SM Town

This is what lots of tourists~ whose interest in K-pop~are visiting when they are in Seoul. A trip to Seoul would be incomplete if they skip this spot.

SM TOWN ....Coex Mall.

I myself couldn't fancy myself being drawn into it. But...surely it's tempting enough to take a peek of what it offers from within.^^

KISEAS Seminar

 

A chance to have a picture with Prof. Shim, an expert in Hallyu and Media Studies. After meeting him first in 2010..well... in Jogjakarta, we occasionally met for academic endeavors in Seoul. This time around..thanks to him..we met again in Busan for this seminar. 

Not much to tell..but it was indeed a good day.

Then..of course I also met my long-time friend, now Dr. Park Kwan-woo, who just got his Ph.D from Sussex University in 2014. We met back then in Jogjakarta when he studied Indonesian language and culture in Universitas Gadjah Mada..hmm was it like 2004? gee..I did not remember but..one thing for sure...we met again in Busan for KISEAS seminar..which was a big deal.

We're now researching the same topic..about Indonesian migrant workers.--which is a great thing to start. 

The Global Impact of South Korean Popular Culture

Finally, the book in which one of my papers is included has finally published.

Yes...I just got it today.

Thanks to Dr. Valentina Marinescu from Romania, University of Bucharest--who also edited this volume. 

It's been a great and long project until this book is published.  

Nothing to express but 'thank you' for having finally made this happen to everyone involved.

My special gratitude goes for Dr. Valentina Marinescu. 

Simply love it.

An Art Gallery Tube in KBS

A tube? A Tunnel? A bridge? An art gallery? well...all of them. 

This is actually a tube-shaped connecting bridge that (of course) connects things. What to connect? Building A and Building B inside KBS Complex. I pass this through 'tube' when I go to KBS World.

So, what is so interesting about it? 

See the pictures posted on each side of the glass-pane tube?  

Any familiar photo? "BOYs BEFORe FLOWERs? Yes, it highlights the achievement made by KBS through its television programs. Most representative programs are posted on this so called 'wall of fame'.

BUT....that's not all. Apart from highlighting the achievements, this tube is also dedicated to the pictures that show the less-fortunate friends of ours who live in different parts of the world. Captured on the camera, these pictures are for anyone passing by this hall.......to see and take a moment to think about the situation. 

The left side: the dramas and programs made by KBS and on the right side: the pictures that would encourage us to take a closer notice and look into our world. 

The tube is long enough for any representative dramas produced by KBS to be re-introduced. Even the 1980s hey-day were also portrayed here. Surely...none that I know of. But, that's the purpose of this art-gallery turned tube-bridge. Impressive, eh? 

Once again: the section that would remind anyone of what KBS has achieved.... 

And...one section: for us to take a closer look at the colorful life in other parts of the world. 

I think (if I am not mistaken), one of the reasons as to why these pictures are posted here is the fact that some renowned Korean actress did their voluntary work in this part of the world as part of the awareness program. 

Then..why the hall is empty? Well..actually I made it so. I had to wait until no one was visible^^

Of course...lots of people kept on passing by this tube. 

It just so happened that I took the picture patiently right until no one was visible.^^

* I think I love this tube for it really captures the spirit of how a space is well utilized into something meaningful.

And..the sun rays that penetrates the glass overhead...it's just perfect.

Mr. Obama just visited HUFS

Ok...the fuzz was coming and buzzing around my campus since last week. I thought it was just a hoax as to why Mr. President Obama has chosen our campus to visit instead of SNU or any other big campuses around Korea. I heard that since HUFS is a small campus in size, the security measures are easy to navigate. Ok. that is maybe true. But, I am sure that there must be more reasons than just that! So, I am sure that the decision must've been due also to the fact that HUFS symbolizes the strength of Korea in its vigorous effort to nurture and reach the world by learning other cultures. And...in the very essence of that, HUFS stands out as the first and representative campus and academic institution where lots of languages and its related matters are being taught right here. So, I guess...Mr. Obama's visit to HUFS does indeed show the fact how important this campus is. It has become a kind of pride in itself for HUFS. Why Not.^^
Ok, this morning, I was walking about the campus..and sure...I could not come into the Minerva complex where the special lecture by Mr. Obama was held. The security was tight. Even, our campus has been declared "Holiday" thanks to Mr Obama's visit. ^^
Good.  (in both senses)
Anyhow...since I could not listen to his speech live....I got my TV on and....^^ watched him speak live through TV.




^^ It was so ironically funny..since I live just 200 meters away from the Minerva complex...but....could not see and feel directly.^^
But, that did not dampen my spirit of trying to have and listen to what he was talking about.







Ok, here are what I grasped:
1. Kakao Talk.^^ (I wonder if Mr. President ever uses this cool stuff. Suppose he has one, that'll be cool, eh?^^)
2. Hallyu^^ (a sincere recognition from Mr. President)
3. HUFS^^ (a special recognition in itself...simply by his visit to the campus)
4. Young Generation of Korea being the country's future
5. Korea's economic progress in the aftermath of the war (a recognition)
6. His hope of inter-Korea relation (referring to that of both present day Germany)
7. and of course.....nuclear power for peace.
8. ok...I also got some notes on Osama, Iran North Korea: for sure!
9. US-South Korea ties to be strengthened.
 10. " Come to Korea and see how the country progresses..."




(another shot of what I took from TV this morning: simply out of my curiosity and as a token of remembrance as well as a historical proof of his visit for years to come)^^

Ok, Monday, March 26, 2012 has been marked as one of the important history of our university, HUFS.
Come to HUFS, and Meet the World.
I guess..it pretty much sums up the idea in itself. It does.

HUFS's Got Talent 2011

November 25, 2011 was the day that some of our friends had been waiting for. They were those who were participating in the campus-style Got Talent show.
I got to tape some of the shows since I thought it was fun.


Since three of our classmates participated in the competition, I did not want to miss the chance of seeing them perform.












Apart from enjoying the hilarious performances from 11 contestants and 3 guest performers, I did also enjoy the Minerva complex auditorium--which is located underground of the main building. It was huge.

I never expected it to be that huge considering the vast amount of space being used.
The sophisticated-looking auditorium and its peripheral functions just looked so cool.
OK, back to the competition.
Singing Korean songs, English songs, K-Pop cover dance, taekwondo, free style dance, cheer leading were mashed up in the contest.


The hilarious French Girl with its medley of K-Pop ..plus Beyonce's "Put A Ring On It" topped the first prize...


...while my classmate--Yeryeong from Taiwan--secured her second place with her 'Baby, Baby Good Bye' from Miss A's song.

Well, it was a truly worth-watching event.
But, unfortunately I could not see it until the program over since I got to attend the 8p.m. class. ^^
Anyhow, it has been a refreshing and nice night.