pose during the inauguration ceremony for the foundation at the National Museum of Korea, Wednesday. The two organizations signed an agreement for cooperation on promoting Korean language and culture. / Yonhap


Hangeul has played a key role in spreading Korean culture and more people are showing interest in learning it around the world.
Seoul officially launched a new foundation for the management and support of state-sponsored Korean language institutes all over the world Wednesday at a ceremony at the National Museum of Korea.

The foundation’s main duty will be upgrading the quality of Korean language education abroad through developing text books and training methods.

More than 150 dignitaries and experts attended the inauguration ceremony, including Culture Minister Choe Kwang-shik and Song Hyang-geun, who was recently appointed to lead the King Sejong Institute Foundation. Song is a professor of Korean at the Busan University of Foreign Studies.

Named after the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) king who oversaw the development of the Korean alphabet of Hangeul, King Sejong Institutes offer language education programs teaching Korean as a second language. King Sejong, who reigned from 1418-1450, developed a writing system for the Korean language with a team of researchers.

Starting with 16 institutes in Mongolia and five other Asian countries in 2007, the number has risen to 90 in 43 countries globally. More than 17,000 students were learning Korean languages at Sejong institutes as of August, according to the ministry.

The language classes take place at overseas Korean cultural centers or in universities that have departments for Korean studies.
As part of efforts to promote Korean culture, the government will establish 14 additional language institutes before the end of this year.

The 14 newly designated locations include Santiago, Chile; Venice, Italy; Auckland, New Zealand; and Bogota, Colombia.
Hangeul, or the Korean alphabet, is considered one of the most treasured cultural creations of the country. Recently it has been a popular cultural source.

The popularity of Korean pop music, or K-pop, and TV dramas in foreign countries has led to rising demand for learning Korean. In 2006, around 34,000 took the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). The number rose to 450,000 last year.

Samsung launches new hybrid PC

Models show Samsung Electronics’ new Ativ Smart PCs, designed with touch-screens and detachable keyboards that allow them to switch between laptop and tablet modes. / Yonhap


Samsung Electronics launched its much-anticipated Ativ Smart PC Wednesday, a portable computer with an 11.6-inch touch-screen and detachable keyboard that allows it to switch between laptop and tablet modes.

The consumer electronics firm hopes that its new product, powered by Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system, will spark the struggling personal computer market.

The success of the Ativ series is also important for Microsoft, which has been struggling to extend its dominance in operating systems for desktop computers to mobile Internet devices.

While other computer makers such as Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard and Sony have been announcing Windows 8 products recently, the Ativ line appears to be generating the most buzz from global technology geeks.

Through its Ativ computers, Samsung is also extending its lineup of touch-screen computers that support styluses.

Late Apple founder Steve Jobs, credited for the revolutionary iPad, once claimed that earlier models of these slate-like computers failed because the makers refused to ditch the stylus. Samsung, encouraged by the success of its Galaxy Note smartphones, is confident of proving Jobs wrong.

``The launch of the Microsoft Windows 8 operating system and the explosion in touch-screen mobile Internet devices are creating new opportunities. We are confident that the Activ Smart PC is the perfect device to exploit these opportunities,’’ said Nam Seong-woo, Samsung’s chief of information technology solutions business.

``While the increase in the use of tablets is notable, users are also in need of the essential features of PCs, which tablets have failed to provide. For them, the Ativ Smart PC is the best device.’’

Samsung hopes that standout products such as the Ativ will help it achieve its goal of an 10 percent increase in PC sales by volume this year.

Samsung will offer the Activ Smart PC priced at 1.09 million won and the high-end Activ Smart PC Pro for 1.59 million won.

The latter has better hardware in the form of an Intel Core i5 processor and a 128GB solid state drive. The Ativ Smart PC is powered by an Intel Atom chip with 2GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage and is slightly slimmer than the Smart PC Pro. 

Anish Kapoor, beyond material concerns

Indian-British artist Anish Kapoor poses in front of his work “Untitled” (1990) installed at Leeum in Hannam-dong, Seoul.

/ Courtesy of the artist and Leeum

Anish Kapoor, the sculptor of the 2012 London Olympics’ “Orbit,” came to Korea with his signature works and pigment series, “Auto-generation” and recent steel sculptures.

