OhmyNews International

Copenhagen

A taxi driver is just as important as a doctor

Why does Denmark rank first in happiness ratio all over the world? There are various factors from Danish society that support this status, and among them I could find a clue to the answer from taxi drivers who I met while staying in Copenhagen for a week. I met about 15 taxi drivers and they looked so tranquil and peaceful. Most of them said they were happy and only one person had a slightly different view, saying that he was not completely happy since he was from another country so he was a little bit homesick. In conclusion, there were hardly any taxi drivers who complained about Danish society itself.

Taxi driver Milbu

The most memorable taxi driver who I interviewed in Denmark was named Milbu (46); once he was an electrician and a worker for a moving company. He has driven a taxi for 22 years. He speaks English so fluently that many asked him why he did not have a more professional job in which he could use his English.

“Driving a taxi definitely isn’t well paid, but I meet everybody from all over the world, this is an interesting job. I am truly enjoying this job now,” Milbu said.

He works nearly 8 hours a day, earning $3310 per a month. This amount of money is less than that of trained workers, but more than those unskilled labors.

- Have you ever longed to be a doctor or a lawyer like your friends who got bachelor’s degrees?

“No, because one of the main reasons is that in Denmark we found out that both workers and employers are equally important. Of course, without any workers, the employer wouldn’t be there. And without the employer, the workers wouldn’t be there..”

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/10xqcmp (by Yeon-ho Oh and Min-ji Kim)

Mr. Milbu (46)

Milbu has 3 children and his philosophy also influenced their future.

“I don’t have ambitions for them. Of course I wish a good education. I am happy that they have a good education and live well, But most of all, I wish them a good life. And if pressure in them into being a lawyer or a doctor, maybe they will make money. But money is not important issue. My eldest son wants to be a cook and my eldest daughter now has her own store. She started her job when she was 16. My daughter works at a hospital. But she’s a little bit high ranking because they are pointed in the direction. But as I say, we don’t tell them what to become, because that is not my choice. It’s their choice” he said.

This writer could recall what an elementary school principal mentioned during an interview for a previous article. Danish schools help students to find their aptitude and decide what they can enjoy. Also, they point out that they should never compare themselves to others and be proud of their own job.

I met Mr. Milbu coincidently on the way to have an interview with a related professor for the subject ‘happiness’, but I felt as though I already got the answers I needed. When I had almost arrived at my destination, I asked a final question: what is happiness?

“In my world, what is happiness is basically roof over my head, good friends, a good family, food full in my tummy and I don’t have any complaints. For me and I think for many people, happiness does not own, happiness is life.” he said.

He didn’t forget to give me his home address, email and phone number and invited me to his home when I came back to Demark again.

“The professor who you are meeting soon will probably give you a better theoretical idea about why we are happy here. Because he had much time to sit down and collect relevant information about this issue. I just go by heart because that is what I feel, that is what I see.” he said.

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/10xqcmp (by Yeon-ho Oh and Min-ji Kim)

Nine citizen journalists

April 03, 2013, the meeting of nine citizen journalists who wrote “I Am a Citizen Reporter”, which was published by OhmyBook was held in Sangam-dong OhmyNews Conference Hall in Seoul. The CEO of OhmyNews presided over this meeting and shed light about better writing to 100 individuals who aspire to be writers. ”I Am a Citizen Reporter” was contributed by 12 OhmyNews citizen reporters, who were freelance writers, but have other professions such as housewives, farmers, teachers, public officials, researchers, pastors, professors and businessmen.

The book depicts their own stories of remarkable activities as a citizen reporter as well as writing fairly extensive subjects from mundane life to professional views. They agree that excellent writing should start from different views of significant matters and anger against unreasonable incidents. OhmyNews is an online newspaper website with the motto, “Every citizen is a reporter,” which is also based on citizen journalism. About thirty percent of the articles on this website are written by full-time reporters, while most of the articles are posted by ordinary citizens (freelance contributors).

