ipyg-(movie) Myeongryang

A movie has ever achieved the highest opening score and the highest one day score, and it has surpassed the 13 million-viewer-mark since its release on July 30. It has set new box-office records and has rewritten South Korean box office history. Four weeks after the film releases, according to the Korean Film Council integrated computer network standard, the movie is currently a No. 1 box-office hit. Attention is now focusing on the next record.

This is about the movie "Myeongryang" in the public eye. It’s about Korean Admiral Yi Sunsin, commanding his 12 fleets, succeeded in checking the Japanese aggression with 330 fleets. Although it's a familiar story to Korean, I thought that I did not know well while watching it.  Throughout the movie with some of IPYG members, it made my heart ache.

The suffering of responsibility that only the leader can feel; the eagerness to protect my loving family from enemies; the fear that if one goes down in a second, everything would end up; the persuasion that helps people who are scared to get out in tunnel of fear; the position as a leader is so hard and serious.

It happened ages ago, but it will be the same to feel the horrors and fear of today’s wars. Both Korea and Japanese soldiers would feel the same fear. They were afraid, but had to fight to survive. And many soldiers died in the fight, whether their own naval forces won or lost. Even poor and powerless people died. I was genuinely sorry to watch this part as a member of the IPYG. The war broke out because of Japanese invasion. But, the dying people were all the young people and the powerless from both countries. 

Finally, the Joseon Dynasty, led by General Yi, had a victory. The film ended with foretelling next battle. They took the victory, but then again there still were wars to come. It hurts me to think sacrifices in the battle. (It may be because I know the results of the past history.) Wars have continued ever since the beginning of mankind. But I hope you do not think it is out of our control. IPYG is making small gestures to show that war is not out of our control but we can handle (in other words, we can make it end). I hope our small gestures will cause Butterfly Effect and the day of peaceful world would come as soon as possible. 

ipyg- Rubble Bucket Challenge

ipyg-Religion for Peace? or Religion for war?

ipyg-Ice Bucket Challenge

                                                                                     Bill Gates

Recently, a campaign is all the rage with people all around the world in the internet websites like Facebook and Youtube. It is the “Ice Bucket Challenge”. It was designed by institution of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) to bring interest of people for developing treatments for Lou Gehrig's disease and assist the patients with it.

Symptom of Lou Gehrig's disease is that muscles are gradually getting weak and shrunk. In particular, as tongue muscles shrink partially, food enters into airway not into throat and it might lead to an accident. Unfortunately, muscles of the whole body become gradually paralyzed and then they pass away in a few years due to paralysis in breathing. As this disease affects only on respiration, patients have clear consciousness within an inch of their life. There are about 350,000 Lou Gehrig's disease patients in the world.  

I think that the campaign is a good way to attract interest from people for assisting the patients. The one who is designated to participate in this campaign should pour ice water on themselves in 24hours or donate 100 dollars to the institution of ALS. Also, he or she keeps up this movement by appointing next three participants. As I mentioned, if the ones don’t pour ice water on them in 24 hours, they should fund 100 dollars. However, most participants take a wash down with cold water and donate to ALS institution too.

Celebrities in the world like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg poured water on themselves and donated. Popular soccer players and entertainer like Lionel Messi, Neymar, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo participated, too. The current President of U.S.A, Barack Obama was designated as the next participant, but donated 100 dollars instead of pouring water. Also, the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin is a nominee.  And the former President of USA, George W. Bush participated and then selected Bill Clinton as his next participant.

I hope this campaign wouldn’t be just a one-shot as it has a good purpose. And I look forward to seeing people have constant interest in Lou Gehrig's disease patients and help them. So, from this start, I hope the medicine is invented and the patients could be cured with it.

ipyg-‘Imagine’ - a Peace Message toward Mankind

 
You may have once heard a song, ‘Imagine’ in the street or subway and when drinking or staying at home. Given that almost all of us may have heard, this song must be famous around the world. In 1971, John Lennon released his solo album, which includes ‘Imagine’.
John Lennon wrote this song to spread a peace message to the world, and it is assessed as a masterpiece in the history of Pop music. This song was re-called by many singers and Yuna Kim, a global figure skater, also selected this song in her last stage before retiring.

These mean that this song is still evoking much sympathy from many people.
When you think of the lyrics as well as its melody, it is much better to appreciate the song.



Imagine there's no heaven, It's easy if you try.
No hell below us, Above us only sky.
Imagine all the people living for today... 
Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to do.
Nothing to kill or die for, no religion too.
Imagine all the people living life in peace...
Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can.
No need for greed or hunger. A brotherhood of man.
imagine all the people sharing all the world... 
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one. 



