동대문 종합시장: The Mood of Project Runway Korea

I know. I know. It's been a long while.

I've been working a lot. Essentially working Mon - Sun for the coolest little hagwon in Seoul. It's a project of love (I know. Sounds mind boggling, but it's true). I haven't be going about town as much as I used to, and when I do, I don't feel like taking out my camera. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, this blog will continue to be a little boring, but I will try to make an effort to blog at least once a week.

A few weeks ago, I accompanied my cousin N to 동대문 종합시장 (Dongdaemun Chonghap-shijang). It's a textile market, so I never would have thought to check it out. Fortunately, my cousin needed to pick up some fabric and knitting material, so I tagged along.

If you're into sewing, knitting, or like me, are just really into Project Runway, you need to check out 동대문 종합시장, the "Mood" of Project Runway Korea.


















I can barely sew a button, but I love looking at fabric, ribbons, and other design accessories. It's strange, I know. It's truly a sight to see all of these stalls bursting with beautifully colored textiles and other crafty knickknacks. In addition to textiles, you will find stalls selling handmade jewelry, ribbons, costumes, and housewares. It's pretty awesome to have all of those vendors in one complex. You can even purchase fabric from one stall, then find a seamstress a few stalls down who will make you custom curtains.

It's a bit of a maze, as most Dongdaemun markets are, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. I'm always amazed how Korean shopkeepers manage to stay afloat with such side-by-side competition, but from the consumer's standpoint, it's great to have all those options.

I captured a few pictures if you need visuals.

(By the way, if you're digging my "polaroids" you should download the Poladroid: "The easiest and funnest Polaroid Maker."

Drive by Ranting: Dongdaemun

While at Dongdaemun this weekend, I asked a saleswoman IN KOREAN, "세-트예요?" ("Is that a set?") I was trying to pronounce "set" with Korean parum, so I think the word came out sounding loud and awkward.

The woman replied with a patronizing gleam in her eye "세-트않이에요," mimicking my choppy and hesitant Korean accent. I know that I tend to be overly sensitive, but I'm pretty sure the woman was mocking me. She could have meant it in a more good natured way, but there was definitely some mocking going on.

Unless you know a person fairly well, it's so not cool to make fun of a person's accent, especially when she is still learning a language. I know that some teachers promptly correct the English pronunciation of their Korean students. I try to avoid doing this because I figure that it's more important for students to get the words out and speak, rather than obsess over proper pronunciation -- something I always struggle with when I attempt to speak Korean.

Moms Say the Darnedest Things

I took my sister and moms to our local Ddeok Ssam owned by that ajusshi actor. I think my mom got a little star struck when he came to our table to put some garlic on the grill. The ajusshi kind of flirted with my mom, pointing out that they both had similar salt-n-pepper hairstyles. I asked her if she wanted me to snap a picture of them, but she got all bashful. I totally should have.

My mom was also dazzled by the array of samgyupsal accouterments.














Later that evening, we even got a kyeran-jjim (steamed egg) as "service." I've been there a number of times, and have never gotten any dishes as service. Work it, mom!















After dinner, we headed over to Dongdaemun Stadium. My mom's immediate reaction was, "정신 없어." Jeongshin eopseo. Basically, it was insanely chaotic.

I swear, my mom says the darnedest things. Some of the highlights include:

"I think 99% of the guys here are...you know what."
Translation: I think 99% of the guys here dress like a gay man.
- Said while cruising the men's section in one of those Dongdaemun malls -

"..."
- My mother openly gawking at a girl clad in a short mini dress, stilletto heels, and a plastic nose. -

"This is why no one will give Koreans drivers license."
- Said in the taxi on the way to Bundang -


"I feel like we're flying."
_ Also said in the taxi on the way back to Bundang -

May I Cut Your Belt?

Both Cyndi and I have become moderately obsessed with belts, especially the wide ones with the elastic band that cinches your waist like nobody's business. We just picked up a few at Migliore in Dongdaemun a couple of weeks ago.

I have to pat myself on the back because I bargained the belts down to 3 for 30,000 won. He had told us the belts were 13,000-14,000 won a piece, so I'm quite proud of my growing bargaining skills. (I know. I know. They're probably $5 on eBay. Please don't burst my bubble.)

I've been wanting a skinny belt for awhile now, but since I like to wear my belt high up (a little below the boobage area), belts have proven to be too long. To my surprise, the ajusshi offered to the belt for me. Basically, he takes off the buckle; chops off a few inches; then nails the buckle back on. I think he only does this for the cheapy belts, but the service is free.

If you too are interested in shorter belts, I suggest stopping by his belt stall. He's on the third floor of Migliore, immediately to the right of the escalator.

By the way, you're probably asking yourself, "What's the deal with the mannequin?" We plan to sell some children's clothes on eBay. We got the whole shebang for 20,000 won in Namdaemun.

Dance, Pokemon, Dance

While doing some late night shopping at Dongdaemon, we spotted some dancing phenoms. It seemed as if Pokemon, Turtle, and Doolie were dancing to the beats blasting from the speaker -- all on their own. We asked the ajusshi how the little guys had such mad skillz, and he explained (with a coy smile), "It's the vibrations from the speakers."

"Ahhhhh," we replied, nodding our heads.

Then, we gave him 5000 won and picked up 2 pairs of dancing characters.

Perhaps if you take a look at this clip, you'll understand why I was so enamored with the tiny dancers.





When we got home, I quickly tore open the package to see how Pikachu managed to stand upright AND dance along with the beats. As some small part of my brain had suspected, upon closer inspection, I learned that Pikachu's legs were simply made out of yard and cardboard. Then, to our great disappointment, Cyndi pulled out a strand of FISHING WIRE! After taping a piece of fishing line to the back of the character, you must then tie each end of the seemingly invisible line to opposite ends of a box. Once the line is taut, your little character will be able to bounce along to the vibrations from the speakers (subwoofers) -- just as the ajusshi said.

Now, if I were an ostrich, this is the point where I would stick my head in the ground. Sometimes I'm such a dupe. This is why one should not shop after midnight!

I have to give the Dongdaemun entrepreneur some credit. He had a crowd of people swarming around his station.