[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

Paul De Havilland demystifies the current state of cryptocurrency in Korea, "visual sociologist" and photographer Michael Hurt tracks gender representation in probing article on The Korea Times, see how South Korea is getting young hearts and minds engaged with science, and how difficult is it in Korea for victims of sexual harassment in the entertainment industry to speak out?

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"WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CRYPTOCURRENCY IN SOUTH KOREA"

Curious about cryptocurrency in Korea? 10 Magazine's Paul De Havilland, a self-proclaimed fan of disruptive technologies and an experienced stock trader, breaks down what's going on with the rise and fall of support for digital currencies in the Land of the Morning Calm. "[I]t appears that the at-times contradictory and often inflammatory speculations about the Korean government's intentions have reached a conclusion, at least for now", Paul concludes: "Given the country's influence in the crypto space, digital coin investors worldwide will welcome back trading as per usual in Korea".

...READ ON 10 MAGAZINE

"Girl life is a drag"

Michael Hurt is "visual sociologist", a street-wise fashion photography and academic who has been exploring and discussing the borderlands between image, identity and culture for a number of years now. In this provocative post on The Korea Times, Michael uses a recent photograph of his to start a discussion about "fashion and gender codes" in Korea: "And like all things worthy of closer critical inspection in Korean society, there is the question of whether the phenomenon is unique to this place".

...READ ON THE KOREA TIMES

"[Photo News] Instilling spirit of science in children"

South Korea is one of the most technologically advance countries in the world; science, innovation, and technology have become a central component in their 21st century culture, and centres like Korea's National Children's Science Centre are helping to continue to make science a central pillar in modern K-culture by inspiring and engaging young hearts and minds. Recently, the centre was reopened with the aim of "providing unique opportunities for young children to easily approach the magic of science through interaction and exploration". How are children inspired by science in your country? Let us and others know in the comment section below...

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"[Feature] Korean celebrities find it difficult to break silence on sexual exploitation"

The recent #MeToo movement against sexual harassment in Hollywood has been a powerful force for raising our consciousness on these issues. But, as Jo He-rim writes in this probing feature on The Korea Herald, Korea's entertainment industry remains largely unaffected: "...the movement has gained little traction in South Korea, with only a handful of revelations receiving slight public attention". According to Ha Jae-keun, a culture critic, "[I]n a patriarchal society, cultural expectations of celebrities are high for public figures, and the idea of a celebrity speaking on social issues is unfamiliar".

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD