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Caprica’s Cancellation

Just when I was recovering faith in television, Syfy announces the cancellation of Caprica. Annalee Newitz supplies a fitting paean to a show that doesn’t deserve such an ignominious end.

Although Caprica was occasionally uneven, it truly was brilliant at times and it tackled topics like virtual worlds and religious fanaticism that are rarely treated with any subtlety on television.

It separated itself from the standard scifi television fare in other ways too. The series depicted a retro-futurist world, blending 1950s styles with far-future technologies. And it had a female mad scientist as its protagonist: Zoe, the young woman whose inventions helped create both the cylons and the possibility of virtual life after death. I think in a decade, we may look back at Caprica as a show that was ahead of its time – and cut down before it had a chance to fully realize its dark, weird vision of a world on the edge of inventing artificial life.

I would add that the budding exploration of the monotheist cult and its terrorist cell was the show’s sweet indulgence. But, even more worrying than what the network’s wimpy flight from theological apostasy might mean, I’m troubled by the network’s decision to produce a “military SF/space opera” prequel to the original “military SF/space opera”, Battlestar Galactica. Can’t even geeks do without creeping militarization in their entertainment?

Filed under: TV, USA Tagged: battlestar galactica, caprica, science fiction, syfy

Serious Fun at the Brilliant Comrade’s Expense (Video)

Not everyone in North Korea likes Kim Jong-un. As a matter of fact, derision seems to permeate all levels of society, from official party publications (via OFK)…

According to the source, after seeing Kim Jeong-eun’s picture posted on Rodong Sinmun, a bulletin from the Workers’ Party displayed instances of open criticism. “Who is Kim Jeong-eun, the new general? And what great contribution has he made for the nation and people?” “This outrageous event is something that can only happen in a despotic nation like Chosun,”

…to satirical ditties.

The children’s song is a well-known one in South Korea called “Three Bears” (LF Note: Google video added – Korean lyrics).

The re-written lyrics of the song, NKIS claims, are as follows: “Three bears in a house, pocketing everything; grandpa bear, papa bear and baby bear. Grandpa Bear is fat, Papa Bear is fat, too, and Baby Bear is a doofus.”

Even though when singing the song the Kim family members are not named, a short glance reveals the song’s satirical nature, leading the authorities to reportedly treat it as a reactionary element and investigate its origin.

The real song, which is about a cute bear family with a chubby papa bear, a slim mommy bear and a cute baby bear in a house, has been popular since 2007, when a famous South Korean drama, “Full House,” in which main characters sing the song several times, reached North Korea.

Since then, it has been sung widely by children, including in kindergartens, since it does not contain any ideological element and has only simple, repetitious lyrics.

The NKIS report adds that people who sing the song now risk inadvertently getting punished.

According to NKIS, in one case students from Haebang Senior Middle School were caught and beaten overnight by National Security Agency agents because they sang the song to the tune of a guitar.

The NKIS source added, “The authorities are extremely sensitive because there have been several attempted arson cases and negative opinions directed at the Kim Jong Eun succession,” so, “For the time being, it is impossible to sing South Korean or other foreign songs.”

Kim, who escaped from North Korean in 2009, explained that people tend to sing songs to satirize their dire situation or thumb their noses at tough regulations by changing lyrics, a trend which is booming among teenagers. However, directly satirizing the Kim family is a much more recent phenomenon.

She introduced another example, “One of the representative Kim Jong Il idolization songs is ‘The rolling thunder at Jong Il Peak.’ One part says, ‘Jong Il Peak is rising,’ but children change it to ‘Jong Il Peak is collapsing,’ just for fun.”

She said even though parents try to stop children from singing like that, kids just enjoy it and cannot easily be stopped.

It seems North Koreans are as perplexed by the decision to elevate Kim Jong-un to putative successor as the rest of the world is. The twist on a South Korean song vindicates the subversive hopes of leadfetting proponents, but the sophistication of the satirical lyrics is still refreshing. How many kids in America could satirize Joe Biden? On the other hand, why can’t they just be kids, and not get battered by government agents?

Filed under: Korea, Politics Tagged: dprk, full house, kim jong un, nkis, north korea, rok, South Korea

Fresh Breath

No doubt, I talk a lot of shit on this blog. I can’t help it. There’s so many quirky Korean oddities to comment on. However not everything I come come across in the land of soju and shiny suit ajosshis is a mindfuck. Sure, I don’t get the public toilets or traffic lights, but there’s a lot still plenty about Korea that makes perfect sense.

An example?

After a few weeks on the job I begin to notice that all the teachers in my school disappear after lunch. Five minutes before the afternoon classes start I’m the only adult in sight, then all of a sudden teachers seem to be dashing from random corners, making it into their classrooms just seconds before the bell rings. The students don’t even seem to notice. I started thinking I was missing out on some daily post lunch party. For all I knew my co-workers were taking off to slam shots of soju and huff paint in the back parking lot. Whatever it was, I wanted in. Not being invited made me feel like an outsider. I love a good workday buzz as much as the next man. Turns out that after scarfing down lunch, all the teachers ritually head off to the little boys and girls rooms to brush their teeth.

This, my friends, is shear Korean brilliance.

