C h A O S

Best Festivals 2006: Experience Korean Culture.

2006-01-10T11:49:00.000+11:00

A total of 700 big and small festivals will be held in various venues across South Korea this year and it may not be easy to choose which one to attend. The government's designation of ``best’’ or ``good’’ festivals may help those who want to experience Korean culture.
Andong International Mask Dance Festival

The Andong International Mask Dance Festival is scheduled to be held for 10 days, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 8, in Andong and Hahoe Village. The theme of this year's festival, the tenth of its kind, is ``stylishness and excitement of yangban.’’ Yangban refers to Korea's ruling elite, especially during the Choson Kingdom (1392-1910).

In old times, direct criticism of the yangban was strictly forbidden, so the lower classes satirized them while wearing masks, and the performances developed into various mask dances in different regions. Among the mask dances still performed today are Hahoe Mask Dance, Unyul Mask Dance, Pukchong Sajanorum, Pongsan Mask Dance, Tongnae Yaryu, Suyong Yaryu, Kasan Ogwangdae,
Kangnyong Mask Dance, Songpa Sandaenori, Yangju Pyolsandaenori, Tongyong Ogwangdae, Kosong Ogwangdae, and the Kangnung Mask Drama. All these mask dances, designated as important intangible cultural assets, are performed at the Andong Festival, along with famous mask dances of other nations.
Visitors will have an opportunity to learn how to perform mask dances of the world and make masks. Various folk events are also to be held, including the Chajon Nori in which about 5,000 people will participate.

For more information, call 054-840-6398 or visit the Web site at
www.maskdance.com.

I'll introduce other festivals later.

Naked Truth - Reflect but Don't Despair

2006-01-04T16:57:00.000+11:00

Seoul National University's first report on Prof. Hwang Woo-suk's stem cell controversy was no longer surprising but nonetheless horrible. The bioengineer fabricated his 2005 paper in the journal Science by inflating the number of cloned cells from two to 11. Even the two are undergoing DNA tests to ascertain whether there were any patient-specific cloned cells as he claimed. As the New York Times said, we Koreans have reconfirmed one thing: If it seems too good to be true, then it probably isn't.

It was good, though, that SNU's interim announcement excluded all subjective judgments and was faithful to the facts. Further investigations may reveal more truths about the one-time national hero, whose ambition has caught up with his ability. So even the investigating team had to admit Hwang has committed "grave misdeeds that damaged the foundation of science." Many people, even if they are not Hwang's erstwhile fans, would like to cry for no more, but the probes must go on.

Hwang said he would continue to "serve as a commoner," which is completely up to him. He may probably retain some followers and even meet new employers, who respect his "source technology."

Left behind is the general public, who has shown signs of mass hypochondria with the development of this scandal. The only consolation is they might have learned not to become overly emotional for good or bad reasons. They only have to watch reality more straightly and calmly. It is time for Korea to introduce an objective agency that supervises the authenticity of scientific achievements, like the Office of Integrity in the United States. This would help prevent the whole nation from swinging wildly in response to untested scientific claims. The ongoing turmoil should serve as an occasion for reflection and fresh resolve, not despair.

SNU Investigation.

2006-01-01T16:02:00.000+11:00

Hwang Woo-suk's Pioneer Research Enters Critical Stage.

The eyes of the international science community are now riveted on Korea as Seoul National University decided to conduct its own investigation into the controversial stem cells created by Professor Hwang Woo-suk. The investigation, which Hwang himself requested, will be focused on his paper, which was published in the prominent U.S. journal "Science" early this year.

The importance of the investigation is beyond description because of the impact of its results not merely on Hwang's pioneer stem cell research, but also on Korea's national image. If the results are found to dispute the authenticity of the stem cells concerned, it will deal a devastating blow to Hwang's project and make the nation the laughing stock of the international community.

Despite such a grave consequence, Hwang has no choice but to have his breakthrough achievement verified in light of the growing suspicion both at home and abroad since MBC TV raised questions about it. Younger professors at SNU submitted their formal petition last week, calling on their school to conduct its own probe into Hwang's bombshell experiments. The University of Pittsburgh is investigating Hwang's creation of stem cells from cloned human embryos on a request from its faculty member Gerald Schatten, Hwang's former colleague. It is generally expected that SNU will jointly conduct the investigation with the U.S. school.

