Jeju Island here I come ! But oh my GD~~

So, last weekend I met up with Moon Da, her bf and her lil sis. We had some yummy food, and then we headed for some noraebang (karaoke). It was a lot of fun, I did some Big Bang and Se7en, and Son Dambi!
Korean way is more spiced up, you have more dancing and loud singing, maybe because Japanese are shy at first; well not Koreans ^o^

Then we went to this gaming center which had small rooms with Wii consoles and wide screens. We played Wii and had some smoothies, and every 15 minutes, the game was interupted by the computer auto QUIZ, if you scored the computer would draw off your fee which would give you a discount~~ there was a small piece of plastic in my smoothie, so the cute waiter bowed shamefully and brought me a new one and some churros to compensate, komawoyo~~
It was quite exhausting playing Wii Olympics, doing sprinter was tiring haha. But it was enjoyable after all and we managed to get some discount!


After some considering back and forth regarding weather conditions; I will go to Jeju Island tomorrow. My flight leaves at 12.30, and arrives at Jeju about an hour later.
Jeju is an island south of Korea, known for its caves, beaches and tangerines~~ I just pray it doesn't rain!!
I will stay there;alone, until Saturday. Joohwhi got me a package with hotel and flight included for 2 nights 3 days.

Im also considering going to Gyeongju next week, since Gyeongju is the former Shilla Kingdom capital, about 1000 years ago and contains many artifacts from ancient Korea! In that case I will take the bus down, and try staying at a buddhist temple overnight ;)

I am a very bad Big Bang fan.... The B BOY Championship Final is held on Saturday at 6pm, and guess who will be doing a hip hop concert alongside Dynamic Duo and DJ DOC ? YUP if it isn't BIG BANG !!

aigoo~~ tickets are sold out, and my flight arrives in Seoul at 5.30 on Saturday~~


Please oh please I would wish to see them only once BEFORE I leave Korea....

to be continued~
JEJU - let me introduce myself

"Yes you have a good IQ for language speaking! " /Taxi driver

안녕!(annyong)

2NE1 aka female Big Bang debuting this weekend, 21st C New Evolution ^^
Street Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x95Nm5JDGN8 (3.21 is all I say ;) )

Space Version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu5Ld_KnMWA&feature=related

Well I went to the Han river last weekend, beautifully scenery, and hot weather, it has been above 20 degrees for a while now. Many families there having picnic and people on bikes. Da In suggested we rent two bikes, but well I wouldn't say it would be easy to bike in Seoul; even by the Han river which had minor incidents of people knocking into one another with their bikes~~

Today was one of those days that just put a smile on my face. I had to take a taxi home in order to bring home some materials; Im doing a presentation on Sweden for elementary school children at a public library. Anyways, the taxi driver started teaching me Korean, I could grasp about 50% of what he was saying; teaching me big and small, left and right, Im hungry and Im full, and I smiled and tried to mimic and copy. Then he said "You have a good IQ for languages, you will learn quickly if you keep practising !" That made me very happy to hear, he only knew a few words in English but boy was that one awesome taxi ride ! :)

This is what I will miss the most about Korea, the friendliness.

I should brief my readers about Korea and most importantly about Seoul!

Korea and its people are estimated as one of the oldest civilisations in the world.

Seoul, established around 18 BC, is the capital with about 10,6 million people, and surrounding hubs included amounts to 24,1 million ! So YES, SeoulIScrowded!! Subway is always crowded during rush hours, so standing pressed against eachother is just something that you deal with. And being pushed inside by other passengers for more room is also something you deal with. It is not that unsimilar to Japan actually.
Seoul's subway station is divided into various lines of different colours, similar to other metropols. The station names are both in Hangul (Korean alphabet), and Roman. They call out the stations in both Korean and English so no problem there. The problem is that the humidity makes these trains rather warm at times.

Various districts of Seoul:

Jongno-gu,North, where I live. It is also the hub of retired Koreans for some reason ^^ You can often witness two older men quarreling after a couple of sojus..

Jung-gu, the heart, where you can find the Swedish Embassy, Namdaemun market, Seoul station, Namsan Tower etc

Dongdaemun-gu, East side where you can find some good, cheap shopping!

Seodaemun-gu, West side, where Yonsei Uni (part of the SKY, Seoul Nat U,Korea U top three Unis in Korea), EWHA Womens Uni (where Hillary Clinton made a speech during her visit in February this year) are located. This is where the young crowd gather, to drink, to eat, and to enjoy !

Gangnam-gu, south of the river, South-East to be exact. Synonymous with riches since you find high fashion brand stores and big businesses here. Exclusive restaurants as well as the platform for the celebs.

Yongsan, just North of the river, where you can find the massive American base, Yongsan Electronic Market and Itaewon with its many foreign pubs and crowd.

Mapo-gu, next to Yongsan, where Hongik Uni or Hongdae, is situated. This is where the nightlife exists for real. With its many clubs, pubs and noraebang(karaoke's) you are never bored~~

Im starting to sound like a tourist guide som Im gonna stop. Just mention Anguk Station where Insadong lies. AKA Traditional market. Perfect souvenir spot ;)

I will come back with my own photos later, promise!

