Korea Life Blog - Coffee Machines

Coffee machines are popular in Korea. The coffee, however, tastes terrible. It's strong and it comes in small paper cups. The good side is that these machines are everywhere, and a cup only costs about 300-400 won, or about 25-30 cents, for a cup with cream and sugar. It's strong and can make for a quick pick-me-up.


A typical coffee machine. I'm not sure what all the choices are. The button all the way to the last is always "milk coffee" and has cream and sugar in it.



Why not have some coffee and make a phone call or two? You can tell them about how awful it tastes.


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written by shawn matthews -|link

Korea Life Blog - Crane Game (2)

I was walking around Suwon and, with nothing better to do, decided to try out another crane game...let's see how I made out:


Here's the machine. It looks pretty old. There's a lot of marks on the front - undoubtedly the result of pissed off people kicking it in anger. But perhaps those people were empty headed children, drunken college kids, Russian prostitutes, or maniacal imbeciles. I swell with confidence. I can do this, I think. And, since it's an unusually high 500 Won for 3 tries, I decide there might be a chance.



There are the prizes, tantalizingly spread out, looking rather easy to grab. I eagerly fish around in my pocket for some change and insert 500 won. I move the crane out to the middle. It drops and clenches a little cutesy wootsy stuffed dog. The excitement builds, my heart starts to race. The toy is mine, I cry. All mine! Then alas, with a hard jerk, the crane changes direction, dropping my would-be toy out just before it reaches the hole! - yes, it's another machine rigged with the Crane Game Jerk of Despair. After three tries I give up and run away, shamed and humiliated once again.


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written by shawn matthews -|link

Korea Life Blog - Instant Store by a Subway Station Entrance (2)

This post disappeared somehow, so I'm re-doing it here.


Out side the Suwon subway station, an ajuma has set up an Instant Store by a Subway Station. What's for sale? White hotdogs? Bags of clay? Oh, I see. It's deok, Korean traditional rice cake filled with sweet beans. The ajuma looks extremely excited at the prospect of record breaking sales. Wait - what's this? The man in the background is getting ready to strangle the ajuma and steal the deok! Run ajuma, run!!


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written by shawn matthews -|link

Korea Life Blog - What's in my Fridge? (1)


It seems Shawn is really turning Korean. He opens his fridge. There's a bottle of water, two plastic boxes of Kimchi, and, alas - some frozen mandu...


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written by shawn matthews -|link

Korea Life Blog - At the Movies in Korea

I knew you people back home were wondering about the movies in Korea. Well American movies are very popular here as well as Korean movies. American movies usually open a few weeks or more later than they open in the states, though. And many times some good movies may never make it here. I went to see Bruce Almighty this weekend with my friend. It was surprisingly funny, I thought.


The snack bar at the movie theater. The prices are more reasonable here, but the popcorn isn't fresh. By the way, is there any place in the world you can't buy Coca Cola these days?


A promotional poster for Terminator 3 coming soon to a Korean theater near you.


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written by shawn matthews -|link

Korea Life Blog - What a Waste

I heard that South Koreans throw away more food than North Korea has to eat. I believe this is true. If you pass by any restaurant on a regular basis you will likely see bags and bags of food waste piled up on the curb. Millions of Americans grow up hearing their parents tell them, "finish all the food on your plate, they're are people starving to death..." I guess it hit home for me, because I really dislike wasting food. I do finish everything, as best I can. If something drops on the floor, I'll rinse it off an eat it. If somebody cringes at this, I'll pee in their soup. People really are starving. That's just how I was raised, anyway. While no doubt Americans waste food, South Korea is exceptionally ridiculous, no offense to the culture because I really love the food here. Most meals are served with a lot of side dishes. I regularly see people eat just a little or not even touch them at all, eating only the main dish. Take a look at this BBC article. (click here)


Look at these garbage bags full of wasted food. It's really not funny. It's sad.

Now click here to see a little girl starving in North Korea. Don't click here if you don't want to see it.


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written by shawn matthews -|link