Collection: Canned beverages in Korea

Here is the start to a collection of photos of can drinks.  Korea is full of fun delicious canned beverages. Just find the nearest vending machine at the train, subway, or bus stations or venture through some alleys or markets. Find a machine, plop some small won coins in, and select your choice of various tasty drinks. Here are few pics I could find.  There are more creative can designs out there, but the small cans are really cute and the perfect size to quench a thirst on a very humid warm summer day.

Aloe juice                          Pomegranate juice                     Plum drink

*NOTE: The bottom row contains some of my favorite juice/health drinks: aloe, pomegranate, and plum. They're all tasty in their own way and have lots of health benefits.  They're in order of increasing sweetness.  The aloe doesn't have much of a flavor other than something very unique. Most foreigners will probably make a face gulping down their first can.  You'll have to try it yourself.  I love anything all things pomegranate (from my soap and body spray to lip gloss) so I need not say much more other than I am biased and like it.  Maeshil (plum) is probably the sweetest of the three in my opinion.  I wasn't sure of this beverage the first time I sampled it. However, upon finishing my first glass of maeshil, I was very satisfied and ready for more.  Be careful not to drink too much and risk a stomach ache.

Cool things happening at the "local" Korean Culture Center in LA

Kimchi Chronicles showing of episode 2

No, I am not in LA right now, but I would like to promote the Kimchi Chronicles. If you are in the area go catch a sneak peak of the 2nd and 3rd episodes in a 13 episode series to air on PBS about Korean culture and food! Made in high definition with some meaningful fun clips.

Day:  Thursday, July 14
Time: 7:30 - 8:30 pm
Where: Korean Culture Center LA

Moon Tides: The Women Divers of Jeju Island.


Attend this book session and meet the photojournalist/author Brenda Paik Sunsoo.  She will be presenting images and stories from Moon Tides. The haenyo or women of Jeju search the seas to harvest seaweed, shells, urchins, abalone among other things.  They dive deep into the waters holding their breaths for long periods of time to complete their task and work well into their 80s. Yeah, those ahjummas and halmonis are tough. Don't think about crossing them for a minute.

Peggy Myo Young Choi will also be a guest dance performer. You won't want to miss it.  Check out all the details and find out how to make reservations here.  You won't want to miss it.

Quick details:
Day: Friday, July 15, 2011
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Korean Culture Center LA, 3rd Floor Ari Hall.

Collection: Sulwhasoo cosmetic product

While in Korea, I received this cute sample set of Sulwhasoo products from a kind woman that I met through her daughter. They are an 'oriental' cosmetic clarifying water and cream products that are widely used in Korea among a slightly older (possibly middle age) generation.  People that sell and use this product claim that it makes you look 10 years younger. As for me, I tend to have the opposite problem and would prefer to look about 5 to 10 years older. However, this product did make my skin very smooth and clear. 

I thought these bottles were adorable.  The full-sized bottles are even nicer.  They also have the oriental or scent of products and medicines used in the past.  You can still visit oriental medicine doctors or shops and take in a bit of this smell. I believe Sulwhasoo products are made of some natural more medicinal herbs - hence the more medicinal scent. 

full set
photo courtesy of google

Anyways, I was cleaning out the junk in my closet and life and wanted to remember these sweet products or at least the people that gifted them to me. Little things that I hold onto, I must let go... but the memory of them shall not be lost. 

I might start a collection of containers or pictures of containers  or anything I find cute, happy, or even inspiring.  I'm really weird for liking shopping bags, cosmetic containers, pop cans, and all things with a flare of foreign or art in them more for the wrapping than the item itself. I usually try to maintain a frugal lifestyle but enjoy eye-shopping for all such products and people watching those that purchase them.  Maybe it's because I love aesthetically pleasing and pretty things?  

What to do on a typhoon-errific day in Korea! AKA it's monsoon season.

Last night I was serenaded to sleep by the music of whistling winds blowing and the pouring rains pounding outside my window.  This is very atypical weather for someone that lives in the central to northern part of California, USA. Here we are used to temperatures ranging in the mid to high 30 and sometime 40 Celsius range!  For those of us Americans not on the same system as the rest of the world, that’s a range in the 90s and 100s Fahrenheit! Ridiculous!  Thankfully we have very dry heat patterns as opposed to the 90+ percent humidity during a summer in northeast Asia.  

