A scene from “A Barefoot Dream’’ by Kim Tae-kyun. The sports drama was inspired by the true story of a South Korean footballer who discovers hope while coaching East Timorese children. It is the first feature film to be screened at the U.N. Headquarters in New York. / Courtesy of Showbox/Mediaplex

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff reporter

With South Korea set to compete Saturday in the World Cup round-16 match, the football fever here is hotter than ever.

A timely release is “A Barefoot Dream,’’ about the so-called “Hiddink of Korea’’ that coaches penniless East Timorese children (named after the Dutchman who led the Taeguk Warriors to the 2002 World Cup semifinals).

Made with the support of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and having been the first ever feature film to be screened at the U.N., “Barefoot’’ is a solid, politically correct (and a bit sugar coated) sports movie that is all about the love of the game.

It showcases all the hallmarks of the classic underdog movie, with adrenaline-pumping sequences, but is also so much more. It is a humane tale about “jeong’’ or collective compassion that touches upon the timeless themes of hope and redemption while offering an incisive observation of a developing country.

Yet even for those who could care less about malnourished kids kicking ball in an obscure place, it offers lighthearted entertainment with mass appeal to audiences both near and far. Like any good movie, it transports viewers to a whole new time and space to meet some of the most endearing individuals. You might easily find yourself cheering for the boys as if watching a real match and feeling like you can taste the sultry air of the tropical island.

Kim Tae-kyun, who directed the North Korean refugee film “Crossing,’’ again shows off his knack for filming dramatic stories in tough locations. But life is often stranger than fiction, and the story of Kim Shin-hwan, the footballer-turned-businessman who is now East Timor’s national hero, needs minimal dramatization _ though the lead actor Park Hee-soon (“Seven Days’’), deserves much credit for bringing a vibrant, antiheroic character who has mastered the art of Konglish (Korean-style broken English).

Park stars as Won-kwang, a once promising football player who is now often taken for a conman after a string of failed business ventures. But this Don Quixote, albeit a rather greedy one eager for financial success, heads over to East Timor. It’s a land still recovering from civil war so roads and buildings need to be built, he thinks, which naturally equals money.

He has nothing to lose but is dismayed to realize that nothing awaits him in the small Southeast Asian country. Just as he is about to head back to the airport, however, he spots children playing football in the street.

Yet Won-kwang is no humanitarian who is inspired to volunteer to coach impoverished children; the sight of kids running around barefoot comes to him as a sign that there is a potential market for sports goods and he opens a store stocked with Nike footwear. But soon he realizes that there aren’t many people who can afford the $60 shoes. He thus decides to “lease’’ them to the kids, and have them pay a dollar a day over two months.

What began as a business deal, however, blooms into an opportunity of a lifetime for not only the children but first and foremost for Won-kwang. “Hope, deceitful as it is, serves at least to lead us to the end of our lives by an agreeable route,’’ once said Francois Duc de La Rochefoucauld, and our protagonist realizes that fortune and happiness are two different things as he forms a youth football team.

But teamwork is also far from easy; some of the boys, scarred by civil strife that claimed members of their family, are at one another’s throats. Collaborating in a team sport however paves the path for friendship and forgiveness similar to orchestra projects that has brought together youths from Palestine and Israel.

Meanwhile the team is given the chance to take part in an international tournament in Japan. What would be the first ever overseas event for the newly independent nation, however, entails many hurdles as the team cannot afford the flight fare. Would they be able to make their dreams come true?

The film features some of the most captivating performances by the children, who are members of Kim’s actual football team and East Timor’s first ever movie stars. Supporting characters played by Ko Chang-suk (“Rough Cut’’), Kei Shimizu and Im Won-hee pepper the film with life and laughter. Xanana Gusmao, the actual East Timorese former president (now prime minister), also makes a special appearance as himself.

Seoul is full of charms. If you have some time, walking around and feeling the real atmosphere of Seoul is very pleasant. Now, those who travel as professionals tell us about the best walking trails in Seoul.

