In 1966 Vincent S. R. Brant lived in Sokp’o, a poor and isolated South Korean fishing village on the coast of the Yellow Sea, carrying out social anthropological research. At that time, the only way to reach Sokp’o, other than by boat, was a two hour walk along foot paths. This memoir of his experiences in a village with no electricity, running water, or telephone shows Brandt’s attempts to adapt to a traditional, preindustrial existence in a small, almost completely self-sufficient community. This vivid account of his growing admiration for an ancient way of life that was doomed, and that most of the villagers themselves despised, illuminates a social world that has almost completely disappeared.

Review: The story is about a girl who is chosen to receive a literary education in the Korean palace. She among the other 9 girls excell at poetry and live truely blessed lives compared to the average life of someone of their birth and sex. The main heartbreak of all the girls, but more so for Unyoung is that she will never be allowed to marry or have a romantic relationship. One day a poet prodigy comes to the palace to meet with the prince, who is the girl's patron. He writes such sublim poetry that Unyong falls in love with him, and writes to him, at which point he falls in love with her. The book is about their love affair, and the hardships they must endure due to confucious society that disallows them their natural disposition. -- from http://www.amazon.com (Dec. 17, 2014)

In April 1885 the British navy seized the small archipelago of Port Hamilton (now Geomundo) off Korea, an incident dubbed the Port Hamilton Affair. This was part of a larger story of Empire and East Asian geopolitics involving China, Japan, Korea and Russia. At the time Britain and Russia seemed close to war over Afghanistan, and taking the islands, with their sheltered anchorage, would deny them to Russia while they might be useful in any blockade of the Russian fleet in Vladivostok. However, even in this imperial era, there were qualms about seizing inhabited territory belonging to a friendly nation, if only through the precedent it may set for others – particularly Russia – to do the same. Thus, Britain stressed that occupation was temporary and attempted to gain legitimate control anyway, through issuing leases. In the event, after much political posturing from East Asian nations, given that the geopolitical situation improved and there was no war with Russia, the British, after assurances that Russia would not take Port Hamilton, slipped away in February 1887. Geomundo returned to obscurity. This book, the first full-length study of the Port Hamilton Affair, is based around contemporary material varying from printed dispatches and government reports to original archival manuscripts. This enables the book’s scope to range from setting the Port Hamilton Affair into its context within the high geopolitics of East Asia through study of the life of the garrison stationed on the islands to relations between the powerless indigenous islanders and their British occupiers.

“You remember Eat, Pray, Love and Under the Tuscan Sun? Yeah, this really isn’t like those. It’s better” (San Francisco Chronicle). Most people want out of North Korea. Wendy Simmons wanted in. In My Holiday in North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth, Wendy shares a glimpse of North Korea as it’s never been seen before. Even though it’s the scariest place on Earth, somehow Wendy forgot to check her sense of humor at the border. But Wendy’s initial amusement and bewilderment soon turned to frustration and growing paranoia. Before long, she learned the essential conundrum of “tourism” in North Korea: Travel is truly a love affair. But, just like love, it’s a two-way street. And North Korea deprives you of all this. They want you to fall in love with the singular vision of the country they’re willing to show you and nothing more. Through poignant, laugh-out-loud essays and ninety-two never-before-published color photographs of North Korea, Wendy chronicles one of the strangest vacations ever. Along the way, she bares all while undergoing an inner journey as convoluted as the country itself. “Much of the humor and poignancy comes from the absurdity of a fun-loving free spirit taking a vacation that’s more rigidly scripted and controlled than a presidential motorcade . . . Simmons’ photos—including an eerie image of a classroom full of schoolgirls playing accordions—further illustrate the bizarre nature of a country that, whether for good or bad, has been carefully controlled for generations.” —San Francisco Chronicle “An irresistible read . . . A rare and fascinating look at the tourist’s North Korea in a work that is humorous, appalling, and very sad. A highly recommended and revealing glimpse into a secretive land.” —Library Journal

