One of the ideas I’ve been toying around with is starting an English language blogzine on Korea. I’m quite impressed with what the China bloggers have managed to put together over at Living in China, and there is certainly enough talent in the Korea blogging community to make something like that work for us. Anyway, I’ve contacted the people over at Living on the Planet, of which Living in China is a member, in order to get further information on possibly setting up a “Living in Korea.” Since a blogzine is only as good as its members make it, I’d like to get some idea from fellow bloggers as to how much interest you guys would have in putting together something like this. Any and all ideas are welcome. In particular, I’d like to get your feedback on things like content, contributors, editorial policy, division of responsibilities and the like. While I happened to be quite impressed with the Living on the Planet system, we do not necessarily have to use it — it’s only a suggestion. If the blogging community has something else in mind that they’d prefer, as I said before, I’m open to any and all suggestions.
Allow me to toss one hope of mine out there. I realize that because of the language medium (English), there would be a high percentage of expat bloggers represented. Be that as it may, I’d really, really like to get as many Korean bloggers involved as possible. The problem is, I do not know too many Korean bloggers who blog in English. Of course, we could get contributions in Korean from Korean bloggers and translate them (I’d be willing to help with that). The question would then be one of making contacts within the Korean-language blogging community and praying that some of them actually find this project worth doing.
But first things first. Let me first get an idea of your interest and ideas. Moreover, if you know other bloggers who would be interested in seeing a blogzine get off the ground, please let them know.
I now leave my comments section open to your suggestions.
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16 Comments
You and the others put up some great stuff, I’m always impressed by the breadth of material and regularity of the postings. My two won, for a Living in Korea site, why not include some of the “niche” blogs like Fatman (excellent writing on Korean food) and Hardy & Tiny (um, sort of social commentary, uh, OK, pics of beautiful women). It would be great if there were pieces on the arts/contemporary culture…I haven’t seen much of that, and just blogging on the scandal du jour, while important, doesn’t convey everything that’s going on in Korea by a long shot. Also, maybe work out something with the OhmyNews folks, post some of their things. Good luck!
I think this is a great idea and am interested in participating in whatever way I can.
On a slightly unrelated note, I just started a new directory for ESL web sites. There is also a category for blogs - if anyone wants to submit their site, please do. Additionally if you know of any good web sites for teachers please add them as well. http://links.blinger.org/
Actually, Michael, while I’m still keen on covering politics and the sort, one of the reasons I think a project like this might work is because unlike my blog, for example, a webzine could cover a wide range of topics. And guys like Fatman and Tiny and Hardy could definitely contribute a lot of great stuff to a blogzine if they’d like to get involved.
I think what would be really interesting would be a comparative blog “what the US is saying about SK” vs. “what SK is saying about the US” … and even more amusing … “what the US is saying about NK” vs. “what NK is saying about the US and all the other evil imperialists”
I think it would be interesting to see as well. I’m sure if you set up a place to brainstorm you could get a lot of ideas and people who are willing to help as well. Be sure to post if and when you decide to take it to the next level.
I think it’s a great idea and would be willing to help in any way I can.
Brian
I checked out the Living China and they had some nice things.
You could have a variety of categories ranging from travel, politics and international news (exploring domestic, expat, and foreign point of views of the same events,) culture, editorials (articles and comics,) local news, religion, interracial marriage/relationship pieces, Korean/hanja study section, etc.
Some people could have regular articles (that are not overly frequent as to not interfere with their personal blogging and life) and there could also be an entry submission type deal that allows random expats and Korean nationals to submit articles or editorials to you for approval/translation and then upload it in the appropriate place. That way you could have a steady flow of regular writers mixed with the randomness of those who want or feel they have something to say at any given time. There is a lot of talent out there and a lot of bloggers with a wide range of interests it could turn out really nicely after the initial bugs were worked out I think.
Anyway these are just some ideas. Hope they are constructive.
upgrade! upgrade!
I,m not certain how LOP maintains itself, but any group Korea blog should have a clear business plan. Contributors would obviously be allowed to keep individual blogs, but a an LOK blog should be a bit more ambitious. Otherwise, its just another a many voices on the peninsula.
I think it’s a great idea that could lead to bigger things. I would love to see something like this turn into a business and give Seoul Classified a run for its money.
PS: I’m having a problems connecting to the Living in China and Living Planet sites. I’ll keep trying.
A quick read of my blog would should that I’m good for maybe 1-2 quality posts a week with the rest of the week filled with cut-n-paste fluff.
One posibility would be for several of us to upload some of our better stuff under several headings. But that seems to be a little too much like the blog reviews that a lot of us already run.
Another possibility would be for the zine’s administrator (I presume it would be The Marmot) to just throw out some red meat to our blogger “experts” and let us tear into it, kind of like all the huffyness and cross-linking that took place after the Ryongchon blast.
In any case, don’t call it “Living in Korea.” How about something like “Morning Calm My Ass!”
Yes, I used a naughty word. I hope y’all liked it.
“When the time comes for the Blogzine to undergo a major downgrade in class and/or cultural sensitivity, I’ll be glad to offer my services.”
Don’t know which “Kevin” said that, but ditto for me.
PS Will there be pictures of hot babes as well? I’ve got a great collection of Ha Ri Su and Park Kyoung Lim.
I think it’s a great idea that could lead to bigger things. I would love to see something like this turn into a business and give Seoul Classified a run for its money.
That really shouldn’t be very hard as there is nothing of substance in the seoul classifieds.
DON’t get me started on the Seoul Classifieds. Both Drambuie Man and I can tell you utterly ineffective and overpriced their ads are.
This is a great idea. I’d also like to work with you and others in turning my blog, North Korea Zone (www.NKzone.org) into more of a group blog, using some of the same feed-coding tricks that the Living-in people do so well. The idea goes something like this: everybody who wants to participate would put a specific subject tag onto all their North Korea-related blog posts, which would enable their posts to feed directly onto NKzone (with their byline and link back to their original blog, of course, the way the LivinginChina and other living-in’s do). That would, I think, generate buzz and foster debate in the blogosphere about various bloggers ideas and insights on North Korea. This should be technically possible, though it can only be done with the help of somebody whose coding skills are far-superior to my non-existent ones. But I think it could be pretty cool. What do others out there think? If there’s enough interest out there I’ll see if I can make it happen.
PING:
TITLE: Blogging Slow
BLOG NAME: Kamelian X-Rays
Blogging has become sheer drudgery lately. The American section is locked in ideological pugilism, and I suspect there will be a thinning of the ranks as the less pure drop off or fall in line. InstaPundit seems to be getting
PING:
TITLE: Asia by blog
BLOG NAME: Simon World
It’s time to see what’s what amongst Asian blogs. Richard and Crooked Timber show the kind of idiocy that passes for political discussion in Hong Kong. Another good reason the Liberals are destined for oblivion if universal sufferage ever arrives in HK…
PING:
TITLE: Bits and pieces and more bits and pieces
BLOG NAME: Flying Yangban
OK, I haven’t done a link fest in a while, you y’all will have to endure this one: Now, somebody, anybody please tell me that the picture on the left is not of 15-year-old Michelle Wie (Chosun Ilbo pic).