Recommended by: Yoo Yeon-tae

Recommended trail: King’s trail, The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung (Palace)

Trail course: Donhwamun (start) → Gwanmulheon (0.4 km) → Buyongjeong (0.7 km) → Aeryeonji (0.8 km) → Jondeokjeong (1.0 km) → Okryucheon Cheonguijeong (1.5 km) → Back gate (3.1 km, 2 Hours)

Reason for recommendation: The Secret Garden of Changdeokgung, one of the five palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, was loved by the royal family for its beauty and dense forest. It was also the largest among palace gardens. Passing through Donhwamun, locust trees, a juniper, a tora vine and a mulberry tree designated as Natural Monuments welcome us. Then we cross Geumcheongyo and turn to the left to enter the Secret Garden.

The 16th king of the Joseon Dynasty, Injo, made furrows around a big rock, Soyoam, and made water flow along them. He floated drinking cups and composed poems. On Soyoam, Injo’s calligraphy and Sukjong’s quatrain are engraved. The contents of the poem are as follows: “The waterfall stands high of 300 feet, but the water flows from the nine celestial bodies far away. As I look at the water fall, white rainbow lathers, and thunder of water fills the valleys.” The Secret Garden trail is generally flat except the area near Ongnyucheon.

Travel tips: Changdeokgung is closed every Monday. From April to November, a Secret Garden tour should be reserved, except for Thursdays, at the website of Changdeokgung (www.cdg.go.kr). Changdeokgung Office (02) 762-8261. A 10-minute walk from No. 6 Exit of Subway Line 1, 3, 5, Jongno 3-ga Station, a 5-minute walk from No. 3 Exit of Subway Line 3, Anguk Station.

Restaurant tips: There are many restaurants around Anguk Station and Jaedong Elementary School. Mansuok (Seolleongtang and Haejangguk, 02-763-1447), Jaedonggol Manimsundae (Sundaeguk, 02-766-1035).

Recommended by: Yu Hyeong-yeong

Recommended trail: Most popular trail, Namsan Walk

Trail course: Dongguk Univ. Station (start) → National Theater of Korea (1.35 km) → Seokhojeong (3.03 km) → Waryongmyo (6.7 km) → Samsooni Stairs (6.76 km) → Hoehyeon Simin Apts. (8.7 km) → Hoehyeon Station (Total 9.21 km, 3 Hours)

Reason for recommendation: Namsan is the landmark mountain of Seoul, and is also easy to access. The Namsan walk is much loved because it is a beltway. As we walk along the beltway, it feels like we are walking through a deep forest. The cool atmosphere in Namsan relieves our minds. As we breathe in nature, Seokhojeong appears. Seokhojeong is an archery range for the Korean traditional archery, Gukgung. From Seokhojeong to Waryongmyo, it is around a 40-minute walk. The trail is fun, going up and down along a winding path in the mountain. Waryongmyo is a shrine of Zhuge Liang (Kongming). After a five minute walk from Waryongmyo, you will see the Namsan Walk office. Another five minutes of walking will take you to Namsan Science Museum.

Travel tips: Namsan Oreumi, an elevator service is available from Namsan Tunnel No. 3 to the cable car station (www.cablecar.co.kr, 02-753-2403). Namsan Oreumi is free of charge and is open from 9 a.m. to midnight.

Restaurant tips: There are Namsan Chamsutbulgalbi (02-775-0066) and Soban on the 1st floor of Seoul Tower (02-3455-9292) around Namsan.

Recommended by: Yi Jong-won

Recommended trail: Trail of 500-year-long history, Seoul Seonggwak (Fortress Wall)

Trail course: Waryong Park (start) → Malbawi Lodge (0.6 km) → Sukjeongmun (1 km) → Gokjang (2 km) → Cheongwundae (2.5 km) → Baekakmaru (2.9 km) → Dolgorae Lodge (4 km) → Changuimun (total 4.3 km, 2.5 Hours)

Reason for recommendation: The total length of Seoul Seonggwak (Fortress Wall) is 18.2 km. If you want a relaxed historical walk, Bugaksan Seonggwakgil would be a good choice. The fortress wall is well-preserved, and the view from the wall is beautiful. From Waryong Park to Malbawi, you will walk on an unpaved but soft road. If

After crossing Mokchaekgyo, you see Malbawi, the shape of which looks like the head of a horse. Malbawi is designated as a good vista point by Seoul Metropolitan City. From there, you will be able to see Gyeongbokgung, buildings of Gwanghwamun, Namsan, as well as Gwanaksan. After about 1 km along the fortress wall, you come to “Gokjang,” meaning bent fortress wall.

