tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69890739003082441492024-02-09T02:00:50.458+10:00Delightful 김치Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.comBlogger226125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-8382703061779398472012-04-05T18:24:00.001+10:002012-04-05T18:24:01.620+10:00Announcing my move!<p align="justify">I have decided to make the move to wordpress! </p> <p align="justify">For my close friends/family who have been following my blogs for a long time, I know this is AGAIN one of the MANY huge changes I have taken over the past 5-6 years (?). I myself can’t count how many times I’ve moved blogs, changed names, etc. I get tired of THINGS easily, I admit that. But I have been contemplating to change my blog name for a while now… so why not make a complete change of blog host? Fear not though, because I have exported all my blog entries to that new blog. There are just too many precious entries in this blog I don’t want to chuck aside. </p> <p align="justify">See all of you on the other side! </p> <p><a title="http://scribblesatdusk.wordpress.com/" href="http://scribblesatdusk.wordpress.com/">http://scribblesatdusk.wordpress.com/</a></p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-77333609469135959902012-04-04T21:36:00.001+10:002012-04-04T21:36:07.717+10:00The Downsides to Korea…<p align="justify">I realised I don’t really blog much (or never) about the downsides or bad experiences I’ve had with the culture or society. Well, I didn’t really experience anything bad personally until the last time when I had stayed in Seoul for 3 months, albeit not long but longer than a normal tourist would stay, I had realised some societal problems. I’ve been wanting to blog about this during my stay in Korea (Nov-Feb), but thanks to severe procrastination and lack of motivation, this post is finally churned out 2 months after ending the awesome stay I had in Seoul.</p> <p align="justify">Smoking and the very bad traffic regulations in S. Korea (in particularly, Seoul) are the two particular thorns that I’ve experienced during my stay. Perhaps the fact that I’m from Singapore where traffic rules and regulations are strict and drivers, most of the time, would adhere to them compliantly has made me quite sensitive to the audacious traffic in Seoul. </p> <p align="justify">In Korea, I always had to put on an extra guard when crossing the road because <em>even when</em> the traffic light is red and the green man is on, a lot of the cars would just zoom by! Alright, so I’m talking about a small one-way road with one traffic light and I believe that the drivers think that it’s not necessary to stop to allow pedestrians to cross. But certainly, that is no excuse! Of course, on bigger roads, drivers tend to comply to the traffic lights but with the amount of reckless drivers in Seoul, a pedestrian always has to be extra extra careful when crossing any roads.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OUAykqcMXfI/T3wxJcV-ClI/AAAAAAAADYc/Lmjb3C1T3E8/s1600-h/image%25255B8%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5CYWUY-alsw/T3wxNgiC1QI/AAAAAAAADYk/FoJHJPEDpHQ/image_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="394" height="251" /></a></p> <p align="justify">It’s not just the dangerous interaction between pedestrians and drivers but it includes the absence of driving etiquette between drivers as well. It is very common to see drivers cut lanes abruptly, without giving signals or some drivers would signal but the other drivers wouldn’t allow the drivers to change lane by dangerously tail-gating the front car. I supposed this might stem from the Koreans’ competitive attitudes, especially in the capital city where everyone seems to be in a hurry, even when they’re walking on the streets and in the subways.</p> <p align="justify">Once, I was lost in the subway for about a few minutes because that station had so many escalators leading to different lines. So I was kind of walking slowly, unsure of which escalator to take and suddenly in a split second, a large crowd of commuters rushed past me. A middle-aged man almost ran into me but he prevented the collision by swerving past me expertly. It was kind of scary being lost in a crowd of <em>seemingly</em> unfeeling, hoggish strangers.</p> <p align="justify">Some of these strangers can be rather inconsiderate, which brings me to the thing about smoking in Korea. It is widely known that Koreans smoke a lot and this is also frequently depicted in their media outlets, from movies to photo shoots. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2J-UBpbIFyc/T3wxR_LcLuI/AAAAAAAADYs/RpYCppzYVHA/s1600-h/image%25255B22%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Son Ye-jin smoking photo shoot" border="0" alt="Son Ye-Jin smoking photo shoot" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1xYVujRij84/T3wxUkXybGI/AAAAAAAADY0/Q6TtqkGG8fI/image_thumb%25255B11%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="298" height="373" /></a>Son Ye-Jin, being portrayed as a sexy smoker in a photo shoot for Singles magazine</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fmbo2TUSLhk/T3wxZ61bnaI/AAAAAAAADY8/ERoXoXHCQFo/s1600-h/image%25255B23%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kim Hye-su in The War of Flower" border="0" alt="Kim Hye-su smoking " src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e1_kJz7IUoI/T3wxeEnyBBI/AAAAAAAADZE/YNXEnDSr8ho/image_thumb%25255B12%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="433" height="303" /></a>Kim Hye-su in movie, ‘타짜’ / 'The War of Flower’</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--9B59mNjB7Y/T3wxn2E33LI/AAAAAAAADZM/96MRoC6TyAU/s1600-h/image%25255B43%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="won bin smoking" border="0" alt="won bin smoking" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6rS-0c7Z4NM/T3wxtUGvicI/AAAAAAAADZU/MtVEOPfKBrc/image_thumb%25255B24%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="348" height="361" /></a>Why is Won Bin so hot even with a poison stick?</p> <p align="justify">Sometimes media tend to blow things up a little and I didn’t think that the situation would be even more serious in reality than movies, dramas and photo shoots. I was taken quite aback to realise that there are so many restaurants and cafes where they allow smoking indoors. Majority of the cafes have a small separate smoking room for smokers to kick back and relax but there are SOME that allow smokers to smoke everywhere they like. I’ve encountered a couple of such places and it was just horrible. It was excruciating to sit there, trying to swallow a cup of caramel latte while staring at the white streaks of smoke surrounding me in an enclosed place where there is no where else the smoke has to go except into my lungs! Such cafes are definitely not for non-smokers to hang out, chit-chat and enjoy a cuppa. Honestly, I was completely astonished when I had such an experience for the first time in Korea. </p> <p align="justify">Restaurants have an even worse record. I cannot count on my fingers, how many of the Korean restaurants I’ve been to allow smoking indoors without separated areas. Bf said that most 술집 (bars ; literally “alcohol house”) allow smoking indoors and so do some restaurants that serve alcohol, so that’s probably more than 80% of the restaurants in Korea. It was always such a huge downer to see white streaks of smoke floating in front of me when enjoying my BBQ pork ribs meal, and realising the people at the table next to ours were smoking. That means I was not only filling up my stomach with food but my lungs with poisonous gas throughout the entire meal.</p> <p align="justify">It also seem like there are a lot of instances when people smoke anywhere they like even though certain places are forbidden, such as in the cabin of a subway train:</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sil8-6gBJxo/T3wx2DJ1YlI/AAAAAAAADZc/IGzVFOp8Jdk/s1600-h/image%25255B37%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vEhVTWXiq8E/T3wx5gRsucI/AAAAAAAADZk/Eb7Hrnb0Px4/image_thumb%25255B20%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="253" height="349" /></a>   <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xh1Yr4KDECQ/T3wyDGdgHGI/AAAAAAAADZs/FftKTM5ybCk/s1600-h/image%25255B38%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nl_6iDMlXPc/T3wyHg2D09I/AAAAAAAADZ0/7Q-AEJUcyVw/image_thumb%25255B21%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="256" height="348" /></a></p> <p align="justify">I personally think that certain rules, which <em>may</em> face heavy criticisms by the Korean public, such as prohibiting smoking indoors (EVERYWHERE) and decreasing the amount of smoking-areas around the country need to be implemented by the government unless they want <a href="http://thegrandnarrative.com/2012/04/02/korean-smokers-students/"><u>this VERY disturbing trend</u></a> to proliferate even more. And, what about the non-smokers who don’t want to be second-hand smokers but cannot help it? </p> <p align="justify">I suppose this angst in me to the two issues I faced in Korea stems from the fact that I am from Singapore, where the strict country rules have <em>pretty much</em> regulated a smoking-free environment and cultivated <em>relatively</em> <em>decent</em> driving etiquettes in drivers. </p> <p align="justify">Lastly, here’s an old clip of DB5K singing the ‘Stop Smoking Song’ back in 2008, with a strong focus on second-hand smoking (간접흡연). </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 420px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:31fc2837-1f9e-448d-b562-bade5a0aeb5c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="4f13991a-6c28-41b0-bf6e-99acbaca120b" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXjqJFmc1MY" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JgrJUdA3b9Y/T3wyJLGiVxI/AAAAAAAADZ8/OdQt_3Y3lQE/video284ebb70199d%25255B21%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('4f13991a-6c28-41b0-bf6e-99acbaca120b'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"420\" height=\"315\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/FXjqJFmc1MY?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/FXjqJFmc1MY?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-9002570511712901592012-03-29T19:13:00.001+10:002012-03-30T16:47:47.384+10:00큰 칼…<p align="justify">I don’t know what to say of this situation that occurred yesterday.</p> <p align="justify">While translating '”우행시” (abbreviation of 우리들의 행복한 시간), AKA “Our Happy Times” which is the novel that I’m working on for my thesis, I came across an intertextual reference in one of the paragraphs. The author made reference to one of Korea’s most famous folk tales, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chunhyangjeon">춘향전 Chun-hyang Jeon</a>. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X0uWOlAJ580/T3VXBCqqaYI/AAAAAAAADYM/IRv4FQtDnJM/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2hTzaTV2uXw/T3VXEPBKxZI/AAAAAAAADYU/rCM44_Nlf-c/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="220" height="220" /></a></p> <p align="justify">춘향이가 <u><strong><font size="3">큰 칼을 쓰고 앉아 있는 것은</font></strong></u> 청승스럽고 미련스럽고 아니면 무언가 위엄 같은 것이 있어 보였지만, 그건 어디까지나 훗날 당연히 이몽룡과 함께 도래할 극적인 정의의 반전을 위해 비참하면 할수록 좋은 도구이겠지만, 21세기가 다가오는 때, 실은 그건 좀 충격적이었다. </p> <p align="justify">My translation:<em> When Chun-hyang was <strong><u>in a cangue,</u></strong> she had looked pitiful and silly, if not somewhat dignified, but the more miserable she looked, the better it was for the inevitable dramatic reversal of justice that came along with Lee Mong-ryong.