Hwatong Concert, love is in the air in springtime

Hwatong Concert, love is in the air in springtime 

Hwatong Concert took place at the traditional theater of Seoul Namsan Gugakdang on February 13 and 14. The concert combined old Korean folk paintings with Korean traditional music and dance under the theme of springtime and love.

Winter freezes the earth with its harsh winds and icy temperatures, but spring inevitably arrives to soften the ground with seasonable balminess. Through the thawed soil life struggles to start anew. Spring buds blossom into beautiful flowers, calling to butterflies and bees. Just as the butterflies and bees hover around the flowers gently swaying in the spring breezes, men and women also dance around each other to start new loves in the season of rejuvenation. Love seems to permeate the air in springtime. Suitable to the season, Hwatong Concert chose spring love of youths as its theme. Here’s cultural production company Yeo Min여민’s CEO Kim Young-ok to tell us more about the concert.

The name Hwatong is a combination of two Chinese characters – “hwa” for painting and “tong” for communicating. The concert aims to combine old Korean paintings and traditional music to communicate the joy of love. We wanted to show young Koreans what love is all about and how our ancestors portrayed love in their paintings. The show was designed to make people find out more about the sentiments of those who lived before us. And since spring is a perfect time for love, we scheduled the concert in springtime. 

The host told the audience about the love story depicted in a painting. Audience members identified themselves with the characters in the drawing and music soon accompanied their musing, lest they should return prematurely from the land of imagination to reality. On one fine spring day in Korea, Hwatong Concert tempted people with all the delightful sentiments associated with love.

Art critic Sohn Cheol-joo hosted the concert, divided into three sections – affection, longing, and love, which are three main elements of love.

The first segment dealt mostly with virtuous tales about love, while the second part centered on longing, the sense of loss and desire associated with love. Longing is a natural emotion a person feels when the loved one is not near. If the feeling persists even when the loved one is next to you, that’s called love sickness. In this section we show old paintings showing characters suffering from love sickness. In the last segment we show youthful love, how young people fall in love and relish in it at the height of their feelings. 

In the first section about affection, the concert began by wishing good fortune for all audience members and talking about the paintings of blessings and sound advice.

Now the concert progressed in earnest, discussing the love between a man and a woman. Writer Lee Ok of the late Joseon period spoke of this kind of love as thus.

In observing the workings of the universe, nothing is greater than observing man.
In observing man, nothing is more complex than observing people’s affection.
In observing affection, nothing is truer than observing the love between a man and a woman.

Writer Lee Ok wrote that love between a man and a woman is the truest feeling there is. In the first painting, titled “A Student and a Maiden,” the audience saw a young maiden with a longing heart for a student.

“A Student and a Maiden” is a folk painting done by a nameless painter. It showed a maiden hidden behind a door and stealing a glance at the student reading a book. She holds tightly onto the doorknob as if afraid of being discovered by her secret crush. Totally unaware of the maiden’s feelings, the student just focuses on reading, and the maiden looks on forlornly with longing eyes. Her despair over the unrequited love is conveyed to today’s audience hundreds of years later. But even a simple, one-sided crush can lead to a meaningful, love-filled relationship. That was the case with a jolly man who appears on the renowned Joseon-era painter Shin Yun-bok’s painting Chunsaekmanwon, which means a garden filled with vernal beauty. Here’s the concert’s host, Sohn Cheol-joo to explain more.

Now let’s take a look at Shin Yun-bok’s painting, which depicts the subtle approach employed by a man. His behavior is different from ladies’ usual timidity about showing their true feelings. This man in the painting suggestively tugs at the woman’s basket. It’s not an aggressive or overt action, but a stealthy gesture. Look at the face of the man. He apparently had a drink and looks a bit drunk. But what’s interesting is the woman’s expression. She’s actually smiling. No other woman in Shin’s other paintings is portrayed as lustful as this woman. 

The woman in the painting apparently did not mind the man’s furtive advance. It isn’t that hard to imagine what came next – their love must have blossomed like flowers in the springtime.

On a warm spring day a retired courtesan sits on the balcony and laments about her life and lost loves. It is a scene out of Shin Yun-bok’s painting “A Woman at the Lotus Pavilion.”

