Korea's Indie Band

I thought that K-Pop rules. But, I was wrong. Well, to some extent .....it does.
This how I see it.
Lots of people get crazy head over heel over the ever-burgeoning prowess of K-Pop--not only in Korea, but as most people acknowledge--almost in every corner of the world.
Sadly though....there are more than just K-Pop.
I think --personally-- the world needs to know also...that Korea has also more varied genre of music than just K-Pop.
The one that that I hope people all across the world should know....other than K-Pop...is the mere existence of Korea's indie bands--which truly set forth another genre and nuance of Korean music.
I wish more and more people know more about this indie bands, for they present a completely different feeling of music. Unlike K-Pop, Korea's indie bands offer something that would palatable to more people, not only youngsters or teenagers that cover most of K-Pop fans.
( My American-Korean (Korean-American) friend, Jennely, a classmate with whom I get acquainted with in class, has shown me more than just what meets the eyes. She has a knack for Indie band that in fact she is now working in an enterprise of this indie world).
That's how I came up to get in touch with the Korea's indie bands world.
There are some groups worth mentioning here: 10cm, 요조, Vodka Rain, Donawhale, The Knoxx, Auquabird, 메이트, 스웨트, 페퍼톤스, Small Acacia Band, 타루, Belle Epoque, 가을 방학, Vanilla Acoustic, Humming Urban Stereo, Naru, 토마스 쿡, 루시아, 오지은, MOT (못), 커피 소년, Fanny Ink, ......endless list goes on.
Amazingly....not many people know this. Well, some Koreans do. For instance, 10 cm has popularly gained its strength and fame lately amongst Korean audience as well. But, for outsiders or International market (mostlyt those who only know K-Pop), those are nothing or unheard of.^^
I just wish that these amazing talents as shown in Korean Indie band would be more and more be famous or at least get recognizable....
Check this out:

판소리: Pansori = 색다르고 멋진 공연 (part 3)

This pansori show was nothing like the ones I saw before. This one was unusually daring to explore itself into the edge.  As the performers--who are the students of Korean Music Department, Hanyang University--shown up on the stage, we could feel that it's gonna be good. It was!
Still,  the audience did not have the slightest idea of what to see next. That's the best part.

The pansori-strict rules of uttering words and sentences in Korea were of course present to their core. But, the jazzy pansori, the blues pansori, the hard-hitting slow-rock pansori, and of course Pop Pansori, too....were all mixed up and sewn nicely to portray the 4 different stories from 4 different sorikun 소리꾼 or performers of Pansori. Each of the performer had his/her own uniqueness.

Each of them brought about different story to tell with different props and different ways of expressing feelings through dances, pansori chanting, ranting, rapping, and all other music genres imaginable.
Moreover.... the screen that highlighted the background story of each scene could not have been better! it somewhat delved itself into the realm of new perspective of what Pansori should be.
This WAS something that most young (Korean) people should see so that they could see the hidden treasures that they should cherish in the midst of seemingly never-ending burgeoning prowess of K-Pop into the minds of these young people lately.

Kudos are to the young students of Hanyang Univ. Music Department for bringing up something new to Pansori.
We are--as foreigners--studying and living in Korea, sure. Today, we felt like having the privilege to taste the newly twisted Pansori songs and sounds as we had today at Eunpyeon Art and Cultural Center.
We could not have been invited as well....should our university, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, not inform us. We are lucky and thankful to be studying here since there are lots of cultural activities and experience to explore.

--just like what we normally do, taking pictures is a must-do list in our agenda.^^

Pansori: A New Twistedly Exciting Pansori (part 2)

So, I went to Eunpyong Cultural Center by subway righ after having my Friday prayer at Itaewon Masjid. It was a good thing to know as well that I just needed to take the line 6 subway until Yeokchon station without having to transfer. It took about 30 minutes or so for me to be there. I met my classmate, Marta from Poland--who was looking her way to the Center. Luckily that she met me, otherwise....
anyhow...back to the Pansori...
After getting there, still...I had no idea..not even the slightest one of what I would encounter in the theater. So, I checked into the registration booth where I needed to sign up for my name; confirming that I was on invitation to see the show.
As I was walking into the corridor leading into the theater, I grabbed one booklet explaining of what the show was all about. Good decision!




I could see that the show was about the supposedly new genre of Pansori being brought back into the contemporary collaboration with other genres of music amplified by the witty infusion of lighting effects, movies, theatrical props, and modern musical instruments ranging from organ, bass, drum, guitar, flute....to complement the indispensibly existing Korean traditional instruments. After all that was Pansori all about.

