Seoul Comic World this August (2009)

[hunj]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to let you guys know--Seoul Comic World is officially banning ANY SORT OF COSPLAY this August (13th-15th), due to the national holiday.

FYI--the "independence day" equivalent of Korea is a national holiday (15th of August) where we celebrate the independence from the Japanese rule. The administration people of SCW decided to ban cosplay because cosplay has to do with Japanese culture (especially when most of cosplays done in SCW are from Japanese anime).

What happened 2 years ago was that a picture of kimono cosplay got put up on the newspaper in Korea, with captions saying something like "YOUTH THESE DAYS--should we forget how Japan was our enemy, and took control of our nation a while ago?" So here we go.

What I am aggravated about is that the administration decided to do so just because they were afraid of their reputation, not the whole historical and social context.

Though it is a national holiday and we should respect that, we should stay away from SCW... rather, I'd recommend private photoshoots somewhere else...

[hunj]

correction-- the 15th is the actual holiday, so they might ban it only on that day

see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwangbokjeol

[Roxey20]

Hey, do you know where the convention is held or where I could get more info? I'm currently living in Seoul so I'm interested in checking it out. Thanks!

[hunj]

Hey, do you know where the convention is held or where I could get more info? I'm currently living in Seoul so I'm interested in checking it out. Thanks!

The July one is held in 학여울(Hak-yeo-ul) subway station. It's the 18th and 19th!

[Roxey20]

Thanks! I didn't really bring much in the way of cosplay with me to Korea, but I still want to go. I might check it out before I bust out the cosplay...and hopefully find a friend to come with. ^_^ I did manage to bring my Nana Osaki and Misa Amane cosplay.

[Train]

ah i wanna go................but its half way across the world T_T

[umister]

Thanks! I didn't really bring much in the way of cosplay with me to Korea, but I still want to go. I might check it out before I bust out the cosplay...and hopefully find a friend to come with. ^_^ I did manage to bring my Nana Osaki and Misa Amane cosplay.

Well heeeeeeeeeey there Roxey. It just so happens that I'm currently living in Seoul, and I like to cosplay.
Maybe I'll actually drag myself to Comic World in august, although that would be dreadfully hot, and wear Jeanne.

Ugh, it would be so hot though. :C

[Roxey20]

umister, you seriously just made my day. I've been here for about 2 years and haven't been able to connect with any cosplayers or conventions. (Though, mostly because of work...) Anyway, I'm happy to find other cosplayers here! Maybe I'll finally get motivated to finish something...

As for Seoul Comic World, like I said, I've got Nana and Misa, but I also have Mokoto Kusanagi that I could probably fix up. But faux leather pants and a faux leather jacket doesn't sound like fun in August...

[SmartGem]

lol. Actually, August 15 stands for 2 important dates in Korea history...xD

1. as you said...Korea's independence from Japan.
and
2. the split of North and South Korea.

My point is...
it's not that i lack historical background.
and it's most certainly not that i don't care about the past.
in fact, i do my best to spread history notes~<3
it's just that i love anime, manga, manhwa.
it's my passion.
and i don't think it's fair that they're banning a certain type of clothes.
quite frankly, it's simply a costume.

i understand how some may feel anger due to the implications between the two countries...
but in all it's honestly, it's just a costume.

i'm more worried about sending mixed messages and incorrect information to people.
i don't want my kids to think that Koreans hold grudges for over centuries.

as for Seoul Comic World...
i can't go this year,
but i'll be there for next year!
^^

anyone interested in continuing anything said in this post,
simply PM me~

[hunj]

@SmartGem: I do agree with you, it's really ridiculous how people are holding grudge on Japan just because of the history. Come on guys, chill out.

The reason why they have banned cosplay for 15th is that they are worried about the press. Last year some press people from conservative newspaper came and took pictures of cosplayers especially in Kimonos, and then posted an article saying "OH NO OUR CHILDREN ARE BRAINWASHED BY TEH JAPS!!!"

So, yeah, harsh reality.

[hasano]

Hi everyone, I'm going to S.Korea this August and I wanna attend the Seoul Comic World Convention. I don't know any Korean unfortunately, but I saw at the bottom of the website it wrote the address for Seokyo Plaza in Mapo-gu... is this where it is being held?

Hope to hear from you guys soon!

Edit:
OOk nevermind I think I found out where its being held (i looked in the events tab).

So it is being held @ Hak-Yeo-ul Station area. But the date is Aug 15-16 right? Hmm... At Seoul Comic World Conventions, do people usually pre-order tickets? Or is it possible for me to buy them at entrance?

Any information would be greatly appreicated! ^_^

[GHprime]

dammit. i want to go to korea. but i wont be able to for another two years :-(

[inuyashaANgel90]

ahh man they changed the dates ..
i thought it was suppose to be from the 13-15th but it moved
to the 15-16th
POOOP i missed it by a day
and if i can go on the 15th no ones gonna cosplay
blah i really wanted to see some cosplayers

[Roxey20]

Hey, if anyone is interested, do you guys want to try to meet up for the 16th? Since it's the only day that you can cosplay and whatnot. I think I've decided on wearing Misa since mine is the manga version and the only comic-y cosplay I have with me. We can either meet up there or somewhere else. Whatever is easiest. ^_^

[hunj]

agh, seems like this fell through :(.

I'm going back to Korea again this December (flew back to US for college), I'm gonna set a cosplay.com meet-up for this December's Comic World.

[umister]

agh, seems like this fell through :(.

I'm going back to Korea again this December (flew back to US for college), I'm gonna set a cosplay.com meet-up for this December's Comic World.

Hey 동생, when is the December Comic World? Because I have an awesome feeling that I'm going to be in japan for it, hyuk hyuk hyuk.

[hunj]

Hey 동생, when is the December Comic World? Because I have an awesome feeling that I'm going to be in japan for it, hyuk hyuk hyuk.

Usually the Seoul one is the 2nd weekend, I guess.

[Roxey20]

Yea, sorry! I ended up having to work that day. But I did see cosplayers on my way into the office in the subway. Maybe I won't be scheduled to work and can make it to the December one. ^_^ Though I'll have to put together something warmer...