loud

Anyone who has lived in Korea in the past two years or so should probably know exactly what store and which song this comic is referencing. For those of you that don’t, click here and enjoy. Be warned. It’s terribly catchy.

While hearing this song for the entirety of my shopping trips was a little strange at first, I eventually grew to love it and even started looking forward to it. What can I say? It puts me in a great mood for no real reason. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only person who feels this way. I just know a number of friends and I were a little heartbroken when they changed the song over the past few years to something more generic and pop-friendly.

I suddenly want to go shopping for groceries I don’t need now…

I won’t lie, that last panel was fun to draw.

Anyways, let’s all just try and ignore the fact that I’ve enjoyed the fine art of karaoke for a very VERY long time. If anything, this comic is more of a representation of many people I’ve met out here in Korea. At first, they seem hesitant and even outright against the whole idea of singing in front of other people. After you give them a good half hour or so with that ridiculously large book (which is difficult to share, depending on who you’re with), they’ll eventually find something that’s worth putting their fears and shame aside for.

A few weeks ago I went to the cinema in Jangsan, Haeundae. Practically everything I enjoy about the cinema was there. Movie posters, old and new, selling their films to a world ready to be taken out of the everyday world for a gifted moment or two. There was the almost tangible feeling of the alluring anticipation of seeing a film on the big screen. Then sitting in your seat just in time to catch the trailers of future films, designed to do nothing more than entice you back to the cinema. Finally, being lost (hopefully) in a world that the director is trying to portray. All parts of the cinema magic were to be found in that typical Korean cinema.