A few weeks ago, we praised the qualities of Japan Magazine, which has become a reference title on Japan . The publisher Oracom reciprocates by launching Korea Mag, a new publication dedicated to South Korea. As editor, we find Stéphanie Guillaume already editorial manager on Japan Magazine. This title offers 132 pages to lovers of the land of the morning calm alternating news, in-depth articles on South Korean culture; all supported by a quality layout. Let's go back to this very refreshing first issue.
South Korea in all its diversity
From its first issue, Korea Mag sets the tone. The editorial team offers eclectic articles likely to appeal to a very varied readership. Three sections, Arts, Society and History, offer in-depth analyses of essential elements of South Korean culture. Thus, to a presentation of the DMZ is added a dive into the roots of Korean romanticism in fiction or a history of Hanbok, the traditional costume. The other sections, News, Art of living, Travel, present the other facets of South Korea. These emphasize both the resources of South Korean soft power and the country's tourism assets. In this issue, the authors tackle for example the cult of beauty in Korea, the urban magic of Seoul while offering an immersion in the beautiful island of Jeju. The various authors find original angles to address classic themes. 
Korea Mag: pen and brush
As with Japan Magazine, this issue is based on two immense qualities. First of all, the content of the articles and the style deployed by the authors. The latter combine the relevance of their remarks, the richness of their knowledge with a style that carries the reader. Impertinent sometimes, funny, poetic, each article offers a tone that fits perfectly to the subject. Whether in music, gastronomy or fashion, words hit the nail on the head and make reading exciting. Especially since the graphic and photographic charter is very neat. This was already the case on Japan Magazine. The airy layout, alternating atmospheres, perfectly supports the reading of extremely dense articles. We like to move between the headings by noting the subtle evolutions that always capture the attention without causing sudden changes. Similarly, the quality of the images (photographs, drawings) and their relevance, enrich the reading experience. It is a pity that some maps have not been integrated in order to establish the geographical framework more permanently. 
An ideal format
Korea Mag is intended to be a quarterly of 132 pages. It is an ideal frequency and format. Indeed, the richness of the content, the diversity of articles and points of view require time. Certainly this will prevent the magazine from being at the forefront of the news, but in reality it is the other sections that make the salt of this publication. This delay is the guarantee of always surprising items. The large number of pages also makes it possible to offer articles that go to the bottom of things. Popularization certainly, but very high-flying. And it was not easy to offer a synthesis of the major phases of Korean history (which spans 3,000 years) or to present the richness of Jeju Island. However, the magazine finds a perfect balance between these themes thus offering the neophyte as well as the connoisseur something to satisfy their curiosity. It is therefore with great pleasure that we have browsed this excellent magazine. We wish him every success and look forward to the release of his number two in early 2023.
