Groove Korea 2019 April

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APRIL 2019 COVER STORY

From the Editor-in-Chief

I’VE WANTED to do a drag cover for over a year now. When I first took over as editor-in-chief for Groove Korea in January 2018, I spent a long time thinking about what topics, what issues we needed to cover, trying to decide just what kind of mark I wanted Groove to make with myself at the helm.

And then I happened into a local drag show at Rabbithole in HBC one night, and the decision came easily. As I stood taking in the show, at times laughing, but always thoroughly entertained, I knew that we had to do a drag cover story. And we had to highlight as many of these talented artists as we could.

Since then, I’ve taken the time to get to know the community. I became familiar with a lot of the queens and kings. Talked costumes and makeup.

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More than trying to gain better understanding of the scene for a potential article, I came to call many of these amazing, beautiful people my friends. And I found I wanted to support the community as much as I could.

There are many messages that you can take from drag. It is about performance and art and having fun. But it’s also about self-expression and self-acceptance. And talent. Incredible, wonderful talent that each and every performer brings to the

ABOUT THE COVER

stage. I highly encourage everyone to get out and go to at least one drag show if you haven’t been. You

Models: Saphhire Reign, Charlotte Goodenough, Chaka, Jaxter the Taco Master

might find you like it and I know that you won’t be

Studio: 917studio (@917studio)

queens. Whether it’s Rabbithole or Q Bar, or

Photographer: Daniel Kim (@dannyseoul)

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disappointed.

More than that, support your local kings and somewhere else, go to a show. Check out their workshops. Learn a few things.

And definitely, don’t forget to tip.

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APRIL 2019

K-FASHION

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STYLE AND SUBSTANCE A real, casual conversational approach to fashion and Seoul Fashion Week

FOOD & DRINK

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QUEEN’S BOULEVARD Where the chefs and guests mingle freely

K-FASHION

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SCENE STEALERS Street style stars at the Fall 2019 Seoul Fashion Week

FOOD & DRINK

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BACK TO THE BASICS ”Look on the bright side; then you’ll be brilliant”

MUSIC

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GEORGE MAPLE AND THE TRUE ARTIST Conquering demons and finding her voice

TRAVEL

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A RECEPTACLE OF THE PAST Inside the historical tanks now filled with new life

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General Inquiries

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KOREA

SPECIAL THANKS TO

EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief

EMMA KALKA emma@groovekorea.com

Food & Drink

LORENA JIMÉNEZ lorena@groovekorea.com

Fashion

DIANNE PINEDA-KIM dianne@groovekorea.com

Travel

WENDY PALOMO wendy@groovekorea.com

Arts & Entertainment

CATE PARK cate@groovekorea.com

Music

BECKY WHITE beckyw@groovekorea.com

Copyeditor

GIL COOMBE gil@groovekorea.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Creative Director

DANIEL KIM daniel@groovekorea.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Design Director

@BLUISH28

Manon Thore, Katherine Martin, Dani Lee at Four B, Seongjin Kim, Donna Kim At Livenation, Prm Idea Lab, Ych, Ti:baeg, Parts Parts, People Of The World, Greedilous, Minju Kim, D Antidote, Bourie and Seoul Fashion Week Organization

To contribute to Groove Korea, email submissions@groovekorea.com or the appropriate editors.

To have Groove Korea delivered to your home or business, email subscribe@groovekorea.com To promote and event or share your opinions, please email info@groovekorea.com or the appropriate editor.

STRIKE COMMUNICATIONS Publisher

SEAN CHOI sean@groovekorea.com

STAFF WRITERS / COLUMNISTS Amy Benham, Katie Martin, Jill Robbins, Jiaying Lim

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The articles are the sole property of GROOVE KOREA. No reproduction is permitted without the express written consent of GROOVE KOREA. The opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. © All rights reserved Groove Korea 2006

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FESTIVALS 8

Jinhae Gunhanje Festival April 1 – 10 Jinhae-gu, Changwonsi, Gyeongsangnam-do This largest cherry blossom festival taking place in early April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

Jinhae Gunhangje Festival draws in more than 2 million tourists every year.

Yeongdeungpo Yeouido Spring Flower Festival (Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival) April 5 - 11 Around National Assembly Building in Yeouido The street behind the National Assembly Building will be lined with cherry blossom trees again this year and is the most famous cherry blossom street in Seoul. Visitors can take a stroll along the Hangang River through a tunnel of these majestic trees.

Seokchon Lake Cherry Blossom Festival April 5 – 12 Seokchon Lake, Jamsil, Seoul

Jeju Canola Flower Festival

Taean International Tulip Festival

Hampyeong Butterfly Festival

April 4 – 7 Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju

April 13 – May 12

April 26 – ­ May 6 Hampyeong EXPO Park, Jeollanam-do

The Jeju Canola Flower Festival is one of the most famous festivals in Jeju, signaling the start of spring with fields upon fields of bright yellow flowers and famous for honeymooners’ photos.

Selected as one of the world’s top five tulip festivals, Taean International Tulip Festival showcases tulips, lupine, foxglove, lilies and other advanced breeds of spring flowers.

The festival offers visitors the opportunity to get a closer look at ecology, in particular the region’s butterflies.

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EXHIBITIONS 10

David Hockney Until August 4 Seoul Museum of Art Spanning his career from the mid 1950s to the present, this is Hockney’s first survey exhibition in South Korea. Drawn primarily from Tate’s collection in the UK as well as other international loans, it follows Hockney’s remarkable journey through the myriad ways he has interrogated the nature of looking and representation from his days as a promising student to his place as one of the finest artists working today.

Adults: 15,000won Children: 10,000-13,000won

Eero Aarnio: The Icon of Finnish Design Hyundai Card Design Library Eero Aarnio’s first solo exhibition in Korea showcasing original furniture including Ball Chair, sketches, images, and videos projected with the artist’s design philosophy

The Art of Disney: The Magic of Animation April 19 – August 18 Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) Adults: 15,000won Children: 11,,000-13,000won 500+ original sketches, drawings, and concept arts.

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CONCERTS 12

Jim Gaffigan: Quality Time tour April 2 EWHA Women’s University

Sabrina Carpenter April 6 YES24LIVE Hall

Anne Marie

Ed Sheeran

April 13 Yes24Live Hall

April 21 Moonlight Festival Park in Songdo

JESSIE J

Troye Sivan

April 26 Olympic Park

April 27 Olympic Park

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MOVIES 14

Shazam!

Hellboy

Five Feet Apart

Zachary Levi Asher Angel

David Harbour Milla Jovovich Ian McShane

Cole Sprouse Haley Lu Richardson

Avengers: Endgame

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The Kindergarten Teacher Maggie Gyllenhaal Parker Sevak Gael Garcia Bernal

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Partners with Hyundai Motors, Groove Korea, KIWI Chamber of Commerce, British Chamber of Commerce, Embassy of Finland, GS Shopping and more

COVER STORY

Drag community creates movement of self-acceptance, self-expression

Breaking boundaries Story LORENA JIMÉNEZ Photos MANON THORE AND EMMA KALKA

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rag culture is nothing new around most parts of the world, but it is quite a young movement here in Korea, one that has brought a new twist to traditional nightlife in terms of art, creativity, and acceptance.

Drag is not just about people putting on makeup and performing in front of others. Drag is wabout both the performers and the spectators setting new standards, breaking old limitations and finding new ways to accept and express themselves, helping others to find their bravery to do so as well.

A majestic storm leaving both the chaos and the beauty of a new form of selfexpression that has been sparking the

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curiosity of both nationals and expats wanting to find out more about the drag scene and all that it implies.

I had the pleasure to interview three beautiful queens, all of whom had unique and inspiring stories to tell and who moved me with their passion, strength, and performances. Each in their own way they have been raising awareness and bringing love to the drag scene. Chaka, Charlotte, and Vanessica, I salute you all and thank you for your bravery, beauty, and strength both on and off the stage. I was struck by your desire to bring positiveness, selfacceptance, and connection to a world where we often forget that life is a fight that we do not have to fight on our own.

COVER STORY

A majestic storm leaving both the Chaos and the beauty of a new form of self-expression

Chaka Each of these queens has something special, something unique. Powerful on stage, yet nurturing towards the people they perform for, all agreeing that even though performing is something that they love, what they love even more is to inspire others. They are able to change the atmosphere and the mood of the people who visit their stage. Making them feel a little bit more welcomed, a little bit more courageous, and perhaps also a little bit more tolerant, all through a good dose of humor and a lot of talent.

With their own talents and their own essence, there are some things that you need to learn about them:

Chaka, who performs at Qbar, is the perfect personification of their “Don’t ask why” motto when she performs, actively pushing the spectators to let their hair down. This queen’s form of beauty is her desire to make everyone feel special.

Her music choices are the classics, blasts from the past to which she brings authentic performances with the best of her craft, making you second-guess if she is actually singing the song.

Wanting to make it as real and tangible as possible, she pulls in her crowd no matter who they are because she performs with passion following two main mottos: “The champion is always humble” and the one that she learned from her mentor Kevin Juul, who told her that she does not perform only for the people that paid for the expensive seats,

but for the people that might be all the way in the back on the inexpensive seats.

“I always aspire to make those people feel like they are also VIPs because for me they truly are.”

