From the Editor: May 2021
It’s May in Gwangju! The proximity of those two nouns – May and Gwangju – for many of the city’s residents evokes memories of an even less pleasant time than that of the current Covid pandemic: a period of ten bloody days in 1980 (May 18–27) that has come to be known as the Gwangju Uprising, the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, or simply 5.18.
For those of our readers who may not have vivid memories of that May 41 years ago, our cover feature interviews Dr. Paul Courtright, a young Peace Corps volunteer at the time, who has recently authored Witnessing Gwangju. Artist Kim Geun-tae was a young university student at ground zero during 5.18 and is still haunted by the events that transpired. Read about him and his art in People in the Arts. We also bring you a brief chronology of the Gwangju Uprising (Blast from the Past).
While the Gwangju Uprising took place four decades ago, another country is currently in the midst of its own uprising against military rule. For our fourth feature, the Gwangju News has interviewed a Myanmar expat living in Gwangju to give us the details on what is happening in her home country.
This month’s Travel section takes you on a three-course journey from sightings of scattered bones in a graveyard (Lost in Gwangju), to leprosy on Sorok Island (Around Korea), and to the 2,500-year-old city of Budva, Montenegro (From Abroad).
In our Community section, a mom-and-pops bar owner tells of the struggles and secrets of staying in business during a pandemic (Local Entrepreneurs); our managing editor gives new meaning to the phrase “break a leg” and even some very good advice (Health); and in Expat Living, you will find excellent advice on moderation with alcohol (no relation to the break-a-leg piece), as well as a piece on online study.
Language Teaching this month focuses on cosmopolitanism for the classroom, and our Korean lesson talks about the weather. Either of these could serve as a conversation piece over Iberico Bellota steak at The Hannamdong (Restaurant Review) or over your homemade stir-fried baby octopus (Recipe).
The month of May hosts Limerick Day; muse over some original rhythmic play in Gwangju Writes. May is also the month of the Coming of Buddha; feast your eyes on a kaleidoscope of temple lantern hues (Photo Essay). Check out Book Review for our new book reviewer’s thoughts on The Tyranny of Merit. And you will want to check our Top of The Drop for what to look for in new music releases and what you may have missed. Don’t forget to try you luck at our crossword puzzle, but first off, ponder our Photo of the Month, and read up on Gwangju City News.
As always, stay Covid smart, stay Covid safe, and enjoy the Gwangju News.
David E. Shaffer
Editor-in-Chief
Gwangju News