Nature of Korea - Mountains, Oceans & Roads Bicycle Riding in Seoul The 8 Streams of Seoul, and Chuseok Hiking the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range Yikes! Bang! What?! Hahaha...an unforgettable night at the Jirisan National Park's Shelters Busan - Seoul Bicycle Tour 548 km bike ride from Busan to Seoul, thank you for the helmet-ful of Korean love Jeju Olle Trail I received a precious gift from this earth, I feel 10 Years Younger thanks to the Olle trail Hiking in Geojedo Island The Geoje Sanmaru-gil Road that I made, you will be shocked Migratory Bird Habitats in Korea I was mesmerized by the sight of migratory birds I saw in Suncheonman Bay, Haenam Walking on Seoul's Namsan Mountain A life spent falling in love with the four seasons of Namsan Mountain, a life already 21 years old Photo Journey of Korea The intoxicating orange light from the rising sun, I had fallen in love with the East Coast Tour of Ulleungdo Island When you've missed the last boat, that's when you get to see the generosity of Ulleungdo Island Heritage of Korea - Tradition & History General Yi Sun-sin General! I get very emotional seeing you standing in the middle of Seoul with a big sword Panmunjeom & the DMZ Ah, so heart breaking! Only a few steps separate the south to the north Bukchon Hanok Village, Seoul Jeongdok Public Library, Samcheong Park and the Asian Art Museum, a cluster of Seoul Charm Taekwondo Taekwondo is a friend of 20 years, and now I’m a Korean at heart Templestay I almost lost my knees doing the 108 bows, barely kept my eyes open during the early morning service, but I got to known a new side of Korea The Gi (energy) Experience of Palgongsan Mountain One of my wishes was fulfilled that day “Arigato, Gatbawi!” Culture of Korea _ Hallyu & Passion Tour of Busan It’s more affectionate because it’s loud and crazy. Haeundae is a place you just keep wanting to go back to Tour of Drama Filming Locations Namiseom Island, Manjanggul Cave, East Sea Lighthouse… I came to see Bae Yong-joon, and I’m leaving with Korea in my heart Korean Soccer I go to soccer stadiums to feel the “Real” Korea Journey of Korean Literature Sonagi Village in Yangpyeong-gun and the Gwanghalluwon Garden in Namwon-si, Such a Romantic Korea Best Place to Propose I proposed to my girlfriend at Lotte World, and she couldn’t stop crying K-pop Live Elementary English teacher during week, K-pop fanatic on weekends Tour of the Korean Night Life Partying at clubs, noraebang, DVDbang, then relaxing at a jjimjilbang Exploring the Alleys of Seoul Experience the Depth of Seoul in the Small Alleys Between the Tall Buildings Korean Popular Music I got to know Korean songs through Chu Ga-yeoul, and felt the Korean ‘jeong’ through Shim Su-bong Busan's Sajik Baseball Park While Screaming for the “Busan Galmaegi” I too became a Citizen of Busan Incheon International Airport See the Korean Wisdom at the Traditional Korean Cultural Experience Zone for Transit Travelers Train Journey Romance in Public Transportation Tastes of Korea - Nature, Health & Body Jeonju Bibimbap A spoonful of colorful ingredients, wow! Culinary Tour of the Namdo Area Food critic from Hong Kong can’t stop eating Namdo food Korean Street Food I tried mandu, eomuk, gimbap, and… dak kkochi at a pojangmacha, and now I can’t forget the taste! Native Foods of Korea Devotion beyond your imagination, I was humbled by seeing how gochujang is made Tour of Traditional Markets There’s nothing that Moran Market doesn’t have, and here I felt the warmth of Korea Food Culture of Andong-si Spicy jjimdak for Lunch, Healthy heotjesabap for Dinner. Fine dining from morning till night 16 Regional Areas of Korea + Must-see Routes

A funny, transporting, surprising, and poignant novel that was one of the highest-selling debuts of recent years in Korea, Love in the Big City tells the story of a young gay man searching for happiness in the lonely city of Seoul Love in the Big City is the English-language debut of Sang Young Park, one of Korea’s most exciting young writers. A runaway bestseller, the novel hit the top five lists of all the major bookstores, went into twenty-six printings, and was praised for its unique literary voice and perspective. It is now poised to capture a worldwide readership. Young is a cynical yet fun-loving Korean student who pinballs from home to class to the beds of recent Tinder matches. He and Jaehee, his female best friend and roommate, frequent nearby bars where they push away their anxieties about their love lives, families, and money with rounds of soju and ice-cold Marlboro Reds that they keep in their freezer. Yet over time, even Jaehee leaves Young to settle down, leaving him alone to care for his ailing mother and to find companionship in his relationships with a series of men, including one whose handsomeness is matched by his coldness, and another who might end up being the great love of his life. A brilliantly written novel that takes us into the glittering nighttime of Seoul and the bleary-eyed morning after with both humor and emotion, Love in the Big City is a wry portrait of millennial loneliness as well as the abundant joys of queer life.

Korea's traditional love poetry is little known in the West. This anthology contains examples of all genres: vernacular to long lyrical poems. A witty informative commentary links the poems and sets them in context.