EKF Cine-Café in December: Behind Forgotten Eyes & Resilience

In December 2007, EKF Cine-Café screened Behind Forgotten Eyes, an independent, English-language documentary on sex slavery during the Japanese colonial period by American film maker Anthony Gilmore. As usual there were two screenings – in the morning of Wednesday, December 12th, and in the evening of Thursday, December 20th, and EKF was proud to welcome Tammy Chu, Associate Producer of Behind Forgotten Eyes and Director and Co-Producer of Resilience, as a discussant to both screenings.

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HSBC Donation Campaign for Korean Heritage Artists with the Seoul Metropolitan Government & EKF

HSBC started a donation campaign to promote Korean intangible cultural assets in Seoul in collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and EKF from December 11th, 2007 to February 15th, 2008 at all HSBC branches nationwide. The celebration of the campaign was held at HSBC on the same day, with special remarks of gratitude to Simon Cooper, HSBC Korea CEO, by Seoul Intangible Cultural Assets Committee Chairman, Bok-gon Kim, on behalf of Seoul’s intangible traditional artists for strongly supporting Korea’s unique culture. Followed by the successful Seoul Traditional Artist Award in May 2007, supporting gifted artists of traditional Korean art forms financially and providing the artists with chances to promote Korean traditional culture have become the main focus of HSBC’s activities in the area of corporate social responsibility.

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EKF at the SIWA and Diplomatic Community Bazaar 2007

Every year, SIWA (Seoul International Women’s Association) arranges the SIWA and Diplomatic Community Bazaar – a great intercultural, charity “Christmas Bazaar” for old and young with a long-standing tradition dating back to the year 1970. The bazaar is one of the two major fundraising events organised by SIWA every year and is joined by most embassies in Seoul, a variety of Korean and international organizations, international and Korean companies as well as individual vendors and importers.

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EUCCK Members participate in the EKF Chusok Donation Campaign

In September, EKF contacted all EUCCK members, asking them to participate in a donation campaign for Chusok. Companies were asked to donate either their products or financially and to chose the province or region, whose charitable organisations they would like to support.

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Porsche Korea Donation to Seong Woo Won

As part of EKF’s Chusok Donation Campaign, Porsche Korea donated 5 Mil KRW to Seong Woo Won, a home for handicapped children and adults in Busan. The donation ceremony took place on Friday, October 19, 2007 during the Opening Ceremony of the new Porsche Centre in Busan.

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Practicing Love through PC Donation

On Friday, August 17, 2007, Philip Morris Korea Inc. donated forty computers to Shinyoung Middle School in South Gyeongsang Province. Shinyoung Middle School is an alternative for students who have difficulties engaging in normal studies, and for students who have dropped out of school and who want to receive an education that fits their own individual characteristics. PMKI’s Corporate Affairs Director, Mr. Brian Kim, who participated in this donation ceremony, asked teenagers to refrain from smoking while explaining the negative effects cigarettes have on the body. The school is located in the same area as PMKI’s Yangsan Operation.

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Henkel Korea is Making an Impact Tomorrow

On Friday, September 28, 2007, EKF in co-operation with Henkel Korea and Prain Inc. organised a music school for the blind children of Seongbukblind Welfare Office together with Korean and German musicians, who had gathered in Seoul to perform together in a concert, celebrating the 90th birthday of Korea’s most famous composer Yun I Sang.

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EKF Cine-Cafe - October Movie

"Address Unknown" (Suchwiin Bulmyeong) Directed by: Kim Gi Deok Cast: Cho Jae Hyun, yang Dong Keun, Ban Min Jung Released in: 2001

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Chusok Donation Campaign

In the spirit of giving and sharing, EKF launched a donation campaign for this year’s Chusok. All EUCCK members were contacted and requested to participate in the campaign by donating either products or financially. EKF distributed the donations to orphanages, homes for the handicapped and shelters for the homeless, soup kitchens, etc. In order to diversify this year’s donation, EKF also asked the donating companies to choose a province or city, which should benefit from the donation.

