But pasting them all over Seoul City Hall is just unsightly, IMHO. There had to be better ways to display the flag than this.
I’m all for waving the flag…
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Looks like Seoul is trying to beat NK for ‘most unncessary and wasteful display of national flag’
made me shake my head in disappointment.
I’m surprised they coated the building in flags rather than using them to spell out “????? for president”
I think its a little humorous, not bad.
I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but there seems to be some deep pre-8/15 symbolism going on here. This is going to be Year 60 since liberation, and it wasn’t a self-liberation, which is an insult to a nation’s pride no matter how you look at it.
ShiChon is one of the few remaining Japanese-built government buildings left in Seoul, and it’s in almost the same architectural style as the former Japanese colonial HQ that replaced–and later, was replaced by–Kwanghwamun Palace.
Not an architectural or aesthetic judgement, but there seems to be an effort to obscure an emotional scar, perhaps for just a short time, until the worst of the symbolism passes.
Like it or not, you can understand it.
Joshua has hit the nail on the head. That is precisely the symbolism behind it…..similar to the way that Koizumi’s face is disfigured by a black cross over his mouth on protest banners in Korea.
Also, Seoul City has invited Vip guests to a performance by the Seoul Philharmonic on Monday evening. Any guesses where? City Hall Plaza of course…
Maybe there was a sale on Taegukis.
Hmmm, it just dawned on me that, this being the 60th anniversary, Korea has reached its post-liberation hwangap (???). A person’s 60th birthday is significant because it represents the completion of the traditional 60-year calendrical cycle, and a return to the year name in which one was born. So 1945 was the year ryu (??), and so is this year. Could be heady days ahead….
….And without the extra italicization:
Hmmm, it just dawned on me that, this being the 60th anniversary, Korea has reached its post-liberation hwangap (???). A person?s 60th birthday is significant because it represents the completion of the traditional 60-year calendrical cycle, and a return to the year name in which one was born. So 1945 was the year ?ryu (??), and so is this year. Could be heady days ahead….
…And that should be ryu, not ryu.
Guess I should actually take advantage of this newfangled preview feature that the Marmot has obligingly provided….
Quite tacky.
Not an architectural or aesthetic judgement, but there seems to be an effort to obscure an emotional scar, perhaps for just a short time, until the worst of the symbolism passes.
Like it or not, you can understand it. Don’t they know: You can’t spite City Hall!
(At least no one is really seriously considering razing the building anymore.)
For those of you who are interested, Yonsei University’s Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) will be hosting a special seminar??focusing on the activities??of the Korean Zaitun Army Unit stationed in Iraq.??A special advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister is scheduled to be joined by two professors from Saladdin University in Iraq and GSIS alumnist Lee Jae-hak, as well as a Kurdish translator.??
The seminar is tomorrow, running from 09:40 to 11:00:
9:40 – 10:00???????? Video of Zaitun Unit’s Operations
10:00 – 10:30???????? Lecture by Prof. Kim, Euysang on Korea’s Regional Development
10:30 – 10:50???????? Presentation by Iraqi advisor to the Prime Minister
10:50 – 11:00???????? Q A session
The seminar will be held in room 702 of the New Millennium Hall, close to Yonsei East gate and Ewha Back Gate. These events typically include coffee and free pastries.
Don’t tell them I sent you or else they’ll stop sending me the fliers.
Kushibo,
What language will that be in?
Andy, I’m not sure. My assumption is that, since it’s sponsored by GSIS (which is officially in English), anything in Korean or Kurd or Arabic will be translated into English.
I rather like what they’ve done at city hall because it’s so unorthodox compared to what officialdom has traditionally done with the flag. I’m not into postmodern art but at least its a clear departure from the perfectly alligned style of dictatorships past and, for that matter, I have a hard time imagining any other East Asian capital’s city hall doing something similar.
I have a hard time imagining any other East Asian capital?s city hall doing something similar.
Probably true, but that could be read in several ways.
Damn, Kushibo, I wish that seminar could have happened in June because I definitely would have went. Where in Seoul is Yonsei anyway (nearest train stop, etc.)?
Report back with a summary of that. If you go.
I can’t go, so no report from me.
Yonsei is closest to Shinchon Station, but Ewha University Station is also close, and the view on the walk over is nicer.
A far better way to display the flag, indeed.
Daeyz proud! Daeyz proud daer cuntry yo! Daeyz Korean and daeyz all proud yo!
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