Originally a dancer that came from humble beginnings, she found dance and later drag as a way to express herself without the need for words and also share her knowledge and secrets, a place to make herself vulnerable. The version of herself that she presents on stage is like that part of her alter ego that wants to make people question what they have always believed in, especially when it comes to very conservative ideas about life and tolerance.

She performs from the deepest part of herself while keeping in mind that, “In God, l move, breathe, and have my being” as powerful words that center her. ▶

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COVER STORY

Charlotte´s form of beauty comes from the path of self-love and selfacceptance; this queen that I watched perform at the Rabbithole opens all her shows with this powerful message: “l am Charlotte Goodenough and so are you.”

This is a strong message that comes straight from the heart and applies to absolutely anybody, independently of their age, sex, or social status. This performer, co-creator, co-organizer and co-host of multiple drag events delayed her dreams and desires to perform for the same reason many of us delay any of our dreams: that small voice in our mind that insists in making us feel like we are not deserving, the old “I am not good enough.”

Luckily for everyone that is able to see her perform, she was able to power through these feelings, proving through every performance that you can become anything you want. Focused on not only performing but also creating connections, she believes that if you don’t reach out to someone, there will be something important missing from the performance.

She enjoys sharing an exaggerated, edgy, alternative, and dark look, while also bringing a calming presence through her performances and ballads, opening the door for people to feel more comfortable, and give back to her audience some of her strength that they give her, so they get the extra courage to fight their own battles.

Charlotte 18

Drag breaks down boundaries, boundaries that might start with gender but do not stay there

COVER STORY

Vanessica´s form of beauty is strength and self-defiance. She was into theater and figure skating growing up, born with sweet and angelic features. She decided she can have it all: the fierce woman and the sweet boy.

Being one of that new generation of queens that actively chooses to deviate from what was normal, she aims to spread the belief that you can just break the mold, and be unapologetically yourself because you don’t have to fit perfectly in order to fit in.

Vanessica

Through her first performance at Meat Market, she came to the realization that, even though it was great, she loved more what it could have been.

Therefore, instead of feeling defeated, she took matters into her own hands and searched deep down for what she wanted. Expressing it differently every day through her makeup, fashion and performances, and also aspiring to make people laugh as much as they can, to bring some sort of lightness through all the bad stuff there is at times in the world.

A bearded queen that, by accepting herself as she is, is setting a standard for not only her peers but women in general, that they can be courageous because you can “still be feminine and beautiful even if you are hairy.”

A queen that believes she can do whatever she sets her mind to, only if she keeps on trying until she figures out the how, and who firmly believes that even an empty night is a successful night if it is fun.

As you can see, the drag movement and these queens in particular represent multiple perspectives and offer lessons for anybody who wants to let themselves shine and become that version of themselves that they can confidently defend.

Drag is a movement of selfacceptance and openness to understand that it is ok to be different, to accept those who are different from us, even when it might feel unsettling at first not knowing what to expect. These queens are powerful examples for anybody looking to break the mold they have been pushing themselves into. Through the interviews, we all agreed that drag is not only about performances and fun; there are plenty of other things that the drag community brings to society.

Drag breaks down boundaries, boundaries that might start with gender but does not stay there.

Drag also brings inclusivity to entertainment and it is a great way to make people feel connected to something, even when at times it might be something they don’t necessarily fully understand, but this connection still spreads a message, one in which we can all accept, respect, and encourage each other even through our differences. If any of these concepts resonate with you, you might want to take a stroll through this hidden, yet fascinating part of the night culture in Seoul. ▶

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COVER STORY

I PERFORMING

MASCULINITY Seoul’s Drag Kings Story KATHERINE MARTIN Translations HYUNSEUNG PARK Photos ROBERT MICHAEL EVANS, GIMNAMU, SOFIA LJUNGSTROM

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t’s early on a Sunday morning as I walk through a small door into a small, wood-paneled room. A few people have arrived already, settled at long tables with makeup bags and boxes settled in front of them. However, despite his casual slouch, Sapphire Reign is already stealing the show.

Only half of his face is made up in shades of contour and highlight, showing the dramatic changes that makeup can bring to a face. He is handsomely decked out in a gold sequin jacket that would make Freddie Mercury envious, and the stage lights make him flash every time he moves.

What are they here for? A drag king workshop.

Many people know of drag queens, but drag kings are not as well-known yet. I spoke with three of Seoul’s most prominent drag kings over the past month: Sapphire Reign, Jaxter the Taco Master, and Azangman.

These performers come from all walks of life, from teaching to office work.

Whatever their day jobs, however, each of these kings comes back to drag as their real profession -- their day jobs seem to play second fiddle to their drag careers.

HIstorically, drag kings have been very traditional male stereotypes. Performers would strive for a kind of male stereotype -- the dapper ladies’ man, the rough-andtumble mafioso, etc. However, as we have expanded our cultural understanding of gender, drag has become much more of an exploration of gender. “My goal is to tear down people’s expectations of gender play,” Jaxter explains, sipping on coffee. “Like, people expect drag queens to be hyper-feminine, wear heels, big hair, and people expect drag kings to be super masc, moustache, and not wear eyeshadow. I’m like, ‘You’re gonna get what you’re gonna get!’ I like to mess it up for them.”

For Jaxter, his drag is all about color.

He often performs in whiteface, with dramatic eyeshadow, contour done in bright colors, and black X’s drawn above his brows. Azangman also tends to perform in whiteface.

COVER STORY

“My goal is to tear down people’s expectations of gender play,”

However, Sapphire still trends toward a more traditional look.When I asked him about the inspiration for his looks, he cited Landon Cider as a major influence.

“Landon will do muted or nude colors, and will do flamboyant costumes and, like, a purple moustache. The facial features are [exaggerated], but they’re not artistic, if it makes any sense.”

As the workshop goes on, Sapphire pulls out a huge piece of paper with a woman’s face drawn on it and explains a few of the differences between women’s and men’s faces, illustrating them in light and dark on the sheet of paper.

“Men tend to have a larger nose,” he explains, shading the area around the nose. “So you have to make yours look a little larger, if you don’t have it naturally.”

The students nod, and stare at their own faces reflectively before going to work on their own large sheets of paper, judging which of their features need to be changed the most dramatically.

When it comes to the performance of our three drag kings, each of them is very individual. To Azangman, his drag is both a personal expression of art and a revolution against the patriarchy of

Korean society. “I usually perform as a ‘mad artist’. It’s something that usually only men are allowed to be. When a woman is talented, people call her crazy.

When a man is crazy, people call him a genius. I also go bare-chested, since visible nipples is also something only allowed for men. My trademark is to take ownership of things forbidden to women onstage and experience complete freedom.”

For Jaxter, it’s all about fun and taking risks. “One of the best things [about the drag scene in Seoul] is being able to take risks with my drag. I’m able to do that without fear of ‘what if they don’t like it?’

The audience is usually pretty supportive of receiving something different.

For Sapphire, drag is less of a personal exploration and more of a performance.

“For me it’s just fun! Some people ask me, ‘What’s your burlesque name, what’s your drag name, why are they the same?’ To me, they’re not different. I do a lot of the same acts at both shows. Like, the one I did last night [at WhiteLies Burlesque] I did here [The Rabbit Hole Arcade] for a drag show. To me, it’s just performance art. I’m just creating art.” ▶

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COVER STORY

Finally, the makeup begins. I pay for a glass of wine, and watch a group of strangers become friends. Putting on makeup together is, perhaps, one of the most feminine bonding rituals in the world. However, in this workshop filled with people of all genders, sexualities, and races, I see that bonding work its magic even as they explore their more masculine sides. People offer one another brushes, and compliment one another on their newly drawn-in masculine eyebrows and squared-off, shadowed jawlines.

“I feel very manly” One student says, with a smile.

Drag kings face a lot of inequality in the drag world. They aren’t acknowledged by the mainstream drag culture. “Drag loses its sense of danger and its sense of irony once it’s not men doing it, because at its core it’s a social statement and a big f-you to male-dominated culture.”

RuPaul, of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame, said in an interview with the Guardian in 2018.

All of the kings I interviewed had many of the same conclusions: patriarchy and prejudice in the gay male world and a lack of venues willing to take drag kings in a competitive world. “There’s a long history of the gay men scene being anti-women,” Sapphire says with a sigh.

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“You look at RuPaul’s drag race, and the only reason that women aren’t allowed on is because RuPaul doesn’t consider it drag. He doesn’t even allow bio-queens, women doing female drag. He thinks it’s a man’s world.”

Azingman shared a similar sentiment.

“Drag is part of the mainstream culture,” [emphasis added] he explains. “And society as a whole is hateful of women.

When it comes to non-male drag kings, there’s a lot more discrimination…. There are many venues that don’t welcome drag kings.”

“I’m privileged, because I produce a show,” Jaxter says. “So I don’t have to wait for someone to book me. But… well, the drag king scene in Seoul is just getting started. There [aren’t many] active kings, and one of them is Korean [Azangman] and doesn’t come to our scene that often.

So people just don’t know about us yet.”

However, what shocked me the most was the revelation of the pay gap between drag kings and queens. “I’ve heard that in other places, they don’t get paid the same,” Jaxter said. “I don’t know what that’s like, I get paid the same… for the

”My trademark is to take ownership of things forbidden to women onstage and experience complete freedom.”

