Dear Reader's Korean Paradise

Couldn't give a XXXX about any other beer

2004-03-19T14:01:00.000+09:00

Kaloo kalay! My favourite malt beverage is now available in Korea. xxxx is on sale at the local Walmart and although it is pricey (2500 Won per 375ml bottle) when compared with the local muck (ie a Cass tallie can be purchased for as little as 1650 Won in the corner store) its a welcome cultural intrusion to these lands. Hopefully the masses will see the light and the ever-present soju tents will be replaced by marquis selling barbed wire.

Ha Ri Su

2004-03-19T13:46:00.000+09:00

I'm not a fan of Korean pop, period. However, in an attempt to try to better understand the culture of my new homeland, I have been at least trying to discover some Korean music. Watching Arirang TV's "Pops in Seoul" program the other night, I came across pioneering Korean transexual artist Ha Ri Su singing her latest hit "Foxy Lady". Rather than being the usual sacharine coated k-pop rubbish, this is a more sophisticated blend of R&B, Hip Hop and other musical stylings. Not up my usual V8 rock and roll alley, but at least its a break from ballads, boy bands, and the annoying generic Korean form of hip hop

Daejon de la Cuba 3 AK UTD 0

2004-03-16T15:38:00.000+09:00

In what the Super Sunday Football League's Darren Barber has declared to be black sunday the boys of AK United escaped relatively unscathed this weekend. This is despite last minute withdrawals by a number of the team on the flimsiest of pretexts, leaving us to have to borrow the little bloke with glasses, who played a stormer at fullback. Honorable mentions are deserved for many, but none more so than our goaly, Mr Dubsy Jinro who also deserves a pat on the back for arranging a local guide for us.

Spanish Bombs

2004-03-16T15:21:00.000+09:00

There is debate raging all over the net (links posted below) as to the meaning of the Madrid bombing and the subsequent ouster of the right wing government of Jose Maria Aznar, I fail to see the linkages to capitulation that many right wingers claim the election of a Socialist government represents. Rather, it's just reward for a government who refused to bow to public pressure when leaned on by the US. That is not to say that terrorist organisations don't need to be hunted and wiped out, but refusing to acknowledge that there are grim consequences to be faced in participating in an unjust and unpopular war is pure ignorance.

Resident Aussie nutbag Tim Blair on the issue
and UQ lecturer John Quiggin who seems to be Timmy's latest punching bag

Impeachment

2004-03-13T12:20:00.000+09:00

Due to lack of a decent news service on my cable package and a tendancy not to hike to the station to buy the english-language paper, I had to be informed of President Roh's impeachment by a friend in Australia on msn messenger. I'm not terribly well versed in Korean domestic politics, but it seems to me that the opposition Grand National Party has acted extremely recklessly in impeaching Roh. We may well now see a Presidential election soon after the April parliamentary polls. All this on top of the pro-Roh Uri party seemingly set to resign en-masse. In my opinion, it is a recipe for political instability and economic uncertainty that the country can well do without. I'm eagerly awaiting the decision of the constitutional court and the subsaquent mess that looks set to follow.

Men Behaving Badly

2004-03-09T13:15:00.000+09:00

Before I came to Korea, I had never met one of the inhabitants of this fair land. However, their reputation had preceeded them. Staying in Kathmandu's Thamel district in 1999, I made friends with the owner of a hotel I stayed in and subsaquently travelled to Pokhara with him a week later. I recall a conversation with him regarding Israeli backpackers, who have perhaps the lousiest reputation as guests in Asian countries. I also recall him telling me that he regarded Koreans as being just as bad and that he sort to restrict entry to both groups, taking them on a case-by-case basis. I've learnt since being here that the reputation is more than justified. There is plenty in the Korean press about the poor reputation Koreans have in Southeast Asia as boorish, drunken louts.

It's in the Eye of the Beholder

2004-03-09T12:58:00.000+09:00

Scanning the Korea Herald today, I came across this.

