korean culture

Let's go to the Movies: Korean Films with English Subtitles

Wed, 11/07/2012 - 22:33 — SeoulSearching

Thanks to Psy and the constant replay of Gangnam Style (which was recently just declared the second most watched video on YouTube EVER), the world now knows that there's much more to Korea than kimchi and electronics companies. Finally, westerners are seeing this other, hipper side of the country that Korea's neighbors discovered long ago. Korean pop culture, particularly its music (K-pop), TV shows, and and cinema have become increasingly popular around Asia and in Europe over the past decade or so. This trend, also known as the Hallyu Wave has become a big export of Korea and is one of the primary reasons tourists flock to Seoul, the Hollywood of Asia, on a regular basis.

Although music may seem to be the bigger component of The Wave, Korean cinema has become increasingly recognized and celebrated around the world. Just recently, the Korean film Pieta took home the win at the Venice Film Festival. The Thieves was just proclaimed to be the most popular closing night film ever at the International Hawaii Film Festival. Even Hollywood is getting in on the Korean film action. Oldboy, a controversial revenge film, is currently being remade by Spike Lee and is expected to come out in October of next year.

Although I have always been a fan of foreign films, I didn't get into Korean films until I moved here. I've seen my fair share of them via MySoju, a web database of Korean movies and TV shows that can be streamed with English subtitles. I have, for the most part, been impressed with the ones that I've seen. Romances tend to be a bit cheesy (with inevitable endings of cancer or amnesia) but dramas and horror flicks are done quite well. I've also learned a lot about Korean culture in addition to some useful phrases through these movies. Still, watching the films on a 10 inch netbook with the occasional error or freeze leaves something to be desired. Fortunately, I, along with other foreigners in Korea, no longer have to rely on the internet to get our Korean film fix.

Not-So-Normal-Norms, Part IV

Sun, 10/21/2012 - 17:17 — SeoulSearching

It's time for more not-so-normal norms! This time, I talk about the Korean version of a milkman, cell phone accessories, personal space, and movie theater culture. Please remember that this segment has been written to point out differences that I've noticed in cultural norms between my home country, America, and my new home, Korea. My comments are in no way intended to degrade Korean culture or Korean people.

WKB Tour 2012 - The Gunsan Goodbye, Day 3

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 14:55 — thejessicasteele

Jinpo Marine Theme Park in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do

WKB Tour 2012 - Scenic Seonyou-do, Days 2 & 3

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 12:34 — thejessicasteele

L to R: Asif, Dorothea, Gisela, Ema, Anabel, and Maria,
and our guide Grace and me in the front, smiling on Seonyou Isalnd

WKB Tour 2012 - Welcome Dinner in Seoul

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 01:22 — thejessicasteele

Dinner at Bulgogi Brothers in Seoul Finance Centre with my new blog friends.
L to R: Ema, Annabel, Grace, me, Gisela, Dorothea, and Maria

WKB Tour 2012 - Historic Jeonju, Days 1 and 2

Thu, 10/11/2012 - 17:27 — thejessicasteele

Front to back, left to right: Me, Dorothea, Annabel, Ema;
Maria, Gisela and Yeon enjoy dinner in Jeonju

WKB Tour 2012, from Seoul to Gunsan

Wed, 10/10/2012 - 23:58 — thejessicasteele

WKB Tour 2012 (L to R): Asif, Dorothea, Gisela, Ema, Anabel, and Maria,
and our guide Grace and me in the front

Chuseok Traditions, Hagwon Style

Sat, 10/06/2012 - 19:32 — SeoulSearching

Recently, I wrote a post about all of the wonderful reasons to love autumn in Korea. Not listed in the post but very much included in my reasons for loving the season is that of Chuseok. Chuseok is a Korean holiday that celebrates the autumn harvest and is held around the autumn equinox based on the lunar calendar. It is usually three days long and is one of the few times of the year that Koreans take time off of work and visit their hometowns to share an autumn feast with their families in celebration of the harvest. Chuseok is also a time to remember ancestors through various ceremonies.

Drum beating and twirling: Video

Thu, 10/04/2012 - 17:39 — foreignerjoy

So energetic and colorful, it certainly was mesmerizing.

Chuseok Luck

Fri, 09/28/2012 - 17:31 — foreignerjoy

So it is the time of year again in Korea where the town empties out and stores close for the Chuseok holiday. But you know what? It's also my birthday and so I am a happy camper this Chuseok as I get to celebrate my birthday and also get a 5 day weekend!

Even though most places will be closed I will be out hunting for one that is open with friends in hopes of celebrating the occasion. If on Sunday this doesn't work out then I'll have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to celebrate. Plus there are festivities going on at the palaces (which will be free to enter) and with weekdays off next week I could do more exploring.

I'm one happy gal this Chuseok :) Thank you Korea!

Typography Exhibit: Tokyo TDC Seoul 2012

Wed, 09/26/2012 - 18:50 — foreignerjoy

Typography: known as the process or art of arranging types and printing from them. Basically evolving from writing stuff down to making it available to the masses. Certainly the history of typography is something of interest, but why not check into a gallery celebrating contemporary works in the medium?

FALLing in Love with Korea in Autumn

Sat, 09/22/2012 - 12:14 — SeoulSearching

I can feel it.

There's a crispness in the air that whispers fall is close. So close, in fact, that the first hints of autumn colors can be seen streaking the mostly verdant leaves that canopy the green spaces of Seoul. The aroma of roasting chestnuts permeates the busy streets downtown. Sweaters take over the storefronts of Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and Sinsa, the shopping havens of the city.

Yes, I can feel it. And I'm giddy.

You see, there's something about autumn that makes my heart beat a little faster. There always has been. When I lived in America, it was tailgating and trick-or-treating that did it for me. But here, in Korea, there are a number of things that instill a sense of infatuation deep within me that keep me waiting for this beautiful season every year.

Backpack Full of School Supplies

Wed, 09/12/2012 - 19:26 — SeoulSearching

It never ceased to amaze me how abruptly summer vacation came to an end as a kid. The magical, care-free days of summer seemed to cease overnight, without the slightest warning of abandonment. It was always a depressing time for me, knowing that there would be no more trips to the beaches of Florida or endless afternoons spent watching Nickelodeon. But, the end of summer did mean one good thing: new school supplies. For the strangest reason, that annual trip to K-Mart for new supplies filled my little heart with such content. Looking back on it, I wonder why I ever felt that way about notebooks and erasers, but I'm glad to now see that I wasn't the only one who gets excited over new pencils.

Hanboks and High Class Tea

Mon, 09/10/2012 - 18:54 — SeoulSearching

Having kicked off earlier this month, the 7th annual Korea in Motion Festival is once again showcasing the very best nonverbal performances the country has to offer. The lineup this year is fantastic, with shows including genres of dance, traditional culture, music, comedy, and action. For the month of September, theater enthusiasts can see Seoul's top performances for up to 50% off the normal ticket price. Schedules and prices can be found at the KOINMO website and tickets can be purchased at the Korea Tourism Organization building located on the Cheongyechon in downtown Seoul.

As part of the promotion, I was one of the KTO's K-performance supporters invited to attend MiSuDa, one of the showcased performances of the festival. As it turned out, it was more of a cultural experience than a performance, but I was excited to be there regardless.

Seomyeon's In Tractor: Kitsch in the Kitchen

Fri, 09/07/2012 - 18:23 — thejessicasteele


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