COVER STORY

most part.” They follow the statement up with a look out of the corner of their eye. “I can tell from Instagram, from the way some people caption their photos, that they think that drag kings don’t work as hard. I’ve never heard that in Seoul, though.”

Despite all of these setbacks, each of the kings fights their own fight for recognition. Jaxter has their own show, and Azangman just finished organizing a drag king competition for May 29th.

Sapphire has his own dreams for starting at drag troupe in the long run, and holds the occasional drag king workshop to introduce the art of male drag to new, curious people.

And it seems to be working.

After the workshop and glamorous photoshoots with the newly-minted handsome men, the students mill around and talk.

“I feel like I can do a drag act now,” says Tamar. “With the burlesque group, I’ve been focusing on girl acts because there wasn’t much else I could do, but now I feel like I have a choice.

A striking self-proclaimed “baby drag king,” whose stage name is Jack Dumal looks pensive as he speaks. “I’m actually going to try and do some drag shows.

[I want to] continue with mannerisms and expand on the concept of enjoying masculinity.” ▶

All of the kings I interviewed had many of the same conclusions: patriarchy and prejudice in the gay male world and a lack of venues willing to take drag kings in a competitive world.

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COVER STORY

A CLOSER

LOOK

Story KATHERINE MARTIN Translations HYUNSEUNG PARK Photos TIM VAN DER MERWE, ARGUS PAUL ESTABROOK, ROBERT MICHAEL EVANS, GIMNAMU

“Sapphire Reign” Performs at Whitelies Burlesque and Revue @the.sapphire.reign

“Hurricane Kimchi” Heezy Yang Founder of Seoul Drag Parade @heezyyang

Q: Is there any particular style of art that inspires your drag?

Nowadays actually what I do is… people refer to me more as a “community queen” and activist rather than a “beauty queen.” And I do agree with it, and I like being called like that, cause I care about the community and I like being part of the activism movement as well. I guess I focus more on what I do in drag, and how I use drag to help the LGBTQ+ community in Korea. So I care more about that, and less about how I look.

Q: If somebody wanted to get into drag, what advice would you give them?

Do not feel like there are any rules to drag. Do not believe everything you see from RuPaul’s Drag Race or the mainstream media in general. Try to give drag your own meaning and find your own style.

By doing that, you can be the drag you want to be and express the person you want to be.

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Q: What drew you to drag?

I’ve always been interested in androgyny, and playing with gender. I’ve been wearing guys clothes for as long as I’ve been shopping on my own. Like, I always shop in the men’s section of HnH, because it’s just cheaper than the women’s section…. Anyway, it’s fun. Like in burlesque stuff, I was always leaning towards female singers for song performances. If I do a male song, it feels weird to dance around to a man singing. If I take on a male character, it makes more sense.

Q: What’s the worst part of drag in Seoul, and what do you think is the solution to the problem?

I went and performed at a drag king show in the States, back in October when I was visiting home, and I’m going to go back in May and do it again, it was specifically a drag king troupe, which we don’t have here. I’m trying to build some sort of interest in that. It was so welcoming and supportive. I walked in, and each person gave me a hug and said ‘you’re one of us’ and involved me in everything they were doing and it was just like everyone was building each other up. It was wonderful.

Here it feels like, “There are only three spots in the lineup, who’s gonna get it, I did it last time but I can’t do it this time,” and comparing to each other a lot. I want to build a community where it’s like, we’re all helping each other.

COVER STORY

“Azangman” Dawon Kim Producer of Drag King Contest 2019

“Jaxter the Taco Master” Jax Manager and Co-producer of DragDrinkPlay

@dragkingazangman

@jaxterthetacomaster

Q: How did you first begin to experiment with drag?

I have been a drag king since I was in kindergarten. I was supposed to be aborted if I was a girl, but the gynecologist made a mistake. My family, who thought I was going to be a boy, was very disappointed, and often showed their disappointment with both words and actions.

[When I was young,] I would often scream “I will be a man!”, put soap or sweet potatoes into my underwear and dance, especially in front of my grandmother.

If you take drag simply as cross-dressing, that’s no stranger to me either. I was involved in the lesbian community from my early teens, and my butch lesbian friends would often dress in menswear. So did I. In fact, I didn’t just wear menswear, but my partner and I would behave as a heterosexual couple might, like a man and a woman. Can I say this is drag?

Q: Is drag a kind of therapy for you?

Yes, I think it’s a kind of therapy. It has had a positive impact on my life. Before I started doing drag, I couldn’t even go out of my bedroom without makeup. When women were seen publicly, they had to prepare themselves with a beautiful face and slim body.

Without makeup, I thought of myself as deformed. I had plastic surgery. But even with plastic surgery, I wasn’t as pretty and slim as the girls in the media. If I thought about it, I got more and more depressed.

Then I met my current girlfriend, started to study feminism, and was introduced to drag…. I have come to know the joy and freedom of developing my own aesthetic, not to conform to social aesthetic standards.

Q: How has drag helped you understand yourself?

Just understanding myself. I feel like before, like I had to be hyper-feminine, and that was always so exhausting, even though playing for makeup for me is very fun. Before, I would never go a day without doing my eyebrows or eyeliner or something. And now I’m like, I don’t care. Part of that’s getting older, but part of it is just like I’m okay with how I look, and I’m more confident in how I am as a person. I’m more confident in, you know, how I’m playing gender outside of drag. I don’t have to be super feminine, wearing heels, wearing a dress.

Though sometimes I do wear dresses, that’s just because I hate pants! I guess I now identify as nonbinary/genderfluid.

I made people start calling me Jax because it’s not feminine, and I didn’t want people to see me as feminine all the time.

Q: Why do you think drag kings have faced more obstacles?

Because we’re women or trans men. You know, oppressed people. If you think about it from that perspective, like, oh yeah we’re women and trans men coming into a predominantly cis men world. I can’t speak on [the trans man] experience, but I’ve heard a lot.

Also, drag kings have not been known as long as drag queens. Who’s our RuPaul? We don’t have that yet. You know, drag queens have, like icons, or role models to look up to. Not that RuPaul is a perfect role model, but he’s accomplished a lot in his drag career. Like, something to look up to. Like it might be developing, but [drag kings] don’t have anyone’s career as a drag king to look at and go “I wanna be just like them.” There are big drag kings out there who are breaking barriers though.

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COMMUNITY

Camarata Music presents

“EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM”

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amarata Music was founded in 2009 by its conductor, Dr. Ryan Goessl, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Truly one of its kind worldwide, the organization has given more than 300 concerts, and has included members from 101 different countries from six continents, fulfilling its mission to “Create Global Communities Through the Universal Language of Music.”

In April, Camarata Music presents its next production, “Ein Deutsches Requiem” by Johannes Brahms. It will take place at NamSeoul Church on April 27 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are 25,000 won in advance and can be purchased on Camarata’s website. v are 35,000 won at the door.

DATE:

APRIL 27 TIME:

7:30PM LOCATION:

NamSeoul Church, 36, Sinbanpo-ro 19-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul TICKETS:

25,000 won (advance) 35,000 won (door) WEBSITE:

https://www. camaratamusic.org/ tickets

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K-FASHION

A real, casual conversational approach to fashion and Seoul Fashion Week Story LORENA JIMÉNEZ AND DIANNE PINEDA-KIM • Photos SEOUL FASHION WEEK ORGANIZATION AND MANON THORE

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nstead of the usual stringent and fashion jargon-filled reviews, our Groove editors share their first impressions, on ground experiences, and observations about 2019’s Fall/Winter collections.

Dianne: How was your experience of Seoul Fashion Week this season?

Lorena: This season I was very impressed by the young designers from Generation Next; there were a lot of new inspirations from their collections as well as outside of their runways. Unfortunately, the organization of the whole fashion week was not as good as it could have been.

D: This year we experienced an underground venue in DDP called Sallim B3F. It wasn’t really ideal; because of

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the dark lighting and the fact that it was crowded, it wasn’t good for seeing the details of the clothes.

L: What else caught your attention this season?

D: Some of the shows were not only about designs and styling but overall performance as well, like guest idols and actor models, great music, and some surprise appearances. What about you?

L: I was surprised that many brands are diversifying into other items like shoes, bags, hats, and other types of accessories.

Dianne: What was your most memorable moment?

L: At the show Baroque, I was brought to tears because, at the beginning and ending

of the show, they presented a video in memory of a model who used to walk for the brand who had recently passed away.

It brought a very deep and human touch to an experience that is usually mostly about fashion and aesthetics. I could feel the pain of the designer, the strength of the former model and also my own realisation of letting go of any mundane annoyances and enjoy each minute to the fullest, because you never know when it will be your last.

It was raw and real, SAD but also beautiful.

D: For me it was the selection of models, too. For some shows, there were some mature models, people with disabilities, and real people who walked alongside the models on the runway. It felt more refreshing and more real.

YCH D: We both agree that YCH is one of our favorite designers from previous seasons, and we were looking forward to seeing the show.

L: Last year the bags and the boots really made an impression on me, but I was looking forward to the F/W clothing items of the collection because the brand has more space to include more beautiful lines and richer fabrics.

D: YCH never disappoints when it comes to craftsmanship.

It was a very crowded show and we were seated only a few inches from the models. But it was a better view to see how all the little details come together.

