Latest news with #SungshinWomen'sUniversity
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Song hye-kyo marks Korean Independence with heartfelt project; aims to donate 10,000 books on liberation from Japanese colonial rule
Song Hye-kyo and the 'Korean Independence Movement History Guide' she produced and donated Song Hye-kyo , in a move that's as inspiring as it is timely, she's joined forces with Professor Seo Kyung-deok from Sungshin Women's University to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule. On August 15, 2025, Professor Seo shared on social media that they've donated a whopping 10,000 guidebooks highlighting Korean independence movement sites in Mexico. With humour in the mix, one might say Song Hye-kyo is turning historical sites into the next big 'tourist trap'. Unveiling hidden gems of korean heritage abroad The guidebooks are packed with fascinating details on key locations tied to Korean independence fighters in Mexico. They cover spots like the Korean National Association 's Mexico City branch hall, residences of activists Kim Ik-ju and Hwang Bo Young-ju, the Dolores Cemetery, and even the lodging of Dosan Ahn Chang-ho in Guadalajara. Professor Seo pointed out the poor preservation state of many overseas Korean historical sites, adding a witty note that continuous interest and visits from people are the 'superhero capes' these places need to survive. This project cleverly bridges the gap between past heroes and modern audiences, encouraging a sense of global connection . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo A 14-year legacy of collaboration and future plans Song Hye-kyo and Professor Seo have been at this for 14 years, donating Korean-language guidebooks, signs, and memorials to an impressive 39 locations worldwide. Their teamwork is like a well-oiled machine, churning out awareness with every project. To mark this special year, they've already kicked off with a donation of 10,000 guidebooks to Saipan and Tinian islands in June 2025, and there's a third project slated for reveal in November. It's not just about numbers - though 10,000 copies per site is no small feat, equivalent to filling a small library. This ongoing effort highlights the importance of cultural preservation , resonating with Indian audiences who value initiatives like the Swadeshi movement's emphasis on self-reliance and heritage.
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Japan-themed events face backlash ahead of Liberation Day
With the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule just around the corner, a Japanese-themed festival at a theme park here is fueling heated debate online. Nijimori Studio in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, has been holding a summer festival since July 26, which runs through this Sunday. The festival offers visitors a chance to experience Japanese culture through activities such as trying on traditional attire, attending samurai duel performances and watching parades of portable Shinto shrines, officials said. What sparked controversy are the programs planned for Friday, which include a samurai duel performance and a kimono contest. This falls on the same day as National Liberation Day, a national holiday that marks Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule (1919-1945). Seo Kyung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University in Seoul and an outspoken activist on issues related to South Korean sovereignty, wrote in a Facebook post that 'holding such an event on National Liberation Day goes against the national sentiment.' Nijimori Studio is a commercial facility repurposed into a theme park from a former film and drama set. Some online users, however, argued that historical issues and cultural consumption should be seen separately. 'Should every Japanese restaurant just shut down? If we start rejecting cultural exchange because of a country's past wrongdoings, what's the point of diplomacy?' one Facebook user wrote. The theme park responded to the controversy by introducing programs to mark National Liberation Day, including the reading of a celebratory message and a lantern-floating event honoring independence activists. A similar controversy erupted earlier last week when the professional baseball team LG Twins announced plans to invite 'Tanjiro' and 'Nezuko,' characters from the hit Japanese anime Demon Slayer, to throw the ceremonial first pitch at their game against the Hanwha Eagles on Saturday. The team ultimately canceled the plan amid mounting public criticism. Demon Slayer is set during Japan's imperial era, and the pattern on the main character's earrings has long drawn backlash for resembling the Rising Sun flag, a symbol linked to Japanese militarism. Amid the ongoing controversy over Japanese cultural events on National Liberation Day, demand for travel to Japan has remained steady. More than 9 million passengers traveled on flights between Korea and Japan as of July 17, marking a 9.3 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Incheon International Airport Corporation.