Shin Yun-bok’s “A Woman at the Lotus Pavilion” is about severe longings. The courtesan has long passed her prime and now idles the time by sitting on the pavilion’s balcony, with a long cigarette holder in one hand and a musical instrument in another. She doesn’t look very happy. In front of her is a pond with pink lotus flowers abloom. The courtesan looks at the lotus flowers, reminiscing about her days of youth and beauty, but realizes that those times are no more and her lovers are all gone. Her love affairs were all badly timed. A pair of royal foxglove trees is known to grow old together, but the courtesan has no one to grow old with. Her love cannot be realized, bringing her only longing and regret. 

Jemangmaega was played as if to comfort the woman at the lotus pavilion longing for her past lovers.

Love is not all sweetness – that realistic advice seems to have been what our ancestors tried to tell us with their paintings. Here’s the concert’s host, Sohn Cheol-joo, to tell us more.

Joseon-era paintings about the love between a man and a woman depict scenes straight out of our ordinary lives. Their love is like the bittersweet taste of mugwort, not like the sweetness of chocolates and candies exchanged on Valentine’s Day of the West. Korean painters knew that love cannot be all sweet. They expressed love’s bittersweet aspect in their works with satire and wit. Joseon painters also knew how to control their impulsive sentiments and expressed love through very natural and subtle behaviors. 

The mood in the theater turned rather somber and sorrowful following the paintings of one-sided love and the pain of longing. Right at the moment the audience came to attention with the presentation of “The Portrait of a Beauty,” painted by an unknown artist and currently kept in Tokyo National Museum.

Look at how silky her hair is. She appears smiling in the painting and look how appealing her smile is. That is enough to turn on a couple of guys on the spot. And she’s holding a flower in her hand, which makes her look more attractive. Her top is really tight and we can see the white underskirt between the folds of her skirt. I think this woman in the painting is the most attractive one among all the beautiful women in Joseon-era portraits. 

The entire canvas is filled up with a lone woman. Her coiffed hair is silky black, with a ribbon on one side. She doesn’t have a big smile on her face, just a demure one with the ends of her lips curved slightly upward, making her look a bit haughty yet inviting. Her top is closed, but is so tight that it looks ready to split at the seams. Her eyebrows are crescent-shaped and she gathers up her skirt with one hand to make it look fuller. Pansori “Song of Love” was played to highlight her beauty.

But she has a flower in her hand and the story behind is written in a poem composed by the 16th-century slave Eo Mu-jeok. Here’s the concert’s host Sohn Cheol-joo to recite that poem.

When I wake up from sleep and step out the door, the long hair and single-layered top are too thin to stave off the cold air. My affection can be suppressed, but my worries over the late-arriving spring cannot. So I pick a flower and look at it. The last passage is about how late the spring is. She has picked a flower to hurry up the coming of the spring. 

On the screen “The Portrait of a Beauty” was soon replaced by a painting of the bees and butterflies flocking to the poppy flowers. The painting was performed in a dance, with the elegantly dressed dancers mimicking the bees and butterflies in search of flowers.

In the third and last portion of Hwatong Concert love was no longer an emotion to be hidden or shown timidly. It was time for spring love!

The painting representing carnal love was Shin Yun-bok’s “Sonyeonjeonhong,” which means a boy picks a red flower. The concert master Sohn Cheol-joo explains the painting.

You can see that the man has a top knot and holds a cigarette holder, but has no beard. That indicates the man hasn’t been married for long. But then why does the man grabbing the woman’s arms so roughly? It’s very likely that the man’s wife is out and the woman is probably a housemaid. The master of the house is playing around with the maid while his wife is out. But the maid doesn’t look like she’s put off by the man’s blatant advances. 

But, as said above, love is bittersweet. In Shin Yun-bok’s “A Painting of Lovers under the Moon” two lovers stand under the moon, obviously reluctant to part.

Look at the crescent moon. The man is trying to say goodbye and comfort the woman at the same time. The painting is about a couple parting and the sorrow of leaving each other. 

Their feelings for each other were played out with Korean flutes.

Throughout the two-hour concert, the audience must have remembered their loves, both past and present. It’s springtime, the season of budding love.

- It was fun enjoying Korean traditional music and dance with old paintings. I enjoyed this concert featuring Korean culture.
- I wish I could meet someone whom I can love wholeheartedly.
- The combination of the paintings, music, and the stories went really well. I enjoyed them all, and was completely into the concert. 