L: The coats and the suits were outstanding; they had beautiful pattern-work that had an amazing flow to them. I couldn’t take my eyes off of each piece. What was your favorite piece?

D: I didn’t have one favorite because the whole collection was amazing. The designer really showed restraint, elegance, and a good eye for color.

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TI:BAEG

D: We have a lot to say about this show.

L: This was another one of our most anticipated venues, right up on our list of favorites. It turned out to be one of the best shows but sadly the one with the worst seats of the whole fashion week. We got front row tickets from the designer but, when we arrived, our seats were nowhere to be found; somebody else had taken them and the crew did not actively help at all, even though we asked multiple times, I was very disappointed at this fact because we really loved the collection and the designer, and she worked very hard to present this new season and made sure to give us good spots so we could appreciate that, but we could not even see the pieces from so far back.

D: Anything can happen in shows and, for both of us, who have been covering fashion week for several seasons, we are quite used to delays, disorganization, and frustrations but this one hit us hard because we both had strong, positive feelings about the designer. For me, I was looking forward to

the narrative because Ti:baeg always has a good story behind the clothes.

L: As for clothes, I loved all the pieces of this collection, especially the jean items and all blue color palettes. The Swarovski detailing and the flowiness of the pieces added a very ethereal, calm, and dreamy

PARTS PARTS

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vision to the whole show.

D: What I remember from Ti:baeg was that it had elements like sky blue, pastel greens, sheer lace, corals, that for me kind of depicted air, water, land, and other references to nature. The collection gave off a very poetic, tranquil feeling.

L: We were both really looking forward this show since it is zero waste and that is something that we both really believe in and have not seen before. How did you think they would incorporate it into the collection?

D: I think this show was very thoughtprovoking because it made people more aware of the environment. This is especially needed in South Korea where trends rapidly come and go. We need more designers who can combine style with eco-consciousness.

It’s usually quite hard to combine elements like practicality, comfort, and trends, but the designer really pulled it off.

L: Yes, I agree I feel like not only the pieces were meant to have a minimal surplus of materials going to waste, but also with the designs being not only beautiful but also timeless you could use the items and still love them for a very, very long time, which reduces the “wants and needs for quick disposable fashion.”

D: We just had one little detail that we wish that they hadn’t left out.

L: Yes, it would have been even more perfect if they had given out e-tickets to also reduce the waste that goes into disposable paper tickets. Let’s hope next season they incorporate them.

PEOPLE OF THE WORLD D: I feel bad I missed this show.

How was it?

L: For me it was one of the big highlights and inspiration sources of the whole fashion week. I was extremely pleasantly surprised by a brand that I didn’t know about before. It was amazing, I was so inspired. Everything in the show, from aesthetics, fabrics, designs, music, everything was art, beauty, and creation more than just fashion only - it was so inspiring.

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GREEDILOUS D: This show had us panicking for a second.

L: We were watching the show and there was a stop, and suddenly all of the security ran towards the start of the runway. We did not know what was happening but everyone seemed to be panicking and so were we.

D: It was only after the show that we found out that one of the staff members collapsed and they had to perform CPR. As I said, anything can happen in the shows. The stress, rushing around, and all the crowds every day can get to you. So I hope they have recovered well after that incident.

L: Yeah, when we asked around afterwards it seemed like the person was thankfully okay. We were all shocked, but at that moment we all witnessed first-hand how the show must go on. Since after the

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quick intervention, the runway kept flowing as usual.

In terms of design, I really loved how the designer incorporated new patterns that were very different from her usual style. The whole hand-painted artistic vibe brought many pieces to a whole new level.

D: We learned that the collection was inspired by Jean-Michel Basquiat’s graffiti and artworks, and it really showed from the model’s makeup, the paint-like mix of colors on the jeans, down to the urban, sort-ofNew York feel to the pieces. But of course, because it is Greedilous with their signature prints and patterns, there were a lot of looks that retained its psychedelic Rorschachinspired inkblots. The brand is all about showmanship, which is why it is loved by Seoul’s trendsavvy youth.

MINJU KIM D: I wasn’t able to attend Minju Kim’s show - what did you think about it?

L: I feel like the show this year had a much darker atmosphere and was a little bit more mature in terms of designs, unlike before when the brand used to stick to more girly and bright concepts. They still kept the traditional patterns that can be found in their core designs, which in my eyes hold a slight resemblance to Hanbok, but this time those lines were much more sophisticated, bringing a fresher and chicer perspective to their signature silhouettes.

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D ANTIDOTE L: What were you expecting from D-Antidote’s Space Jam concept?

D: The beginning of the show was very conceptual; right from the opening look, I knew what the whole collection was about: luxury athleisure styles, street, and a little bit of pop culture. It’s good because the designer had a very solid direction for his collection.

L: I was pleasantly surprised by the way he incorporated metallics. It’s tricky to wear metallics because it could make or break an outfit, but he made it look very stylish and consistent over the course of the show, even with a lot of metallic pieces being part of the collection.

D: The materials were innovative, like a mix of PVC, metallics, and puffers with more comfortable fabrics to balance the lightness and heaviness of the looks.

L: You are right, I was also impressed by the quality of the materials. There was a jacket that seemed to be literally out of a space suit, super warm and with a very durable and protective material, I feel like it would be a great piece to wear for city life, even in extreme weather, to stay chic and warm no matter if it rains, hails, or snows.

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BOURIE D: Bourie took us back to our childhood fantasies and favorite character Hello Kitty. What trends caught your attention?

L: I was surprised how they brought Tartan back.

Tartan has been recently used in chicer alternative pant styles, but it had been quite a while since I had seen it in such feminine silhouettes.

D: I just liked how Bourie had fun and playful with this collaboration because usually it always follows a very dark aesthetic. It still had a lot of blacks but it showed some pieces with subtle signature Hello Kitty details like the red ribbon and colors without being too literal.

L: Yeah I loved the red ribbon and small designs of some pieces and also how they used complementary colors to illuminate the collection, making it a tad brighter through the use of different variants of the yellow color palette.

THE EDITORS

DIANNE PINEDA-KIM

LORENA JIMÉNEZ

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Scene Stealers Street style stars at the Fall 2019 Seoul Fashion Week Compiled by LORENA JIMÉNEZ AND DIANNE PINEDA-KIM Photos SEONG JIN KIM

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t’s that time of the year again when the ramp leading up to the famed Zaha Hadiddesigned Dongdaemun Design Plaza is filled with a manic frenzy of spectators, photographers, tiny toddler trendsetters, and most, if not all, fashion fans from all over the world looking to be seen.

Brightening up the monotonous metallic grays and the cold concrete of the futuristic structures of DDP are a diverse set of regional and international showgoers in the ever-changing sartorial crowds: the hypebeast logo-maniacs, lovers of

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psychedelic colors, classic urban cliques, over-the-top groups, the trend-obsessed youth, and everything in between.

Last season it was mostly well-known models the one stealing all the spotlight, but this season on and off the runway new faces were the ones portraying their charms. As many other FW seasons before, the weather did not bless the fashion scene, but DDP was equally blessed by the uniqueness of the many outfits that were worn even in the freezing cold.

“The sun wasn´t shining but attendees

didn’t let that rain ruin their parade” We asked our street style picks at Seoul Fashion Week two questions: How would you describe your style for the day?

And what do you think about the phenomenon of people trooping to the venue vying for exposure on social media and beyond?

And they spilled all on their dressing strategies and their thoughts on the emerging cultural phenomenon of South Korea’s social media craze.

Ava Foo “Today I wanted to wear something simple yet stylish; the sunglasses were my main point but it is raining. I still decided to keep them on because fashion is meant to be inspiring and should therefore not be influenced by the weather.”

“The sun wasn’t shining but attendees didn’t let that rain ruin their parade”

Ji Hee Choi @_1997_c “I just wore whatever I was feeling like for the day. I think it’s okay for people to go here in fashion week because I came here for photos too. I like to express myself through my fashion, it’s also not just about getting attention, I want to learn how to be confident and get inspired by the styles of different people because I work in retail.”

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Victoria Trieu, Ms. Shangrila, Reiji Fujisawa @victoriatrieu, @ms.shangrila, @re_jifujisawa Ms. Shangrila: “Today I wanted to incorporate this piece that is from a Portuguese designer friend of mine, I wanted to mix different kinds of styles, so I am wearing fur, pearls on my makeup and hair to make it more feminine while adding different touches to keep it edgy and something I can identify with.”

Victoria: “I get inspired by a lot of Korean influencers, particularly Cheri of @cheristyle. I love wearing a mix of edgy and soft pieces with a pop of color.”

Reiji: “I just woke up and wore what I felt like wearing for the day. I love the style of Sita Abellan of @sittabellan [a DJ, brand-owner and style influencer] because I really like how she uses and combines colors and she’s great at styling herself.”

Kim Jin Geon

@_jingeon96

“Since the weather is so nice today, I just wore colors and pieces that give off a refreshing feeling because I also wanted to add brightness on this beautiful sunny day. I think that the crowds gathering here every fashion week have become a good culture. Because people all over the world can get to know Korean fashion through social media. I think it’s a good kind of competition because it gives us exposure as a country on the global scene.”