From Gokjang, you will see a panoramic view of Bukhansan. The trail from Gokjang to Baegaksan is the best part of Seoul Seonggwakgil. If you look at the fortress wall from above, the shape of the wall looks like a dragon twisted dragon heading for a jade ball. Baegaksan is the head of the dragon.

The Blue House is located under Baegaksan. The highlight of the Seoul Seonggwak trail is the ridge of Baegaksan. From the rock at the top of the mountain, you will see Sangmyung University, Gugi-dong residential area, as well as the ridge of Inwangsan and Gichabawi, and skyscrapers at Sejong-ro.

Travel tips: You can start walking along the fortress wall passing through Hyehwamun at Subway Line 4, Hansung University Station. However, for easier access, Waryong Park is a better starting point since it is connected with town shuttle bus lines.

A guided tour is provided at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every day (www.bukak.or.kr).

Restaurant tips: In Seongbuk-dong, there are Geumwang Tonkatsu (02-763-9366), and Songuksu (02-743-5640 Suyuk, octopus). Restaurants near Changuimun are Jaha Sonmandu (02-379-2648 Sasaek Mandu), Harimgak (02-396-2441 Chinese, set meal), Tosokchon (02-737-7444 Samgyetang).

Recommended by: Jeong Bo-sang

Recommended trail: An oasis in the downtown, Jeongdong-gil

Trail course: Daehanmun, Deoksugung (Palace) (start) → Music Fountain (0.3 km) → Seoul Metropolitan Museum of Art (0.4 km) → Baejae Park (0.5 km) → Chungdong Church (0.6 km) → Chongdong Theater (0.7 km) → Canadian Embassy (0.9 km) → Starsix Jeong-dong (Movie Theater) (Total 1.1 km, 1 Hour)

Reason for recommendation: One of the world’s largest cities, Seoul is always busy and crowded. When you walk along Jeongdong-gil from Deoksugung to Kyunghyang Daily News, you will feel as if you’ve found an oasis in the downtown area. Jeongdong-gil is one of the most beautiful walks in Seoul.

It is also a cultural belt where the Seoul Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chongdong Theater, and Starsix Jeong-dong are located. Seoul Metropolitan Museum of Art uses the Old Supreme Court Building. Old buildings and neatly exhibition spaces are well harmonized to create a unique atmosphere. Next to Baejae Park, the 100-year-old Chungdong Church is located. Just across the street from Chungdong Church, there is Chongdong Theater. Chongdong Theater was built in 1995. If you turn to Sinmun-ro, there you’ll find the Annex of Sina Ilbo, designated as a Modern Cultural Heritage. On the first floor of this building is Wow Travel Gallery, specializing in travel photo.

Travel tips: Get off at Exit 1 of Subway Line 1 City Hall Station or Exit 2 of Subway Line 2, City Hall Station and find Daehanmun, the main gate of Deoksugung. There you find the start point of Jeongdong-gil, stone wall of Deoksugung.

Restaurant tips: A famous restaurant around this area is Namdosikdang (02-756-5945) with 40-year-long history, specializing in Chueotang.

Recommended by: Chae Ji-yeong

Recommended trail: Metasequoia road in Haneul Park, Sangam-dong

Trail course : Parking lot of Haneul Park (start) → Nanjicheon Park snack bar (1.0 km) → Korea District Heating Corporation (0.15 km) → entrance to Metasequoia road (0.6 km) → Metasequoia road (0.9 km) → Haneul Park (0.8 km) → Haneul Park Dullegil (1.9 km) → Pyeonghwa Park three-way intersection (0.8 km) (Total 6.15 km, 2 Hours)

Reason for recommendation: Metasequoia road in Haneul Park is a road that comforts our minds. The dirt road, which is very rare downtown, is soft like a cozy comforter. If you are on this small Metasequoia road, you feel that there’s only you, the forest, the chirping of birds and butterflies seeking wildflowers on the walking trail.

