March issue is out on the streets and online at www.daegupockets.com

Available for viewing or download at www.daegupockets.com.

In a span of 5 hours, I hear that the printing of the Jan mags of Daegu Pockets might be delayed, then I got a Hep B shot where the nurse said that I can’t drink tonight, then I had a ferocious argument with someone who tried to fuck me over on my best p/t job, then I hit another car while driving with anger from the heated phone call, then the other car driver said not to worry about it, then I made a flurry of calls to get the job back plus sincere apology to the guy who I first tore a strip out of, then the mags finished on time, and everything has now come full circle, save for me not being able to drink tonight. Happy new year!

Wow, I’m surprised that I remember how to login to my blog, of late. Thought that I’d pop in to give an update on the busy offline side of my life, as written by some chaps at Korea Herald:

Expats in Daegu have something new to slip into their pocket, thanks to the publishers of Daegu Pockets. The recently launched bilingual magazine aims to provide the long-underserved expat community in Korea’s fourth-largest city.

“The expat community in Daegu is so splintered here, we wanted to bring people together and we hope to do that with the magazine,” Daegu Pockets’ managing editor Craig White told Expat Living.

White, a seven-year veteran of Korea, said the full-color magazine’s unusual name came from its size.

“It’s a pocket magazine, we wanted it to fit into people’s pocket.”

The magazine, first published in February, came about largely because of White’s involvement with www.galbijim.com. The Galbijim website uses technology similar to Wikipedia, but is devoted to information regarding Korea. White noticed Daegu was among the places disproportionately represented on the site.

“I always wanted to have an offline presence to compliment the online presence of Galbijim,” White said.

White said he was inspired by the Fukuoka Now publication in Japan regarding what kind of content Daegu Pockets would have.

Eventually, White decided to join forces with Korean-American Scott McLaughlin who started the company BCE last year to organize events such as art shows, basketball tournaments, and concerts for Daegu’s Korean and expat communities.

“It sounded fun,” McLaughlin said, regarding why he got involved. “But more importantly, Daegu has been without a bilingual magazine for the four years I have lived here, so I wanted to be part of the first Daegu magazine that I’ve seen that filled this void.”

Currently, the only connection between Galbijim and Daegu Pockets is cross-promotion. Daegu Pockets also uses maps from Galbijim.

Daegu Pockets usually has a circulation of about 1,000, but because of additional funding by the local government, the circulation has been bumped up to 4,000 and should remain so for the rest of the summer, White said. Pages in the publication usually range between 44 and 64. White said four people are on staff, while an extensive support cast volunteers, translates, proof reads and does event co-ordination.

The publication’s continued growth has been helped by the support of the local government, White said.

He said the content of the magazine continues to evolve, with Daegu Pockets including more newspaper-like content in this month’s issue.

White says the magazine is bilingual in order to bridge the gap between the Korean and expat communities in Daegu. Daegu Pockets wants to be helpful to everyone living in the city. “We always look for the story within the story, so a Korean will say, ‘Hey, I didn’t know that!’” White said.

The future for the magazine looks bright, with White and McLaughlin hoping one day to up the circulation to 10,000 and expand into other under-served markets around Korea.

“The long-term plan is to figure out how to make the publication successful in Daegu and use that as a template for other cities around Korea,” White said.

White expects Daegu Pockets to be a long-term publication that will continue to serve both the expat and Korean community in the city for years to come.

“I can see us doing this indefinitely, as long as we’re having fun. We want to see how big we can get, we want to see how many lives we can change.”

Mike Conery, an American expat from Seattle who’s been in Korea for about two years, said he likes Daegu Pockets because it is a good resource for both Koreans and expats alike.

“My favorite part of the magazine is that it is really easy to carry around. It’s not too big. It is also designed in a way that is appealing to both foreigners and Koreans,” Conery said. “It has information, and easy to find locations about many businesses and restaurants that I have not been able to find in the past. I also think that the magazine is really colorful and fun to look at.”

Conery added that he expects great things from the publication in the future.

“I think that as Daegu grows and as the magazine continues to grow, it will become an excellent resource for expats and Koreans alike,” he said.

By Shelton Bumgarner

Employee’s of Daegu Citizen’s Stadium do final clean-up in advance of the 2009 pro baseball season. Don’t forget to join us today at Samsung Lions season opener!

Source:Imaeil

Clerks rejoice at Home Plus locations throughout Daegu, this week, as chairs are installed at the checkouts.

Source:Imaeil

In a country famous for its lack of public garbage cans, Daegu citizens will be pleased to learn that 100 trash bins are being added to lamp posts throughout the popular downtown area.

Source:Imaeil

The outskirts of southwest Daegu are looking alive in color and streetlight fashion, as bridges and streets get a makeover.

Source:Imaeil

The normally humdrum 1st floor of 남구청 (South Daegu District Office) got a facelift today, to liven up the spirits of citizens having to make the usual tedious trip their to submit or process administrative paperwork. Calligraphy students have begun an art gallery there to display their talents.
대구 남구청이 1층 민원실 자투리 공간을 예술작품을 전시하는 갤러리로 바꿔 주민들에게서 인기를 끌고 있다. 16일 오후 민원실을 찾은 주민들과 공무원들이 봉덕1동 주민자치센터 서예반 수강생들의 서예와 사군자 작품을 관람하고 있다.

Source:Imaeil

Time permitting, I’m going to start translating and writing about Daegu’s planned future projects. At the very least, they’ll get some coverage in our Daegu Pockets magazine.