After you listen to this exceptional song, you will find a message to make world peace together, imagining the absence of three typical ideologies which cause the wars and disputes. By the way ‘Imagine’ was ranked 3rd on the billboard chart in the U.S.A where the majority of people are Christian at the time when it was released. Besides, ‘Imagine’ was used as a finale in ‘The killing fields (1984)’ which reports the cruelty of war. And it was used in various images of peace message and anti-war protests to appeal to all people.

I have a question like ‘Why can the world peace still not come to earth even though all people around the world show desires for peace with songs and movies against the war?’ If you really want peace, you must try to make this world into a world of peace together, right? Although it is hard to do at an individual level, it can be possible so long as we become one. That is why we are gathered in International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) today. IPYG works for bringing peace to the world, for making the world without wars, so it takes a variety of practical actions.

If your friend beside you and you participate in IPYG, this world will turn to a peaceful world without wars in the near future. I hope world peace is coming as soon as possible for my dear family, friends and me.

The mission and vision of IPYG

Why YouthThe youth of the world are witnesses to the change that is constantly rising and falling within our world, making them imperative to any positive global impact that is to be made and more importantly that is to last. As a global community we cannot deny that our societies and futures lie in the hands of the youth. It is through them that humanity will be carried forward and shaped. The UN has described the youth as active agents of change and acknowledged that the youth are often at the forefront of dealing with some of life's most controversial issues.IPYG accepts and advocates that it is the youth of today that share the responsibility and desire to be united. It is the young people in today's global village that strive to understand and embrace different cultures. This is the beginning of peace, the seed and the mindset that can achieve peace. When we are young we find ourselves able to root our thoughts and hopes in things that may not yet be reality, our imaginations fuel us, and nothing is impossible. We urge young people to hold onto that dream, and that courage, because as they say, "it is only impossible until it is done". It is not just about age but about tireless hope and the ability to believe in the things which our forefathers have never seen. It is this new generation's unwavering determination that our world can be renewed. Youth bare witness to this imperfect world and still have the heart to want to change it, this is the true power that a united youth have.It was John. F. Kennedy who said "we all share the same planet, we all breathe the same air and we all cherish the futures of our children" knowing that we have something in common is one of the greatest gifts man has, the feeling and desire for change that we have in our youth is the key and the driving force for a world that can and will be at peace!

our vision

IPYG aims to unite the youth of every nation, and pave the way to a peaceful future for our world.
We strive to do this through fostering a new culture of world peace, a heavenly culture that will respect and embrace the beautiful diversity of humanity and restore faith in mankind.
Through a peaceful co-existence we can repay those who have shed their blood in countless wars, and bring an end to the hundreds of wars that divide the nations of this world.
IPYG will walk this path of growth and change as one, united world youth.

our mission

The purpose of IPYG is to create positive and lasting change internationally through uniting major youth associations around the world.
We support the development of their communities through IPYG and encourage them to set the example in educating and motivating their nation's active pursuit of peace.

ipyg-EPL(English Premier League) Opening

The 2014/15 Premier League season which every soccer fan is waiting for begins on Saturday, August 16th. Seasons run from August to May, with 20 clubs playing 38 matches each.

Many people are waiting for this season with high expectations because on last Sunday, August 10th, the last FA Cup winners Arsenal won the FA Community Shield match against the last Premier League champions Manchester City with score 3-0.

The Football Association Community Shield (formerly the Charity Shield) is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. Generally ranked below the FA Cup and League Cup in terms of importance, the fixture is a recognized football Super Cup.

When the season is coming nearer, every team concentrates on the evaluation match of pre-season but reinforcements such as player scout and transfer has not finished yet. Each club is still recruiting players due to the current state of the transfer market. Considering the deadline of the transfer market, even though the season begins, it seems possible for the players to be bought or leave and it might be hard for the prospect of the season to be anticipated.

Liverpool FC is a big investor of this Premier League season. This club paid a huge transfer fee to recruit Adam Lallana, Richard Lee Lambert, Dejan Lovren, Emre Can, Marcovic, Divock Origi and other players. On the other hand, Manchester City FC which has one of the richest owners in the world, Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyanl doesn’t show a big movement. Whenever the transfer market is open, Manchester City FC has spent a lot of money on buying players. However, the reason why Manchester City is making careful choices in this season is they broke the regulation which Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) had warned that their transfers should be under UEFA’s new financial fair play regime. So, they accepted a conditional $80 billion fine and were restricted to register their players from 25 to 21. That’s why Manchester City FC recruited players at the minimum.