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September Wine Focus – Chilean Premium Wine Dinner

Following the success of June’s Wine Focus, WWK once again joined hands with Chiko Vino and Koho International to organise another wine dinner with Chilean wines and Dutch cheeses. The major difference this time was that all the wines introduced during the September Wine Focus, which took place at the Novotel Amassador Gangnam Seoul on Monday, September 17, 2007, were especially selected, high quality premium wines from the Aresti Estate – a Chilean wine growing family estate with a half-century long history.  Four different wines, each paired with a dinner course, were introduced by Joshua Chang, Event Manager of the W Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel and wine connoisseur, throughout the evening. The third course featured a variety of specialty cheeses, including Rembrandt cheeses, matured Edam cheese, Vincent cheese and Smoked cheese, which were introduced to the guests by Mr. Iverson Kim, Trade Department Manager of Koho International and Chiko Vino.   The event ended with a wine quiz and a lucky draw. The winner of the quiz was awarded a bottle of Aresti Family Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 1999. It turned out that the wine knowledge of our guest was very advanced and at least four people scored high, so that a final question was needed to determine the winner. For the others the lucky draw offered great prizes, including Jubilee Chocolates, dining vouchers from Au Bon Pain, La Cigale, La Tavola, Sortinos, La Plancha, and Le Saint-Ex, as well as hair-care vouchers from Rene Futurer and Headrush.   For those who missed the event this month, rest assured that WWK is already working on organising the next event and we are looking forward to seeing you then.

Art Donation

Well known chromolithographer Kim Kyung-ah and famous artist Jang Hyoen-jae, who were also portrayed in the August and September issues of Infomag, the monthly EUCCK magazine, both donated one of their paintings to EKF to support the charity activities of the foundation.

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EUCCK September Network Club – Casino Night

The EUCCK September Network Club took place at Seven Luck Casino in Gangnam on Thursday, September 13, 2007. All EUCCK members – Korean and foreigners – were invited to experience an exciting night of gambling. And even though the gambling part of the evening was strictly for fun and charity, most of the night’s guests bought chips and challenged their luck at the available Baccarat, Black Jack and Roulette tables.

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Fun Fun Chemistry Lab – A Great Example for Hands-on CSR

On Saturday, September 08, 2007, staff members of Cognis Korea met early in the morning to go to the Cognis Korea laboratory at Sunkyungwan University in Suwon. The reason for this rather unusual movement was a charity event, called “Fun Fun Chemistry Lab,” organised by EKF and Cognis Korea for children of the SOS Children’s Village, an orphanage supported regularly by EKF.

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2007 EKF Scholarship Programme Award Ceremony

On Friday, July 13th, 2007, the Europe-Korea Foundation (EKF) hosted the 2007 EKF Scholarship Programme Press Conference and Award Ceremony at The Executive Center (21st Floor of the Seoul Finance Center). Since 2003, EKF has provided scholarships to Korean students wishing to undertake their graduate and postgraduate studies in Europe. This year, a total of eight students were awarded an EKF Scholarship, which consisted of either financial support or deductions on the students’ tuition fees.

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Wine & Women Korea – Chilean Wine Dinner

Chilean wines have been evolving for more than 500 years and over the years, have met the needs of the growing world market. With a budding interest in Korea for wines from this region, WWK was honored to have hosted an intimate Chilean wine dinner on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at the Novotel Ambassador Gangnam. This event featured wines from Terra Mater and Aresti wineries from Chile. The event was made possible with the co-operation with Chiko International, the Korean importing company for the wineries. Throughout the evening, four different wines were presented combined with a 4-course dinner, which was specially put together by the chef of the Novotel Ambassador to match the wines tasted. Specialty cheeses including Rembrandt Cheese, Frico Smoked Cheese, Gouda and Edam Cheese sticks, also part of the dinner, was a truly a feast for the eyes, the palate, and the stomach. Furthermore, WWK was proud to have Mr. Cristian Vallejo Rakela, owner of Terra Mater Winery who provided a very informative presentation on the history and development of Chilean wines and provided insightful information on the wines presented from Terra Mater and Aresti Wineries. For those who missed the event, rest assured that WWK will be holding more of such special events in the future.

4th Annual Children

The Europe-Korea Foundation, in co-operation with Dong-A Daily, has joined hands again organizing the Fourth Annual Children's Quiz in celebration of Children's Day on May 5, 2007.

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Beautiful Saturday Bazaar with EUCCK Members

On Saturday, June 2, 2007, the Europe Korea Foundation together with member companies of European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea (EUCCK/ President: Mr. Carl-Johan Hagman), and the Beautiful Store held a charity bazaar, “Beautiful Saturday,” to raise funds for a ”The Beautiful World Project” – a new collaboration between the Beautiful Store and Oxfam. Funds generated through this inaugural event for “The Beautiful World Project” will be donated to flood relief efforts in India, Nepal and Bangladesh. The event took place in front of Jongno Millennium Tower in Jongno 2 Ga.