This exhibition currently under way at Leeum museum is designed to review what Kapoor has done for some 30 years of his artistic career.

“We chose works that can represent Kapoor’s lifelong theme of pursuing what is the non-material behind material,” said Tae Hyun-sun, curator of Leeum.

“For every material object, there is a non-material condition in it,” and the phrase explores the thoughts behind Kapoor’s works, Tae said.

The artist who is holding his first exhibition in East Asia sounded like more of a philosopher who unravels his thoughts in the form of fine art. “Scientific ways are incomplete and we are forced to reflect them philosophically,” Kapoor, 58, said.

Upon entering the Ground Gallery in the museum’s Rem Koolhaas-designed building, a giant egg-shaped steel sculpture greets visitors. Titled “Cave,” the 2012 work explores darkness as an origin of creation.

“Inside the sculpture is total darkness at first, but visitors can see details as their eyes become adjusted to the darkness,” Tae said.
“To Reflect an Intimate Part of the Red” (1981) is one of Kapoor’s early pigment works blurring the boundary between the sculpture and the floor by having the pigment on the floor as well as covering the sculpture.



Kapoor’s Void series is somewhere between painting and sculpture, as it looks like a monochrome painting, but it also offers an abyss from its hole. “Untitled” (1990) is composed of a blue-black pigment, creating a space full of darkness, not an empty, dark space.

His signature work “Yellow” (1999) is also on display, creating a scintillating aura on the depth of a wall. It is both an artwork and an exquisite piece of architecture taking into consideration just how it burrows into the wall of the museum. Its bright yellow color and soft curves gives the angulated gallery space a contrast. “When I Am Pregnant” (1992) billows gently from the wall, like a belly of a pregnant woman. Kapoor is conscious of the beauty of feminine procreation, explained by how he captures that in his works.

Do not miss “The Earth” (1991) near the escalator going up to the Black Box. Though it appears to be a small, flat blue dot, it is actually a deep shaft in the floor.

The other very representative character of his work is color. In “My Red Homeland” (2003) on display at the Black Box spaces, viewers can see how he uses color. The piece looks like a giant clock face and a hammer rotates slowly, pushing the crimson red wax, reminiscence of blood and flesh. It is one of “Auto-generation” series of works, of which Kapoor does not intentionally make shape of artworks. “It is Kapoor’s way of interpreting how the world was created,” Tae said.

While “My Red Homeland” signifies maternity, vertical wax piece “Stack” (2007) is more close to masculinity. “The Black Box is designed to express the theme of creation. The space has much implication of sexuality, not in an obscene way, but a cradle of humanity,” Tae said.

A transparent acrylic sculpture “Laboratory for a New Model of the Universe” (2007) can be interpreted as the result of “creation.”
The exhibit continues to the outdoor deck of Leeum where Kapoor’s shiny stainless sculptures reflect the environment around them. Such glossy surface shows how Kapoor uses materiality to overcome the characteristics of the material.

“Vertigo V” (2012) and “Vertigo VII” (2012) are two large concave mirrors, which provide distorted images of the viewer and the museum. Such morphed image is non-material, as it takes away solid corporeality of the object. “Sky Mirror,” a large round-shaped steel work, reflects the sky and the landscape upside down.

Kapoor was inspired by German poet Rainer Maria Rilke’s “Sonnets to Orpheus” and created “Tall Tree and the Eye,” another piece on display at the deck. Composed of more than 70 stainless steel balls symbolizing eyes, the sculpture creates numerous reflections.
Louise Bourgeois’s “Maman,” which has been installed in front of Leeum since 2006, gave room to Kapoor’s works.

Kapoor is an Indian-British and he combines the aesthetics of the East and the West, but he seemed not to be bound in such categorization. “When I go into the studio every day, I don’t decide to make something beautiful or spiritual. It is more a long-term process and you cannot just make it happen,” he said.

Kapoor emphasized that he doesn’t have much to say about his works. “I have nothing to say as an artist. I open the possibility of meaning and many of my works invite viewers. It is an interaction,” he said.

