Oido

Last Sunday I found myself at Oido, the last stop on line 4 or the light-blue line. It was my first time out there in all these years, and felt good. Whenever I rode line 4 and heard Oido as the final destination, I wondered what was out there.

Turns out it is a nice place to see the sea, get some seafood (although I don't like to eat it) and sunshine. The main area is a strip of seafood restaurants to one side and then a seawall you can walk on top of and enjoy the scenery.

In the background there is the budding city of Incheon and the bridges that take you out to Incheon airport. The sunshine, sea air and scenery made for a pleasant Sunday out.

Nearby the lighthouse was a fish market section, where some singing and dancing was going on. This scene reminded me of why I like living in Korea. Random old people dancing to hokey music.

The fish you see there were still alive and you could see them looking back at you, and their gills moving up and down. Fresh...very fresh!

This area is also famous for its mud flats, which appear when the tide goes out. However, when I was there the tide was in, so no mud flatting for me. I highly recommend a trip out to Oido as you can just ride the train and then take a bus ride out to the sea area. Definitely gives your Seoul life a perk.

Daring Skinship?!

In that MBC video there is a part where they say how daring the couples are for touching each other and kissing. You would think that couples between two Koreans don't show public affection. The reality is that for a long time public displays of affection were shunned here, and they still are to some degree. But I can tell you things seem to have dramatically changed these days.

I was at the Cheongyecheon last night near Gwanghwamun and there were plenty of cuddling couples to be seen. Scandalous!

This is that beautifully redesigned stream in the Jongno area, which has been featured in a lot of dramas. I saw couples kissing (not just a peck on the cheek), I saw row after row of couples on each other's laps kissing by the stream.  I felt a little out of place, as the long time I have been in Korea I have never seen so much romantic hanky-panky in public here. Sure it was dark out, but still things were well lit. Yet, it didn't bother me too much and I was pleased to see young couples not caring and letting passion consume them in public.

So then what's so scandalous about mixed couples being intimate in public if Korean couples do it too? This is basically just another way of me saying to hell with this video. It's rubbish and I hope the out lash against it spawns an organized group of people willing to take on racism and discrimination in this country.

Till then...keep on trucking everyone with your hanky-panky naughtiness!

Plot Predictions for Rooftop Prince or 옥탑방 왕세자

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Although the Korean drama "Rooftop Prince" or 옥탑방 왕세자, ended last week I find myself just starting to watch it. Actually, I don't keep up with the K-dramas these days as I started to get turned off due to the usual story line coming up over and over. But through the blah-blah wheel that is the internet, I decided to give this one a try. So far it has me interested, but I've only seen the first two episodes. Usually, the first handful of episodes are the best parts of a K-drama, then it sort of starts to get into a routine until the last handful of episodes. 

While watching the second episode I started to predict what will happen in this series, and thought it would be a fun blog post. That is why I am here today to give you my predictions for how things will go down in this 20 episode ride-of-fun. 

Brief Intro:

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The drama starts out in the Joseon dynasty period of Korea, which is 300 years ago. Basically you've got the tale of the "Crown Prince" growing up, getting a princess and then discovering her dead in a nearby pond. Officials say it was an accident, he declares it murder and puts a team together to solve the mystery. While they pursue the case a team of assassins is hot on their trail, and as they leap off a cliff the story shifts and they end up in present day Seoul.

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They end up in a girl's house, which is a "rooftop" style. Out here people live in "Villas" which is a smaller apartment complex with several floors. On the roof you can find a smaller sized box-house up top. Usually for storage but people renovate it for living in, and that is the case here.

So you got this twist of two worlds coming together, but that's not all. In the present world you have two step-sisters who hate each other, a dead guy who looks like the prince and some more sob stories. 

The main theme so far is that a rich family lost their son in America. A cousin of this family actually murdered that guy and so is now trying to claim his seat in the family business. Anyways, the Crown Prince looks like that guy so there is the scandal.