Chronic Fatigue Can Be More than Exhaustion

Today I will talk about chronic fatigue syndrome, which is becoming a rising star among modern health disorders. Chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is a quite severe and complicated condition, the cause for which modern medicine has not been able to uncover, much less cure.

The symptoms of this disease can be wide-ranging and include physical symptoms, especially debilitating fatigue that lasts for six months or more. The fatigue does not originate from exertion and is not relieved by rest. Other symptoms include: a persistent low-grade fever, headache, and sore throat; aching, weak muscles; swollen lymph nodes; and joint pain. These symptoms may also be accompanied by such psychological symptoms as confusion, depression, impaired memory or concentration, excessive sleep requirements, appetite loss or gain, and agitation.

As there is no cure for this disease in western medicine, many patients try to find some alternative treatment solution. Among the various options, Oriental medicine is a popular choice.

In Korean Oriental Medicine all physiological procedures in our bodies are understood to be performed by utilizing Qi (氣), which is the vital life force energy of the body/mind, and which gives us a measure of an individual’s vitality. From this viewpoint, the various symptoms of CFS can be related to the Qi-utilizing efficiency of some of our organs.

Therefore, from the perspective of Oriental medicine, chronic fatigue is considered a Qi deficiency.. Qi is generated through the food we eat and the air we breathe, so the inspiration and digestive organs - the Lungs and the Spleen/Pancreas, respectively - are crucial for the generation and distribution of Qi. In addition, the excess Qi is stored as essence in the Kidneys.

As most CFS-related symptoms are connected to the “Qi organs”, treatment focuses on the Yin-Yang properties of the Lungs, Spleen/Pancreas, and Kidneys. The goal is to activate an individual’s inner energy and self-healing abilities by addressing specific symptoms.

There are various herbs that may be indicated. If infection-like symptoms accompanied the onset of CFS, certain herbs like Ginseng or Astragalus will be applied. Ginseng increases the body's resistance to stress, fatigue, and disease. In addition, it has been shown to increase mental alertness and possesses strong antioxidant properties. It also fights viral infection and helps support the immune system. Astragalus enhances immune functions and is good for cold and flu symptoms. It also helps to strengthen the production of white blood cells, which are required for fighting infection and inflammation.

However, it is not sufficient just to boost the generation of Qi and immune system functioning. The Qi energy also has to be distributed adequately throughout the body. Acupuncture helps to regulate the flow of the Qi in the Meridians. When Qi levels become balanced, the patient feels deep relaxation and some pain relief.

Finally, there is another often-neglected rule in coping with chronic health problems like CFS. The more chronic a condition becomes, the more necessary it is to actively pursue a balanced life-style, of which healthy diet and exercise habits are essential components.

Pets, man’s best friends

With dogs running and playing everywhere, this café sure looks like a dog’s version of a playground. When a customer enters this pet café in the trendy Hongdae neighborhood, dogs are the ones that bark out a welcoming arf. Here’s the pet café owner Heo Jun-hyeok. 

People who don’t have dogs, but love them come here to play with them, and dog owners come here to let their pets play with others. So the dogs are let loose inside the café, to go wherever they wish. They could play, run, and even cuddle up in people’s arms. So I try to keep the place as empty as possible. Having lots of decorations may look nice, but my biggest concern is to give these dogs some space to play. The café is equipped with excellent ventilation and cooling and heating systems. Some dogs come here every day. 

A wide range of people come to the pet café – those who bring their pets, those who love watching dogs play, and even non-pet owners who just want to hug a puppy or two. 

- I come here often, about once or twice a month. When I see the puppies, I feel better.
- I come here because I love dogs. There are so many cuties here. I love it.
- I think animals are my friends and partners. I love big dogs, so I come here to see them.
- I think it’s nice that there are so many large dogs. This café is larger than other pet cafes. Dogs are my companions, like my family. 

The economy may be sluggish, but pet cafes are booming. Actually, all businesses that have to do with pets have a bright prospect. More than ten million Koreans own pets now, with the volume of pet-related businesses amounting to four trillion won, or over 3.7 billion U.S. dollars. Department stores and large supermarket chains provide shoppers with pet-sitting services while they shop, and one department store even rents out strollers for pets. Facilities catering to the needs of pets and their owners are mushrooming everywhere: veterinary hospitals, pet care shops, pet hotels, pet funeral services, swimming pools exclusively for dogs, and dog training centers. Pets have become a part of our family. 