The show begun exactly at 3 pm.
The nerve-cracking audience with little prior experince of what to see and how to behave during the show only made it even more interesting. So, the show started with a kind of welcoming and introductory show of what to do and what to say--SHOUT--during the show.

oh man...I remember the one term when all of us got to say 'olsigu', jotha, jaranta, amyeon, geureoji, eodi, eueoit!!!......(얼시구, 좋다, 잘한다, 아면, 그렇지, 어디, 으어싯!!!!).
Since most of us did not /have not yet got accustomed to those terms. They are mostly used to have a kind of interactive reprisal or answers or just expression of what one feels whenever they see the Pansori; notably when the performers say something of one's interest.

Pansori 판소리: A New Twisted Pansori (part 1)

Twisted Pansori? Yup, that's how I describe the Pansori I just watched earlier today.
I got this invitation--in fact as many as my 90 other friends or so, also got this invitation--to see the premiere of the so-called Pansori: Wearing Rain Boot(?) 판소리 레인부츠를 신다 (Geez: I have to admist that I got no idea what it meant).
Anyway...the point was that...I was so ecstatic when our sonsaengnim told us about this invitation to see and experience Pansori--wait for it: not the one that would dooze people away just simply by hearing the word 'pansori', especially for any foreigners who are not that accustomed to what this is all about. Some of you may have seen it, might have heard  of it from TV, friends, or even saw it on YouTube or even live show before.

As for me, I did see Pansori about twice and most of them were relatively palatable--that's what I could say about this. For those who are not that yet accustomed to or better yet...not being able to grasp Korean language---(just like me--giggle)^^, Pansori would only make one to wonder as to how to enjoy this seemingly intricate singing-genre authentic only and solely in Korea.
---
BUT......the one that I just saw today...INDEED juggernautingly changed the way I would perceive Pansori for once more.
I've been liked.....wham.....slapped on my face as to how creative these young kids from Hanyang University of Music Department were. They did bring in and open up our eyes...to the new level of Pansori ......unlike any other shows I've seen so far.

Seoul Metro: Environment+Health Campaign

I wonder if many people would notice this signs patched over the exit-entry door of some subways in Seoul. Of course, it looks too simple and not-that-eye catching. But, since they are mostly put on the doors of subways, those standing in front of, next to, adjacent to the door, or those waiting in line to exit from subway must've or might've seen or read at least once about this one. These are posters or public advertisement made by the Seoul Subway or Seoul Metro Management. 

So, what's so eye-catching and good about these? Let me start to scroll this down!

First:  지하철 계단을 오르면 생활이 곧 운동이 됩니다.

10계단을 오르면 1.2 Kcal, 1분이면 12 Kcal

...freely translated into

'Use the stairs in subway (stations) and you'll have your exercise'

'10 stairs equals to 1.2 Kcal, 1 minute equals to 12 Kcal.

The next one is also interesting......

It deals about environment-awareness. 

전철을 타면 매일 매일이 식물일입니다.

인천역에서 서울역까지 전철로 출되근하는 고객님은 

오늘도 2그루의 소나무를 심으셨습니다.

freely translated into...

'Riding a subway everyday is the Day of the Plant' (?)

Those passengers who take subway from Incheon to Seoul Station everyday to their offices

are like planting 2 pine trees each day.

The last one that I found is:

 고객님께서는 <1회용 교통카드>를 사용함으로써

환경보호와 물자절약에 앞서고 계십니다.

freely translated into...

'Any passengers using one-time reusable transportation card 

are the front liners in environmental protection and resource conservation.'

I think this kind of public ads is one of the coo ways to promote such awareness. 

As for me, it also tricks me to learn more about Korean language.^^

한.미 FTA (Korea-US Free Trade Agreement)

I will not--of course--talk about something this heavy -a-subject on my blog^^. Instead, I will just want to share what I found on subway advertisement. Well, it is about FTA--okey. But, the way it is projected in such a way is something that attracts me.

First, I know that some Koreans did oppose the implementation of Korea-US FTA for some or so many reasons. I still remembered last year's long rallie being held in Gwanghwamun and Chongno area around downtown to oppose its implementation. With no avail. 

