Odusan Unification Observatory

and.... I was also at ODUSAN unification Observatory. 

The picture above was the Unification Wishing Room where visitors can write their wishes  for unification between the North and South Korea. And these notes will be stored in a time capsule until the day of Korean Unification. See the peninsula-shaped green paper hung on the wall behind me? Those were the wishing papers written by people during their homage to this shrine.

One interestingly eye-catching display during the tour to Odusan is the panorama or diorama in big sizes that captures the still images , not the real life-like imagery and portrayals of what life would be like in the North. Well, though I am sure that life must've been much better than this one up there in the North, I am sure that this somehow pretty much displays what it must've been like. 

The first time I saw this, it resembles to some extent the same condition of what Indonesians people have in their present living room or houses, especially those who are avid followers of the government. It's pretty interesting to note the similarities: especially on the fact that the portraits of the current president and its vice president are respected by hanging them on the walls. Pretty similar with that of Indonesia's situation.

Then, off we went to Imjingak Observatory. I took pictures with some of my friends from The Korea Brand Communicator.

Another thing that impressed me most is the mere simple sight of parking lot being overcrowded with cars and buses. That means one thing: tourists and locals do come to this place. I never thought that such a historical place like this one does indeed perpetuate its charms and attracts lots of people. I love the fact that lots of Korean people be it young and old, and foreigners do visit the place. I guess..it pretty much has something to do with the intrinsically inherent war-truce that Korea is still under, and yet Korea managed to be one of the developed countries in the world. Being one of the developed countries, Korea managed to make the best use of its status to foster its tourism industry. How cool is that?

And..oh...if you happened to notice...there is even an amusement land just right at the entrance to the site. I think this is one of the myriad ways to attract people. 

I was about to cross over the 'Bridge of Freedom' What is it? Just read my other entry on this one. 

Let the Iron Horse Run Again. 

This is the Steam locomotive at Jangdan station of the Gyeongui line. Being registered as the cultural heritage No 78 in Korea, this historical reminiscence from the Korean War is one of the attractions at Imjingak Observatory.

*Thanks to Presidential Council fon Nation Branding inf Korea for inviting me to this valuable cooperation.

Korea -Japan Cultural Show

어젯밤에 국립극장에서 봤던 한일문화교류 연작시리즈 첫 번째가 정말 흥미진진했다. 아주 멋있었다. 한국 전통무용은 물론 있었죠.^^ 한국 발레와 일본 발레까지 직접 볼 수 있어서 정말 기뻤다. 더 이상....더욱 재미있는 건 없는 줄 알았는데 내가 틀렸었다. 한국 전통군무 주로....복의 대합주 (?)란 공연이 참 눈의 보양이었다.  그런 표현이 있는데 귀(?)의 보양 같은 표현이 있을 까? ^^ 크고 작은 북들은 한자리에 모아, 각각의 북들의 소리의 높낮이 및 크기의 차이를 느낄 수 있어서 와......신났다. ^^

제1부 공연이 흥미로운 여행처럼 그렸다. 제2부 공연은 제1부의 아름다움을 뛰어넘을 수 있을까라고 기대했는데....it just DID. 한국을 대표하는 피아니스트 이루마 씨는 'WOW'한 + 끝없는 뮤직을 보여주었다. Then...I was also flabbergasted by the 조화로운 뮤지컬 퓨전 (fusion) between 사물놀이 (주로 장고+꽹과리)와  일본에서 온 샹샹타이푼 밴드.

During the intermission break!

a cup of tea, everyone?

the theater, I think it was during an intermission that I took the picture. well, I could not take any pictures during the show...

the last performance, no...I guess it was the closing curtain call for all the performers to bid adieu to the audience.

Japanese and Korean performers were all awesome in delivering their top-notch shows and skills

What I remembered most would be how enthralling the show was. Each performer did his / her best to  upbeat the expectations...

Korean traditional percussion imaginable..were all cloaked and soaked into one harmonious blend with modern musical instruments.

The happy and excited performers during the last curtain call...

Korean and Japanese Ballet companies showed off their best to outlandish the most extravagant show I've ever seen to date.

The performers and the committee as well as other dignitaries were all on stage to perform a kind of ganggang sullae-esque dance to celebrate the end of the show.

Hand-in-hand together to show how big the gratitude they wanted to share.

Look at the brightly colored costumes: they were indeed a feast to the eyes.