The “Anish Kapoor” at Leeum runs through Jan. 27, 2013. Admission is 8,000 won for this exhibit and 14,000 won if combined with permanent exhibition. English docent program is available at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

For more information, visit www.leeum.org or call (02) 2014-6900.

Earth in danger: Toward a new planet

Dr. Park Eung-kyuk, right, president of the Korea Institute of Public Administration, shakes hands with Park Moo-jong, president-publisher of The Korea Times, after signing an agreement to launch a 50-part series in the English daily on environmental realities and the need for improved risk governance at the latter’s office in downtown Seoul. The first part of the collaborative series runs Friday. / Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

KIPA, KT begin 50-part series on risk governance

There is no denying that the Earth, as we know it, is in danger. The entire planet is suffering from environmental devastation, including climate change, every conceivable type of pollution, ecological destruction and the depletion of natural resources.

The results are mind-numbing. There is widespread flooding and droughts, typhoons and tsunamis, heat waves and a wide range of other natural disasters.

As if the environmental predicament was not enough, the world is facing every conceivable type of threat and instability, from the breakdown of the global financial system to economic recession in all corners, and the subsequent damage to the most basic quality of life.

Increasingly, there is recognition that the Earth and its inhabitants no longer have the luxury of waiting and hoping for the best. It is high time that the realities are accepted at face value and the world must make concerted efforts to determine in more exact terms what the current situation implies for mankind and bring this information to people everywhere.

This is no longer a set of problems that can be effectively addressed by a handful of powerful countries; it requires the undivided attention of every single element here on Earth.

Korea, for its part, must play an active role as a prominent member of Northeast Asia and help identify environmental problems as they exist and build a case for turning things around.

As part of facing up to this enormous challenge, The Korea Times, in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Public Administration (KIPA), is launching an intensive series of contributions from experts from around the world, to review the nature of the problem and through their experience, research and wisdom identify viable solutions at local and global levels.

The 50-part series kicks off on Feb. 10 with an in-depth introduction from KIPA President Park Eung-kyuk to be carried on through the end of July. The series hopes to carry insights from not only prominent individual experts in respective fields but such distinguished international organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Economic Forum.

The installments will be published twice a week with all contents being compiled online at www.koreatimes.co.kr for both current and future reference.

Source: The Korea Times News

 

Korea Times Newspaper's History

(1) First English Daily Born at Height of War (Nov. 1, 1950)
The Korea Times published its first issue on Nov.1, 1950, at the height of the Korean War with the aim of publicizing the progress in the fratricidal war in and out of Korea. The publication of The Korea Times is the apple of the readers’ eye in English journalism, as it has survived as the longest running independent daily.

Dr. Helen Kim (1899-1970), the pioneer woman educator-journalist who was the first Korean president of Ewha Womans University, hit upon the idea of launching an English daily as a means to promote national publicity abroad in 1949 when she assumed the university presidency. Her plan was translated into action under the aegis of then American-educated president Syngman Rhee.

The first issue came in the form of a two-page tabloid with an inaugural editorial headlined “A Really New Start,” noting the national need for promoting goodwill, mutual understanding and cooperation with all nations over the world. The initial editorial team largely comprised a handful of English literature professors from Kim’s Ewha university.



(2) Watchdog Against Dictatorial Rule (Early 1950s)

The Korea Times had maintained close relations with the Syngman Rhee government but was later put in serious trouble with it as he turned dictatorial in steering the state and began meddling in its publishing work. The paper was at the front of leveling caustic criticism at Rhee’s authoritarian rule.

Rhee with an American educational background and an avid reader of The Korea Times, stopped the government’s purchase of newspaper copies and took steps to pressure Korea Times publisher Helen Kim into following the editorial line favorable to the government policy. The ever-growing feud with the recalcitrant Korea Times led President Rhee to think about founding a new English newspaper obedient to the authoritarian government.

In the face of mounting administrative pressure, The Times was put in a serious financial pinch. The paper was subsequently taken over by Chang Key-young, then president of the vernacular newspaper the Chosun Ilbo and later founder of the Hankook Ilbo. Chang, who served as vice governor of the Bank of Korea and later as deputy premier-economic planning minister, took the helm of the English daily on April 23, 1954, while running other specialized children’s daily and business newspapers on top of the flagship daily the Hankook Ilbo.





