Ruminations in Korea

Holiday Cancellation Notice.

We regret to inform you that Groundhog Day has been cancelled in Korea this year.
The groundhog froze to death.
Winter could go on forever.

Winds of Change...

A few changes have been made here on my blog. To some, the changes may seem minor, while others may see the changes as significant. Some may not even notice the changes, and others will notice the changes immediately.

I will not get into the specifics of the changes other than to say that some people who read my blog have been concerned about some of the contents herein and the direction of a few of the posts.

While I maintain that the purpose of those posts were purely parody, satire, and to express my own shock, amazement, and outrage about certain things, others have felt that the writings were endorsements and promotion of those things. I am sure that those who know me well, understand that parody, satire, and sarcam are a big part of the way i critique society. These people also understand that it possible to say, "that is a good thing," but sarcastically actually mean, "that is the worst, stupidest, and most offensive thing i have ever seen." However, others who don't know me, may not understand this and may think that my sarcasm is a reflection of my true views and feelings.

Ordinarily, I could overlook such comments from people that don't know me and chalk them up to people's misunderstanding, lack of humor, etc. However, the sources of these complaints were from people that I cannot, in good conscience, ignore. Thus, the changes were made and care will be taken to avoid such concerns in the future.

I'm a Seeker Soul

You Are a Seeker Soul

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges. You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions. Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist. Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!). Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others. And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you. You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically. Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas. Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?

Marketing Mysteries

A new night club opened new Kwangangli Beach here in Pusan. Apparently, the club is called "Twins". Unless it is a gay club (which I doubt, because Korea frowns on such things being displayed openly), then I have no idea where the marketing company came up with idea for this poster advertisement. Gay club or not, why is dude sticking his hand in the other dude's mouth and why is this on a street where young children play? I don't care if it is two guys, two girls, or one of each, it is stupid and pointless.

If not more disturbing, then equally as disturbing as "Twins" is the Joon Bear (US$ 291)

Will someone please slap this jerk?

According to this article from Japan Today:

Expressing disgust about the unrealistic expectations that Japanese women are putting on their men because of this guy:

"Yong-sama is viewed by these women as some kind of Mr Perfect, who completely lacks a male body odor, and who doesn't even excrete semen," says Iwai. "He may seem to be appealing to these middle-aged Japanese women, but I think what the women really love are themselves."

As an added bonus (of ridculousness and stupidity)...I used to have a link to some idiotic "Korean Seduction Science" product that some morons put togther and try to sell to anyone dumb enough to buy it. I first saw the link on The Beast's Blog found it so dumb that I thought to post it here and comment on it in my usual sarcastic, mocking manner. I have removed the link becuase of all of the flak coming my way because of it. At least I am not alone in being misunderstood....The Beast's Blog owner also seems to have come under fire for basically the same thing. He says:

"Y'all need to learn how to take a joke. I wasn't serious about that thing. It was JUST A JOKE! Lighten up! It's so stupid, I had to comment on it. You know, like a dumb and dumber thing? Come on people, you know me better than that. And if you're a random person reading my blog, then you don't know me."

I second that.

The Day by Numbers

This post was inspired by a post over at A Yank Abroad. In an homage to the Incestuous Amplification blog of days gone by, I decided to count the number of times I hear certain questions, hear certain statements, or experience certain events in a single day.

Here's a fun game to play: Take the following numbers, multiply them by 365 days, then multiply the resulting number by 16.5 years and you will get some idea of how many times I have had certain experiences. It is hard for me to remain calm and keep in mind that it is probably the first time that the speaker has said or asked something even though it may literally be the 10,000th time i have heard something.

Number of times heard "You speak Korean well": 28

Number of times heard "You speak Korean well" after only hearing me say "annyeong haseyo": 17

Number of times heard "You sound just like a Korean": 27

Number of times asked "Can you eat Kimchi?": 15

Number of times asked "But isn't it Kimchi too spicy?": 15

Number of times was told directly or overheard someone say i am fat: 8

Number of times total strangers asked how much money I make: 3

Number of times someone giggled and/or laughed when I spoke Korean : 11

Number of times someone stared into my shopping basket: 5

Number of times someone yelled "Oh Yeah!" near me for no reason: 5

US Embassy Issues Warning of Threats Against Americans and Other English Speakers

In the ongoing aftermath of the English Spectrum nonsense, the US Embassy has issued the following warning about the likelihood of violence against Americans and other English speakers in university areas.

The U.S. Embassy is transmitting the following information through the
Embassy's warden system as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the
Republic of Korea. Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in
your organizations.

Recently, inflammatory sexual content was posted to a website for
English language teachers in Korea. That posting together with
subsequent postings were taken by some to demean Korean women. We have
noted recently, strong reaction in the form of web postings threatening
attacks in the vicinity of Hongik University and the Sinchon area
against Americans and other foreigners who speak English. All Americans
and their families (especially young adults) are encouraged to exercise
prudence and caution when visiting these neighborhoods. The Embassy
advises that inappropriate social behavior in public may be seen as
provocative by Korean nationals.