Well, as the fact suggest, the official implementation of this FTA did initiate itself on March 15, 2012. So, there are no other choices but to get along with this. So, this is when the role of government to make sure that its people understand and support its agreement. This ads suggests that at some point, Korean government tries its best to make sure that its people will understand this hard decision. Look at the ads: it is in cartoon, not real people....that would appeal more for passers by or subway passengers in this case..to at least to give it a thought. 

This ads suggest that this FTA would make one's family's daughter changed. How and what changes that would possibly be fell upon her, then? 

The ads says that  thanks to FTA, the prices of oranges, jelly, lemon are getting cheaper and cheaper...which later on eventually would help her solve her diet problem and of course...her skin would be better, too. 

FTA would also boost foreign investment in Korea that would eventually create more jobs and make her get her job that she wants.  etc...

I love learning Korean and Korean society through ads or any other medium I find on the streets or at any other places where I would bump them into. It kinds of helps me to understand more of what's going on or what Korean people are talking or buzzing about...

Oh, this ad has different theme, too: this one talks about how FTA affects a daughter's life. Other ads deal with their Mom, Daddy, Son.....

I think this is a cool way to disseminate the awareness of what FTA would hopefully bring about to Korean society.^^

Book Vending Machine

Coffee Vending Machine? I've seen that. everywhere. Beverages, be it cool or hot, sold through vending machines are common visage in every public corner in Seoul. And I bet in any other cities in Korea.  But, book vending machine? Yes, I have heard about it before. But never have I actually seen it with my own eyes. Well, there are lots and lots and....numerous.......arrays of bookstores--be it small or big; not to mention the second-hand bookstores. There are a lot right here in Seoul.

But..then....I found this unique vending machine that solely sells books. I was at Seoggye station waiting for my train when I deliberately walked around the platform to see what it had to offer.  That was when I saw this. Quite an interesting sight to see. The books being sold: They are mostly 2000 Won or roughly US$ 1.8 or Rp 15,000. Cheap!  And..the books are mostly about trivial stuffs that might make people get interested in buying them simply out of their curiosity or out of their boredom of waiting.

Here are some of the unique titles of the books: 

젊은 시절 꼭 해야 할 77가지 (77 Must-Do Things When You're Young)

유며 영어 ( Humor in English) 

IQ 도뇌 쿠이즈 ( IQ Brain Quiz)

타로를 알면 사람이 보인다 ( You Know Tarot, You See People)

관상을 알면 사람이 보인다 ( Understanding People's (Fortune) through Their Face/Visage)

유머의 기술 ( The Art/Technique of Humor)

2012 지구 종말 (2012 The End of the World)

유머의 팝콘 (Popcorn of Humor)

대화의 기술 (The Art/Technique of Conversation)

A 혈액형 인간학 (A Blood Type: Study of Man)

B 혈액형 인간학 ( B Blood Type: Study of Man)

AB 혈액형 인간학 (AB Blood Type: Study of Man)

So, the next time you feel like reading something light while  waiting for your train in Seoul subway, why not try to buy these books out of the vending machine? (But, they are --surely-- in Korean^^)

Paper work ^^

 Not the kind of paper that I got to submit for my school's project. It's my daughter's project. Well, Eyra bought this fancy paper with which she can make any paper toys. There are--of course--an instruction guide as to how to make some animals from the paper. The problem: she did not want to do it alone.

So, what was supposed to be a child-play turned out to be a daddy-play.
She even insisted me on painting or even making some collars on the cats I made.
Not to mention the toiling of colored paper that we needed to choose to soothe her taste.
All in all, the almost-midnight activity such as this toy-paper making has become my daughters' preoccupation.
Ok...they look cool, too--luckily.

Resoles/Risoles? apa pun^^

ingredients

The staple food? NO. It's just a snack in between main meals. Well, it is actually one of my favorite risoles --that's how we call it in Indonesia. My wife loves making this one. So, even when we have moved to Seoul, we still have this kind of longing to eat our specialties.

 Made of corn bread as its covering, and lots of veggies as its fillings: carrots, sprouts, sweet corn, cheese, and other veggies as we would like to^^..the risoles is one of the yummiest  snacks we could have.

So, the other day we made it together, well mostly my wife did--along with the kids as the 'sort-of-assistant'.
The night was well spent until late at night due to this activities.
We have this snack during dinner, breakfast, and.....lunch for sure.







It tastes so yummy....especially when I have it with chili sauce or mayonnaise on it. 

