Life is Wonderfull

In Korea, where you can often come across 'Lost-in-Translation' situations and scenes, there are lots of experiements with English. KT(Korea Telecom), an integrated wired/wireless communications service provider, aims at making our lives full of wonders.

Hotel the Sun Bee

This is Hotel the Sun Bee by which I pass every morning and night. That's because the grey building next to the hotel is where I work. I just thought the hotel's name was interesting in connection with the book title I posted yesterday: the butterfly of stars vs sun bee. These insects seem to be busy chasing lights.

Light

"He asked his father like this, 'why does pain exist?' 'In order to make changes in action.'"

Currently I'm reading a book titled "Le Papillon Des Étoiles" by Bernard Werber, a French writer, and these two phrases from a page I read today made me contemplate for a short while. It doesn't necessarily have to be pain to make some changes but sometimes, or often, a sort of shock treatment brings the most prompt result. I know today's caption is not really about things in Seoul but, if you let me make some excuses, the photo of a light was taken is Seoul and the book is no. 1 on the best-selling list at the moment.

B-Boys

Since winning at some international competitions, Korea has been one of the renowned countries of B-Boys. Recently, a musical, 'Ballerina Who Loves a B-Boy' was on a stage at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and it achieved pretty good reactions. This show will be on in London too from 23rd Sep to 21st Oct. These groups of lads on the photo are another random teams who were battling against each other sponsored by Converse.

Seat To Be Yielded

In Korean metro, on each side of a carriage are there seats for the disabled, senior citizens and pregnant women. Though you can take the seat while it is not taken, you are advised to yield it to those people who do need to be seated on the metro. And I found an additional sticker below which aimed at emphasis on caring for pregnant women who are bearing a life and love.

Beckam Humiliated

Can you see why I put the title above? You are kindly advised to click the photo to find an answer.

Thirst

Again the weather was too hot and, without anything to drink, it was difficult to walk and stand on streets, or evn take a step. All these disposable cups were supposed to be put in a dustbin but I couldn't see anything nearby.

Autumn in the Show Window

Though the hot weather still continues on this peninsula, some people are already getting ready for autumn.

Roots

A giant hooded sweatshirt on a building.

Snack Cart

Since late 90's, the megaplex cinemas has been the general trend in Korea. It's ironic, however, that we've got less options to choose films we want to watch due to domination of some major film distribution companies. Nowadays most of cinemas is filled with smell of pop corns, but the traditional snacks at Korean cinemas used to be the one on the picture above: dried/half-dried squid, dried/fried filefish, dried octopus, roasted chestnuts etc. And I'm happy to see that these are still in the cart though I do not eat anything during films.

Starbucks in Insadong

Starbucks in Insadong is the only one branch in the world whose main sign is written in the country's mother tongue. Insadong, a traditional district in Seoul, is keen to preserve its traditional atmosphere, though the actual circumstance is quite commercialised, and therefore initially didn't approve Starbucks' application to open their branch in this golden place. I'm not sure how the negotiation went, but eventually Starbucks made its wish come true under the condition of setting up its sign on the entrance written in Korean. You made it, Starbucks, but I am not happy at all with your achievement, you ugly octopus!

Closed

Fusion, or even dare I say it, hybrid. English characters written with Chinese ink on Korean paper.

* Place: a craftwork shop in Insadong

Buddhist Temple

May the mercy of Buddha be on us all.

* Place: Jogyesa, Seoul

Children's Smiles

It was really really sunshiny today and so were the children's smiles.

M-flo Loves Korea

Probably this photo will be the last one about concerts and gigs for a while. My summer has been filled with lots of music and I think I had enough. M-flo, Japan-based DJ + MC duo, is loved a lot in Korea and had their gig for new album promotion, "Cosmicolor." Now you see this photo zone board is a kind of typical stuff you meet at concerts in Korea.

Black Eyed Peas in Seoul

Black Eyed Peas had their first gig in Seoul yesterday. The weather was so hot and humid that everyone already got tired while standing more than half an hour before the gates were opened.

BEP's performance was absolutely wonderful. The atmosphere in the gym that was filled with about 10,000 of audience got heated as highly as outside.

Independence Day

Today is 62nd 'Indenpendence Day (Gwangbokjeol in Korean).' On 15th of August, 1945, Korea recovered its national rights from Japan's colonisation for 35 years. Ssamziegil was hanging out this placard on which it is written, "we are Korean." By the way, the actual South Korean national flag does not exactly look like that. The black bars are about 45-degree rotated at every corner.

Pajeon

When it's rainy, there is an appetising food and Korean's most loved food is 'Pajeon (pan cake with leeks).' And pajeon's best company is 'Makkeolli' or 'Dongdongju', types of fermented alcohol. These alcoholic beverages are normally served in an earthenware pot with a wooden ladle as you see on the photo. Pajeon, which we also call Korean pizza, can change its names depending on ingredients like seafood, kimchi, potatoes. If you come to Korea after receiving my SOS, I will treat you to these two.;)

You can also look around the photos of my home-made pajeon at my personal blog.

SOS

If I send out an SOS to you, will you come to me right away?

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme that originated in North Carolina, USA in 1937 arrived in Korea in Dec. 2004, where it chose to opened its first branch in Asia. Since then, its sweetness can be smelled in lots of commercial areas in Seoul. I'm not a fan of the doughnut, though. It is too much sugary.