Dogs are called man’s best friend. They are there to protect us and love us. Some of the canine breeds are so rare and special that they are designated national monuments. The Korean government designated the Korean Jindo Dog as Natural Monument No.53 in 1938 and the indigenous Sapsal Dog as No.368 in 1992. Dogs have accompanied the Korean people throughout the nation’s long history, and now have made it into man’s living space. Now dogs are a lot more than just the protectors of our home. Here’s veterinarian Park Jeong-yoon to tell us more.

Smaller families and single-person households have driven people to have pets. Nowadays, children live apart from their parents because of their jobs or schooling. So both the children and parents seek pets to ease their loneliness. 

People get pets to keep them company or to nurture children’s emotional well-being. Pets have become our life companions, friends who are always there to share our joys and sorrows. The term “companion animals” was first introduced at an international symposium held in October 1983, a new moniker indicating the elevated status of pets. Here’s veterinarian Park Jeong-yoon again.



Pets are an outdated term. In the past pets were animals purchased to suit my personality, my taste. But now pets are family. A companion animal lives for ten to fifteen years, a pretty long time to be sharing our life. If we are to accept the animal as a member of our family, we should treat it like our mother or brother or husband. Companion animals are just that – animals that accompanies us through our life’s journey.

One department store in Yongsan, Seoul has a one-stop service center for companion animals. Here dogs and cats and other companion animals can get not only veterinary care, beauty and spa treatments, training, but also adoption services, overnight accommodations, and entertainment. The place is so popular that it sees between 400 and 500 customers on weekends. The hottest spot here is a pet kindergarten. Here’s Cool Pet Park director Oh Jae-yoon to tell us more about the center.

The pet kindergarten teaches animals used to staying home alone how to behave among other animals and humans. The owner brings in the animal in the morning and takes it back home in the afternoon. The basic training program includes eating and potty training. About 90% of our students are dogs, because cats are pretty independent by nature. The monthly fee is 400 thousand won. 

The tuition for the pet kindergarten is 400 thousand won, almost as much as what parents pay to send their child to a childcare center. But high costs do not deter pet owners from sending their beloved animals to the facility. Let’s hear what those owners have to say.

- My dog used to run away from other dogs. I brought him here because I wanted him to get along with other dogs. Now he plays well with others and doesn’t bark at them as much.
- My dog wasn’t very social, because my family would go to work or to school all day. I brought him here because I felt sorry for my dog. Now he’s more social and seems to enjoy other dogs more. 

Trainers or instructors teach the dogs how to eat, play, and potty train. In the process the companion animals learn how to get along with others. Since the majority of companion animals live in apartments, not in single-family homes with big yards, problems often erupt among neighbors. This is why behavioral training for companion animals is no longer a choice, but a necessity. 

- My dog has anxiety attacks, so I came here to treat it. The dog barks like crazy when I try to go out. My neighbors have complained about the noise, and my dog would poop everywhere and chew my stuff. I couldn’t live like a normal person. So I brought him here to calm down a little.
- I brought my dog to be potty trained. I couldn’t housebreak him myself, but I think they can do it here. 

Owners pay a large sum of money to nurture the social skills of their companion animals, because they want to spend their lives with their beloved animals. In a time of relentless competition and stress, companion animals are a source of great comfort, more so than anyone can imagine. Here’s veterinarian Park Jeong-yoon again.

Human relationships are always give-and-take. If I wanted to tell my problems to someone else, I have to consider the other party’s emotional state or other conditions. When a person is ill or emotionally vulnerable, he or she can’t be expected to be understanding of my problems. But animals are different. I can tell my pet anything and feel comfort. Animals are emotional healers, because they don’t judge me or are afraid of me. They accept me just the way I am. I trust my dog or my cat to accept me, whether I’m selfish, ugly, or even bad. I can be totally truthful and get to rely on them emotionally.



Companion animals are great listeners. They just look at you with those big, kind eyes and listen to everything you have to say. They can cuddle up and lick your face, or wag their tails and become playful, just to make you feel better. Anyone who started out with tears is bound to end up with a big smile. That’s the healing power of companion animals. Perhaps this is why many families get companion animals for their children’s emotional well-being.

When young children spend time with pets they learn how to be considerate of others. Children learn to care about other people’s feelings, so they unknowingly become more thoughtful and considerate. 

Companion animals are family, life friends, and counselors, all rolled into one. It is not surprising that pet cafes where companion animals can have a good time with their owners are so in demand these days. 

