While getting ready for the next episode, I found this little baby and thought that it would be cool to share this with everyone as this is our “supposed” thought process while discussing anything Kpop-related. It may be difficult, but we have made a commitment to live up to our name. We have yet to see if we are as committed as we say we are though, because really, when was Kpop ever rational?

Chart credits: Brandon Scott Gorrell

Anyway, be on the lookout for our next episode to be released over the weekend. We have a lot of things in store for you, so do stick around! If you want us to discuss something, ask us a question, or simply give us a holler, you can email us at [email protected], tweet us @ARKpopPodcast or leave a comment.

Until the next episode!

I’m confused – is North Korea set to collapse, or not? Last month, in the throes of the irrational exuberance of Tahrir Square, South Korean conservative unificationistas dared to speculate about a North Korean revolution. Now, it seems the Unification Minister has stopped drinking the kool-aid

Speaking in a lecture, [ROK Unification Minister]Hyun[In-taek] said the political and military instability in Pyongyang appears to be “mild” and “not too bad” even though the social and economic aspects beckon relatively greater concern.

“(We) have concluded that things are not so serious as to consider the collapse of the North Korean regime,” Hyun said, calling its political situation “relatively more stable than in the past.”

“The (instability) index appears to have dropped because North Korea’s control was strong,” he said.

North Korea runs one of the most controlled societies in the world, isolating its 24 million population from outside information and operating a cult of personality around the Kim dynasty.

In another forum, Um Jong-sik, deputy to Hyun, told a group of foreign diplomats assigned to both Seoul and Pyongyang that it was “difficult for now” to tell how North Korea would behave in terms of its relations with South Korea.

Huh? Did reality set in over the weekend? And, what’s this “index”? Sounds, you know, empirical, not ideological.

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Jeonju has just enough to offer for a full weekend – not so much that you feel overwhelmed, but enough that you like you saw it all. There’s enough variety in the sights, enough walking, and enough places to take pictures for your friends back home. There’s even a couple of local dishes worth trying. It ain’t perfect, but as a weekend getaway it’s hard to beat.

Our first meal after arriving at Jeonju station: the local version of bibimbap (rice, veggies, and an egg that eventually mixed together once the photos are taken). As a guest poster mentioned, the Jeonju version of bibimbap features fresh bean sprouts and a yellow jelly made from mung beans.

With lunch digesting, a taxi swiftly took us to the main destination for many: the Jeonju Hanok Village (전주한옥마을).

To be perfectly honest, I’m not quite sure what to make of this place. While the 800-strong hanok show off Korean traditional housing quite nicely, so many of them feature shops or restaurants that it’s hard to imagine people actually living inside them. They seem perfectly suited as sales floors, particularly for these exquisite pieces of furniture. Plenty of other souvenirs, including some relatively cheap paper offerings, may make someone’s birthday or holiday that much more interesting.

When you’re ready for the sightseeing, the 1950′s-esque ‘PHOTO SPOT’ signs aim to point your camera in the right direction. There are several throughout the village that we saw; the one above gives this view:

The spring can’t wait to arrive.

While not every hanok was authentically old, they were built along the same lines as the original houses. Some construction in the area revealed a brand-new building – complete with the structures and styles of a centuries-old house. The consolation here is that artificially aging the wood would probably be even more glaringly obvious.

Properly built, they’re likely to be lived in by the owner’s grandchildren – and then some.

While spending an entire day in the Hanok Village is an option, the Lady in Red and I were ready to move on. Plenty of other sights within Jeonju – and quite a few within walking distance. Our next stop, on the outskirts of the Hanok Village, is Gyeonggijeon - a shrine to preserve the portrait of King Taejo (r. 1392-1398).

A 하마비 (下馬碑), or hamabi.This stone tablet in front of the entrance commands horse riders to dismount before entering as a sign of respect.

A hongsalmun (홍살문, 紅箭門) stands as a reminder of royalty; even though the shrine holds a mere portrait of a king, it’s still revered and honored.

After making your way through a couple more gates, the main building holding the eojin (portrait) presents itself. While the furniture is a bit dusty, it’s an interesting glimpse into the styles from the times.

King Taejo himself – replete in his ikseongwan (the crown he would wear while working) and gonryongpo (a royal robe).

The shrine also contains all the buildings necessary to carry out the ceremonies the shrine requires. Everything from a yongsil (the mill) to a seojae (where officials performed purification ceremonies) to this, a subokcheong (where lower-level officials worked to prepare the ceremonies).

Stay tuned for part 2, where we explore a Catholic cathedral, some interesting outdoor art, and an odd-looking Chinatown.

Ratings (out of 5 taeguks): How do I rate destinations?
Ease to arrive:

Foreigner-friendly:

Convenience facilities:

Worth the visit:

© Chris Backe – 2011

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