119 - The Korean version of 911. Used to summon firemen, or ambulances. Police have a different number (112 if memory serves me correctly).
4 - The number four is considered unlucky since the Chinese characters for four (四) and death (死) are both read in Korean as 사. The number 4 has become connect with death and is avoided at all costs. Most buildings replace the number four with an "F" on elevators, or skip the floor entirely (1-2-3-5...)
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 2007
A
AFN - Armed Forces Network. AFN is a television station run by the US military stationed in Korea. In addition to providing a wealth of hilariously paranoid public service announcements, they provide me with some useful services, namely a weather report with temperatures in Farenheit, and American programs, but since it's for GI's, the only worthwhile shows they have are re-runs of Simpsons and Law & Order (both of which are on Korean television as well).
Age - Age is extremely important in Korean social interactions. Age dictates not only how one acts towards others, but how one must speak as well. It basically breaks down like this: anyone older than you is automatically more correct than you and must be treated with respect, no matter how they treat you. Anyone younger than you is inferior and can be treated like dirt. Anyone who happens to be the same age as you is able to be your friend.
Aigo (아이고) - Korean for term for "Oh..." A moan of disgust. Common phrase uttered by 아줌마 in dramas.
Ajeossi (아저씨) - A middle aged Korean man. The male version of an 아줌마.
Ajumma (아줌마) - A middle aged woman. This term refers to a certain type of middle aged woman; a chunky, pink visored, hiking vest equipped, perm rocking middle aged woman.
Age - Age is extremely important in Korean social interactions. Age dictates not only how one acts towards others, but how one must speak as well. It basically breaks down like this: anyone older than you is automatically more correct than you and must be treated with respect, no matter how they treat you. Anyone younger than you is inferior and can be treated like dirt. Anyone who happens to be the same age as you is able to be your friend.
Aigo (아이고) - Korean for term for "Oh..." A moan of disgust. Common phrase uttered by 아줌마 in dramas.
Ajeossi (아저씨) - A middle aged Korean man. The male version of an 아줌마.
Ajumma (아줌마) - A middle aged woman. This term refers to a certain type of middle aged woman; a chunky, pink visored, hiking vest equipped, perm rocking middle aged woman.
B
Blood Type (혈액형 / 血液型) - Koreans, as well as people in other Asian nations, believe that one's blood type can be used to determine their personality. The belief hold that people with "A blood tend to be reserved, punctual, and law-abiding, while type Os tend to be more outgoing, passionate, and driven; it is for this reason they are often considered "warrior" spirits. Type Bs are said to be loners and self-sufficient, as "hunters," while ABs are said to be serious and solitary by nature." (1). This belief was brought to Korea during the occupation by Japan. And where did Japan get this notion from? The Nazis.
Bunshikjib (분식집 / 粉食집) - Kind of like a Korean version of a diner. These are cheap restaurants were people can go to get food like noodles, kimbab, or simple rice dishes.
Bondaegi (번데기) - Ah bondaegi! Bondaegi is an excellent snack you can buy on the streets in Korea. "What is it?" you ask. Bondaegi is boiled silkworm cocoons. Yum! I have consumed this awesome food once, and it is a taste I will never forget. It's like dirt, and it's kind of taste I can recall just by smelling the hideous smell that is bondaegi.
Bunshikjib (분식집 / 粉食집) - Kind of like a Korean version of a diner. These are cheap restaurants were people can go to get food like noodles, kimbab, or simple rice dishes.
Bondaegi (번데기) - Ah bondaegi! Bondaegi is an excellent snack you can buy on the streets in Korea. "What is it?" you ask. Bondaegi is boiled silkworm cocoons. Yum! I have consumed this awesome food once, and it is a taste I will never forget. It's like dirt, and it's kind of taste I can recall just by smelling the hideous smell that is bondaegi.
C
Canadian - Canadians in Korea are super nationalistic. They all sport little Canadian flags on their bags, and more often than not rock shirts proclaiming their Canadian citizenship. I suppose all of this is so Koreans don't confuse the Canadians with their more reviled southern neighbors.
Church (교회) - If one were to look at the skyline of Seoul at night (or any large city in Korea for that matter) they would see countless glowing red crosses. These are churches.
Corn - Nothing says Italian food like corn. Koreans add corn to pastas and pizzas (among other things). The first week I was here my boss got me a pizza. I was shocked to see corn on it. Now when I go back to the States I'm going to miss corn on my pizza.
Cyworld (싸이월드) - A Korean blogging service. It's emmensly popular with college aged Koreans, and use it to post pictures of stupid stuff their friends send them in email, pictures of their dogs, poses, ect. Oh I used cyworld myself prior to starting this webpage. My cyworld site is here.