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul will continue to keep the U.S. community
informed of any changes in the overall security situation. The Embassy
encourages all U.S. citizens to register their presence in Korea with
the American Citizens Services (ACS) office at the U.S. Embassy or via
the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_registration.html
or http://www.asktheconsul.org/.

American Citizen Services
U.S. Embassy Seoul
32, Sejongno, Jongno-gu
Seoul 110-710, Korea
Tel: 02-397-4114
Fax: 02-397-4101
DSN: 721-4114
http://www.asktheconsul.org/ (English)
http://www.usavisas.org/ (Korean)
e-mail: seoul_acs@state.gov

To receive notices about new warnings and other notices Directly from the US Embassy by email and/or cell phone, please visit http://www.asktheconsul.org and submit your information in the appropriate box(es) on the left side.

There's Snow Place Like Home

The first snow of 2005 in Pusan fell heavily on January 16th. Here are a few shots through the scratched lens of a poor quality phone cam.

Me at Pusan Station.

Pusan Station

Bear Love

POSSIBLE KIDNAPPING OF KOREANS IN IRAQ - OR NOT.

Ok.. I've given it a week....NOTHING... apparently no koreans of any sort were kidnapped anywhere.

POSSIBLE KIDNAPPING OF KOREANS IN IRAQ - Day 2

According to the latest from Yonhap news:

South Korea said Monday no signs have emerged yet to back a claim from an insurgent group in Iraq that it has kidnapped two South Koreans.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lee Kyu-hyung said the government has been trying its best to verify the alleged abduction through the Iraqi government, the multinational military force in Iraq and other sources, but there was no indication yet that the claim is true.

POSSIBLE KIDNAPPING OF KOREANS IN IRAQ

Thanks to Kimchi GI for the initial heads up.

KOREANS KIDNAPPED IN IRAQ?

DEATH IN 72 HOURS?

Rumors are circulating that two Koreans have been kidnapped in Iraq.

According to Yonhap, Rumors of abduction reportedly arose after an insurgent group in Iraq claimed on its Web site that it was holding two South Koreans captive.

Although not specifically threatening to kill the supposed hostages, the insurgents claiming to have taken the hostages have said that "there will be "Allah's judgement" for the hostages unless Seoul withdraws its troops from the Gulf state." The threat was posted on an Arabic Web site on Thursday and the group, identified as "Al-Jihad," gave South Korea 72 hours to comply with its demand, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lee Kyu-hyung said.

Lee also said the group claimed it would issue photos of the hostages "in several hours".

Lee said officials in Iraq have determined that nothing untoward has happened to any South Koreans known to be in Iraq, but they were trying to see if there are any citizens who have entered Iraq without notifying the government.

"I cannot say for sure how reliable this threat really is," Lee said.

I think the important words in Lee's statements are "known to be in Iraq." That leaves a whole bunch of Koreans that are there for missionary activities and other "unofficial" activities that have not reported their presence to the Korean government.

More as the situation develops:

Happy New Year

Pusan's first and only snow of 2004. Light snow fell on Pusan this morning around 3:30 am. In all likelihood, this will be the only snow of the season in Pusan, as we usually get about one day of snow each year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Another Cross-Culture Humor Failure

Top Gear is a great car magazine. It is also a fun radio show and a hilarious television program.

The witty and irreverent hosts have fun with their reviews and comments. In the past, they have done such things as:

Pitting the new Lotus against an Apache gunship helicopter as the highly maneuverable Lotus attempts to avoid Apache radar lock...which ends with the host being "killed."

Having the new Aston DB9 races a train from Surrey to Monte Carlo

Watching in horror as a Jag tries to beat a harrier jet's time to the end of the aircraft carrier HMS Invincible's launch deck.

Trying to kill a 13-year old Hillux pickup truck by ramming it through buildings, drowning it, dropping trailers on it, hitting it with a wrecking ball, setting it on fire and putting it on the roof of a 23 story building as the building is being blown up.

They also do thing such as race a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti against an airplane and have a car race a bobsled down a mountain.

You may notice that these bits, with the exception of the 13 year-old truck, all involve cars that most people never even get to see in person, let alone seriously consider buying. In the face of criticism of their elitist car tastes and their snobbish praise of super-slick, super-expensive, super-sports cars, the Top Gear TV people gave in to the will of the people and stepped off their high horse for part of last Sunday's episode. According to the Episode Guide for December 26, 2004:

The Top Gear team is inundated with e-mails about how we "never feature cars real people buy" and "should stop showing off in fast cars and review sensible cars". Well, to keep those people happy, we thought we would take a look at some cars that cost less than a packet of cigarettes. All from Korea.

The team discovered that it was hard to find anything that wasn't instantly dislikeable. The reason is simple. There is a certain cost involved in making a car, mostly parts, labour and so on cost the same, relatively speaking, wherever you are in the world. So the only way Korean cars can be cheaper, is to be made out of cheaper materials. And this is the problem. It shows.

