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2017 calendar in dilemma

Posted December. 05, 2016 07:10,   

Updated December. 05, 2016 07:15

한국어

Italian tire manufacturer Pirelli has drawn worldwide attraction every year with its new calendars, which pin up semi-nudes of top models with an artistic touch by profound photographers. This year, Pirelli gained spotlights from around the world by taking an unconventional approach. Dressed in their clothes rather than naked, the models for 2016 were females such as Ono Yoko who made distinguished achievements in their respective areas. The upcoming 2017 calendar will also be a surprise, as Pirelli has recently released top stars in their naked faces, from secondhand lioness Helen Mirren to celebrities Kate Winslet and Nicole Kidman.

The 2017 calendar of China will also be highlighted with the golden week. According to the Chinese authority’s announcement of legal holidays in 2017, the National Day of the People’s Republic of China week, which falls on Oct. 1, has been extended to eight days. As an extra day was added connected with the mid-autumn holiday, more Chinese are expected to spend on outbound travels and break the record on foreign spending. In particular, as their favorite destinations, Korea and Japan could be the beneficiaries of the Chinese golden week. Koreans also can enjoy their long holidays next year, as a day off on Oct. 2 during the Korean thanksgiving week will give 10 consecutive long rests.

Not a month has left until the New Year's Day, but promotional calendars, which were frequently distributed, are hard to spot. As a matter of fact, calendar and diary manufacturers are going through difficult times. The new Kim Young-ran law (anti-graft law) hit their business hard, with an unexpected and possible change in the next presidential voting day. Without the “Choi Soon-sil Gate,” the presidential election was planned to be taken on Dec. 20, 2017, but everything is jumbled up now.

In June, the National Election Commission requested for cooperation to manufacturers of diaries and calendars, and companies as prospective buyers to mark the presidential election day as a promotional approach. However, both the manufacturers and the buyers are lost on how to deal with the already issued calendars due to unclear date. Some manufacturers are even postponing their calendar production. With the reality looking gloomy as ever, time has driven us to the end of a year. The vibrant air, which usually filled the year-end streets, is also hard to catch, while the chaotic politics are also leaving scars in our daily lives.



mskoh119@donga.com