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Ridwwan Ibrahim @ridwanibrahim_ “For today I tried to use those pieces that I love from my closet that, due to work and life, I never get to wear and at the same time, I just tried to be as comfortable as possible. I also love vintage and high fashion brands so I finished the look with a designer bag. I’m a Muslim so I wore a hat to keep my faith through my fashion. In the US, we don’t really like style a lot and it’s great to see a lot of people here in Korea who have a special interest in fashion. Everyone just comes out every Seoul Fashion Week to dress however they want and it’s the time when the capital is open to diversity in fashion. It’s the time to show yourself off.”

Ching Tien Li

@chingtienli

“I am a model and actress from Taipei and today I went to watch the ti:baeg show and I wanted to wear something soft and feminine from their collections, to honor and support them during the show. I think it is good because we can all bring our unique styles and learn from each other.”

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Daniel Jang

@tiny__el

“My look for today is street chic. I wanted to be comfortable yet stylish because I am here for work. I am a model and might be photographed but I should be able to walk around and enjoy myself. I’m happy that there are huge crowds here because it only shows that people are getting more and more interested and due to my field of work, more interest and exposure in fashion is always positive for me and my peers.”

Sin Da Bin and Ahn Da Eun @__french2n_, @sin_da_bin00 “Today we went with a twin look concept in all-white outfits. We are sisters and we wanted to be creative with our whole outfit and makeup. The Seoul Fashion Week crowd is good because there’s no other chance for people to show off their creativity in fashion than during these two yearly occasions; it gives us a chance to embrace crazy looks without being judged too much about it.”

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Briggitte Sintim Duodo @wearbriggittegoes

“My dressing strategy is to go all out in bright, colorful and bold outfits because I noticed that everyone seems to prefer wearing black. I always want to go out of my comfort zone by wearing clothes that make me happy. I usually wear clothes that have a mix of cultures, like this printed Japanese robes. Of course, colors also capture attention but I do it for myself. I think Seoul Fashion Week is a great time to network and see a wealth of inspiration from different people and the melting pot of cultures.”

Alexandra Matheson @mathesonalexandra

“I came here from Vietnam with my team of a hair stylist and makeup artist who helped me put all of this together since I am starting my career in the entertainment scene. I am excited to be here because it is an opportunity to show my talents”

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Behind-the-Scenes & Kids’ Fashion

Our editors

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Trained at TONI & GUY and VIDAL SASSOON Academy in UK Color, Perm, Magic Straight, Treatment and more English Spoken For more info, call Johnny Tel 02.363.4253 Mobile 010.5586.0243 3rd fl. 168-3 Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu Qunohair Gangnam / Apgujeong Branch Tel 02.549.0335 10-6, Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul www.qunohair.com

www.hairnandjoy.com 43

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JUST A MAN AND HIS PIANO Tom Odell wows in first Seoul concert

Story EMMA KALKA Photos ARGUS PAUL WESTBROCK

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here’s something to be said about a man who can capture an entire audience for over an hour with nothing more than a piano and a bare stage.

Tom Odell is certainly one of those men.

In his first concert in Seoul, he brought out the crowds to Bluesquare’s I-Market Stage on March 18, all of who were completely enraptured from the moment his fingers hit the first key. It was a subdued concert - no raucous dancing, but certainly a few cheers here and there. But that didn’t mean the entire hall wasn’t filled with music. It’s incredible the sounds he can create with just the keys, his voice, and the occasional stomping of his foot.

After opening with “Grow Old with Me” from his debut album Long Way Down, Odell took the audience on a journey through all three of his LP releases. Thrilling the audience by greeting them with several Korean phrases, he then explained that he wanted to do something special for his first concert in the country.

“I’m going to start from the beginning and go through all three of my albums,” he said.

“This first song I wrote when I was living in Brighton in a small apartment about the size of this piano.”

He then launched into “Behind the Rose,”

He was endearing and at times adorably awkward, seeming to run out of something to say so just jumping into the next song.

which he said was about growing up and being homesick.

The night included some of his favorites, with Odell frequently taking the time in between songs to explain the meaning behind them, or to just chat with the audience. He was endearing and at times adorably awkward, sometimes seeming to run out of something to say, so he just jumped into the next song.

He shared stories about his trip to Seoul including hiking up Namsan and then getting blisters after walking for about 10 miles one day. During another break, he joked with the audience that he used to drink wine while performing, but now he drinks vodka.

“Just kidding. That’s water. Never put water on a piano,” he quipped.

The lineup included “Sirens” - he said he wrote it when he lived in between a hospital and a police station and he would sit up at night imagining who the nameless, faceless people were that the sirens were going to. “Constellations” from his second album got one of the largest reactions from the audience. He even deviated from the setlist, playing a song shouted out from the audience (“Skim”), though he humbly said he didn’t play it often and struggled to remember the lyrics from time to time. ▶

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Needless to say, he performed it flawlessly, or at least if there were mistakes, the audience certainly didn’t notice or care. Even when he did accidentally flub a key or two, he took it all in stride, often adding fun flourishes to the end of the song to make up for it.

He then performed “Magnetized,” which took on a more emotional tone in the unstripped version than it does on the album, followed by “If You Want to Love Somebody,” and “Don’t Belong in Hollywood.”

The concert came to an end with Odell performing a song he wrote two weeks ago called “Tears That Never Dry.” He explained before starting that he wasn’t even sure if it was finished yet, and it could go “terribly wrong,” but he wanted to share it anyway. Following that, he had the crowd clapping and singing along with

“Another Love” - perhaps his biggest single to date.

But as he said, many beautiful things cannot last forever. Even though the crowd was crying for an encore, the show ended there. Though in my opinion, it was the best way it could end. On a high note, with everyone - myself included - begging for more.

Despite the concert taking place in a large hall, Odell has a way about him when he performs that makes you feel as though it’s just you and him in a small room. His show was intimate - almost as though you were sitting in the living room of his flat, listening as he played and sang his heart out. It was simple - just some special lighting, but nothing fancy that could detract from the music.

There is a raw emotion to his music, and Odell is certainly talented on the stage,

Despite the concert taking place in a large hall, Odell has a way about him when he performs that makes you feel as though it’s just you and him in a small room.

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knowing exactly when to ebb and flow.

And knowing what will appeal to the audience. He peppered a number of Korean phrases throughout with decent pronunciation, though even if he had flubbed them, the audience was so in love with him, they would have cheered anyway. He is a spirited pianist and it was hard to believe that all that sound and energy was coming from just one man at times. Even I sat up and peered closer several times, wondering if there was a drum hidden somewhere on the stage before realizing it was just Odell stomping in time with the music.

When I wasn’t lost in a song-inspired daydream, that is.

It was a strong first concert, and as Tom said during the show, hopefully the start of a beautiful relationship that will bring him back for more in the future.

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GEORGE MAPLE AND THE TRUE ARTIST WITHIN Story BECKY WHITE • Photos MANON THORE

“I’m very proud to be able to conquer my own demons and the things that were holding me back; now it’s the time to have my own voice.”

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T

he sun was already warming the tops of the skyscrapers dotting the skyline outside of the Shilla Hotel. A sliver of golden light gleamed against the white wall of the hotel room, lighting George Maple’s face with a warmth that seemed to radiate more from her own eyes than from the sun. The morning was not yet old, and George Maple, looking fresh and dressed in a simple robe, smiled as we chatted like familiar friends.

She’s gracious and warm, and speaks with a curious sincerity that I often find only in those who are in love with art itself. George Maple loves and lives a creative life.

The name George Maple is a mystery of some sorts. The name itself carries no meaning; the significance of the name is created by the artist. The true human behind the name “George Maple” is Jess Higgs.

Singer, songwriter, musician and record producer, Jess Higgs grew up in Australia but has stretched out far beyond her hometown and produced music with artists all around the world. Upon asking her the origin of the name George Maple, Jess spoke frankly.

“I think because I have been a songwriter for so long, I think there is this fear… I love being behind the scenes, the magician that kind of puts everything together. I’m not super attached to being the front person.

Whilst I have learned to embrace it and love it, at first it scared me, because there’s no protection, particularly when you’re writing the music and producing it yourself. You’re revealing your soul to everyone. When I started the transition into the performer, I wasn’t ready to reveal myself to the world. I hadn’t dealt with some of my own insecurities.

It’s through vulnerabilities that we create.

I wasn’t comfortable with my vulnerabilities, so I created a name that had absolutely no meaning. It was a canvas, where I could channel this character and this tiny piece of my soul that needed to be expressed and put it into creative form. It’s an ever-evolving name. You can create any meaning you want, there are no connotations or presupposed meanings.” She then laughed and added, “My mom liked it and that’s what sealed the deal.”

What do you hope others will feel when they hear the name George Maple?

I asked. I myself had been listening to her music for a while and wondered who the artist was behind the beats and sound.

When I initially heard the name George Maple, I felt a somewhat powerful yet open energy. Upon hearing her response, I realized my thinking wasn’t too far off from what she hoped.

“Strength,” she said, without hesitation.

“In a really pure way. I think the concept of strength has been over-masculinized over the years and I think there’s so much strength in connecting to what you believe and retaining a sense of integrity. Strength and integrity are the two core elements particular to this phase of George Maple.

Those values help us make sense of this crazy world. If you’re connected to something, if you have a sense of belonging away from external things… that sense of belonging comes from within. I do believe that. I hope that’s what shines through this new record.”

