tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31623050129401961062024-02-19T08:30:28.419-08:00Hallyu Surfers LAIn 2007, the Korean Cultural Center LA offered an amazing lecture series on Korean Entertainment Content. Participants and friends - dubbed the HALLYU SURFERS! - met regularly to share what they were watching and listening to. Over the past decade-plus, the passion for Korean food & entertainment has spread globally! We don't meet as often now, but this blog still celebrates the friendships and the passion for the Korean Wave that we started surfing back then. Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-61669643039513286002018-12-15T11:09:00.000-08:002018-12-15T11:14:19.481-08:00Again Experiencing Lack of Background Knowledge: "Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter" <div style="text-align: left;">
I absolutely adore Korean time travel dramas! When I was in Korea, I felt that history was so alive, side by side the ultra-modern, that a blend of "today" and "yesterday" must be a part of everyday life for people living there. No time travel or fantasy drama was too much for me --- until "Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter." </div>
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This drama is charming, but I have been perplexed: Sun Ok-Nam, the Mama Fairy, is simultaneously a sweet <i>halmoni</i> (Grandma) (Ko Du-Shim) and a beautiful young woman (Moon Chae-Won)? Jeom-Soon (Kang Mi-Na) is her lovely daughter who transforms into a cat with potential tiger moments? Of the two men, which one is Mama Fairy's husband reincarnated: Jung Yi-Hyun (Yoon Hyun-Min) or Kim Geum (Seo Ji-Hoon)? And what about the talking deer and the son, who's an egg? If the acting hadn't been so good and the animation so engaging, I would have given up. </div>
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Then, somehow I learned that this drama is based on the Korean fairy tale, "The Fairy and the Woodcutter." Perhaps the references to the fairy tale were in online synopses about the drama that I saw when checking out how many episodes the drama would be or where I had seen Moon Chae-Won before. Given the fairy tale theme, the beautiful talking deer and other special effects made sense - but they didn't really because, of course, I don't know the story of the fairy and the woodcutter. Again, I am experiencing that lack of background knowledge, lack of Korean "story grammar," that first made Korean dramas so engaging, so intriguing for me. Years ago and many, many dramas ago, almost every scene was a surprise to me. The actions, the relationships were all so unexpected. I loved it! I was being exposed to Korean culture in such delightful ways. Yes, I fell in love - not just with Bae Yong-Joon in "Winter Sonata," but with all aspects of Korean culture. Doing so vicariously, I experienced no negative effects of "culture shock" or cross-cultural miscommunication. Every drama taught me something new about Korean life and values. (Yes, I know TV is not real life, but the K-dramas on TV were my window into parts of Korean culture.) Recently, after watching so, so many dramas through the years, the story lines and the characters' relationships were becoming predictable, a complaint you sometimes hear, but which I'd always disagreed with - they hadn't been predictable to me, at least, until recently.</div>
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Then suddenly, "Mama Fairy and the Woodcutter" throws me for a loop! I can't imagine how this drama is playing with the plot of the fairy tale. What are the unexpected twists the writers built in to engage those very familiar with the fairy tale? I have no idea -- and I'm not sure I want to find out. Is reading up on the fairy tale going to spoil my current adventure with the story? What would I lose if I had more insights into what might happen? I was glad that the one youtube video I watched on six popular Korean fairy tales ("Learn the Top 6 Korean Fairy Tales" by LearnKoreanwithKoreanclass101.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmPwUFfxYsc) only said that he wasn't sure if this should actually be a kids' story because the woodcutter kind of threatens the fairy to marry him. Hmm.....</div>
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"Mama Fairy" has challenged me to learn more, to go deeper. Fairy tales hold and nourish the cultural psyche, so I need to read up! In my search on Amazon, I found Julie Kim's <i>Where's Halmoni?, </i>a storybook that introduces children to the characters in Korean fairy tales and myths. I definitely want to get that - after I finish watching "Mama Fairy." </div>
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With only four episodes left, I feel I need to protect this first viewing experience. Later, I will read the actual fairy tale, watch youtube videos of it, and read more Korean fairy tales. For right now, that lack of background knowledge and total unpredictability keeps me watching and charmed. And yes, I am hoping for a happy ending! But you know Korean dramas don't always go for that easy ending, all perfectly tied up with a bow, and fairy tales from all cultures can be pretty tragic. Right now, I am hoping that the egg-son hatches and gets to see his dad reincarnated, alive again, and I kind of think the psychiatrist who has been in love with Jung Yi-Hyun for ten years will comfort him when he loses Mama Fairy to Kim Geum, or Kim Kim, as they call him. You may be watching and you may have other insights and predictions, but my guess is based on how caring Kim Kim is to the tigerish cat-girl, Jeom-Soon. He has helped her out whenever he could, just like a real dad would!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-533650683935194932018-12-14T09:57:00.000-08:002018-12-14T09:57:34.484-08:00Dramafever Should Be Resurrected!!!