[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

Published on 2017/02/04

Comic Con to invade Seoul in August, Koreans' genetic roots revealed, UNESCO considering 7 Buddhist temples for World Heritage status, and North Korea launches a 'charm offensive' though animation.

"ReedPOP Officially Announces Comic Con Seoul for August 2017"

Comic book fans in Korea take note: Comic Con is coming to Seoul in August! The details are still coming in, but ReedPOP has announced that the massive COEX mall will play host to Korea's first-ever Comic Con. Modern South Korean pop culture is ripe to welcome the convention, so be sure to diarize the event and plan ahead. This is going to be huge...

...READ ON COMIC BEAT

"Research reveals Koreans' genetic roots"

According to recent research by Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), the Korean people "have genetic roots with an ancient people from the Russian far east and southern Asia". Jong Bhak, one of the biomedical engineers at the Genomic Institute, says that the data "matches not only the migration of genes but also thousands of years of history", and that "this is biological evidence that definitely explains the creation of Koreans' roots and the consequences".

...READ ON THE KOREA TIMES

"Korea seeks UNESCO World Heritage designation for 7 mountain temples"

Korea's Cultural Heritage Administration is seeking to make 7 Buddhist temples a UNESCO World Heritage site: "The temples, since their establishment, have continued the tradition of Korean Buddhism that is both religious and deeply rooted in people's lives". Just in time for when Korea welcomes the world at the Winter Games next year.

...READ ON THE KOREA TIMES

"Animated film used in NK unification charm offensive"

In an attempt to reach out to its democratic neighbour, North Korea's state-run media is broadcasting an animated feature called "Gojumong" that's set during Korea's Goguryeo era (37 BCE–668 CE), a time when inter-Korea relationships were a little less, well, complicated (maybe). According to Daily NK, this "charm offensive" contains propaganda statements like, "The separation and shameful infighting of the ethnic Korean people needs to end". Would you watch it?

...READ ON DAILY NK