Church (교회) - If one were to look at the skyline of Seoul at night (or any large city in Korea for that matter) they would see countless glowing red crosses. These are churches.
Corn - Nothing says Italian food like corn. Koreans add corn to pastas and pizzas (among other things). The first week I was here my boss got me a pizza. I was shocked to see corn on it. Now when I go back to the States I'm going to miss corn on my pizza.
Cyworld (싸이월드) - A Korean blogging service. It's emmensly popular with college aged Koreans, and use it to post pictures of stupid stuff their friends send them in email, pictures of their dogs, poses, ect. Oh I used cyworld myself prior to starting this webpage. My cyworld site is here.
D
Dangun (단군 / 檀君) - The legendary founder of Korea. The son of a God and a bear that transformed into a woman, Dangun went on to found the nation of Korea in 2333 BC. His name should not be confused with the word danggeun (당근) which is the Korean word for carrot.
Ddongchim (똥침) - An excellent Korean "game." In this "game," one child attempts to shove his or her fingers up the anus of another child, or of an unsuspecting English teacher. (See this link for a better understanding of 똥침). 똥침, oddly enough, is a fairly socially acceptable. "Comedy" programs on TV here, often use 똥침 to illicite riotous laughter from the viewers.
Double Eyelids (쌍거풀) - Apparently some people have a crease in their eyelids. This crease is highly valued in Korea, and for some reason it is all the rage to have this crease. Some Koreans have naturally occuring double eyelids, but many Koreans (including current President Roh Mu-hyun) born without this crease undergo surgery to get an extra line in their eyelids. I personally did not know there was any difference before I came here, and still can't tell the difference unless I'm getting all up in someone's grill with a Sherlock Holmes style magnifying glass. No Koreans I've asked about this phenomenum have every been able to give me an answer (aside from "It's pretty,") as to why double eyelids are all the rage.
Drama (드라마) - Koreans are obsessed with television dramas, or as they would be known in the west soap operas. There are historical dramas (which take place prior to the 20th century), but most dramas take place in modern times. They are all stories of doomed love, ripe with crying, and men smacking women who say something that angers said man, oh...and someone always dies.
Ddongchim (똥침) - An excellent Korean "game." In this "game," one child attempts to shove his or her fingers up the anus of another child, or of an unsuspecting English teacher. (See this link for a better understanding of 똥침). 똥침, oddly enough, is a fairly socially acceptable. "Comedy" programs on TV here, often use 똥침 to illicite riotous laughter from the viewers.
Double Eyelids (쌍거풀) - Apparently some people have a crease in their eyelids. This crease is highly valued in Korea, and for some reason it is all the rage to have this crease. Some Koreans have naturally occuring double eyelids, but many Koreans (including current President Roh Mu-hyun) born without this crease undergo surgery to get an extra line in their eyelids. I personally did not know there was any difference before I came here, and still can't tell the difference unless I'm getting all up in someone's grill with a Sherlock Holmes style magnifying glass. No Koreans I've asked about this phenomenum have every been able to give me an answer (aside from "It's pretty,") as to why double eyelids are all the rage.
Drama (드라마) - Koreans are obsessed with television dramas, or as they would be known in the west soap operas. There are historical dramas (which take place prior to the 20th century), but most dramas take place in modern times. They are all stories of doomed love, ripe with crying, and men smacking women who say something that angers said man, oh...and someone always dies.
E
Engrish - A lot of shops, clothes, resturaunts, stationary, and various other products use the English language, in an effort to make their product seem cool or cutting edge. More often than not, this English is strange, inappropriate, or just wrong. These odd English offerings are known as Engrish. Check this site for more Engrish offerings.
Expat - Expatriate. A person living outside of their home country. I am an expat.
Expat - Expatriate. A person living outside of their home country. I am an expat.
F
F - Used to replace the number 4 on elevators. See "4" for more information.
Fan Death - The belief that sleeping in a closed room with a fan running will result in death. This is an urban legend believed by many Koreans.
Fan Death - The belief that sleeping in a closed room with a fan running will result in death. This is an urban legend believed by many Koreans.
G
Gagman (개그맨) - A comedian. Imagine if you will the most catchphrase ridden skit on Saturday Night Live or Chapel's Show. Now add in some Three Stooges. That's what passes for humor. Each skit will be on television weekly for way too many months.
Gochu (고추) - This is the Korean word for a hot pepper. It is also the slang word for a penis, much in the same way American children use the word weiner.
Gongju-byeong (공주병 / 公主病) - This phrase translates to "Princess Sickness." You can use it to refer to women who are conceited or whiney, which is to say you can use this phrase describe a lot of women here.
