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REVIEW OF SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE (2005), DIRECTED BY PARK CHAN-WOOK

REVIEW OF SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE (2005), DIRECTED BY PARK CHAN-WOOK

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (hereafter, SLV) is Director Park’s culminating film in the revenge trilogy. Using a woman as a principal character, Park, again, attempts to draw viewers into the ethics, psychology, and now, sociology of revenge. There are elements that have remained constant, and simply assumed a priori in this film, perhaps presupposing that [...]



Day to Day

Li Qingzhao, Song Dynasty Poet at the University of Toronto*

Li Qingzhao, Song Dynasty Poet at the University of Toronto*

February 15th, 2010

The most brilliant Chinese woman writer was the topic of a highly interactive lecture at the University of Toronto on February 11, 2010. For 90 minutes, the Council Chamber at the Scarborough was not only filled with recitations of Li Qingzhao poetry, but also with well crafted, relaxed, and straightforward remarks by Professor Wei Djao. [...]

A Blossom Like No Other: Li Qingzhao

A Blossom Like No Other: Li Qingzhao

February 1st, 2010

Wei Djao’s latest book is about Li Qingzhao (~ 1084 – 1156 CE) of the Song dynasty who is indisputably the most brilliant woman writer in Chinese history. This biography offers an insightful interpretation of her character and a new translation of some of her writings. Wei Djao’s English rendition consistently captures the [...]

Heritage Treasure:  Tang Dynasty Painting “A Hundred Horses”

Heritage Treasure: Tang Dynasty Painting “A Hundred Horses”

January 21st, 2010

Section of the Tang dynasty handscroll “A Hundred Horses”
The handscroll “A Hundred Horses,” ink on silk, was by an unknown artist of the Tang dynasty (618 - 907 CE). It shows horses in various poses: galloping, charging, rolling on the ground, feeding, etc. There are altogether 41 grooms in the picture and [...]


Smart Living

Happy Year of the Tiger!

Happy Year of the Tiger!

February 9th, 2010

Happiness, Good Health, Safety and Prosperity to our readers!
Chinese New Year begins on Sunday, February 14. It will be 庚寅年 gengyin year. More commonly it will be referred to as the Year of the Tiger. Here are Jerry King’s predictions for the Year of the Tiger from the Yijing (易經) Hexagrams (卦).
There are [...]

Varadero’s Cuban Grill: Sol y Arenas

Varadero’s Cuban Grill: Sol y Arenas

January 11th, 2010

It’s a truism that Cuban food relies on black bean and rice. But there’s more to just that staple to gladden the palate and heighten the senses. At the Barcelo Solymar (meaning Sun and Sea) Resort in Varadero, one of the five restaurants available to guests is its Cuban Grill known as Sol y Arena [...]

What to Expect in 2010, the Year of Tiger

What to Expect in 2010, the Year of Tiger

December 27th, 2009

The chart above represents the first day of the Chinese New Year and the dominating theme of the year. By looking at the chart itself, the Year Pillar, Metal is fighting with the Tiger which is predominantly wood with fire and earth. The Yin Wood (乙) self is surrounded heavily by wealth elements, in [...]

Family

A Watch Story

A Watch Story

December 20th, 2009

The Chinese have a great tradition of keeping things for their descendants. Most families would have some kind of heirloom that has been handed down from generation to generation. Jewelry, rare books, paintings, scrolls of calligraphy, mementos from emperors, whether they are of monetary value or not, are priceless to their collectors and keepers.
Other cultures [...]

“The Celestial Gents” 1937-1941

“The Celestial Gents” 1937-1941

September 1st, 2009

Music was always a staple in the Chan Dun family of Victoria, B.C. It helped ease the long, hard days after working in the Panama Café located on Government Street. It loosened the stress and the tension of the day and gave them some freedom and relaxation when they played their instruments in practice and [...]

Remembering the Legacy

Remembering the Legacy

July 6th, 2009

A recent vacation to China brought us face to face with a modern version of our heritage. The culture shock was palpable, especially for those of us who were uninitiated and unprepared. Such views as the throngs of people on every city block, the mix of old and modern, and the wealth of [...]


