From the Editor – January 2025

By David Shaffer

With this issue of the Gwangju News, we are not merely opening the door to a new month, we are unbolting the gate to a brand-new year! What lies beyond the gate may be much the same as what preceded, or it may be quite dissimilar in many ways. We hope that what’s ahead for you in this year that’s just begun will be even more desirable and rewarding than that of 2024.

As for the Gwangju News, we pledge to continue to bring you the quality that you expect from the magazine, and we will make efforts to extend that quality. However, we must also adapt to the realities that confront us. Specifically, due to budgetary constraints, the Gwangju News will be a fully online, thirty-two-page publication for 2025. We are aware that many of our readers already enjoy the magazine totally in its digital format, and we hope that you will continue to enjoy it as much as you have in the past. We are also hopeful of future expansion.

Our first feature of the year is quite fittingly an account of Korea’s lunar new year, Seollal, both past and present. Present- day practices are compared with customs of a half century ago. This year, Seollal falls early – on January 29, to be exact. Our second feature focuses on new year’s resolutions – not so much pledges for personal well-being by doing such things as exercising more or playing video games less, but to reflect and consider what we as individuals can do for the betterment of the larger community.

Watching the sun rise is often associated with the new year, but sunrise viewing can be beautiful at any time of the year. Find out where the best places in the Gwangju region are for watching the sun come up. Learn also about the life and work of a tattoo artist. And find out how you can go about getting a driver’s license to cruise the streets of Gwangju and beyond. All in our Travel and Discovery section.

India ink’s artistic purview is not limited to calligraphy and Eastern painting. Read about the unique artworks that Jeong Gwang-hee creates with his ink. Also, read about the joy of gardening, environment-friendly composting toilets, and Gwangju’s champion Kia Tigers to start off your happy new year with the Gwangju News!