</em></p> <p align="justify">The translation is a revised version. At first, I thought that ‘큰 칼’ supposedly meant ‘large knife’ so I had translated the front clause as “When Chun-hyang was sitting down, using a large knife,…” Apparently, there was a second meaning which I didn’t know of when I first translated it so when I presented the un-revised version to my supervisor, he was quite confused. <em>Why did the author mention Chun-hyang using a large knife in this context?</em> Mind-boggled, he went to google Chun-hyang Jeon to look for clues to this ‘knife’. After briefly looking through an online text of Chun-hyang, he suspected that 큰 칼 was referring to a ‘large cangue’ instead of ‘knife’, but he wasn’t sure. So he asked me if I knew Gong Ji-young’s (author of novel) email or contact details so that he could ask her about it. I said the only way I knew how to contact her was through her twitter. So I logged into twitter and he sent a message (in Korean, of course) to her asking about the meaning of ‘큰 칼’. </p> <p align="justify">After that, I didn’t dwell on this matter anymore but waited for the author’s reply. At night, when Bf came online, I took the chance to ask him about the meaning of 큰 칼. After a few minutes he was able to give me a perfect answer of the word. Indeed, besides meaning ‘knife’, it also meant ‘cangue’ or ‘pillory’. He said it was in the naver dictionary! The dictionary which was like my bible during the translating process had this word?!! I was dumbfounded. Why didn’t I look it up in naver? I had assume it ONLY meant ‘knife’… And I felt so embarrassed for my prof and about the message sent to GJY. She must think, <em>I’m not dictionary, look it up yourself</em>. And no, she didn’t reply my tweet.</p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-11357940025190273742012-03-21T21:13:00.001+10:002012-03-21T21:28:39.449+10:00떡볶이 Ddeok Boggi/ Spicy Rice Cakes: Recipe (Translated!)<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fZ6btjhKYcE/T2m3WTuQbVI/AAAAAAAADXM/BBXWxBtm2oM/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6XgCP4zi5AA/T2m3bGPdrZI/AAAAAAAADXU/plod2WpwI-Y/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="355" height="274" /></a>떡볶이<em> Ddeok Boggi</em>/ Spicy Rice Cake</p> <p align="justify">For people who are interested in making authentic Korean dishes, I believe that learning from the Korean themselves is the best way of making them. So I decided to translate this recipe from the blog of a published Korean cook for those who are keen on the attempt of making a good <em>ddeok boggi</em> dish <strong>from scratch, i.e. no instant sauces</strong>! <u>In addition, this recipe is aimed at making home-made <em>ddeok boggi</em> to taste as good as <em>ddeok boggi</em> sold in cart stalls on the streets of Korea</u> (usually a feat that is difficult to achieve at home as claimed by the author). Unfortunately, I cannot copy and paste the wonderful HD photos, taken for each step, from her blog. The photos are very helpful and perhaps, one can even cook up a dish JUST by looking at the photos! <a href="http://blog.naver.com/hyleeyan?Redirect=Log&logNo=149070116">Click here for the original blog post!!</a> </p> <p><font face="Calibri"><strong>Ingredients:</strong> <br />20 pieces of rice cakes <br />3 pieces of fish cake <br />¼  white onion <br />1/3 carrot <br />7 pieces of sesame leaves <br />½ stalk of spring onion <br />a pinch of sesame seeds</font></p> <p><font face="Calibri"><strong>Anchovy Kelp Broth:</strong> <br />A handful of anchovies <br />1 piece of white radish (100g) <br />1 piece of kelp (10 by 10cm) <br />1 piece of dried chilli <br />7 pieces of raw garlic <br />5 cups of water</font></p> <p><font face="Calibri"><strong>Seasoning Sauce:</strong> <br />4 tbsp Korean hot pepper paste <br />1 tbsp chilli flakes <br />1 tbsp sugar <br />2 tbsp starch syrup <br />½ tbsp soy sauce <br />½ tbsp minced garlic</font></p> <p><font face="Calibri">Instructions:</font></p> <p><font face="Calibri">1) <strong>Anchovy Kelp Broth</strong></font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">Brew the soup stock according to the ingredients listed above. Once the water starts boiling, reduce to medium heat and boil for 20 minutes. Although most of the time kelp is removed from the water in the middle (of the boiling process), it is better to keep it boiling until the end for a strong and thick flavour of the ddeok boggi’s broth. This strong flavour is what makes the street food ddeok boggi. As condiments (T/N: MSG, etc) are not used, a strong flavoured soup stock is needed. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">2) <strong>Seasoning Sauce</strong></font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">Make the seasoning sauce by mixing the ingredients listed above. The amount of hot pepper paste has to be more than the chilli flakes, and the amount of starch water has to be more than sugar. This will bring about the thick flavour of the sauce found in street food ddeok boggi.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">3)  Cut the fish cakes into triangular shapes. Slice the onions, carrot and sesame leaves into strips, and chop up the spring onions.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">4) Soak the stiff rice cakes in warm water before cooking them. There is no need to parboil the rice cakes. As the rice cakes will be boiled down in the sauce, there is no need for the rice cakes to be soft (before cooking). You can use ddeok boggi rice cakes or cut up the long bar rice cakes into fine slices.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">5)  Once the broth has been well brewed, remove the broth ingredients and set the cloudy broth aside.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">6) Pour the prepared seasoning sauce into the broth and start boiling.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">7) Once the water starts to boil, add the rice cakes in. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">8) Add the fish cakes, spring onions, carrots and onions as well. Boil until the sauce thickens. Use high heat and gradually reduce to medium heat while boiling until sauce thickens. As the sauce boil, stir to prevent the rice cakes from adhering to each other. The sauce of street food ddeok boggi is quite watery. Adjust the boiling time according to your preference for the thickness of the sauce. </font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">9) Once the sauce thickens, sprinkle sesame seeds.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Calibri">10) Serve with sesame leaves on top. Add sesame oil according to your preference... but without it, the taste of street food ddeok boggi can still be achieved.</font> </p> <p align="justify">----</p> <p align="justify">I made ddeok boggi twice within two weeks with the same recipe because the first attempt was quite a failure. I had added too much water the first time and the taste was too bland. I learnt from my mistake and was quite successful the second time! The photos will show the difference between the two:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-m2iay6hjxwc/T2m3fwSc7gI/AAAAAAAADXc/-_AdBpK8fPg/s1600-h/IMG_7258%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7258" border="0" alt="IMG_7258" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3wkdqB_RnbU/T2m3hmAIyrI/AAAAAAAADXk/RV8YLvzhLN8/IMG_7258_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="261" height="355" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ET1QVRNcCK8/T2m3kO24j7I/AAAAAAAADXs/r00Y9GmPrjQ/s1600-h/IMG_7267%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7267" border="0" alt="IMG_7267" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mzsooNgTHV4/T2m3l9Kt2EI/AAAAAAAADX0/LgiE2NROXvI/IMG_7267_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="355" /></a> <br />Left Photo: Failed attempt / Right Photo: Successful attempt</p> <p align="justify">Actually making ddeok boggi isn’t new to me. I had make this dish a couple of times last year but with instant ddeok boggi sauce which is what anyone can do. Thus, I’m glad to be able to whip up this dish from scratch with the simple recipe above! The sauce of the ddeok boggi is the most important element. The taste, colour and texture of the sauce is what determines the overall taste of the ddeok boggi. Remember not to overestimate the water amount when you’re making this! I also recommend adding sesame oil because in my opinion, it really adds to the flavour of the dish. </p> <p align="justify">Ddeok Boggi has always been one of my favourite Korean dishes. I absolutely love the tender texture of rice cakes accompanied with the bright red sauce which is both spicy and sweet at the same time. Having spent a period of time in Korea, I have tasted really delicious rice cakes sold along the streets of Seoul. If some of you didn’t know, ddeok boggi is the street food icons in Korea, loved by people of all ages. It can be eaten lightly as a snack in between meals or part of a  meal accompanied with other street food such as fish cakes (오댕), intestinal sausages (순대) or ramyeon!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AQhkUpgfo3M/T2m3qE9ucYI/AAAAAAAADX8/cMP3gN9MKXc/s1600-h/image%25255B14%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ctRjI2jVvrc/T2m3uftcUTI/AAAAAAAADYE/OwOT8Z35Lm4/image_thumb%25255B10%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="367" height="301" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Boyfriend and I have had lots of meals like that when I was in Korea because they are not only delicious, they are convenient and can be found almost everywhere. One won’t go hungry on the streets of Seoul. And very fortunately for us, there was a small and modest stall in Sillim, the area where I stayed at, that sold really delicious ddeok boggi. The sauce was really rich in flavour. Bf was immediately hooked when we had our first snack there. For a few days, he kept having ddeok boggi from that stall, even the ahjumma there could recognize him. He even asked me to practice making it until I can achieve a result that is as delicious as the ddeok boggi sold there. Maybe that’s one of my motivation for making this dish. ;p</p> <p align="justify">P.S. Sorry for the lack of photos, especially those of the Korean ingredients (fish cake, hot pepper paste, etc). If in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask me about the kinds of ingredients used!</p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-51866014875423250482012-03-19T23:37:00.001+10:002012-03-19T23:43:08.966+10:00Affirm your ♥ through ♥<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n5GN6ks4Uc8/T2c2mO3uTyI/AAAAAAAADW8/Qfjk9_pFE6o/s1600-h/image%25255B3%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Lr1i1Cz5Gt4/T2c2oaLHmxI/AAAAAAAADXE/WqzHAdmAySQ/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="240" height="185" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="4" face="궁서">질투로 사랑을 확인하지 말라. 밀고 당기기로 사랑을 확인하지 말라. 그 사람의 부재로. 괜한 말다툼으로. 다른 사람의 입을 통하여. 사랑을 확인하지 말라.