<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/27eaLQyrB2I" width="480"></iframe>Two months gone, but not forgotten! Dramafever should be resurrected! Nine years of my viewing history - gone! I did get my refund back almost immediately, which was to their credit. However, Dramafever offered an important option to viewers! Now I value my collection of K-drama DVDs even more. They won't just disappear - although some of them might not play anymore, and some of them had horrendous, just hilarious subtitles! Any suggestions out there for how to revive or resurrect Dramafever? How about Dramafever 2.0? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-88739910239292890442016-11-08T11:14:00.001-08:002016-11-08T11:14:45.767-08:00Resurfaced: Kimchi Poised to Take America by Storm [Arirang Today]<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vxcLdiTJFXU" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-45327725006395913502016-06-15T06:39:00.000-07:002018-12-14T12:24:05.136-08:00Memoir: My 꿈, My Dream, Came True: My Trip to KoreaMy 꿈, My Dream, Came True: My Trip to Korea
with the
4th Global Conference of Excellent Korean Language Learners
It still feels a little like cheating to have been able to attend the 4th Global Conference of Excellent Korean Language Learners, sponsored by the King Sejong Language Institute (Sejong Hakdong) supported by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, held August 22-27 in conjunction with the World Korean Educators Conference, held August 22-24, in Seoul, South Korea. Sixty-seven participants from 28 different countries arrived in Korea to experience the culture first-hand after successfully studying the Korean language. Even though my efforts to develop fluency in Korean have not proved to be so successful (I still rely on Google-translate a lot), I think I qualified because of my deep love for Korea, the Korean language, Korean culture, and my Korean friends! My persistence for the past five years in studying Korean and organizing gatherings related to Korean food, films, concerts, dance, and art exhibits for the Hallyu Surfers in Los Angeles resulted in this great opportunity – a week in KOREA!<br />
<br />
I arrived at Incheon Airport and walked through the sliding doors that I’d seen in so many Korean dramas! There they were -- all the people waiting for family and friends and business associates. I paused a little too long to take it in and looked for someone to be holding the sign that I’d seen in the orientation papers that had been emailed to me. No one - so I walked to door #7 to find someone from the conference and get my bus to Gyong Gi University in Suwon, where we’d be staying. I walked through lucky door #7 into a moist embrace from the hot and humid weather I’d been promised and found conference attendees who’d just arrived from Australia and the Philippines and a very handsome and helpful staffer from the conference. We got on the bus and headed across the looooonnnng Incheon Bridge. (When I was leaving, exhausted from the exciting week, I would amazingly take three (3!) short naps and still not finish crossing that bridge!)<br />
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The participants were housed in the beautiful Dream Tower of Gyong Gi University in Suwon. I was so impressed by the key card that we were given: it let us through security to the stairs and elevators, was a key to our room, and activated the power for the room when we slid it into the slot by the door. So efficient! My roommate, Alyssa Donovan, a high school senior from Maine and a TEACHER at her Korean language program, and I settled in and found out that we both had the same yellow “Of course, it’s the carrot!” bag (당근이지 tang geun ee jee) from my friend’s online shop, www.okitokki.com.<br />
<br />
Each day was filled with events and tours, led by our beautiful and patient team leaders, Sunyoung Kim and Yujin Kim!
Yujin Kim and Sunyoung Kim – Wonderful Leaders!
Day One seemed like a week in itself! We started with the Opening Ceremony at the National Museum in Seoul in the morning (attended by the First Lady of Korea as well as the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports!), then enjoyed a modern take on my favorite bibimbap at the restaurant there, had a guided tour of the historical exhibits on the first floor and then of the Buddhist sculptures on the top floor. After that, we got on the tour buses (three for our huge group) to go to Gyeongbok Palace. I couldn’t believe I was actually there – not only amidst the history going back to King Taejo in 1394, but also because of my own emotional connection.
How many historical dramas – sa geuk --had I seen that took place there? It looked just like the place where the crown princess – or so we thought – drowned in the reflecting ponds in the past-present fantasy Rooftop Prince. I didn’t feel guilty at all that my connection to the 5,000 years of Korean history was made by crawling through the window of Korean dramas. (At first I’d just peeked in, but Kim Sun-ah of My Lovely Samsoon and Bae Yong-joon of Winter Sonata invited me in a long time ago, and I’ve been addicted ever since!)<br />
<br />
After our visit to Gyeongbok Palace, we strolled down Sejongno to the immense statue of the Great King Sejong. In every photo with our new friends from all over the world, King Sejong’s hands raised to bless us in our studies and cultural experiences in the Land of Morning Calm.
A formal dinner with an awesome musical performance took place before we were taken back to our dorm to sleep and rise to a very busy morning, which started with a American-Korean fusion breakfast at the breakfast buffet in the Foodteria of our Dream Tower.
