one of several heroes due to the politi-
ity, hatred, and shrewdness. Modern Koreans, no longer willing to blindly
cal intrigue of that time. But he started to
accept heroic role models, can see in this book their own complex psyche
be acknowledged for his lead role during
manifested in an individual who is being torn apart by tumultuous conflict
the Japanese colonial period and then
— a man struggling to make the best of his fate. A depiction of modern
became Korea’s foremost national hero
man as reflected in a historical figure appeals not only to Korean readers
after liberation in 1945, especially dur-
but lovers of refined literature worldwide.
ing the dictatorial regime of Park Chunghee, a former army general.
Superb literature the novel is, with subject and style in exquisite harmony. A first-person narrative written in short sentences, it often explores
It is this background that makes the
opposing concepts and juxtaposes savage and lyrical expressions. Abrupt
content of this book so relevant in Korea
contextual change in the mood and emotion, vivid descriptions of land-
today. Social change has created an
scapes, and forthright portrayal of the atrocity and inhumanity of war and
atmosphere in which there is no place for flawless and sacrosanct heroes.
intrigue, make for truly captivating reading. Indeed, this is a great transla-
Yi Sun-sin is thus presented in the book as a normal human being who
tion of a great original!
lives a life of contradictions and inconsistent emotions, such that moments of poetic beauty, love, and contemplation overlap with a sense of brutal-
More English Blogs and Cyber Guide to Korean Cuisine
The photos and crisp writing style give her blog the flavor of a book on cul-
ZenKimchi.com; fatmanseoul.com; seouleats.com
of Gwangjang Market and the unrefined rice wine, makgeolli , available at
Blogs by foreigners who have fallen in love with Korean cuisine are
tural criticism. Flinn’s blog includes features on the oversized bindaetteok Pungmul Market for only 1,000 won. You can also view photos of freshly steamed rice topped with overripe kimchi from an alleyway restaurant in
enjoying widespread popularity these days, with several “power blogs”
Samcheong-dong, and a recipe for yukhoe , a dish made with raw beef. Flinn
attracting an average of several thousand daily visits.
worked as an English teacher in Andong and Gyeongju before returning to
One of the best known foodie sites is ZenKimchi.com. Operated by Joe
UCLA to complete her master’s degree in Korean Studies. She now works
McPherson for the past eight years, it once recorded 18,000 visits in a sin-
for the overseas public relations section of the Ministry of Culture, Sports
gle day. The blog features recipes for poktanbap (“bomb meal”) offered in
and Tourism.
the hagwon (private cram school) district of Noryangjin, in the southwest-
Seouleats.com is the blog of Daniel Gray, an ethnic Korean who was
ern area of Seoul; nurungji snacks made of crusty rice from the bottom of
adopted by an American family at the age of five, but returned to Korea
the pot; and rabokki , a variation of tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) with ramy-
because he couldn’t forget the taste of cold cucumber soup from his Kore-
eon noodles added. McPherson, editor of “10 Magazine,” a publication for
an childhood. He now loves all Korean food. He serves as a food tour guide
foreigners in Korea, talks about life in Korea through the food and presents
for tourists and foreigners living in Korea, taking them to street carts for
the social meaning and historical background of particular dishes. He talks
snacks, then to eateries specializing in barbequed pork skirt-meat, and
about countryside life with boribap (boiled barley), the Korean War with
finally to restaurants for makgeolli and pajeon , or green-onion pancakes.
budae jjigae (literally “army stew”), a spicy sausage stew, and the night life
Duck baked in clay is served with dongchimi , a watery radish kimchi, along
and the democracy movement with haejangguk , a soup that is known as a
with pickled radish slices and chives salad. The crispy brown duck is opened
hangover remedy. He himself loves cheonggukjang , pungent bean paste
to reveal a stuffing of lustrous black rice and sticky rice as well as ginseng
stew, and also savors steamed barley and bindaeddeok (mung bean pan-
root, pumpkin seed, and various medicinal herbs. A serving of janchi guksu
cake) with dongdongju , a traditional rice wine.
(“banquet noodles”) follows. The reviews are detailed and informative,
Fatmanseoul.com is a site run by Jennifer Flinn. An anthropology major, Flinn effectively brings to life Korean culture and tradition in her stories.
Koreana ı Spring 2012
embellished with mouth-watering photos. The photos alone could make for a satisfying meal.
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