The suspicion centers on the authenticity of the stem cells which Hwang reported were created from human embryos cloned with the body cells of 11 patients in 2004, attracting attention from around the world. In particular, many medical scholars and scientists here suspect that the actual number of stem cells created by Hwang is no more than two instead of the 11 claimed by him. Their suspicion is further buttressed by an Internet news outlet's report on Sunday that a researcher, who was originally on Hwang's team but is now working at the University of Pittsburgh, told the cable news channel YTN that Hwang instructed him to make more pictures of two stem cells. YTN didn't reveal the information in reporting an interview with him. In the interview, the researcher said that MBC producers in charge of its investigative programs tried to force him to make confessions rejecting Hwang's achievement. Hwang, who resumed his research on Monday, is also suspected of fabricating the images of DNA finger printings of the stem cells.

But Hwang's research team denied all allegations against his achievement which gave hopes to those who are suffering from currently untreatable disorders. In consideration of the grave nature of the issue, all of us, especially the press, should wait calmly until SNU finishes its investigation.

Media and Scientist

2005-12-13T10:52:00.000+11:00

The hottest issue in Korea is that Stem Cells of Dr. Hwang is real or not. This became an issue by one media, MBC in Korea. MBC initiated suspicion about his dissertation and made a program. But, violating journalistic ethics in the course of collecting information aimed at disputing the authenticity of Professor Hwang Woosuk’s creation of the world’s first cloned human embryos made antipathy.

In its prime-time news program, MBC acknowledged that their producers in charge of the investigative program “PD Notebook” coerced two researchers, who were originally on Hwang’s team but are now dispatched to the University of Pittsburgh, to give unfavorable information on Hwang’s breakthrough achievement in 2004.

The two researchers, who were sent to the American University to join Professor Gerald Schatten, a former colleague of Hwang, in September, said that MBC producers tried to force them to yield to their claims that Hwang’s paper on cloning human embryos, which was published in the prominent journal “Science” early this year, was fake. They disclosed that the producers said they had secured evidence proving the fabrication of Hwang’s paper, and Hwang would be investigated by the prosecution. The researchers also said they told them that they were going to “kill” Hwang but no others would be harmed.

Well...What is right jouralitic ethic?

This is the 1st part of this story.....

To be continued...

Park Shines Again in United Victory

2005-12-03T18:53:00.000+11:00

Park Ji-sung of Manchester United displayed one of the best performances with the Premiership side, also setting up a goal in his fourth full-game appearance as Manchester beat West Ham 2-1 in London, Sunday.
It was his first full game appearance since the Oct. 22 match against Tottenham Hotspur. The energetic midfielder made his first assist record in 58 days, after setting up two goals against Fulham on Oct. 1.
With the victory, United moved up to second place with a record of eight wins, two losses and three draws for 27 points, 10 behind the leader Chelsea.
Park, 24, set up his club’s equalizer by Wayne Rooney two minutes into the second half. As a poorly cleared ball deflected back onto the West Ham box, Park snatched it to feed Rooney, who turned it to a strong low drive past West Ham goalkeeper Roy Carroll.

I believe that Park will make miracle again in German World Cup, 2006

Warriors ATTACKED!!!

2005-11-15T10:22:00.000+11:00

On a chilly Saturday evening in November, South Korea and Sweden played out an exciting 2-2 draw at Seoul's World Cup Stadium, though the visitors were the more relieved of the two teams to hear the final whistle after spending much of the game on the back foot.
The Taeguk Warriors attacked the Europeans in an aggressive, high-paced and energetic performance that was compared by the Swedish coach Lars Lagerback to the heady summer of 2002.

I saw this game through the internet. But i felt like being in the stadium..Our national team is getting better and stronger. I'm stll seeing the hope for next World Cup. The time that i will be crazy at soccer is coming.

To be RED DEVILS again...haha

Diving Catch!!!

2005-11-09T00:39:00.000+11:00

Media look under a closed gate as they attempt to gain images of terror suspects as they arrive at Sydney's Central Court Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005. Police in Australia arrested 17 terror suspects, including a radical Muslim cleric accused of masterminding a cell dedicated to "violent jihad," in a string of raids in the early hours of Tuesday and said they had foiled a catastrophic terror attack. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Well.. this situation happened the next street of my apartment..
On the way back home, i saw many police-men and women on the street.
Look at those camera people... they are great!!
But, The greatest man is MARK BAKER who took this photo. He took picture of camera people on the ground instead of doing like them..great..