If you can imagine, each day was as jam-packed as the first with the sights and sounds of Korea right there! We visited Hwaseong Haenggung , where Dae Jang Geum was filmed. One of the KBS photographers that was traveling around with our group asked me what I thought, and to my surprise, I started crying. I tried to explain in my limited Korean that I couldn’t believe I was actually there, walking through the places that I had come to love so much as I watched Dae Jang Geum.<br />
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We also visited Magoksa temple, where the beauty of the temple structures blended with the natural beauty of the location. The global cultural experience the participants shared in visiting Korea was brought home again as the two participants from Sri Lanka knelt in front of the three Buddhas. Nadeesha Ma said that it was the same, but different.<br />
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The program also included a two-day side trip to Jeon Ju, where we visited the palace, stayed at a guest house and slept on the floor, saw traditional Hanok architecture, and visited the cultural center for special classes in cooking bibimbap (yum!) and made hanji fans - much needed!
However, it was the intense experience of participating in one of the five Korean cultural groups – traditional Korean dance, K-pop, drama, Tae kwon do, and Samulnori – that helped all the participants bond and truly appreciate the amount of training, technique and passion that goes into developing skills in these expressions of Korean culture.<br />
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I was in the Samulnori group and raised my hand for the buk. I was surprised to find out that I would be playing the big barrel drum. I told everyone that maybe it seemed easier than the other instruments, the Changgo (hour glass drum), Kkweng guari (small gong), and Jing (large gong), but so much technique was still involved that it was a real challenge. Our three Samulnori instructors were world-class, as were the instructors for the other cultural groups. Choi Chan-qyun sonsaeng nim tried to teach me, but I was a nappun haksaeng (bad student)!
He limply hit the drum and made a face; then he did it right, and it sounded so different! I pounded out the rhythms enthusiastically and suddenly, I loved my buk – and Samulnori! The teacher tied the drum on me so that I could carry it as we ran into our spiral and then out to our positions. Doreen Lee, from China, and I were the two buk players, and we started the group with “Tong! Tong! (pause) Tong! Tong! (pause) Tong! Tong! Tong! Tong!”
We all learned our “Ari Ari Rang” lyrics and dance and “Arirang” to sing at the end with a rousing shout of “Dae han min guk!”<br />
<br />
Our group – from Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Algeria, Hungary, Kazakhstan, LA, San Francisco, Poland/Washington, D.C., China, Indonesia, and Taiwan -- went from zero knowledge to being able to perform at the group competition that was part of the closing ceremony for the conference. All the groups had appropriate costumes and in the dress rehearsal, the teachers tied our red, yellow and blue sashes so we looked great! One of the five honorable judges was Mr. Kim Duk Su, who had actually created Samulnori as a performance art, transforming it from the traditional farmer processionals it had always been. Our Samulnori “Dream Team” came in second – after Taw kwon do. We took lots of group photos with our teachers and with Mr. Kim Duk Su, photos that are now posted on all our Facebook pages!<br />
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My 꿈, my dream, really came true! Now I miss Korea, I miss my buk, I miss my new friends from all over the world. However, I’m so thankful that I had this unforgettable and amazing trip! My new dream is to go back to Korea! In the meantime, I will keep studying and hope to actually become an excellent Korean language learner! Fighting!
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-17787713219605780412013-02-16T10:33:00.001-08:002013-02-16T10:33:04.523-08:00Best Of PSY's Gangnam Style - Compilation<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5PTqfoG4T98" width="480"></iframe><br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-41436879211732684802013-02-16T10:28:00.001-08:002013-02-16T10:28:12.913-08:00PSY Super Bowl 2013 Ad | Wonderful Pistachios Get Crackin'<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rE6iiiDdTNY" width="480"></iframe>Gotta post this here to save for posterity! Still goin' nuts for PSY!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-60184782904320473072013-02-16T10:27:00.001-08:002013-02-16T10:27:08.785-08:00PSY Gangnam Style Flash Mob | Wonderful Pistachios Super Bowl 2013 weekend<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F4YMuOItWW8" width="480"></iframe>HOW FUN!!!!! PSY'S "GANGNAM STYLE" HAS TAKEN OVER THE WORLD....well, at least the SUPER BOWL!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-49264467286164611402013-02-16T10:22:00.001-08:002013-02-16T10:22:43.507-08:00Introduction Video of 'King Sejong Institute' (Korean Language Program o...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Jkjqf_dj7B0" width="480"></iframe>This is a great program! My home away from home! Besides being a great deal ($60 for a 10-week session, including book, materials, parking and Korean snacks!), KCCLA and the King Sejong Institute really create a feeling of community! Highly recommended! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-79930629836075679852012-10-01T21:16:00.001-07:002012-10-01T21:18:20.593-07:00Martial Arts Demonstration @ Dae Jang Geum's Palace, Hwasong Castle, in Suwon<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KQPlDvajvoc?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
