Shamanism

An Interview with Joey Rositano, Photographer of Jeju Shamanism

Joey Rositano is not your ordinary expat. Hailing from Nashville, the Tennessee native has called Jeju-do, an island off the southern coast of South Korea, home for the past nine years.  But it’s not just the island’s tropical charms and beautiful beaches that keep him there. Rather, his interests in shamanism, a religion that has …

Seodaemun: An Enchanting Journey Off-the-Beaten-Path

Korea may be one of the world’s leading economies and fastest developing nations, but its modern history is a turbulent one. To the outsider, it can be difficult to spot the signs of Seoul’s struggles and suffering through the glitz and glamour of the city’s sparkling facade. But if one looks in the right places, …

My First Korean Tarot Card Reading

“Oh God,” I wince as the card I have just drawn from a well-worn deck is turned over to reveal an ominous image that instantly reminds me of the woman from The Ring. “That can’t be good,” I note as my eyes take in the oriental ink sketching that surely, in my mind, is indicative …

Sunshine and Shamanism

There’s a Korean expression that describes the latest cold snap: 꽃샘추위 or “Kkotsaemchuwi” literally meaning “the cold is jealous of the spring flowers.” Whenever the weather starts to get relatively pleasant here, there’s always a few cold snaps before spring can get the chance to really to set in. Despite winter’s jealousy issues, I’ve been …