Korea
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This week in Kpop-land
I have a confession to make: I’ve actually liked Kpop for a looong time. Since 2008 to be precise. Obviously back then, I had no idea about what they were singing, but man I just loved Big Bang, Rain, and Wondergirls, and I still get super nostalgic when I hear the song “Haru Haru.” Even…
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A trip to my beloved Busan
Even though I live in Seoul, the southern city of Busan will always have a very special place in my heart. There’s just something about the atmosphere in that city. The skyscrapers by the shore, the beautifully lit-up bridges at night, the enchanting Busan dialect – it really has that je ne sais qois. Busan…
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Korea’s sampo generation
When living in Korea, you often hear particularly younger people talk about Korea as Hell Joseon, (Joseon being the old name for Korea). Hell Joseon symbolizes the inhumane competition and pressure that many young people are facing during their school years and when searching for a job. Aside from describing the difficulties in getting employment…
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Exams are (almost) over and I luv’ it
This week has been tense and filled with preparations for my final exams at Sogang. I just have one speaking test left on Monday, and then I’m graduating on Tuesday. YAY! It’s been so much fun to learn Korean in a formal setting and I don’t hesitate to recommend the Sogang program to anyone who…
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South Korea has a new president
This post is about a week late but I’ve been busy entertaining my awesome Canadian friends here in Seoul the past week 🙂 Anyway, as anyone who follows international news will already know, South Korea elected Moon Jae In as their new president following the scandalous impeachment of former president Park. Moon was the favorite from…
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It’s Buddha’s birthday – and I need a break
Not from the festivities that is, it’s absolutely amazing to see all the lanterns hanging everywhere in Seoul these days. So colorful and bright that it’s impossible not to feel happy when you look at them. No, I need a break from school. Oh, I know I sound like a spoiled brat when I say…
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Introducing the Koreans: Korean ajusshis
I’m now through my midterms at Sogang, and it’s time for the fourth and final installment of my “introducing the Koreans” series. This time, I’ll be dealing with the Korean ajusshis and I’ve promised my friend Jonson from Spongemind to go easy on them, haha. I’m not sure Jonson quite fits into this category, though.…
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My first Korean wedding
Yesterday was my debut as a wedding guest here in Korea. Carefully avoiding the word “culture shock” I’ll just say that it was slightly different from the type of weddings that I’m used to. The happy couple was an American guy and a Korean girl that we’ve gotten to know while we’ve been living in…
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Introducing the Koreans: Korean girls
We’ve now become well acquainted with both Korean guys and Korean ajummas, and so it’s time to move on to another wonderful group of people in this country: Korean girls. When I first came to Korea for vacation over two years ago, the first thought that struck me was “Wow, the girls here are pretty!”.…
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Introducing the Koreans: Korean ajummas
I had actually intended for this second installment of my completely unbiased chronicles of the Koreans to be about Korean girls/women, but by popular demand I’m moving one age group up and thus, ladies and gentlemen, I’m honored to introduce you to the Korean ajumma. First I believe a definition is in order. Technically, the…
Sofie to Korea 