Straits Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Australian museum removes display wrongly labelling Chinese clothing as ‘Korean traditional attire'
Professor Seo Kyung-duk at Sungshin Women's University shared the news of the display's removal on his Instagram on May 29. PHOTOS: SEOKYOUNGDUK/INSTAGRAM SEOUL - The Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia, has removed a display that mistakenly labelled Chinese-style clothing as 'Korean traditional attire' following complaints from the Korean community in Australia. Professor Seo Kyung-duk, who teaches liberal arts at Sungshin Women's University and a prominent advocate for promoting Korean culture abroad, shared this news of the display's removal on his Instagram on May 29. 'I heard about this from a lot of Koreans in Australia. It's such a great outcome,' Prof Seo wrote. He explained that after concerns were raised, the museum acknowledged the mistake and corrected the label to indicate that the clothing was Chinese-style. The final removal of the display, he said, was the result of collective action by the Korean community in Canberra. Prof Seo also underscored the significance of the display's removal. 'Even if the label is corrected, placing Chinese-style clothing in front of the Korean flag is bound to cause misunderstandings among foreign visitors,' he said. 'Given that China has recently been making false claims that hanbok originated from its own culture, this decision was very much welcomed.' THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Korea Herald
29-05-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
Australian museum removes display wrongly labeling Chinese clothing as ‘Korean traditional attire'
The Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Australia, has removed a display that mistakenly labeled Chinese-style clothing as 'Korean traditional attire' following complaints from the Korean community in Australia. Seo Kyung-duk, a professor of liberal arts at Sungshin Women's University and a prominent advocate for promoting Korean culture abroad, shared this news of the display's removal on his Instagram on Thursday. "I heard about this from a lot of Koreans in Australia. It's such a great outcome," Seo wrote. He explained that after concerns were raised, the museum acknowledged the mistake and corrected the label to indicate that the clothing was Chinese-style. The final removal of the display, he said, was the result of collective action by the Korean community in Canberra. Seo also underscored the significance of the display's removal. 'Even if the label is corrected, placing Chinese-style clothing in front of the Korean flag is bound to cause misunderstandings among foreign visitors,' he said. 'Given that China has recently been making false claims that hanbok originated from its own culture, this decision was very much welcomed.'
Korea Herald
20-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Chinese shopping platform sparks outrage by selling items featuring Korean dictator's face
A Chinese online shopping platform has sparked controversy in South Korea for selling merchandise featuring a portrait of former military dictator Chun Doo-hwan, prompting backlash from activists. South Korean civic activist Seo Kyoung-duk on Tuesday demanded that Taobao, a major e-commerce platform operated by China's Alibaba Group, suspend the vendor from selling the items. 'Taobao is selling a wide range of products featuring Chun Doo-hwan's face, from short-sleeved T-shirts and hoodies to bags,' Seo, who is also a professor at Sungshin Women's University, wrote on Facebook. 'The image used is from his inauguration, following the bloody crackdown on the May 18 pro-democracy movement.' Seo also criticized the design of the products, which include the words 'The South Face," a play on the brand The North Face, implying Chun represents the face of the country. In an email sent to Taobao, Seo urged the company to stop selling the items, saying, 'Selling such products deeply hurts the families of the victims. At the very least, you should know what is appropriate to sell and what is not.' 'It is unacceptable to mock the painful history of another country, especially for profit,' he added. 'The Chinese must realize that actions like this will only lead to global isolation.' This is not the first time that Chinese nationals' use of Chun's image has stirred controversy. In February, Chinese fans displayed photos of Chun during an AFC Champions League Elite match between Gwangju FC and Shandong Taishan. That same month, a Chinese TikToker posted a video in which they roamed the streets of Gwangju while impersonating the former dictator. Gwangju has become a symbol of the Korean democratic movement, due to the many deaths and injuries that occurred under Chun's bloody crackdown on the Gwangju Democratic Uprising. Chun led a military coup in 1979 and ordered a brutal crackdown on the protests in Gwangju in May 1980. According to government records, 162 civilians were killed and 941 injured. Around 1,400 people, including high school and college students, were later arrested, many of whom were tortured or imprisoned.
