My Loony Bun is fine Benny Lava.

I dare you not to laugh out loud.

Wonder Girls "This Time" MV

I probably seem like a big Wonder Girls fan, but I'm actually more of a JYP (the producer, not singer) fan. I think he's one of the greatest puppet masters to come out of Asia. I am especially feeling the latest video from the Girls. The song is a nice little mid-tempo ballad called "This Time." The video is part Mannequin, part The Keeanu Reeves Movie That No One Watched.

To all you "anti-fans," I'd say that the Wonder Girls are much more palatable in animation.

Let's hope that this video doesn't get taken down as quickly as that Kanye Video.

Piggy: The Inverted Cone Head

Piggy had soosool yesterday. No, not plastic surgery. She just got spayed. The vet gave her a cone to wear, but Piggy didn't really need to wear it since she hasn't been licking the stitches. I just made her wear it because it cracks me up. I know. I'm so cruel.

The doctor also gave Piggy yak in powder form. I know that Koreans prefer to take their medicine in powder form, but I didn't know that they expected their dogs to as well. Cyndi cleverly encased the powdered medicine in a slice of turkey deli meat. (That's right. I found turkey meat in Seoul!)

Speaking of spaying dogs... last week I saw the Oprah episode about puppy mills in America (I think it originally aired in the Homeland ages ago). I had naively thought that most of the puppies sold in American puppy stories were provided by professional breeders, and had even been quite judgmental about the puppy vendors in Seoul. Boy, do I still have a lot to learn.

According to the representative from the Human Society, it is estimated that almost 99% of puppies sold in American pet stores come from a puppy mill. At these mills, breeding dogs are holed up in filthy little crates and forced to produce puppies after each heat cycle. Most of these dogs' paws never even touch the ground. It's heartbreaking. I was literally bawling throughout the whole episode. You don't have to be a dog lover to feel horrified by the grossly inhumane treatment of dogs. I don't think that I could ever buy a dog from a pet store ever again. I would either adopt a dog from the pound or search for an AFC certified breeder.

You can read more about the puppy mill investigation at oprah.com or check out clips on youtube:


This episode of Oprah, dedicated to her late dog Sophie, also profiled a woman who saves dogs that are about to be put down. Through her charitable organization, the Lange Foundation, she is able to save the dogs that most people would not think to adopt -- the blind ones, the old ones, the ones with missing limbs.

The other guests on the show, a Humane Society representative and vet also emphasized that the overcrowding of animal shelters, and consequently, the large number of animals put to sleep DAILY, could be significantly reduced if people would just spay or neuter their cats and dogs. Spay or neuter your dogs, people!

Do LPGA golfers need to go to hagwon?

The LPGA recently announced that all member golfers must pass an English proficiency exam or face suspension. Yes, I think they're talking to you, Korean lady golfers. People are definitely going to spin this as a means to trim down on some of the Korean LPGA golfers, though it sounds like the LPGA has legitimate concerns about the ability of non-native English speakers to fulfill their professional responsibilities. I bet my mom and eemo are happy about the new policy. They're always bemoaning the behavior and appearance of Korean players on the green. "Those women can't even speak English," they'd comment in Korean. Mom 'n' eemo especially dislike this one woman (I forget her name)who wears "loud" colors, tight shorts, and gaudy earrings (They're not talking about Michelle Wie). I think our mothers are also extra critical because the woman is a plus size. Unfortunately, Korean moms don't appreciate any healthy chunkiness.

Other than the fact that the LPGA is the girl version of the PGA, I don't really know anything about the LPGA (or golf in general), so I have no intelligent thoughts on this new rule. I'm not sure what level of proficiency is expected, but I would imagine that it is appropriate to expect English proficiency amongst members.

Maybe some of these golf ladies need to spend the off-season (does golf have an off-season?) attending hagwon.

Have a Nice Day in Seoul.

Some people reading my blog may have found me through the big ol' Korea Blog List. I remember when I added my blog to the list back in '07, I had a momentary bit of an identity crisis. Very brief. Nothing world shattering.