Yummy

Vegetarian Mock Duck

Vegetarian Mock Duck

October 8th, 2009

Meiling Cao has provided us with a recipe for another delicious dish. And it is vegetarian too!
Combine and heat the following in a saucepan:
1 cup of water
2 pieces star anise spice

Salsa for the Summer Evening

Salsa for the Summer Evening

July 14th, 2009

As you enjoy the long summer evening, you may want to have some fresh homemade salsa to go with the cool drinks.
Chop the following into small cubes:
2 pieces of jalapeno hot peppers (The amount depends on how hot you want it to be)
1/2 large yellow or white onion (They are juicier than purple [...]

Shaoxing wine (Shaohsing Wine)

Shaoxing wine (Shaohsing Wine)

June 11th, 2009

Editor’s note: There have been several pieces in the Ginger Post in the past few weeks about the cuisine of the Jiangnan region, that is the region of the Changjian (Yangzi River). Here is an article about a beverage that goes well with the Jiangnan dishes.
Among all Chinese alcoholic drinks, Shaoxing wine is probably [...]

Mad Money

The $700 Billion Price Tag

January 18th, 2009

US$700 billion can buy you lots of things. Or, have you ever thought of that you would have that much money? If you were given $700 billion, what would you have done? The US government decided

Impress Me

REVIEW OF SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE (2005), DIRECTED BY PARK CHAN-WOOK

REVIEW OF SYMPATHY FOR LADY VENGEANCE (2005), DIRECTED BY PARK CHAN-WOOK

March 10th, 2010

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (hereafter, SLV) is Director Park’s culminating film in the revenge trilogy. Using a woman as a principal character, Park, again, attempts to draw viewers into the ethics, psychology, and now, sociology of revenge. There are elements that have remained constant, and simply assumed a priori in this film, perhaps presupposing that [...]

Li Qingzhao, Song Dynasty Poet at the University of Toronto*

Li Qingzhao, Song Dynasty Poet at the University of Toronto*

February 15th, 2010

The most brilliant Chinese woman writer was the topic of a highly interactive lecture at the University of Toronto on February 11, 2010. For 90 minutes, the Council Chamber at the Scarborough was not only filled with recitations of Li Qingzhao poetry, but also with well crafted, relaxed, and straightforward remarks by Professor Wei Djao. [...]

Review of “Old Boy”

Review of “Old Boy”

February 1st, 2010

This is a review of the second film in Director Park Chan-Wook’s trilogy on revenge. If Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is a simplistic yet unadulterated exchange of tit-for-tat revenge, his second film in the revenge trilogy examines the psychological complexities of revenge—for the avenger and the wrongdoer. That is the fundamental question the director asks [...]

Treasures Inherited

Heritage Treasure:  Two Ancients Cultivating Heart-Mind

Heritage Treasure: Two Ancients Cultivating Heart-Mind

February 24th, 2010

This is the Year of the Tiger. This portrayal of a tiger, along with an old man, is most fascinating in the history of Chinese or even world Art insofar as the tiger is usually not perceived as a calm and cuddly cat.
Shi Ke (石恪) of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period [...]

Heritage Treasure:  Tang Dynasty Painting “A Hundred Horses”

Heritage Treasure: Tang Dynasty Painting “A Hundred Horses”

January 21st, 2010

Section of the Tang dynasty handscroll “A Hundred Horses”
The handscroll “A Hundred Horses,” ink on silk, was by an unknown artist of the Tang dynasty (618 - 907 CE). It shows horses in various poses: galloping, charging, rolling on the ground, feeding, etc. There are altogether 41 grooms in the picture and [...]

The Four Pillars (Eight Characters) in Chinese Astrology

The Four Pillars (Eight Characters) in Chinese Astrology

November 27th, 2009

Jerry King is a Fengshui consultant trainer in the Four Pillars of Destiny based in Vancouver, Canada. He consults in China, Hong Kong, North and South America.
In my Fengshui practice, many clients always want to know about their destiny which includes a consultation of their career, health, wealth and relationships. Many methods are [...]

Mouthing Off

Bowing

Bowing

November 20th, 2009

Images of U.S. President Barack Obama bending almost ninety degrees at the waist, hand extended in a handshake with Emperor Heisei of Japan plaster the news. Headlines scream their criticism at the American leader bowing down to another. God forbid the superpower of America should show any deference as it would be a sign of [...]

Reflections on Identity

January 27th, 2009

I have always identified myself as “Canadian” despite my Chinese heritage. Yet the Olympics in Beijing this summer brought out some deep buried