The Raid (Serbuan Maut) a.k.a. The Raid: Redemption

No....I have not seen it, Yet. And...neither do I have any intention of seeing this movie^^
Because....it's not my kind of film. I think it is too viscerally violent for me. 
 I know this is Indonesian movie, the first ever to be released in worldwide release including that of US, Canada, Australia, UK, NZ, and others. Well, it is indeed something to be proud of. 
the so-much hype and buzz going on and circling around this so-called 'the best action movie in decade or in years....' has been lingering on my ears and eyes (via news or online news). Surprising as it may seem, but it is not. The Raid turns out to be what lots of folks around the world have been talking about. It meets what it's been hyped about for. Just take a look at the reviews :....

Five Reasons To See 'The Raid: Redemption'

MTV.com (blog) - ‎8 hours ago‎

by Josh Wigler and Kevin P. Sullivan "The Hunger Games," awesome though it may be, is far from the only action movie in town this weekend. Today also sees the release of Gareth Evans' "The Raid: Redemption," an Indonesian martial arts flick about an ...

Relentless pummeling paces martial arts flick 'The Raid'

CTV.ca - ‎15 hours ago‎

The film speed of 24 frames-per-second barely outruns the relentless pace of pummeling that thumps through the Indonesian martial arts flick "The Raid: Redemption." Hollywood's eye for talent is acute for nothing so much as an action director, ...

Gamers will get a kick from maniacal 'Raid: Redemption'

Kansas City Star - ‎18 hours ago‎

By MICHAEL PHILLIPS Gamers will be slain, over and over, by the insanely violent multilevel bash "The Raid: Redemption," in which a skeezy 15-story tenement complex serves as the setting for a series of stabbings, slicings and a showcase for the ...

Action-packed 'Raid' fast, furious

Toronto Sun - ‎21 hours ago‎

By Liz Braun ,QMI Agency After 100 minutes of sitting slack-jawed and twitchy through a screening of The Raid: Redemption, we discovered there's a name for what we saw: silat. The Raid: Redemption is an Indonesian martial arts film about cops and bad ...

The Raid: Redemption is a movie redeemed by its action scenes

Globe and Mail - ‎21 hours ago‎

After too many bloated Hollywood spectacles, the joltingly energetic The Raid: Redemption feels like an action film distilled to its essence. Plot, characterization and dialogue are merely the frame here for the real goods, an immersion into the ...

'The Raid' review: Non-stop action and nothing but

The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - ‎22 hours ago‎

By Stephen Whitty/The Star-Ledger What hard-core pornography is to romantic movies, “The Raid: Redemption” is to cop flicks. There are people, but no real characters. There are grunts, but no real dialogue. There are just body parts, twisted into ...

Movie Review: 'The Raid: Redemption' is an action bonanza

Los Angeles Times - ‎Mar 22, 2012‎

By Gary Goldstein "The Raid: Redemption" is a slam-bang, knock-your-socks-off action bonanza with some of the most peerlessly shot, performed and choreographed fight sequences you're likely to see on screen. Welsh-born writer-director-editor Gareth ...

'The Raid: Redemption,' Directed by Gareth Huw Evans

New York Times - ‎Mar 22, 2012‎

If it's not obvious from all the bashing, smashing and machete-ing in the frenetically violent “The Raid: Redemption” where the redemptive part kicks in, there's a reason. As it happens, the title of this Indonesian action flick was changed because ...

Fists and firepower propel brutal 'Raid'

USA TODAY - ‎Mar 22, 2012‎

By Scott Bowles, USA TODAY Watching the men of The Raid: Redemption (* * * 1/2 stars out of four, R, in select cities Friday) is like watching boys getting hyper in a treehouse: You know the roughhousing will get out of control.

The Raid: Redemption (Serbuan maut)

Washington Post - ‎Mar 22, 2012‎

By Michael O'Sullivan What do you get when you send a heavily armed SWAT team into the fortresslike compound of a sadistic drug lord? In the Indonesian action-adventure film "The Raid: Redemption," it's not what you expect. But after the initial, ...

집으로 : 나만의 평론

이 영화를 2년 전에 봤지만 감겅적인 마음을 받은 느낌이 생생하게 남아 있다. 이 영화를 본 후 고향에 계시던 어머니와 할머니의 뜨거운 포옹을 생각했다. 아마도 이 영화를 본 후 이와 같은 생각을 갖는 사람도 많이 있을거라고 생각한다. 또 다른 재미있는 것은 이영화를 통해서 한국에 있는 초코파이라는 과자가 있다는 것을 알게 되었다. 진짜, 초코파이가 아이들이 좋아하는 과자인데 이영화속에서 초코파이가 우리 할머니의 따뜻한 마음을 볼 수 있다. <집으로>는 감동적인 장면을 그리며 초코파이가 더 깊은 의미를 글 준다는 말이다.