When you submit your blog the Korea Blog List has you list your blog under one of four categories:
Foreigners In Korea
Koreans In Korea
Koreans Outside Korea
Foreigners Outside Korea

Since I had intended my blog to chronicle my year in the Motherland, the "In Korea" part was easy. The big question though was am I a "Foreigner" or a "Korean"? There are definitely moments when everything feels all too familiar in the Motherland, and I'd easily check the "Korean in Korea" box. But, more times than not, I am aware (or made aware) of the fact that I am indeed a foreigner in Korea. I suspect that a lot of gyopos and Korean adoptees must be asking themselves the same question. Am I a foreigner or a Korean?

With great foresight, I knew that I would be more Foreinger than Korean while in Korea, so I identified myself as a "Foreigner in Korea." In the Homeland, I would not hesitate to categorize myself as Korean, but in the Motherland, I always feel like I'm an impostor when I say that I am Korean. I prefer to say that I'm a gyopo or... Japanese-Canadian.

Anyhow, my main reason for posting was to point out a blog that I just discovered while recently perusing the newest (new to me) batch of Korean Blogs. After watching the Park Tae Hwan 400m race for the umpteenth time in two days (It's starting to feel like Groundhog's Day), I hesitate to watch any more of the Olympics as presented by the Korean broadcasting community. Instead, I've taken to reading the Olympic highlights at A Nice Day in Seoul. I think what got me hooked what his Jang Mi-Ran Watch.

This picture alone brightens my day.

I know. I watch too much terebi.

Since , September 2007, I had been wanting to watch the CBS reality show, Kid Nation. To my surprise, after watching a rerun of 우리 결혼했어요, Kid Nation premiered on the MBCevery1 channel. Unfortunately, it airs on Sundays at 12:15 AM, but I'm still going to make an effort to watch the program. Say what you will about exploiting children or annoyingly precocious TV kids, but I enjoyed the first episode. The young participants are completely endearing with their earnestness and forthright personalities. The show captures why I enjoy working with children. They may be bouncing off the walls at times, but they usually have something interesting to say.

Speaking of American TV, I'm increasingly seeing more and more programming from the Homeland. A year ago, I basically stuck to the OnStyle network for my American TV fix (i.e., ANTM and Project Runway), but now I'm finding American shows all over the cable networks. Midu (Miguk Dramas) like Prison Break, 24, Law & Order SVU, and CSI, have been popular for awhile. More recently though, I'm seeing a range of sitcoms, dramas, and reality programming that I had not expected to find in the Motherland (e.g., I Love New York, Sunset Tan, and Dexter).

I'm especially excited that some of my favorite shows (which I had been following online) have made it to the Motherland (albeit a month or season behind): 30 Rock, Brothers and Sisters, Samantha Who?, and How I Met Your Mother. Speaking of HIMYM, in the Motherland, it's called "I Love Friends." I'm not sure if the name change is an intentional allusion to the once mega-popular NBC sitcom, but the new name bugs me. The HIMYM moniker is central to the premise of the show. I suppose the name is a bit of a mouthful. It would have been really funny if they just referred to the show as "Your Mother." HIMYM and 30 Rock air on FOXLife. Brothers & Sisters and Samantha Who? may be found on StoryOn.



In addition to re-watching some of my faves, I've also discovered shows that I never thought to watch back in the Homeland, more specifically, House, Bones, Ghost Whisperer, and Two and a Half Men (Oh, yes, I did.)

I probably shouldn't watch so much American TV if I really want to improve my Korean, but Korean TV shows are just not the same. The variety programming is fun, but sometimes overstimulating. The Korean dramas can be engrossing, but require a huge investment of time, energy, and emotion. As for the gag shows...no thank you.

Get your skinny jeans on..It's time to Tecktonik!

The Parisian dance phenomenon known as Tecktonik has made its way to Korea. From fashion trends (skinny jeans, day-glo t-shirts, and Reebok high tops) to k-pop, you'll see that Tecktonic's neon bright influence has quickly pervaded the Motherland. Though the Tecktonik trend has been around for awhile now, Heng, Cyndi, and I have only recently become enamored.

The dance style may seem quite goofy at first glance, but the more you watch it, the more enthralling it becomes. Also, once you actually try the moves, you'll find that the dance is more challenging that you thought. Or, maybe that's just me and my two left feet.