This was a very impressive demonstration of 24 martial arts!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-41765413536352023252012-10-01T19:58:00.001-07:002012-10-01T19:59:35.961-07:00Dinner @ Chunju Han-il Kwan...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0rckgDa98Ss?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
The Hallyu Surfers enjoyed a great dinner at Chunju Han-il Kwan on Sept. 27th. I really did try to show my photos and video from my trip to Korea, but once the menus came, I was reminded that I can post all that on facebook and the blog == LOL! We went there for the FOOD! Very good -- and the service was great, too! They kept bringing out more tables for our group! It was fun to answer Linda's questions -- got me to focus on particular parts of the trip again. I definitely have to write more about that wonderful trip -- to remember it as well as to share with others! I'd definitely go back to Chunju Han-il Kwan! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-63381552476482203902012-10-01T18:50:00.001-07:002012-10-01T18:57:02.617-07:00Chasing Lee Byung-hun at LACMA Premiere of "Masquerade"<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9HCISTG9u2A?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
Now that I've actually seen "Masquerade" for a second time (at CGV Cinemas in LA), I thought I'd better capture some of the video I took at the premiere at LACMA two weeks ago. I know it was two weeks ago because I tried to see "Masquerade" at CGV Cinemas last Saturday night, but it was SOLD OUT! I really loved the film -- and Lee Byung-hun is so great in it! This video doesn't show you that the 20-minute Q&A was really very interesting. I'll try to edit that later, or I will summarize it in a future post. However, for "eye candy," this isn't so bad! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-10603935818197156572012-09-22T13:21:00.000-07:002018-12-14T12:18:16.500-08:00My 꿈, My Dream, Came True: My Amazing Trip to Korea! It still feels a little like cheating to have been able to attend the 4th Global Conference of Excellent Korean Language Learners, sponsored by the King Sejong Language Institute (Sejong Hakdong), held August 22-27 in Seoul, South Korea. Sixty-seven participants from 28 different countries arrived in Korea to experience the culture first-hand after successfully studying the Korean language. Even though my efforts to develop fluency in Korean have not proved to be so successful (I still rely on Google-translate <em>a lot</em>), I think I qualified because of my deep love for Korea, the Korean language, Korean culture, and my Korean friends! My persistence for the past five years in studying Korean and organizing gatherings related to Korean food, films, concerts and other cultural events resulted in this great opportunity – a week in KOREA!
<br />
<br />
I arrived at Incheon Airport and walked through the sliding doors that I’d seen in so many Korean dramas! There they were -- all the people waiting for family and friends and business associates. I paused a little too long to take it in while looking for someone holding the sign that I’d seen in the orientation papers that had been emailed to me. No one - so I walked to door #7 and found conference attendees who’d just arrived from Australia and the Philippines and a <em>very handsome</em> and helpful staffer from the conference. As I walked out the door to the bus, I was enveloped by a moist embrace from the hot and humid weather-- just as promised! We got on the bus to Kyong Gi University in Suwon, where we’d be staying, and headed across the looooonnnng Incheon Bridge. (When I was leaving, exhausted from the exciting week, I would amazingly take three (3!) short naps and still not finish crossing that bridge!)
<br />
<br />
Conference participants were housed in the beautiful Dream Tower of Kyong Gi University. I was so impressed by the key card we were given: it let us through security to the stairs and elevators, was a key to our room, and activated the power for the room when we slid it into the slot by the door. So efficient! My roommate, Alyssa Donovan, a high school senior from Maine and a TEACHER at her Korean language program, and I settled in and found out that we both had the same yellow “Of course, it’s the carrot!” bag (당근이지 tang geun ee jee) from my friend’s online shop, www.okitokki.com.
Each day was filled with events and tours, led by our beautiful and patient team leaders, Sunyoung Kim and Yujin Kim!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOGZ9CgQxY4HmbsuWCuAH5n6bSn_rawrFlYcT0y_DhrTxy8FON5cO26G2tIV3gw1mZZBewrKaJgknisMmFjFTCCt6cKWgQVlde6WndfYhN014kopDusbUQiQ4_rrLPSgcE-WBayRSRfij/s1600/jini+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOGZ9CgQxY4HmbsuWCuAH5n6bSn_rawrFlYcT0y_DhrTxy8FON5cO26G2tIV3gw1mZZBewrKaJgknisMmFjFTCCt6cKWgQVlde6WndfYhN014kopDusbUQiQ4_rrLPSgcE-WBayRSRfij/s320/jini+17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Day One seemed like a week in itself! We started with the Opening Ceremony at the National Museum in Seoul in the morning (attended by the First Lady of Korea as well as the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports!), then enjoyed a modern take on my favorite bibimbap at the restaurant there, had a guided tour of the historical exhibits on the first floor and then of the Buddhist sculptures on the top floor. <br />
<br />
After that, we got on the tour buses (three for our huge group) to go to Gyeongbok Palace. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMq2EU5zCD_JZghuLkk9hTMDR75b4812Ba8oeg4FD1nIW-kmoZb4Z2dsp9X4_z3psYmSSpSueiN0PVaXqe7XwcNrqDvY7NbZ36TKCgqDlbg5eUEI26IfrCit6XHUCa_I0D2ri5Gbys5cI/s1600/jini+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilMq2EU5zCD_JZghuLkk9hTMDR75b4812Ba8oeg4FD1nIW-kmoZb4Z2dsp9X4_z3psYmSSpSueiN0PVaXqe7XwcNrqDvY7NbZ36TKCgqDlbg5eUEI26IfrCit6XHUCa_I0D2ri5Gbys5cI/s320/jini+5.jpg" width="320" /></a><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></em><br />
I couldn’t believe I was actually there – not only amidst the history going back to King Taejo in 1394, but also because of my own emotional connection.