This rain storm reminded me of the torrential downpours and rains I experienced in South Korea the past few summers. Strangely, I actually miss the humid rainy days and was calmed by the reminiscent thoughts of Korea’s rains flowing through my head. [Crazy, right? Yeh, I think I miss Korea a lot!] I’m sure most anyone reading this and experiencing Asia’s typhoons and monsoon season for the first time does not agree with my pleasant thoughts and would rather seek ways to avoid this weather pronto. Puddles to your knees, drenched shirts, useless umbrellas, and sticky wet feet – sound familiar anyone?  Right now is Korea’s monsoon (장마 - changma) season. This season usually lasts from late June to mid August!  For anyone from a dry non-humid climate it’s like a hell with rain instead of fire on earth.  You can never escape the moisture. If you shower don’t bother toweling off. You’re going to be sticky 30 seconds later and you’re likely to walk right outside into your second or third shower.

So what if you’re one of those adventure-loving but rain fearing types and have nothing to do on a rainy day in Korea? What are you to do?  First, gear up for the rain! Then, embrace the weather, take a skip through a typhoon blowing by and find something to do!  Need an idea? Here are five things to consider on a rainy day in Korea. Sorry folks, for many of these you’ll have to be traveling through Seoul.

Let’s gear up first!  

1.  Umbrella!  The Number 1 thing you will need if you are to live in Korea during monsoon season is an umbrella! That’s common sense, isn’t it?  Well, of course it is, but for people like me [who thought they were immune to rain but are NOT immune to Korea’s monsoon season] an umbrella seems like a waste of a hand that could be used for holding a cool drink or shopping bag. Koreans insist on holding umbrellas because of the acid rain.  There is a myth (could it be true?) that you will lose your hair because of the acidity of the rain if you do not protect yourself.  I’ve begun to side more with this statement as truth in order to avoid any nervous comments at my lack of umbrella use.  If you forget your umbrella or find a typhoon taking you by surprise you can be sure to find one anywhere in Korea at this time of year. They’re at almost all of the major subway stops or street markets and even cute shops-especially if you are in the cities such as Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Daejeon, etc. 

gmarket.com

If you're carrying an umbrella you'll have to look out for the umbrella bag stand placed near the entrance of buildings. Because Koreans know this weather so well, they were smart enough to create the bag stand  - a contraption that allows you to place your umbrella in a bag and pull it out covered, ready to enter a building.  Be sure to utilize the bag stand before entering any of the venues you’ll visit. Umbrella bags maintain drier indoor environments by preventing water from dripping everywhere.  

bag stand (minus the bags)

 The other rainy day items are optional and also very common sense. They don’t hurt to have if fashion isn’t your number one priority! Although, the rainy day fashion can be pretty cute-at least on children!  

Cute korean children's rain gear
courtesy of gmarket.com

2.  Raincoat! You can remove it once you enter the store or work place! This is a great addition to an umbrella. With winds blowing the rain east and west, to and fro you’re bound to get soaked without one.  

3.  Rain boots! Puddles to your mid-calf? Rain boots to the rescue. There are lots of trendy colors and styles, too!  Just look at how T-ara wears them!

kpop group, T-ara sporting their trendy rain boots.
en.korea.com (2010)

Now, let’s go! 5 things to do on a rainy day in Korea. 

1.  Lotte World! Lotte World is the world’s largest indoor theme park located in the Jamsil (east side) region of Seoul.  On a rainy day could you find anything better to do than go for spin on the indoor ice rink or a roller coaster ride through the indoor park?  Lotte World is open year around and is home to museums such as the Folk Museum and delicious international cuisines. When it’s not raining you can enjoy its outdoor park themed “Magic Island” and on the gloomy wet days you can enjoy the indoor “Adventure” park.  You can access Lotte World from Line 2 and 8 of the subway system. 

