The Arabic-language article headlined "Interview with Noh Gyeongmu, director of award-winning film 'Blue Giant' at Jeonju Int'l Film Festival" written by Alaa Atif, an Honorary Reporter from Egypt, was the most read story by an Honorary Reporter in the second week of this month. (Screen capture from Arabic-language section of Korea.net)

By Hong Kilju

An Arabic-language article written by Alaa Atif, an Honorary Reporter from Egypt, was the most read Honorary Reporter story on Korea.net in the second week of this month. Two articles in Spanish and one each in English and French rounded out the top five.

Among the 3,432 Honorary Reporters in Korea.net, Arabic (426) has the third-largest contingent among the nine languages on the site after Spanish (1,305) and English (1,218). Egyptians comprise the largest number in the group of any nationality with 351 after Mexicans (553).

■ Interview with Noh Gyeongmu, director of award-winning film "Blue Giant" at Jeonju Int'l Film Festival (Alaa Attif from Egypt)

Last week's most read Honorary Reporter article was an Arabic-language interview with animation director Noh Gyeongmu, who on July 10 won the Special Jury Prize for her seven-minute short "A Blue Giant" at the Jeonju International Film Festival in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province. Her work was praised for its fairytale-like warmth and rich texture through the use of a gray background and the limited color display of blue and orange. On her opinion of the Korean animation industry, Noh said, "The future of Korean animation seems bright since the country has many talented people and nationality isn't important when it comes to animation."

■ Honorary Reporters from 6 countries name favorite Korean foods (Monthi Rosselini from Indonesia)

This English-language article on the Korean food favorites of six Honorary Reporters from around the world was second. The writer conducted email interviews with fellow reporters Marina Luchina (Kazakhstan), Glauci Vieira (Brazil), John Axel Orencia (Philippines), Lewis Hooper (U.K,) and Andra Michaela Pena (Romania) as well as giving her favorites. Tteokbokki (spicy rice cake) was the most popular with three votes out of the six, and jjajangmyeon (noodles in black bean sauce) and samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) each got two. Michaela Pena said Korean cuisine has "100% healthy" ingredients and "one taste makes them addictive in the best way."

Six Honorary Reporters in an article named their favorite Korean foods. From top left clockwise are Marina Luchina (Kazakhstan), Glauci Vieira (Brazil), John Alex Orencia (Philippines), Monthi Rosselini (Indonesia), Andrea Michaela Pena (Romania) and Lewis Hooper (England). 

■ Importance of Korean cultural heritage via exploration of tradition and history of Korean ancestors (Claudia Fernanda Diaz Ponce from Mexico)

Third place went to a Spanish-language article on six benchmarks of Korean cultural heritage including Gyeongju Yangdong Village in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, the lantern-lighting festival Yeondeunghoe and haenyeo (female divers on Jeju Island) for preserving the nation's cultural legacy. The writer emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage while exploring the meaning of each item in the lives of Koreans. One of the six was also the process of making makgeolli, which was recently designated National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Korean government.

■ Interview with Sohn Woo-hyun, president of Korea-France Association, which acts as bridge between Korea and France (MillieChiron from France)

No. 4 went to an interview with Sohn Woo-hyun, president of ACF (Korea-France Association) that was founded in 2007 by former Ambassador to Paris Kwon In-hyuk. The body has played an essential role for French-related groups based in Korea. Sohn, who has served as presidential secretary for foreign media, Korean minister to France and director of the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, was appointed ACF president in December 2017.

■ Royal guard: heritage of protection, culture and harmony with people (Talia Berrones from Ecuador)

Rounding out the top five was a Spanish-language article on the naegeumwi, the royal guard of the Joseon Dynasty, detailing the unit's history, attire and protocols. Though the unit was disbanded during the Japanese colonial era, its legacy remains to the present day through a regular cultural event at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul. The writer said the spirit of the guards can be summed up as courage, honor and deep loyalty to the king.

A member of the naegeumwi, the royal guard unit of the Joseon Dynasty, wears a mask with a traditional pattern while guarding the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. (Korea.net DB)

kalhong617@korea.kr