DEVELOPING STORY: Korean Kampaign Kraze!

Hello folks, and thank you for joining us on the eve of a very significant event here in South Korea.  Once every four years it comes time for the citizens of this fine country to elect representatives to the Korean National Assembly.  Just as in the United States, commercials and signs endorsing this candidate or that have popped up with ever-increasing density since the campaign season kicked-off in March.  However, that is where the similarities end.  Korea has a multi-party system, and each party has its own assigned number and color, so it's easy to tell at a glance which party a candidate represents.  Just in case you are troubled by poor memory, the campaign teams have made provisions for you.  They have done this by practicing what I refer to as "Conquering the Corner."  The execution of this is exactly as the nickname suggests.  Mobs of party supporters occupy every corner of a strategically chosen intersection wearing the colors of their favored candidates.  Then they bring in a campaign truck booming K-Pop music as loud as it can and...well, you've really just got to see it...

So, here we have the Red #1s in front of a banner for Yellow #2

I caught up with the #1 candidate for awhile

That's when the Yellow #2 party truck came through

Somebody gave me this promotional card, even though I obviously cannot vote

Lying in wait for unsuspecting passersby

A show of respect to the constituency 

Pictured Above:  Conquering the Corner

So here we have Team Yellow marching across Team Red's Corner

Oh NO HE DIDN'T

Watch as it unfolds

Now, honestly, #3 is my favorite...I like the color scheme

There's that truck again!

I met up with my friend once more

Yes, tomorrows election has been the talk of every town in South Korea for the past few months.  In my classes it  has been no different.  The election talk is all the more entertaining when you consider that most Korean English Language Learners tend to mix up their Ls and Rs (Oooh, that was a PG-rated comment).  Anyway, I'm interested to see how tomorrow pans out.

A Korean Cultural Tradition: The Jimjilbang

If there was one thing I said I would never do in Korea, it was go to a Jimjilbang.  The whole concept was alien to me and, honestly, I found the idea of it kinda freaky.  The word jimjilbang translates loosely as "heat room," and that's exactly what it is: an extremely hot and claustrophobia-inducing structure that has the feel and appearance of a giant oven.  Actually, it is an oven.  An oven for slow-cooking a human being...that is, if you don't have the sense to follow the suggested time limit of 15 minutes.  Attached to every proper jimjilbang is a sauna and bathhouse, and though they are gender-segregated, my Western-raised self was still kinda distressed at the idea.  Yup, you were never going to find me in one of those.

However, one must never underestimate the power of peer pressure. As you may have already figured, something must have given out because I have written this blog post.  It would be foolish for me to commentate on something with which I have absolutely no experience, so I am writing in all transparency to state simply that I not only went to a jimjilbang, but I have become an all-out fan.  Allow me to explain why:

Going to a jimjilbang is like entering another world, completely separated from the stressful hustle and bustle of everyday life.  When first you enter, you take off your shoes and put them in their own little locker for safekeeping.  You won't need them again until you leave.  You are given a set of small towels, a locker key you can wear around your wrist or ankle, and a comfy uniform to wear.  This is when you tell the members of your group that are of the opposite gender what time you will meet again, and you enter the locker room.

You will find no photos of this part of the experience, for obvious reasons.  After you find your locker and unload all your belongings, you make your way over to the sauna and baths.  Depending on the individual jimjilbang, you may find multiple hot tubs at various temperatures, a cold pool, massaging jacuzzi jets, dry and wet saunas, and various "event baths" containing water treated with such things as green tea, herbs, charcoal, or flower extracts.  Sometimes the baths contain saltwater, sometimes they have purified or spring water.  I remember being so excited when a friend of mine invited me to use their hot tub in the past, imagine my excitement when I have as many as ten different variations to choose from!

Anyway, after getting yourself thoroughly washed and soaked, you go put on your fancy jimil garb and rejoin your friends in the common area.  Now there can be photos.

The jimjilbangs themselves

Another lovely jimjilbang; temperature reads 79 degrees Celsius!