Since the cafe customers are all animal lovers, there is no awkwardness even when they first meet. When their pets beg for something to eat, their priority is in feeding them. It’s always cheerful and friendly in this café.

Time flies when showing off their companion animals and sharing pet care information. Office workers, who leave their pets here while they go on business trips, can have peace of mind and focus on their assignments. 

I have to go on a business trip, but didn’t want to leave my dog alone. If she stayed here, she could spend time with other dogs, which is good. Of course I will miss her, but she can play here and there are other people to take care of her. So I’m not worried. 

Companion animals are not confined to dogs and cats. Reptiles and fish and other rare animals also make great pets. Here’s Mr. Lee Eun-hyuk, who live with all sorts of animals.

I have a black diamond ray. It’s different from a skate. I also have an Asian arowana fish, a very expensive fish in China. There is also a Maltese, a bearded dragon, a leopard gecko, and a tortoise. I’ve never counted how many animals I have, but I’ve raised them for nearly 20 years, since I was in elementary school.

Lee’s house was too small to contain all the animals, so he had to rent a storage unit nearby. The bearded dragon may look fierce, but it is easy to raise, because it’s very tame and has a very strong constitution. The leopard gecko has movable eyelids, unlike most geckos, and makes an interesting pet. Lee has so many animals under his care that he confesses to have so far spent 100 million won on them. But it’s money well spent, says this animal lover.

A black diamond ray went for 14 million won at one time. Dragons and lizards cost millions of won. I don’t regret having spent the money, because it’s my hobby, like other people buying golf club memberships. Some people find comfort in watching the fish swim in the bowl. They are so pretty. I want to keep raising more animals. Feeding them and watching them grow is my joy and how I relax. 

The companion animal market in Korea is growing. In Japan the pet market has grown to 10 trillion won. The expanding pet populations in both Korea and Japan, and in the rest of the world, in fact, are caused by aging and small households. Humans need a new family to comfort them and keep them company, and companion animals fit the role perfectly. As long as society remains as it is today, companion animals will continue to be man’s best friends.

Vegetarian meals make their mark

Not mainstream yet, but vegetarian diet attracts health, environment-conscious eaters

(123RF)

When Begun editor-in-chief Yi Hyang-jae became a vegan about six years ago, she dared not ask restaurants to tinker with dishes to make them meat-free.

“In the past, that would not have been possible,” the 50-year-old publisher of the Korean vegetarian magazine told The Korea Herald.

Then two to three years ago, right around the time Begun was launched, Yi noticed a change.

“These days, because people know what vegetarianism is, one can call a Chinese restaurant and ask for black bean sauce noodles with only onions and sauce,” Yi said. “When one goes to a restaurant, one can ask for dishes to be made without meat and people do not react negatively to such requests.”

Yi also believes perceptions of vegetarians have shifted.

If six to seven years ago vegetarians were seen as somewhat extreme, now, in Yi’s opinion, vegetarians are seen in a positive light.

People, according to Yi, see vegetarians as healthy and environmentally conscious individuals.

The positive attitude towards the vegetarian diet seems to be due, in part, to Korea’s “well-being” and “healing” trends, both of which have fueled societal interest in health.

“Among the masses, health is still the biggest impetus behind interest in vegetarianism,” said cable channel Olive team head Seo Won-ye. “I think people are interested in vegetarianism for their own health, for dieting, for digestive reasons or to change their physical constitution.”

Seo added that “people are very interested in vegetarianism and detoxification as a means of dieting.”

Some of the vegetarian temple food dishes that are offered at Baru restaurants.(Baru)

Though the food channel does not devote entire programs to vegetarianism, Seo said Olive plans to frequently address it in upcoming and new shows like the revamped “Homemade Cook,” where doctors help provide recipes that address various health concerns.

“Vegetarianism is not a minor phenomenon,” Seo, 36, said over the phone. “We cannot help but touch upon the subject more frequently.”

Indeed, Olive has addressed vegetarianism most notably with “Lee Honey Vegan Recipe,” a segment of its celebrity-fronted cooking program “Food Essay.”

When the segment aired over a year ago, “people were familiar with the concept of vegetarianism, but the lifestyle was not widespread,” said Seo.

“We did our homework and discovered a lot of people were interested in vegetarianism, so we focused on providing recipes for those just starting out.”