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Cine-Cafe June Schedule

“Seducing Mr. Perfect” (Mr. Robin Kkosigi, 2006) By Kim, Sang U Running Time: 107 min. Competent in a global M&A company, Min-Jun is fashionable and cool but dumped by her boyfriend when she arrives in Hong Kong expecting a wonderful vacation together. One day she bumps into Robin’s car and she tries to flee the scene, but it turns out they work at the same company. In fact, he’s the new CEO. Although she’d prefer to avoid him, she’s appointed his assistant. Mocking her way with men, he teaches her how to treat men and gives her the ultimate project, to seduce him.

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Wine & Women Korea – Wine Focus “Blind Wine Tasting”

On May 15, 2007, Wine & Women Korea, together with Pieroth Wines held the 2nd Blind Wine Tasting at the Novotel Ambassador Gangnam. Guests were put to the test with our Blind Tasting questionnaire by answering questions after tasting 5 fine wines sponsored by Pieroth Wines. The Questionnaire required guests to test their knowledge and expertise of wine by matching the wine description, country of origin, and grape variety to the correct wines presented at the 5 wine tasting stations. After everyone had tasted all the wines, the answer sheets were collected and Mr. Dan Schulte, President of Pieroth Wines Korea revealed the answers to the audience.

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Seoul Metropolitan Government European Advisory Committee

The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is looking for ways to improve the living conditions of foreigners in Seoul. Therefore, the Investment Division of the SMG contacted EKF to help in their effort by organizing a committee of foreign representatives in providing suggestions and constructive criticisms, which would help improve the standard of living for foreigners in Seoul and particularly in areas that are known to be highly populated by foreign residents, such as Hannam Dong, Bangbae Dong, Itaewon Dong and Dongbinggo Dong.

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2007 EU Film Festival – “Beyond Borders”

For the 3rd consecutive year, the Europe-Korea Foundation was proud to have taken part in supporting Embassies of the European Union for the 3rd Annual EU Film Festival – “Beyond Borders” in Seoul. Every movie chosen for the festival were introduced at highly renowned international film festivals.

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Cine-Cafe May Schedule

* EKF Ciné-Café : MAY SCHEDULE “The Host” (Goemul, 2006) By Bong, Jun-Ho Running Time: 119 min.   The Host revolves around Park Hee-Bong, a man in his late 60s. Park runs a small snack bar on the banks of the Han River and lives there will his two sons, a daughter, and a granddaughter. The Parks seem to lead an ordinary and peaceful life. Until one day, granddaughter is snatched away from her grandfather by a horrifying giant monster that emerges from the Han River to wreak havoc on Seoul. The Park family then sets out on a quest to locate the beast and bring their little girl back home to safety.   Morning Screening When: May 9, 2007 @ 9:30 AM Where: French Cultural Center, near Namdaemun   “Come, Come, Come Upwards” (Aje Aje Baraaje, 1989) By Im, Kwon-Taek Running Time: 120 min. Directed by Im Kwon-Taek, the film tells the tale of two women as they search for truth along the Buddhist path. One of the women, Sun-Nyeo, leaves her broken home to become a nun at Deok-am Hermitage. There she meets Jin-Seong, a more ascetic nun who excels at meditation. Later, Sun-Nyeo saves an alcoholic from a suicide attempt, but he rapes her and she is expelled from the temple. Jin-Seong, meanwhile, heads to a mountain cave to meditate, but she is raped by a brutal old monk who resides in the cave. Sun-Nyeo then heads out into the world, only to return to the monastic life after misadventures and tragedy. With a very strong performance by actress Kang Soo-Yeon, the film became the first Korean movie screened at the Moscow Film Festival in 1989.   When: May 23, 2007 @ 9:30 AM Where: French Cultural Center, near Namdaemun   Evening Screening – “TBA”” When: May 17, 2007 @ 6:30 PM Where: Somerset Palace Seoul, near Gwanghwamun   The EKF Ciné-Café morning screenings are usually held on every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the months at the French Cultural Center, near Namdaemun, and the evening screenings are being held on every 3rd Thursday of the month at Somerset Palace Seoul, in Gwanghwamun. The entrance fee, as always, is 10,000 KRW per person and includes snacks and beverages (tea, coffee, and juice). In December, however, due to the special holiday season coming up, our schedule has changed slighly and there will only be one movie shown this month – once in the morning and once in the evening.   Please note that those wishing to attend the evening screening must reserve in advance.   For reservations for the evening screenings, please contact the EKF office (725-0381) by Wednesday noon before the screening.   The funds raised through the Ciné-Cafés will go to Motungii Shwimpteo and Seongshim Dideumdol, two related shelters for young women in Bucheon.