다만 ♥으로 ♥을 확인하라. 1cm 중</font></p> <p align="justify">Don’t affirm your love through jealousy. Don’t affirm your love through give and take. Don’t affirm your love through the person’s absence, pointless arguments and through the words of other people. Instead, affirm your love♥ through love♥. From 1cm (a Korean inspirational book).</p> <p>-English translation by me :)- </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-44633434461274079622012-03-17T19:41:00.001+10:002012-03-17T19:41:13.547+10:00Uneventful.<p align="justify">Life’s a dull ever since the semester started. Everyday I’m just caught in the web of research, my honours thesis and translation theories. Somehow, I just cannot seem to organize these theories in a logical way for my thesis and inside my head is just a bunch of information all messed up… It’s been like that for the past three weeks, but now I’m catching up on research, reading up “quite” intensively and trying to push my way through on starting to write this thesis which is actually called a <em>critical commentary</em> intended to address translation issues I face in my translation project. Because it’s not the conventional kind of thesis, I am having a little difficulty starting on it but I am glad that I don’t have to write 20,000 words of thesis. This translation thesis that I’m doing is 2/3 translations and 1/3 critical commentary, so it’s about 5,000words of commentary that I have to write. </p> <p align="justify">This semester, I have no official classes. It is just basically thesis-writing. So it’s really such a dull without much of a campus life, only the meetings with my supervisor would bring me to UQ twice a week. I’m just on my own the rest of the time. I meet up with some friends once in awhile, but without cliques to hang out with, I feel quite lonely at times. Good friends have all graduated and gone home. This is probably one of the reasons why I can’t wait to graduate and leave this place as well. </p> <p align="justify">On the bright side, I have been trying to achieve multiple tasks with the time I have. Besides working on my thesis, I am also self-studying Korean, translating other kinds of short texts and trying to cultivate the former habit of spending more time with books (non-academia). When I was younger, I used to read quite a lot… series and series of books but why did this habit die throughout the years? I love reading, but I realised that I cannot stay reading as long as I did last time. So right now I’m just trying to cultivate the reading habit again. </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-84639438323960871972012-03-10T17:37:00.001+10:002012-03-10T17:54:34.766+10:00‘Heaven’ by Ailee (에일리)<p align="justify">Once in a while, as a practice for both my language and translating skills, I would find something to translate (Kor-Eng), be it lyrics or quotes or anything else that doesn’t take too much of my time. Of course, they have to be meaningful at the same time. Today, it’s Ailee’s debut song, Heaven, which is gaining a lot of love in Korea and the rest of Asia right now. I was actually a little late in discovering this awesome song and regretted not opening up to her when she first released this song in February. I really love the beginning of the song in which her voice and melody really pull you into the song.  </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:c07aef3b-2373-4034-ad08-41c6f2514e32" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="1453f6c7-d6e1-46f5-8b59-a19e46118ca9" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ro1KjkJMg" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JGoUjizUHTs/T1sEqkGCl4I/AAAAAAAADWo/JrHDfEzcbLk/video41e6fa8aaef7%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('1453f6c7-d6e1-46f5-8b59-a19e46118ca9'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"560\" height=\"315\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/L9ro1KjkJMg?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/L9ro1KjkJMg?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p><font size="4" face="AmeriGarmnd BT"><u>Heaven</u>  (English translations by me)</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="AmeriGarmnd BT">Where you’re at, I’ll be there too <br />Where you go, I’ll go there too</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="AmeriGarmnd BT">I smile everyday for you, I pray for you <br />I fall asleep thinking of you, I wake up calling your name <br />Stay by my side and stick up for me <br />You are my heaven</font></p> <p><font size="4"><font face="AmeriGarmnd BT"><font color="#9b00d3">You’re my only way</font> <br />I only want you, I am thankful for being by your side <br /><font color="#9b00d3">You’re the only one babe</font> <br />I am happy to be with you who showed me what love is in this harsh world <br /><font color="#9b00d3">Heaven Heaven Heaven Heaven Heaven</font> x2 <br />If we’re together, <font color="#9b00d3">we will never cry never never cry</font></font></font></p> <p><font size="4"><font face="AmeriGarmnd BT"><font color="#9b00d3">Heaven Heaven Heaven Heaven Heaven</font> x2 <br />Together, forever, <font color="#9b00d3">never gonna be alone</font></font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="AmeriGarmnd BT">I breathe in your arms, we kiss in your arms <br />I feel like I’m dreaming listening to your voice <br />I can tell from your eyes, I can know your love <br />You’re my heaven</font></p> <p><font size="4"><font face="AmeriGarmnd BT"><font color="#9b00d3">You’re my only way</font> <br />I only want you, I am thankful for being by your side <br /><font color="#9b00d3">You’re the only one babe</font> <br />I am happy to be with you who showed me what love is in this harsh world</font></font></p> <p><font size="4"><font face="AmeriGarmnd BT"><font color="#9b00d3">Heaven</font>, My only one, yeah, the one whom I’ll protect <br />Whatever sadness, whatever pain, if I’m with you <br />I do not envy anyone else… Hold my shaking hands <br />Because you are the reason I live</font></font></p> <p><font size="4"><font face="AmeriGarmnd BT"><font color="#9b00d3">You’re my only way</font> <br />I only want you, I am thankful for being by your side <br /></font></font><font size="4"><font face="AmeriGarmnd BT"><font color="#9b00d3">You’re the only one babe <br /></font>I am happy to be with you who showed me what love is in this harsh world</font></font></p> <p><font size="4"><font face="AmeriGarmnd BT"><font color="#9b00d3">Heaven Heaven Heaven Heaven Heaven</font> x2 <br />If we’re together, <font color="#9b00d3">we will never cry never never cry</font> <br /><font color="#9b00d3">Heaven Heaven Heaven Heaven Heaven</font> x2 <br />Together, forever, <font color="#9b00d3">never gonna be alone</font> <br /><font color="#9b00d3">Oh, so alone.</font></font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Centaur"><font color="#9b00d3">---</font></font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#9b00d3">Words in purple are the original English lyrics</font>. And <a href="http://music.naver.com/lyric/index.nhn?trackId=3143224">click here</a> for the original Korean lyrics. As you can see, there are quite a lot of original English lyrics and there wasn’t any difficult vocabulary, so it wasn’t really that difficult to translate. Even so, I’m still an amateur at translation, so I welcome any feedbacks from experienced translators, fellow language learners or just casual readers (to check English errors)! :)</p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-29896286216293380002012-03-08T12:26:00.001+10:002012-03-08T12:26:33.306+10:00Koreans: Addicted to Coffee or Cafes?<p align="justify">I don’t know if an average tourist spending a 1 or 2-weeks vacation in Seoul or other major cities such as Busan and Daegu would realise this but these cities are flooded with cafes. I began realising this after a few weeks into my stay in Seoul and there are cafes EVERYWHERE in the cities. Be it large or small, commercially or privately owned, simply or beautifully decorated… you can find an abundance of cafes with different concepts and ambience.</p> <p align="justify">Well, I actually began noticing the cafes when I stumbled across a <strong>Charlie Brown cafe</strong> in Sillim, the area where I stayed. People following my facebook closely might remember the photos of a Charlie Brown cafe I uploaded while I was in Korea. The cafe was too cute that I told bf we have to go there for a date even if we don’t feel like drinking coffee. :p</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Msor1YqUhKs/T1gYTh-OECI/AAAAAAAADUE/JP8mOVWPrxs/s1600-h/P1050802.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050802" border="0" alt="P1050802" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mOt6Smw68Ew/T1gYVDHFJrI/AAAAAAAADUM/moHpBExc-0o/P1050802_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="206" height="378" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ehDHfReWthA/T1gYXe7F-sI/AAAAAAAADUU/5IIJWquRGYE/s1600-h/P1050825%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050825" border="0" alt="P1050825" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lVvOaKduy00/T1gYYsH8udI/AAAAAAAADUc/0mgh3D_ZYgk/P1050825_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="271" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cW2wDfvguyg/T1gYa66z8bI/AAAAAAAADUk/bGZsdp8meGY/s1600-h/P1050830%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1050830" border="0" alt="P1050830" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EgFtLBu2b_8/T1gYcJ0saFI/AAAAAAAADUs/9XQ4ykDIQBw/P1050830_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="260" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Comparing the number of cafes I’ve seen in all the countries I had visited, Korea has got to be the country with the most. With random cafes along the streets, I find myself hanging out with friends in the cafes very often.</p> <p align="justify">There are certainly many reasons as to why so many cafes line the streets of the large cities in Korea. A reason is probably to get away from the freezing weather outside, or having a good break from the pressure of the competitive society, but I believe that a bigger reason for Koreans to visit cafes so often is because of socialising. Hanging out, chatting, meetings, and even studying. I get this idea from their concept of DRINKING, yes beer and <em>soju</em>. Koreans are good at drinking, they go drinking very often because they think that chatting over a meal and sharing drinks would make them feel closer. It’s their way of socialising. I suppose that it is the same as going to a cafe. Some Koreans don’t drink or can’t drink, so perhaps a better way to get close with say, a colleague or a date is to go to a cafe! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lWLsMPpnxXg/T1gYeZz-kjI/AAAAAAAADU0/JfekUJ6-th4/s1600-h/IMG_7025.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7025" border="0" alt="IMG_7025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-44FitL_a898/T1gYftAu6KI/AAAAAAAADU8/C36byfGGiFY/IMG_7025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="267" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nl2FKnIXTVw/T1gYhT03NpI/AAAAAAAADVE/ZIYTJ3onq6Y/s1600-h/IMG_7026.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7026" border="0" alt="IMG_7026" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TeCohQIQ73Q/T1gYiu--_7I/AAAAAAAADVM/T6Fw3Pvkiw8/IMG_7026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="267" /></a></p> <p>What a name to give to a cafe. Exorcist Coffee. <br />If I remember correctly, the drink in the right photo is an orange peel tea. The taste was really strong, both very sweet and sour. I’m not an orange lover so it wasn’t much to my liking. I only picked that tea because it was the only tea left and I didn’t feel like drinking coffee. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Wl3KSXRodWc/T1gYlvsUltI/AAAAAAAADVU/-omyYaMjksE/s1600-h/IMG_7185%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7185" border="0" alt="IMG_7185" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R1snCl3Q4bM/T1gYovfYn3I/AAAAAAAADVc/kmopC-ACf6c/IMG_7185_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="343" /></a></p> <p align="justify">I’ve seen a good amount of cafes with stocked-up bookshelves as shown in the photo above. There is the risk of people stealing them but it would great if cafes in Singapore could have free books for anyone to read! </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UVHajmHIz5Q/T1gYrMii5bI/AAAAAAAADVk/JLYhsu0IbD0/s1600-h/IMG_7199%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_7199" border="0" alt="IMG_7199" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aD-FZO37-6Q/T1gYsveyJSI/AAAAAAAADVs/WqOWtOUHyys/IMG_7199_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="333" /></a></p> <p align="justify">AND THEN, there is the evolution of cafes in Korea: <strong>Dog and Cat cafes</strong>. These are where dogs and cats roam freely around the cafe while you enjoy a cup of latte. Dog-owners tend to bring their own dogs to these cafes and let their dogs socialise as well! So it’s a place for both human and pets to socialise! It is also definitely a great place for dog/cat lovers, just like me, to hang out and play with the animals.</p> <p align="justify">I have actually been to the dog and cat cafes in Seoul and Daegu, and I’m sure Busan has one or two of such cafes. For people who are interested, the best dog cafe I’ve been to is called <strong>Bau House</strong> located at <em>HongDae</em> station in Seoul. As compared to the other dog cafes, for one it has great seats as can be seen below, and they sell treats for the dogs so it’s easy to attract them. In the other cafes, it’s difficult to play with the dogs when you don’t have any treats for them. As for cat cafes, they are not as active as dogs and they’re not as noisy as dogs, so it’s a little more quiet, for the more reserved people? ^^</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lrkVz-mzp_w/T1gYvE28NQI/AAAAAAAADV0/AbsopAZhlsc/s1600-h/P1060821%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060821" border="0" alt="P1060821" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-voWsCRVsftg/T1gYwf3fl3I/AAAAAAAADV8/F_balJihLBE/P1060821_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="268" height="210" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hKs_xmnlSlY/T1gY0a9FOBI/AAAAAAAADWE/ubDUIGO4CP0/s1600-h/P1060822%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="P1060822" border="0" alt="P1060822" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-97uw8Np5H2A/T1gY1l2xFhI/AAAAAAAADWM/XPBfFF9XQ2Q/P1060822_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="209" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Anyway, I have realised one special drink that could be found in almost every cafes in Korea but not that commonly seen in Australia and Singapore (only countries I’m familiar with). That’s the<font color="#00bf00"><strong> GREEN TEA LATTE</strong></font>! They can most definitely be found in large commercialised cafes in Korea but most of the privately-owned cafes do sell them as well. Indeed, cafes in Korea have a wider range of drinks available, besides the normal drinks that contain caffeine.</p> <p align="justify">I personally love going to cafes even though I’m not a fan of coffee. I just love the idea of enjoying a cup of drink in a relaxed environment and having a good chat with friends. ^^</p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-83374662728434747012012-03-07T17:34:00.002+10:002012-03-08T00:00:16.009+10:00Spreading The Word For JYJ- DBSK<div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2HNZDu_NNxI/T1cPUprE1NI/AAAAAAAADTk/iiwsDHo306g/s1600-h/image%25255B10%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5-baVS1cT4k/T1cPW20u7EI/AAAAAAAADTs/rkkzO1ANq7I/image_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="335" height="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SUc0JEaF5sg/T1cPcchCqVI/AAAAAAAADT0/FNjfj7GqHz4/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8FnGwtfsyTs/T1cPeOdO7ZI/AAAAAAAADT8/GNsRNz9_qcY/image_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></div> <div align="justify">Last night, after reading <a href="http://www.allkpop.com/2012/03/dispatch-reports-on-jyj-members-acts-of-violence-and-cussing-against-saseng-fans">this</a> I felt like someone had dropped a bomb in my heart. Listening to the audio files in that article made me feel even worse. I didn’t really read more into the issue and went to bed feeling shocked, disappointed and sympathetic. Jaejoong cursing and hitting a fangirl… I was really in a state of shock because the vulgarity intruded the nice and caring idol I thought him as. I even dreamt of him being sent to the police station for hitting the fans. It was a mentally tiresome night, really. But from the audio, I could actually hear that he didn’t sound quite like himself. His words were slurring a little and I had the thought that he might be drunk.</div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="justify">From a TVXQ fansite, I came across a really long article translated by a Korean fan and it states that the audio was edited to make him sound really mean… It also states that JJ was indeed drunk at that time and lashed out when he realised a 사생 (sa-saeng aka private aka stalker) was stalking him. The article shows how insane these stalkers can get and how long they have been stalking DBSK. It’s just insanity. Jaejoong is wrong for resorting to violence, but what made him lash out? What triggered him to do that? It’s not 1 year of stalking, it wasn’t 5 years of stalking, but 9 years of stalking. There is always a limit to a person’s tolerance, is there?</div> <div align="justify"> </div> <div align="center"><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QXbyYQjPbfXtdcRF4Uh9k-2wx_VUHzfbjV80ZnwsRHg/preview?pli=1&sle=true"><span style="font-size: medium"><b>CLICK FOR FULL ARTICLE</b></span></a> </div> <p>P.S. Can’t believe I’m posting this after not blogging about them after such a long time.</p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-65125198741905472202012-02-26T17:38:00.001+10:002012-02-26T17:38:46.812+10:00Clubbing in Korea<p align="justify"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jlh-2yC3VGk/T0nhb91ZLnI/AAAAAAAADTU/DzQmu-UbF_Y/s1600-h/image4.png"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="image" alt="image" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AV7liXQmIYU/T0nhg_q8MhI/AAAAAAAADTc/miPV5voMKCA/image_thumb2.png?imgmax=800" width="376" height="295" /></a><font size="2">Photo taken from Google.</font></p> <p align="justify">One of the most unforgettable experiences I had in Seoul was going to a club for the first time ever in my life! I have never gone clubbing before, not in Singapore, not in Australia so going to the club in Seoul was a real eye-opener and unexpectedly awesome. </p> <p align="justify">I have always had the conception that clubs were sleazy places for people to hook people up or get hooked, and that it will be dirty, filled with smoke (from the smoking) and crazy drunken people. I guess clubs are more or less like that, but the club I went to was a little less like that though it was still rather smoky in some areas.</p> <p align="justify">I went clubbing with bf and three of my classmates (a Chinese girl, and two other Koreans who were born in US and Brazil). SS (Chinese girl) was three years younger than me so she has never been to a club before and she was really curious as to how “clubbing” was like. That was the same for me. I was curious too. And since we had a classmate (the Brazilian Korean) who frequently went clubbing few times a week, why not join him for a night and experience it for ourselves?</p> <p align="justify">I actually thought that people are supposed to drink tons when they go clubbing. But of course, the choice is up to the individual. That night, bf and I only had one bottle of beer which was actually a free drink that was part of the very expensive club entrance fee, 30-freaking bucks (apparently it was a special night for that particular club we went to). We only drank that and danced the rest of the night away! </p> <p align="justify">I do not really know how the clubs in other countries are like but in Korea, MOST of the guys (not all) are really <em>GUTSY</em> and they throw out their conservatism completely out of the club’s door once they enter. On the dance floor, when a girl is dancing alone, she is most likely to be grabbed by a guy or crept up upon from behind while dancing. Those are from my own observations and personal stories told by my classmates. My Chinese friend actually experienced both grabbing and being crept up on while we were there! It was probably because she was dancing alone… my bf was always beside me so thankfully I did not experience that (or maybe I’m not hot enough? haha). A lot of times, if the girl allows it, the guy can get really touchy feely…! I’ve seen a few of such cases while I was dancing and it gave me the creeps. </p> <p align="justify">What I really enjoyed while clubbing was dancing on the dance floor however you want! I mean you don’t have to be a great dancer to enjoy club dancing. Just move to the music and dance your stress/worries away! I also got the opportunity to flaunt my shuffle dance moves when Party Rock Anthem started playing! Not that I’m a pro but I actually tried dancing while at home because it seemed so easy when you see so many people doing the dance. But it was surprisingly difficult at first and it took me a few practices before I got the hang of it. Anyway, I love how HIGH the atmosphere was while on the dance floor. Even if you’re not a dancer, you would get pulled in by your surroundings (the people and music) then eventually move to the groove! </p> <p align="justify">However, the downside was dancing too much made me rather tired and it was way past bedtime so for me, I cannot really stay the entire night or for a veeeeery long time like how most would do when they go clubbing. I actually got tired at around 2+am (we went there at around 12+), rested and pulled through until 3am when I finally admitted defeat and asked to go home.</p> <p align="justify">I did enjoy the overall experience but I am not the kind who can go clubbing regularly. Too much smoking and too late into the night.</p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-65117317898660373892012-02-18T17:58:00.001+10:002012-02-18T17:58:50.439+10:00A Peek Into His Home<p>Okay, so here are some photos I took while I spent the Lunar New Year over at bf’s home in Daegu. (Finally some photos to show!) </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t9UCl2XiUPo/Tz9ZVi8jg7I/AAAAAAAADQE/QgJtpCjI42w/s1600-h/P1070104%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070104" alt="P1070104" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Coj_EDfKezk/Tz9ZX6FNa_I/AAAAAAAADQM/_iSic4YlLLg/P1070104_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="329" /></a> <br />This is the front of his home.