The segment showcased pescetarian recipes and, according to Seo, the response was good.

“Repeat airings were also well received, and the recipes were especially popular among women in their 20s and 30s.”

Recipes, it appears, are important to practicing vegetarians in Korea. Vegetarian magazine Begun also devotes a substantial number of pages to recipes, partly to provide diverse eats for vegetarians who might be bored with their current repertoire, said Yi.

Another reason behind the focus on vegetarian-friendly recipes both on television and in magazines like Begun might be because vegetarian, particularly vegan, options are not the norm when eating out.

Yet, even though vegetarian restaurants are not widespread and vegetarianism is not mainstream, various signs point to its increased presence in South Korean society.

In 2010, Seoul National University saw the successful launch of an on-campus vegetarian buffet.

Operated by the Seoul National University Cooperative, an independent, nonprofit corporation, the buffet was so popular that a second vegetarian locale was opened last year.

According to SNU Co-op headquarters director Lee Gyu-sun, the latest spot, a student restaurant where a vegetarian menu is provided as one of four menu options, was chosen because students wanted more access to meat-free meals.

Dongguk University also has an on-campus vegetarian buffet that opened in 2011. Operated by major food service company OURHOME, the buffet started off in a small room.

“During the buffet’s pre-official launch, it was hard to estimate how many would use it,” OURHOME manager Lee Sang-min explained via email. “After the pre-launch, there was not enough space for customers during peak hours so the buffet was moved to a larger space.”

“Lots of students who are curious about vegetarian cuisine and who are dieting or concerned about their health use the buffet,” said Lee, pointing to the possibility that vegetarianism or “flexitarianism,” otherwise known as semi-vegetarianism, might be gaining serious momentum, particularly among those who are health conscious.

According to Lee, this is OURHOME’s first and only time operating a vegetarian buffet. But after the campus buffet opened, other cafeteria operations have expressed interest in vegetarian options, asking OURHOME about the menu, costs and average number of customers.

Some might say that this is where vegetarianism-at-large stands. People and businesses are curious about it but view vegetarianism as unknown territory.

However, the recent launch of a blind date event for vegetarians by matchmaking agency Sunoo points to an alternative perspective on vegetarians as a niche community on the rise.

Approximately four months ago, Sunoo started holding blind date meetings once every two months for vegetarians. To date there have been two events where eight to 10 women were set up with the same number of men. The third event is slated for mid-March.

According to Sunoo founder and CEO James Lee, eight people have already signed up for the upcoming meeting.

“Response has been great,” Lee, 47, said over the phone.

Lee explained that a rise in the number of vegetarians starting three to five years ago was an impetus behind Sunoo’s vegetarian blind dates.

The agency’s decision to provide blind dates specifically for vegetarians seems to signal that the vegetarian community has grown significantly.

When vegetarian magazine Begun put out its first issue two years ago, there were 40 regular subscribers and around 100 copies were sold at bookstores in Korea. Now of the 1,200 copies printed, according to publisher Yi, around 1,000 are sold. That means that within the past two years, sales have gone up tenfold.

In fact, a pro-vegetarian community seems to be growing, in keeping with current trends, in an even more health-conscious direction.

VegeDoctor, an organization of doctors whose purpose is to promote a vegetarian diet as a healthy means of eating, was established nearly two years ago, and, according to Yi, vegetarian mothers who want to raise their children on a meat-free diet have built up a strong community through the Internet by sharing research and data on what to feed their children.

By Jean Oh (oh_jean@heraldcorp.com)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - When the Bowels Get Stressed

2013-02-06

Today I will talk about Irritable Bowel Syndrome or shortly IBS, a digestive problem which manifests through symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain with sometimes frequent loose stools or diarrhea, sometimes also alternating with constipation.

IBS is described as a 'functional' illness. This means that the small and large intestines are functioning inappropriately, although there is no structural damage found through diagnostic testing. The cause of the illness is unknown, but there is a definite link between emotional triggers and the onset of symptoms.

The gastrointestinal tract of an IBS sufferer is hypersensitive to such stimuli as emotional stress, anxiety, depression, diet, alcohol, drugs and hormones. Treatment through conventional medicine can be a frustrating experience for both patients and doctors. Fortunately, traditional Korean medicine provides an effective, alternative approach to treatment of IBS because it views the body as an integrated whole, based on the “Theory of Internal Organs.”