Go-Stop (고스톱) - A card game, which inspite of the fact that it originated in Japan is emensely popular in Korea. This page has information (in English) about how to play.
Gyopo (교포) - People of Korean descent hailing from a country outside of Korea.
Gochu (고추) - This is the Korean word for a hot pepper. It is also the slang word for a penis, much in the same way American children use the word weiner.
Gongju-byeong (공주병 / 公主病) - This phrase translates to "Princess Sickness." You can use it to refer to women who are conceited or whiney, which is to say you can use this phrase describe a lot of women here.
Go-Stop (고스톱) - A card game, which inspite of the fact that it originated in Japan is emensely popular in Korea. This page has information (in English) about how to play.
Gyopo (교포) - People of Korean descent hailing from a country outside of Korea.
H
Hagwon (학원) - Hagwons are private educational institutions (aka cram schools). Since the regular schools in Korea are so horrid, and parents here are insane, kids get shipped off to countless hagwons (English, Hanja, Art, Music, Math, you name it...there's a hagwon for it). I work in a hagwon, so thanks for having a shitty school system Korea!
Hallyu (한류 / 韓流) - The "Korean Wave." This refers to the popularity of Korean popular culture throughout other Asian countries. (see also Yongsama).
Handphone (핸드폰) - Koreans refer to cellphones as "handphones." Everyone in this friggin' country has one (Buddhist monks and seven year olds included).
Hangul (한글) - The Korean alphabet. It is credited as being created by King Sejong in the 15th century, and is often dubbed one of the easiest to learn or most logical alphabets.
Hanja (한자 / 漢字) - Chinese characters. Korean and Chinese language are mutually unitelligible. The two languages have different grammar, vocabulary, and structure. This being said, Korea did make use of the Chinese characters in writing. Though they are a lot less commonly used these days, students still have to study them in school.
Hof (호프) - A beer bar. I've heard conflicting reports as to why a beer bar is called a hof. In some tellings "hof" is a German word meaning hall or gathering place. Other tales atribute to the English word, "Hope" and American GI's desire to get lucky. I don't speak German, and I was not here circa 1957 so I don't know what the truth of the matter is, but a Hof equals a place that has beer and that's pretty alright by me.
Hongdae (홍대 / 弘大) - A college town in Seoul. There are a ton of bars, nightclubs, punk rock venues (not really a ton, but some), live clubs, shops, and resturaunts.
Hyeong (형) - A boy's older brother. Also used by men to refer to male friends that are slightly older than them.
Hallyu (한류 / 韓流) - The "Korean Wave." This refers to the popularity of Korean popular culture throughout other Asian countries. (see also Yongsama).
Handphone (핸드폰) - Koreans refer to cellphones as "handphones." Everyone in this friggin' country has one (Buddhist monks and seven year olds included).
Hangul (한글) - The Korean alphabet. It is credited as being created by King Sejong in the 15th century, and is often dubbed one of the easiest to learn or most logical alphabets.
Hanja (한자 / 漢字) - Chinese characters. Korean and Chinese language are mutually unitelligible. The two languages have different grammar, vocabulary, and structure. This being said, Korea did make use of the Chinese characters in writing. Though they are a lot less commonly used these days, students still have to study them in school.
Hof (호프) - A beer bar. I've heard conflicting reports as to why a beer bar is called a hof. In some tellings "hof" is a German word meaning hall or gathering place. Other tales atribute to the English word, "Hope" and American GI's desire to get lucky. I don't speak German, and I was not here circa 1957 so I don't know what the truth of the matter is, but a Hof equals a place that has beer and that's pretty alright by me.
Hongdae (홍대 / 弘大) - A college town in Seoul. There are a ton of bars, nightclubs, punk rock venues (not really a ton, but some), live clubs, shops, and resturaunts.
Hyeong (형) - A boy's older brother. Also used by men to refer to male friends that are slightly older than them.
I
Internet - Korea has to be the must wired country in the world. Everywhere you go you are about a 30 second walk from internet access. Be it PC Bang, a random shop, the subway station, ect. Not only are they incredibly wired, but they speed of the internet connection is nuts! So when I need porn...er not porn related files, I can download them at incredible speeds.
Itaewon (이태원) - The foreign ghetto in Seoul. This is the place to go if you're looking for various ethnic cuisine, big and tall clothes, hip hop gear, or hookers.
Itaewon (이태원) - The foreign ghetto in Seoul. This is the place to go if you're looking for various ethnic cuisine, big and tall clothes, hip hop gear, or hookers.