www.destination360.com

2.  Jimjilbang/Sauna! (찜질방/사우나) Aren’t you trying to escape the wet humidity?  Going to a sauna or jimjilbang may defeat the purpose of staying dry-at least you’ll be out of the acid rain and wind!  At a bathhouse you can enjoy a warm shower, a nice sweat in a hot room, a chill in a cold room and partake in the singing or game rooms with friends. Not to mention there’s always some refreshing shikhye (rice drink) or maeshil (plum drink) commonly sipped on in a Korean sauna.  You can also enjoy some ramyon (라면) and boiled eggs with your friends. You can find a bathhouse in any town in Korea, but the biggest ones are in Seoul. My favorite sauna is Siloam at Seoul Station Line 1.  The most famous sauna is Dragon Hill Spa at Yongsan Station off of Line 1 or Line 4. It's large and beautiful with many facilities! You can check out my post on jimjilbangs and saunas answering a few questions for first-timers here.

3.  Noraebang (노래방- translated -> singing room) Noraebangs, private karaoke rooms to be enjoyed with friends or alone, are extremely popular in Korea! The noraebang experience is one of the most well-known pastimes almost all Koreans enjoy!  Once you’ve found a nice room filled with fun friends and luscious couches you’re sure to pass the rainy day and sometimes even the whole night away! In the room you will find a book full of songs to choose from.  Don’t worry there are even some English, Japanese and Chinese selections! You’ll grab a remote, follow the directions on the screen and enter your selections. Once you get the words up on the screen, take a microphone and start singing your heart away! You’ll be pretty famous among the locals if you find a kpop favorite of the year and try to learn that too! If anything, learn to dance to a song and you’ll be loved forever.  Many Koreans have good voices (they get enough practice in noreabangs!) but for those of us with subpar voices you’re likely to make a little fool of yourself! Even with a great voice there’s always a lot of crazy to go around inside the walls of a singing room. So don’t worry! Have fun!

4.  Fun at COEX Mall in Seoul! Korea is full of shopping malls from the sky scrapers such as Migliore (in Dongdaemun and Myeongdong shopping districts) or Shinsegae Department store to the large shopping centers acting as a one- stop shops for cosmetics, food, and designer fashion such as the I’Park Mall in Yongsan!  They’re all known for something different and will keep you busy on a bad weather day!  However, COEX, the largest underground shopping mall in all of Asia, is a “one-stop shop” for everything and more! If you’re traveling through Seoul, you’ll have to set aside a few hours (maybe even days) to fully partake in all of the available attractions. It is located in Gangnam at Samsung station (Green Line 2 of the subway). 

tripadvisor.com

COEX attractions:: 

a.     The Kimchi Field Museum- Here you’ll learn about Korea’s staple food item, kimchi. The museum contains several different exhibits that explain and display the history of kimchi as well as the process of kimchi making.

b.    COEX Aquarium- The only theme-based aquarium in Korea, the COEX Aquarium, holds several hundred species and approximately 40,000 fish swimming around the tanks! It’s a very beautiful sight to see.

c.    Megabox Cineplex Tired of all the walking and shopping?  Take a nice break and kick back for a movie at COEX’s Megabox Theater.

d.    International Cuisine- After sightseeing, shopping and a movie you're probably getting hungry!  The COEX food court is home to endless options such as Burger King and McDonalds or T.G.I Fridays and On The Border. Seafood lovers have the option of dining at Todai Restaurant while others with more specific tastes can choose from Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines. Already eaten and want something a little lighter? Options such as Pascucci, Coffee Bean, and Dunkin Donuts are just a few of the coffee shops you can enjoy.

5.   Museums- This may be the last resort for some, but if you’re in Korea to learn about the culture and its history, visiting a museum or two will be very informative!  There are several museums throughout the major cities of Korea – each with a different focus.  I would suggest visiting the largest museum in Korea, the National Museum of Korea, a museum of art and history located in the Yongsan region of Seoul. There are six exhibition galleries as well as special exhibition halls and a children’s museum. After the rains let up move outside to enjoy the interesting sculptures and outdoor exhibits. Admission? Free!  A  day of culture, history, and sightseeing for free! Sign me up!

