Seoulism is a combination of "Seoul" and "-ism," a suffix referring to a belief, attitude or style. As a single concept, it refers to the distinctive atmosphere or lifestyle of Seoul, as seen through the eyes of its non-Korean residents.
Seoul, the birthplace of Korea's newly found global popularity, is now steadily becoming known as a land of opportunity for many non-Korean artists and entrepreneurs. A growing number of these international artists are gathering in the capital to create their works of art.
Many of the artists say that, unlike in cities like New York or Paris, which have already gained a reputation as a cultural center, Seoul, currently going through a great phase of transition, is able to absorb like a sponge all the elements of the global arts scene. It offers more opportunities to young international artists.
More and more artists are visiting Seoul, attracted to the city's dynamism as well as to the capital region's passionate and sophisticated audience of art lovers. According to the official estimate of international residents in Korea released by the Ministry of Justice and the Korea Immigration Service, as of August 2014 there are 5,184 international artists who want to stay in Korea for their artistic development. This number has been steadily going up over last year's figure of 4,992.
The scope of their activities is varied, too, ranging from movies, music, arts and design through to architecture, photography and dance.
Two of these artists are famous violinists.
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is home to two international violinists. Huang Hung-wei from Taiwan is principal violinist with the orchestra and U.S. violinist Wayne Lin is the associate concertmaster. Together, they put on more than 20 recitals per year.
Huang and Lin arrived in Seoul in 2005 and 2008, respectively. Both have been heavily influenced by maestro Chung Myung-whun. Playing with the SPO, they mix various genres, ranging between traditional orchestra music, quartets and solo recitals. They share the common belief that Seoul audiences are young, passionate and enjoy the music being played for them.
Moving beyond music, there is another international artist residing in Seoul who has a sharp and insightful esthetic sense. Professor Ingo Baumgarten teaches in the painting department at Hongik University, but he has found his strength in architecture. Originally from Germany, he captured the details and esthetic sense of Western-style houses in Korea and has successfully incorporated traditional styles of architecture into his modern cement homes.
"The houses built during the '70s and '80s have both traditional formats and modern and Westernized elements. Korean architecture creates the harmony between the traditional and modern elements," he said during a recent interview. "The main gate is critical in Korean architecture," he noted, highlighting an important element of Korea's traditional home design.
Beyond simply classical music and architecture, Seoul has positioned itself as one of the world's trendsetters in other fields, too. If anyone makes it big in Seoul, he or she will definitely get recognized on the global scene.
The art scene in Seoul has become a sort of test bed for artistic success and, also, a place where global culture can grow and thrive.
"In other places, there are just one or two international dance festivals per year. Korea, however, hosts four or more such festivals every year, and they all attract a global audience," said Malaysian dancer Yong Sin.
"Korea is a place where you can see global dance trends emerge and where you can achieve global fame."
Finally, cuisine has not been left out of this trend. Amarit is the son of the owner of one of the biggest Thai restaurant chains, Thainan. Last year, he moved to Seoul and opened a Thai restaurant, the Andaman, in the Seorae Village neighborhood of Bangbae-dong.
"If I am successful in this business in Seoul, which I regard as being culturally trendy, I am sure the same results will come to me in the global marketplace, too," he said.
With all these artists and entrepreneurs coming to the city, Seoulism is truly thriving.
By Lee Jeong-rok, Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writers
jeongrok@korea.kr
Seoul, the birthplace of Korea's newly found global popularity, is now steadily becoming known as a land of opportunity for many non-Korean artists and entrepreneurs. A growing number of these international artists are gathering in the capital to create their works of art.
Many of the artists say that, unlike in cities like New York or Paris, which have already gained a reputation as a cultural center, Seoul, currently going through a great phase of transition, is able to absorb like a sponge all the elements of the global arts scene. It offers more opportunities to young international artists.
A growing number of international artists are flocking to Seoul, attracted by the sophisticated and open-minded audiences.
More and more artists are visiting Seoul, attracted to the city's dynamism as well as to the capital region's passionate and sophisticated audience of art lovers. According to the official estimate of international residents in Korea released by the Ministry of Justice and the Korea Immigration Service, as of August 2014 there are 5,184 international artists who want to stay in Korea for their artistic development. This number has been steadily going up over last year's figure of 4,992.
The scope of their activities is varied, too, ranging from movies, music, arts and design through to architecture, photography and dance.
Two of these artists are famous violinists.
The Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) is home to two international violinists. Huang Hung-wei from Taiwan is principal violinist with the orchestra and U.S. violinist Wayne Lin is the associate concertmaster. Together, they put on more than 20 recitals per year.
Huang and Lin arrived in Seoul in 2005 and 2008, respectively. Both have been heavily influenced by maestro Chung Myung-whun. Playing with the SPO, they mix various genres, ranging between traditional orchestra music, quartets and solo recitals. They share the common belief that Seoul audiences are young, passionate and enjoy the music being played for them.
Violinists Huang Hung-wei from Taiwan (left) and Wayne Lin from the US enjoy living in Seoul and playing with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra.
Moving beyond music, there is another international artist residing in Seoul who has a sharp and insightful esthetic sense. Professor Ingo Baumgarten teaches in the painting department at Hongik University, but he has found his strength in architecture. Originally from Germany, he captured the details and esthetic sense of Western-style houses in Korea and has successfully incorporated traditional styles of architecture into his modern cement homes.
"The houses built during the '70s and '80s have both traditional formats and modern and Westernized elements. Korean architecture creates the harmony between the traditional and modern elements," he said during a recent interview. "The main gate is critical in Korean architecture," he noted, highlighting an important element of Korea's traditional home design.
Beyond simply classical music and architecture, Seoul has positioned itself as one of the world's trendsetters in other fields, too. If anyone makes it big in Seoul, he or she will definitely get recognized on the global scene.
The art scene in Seoul has become a sort of test bed for artistic success and, also, a place where global culture can grow and thrive.
"In other places, there are just one or two international dance festivals per year. Korea, however, hosts four or more such festivals every year, and they all attract a global audience," said Malaysian dancer Yong Sin.
"Korea is a place where you can see global dance trends emerge and where you can achieve global fame."
Finally, cuisine has not been left out of this trend. Amarit is the son of the owner of one of the biggest Thai restaurant chains, Thainan. Last year, he moved to Seoul and opened a Thai restaurant, the Andaman, in the Seorae Village neighborhood of Bangbae-dong.
"If I am successful in this business in Seoul, which I regard as being culturally trendy, I am sure the same results will come to me in the global marketplace, too," he said.
With all these artists and entrepreneurs coming to the city, Seoulism is truly thriving.
By Lee Jeong-rok, Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writers
jeongrok@korea.kr
