Where the Truth Lies (이태원 살인사건)
Directed by Gi-seon Hong

Where the Truth Lies (or Itaewon Homicide) is based on the true story of the murder of Jung-pil Jo, who was fatally stabbed in the bathroom of the Itaewon Burger King in 1997. The police obtained two Korean-American teenagers, Arthur Patterson (known as “Pearson” in the film and played by Geun-seok Jang) and Edward Lee (known as “Alex” and played by Seung-hwan Shin). As in real life, each character blames the other for the murder. The film’s hero, Detective Park (Jin-yeong Jeong) tries to draw out the true criminal, but unsuccessfully: Patterson was pardoned in a general amnesty and Lee was acquitted at the Supreme Court. If this film had been fiction, it would have been forgettable, but its local subject matter makes the film more powerful. Last October, the Korea Times reported that this film was inspiring NGOs to call for a reinvestigation of this case, and in January, it was reported that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has delivered an official request to extradite [Patterson] to the South Korean Embassy in the United States.” This film would be worth watching to help contextualize the news as it continues to develop over the next year.

500 Days of Summer
Directed by Marc Webb

500 Days of Summer is easily comparable to films like Garden State and Nick and Nora’s Ultimate Playlist. These films owe their popularity in part to their indie soundtracks, quirky leading ladies and geek-hot Jewish male leads. 500 isn’t anything new, but compared to the formulaic/raunchy romantic comedies that Hollywood has been putting out lately (see The Ugly Truth), 500 is as refreshing as a summer breeze. The story starts with Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his lofty quest for “the one.” He falls for Summer (Zooey Deschanel), a seemingly independent vintage-clad beauty. With the exception of emotional hipsters, most men will have difficulty relating to Tom, while women can relate to both characters, making the film a quintessential chick flick. But, as our omniscient narrator tells us, this is “not a love story,” but a story about love, and anybody can appreciate the complexities and intimacies of that, especially when rendered through the cinematic thoughtfulness of music-video director Marc Webb.

The Ugly Truth
Directed by Robert Luketic

The executives at Columbia Pictures must have came up with this one in an attempt to mimic the success of films like Knocked Up and The Hangover. It’s as if they thought, “If we mix a chick-flick with a gross-out comedy, we’ll make a fortune!” And so Knocked Up star Katherine Heigl gets paired up with the ultimate man’s man, King Leonidas from 300, Gerard Butler. If they thought that throwing in a lot of swearing and raunchy humor into a predictable love story was a good idea…they got it wrong.

This shot of the colorful scaffold wrap was taken just across from Gecko's Terrace in Itaewon.

Through some of the 10 Magazine back channels (Thanks Ku Lee at MLA!) we are now able to confirm that the brand new 3-floor Taco Bell in Itaewon will be likely be opening sometime in May assuming no construction delays. (So much for the article we previously linked to saying it would open in March.)  Stephen Row of Taco Bell Korea put to rest rumors that they are also opening a Yeoksam location, saying, “We’re just focused on having a successful opening for our Itaewon location right now.” We’re guessing from the number of times this article has been shared on Facebook that they’re going to have a very successful opening.

We’ll keep in touch with Taco Bell Korea and bring you the exact opening date as soon as it’s confirmed.

Seoul has long been short on options for international education, but there’s about to be a massive new addition to the primary school market here. Seocho-gu will soon see the addition of Dulwich College, which is one of the top schools in the world. The British elementary school is set to open in September and is actively recruiting foreign students –  the population of native Korean students it legally limited to under 25%. Dulwich has some very unique aspects, including that while the primary language of education will be English, the second language taught at all grade levels will be Mandarin Chinese. Being that Dulwich has branches in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou already, delivering on quality Chinese teachers shouldn’t be a problem.

Parents interested in hearing more about Dulwich College and having their questions answered can drop by the Ritz Carlton hotel this coming Saturday at 1 pm for an information seminar. Interested parties should contact admissions@dulwich-seoul.kr, or call 02-501-9740.