Less than two weeks ago a 25-year-old university student jumped to her death from the 13th floor of her luxury high rise overlooking Haeundae Beach in Busan. By all accounts she had everything to live for, though she felt something was missing.
In her six-page suicide note, the unidentified pharmacy major said she always wanted to be beautiful. However, she explained, her last hope to attain the look she wanted failed with an unsuccessful plastic surgery.

Appearance seems have become a major concern for young Korean women.

Although I don't particularly fancy most of them, I consider Korean women to be some of the most attractive I have seen in my travels. This is just a sad manifestation of the superficial nature of South Korean society. The hyper-competative world of school, family obligations and now looks creates unbearable stress on Korean youngsters. It's hard to know who to balme here (media/fashion/peer pressure) but I for one would love to see Korean youf left to their own devices and be allowed to find who they are and thus develop their full potential as individuals without some of these unbearable stresses that they face.

Must be an Election Year

2004-03-09T12:26:00.000+09:00

The Indonesian Government is considering a ban on erotic dancing, sex parties, and even kissing in public just weeks before the country goes to the polls for national elections in which all sides are courting the Islamic vote.

It never fails to amuse me the lengths that the Indonesian parliament will go to in order to rectify the smallest of matters, while allowing the likes of speaker Akbar Tanjung to go free despite being corrupt.

You can read the full story

here. What I find most disturbing is the fact that Dangdut star Inul Daratista is planning to campaign for the main opposition Golkar Party (or at least perform her controversial "Ngebor" drill dance for them at campaign rallies). Indonesia has come a long way socially since the downfall of Suharto. In fact, visiting there in the early nineties, the music scene reminded me of Korea today - a boyband wasteland. Inul has been at the forefront of an explosion of art, music, sexuality and freedom of expression, but now plans to help support those very people who have been vociferous critics of her act in the past.

Brave Lads

2004-03-08T13:52:00.000+09:00

In light of all the hoo-ha surrounding gay marriages in the US, I thought it pertinent to post this. Despite the fact that homosexuality has never (to my knowledge) been outlawed here, the gay community is very closeted as the confucian demands on young people to conform to social pressures demanding marriage and production of sons is overbearing. Yesterdays nuptuals in Jongno deserve praise. These brave lads are the equivalent of the Stonewall protesters or the sufferagettes for the South Korean gay community. It is indeed a courageous act to be the first to shake such rigid societal foundations in the name of persuing individual liberty for one's self and countless others.

Oh the Shame, The Shame!

2004-03-07T17:52:00.000+09:00

Just when I thought our season couldn't get any worse, three of the club's finest go and disgrace themselves once again in spain

Three players from English Premier League club Leicester City were remanded in custody in Spain on Friday following accusations of sexual assault, a senior court officer said.

As if throwing away vctory at the last minute and staying in the drop-zone aint bad enough, these over-paid, under-acheiving twats have brought the reputation of English football to a new low.
Read the full, shamefull text here.

This, hot on the heals of another blight to yet another sport I love, Rugby League, in which two clubs are facing accusations of sexual assault. In this correspondant's humble opinion, the combination of too much money, and too few brains, coupled with the rock n roll lifestyle that most pro-sportsmen enjoy these days is the root of this problem. I sincerely hope all offending parties are prosecuted to the full extent of the law if proven guilty.

Human Rights Abuses Just up the Road

2004-03-07T15:48:00.000+09:00

Living so close to the DMZ and the rabid commie hoards of the DPRK, I have developed a sudden interest in things North Korean. It's truelly shocking to think that whilst I am living in a prosperous, free and democratic nation with a thriving market economy, the other half of the nation is starving in a rigidly controlled, Stalinist command economy a mere 1/28th the size of that of the ROK. Even more appalling is the state of human rights. Here I can pretty much freely express myself, but over the wall, you can be sent to a gulag for merely questioning the prevailing order. This has forced alot of political introspection, since I have belonged to numerous left wing groups in my time. It makes you wonder why there are no shining examples of Marxist utopia on the planet, yet so-called borgeouis democracy and capitalism has lifted living standards for many around the world. Its one thing to be young and idealistic, but another to be able to accept some fairly hard-nosed realities when faced with the facts. A point worth pondering is the correllation between economic liberty and political freedom. Again, I can't recall too many examples of free speach and political organisation in Marxist-inspired states, even in the one paragon of socialist egalitarianism that some leftist friends cite, Cuba. Anyhow, I would recommend everyone reading this (all 2 of you) to visit the following sites and read about the appalling things happening on my doorstep
free North Korea
North Korea's tangled web