Based on the state and scouting progress of each team, there are five strong favorites to win; Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, Arsenal FC, Liverpool FC, and Manchester United FC.

I’m really looking forward to the matches, and I personally hope Chelsea FC win the championship in this season.

ipyg-In Saudi Arabia, Where is Women’s Rights?

Today, I will introduce about Saudi Arabia located in the Middle East.

Islam is the state religion in Saudi Arabia. Islam has a big effect on Saudi Arabia and there is rough discrimination against women.
I would like to introduce the issues of discrimination against women in Saudi Arabia.

1.Women are not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia is the country only in the world that prohibits women from driving.  
There is no special legal provision to ban women from driving, but women can’t drive because the state doesn’t issue driver’s licenses to women. 

On June 27 last year, the October 26 Driving Campaign was held for defying the state ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia. 
About 60 women drove cars and some of them uploaded video clips on YouTube they took when they were behind the wheel. 
But on the day, Saudi authorities arrested about 14 women who drove vehicles and some were fined. 

Joss torque from Human Rights Watch said, “Saudi authorities oppress women who simply pursue their basic rights.” and urged kingdom to remove the oppression on women’s driving and to legalize driving by women. 

It would be an example that shows the worst women’s human rights in the world. 
Saudi women were forbidden from voting, traveling without permission (if they are under 45) and there is also restriction on women getting jobs.
Women are not allowed to enter most restaurants and shopping malls when they were alone. They can enter the restaurant or shopping mall with their family.
You might not imagine what is happening to Saudi women in the same world.
Saudi human rights activists working in overseas want to improve Saudi people’s rights by spreading these inhumane things being happened in Saudi.
I hope that women all around the world can be free from the law and their human rights can get improved.

※Human Rights Watch- an international non-governmental organization which conducts research and advocacy on human rights.

2.Female newsreaders must wear hijab when she anchors the news.

When a female newsreader anchors the news, she has to cover up her hair with hijab which is Muslim women's traditional costume.

But, a female newsreader has caused outrage in Saudi Arabia after she became the first person to read the news without a headscarf.

The International Business Times UK reports that a newsreader from the Al Ekhbariya has caused a stir internationally because she showed up in the news being uncovered with hijab.

In the public video on YouTube, a female anchor looks properly dressed in all black.

You may wonder what caused controversy because she didn’t wear a revealing costume, make a tongue slip and she also looked solemn.

However, you can understand that it is very shocking if you get to know the Al Ekhbariya broadcast channel belongs Saudi Arabia which is an absolute monarchy maintaining its particularly rigid and conservative tradition.

It can be accepted that a female anchor doesn’t wear niqab (Muslim women’s traditional dress which covers the entire face except the eye-shield) because she has to deliver the messages with her mouth. 

But, she would have worn her hijab.

This issue has become controversial only in Saudi Arabia which discriminates against women.

We shouldn’t focus on blaming the uncovered female anchor but we have to regard this as a serious international issue.

Through this issue, I want the discrimination and oppression against women to be improved gradually in Saudi Arabia.

And I hope you will never forget that human right is the basic right that is equally given to all human beings regardless of gender.

ipyg-Please don’t hurt the girl anymore. (the Gaza strip)

I read the pitiful news on the Internet a while ago.

It was the news regarding a 16 years old girl, Baker. She wrote about her situation very urgently: ‘I can die even tomorrow.’

It was because of the Gaza strip conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Can you imagine how was the feeling of a 16 year-old girl who has many days to live, when posting a video saying ‘I can die even tomorrow’ on SNS?
Real-war situations were on that video.

She pleaded that she can die even tomorrow at the age of enjoying her life while playing and studying with her friends. 

This war was already third to the girl who is just 16 years old.
She is going through the wars three times already, though her life was not very long.

How would it be pitiful if children in trouble nations remember their childhood with only memories of wars?

Wars are derived from adults’ greed but innocent children are being sacrificed.
What should adults do for these children?

Adults should leave the world of peace to their children, emerging from petty and selfish mind.


“Please don’t hurt children anymore.”

ipyg-International Day of Peace - LOVE & PEACE

Do you know what day September 21 is? It is International Day of Peace set by UN.It was set for wishing all the wars and violence in the world to be stopped. 

An international peace movement, ‘PEACE ONE DAY’ is held annually for spreading International Day of Peace, then making all violence in the world stopped and being united as one with forgiveness and reconciliation. On this day last year, Peace Cup Game which has a message of peace was held internationally in the places which represent each country or peace. In Korea, it was held in Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri Park (Imjingak Unification Park) and War Memorial of Korea which are the meaningful places representing the only divided country in the world, Korea. However, do you know so far the only 10% of world population remembers such messages of peace?