Sculpture by the see, BONDI 2005

2005-11-01T19:10:00.000+11:00

One sculpture, A Star Bangled Spanner, is being setting for Sculpture by the see, Bondi 2005.
The artist who made this big spanner, Peter Adams, said that his spanner is the symbol of USA.
He said "Spanner in the works" . This sculpture stand for USA which always intrude everywhere it is not wanted around the world....

SCULPTURE BY THE SEA, BONDI 2005. is one of Australia's largest annual outdoor public exhibition... I will go this weekend with my camera and Girl friend

More info

MASKS for Halloween!!

2005-10-31T23:28:00.000+11:00

Look at these masks.. Really good masks for Halloween, aren't they?
These masks were introduced last year on the internet version of Fobes.
Last year, these masks didn't get attention that much..
But, they are very popular among bloggers.. I don know why...

You can download from

www.forbes.com/lists/2004/10/25/cx_102504masksland.html

I saw PENGUINS at MANLY....

2005-10-25T23:01:00.000+10:00

Accidently.. I saw PENGUINS at MANLY beach last Sunday!!! I was waiting for ferry to go back to city beside Manly Wharf. When I saw it, I thought it was kind of gull. I couldn't imagine it was PENGUIN. They were sooooo cute. They looked like guarding against humans..

I was very busy pressing shutter of my digicamera. It was the first time to see PENGUINS in REAL WORLD, not a zoo or acuarium or TV......

On the way back to city.. I realised that I might make a mistake.. The PENGUINS might be hungry, so i should have given something to them for their being my models....

So, I felt very sorry about them.. I will go to MANLY again tomorrow or the day after tomorrow with some shrimps.. I hope that they will be there.

Hey!! Get out!! You are ON AIR!!

2005-10-20T22:31:00.000+10:00

Last friday.. TODAY of NBC splashed the story about flood in Wayne, NJ.
The reporter, Michelle Kosinski, was delivering the story acutely on the boat to show the seriousness of flood. And the creative action had looked like successful before those two guys came up the frame..
NBC made fake... Look at the sign on the left-top which shows it was LIVE...
The reporter might hit the two guys with the paddle she had...
And all staff in the studio of NBC might shout CUT !!!
Anyway, I pay all my RESPECT to the people concerned with the show. They did their best to emphasize seriousness of flood, even it was FAKE. NBC made us smile a BITTER smile.

They're WATCHING You!!!!

2005-10-19T22:08:00.000+10:00

Today.... during web surfing.. I found a hopping up picture of one toilet in NZ.. As you see.. real size photos of young and inquisitive ladies are watching YOU ARE PISSING!!
Well... just imagine somebody watchig.
It can be a little helpful to reduce time in toilet speeding up...
Anyway.. this news could be an issue among the people who insist equality of sexes..
Cuz.. there's no news of female's toilet. I hope that there are some young and muscular men photos in female's toilet to avoid unnecessary controversy..

We see new HOPE!!

2005-10-14T18:43:00.000+10:00

The South Korean football team made a pleasant start under the new leadership of Dick Advocaat, brining the Dutchman a 2-0 debuting victory against Iran in Wednesday’s friendly at Seoul’s Sangam World Cup Stadium.
As if sweeping away all the hustle and bustle that has been whirled in since the 2002 World Cup, the squad gave a remarkable performance to put the sellout crowd into frenzy and herald a new start into the 2006 World Cup.
South Korea got ahead of their Middle Eastern archrivals in their encounters with eight wins, seven losses and three draws. They also avenged their latest defeat to the Iranians in the quarterfinal match of last year’s Asian Cup. This year, South Korea records 6-5-5.
Midfielder Cho Won-hee made it an unforgettable day in his career by scoring the winner in his first cap as a national team member and also setting a record for the fastest goal ever made by the national team.

Don't leave EARTH without This!!

2005-10-12T23:41:00.000+10:00

In case of alien abduction these dog tags may save your life. The crucial data an alien will need to get you back to Earth is die stamped into these dog tags.
The design is based on NASA research for the Pioneer 10 Space Mission that used a gold plaque attached to the craft to inform any Extraterrestrials of it's Earthly origin.

Engraved with several methods of locating Earth in the Galaxy, an alien pilot does not need to understand any human language to use this information. The mathematical location of Earth in relation to several important pulsars is represented by the radial diagram. Earth's relation to the solar system is shown at the top. Also included is a schematic of Earth itself and it's major land masses.

Grand openning My Blog...

2005-10-12T16:15:00.000+10:00

In Sydney, it is rainy and windy.