Some Cultural Updates from Korea

Ever wonder what the Academy Awards are like in the Far East? This article is brief coverage of the ASIAN FILM AWARDS, where South Korea's talent in the entertainment world were presented more awards this year than any other asian country!  CONGRATS! The 5th annual ceremony was held in Hong Kong and best director, best screenplay, best actor, best supporting actress, and best editing were garnered by South Korea's best!

Here is something interesting... We are so obsessed with pop culture.. but come on now HOW unique and original is it REALLY? I will let you decide for yourself on this one, but LADY GAGA is being accused of plagiarizing a song done by SNSD of South Korea. But this is not the first time that "Born This Way" has been targeted as a repeat... click here for the article... click here for the comparison track...

So now that South Korea understands that the North is serious about being a bully... it has been prepping the biggest and best of its military force. And they had a little practice run a week and a half ago to flex its muscle to North Korea. This message goes basically like this, "You had better watch yourself, we are not weak nor afraid to retaliate."

The most devastating event to have occurred so far in the world 2011 is the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami. This event has set off another series of volcanic eruptions less talked about in main media news. If you want to read about the most recent volcanic activity in Japan click here. South Korean and North Korean scientists are talking about a different volcano... The Baitoushan Volcano on the North East Chinese border with North Korea.

A MUST READ:
as far as liberal democracy goes, South Korea seems to be looking down a dangerously slippery slope... 

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Asia Program Coordinator recently published an article about the tightened restrictions on the freedom of opinion and expression. Bob Dietz is convinced that throughout President Lee Myung-bak's term, journalism and coverage of controversial topics has been increasingly scarce and prohibited. The tightening grip of this administration has also been noticed by the U.N.'s Frank La Rue. Read more here.