Hammering Man

Heungguk Life Insurance Bldg is one of my favourite spots in Seoul. I mostly go directly to the cinematheque in basement and this place is such refreshment to me when I have got a desire to escape even for a short while.

This big art figure is "Hammering Man," with 23 metres height and 7 tons in weight, by Jonathan Borofsky, American sculptor. This man is also standing in Dallas, Seattle and Frankfurt. I know I should have had a more exposure time but I had to run not to miss the beginning of the film, "Inland Empire" by David Lynch.

Lights

Hey, girls and boys, turn on the light and let's have a party tonight.

Liquor Ads

I'm aware that many of liquor ads link themselves with sexuality but, regarding those advertisements by Korean liquor companies, the actual way they look is quite explicit I think. Of various kinds of spirits, 'soju', Korean distilled liquor always displays female models who are intended to tempt men to desire to have drinks with those glamorous models. As far as I have observed, I have to admit it works to some extent.

Pull

When I found this sticker detached a little from the fence, I couldn't help but break into laughter.^-^ Here comes the reason: the message on the yellow sticker literally says "Pull in an emergency." However, we often omit objects in sentences so some meanings can be interpreted in multisense context. In this case, though the message was meant to 'pull (this aluminum fence) in an emergency,' wicked but witty person did 'pull a sticker' in case of emergency. I thank him or her for making me smile.

* I've been trying to stick to the rule of posting a photo a day but was unable to keep it yesterday. On Tuesday I got a call my dad was in ER because of myocardial infarction and therefore I had to come down to a bigger city near my hometown to see him right after work. Fortunately, it turned out the problem is not so serious but he has to stay in hospital for a couple of days and also definitely quit smoking. I know smoking helps him release tensions in some way but now it's time he needs to find another way.

Superstition

Do you believe in superstition? I hardly do but I think some of them exist for reasons. You may remember Jongno Tower I posted more than a week ago. Behind this quite modern building, there is a little odd-looking golden monument. The locals say this is a memorial tower for those whose remains were found under construction of Jongno Tower. Before setting up this tower, it is said that dozens of construction workers lost their lives, who were directed to keep struggling on digging by a builder who ignored the bones from the underground.

What kind of superstitious stories do your towns have?

Motorway Snack Bar

This afternoon I was coming back from my short stay (how can I even call two-day off as summer holidays?) in my hometown, Geojedo, and the bus stopped at a motorway snack bar. I'm not sure about the precise English word for this place where drivers and passengers take a rest, fill their stomachs as well as their cars. Anyway, in Korea, these places have various types of food, ranging from real snacks to full menu. However, a sad thing is that not many places have their own specialties.

Pama

Can you guess how this hair salon got its name, 'PAMA'?

I'll explain it tomorrow but, before that, would like to hear your guess.

I know it's easy for Koreans so I'd appreciate if you would not say the answer.

Wish you all a good weekend.

Sauna

One of the best Korean inventions I think is 24-hour open sauna. We call it "찜질방(Jjimjilbang)."After clubbing or drinks, sometimes I go to this non-stop sauna with my friends for hot bath and a place to sleep over a night. This place is also for families so they go there and talk to each other late at night. The most brilliant part is that it ony costs 5.5 euros per night, including two towels and a clean T-shirt and shorts. Quite cheap, isn't it?

The red sign in the dark is "한증막", meaning 'sauna' and it was around 2h30.

Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival 2007 III

The band performing on the stage is 'ASH' from Northern Ireland. It was interesting to see both of UK and Irish flags from the audience.

1st Aug Theme Day: Typical Breakfast

This month's theme is Typical Breakfast, which could be food we normally eat in mornings or an occasion of breakfast in a place. So, I chose the latter and here is the photo of a late breakfast my family and relatives had on the way to a destination of one summer holiday. All we'd got were cooked rice, kimchi, soybean soup, two different types of side dishes, lettuce and sesame leaves to wrap rice and soybean paste. The menu was simple but this picture always makes my mouth get watered.

Please enjoy various kinds of breakfasts all over the world from below.

Saint Paul (MN), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - New York City (NY), USA - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hyde, UK - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Mainz, Germany - Stockholm, Sweden - Paderborn, Germany - Singapore, Singapore - Haninge, Sweden - Nottingham, UK - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Manila, Philippines - Boston (MA), USA - Seoul, Korea - Singapore, Singapore - Joplin (MO), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Paris, France - Sequim (WA), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Boston (MA), USA - Chennai, India - Madison (WI), USA - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Toulouse, France - Seattle (WA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - La Antigua, Guatemala - Selma (AL), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Sheki, Azerbaijan - Sydney, Australia - Mumbai, India - Seoul, South Korea - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - New Orleans (LA), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Villigen, Switzerland - Montréal (QC), Canada - Stayton (OR), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Moscow, Russia - Springfield (MO), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - Arlington (VA), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Anderson (SC), USA - Oslo, Norway - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Manila, Philippines - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Stavanger, Norway - Bastia, France - Hong Kong, China - Wailea (HI), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Sydney, Australia - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Kansas City (MO), USA - Grenoble, France - Paris, France - Evry, France - Saigon, Vietnam - Prague, Czech Republic - Cape Town, South Africa - Brookville (OH), USA - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Wellington, New Zealand - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Shanghai, China - Zurich, Switzerland - North Bay (ON), Canada - Lyon, France - Naples (FL), USA - Olympia (WA), USA