Bullfighting in Korea dates back over a thousand years, to well before the beginnings of the bloodthirsty and savage pursuit that exists in Spain and Latin America. Korean bullfighting involves neither matadors nor murder. It involves neither the tormenting of animals nor the goring of people. Instead, it reflects the ancient bond between man and ox—so important to a historically agrarian society—and the natural forces of the world that have bulls competing over territory.
Where once bulls fought for grass and pride, now trainers lead them before audiences who bay not for blood but for sport. In a specially constructed 10,000 seat stadium, over four days in March of every year since 1999, trainers lead their best bulls into a ring and compete for a prize of millions of won.
The bulls are lead by ropes pierced through their noses and gently coerced until their horns are locked, and nature takes its course. Then, the bulls fight and jostle for seconds, minutes or even hours, until the fight is settled with the resignation of one of the bulls. They push and crash their heads together, but blood is rarely shed.
The bulls are all impressive beasts to behold, even from the safety of back row seats. They are divided into three weight distinctions, all massively heavy. Yet the fearless trainers stand shoulder to shoulder with their fighters, throwing mock punches and delivering encouraging slaps to the rear. There is the definite sense that these men treat their bulls with respect, and the bulls return the favor.
Outside, the bulls are on parade before the audience. These prize fighters are well-kept animals. Some of the trainers feed soju as a form of liquid persuasion to bulls surrounded by thousands of spectators, facing opponents weighing hundreds of kilograms and fighting for the pride of their nation.
For it is here that Korea and Japan go head to head in the ring, with the best of Korean livestock and the best of Japanese livestock pitted against one another between bouts of singing from multi-colored hanbok-clad dancers and crooners who manage to get the mostly older audience clapping in unison. An announcer yells frantically over the loudspeaker from start to finish, and each time a bull bucks or charges, the audience roars.
For four days, the quiet hills outside the sleepy town of Cheongdo are a bright, noisy fusion of old and new, of man and beast. The quiet green fields become parking lots and the roads are lined with vendors and makeshift restaurants. For the duration of the festival, Cheongdo feels like the most exciting town in Korea.

Words by David Wills
Photo provided by Cheongdo District Office and shot by Jeonghee Hwang

Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival, March 17th–21st
693-2 Samshinri, Hwayangeup, Cheongdogun,
Gyeongsangbukdo
Phone: 054-370-6376, www.청도소싸움.kr

To get the full scoop, check out the party’s Facebook or Myspace pages.

Lifehacking means finding clever ways to function more efficiently in life. When a chef does it, is it “restaurant hacking”? Lugo, the Seoul baby of a well-known New York City enterprise of the same name, strives for two challenging goals at once—keeping true to its authenticity while sourcing ingredients as locally as possible. To keep costs down without a loss in quality, Lugo improvises with what’s available. And the man in charge of this task is Executive Chef Mark Battle.
A native of Buffalo, New York, Mark has risen through the ranks of the competitive New York scene. He got into cooking because of his love of food and the energy of a busy, successful restaurant. He was entrusted with and has succeeded at the opening of Lugo’s Seoul restaurant.
While many chefs ignore the bounty this part of the world has to offer, Chef Battle embraces it. He says that Korea has quality produce, mushrooms, dairy and seafood: “I mean, the sea bass we get is delivered alive in a bag of sea water!”
He particularly has praise for a product in Korea that many ignore—the milk. He believes that Korean milk has a full rich character. That shows itself as Lugo takes the raw curds of a local dairy producer and turns them into silky mozzarella in the restaurant. As Mark says, “You can’t beat the taste of warm mozzarella right after it is made.”
He’s not exaggerating. For people familiar with Korean delicacies, this à-la-minute cheese is reminiscent of fresh chapssal tteok (sticky rice cake). It comes wrapped in prosciutto with sweet figs to balance the saltiness. The dishes are classic rustic Italian favorites that have a few surprises in store, like gnocchi made with semolina flour instead of potatoes and served like a polenta. Chef Battle did find the tastes of the Korean market a little different from the American one. The sensitivity to salt is greater, so the salt volume has been turned down a bit. The pomodoro sauce also has a more pronounced garlic flavor.
The restaurant exceeds expectations, which Chef Battle believes is the key to any successful restaurant. Restaurants need to go beyond what’s expected in quality, service and value. “Seoul is a restaurant city,” Mark observes, “and to stand ahead of the rest is a challenge we love to face.” Even though Mark will be leaving Seoul on March 3rd, his legacy of restaurant hacking remains for you to enjoy.

