Ashūra

Alright. I'm obsessed with this sculpture. I was planning to write my MD's disses on it, but apparently, I had no supervisor, so I had to change my plans. I see Ashūra even in my dreams.

Korean culture tv program

 

Munhwa sasaek 문화사섹 2009-02-24

More... jdrama?

OK, as my obsession is growing, I'm going to post more links to jdrama torrents. First, Smile (2009). I can't actually say anything yes, since today I've just seen first episode. I haven't read the reviews ( I trust only one reviewer, I.^^), but I can be sure that japanese reviews weren't that good. Why? The reason is simple.

Kozine

Official Website

For everyone interested in Korean culture. The magazine is in Korean and English. So far 8 issues, or I'm blind and I can't find more.

Downloadable, readable.

KBS2 Special - Korean Culture MU links

Yes, I decided to upload MU links to the files I posted on Korean culture.
There will be more, but currently, I'm in the whirlpool of events and have no time for this.

Our house is called hanok

Korean name depicting traditional houses. Date aired: 2010-02-13

Akutagawa Ryūnosuke - Rashōmon & In a Grove

 

(post stamp with Akutagawa^^)

KBS2 Special - Korean Culture new programs

As I promised, this time new files, but I decided not to upload torrent files, but the short programs. Some of you probably have it from DA.

Korean Dictionary

There are very few reliable dictionaries online. Not everyone can afford to buy a good dictionary (usually a good one costs around 100 $/50 £ and up). I found one in pdf format. It was from free domain and under GNU license. It's quite big, has romanized and hangul words. And is very useful. I suggest to print it and bind.

Traditional Culture of Korea

I found a book on traditional culture of our beloved Country of the Morning Calm. Unfortunately, it is entirely in Korean. Deals with: pansori, music, architecture, paintings, history (short outline), ceramics (celadon).
Happy reading^^of over 300 pages.

Jeong Jae Young - 2010-02-11 Iggi update

 

From Chosun Ilbo. Once again, the site didn't disappoint me.

Gokusen

I've watched first episodes this very night, thanks to some kind soul who streamed it (^^). And I just loved it. It was funny (sometimes a bit overboard for my taste), but hell, I had such a great time, I fell from my chair while watching it. And it was 3:45 am! Last time I did that for a drama was Attic Cat ( I don't count my obsession - YAB, because I was able to watch it either on the internet, or just two hours after airing on SBS^^).
I'm going to watch season 2, although the cast changed. Still, since I saw familiar faces on the poster for G 2, I will give it a try.
Recommended to everyone.

KBS2 Special - Korean Culture

 

Very interesting programs. Very short, but such warm welcomed^^

Learning Korean for Beginners

Eh, problems around Korean stuff. It's like a conspiracy.

Sungnye Mun 숭례문 / 남대문

 

Very beautiful. It was.

Jeong Jae Young - 2010-02-09

정재영이 9일 오후 6시 서울 삼성동 코엑스 오디토리움에서 진행된 '제7회 맥스무비 최고의 영화상'에서 포즈를 취하고 있다.  (credits here)
I mentioned I just adore him?

.hack/sign 2002

OK. I gave up manga/anime after Evangelion had ended. Last week my dongsaeng told me about .hack/sign and it happened. I'm hooked. First, the character designer is Yoshiyuki Sadamoto who is my graphic god. Second, the storyline is really good. I recommend it to everyone. And the Venice-like city. I have a weak spot for the most beautiful of European cities!
Also OST. Apart from all Japanese pop, this OST is really good. It reminds me of Lodoss OST (which I love^^).

Ekhem... jdrama

Yes, I arrived in a place so desolated that I have to find something to entertain myself, and since it bothered me for some time, I have to vent. So I'll write this and leave, preparing myself for tomorrow. Eh, life...

OK, not much to say, but thanks to some friendly soul (yes, I. you^^), I was introduced to jdrama, and actually I like it. Not everything, and not immediately, but...

G-Dragon

 

Kwon Ji-Yong (Korean: 권지용) (born August 18, 1988), better known by his stage name G-Dragon, is a South Korean singer and songer-writer. A trainee under the record label YG Entertainment for six years, G-Dragon officially debuted as the leader and one of the two rappers for the Korean hip-hop group Big Bang. Since their debut, G-Dragon has involved himself with the production of their albums: he composed and wrote several tracks by himself, including "Lie," "Last Farewell," and "Day by Day." His involvement received both praises and criticisms from critics.During the hiatus of Big Bang, G-Dragon released his debut solo album, Heartbreaker (2009), which went on to become one of the most successful albums of the year, garnering sales of over 100,000 copies. The album sparked major controversies for the artist, including accusations of plagiarism. (wikipedia)
OK, facts known to everyone. My first encounter with his music was last year, but it was from Big Bang. So, I paid little attention... Until...

Learning Korean

I know there are lot of people who want to learn that wonderful, but difficult language. It's not so easy to come across a good book. If you have enough money, or friend in Korea, you can invest into Hollym books (4 book set), they are difficult to learn by yourself, but worth every Won.

Konjaku Monogatari 今昔物語

오래간만입니다!

And this is what I do for my PhD^^

Korea Net

 

I would like to recommend this website to everyone interested in Korean culture modern and old, politics, economy and history. I would like to thank everyone involved in it for possibility to download the pdf versions of periodicals and some books. It is not everyone would do. Much appreciated. I read all I could gather from there, and I'm regular there. Link to Korea.net is on My Links panel.

I recommend vol 14 no 10 from 2009. Why?

Akutagawa Ryunosuke - Aozora Bunko

As I promised, I finished an outline of Akutagawa biography, and now, I'm giving the links to Aozora Bunko. All texts are in Japanese, sorted according to japanese kana order.
Aozora Bunko is open source for texts, and that is why I love it^^. Worth it.

"Life is stranger than fiction..."

These words, taken from one of Blackmore's Night's songs depict how real life is better than world of fiction, because sometimes unreasonable and unimaginable things happen.
But the irony is - this is a song. Also work of fiction.
Why all of us love so much movies, books, plays?

CNBlue

More info and links:

Drama, Variety Show, Music Show

OK, I decided to create another blog, because I don't want to demolish the construction of this blog I had in mind. In case anyone is interested in links to the newest: dramas, variety shows and music shows, please visit:

K-entertainment

With regards
Ethlenn

Akutagawa Ryunosuke

                                   

I hope this to be growing biography of one of the best writers in the world. I am addicted, I cannot be cured. I do not want to be cured. And for those who can read Japanese, I will put up a link to Aozora Bunko, where His works are stored, easy to browse. Do not read it in English if you don't have to. There is something in his writings (short most of it, I don't count the reports from China) that makes the reader unable to turn back from the path leading to further reading. Even in his weaker works he managed to do better than some other writers in their best.

Yes, I lost my objectivity and sense of literary criticism, but when it comes to Akutagawa Ryunosuke, it is like Rimbaud Arthur - one cannot criticize them in my presence.

 ***In wind reeking of duckweed, a butterfly flashed. Only for an instant, on his dry lips he felt the touch of the butterfly wings. But years afterward, on his lips, the wing's imprinted dust still glittered***