The layers of George Maple were peeled away as Jess Higgs spoke freely about herself and her life; the years of nomadic lifestyle for her career and the price paid in making relationships work, her journey through love and pain to learning empathy and the power of vulnerability. Wisdom and questions gained from her years as an artist flowed out in her words like the lyrics she so honestly writes. ▶

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Strength and integrity are the two core elements of this particular phase of George Maple.

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Jess has been writing songs since she was nine years old. She’s no newcomer to the music world, but admits she is always on a journey of creative exploration; from songwriter to producer to now the transition into a bold artist connecting a face to the voice that has so long worked behind the curtain. Though the journey is never straightforward, Jess embraces the mess that comes with the magic.

“I feel very lucky to be able to do what I do every day,” she said, “I have to remind myself

when I get tired or it gets overwhelming, ‘look at what you’re doing.’ It’s very special.

I promised myself this album cycle that I wouldn’t lose this essence. It’s a connection to the source, whether that’s creative or the divine, whatever you want to call it. I promised myself that I wouldn’t forget how much I love that. Because it’s very easy to get caught up in the day to day of the profession, rather than your passion, which is where the fulfillment lies.”

The world of George Maple is simply beginning to be revealed. With so much to say, Jess Higgs has taken George Maple from the pain expressed through her last record, “Lover” to a place of rebirth.

“This last year, Champion came together very quickly and from a very pure place. There was no kind of overthinking of anything, and it was a taking away of the layers that I had obviously been slowly chipping away at, and just allowing the voice to speak for itself and what it wanted to say. It really is what my soul wanted to say in these stories. The inspiration of my new record is not about a guy. It’s putting the focus on this community of women that has been growing around me in this strange way, in all different walks of life. This concept of femininity being strong, and the power of vulnerability. There’s a power to softness and grace. It’s been a

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“I promised myself this album cycle that I wouldn’t lose this essence, this connection to the source, whether that’s creative or the divine, whatever you want to call it. I promised myself that I wouldn’t forget how much I love that.”

combination of an internal journey and the journey of what was going on in my life.”

There is the theory that the physical, the mental, the spiritual and the emotional parts are all connected and when aligned, constitute the genuine, whole human; this idea that we cannot be complete when something is missing. Often, in the pop music world, honest emotion is blunted and lost among the dollar signs and selling out to the public opinion. This reborn George Maple reflects Jess Higgs’ true self. She

hopes that her music will impact a young audience, and that listeners will see past the aesthetics of the sound and rather hear her saying, ‘I’m here for you.”

“There’s a beautiful symmetry between all these different elements and when they are in harmony, it feels right,” Jess Higgs said, thoughtfully. “It’s not about happiness. It’s this sense that ‘I’m connected to the world.’

It makes it less scary, I think. I always think of that Prince quote, “We’re all gathered here to get through this thing called life,” and I

always think about that. I think developing that sense of empathy is the only way you’re going to move forward as humans. Once you tap into that sense of connectivity, it starts to unlock a lot of the mysteries. Whatever you do in this world, you can’t do it alone. It’s a connection to the world, whatever binds us, that atomic binding of the world. It’s magical. It’s embracing the mystery as well.

No need to try to understand everything.

Simply acknowledging that you’re a tiny speck within the ethos. There’s no need to conquer, but simply a need to just be.”

“It comes down to what you are trying to say. What’s your line? And that’s where integrity comes from. You have to get to the source first. Strip back all the layers.

Figure out what connects you to the world. That will in turn give you your voice and the decisions you make will reflect that. Find your voice first. Take your time.

Be gentle. Be kind to yourself.”

Spoken by a strong woman with a bold voice and bolder words, I hope all the listeners of George Maple will love not only her music, but also learn to love the power of vulnerability and the strength of fragility.

Find out more about George Maple at www.georgemaple.com | Her music can be found on Youtube, Itunes, Apple Music, Google Play, Melon, Genie, and more. Follow on instagram @georgemapleofficial

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CHERRY BLOSSOM SYRUP A taste of spring for the whole year Story & Photos KATHERINE MARTIN

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pring has finally come, and with it comes cherry blossoms! I’m not going to lie -- cherry blossom season in Korea is my favorite time of year. The fragile pale blossoms are one of the first signs that winter is finally over for good.

One of the best parts about cherry blossom season is all the cherry blossomthemed knick-knacks that you can find everywhere! This spring season, though, take up your cherry blossom love up a notch with a way to take them with you

throughout the year: Cherry Blossom Syrup.

The first time I made this, I expected the cherry blossoms to taste very floral, not unlike orange blossom water. I couldn’t be more wrong! Cherry blossoms taste distinctly fruity, with soft, lovely floral undertones. They pair very well with many different flavors, like strawberry or lemon.

It’s also a great mix-in for yogurt or coffee.

With this syrup, you can make a multitude of other things, like Cherry

Blossom Lemonade, Cherry Blossom Yogurt, or even Cherry Blossom Panna Cotta, if you’re feeling experimental.

However, I most often use it in the same way I use regular simple syrup -for cocktails! Protip: use the syrup in place of sugar in a white wine sangria.

It’s fantastic.

The recipe I am sharing below was modified from a recipe by John Rensten of foragelondon.co.uk. It is used with permission.

Makes 4 jars Ingredients: • 1 bag cherry blossoms (filling a 2 to 3 liter bag) • 7-9 cups water • 1 teaspoon baking soda or vinegar • 4-5 cups sugar, equal to the amount of water • 1 tablespoon of corn syrup (optional) Utensils: A big pot, for boiling Mesh strainer or cheesecloth 4 glass mason jars, sterilized Directions: 1. Go out and gather your flowers. Try not to choose a tree around an apartment building because it will probably have been treated more heavily with pesticides. If you want your syrup to be pink, choose a tree with pink flowers. White flowers will produce an amber syrup.

2. Once home, remove the leaves and other bits and pieces.

Take a large bowl and fill with cold water, and add a teaspoon of baking soda or vinegar. (Baking soda is preferable, as it doesn’t impart any flavor on the blossoms) Drop in the flowers, and gently submerge and allow to soak for 20 minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly, making sure not to bruise the blossoms too badly.

3. On the stove, fill your pot with 4-5 cups of water, or enough to just cover the blossoms. Boil to a temperature of 80oC, and pour over the blossoms in the bowl and cover. Allow the blossom tea to sit for a minimum of 24 hours. After 24 hours, carefully strain the cherry blossom tea into a large pot using a cheesecloth or a mesh strainer, squeezing the last bits of liquid from the flowers. Sterilize your mason jars either by washing and boiling them or placing them in a 120oC oven for 10-15 minutes. I highly recommend boiling the lids because this makes the rubber ring soften and seal properly 4. Bring the tea to a boil over the stove and add sugar equal to the amount of water, about 4-5 cups. Boil until the syrup has thickened and the water is completely clear, about 3-5 minutes. Optionally, add a tablespoon of corn syrup at the end to ensure the syrup stays in liquid form. Pour into your sterilized mason jars, pop on the lids, and allow to cool to room temperature before storing in the refrigerator.

If you don’t plan on consuming the syrup within 4 months, store in the freezer or boil the jars with the syrup inside for 5-10 minutes to make them shelf-stable.

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Where good company and good food come together Where the chefs and guests mingle freely Story & Photos BECKY WHITE

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t’s no secret that N2Rage Barbershop knows how to make a man look good.

Every stylist in the shop wields a razor and scissors with casual accuracy, snipping hair until the customer looks like he’s been sporting three-piece suits since he was born.

The upscale barbershop for the everyday man looking for a fresh cut has an academy just down the street from their Dogok-dong location, where aspiring hairstylists can take classes. N2Rage takes a step beyond being simply a fine barbershop; on the first floor of their academy, their restaurant Queen’s Boulevard can be found. Here is where well-made food and casual atmosphere mix company.

Ahn Hyung Ro, the head chef at Queen’s Boulevard, has been working at the burrito joint for a year now and has worked hard to create a special atmosphere that is not easily found in western-style restaurants in Seoul.

“Our concept is a bit of an American atmosphere, Mexican food, and a good vibe.

We really paid attention to the interior and style to make a place where people come not just to eat a good meal, but to enjoy the culture here. We want our guests to feel comfortable talking with each other and the chefs, a place where they can all share a beer and just have a good time.”

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The menu at Queen’s Boulevard is simple and the portions are generous. The salad comes in an over-large taco shell bowl, the veggies fresh and colorful. The chefs flip the meat on a grill behind the bar, toss fries in a basket to shake out extra grease, and unsparingly squeeze a tangy sauce over the hot dishes, waiting to be served.

The open kitchen area allows customers to watch their food being made fresh before them, the smell of hot food cooking wafting over the whole place. Their ingredients are crisp and the quality speaks for itself in the full flavor of each dish. For those who have been searching far and wide for a proper salad in Seoul, Queen’s Boulevard serves up a decent one, alongside with grilled shrimp tacos and their signature dish, the California Burrito. ▶

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“All the food here is delicious, but if there’s a dish I absolutely recommend, it’s our California Burrito. It’s just good, hot food and has proved to be consistently popular,” Ahn Hyung Ro said truthfully, smiling somewhat bashfully. His modest expressions belie his hard work ethic.

Chef Ahn Hyung Ro began learning how to cook at twenty years old, and has always known that he wanted to do work that he could enjoy and find great satisfaction in, despite how hard it may be. He works hard to make a warm, friendly atmosphere

at the casual diner. During major sports games, Queen’s Boulevard opens their doors to fans and curious onlookers, playing the games from a big screen on the wall.