If you’re looking for something a little softer on the eyes head over to N Seoul Tower for the Teddy Bear Museum!  Although this museum will cost a couple of won, it is a unique way to see Seoul’s past, present, and future creatively exhibited with cute little teddy bears adorned in Korea's traditional wear! 

www.visitkorea.co.kr

I hope this gives you a bigger taste of Korea and a few ideas of things you can do on a typhoon-errific kind of a day!  Now go frolic in some puddles! 

"Ice Flower" theme song for drama "Kiss and Cry" by Kim Yuna and IU released today

The new theme song produced by Lee Min Soo for SBS's drama Kiss and Cry called "Ice Flower" featuring Kim Yuna (Korea's skating Queen) and IU was released today (June 21, 2011)! An excerpt of the song was previewed on the June 19th episode of the show before its full release June 21st. Surprisingly it was was recorded less than 10 days prior to its first preview.
The song delivers a message of hope challenging everyone to overcome his or her obstacles. Although it is a metaphor to the obstacles and hardships that figure skaters, like Yuna herself, face during training I believe it's of great encouragement to the average person!  We all face struggles in our daily lives.  Even though we may fall on the ice and get a little hurt, we figuratively speaking, get back up on the ice and skate again!

The profits from the purchase of this song will serve to help train figure skaters and improve training practices for figure skaters in Korea. Figure skaters in Korea do not have their own ice rinks and therefore have to share with hockey players. You may support the cause by purchasing here.

Check out the video!  Kim Yuna has many talents!  She's a spectacular ice skater of sorts, but almost as equally captivating is her voice and her personality!

Warmth on a cool walk through Ewha

Life in a small town in California is much different from that of the busy lifestyle in South Korea.  Although I have been busy here my life does not seem the same. I have reminisced much about my days in Korea. 

Last year, February 2010, I visited Ewha Women's University campus with my Japanese friend.  The one memory I have of the inside of the buildings was how starkly clear and clean they appeared to be. With large windows, white walls, and open hallways one could only feel welcomed in. On a nice deceivingly (because it was so cold) sunny winter's day, walking down the halls I felt warmth seep in from the sun that shone through.  At the same time the bright white and starkly clean walls of the women's university felt somewhat cold only magnifying the outdoor freezing temperatures on my inner being.  I cannot conclude whether or not it was truly warm or cold. However, I can say that the hallways and rooms were well-lit.  Natural light is very important for my well-being as well as proper study habits.  The campus is fitting for women. Very pristine.  Ewha is a beautiful campus. I recommend taking a stroll on a fall or spring day when you happen to be in the Idae/Shinchon areas of Seoul.

Here are a few pics of the inside. You'll have to go there for a view of the outdoor scenery.  What do you think? 

bright quiet hallway

Japanese friend modeling in the open hallway

Children's Day 어린이날

It's almost that time of year again where kids flock the streets and celebrations bring the little ones together.  May 5th in Korea is a national holiday known as Children's Day.  (어린이날) It is a day to celebrate the people of Korea's future. Parents adorn their kids with gifts and fun activities.

Korea's Children's Day was founded by Pang Chung-Hwan, a children's author, in 1923 as a way to show love, care, and respect to children. In a culture where parents and elders command respect, Pang thought children deserved the same respect and dignity. By instilling a sense of independence and pride in the children at a young age, they would be better able to serve their nation in the future. For children are the future of a nation.  If they grow up with respect and pride they will be able to exude that same respect and pride for their nation as they grow older.  

This day is also a great day to honor parents that have raised good kids and an excuse for the family to come together and have fun. Amusement parks, national parks, and zoos are open for lots of family fun.

Last year I visited Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan for some Children's Day events. This year I'm in America a little ways away from the action, but I recommend that expatriates in Korea find local parks or recreation centers and check out some of the events. You may get some ice cream and a free balloon. If nothing else, you can remember your childhood and have a little fun living vicariously through your students or children's adventures. Nevertheless, it is a great learning experience.

Even Hilary Clinton on behalf of the United States is wishing Korea a Happy Children's Day.  She stated that there is a lot of promise in the future of Korea through Korean's children.

If you are in Busan you could always head to this Children's Day event at Busan's Natural History Museum . There will be lots of fun activities including balloon art and a magic show. Later in the day you could head to the beach and enjoy some lovely Spring weather!

Happy Children's Day Korea!