Lugo is right in the middle of sophisticated Cheongdam-dong, next to Club Circle in the alley behind Ahnsei Hospital. 02-512-0572

Words by Joe McPherson and shots by Joe McPherson and Lisa Smith†

Spaghetti Pomodoro
Ingredients
• 250g. dry spaghetti
• 625g. canned peeled tomatoes
• ½  cup of shaved garlic
• ¼  cup of diced onion
• ½  cup of olive oil
• 50g. grated parmesan cheese
• 50g. unsalted butter
• 10g. basil (cut into thin ribbons)
Method
Heat olive oil to med. Heat and sauté garlic until lightly caramelized. Add onions and cook until soft. Crush tomatoes by hand and add tomatoes and juice. Season with salt and pepper and simmer 20-30 min, stirring occasionally. Allow to cool and puree.
Cook spaghetti ¾ of the way in salted water. At the same time heat ½ L of sauce in a large saute pan. When it simmers, add butter and melt. Drain pasta, reserving water, and add to the sauce to finish cooking. Stir constantly to avoid it sticking to the pan. When pasta is cooked, add cheese and stir. Adjust thickness with pasta water if necessary. When cheese is fully melted, add basil and adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Serve in bowls and garnish with grated cheese, basil, and a light drizzle of olive oil.
Freeze any remaining sauce for an even easier meal next time around.

Words by Dr. Phillip Yoo

With spring around the corner, many of us want to start getting into shape after a long winter of holiday food and fun. The most convenient way to lose weight and enjoy the spring weather is to run outdoors. Unfortunately, many people who start running after a long hiatus tend to jump into it too quickly, resulting in annoying injuries that prevent them from achieving their goals of fat-burning and fitness. Therefore, I have listed some guidelines to follow in order to prevent injuries and enjoy running outdoor.     

How do I get started? Many people think that traditional static stretching (holding a stretching pose for at least several seconds) is an effective warm up method before running. However, research has shown that static stretching may actually cause muscles to tear because they are not warmed up. The best way to warm up before running is to do some calisthenics and dynamic stretching (stretching a muscle through motion). This should be followed by simply walking for an amount of time that feels comfortable – anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Once you can walk for 30 minutes easily, add one- to two-minute running intervals into your walking. As time goes on, make the running intervals longer until you are running for 30 minutes straight.

Is it normal to feel pain during running? Some discomfort is normal as you add distance and intensity to your training. But real pain isn’t normal. If something feels so bad that you have to run with a limp or otherwise alter your stride, you’re probably injured. Stop running immediately and take a few days off. If you’re not sure, try walking for a minute or two to see if the discomfort disappears. For all acute injuries, remember RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). Apply ice in 10 minute intervals in order not to freeze-burn your skin. If the pain doesn’t disappear, consult a sports doctor.

Do I have to wear running shoes, or are other trainers fine? Running doesn’t require much investment in gear and accessories, but you have to have a good pair of running shoes. Unlike ordinary trainers, running shoes are designed to allow the feet to strike the ground properly, reducing the amount of shock that travels up your legs. They’re also made to fit your feet snugly, which reduces the slipping and sliding that can lead to blisters. If you have foot pain even with good shoes, you may need to have some custom-made sports orthotics in order to provide your feet with proper arch support.

What’s the difference between running on a treadmill and running outside? Since a treadmill “pulls” the ground underneath your feet and you don’t meet any wind resistance, running on one is somewhat easier that running outside. Many treadmills have shock absorbers, making them a good option if you’re carrying a few extra pounds or are injury-prone and want to decrease impact. To better simulate the effort of outdoor running, you can always set your treadmill at a one-percent incline.

Where should I run? You can run anywhere that’s safe and enjoyable. The best running routes are scenic, well-lit, and free of traffic. They’re also soft: choose trails or smooth grass rather than roads. Think of running as a way to explore new territory. Use your watch to gauge your distance and set out on a new adventure each time you run. Talk to other runners about the routes they run. The more varied your routes, the easier running will feel.