So we, IPYG (International Peace Youth Group), are working for letting more people know the importance of peace. 
IPYG is working with a mind that wants to stop all the violence in this world that wars and conflicts are continuously happened and make a peaceful world with forgiveness and reconciliation. IPYG is an organization which all the people around the world are gathered as one and work for peace through the peace walk events. After I got to know this organization and how it has been working for peace, I was shameful that I was just saying, I want peace and a peaceful world. But now, I became a member of IPYG and put it into practice for making peace can be really achieved. I think it would be the shortcut to world peace to put our minds and acts for loving peace into practice. :)

ipyg-I want to introduce 'Institute for Cultural Diplomacy(ICD)'

What is Cultural Diplomacy?
"Cultural Diplomacy may best be described as a course of actions, which are based on and utilize the exchange of ideas, values, traditions and other aspects of culture or identity, whether to strengthen relationships, enhance socio-cultural cooperation or promote national interests; Cultural diplomacy can be practiced by either the public sector, private sector or civil society."
History
Cultural Diplomacy (or "Diplomacy between Cultures") has existed as a practice for centuries.  No longer relegated to the periphery of the international relations discipline, cultural diplomacy today is a vibrant and innovative academic field of research and has successfully established itself as a stand-alone theory and practice.

Whilst the term "cultural diplomacy" has only recently been established, evidence of its practice can be seen throughout history and has existed for centuries. Explorers, travelers, traders, teachers and artists can be all considered living examples of “informal ambassadors” or early “cultural diplomats” (for example, the establishment of regular trade routes enables a frequent exchange of information and cultural gifts between traders and government representatives). 

Such deliberate efforts of cultural exchange can be identified as early examples of cultural diplomacy. Indeed, any person who interacts with different cultures, (currently or in the past), facilitates a form of cultural exchange, which can take place in fields such as art, sports, literature, music, science, business & economy and beyond.

Through the interaction of peoples, the exchange of language, religion, ideas, arts and societal structures have consistently improved relations between divergent groups.

Cultural Diplomacy in Practice
Cultural diplomacy in practice (or applied cultural diplomacy) is the application and implementation of the theory of cultural diplomacy, including all models that have been practiced throughout history by individual, community, state or institutional actors in order to facilitate and improve relations and collaboration between disparate cultures. These models include for example diverse cultural exchange programs, international delegations (e.g., American jazz ambassadors) or sports competitions. The examples are uniquely able to affect intercultural and interfaith understanding and promote reconciliation.

The Importance of Cultural Diplomacy
In an increasingly globalized, interdependent world, in which the proliferation of mass communication technology ensures we all have greater access to each other than ever before, cultural diplomacy is critical to fostering peace & stability throughout the world. Cultural diplomacy, when learned and applied at all levels, possesses the unique ability to influence the “Global Public Opinion” and ideology of individuals, communities, cultures or nations, which can accelerate the realization of the 5 principles below. By accomplishing the first principle, one enables the second, which in turn enables the third until the fifth ultimate principle of global peace and stability is achieved.

ipyg-Michael Jackson – heal the world

I think it will probably be a song that everyone has heard at least once.

Yes. It is "Heal the World" by Michael Jackson. People all around the world loved this song when it was released. When I listened to this song, I also felt that I am cured and peace would come soon to the world.

However, peace didn't come to this world yet. Why?

Before we find out the reason, let's look over the lyrics to "Heal the World".

The lyrics is generally about:

 Let's make the world a clean and better place. There are people dying for you and for me and the entire human race. If you care enough for the living, there is the answer to achieve peace.

 So, what should we do in order to bring about peace? Is there the answer in love? 

If we love each other, there won't be any panic or fear in us. 

Then, peace that we've dreamed of will be turned into reality. 

If we'd be one for peace, there will be the world without fear.

Let's not regard peace as an abstract concept, and let's put it into practice!

If we have thoughts like "peace will come one day.." and do nothing to achieve it, peace will never come to the world. 

 You can think that "How can we put it into practice for peace?". You're right. We cannot do it by oneself.

So we, IPYG (International Peace Youth Group), are here!

 IPYG is an organization that youths from all around the world are gathered and work for peace.

When the war happens, who are dragged to the field of war? It's youths. How sad are the youths thrown away in the field of war without having a chance to bloom? Therefore, let's gather together with those who have these minds and work to bring about peace. When we try to achieve peace by oneself, there will be many restrictions, hardships and fears. But if we are gathered as one for the world peace, I am sure that peace could be achieved soon.

ipyg-German Village in Namhae - A wonderful vacation spot

 Today, I would like to introduce “German Village in Namhae” (Namhae refers to the Southern Sea in Korean) for a summer vacation spot.

