Art and Culture

It's August 15th and today is Korea's National Liberation Day. Our Michelle Kim is here with the celebrity news, but first, she'll tell us about a special exhibit that coincides with Korea's celebration of its independence from Japan's colonial rule.

Hello Michelle [Reporter : ] Hello Conn-young

So, tell us more about the exhibit.

[Reporter : ] Well, this exhibit aims to shed light on the history of Koreans in Japan, many of whom moved to Japan during the colonial era to find work. But many of these people never made it back to their homeland, even after Korea declared independence from Japan. Some were kept there by circumstance, while others stayed by choice, but they all faced overwhelming discrimination and difficult conditions. Take a look.

This is a voyage certificate that Koreans going to Japan were given during the colonial era. Tattered and yellowing with age, it represented a chance for work, money, a living. Yet for many of those choosing to go to Japan at the time, the voyage was the start of a period of harsh labor and discrimination. The certificate is part of an exhibit at the Seoul Museum of History that explores the lives of Korean citizens living in Japan, who they are, how they got there, and why they stayed.

In addition to the 400 historical documents, photos and artifacts on display, the exhibition features and 90 Nishiki-e polychrome woodblock prints, which are being shown here in Korea for the first time. The museum says the prints played a critical role in how Japan see the history between the two countries.

After Korea declared its independence from Japan on August 15th, 1945, there were still hundreds of thousands of Koreans living in Japan -- 700,000 of whom could not make it back to their homeland.

[Interview : Kim Sun-jung, Arts and Sciences Researcher Seoul Museum of History] "At the time, Korea was going through economic and political complications, which was why it was hard to accept Koreans living there".

The Korean-Japanese a number of challenges, including discrimination for being Korean, and it was difficult for them to find work. Some made a living selling makgeolli, or Korean rice beer, others started gambling businesses.

The descendents of the first generation of Korean-Japanese later fought against the discrimination their parents and grandparents had faced. Many Korean-Japanese have since found success in the country they now call home. Among them, baseball player Jang Hoon and renowned violin artisan Jin Chang-hyun are the most well known.

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This seems to be the perfect exhibition to go to in order to appreciate once again the struggles our ancestors faced -- during and after Korea's liberation from Japan.

[Reporter : ] Definitely. I'm sure all Koreans have felt this sense of pride, but today is a day when people should really try to take a moment to remember and appreciate the achievements made before our time. A lot of people here in Korea have the day off today, but instead of staying at home, out of the rain, I think seeing this exhibition might be a great way to spend the day.

I agree with you. And even if you can't go today because of work or other plans, it will still be a great exhibition to go to later on as well.

And now, to wrap things up, you have the events bulletin for us[Reporter : ] Yes I do. I have three concerts today starting off with a concert by jazz singer Esperanza Spalding on the 7th of September, singer and musical theater star Sonya's concert on the 14th and 15th of the same month, and a performance on the 15th and 16th by Shin Yong-hee, the first lady of Korean soul music. Here are the details.

[Reporter : ed: jenny] This bulletin features 3 events

In 2011, Esperanza Spalding beat Justin Bieber and many high-caliber musicians to become the first jazz singer in 53 years to win the Best New Artist Award at the Grammys. Now, she's coming to Korea. Her first concert here will be at Ax-Korea in Seoul on September 7th.

Singer and musical theater star Sonya performs solo at Yongsan Art Hall from September 14th to the 15th. She was part of the cast of the hit TV show "The Masterpiece of Legend" but is better know for her starring roles in a series of musicals, including "Jack The Ripper", "West Side Story", "The Three Muskateers" and more.

The woman who is known as the mistress of Korean soul music,.. Shin Young-hee, will perform on the 15th and 16th of September at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Her traditional Korean music will be accentuated by a mix of LED displays and traditional dance.

Thank you for the update

[Reporter : ] My pleasure, see you tomorrow.

Reporter : dainee@arirang.co.kr