How many historical dramas – <em>sa geuk</em> --had I seen that took place there? It looked just like the place where the crown princess – or so we thought – drowned in the reflecting ponds in the past-present fantasy <em>Rooftop Prince</em>. I didn’t feel guilty at all that my connection to the 5,000 years of Korean history was made by crawling through the window of Korean dramas. (At first I’d just peeked in, but Kim Sun-ah of <em>My Lovely Samsoon</em> and Bae Yong-joon of <em>Winter Sonata</em> invited me in a long time ago, and I’ve been addicted ever since!) After our visit to Gyeongbok Palace, we strolled down Sejongno to the immense statue of the Great King Sejong. In every photo with our new friends from all over the world, King Sejong’s hands raised to bless us in our studies and cultural experiences in the Land of Morning Calm. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGHhoNH04eKaRdo6bCIB-rQMEkqDspCoVFHLxaOjIKsAB2uwwB05j0jzX1MX6gBWAMnPWV_1R5qZJJ2N3P-nCntaVNU3BkElcg4o_vK0KfkDsC_NtwKv8LyV6pHJGGCLdp96ecmfw_Gzn/s1600/jini+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGHhoNH04eKaRdo6bCIB-rQMEkqDspCoVFHLxaOjIKsAB2uwwB05j0jzX1MX6gBWAMnPWV_1R5qZJJ2N3P-nCntaVNU3BkElcg4o_vK0KfkDsC_NtwKv8LyV6pHJGGCLdp96ecmfw_Gzn/s320/jini+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Juifong, Great King Sejong, and me</span></em></div>
A formal dinner with an awesome musical performance took place before we were taken back to our dorm to sleep and rise to a very busy morning, which started with a American-Korean fusion breakfast at the breakfast buffet in the Foodteria of our Dream Tower.
<br />
<br />
<br />
If you can imagine, each day was as jam-packed as the first with the sights and sounds of Korea right there! One of the highlights was when we visited Hwaseong Haenggung , where <em>Dae Jang Geum</em> was filmed. One of the KBS photographers that was traveling around with our group asked me what I thought, and to my surprise, I started crying. I tried to explain in my limited Korean that I couldn’t believe I was actually there, walking through the places that I had come to love so much as I watched <em>Dae Jang Geum</em>.
<br />
<br />
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We also visited Magoksa temple, where the beauty of the temple structures blended with the natural beauty of the location. The global cultural experience the participants shared in visiting Korea was brought home again as the two Buddhist participants from Sri Lanka knelt in front of the three Buddhas. Nadeesha Ma said that the temple was the same in some ways, but different.
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The program also included a two-day side trip to Jeon Ju, where we visited the palace, stayed at a guest house and slept on the floor, saw traditional Hanok architecture, and visited the cultural center for special classes in cooking bibimbap (yum!) and made hanji fans - much needed!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hanok Rooftops in Jeon Ju</span></a><br />
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However, it was the intense experience of participating in one of the five Korean cultural groups – traditional Korean dance, K-pop, drama, Tae kwon do, and Samulnori – that helped all the participants bond and truly appreciate the amount of training, technique and passion that goes into developing skills in these expressions of Korean culture. I was in the Samulnori group and raised my hand for the <em>Buk</em>. I was surprised to find out that I would be playing the big barrel drum. I told everyone that maybe it seemed easier than the other instruments, the <em>Changgo</em> (hour glass drum), <em>Kkweng guari</em> (small gong), and <em>Jing</em> (large gong), but so much technique was still involved that it was a real challenge. <br />
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Our three Samulnori instructors were world-class, as were the instructors for the other cultural groups. Choi Chan-qyun <em>sonsaeng nim</em> tried to teach me, but I was a <em>nappun haksaeng</em> (bad student)!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl1AuWXQe0E2qrFHKDnaN9mCjvXwwWP8Ji4W-e7nkSUIlifCcZLyKCrfFfqLRayyTFZI9exuEFNRgkPwcIJTJUy4IPYWXFOxo_r81Lxfn4PSq7LbN4YjGRrX8KSWGNJHk3Dt62kzW6YwA/s1600/samulnori+teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSl1AuWXQe0E2qrFHKDnaN9mCjvXwwWP8Ji4W-e7nkSUIlifCcZLyKCrfFfqLRayyTFZI9exuEFNRgkPwcIJTJUy4IPYWXFOxo_r81Lxfn4PSq7LbN4YjGRrX8KSWGNJHk3Dt62kzW6YwA/s200/samulnori+teacher.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
He limply hit the drum and made a face; then he did it right, and it sounded so different! I pounded out the rhythms enthusiastically and suddenly, I loved my <em>Buk</em> – and Samulnori! The teacher tied the drum on me so that I could carry it as we ran into our spiral and then out to our positions. Doreen Lee, from China, and I were the two <em>Buk</em> players, and we started the group with <em>“Tong! Tong!</em> (pause) <em>Tong! Tong!</em> (pause) <em>Tong! Tong! Tong! Tong!”</em> <br />
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We all learned our “<em>Ari Ari Rang</em>” lyrics and six of our group mastered the dance. We also practiced “<em>Arirang</em>,” ending with a rousing shout of <em>“Dae han min guk!”</em> Our group – from Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Algeria, Hungary, Kazakhstan, LA, San Francisco, Poland/Washington, D.C., China, Indonesia, and Taiwan -- went from zero knowledge to being able to perform at the group competition that was part of the closing ceremony for the conference. All the groups had appropriate costumes and in the dress rehearsal, the teachers tied our red, yellow and blue sashes so we looked great! <br />
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One of the five honorable judges was Mr. Kim Duk Su, who had actually created Samulnori as a performance art, transforming it from the traditional farmer processionals it had always been. Our Samulnori “Dream Team” came in second – after Tae kwon do. We took lots of group photos with our teachers and with Mr. Kim Duk Su, photos that are now posted on all our Facebook pages!