유명한 배우 하나 없이, 이 영화는 보기가 조금 불가능한 사람간의 관계를 성공적으로 그려 준다. 이정향 감독의 참을성은 몰론이고 이 영화를 만든 사람들의 노력덕분에 우리가 한국영화계에 처음으로 나이 많으신 할머니와  손자의 관계를 재치있게 묘사한다. 그래서  21세기 한국영화들중에 <집으로>라는 영화를 포함하여 꼭 봐야 할 영화이다.
간단한 줄거리를 말하자면 도시에서 온 8살 손자가 2달 동안 만난적이 없는 77세 할머니하고 산골에서 어쩔 수 없이 동거해야 한다는 이야기이다. 이런 배경이야기만 아는 관람객들이 그 두 사람이 잘 동거할 수 있을까 하는 호기심이 생기기 마련이다. 손자가 산골에서 적응하지 못 하는 일들 혹은 할머니가 그의 순자의 상상하지 못한 부탁들을 어떻게 잘 해결하는 지에 대해서 가장 감동적이고 잘 만들어진 장면들이다. 현대 한국생활속에 아직도 남아 있는 세대차이를 잘 보여 주는 영화가 바로 이 영화이다. 산골에서 단순하고 사소한 사건들을 통해서 손자와 할머니의 세대차이를 극복하는 순간들을 보여주기만 해도 이 영화가 대단한 영화라고 여길 수 있다.
가끔 이 영화를 보면서 할머니가 불쌍하다고 생각했는데 멋 모르는 8살 아이에게서 무엇을 보라보는 것이 있는냐 하는 생각도 든다. 다행이 이 영화가 할머니의 따뜻한 마음과 사랑을 통해 장난 꾸러기 손자가 할머니가 진심으로 보여 주는 정을 느끼게 되었다는 것을 잘 그려 준다.
10년 만에 만든 영화이지만 이 영화가 볼 만한 영화냐고 하면 틀림없이 그렇다고 할 것이다.  이 영화의 단순함이 바로 이 작품의 매력이 기때문이다. 

Insadong: Tea & Dinner

Been here for a couple of times before. But, never been to any olden-day-dabang where Korean traditional tea is served in its original form. (well, sort of). OK, I wouldn't have been here as well, had I not been one of the liaison officer or 'a sort of volunteer' in Korea-ASEAN culture forum held last month in February, 2012. I got to take the delegates from Malaysia and Indonesia and accompany them to have or chip into the Korean dishes. 

That's why: dinner and tea at Insadong seemed an appropriate  option at that time: considering the distance from where the delegates were staying. 

Ok. first stop: dinner at a Korean restaurant where all Korean dishes imaginable or at least edible by the Muslim delegates of both countries were on display for them to enjoy. 

*****

Then off we went to a nearby tea-shop, a very rustically designed one. The nuance of old time Korea was somewhat splendidly preserved as perched on the ornaments and interior of the the tea-shop(?).

We did have a great time there.

Oh, did I mention the snack or gwaja, too? They were (too) also of traditional in style. 

A Culture Night at Vivaldi Park

Winter Skiing Trip could not have been better than this. The night after having all of the exhaustive skiing experience, the night's dinner and cultural show highlighted our trip as well. The great performance of an acapella group did steal the show. It was such a relief that not only Trote was being displayed, but another genre of music was also on. Bring it On. Just enjoy the video right here to see what I mean. 

Then, of course,K-Pop Cover Dance was also slurping into the main dish of contemporary Korean culture. Not to mention its catchy phrase during the playback songs, the audience got immediately up to their feet and some of them got it hyped over! An awesome night.

The third video is about my daughter--Freya--who seemed to be so tempted by the upbeat of Korean dance song...that she could not hold herself up....but to let herself go and moved her swing!!

Nami Island: A Comeback

What to do with these videos I am stacking up in YouTube if not to share them. The best thing of being able to just upload and share in this digital world is that...I simply do this stuff and then whopla...my friends and family back home could also see what we are experiencing right here in Korea. So, these are some of sooo many videos we took during our 2012's Winter Trip to Nami Island.  

The first video tells about the first step we got to go through on the way to Nami Maid--a ferry that would take us to Nami Island. The Second video tells about Eyra and Freya and of course...our friends alike on board the Nami Maid on our way to Nami Island.  