After you pass the Metasequoia road, you will meet Haneul Park. In Haneul Park, you can pass through the flame grass field or walk the Dulle-gil around the field. The best part of walking around the field is the beautiful scenery of Hangang and the city of Seoul.

Travel tips: Get off at Exit 1, Subway Line 6 World Cup Stadium Station, cross the overpass between Pyeonghwa Park and Haneul Park, and use Haneul stairs or slope road. Haneul Park opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. in January, February, November and December, 6 p.m. in March and October, 7 p.m. in April, May and September, and 10 p.m. in June to August.

Recommended by: Yi Dong-mi

Recommended trail: Tranquil trail in Seoul, Buamdong-gil

Trail course: Changuimun (start) → Mugyejeongsa & Site of Hyun Jin-Gun’s House (0.6 km) → Whanki Museum (1.4 km) → Café Sanmotungi (2.5 km) → Baeksasil Valley & Samgaksan Hyeontongsa (3.9 km) → Segeomjeong (4.4 km) → Seokparang (Total 5.2 km, 5 Hours)

Reason for recommendation: Buamdong-gil is a trail with unpolished naturalness, not artificial beauty. Its unique charms are hidden like treasures around Buamdong-gil. Changuimun is a good place to start a Buamdong tour. Next to Changuimun, one of the main gates of Seoul Seonggwak, there is Club Espresso, which is very famous for good coffee. The next spot is Mugyejeongsa, a vacation home for Anpyeongdaegun, the third son of King Sejong. From Buamdong Community Center, you take Mugyejeongsa-gil on the right side of the Community Center.

Anpyeongdaegun built this house based on the paradise he had seen in his dream. The harmony of fallen leaves on the stairs is beautiful.

There is Whanki Museum that commemorates renowned artist Kim Whanki, who drew the most impressive water drops in the world. If you go up red brick alley, you will be led to Café Sanmotungi, which was featured in a hit drama series “The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince.” From its terrace garden, you will have a panoramic view of Buamdong valley and Seoul Seonggwak.

From the gate of the military base and going down a steep hill for 100 meters, Baekseokdongcheon (Historic Site No. 462), welcomes you. Even though it is in the downtown of a mega city, you will find salamanders, Chinese minnows and Korean fresh water crayfish. Buamdong is only a step away from the rapid pace of the city. Walking in Buamdong is real walking.

Travel tips: Take bus No. 0212, 1020, and 7022 at Exit 3 of Subway Line 3, Gyeongbokgung Station and get off at Buamdong Community Center or Jahamun-gogae bus stop. The total length of the trail is around 5 km, but it may take a significant amount of time, since there are many restaurants and cafés. It is better to visit Baeksasil valley early in the day, since it is difficult to navigate when it gets dark.

Restaurant tips: Club Espresso (Coffee 02-764-8719) serves delicious coffee, and Sanmotungi (Coffee 02-391-4737) has a nice view. Jaha Sonmandu (02-379-2648) is run by the third- generation owner.

[Box] A book to recommend

This book introduces 111 walking trails all around Korea from Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, Jeolla, Gyeongsang, Chungcheong provinces to Jeju Island. Twenty-seven travel writers of the Association of Korea Travel Writers wrote articles for the book. It includes: Haneul Park in Seoul, Dulle-gil of Jirisan, Ganghwa Nadeul-gil, a museum without a roof, Gosat-gil Hahoe Maeul with stone walls, and Olle-gil of Jeju with winds and stones.

The book shows us 111 of Korea’s representative walking trails ranging in length from 2 kilometers to 30 kilometers.

By The Association of Korea Travel Writers | 416 pages | 13,800 won |Yeolbeonjjaehaengseong (10th Planet)

By Annabelle Lee

By Jung Sung-ki, Shim Hyun-chul
Staff reporters

Avestige of the fratricidal 1950-53 Korean War, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a strip of land dividing the Korean Peninsula and serves as a buffer zone between South and North Korea.

The DMZ cuts the peninsula roughly in half, crossing the 38th parallel on an angle, with the west of the zone lying south of the parallel and the east end lying north of it. The 250-kilometer-long, 4-kilometer-wide zone is the world’s most heavily fortified border.