The Korean medical definition of an internal organ is very different from the Western concept. In Western medicine, an organ is a material-anatomical structure. In Korean medicine, each internal organ is associated with a corresponding emotion, color and element, in addition to its anatomical structure.

Western medical treatment of IBS considers only the large and small intestines, but Korean medicine recognizes the potential roles of the spleen, liver, kidney, and large intestine in the common patterns of disharmony. These patterns include “spleen Qi deficiency”, “spleen distressed by dampness”, “liver Qi stagnation”, and “damp-heat in the large intestine.”

The spleen-pancreas is considered to be the key organ in regulating digestion. IBS patients with a pattern of spleen Qi deficiency, for instance, will suffer from fatigue and diarrhea, which worsens with physical overexertion. It is often accompanied by abdominal pain, which may be relieved by exerting pressure over the painful area. Patients may also experience gas, bloating and hemorrhoids.

The liver is the organ most affected by stress, aggravation and anger. Correspondingly, it is frequently implicated in modern illnesses, most commonly when its Qi becomes stagnant. The IBS patient with liver Qi stagnation may feel depressed or moody, and may have pellet shaped stools with distending pain, particularly in the area below the ribs. Patients might experience nausea, belching, or acid reflux. All symptoms can be triggered or aggravated by stress.

Damp-heat in the large intestine typically provokes abdominal pain and diarrhea that is accompanied by a sense of urgency. The diarrhea is commonly yellow and explosive, with a strong odor and burning sensation.

Treatment for the different syndrome patterns may include a combination of acupuncture, which regulates the energy flow in the meridians of the related organs, and herbal medicinal formulas. In Oriental herbalism, herbs are combined to specifically address a person's unique constitution and health situation.

Additionally, special forms of meditation, breathing techniques and Qi-Gong exercises may be advised. These help the individual to reestablish harmony within the body systems, and provide a strategy to cope with the emotional stress factors that are closely associated with this modern civilization disease.

Scent like no other

Create the perfect aroma with customized perfumes and colognes

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many will be struggling to come up with unique and personalized gift ideas for that special someone. Fragrances such as perfumes and colognes are always among the top gift purchases for the day, but with so many varieties and brands to choose from, finding the perfect fit for a loved one may seem a difficult task. Thanks to customized aroma blending, however, this may no longer be the case. 

Nowadays fragrance shopping is becoming more and more customized, gearing scents toward the individual rather than the masses. Department stores offer fragrance consulting where various scents are matched with one’s personality or image. 

Le Labo fragrance shop, which originated in New York, is most famous for selling perfumes that are freshly blended to order. However, one is still restricted to choosing from a selected list of already-formulated products. Instead of forcing customers to choose from a selection of blends, there are now a growing number of opportunities for perfume lovers to create their own personally tailored scents. There are even online stores that allow people to select their favorite scents and have them blended together to create a completely custom-made fragrance that is catered to their own personal tastes. 

The Gilmard Perfume & Flavor School in Seoul not only allows people to invent their very own aroma, but also gives people the tools to create their one-of-a-kind fragrance themselves. 

Do it yourself 
The Gilmard Perfume & Flavor School first opened its doors in 2002 and offers people the unique opportunity to be educated in the science of perfume and fragrance making. The school offers customers a chance to personally select and create their own fragrances. Customers can choose to blend the oils themselves or leave it to the experts to customize a scent. 

“The most popular scents for women these days are fruits, florals, musks and powders,” said Jeong Mi-soon, director of the school. “For men, it is fresh herbs and citrus scents.” 

A student at the Galimard Perfume & Flavor School makes note of various bottled scents through a smell test. (Galimard Perfume & Flavor School)

The Gilmard School has every scent under the sun ― from the popular and clich fragrances such as vanilla, musk, jasmine and rose petals to more unusual scents such as leather, tomato, licorice and even tobacco-scented oil. With more than 130 different bottled aroma oils, one can mix and match all of his or her favorite smells into a special, one-of-a-kind perfume or cologne blend. 

Although customizing one’s own perfume or cologne may seem like a complicated and time-consuming task, it actually involves a simple procedure of smelling, blending and bottling that would take first-time blenders around one to two hours to complete. 

“This gives people the opportunity to experience first hand what it is like to make your own fragrance,” said Jeong. “One that is purely yours.” 