Though a bit obscure--sorry for the quality of the pic.--, it all summed up the great endeavors that both performers from both countries had done to succeed the collaborative performance. 

At the end of the performance, we were chatting and sharing comments of what we'd seen

In front of the National Theater before going back home...

간단히 말하면 표현할 수 없는 공연이었다. Thanks to 국가브랜드위원회. 

Nation Branding & E-Government Symposium

A view I took from the 19th floor of Korea Press Center on May 3, 2012. I was attending the International Symposium on Nation Branding & E-Government hosted by the Presidential Council on Nation Branding & the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, Korea. 

Indeed, what a bright afternoon it was. I still vividly remembered that particular day.

The skyline of Seoul pretty much summed up what the future of this country holds. At least this is pretty much of what I learned that day.

This was the last session of the symposium where a topic on E-Government Session was being delivered. With speakers like Prof. Karen Mossberger from University of Illinois, Prof. Dukjin Chang from Seoul National University, and Prof. M. Jae Moon from Yonsei University. 

Once again, I took a chance of shooting the atmosphere below from above the 19th floor. Gwanghwamun area as one of the main thoroughfares of Seoul metropolitan was visible. I felt like the venue could not have been any better than this for such a symposium like this. Why so? Korea has been in its journeys through discoveries and endeavors to have its ever-gleaming brand in the 21st century intact. So, this symposium was indeed one of the myriad steps this country has been-- currently-- taking to pursue that goal. 

Another shot of Gwanghwamun area.

Injeungshot 인증셧  or the picture I got to take to prove myself as being one of the attendees to the meeting. With friends from Korea and India, I took the time to do so. This is one of the many advantages I may get through my official membership of the Korea Brand Communicator. ^^

** I learned a lot about Nation Branding & E-Government issues that day. 

World Students in Korea, the 6th Batch: First meeting

I could not be happier than this.
As to why?
Well....it is simple, really.
The things I do love doing through the internet, e.g. blogging...or jotting down my thoughts and ideas on the net....has put me into ...or has made me to be one of the appointee of the World Students in Korea program--a program initiated by Korea's Presidential Council on Nation Branding (국가브랜드위원회). Well..for sure..it is a happy thought in itself.

The headquarter of
 the Presidential Council on Nation Branding

How come?
I think I must've been one of the luckiest ones among lots of students who wanted to be in the program (I suppose).
So, upon reading an announcement posted on my campus last year, I deliberately sent my application to the Presidential Council on Nation Branding.
Of course, one of the important requirements that I needed to show was....the mere fact that anyone willing to be the appointee....should have a blog of his/her own. And I DO have one.^^
That was like...a too good to be true--kind of joys.
Now.....I am officially appointed to be the members of this World Students in Korea as of February 29, 2012. What a nice day to appoint someone..since it was a LEAP year, after all. Cool, eh?

Welcoming Address by 이배용 위원장

That day, all of the fellow members of the 6th batch of this World Student was invited to have the first meeting or called "2012 브랜드 커뮤니케이터 신년하례식'  or literally translated, it would be the 2012s Brand Communicator Congratulatory Ceremony".
I was happy since I met lots of new friends who were also the new members of this 6th batch.
What's more could I want...than having to be in the circles of people with the same interests in blogging and at the same ....learning something or lots of new things in and out of Korea..or Korea-related stuffs.
More than that, the first day gave me an impression that the Presidential Council on Nation Brandind does its best to serve its purpose of bringing Korea to the world and the world to Korea vice versa.
The welcoming speech and the first lecture by 이배용 위원장 also highlighted the spirits of the Council. She knows and masters her niche so well that I learn a lot from her that day.

yugwa, bram tteok, gyeongdan, yakgwa,
& citron tea (not in the pic.)

Then....the simplest refreshment offered to us....was also too nice to refrain myself from not eating them. The Korean traditional refreshments did entice me.
Then...Pansori show, the daegum, the gayageum, and the samulnori show also....stole the attention of the new members.
I myself became so drawn into the sheer pleasure of listening to Pansori...LIVE....^^ I did not know that Pansori could be so interesting like that. I always thought of it as something so long and drawn out...But I was wrong.

Full-fledged show or "tasting show"
on various Korean traditional musical ensemble

So, the first meeting of our 6th Batch...was splendidly carried out...that it gave me an impression...wow...what a thrilling ride of the year ahead of me....by joining and being the official member of the World Students in Korea^^
Can't wait for another more exciting programs from this.