Cattle and farming equipment are paraded on downtown Seoul streets on Oct. 28, 2015, ahead of Farmers’ Day on Nov. 11. The parade is also a ritual to wish for the advancement of the agricultural industry. (Yonhap)
Noted Korea historian and a ROK Drop favorite, Robert Neff has an article published in the Korea Times that discusses Seoul’s haunted past:
Korean woman circa 1900-1910 / Courtesy of Robert Neff collection
According to many, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Seoul was haunted. Homes deserted after murders and lynchings had occurred during times of unrest were natural sites for haunting but not all ghosts were content with remaining at one site ― some roamed about the streets.
At a well near Cheonggye Stream and the Jeongdong area, women were afraid to go there by themselves ― especially at night ― for fear of being accosted by the spirit of a decapitated man who had been executed for some unknown transgression. Apparently the ghost wandered about seeking a drink to quench his everlasting thirst but was unable to do so because he had no head.
The area surrounding the Independence Arch was avoided at night because it was said to be plagued by restless spirits and tokgabi (goblins). Tokgabi were generally mischievous but could be extremely dangerous if angered. They assumed many shapes and often began as simple mundane items that had been corrupted when blood ― especially women’s ― was splattered upon them. Thus, it is no wonder they were often found near execution grounds, battle-fields and sites where murders or accidents had occurred. The tokgabi often roamed in legions and could cause whole neighborhoods or villages to become deserted. [Korea Times]
I guess a slogan making sense in English was not high on the priority list for Seoul’s new slogan to market the city with:
“I.Seoul.You” has been selected as the capital city’s new slogan.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday that “I.Seoul.You” beat the two other candidates ― “Seoulmate” and “SEOULing” ― to replace its current slogan “Hi Seoul.”
“Seoulmate” won slightly more votes than “I.Seoul.You” in an online poll. However, in an on-the-spot poll held in the evening at Seoul Plaza, all nine experts and 682 out of a total 1,140 citizens voted for “I.Seoul.You,” which beat “Seoulmate” with only 232 votes.
Lee Ha-rin, a Korean student who studies philosophy in college, is the winner of the slogan contest, in which more than 16,000 people participated.
Prof. Kim Yoo-kyung of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, marketing company Playground CEO Kim Hong-tak and Prof. Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University were among the experts.
“It was very meaningful that Seoul citizens participated in the whole process from making to selecting the new slogan,” Seo said.
Kim Min-ki, who was in charge of the project, said that the new slogan will be used to rebrand the city globally. [Korea Times]
You can read the rest at the link, but many critics have already weighed in on how non-sensical this slogan is. Maybe the Seoul government thinks English gibberish will market well in China to get tourists from there?
For an English slogan for a city this has to be the worst I have heard. Can anyone think of any city with a worse slogan?
A boy wearing a taekwondo uniform poses for a photo in front of a 13-meter figure of “Robot Taekwon V,” a robot from a popular animation of the same title, during a ceremony in Seoul on Oct. 14, 2015, for the opening of the robot animation-themed museum. “Robot Taekwon V,” the nation’s first science fiction-themed animation released in 1976, was very popular among teens and children. (Yonhap)
This photo, provided by Dewey McLean, a U.S. veteran of the 1950-53 Korean War and currently geology professor emeritus at Virginia Tech and taken during the war, shows part of the well-preserved Fortress Wall, seen near Yongsan Middle School, on Mount Nam in Seoul. McLean served as a corporal for a transport unit of the U.S. 8th Army when he was stationed here from 1952-53. The 18.6-kilometer wall, which follows the ridges of four inner mountains surrounding the center of Seoul, was well-kept and underwent regular repairs throughout the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty. South Korea plans to apply for the ancient defensive wall to be given World Heritage Status in 2016. (Yonhap)
Who knew siphoning off school lunch food could be so lucrative?:
A private high school in Seoul allegedly served terrible meals to students, and 18 people, including the principal, are accused of embezzling about 400 million won ($343,000) from the lunch budget.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education revealed on Sunday the result of three inspections of Choongam High School’s school meal system from May to August this year.
“We’ve found problems in the school meal system and evidence of embezzlement that adds up to at least 410 million won,” the education office said. “We’ve reported 18 people, including the principal, administrative officer and school meal subcontractors, to the prosecution and requested some of them be sacked.”
The school has been criticized for terrible food, and its vice principal openly scolded students who did not pay for meals.
A teacher said in a radio interview that the school did not replace cooking oil until it turned black and fried dishes sometimes had black powder on them.
The school is suspected to have tried to cover up the facts when the education office was about to start its inspection in May.
According to an education office inspection report acquired by the JoongAng Ilbo, a subcontractor who delivered food to the school was told to “only talk about the business and tell nothing about other affairs when the education office calls” by a former executive of the school meal subcontractor.
“Employees of subcontractors did not properly answer questions,” an official of the inspector’s office said, “and they appeared to be hiding something.” [Joong Ang Ilbo]
I can understand Changdeok Palace and touring the DMZ making this Top 500 list, but Seoul Tower? I was completely underwhelmed when visiting Seoul Tower, especially considering the cost:
Korea’s Changdeok Palace, the demilitarized zone and the N Seoul Tower have made it among the world’s top 500 places chosen by Lonely Planet, the world’s largest travel guide.
Lonely Planet rated the sights based on evaluations by its own guidebook writers and reader preferences. They were included in the Ultimate Travelist 2015, which can be ordered online. [Chosun Ilbo]
You can read the rest at the link, but did anyone enjoy their visit to Seoul Tower?
The subway doors were once considered a good idea to reduce the deaths of people falling in front of oncoming trains, but now have become a safety liability after a subway workers was killed by the doors last month:
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to replace platform doors at subways with retractable doors.
The city government said Monday that it will replace doors at three subway stations by the end of the year.
The doors have been criticized for making evacuations during emergencies difficult as some are installed between billboards that cannot be moved.
All platform doors at stations on Line 9 can be opened, but 25 percent of the doors on Lines 1 through 8 are stationary.
Seoul plans to replace all platform doors down the road, but is in consultations with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport about receiving government grants as the replacement is expected to cost over 50 billion won. [KBS World Radio]
Any ROK Heads in Seoul interested in serving on this council that the Seoul government is trying to establish?:
Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday it would begin accepting applications from foreign residents of the capital to create a representative body for consultations. The body will be made up of 45 people and will advise the local government on policies to meet the needs of foreign residents and interracial families.
“Migrant workers, foreign students, foreign spouses, adoptees or refugees can apply for the positions,” a city official said.
The representatives will serve a three-year term and collect foreign residents’ opinions on issues such as human rights, cultural diversity and the living environment.
Those wanting to become the members should be over 18 years old, have stayed in Korea for more than a year and in Seoul for more than 90 days, and be recommended by at least 10 other foreign residents. [Korea Times]