I always feel out of breath when I run. Is something wrong? Running causes you to breathe harder than usual, so some amount of huffing and puffing is normal. Most of that out-of-breath feeling diminishes as you become fitter. Concentrate on breathing from deep down in your belly, and if you have to, slow down or take walking breaks. If the breathlessness persists, ask your doctor about the possibility that you may have asthma.

I often suffer from cramps when I run. Will these ever go away? Side cramps are common among beginners because the abdomen is not used to the jostling that running causes. Most runners find that cramps go away as fitness increases. Also, don’t eat any solid foods in the hour before you run. When you get a cramp, breathe deeply, concentrating on pushing all of the air out of your abdomen. This will stretch out your diaphragm muscle (just below your lungs), which is usually where a cramp occurs.

Should I breathe through my nose or my mouth? Probably the latter, which will allow you to get as much oxygen as possible to your working muscles. However, some runners breathe through their noses during training runs, believing that this keeps them more relaxed. Do what works for you.

Do I really have to stretch after running outside? The difference between outdoor running and a treadmill is like night and day. On the electric treadmill, you are just playing keep up. Outside, your body is using all of its power to propel itself forward. You feel everything! So now is the time to do some static stretching (such as hatha yoga) in order to stretch the muscles while they are warmed up. 

How can I enjoy running more? Don’t feel bad about stopping your run mid-way through to relax and take in the sights of nature around you. Sometimes I run on the beach and will take a breather just to feel the breeze for a few minutes. If I run through a forest, I like to explore a bit and look for wildlife (I guess I’m a hasher wannabe!). A huge bonus to outdoor activities is the scenery. So enjoy the little things in life by stopping to smell the roses (and all the other plants) and you will look forward to your next run even more.

The sports broadcast on Korean TV may not feature the teams that you want, the times that you want, or even the sports that you want. Unless you never get tired of seeing Kim Yuna-focused figure skating coverage, that is. For those days when you want to see the pigskin go up and down the field a few times or  watch the puck get a bit of abuse on the ice, there are Korea’s sports bars. 10 Magazine will be posting the weekly sports schedules for some of the best sports bars here, updated each week. You’ll want to make this page a favorite and check back every Thursday morning to see the rundown for the next week.

Let the games begin!

Hollywood Grill

123-33 Itaewon 1Dong 3rd Flr. Yongsan, Seoul Korea Phone-82-2-749-1659/02-749-1659

Saturday, 13 March

Football (Soccer)

9:45 pm Premier League
Tottenham Hotspur v Blackburn Rovers

12:00 am Premier League
Birmingham City v. Everton

12:00 am Premier League
Bolton Wanderers v. Wigan Athletic

12:00 am Premier League
Chelsea v. West Ham United Live via Internet

2:30 am Premier League
Hull City v. Arsenal Live via Internet

Sunday, 14 March

Football (Soccer)
10:30 pm Premier League
Manchester United v. Fulham Live via Internet

1:00 am Premier League
Sunderland v. Manchester City Live via Internet

All games are shown by customer consensus. For any other events, ask for Matt at the bar.

Rocky Mountain Tavern

Itaewon, just up from the fire station going towards Hangangjin Station (east from Itaewon Station). 010-5775-2327

Tues. Mar. 9

7:30 pm - Dallas @ Washington

Wed. Mar. 10

6:30 pm - Calgary @ Detroit
9:30 pm Ottawa @ Edmonton

Thurs. Mar. 11

6:30 pm - Carolina @ Washington
9:30pm - Vancouver @ Phoenix

Fri. Mar. 12

6:30pm - Edmonton @ Montreal
9:30pm - Ottawa @ Calgary

Sat. Mar. 13

12:00 am (LIVE) - Nashville @ Anaheim
6:00 pm - Pittsburgh @ New Jersey

Sun Mar. 14

12:00 pm (LIVE) - Ottawa @ Vancouver
4:00pm - Edmonton @ Toronto

Mon. Mar. 15

6:30 pm - Toronto @ NY Islanders
9:30pm - Calgary @ Vancouver

Tues. Mar. 16

6:30pm - Edmonton @ Columbus
9:30pm - Detroit @ Calgary

Sam Ryan’s Sports Bar

In the alley behind Hamilton Hotel in Itaewon. Second floor above 3 Alley Pub. Any questions call Chris 010-8691-5381. 02-749-7933