For those do-it-yourselfers who want to take a stab at blending oils themselves, the school offers an easy-to-learn DIY program. At the start of the program, blenders will first be questioned on their typical fragrance selections and then, based on those preferences, blenders will receive recommendations for around ten different bottled scents to choose from before proceeding to the next phase: the smelling test. 

(123RF)

Every scent has a designated potency based on how strong of an aroma each scent gives off, with three levels: top, middle and lower. The fragrances belonging to the top level of potency are the smells that first hit the senses, while the middle and lower levels are more subtle scents that linger. 

Blenders are asked to dab a drop of each aromatic oil onto separate scent cards and smell each fragrance individually. They are then asked to note a description of the smell and comment on whether they like or dislike the particular scent. In order to maintain its accuracy, the scent cards shouldn’t be placed too close to the nose, nor should the next scent be moved on to too quickly. 

“During the smelling test it is important to keep your olfactory senses refreshed,” said Jeong. “This is why we keep a cup of ground coffee here, so that you can use it to smell and clear your senses.” 

After the smelling test is completed, blenders can then eliminate the oils that they did not enjoy and prefer not to use. Next is the formula for the fragrance. Starting with the lower-level scents and working up to the top scents, a percentage of each desired scent is weighed and placed into a fragrance bottle where it is then blended with alcohol and labeled, completing the customized fragrance process. Customers now have a made-from-scratch fragrance that exists no where else in the world. 

For those who prefer to have their personal blends done by a professional, the Gilmard Perfume & Flavor School also offers customized fragrance services where staff members create a specified blend designed uniquely for the customer. This process, depending on how many sample processes are required, usually takes from 15 days to one month to complete. 

The costs of the DIY program are 35,000 won for a 30 millileter custom fragrance bottle and 50,000 won for a 50 ml bottle. The cost of the professional customizing program is 150,000 won. For more information, visit www.galimard.co.kr/ or call (02) 554-6290. 

By Julie  Jackson(juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)

Korean fashion designers to present ‘Rhythm of Korea’ in New York

From left: Choi Bo Ko, Kathleen Hanhee Kye, Son Jung Wan, Lie Sang Bong and Kim Hongbum will be showcasing their 2013 F/W collections at the Concept Korea during the New York Fashion Week. ( Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Five Korean fashion designers will stage a dynamic fashion show featuring traditional Korean music during New York Fashion Week next month. 

The 7th Concept Korea, to be held alongside the New York Fashion Week 2013 F/W collection, will feature five promising and established Korean designers including Kathleen Hanhee Kye, Kim Hongbum, Son Jung Wan, Lie Sang Bong and Choi Bo Ko who will showcase their collections at the Lincoln Center on Feb. 7. 

The designers, selected by fashion experts to represent Korean fashion at the global level, are returning for the event following their S/S 2013 presentations at the 6th Concept Korea. 

Keeping their own themes, the five designers are expected to create an impressive mix of fashion with traditional Korean gugak music and unique stage design. 

The Concept Korea event has been held since 2009 by the Culture Ministry, Korea Creative Contents Agency, and Korea Research Institute for Fashion Industry to introduce Korean culture in New York through fashion. 

“New York wants designers with many talents. Concept Korea has the potential to satisfy the needs of the New York fashion industry with its variety,” said Fern Mallis, executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. 

The participating designers are given a chance to showcase their collections to buyers, expand their networks and promote sales in New York. 

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)

Asiana Airlines asked to allow female crew to put on pants

Flight attendants from Asian Airlines walking across the hall. (Yonhap News)

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea on Monday recommended Asiana Airlines allow female flight attendants to choose between skirts and trousers.

In addition, a local public transport union submitted a petition against the airline in June 2012, saying that it was gender discrimination to ban female flight attendants from wearing pants. 

Regarding the petition, the NHRC concluded that banning female attendants from wearing pants is an act of discrimination since it restricts the choice of uniforms based on gender. Also, considering that no other Korean airlines compel female flight crew to wear skirts, Asiana Airline’s regulation could be viewed as excessive, NHRC said. 

Asiana Airlines refuted the union’s argument by claiming that wearing skirts accentuates Korean beauty and does not cause discomfort while female attendants are performing safety tasks on a plane. The company said its tough rules on the dress code have been alleviated since January 2013. 

Recommendations from the NHRC are not legally binding.

By Park Sui, Intern reporter
(suipark@heraldcorp.com)