The Armistice Agreement signed by the U.S.-led United Nations Command, China and North Korea on July 27, 1953, established the DMZ along the approximate line of ground contact between the opposing forces at the time the truce ended the Korean War.

The Military Demarcation Line (MDL) runs down the center of the DMZ and indicates where the front was when the agreement was signed. Since the armistice accord has never been followed by a peace treaty, the two Koreas are still technically at war.

The DMZ has seen numerous incursions by the North Koreans, although the reclusive state never acknowledges direct responsibility for any of their provocations.

The heavily militarized border, however, is a ready-made nature reserve containing the last remnants of untouched Korean geography.

During the past half century, the DMZ is and continues to be a deadly place for civilians, making habitation impossible. This isolation along the DMZ has created an involuntary park and is now recognized as one of the most well-preserved areas of temperate habitat in the world.

The DMZ also owes its varied biodiversity to its geography which crosses mountains, prairies, swamps, lakes and tidal marshes. Environmentalists hope that by the time reunification takes place, the former DMZ will be conserved as a wildlife refuge.

Stuffed cucumber with beef and egg strips

Kim Yong-ja
Korean Cuisine

This is a very refined first course. It is ideal to serve on a special day. Cut all the stuffing ingredients as fine as possible.

INGREDIENTS (serves 4)

2 small CUCUMBERS
2 EGGS, yolks and
whites separated
2 oz/56g BEEF FILLET MIGNON
(or sirloin), cut into fine strips
1 /4 “BULGOGI” MARINADE p. 106

VEGETABLE OIL

3 SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS,
stems removed, cut into fine
strips
1/2 RED PEPPER, cut into fine
strips
1 heaping tablespoon
PINE NUTS
CUCUMBER MARINADE:
1 cup WATER
2 tablespoons RICE VINEGAR
2 tablespoons SUGAR
1/4 teaspoon SALT
Stuffed Cucumber
with Beef and Egg
Strips

1. Put a chopstick on each side of the cucumber on a board and slice it slightly slanted ¼”/6 mm thick. Then remove the chopsticks and cut all the way through every third slit. Soak them in the cucumber marinade for 30 minutes.

2.Make “Jidan” (Yellow and White Egg Pancakes p. 40). Cut them 1¼”/3 cm long and into fine strips.

3. Mix the sliced meat with “Bulgogi” marinade. Cook the meat with a bit of oil in the frying pan over medium high heat. You can slice it finer after cooking. Set aside. In the same frying pan, add some oil and stir-fry the mushrooms. Set aside.

4. Drain the liquid from the cucumbers and gently press them to reduce excess water. Fill each slit with the stuffings and top with red pepper and pine nuts. Serve 2-3 pieces per person.

Staff reporter

The conventional image of drinkers of “makgeolli” is that they tend to have Korea’s traditional rice wine all day long in an old-fashioned restaurant, in particular on wet weather, together with some side dishes.

As the milky white alcohol gains popularity even among young adults, however, people are consuming it like a Starbucks coffee ― Domestic manufacturers have brought out a takeout version of makgeolli.

Baesangmyun Brewery, the maker of one of the leading brands of makgeolli, said that it has opened a micro-brewery in southern Seoul around its head office where visitors can buy and take out fresh makgeolli.

The Seoul-based outfit plants to establish around 10 more miniature breweries at the capital by the end of 2010 where the takeout makgeolli will go on sale just like the Starbucks outlets.

“We will rebuild breweries just like those a century ago. They will represent culture regarding Korean alcoholic beverages,” company CEO Bae Young-ho told a press conference. “Furthermore, we plan to introduce environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes, which require minimum use of water while enabling the recycling of some by-products.”

Bae added that it would release third-generation makgeolli, which will last about one month and a half. Currently, the expiry date of the thick rice wine is around a week and this has been touted as the biggest downside of makgeolli.

Makgeolli had been the go-to alcohol for ordinary Koreans for so long thanks to its rich taste and affordable price before its popularity waned in modern times due to West alcoholic beverages such as beer and spirits.

Yet, Koreans seemingly found a fresh attraction to makgeolli in the mid 2000s after producers started to use higher quality ingredients to overcome the drawback of terrible hangovers the day after a drinking session.

