There is plenty to see and do within a stone’s throw of Jonggak subway station (line 1) in central Seoul. For one thing, the station’s underground arcade leads directly into a Bandi & Luni bookstore, which has a satisfyingly large selection of English language novels.
Above ground there are several significant historical sites within easy walking distance, but let’s think about those another day. This post is about the Royal Asiatic Society – Korea Branch, an organisation that exists to teach foreigners like you and me about Korea, its culture and its history.
Open lectures are held (free of charge to the general public) every couple of weeks or so at the Somerset Hotel close to Anguk station (line 3) and a short walk from Jonggak.
If I were you I would come via Jonggak. Leave the subway by exit 2 and walk straight ahead on the left side of the street. The Somerset Hotel is a tall building and easy to spot on the left when you reach the junction at the far end.
This is a route worth taking because before you reach the junction you must pass the brightly decorated Jogyesa temple complex. Royal Asiatic Society lectures are held in the evening at 7.30 pm, so except in the summer months your first sight of the temple will be a glimpse of its golden lit interior as you stand outside in the dark.
The Society lectures are held in a comfortable conference/dining room on the second floor of the hotel. Signs are placed by the stairs and on the second floor so first time visitors can’t get lost. There is a McDonalds before you pass Jogyesa temple and a Starbucks on the first floor of the hotel, so you’re well catered for if you want a quick western snack before the talk begins.
The lectures are given in English by visiting speakers who are experts in their field. Today on 10th April, 2007 Dr. Michael Shin of Cornell University spoke about Mujong by Yi Kwangsu. Published in 1917, Mujong is widely considered by scholars to be the first modern Korean novel. It has a love triangle, plenty of melodrama and lots of gore, so it sounds like it’s worth seeking out the English translation published by Cornell University.
On 24th April the speaker will be Dr. Norbert Vollertsen, a physician and campaigner for the human rights of North Koreans. The list of scheduled future lectures is regularly updated on the Society’s website.
The Society also runs ticketed tours of Seoul, South Korea and elsewhere in Asia.
[...] found out about Mujong after attending a lecture by Michael Shin at the Royal Asiatic Society. It’s got a good page turning story line and says [...]