(3) Managing Editor’s Death on Duty (Sept. 26, 1958)

In 1958, The Korea Times suffered an unrecoverable loss as its managing editor Choi Byung-woo died in the Formosa Strait in the capsizing of a boat carrying a group of foreign correspondents on Sept. 26, while covering the Chinese Communist bombing of the Nationalist-led Quemoy and Matsu islands. Choi was 34 years old then. He was the first Korean war correspondent to die in the conduct of his professional journalistic job.

Choi set out on a mission as a news correspondent in May 1958, to cover the anti-Communist rebellion in Indonesia. He was assigned to both The Times and the Hankook Ilbo. After work in Indonesia, Choi moved to Taiwan where world attention was focused on Communist China’s bombardment of Quemoy and Matsu off the China mainland. The Times and the Hankook Ilbo held a memorial service for Choi at Kyonggi High School, his alma mater, on Oct. 11, 1958, with hundreds of mourners attending.

Choi was an energetic man of intellect with many interests. He had a tremendous zeal for things, which led him . though young . to become involved as a steersman of Korean journalism. He was the main inspiration behind the birth of the Kwanhun Club, a nuclear circle of dynamic journalists. Choi played a leading role in designating April 7 as “Newspaper Day” being observed by journalists up to this day.





(4) Thoughts of The Times.A Pioneer in Personal Journalism (Daily Essay Column Debuts in 1964)

The Times cultivated the American tradition of “personal journalism” and neighborhood news-gathering by providing a daily essay column “Thoughts of The Times,” filled with thoughtful articles contributed by figures from all walks of life at home and abroad. It has voiced the thoughts of housewives, scholars, diplomats, physicians, missionaries, businessmen, and journalists. The column was introduced by former managing editor Lee Kyoo-hyun in 1968.

Two managing editors Henry Chang and Hong Soon-il were under investigative authorities’ detention in 1958 and 1973 respectively for writing metaphorical articles in the Thoughts of The Times column. Chang’s article was one titled “Definition of a Gambler,” published on July 30, 1958. Chang, whose English name was Henry and better known by his pen name Hensyc, was arrested and jailed for 16 days for violating the law governing sedition under the Syngman Rhee government in connection with an article linking Middle East popular uprisings with Korea’s then uneasy socio-political situation under the Rhee government.

Controversy erupted again with articles by two American writers, Bernard F. Wideman and Orianna West, printed in the Thoughts of The Times on July 11 and 14, 1973 respectively. Wideman, a freelance writer in Korea, wrote an article about “kisaeng” (Korean barmaid), citing “A Modest Proposal” written by Irish satirical writer Jonathan Swift who was famous for “Gulliver’s Travels.” After Wideman’s article and its follow-up story were published, major vernacular newspapers carried the articles translated into Korean with critical comments on two foreigners’ views about Korean women. Then managing editor Hong Soon-il was taken to the intelligence authorities. The first writer of The Thoughts of The Times was the late Dr. Helen Kim, the then president emeritus of Ewha Womans University and the founder of The Korea Times.





(5) Fire Guts Korea Times Building (7 Dead, Inaugural Copies Burned in 1968 Blaze)

On Tuesday, Feb. 27, 1968, a fire completely gutted the main office of The Korea Times and its sister papers in Chunghak-dong, Chongno-gu, downtown Seoul, where the media group’s production facilities has been in operation for decades until their 2007 relocation to another site nearby. Seven workers were killed and three others were injured in the conflagration.

The fire broke out shortly before noon in the rotary press room when sparks from a welder’s torch fell on kerosene-soaked paper, quickly spreading to adjoining back shops and editorial offices. All mechanical and editorial equipment in the building, which housed offices and back shops of The Times and its sister papers, were completely destroyed. However, the fire left intact a new four-story building under construction behind the burned main building. This enabled The Times to continue publication without interruption with newlyimported Comet 300 linotypes and two new rotary presses fortunately already installed in the new building.