My꿈, my dream, really came true! Now I miss Korea, I miss my <em>Buk</em>, I miss my new friends from all over the world. However, I’m so thankful that I had this unforgettable and amazing trip! My new dream is to go back to Korea! In the meantime, I will keep studying and hope to actually become an excellent Korean language learner! Fighting!
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Samulnori "Dream Team" with honorable judge Kim Duk Su </span></em></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-90034995114553854352012-05-07T18:41:00.000-07:002012-05-07T18:41:52.107-07:00LA Asian Pacific Film Festival Starts Thursday, May 10!This year's LA Asian Pacific Film Festival <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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starts this Thursday, May 10, running through May 20. Our group, the Hallyu Surfers, is a community co-sponsor of the Korean film, "Secrets, Objects," which will screen this Saturday at 7:15pm at CGV Cinemas on 6th Street (north of Wilshire). More information about the film festival can be found at http://asianfilmfestla.org/2012/.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-60170307411944708952012-04-29T17:00:00.001-07:002012-04-29T17:00:22.413-07:00Korean Music Festival 10 @ the Hollywood Bowl 4/28/2012<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/odRIgXGyVug?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
From our bird's eye view, I just captured some video of the crowd and the music -- even though this doesn't show the performers, this does show the fans' love for them!! This is another Flip "Magic Movie." I will try to edit some of the video with more of the songs. Better yet, I'll search other people's videos of the event and share them here! I loved Lena Park, MBlaq, Bobby Kim, g.o.d., and Brown-Eyed Girls!! Lots of slow ballads this year -- not the energy of previous KMFs, but still great! So glad I went! My son and his girlfriend went, too! And about 25 people attended our pre-concert potluck picnic! So much fun!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-50296786696947221002012-03-28T12:39:00.001-07:002012-03-28T12:39:45.673-07:00Have to Share This -- Enjoy Rooftop Prince on DramaFever!Sharing from DramaFever to the blog just means this link and brief statement: <br />
<a href="http://www.dramafever.com/drama/4101/1/Rooftop_Prince/#.T3Noj8xeKQQ.blogger">Enjoy Rooftop Prince on DramaFever!</a>: Watch Free on DramaFever! NEW SERIES! EPISODE 2 ADDED! A Joseon era Prince travels to modern-day Korea in order to solve the mystery of his Princess's death.<br />
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I had to share since I am eagerly awaiting Episode 3!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-652004376539520512012-03-28T12:02:00.000-07:002012-03-28T12:02:07.076-07:00Korean Dramas: On the Road to Understanding Sticky "Cheong"<span style="font-size: x-small;">What follows is my essay for the essay competition in the Korean language classes at KCCLA's King Sejong Institute. I did it wrong, starting out in English rather than Korean, so I owe my language partner, Won Tack Kim a huge debt of gratitude for working with me so closely to translate these thoughts! She is awesome! Gamsahamnida, WonTack ssi!</span><br />
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Korean Dramas: On the Road to Understanding Sticky “Cheong”<br />
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The first Korean drama I watched was “My Lovely Samsoon.” I found “my” Samsoon by accident on a hot summer night and was totally delighted by her humor, her foul language, and her passionate connection to both love and pastries. She amazed me! However, she and her family and friends and love relationships also confused me. Why was she worried about being 30? Why was a younger guy such an issue? Why did her boyfriend’s mother have such control over him and, thus, her? Why did her sister fear going home a divorced woman? <br />
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The plot, the wonderful acting, and this desire to find answers to my many questions kept me watching, addicted to this “virtual” Korea that I had found a way to sneak into. Other dramas that I watched – and there have been many in the last five to six years!! – offered other windows through which I could crawl and catch a glimpse of Korean culture and family life. As a good friend of mine from Korea explained, I have begun to understand the Korean connectedness, “cheong,” that underlies those family relationships. In fact, it is not just a connectedness but a “sticky connectedness – kkeun kkeun han cheong” that I’d begun to experience. It’s that sticky connectedness that draws people together in deep bonds that might be a little beyond an American’s comfort zone.<br />
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There used to be a shout-out about family values in American television. I think that recently that has given way to reality shows and crazy competitions. However, I still think that the family values mixed into American television is like a thin layer of frosting smeared on a cupcake of a appeasement for the more conservative viewers. Most Americans understand that the bite-size morsels of life that 30-minute sitcoms offer can add in only a few images of so-called family values. On the contrary, Korean dramas of 60 to 90 minutes per episode and sixteen to over fifty episodes per series provide a much better opportunity to delve into characters’ lives, their relationships, and their conflicts, and to create, finally, after many, many hours of story-telling, a resolution, that maybe was not a neatly tied up Hollywood happy ending, but was still satisfying and often thought-provoking.<br />
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As I’ve watched more and more Korean dramas, week-end and daily family dramas, historical dramas and historical fusion, romantic comedies, and action thrillers, the story lines and characters have almost always captured me and smeared me with a wonderful, tasty coating of sticky, sticky cheong. This addiction to Korean dramas that I have experienced really has changed my life and my approach to relationships and conflicts. Just like a classic novel that touches your heart and enriches your life, Korean dramas have broadened not only my understanding of the world at large, but also my own personal world. <br />
