Art and Culture

It's the elections tomorrow and some of you may get a day off of work, and some of you if you're like me... may have to use your lunch break to get to the polls to cast your vote. Well our Michelle Kim has brought us some of the things we can do after we head to the polls.
Hello Michelle.

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[Reporter : Michelle Kim] Hello Conn-young

What do you have for us today ?

[Reporter : ] Well it's election tomorrow and the country needs as many Korean citizens as possible to vote. In order to get the younger age group to gain more interest in the political scene, musicians have devised a new way to encourage people to vote.

Although the candidates are using every possible on and offline method they can to attract voters of all ages, many Koreans are still uninterested and indifferent about voting.

Instead of dull campaigns and boring slogans, music concerts have taken over to encourage young citizens to vote.

It may seem like any other concert, where rhythmical and cheerful music are playing as the audience are dancing and having fun. However, the purpose for the concert is not just to listen and appreciate the music. It's to encourage people to vote in Wednesday's elections.

[Interview : Kim C, singer] "The first step on changing the harsh reality is to vote".

The concert tries to tell the younger age group that life struggles, including employment, can be solved by voting.

Citizens are able to see their favorite bands perform and also think about why they should be heading to the voting polls.

Park Han-suh, Suwon resident
[Interview : Park Han-suh, Suwon resident] "Since these concerts are held on an open space like a festival, it's very easy to participate and its also a valuable experience".

On the big day itself, Hongdae will be hosting Indie band concerts to encourage voting, as well as to release all the stress from work and school.

If you can bring paperwork or a photo that proves you have voted, you can also get a discount.

This flexible attitude on how voting can be something that people can celebrate has made this event possible.

So you can vote and also get a discount to your favorite artists' concerts! What a great way to spend the day...voting for the country for a greater good and then celebrating after with good music.

[Reporter : ] It may be raining tomorrow...which is not the best weather to go out and cast your vote, but I hope this concert can encourage people to go out and really cast their ballots on who they think is going to help the country's economic and social state.

I hope so as well. So tomorrow, we go out to vote and then go to a concert. What else can we do in our spare time[Reporter : ] Just like how we take x-rays to see broken bones in our bodies, art experts also take x-rays of sculptures and other traditional metal work from the past to find out how people made and designed the item. Here are the details.

In order to find out the interior structure and quality of the cultural assets, experts use an X-ray machine. Along with the actual cultural assets, these x-ray photos have been open to the public at an exhibition.

[말안장 뒷가리개, 경주 계림로 14호묘 출토]
This iron figure is the back of a saddle. Just by looking at it, it's hard to recognize the pattern and shape of the saddle. However, the x-ray photo shows a dragon and sawtooth pattern on this item. These patterns were carved on the surface and then filled the carved parts with gold thread.

[등잔, 경주 덕천리 출토]
With the help of the x-ray, experts were able to find out the interior structure of an oil lamp. The connecting parts have holes that connect the oil lamp to the bottom tube. So if you pour oil in one part of the six oil lamps, the oil will spread to the rest of the lamps.

The x-ray forms will be exhibited for the first time to the public at the Gyeongju Museum

Shin Yong-Bee, Conservator http://gyeongju.museum.go.kr/html/en/
[Interview : Shin Yong-Bi, Conservator Gyeongju National Museum] "You can figure out the interior structure and materials of the cultural assets by taking x-ray photos of it".

This exhibition is a way to not just look at the x-ray photos of the items but also take a different look at the traditional assets of Korea.

[Reporter : ] This exhibition will be held at the Gyeongju National Museum until July 1st.

This is really interesting. I had no idea that you take x-rays of cultural assets to figure out how it was made and how it's used.

[Reporter : ] If the item has been severely distorted or broken over the years, it may be hard to figure out the exact design and structure just by looking at it. This is when you take the x-rays and determine its structure, design, and use.

Sounds like another way to learn about the historical artifacts. Moving on you have the events bulletin for us[Reporter : ] Yes I do. I have a musical, a magic show, and a concert for you

[Reporter : ed:mark] The bulletin features three events

The musical, "Ballerina Who Loves a B-Boy" will going on a tour around Korea. This musical was also held on Broadway and was voted the best musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. "Ballerina Who Loves a B-Boy will be showing at the Lotte Art Hall in Seoul.

One of the most famous magicians in Korea, Lee Eun Kyul will be going on tour to show off his newest magic skills. His tour has already kicked off and will run through July 22nd.

70s and 80s disco giants Boney M will be coming to Korea once again for their 35th anniversary. They will be touring Korea and performing at the Sejong Center Grand Theater in Seoul. Their songs have been soundtracks for many famous movies and commericals as well.

Thank you for the update see you tomorrow

[Reporter : ] Thank you