My Thoughts on the "Korean Wave"

There has been a lot of chatter around the Kblogosphere about how The Girl's Generation went on David Letterman and possibly spoofed themselves. Some say it is not helping the "Korean Wave" advance itself across the ocean, and others give them props for trying. I for one say that this stunt isn't going to help Americans get to know Korea in the way that I know Korea. To me Korea is a place full of unique pop culture and historical trademarks. The food is amazing and you can't go wrong with a country that eats live octopus.

But Americans don't know much about Korea beyond whatever they have in their mind. Without any scientific background to prove this, I bet most Americans (off the street) will associate S. Korea with North Korea and all that hoopla.

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More often than I can count,  I have seen spoofs of North Korea appear on The Simpsons and other T.V. shows. If South Korea wants to get itself really out there, it needs to start pushing something big enough to outshine their political lime-light with North Korea. 

Most of all South Korea needs to consider how China and Japan made their way into the hearts of good old regular pie-eating Americans. Take for example, Japan and their Anime and Manga genre of culture. When I was starting off in college in 2001, Anime was still taking root. Who would have thought that imagery like the following would have taken Japan to a more iconic level amongst Americans.

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Even shows like Neon Genesis Evengelion, which made no material sense were highly popular. 

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Sure, not everyone was bitten by the Anime bug and many found it outright ridiculous. But it opened up a door to other genres of Japanese pop-culture that allowed Japan to be taken as this place of creativity and wonder. Soon people wanted to learn Japanese and study their culture. Despite that most fans became obsessed this fueled what is now likely a multi-billion dollar industry. 

Besides Samsung gadgets what does Korea have that reaches the minds and hearts of Americans? Maybe it is K-pop, but that show on Letterman isn't going to do it. If anything, Eat Your Kimchi has proven that there is a cult of people around the world willing to learn more and follow videos about K-pop. Because of the diversity to which bands they review and the extent to which fans comment and share ideas, this shows that K-pop is growing amongst the masses. Of course we know that shows for Big Bang and other idol groups sell out across the world.

But what Koreans want is for Korea to be as familiar to Americans as their neighbors have been for so long. They want a piece of the world's heart, and I don't blame them. Korea has worked really hard to become the country it is today, and I am sure they want to be recognized as a place more than just that country "fighting with the North." 

From what I know it is the big old guys at executive positions who push what "culture" they deem the world should taste from Korea. And more often than not this has flopped. But thanks to more pushing by insiders and outsiders, things are starting to change. 

I also feel it is our job as expats and those who repatriate to promote and educate the people in our lives about Korea. I am sure we do that already, but don't let it fade out once you have returned home. 

I do hope Korea's culture catches on in the rest of the world and when I say to people back home, "I have been living in Korea for the past 4 years." They don't ask me, "Which one, North or South?" They ask me, "Hey do you know that Kpop band....?" or "Hey I heard about Old Boy, is it really scary?" 

Girls Generation might not be doing the trick but it might just help someone want to find out more and see that there are slices of Korea worth biting into. At least I hope so. 

Patbingsu Quest: Hongdae

It's still summer, despite the rain, and I am still on the hunt for a great patbingsu. You can go and check out my other finds here, here, and here. As you know I was in Hongdae a while ago, and I saw some great things. Next to that doll painting place was a little cafe called, Taiyaki Cafe and as you can see it had a big sign for patbingsu.

What is a Taiyaki place? Well it is a place that serves Japanese fish-shaped cake with the sweet bean filling inside. Certainly I wondered what we would get.

The interior was simple and designed in a cute manner with little fish here and there. There is that moment when the patbingsu comes out and you are full of wonder.

 I would definitely say that what was shown on the banner and what was served were completely different. Something tells me they only had bananas in the kitchen as their fruit. So what we were served was the usual shaved ice, milk, sweat beans, tteok candies and sliced bananas.

It was certainly refreshing but not exactly inventive, therefore I can't say this one is a winner.

Where will end up next? Will I ever find a truly superb patbingsu this summer? hmmm

63 Years On: Film Screening about Comfort Women

Although the tragedies that are affecting Japan right now are serious there is something else to consider thinking about this month. There will be a film screening at The House of Sharing at Dongguk University which will show, in multiple languages with English subtitles, the stories of 5 survivors of the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery during WWII.

I know this sounds pretty serious but let's consider this part of history for a moment and that you have an opportunity to go see a piece of creation about it.

The details:

• It is free. 
• The film is in multiple languages and there will be a speaker along with a group discussion.
• Date: March 26th from 3 - 5pm (the film is 63 min long)
• At Dongguk University in Seoul at the Cultural Center, Deok Am Seminar Room, 1st Floor
• How to Get there: Take Line 3 to Dongguk University Station. Take exit 6 and go up the escalator and follow the road until you see Lee Hae Lang Fine Arts Theater...it's the building on the backside of the theater.

• Info: www.houseofsharing.org                Email:  info@houseofsharing.org 

This looks like a great opportunity to see some history and then talk about it during the discussion period.

