The Seoulite

Hooray for Kim Yu-na! She has beat her own world-record at the 2010 Winter Olympic games in Vancouver with a score of 78.50. This puts her in first place in the running for the medals that will be decided in the last event to be held this Friday morning Korea time!

If you missed her phenomenal performance from a couple days ago, click on the video above. It’s in German and subtitled in Korean… because NBC won’t let international viewers watch online. Harumpf!

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

1. The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth; 5

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same, 10

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back. 15

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 20

In a surprising turn of events that reads right out of a Korean action movie… one of Korea’s top SAT instructors reports that he was kidnapped and beaten before he was able to escape to the United States.

Jeffrey Sohn, 38, a well-known SAT Writing instructor drew a salary of 1 billion won per year (almost 1 million US dollars) to teach at the highly-regarded Recas Institute. But according to the Joong Ang Daily, Sohn was kidnapped, taken to a house in the outskirts of Seoul and then beaten.

Why? Did he get an answer wrong on the practice exams? (It’s what probably happens to most of his students at home.) No, his contract was almost finished and his bosses founded out that he was thinking of taking a better offer elsewhere. Better than a million a year teaching SATs? Wow! In the cut-throat atmosphere of education preparation, it’s big money. And often these hagwons are operated in some dirty, sleazy ways. But this is unbelievable!

The president of Recas has been barred traveling out of the country and the police are currently investigating the company. We hope that Jeffrey is safe and recovering well in the states. Apparently he has some leverage in that he has proof that the owners of the school were engaged in cheating scandals with the SAT test.

The Seoulite personally knows people who have worked at Recas and other academies. The atmosphere does have its share of bullying and strong-arm tactics. Of course this environment exists everywhere and in every country. Humans are just cruel creatures… the smart-stupid ones that is. But he takes STRONG offense when the targets of this manipulation are teachers. People with a teacher’s heart usually bear the brunt of mismanagement, office politics and general incompetence because they have a commitment to their students.

It’s the teachers who have to put on a smile and grind through… making up for every other deficit in a school’s management in order to prepare our next generation. Too bad it had to come to this extreme level of gross indecency. I hope this case will blow up those who are destroying the nation’s educational advancement and reputation. It’s time for reforms.

And really, the mothers have a large role in this. They have to stop throwing money at people who are willing to cheat on their children’s behalf. Their children should be groomed into future leaders. Not over-priced followers.

* Photo above used for illustrative purposes.

This is the hardest working guy in Korean entertainment. He’s taking on America.

And his remake of Kung-fu Fighting was good dues to pay. He was able to take out the mocking anti-Asian tones from the original.

He’s about to make a big hit with Ninja Assassin!

3 Starts to Share Lead in ‘Legally Blonde’ Musical
Chosun Ilbo

The starring role of Elle Woods in the musical “Legally Blonde” will be shared among three stars — 2006 Miss Korea Lee Honey, Jessica of girl group Girls’ Generation, and actress Kim Ji-woo. The Korean version of the musical opens on Nov. 14.

What do they bring to the part? This is Lee’s second musical after “Polaroid,” and she is probably the closest to the character of Elle Woods in that she was the winner of a beauty pageant and is a graduate of the nation’s top university, Seoul National University, with a degree in Korean traditional music.

“It’s a musical with modern music and dance full of elements that will appeal to female audiences,” she says. “Just like Elle is fighting against the stereotypes of blonde beauties, I want to break the stereotypes of Miss Koreas.”

Jessica is making her musical theater debut with “Legally Blonde.” “It’s physically tough as I’m quite busy with other things going on in addition to this musical. But it was one of my dreams to be part of a musical production, and I love the role, so I’m really happy to take part,” she says. “I need to improve my acting, but I consider being part of a girl group a kind of acting. I’m similar to Elle in the fact that I never give up once I’m determined to do something. But I’m different from her because I’m more of a quiet, introverted person.”

Kim is the most experienced of the three as she has appeared in other musicals including “Singles” and “Singing in the Rain.” Kim says she is particularly attracted to “Legally Blonde” because “it is rare to find a musical that is led by one woman character.” “Lee is sexy yet cute, and Jessica is cute yet sexy.” She evaluates herself as “similar to Elle because she is outgoing and strives for change.” “As I’ve spent some years doing musicals, I think I can now feel more relaxed being on stage.”