It is located in Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do.

It was built for nurses and miners who went to Germany to earn foreign currency when South Korea was in poor economic condition.
They intended to come back to Korea individually, but they worried about cultural difference.
In this regard, Namhae-gun made a village for Korean Germans to allow them to live together; this is Namhae German Village.
Due to this reason, it has plenty of unusual attractions.

You can experience German culture through exhibition concerning miners and nurses dispatched to Germany in 1960s-1970s, German children’s songs, and German popular songs that they sang in Germany.
If you choose Namhae Germany Village as a summer vacation spot, you would catch two birds with one stone by experiencing German culture and eating food that you can have a taste only in the coastal areas along the Southern Sea.

ipyg-[Movie] Fanny And Alexander

We Need Love and Peace

 Ingmar Bergman is a world famous director in Sweden. He is a movie director whom a lot of present movie directors express their respects and praises to. His movies always seem to contain questions about religion and God. His style like this was appeared well in his last directed movie ‘Fanny and Alexander’ that I will introduce today.

This movie’s running time is for about 3 hours. It can make audience feel quite bored in the beginning of the movie. But, in the latter half, there are a lot of thrilling and passionate scenes.


The background of the movie is Uppsala, Sweden in the early 20th century. The main character’s father runs a theater.  Characters’ class is various from the high to the lower.However, they are all actors so that the Ekdahl family treats them as precious guests.  Though a hierarchical society remains, the theater company shows classless democracy. So Fanny and Alexander, Oscar’s children get on with the members in the theater group.

This movie shows actual life of the Ekdahl family like a beautiful picture for about an hour. They live freely always with gratitude, enough tolerance and love each other. And then one day, Oscar, Fanny and Alexander’ father, fell down and died while he was performing his play performance. After that, their mother remarries. Since the day, the movie starts to face hardships.


After their mother remarried, Fanny and Alexander have lived in a Catholic church where a bishop lives. Anyone should obey the rules unconditionally in there. Their lives with bishop, such an oppressive and narrow self-righteousness, seem like a hell to Fanny and Alexander who had lived freely. Because the bishop shows us that only he is always right, I was wondered if he is a man who really serves God. He is described like a devil.  

However, a conciliatory gesture shows up in the latter part of the movie. First of all, the bishop bursts into tears because he didn’t know that someone hates him. He regrets being blinded by self-righteousness. After he was died from an accident, Fanny and Alexander were set free from the bishop’s bondage. Peace came back to them.

This movie doesn’t want to criticize religion. This movie says, “Look at the world kindly with full of peaceful smile.”

In fact, it is not matter whether people have religion or not. It is more important to have loves in order to have much better relationships with others. Furthermore, we should have loves in order to bring an end to war and bring about peace all over the world. What we, IPYG, also pursue is the love.

Even now, wars are constantly happening in the world because of religion, economy, the race, or ideology. After I saw this movie, I realized again how dangerous such a petty mind that I am only right is. And again, I was sure that IPYG and I are treading the path of virtue.

Ipyg- One chance ;movie review.

Recently I watched a movie named "One Chance". This movie based on a real story. Although I watched the movie knowing how the story ends, there were some scenes that I was impressed with.

 The story of the movie goes like this.

It is a story of an ordinary cell phone salesman winning the audition "British Got Talent" and becoming famous worldwide.

But there were a lot of bumps along the way.

In his childhood, the main character wanted to be an opera star, but he was too meek and timid that the neighborhood kids picked on him. He had a plain childhood until the day he won the prize at a talent show in town, and he entered a music school in Venice. He had a chance to sing in front of his hero, Pavarotti, but he got too nervous that he blew his chance. 

Eventually, he gave up singing and came back home. After his return, many things happened.  One was getting married to his wife who was his computer chatting partner. There were many ups and downs in his life. He had a surgery for appendicitis, and the scar opened up when he was performing on stage. He suffered from a car accident, and removed a tumor on his vocal chords. These were many hardships.

 In the end, he applied for an audition on British Got Talent. As mentioned above, he won the competition. The world was took interest in this cell phone salesman who became the winner of British Got Talent. He made it as a singer. He overcame all the hardships, and I think he did because of his wife's love and sacrifice.

  

I learned three lessons from this movie.

First, never give up on what you desire.

Second, be thankful to the love and sacrifices of your mother and wife.

Third, men grows through sufferings.

The story of Paul Potts made me look back at myself and I was surprised that the movie was based on a real story.