The advice is, if you want a cheap car, don't buy a new one, get a two-year-old Golf or Focus instead. You'll thank us in the end.

Apparently, during the course of the piece, the hosts, who traditionally dive the best and most expensive cars in the world, brought out washing machines and refrigerators on wheels and compared them to Korean cars.

How was this brilliant bit of elitist snobbery putting down the common folk that drive "normal," "cheap" cars received in Korea? Not well at all. But, then again, that is no surprise.

In the Chosun Ilbo we learn"

"Korean automakers are inflamed at a damning report of Korean automobiles by "Top Gear."

It was not a "report." It was not "damning." It was light-hearted satire and parody of the realities that are faced by people that can afford the ultra cars. Why did they choose Korean cars? because Korean cars are hugely popular among the common people that buy normal cars. If they wanted to "damn" someone and show how truly awful a car was, there are much worse cars than Hyundai to pick on.

"Local car manufacturers are also concerned about how much of an impact the show's one-sided analysis will have given its high ratings, and why it apparently contradicts an earlier "Top Gear" report that praised a new Hyundai model as peerless within a certain price bracket."

Again, it wasn't a serious analysis. As to why it contradicts an earlier reports praising the car, it doesn't. This is another perfect example of cross-culture humor failure. Unless it is mindless slapstick like Mr. Bean, the vast majority of Koreans cannot grasp the subtleties of English humor.

While other car companies would completely ignore such reports and treat it like the comedy it is, Hyundai took a different approach:

"On hearing the news, Korean carmakers such as Hyundai, whose "Getz" (Click) suffered concentrated derision at the hands of the program's hosts, rapidly contacted their UK offices to confirm what was said and ascertain what the program's intentions were."

Apparently unable to see how seeing four washing machines strapped together on four wheels by people who drive Ferraris Astons, Lotus, etc. for living in parody of one of the best selling cars in the European market could be funny, Hyundai execs were "perplexed."

In the case of Hyundai, Korea's flagship carmaker, the firm was perplexed after it received a report on the matter from its UK branch, which played down the report by describing the program as a purely entertainment-based show - more intent on making viewers laugh than conveying the facts.

I sure hope they never catch on to Cartalk....

Although fairly accurate, the report seemed to ignore the high regard with which the show, and particularly host and newspaper columnist Jeremy Clarkson, is held.

Whoa....Wait a minute.... What's this? The comedy piece was "fairly accurate?" If it was accurate, then what is the problem? OH!! the problem is that the flaws and shortcomings were pointed out by a highly-regarded person. So, it seems that they are upset because their product was fairly criticized by someone who has a large audience, not because it was unfair.

Industry officials say the program has previously singled out many famous foreign auto brands like Mercedes Benz, BMW, Lexus and Peugeot and subjected them to excessive criticism, so this should not be considered an isolated attack.

Again.. Does everything have to be an attack? Can't some things just be funny? Why must everything be taken so personally here. I wonder if Lotus is freaking out because in the Lotus vs. Apache helicopter story I mentioned above, the interior of the Lotus, that was praised as being one of the most maneuverable vehicles ever, was described as looking like something you would find in your grandmother's cupboard being put together with chickenwire, baking foil, and plastic....or do you think Lotus just laughed and cashed another huge check.

"However, as the show is completely of an entertainment character lacking in seriousness, it might appear odd to respond in a serious manner." ...

"not one famous foreign carmaker that has been slated on the program, including Lexus, has ever responded with a lawsuit or anything of that nature,"

Yes. It would be odd to respond to a comedy bit in a serious manner. Hyundai will look ridiculous and gave them more fodder for more comedy bits later. But, will the possibility of looking stupid do anything to deter Hyundai from actually looking stupid? No. Of course not. Just ask Anton Ohno or Paul Hamm, or Jay Leno, of Meg Ryan, or Hugh Grant, of Leonardo DiCaprio, or anyone else you has ever said (or, in DiCaprio's case, been ACCUSED of saying) anything remotely humorous or disparaging about Korea, her products, or her people.

"Hyundai will watch how the BBC responds and how the situation develops after issuing protests to the broadcasting station and the program's producers through its dealerships in the UK."

Ugh... Korea, remember one thing. Laugh, and the world laughs with you.

Cross-Culture Humor Faliure

An example of a frustrating conversation. There is something intrinsically frustrating and aggravating about explaining things like this.

Me: A man was giving a speech at a meeting. He got a bit carried away and talked for two hours. Finally, he realized what he had done and said, "I'm sorry I talked so long. I left my watch at home." A voice from the back of the room replied, "There's a calendar behind you . . . "

Korean Friend: i don't get it why calendar?

Me: He talked so long, he didn't have to look at a watch... he should look at a calendar to see how long he talked.

Korean Friend: he talked for two hours

Me: that's a long time...nevermind.

Korean Friend: what's the related thing with the calendar?

Me: just a funny way of saying he talked too long. it was only two hours, but it was so long it FELT like days.

Korean Friend: it doesn't make sence completely~~

Me:  Ugh...