The third one recalls about one of the facades of the island. Ok, some may not say that the video does not flatter the island. well, it was Winter and taking a video during the Winter was not that easy.......^^But, I think this pretty much say what the island is all about.

Mr. Obama just visited HUFS

Ok...the fuzz was coming and buzzing around my campus since last week. I thought it was just a hoax as to why Mr. President Obama has chosen our campus to visit instead of SNU or any other big campuses around Korea. I heard that since HUFS is a small campus in size, the security measures are easy to navigate. Ok. that is maybe true. But, I am sure that there must be more reasons than just that! So, I am sure that the decision must've been due also to the fact that HUFS symbolizes the strength of Korea in its vigorous effort to nurture and reach the world by learning other cultures. And...in the very essence of that, HUFS stands out as the first and representative campus and academic institution where lots of languages and its related matters are being taught right here. So, I guess...Mr. Obama's visit to HUFS does indeed show the fact how important this campus is. It has become a kind of pride in itself for HUFS. Why Not.^^
Ok, this morning, I was walking about the campus..and sure...I could not come into the Minerva complex where the special lecture by Mr. Obama was held. The security was tight. Even, our campus has been declared "Holiday" thanks to Mr Obama's visit. ^^
Good.  (in both senses)
Anyhow...since I could not listen to his speech live....I got my TV on and....^^ watched him speak live through TV.




^^ It was so ironically funny..since I live just 200 meters away from the Minerva complex...but....could not see and feel directly.^^
But, that did not dampen my spirit of trying to have and listen to what he was talking about.







Ok, here are what I grasped:
1. Kakao Talk.^^ (I wonder if Mr. President ever uses this cool stuff. Suppose he has one, that'll be cool, eh?^^)
2. Hallyu^^ (a sincere recognition from Mr. President)
3. HUFS^^ (a special recognition in itself...simply by his visit to the campus)
4. Young Generation of Korea being the country's future
5. Korea's economic progress in the aftermath of the war (a recognition)
6. His hope of inter-Korea relation (referring to that of both present day Germany)
7. and of course.....nuclear power for peace.
8. ok...I also got some notes on Osama, Iran North Korea: for sure!
9. US-South Korea ties to be strengthened.
 10. " Come to Korea and see how the country progresses..."




(another shot of what I took from TV this morning: simply out of my curiosity and as a token of remembrance as well as a historical proof of his visit for years to come)^^

Ok, Monday, March 26, 2012 has been marked as one of the important history of our university, HUFS.
Come to HUFS, and Meet the World.
I guess..it pretty much sums up the idea in itself. It does.

Vivaldi Park Resort (again)

These are the videos I took when we were strolling around the Vivaldi Park at night. We were exhausted of skiing the whole day. But, the resort seemed to be so irresistibly tempting...for us ...just to let them slip away while we were sleeping. 

So, instead of going to bed early, in the midst of the Winter cold, we stepped out of our hotel room and rushed to find out that the hotel underground was full of entertainment for kids and adult alike. So, we had it covered. Skiing? check! Entertainment? check! Food? Sure!

Poli the RoboCar.... Finally...

Eyra and Freya have been going over heel about this animated character Poli the Robocar 폴리 로보카. They've been asking me to buy the toy version of them. So, I asked both of them and asked them to promise ....that should they be good to each other...and (as for Eyra)...should she be good at school and be good at doing her homework.....I'd be more than willing to buy them the toys they wanted.
So, I did cos they did.

Last night, we went to Tesco's Home Plus where all of the toys were there as if the place was meant to be the heaven of kids' imagination. Ok, we did not just go there and grab things and went back home. We did go to Kyobo Bookstore at Gwanghwamun. I got to buy this TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in KOrean) that I desperately need right now....since I'm going to take the test this coming April. ^^

Ok...back to Eyra's business....as soon as I got what I wanted, I took them to Home Plus at Yongdu station or Dongdaemun-gu Office station...just about 20 minute subway ride (including transfer). We thought it would be a warm evening.....but ...unfortunately...it was windy and cold...so, we were feeling a bit cold.
Not that bad, though.
Just look at the bright faces of Eyra and Freya. I think their excitement of having the new toys in hand beat the shivering cold weather of last night.
What a relief.
Exhausted of going around each floor of the newly renovated Home Plus store, we had dinner at Lotteria at the food plaza. Oh, we also ordered tteokpukki the hot ones. For only 3000 Won, we could get one of the chewy and delicious tteokpukki that my wife loves so much.
OK..that's pretty much what happened last night.
* Oh, on our way back home...on subway we met two Indonesian friends who happen to be studying at KDI, a campus near mine.