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/10/31/2009103100199.html

Summer is over and that means that most restaurants and cafes that served ‘pat bing soo’ (팥빙수) or Red Bean Ice dessert have taken it off their menus! But what’s a Seoulite to do in the dead middle of fall or winter when you want this icy treat?

Go to Hyundai Department store in Apgujeong. There is a famous cafe that has been serving pat bing soo as their main dish for years. Who knows what the name of that place is… real Seoulites tell each other to find obscure places without the use of store names, street names or phone numbers. You should too!

Just go to the top floor of the department store where there is a group of restaurants. Look for the cafe that is designed to look like it’s outdoors. The Seoulite had no idea if he was in the right spot so he started looking at people’s plates and voila! Everyone was eating pat bing soo!

This is THE place to see upper crust Korean baby mamas and baby mamas in training spending the afternoon.

And how is the pat bing soo? EXCELLENT. The ice shavings are permeated with whatever flavor you choose to get. The Seoulite got the Pomegranate flavor. The rice cakes are the best part. They are delicately handmade fresh and they just melt in your mouth.

Here’s a picture of the Hyundai department store. Line 3, Apgujeong Station.

Sweet heavens… this place can get LOUD! This watering hole for the foreign expat community seems to beckon everyone back to those college days of yelling while you’re drinking. If you’re in the mood to remember why you left the western world or want to save an airplane ticket back there… go to the Wolfhound in Itaewon. When they say it’s an Irish pub, it truly is an Irish pub… right down to the drinks, food and environment.

If you’re in the mood for a good burger, apple crumble, mozzerella sticks, caesar salad or any other type of western food done authentically and expertly… the Wolfhound is the best. If you can slip in for an early dinner before the bar crowd arrives, it is awesome. Otherwise, it’s a toss-up of whether you enjoy the juicy burger more… or if you’d rather be saved from a bunch of nuts playing quarters and screaming two feet away from you.

Chicken Caesar Burger

Mozzerella Sticks

Native Koreans come here for the exoticism of a ‘real western’ environment. Gyopos have said ‘Wow, this reminds me of what it feels like to be an outsider.’ And white expats have said, ‘Ah, here is home.’ For whatever it’s worth, the staff here did a great job in creating an authentic venue. The biggest surprise is that the food is sooooo good!

Hours:
Weekdays from 3pm
Saturday & Sunday and Holidays from 11am

Contact:
02-749-7971
http://www.wolfhoundpub.com/

Okay… eww, no. This place has gone downhill. The owner/management has decided to use stock ingredients that taste really cheap-o while jacking up all the prices. For example, the chocolate sauce just comes out of a can. Most of the food now tastes like it came out of a box, package or can. Not to mention, many of the best items from the past are now no longer on the menu. I’m attaching my previous post for reference as to how good it once was. But please save your money and time by going elsewhere.

It’s been two weeks since I first went to this restaurant and I can’t help but go back multiple times. One of the Seoulite’s friends almost eats one meal a day at this restaurant. For the original post click here. Here are some additional dishes that were sizzlingly fierce. Right above is the Croque Monsieur.

Potato Bacon Cream Soup. I haven't had a soup this textured and varied in over a year.

Burger and Fries. Very interesting marinade on the patty. It definitely had the chef's touch... but he tried just a tad too hard with the flavors. There was one too many. But it shows he knows how to work the taste. It's almost like a Father's Office burger in LA. I think he was trying to impress us because we keep bringing him new customers.

The crispy fries showed lots of ingenuity. Halfway between chip and fry.

Tomato and Vegetable Panini. The roasted vegetables are sauteed in olive oil after being grilled. Cheese is great. And the panini is just like the type you get at a UK sandwich shop. Now, only if they could make a red curry panini with that bread!

The Rosti Potato Pancake. By far one of the Seoulite's favorite dishes. We're so scared he will take it off the menu because it takes 20 minutes to prepare and a lot of elbow grease. They shred the potato from scratch. Such good warm comfort food. It's also only served as a dinner side item. But they made an exception for us. So appreciative.

The Affogato. Haagen Dazs ice cream and Illy espresso. So great on their own, but mixed together as it's supposed to... you get a watery mess. Don't get this. But the esperesso drinks are amazing. And of course the flourless chocolate cake is where it's at.