In spite of the fire, The Korea Times managed to issue a reduced Feb.28 edition of two papers by mobilizing typewriters owned by staff writers and loaned by sympathetic readers. During the restoration period, a number of readers and foreign organizations, including the American Embassy and the U.S. Operations Mission (U.S. aid mission), loaned typewriters to The Times while some readers donated them. The Korea Times had weathered the hardships and took refuge in a nearby office. The Korea Times recently moved to its current Chungmuro office where its production will be in progress for years to come. Its original office is now under reconstruction for remodeling.





(6) A Torchbearer in Cultural Dissemination (Literature Translation Awards in 1970)

The Korea Times sponsored a system of presenting the “Modern Korean Literature Translation Awards” in 1970 on the occasion of its 20th founding anniversary. The literature translation awards, introduced with an eye to getting Korean literature known to the world through qualified translations, has made a great contribution to promote the national industry of translating Korea’s literary works. Managing editor Hong Soon-il engineered the translation awarding work.

The first awards went to then English literature professor Chang Wang-rok of Seoul National University in the novel division for his translation of “Trees on the Mountain Slopes” (나무들 비탈에 서다) by Hwang Soon-won and Marshall R. Phil in short story for his translation of “Nami and the Taffyman” (남이와 엿장수) by Oh Young-su. In the poetry division, Lee Sung-il won a commendation prize for his translation of “As A Wild Flower” (들꽃같이) by Yu Chi-hwan, and W. Graham Weakley the same prize for “Oryuk-to” (오륙도) and “The Sea and I” (바다와 나), both by Yi Unsang.

First novel awards winner Prof. Chang’s daughter Young-hee, also a long-time essay contributor and now a Sogang University’s English literature professor, won the prize in poet division for a translation of “The Fragrance of Autumn” (가을의 향기) in 1980, when Cho Se-hi’s “A Dwarf Launches A Small Ball” was translated into English by short story translation division winner K.J. Chun, then at Songsim College in Puchon.

The translation awards, the first of its kind in Korea, is divided into four sections.novel, short story, poem and drama. Until 2006, 16 novels, 58 short stories, 29 poems and one drama have received awards in a total of 36 prize presentations.





(7) Forerunner in Media Modernization (Local Edition in 1974, CTS in 1982)

On Sept. 1, 1974, The Korea Times began to issue a provincial edition in a phase of innovation and expansion, which meant that the paper was delivered to readers in the provinces at the same time as those in the Seoul area. The Seoul to provinces readership ratio at that time was 58 to 42.

Around the end of 1982, the company introduced a full system of CTS (computerized typesetting) printing, a major mechanical innovation, on the occasion of its 34th founding anniversary. The Times published 12 pages everyday except for Monday. As Korea’s first English daily to produce the daily using CTS, it has been the forerunner in leading Korean media, armed with computerized updated manufacturing systems. The introduction of CTS put an end to the primitive era of linotype that had been in use for three decades since the 1950 newspaper founding.

The Times celebrated the 10,000th edition on Oct. 13, 1982, in a reception attended by hundreds of leaders in the political, financial, and cultural and social circles, as well as representatives of the international community and contributors to the newspaper. The dramatic improvement of editorial mechanisms as well as production capabilities were taken into consideration for the newspaper to be internationally recognized as an undisputed leader in English journalism. This led The Times to become the publisher of official newspaper of such several international sports as the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.





(8) The Right Messenger for Int’l Events (Official Paper of 1988 Seoul Olympics)

The Korea Times’ publication of the official Olympic newspaper named “The Seoul Olympian” for the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games was a milestone in the history of the English press. The official Olympic paper was printed with 64 pages every day plus a 124-page special edition containing full entries and another 404-page book covering the complete results and scores.

English journalism has no doubt made an outstanding contribution to getting the Republic of Korea better known to the outside world through either the offline or online networks through The Times’ never-ending publication of official papers for publicizing big international sports or events based on a contract with the government or government-funded agencies.

Recognized as the “right messenger,” which has played a leading role in bringing Korea to the world and promoting international understanding through its coverage of a wide range of global events, The Times has been an official paper producer for the Asian Games (summer, winter), the 2005 Seoul APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Forum, the Daegu Asiad, the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), the 2007 Inter-Korean Summit Paper, and other international events.

The paper’s never-ending publication of international events is a display of The Times staff’s unswerving spirit of professional zeal for becoming elite journalists.