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sN2c6mXweyE/Tz9ZbynQY9I/AAAAAAAADQU/UcLrw3Jowpw/s1600-h/P1070086%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070086" alt="P1070086" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VIF78PCmU4s/Tz9ZcvaLOQI/AAAAAAAADQc/-hpaY8Snv0c/P1070086_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="323" /></a> <br />The backyard where two dogs used to live. I saw the dogs last year but they’re gone now. One was given away while the other was… I shall let you guess what happened to it. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1cAPL8yDuj4/Tz9ZfHpfbeI/AAAAAAAADQk/rxN_ykBFefM/s1600-h/IMG_7160%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_7160" alt="IMG_7160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cQUjmm6w1VE/Tz9ZgOZo5dI/AAAAAAAADQs/VKWO84xYKe8/IMG_7160_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="320" /></a> <br />The entrance where we take off our shoes.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n6iIgy6xEoE/Tz9Zi3x-d3I/AAAAAAAADQ0/RLPsvQDWTtE/s1600-h/IMG_7158%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_7158" alt="IMG_7158" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-85O19li0AuU/Tz9Zj1IRcqI/AAAAAAAADQ8/qbuG4C8UTcI/IMG_7158_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="329" /></a> <br />The corridor that leads into the living room, Kitchen and the rest of the house. The door right there at the back leads to the toilet while the room (at the left of the photo) right in front of the entrance is his sister’s room. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TH8GLFcPaNs/Tz9ZmtVKZFI/AAAAAAAADRE/S2cVCTdoV1w/s1600-h/IMG_7157%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_7157" alt="IMG_7157" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d0EJj-yI8oE/Tz9ZoME5nQI/AAAAAAAADRM/zs5mJGboJP8/IMG_7157_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="329" /></a> <br />The kitchen and dining room where the family never fails to have a meal together when they’re all at home. (That’s bf’s hand)</p> <p align="justify">Next, a peek into his grandparents home where his eldest uncle and family is staying at as well. Their house is more traditional and you have to go out of the house whenever you want to go to another room.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UsuPDucQmIs/Tz9Zrmtg08I/AAAAAAAADRU/RpsOPrYffQs/s1600-h/P1070088%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070088" alt="P1070088" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oa40yEpzhGI/Tz9ZtTOhRsI/AAAAAAAADRc/YnB8zGtIt1c/P1070088_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="335" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q2gk2hv6akw/Tz9Zvjq13kI/AAAAAAAADRk/R_7fDm6MLbQ/s1600-h/P1070087%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070087" alt="P1070087" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GTFD7W1iGUU/Tz9Zw3qxUXI/AAAAAAAADRs/jBvN1XLOWtc/P1070087_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="320" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MKpCQOSM5y8/Tz9Z1dRIjEI/AAAAAAAADR0/5nWusLx8Vek/s1600-h/P1070091%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070091" alt="P1070091" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RjXELNm_-t8/Tz9Z2XnXswI/AAAAAAAADR8/Xfng4LJ47jI/P1070091_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="324" /></a></p> <p>Now the surroundings of their village:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C9QCS2ALc1Y/Tz9Z6dsEMmI/AAAAAAAADSE/AldhH-us7Bw/s1600-h/P1070095%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070095" alt="P1070095" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GEqV25Rt6dI/Tz9Z7bHJ73I/AAAAAAAADSM/M5PNuUyY7Wc/P1070095_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="323" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LUAZXkY_kuE/Tz9Z-ydbRkI/AAAAAAAADSU/_I7DzOvQ3xk/s1600-h/P1070096%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070096" alt="P1070096" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6ebUzLmlQ9U/Tz9aAI9QqxI/AAAAAAAADSc/63BmYrSNHKA/P1070096_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="410" height="317" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qVgmzYNHj4o/Tz9aEPfOznI/AAAAAAAADSk/CRv_8ZYhZNw/s1600-h/P1070100%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070100" alt="P1070100" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lCiUFpLTRyo/Tz9aFP3ot3I/AAAAAAAADSs/SduGPztINVg/P1070100_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="320" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v-7FFVrXS4w/Tz9aIpcFoaI/AAAAAAAADS0/NAXoEpvIjnI/s1600-h/P1070101%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070101" alt="P1070101" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fsFYqJ1c358/Tz9aKDd91CI/AAAAAAAADS8/R4qN3jx_MN4/P1070101_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="312" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WPycMnh8XOI/Tz9aM2M9nPI/AAAAAAAADTE/B1RIq2n3Rl4/s1600-h/P1070093%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1070093" alt="P1070093" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aij9SQBOCTQ/Tz9aN0y6vdI/AAAAAAAADTM/rkCQK3jOQ34/P1070093_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="317" /></a></p> <p align="justify">As you can see, his home is located more in the rural areas of Daegu. His family owns a cow farm so that’s why they live in the countryside. It is kind of inconvenient since one really has to have a car to travel in and out. But his village is not as far from the city as it seems. By car, it only takes about 25-30mins. </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-26725803943711668902012-02-16T21:14:00.001+10:002012-02-16T21:14:07.159+10:00Back to Singapore…<p align="justify">Yes, I landed at exactly 12am this morning from Seoul. Already I’m missing bf badly, and missing everything about my life in Korea. I loved my life in Korea, the times spent in school, with my classmates and of course, with beloved bf. My heart felt so heavy when I had to leave that place, I wanted to stay longer, I had that bit of impulse to prolong my stay there, but I can’t… because of the dreaded last semester I have left in Aus.</p> <p align="justify">Isn’t it amusing that there is such a bipolar difference in my response towards my study abroad experience in Australia and Korea. Albeit it was a pretty short stay in Korea, but I still loved everything about it. I wanted to stay longer, even if I have to study… in fact I loved studying there too. In Australia, I just want to complete my studies ASAP and get out of that boring country. I never fail to look forward to leaving Aus… Always counting down to leaving during vacations, not really missing that place much besides the awesome weather. One of the reasons I dreaded leaving Korea was because of the fact that I knew the time for me to go back to Aus was nearing. If Aus was out of the picture, I wouldn’t be as reluctant. Oh wells. Too much for me to state WHY I feel this way so I’m going to leave it for now. Anyway, I’ve come this far, just one more semester and I’ll be out of the bore-hole for good!</p> <p align="justify">Although I’m no longer in Korea now, I’ll continue to blog bits and pieces of my experiences in Korea!</p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-50407207751935839412012-02-02T16:40:00.001+10:002012-02-02T16:40:35.015+10:00Living in an ice box…<p align="justify">Actually the weather these days may well be colder than an ice box. Today’s weather is presumably the coldest this season, with the lowest temperature at –17dc in Seoul. Fortunately, having lived here for more than a month I have learned to dress warm so I don’t feel that frozen when I’m outside wrapped up in warm clothes. I have a great <em>Fubu</em> padding coat, a pair of cute ear muffs, gloves and mufflers to keep me warm!</p> <p align="justify">Two days ago, it snowed really heavily. Although the aftermath of a snowfall isn’t pretty, I still find snowfall beautiful and enticing. My bf is sick of snow due to his snow-clearing duties while serving in the S.Korean army. He had to spend hours clearing piles and piles of snow in kangwon-do, the province that experiences the most snowfall in S.Korea. He added that snow causes accidents around the country too. Yes it ain’t all that pretty when you’re around to experience the aftermath of a snowfall especially when the melted snow on the ground freeze into ice, making it hard to walk on slippery areas that has the potential to make you fall and break your bones. Thus, the past two days has been quite a chore for me while travelling to school especially when the snow doesn’t melt that quickly since SNU is located in the mountains where it’s colder than the other areas in the city. Besides the caution I have to take while travelling to school, I still love walking on (non-slippery) snow and I still love snowfall. It’s still beautiful no matter how awful the aftermath may be. Perhaps people from tropical countries (Singapore, other SEA countries) may share the same sentiments as me! </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-26709249965858216062012-01-27T18:23:00.001+10:002012-01-27T18:23:53.574+10:00Lunar New Year in Korea<p align="justify">Lunar New Year has always been my favourite holiday of the year as I get to spend a lot of time with my family and relatives. I get to meet the relatives whom I get to see only once a year during that time and we always gathered to play games, make fun of each other and catch up on each others’ lives. This year though, being in Korea, was the first time I spent new year away from home. </p> <p align="justify">I got to experience how Koreans celebrate lunar new year when I made a trip down to Daegu with my bf to visit his family. It was my second time meeting his family so I wasn’t as nervous and I felt much more comfortable while I stayed at his home.</p> <p align="justify">Before LNY, my Korean class actually had two chapters that covered the customs of Koreans when it comes to celebrating LNY. So I basically had the knowledge of their customs but really experiencing it was another thing. </p> <p align="justify">Just like Singapore, Korea has two days of LNY holidays, 23rd and 24th of Jan this year. Bf and I stayed at his home from 20th to 24th Jan but we had to leave for Seoul on 24th Jan so we only celebrated LNY on the very first day.</p> <p align="justify">On the morning of 23rd Jan, the first day of the lunar calendar (설날, new year, 初一) bf’s family and I woke up earlier than usual. The men had to wear formal suits for the ancestor ritual (차례) which is usually done on every major festivals such as New Year and Thanksgiving Day (추석 aka Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival). Thus, in the morning, bf’s family and I headed to his grandparents’ house (5mins walk away from their home) where most of his paternal relatives have gathered. Before having breakfast, the men of the family would pay respects to the ancestors. The altar is a table filled with all kinds of food prepared by the women of the family, along with a tablet with Chinese characters (I assume that represents the ancestors of their family). The ritual lasted for only 5-10mins.