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www.groovekorea.com / January 2015 28 B e s t f e a t u r e s W I N N E R “An oasis out of the ashes” by Ian Henderson (August) W I N N E R “At the box office/Korean DVD corner” by Dean Crawford W I N N E R “The darkening yard” by Sabrina Hill (September) W I N N E R “Dear Korea” by Jen Lee Destinations Story of the Year WINNER: “An oasis out of the ashes” by Ian Henderson (August) Ian Henderson turned our been-there-done-that attitudes about Jeju on their heads with “An oasis out of the ashes,” a comprehensive look at the history of the island alongside some amazing insights on vaca- tioning there. Ian’s engaging, quippy narrative made this piece a real winner. NOMINEES: “The ghosts of Seoul” by Christine Pickering (April); “Myanmar” by Connor Dearing (June) Column of the Year WINNER: “At the box offce/Korean DVD corner” by Dean Crawford No one can preview a movie he hasn’t seen quite like Dean Crawford, our repeat winner of Column of the Year for “At the box office/Korean DVD corner.” Every month he lends his quick wit and a touch of sar- casm to pick apart the biggest blockbusters and shines a light on less- er-known and underappreciated films, making connections that enrich the viewing experience. He’s just as happy celebrating a good film as he is taking down a bad one, revealing in the process his sharp sense of humor and deep appreciation for his subject. NOMINEES: ”Capturing Korea” by Dylan Goldby; “Artist’s Journey” by Wilfred Lee Photo Essay of the Year WINNER: “The darkening yard” by Sabrina Hill (September) Sabrina Hill begins by citing travel writer Pearl S. Buck: “Many people lose the small joys in the hope for the big happiness.” Nowhere is this more evident than in South Korea, she claims, as she searches out the tranquil simplicities beyond Seoul’s chaos of neon lights. “The darken- ing yard” is awarded Photo Essay of the Year for its deep, reflective tone and exquisite exploration of the quiet island of Oedaldo in words and pictures. NOMINEES: “Haunts of the ward” by Sarah Edge and Colin Dabbs (October); “Relationship revamp” by Jayson Moore (October) Comic of the Year WINNER: “Dear Korea” by Jen Lee Life in Korea as an expat can be at times lonely, frustrating and cul- turally confusing, so it’s nice to know that others out there are going through some of the same things you are. Living here can also be filled with pleasant and unexpected discoveries. For helping expats laugh at life’s little frustrations, as well as the unusual and sometimes hilarious circumstances in which we find ourselves, while celebrating smaller, unheralded victories, Jen Lee’s “Dear Korea” is awarded Comic of the Year. NOMINEES: “Carpe DMZ” by Pat Volz; “Ddongman” by Kevin Kilgore