Koreans tend to hierarchy due to Confucianism thought which means older = wiser = duty to respect them = they are obliged to care for you:

- Oldest pays (drinks, dinner)
- Oldest sits at trains and buses
- Oldest has access to the sidewalks, MOVE IT!
- You bow to your boss, adding a -nimsuffix to his title.

Some words that many Kpop fans have become customed to:
-Oppa,lit meaning older brother, used by females,used as a respect between friends with an age difference. However! Girls often use this word to someone they fancy; meaning if you hear a girl go Oppaaaaah, dragging the word in a cutesy word = she is dating/is in love with the guy!

-Hyung, older brother,used by guys

-Nuna, older sister, used by guys

-Unnie, older sister, used by girls

-dongseng, used for younger sibling, or someone younger than you, who looks up to you, seeks your advice

-sunbae, equivalent to the Japanese sempai, meaning older sibling in terms of someone older than you, or with experience in a field that you both share.

-Aigoo~~, something you often hear from older, used as "Oh my" in frustration, as a deep sigh. Think: your sibling asks to borrow your favorite X for the 100th time, and you decline - Stop asking already !
-AISH!!, used as a aggressive frustration, Think: someone is testing cellphone signals on the bus when everybody else is quiet and tired - that type of frustration.

-Miahne, used between friends, meaning Im sorry

-joayo,to like, something or someone

-Saranghae, To love/ I love you~~

Well, I should get some sleep, I will publish something about Korean food and customs next time~~

Goodnight

Im in love with a fairytale, even though it hurts.
Cause I don't care if I lose my mind, Im already cursed~~

April went by like a windy breeze~~

VS This is how my hair is starting to look btw if I don't tame it, curly at the root and straight perm leftover at the ends..
tamed hair makes anyone look pro!

And I have been busy with work, writing invitations, doing translations, being informative on various areas. BBC Radio has really been my best friend these past months; I like their variety of news: From Sudan and Darfur to Korea and NK..

Korea is warmer, G Dragon is cuter, and I am lighter? Well, maybe sometimes Korea is sunny and 20 C, sometimes rainy and 14 C~~ Maybe sometimes GD decides to do a perm and look awesome in neon pink, sometimes he turns school librarian married samurai and all is rock n roll~~ Maybe sometimes I have an emotional overflow and start falling in love, sometimes I get knocked off the roller coaster and I become a rationalist~~

I told Joowhi, our new receptionist who looks like a prettier version of Jeon Hye Bin, that small eyes look better than big eyes, on guys that is~~ i.e GD, i.e AJ, i.e Tae Goon, i.e Tae Yang, i.e Rain, i.e Wheesung, i.e...X ? She thought the opposite, but had nothing to oppose to the above mentioned!

A performance by the Real Group doing Korean songs is entertainment in itself. Other than that, K Music and I still share a love affair which is unstoppable:

- Dynamic Duo "Beyond the Wall"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bzv95J4gdyk&feature=related

- BIG BANG ft 2NE1 "Lollipop" naw, that's not how we do it !/GD Style

For a parody version LOL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E06shZWmVrg

- 2PM "Again & Again" how about creating your very own mini army of JYP's? only kpoppers would get where Im going with this ^^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-J0BQa7Lms

- AJ wants ya to DANCE! "Dancing shoes" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBt2J_58cs4

- Stanford Genius Tablo!! Epik High's "Map the Soul"
LIVE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXNjcH_6GUY
MV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prOY4TZxz7Y&feature=related

- For whiners who don't understand the language, how about princess BoA in English ft Sean Garrett "I did it for love" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFny8iYc9L8

- Freestyle's beautiful song "Vital Sign" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co3AKWDjr58

Nobody rocks electro like KOREA Republic !!
Well enough music, I could post about 20 songs more!

I finally went to Dongdaemun Market which is a shopping area with some high skyskrapers filled with unexpensive AND expensive shopping. You can find cool stuff such as Chanel necklaces a la G Dragon, expensive ladies shoes, funky T's and much more~~
I went there with my friend and guide Young Hoon, whom I met at his uni when I was doing some promo for Swedish education! He was my guide to the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival It was quite beautiful I might add! The white flowers, and the light underneath turned the pathway into something out of Disney! And it was incredibly crowded for a Thursday night.
Afterwards there was some time for soju at the portable bar which means a tentlike pub that serves the Korean equivalent to Sake. For best consumption, mix with beer for the Some~~

My bday was spent alongside my lovely Moonda, Yoohee, Halla, JK and Hoon!! <3 some good food and some cake, and a hype Mickey T made my evening, 거멒워 !!(komawo=thank u)

I should practice more Hangeul, aka the Korean alphabet..I have been feeling lazy on that part actually, altough I often hear that my pronounciation is just right on, and that I speak Korean in a very cute way, aigoo~~ ^^;;

The month of March meant lots of dinners out, I had hour long dinner convos about life and its many wonders and mysteries, alongside JK. We always turn ultra deep whenever we have conversations.
I went to 63 building , which has 63 floors, together with Yoohee, and I have had some great drinking where Hoon, aka Mr Woori Bank has made great efforts in his sales skills, so far JK, Halla and Yoohee have signed the deal ^^
I have also seen the Cheonghye stream which runs quite close to my place, and is an artificial stream which has turned quite popular among the Seoulites. A good dating place I might add !