From the press release:

This screening provides a window to an episode of Asian and International history which has been willfully ignored by so many for more than 63 years. You are invited to join the House of Sharing and show your support to the survivors who continue the fight for justice.

Surreal

I worked 11 hours yesterday and in the midst of that learned of the earthquake in Japan. When I came home I went to CNN and other sites to see it for myself. I think because of my fatigue I still can't fully grasp what is happening down there. It looks so surreal...especially the tsunami.

I am going to pick up Tom soon but all I am thinking about is Japan and the people down there. I hope they will be okay and can recover.

Korea-Japan Festival 2010

We all know Korea and Japan have a long and brutal history together. Even today there is still a lot of deep tension between the two nations. But in recent years the Korean ministry of culture and tourism have tried to present a friendlier image between the two nations. One of the ways seems to be this annual festival. This year the Korea-Japan Festival took place in Jongno at the Seoul Plaza and near the Cheongye stream.

Although I was super tired when I went and it ended up raining on me (I had no umbrella) I tried to make the most of it.

I made my way to the Cheongye Plaza stage, but since I was early it seemed like there were just rehearsals going on.

Actually, to tell you the truth I had realized when I got there that I had forgotten to take my wallet. Before I left that morning I switched purses from my small one to my big one and somehow remembered my camera, iPod and phone but not my wallet. So there I was thinking, that there was no way I was going to be able to eat or get something to drink. I didn't worry too much about the eating part since I was meeting JH afterwards, but the missing water part got to me. I hate getting dehydrated.

That is why I will commend Seoul for being accommodating in this situation. At first I looked for free water bottle handouts, that I thought the festival might provide. Yet, I didn't see anyone giving out such things. Then as I was walking towards the Seoul Plaza I saw a tourist information booth and saw that inside they had a water fountain. I stopped by for a couple of cups.

It is something you may not know but you can actually find free water in this way. If I were to go into a building I might also be able to locate their water fountains as well. At one point I managed to get hold of a paper cup and held on to it.

Moving on, I made my way to the Seoul Plaza. In fact, this was my first time going to this place. I always just saw it pass by me while riding the bus. Nowadays at the entrance area there is this picture theme going on, which has people put up randomly to look like they are holding hands.

The Plaza itself was buzzing here and there with people checking out the booths. Nothing was happening yet on the stage and I approached some tables with a crowd around it.

One could have taken part in origami folding or trying on a kimono.

Apparently, these tables were set up for a cold-noodle eating contest. I arrived as the participants were waiting and the staff or volunteers were busy setting it up.

I figured something would happen in a while, so I walked around the other booths as I waited. There were a lot of tourist booths set up representing different districts of Japan.

I came back to the tables and things were getting on their way. The participants lined up in front of the noodles and the countdown began. The next thing you knew people were quickly eating.

Afterward there was a lot of counting and then celebration. As this went on a few older folks who were a part of the watching crowd walked over to the tables and helped themselves to the left overs. This one older lady helped herself to the noodles and at the same time kept on repeating "delicious" (in Korean). It was a kind of funny site because the people around her knew that it was meant for the contest. But no one said anything to her. One couple laughed quietly together as she walked away.

Things looked like they were pretty much over at this part so I turned around. I saw a group of performers making their way to the stage area.

I waited a little bit more and then the performances got under way. First it was a performance of biwa (short-neck lute). I enjoyed watching, but the rain started to come down. I stuck it out to get some videos taken.

Enjoy the following very short video. I say "short" because the rain, plus having no money and feeling gunshot tired made me realize I should be moving on. Of course I wish I saw the rest of the show. Guess I will have to try and be more prepared for next year.

Japan Leftovers

You might remember that back in November I did a visa-run to Osaka Japan. There were some pictures during the last full day of my trip that I never put up. They are from when I visited the Chion-in temple in Kyoto.

After visiting the temple I wandered down to Gion street, which is famous for being a Geisha district, and got a bite to eat.

I remember that as I was walking back to the city there was a narrow street that looked interesting. Indeed it was, for there were old style buildings with what looked like really good traditional restaurants.

The figurines in the window display case were interesting.

Looking back I recall that the season was Fall and certainly I enjoyed the foliage.

I finally made my way to the commercial streets and started looking for a cheap yet interesting place to eat. 

As I walked down the street there was a young girl standing near the store fronts passing out fliers and speaking Japanese. I took one and looked at it and there looked like something good to eat. So I pointed to it and asked, "Where?" The next thing I knew she was leading me down a narrow alley and took me inside a very quaint and small restaurant.

It sure was a gem! The restaurant was busy and from the looks of it with local people, so I knew this place was good. I sat down and ordered a Tempura vegetable set. I was served tea and I took in the restaurant. 

In front of me was the kitchen with the staff busily cooking. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the tempura, probably because it was so darn delicious and I was really hungry. Oh how I wish I could easy step into this place again.

Afterwards I did a little souvineer shopping and went back to the hotel. I wonder if I will get out to Japan again or with my next-next vacation time explore China or somewhere else. 

Ahh...who knows... ;)