Seoul Nuclear Security Summit in Korea 2012

Nuclear Security is a series of preemptive measures introduced to prevent internal and/or external threats directly or indirectly related to nuclear materials, radioactive substances, relevant facilities or other associated activities. In the case of imminent threat, it consists of countermeasures to detect, delay and prevent illegal acts, as well as administrative and technical measures to minimize the damage caused by accidents. (www.the nuclearsecuritysummit.org) 

So,  the 2012 서울 핵안보정상회의 or this Summit is an important action or summit for the world.

I learn that as many as 58 leaders of states attend the summit held in Seoul.

*From the official website of the summit, I also learned that 58 head delegates (54 from participating countries and 4 from international organizations) attend the summit from March 26-27, 2012.

The summit will bring together forty five leaders, including those of the Republic of Korea, the host of the Summit, the US, China, Japan, Russia, India, Indonesia, France, the UN and the EU with 13 countries to be represented by their Deputy Prime Ministers of Foreign Ministers on behalf of their leaders.

*This is the largest ever number of leaders will visit the ROK for the Seoul Summit. The head delegates from 20 countries including the leaders of 12 countries, such as the Netherlands, Spain, Chile and Thailand, will make their first-ever visit to the country. Meanwhile, the leaders of Lithuania, Italy and three other countries will be visiting the ROK for the first time since taking office.

*Seventeen of the participating leaders will be accompanied by their spouses for whom events separate from the Summit have been arranged. Upon the completion of the formal meeting on March 27, the leaders and their spouses from 39 countries will enjoy the special dinner with cultural performances to be hosted by President and Mrs. Lee Myung-bak.

Now, it comes as a surprise to myself..as to why President Yudhoyono comes here. It is a good and great thing of course..considering the important role of Indonesia nowadays. In term of the bilateral ties between Indonesia and Korea, I could proudly say that this is the lucrative and harmonious moment of the two countries which have become closer thanks to their cultural and economic cooperation. 

*Still...Indonesia's visit and attendance to the Summit does indicate that Indonesia could have/must have something to do with this nuclear-stuffs. Be it...Indonesia's decision to build nuclear energy plants.....which I think....Korea would be more than willing to take part or be a part of it...because it will be (once again) a tremendous economic partnership. ^^ Isn't so?

As long as it would be for the best and the good purpose,....why not. I am all for it.

an Ad about the summit on subway

I took this picture on March 24, 2012 while riding a subway back home. 

Korean people should be reminded or at least be well informed about this huge-scale Summit in Korea this year. 

Nice job!

  

Ballooooon for sure!

As soon as they spotted the tall guy distributing free balloons of any shapes imaginable, Eyra and Freya rushed to the guy and asked to make some for them.
The morning festival during the Indonesian Day at Incheon's Bupyeong Art Center was initiated by the charm of this guy. Ok, he made something that finally made the kids love the festival. They did.
Just look at the video.
He's an expert in this stuff.

Pemilu, Election in Korea 2012

April 11, 2012 will be one of the important dates for Korea and Korean people--I think. Ok, why I think it is....first, I have what I experienced back home in Indonesia as to what the people expected from an election or at least during the election day. Some people were enthusiastic while others were not that much. Ok, I do not know as what would or does happen to Korean society in anticipating the election, especially an election to select their representative for the House of Representatives members. I do see lots of posters and stuffs around the corner and streets everywhere....to invigorate or at least to remind the people of what they need to do at the D-Date.

Now, I just want to write down about an advertisement or I'd rather call it a public announcement of what's coming ahead. Be it on the buses, small and big buses, public transportation, and of course subway......I found this poster attached on every compartment of subways. I think it is a good way to remind people that they need to have their votes on the D-Day.

서울특별시건거관리위원회 or Seoul Metropolitan Election Management Board (?) is doing its best to make sure that from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m on April 11, 2012....Korean people do come and choose two representatives to represent their district and as well as one for national assembly.
I do not know much about it, but judging from what it is...it looks like the one is simply similar to the one we have back home in Indonesia.

Eyra's Classmates

Okey, I know this is not a good and clear picture since I got it from a picture attached on Eyra's class door. ^^ I was just wondering how they could be so adorable and all. I think I love the fact that Eyra has blended in into her friends and her class. I know she likes the life of being a new student at Korean school: Cheongnyangni Elementary School.





