Two French Seoulites reveal Korea’s ‘real,’ less polished culture in new illustrated guidebook

The last time Lee Soo-jin carried her own coloring book inside her bag was more than 25 years ago, but it’s a hobby she’s recently picked up again. Lee is not alone ― coloring books are no longer just for kids. “When I was young, I would use my crayons and color until it was broken,” she said. “My favorite was the book of Disney princesses.” Now, the 33-year-old office worker doesn’t use pink and red to color Cinderella’s dress, nor does she ask her mom to buy her a new book. Instead, she takes

A former veteran aid worker has published a compilation of the greatest speeches in history that have inspired him during his overseas missions for 23 years, including a stint in the earthquake-hit Haiti.Titled “History Development and Human Prosperity,” the book compiles 39 speeches of world leaders in religion and politics. They range from ancient figures such as Socrates, Jesus Christ, the founder of the early Korean kingdom Dangun to leaders of the modern time, including U.S. Presidents Fran

Book parades compelling up-to-date picture of N.K.

Growth is conspicuously absent in Korea’s book industry, as evidenced by the number of bookstores closing down in Seoul.Yet, a new type of publishing is on the rise, attracting readers, writers and sellers with rarely-written about topics, creative new designs and a niche approach. Independent publishing, which covers both self-publishing and small, independent press, is a rare bright spot in the country’s moribund book industry, said Kim Kwang-chul, the owner of Propaganda Press, an independent

A children’s book that encompasses the theme of environmental awareness and sustainability was published Wednesday in English and Korean. “Our Beautiful Earth” was published by the Korea office of World Wide Fund for Nature, an international conservation organization. The picture book centers on the critical threats the Earth will face if people keep their consumption-oriented habits and do little to protect the nature.  “Scientists continue to say that we are at a critical point, where if we do

The “Koryosa choryo” (Essentials of Koryo History) is arguably one of the most substantial historical records of the Goryeo Kingdom (918-1392).Written in 1452, few decades after the fall of the kingdom, the 35-volume book is an abridged version of the 135-volume annals “Koryosa” (History of Koryo).  Photocap: “Koryosa choryo II” translated by Edward J. Shultz and Hugh H.W. Kang (Jimoondang)In an effort to provide in-depth understanding of Korea’s history internationally, the English version “Kor

A book that chronicles former Korean president Park Chung-hee (1917-1979) and first lady Yuk Young-soo (1925-1974) has been published in Vietnamese.“Human Park Chung-hee, Human Yuk Young-soo,” written by Kim Doo-young, a Cheong Wa Dae secretary during Park’s tenure, was originally published in Korean last year. Park ― the third president of Korea from 1962 until his assassination in 1979 ― is the father of the current president Park Geun-hye. Cho Jae-hyun, the vice president of the Korea-Vietnam

It’s tempting to describe Kelly Link as a fantasist or a magical realist of a particularly homegrown sort. Her stories take place within recognizable landscapes ― suburban bedrooms, reality TV locations, a wedding weekend ― that open into something else. Slipstream author Bruce Sterling has called this style of writing: genre work that blurs the lines of genre, merging elements of science fiction, realism, fantasy. Yet all that seems too restrictive, too didactic, for what Link appears to have i

Anchorwoman Baik Ji-yeon calls new novel ‘Handstand’ a healing process

NEW YORK (AP) ― Kwame Alexander’s “The Crossover,” a novel in verse about basketball and coming of age, has won the John Newbery Medal for the year’s best children’s book. Author-illustrator Dan Santat’s “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend,” a fantasy featuring an island for pretend playmates, received the Randolph Caldecott Medal for best picture book. Kwame Alexander’s “The Crossover.” (HMH Books for Young Readers) Dan Santat’s “The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend.”

Disguised as a teacher, Suki Kim ‘embedded’ herself in the society she was writing about

The Ten Habits of Designing My Life, 10CBy Choi Jung-wha (HUINE)People often ask me how to be successful, says Choi Jung-wha, the president of Corea Image Communication Institute. But she admits that she doesn’t really like the term “success.”“Success is a result, not the end-goal itself,” says Choi in her new book, “The Ten Habits of Designing My Life, 10C.” She believes that many so-called successful people live by principles and habits in their lives. As the title suggests, the book is Choi’s