(9) A Diehard Pro-Democracy Sponsor (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.Ardent KT Reader)

One of the “loyal” readers of The Korea Times was former President Kim Dae-jung who maintained his reputation as a leader in the democratic struggle against iron-fisted rulers. Kim, having no regular college education, said he learned English through reading The Korea Times and broadened his internationalized perspectives, thus helping himself become a global leader and to receive a Nobel Peace Prize. In an interview with The New York Times on the eve of his inauguration as president on Feb. 25, 1998, Kim said, “I learned English from an American Peace Corps volunteer and by tutoring myself, puzzling over The English language daily The Korea Times with a dictionary.”

In July 1978, Kim, then a dissident, was confined to a hospital room under tight guard after being released from prison following a guilty verdict being handed down on him for his role in what was called, “The March 1 Declaration for Democracy” by dissident intellectuals in 1976. In a note inscribed with a nail on a piece of scrap paper that was secretly delivered to his wife, Lee Hee-ho, Kim asked her to send him Korea Times copies to see what was going on in Korean politics.

The message, released by Cheong Wa Dae while Kim was in office (1998-2002), was on display in Stockholm along with personal effects of 30 other Nobel laureates.

Kim Dae-jung is one of the “exemplary students” who have succeeded in mastering English and globalizing their way of thinking through ENIE (English Newspaper in Education), a new format of educating students using English media.





(10) A Newspaper That Goes With the Times

A newspaper that goes with the times, The Korea Times! The paper marks its 57th anniversary today. The paper has been a mirror of the turbulent times of Korea, going through the difficult era of the Korean War (1950-1953) and the financial crisis of 1997-1998. In the face of ceaseless quandaries, The Korea Times has grown to be a leader in English journalism in Korea as a reliable provider of news on politics, the economy, foreign community, science and technology, sports and entertainment.

The Korea Times provides constructive, well-balanced news in its daily 20-24-page edition. A noticeable change in media policy under the current editorial managership steered by publisher-president Park Moo-jong and executive managing editor Lee Chang-sup is turning to a comprehensive treatment of wideranging global topics and its endless strife for improvement exemplified by in-depth business news in regular pages and feature sections.

The paper is coming closer to readers under its traditional policy focused on personal journalism through sharing burning thoughts and opinions in spaces expanded for intellectuals, diplomats, businessmen, and students. The Korea Times is henceforth earnestly playing the role of a bridge between Korea and the outside world with prompt and unbiased reporting of the news, and fair and just interpretation. What’s happening today? The paper has the answers everything!



The writer is English media professor Park Chang-seok at Kyung Hee University and the author of “History of English Newspapers in Korea.”.ED.

An informative guide to biblical cities

The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine in Rome. Rome was the most celebrated city in the world at the time of Christ. / Korea Times file The Bible is an historic record of real people and places. Biblical cities can be concentrations of faith as well as evil, and of culture and progress as well as destruction and oppression. An encyclopedia of around 700 cities mentioned in the Bible was recently released by a local publishing house. Through “Bible City 700,” readers will be able to learn the significance of these places, their stories and the meanings of their names. “This book contains information and the history of all the cities mentioned in the bible,” Lee Bun-sung, producer of the book, said in a press release. The book carries around 2,760 color photos of the cities. Much of the bible has an urban setting, but many cities are losing traces of their holy past. “Many find it hard to travel to biblical cities today, because a lot of them have undergone significant transformations,” Lee added. The book is written by Lee Won-hee, a minister and expert on biblical geography. He has travelled through the cities for the past 19 years. The book also includes a map of major biblical cities. “It is a useful visual aide to understanding the bible,” the author wrote in the introduction. “This book will help readers better appreciate the bible and the history of Christianity.” The publisher will also release an English translation as well as a digital version of the encyclopedia in the future. Babylon The city of Babylon was the capital of the ancient land of Babylonia in southern Mesopotamia. It was situated on the Euphrates River about 50 miles south of modern Baghdad, just north of what is now the modern Iraqi town of al-Hillah. The tremendous wealth and power of this city, along with its monumental size and appearance, were considered a Biblical myth, until its foundations were unearthed and its riches substantiated during the 19th century. Jerusalem Jerusalem stands on the edge of one of the highest table-lands in Israel, and is surrounded on the south-eastern, the southern, and the western sides by deep and precipitous ravines. It is first mentioned in Scripture under the name Salem. Rome Rome is the most celebrated city in the world at the time of Christ. It is said to have been founded in B.C. 753. When the New Testament was written, it had a population estimated at 1,200,000, of which half were slaves. It was distinguished for its wealth, luxury and profligacy.