</p> <p align="justify">After the ritual, the women got down to preparing breakfast while the men sat together for a drink of the wine they offered to their ancestors. I didn’t have to do anything although I am a woman because I’m not part of the family and was a guest so they kindly offered me a cup of the wine. After that, when breakfast was ready, the men sat around to have breakfast while the women continued with their food preparations. Women of the family are the busiest on such huge festivals as they have to prepare a lot of food for the ancestor ritual and for a large number of family members since they have all gathered. As for the men? They sit around, watching TV, talking and just eat. Such is the life of a conservative Korean family. If I were to marry Bf… I wonder if I can take on such a traditional role of a woman… … … </p> <p align="justify">Anyways after breakfast, the men proceeded to visit another relatives’ house while I stayed behind with the women, who rested, watched TV and napped while waiting for the men to come back. Bf’s grandparents live in a traditional house, a very very humbled version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanok">hanok</a> so I basically sat on the floor the whole day. I watched TV and ate the whole day, all done sitting on the floor. My whole body was aching by the end of the day… ><</p> <p align="justify">Just like Singapore, Koreans have their owns games played during LNY. The most popular Korean card game is called <a href="http://wiki.galbijim.com/%ED%99%94%ED%88%AC">Hwatu</a>. I’ve learnt it from Bf more than a year ago when he was in Australia and have never played it after that so I’ve sort of forgotten most of the rules. However, Bf’s family didn’t play any games at that time so it was quite a quiet new year’s day for me. This compared to the new year spent in Singapore where it’s always crowded and noisy for my family. </p> <p align="justify">Spending LNY the Korean way was a new experience for me and it was good meeting bf’s relatives. However, I still prefer Singapore’s style of celebrating LNY, the noisy way, from the chattering of the aunties/uncles, shouting during gambling and all the RED-ness. </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-84109418578266520832012-01-19T18:48:00.001+10:002012-01-19T18:48:52.205+10:00Classes made more interesting<p>For the last two days we had interesting activities replacing our normal study period. We had a class dedicated to ‘<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arirang">Arirang</a>’, a popular Korean folk song that actually has numerous versions from different provinces around Korea. The most popular one would be the 경기아리랑, Kyeong-gi Arirang, the one which K-pop singers would sing at the end of a major K-pop concert. Well, that’s the only reference I can give based on my own experience with the song… Okay, a video should be way much better:</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:888428a9-ee55-4dca-8e68-a0b8d30c0913" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="432229fc-08ff-4e85-9e27-373cc74632e3" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkM_LXUCMeA" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LPMLFborKwo/TxfY8-F_F8I/AAAAAAAADP4/eNGwwv6e9fQ/video7699614d1f6f%25255B49%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('432229fc-08ff-4e85-9e27-373cc74632e3'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/gkM_LXUCMeA?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/gkM_LXUCMeA?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>On that day, KLEI invited a couple of Korean students majoring in Korean traditional music to perform arirang for us during our last period of class. They attempted to teach us but the response was a little lacklustre. All 4 morning classes of level 4 gathered but our voices cannot be compared to the main singer who came to perform for us. Still, it was an interesting experience and after hearing the word ‘arirang’ so many times, I finally learnt more about its origins and meaning.</p> <p>The next day, we actually had to put up a play of an old Korean folk tale about ‘흥부와 놀부’ aka the Heung-bu and nol-bu brothers. The story is about how the kind brother received good fortune while the evil brother was punished for his misdeeds. I played Heung-bu’s wife and had to put on a hanbok for it. It was actually more fun than I expected. ^^ Luckily we only had to perform in front of just ONE other class instead of the entire level 4.</p> <p>I think it’s great that KLEI has such classroom activities that involves a deeper understanding of Korean culture and at the same time, enhances our Korean language ability! I wish UQ’s Korean major could organize such activities when I took Korean classes in UQ. Okay, actually UQ’s Korean major cannot be compared to the Korean classes that I’m having now. In 10 weeks, I can actually learn so much and for that amount it probably will take me a year to learn in UQ. The learning pace in UQ’s Korean major is not only insanely slow, the teaching standard is not that great as well. Okay, maybe I should stop defaming the Korean major in UQ… or leave it for another blog post next time!  </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-88765626468222113022012-01-10T22:24:00.001+10:002012-01-10T22:24:58.398+10:00Already halfway through my stay in Korea<p align="justify">5 weeks have past since I began studying at the Korean language education institute in SNU. We have even taken the mid-sem exams last week. I did pretty well for the exams even though I studied last minute… something which I hope won’t happen again during the final exam as I’m going to aim for an even higher score! </p> <p align="justify">From my exams, I realised my weakest point is my Korean listening skills. Somehow my listening skills aren’t always the best even with English and Chinese. I remember that I don’t do very well for my listening tests when I’m in primary school. So from now on, I’m going to make myself listen to Korean radio everyday. I actually have two Korean radio channels i listen to occasionally:</p> <p align="justify">1) <a href="http://radio.sbs.co.kr/lovegame/">Park So Hyun’s Love Game</a></p> <p align="justify">2) <a href="http://www.kbs.co.kr/radio/coolfm/kiss/#2">Super Junior’s Kiss the Radio</a> – Has an iphone app which you can listen and watch them live while they’re on air! :)</p> <p align="justify">I am absolutely loving the life I’m living right now in Seoul, enjoying every moment, even when I’m in class, even when I’m studying! The past 5 weeks in Seoul couldn’t beat the 2 and a half years I spent in Aus even though life in Aus has been great fun. Here in Korea, I get to spend a lot of time with bf, Korean lessons are interesting (not always but most of the time), and I get to use Korean everyday and everywhere I go! I feel much more confident using Korean right now. </p> <p align="justify">The only downside is that I’m not making Korean friends in Korea because I’m studying in a Korean language institute so there is minimal chance of meeting other Korean students. Luckily, I made Korean friends while in Aus and have met a couple of them since I came to Korea. One of them, 수빈언니 (Subin unnie) has invited me and bf to her house for dinner tomorrow! She has been so nice to me, providing me places of interest to visit in Seoul, many of which are not the usual tourist spot but she highly recommends them.</p> <p align="justify">The weather in Seoul is freezing but it isn’t as cold as last year. 5 weeks in Winter Seoul, I’ve probably become used to the weather already. Every morning, I make sure to wear enough before stepping out of the house. In the past, even though I know it’s cold I thought I would be able to tolerate the cold, so I wear a knit sweater and a winter coat on the outside. But that’s actually not enough especially when it gets below 0dc. Two layers underneath is the least that one should wear not to feel COLD (like trembling cold) outside. </p> <p align="justify">Right now, I just have to make the best of what Seoul can offer me and spend the next 5 weeks working hard towards improving my Korean even more. </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-67336684656414807332011-12-31T23:24:00.001+10:002011-12-31T23:24:03.521+10:00Last post for 2011!!<p>Yes, this blog is lack of updates but here I am making the last post for 2011 before it ends! Summing up the most significant events that took place in 2011:</p> <p>1) Graduated with a (regular) Bachelor of Arts.</p> <p>2) Starting and completed one semester of Honours in Korean.</p> <p>3) Came to Korea twice, once at the end of 2010 that stretched over to 2011 and right now, at the end of 2011.</p> <p>4) Met Bf’s family and friends while he met mine in SG (beginning of the year).</p> <p>5) Embarked on a language course in Korea and leaving the life like a Korean!</p> <p>There were lots of ups and downs during the past year but these events have made 2011 a memorable year to look back on. I am pretty sure 2012 will be quite a ride be it good or bad because it’s my graduation year. Who knows what lies ahead in 2012?</p> <p>Oh and remember the movie ‘2012’ and all that prophecies about 2012? I don’t believe them but I can’t wait to laugh at the movie and prophecies… ;p</p> <p>Have a happy new year and a great 2012 ahead, everyone! </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-32918704055101441622011-12-17T14:09:00.001+10:002011-12-17T14:10:00.114+10:00Korean classes so far…<p align="justify">2 weeks have past since the start of my Korean classes in SNU’s KLEI (Korean Language Education Institute). I’m studying at level 4 at the moment, a level that starts to focus more on more difficult grammar that are usually used in news, reports, books, radios and dramas, i.e. not as conversational as the past 3 levels.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h6DKpkdjZpU/TuwV7EDhSkI/AAAAAAAADPk/VjrsNGjUEJA/s1600-h/P1050995%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1050995" alt="P1050995" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MP3KksmZ9yo/TuwV8MUr0DI/AAAAAAAADPo/LeFuflz4Eo8/P1050995_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="250" /></a> <br />My textbook, practice book and notebooks.</p> <p align="justify">Classes start from 9am to 1pm, a schedule that is totally different from my uni timetable in Aus for the past year. Usually 9am or later is my wake-up time in Aus since my earliest classes start only at 10am. However, in Korea, I made it a point to sleep early so that I can wake up early and not feel all sleepy and drowsy during class. I adjusted to the early timings easier than expected!</p> <p align="justify">As mentioned before, we have three teachers teaching our class and I’m still not too fond of this idea. Each teacher has their own style of teaching, that is, while one teacher explains the new vocab words in great details, the other may not, and while one teacher may choose to finish teaching all the grammar points before moving onto the practice book, another may go through each point with the practice book. Of course it’s not that of a big deal, but as a student I prefer one or at most two teachers so that I don’t have to switch “learning modes” almost everyday.</p> <p align="justify">In regards to how well the teachers teach, two out of three teachers can explain vocabs and grammar points pretty well while it takes a bit of an effort to understand what the third teacher is trying to explain. Overall, all the teachers are nice and approachable, one of them knows I’m a DBSK fan while the other likes to put on Korean music during our class breaks!