For those that don’t know, a great deal of Korean cuisine–as good as it is–can leave ones breath smelling like a poo paper bin in a subway station. Take kimchi for example–fermented fucking cabbage. This is served everyday at lunch (and damn near every other meal for that matter). I eat in in small servings whilst holding my breath. The smell is just that bad.

Once on the subway, I was accosted by the kimchi breadth of an ajosshi who insisted he hold a conversation with me while standing several centimeters from my face the added rank soju stench only made matters worse. My eyes teared up every time he exhaled and it gave me the bubble guts for close to an hour after I reached my destination.

Now imagine being a poor Korean student held hostage by his english speaker’s stank ass breath. The kiddies would sing harsh playground songs about you. Everytime you leaned over to help a child one-on-one, they would quickly cover their nose for fear of inhaling the toxic fumes coming for your mouth. They’d probably even run home and explain to their parents that their learning is being hindered by your lack of dental hygiene.
“What did to you lean at school today Sang Jun?”
“Not a damn thing. Teecha’s smelly breath make my head hurt!”

My co-workers clearly want to avoid this dilemma, which is why they take the time to address their kimchi ladened breath everyday after lunch everyday before returning to their classrooms.

I now follow suit with the post-lunch ritual and keep my desk drawer fully stocked with a toothbrush, toothpaste, Listerine, floss, and gum. After eating I retreat to the fifth floor bathroom and go to work on my pearly whites. It’s a routine I expect to take back to the states. My mother would be so proud.

Ciao,

Kimchi Dreadlocks

Any Busan Hallowe'en events for kids?

Title says it all.

My son is five years old, western age, and is suddenly excited about Hallowe'en. I know there are a few plays - we will go to Eulsookdo for, I think the little pig, his 3 older brothers, and the big bad wolf- but are any department stores or culture centres doing anything explicitly for Hallowe'en?

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And now, for something completely different...

As further proof that you never know everything that's going on, I present to you a few pictures from a Ginseng Festival in downtown Seoul. Held last weekend, the Lady in Red and I wandered around the Cheonggyecheon area and came across it.

Prices ranged from 40,000 per kilogram on up - way up. Koreans take this stuff seriously, that's for certain

It's rather difficult for me, the foreigner, to figure out what makes one box more valuable / better than another.

Anyway, it's a reminder that there's always something happening in downtown Seoul, whether you've heard about it or not.

This post was originally published on my blog,Chris in South Korea. If you are reading this on another website and there is no linkback or credit given, you are reading an UNAUTHORIZED FEED.

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Oneweirdglobe.com

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Me on Arirang TV – Korea

Arirang TV approached me some time ago to do a small segment on Han River in the Today’s Blog section.

It was fun shooting all day with the Arirang Crew. And they made sure that I was having a very good time as you can see in my video (in spite of my nervousness). Since this is my first video it gives me a lot of obvious hints on things I need to work on. Specially my voice.

But I hope you guys enjoy this video and give me valuable feedback for my improvement.

Alternatively you can also watch it on the Arirang TV’s website here -

The Korea Guide on Arirang TV

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Jonathan Franzen on “Freedom” (Video)

Jonathan Franzen confirms my suspicion, that no one should ask an author about his/her work. To his credit Franzen, I think, recognizes this, when he characterizes himself as a professional interviewee and an amateur writer. Still that doesn’t stop him from drawing an analogy from friendship to political freedom. It’s part of the Aristotelian framework, but alien to American traditions.

Franzen is also particularly unpersuasive when he strays into a critique of American foreign policy. Heather Hurlburt takes a much more troubling turn when she considers the relationship between militarization and democratization.

Filed under: bhtv, Eurasian Balkans, Military, Politics, USA Tagged: freedom, heather hurlburt, jonathan franzen, shahid buttar, the guardian

24 Hours in Seoul!

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http://farmboyandcitygirl.com

I'm Going to Eat You Up - Portland Foodcarts

Oh Portland, you are quite the town.

We’ve had some pretty delicious times together.

I can’t claim to have eaten at all of your adorable little food carts, but I have grown a little plump from a few of your bests.

Korean Twist

SW 10th & Alder
It was my first, and it was love.

Whoever invented the bulgogi taco is a genius.

BBQ Fusion
SW 10th & Alder
Sometimes a girl doesn’t want to eat like a delicate flower,
she wants to bite into something big and messy.

Perierra Crêperie
SE 12th & Hawthorne
They may have mixed up my order and given me a different crepe than I had ordered,
but I think the boy with all the tattoos was looking out for me.
Not only are their crepes delicious, but their milkshakes are just as imaginative.

Potato Champion
SE 12th & Hawthorne
I am not really a poutine lady. I might speak French with a dirty accent, and lived in la belle province, but I’ve never really caught on to the whole poutine racket … and ok, maybe Potato Champion’s gravy was a little on the sweet side, but I am definitely a fries girl & ketchup girl. These boys know how to make fries, and they know how to make sauces. Rosemary truffle ketchup, or tarragon anchovy mayo anyone?

Food Cart Favorites: The Sugar Cube from Portland Monthly on Vimeo.

Sugar Cube
Mississippi & Skidamore
"Boozy yellow cake, infused with copious amounts of brandy, a hint of orange zest and then dipped in sexy bittersweet chocolate ganache. This little gem comes with a coke straw and a Colombian sugar bump."
She describes it better than I could.

Then again ...
sometimes it's nice to just stay home and have someone make you something delicious.

Koreabridge