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Now I know that love isn’t just the American-style rush to pleasure but is built up and reconsidered in terms of what one has to offer the loved one. However, the sticky cheong is in conflict with the individualism that is the Americans’ view on the world. I’m sure Koreans also wonder, “What’s in it for me?” However, there are other connections that need care and monitoring. The focus is on the garden, not on one particular plant.<br />
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In the years that I’ve been watching Korean dramas, especially family dramas, I’ve noted exciting changes: plots revolve around some different conflicts related to HIV, homosexuality, single parenting, adoption, and divorce. Women’s lives are also being re-examined in many dramas – women of every age take time to reconsider their choices and those family relationships that require so much hard work and sacrifice, sometimes even leaving the family, like in “Mom’s Dead Upset.” Just like American TV, however, just because certain issues are brought up within the context of a program doesn’t mean that the issue is resolved in the society at large. Yet, what I thought might be taboo topics are treated with warmth and respect in the Korean dramas I’ve seen, giving viewers a way to think about those issues and still maintain that sticky connectedness. <br />
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My Korean friend said that some things in the dramas are changing and thus are surprising to her and other Koreans, but that sticky connectedness has just gone a little deeper. I know it’s still there – I can feel it, and it still provides a strong foundation on which the relationships can grow. Maybe that’s why every American I’ve told about Korean dramas and actually watches them does become addicted. That sticky connectedness appeals at a deeper level, beyond a Cinderella story, beyond cultural differences.<br />
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I know I still don’t understand sticky cheong completely, but I’m more comfortable with and appreciate the issues that arise within families and loving relationships in Korean dramas. I am also more comfortable with the more realistic ambiguous ending that allows for some things to work out in the end, but not everything. Life is like that – not everything works out the way we’d like it to and not every situation is perfectly resolved at the same time. So, thanks to Korean dramas I’m learning to go deeper, be more patient and enjoy some of that sticky, sticky connectedness.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-24188497272972844192012-01-18T14:52:00.000-08:002012-01-18T14:52:39.472-08:00Tickets Go on Sale @ 10am this Saturday, Jan. 21, for the 10th LA Korean Music Festival at the Hollywood Bowl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ55aslA_xRrRhCpY7udUk3MO4RvTgy7tsWQPGUY6-ydLfs21wnJhE2wTDlD9wDlbYUUkLVKWzG8OiX005Ganq44IFq_ncaGM3qzNmZBf6iLDoWXskCYQF4hV4RPNpzi2XFTYwW3pCCfR/s1600/korean+music+festival.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ55aslA_xRrRhCpY7udUk3MO4RvTgy7tsWQPGUY6-ydLfs21wnJhE2wTDlD9wDlbYUUkLVKWzG8OiX005Ganq44IFq_ncaGM3qzNmZBf6iLDoWXskCYQF4hV4RPNpzi2XFTYwW3pCCfR/s320/korean+music+festival.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>For more information, be sure to check out the website: <a href="http://www.koreanmusicfestival.com/">http://www.koreanmusicfestival.com/</a>. I am SOOOO looking forward to this year's concert! It will be the sixth time for me -- and every year I have loved it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-58070901604945780602012-01-15T13:17:00.000-08:002012-01-15T13:17:31.648-08:00Getting Ready for Seollal, Korean New Year<iframe height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C3HRXlJHZWA?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-59149923992262035112011-11-07T17:23:00.000-08:002011-11-07T17:23:22.365-08:00Kimchi Poised to Take America by Storm [Arirang Today]<iframe height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vxcLdiTJFXU?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br />The kimchi class was SOOO much fun! I learned so much! Chef Isabella is a great teacher, and everyone -- all the staff at Hansong Buffet (1925 Olympic Blvd., LA) -- was super friendly and helpful! Then to actually be a part of this episode when they came to film Jackie and me making kimchi at home -- wow! Please share -- help kimchi go worldwide viral! Gamsahamnida!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-19485782090019957342011-09-24T14:40:00.000-07:002011-09-24T14:40:25.748-07:00Don't Forget to Vote for Jeju Island as 1 of the New 7 Wonders of the World- 제주홍보 및 세계7대자연경관 N7W 응원)(HD)<iframe height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-hb3SPzk03Y?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-52234714772786331022011-08-26T14:18:00.000-07:002011-08-26T14:18:31.128-07:00Walk and Talk in Korean - Ep. 7<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UvsXFY4xTJg?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br />Walking and talking in Korean is hard for me! :-D
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-74121515302470668122011-08-26T14:14:00.000-07:002011-08-26T14:14:45.977-07:00How to Show Frustration in Korean<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nucBfeaXY1Y?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-27757080164070756242011-07-24T18:23:00.000-07:002011-07-24T18:23:01.268-07:00Excellent Example of Product Placement! (Lie to Me, Episode 8)<iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z3DUrJWyvGM?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br />Coca Cola sales just soared!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-59458904658274692982011-06-22T21:52:00.000-07:002011-06-22T21:52:59.902-07:00Some Poems with Korean ImageryIt was suggested that I share some of my poetry with Korean imagery on the Hallyu Surfers LA blog.<br />
Hope you enjoy the poems below! <br />
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<u>Koguryo's* Skies</u><br />
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The only twins in heaven, you and I,<br />
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Born within one lotus blossom<br />
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Beneath Koguryo’s skies.<br />
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Cranes encircle us, phoenixes rise,<br />
