[HanCinema's Digest] Photography and Art

The last Joseon court paintings are on display in Seoul after nearly a hundred years, see snaps of one of Korea's most beloved dog breeds, photographer Ashley Crowther is interviewed by Vice about his work close to the DMZ, and this young fashion designer believes the hanbok is bringing sexy back.

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"Last Joseon court paintings restored and on view"

The last two court paintings from the Korean Empire were revealed to the public last year for the first time in almost a hundred years. Kim Gyu-jin (1868-1933), the artists who create the images, studied painting in China and was a renowned calligrapher. Both images - "Wonderful Views of Chongseokjeong Pavilion" and "Extraordinary Views of Manmulsang, Mt. Geumgang" - were painted in 1920. These beautiful and rare creations from Korea's Joseon era are now available to view at the National Palace Museum of Korea (NPM) until March 4.

...READ ON THE KOREA TIMES

"[Eye Plus] Sapsaree, beloved Korean native breed of dogs"

South Korea has a complex and evolving relationship with man's best friend. In this post on the Korea Herald, writer Kim Min-joo features one of Korea's most beloved native breeds, the Sapsaree. Their name means "one that dispels evil spirits" and they were used as both guard dogs and pets. "Characterized by abundant hair that falls over their eyes, the goofy, friendly appearance of Sapsarees go hand-in-hand with their gentle temperament". Click on through for few photographs of these beloved animals.

...READ ON THE KOREA HERALD

"Think hanbok isn't sexy? Think again"

If you think Korea's traditional dress, the hanbok, is stuck in the past or unsexy, think again. Choi CNe is a 23-year-old fashion designer who has taken Korea's beautiful traditional dress and given it a modern makeover that goes beyond the modest variants many are familiar with. "Hanbok needs to keep evolving to stay relevant and expand. I mean, what's the point if people don't wear it anymore?"

... READ ON THE KOREA TIMES

"I Spent 2017 Living on North Korea's Doorstep"

Ashley Growther is an Australian photographer who spent a year living just 37 miles from Korea's DMZ. In this interview on Vice, Ashley reflects on some of the images he captured along the world's most policed border and shares his thoughts about the current state of affairs. "The war rhetoric spouted [by the current U.S. Government] is extremely destabilizing and does not show a good understanding of the situation on the Korean peninsula, both past and present".

...READ ON VICE