Fire in Joseon

Firetruck in Seoul circa 1925 / Courtesy of Robert Neff Collection By Robert Neff Fire has always been one of the greatest threats to city residents in Korea — especially during the Joseon era. The homes —especially those of the lower classes — were built close to one another and covered with thatch making them extremely combustible. There were a number of fires in 1892. In Seoul, a fire near the South Gate, described as “the largest fire...in the capital in quite a number of years” destroyed a number of homes. About two weeks later, a huge fire in the Japanese section of Fusan (modern Busan) destroyed 60 to 70 buildings and could have been much worse if the weather had not been so calm. A broken kerosene lantern was to blame. The port city of Jemulpo was not immune to such dangers either. In May 1892, a fire broke out in a rice-hulling warehouse near the Japanese consulate just after midnight. The fire bell at the consulate was sounded and a Japanese fire brigade promptly responded. They were assisted by “two Japanese fireengines of rather primitive construction,” manned by Korean fire fighters and by the fire brigade from the Chinese warship, Chin Hai. The fire was brought under control after several hours and with the loss of only five buildings. Korean fires rarely claimed many lives — even in huge fires such as the one that occurred in the final days of the Joseon era. On March 5, 1907, a large part of Jemulpo was destroyed in a fire caused by a young Japanese woman named Tsuneno Takahashi. Tsuneno worked as a maid for her uncle but soon grew disenchanted with her work and wanted to go to China and seek other employment. Her uncle, however, would not allow it and kept her on a tight leash so that she could not approach her friends for assistance in obtaining money for tickets. Her chance for escape came in the early hours of March 5 while her uncle was in Seoul on business. She got up before dawn and set up her anka (a small brazier) to warm her room and then went out to visit a friend who lived nearby in the hopes of borrowing some money from her. According to Tsuneno, she was only gone about forty minutes when she suddenly smelled smoke and heard the sounds of bells. She quickly ran home only to discover that the entire building was on fire. She managed to rescue her aunt but could do nothing for her three young cousins who perished in the flames. Korean and Japanese fire crews rushed to the building but a sudden shift in the wind caused the fire to spread. Even though the crews were augmented by Japanese soldiers and Korean laborers it took almost six hours before the fire could be contained. The loss in material damage was severe — 400 homes, most of them in the Japanese section of Jemulpo. Fortunately, the three young girls were the only ones to lose their lives. Tsuneno knew that she was responsible and immediately ran away. She first went to the beach where she hoped to drown. But, because of the number of refugees fleeing the fire, she could find no desolate spot to commit her desperate act. She then went to Seoul and stayed in a hotel but, tormented with guilt, she made her way into the mountains surrounding the city and prayed for an errant shot by a hunter’s gun to end her life. She endured the elements of the mountains for three days without food and water before she finally walked back down to the city and surrendered herself to the authorities. Robert Neff is a contributing writer for The Korea Times.

South Korea named 8th best country in Business Environment

The business environment in South Korea is more favorable than those in the US, Germany, and Japan, showed a report.


Korea ranked eighth in terms of the Global Dynamism Index, according to a report published Wednesday by the US-based consulting firm Grant Thornton International, which surveyed business environments of 50 major countries worldwide. Singapore topped the list, followed by Finland, Sweden, Israel, Austria, Australia, Switzerland, Korea, Germany, and the US. Taiwan and China are placed at 13th and 20th, each, and Japan ranked 26th. The Global Dynamism Index is calculated by weighting 22 indexes in five categories including business operating environment, economics & growth, science & technology, labor & human capital and financing environment. Korea reaped high scores in science & technology (fourth) and labor & human capital (sixth).

