Korea Life Blog - Modern Korean Electronics
To dispell the rumor that Korea is some strange remote country that makes plastic toys and clothes and perhaps some TVs and cars with long warranties, it's time to show the world that Korea really is a modern country. Here are a few pictures of some cool Samsung products.
It's impossible to show here the clarity of these flatscreen Korean made Samsung televisions. They are beautiful, as much as any Sony TV.
Fax machines, printers, big screen TVs, stereos, humidifiers, fans, refrigerators, air conditioning units...yes, Samsung makes it all.
Samsung's Magic Station. I really want to buy this. Hey look, the salesclerk has been reading my blog!
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written by shawn matthews
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The Seoul Blog - Strange Conglomerations (2)
Here is the second installment of Strange Conglomerations (Korean buildings with an odd assortment of businesses).
At this building somewhere in Suwon, you can shop for electronics, go to the hospital, study Chinese at a private school, study martial arts (sword fighting), or sing a song at the no rae bang, the ever popular Korean karaoke singing rooms (I'll do a post about these sooner or later). How convenient!
Wow, look the assortment of businesses in this modern building. You can get some ice cream at Baskin Robins (this American Franchise is more popular here, found on virtually every popular street) eat at the Korean fast food chain, Lotteria, buy a phone, go to a book store, stop at the securities bank, visit the hospital, buy bread at the bakery, study playing the piano, buy stationary supplies, attend a private English school, and on and on. Conglomerations like these, albeit strange, are necessary to help save ever dwindling land space.
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written by shawn matthews
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Korea Life Blog - New Poll (1)
I added a new homepage poll on the right side of the page. Here are the stunning results of the previous homepage poll:
What's your favorite thing about korea?
where's korea? 2 (2%)
the food 9 (12%)
my movie star aura 17 (22%)
girls actually like me here 7 (9%)
no tipping 11 (14%)
coffee girls 7 (9%)
the money 0 (0%)
scooter delivery/ dish pick-up 4 (5%)
i love it all 13 (17%)
i hate everything 5 (6%)
Edging out "I love it all," "my movie star aura" takes the top position. Not a single vote for "the money" is a big surprise. I personally voted for "the food," although I was sorely tempted to choose "my movie star aura" and "girls actually like me here."
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written by shawn matthews
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Korea Life Blog - The Old Man with a Wart
After looking at some books of them at my school, I have become more interested lately in reading Korean folk tales for children. The stories are usually interesting and comical, the animations cute, sometimes ridiculous and bizarre. I stopped at a bookstore the other day and had a look.
I snapped this picture when the book store ajushi wasn't looking. It's a sneaky business these days to entertain my readers. Ths is a classic example of a well known story here: The Old Man with a Wart. (I'm not too sure that thing is really a wart. He'd better get it checked out quickly...he may well be The Old Man with Two Buck Teeth and a Hideous Malignant Tumor.) Notice the unique sounds the wind and owls make in Korea.
Other Korean books for kids. Note the silly animations. I wish I knew Korean better, I'd really like to read these.
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written by shawn matthews
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Korea Life Blog - Shout Out Comments
The original 'Shout Out' comments are officially and completely gone. The server they were on was down often and had been slowing down my website. Sorry to all those who left comments. The good news is you can go back in time and leave new comments on all your favorite posts! If you haven't left any comments, now is a new chance to do so! Three cheers for Korea Life Blog!
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written by shawn matthews
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Korea Life Blog - I Need a Computer
The internet has been down at work and the lone PC bang in my town changed the computers so that they can't be modified, meaning I can't transfer pics from my camera here anymore. I planned an exciting update, but I have no way to upload pics. I've been putting off buying a computer because I can't decide if I want an expensive notebook computer, or a much cheaper desktop. I want the desktop computer, of course, but I don't want to carry that when I move. Notebook computers are still double the price of a desktop here. What a dilemma. Argh! In other news it has not stopped raining here for 2 days and the whole town is soaked. I got drenched on the way here. Ugh!
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written by shawn matthews
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Korea Life Blog - Let's Punch and Kick
A popular past time in Korea is kicking and punching games. No matter where you go, big city or small country town, you will come across these games. You compete with your buddies to see who can punch and kick the hardest, usually when your drunk. The only prize: high score and the respect of your peers. You've spent a lot of time at the gym, now it's time to put that effort to a useful means.
Check it out. It's Girl Fighter Upper Cut!. For a measly 500 won, or about 40 cents, you can fantasize about slugging your sister, your wife, your mother in law, or that girl who broke up with you because she wanted to explore her options. Hee ya! 1000000 points!
The name of this game is Vie Zzang. What the hell that means exactly is anybody's guess. Apparently two people punch at the same time and compare scores. What a great concept -male machoism at it's finest.
Phew, after all that punching your foot gets jealous. Time to kick. Yee haw! You're so cool! In your mind you are the greatest soccer player that ever lived! It's the World Cup. You kick! You score. America wins! (Later, when the alcohol wears off, you wake up in the hospital with shattered dreams and a broken foot.)
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written by shawn matthews
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Korea Life Blog - Beggar
I made 100,000 Won today, or about $90, playing games with kids. This man begs for money, obviously not as fortunate as I am. Ajushi, did you eat dinner? What happened to you? Did you you lose your job? Did your marriage fall apart? I don't really care what happened actually. If you are this needy, well I can afford to give you some change. I hope it helps.
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written by shawn matthews
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