“Last time we did this, the whole place filled up. People were sitting on the stairs and the room was crammed all the way up the refrigerator. It was really fun,” Chef Ahn Hyung Ro says, appearing satisfied at the recent memory.

Future events hosted at Queen’s Boulevard can be found on their instagram

Queen’s Boulevard Dogok-dong 448-16 1F (도곡동 448-16) |

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@queensblvd_. Social media has played a big role in granting Chef Ahn Hyung Ro satisfaction in his work. “Honestly, it’s hard to cook. It’s really difficult, but when you put food in front of a customer and you see them enjoy it, I feel full and happy.

When people people put up photos on instagram saying they ate here and ate well, it’s a great feeling.”

Queen’s Boulevard is where casual dining meets friendliness, where customer and cook chat over the bar, and where good company and good food come together.

10:00 am (Kitchen 11:00) to 24:00 am (Weekend 22:00) |

@queensblvd_

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FOOD & DRINK

BACK TO THE

“Look on the bright side; then you’ll be brilliant” Story BECKY WHITE • Photos AHN DONG HO

Pair a hot latte with fresh, handmade bagels at Four B

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FOOD & DRINK

T

he absolute basics of a good cafe include a well-made cup of coffee and a comfortable place to simply be. Cafes boast a remarkable history of providing the proper atmosphere where significant books and songs were penned, the landmarks of artistic history. Cafes are where both java and ideas percolate, where revolutions are planned, and where people fall in love. A small table, a single mug full of the bitter brew set before you, the hum of conversation and carefully chosen music cast a spell of creativity. Interesting themes and fancy drinks are but whimsical designs that decorate the stark simplicity of a cafe’s foundations; a good cafe can do without.

Four B promises to take their cafes back to the basics. The three locations of Four B

around Seoul all have airy and light-filled architectural styles. I visited the Hapjeong cafe; a huge, bright building designed to capture space. Complete with an outside pavilion, an inside garden-like terrace, and expansive windows, the openness of the cafe is like a sigh of relief. The bakers on the first floor roll dough with calm focus, white baker’s hats on their heads and white flour on their hands. One young man roasts beans in the loft-style room. The roasting room is all glass and no wall. It’s somehow soothing to see the beans tumble and turn inside the coffee roaster.

Here at Four B, they promise specialty coffee of the highest quality, guarding the flavor of their beans from green to extraction to present the perfect cup of

Four B Cafe 66 Yanghwa ro 3 gil, Mapo-gu | Monday through Sunday 10:30 am - 22:30 | cheese are in plastic containers / eating in is plastic free

coffee. Their bagels are made every morning and are a unique point among other cafes; the most simple of bread made in the most exquisite way. I always recommend getting a bagel to those visiting Four B. For the interior designer and photographer who loves clean angles and natural lighting, the Hapjeong location of Four B is a dream. I absolutely propose it for a nice date spot or a time to hang out with friends; it’s not so much a study cafe but a good place to chat.

Come be inspired and let go of cramped thoughts and overwhelming worries.

Who knows; perhaps the next greatest idea will come from you next, here at Four B.

@fourb.hours | Plastic Free: Take out bagels & cream

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TRAVEL

A RECEPTACLE OF THE PAST

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W

Inside the empty space that history almost forgot Story DIANNE PINEDA-KIM Photos SEONG JIN KIM

ide, empty spaces, the cold, gray walls, the blending of red, yellow, and deep brown colors of imposing structures, and the eerily foreboding sense of melancholy surrounding the white cement blocks geometrically placed on the ground paint a post-apocalyptic image of the Mapo Oil Deposit. Its utilitarian buildings have stood the test of time and its hallowed halls have witnessed the rapid changing of South Korea, a young nation that was then still getting back on its feet after the effects of war.

In 1978, the Korean government, in a bid to quell public anxiety about the country’s first oil crisis, which had begun five years prior, set out to build an oil reservoir near the lush Maebongsan Mountain. It was an unlikely location. Five towering oil tanks that held 69.07 million liters of oil flanked the little known yet vast and promising lands down the hill where residential compounds were beginning to sprout. Still, the industrial project was of significant use to the citizens of Seoul as it provided them with their monthly supply of oil.

A series of renewals In 2000, South Korea was preparing for the Korea-Japan World Cup and began the construction of the Seoul World Cup Stadium in 2002. The Oil Depot beside it had to be closed down and oil transferred for the safety of the spectators during the festivities. After its demise, the facility was officially closed for about a decade, denying public access as it was deemed hazardous.

After the tanks served their purpose for 41 years, Seoul is ready to fill its empty

receptacles once again with new life. In 2013, the Seoul Metropolitan Government hosted a contest encouraging citizens and experts to suggest how to revive the defunct industrial facility.

This concept isn’t entirely new; the government has actively been seeking to restore old, inoperative places into spaces for families to enjoy. One prime example is Sewoon Sanga, considered the first modern residential commercial complex in Seoul that saw its boom in the 1960s. It was the go-to place for anyone looking to buy tools, metal, lights, electronics, and construction materials, and perhaps have their broken TV and radio transistors fixed. The worn down, obsolete place found it hard to keep up with the economic modernization of its sleeker, more posh, and urbanized counterparts like the business districts of Gangnam and Apgujeong. To remedy this, the government started a restoration project that transformed the old complex and sought young entrepreneurs with little to no capital, providing funds for their businesses to be located in Sewoon. Now, it is aptly called Maker City, a place for innovators and visitors to converge with the views of the Jongmyo Shrine and Namsan Tower.

The World Cup Park, now a collection of five eco-friendly parks, was also a product of a development plan that revamped a massive landfill that used to store Seoul’s immeasurable amounts of waste. Today, it has become a popular landmark with millions of visitors, with Haneul (Sky Park) the most photographed location for the Instagram-savvy youth. ▶

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TRAVEL

From industrial facility to a culture park The reintroduction of the Mapo Oil District was made possible through the joint efforts of a government-approved design committee and a citizen planning group dubbed the “Exploration Team.�

Now known as Oil Tank Culture Park, the existing five tanks were cleared of health hazards and reformed into an expansive community yard where regular outdoor market fairs, performances, and events are conducted. The tank that was once used to store petroleum was dismantled and magnificent glass walls and

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TRAVEL

“The rusting steel became a harmonious alchemy of colors that fit perfectly within the green backdrop of the surrounding mountain. From its gray, echoing walls, rays of sunlight and a flurry of activity now emerge.”

transparent roofs subsequently installed to transform it into a glass pavilion where visitors can look at the views from the inside out. The diesel tank became the venue for an indoor multi-use stage. The steel plates from the other tanks were preserved and used to construct a new building that houses a creative lab, lecture halls, conference rooms, a library, and a chic cafe. Then there’s the Story Hall, which holds exhibitions, digital information presentations, and remnants from the oil tank’s incredibly stunning makeover. The original appearance of the old pipes that used to be filled with oil, steel walls, and cold concrete still remain intact.

The new face of the oil depot is proof that art can be designed from what seems like a void and that there is indeed beauty in abandoned places. It’s all thanks to the people who used their imagination to create something valuable in this once utilitarian space without carelessly erasing its narrative and the time it represented. The rusting steel became a harmonious alchemy of colors that fit perfectly within the green backdrop of the surrounding mountains.

From its gray, echoing walls, rays of sunlight and a flurry of activity now emerge.

Oil Tank Culture Park

Storied architecture, beautifully designed parks, and functional spaces have this uncanny ability to shape a community and make the people more engaged, feel secure, and excited to find another destination that enables them to escape the daily hustle of city life.

87, Jeungsan-ro Mapo-gu, Seoul Korea )661, Seongsan-dong) |

parks.seoul.go.kr/culturetank |

@culturetank

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BYEOKJE A VIBRANT ABANDONED RAILWAY STATION

UngentrifieD... yet charming in its raw and abandoned state Story & Photos WENDY PALOMO

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R

ecent years have solidified the gentrification of Seoul. Perhaps, the most talked about area we have seen is the unfolding of Seollo 7017, once a highway overpass that became a safety risk. Located near Seoul Station, it used to be an alternative route for buses and cars. It is now a sky garden adorned by various plants and flowers. Another safety risk that dramatically became a haven for artists is the Oil Tank Culture Park, located near the World Cup Stadium in Mapo-gu.

After a consultation with the citizens, it was redeveloped and is now a picturesque eco-park. It features exhibitions and performances that draw people in. It is alive with energy and creativity, a stark contrast to its eerie state not so long ago.

But, alas! There is one place that keeps luring visitors to its abandoned state. Byeokje Station in Goyang summons the curious.

What makes Byeokje enticing for visitors?

TRAVEL

The broken clock shows that time had stood still for this abandoned railway station The staff in the few neighborhood restaurants, who are mostly ajummas, appear to be used to daily new faces whose purpose is predictably a visit and a photoshoot in the abandoned station.

Both local and foreign tourists vie for space and the best view possible and drop by the restaurants before or after their photo sessions. This is to the delight of the ajummas in the restaurants. Clearly, visitors are good for business.

From the main road where one alights from the bus, one follows a narrow road that goes to the abandoned railway. It cuts in the middle and requires a choice: Going right or going to the left first?