Beer Chugging Monkey

2004-03-07T14:17:00.000+09:00

Pre-Xmas, I added another string to my bow by becomming the beer sculling champion of Hwajong. First round was a three way affair with my own good self vanquishing Mr Justin Shankar Baba Banbury (NZ) and a little fella known as Tom (ROK). The Final was a trans-Tasman rematch, with the Australian side triumphing (why is it that we stuff the kiwis at just about everything?) in a closely fought battle. I have subsaquently refused to defend my title, lest the prize money is increased substantially. Now get me Don King's phone number.

Adventure Korea Pub and Travel Club

2004-03-07T13:49:00.000+09:00

A little plug for a friend. This place is the social hub of Hwajong. I actually discovered this place before I arrived in Korea, thanks to the magic of the internet. What joy to discover that I lived a mere 2 minutes walk from this fine establishment. Korea can be a very lonely place, especially if one is stuck out in the burbs of Seoul. Basically, it's a Korean bar with a western flavour. The clientelle are predominantly waygukke, but many Koreans seek it out as a chance to improve their English skills. Along with a Kazaa-enabled computer, allowing access to Western tunes, AK has free pool and some of the best non-Korean food in the district (a godsend if you dont fancy another bowl of kimchi jiggae). Owner and host extraordinaire, Mr Seok Jin Park also runs trips on alternate sundays, which are a bloody good way to see the circus that is Korea.

AK United - Cheongju International Postponed

2004-03-07T13:35:00.000+09:00

Our first home fixture was postponed, as the Cheongju lads were snowed in. Mercifully this saved us from the task of shovelling the home pitch yesterday, a task that would have been even worse thanks to a patented hangover curtosy of one Mr Seok Jin Park

Seoul British 9 - AK United 1

2004-03-07T13:24:00.000+09:00

Last sunday marked the first ever league game for Hwajong's AK United in the super sunday football league. Despite pre-season optimism (we were only beaten 5-2 by reigning champs Seoul Utd in a pre-season friendly) SBFC were an all together superior force. That being said, the second 30 minute period was ours, with a 1-0 scoreline. The final 30, however saw 6 goals for the jokers in the last 10 minutes. Noteable contributions from centre-half Richard Edwards, MIdfielders Paul and Mounir and our captain courageous Kieran Curran showed that we have at least a ghost of a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon. As for your's truely, I received what I believe to be the first yellow card of the season with an exploratory body-check on an SBFC forward. Despite my best latin "who me sir?" plea, I was cautioned.

The Dreaded Ddong Chim

2004-03-07T13:09:00.001+09:00

One of the perils of teaching Korean kids is the Dreaded Ddong Chim (literally, shit needle). It's seen as a cute thing by most Koreans, but the the unsuspecting westerner, it's kind of like your first day in jail. In a nutshell, the Ddong Chim involves pointing one's fingers in a gun-like pose and forcibly ramming then into the clacker of a second party. I have been the victim of a couple, but repeat offenders are few as I threaten to break the fingers of the guilty party. Luckily, the humour of such an event seems to wear off as the child reaches the age of 10 (human years, not Korean years which deserves a whole other post in itself). My take on it is that Koreans are obviously not party to western notions of anal retentiveness and thus have a whole different take on bunghole-related humour. For more info, follow the link where a seasoned Korea vet provides further info on the practice
little fingers in your ass

England 13 Ireland 19

2004-03-07T05:34:00.000+09:00

I had the missfortune to watch the world champs walloped by a plucky Ireland side in the wee small hours of this morning. What made it even more humiliating was that along with 2 native Irish people, the rest of the crowd were supporting the boys in green. As with all English sporting victories, I believe their dominance of the game they play in heaven will be extremely short lived. Last night I may have stated that I will run naked through the CBD of whatever city I am living in should they win the next WC in France in 2007. I think my clothes will be staying on.