A Study of Two Portraits

First learnt about this portrait from the TV drama series, Painter of the Wind, starring Moon Geum-yong and Park Shin-yang. In the fictionalised account of Joseon dynasty painters, Shin Yun-bok is an apprentice to  Kim Hong-do who teaches the former a thing or two about portrait painting in one of my favourite scenes.
It's fascinating to study the contrasts between the original and the modern versions. English teachers may want to set this as an exercise on describing differences. ( Partially jesting.)

Caption from the JoongAng Daily:

"This self-portrait of the Joseon painter and scholar Yun Du-seo (1668-1715), left, known as one of the masterpieces of Korean art, is now being exhibited at the Yun Seon-do Museum, which opened in Haenam, South Jeolla, last Friday. Du-seo was the great grandson of Seon-do, one of the most important writers of the Joseon period. Coincidentally, contemporary artist Kang Hyung-koo, known for his fresh interpretations of portraits of historic figures based on existing paintings or photos, is showing his version of the Yun Du-seo self-portrait, right, as part of his solo exhibition, which runs to Dec. 12 at the Youngeun Museum of Contemporary Art in Gyeonggi."


To watch the drama series on-line, click here.
To listen to the music from the OST, click here.
sources:
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2927422

Namhae - Part 1 Why Visit Namhae?

My visit to Namhae in spring of 2007 all started with the movie “Barefoot Ki-bong”. The beauty of Daraengi village shown in the film was as charming as the true story of the simple-minded but big-hearted hero’s determination to complete a marathon. I had the urge to see for myself this village perched on the steep Namhae coastline which formed the dramatic backdrop to Ki-bong’s daily runs.

Many tourists are already familiar with Jeju but Namhae has enough charms of its own to give Jeju a run for its money. Namhae has almost everything that lovers of landscape could wish for – rugged coastlines, dramatic mountains, narrow valleys opening up to colourful plains and quaint villages that either hug the rocky shorelines or the foothills.

It is no wonder that this island has become the site for the American and German Villages for Koreans who have lived abroad for years. It seems the ideal place to retire with its clean air, relaxed pace of life and open spaces.
Namhae is  beginning to prove a strong rival to Jeju in terms of shooting locations for TV dramas. More recently,  the village of Daraengi was featured in the opening episode for "Cinderella's Step-sister" with Moon Geun-yong in the lead role. Those familiar with the K drama, Couple Or Trouble, starring Oh Ji-ho and Han Ye-seul, may also want to check out some of the places on the island that provided scenic backdrops to the story.

Even if you've never seen the movie or the drama series, Namhae is worth the time and effort. Don't be surprised to find yourself extending your stay.

sources:
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?cid=262191
http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=1051940
http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_5_1_22.jsp
http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/CU/CU_EN_8_5_1_66.jsp