Participants for the 2009 Penguin Swim wait at the start line | Credit: Brian Miller
Islanders hit the beach despite unusually harsh winter weather
Story and photos by Brian Miller
It was a bitterly cold Saturday morning on what locals like to call “Korea’s Hawaii,” though the name seemed especially ill-chosen that day, as the temperatures hovered around freezing and the snow fell gently to the frozen sands of Jungmun beach. It was just the kind of morning that makes you wonder if Hawaiians ever have to drive with snow chains.
But a group …

An Hye-Kyeung (left) translates the words of her father, An Heung-Chean | Credit: Jim Saunders
Mountain climber, artist An Heung-Chean’s passion is on display at a new Jeju-si gallery
Story by Marcie Miller | Photos by Jim Saunders
An Heung-Chean has painted, drawn and sketched the love of his life thousands of times. He has captured her with the morning dawn creeping across her face; with the golden rays of evening caressing her slopes, with clouds spilling over her face like a shy bride’s veil. And always, to him she is beautiful.
She is …

A market stall owner (left) looks on while Naomi Stanko samples produce on sale at the O-il Jang Credit: Brian Miller
There’s nothing like local markets for healthy, fresh produce
Story by Jessica Wallace | Photos by Jessica Wallace and Brian Miller
Although traveling in any direction on Jeju will lead you to a fresh market, the most convenient place to stock up may be the Five Day Markets in Jeju City, Seogwipo and Hallim. The O-il-jang in Jeju City is a maze beneath enormous tents, swarming with locals even during the week. …

10-year-old video game is a national fixation in South Korea
Story by Alex Cybulski

Love is like the Protoss, Zerg and Terran duking it out | Credit: KBS Broadcasting
It is not unusual to turn on the television and see this commercial: decked out in matching leather jackets, with clear skin and perfectly groomed hair, a group of teenage boys pose for the camera. Punk pop plays in the background, telling of their youthful virility. Who are these heartthrobs? With their sponsors labeled on their motorcycle jackets ranging from Shinhan Bank to Samsung, …