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25 besT feaTures of 2013 Insight story of the Year Winner “Dear Korea, I still don’t have AIDS” by Matt VanVolkenberg, Ben Wagner and Matthew Lamers “Dear Korea, I still don’t have AIDS” by Matt VanVolkenberg, Ben Wagner and Matthew Lamers was awarded Insight Story of the Year for its in-depth analysis of a policy that is viewed as discriminatory against foreigners. The story outlined the xenophobic and hypochondriacal history behind a law that requires E-2 visa holders, who are native English teachers, to be regularly tested for HIV/AIDS before starting a work contract. While highly controversial, the topic has been rarely otherwise explored in local media. nominees “The business of buying a bride” by Anita McKay and Felix Im (November) “Korea’s dying students” by Deva Lee and Matthew Lamers (September) Music & arts story of the Year Winner “Korea’s minds and machines” by Felix Im (August) The Music & Arts Story of the Year goes to Felix Im for his interview “Korea’s Minds and Machines.” Im gave readers insight into the minds of two true artists. The Colorado-born writer opened with a powerful description of the painter and drawer: “Kim Pyeong-joon is in his 60s, but his bright, glowing eyes and soft, smooth complexion belie his age. When he speaks, his voice strikes the air with the clarity of crisp piano notes.” nominees “Moonassi: Drawing on loneliness” by Emma Sparkes (May) “On the savage sound of Yuppie Killer” by Dave Hazzan (November) Community story of the Year Winner “Feed your Seoul” by Anita McKay (December) In giving readers a snapshot of the city’s homeless population, a group that lives “at the bottom of the social chain,” during a walkabout near Seoul Station on a cold autumn evening, Anita McKay’s story “Feed Your Seoul” tackles a serious but often ignored issue in Korea. The story is told through the eyes of two people who have been homeless for years, a group of expat volunteers and a social worker linked to the expat group, and highlights the challenges they face. nominees “How to build your community” by Kristin Mahshie (December) “Becoming Bruce Lee” by Dustin Cole (February) food story of the Year Winner “Korea’s preventable obesity abyss” by Shelley DeWees (June) Shelley DeWees’ commentary on the Westernization of Korean food won Food Story of the Year for its scope and insight. In her story, DeWees examined the differences in Western school lunches and Korean school lunches and called on Korea to halt its slide into unhealthy eating. nominees “The sordid tale of soju” by Dave Hazzan (November) “Ring in spring with a pint at Reilly’s” by Shelley DeWees (April)