The picture does indicate that all of the children look so happy and invigoratingly happy to share their life ahead of them.

Just by looking at the background of where they took the picture, it is visible that the class looks so cool. Just look at their own painting of themselves^^ with their own name on it. 

Cultural show

The cultural show kicked off with a parade of colorfully arrayed traditional costumes and culture spread over the 230 ethnics in the archipelago.













The crowds of course cheered the parade since they --at times--too flamboyantly shown by the seemingly too timid or too outrageously lavish: but hey..that's the best part of the show.








We were sitting at the (almost) rear end window just to make sure that we would be able to see the whole lot of show on stage.






Eyra, Freya, her Mom, Seonhee, Pak Maman (from KBS radio)  Ms. Yuliana, Wawan and her wife were all there.

The traditional martial art of Indonesian origin: Pencak Silat was on display. The rebana show and other traditional shows were performed. Songs and dances alike were also highlighting the cultural shows.









And also, interestingly, the Indonesia's Galaxy superstar contestants were introduced to the audience as well. But, too bad...they did not come to sing....they showed up and told the audience as to why they would be having a 6-month long training in Korea. oh, s(well)...

Eyra's textbooks

 The  textbooks that Eyra uses at school in her 1st year of elementary school. It does cover lots of subjects ranging from mathematics, Korean language (국어), Exciting Life, Reading, How To Live Smart, Well-mannered Life:), and of course....Listening and Writing. Ok...that would a lot for a first timer...but from what I saw ....the books are fun to watch...in the first place. Then, it is also good and seems to be so interestingly captivating for any children to do with.

It's amazing that all of the books are freely distributed for all children: thanks to Korean Government who put emphasize on the importance of early education right in this country.
Well, Eyra still has a lot to catch up, but she's getting along well to cope and learn with the totally new environment.

A Man inside

What I mean by a man inside is this young or old ( dunno) man inside this character who was passing around, walking around, and chattering around the front yard of Bupyeong Arts Center. We first met him at around 11.30 am when the festival was about to start. She/he started going abut the venue and distributing stuffs ( I forgot what) for the spectators.
To my surprise, as we went out of the auditorium after the show, I still noticed the same character going about the venue. Gosh....he must've felt so hot and uneasy inside that character. I wonder if he/she ever got a rest from doing such a job.
Well, I am sure that he got paid to do this.
But think.....he got to be inside this costume for the whole day....the idea simply could not make my eyes believe what I saw. He did a good job, though.

Indonesian Day 인도네시아의 날

It was the warmest day ever so far ..to date.
Some say it was the dawn of the spring time. Yes..I guess I kinda agreed to it. Simply because the temperature was about 6 or 8 degrees that made it livable and walk-able. ^^. Ok, it was March 18 and the day was marked with the red dot marker on my calendar. I simply did not want to miss this day.

Here came the day when lots of friends, be it family, foreign workers from numerous countries, volunteer workers from migrant centers around Incheon and Seoul, and of course Korean people living in Incheon vicinity.

As always...balloon mania

That day....was Indonesian day, held by the Incheon Municipality in cooperation with the Migrant Workers Center as well as Multicultural Family Center in Incheon, Bupyeong area.

Free International Call^^

 I went there with my family and friends....just to make sure that we enjoyed the best that the festival had to offer. And we did.
We came there by subway at about 10 a.m. just in time before the festival was begun.










Bupyeong Art Center located in Bupyeong ( of course) was one of the art venue that cater the needs of citizens alike to explore the nuance and celebrate the vibrant life of cultural colors dotted around Seoul and its vicinity.
Oh..I also learned that the Indonesian Day or Indonesian Festival being held that day was the 3rd installment of its kind. I guess the first and the second could be those of other countries' festival.




So, that day was designed to be Indonesian Day.
Lots of festival atmosphere did encroach the venue. Lots of people were gathering and scattering about in the area to prepare, to see, to look, to eat, to come, to sit, to visit, to watch, to dance, to sing, to enjoy, to do..other stuffs that mostly festival would do.
There are also bazaar where we could grab things at the very cheap price, ranging from clothing to foods.

the auditorium

Friends I met admitted their drawn out and leisure-kind-of-time while enjoying the extravaganza show.
Cultural performance from both Indonesia and Korea was also held at the main auditorium of the Art Center. It was full-house.
I might as well conclude the day as ....a refreshingly new start to begin the Spring in 2012.