In the labor & human capital category, Korea was highly appreciated for its low unemployment rate (3.4 percent) and the high school life expectancy. However, Korea failed to enter the top 10 in business operating environment, economics & growth, and financing environment.

Meanwhile, the US-based magazine Foreign Policy (FP) also positively evaluated performances of the Korean economy in its article titled ‘Who won the recession?’

“South Korea was the first wealthy country to emerge from recession in 2009, and household income has grown for the last 11 quarters,” said the FP, adding that “Korea still faces economic challenges - domestic consumption has been low, and Korean households are among the world`s most debt-laden.”

Source:  http://news.mk.co.kr/english/newsRead.php?sc=30800005&cm=General&year=2012&no=658285&selFlag=sc&relatedcode=&wonNo=&sID=308

Less is always more , when it comes to tea

Tea for those fed up with coffee this fall 

For those of who are sick of drinking coffee ― but can’t live without caffeine ― the answer is that less is always more.

In five years, drinking coffee has increasingly become part of people’s lifestyle. Walking along the streets in Seoul, they are not one surprised to see a coffee shop every 50 meters. 

It’s not easy to find shops selling decent quality tea in Seoul, but it’s getting popular among those of who want to take some moments to enjoy “tea time” either alone or with friends. 

A cup of tea wakes you up as well as coffee does and it also contains flavonoids, one of the antioxidants that “slows down” aging. If you have to have a daily dose of caffeine, it is much nicer to have a cup of a healthier drink. 

Ronnefeldt Tea House Boutique is a rare venue for the tea enthusiasts in the suburbs of Seoul. The place offers around 400 types of high quality tea from Ronnefeldt as well as fine dining using tea as an ingredient by Lee Chan-oh, the executive chef.

“There is no fixed menu in the restaurant. I come up with creative ideas when I shop for fresh ingredients at a local market every morning. Since I use tea in the food, the menu has to go well with the scent and taste of the tea,” Lee says.

Ronnefeldt Tea House is the largest tea house in Asia, located in Bundang nearby Cheonggye Mountain, where slightly aside from the bustling Seoul, visitors can fully enjoy sipping tea and natural scenery.

Black tea is probably the most familiar for beginners and experts. There are two different ways to make black tea ― the orthodox method and the CTC (cut, tear, curl) method. Black tea at Ronnefeldt is made by the orthodox method, a traditional way mostly done by hand that keeps tea leaves’ natural flavor.

Kim recommends several kinds of teas including black, herbal and fruit infusion teas for this season. They all look and taste differently.

“Autumn is near. Now is the time for drinking tea and enjoying its fragrance,” said Kyle Kim, the CEO and tea master of Ronnefeldt Tea House.

Shangrila

Ingredients: Black tea, pineapple, papaya, safflower, sunflower, cornflower 

As its name of Shangrila suggests, the fragrance of the tea is fresh and sweet from blended pineapple and papaya, though the taste is crisp and dry. 

“Shangrila is basically the same as Assam and English breakfast tea, but is added a little bit of fruit flavor. It is usually recommended to beginners who are slowly getting accustomed to strong black tea,” Kim said.

Fruits of Paradise

Ingredients: Honeybush, pineapple, mango, papaya, blackcurrant leaves, sunflowers 

Mango, pineapple and papaya are widely known as fruits from the “Garden of Eden” and the aroma of the tea is literally heaven-sent with the pieces of fruits adding to sweet flavor. 

“The base of Fruits of Paradise is wild honeybush, a kind of herb growing in South Africa. Honeybush is full of vitamins and minerals, so it is good for drinking at the day’s end for stress relief,” Kim said.


Fresh Breeze

Ingredients: Apple, rose hip, hibiscus, lemon grass, currants, blackcurrants, curled mint leaves 

The strong scent of mint and lemon grass hit the nose as soon as you open the lid of the tea container. Once brewed, the tea has a vivid red color, mainly because of the hibiscus. 

Mint and lemon grass will freshen up your mouth and your day. “Fresh Breeze makes your breath fresh. It’s perfect for those of who need some refreshment or need to stimulate their appetite,” Kim said.

* Ronnefeldt is one of the most popular and time-honored tea brands among tea lovers all around the world. The German company has provided high-quality teas since 1823.