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One thousand, four hundred sixty-seven stars<br />
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Light up Koguryo’s skies.<br />
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Blessings through eternity were never great as this<br />
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From the darkness, hearts of ash<br />
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Reignited with a kiss.<br />
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Why are we together here amid the petals fair<br />
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Was our love so much stronger<br />
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Or just a sweet and simple prayer?<br />
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The only twins in heaven, caught up in love’s surprise<br />
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Create a new constellation<br />
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In Koguryo’s ancient skies.<br />
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* Koguryo, ancient Korea, was ruled by 27 kings from 300 BC to 700 AD. Paintings from that period depict identifiable constellations – with 1,467 stars – and present a view of the afterlife, with individuals being born in a lotus blossom. Of the paintings found, only one depicted a couple within the blossom<br />
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<u>Korean Tea Offerings</u><br />
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I try to offer him tea properly<br />
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Left hand touching my right forearm<br />
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Honoring him, humbling myself, a little<br />
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The small, round cup rests freely on his open hand<br />
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His other hand lightly covers the front, protecting it -<br />
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The way I’ve always wanted to be held<br />
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He swirls the tea counterclockwise,<br />
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Releasing chestnut and pomegranate, pine pollen and honey;<br />
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The earthenware translates my warmth into his hand.<br />
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Three sips, four sips, done<br />
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He doesn’t drink my whole heart<br />
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He leaves some for me<br />
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Love has always been a too sweet grande mochaccino<br />
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This is so simple: a few sips of tea<br />
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I like it <br />
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<u>On Learning Korean</u><br />
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Consonants stick inside my mouth,<br />
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Sweet hard candies clicking against my teeth<br />
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-imnidas and –imnikkas<br />
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tickle my tongue<br />
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Sounds sneak out<br />
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Whispers barely leaving my lips:<br />
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Ka ja - Let’s go<br />
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Can I say it soft enough for you to go with me?<br />
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If you say it - you know the right way -<br />
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Softer than human speech should sound,<br />
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Nae- Yes - Ka yo<br />
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I will go with you. <br />
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<u>Ondol</u><br />
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Wikipedia definition: Ondol is a traditional Korean underfloor heating system for indoor climate control similar in principle to a Roman hypocaust. The main components are a fireplace or stove (also used for cooking) located below floor level, a heated floor underlayed by horizontal smoke passages, and a vertical chimney to provide a draft. <br />
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I aspire to be ondol, emanating warmth<br />
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I welcome you across the threshold<br />
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Remove your shoes<br />
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Slide your slippered feet across me -<br />
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The sole caress I crave<br />
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Lie down, curl up against me, sleep<br />
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I feel your heartbeat<br />
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I hear your deep, even breathing<br />
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Your dreams drift down to me, through me<br />
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I’m happy<br />
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My pleasure warms the entire length of you<br />
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I know your early morning footsteps<br />
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And later – such a sigh! -<br />
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You polish me with a clean white cloth,<br />
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Caring for me on your hands and knees<br />
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Though I ache a little as you dust away each footprint <br />
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Posted by Sharon AllersonUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3162305012940196106.post-37623056503388835672011-06-21T12:03:00.000-07:002011-06-21T12:03:13.877-07:00This interview with Hyun Bin is so cute!<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5xOQnYLs2QQ?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br />What an adorable guy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0