Korea Life Blog - New Poll (2)

There's a new, exciting poll to vote on. Here are the results of the last pole, now moved to Seoul 1 page.

After living in Korea, what has changed about you the most?

I'm Korean. This is my home. 21 (19%)
I can't live without kimchi 6 (5%)
I keep toilet paper on my desk 13 (12%)
I'm an alcoholic now 24 (22%)
I never want to go back home 5 (4%)
I can speak Korean fluently! 5 (4%)
I realize MY culture is boring 12 (11%)
I'm popular and chicks love me 13 (12%)
I hate my life really badly 1 (0%)
I read Korea Life Blog daily 6 (5%)

106 Total votes

So "I'm an alcoholic now" has taken the top spot. "I keep toilet paper on my desk" takes a stunning 12% of the vote. I voted for "I'm popular and chicks love me!" all though I'm not sure if I can live without kimchi now.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Carnes Station

Carnes Station is a Korean franchise buffet restaurant. For the current price of 22,000 Won per person, around $18, you can eat and drink all you want until 10:00 or 11:00 PM, depending on how busy it is. At first it may seem a little expensive but it's worth it as you will see. (I apologize for the lack of clarity in these photos - for some reason you're not supposed to take pictures in here, so I had to take these quickly and on the sly.) We went to the one in Jongro. Get off from line 2 at Jongro-5. Take exit 2. At the top of the stairs go straight down that road for a few minutes until you see a big church. Turn left in front of the church. Then look to your right. It's hard to see, but it's downstairs in that building.



Here's a shot of part of the buffet. This side includes bulgogi, garbi, and various other meats which you can grill up at your table. Also, there's a large selection of kimchi. On the other side there are several pots of korean soups. There's also American style chicken wings, spaghetti, and you can even make burritos, albeit not the best quality. And of course there is a salad and fruit bar as well.



Now here's where the money pays off. Looks at this! It's a self-serve bar complete with the hard stuff, draft and bottled beer, bek se ju, and soju! Holy shit!



Hmm, at the time I thought this looked appetizing. I guess that's what happens when a bunch of foreigners cook for themselves after all-you-can-drink.



Here's my friend Eric fiddling with a cigarette. He doesn't yet realize there's no smoking in here. He's just downed a plate of food, 2 beers and a cocktail within minutes! Note the peculiar plate of food there. That's mine. I cooked that! Hey - help yourself!



A sneaky shot of a table full of Korean people enjoying themselves and engaging in the ever popular "bottoms up" and "one shot" ritual with soju. It won't be long now before someone loses control of their body, starts an argument, or vomits outside on the street. One thing is for certain, however, I'm positive they're doing a much better job of cooking than we are...

Yes, it's a little expensive, but you can certainly get you money's worth, as did one of the people I was with. I left early, but found out later he blacked out for an hour, passed out on the street, and then had to be carried home by several people.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - My Cupboard



Let's take a look at what's in my only cupboard. Mmm, four bags of Ramyon, a can of corn, soy sauce, oil, instant coffee and a bag of sugar. On the bottom shelf is my meager, enduring collection of dishes. The plates that are upside down are drying. Ah, the life of a bachelor.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Get Notified

In the right column there's a new way to get notified of updates to my blog. The service I used before, Bloglet, no longer works and there's no sign of it being fixed. Enter your e-mail address today to enjoy this wonderful new service!

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Yong In

A few weeks ago I visited a traditional village in Yong In, near Suwon. You can buy tour tickets across the street from Suwon station. The ticket rate varies depending on which attractions you want to see. The most basic ticket, around 10,000 Won, includes the bus fare and the general entrance fee. For a few thousand more Won, you can get access to the "World Folklore Museum" and a national art museum (which was closed the day I went). The general fee gets you access to the traditional village which includes some unique gift stores and restaurants. Oddly enough, there's also an amusement park featuring such rides as the Viking and bumper cars (on a pay-per-ride basis, of course).



The entrance to the "World Folklore Museum." There are 8 countries featured here. Have your ticket ready, but don't worry - if you didn't pay up before you can still pay here.


Each of these small buildings houses some cultural artifacts from a specific country. Some of the countries include China, Japan, America, and Africa. They did a really nice job here. Once you start walking around, it feels like you're in a different country all together, save for the Korean people walking around and the high rise apartments inevitably looming in the distance.



Here is a photo of me in the Africa building. At last, a place where I don't stand out in the crowd. Some people hardly even noticed me...



Wow, lovely! A traditional fan and unique umbrella found in the Japanese building.



Some colorful artwork from which country I just can't remember. The important lesson here is how to steal artwork and publish it online for free. Just hold the camera steady!



What's this? An honorary life-like statue of Korea Life Blog Guy? Wow, what a surprise!



A small rice field from days of old. The cultivaters lived in small huts like the ones in the background. Those poor people of the past - they never could know the peace and tranquility that modern life and all it's wonderful inventions, designed to make live covenient and easy, has given us...



A traditional storage shed with traditional farming tools and, well, I guess, traditional wood.



This must be a traditional peasant's home. Looks like it was quite a peaceful existence with plenty to eat.



You can stop into one of the stores and buy traditional style alcohol drinks such as Bek Se Ju for double the cost you can buy them in any regular store in Korea.



Near the exit, like an army of brown Humpty-Dumpty midgets: a throng of traditional jugs used originally for storing soy bean sauce and red pepper paste.


Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderfully traditional day!

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Miss Korea

Once again I am unable to upload pics at this PC bang, but never fear. You can enjoy this collection of Miss Korea contestants from 2003. You get to see a rather boring picture of each one, but also a rather inspiring one too...

By the way, the winner was:

39. Yoon-young Choi
Miss Seoul
Birth : Dec.21.'83 / Height : 172cm

And now for an inspired, exciting, dubious, yet somehow tender and special ode to Miss Korea 2003, by Korea Life Blog Guy:

Oh, Miss Korea, 2003
If by chance you date with me
You can buy me Bulgogi, Bek Se Ju, and Poki Kimchi
And with your winnings we can pay the rent
On our very own high rise apartment!
A glorious life without any care
No more damn crane game jerk of despair
And there won't be another couple like us
When we drive around in our brand new Equus!
And with the connections you surely now know
No doubt they will publish A Foreigner in Geoje-do
Then I'll be rich and famous, and more...
And surely have Miss Korea, 2004

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - My Site Reviewed and Recent Stats

I checked my statistics today and found this review of my site:


Click here to read the review.



For inexplicable reasons, Korea Life Blog continues to experience increased readership. And thanks to everyone who is linking to me, my page ranking has gotten higher within Google searches. Next step: World Domination!

written by shawn matthews    -|link