Wednesday Mar 10th

Movie Night-Roadhouse @7:30
NBA-Toronto VS LA Lakers @9:30
NHL-Leafs VS Bruins @9:30
Thursday Mar 11th
NHL-Hurricanes VS Capitals @7
NBA-Utah VS Detroit @9:30

Friday Mar 12th
NHL-Lightning VS Leafs @6
NHL-Senators VS Flames @8:30
NHL-Oilers VS Canadiens @11

Saturday Mar 13th
NBA-Cleveland VS Philadelphia @5
NBA-LA Lakers VS Pheonix @7:30
Rugby 6 Nations-Ireland VS Wales @11:30
Rugby 6 Nations-Scotland VS England @2

Sunday Mar 14th
Boxing-Pacquiao VS Clottey(Live)@11
(w/ English commentary)
NHL-Senators VS Canucks(Live)@12
NHL-Oilers VS Leafs @3
NHL-Bruins VS Canadiens @6
F1 Race @8:30
Rugby 6 Nations-France VS Italy @11:30

Monday Mar 15th
NCAA March Madness-Selection Sunday @7

Tuesday Mar 16th
NHL-Red Wings VS Flames @7

Wednesday Mar 17th
Movie Night-Young Blood @7:30

Any questions call Chris 010-8691-5381

by Jure Majnaric

Whether you’re new to Korea or have been here a while, you’ve undoubtedly visited some of the tourist spots in the city, checked out some of the famous party areas or maybe even taken a Korean class hoping to make your stay in Korea easier. Few would argue that living in Korea can be a fun and rewarding experience, since there is plenty to see and experience no matter where you live.  However, one can easily get wrapped up in all the fun and overlook one activity which I have found to be one of the most rewarding parts about living here: volunteering.
A few years ago, I was lucky to find a volunteer position with the Seoul Global Center, where I worked together with other volunteers and staff members to help foreigners living in Korea.  This experience opened up my eyes to volunteering in Korea, and I realized that while there were opportunities for foreigners to volunteer, they were rare and not readily advertised to the foreign community.
Although it’s a little easier to find information about volunteering in Korea today, there’s another issue that makes some people hesitate to volunteer. This is the issue of whether volunteering is legal for foreigners living and working in Korea.  Searching the internet, one can find a multitude of information on this topic—some of it misleading. Volunteering organizations have confirmed that it is completely legal for foreigners to volunteer in Korea as long as they are not getting paid. In fact, foreign volunteers are even allowed to accept a monetary stipend to cover expenses such as transportation and meals.
Volunteering is a great way to meet other like-minded people, both Koreans and expats. Those who have made volunteering a big part of their life will be excited to find that there are many groups throughout Korea that welcome foreign volunteers.  Currently, a lot of the volunteer opportunities in Korea involve teaching English to underprivileged children, though other kinds of programs exist, ranging from helping the homeless and volunteering with food drives to assisting the disabled and spending time at a home for the elderly. Some groups may require that you fill out and submit an application, while other groups are less formal and post their information on social networking sites like Facebook. With information about volunteering in Korea only a few mouse clicks away, check out the list of groups and organizations below and find the one that’s right for you.

Volunteering in and around Seoul
As the bulk of Korea’s English-speaking population is located in Seoul, it should come as no surprise that most of the volunteering opportunities are centered around the capital as well. Whether you’re want to help feed the poor or protest North Korea’s oppressive regime, you’re sure to find a group with the same values and mission as you.

Amnesty G48
An official affiliate of Amnesty International Korea, Amnesty G48 takes action on human rights issues around the world through street campaigns, photo petitions, written petitions, human rights events and educational talks. Anybody can join the group, and their monthly meetings are conducted in English. To join, search for “Amnesty International G48 Korea” on Facebook or email amnestyseoul@gmail.com

Animal Rescue Korea
Animal Rescue Korea helps rescue and find homes for stray or abandoned animals in Korea and plans adoptions, foster homes, fundraisers and volunteering. Started in 2007, ARK members visit a no-kill animal shelter in Asan every Saturday, with groups leaving from Seoul Station and Daejeon. Their website is an online community with English-language information, so check it out at animalrescuekorea.org, goesslry@gmail.com

