Published by the Gwangju International Center since 2001
The winter vacation was long, and I tried many things, but I wanted to share some of them with you so that you may check out other programs at the ACC or other locations in Gwangju, such as the gallery, or try these delicacies. Even if we aren’t a big shot yet, and even if we’re pissed off most of the time, we can still enjoy the little things in life.
“I came across a group called Running Running (러닝러닝) in Suwan (수완) that ran every Tuesday and Thursday night. With hopeful anticipation, I arrived early. Slowly the club members started arriving and welcomed me warmly. They all ran at varying paces, but we started and finished together. The leader invited me to consider running in the upcoming 11th Gwangju Peace and Unification Marathon (제11회 광주평화통일마라톤대회), announcing that they all signed up for the 10-km race. I signed up that night.”
The importance of respect is prevalent in everyday life and shows itself in sports, with Korea’s Son Heung-min being the epitome of good sportsmanship. The same can be said for the majority of Gwangju’s locals who have been following the World Cup.
Eight years have passed since that day. Every year on April 16, the nation solemnly remembers what happened. For most, life goes on, but for many families of the victims, every day is difficult.
Two years after the Sewol ferry disaster, I wrote an energetic and emotional composition on the piano titled “Waves.”
In accordance with the Basic Act on the Treatment of Foreigners in Korea, May 20 is designated as Together Day every year by the Ministry of Justice to eliminate discrimination and prejudice caused by differences in nationality, race, and culture, as well as to appreciate the diversity of local communities. The Gwangju International Center (GIC) has helped organized this event, hosted by Gwangju City and the Gwangju Immigration Office, for a few years now.
Korea was a developing country back then – chaotic, construction everywhere, full of bad smells. Korean people were, if anything, kinder and more welcoming to strangers back then. Culturally, it felt geekier than today; I recall a fad at the time being guys wearing their glasses or sunglasses on the back of their heads, for whatever reason. We used to crack up watching “Icing,” a soap opera about a Korean hockey team.
Gwangju is home. Your home. And it always will be a home in time where you really, truly, incandescently lived.
Muju Deukyusan Resort is a great place to ski or snowboard, for a reasonable price, in the Jeolla province.
