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Category Archives: New York

Toy Stories at the Korea Society

08-Feb-08

Toy Stories at the Korea Society

Having looked in on the New York Korean Cultural Center last time I paid a visit to visit my co-workers at Head Office, I though that this time I'd use my lunch break to visit the competition: the Korea Society. I've always been a little bit puzzled as to why there should be two competing bodies in Manhattan both promoting Korean culture, and having visited the Korea Society I'm none the wiser. If market forces were allowed to rule, the Korean Cultural Center should probably have closed down years ago and its funding diverted to the Korea Society. One of the constant pleasures of watching things Korean as a hobby, though, is that you are always surprised and puzzled. The Korea ...
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Where to buy books about Korea in Manhattan

07-Feb-08

Where to buy books about Korea in Manhattan

In my expensive quest for more acquisitions for my collection of Korea-related books I am always on the look-out for stores with decent stock. I have in the past been constantly disappointed by the bookshops in Manhattan. The main Korean bookshop in 32nd Street, Koryo Books, caters to Korean speakers rather than English speakers. The collection of books in English there has shrunk still further since I last visited and to be honest is not really worth a visit any more unless you are interested in books to help you to read Korean. As an aside, I spotted an interestingly specific English language manual for native Korean speakers, providing evidence of a favoured occupation among the community: The book contained Korean and ...
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A visit to New York Koreatown

15-Dec-06

A visit to New York Koreatown

On the rare occasions when I have to travel to New York to see my US co-workers I always try to pay a visit to 32nd Street. The two places I make sure to visit are Koryo Books and AM Records -- and I also scout round to see if I like the look of a different restaurant. Since I last visited about 18 months ago, Koryo Books has started up a largish VHS and DVD rental operation. And it's also expanded its collection of Korean literature in translation. The rest of its English-language collection (right) remains focused on language tuition, while the top shelf is has a racy assortment of tomes on shamanism and a Who's Who of Korean Americans. ...
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A visit to the New York Korean Cultural Centre

14-Dec-06

A visit to the New York Korean Cultural Centre

The New York Korean Cultural Centre fits well into the chaotic streets of mid-town Manhattan. They're both full of good things, a bit bewildering to the outsider, in need of a facelift, and short of space. I paid a visit at lunchtime yesterday, walking the 10 blocks from my boss's office to the Centre at 460 Park Avenue, just north of 57th Street, braving the depressing drizzle and poorly disciplined traffic. Past a sign which asks you to show your security pass or ring for someone to collect you, you ask the security guard which floor the Cultural Centre is on, and you simply get directed up to the 6th Floor. Turn one way for visas, the other way for the Cultural ...
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