The HA!Man Show

On Saturday, April 14th, 2007, the Europe-Korea Foundation (EKF) in cooperation with the South African Embassy held a concert with South African artist, Francois Le Roux, for the 3rd year in a row with his exhilarating spontaneous cello performance. Having toured South Africa, Europe, and North America, Mr. Le Roux was back in Asia with his memorable performance filled with instrumental, vocal, and dance components. For this special event, EKF also invited children from the SOS Children’s Village and from Anna House, many of whom were captivated by the spontaneous performance of Francois Le Roux

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Cine-Café: April Schedule

"Star” (Byul, 2003) By Jang, Hyoeng Ik Running Time: 106 min. This heartwarming often amusing movie focuses on four people – two who may be entering a relationship and two whose relationship appears to be ending. The young hero grew up an orphan and now works for Korea Telecom. A lonely man whose only true friend is his dog, Alfonse, he excels in his job to the envy of some of his co-workers. The young woman he admires is a vet and he finds all kinds of reasons to call on her professionally. The other couple has been married many years and who live in an isolated village. He is a dedicated doctor whose wife with an illness he cannot cure. The couple experienced a great loss that has affected their lives, both as individuals and as a couple. After seeing Byul, one can’t help but wonder if, in fact, one’s fate is written in the stars. When: April 11, 2007 @ 9:30 AM Where: Centre Culturel Français (French Cultural Center)

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EUCCK March Network Club - Charity Bingo Night

The EUCCK Network Club has been on the fundraising track since last November starting with a charity raffle during the Festa Italiana event, followed by SPAM collected at the Indian Night during the January EUCCK Network Club. Our most recent charity network club took place on March 22, 2007 at Asia Chow Restaurant with Charity Bingo Night. Proceeds raised through the Bingo Card sales are to be donated to Anna House – an organization led by Italian priest Father Vincenzo Bordo. (www.annahouse.or.kr)

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EKF Scholarship Programme: Interview with Ju Young Kang

Ms. Ju Young Kang, former award student of the EKF Scholarship Programme, met with EKF in March to talk about her experience studying in Europe. In 2004, Ms. Kang was awarded the EKF Scholarship, which was supported by Samsung Tesco, to study in the MBA Programme of Manchester Business School in the United Kingdom. She left Korea in August 2004 and returned to Korea after successfully acquiring an MBA degree in September 2006.

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Wine & Women Korea - Wine Around Europe

On March 8, 2007, the Europe-Korea Foundation (EKF) celebrated the 1st anniversary of its now famous wine club Wine & Women Korea (WWK), on the occasion of International Women’s Day. The charity gala was held at the Novotel Ambassador in Gangnam and over 300 guests – European Ambassadors, women and men, Koreans and foreigners – were in attendance to this event. WWK was honored to have welcome speeches made by His Excellency Norbert Baas, Ambassador of the German Embassy, Mr. Jee Dong Hoon, Deputy Secretary General of EUCCK, and Mr. Raffaele Quarto, European Union - Head of Trade Mission.

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The Europe-Korea Foundation signed MOU with HSBC and the Seoul Metropolitan Government

On March 5, 2007, Mr. OH Se Hoon, Mayer of Seoul Metropolitan Government, Mr. Simon N. Copper, President & CEO of HSBC Korea, and Mr. Jean-Jacques Grauhar, President of the Europe-Korea Foundation (EKF) and Secretary General of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Korea (EUCCK), signed an agreement to strengthen mutual cooperation and support in preserving and developing the tradition of intangible cultural assets designated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

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Lunar New Year Donations with Governor of Jeolla Province

Lunar New Year Donations with Governor of Jeolla Province Mar / 2007 In celebration of Lunar New Year 2007, five EUCCK Member companies made donations of new products which were given away to charity organizations. These companies include Estee Lauder Ltd., LVMH Korea, Mary Kay Korea, Osram Korea Co. Ltd., and TUV Rheinland Group. On February 16, 2007, Mr. & Mrs. Kim Wan Joo, Governor of North Jeolla Province, together with Mr. Jee Dong Hoon, President of the Europe-Korea Foundation (EKF) and Deputy Secretary General of the European Union Chamber of Commerce (EUCCK) visited Wonkwang Mojawon (원광모자원) – a house for families without adult male providers, and Samsung Women’s Rest House (삼성여성의쉼터) – a shelter for women who suffer under violent husbands. With gifts in hand, Mrs. Kim Chong Ja, the governor’s wife, distributed the cosmetic gift sets to the single mothers in those shelters. The gift sets will hopefully help the women build self esteem meanwhile giving them courage for the Lunar New Year, whereas the toys from TUV Rheinland will surely give some joy and laughter to the kids. EKF is currently in the works of establishing a branch office in North Jeolla Province with the objective of introducing Korean culture to Europeans through programmes like the EKF Scholarship Programme and other cultural and fundraising events.

