Finale of 10-part TV series on S. Korea to be shot in Cheongju

The finale of a 10-part TV series on South Korea's cultural, political and economic aspects will be shot at a state-run museum in the southern city of Cheonju, with a focus on Koreans' lives, their achievements and future vision, the organizer of a pan Northeast Asian cultural event said Thursday.

The program, titled "Lee O-young's 100-year Sanctum," has been aired by national broadcaster KBS since late August. So far, six parts have been televised.

KBS is producing the special program to mark the 70th anniversary of Korea's independence from Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule and chart out the country's challenges and future vision for the upcoming 30 years.

The TV series features the country's fast economic growth and hardships of ordinary people since  democratization. It also provides Lee's insights into the county's postwar politics, social trends and culture.

Lee, one of South Korea's most revered critics and novelists, has picked Cheongju as the last venue for the TV program as this provincial city is set to hold a chopstick-themed global festival in November as part of a project to enhance cultural exchanges within the Northeast Asian region.

Hailed as one of the most prominent figures among Korean critics, Lee now serves as an honorary chief of the event's organization team.

Cheongju is the country's host city for the trilateral "culture city" project to enhance cultural exchanges among China, Japan and South Korea.

From Nov. 4 to Dec. 17, the Cheongju National Museum will hold an exhibition on the history of how chopsticks have evolved in the three nations, showcasing some 1,000 rare artifacts and related documents.

Every year, under a joint cultural project, South Korea, China and Japan each designate a city to represent the respective nations and hold a slew of programs for both domestic and overseas visitors. (Yonhap)