The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries estimates that the makgeolli market rocketed from 300 billion won ($249.5 million) in 2008 to about 420 billion won last year.

Its exports also expanded from $2.9 million in 2007 to $4.4 million in 2008 and $6.2 million last year despite the global financial distress. The upward pace is expected to continue for the time being, according to market watchers.

The ministry proposed the cloudy wine as an official beverage of the G-20 summit for this November although it remains to be seen whether it would be picked as such at the high-profile gathering.

	This burial ware set discovered in the tomb of Prince Euiso, the elder brother of King Jeongjo, is now on display at the National Museum of Korea. Provided by the museum

One could be forgiven for not being familiar with buncheong stoneware, sandwiched between the beautiful white porcelain of the later Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and the striking celadon of its predecessor the Goryeo.

But even those who are aware of the vessels would be surprised to hear that they were once used in official ceremonies by the Joseon royal court. Buncheong’s somewhat freewheeling artistic reputation would seem incompatible with the precision Joseon notoriously demanded from its ceremonial instruments.

Now we can see for ourselves, with 120 buncheong ritual vessels from the 15th century on display on the second and third floors of the Horim Art Center, one of Korea’s biggest private museums, located in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul.

“The state rituals called girye were important, intended to show the authority and dignity of the court in Joseon, a Confucian country,” the museum explained in a statement. “So vessels for the rituals were manufactured under rigorous standards.”

	The Buncheong ware as ritual vessels of the Joseon court in the 15th century, including Hojun, far left, and Bo, left, are being exhibited in Horim Art Center. Provided by the museum

The girye included rituals for good harvest and commemorative rites for Confucius and ancestors at court.

“Metal was preferred as a material. However, in the early Joseon Dynasty, metal was in short supply due to the active manufacturing of weapons and coins,” the museum continued. “So, buncheong, which were prevalent at the time, were used as ritual vessels.”

Buncheong, grayish pottery coated with white powder, started as less luxurious versions of Goryeo celadon, which boasted a beautiful jade color, as the Goryeo fell and the Joseon began to rise. The pottery style came into its own in the early Joseon but gradually disappeared after the 16th century, with the rise of pure white porcelain.

The buncheong ritual vessels on display reflect old East Asian philosophies and Confucianism. Based on the traditional vision of the universe, with the sky as round and the earth as square, two kinds of vessels were used for crop offerings to the heavens, the round-shaped “gue” and square-shaped “bo.”

Also among the exhibits are vessels shaped like an elephant and a bull in which clear water was carried. And there are jak, wine cups with three legs, which were only for rituals and never used in daily life. The set was used by ritual participants to wash their hands. Of course, incense burners, which were though to call spirits down from heaven to earth with their fragrant smoke, are also on display.

“Even researchers of the history of Korean ceramics had few chances to see buncheong as state ritual vessels of the Joseon Dynasty,” said Yu Jin-hyun, curator of the exhibition. “The exhibition will give a good chance to those researchers.”

It’s also a good chance to experience the permanent exhibits of the museum on the fourth floor, which includes white porcelain with blue patterns designated as National Treasures and other precious pieces.

Separately, at the National Museum of Korea in Ichon-dong, central Seoul, a special exhibition of white porcelain ritual ware started on Tuesday.

Among the highlights of the show titled “White Porcelain Jars: Embracing the Joseon Ideals and Rituals” are the jars called taehangari, which were used for storage of the placentas of royal family members, and funerary sets called myeonggi, which were buried in the tombs of royal family members.

In particular, the exhibition boasts four sets of white ceramics buried in the tombs of four relatives of Jeongjo, the 22nd king of Joseon, the museum said in a statement.

“Each burial ware set includes a big jar, which shows the people’s belief that the deceased would need a jar to carry food and other necessities in it for the afterlife,” said Gang Gyeong-nam, curator of the exhibition.

“And we found white powder and beeswax, used as makeup at the time, in some burial vessels including that of Prince Euiso,” Jeongjo’s elder brother who died young, he said. “We came to realize through scientific investigation that the burial ware sets included vessels for cosmetics, even if the deceased was male.”