Ms. Seung-Eun Park: Former EKF Scholarship Recipient visits EKF Office

Ms. Seung-Eun Park: Former EKF Scholarship Recipient visits EKF Office Seung-Eun Park, EKF Scholarship Alumni Ms. Park Seung-Eun, recipient of the EKF Scholarship 2004, used the Lunar New Year holidays to visit her home country. She came to the EKF office on Wednesday, February 21, 2007, to tell us about her experience in Germany and Europe and her plans for the future.

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Philip Morris Korea Inc. Donates Computers to Local Orphanage

Philip Morris Korea Inc. Donates Computer to Local Orphanage On Wednesday, February 07, 2007, representatives of EKF and Philip Morris Korea Inc. (PMKI) went to the SOS Children’s Village in Shinwol-Dong, Seoul, to donate computers to the facility.

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Cine-Cafe March Schedule

Cine-Café: March Schedule “White Valentine” (1999) By Yang, Yun Ho Running Time: 89 min. White Valentine is the story two people who initially meet as pen pals. The female writer, however, was a child at the time, pretending to be an adult. Following an aborted meeting, the two stop writing and go on with their lives. However, as fate woudl have it, their lives intertwine at various junctions without either really being aware of the other, and always oblivious to the fact that they once had a connection. In a style that is very typical of Korean romantic movies, there is no clear conclusion to the story although the last scene allows members of the audience to use their imagination to visualize the ending.

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Cine-Cafe: February Movie Screening

Cine-Café: February Schedule “Love Phobia (Domabaem)” (2006) By Kang, Ji-Eun Running Time: 117 min. Love Phobia traces the relationship of two people who meet as children. The one is a shy naïve boy, Jo-kang, while the other, Ari, is a quirky non-conformist. The boy comes from a 'normal' two-parent family, while the girl is being raised by a monk. The two become close friends as children, but one day, the girl suddenly disappears. Ten years later, the two meet again. But despite their happy and close relationship, they part once more. When they meet up again, the two are adults with the young man having followed the expected career track and become a banker – however, his choice of career is really the result of Ari's quirky dreams. Love Phobia takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from laughter to tears and back again.

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EUCCK January Network Club - A Taste of India

Every month, EKF, on behalf of the EUCCK, organizes a networking event called EUCCK Network Club. For January, we incorporated an Indian theme by hosting this event at Taj Restaurant on January 23, 2007. India is a country joined in unity despite its diversity, much like the European Union, hence it was interesting to introduce Indian culture and cuisine to our members. This month we also tried to introduce a charity aspect to the

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Donations of Used Items to South Korean Charity Organizations

Following an announcement to all EUCCK member companies in May 2006, we have since made another request in December 2006 for used office equipment and appliances items to be donated to the South Korean charity organizations EKF supports, namely SOS Children’s Villages, Aeranwon, Motungii Shwimpteo and Seongshim Dideumdol. Many companies have replied and donated items such as computers, monitors, copy machines, etc. The items have been distributed to the organizations above according to their needs. Hence, we would like to thank Zuellig Pharma Korea Ltd., PMI Korea, Organon Korea, SGS Korea, Clariant Korea, AIG Life Insurance Korea, and the British Embassy for their generous donations.   If your company has any office equipment (computer, fax machines, telephones, etc.), appliances (i.e. air conditioners, heaters, stoves, microwaves) and other useful items to donate, please feel free to contact us anytime. We are accepting used items all year round.

Cine-Cafe: January Movie Screening

Lump Sugar (Gakseoltang) is a first in the Korean movie industry in that it stars an animal as the main character. The story focuses on a child whose equestrian mother is killed in an accident. Despite her father's attempts to protect her by keeping her from having close contact with the horse on their breeding 'ranch', Si-eum develops a close relationship with her mother's horse, a mare named General, and then with General's offspring, Thunder. To her father's consternation, Si-eum doesn't just love horses, she dreams of becoming a jockey, an almost exclusively male profession.

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