Wenzel gives overview of I-week goals
By Justin Matter

Where can you find kimch'i (a spicy vegetable dish), SamulNori (music and dance), and "Sopyonje" (an award-winning film)?

In a few days, right here on campus...during Albion College International Week 1995.

Its events will focus on Korea's economic, cultural and socio-political structure. A Korean dinner, dance ensemble, video viewings and a weekend visit to Korean churches are featured.

"The original topic ... selected was the Pacific Rim," said Vera Wenzel, director of off-campus programs and coordinator of international student activities. "[But] the committee came to the conclusion that we couldn't possibly do justice to a topic as large as the Pacific Rim.

"International Week has focused in recent years on Japan and China. The committee decided to focus on an emerging economic and political power about which we know very little."

The choice was Korea.

"There's a cultural, economic and political focus, but there is also a focus on Korean-Americans, and their status and problems in the United States," Wenzel said.

"I hope this will be perceived as an opportunity to learn something about different aspects of an important country that we know so little about," she said. "This is Albion's chance to discover this country.

"All of us at Albion need to look at global and international issues, and this is a good opportunity to better understand an important segment of the international community. It also helps us as American citizens better understand Korean-Americans here in the United States," she said.

"The goal of International Week is to have a week when we try and focus on some aspect of the world and bring parts of it right here to our home."

Renowned film screens Wed.

"You don't do Pansori for food. If you are absorbed with it and master the sound, it's better than money or fame."

That is what Yubong tells his son, Dongho, in the film "Sopyonje."

Known to Koreans as "Sopyonje," the film is a huge success in South Korean and international cinema...it's been shown in exclusive settings such as Cannes and the Chicago Film Institute.

"Sopyonje"marks the dying of a tradition known as "Pansori": a musical duet. The vocalist sings of love and loss and the drummer sets a rhythm.

The film shows the decaying "Pansori" culture through the lives of its film characters.

The film conveys the compelling cultural traditions of Korea...presumably why it was chosen for I-Week.

Culture shock is the first thing that comes to mind when the film presents an actual performance of Pansori. The people are speaking in Korean, of course, with English subtitles.

The singing style is higher, and even screechy at times. One of the definite strengths of this film is hearing the progress of the singer. The singer's voice becomes strikingly beautiful by the end.

The drumming style seems quite off-beat...compared to typical drum beats in Western culture.

One character tells another, "The Pansori of Sopyonje must upset and break one's heart."

Nothing seems more important to this film than its passion.

The dying Korean tradition of "Pansori" quickly succumbs to cultural movements of Japan and America. The Koreans appear to have little time or sympathy for the main character's suffering...or his passion for"Pansori".

This film discredits many Western portrayals of Koreans. The people in this film are full of life and emotion. During a recital, we see the audiences crying.

The characters may speak a completely different language, but their emotions are very clear. These emotions bridge gaps that separate the Eastern and Western worlds.

"Sopyonje" comes across as an advertisement of Korea to the Western world. Korea is a beautiful country, with passionate people.

"Sopyonje" will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday in room 404 of Rob Hall. A discussion of the film will follow in the Coffee House.

Tuesday, Thursday distinguished speakers highlight week's events

Tuesday and Thursday speakers are two major events of the week.

The keynote address, "Korean Economic Development: From Basketcase to Showcase in three Decades," will be given by Larry E. Westphal. It starts at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Bobbitt Visual Arts Center Auditorium.

"The content of my talk will be 'accessible' to all students," Westphal, professor of economics at Swarthmore College, said.

He has served as resident adviser to the Economic Planning Board in the Republic of Korea.

According to Westphal, Korea is important in a global sense.

"What has happened in Korea, and more generally in other successfully-developing third world economics, has directly affected the structure of our economy as well as the economics activities and rewards of our citizens."

Byeonggil Ahn, assistant professor of political science at Michigan State University, will speak at 7 p.m. Thursday in Bobbitt.

He will talk about the different political systems in North and South Korea since the end of World War II, the current relationship between the two countries, their economic development, foreign relations, and security and reunification in the Korean peninsula.

Ahn has taught political science at Seoul National University, Ewha Women's University and Seoul Women's University.

Ahn was born in Pusan, but has been researching and teaching in the U.S. since 1987.

Now at MSU, he teaches international political economy, international relations, Asian politics and Korean politics.