BEAN Seoul
BEAN is an active and casual volunteering, networking and social group for young professionals in Seoul. BEAN seeks to connect busy people, both Korean and expat, with professional backgrounds through leadership, friendship, and service. BEAN Seoul members organize regular monthly and one-time volunteering events, and members can participate in other fun, social and community-oriented events. Find them on Facebook or on the web at seoul.beanonline.org, jurica@gmail.com

HOPE
HOPE (Helping Others Prosper through English) is a group led and managed by foreign English teachers in Korea. Volunteers teach English to underprivileged children from low-income and disadvantaged families at different centers around Seoul. alwayshope.or.kr, bedavinci@naver.com

House of Sharing
This group’s main goal is to spread awareness of sex slavery imposed on Korean women during the Japanese occupation of South Korea. Volunteers can work independently with the house anywhere from two months to a year doing various work including cleaning the grounds, helping with English materials, and spending and documenting time with the halmonis (grandmothers), former “comfort women,” victims of the Japanese military’s system of sex slavery.  houseofsharing.org, info@houseofsharing.org
Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network
The Korean Unwed Mothers Support Network is looking for volunteers to help out single, unwed mothers in Seoul. These mothers are in the process of organizing an association, but in the meantime, they are looking for people who can help provide child care services or be an English volunteer tutor. Contact Ms. Hee-jung Kwon (hjkumsn@yahoo.com) for more information.

North Korea Human Rights Groups
There are several  North Korean human rights groups in Seoul including Justice for North Korea, Helping Hands Korea and PSCORE. These groups focus on activities such as helping North Korean defectors and holding awareness campaigns, among others.  For more information, look up “Rescue NK” on Facebook. rescuenorthkorea@gmail.com

Salvation Army Thrift Store
The Salvation Army runs several programs to help those in need. Foreigners can get involved with campaigns such as “Food Market Friendly Visits,” where volunteers deliver groceries to the homes of food market beneficiaries who cannot visit the market themselves. nanumistore.org, hkima@naver.com,
02-365-7084

Seoul Global Center
The Seoul Global Center and its affiliate “Village Centers” around Seoul offer foreigners various ways to get involved in the community. Volunteers can help teach English to unprivileged children at community centers or share their culture with Korean elementary school children. Other volunteer events are usually organized on a monthly basis by each Village Center. Centers are located in Yeonnam, Itaewon/Hannam, Ichon, Seorae, and Yeoksam. global.seoul.go.kr, 02-1688-0120

Seoul Volunteer Center
The mission of this volunteer organization is to enhance the quality of life of Seoul residents through volunteering.  They have recently made some of their volunteer opportunities available to foreigners.  These include social welfare activities, educational activities and cultural exchange activities.  To get involved, visit their website at volunteer.seoul.go.kr and click the “for Foreigners” link on the right.

Seoul Players
Seoul Players is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based English-language theater group that puts on two major productions a year. They are always looking for volunteers to help out with different roles. seoulplayers.com, info@seoulplayers.com

Volunteer for PLUR
PLUR members meet several times a month to volunteer in three regular events: serving at a soup kitchen, distributing food and soy milk to the homeless around Seoul Station, and visiting an orphanage to play with the children. They also organize other fundraising events throughout the year to raise money for charities. To learn more, search for “Volunteer for PLUR” on Facebook. volunteerforplur@gmail.com

Volunteering outside of Seoul
Expats living in other regions of the country will find it a little harder to connect with volunteering opportunities, but don’t give up! Check out the options below or try contacting local churches or community centers in your area to see how you can  make a positive difference in your area.

Busan Foundation for International Activities
Volunteers can help out by participating in various cultural events and mentoring programs and helping other foreigners get adjusted to life in Busan. bfia.or.kr, 051-865-0133

FOVE in Busan
Standing for the “Federation of Volunteer Efforts in Korea,” FOVE places volunteers in positions with various organizations and social welfare institutions. volunteer.or.kr, 051-462-9905

Gwangju International Center
Get involved with the Gwangju News, the center’s monthly, English-language magazine which is made available by an all-volunteer team.  Inquire for other opportunities as well.
gic.or.kr, 062-226-273