Predictions:

• The Crown Prince and the Girl (sorry I don't know recall her name) from the rooftop dwelling fall in love. Their love gets torn apart at some point and they fight to be together. His minions find love too.
• The Crown Prince ends up taken in by the rich family, cousin gets jealous and worried and causes a scandal.
• Step-sister to girl in rooftop uses her fury to wreak havoc on step-sister. She is also in love with the evil cousin dude, but probably they break up. 
• At some point some of the cast end up on Jeju.
• They solve the murder mystery but it has a twist to being related to the modern world somehow. 

Anyways, it's been a fun drama to watch so far, and the male actors are cute. I hope this one doesn't disappoint and gives a somewhat realistic if not fantasy related ending. 

For a good source on the first episode and to get a better feel for the show go to the Dramabeans site. 

Language Exchange Cafe Meetup: Hyehwa

These days I know I need to learn and use more Korean. Especially when someone asks me, "How long have you been in Korea?" To which I say, "Four years now." And then the usual response is, "Oh! You must speak Korean very well!" Sorry, not really.

It's a sad fact that clouds my life here in Korea, but don't get the wrong idea. I know how to read Korean very well and have a good bag full of phrases and sentences I can use to get by. I understand most of what people say around me, but as far as conversation and full understanding that is still yet to be accomplished. So I have decided to try out language exchange happenings through group meetups.

I found one such group through Meetup.com, and it looked promising. They have several locations you can go join, and I was pleased to see one open up near me in Hyehwa. 

Yesterday, I finally decided to head out to the meet up and see what would happen. I was kind of skeptical since I don't really have a heavy Korean language background and was worried the folks there would be expecting a lot.

I showed up to the Serendipity Cafe, where I looked at their menu and decided to just get a bottled lemonade instead. After sitting around on the 2nd floor, I realized that maybe the party was upstairs on the 3rd floor. I was right, and found a check-in desk at the front where you write down your name and stamp the paper according to the languages you know. Mine received a "K" and "E" stamp for Korean and English. However, I wish I could have just stamped half the Korean one.

I sat down and found myself sitting next to some friendly looking people. Things started off with a few giggles but the basic questions were asked, in English. I told the folks that I knew Korean but not enough to make conversation, yet was fine with just speaking English if they wanted. Conversations started and I found myself having a good time.

As time went on and I got to know the other half of the table, I did find myself learning some Korean and practicing it. The most problem I see is that my brain starts to really get tired fast of all the new language learning, but I trucked on.

Generally, I mostly wanted to meet new people and I accomplished that. Plus I got a sense of what it is like to go to one of these exchange things and I can see it probably depends who you sit next to. Apparently, the Hyehwa meet up was a lot smaller than the usual ones in Gangnam or Hongdae. I kind of can't imagine being part of a huge crowd for language exchange. I think I like the smaller scene better. I also think what was best was making new friends and if you feel like it can meet later on for more practice.

Anyways, if you are interested in joining one of their meetups I would highly suggest it. You can find them on the following sources.

• Meetup Page
• Facebook Page

If you know of any other groups that have worked for you with language exchange, do share with me as I would love to see what they are like. Anyways, I hope this language exchange business helps motivate me to really learn and use Korean this year. 

호미화방 Still the Best Art Supply Store Around

I recently spent a good amount of time in the Homi Art Supply Store in Hongdae, and have to say it is still the best art supply store around. Granted, I haven't been to many others but those that do claim to be art stores are not as thorough in their supplies, and tend to lean toward the crafty end of things.

The selection of supplies range from Korean companies to familiar Western brands.

After spending about two hours in there I walked away some new sketchbooks, pencils and a whole lot more. It's a fun place to get lost in.

Two Models One Stage

Last Saturday, after the Sketch and the City class there was the usual life drawing session from 6 to 8pm. This time, however we were treated to two models. It was an incredible challenge, especially for myself since I already have a problem with getting the whole model on the page.

Nevertheless, it was still a great time.

I did some sketching in the white paper book first, then for the longer poses moved to my black paper book. I had fun using the colored charcoal pencils and just figured if I focused on one section that would be fine.

The studio (Jankura Art Space) is going to have all sorts of different model-nights coming up, so take a look. Also if you want to see other people's drawings, check out this link.