The Buncheong Ware Ritual Vessels exhibition runs until Nov. 28. Admission is 8,000 won for adults. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is open every day except Monday. Take bus No. 145, 440 or 4212. For more information, visit www.horimartcenter.org or call (02) 541-3523~5.

The White Porcelain Jars exhibition runs until Nov. 14. Admission is free. The museum opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It closes at 7 p.m. on Sundays and at 6 p.m. on other weekdays and is closed on Mondays. Head to Ichon Station, line No. 4, exit 2. For more information, visit www.museum.go.kr.

By Moon So-young [symoon@joongang.co.kr]

Squid with hot and sweet vinaigrette

Can be pierced with toothpicks and served as cocktail hors d’oeuvre.

INGREDIENTS (serves 4)
3 medium SQUID (1 lb/455 g), the body tube opened and skin peeled 1 1/2 cup WHITE WINE “CHOGOCHUJANG” (Hot and Sweet Vinaigrette): see Chamchi Whe p. 16

1 Prepare Chogochujang (Hot and Sweet Vinaigrette).

2 Put the squid on a cutting board with the inner side facing up. Using a sharp boning knife, score the skin lightly (do not cut through) ¹?8” apart in a criss-cross pattern.

3 Cut the squid in half lengthwise, trim off the uneven edges and cut the squid into ½”/1.3 cm strips.

4 In a medium pot, bring the wine to a boil. Add the squid, stir and cook for a minute or until it starts curling up. Drain and let cool. Serve with the sauce.

This is an excerpt from “Korean Cuisine: Healthy Food, Full of Flavor,” (Yekyong Publishing, 224 pp., 28,000 won). The book is on sale at major bookstores such as Kyobo Bookstore, Youngpoong Bookstore and Bandi & Luni’s. - ED.

Ancient documents from the Shilla Kingdom detailing a Buddhist monk’s travel to India will be put on exhibition in Korea later this year. Called “Wang Ocheonchukuk Jeon” (The Hye Cho’s Diary: Memoir of the Pilgrimage to the Five Regions of India), the manuscript is owned by the National Library of France.

It was discovered in 1908 by French sinologist Paul Pelliot in a cave in Dunhuang, China. French National Library President Bruno Racine said in an interview with the Chosun Ilbo on Tuesday the library decided to display the manuscript in the special exhibition “Silk Road and Dunhuang” (Dec. 17, 2010 to March, 2011) at the National Museum of Korea. Until now, only researchers were allowed to view the manuscript.

The scroll of “The Hye Cho’s Diary: Memoir of the Pilgrimage to the Five Regions of India” housed in the National Library of France

Racine, who is in Seoul for an international seminar marking the first anniversary of the digital library at the National Museum of Korea, discussed the exhibition of the manuscript with Korean officials. The museum will prepare a loan agreement with the French National Library.

The Silk Road exhibition will also feature around 200 artifacts related to the ancient trade route owned by a dozen Chinese museums.

The work was written in 727 A.D. by Buddhist monk Hyecho after traveling extensively through India, Central Asia and western China and is among the world’s greatest travelogues.

Korean Cuisine
Kim Yong-ja

You can use either acorn or mung bean jelly, or mix the two to show both brown (acorn) and white (mung bean) colors. They are both very bland. But the sauce and shredded “gim” (seaweed) add a delicious flavor and texture to “muk” (molded jelly).

INGREDIENTS (serves 4)

1 cube MUK cut in half and sliced thin

1 sheet GIM(seaweed), lightly toasted and sliced very thin with scissors “YANGNYEOMJANG” (Seasoned Soy Sauce): 4 tablespoons SOY SAUCE

1 1/2 tablespoons SESAME OIL 2 teaspoons SESAME SEEDS 2 teaspoons GOCHUGARU (chili flakes)

1 small GARLIC CLOVE, crushed

1. Combine the sauce ingredients (except scallion) and chill in the refrigerator for two hours. Add scallion just before serving.

2. Arrange muk slices on the plate and pour the sauce generously over it. Garnish with the shredded seaweed.

This is an excerpt from “Korean Cuisine: Healthy Food, Full of Flavor,” (Yekyong Publishing, 224 pp., 28,000 won). The book is on sale at major bookstores such as Kyobo Bookstore, Youngpoong Bookstore and Bandi & Luni’s. - ED.