UNSRC Korean Cultural Society

JoongAng Daily

	The Gwangjin Bridge boasts a sizeable sidewalk and bicycle lane.

The Han River is home to several grand bridges connecting the northern and southern sides of the city. In the midst of these large structures, one small bridge seems to stand out.

Gwangjingyo is one of the most attractive bridges along the river and seems to beckon passersby to traverse its broad pathway during sunny afternoons such as the ones we are having these days.

Construction of the bridge started in 1934 during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945) and was completed in 1936.

The bridge was rebuilt in 1997 due to the rapid increase in traffic and various natural disasters and reopened with four car lanes in 2003. Last year, the government made it more people-oriented by reducing the number of car lanes to two and widening the sidewalk for pedestrians.

	The benches under the metasequoia trees at the Hyundai apartment complex in Gwangjang-dong provide a comfortable resting place. [JoongAng Ilbo]

To fully enjoy this part of town, start at Cheonho Park and walk along the Gwangjin Bridge. The walk leading from the park through the Cheonho tool market is obstructed by construction of bicycle-only sidewalks, which has left less space for the cars squeezed onto the already crowded market streets. The best way to get to the bridge is to walk from the park, passing the Cheonho 2-dong Community Center. Then, go through the gap between Kia Motors and a cell phone store and take a right at Geoseong Supermarket, where you will see a quiet and empty street. Walk about 300 meters (984 feet) and turn right to go 200 meters more, and the southern end of the bridge will start coming into sight.

The bridge’s pedestrian walkway is wider than most would expect. Since the speed limit is set to 40 kilometers per hour (25 miles per hour), there is no need to fear speeding cars rushing by as you enjoy every part of the Gwangjin Bridge experience.

On the eastern part of the bridge, there is a bicycle-only track. Bicycles can be rented at Gwangnaru Bike Park, which can be reached by walking about 300 meters from the northern end of the bridge. The rental cost is 3,000 won ($3.00) per bicycle per hour. Two-person bicycles are also available to rent for 6,000 won per hour.

Also along the eastern part of the bridge, there is an observation deck as well as a resting spot called River View 8th Avenue. This observatory is the only one in Korea to be built underneath the bridge and is famous as one of the locations featured in the hit KBS drama “Iris.” Also underneath the bridge, there is an exhibition and performance hall made out of glass. People can enjoy the artwork of Korean artists in the exhibition hall while feeling the thrill of seeing the river underneath their feet through the glass.

On the northeast end of the bridge, there is a bicycle-themed cafe called Velomano. The cafe has a special parking spot for bicycles and offers a 500-won discount to riders wearing their bicycle helmets.

Going away from the Gwangjin Bridge, there is a tree-lined street with lush ginkgo trees near the Gwangjang-dong Hyundai Apartment complex that is well worth visiting after your bike ride.

The third and eighth buildings of the apartment complex have long lanes with rows of ginkgo trees, where a ginkgo picking festival is held every fall. Although the area itself is narrow, the secluded and tranquil atmosphere provides a good place for an afternoon walk. The area around building No. 8 is particularly striking. The 300-meter lane is bordered by a line of metasequoias that are over 20 meters tall.

There are two ways to get to the apartment complex from the northern end of the bridge.

For a direct route, turn left at the Gwangjin District Citizens’ Sports Center, past Gwangnaru Station, and head toward the Olympic Road.

The second and more recommended path is to travel along the riverside road. You will find the road near the northern end of the bridge. Walk up the path that leads to Olympic Road and you will encounter another road that goes to Gwangnam Middle and High School. Follow the road into the school and you will soon come upon the tree-lined streets of the apartment complex.

The concrete and glass of the apartment buildings seem a little out of place amidst the grandeur of the trees. But if you take a moment to sit on one of the benches under the trees, with the sun dappling the ground through the leaves, you aren’t likely to notice.

By Lee Jeong-bong [estyle@joongang.co.kr]

News Clippings

KOREA TIMES
06-02-2010 19:03

Myeongdong Theater in downtown Seoul reopened last year after a three-year renovation. / Courtesy of Myeongdong Theater

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff reporter

The country’s top classical musicians and dancers will relive the glory of the days past by getting back to their roots in Myeongdong Theater.