Going to the right leads you to a small dilapidated structure that unmistakably served as the ticket station. As if mocking its current state, a broken clock, visibly attached to one of its rails, shows that time had stood still for this abandoned railway station. The rust and the peeling that comes from its steel bars, the rundown and deserted office, the torn down windows all paint a spooky picture.

And yet… the metal railway, lined by leafless trees in the dead of winter, is charming in its melancholy. The same trees turn a vibrant green in spring and summer. The railway stretches far, its end not in sight. However inexplicable it may seem, it evokes hope. Then there’s the railroad lamp, standing still, a remnant of the station’s bustle when it was still serving the population it was designed to serve.

The left side of the road leads to the abandoned tunnel. It is supposed to be just one of those ordinary, dark tunnels until its end opens to the scenic backdrop of the Bukhansan ridges. This is when it becomes mesmerizing and dramatic. Visitors have been going here season after season and naturally brings out the tunnels’ beautiful landscape, no matter what season they choose to come.

Lovers crave the romantic glow they get from the photos. Friends rejoice at the versatility of the mood the tunnel offers. On

a great day, you have to wait for your turn to have your photo shoot as you want them done as the place can be filled with people whose purpose is probably the same as everyone else’s: a great photo. It is a place that silently welcomes everybody. No rules, no formal entry points, no aesthetics. It is as raw and as abandoned as it can get.

But despite the absence of formal entry points and regulations, visitors come and leave with a sense of respect. Unspoken but highly observed: those who come leave with appreciation and reverence. It is not often that a place neglected can welcome visitors openly and amiably.

The metal railway, lined by leafless trees in the dead of winter, is charming in its melancholy. The same trees turn a vibrant green in Spring and Summer.

Byeokje 8-15, Hoguk-ro 1430beon-gil, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 고양시 덕양구 대자동 산139-4 벽제역) How to get there: Go down Exit 8 of Bulgwang Station (Line 3 and Line 6) and take Bus No. 774. Get off at Byeokje Station

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FAMILY AND KIDS Eton House Prep (02) 749-8011 • 68-3 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul A unique British-style Prep School for children of all nationalities from 2-13 years of age. A broad, challenging and innovative curriculum preparing pupils for senior school and life beyond. www.etonhouseprep.com AMUSEMENT PARKS Everland Resort (031) 320-5000 • 310 Jeondae-ri, Pogokeup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do Lotte World (02) 411-2000 0 • 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul Pororo Park (D-Cube city) 1661-6340 • 360-51 Sindorim-dong, Guro-gu, Seoul Children’s Grand Park (zoo) (02) 450-9311 • 216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul Seoul Zoo (02) 500-7338 • 159-1 Makgyedong, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do BOOKSTORES What the Book?

(02) 797-2342 • 176-2, Itaewon 1-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul • whatthebook.com Located in Itaewon, this English bookstore has new books, used books and children’s books.

Kim & Johnson 1566-0549 • B2 fl-1317-20 Seochodong, Seocho-gu, Seoul

HEALTH ORIENTAL MEDICINE Lee Moon Won Korean Medicine Clinic 02) 511-1079 • 3rd fl., Lee&You bldg. 69-5 Chungdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Specializes in hair loss and scalp problems and offers comprehensive treatments and services including aesthetic and hair care products.

COSMETIC SURGERY MIZAIN plastic surgery Seoul National University College of Medicine graduate doctors offer the best quality medical services • (02) 515 6199 • Dosan-daero 423 (Cheongdam-dong 91-11), Gangnam-gu, Seoul www.mizainps.com MVP plastic surgery Welcoming environment for foreigners and friendly staff guarantees a pleasant visit for cosmetic surgery related consultations. (02) 3442 6669 •Nonhyeon-ro 819, Gangnam-gu, Seoul JK plastic surgery center Experience the best medical system in Korea. Its superb system allows the minimum efforts for your medical experiences.

(02) 777 0337 • 584-2 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul FITNESS Exxl Fitness Gangnam Finance Center, 737 Yeoksamdong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul www.exxl.co.kr

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UROLOGY & OB Sewum Urology (02) 3482-8575 • 10th fl., Dongil bldg., 429 Gangnam-daero, Seochogu, Seoul Tower Urology (02) 2277-6699 • 5th fl. 119 Jongno 3-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul DENTAL CLINIC Boston Dental Clinic General dentistry / Periodontics / Orthodontics (02) 3482-0028 • 92-12 5F, Banpo 4-dong (Seorae French Village), Seocho-gu, Seoul OPHTHALMOLOGY Dream Eye Center The best eye clinic for LASIK and LASEK. 3,000+ foreign patients over 20+ years of experience with 0 complaints. If you’re considering getting this, make sure to choose the best.

• 1588 9881 • 14 fl., Mijin Plaza, 825 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul ANIMAL HOSPITALS Chunghwa Animal Hospital / Korea Animal Transport (02) 792-7602 • 21-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul / www.cwhospital.com

MUSEUM AND GALLERIES National Museum of Korea (02) 2077-9000 • 168-6 Yongsandong 6-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul The NMK offers educational programs on Korean history and culture in English and Korean.

National Palace Museum of Korea (02) 3701-7500 • 12 Hyoja-ro, Jongnogu, Seou This museum has a program called Experiencing Royal Culture designed for English teachers to help learn about Joseon royal culture.

Seodaemun Museum of Natural History (02) 330-8899 • 141-52 Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul Don’t know where to take your kids on weekends? This museum exhibits a snapshot of the world and animals.

National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea (02) 2188-6000 • 313 Gwangmyeongro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do Leeum Samsung Museum of Art (02) 2014-6901• 747-18 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul • 10:30 am-6 pm Closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.

Gallery Hyundai (02) 734-6111~3 • 22 Sagan-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul The first specialized art gallery in Korea and accommodates contemporary art. • 10 am-6 pm Closed on Mondays, New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays.

Plateau (02) 1577-7595 • 50 Taepyung-ro 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul • 10 am-6 p. m.

Closed on Mondays.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (MMCA SEOUL) (02) 3701-9500 • 30 Samcheong-ro, Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Daegu Art Museum (053) 790-3000 • 374 Samdeok-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu Art space for local culture presenting Daegu’s contemporary fine arts and internationally renowned artists.

EMBASSIES American Embassy (02) 397-4114 • 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul Canadian Embassy (02) 3783-6000 • (613) 996-8885 (Emergency Operations Center) Jeongdong-gil (Jeong-dong) 21, Jung-gu, Seoul British Embassy (02) 3210-5500 • Sejong-daero 19-gil 24, Jung-gu, Seoul Australian Embassy (02) 2003-0100 • 19th fl, Kyobo bldg., 1 Jongno 1-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul Philippine Embassy (02) 796-7387~9 • 5-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Spanish Embassy (02) 794-3581 • 726-52 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul French Embassy (02) 3149-4300 • 30 Hap-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

HOTELS & RESORTS Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul (02) 2250-8080 • San 5-5, Jangchung-dong 2-ga Jung gu,Seoul

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Novotel Ambassador Gangnam (02) 567-1101 • 603 Yeoksam 1-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Grand Hilton Seoul (02) 3216-5656 • 353 Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul Somerset Palace Seoul (02) 6730-8888 • 85 Susongdong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Park Hyatt Seoul (02) 2016-1244 • 606 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Lotte Hotel Busan (051) 810-1000 • 772 Gayadaero, Busanjin-gu, Busan Park Hyatt Busan (051) 990-1244 • 51, Marine City 1-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan 612824, Korea

EMERGENCY MEDICAL CENTERS

Seoul National University Hospital 1339 • 28-2 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul Seoul Samsung Hospital 1599-3114 • 50 Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Asan Medical Center 1688-7575 • 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpagu, Seoul Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center (053) 250-7167 (7177 / 7187) • 56 Dalseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu

AIRLINES Korean Air 1588-2001

FAMILY AND KIDS Yongsan Intl. School (02) 797-5104 • San 10-213 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul Seoul Intl. School (031) 750-1200 • 388-14 Bokjeongdong, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do Branksome Hall Asia (02) 6456-8405 • Daejung-eup, Seogipo-si, Jeju Island Daegu Intl. School (053) 980-2100 • 1555 Bongmudong, Dong-gu, Daegu

Dulwich College Seoul

Asiana Airlines 1588-8000 Lufthansa (02) 2019-0180 Garuda Indonesia (02) 773-2092 • garuda-indonesia.co.kr

University Dongsan Medical Center (053) 250-7167 (7177 / 7187) 56 Dalseong-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu

Jeju Air 1599-1500

Gangnam St-Mary’s Hospital 1588-1511 • 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul

British Airways (02) 774-5511

Yonsei Severance Hospital (Sinchon) (02) 2227-7777 • 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul

Delta Airlines (02) 754-1921

T’way Air 1688-8686 Jin Air 1600-6200 Cathay Pacific Airways (02) 311-2700v Emirates Airlines (02) 2022-8400

Dulwich College Seoul offers an exemplary British-style international education (including IGCSE and IBDP) for over 600 expatriate students aged 3 to 18 from over 40 different countries.

6 Sinbanpo-ro 15-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Korea http://seoul.dulwich.org/ admissions@dulwich-seoul.kr 02-3015-8500

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