Korea Life Blog - Updated Non-update

My Christmas present to myself has been to take 4 days off from everything including going to the health club (I can almost see my stomach getting bigger as I sit here doing nothing), writing, and updating my blog (well, I guess this is technically an update). Check back soon, maybe tomorrow evening. I plan on going to Jongro in Seoul to watch the new Korean movie Silmido after reading this article in the Korea Herald:


Cinecore to screen Korean films with English subtitles


Foreigners residing in Korea who wanted to view Korean films had to wait for the release of a DVD with English subtitles. If an experiment by Cinecore theater and Seoul Selection bookstore is a success, they may no longer have to wait.

Cinecore theater plans to regularly screen Korean films with English subtitles to enable expatriates to enjoy them like Korean audiences do: on the big screen when they are released.

"Silmido," directed by Kang Woo-suk, will kick off the program tomorrow with one English-subtitled screening per day on weekends and holidays until Jan. 11. The screening time will be 4 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, and 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays and days immediately preceding holidays.

The theater is also currently in negotiations to bring "Maljukgeori Janhoksa," set for release on Jan. 16, and "Taegukki," set for release on Feb. 6, as the next titles to follow "Silmido."

In the past, Korean films such as "Oasis," "Wonderful Days" and "Untold Scandal" have screened with English subtitles, but this is the first time for a theater to commit to a long-term arrangement.

"Screening Korean films with English subtitles will not only be a good opportunity to introduce Korean culture to foreigners, but also a good chance to gauge the possibility of Korean films venturing overseas by getting an early response," said Hank Kim, owner of Seoul Selection bookstore, which specializes in introducing Korean culture to expatriates through books and multimedia products.

Cinecore theater is located near Jongno 3-ga Subway Station on Line No. 1, 3 or 5, exit No. 15.


This is why I read the newspaper everyday. I always wished they would and wondered why they didn't provide a venue to see new Korean movies with English subtitles. Because there is an extremely limited selection of DVDs at the rental shop in Nowhere-dong, I have seen very few Korean films. I could watch them more often at the DVD bangs, where I did see these three: Classic, The Way Home, And Stray Dog, but usually that's where I catch up on American movies that I missed in the theaters (not to mention I'm not always watching the screen). While I'm not sure exactly what this theater is like, I'm pretty excited. I hope they get a good turnout and continue to screen new titles. If you're reading this and your in Korea, be sure to check it out and show your support.


As for the film, Silmido, it has gotten mixed reviews. The Korea Herald has called it one of the best films of the year (although I'm not sure how much of a compliment this really is) This review in the Korea Times cuts that down a little. However, compared to most Korean movie reviews (I can't remember ever reading a positive one), the movie doesn't sound too bad and the plot is based on a very interesting true story. Click the link if you're curious. There's a little more information on this blog.


What was supposed to be a couple of sentences has now become an official blog update. And as an added bonus here is a picture of what Julie gave me for Christmas:


Ah, a nice striped sky-blue sweater and a bottle of Vaseline moisturizer, the perfect, well thought-out combination. Thanks, Julie, and I especially liked the other "gifts!" :D

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Merry Christmas



Saek-Chil Gongbu Santa wishes all Korea Life Blog readers a very merry Christmas.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - It's the Check Out My Ass Restaurant and a KFC History Lesson



On this restaurant sign I see Korean men in their underwear. Look closey at those guys - they're pulling down their tighty whiteys. How appetizing. Also, the girl in the back seems a little too happy about that one guy's ass. Does it smell like kalbi tang? And who's the guy on the right next to the Chinese characters? Is that Bruce Lee?


I guess I'll head over to Kentucky Fried Chicken. In case you don't know it, and many Koreans don't, they shortened the original name Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC to eliminate the word "fried" from people's minds. KFC, along with Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, used to be owned by Pepsi Co. until it sold its holdings to Yum! Brands who also owns Long John Silvers (fast and greasy fish/fries) and A&W; (old style hamburger restaurant). These are the few fast food places where you can still order Pepsi (except for KFC who later reverted to Coke, at least in Korea).