</p> <p align="justify">My class isn’t the most exciting bunch, I’d say it’s a very quiet class. My classmates don’t really mix around with each other A LOT. We do chat during short breaks, but during the longer break, most of them would look for their friends in the other classes or do their own things. I tend to chat with the classmates sitting beside me, go out and buy food together during breaks, but after class we just go our separate ways. And I’d go for lunch with MK, the only classmate who I’d hang out with after class. The other classmates are JUST classmates because they already have their own circle of friends from the previous levels.</p> <p align="justify">However, I’m enjoying my classes and wish that they could be extended to more than 4 hours! Sometimes, we have interesting learning resources like Korean movies and advertisements shown during class. I heard that the popular sitcom, High Kick 2 will be shown later during the semester! ^^</p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-91422021574013154722011-12-08T17:49:00.001+10:002011-12-08T17:50:23.266+10:00Greetings from Seoul!<p align="justify">Here’s a brief outline of what I did during my first week in Seoul:</p> <ul> <li> <div align="justify">Spent most of the time with my BF (more later).</div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Packed and tidied (just a little since bf did some cleaning before) the studio unit (원룸/ one room) where I’ll be staying for the 2.5months here.</div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Went to e-mart to get daily necessities, e.g detergent, toilet rolls, hangers, food, etc…</div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Went to FT Island’s Encore Concert in Seoul!</div> </li> </ul> <ul> <li> <div align="justify">Met up with Gabby (friend from UQ).</div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Find my way to Seoul National Uni (SNU) and the building where I’ll be attending my classes. I’m staying two subway stops away from SNU but there are buses that go to SNU from the area where I’m staying so it only takes me ~25mins in total to get to school, i.e. <strong>from my unit’s door step to classroom</strong>. ^^</div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Did not do much tourist-y stuff, but explored certain areas like Shillim (신림) which is where I’m staying, and around Ehwa Women’s Uni (이대).</div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Took my Korean placement test that determined which level I should attend. The test consisted both writing and speaking segments. I was placed in level 4 (6 levels altogether), where I will learn more advanced Korean mostly found in news, radio, novels, etc. I actually predicted that I’ll get into level 4 because I’ve seen SNU’s older version of level 3 textbook and I’ve learnt most of the contents before. </div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Went for Korean Wave Concert in Yong Pyong Resort with Gabby!</div> </li> </ul> <p align="justify"><strong>남친과의 만남~</strong></p> <p align="justify">The first 8 days were well-spent with bf who I haven’t seen for 9 months. So the list above was all done with him. When I first saw him in Incheon airport, I was very happy but at the same time, I felt SOOO awkward. I felt both familiar and foreign at that time… We saw each other quite often through the webcam but it’s still very different when you see each other in person. The awkwardness just engulfed me at that moment! >< But he who is always so easy-going helped me overcome the awkwardness quickly. ^^ Although we haven’t meet for 9 months, I felt that we have definitely become closer. Constant communication throughout the separation period is very important! </p> <p align="justify">His uni term hasn’t ended so he travelled back and fro from Cheon-an to Seoul a couple of days last week. We spent time together doing the usual couple stuff that we couldn’t do when we were separated, like watching movies, going to cafes and going to 노래방(noraebang/ karaoke). To us, these were such valuable moments together… From this week until the next, he will spend most of the time in his Uni due to the exams period, so I will be alone!!  </p> <p align="justify"><strong>한국어 수업이 시작했다.</strong></p> <p align="justify">However, Korean classes have started this week, so I don’t feel that lonely! So far, I’m loving my classes because I’m learning more difficult grammar, vocab, and the teachers are nice! I’m not sure how the other Language institutes work, but I find it weird that our teachers change on certain days, so we have 3 teachers teaching our class. Mon/Fri= one teacher, Tues= one teacher, Wed/Thurs= one teacher. That means we have to sort of switch modes to accommodate to each teacher since they have different styles of teaching.</p> <p align="justify">Classmates were distant at first because most of them knew each other before since they advanced from the previous level while I was new in SNU. But I’ve made friends with an American born Korean (named MK) who is attending SNU for the first time as well, and right now gradually with the rest of my classmates. ^^</p> <p align="justify">I’ll blog more about my class next time! Here are some photos to make you salivate!! LOL.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ln1EGtaqhts/TuBr2Q3yNmI/AAAAAAAADOg/GBXrhRFmVI4/s1600-h/P1050791%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1050791" alt="P1050791" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_fypTpTXJZs/TuBr3e586GI/AAAAAAAADOo/dwuE-Ff_8wc/P1050791_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="248" /></a> <br />Forgot the name of this dish.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qdSKcI_hWR8/TuBr5OPUdEI/AAAAAAAADOw/d-y_OYrHLKI/s1600-h/P1050840%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1050840" alt="P1050840" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6OOItVCY5CU/TuBr6CGA5_I/AAAAAAAADO4/yLKhCpkDxPM/P1050840_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="271" /></a>  <br />쪽발~ ♥ Pig’s leg</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LBrDsncb7Fo/TuBr7ftMVHI/AAAAAAAADPA/tKScF5RwiJg/s1600-h/P1050989%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1050989" alt="P1050989" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tAaZ0CHvdi4/TuBr8xZ-wrI/AAAAAAAADPI/JbHJA4vKsKA/P1050989_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="270" /></a> <br />닭발~!! Finally I got to eat chicken leg, cooked the Korean way! This was actually delivered to our unit. You can’t imagine the types of food available for delivery! Korean delivery services are 짱~!! </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yQv7YIGAbBo/TuBr96gfbVI/AAAAAAAADPQ/oNLTNvRNfqo/s1600-h/P1050990%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="P1050990" alt="P1050990" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ib3UXesUk88/TuBr-wGprdI/AAAAAAAADPY/yokv-7n4YYA/P1050990_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="247" /></a> <br />Closer look. It’s veryyyyyyyy spicy! For Korean style chicken leg, you don’t have to eat and spit out the bones. Most of the inedible bones have been removed, so you can eat comfortably without having to spit out the small tiny bones like we have to when we eat chicken legs in Sg. </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-59624404302640561802011-11-25T19:27:00.001+10:002011-11-25T19:27:52.478+10:00Transit in SG, off to Korea!<p>My tolerance for the humid tropical weather in Sg has lowered drastically after experiencing almost perfect weather in Aus. </p> <p>Korea. Tomorrow. Nervous and excited to see him. Scared to go to school. Looking forward to meeting my friends in Korea. Can’t wait!!</p> <p>I ought to spend more time in Sg… Feeling sad that I can’t spend CNY at home but I’m going to Korea with the aim to improve my Korean by heaps to aid me in my translation thesis!! I need some motivation though… ><;  </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-9008498504072600502011-11-17T12:21:00.001+10:002011-11-17T12:21:30.182+10:00The scarf might not work out…<p>So I sort of wrapped the 3/4 completed scarf around my neck to see how it looks. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look very nice because of the colour pattern!! Omg, I don’t even know if it should be worn out… I am distraught and considering not to give him this as an xmas present! </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-21772901427365223782011-11-15T14:33:00.001+10:002011-11-15T14:35:46.563+10:00No difference<p align="justify">Yesterday I sat for my one and only exam for this semester and returned all my library books, marking the end of the academic year! Even so, I don’t really feel much of a difference with before and after the end of semester, besides no deadlines to pursue and exams to think about. I still have to continue studying for Korean though, a process that can never be paused (at least for a long period of time) when it comes to acquiring a second language with the intentions of becoming fluent in that language. Adding on the fact that I’m going to Korea for 3 months of “language training” 2 weeks later, that only puts me in a semi-holiday mood. </p> <p align="justify">The revision period for my exam has been a total slack as well, I watched one movie a day one week before the exam while allocating few hours for revision. So I was already in a semi-holiday mood at that time! I also completed <em>여인의 향기/Scent of a Woman</em>, watched<em> the Big Bang Theory</em> and continued knitting the scarf for bf during revision period. ;p</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AYuQAVDd-Gc/TsHre1hwHdI/AAAAAAAADOI/rrMRwDNv3FE/s1600-h/IMG_12599.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_1259" alt="IMG_1259" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UqFWYTLbI28/TsHrgORFpkI/AAAAAAAADOQ/zuVEPLAzbas/IMG_1259_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="286" /></a></p> <p align="justify">I’ve already gone pass the light brown colour section as seen in the photo right now. I do hope it’ll pass off as a good looking scarf… so far I’ve never seen such a colour pattern before as usually scarves have either striped or solid colours. But I didn’t have enough yarns due to the yarn sale, so I settled for this colour pattern, i.e. large sections made of different colours.</p> <p align="justify">Anyway, I’ll be going back to SG next Monday! I don’t feel that excited yet… actually I’m just neutral right now. Maybe because there is still a week left or maybe I’ve gotten used to it…  </p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-13920266910863933712011-11-11T13:42:00.001+10:002011-11-11T13:44:40.278+10:00해피 빼빼로 데이~! Happy Pepero Day!<p align="justify">As you should know, today’s date 11/11/11 is special because of the same number for day, month and year which will happen on one day every 100 years. Some people are even claiming that if you make a wish on 11/11/11 at 11:11pm, it will definitely come true.