A row of delightful massage chairs

Although it may seem strange, spending some time relaxing in a jimjilbang and sweating can be an extremely refreshing experience!  Gets your blood circulating, and, especially in winter, it's just really cozy.  Whole families can be seen lounging around on bamboo or plastic mats in the common area, snacking, talking, reading, or just spending time together.  Often, people are just zonked out on the floor all over the place, getting their beauty sleep.  It doesn't matter what time you go, most jimjilbangs are open 24 hours a day, which means it's perfect for when you need a place to stay the night!  The best part about that is that the cost ranges from 6,000 won to 15,000 won, so it never costs you more that $14 to secure accommodations wherever you are in Korea.

My friends were kind enough to model the provided outfits

Stylin'

Inside a heated salt room

The obligatory snack bar, well-stocked with ramyeon, baked eggs, and sikhye (sweet rice punch)

It is helpful to know a little about a jimjilbang before you decide to patronize it, because the quality and cleanliness of the places sometimes vary.  What I find most important are the sleeping arrangements.  Some places offer bunk beds in quiet sleeping rooms, while others have you sleeping on the hard floor with only a small cushion for your head.

This one offers your own personal cave!

This was home, sweet home for a day :)

This one had a comfortable mat on the floor, and provided two blankets!

If you need to use a computer or play an arcade game, they've got that covered, too!

Other services provided by many jimjilbangs include massages, hair treatments, pedicures, and manicures.  These usually cost extra, but are reasonably priced.  It's the ultimate spa experience on a budget!  If you're a courageous soul with a penchant for new cultural experiences, be sure to add visiting a jimjilbang to your bucket list!

Korea's Love Affair With Giraffes

*The following post is dedicated to Jan Garcia

For some strange reason, I have discovered that the people of Korea seem to adore giraffes.  It's not like they have many around.  Giraffes are certainly not indigenous to this country or even to this continent, yet you will see them in every city and village, plastered onto shirts, backpacks, and hats, painted on buildings and vehicles, and in other more bizarre and unlikely places.  Here are just a few of my recent giraffe sightings...enjoy!

Because that's what Giraffes do

I came so close to buying this...

Yes.  This is what you think it is. 

Interesting concept.

Awwww

Comes in natural and unnatural colors.

A student of mine, with her friend

"What the..." or "Odd Things You May Find Should You Ever Explore in Korea"

I have definitely covered some ground in the almost five months I have been living in South Korea.  I have become very comfortable here, and really feel like I'm getting the hang of things in another culture.  However, any time I start to feel a little too much at ease, I come across something that reminds me that "I'm not in Kansas anymore."  Some examples:

Now you can see how your spectacles will look on all your different facial expressions!

That guy in the yellow...he's a bit taller than most

The creepiest thing is that they actually can walk around...

 Ok!  I believe you!

 This I just don't get...

Korean food has made me so strong, I can lift the front of a car (with a little help)

A clever way to solve a problem.

These things are hard to explain, but they were fun! (See video below)

Kinda trippy...

On my way home one evening, in the middle of the city, next to a convenience store.

This is actually right smack-dab in the middle of an amusement park.

Christmas in Korea

Voila!  The festive season is upon us once more!  This is to be my first Christmas away from home, and although I miss my family and friends tremendously, I am also curious to see what it is like to celebrate the holiday in a foreign country.  On an individual level, Koreans don't seem to make too much of a big deal out of Christmas.  They don't decorate their homes like we do in the States, and the 25th itself functions more as a "couples day" than a family event.  Those of the population who are Christian do attend church on that day, but everyone I have spoken to seems to realize that it is not the actual date of Christ's birthday, but rather a date when we remember that occasion.  In the commercial realm, however, Christmas sparkles and twinkles like the North Pole moved here while no one was looking.  The shopping districts are ablaze with lights and music, bright colors, and fancy treats.  Just check out the photos:

Update:  January 22, 2012

It's been 28 days since Christmas, and it's like the holiday never left the Land of the Morning Calm.  Apparently businesses believe in getting the most out of their decorations here.  In America, the day after Christmas it already looks like Valentines day, complete with some kiosks displaying necessary merchandise for celebrating the New Year en route.  The following photos were taken within the last couple of days.