Everyone's getting in on the Tecktonic craze...

Model/Actress Go Ara (Etude House)


Korean guy at Coscto (I like the nonchalant reactions of the other shoppers.)


Teletubbies


So, what are you waiting for? It's time to hit youtube, and start practicing!
"Vomit; vomit. Eat it; eat it."

"우리 Park Tae Hwan!"

We just watched Park Tae Hwan win a gold in the 400m freestyle race, and I think our TV was about to explode. I usually tune out the commentators, but I couldn't help but notice the incessant shouting of "Uri (our) Tae Hwan!" I completely understand how it's easy to get excited over S. Korea's Olympic poster child and his washboard abs, but let's recognize the other international talent in the swimming pool. As Cyndi points out, after Park Tae Hwan won the race, the KBS commentators then went on and on about how small and young Park Tae Hwan is compared to his competitors. If fact, the women swimmers are competing as I write this, but the commentators are still speaking about Park Tae Hwan.

Oh, Motherland. Yes, we know. "We" are an underdog. Aja. Aja. Hwaiting.

Watching the Olympics in the Motherland is quite a contrast to watching the games in the Homeland. The Motherland is noticeably Motherland-centric.

Last night at dinner, my cousin S.H. pointed out that during the opening ceremony, when an African country appeared the commentators noted how AIDS was prevalent in that particular country. Oh, Motherland.

I understand that given its history, the Motherland feels compelled to revel in small triumphs, but if it truly wants to be a player on the global stage, it needs to examine its prejudices and act with confidence, not bravado.

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This is ridiculous. In a span of 10 minutes, I've seen the Park Tae Hwan 400m race (in its entirety), three times over.

Oh, Motherland.

Watching the Beijing Olympics in Korea

Plus:
You can catch the events live.

Minus:
You only see the events where Korean athletes have a chance at earning a medal. (I guess this is a plus if you like tae kwon do, fencing, archery, or Park Tae Hwan.)

I suppose that in this day and age, people don't really have to sit at home and watch (or tape) their favorite events. That's why the internet was created.

I usually look forward to women's gymnastics and the opening ceremony. Sounds like the Americans don't really have a shot at garnering an all-around medal, so I'm not really missing out this year. I did catch 30% of the the epic opening ceremony last night, but mostly because I wanted to check out Ralph Lauren's designs. ( The U.S. athletes did look pretty smart.) The opening ceremony extravaganza was way too long for me to watch all the way through, but what I did catch was beautiful, yet a little mystifying. I also like to watch the procession of countries because it's a good way to learn about countries I never knew existed. (That's right Brunei Darussalam. I see you.) Also, did you notice how instead of their standard flag, Taiwan carried a modified version of the Beijing Olympics flag? And, when Hong Kong entered the arena, the announcer shouted with great emphasis, "Hong Kong China!" It's easy to momentarily forget about all the political tension surrounding China when you look into the smiling faces of the adorable little Fuwa.











Since my family doesn't like it when I write a long post with no pictures, I'll leave you with a triumphant photo of my Olympian Mii.
















The big question is: who will I root for when/if the Motherland or Homeland come head to head in an event? Let's just say, I'm rooting for the winner. ㅋㅋㅋ

From the crayon of babes

I should really work on my lesson plans, but I'm easily distracted...I found about the Wonderland project via Prêt à Voyager , where Korean artist Yeondoo Jung translates children's drawings into photography.

Team Edward

Aren't you curious to see what's got all those teens in a tizzy? Believe the hype. Twilight is indeed a fun read, regardless of your age. The final book in the Twilight saga releases tonight at midnight EST. Fortunately, we've dispatched little cousin Emi to bring back a copy when she returns from the Homeland.

Up!

I still haven't been to the Pixar Exhibition at the Seoul Arts Center (I have until Sept. 7th to check it out), and am waiting patiently to see Wall-E on the big screen at my neighborhood Cinus theater, but I am absolutely dying to see Pixar's next film, Up, simply based on this teaser:




I already adore this little guy. His name is Russell. I'd like to stuff him in my pocket and take him to eat kim bap and ddeok-boki.