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/12F3u9j  (by Jung-hee Lee)

Mr. Oh and three highschool students (From left)

OhmyNews representative journalist and CEO of OhmyNews visited Denmark to make serial reports about happy Danes.

The serial articles were inspired about where their happiness came from. It is known that Denmark ranks the highest in the level of happiness all over the world. His visit aimed to research about the happy Danes as well as the Denmark society. In terms of these subjects, he not only visited relevant places such as public institutions, the press and enterprises, but also interviewed Danish citizens and experts to bring in-depth stories.

There were six key words related to happy Danes. They were freedom, stability, equality, trust, neighborhood and environment.

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/12TNT9j (by Yeon-ho Oh and Min-ji Kim)

I took some rest after finishing my class in the 7th hour. My phone rang with an unfamiliar number, and I was afraid of disturbing other teachers around me, so I answered it.

“Teacher, it’s me from 0^th graduate class, 000.”

It was only after I had conversed with him a good while that I remembered who he was. It transpired that he wanted to ask me to become an officiator at his brother’s wedding. His brother was also my student and he plans on getting tied up this
August.
“Both my brother and I longed to take you in-charge of this position. Please do it for us.”
When I heard my student’s request, I was in a flutter because I never thought that I would officiate at my student’s wedding in my over fifty years of age, which is slightly young to do. However, it was not easy to reject from his earnest request. There was some time left until his wedding, so I suggested that he may find other proper one but if he cannot, then I would think about it.

After parting with my student, all kinds of thoughts went through my mind like a flash. Above all, I was wondering whether I was a good teacher enough to bring some impressive speech there. I saw many officiants’ messages but I never ever thought that I could by myself. However, my student’s visit made me look back at my past life as a teacher, and I made myself a promise that I would become a great teacher so that I can willingly take my student’s request to be the officiator at their wedding.

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/ZUN2A5 (by Hwan-hui Kim)

Apology Day is on every 24th at Yacksan Elementary School in Incheon. This event aims for helping the kids to build a good relationship and conciliate with each other through exchanging handwritten letters, which also contribute to school violence prevention and personality education. For this event, the teachers sent a school newsletter to the students’ family a week before the event.

Two hundred students voluntarily handed in apology letters to ‘Wee class’ and the counselors in there delivered their letters to relevant friends. These conciliatory letters helped to create friendly atmosphere among each other  in school, and they invited 400 students to the reception on an Apology Day.

Byeongryong Jung who is the  principal in the school said that I was so proud of my students to grow up  through making and accepting an apology to promote their friendship.

It has been expected that this event contributes to create a healthy school culture and keep  a pleasant school life.

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/10ywh55 (Gyeongsuk Mun)

With my international friends

“Wow, the exchange rate has dramatically increased.”

I was surprisingly sad when I withdrew money from a bank. Apparently, it must have been affected by recent unstable relationship with the North Korea.

“By the way, is it possible to break out a war in South Korea?”

A friend of mine has asked me, who is also a Korean exchange student in Spain. No one among Koreans in Spain expects war to spark between South and North Korea, however most international media flashed front-page headlines about North’s provocative actions against the South; therefore, many local friends asked me how a potential war would affect me. I am lost of words about this unique situation that more foreign friends than local Koreans are worrying about the tension on the Korean Peninsula. Normally, Koreans construe it just as a political problem.

I could not help laughing after looking at my friend’s Facebook who just talked about Korean tension and the exchange rate. He wrote what our catastrophe is here, the tension on the Korean peninsula or exchange rate? What is my wish? I just hope that peace will come soon and not worry any more about our daily life abroad related to exchange rate and friends overseas do not worry for Korea because of this problem.

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/Zv2rac

The author: The 16-year-old boy who lives in a remote mountain village.

It has been long since I have seen winter. We have a severe winter time at my home located on 500m altitude around the mountain. My mom seriously caught a cold for a few days by the end of autumn, it was just after the time that my mom helped a neighbour reaped pears. At first, she laid up with fatigue but finally her condition steadily worsens. “I should take some rest in the afternoon,” my mom said.