French Blue
Seoul, Gangnam-gu, Daechi-dong, 897-8, First Floor
Seolleung Station Exit 2. Make a left after the Burger King. French Blue will be on your right within the first block.
02-566-7940
Open 10AM - 2AM

Food: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Ambiance: 5/5

Eww!

Sasha Fierce she was. Beyonce completely rocked the stage at Olympic Stadium last week with her Seoul leg of her “I AM… Sasha Fierce” tour. The Seoulite’s good friend got us free passes and since it was just Tuesday… on we went.

First off we had to have dinner. So we went to the Family Mart convenience store in the park and ate ramen and boiled eggs! It was The Seoulite’s first time eating ramen while standing inside the store next to the instant coffees. Yummy yummy yummy. Maybe I was too excited about Beyonce to notice that I was getting instantly fat from the ramen.

Unfortunately it wasn't like this.

It was more like this.

I did a little research online before going to the concert. Being out of the states keeps The Seoulite at an arm’s distance from the latest music trends. Sasha said this concert and album represented her need to ‘grow artistically’. How many times have we heard that from pop princesses while the true artists will be discovered long after we’re dead? So I thought it would be an adequate evening to see some American-sized smoke and mirrors with some catchy music.

But BAM! Check out this opening y’all! Never seen something this cool in my life.

By the way f(x) who were supposed to open for Beyonce was a no show. According to sources there was a miscommunication between Beyonce’s concert promoter B4H and the artist herself.

Well, if the diva cancels the opening act, she better be getting herself ready to deliver! And that was the biggest surprise to The Seoulite. In an era of so much mediocrity, Beyonce’s performance was 110% of her magical spirit. So much beauty, humanity and grace flowed right from all those booty shakin’ moves right to the audience. She’s the real deal.

The Seoulite’s personal favorite: Irreplaceable

She be singing Happy Birthday to everyone too!

Tribute to Michael Jackson:

And one more tribute:

Oooh what a tease:

People were crying. Getting ugly-faced with their passion. All because they saw a light so bright and more beautiful than anything they’ve seen before. Really, it was that great.

Note: These are not The Seoulite’s videos. So please don’t attribute those cheesy comments in the background to him! He was making an even bigger fool of himself dancing to Single Ladies!

One note about the concert promoters. They put the venue as ‘Olympic Gym’ on the wristbands. This is the Olympic STADIUM. The 1988 OLYMPICS were held here for cryin’ out loud. It ain’t no high school gym. No wonder they messed up the opening act by f(x)!

This is the Dutch embassy in Berlin. The foreign embassies in Korea do not look this nice. Governments should increase their embassy budgets here!

Need a list of the embassies here in Korea?

Australia http://www.southkorea.embassy.gov.au 02-2003 0100
Brazil http://www.brasemb.or.kr 02-738-4970
Canada http://www.korea.gc.ca 02-3783 6000
China http://www.chinaemb.or.kr 02-738-1038
France http://www.ambafrance-kr.org 02-3149-4300
Germany http://www.seoul.diplo.de/Vertretung/seoul/ko/Startseite.html 02-748-4114
India http://www.indembassy.or.kr/ 02-798 4257
Italy http://www.ambseoul.esteri.it 02-796-0491
Japan http://www.kr.emb-japan.go.jp/ 02-2170-5200
Mexico http://portal.sre.gob.mx/corea/ 02-798-1694
Netherlands http://southkorea.nlembassy.org/ 02-737-9514
Russia http://www.russian-embassy.org/ 02-318-2116/8
Singapore http://www.mfa.gov.sg/seoul 02-774-2464
Switzerland http://www.eda.admin.ch/seoul.html 02-739-9511/4
Taiwan 02-399-2780
Thailand http://www.thaiembassy.or.kr 02-795-0095
United Kingdom http://ukinkorea.fco.gov.uk 02-3210 5500
United States of America http://seoul.usembassy.gov 02-397-4114
Vietnam 02-738 2318

Hi, I’m Sean Lim, an American expat living in South Korea.  This is my blog about becoming a Seoulite.

What is a Seoulite?
A ‘Seoulite’ (서울깍쟁이) is a citizen of Seoul, just as a ‘New Yorker’ is a citizen of New York. Of course the label ‘Seoulite’ doesn’t simply denote a place of residence [...]