Epik High aren’t exactly old, people. Just erase that from your state of your mind. However, they’re at the age of change and growth. Just recently we had news of leader Tablo having a kid on the way and now two big news events will occur in DJ Tukutz’s life. More »

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Just recently, spoke at MBC music core aired on August 16. He was happy to share his thoughts about his military service and his admiration for Girls Generation (SNSD). At this show, it was Psy’s final performance while Kangta and Sung ShiKyung supported him there. More »

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Let’s get one thing straight first: Yes, I live in South Korea, but I’m affiliated with the US military bases scattered around the peninsula, and so I have access to American moola.

With that said, I am now a proud and happy owner of a $2 bill, and I type this with a big smile on my face. See, the military bases do not use pennies except at post offices (thank goodness, I suppose), and $2 are something of a rarity to many people here. Including me. My mother has one, but she refuses to let me have hers. Ever since her blunt refusal, I’ve been dying to have a $2 of my own. More »

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Chinese and Vietnamese celebrate Lunar New Year with firecrackers, games, red envelopes, and food. Koreans celebrate Seollal with saebae, games, and tteokgook, and other food. The similarities and the differences amuse me greatly.

I always liked living in South Korea because along with the American holidays, the military also lets us recognise two major Korean holidays, and Seollal is one of them. To me, Seollal always symbolised money, a day off, and tteokgook! I love tteokgook! Even though I eat it more than one time a year, my mum makes it special on Seollal.

Anyway, I hope everyone have a fantastic Seollal or Lunar New Year. 새해 복 많이 받으세요 (Saehae bok manhi badusaeyo = Happy New Year)!

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More or less, it is true that South Korea’s a homogeneous society. However, with globalization on the run, how many decades or centuries will it take for that “fact” to disappear? I don’t know the answer to that, but I hope that more South Koreans will stop being prejudiced against people of African and South Asian origins. Actually, I hope South Koreans will just stop being prejudiced to anyone, but that’s asking far too much for any society to overcome.

This article generalizes how South Koreans have more biases against people from Africa and South Asia (along with Caucasians to an extent). First of all, I’m actually very surprised that this article was even written up in the first place. My shock alone should be an indicator of how prejudiced South Koreans can be towards these people because of their origins and their skin colours. I see, hear, and feel South Korean views on different races here, so the results of the survey aren’t surprising at all. More »

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Hong Seok Cheon’s Chinese restaurant catches on fire in Itaewon. Apparently the suspect is a US military soldier named “Corporal G”.

What a way to start the new year. At least it looked like the fire wasn’t started as a homophobic agenda. Instead an intoxicated GI decided he needed some warming up to do. Well that’s one way to start the year with a bang.

I’m glad there weren’t any casualties. Hong doesn’t need any more stress like that!

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Hong Seok Cheon’s Chinese restaurant catches on fire in Itaewon. Apparently, the suspect is a U.S. military soldier named “Corporal G.”

What a way to start the new year. At least, it looks like the fire wasn’t started with a homophobic agenda. Instead, an intoxicated G.I. decided he had some warming up to do. Well, that’s one way to start the year with a bang.

I’m glad there weren’t any casualties. Hong doesn’t need any more stress like that!

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This article is about how the US State Department considers Hongdae and Sinchon, two famous clubbing and bar hopping districts in Seoul, “dangerous areas”. This article brings out two clashing viewpoints from me. One is bewilderment and the other is anger.

I am trying to see why the US State Department would even consider those two areas dangerous. For a city where crime isn’t huge as some major cities, I just cannot fathom what could be listed as dangerous. I mean, yes, since it is a bar district, running into drunkards is not my idea of safe, but it just makes me wonder what they mean by “dangerous”. Yes, crime will always exist, but is it really high in those two areas or is it just another way to prevent Americans from going there? And by Americans I mean those who are affiliated with the US military. More »

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As promised, here’s the latest installment in the Jump Shoes promotional short films by Sung Kang and Arowana films. This one elicited some interesting buzz on Sung’s blog. Sung claims that the New York City cops didn’t like him standing in the middle of Times Square. I will say, Sung, your body language is pretty intimidating. The Naked Cowboy also makes an appearance in this vid–and we all know that’s a no-miss. Strangely, this film is stirring up some deep thoughts…

This short film series has become a frequent blog topic because it’s hitting me on several levels–as a Sung Kang fan, an advertising writer, and an aspiring filmmaker. One of my favorite aspects of the film genre is the “afterplay.” That’s the best word I can find to describe the way some films stay with you after you watch them. The meaning behind the images, words, and events continues to unfold in your mind’s eye. More »

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To say that I have never driven in Seoul, South Korea is a lie. To say that I have driven on the US military bases in Seoul, South Korea is the truth. However, to say that I have never driven on South Korean soil is the truth. Confused? Bottom line: I have yet to drive outside of the US military bases in Seoul or anywhere in South Korea. Why? Here’s why:

1) Public transportation is cheap and effective. 2) I live near the base so I can easily walk to and from there. 3) I think I’d rather jump off of the Seoul Tower before even attempting to drive in the dreaded traffic. 4) I usually do not go anywhere far to need a car. 5) I have a personal chauffeur by the name of Daddy, and I’ll take advantage of that as long as I can. More »

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Ningin has always had a lot of visitors from South Korea and other Asian countries. We’re quite proud of that actually because it means we’re transcending national and cultural boundaries. It doesn’t matter who or where you are, if you’re interested in Asian media, we’re happy to have you here! So to better serve our international members (and really everyone in general) allow me to introduce Tara Popp, our newest blogger from South Korea:

차렷, 경래, 안녕하세요! (Cha-lyut, gyung-lae, ahnyoung-ha-sae-yo! = Attention! Bow and say hello!) Well that is one way to say hello in South Korea, especially at an institute, I suppose. More »

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