The enduring Colonel Sanders stands outside greeting Koreans in Sadang, Seoul. I think it's time for a new tie, Colonel.

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - At the Arcade (2)


After shopping at E-mart we stopped at the arcade.



Here's another shot of a typical row of miscellaneous fighting and sports games. The last time I posted a shot like this I got a lot of e-mail from people who thanked me for bringing back the memory. Back then the games were 100 won each. Now prices have gone up to around 300 won per credit, depending on the arcade. Whenever I play these it just feels that I'm not even controlling the players, especially baseball and tennis.




Here's an odd game. You use a plastic crab to catch small lolli-pops that aren't worth the hassle or the money to play.




Power up, baby hero! I guess you're a Korean caveman baby and you have to win the race. Nothing special except it's got some pretty good retro boombox type speakers.




Another drum game. I wish I knew how to play this. I saw some kid wailing away ringing up perfects left and right, but I just don't get it. Also, the music is pretty lame...I think it was Westlife. Where's the heavy metal?





At last, I got a shot for you of the popular dancing game. You have to step on the right arrows that pop up on the screen. Watching these girls boggled my mind. The arrows were everywhere moving so quickly yet the girls were practically flawless. My mind and body are just not the coordinated. I thought maybe Koreans just naturally understand these kinds of games. However, Julie was equally as clueless.



I tried to get Julie to sing a song with me, but she refused. I thought I would sing one anyway, but sitting there in the small booth so close to Julie watching me, I chickened out.



I tried to get Julie to take some sticker pictures with me, but again she refused. She's really not much fun at the arcade. Oh well.

When I was younger the arcade was my favorite hangout. Perhaps that's why I always feel an urge to go in them. However, every time I do I end up leaving disappointed. It seems every game falls under the same categories: fighting, shooting, sports, or virtual. The machines have gotten so big there's just not enough room for variety. And what happened to the idea of the arcade being a place for kids without much money. Most games now cost from 50 cents to over a dollar to play. In my opinion arcade games have become too big, too flashy, too complicated. While the graphics and sounds have improved, I feel arcade games and arcades themselves have lost their magic. Console and computer games on the other have taken incredible leaps forward. I'm highly addicted to a game called Dungeon Siege and its expansion pack Legends of Aranna. The game is not available for some reason in Korea, despite the fact it puts the dated Diablo 2 to shame. I downloaded the set off Overnet. Check out these two screen shots:

written by shawn matthews    -|link

Korea Life Blog - Dongdaemun


The same day we went to Haehwa-dong, we looked around Dongdaemun. The idea was to buy an imitation brand name backpack, but I was unable to find a decent one and ended up getting a real Puma bag later.



Here's Migliore. The bottom floor is totally made up of fake name brand items. There's one of these places in Suwon where I got my new US 55 winter coat for a mere 60,000 Won. However, in Suwon the salespeople seem much more desperate. One lady annoyed me so badly that I pulled out my wallet and said "FBI, imitation Nike!" I swear she almost passed out cold. I'm not sure how a franchise like this can get away with selling so many bogus goods. There must be some payoffs going on.



Ah, Christmas is in the air. Look at all the decorations. Look at all the people!




I'm not sure what all these people are in line for. What, is Iron Maiden getting back together for a reunion tour? I want tickets too!




Across the street is Dongdaemun stadium. I really don't have anything to say about it except that it reminds me of the World Cup. It also makes me think about all the expensive new stadiums they built in 2002 that have no purpose anymore. Do they even use them at all?



People were literally everywhere bumping and pushing. We decided to leave before we got crushed to death by shopping crazy ajummas. I just noticed another Starbucks style coffee shop sign there: Sugar Happy Espresso. No wonder why everyone is moving so quickly.


By the way, Julie is here. We're both to lazy to cook so we ordered pizza again. This happens every time. I think I need to hire a part time ajumma.

written by shawn matthews    -|link