The Korea Herald

Itaewon center hosts forum for Islamic, African expats

Jul 22, 2015

As part of ongoing efforts to help expats integrate into Korean society, the Itaewon Global Village Center held its first town meeting specifically for Islamic and African residents on Friday. There are now 270,000 foreign residents in Seoul, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Muslim and African residents make up a small minority of the total, but are two communities that have thrived in the Yongsan district. The Itaewon Global Village Center is one of several operated by the Seoul
Gaelic football enters Korean schools

Jul 22, 2015

A group of Korean children play an exhibition game of Gaelic football during halftime at the Connaught final at MacHale Park in Ireland as part of a program organized by Seoul Gaels to promote the sport. (Seoul Gaels)Ask Korean students what sports they play and you will usually hear the stock responses: soccer, basketball or baseball. However, 15-year-old Lee Si-hun plays an unusual sport ― Gaelic football. The sport, originating from Ireland, can be described as an interesting cross between ru
Busan gearing up for multicultural festival

Jul 22, 2015

Busan is looking for participants to perform or run booths at its annual Global Gathering festival in October.The multicultural festival includes a parade and cultural performances and stalls run by embassies and foreign community groups.“Alongside the multicultural products and foods from embassies and foreign communities, this year we have specially prepared a global promotional and market corner, and a town meeting with Busan’s foreign residents,” a festival organizer said.The town meeting wi
Charity book drive to support students in Laos

Jul 21, 2015

Samdong International, a nonprofit organization working on sustainable projects in Southeast Asia, is organizing multiple events to help support the Xiengkhoung Samdong Friendship School in Saylmon Village, Laos. The school, built in 2011, has supported the education of hundreds of Laotian students from low-income backgrounds. Currently, the school has a library but no books. Three different events will be held to help collect books and raise money for the school.A book drive will be held until
Expat soccer school looks abroad

Jul 15, 2015

The temperature hitting 37 degrees this Saturday could not deter the teenagers of Sillim from turning out for a game of soccer as part of International Football Education’s community outreach program. Set up seven years ago, the expat-run soccer school runs a regular program for over 400 players, mainly from international schools, coaching them in club-level soccer, after-school programs and tournaments.In recent years, the nonprofit aspect of the group’s operations has motivated founder Phil Ni
Free health consultations for foreign workers in Busan

Jul 15, 2015

The Busan Workers Health Center will provide free consultations for foreign workers on Sunday.The consultation includes basic tests on cholesterol and blood pressure, administering drugs, and advice on stress and workplace illnesses.Further consultations are also planned for Oct. 18.The consultations will run from 1-4 p.m. at Busan Workers Health Center near Gamjeong Station on Line 2. For more information (in Korean) visit www.bswhc.or.kr.(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)
Korea Foundation to host lecture on Australian pop culture

Jul 15, 2015

The Korea Foundation has begun its Global Culture Tour program this month with a series of events focusing on the relationship between Korea and Australia.On July 28 it will host a lecture by Damien Spry, who is an assistant professor at Hanyang University, an honorary associate at the University of Sydney, Australia, and host of the tbs eFM segment “The World.”Spry will give a lecture on modern Australia, focusing on Australian identity and culture through examples of cinema and popular music.
Seoul to hold meeting with African, Muslim residents

Jul 15, 2015

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will host a meeting with Muslim expats and African residents in the city at the Itaewon Global Village Center on Friday. Over 387,000 foreign nationals were living in Seoul as of March, making up more than 3.8 percent of the city’s population. Seoul City has hosted town hall meetings with the mayor each year designed to let expats air their grievances and make suggestions on improving life in the city. This will be a smaller scale meeting dedicated to Muslim and
Bedazzled bras sought for charity auction

Jul 15, 2015

Bras for a Cause Seoul is seeking donations of decorated bras ahead of its fifth annual event this year. The brassieres will be auctioned off to raise money for breast cancer treatment.The Seoul branch of the international charity was founded by Abigail Flores, who manages the event with the help of friends and volunteers.Flores has long been involved in charity work for women.“I used to run a women‘s group that is part of the Hash House Harriers (social running club). I’d (raise funds) for wome
Comics invited to vie for spot in international comedy competition

Jul 15, 2015

The Korea International Comedy Competition is seeking applications from comedians who think they have what it takes to compete in their second annual show this August. Last year’s competition was held in Seoul and featured 10 comics, with half of them visiting from overseas, being based in China, Japan and the United States.“I wanted to have an event that put Korea on the Asia comedy scene map,” says Cheonan-based expat Dan Wiberg, who founded the competition. “I also felt that something like a
Gwangju center tour to visit Goheung

Jul 8, 2015

The Gwangju International Center will host a tour on July 25 to explore Goheung County, South Jeolla Province, known for its beaches and seafood. The tour, to run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., will visit several spots in the Dadohae Marine National Park, a collection of small, scattered islands that together make up the largest national park in Korea. Among the stops on the tour is Neunggasa Temple, which was founded in the fifth century and houses five listed cultural properties, including a set of 17
Talk to explore evolution of Korean Wave

Jul 8, 2015

Professor Jin Dal-yong from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology will host a discussion on social media’s role in the Korean Wave. The talk will focus on what has led hallyu to its current position, focusing on the role of social media and how the Korean Wave is received in North America. He draws a distinction between the first wave of Korean pop culture and the “new” Korean Wave since 2007, which he says is social media-driven, contains more foreign influences and is pushed b
Hypnotist promises mix of fascination, fun

Jul 8, 2015

An expat stage hypnotist will demonstrate the mysteries of the mind in Seoul this month, while having some fun along the way.Gabriel Dye will be taking to the stage, hoping some brave souls in the audience will join him in what he says will be a mix of intrigue and entertainment.“Someone who just wants to be entertained will enjoy the hell out of it and someone who wants something to think about for the next couple of weeks will definitely find that,” he said. Gabriel DyePart of the show will
Submissions sought for hope-themed exhibition

Jul 8, 2015

Korea Women Visual Designer is calling for submissions of works of art on the theme of “hope” for their upcoming show, the 2015 International Invitation Exhibition at Seoul City Hall. The works are intended to spread messages of hope to underprivileged people. Participation is not restricted to female artists and artists do not need to submit the original work, only a digital image, which will then be printed on a T-shirt. The T-shirts making up the exhibition will be donated to disadvantaged pe
Gwangju troupe to perform musical ‘The Last Five Years’

Jul 8, 2015

Caitlin O’Neill and Adam Volle will appear in Gwangju Performance Project’s “The Last Five Years.” (Relja Kojic)The Gwangju Performance Project is set to open its run of the popular musical “The Last Five Years” on July 17. The musical, written by U.S. composer and playwright Jason Robert Brown, debuted in Chicago in 2001 and has since been performed by theater companies worldwide.GPP president Heather Aitken, who will also direct the show, selected “The Last Five Years” to try something new, as