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rQplH9fufHA/TryZh9KTZWI/AAAAAAAADN4/al0SwXwdAd8/s1600-h/image%25255B6%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5YfhSKQyPH4/TryZlvwRz_I/AAAAAAAADN8/ggcc5GyEOGE/image_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="245" height="253" /></a></p> <p align="justify">For the youths in Korea, 11/11 has always been 빼빼로 데이, Pepero Day for them and this year it seems, the digit for the year has made it even more special. Here is a brief explanation from Wikipedia:</p> <blockquote> <p align="justify"><b>Pepero Day</b> is an observance in South Korea similar to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine%27s_Day">Valentine's Day</a>. It is named after the Korean <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snack">snack</a> Pepero and held on November 11, since the date "11/11" resembles four sticks of Pepero. The holiday is observed mostly by young people and couples, who exchange Pepero sticks, other candies, and romantic gifts. Lotte denies starting the holiday and instead states that they noticed a bump in Pepero sales around November 11th and after continued popularity they decided to then encourage the holiday with special gift boxes and other promotions. Some consider it to be a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallmark_Holiday">contrived</a> holiday and some teachers have encouraged children to exchange healthy snacks to help combat obesity. An alternative "<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garaetteok">Garaetteok</a></i> Day" (sticks of white <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tteok">tteok</a>) has been proposed.</p> <p align="justify">According to one story, Pepero Day was started in 1996 by students at a girls' <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_school">middle school</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busan">Busan</a>, where they exchanged Pepero sticks as gifts to wish one another to grow "as tall and slender as a Pepero".</p> <p align="justify">In Japan, a similar <i>Pocky Day</i> was started; however, it has failed to gain traction.</p> </blockquote> <p align="justify">Isn’t it sweet? As some may call <a href="http://seoulistmag.com/columns/read/seoul_the_underdog_city_of_love">Seoul the underdog city of love</a>, I do agree with that in most aspects seeing that they have Pepero Day besides White Day (Valentine’s Day) and a lot of couple matching things, even couple handphones, same brand <em>and</em> ringtone! To the Koreans, Christmas is another special celebratory day with <strong>their other half</strong>, not with their family as most Westerners do. </p> <p align="justify">On this special day, all the more do I wish to spend it with him, my love. Alas! Our greatest challenge in this relationship has never failed to put me in more agony. But, on a positive note, I am absolutely sure that we will be able to get this through together as I eagerly wait to seeing him again (after 9 monthsㅠ) in two weeks’ time! </p> <p align="justify">To all my lovely family, friends and readers, have a wonderful 11/11/11, Pepero Day~!</p> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-61744997800880931522011-11-08T13:14:00.001+10:002011-11-08T13:16:19.517+10:00Korean drama, European vibe<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Nxt38wkJZQo/Triemlew9kI/AAAAAAAADNQ/FYJp9x_9OjM/s1600-h/image7.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="image" border="0" alt="image" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kJF4j9SLkgA/TrieosaNmcI/AAAAAAAADNY/2QzQw3qoL5c/image_thumb5.png?imgmax=800" width="456" height="241" /></a>“If today is the last day of my life…” </p> <p align="justify">I have to say, the background music used in 여인의 향기 (Scent of a Woman) makes the entire drama feels like a movie from Europe. Imagine a woman with nothing to her name in Paris, the city of love, caught in a whirlwind romance with a very handsome man. You know, she gets sweeps off her feet by him and enjoys this kind of romance she’s experiencing for the first time, savoring every bit of it. The storyline of this drama isn’t like that, but it is the kind of feeling I get from it. In this drama, perhaps it is the appreciation of life and enjoying every bit before it ends when the female protagonist founds out her that she has only 6 months to live. </p> <p align="justify">There are a lot of tango, bossa nova, jazz and RnB background music used in this drama, which somehow accentuate the romantic and bittersweet atmosphere surrounding the characters. One of the dying wishes of the protagonist is to learn tango which is probably the reason for the tango vibe in the drama. However I’m guessing a large part of the tango “concept” was adapted from the old movie also titled, “<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105323/">Scent of a Woman</a>”. I’ve never watched this movie before but I found that it has a tango scene with music that was also used in this drama.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 420px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:319146f8-565a-44ea-bade-50aa839774b5" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="660bad47-27e4-4db7-8292-3d4d9671037b" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBHhSVJ_S6A" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xrgnSASYM8k/Triepmzk0HI/AAAAAAAADNw/H003qb1uUF8/video3ac2d0d19ba6%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('660bad47-27e4-4db7-8292-3d4d9671037b'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"420\" height=\"315\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/dBHhSVJ_S6A?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/dBHhSVJ_S6A?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div><div style="width:420px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">The music is called "Por una cabeza" by Carlos Gardel</div></div> <p align="justify">“Por una cabeza” is also part of 여인의 향기 OST along with several other tango music. I think it’s been long since I’ve watched a rather “mature” drama, with no quirky lead characters like Dok Go Jin (in <em>The Greatest Love</em>) or Cha Ji Heon (in <em>Protect the Boss</em>) or characters from High Kick. You know how these characters make the drama more “eccentric” while Scent of a Woman is more toned down, focusing on the bittersweet realities of life. It’s refreshing and the accompaniment of background music makes it more of an enjoyment to watch. I’m currently halfway through the series and liking every bit of it.</p> <p align="justify">Last but not least, the following is one of the beautiful OSTs sang by Junsu, who made a cameo appearance in this drama!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 420px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:5956ce78-cac4-4e6b-8d53-7cfa4bbad141" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="0b161338-a657-4339-8fee-7ce908822925" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKJTED9I3zc" target="_new"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xxqKQqgnf8A/Trieq2HHULI/AAAAAAAADN0/bTKsZ39W200/video861eef1398b5%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('0b161338-a657-4339-8fee-7ce908822925'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"420\" height=\"315\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/oKJTED9I3zc?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/oKJTED9I3zc?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"420\" height=\"315\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6989073900308244149.post-91734334228254477072011-11-03T16:38:00.001+10:002011-11-03T16:38:17.350+10:00공주의 남자 The Princess’s Man<p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_LQJi_6I3D8/TrI2r395kLI/AAAAAAAADMo/tVb7VkurijI/s1600-h/image%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="display: inline; float: left" title="image" alt="image" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-luF55cMle6Y/TrI2uvTTX9I/AAAAAAAADMw/ojxfIs6NRJc/image_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="379" height="276" /></a>This is one of the very few dramas that I follow so closely with the Korean broadcasting period. Usually I tend to wait until the entire drama has finish broadcasting and uploaded online, or start watching only when a few episodes have been broadcasted in Korea. Because I hate waiting, I hate how the drama will leave you hanging in suspension each week. But ‘The Princess’s Man’ was so good that I was willing to bear the torment each week as I fervently follow the Korean broadcast of two episodes each week.</p> <p align="justify">The drama has managed to reel in a lot of love from its local audiences, depicting a tragic love story that parallels the widely known story of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Much more appealing is the fact that this Romeo and Juliet story is set in Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, an entirely new adaptation apart from the usual Western/European film adaptations of the star-crossed lovers. </p> <p align="justify">Briefly, the story revolves around the two main characters, Lee Se Ryung and Kim Seung Yoo, who did not know that their fathers were arch enemies when they first met and gradually feel in love with each other. Following on was a series of tragedies that threatened the love between both parties. What kept me watching each week (besides Park Si Hoo dressed in hanbok) was the way they fought and persevered through those ordeals, even as tragedies of tragedies occurred such as lives of their loved ones lost and family ties severed. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o92dqmlGyj0/TrI2yMegWQI/AAAAAAAADM4/hx-pPeChDvQ/s1600-h/image%25255B8%25255D.png"><img style="display: inline; float: right" title="image" alt="image" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y89ZwE1yILI/TrI20joK0ZI/AAAAAAAADNA/zcavXnv7QU8/image_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="376" height="232" /></a>Also, I personally found the male actors in this drama outstanding and no I’m not being bias here. Park Si Hoo and Song Jong Ho did their parts convincingly well. Song Jong Ho managed to make me hate yet pity his character at different points of the drama, sometimes both at the same time, which I guess was what his character set out to achieve. Moon Chae Won wasn’t bad, but I can’t particularly say she was very good as I find myself looking a lot at blank expressions and wondering what she’s thinking several times throughout the series. However, both Park Si Hoo and Moon Chae Won together made themselves a seemingly genuine couple.</p> <p align="justify">Good news for haters of lengthy drama, this drama is only 24 episodes long, which is short for a 사극! The casts, beautiful music and not to mention, the beautiful hanboks, make this a must-watch drama!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:0cf9a0c6-0496-48ac-9052-086fa16a95a2" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="d5265e69-78a7-4611-8b57-72efb68ddef4" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3voPQlYlrg" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jp0BZ8avCPM/TrI214hyghI/AAAAAAAADNI/x9h3oKBEoPU/videoae634a3fdcae%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('d5265e69-78a7-4611-8b57-72efb68ddef4'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"560\" height=\"315\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/V3voPQlYlrg?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/V3voPQlYlrg?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> Mayzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431338269515974987noreply@blogger.com0