Im starting to get used to these pushy ajummas (old ladies) who push and pull their way through crowds, they are mighty strong for being so small !! <_< and everyday life strolls by just as if I have always been a Seoul resident... I might cheat at times, and instead of running to the subway if Im late, I catch a cab, which only costs me 20 SEK to get to the workplace ^O^

I should go to bed, and return sooner than later with more updates and in depth analysis on the people of Korea! Tomorrow, Im off, due to Childrens Day ! So that means a little picnic by Han river together with Moonda's lil sis Da In
Jal! (goodnight) If I tell you, then you might turn around and walk away..

Seoul - here she is !

Well. I have been there, the border.. I must say it is something intriguing about that place. A place where conversation has gone lost, where both sides are clinging on to their final call, their despair of not being able to gain what they want. I wonder, where is the mutual understanding..

Kkotboda Namja, the K version of Hana Yori Dango. Well, what can I say? Awesome actors/actresses, especially mr Lee Min Ho who has turned Goo Jun Pyo style and especially his curly hair into a fashion statement among Korean youngsters.. Aggressive boy meets feisty girl who turns his would over. And among all that bickering, they still have eachother.. It is safe to know that people still have that dream in their hearts, with you in my life I can conquer all.

Seoul, and all of Korea Republic is overflown with couples everywhere, on subways, on on the streets, on the millions of cafés (I am not exxagerating here)... clinging on to eachother, in a Korea where marriage is something important, that has to be accomplished before a certain age..

Why are we, and especially the female race, such suckers for romance ? Read the following and then swear upon your death that it did not make you the least bit tingly inside ?

1. When her hands are cold, he takes off one of his own gloves and puts her hand in it, then takes the other hand and puts it in his pocket.
2. When the heel on her shoe breaks, he offers to give her a piggy back ride, just to offer her his gratitude for making him enjoy life.
3. When she is cold, he either takes off his jacket and gives it to her, or he simply embraces her with his jacket open enough to fit her inside.
4. To apologize to her, he lights candles and stands in the middle for forgiveness.
5. He tells her he wants to spend everyday with her family, because he feels like he is part of it and he likes her parents.

Well there you go. Part of the reason why Kkotboda Namja has become such a success, are these scenes, combined with this couple's constant bickering, which shows they are actually human enough to have different opinions on things.. could this be the reason why Korean guys have the pressure to be both stable in their relationships as well as emotionally open to their loved one ? part of their society and how guys are viewed upon ?
Well, girls are not always the easiest species to deal with on this planet, but frankly, in a web of emotions, there is still the need for stability, no matter man or woman, and it is only in a stable relationship that one is able to grow mature perspectives on life. Otherwhise, chances are big that patterns might turn into something that can never be resolved..

In the middle of this deeper analysis, I would like to take the opportunity of mentioning the places I have visited in Seoul:

Gangnam, COEX mall. Wow ! Gigantic building, several stories of clothing stores, shoe stores, Nintento DS store, etc. Me and my companion of the day; Nils, were flabbergasted. Gangnam itself is a district located south of the river that divides Seoul. It is the area where apartments can be really expensive, so if you are young and living in Gangnam you might be blessed with generous parents, or some other contacts.

Insadong, traditional arts and crafts neighbourhood

Sinchon, where Yonsei and EHWA Womens University are located, meaning entertainment area for young Seoul.

Myeongdong, you can find many tourists here, as well as cheap shopping.

Lotte World, after the Lotte co. Half indoor, half outdoor amusement park, with rides, 3D ghost house, roller coasters half in the dark and an indoor ice rink. Waiting hour is about 60-80 min per ride but some of them were definately worth it.


When it's not windy in Seoul, it is actually quite pleasant. Today, the sun was out, and a feeling of spring hit the office. It was about 12 degrees C, which felt really appealing to all of us, hoping that winter is finally over !

I just had a 2 hour skype session with the people of Sem 4, we had a 7 man conversation, thanks to the newly improved Skype. Wow ! Technology can be amazing at times.. But, at the same time, it really made me miss my life in Japan, last semester was really great. I wonder if I will ever meet some of the people there. There are those who I don't whish to meet for various reasons, but at the same I wonder what the whole purpose was of meeting them in the first place, what did I learn from those experiences ? And was that experience enough to teach me something ? Maybe is my guess..

I tend to feel like a small fish in a big pond at times here in Seoul. I don't think that this feeling will ever be changed. I am extremely happy about being able to be anonyomous on the street, something I lack in my hometown.. But, at the same time, I stand out enough to have people stare me down. And I might not always be strong enough to handle that, you might say I become introverted. It is unfortunately one of my weak points in life, and I am curious to know if this is something I can outgrow,hopefully~~
to be continued.