The theater in downtown Seoul was the hotspot for the local arts and culture scene until the mid-1970s, having been Korea’s National Theater. It was built in 1934 during Japanese colonial rule (1910-45) and had featured shows by such renowned artists as veteran actress Choi Eun-hee and singer Yoon Bok-hee.

It was renovated into a modern art space last year ― though still retaining much of its classic exterior ― and fetes the first anniversary of its reopening on Saturday.

For the big birthday the theater has invited the country’s top artists, beginning with esteemed pianist Shin Soo-jung Thursday evening.

Shin was just a 14-year-old girl when she made her concert debut at the theater, which was called Sigonggwan at the time, on March 28 in 1956. She performed Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 with what is now the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. Shin has since become an iconic figure here as a performer and educator.

Thursday at 7:30 p.m. the 58-year-old artist will revive the experience by performing alongside budding young artists of the day, including the 14-year-old clarinet prodigy Kim Han and pianist Cho Sung-jin, 16, a winner of the Chopin competition in Moscow. The program includes chamber works by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms and Chopin.

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, the Korea National Ballet Company will return to the venue where ballet was introduced to Koreans for the first time ever. The company will present narrated highlights of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and “Prince Ho-dong,” which is based on the romantic Korean folk tale, for fans.

In 1962, the Korea National Opera premiered “Prince Ho-dong” as a newly launched troupe here and will return with another original domestic work.

“Arang,” which was selected from an opera scriptwriting contest hosted by the opera ensemble, tells the tragic story of the spirit of a young girl who had been raped and killed. The opera, featuring elements of “gugak” (traditional music), is however ultimately about redemption. The opera will be staged three times: 7 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Tickets for all three works cost from 20,000 to 50,000 won. Call 1644-2003. Myeongdong Theater is located near exit 6 of Euljiro 1-ga Station on subway line 2 or exit 6 of Myeongdong Station on line 4.

News Clippings

The United Nations’ archival holdings in multiple formats are enjoying a global spotlight this week during the International Archival Culture Exhibition 2010 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The Secretary-General, in his video message to the opening of the Exhibition, stressed the importance of archives, saying that “Archives come alive when they are open and accessible to all.  We must treasure them and preserve them for future generations.”

Held this year from 1 to 6 June, the IACE 2010 is one of the major events on the calendar of archivists from all over the world. Sponsored by the National Archives of Korea (NAK), the UN exhibit at the event showcases selected archival records - text, photographs, audio and videos - covering various historic collections of the work of the Organization over the last 65 years.

Eight display panels, with still photographs from Headquarters and the field as well as images of archival records from key moments in the UN history, track the birth and development of the Organization and its relationship to the Republic of Korea.  Thematic slide shows with samples of historic photos, videos and documents inform exhibition visitors about the world organization. They will also have online access to the UN websites displaying a wealth of information about the Organization.

18 major national archives as well as UNESCO and other archival institutions and organizations are participating in the exhibition, which is expected to attract over 50,000 visitors.  A large number of archival industry representatives are also present, demonstrating the newest methods, technologies and tools for the management of records and archives, both in analog and digital formats.

Two UN staff members – Antonio da Silva of the Multimedia Resources Unit (MRU) in the Department of Public Information, and Paola Casini of the Archives and Records Management Section (ARMS) in the Department of Management - are representing the Organization.

“The IACE is a great opportunity to publicize the UN archives and its rich collections,” said Mr. da Silva, Chief of MRU, stressing the need to “promote earlier as well as current products and services, such as UN Radio programmes, UNTV series, photographs, and ARMS archival collections.”

“The exchange of technical and professional information and best practices with major national archives, as well as the collaboration and sharing of information about collection management, accessibility, preservation and the promotion of documentary heritage are among the main benefits for the UN”, according to Casini, the Chief of the Archives Unit of ARMS.  She points out that other positive outcomes include “learning about equipment and related cutting-edge IT solutions for records and archives management.”

International events like IACE also bring the opportunity to seek collaborative projects between the UN and participating institutions, organizations and governments to promote the accessibility and preservation of collections.

The five-month, intensive preparation for the event involved an active cooperation between MRU and ARMS, with support from the Promotion and Distribution Unit of DPI. This very talented, hard-working team of staff, interns and volunteers met tight deadlines to ensure a successful exhibit.

The world will benefit the most with the UN heritage preserved for generations to come.

News Clippings