Them Has No Class

Last month, the owners of Kote, a multi-disciplinary arts complex in Seoul's Insadong district, were brutally attacked by thugs hired by the property developer of their own building. Quickly, the arts community and hidden power players rallied to Kote's defense to bring justice to property rights, capitalism, law & order, and common decency. But most importantly, everyone gathered to protect something precious - a beating heart of creativity and a center for economic productivity for those who make their living in the arts.

However, low-level bullies expected to quickly exterminate a kind-hearted arts executive. In fact, they had already screwed her over in a deal in the past. But she had all her life wanted to make this dream come to reality that she held her nose and went into partnership with less than perfect partners. After all, in Korea, you'll never find any old man with clean hands.

But how shocking is this latest episode! Would you try to terrorize your opponent by parking three of your own cars in their gallery space and throwing away the keys? Would you then try to set up a swap meet market to interfere with their business? What kind of low level bullying have they gotten away with for so long to have the gall to think that this would work at their age, which is what - late 50s or 60s? It's what happens when you don't speak up against bullies and let the cycle snowball.

The difference this time with Kote? People spoke up quickly. And they spoke up together loudly.