After she served my lunch, she came into her room and since then the lights in her room were out. She still slept even when I finished having dinner. I found my mom who moaned with her ailment. So, I made honey tea and gave her a massage until she fell asleep again. The following day, she was still in bed without having any foods saying that it is the best way to endure her pain by emptying the stomach as animals do so. In downtown, I bought some fresh fruits she loves and came back home. “I will have them later. I want to have some boiled rice served in Kimchi soup,” she said. Having some foods that sick people crave to eat is the best treatment. Right, my mom really likes that food. It must be good for her to have some hot boiled rice served in Kimchi soup to feel better. To make the soup, first I boiled water with anchovy and seaweed for 10mins and took them out, cut some Kimchi, put them into the pot and boiled it for 5mins. The next step, I put one scoop of rice and mixed them up and put some soy sauce slightly for seasoning. Done! Yummy soup! I am 16 years old; I cannot believe that I cooked for my mum. I grew up enough to cook the food that my mum would like to eat, which means that my mum also is getting old. When I entered her room with the boiled rice served in Kimchi soup, she sprang up in bed and had it at once. Deliciously she ate it; unconsciously, I also had some with her. Surprisingly, her energy was restored and even asked me to wash the dishes. “Yes, mum I will gladly wash them.”

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/ZyezHQ (by Okhada Ryu)

Tan Poh San(陳寶珊 陈宝珊) from Singapore visited Korea in March 9th. She planned to stay at Heyri in Paju-si. She looks calm and timid at first impressions; however, she always travel alone even at forty years of age.

Here follows are the questions and answers.

- How was yesterday in Korea?

“It was a little bit chilly but fine.”

- It takes time that spring comes in Korea. Even though you feel that spring is just around the corner, but suddenly there’s a wave of the last cold snap. After having several bitter cold, the real spring comes. Do you have any jackets?

“I see, it doesn’t matter. Yesterday, I went to Provence and Premium Outlet in Paju-si.”

- Do you have any problem to communicate in Korea?

“I speak Korean a little bit, but not fluently.”

- How did you learn Korean?

“I love one of Korean singers, Si-gyeong Seong. I listen to his radio show and also study Korean with some books.”

- Do you come to Korea for business?

“Just for traveling.”

- Have you been to other countries before?

“I went backpacking to Europe with my friends, but it did not fascinate me in Europe. I also visited Japan for Seong’s concert and only stayed around the hotel. One thing interesting was when I met a Japanese friend and we had a conversation in Korean.

- Oh, what an interesting story that a Japanese and a Singaporean talk to each other in Korean in Japan. It looks that you think the world of Korea?”

“Sure.”

- Do have any special reasons that you love Korea?

“I just love it as it is. I feel very comfortable just like being at home as I landed at the Incheon Airport.”

On the day she goes back to Singapore she said, “I do not want to leave.”

She looked hesitant to leave for her country.

- Anyway, I will miss you, if you have any questions about Korea, please feel free to email anytime, also if you want to write some essays in Korean, I can help you review it. I am a native speaker.

“Thank you very much, I will do it. I don’t want to say but have to say goodbye.”

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/12KLikG   (by An-su Lee )

“What a coincidence that CNN reported about both cultures of ROK and a nuclear test of DPRK on the same day. This spoof from ROK is an excellent adaptation.” (dbwo***)

A Spoof of Les Miserables on YouTube, Les Militaribles, has garnered massive attention. The 13-minute video had been viewed over three million times, just within a week on YouTube. Almost 6000 international comments also demonstrate its popularity. The great popularity was triggered when the Hollywood movie star Russell Crowe reposted a tweet with a link to the video. The media also took notice and reported Les Militaribles’s popularity, including The New York Times, CNN, as well as Korean media.

The South Korean Air Force’s official blog team produced the video, and the singing airmen were music school students who contributed its video. The contents mainly depict about clearing the snow, especially the important job for its landing trip in the air force. Moreover, creators also seasoned it with the airmen’s lovesickness.

* For the original article in Korean: http://bit.ly/WkhsNr (by Seongae Yoo)