A Korean Wedding Experience

A lot of things seem to happen to me randomly here.  I think it's because, when you're a foreigner, Koreans are either asking you questions, showing you spectacular hospitality, giving you something, or inviting you places.  When this is a constant goal of those who encounter you, random things are bound to happen.  The weekend before last was no exception.  A student at the institute came up to me and asked what I was doing that afternoon.  I told her I had no plans.  She then suggested that I go to a wedding with her and a couple others from the institute.  To me it was a strange, impromptu idea to go to the wedding of someone I didn't know at the last minute, so of course I said, "Why not?" and went along.  I had no idea what I was in for.

We took the bus across town to a tall building.  You see, in Korea, it is a rarity when couples get married at a church.  The majority of weddings take place at wedding halls.  Sometimes these halls are small, boasting only one chapel.  The one we arrived at had at least ten floors and six or so chapels.  The lobby of the building was ornate and decorated with large driftwood carvings.  Live music set the mood as we waited for an elevator to be free.

I didn't really know how the order of things went for a Korean wedding, so I just decided to go with the flow as much as possible.  As we traveled to the ninth floor, my friend told me we would meet the bride and groom in the pre-wedding greeting room.  So much for the custom of the groom not seeing the bride before the ceremony.  As it turned out, they were not in the waiting room.  Rather, they were having their photos done in the studio on the same floor.

I stealthily took a photo...

...then they noticed and posed

I had to take advantage of this opportunity (who put that fan there?)

Soon we headed down to the chapel, several floors below.  We shared the elevator ride with the groom, who looked a little nervous to be getting hitched.

Lemme just make a few adjustments

When we exited the elevator, we entered a room hustling and bustling with activity.  My friend said people were giving gift envelopes filled with money for the newlyweds.

We take this job very seriously

In exchange, they were given a ticket to the buffet downstairs.  She and another student went to turn in their gift envelopes.  That's when I noticed the room we were in was simply a wide entryway to the "Topaz Hall," and there was a wedding taking place at that very moment!

 Sure 'nuff

How anyone could possible hear the ceremony over the din the crowd in the back was making I can't imagine, but it seemed to be moving forward just the same.  I stared in awe at the proceedings and tried to take in the fanciful decor.  I was a tad mezmorized when my friends returned and so I hardly reacted when they informed me that their friend's wedding would not take place for another hour and a half, so we would be going down to eat first.

How strange it seemed to be heading to what we Americans would consider the wedding reception without having first seen the wedding!  It felt so terribly wrong to me...but it didn't take me long to get over it.  Especially after we walked into the dining room.

Oh, so yummy

Mmmmmmmmmmmm

This was the selection at every table...don't get the wrong idea

Finally, after much feasting, it was time for the main event.  Back up to the chapel we went.  Here's the play by play:

Groom patiently awaits the bride

The three-piece band keeps it real

Here comes the Bride!  (Serenaded as she marches by the on-staff crooner)

And here's the pass...

....COMPLETE!

Now it's time for the turn-around, with a nice assist from the lady in red

The lights change and she calls for backup

The crooner croons, "Heard enough from me yet?"

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present the newlyweds!

And a nice bow to the parents of the bride

Time for photos...family members sporting an assortment of outfits from traditional to formal to mufti-day

Finally a photo just for the friends

Throughout the ceremony the atmosphere was less than reverent by American wedding standards.  Those in attendance carried on conversations or remarked on the proceedings at random.  Also, just as I had suspected, the large group of people congregating in the back waiting for the wedding following this one was rather distracting with their carefree banter.

Have mercy, even this woman thinks it's a little much

All in all it was a fascinating experience.  I tried to orient my thoughts inside my head, and came to the conclusion that there was really nothing wrong with the wedding at all, it was just not what I am used to back home.  Nonetheless, I have no plans for a Korean-style wedding anytime in the future.