[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

Korean Manhwas invade North America, The New York Times explores the connection between weddings and watches in modern Korean culture, emeritus professor Kim Seong-kon reflects on the moral message in Yeon Sang-ho's "Train to Busan", and Raphael Rashid checks the pulse of Korea's LGBT community four years after a landmark ceremony.

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"America's New Cultural Invasion Is Manhwa, Korean Webcomics"

Korea's answer to the Japanese Manga, the Manhwa, are forming a booming new industry with international reach. Over the last few years, Manhwa's have become increasingly popular both in Korea and abroad. As Rich Johnston writes on Bleeding Cool, "The trend shows no sign of slowing down". Digital media platforms are where these so-called 'webtoons' find their home, and from there it's not long before the rest of the world can enjoy what Korean artists and storytellers are creating in this digital age. In this post, Rich explores Korea's Manhwa industry and what America's comic book industry might learn from it.

...READ ON BLEEDING COOL

"In South Korea, Weddings and Watches"

Curious about Korea's wedding culture? In this narrative piece on The New York Times, Vivian Morelli interviews a successful Korean couple about their wedding plans and the culture of gift-giving. "When young South Koreans are engaged, their thoughts often turn to wedding venues, guest lists - and Swiss watches", writes Vivian. "Maybe from the perspective of people outside Korea it seems like we only focus on money, but it really is about tradition and meaning", said the bride to be.

...READ ON THE NEW YORK TIMES

"[Kim Seong-kon] A turbulent train named Korea"

Kim Seong-kon is an emeritus professor at Korea's prestigious Seoul National University. He's also the president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea. In this opinion piece on The Korea Herald, Kim reflects on a local blockbuster he just watched, Yeon Sang-ho's 2016 zombie film, "Train to Busan" (with Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok and Kim Su-an). Kim writes that he found the film "refreshing and mesmerising" and that it is "a thought-provoking film that made viewers brood on their present predicament". Yeon's apocalyptic hit ended it run at the local box office last year September with 11.5 million admissions, making it the highest grossing film of the year.

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"KÉ Interview: That Famous Same-Sex Wedding, Four Years Later"

Raphael Rashid, a freelance journalist, catches up with producer Dave Kim during the Seoul Pride Film Festival, at which Dave spoke about "film, same-sex marriage, and importance for the LGBT community to gain other South Koreans' trust through cultural activism". Dave and his partner made big news in 2013 when they got married on a bridge along Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul. "Their same-sex marriage has often been described as the first of its kind in South Korea", writes Raphael. In this interview, you'll hear from Dave about his wedding and the public's reaction to it.

...READ ON KOREA EXPOSE