J
Japan (일본 / 日本) - Many Koreans hate Japan and Japanese people. I'm not going to get into the entire thing, but for a great deal of time in the early 20th century Korea was a Japanese colony, and as such was pretty much treated like shit by the Japanese. While the Japanese have taken to having a selective memory about the history of this period (which is one thing that pisses of Koreans...and Chinese, people in South East Asia, ect.), the Koreans forget nothing. Many Koreans are still pissed off about things the Japanese did during the 16th century. Anyhow the thing that is most shocking to me is that in addition to this residual anger, they pass it down. I have had kindergarten students tell me that Japanese people are bad. That's like a 5 year old Jewish kid in Poland proclaiming his hatred for all Germans. Yeah I sure there are kids like that in Poland or elsewhere, but they would be the exception, not the norm...here in Korea it's the other way around.
K
K - A prefix commonly used by overseas Korean when refering to things Korean. Some examples:
Korean Pop = K-pop
Korean Girls = K-girls
Korea Town = K-Town
Korean Rap = Krap...I'm sorry that was a cheap shot wasn't it?
Kimchi (김치) - The staple food of Korea. There are literally hundreds of types of kimchi, but it's basically pickled vegetables. So you can have cucumber kimchi, cabbage kimchi, radish kimchi, ect.
Kissing - It is socially unacceptable to kiss in a public place, and I read somewhere that up until fairly recently it was similarly unacceptable to hold hands with someone of the opposite sex (as opposed to the perfectly acceptable same sex hand holding which occurs regularly).
Konglish (콩글리쉬) - Not to be confused with Engrish, Konglish are words and phrases, that are English in origin, but borrowed (often with different meaning) and used in Korean.
ex. Cunning in English means sly or sneaky. In Konglish, cunning (컨닝하다 cunning hada) means to cheat.
Korean Pop = K-pop
Korean Girls = K-girls
Korea Town = K-Town
Korean Rap = Krap...I'm sorry that was a cheap shot wasn't it?
Kimchi (김치) - The staple food of Korea. There are literally hundreds of types of kimchi, but it's basically pickled vegetables. So you can have cucumber kimchi, cabbage kimchi, radish kimchi, ect.
Kissing - It is socially unacceptable to kiss in a public place, and I read somewhere that up until fairly recently it was similarly unacceptable to hold hands with someone of the opposite sex (as opposed to the perfectly acceptable same sex hand holding which occurs regularly).
Konglish (콩글리쉬) - Not to be confused with Engrish, Konglish are words and phrases, that are English in origin, but borrowed (often with different meaning) and used in Korean.
ex. Cunning in English means sly or sneaky. In Konglish, cunning (컨닝하다 cunning hada) means to cheat.
M
Mayonaise - The greatest cullinary contribution of the west. At least that's what one would think looking at Korean food. Mayonaise is all over the place: on salads, in kimbab, on fruit, on fish...it everywhere I tell you!
Miguk Saram (미국사람 / 美國사람) - An American. I am a miguk saram, so is my friend from Canada, so is that Russian guy living in Seoul, so is the French tourist, so are the Australians...while the term literally means an American person, it is used (especially by children) to refer to any white person. See also Wayguk-in.
Mountain Climbing (등산 / 登山) - Hiking, or mountain climbing if you will, is a very popular passtime here in Korea, which isn't really surprising considering how many mountains there.
Miguk Saram (미국사람 / 美國사람) - An American. I am a miguk saram, so is my friend from Canada, so is that Russian guy living in Seoul, so is the French tourist, so are the Australians...while the term literally means an American person, it is used (especially by children) to refer to any white person. See also Wayguk-in.
Mountain Climbing (등산 / 登山) - Hiking, or mountain climbing if you will, is a very popular passtime here in Korea, which isn't really surprising considering how many mountains there.
N
Noraebang (노래방) - I don't know exactly when karaoke came across the Sea of Japan and arrived in Korea, but I do know Koreans are nuts for it! Any night of drinking and carousing with Koreans will inevitabily wind up in a noraebang. Most Koreans are tremendously impressed when foreigners bust out Korean jams.
North Korea (북한 / 北韓) - The Korea north of the 38th parallel. They are the communist Korea, and I am not there. The only reason I include this here, is that prior to my departure I was asked on several occassions which Korea I was going to. So I'm going to assume that some people may not know where I am either. So to sum it up. I'm not in North Korea...I'm in South Korea.
Nuna (누나) - A boy's older sister. Can also be used men to refer to women that they are friendly with that are slightly older than they are.
North Korea (북한 / 北韓) - The Korea north of the 38th parallel. They are the communist Korea, and I am not there. The only reason I include this here, is that prior to my departure I was asked on several occassions which Korea I was going to. So I'm going to assume that some people may not know where I am either. So to sum it up. I'm not in North Korea...I'm in South Korea.
Nuna (누나) - A boy's older sister. Can also be used men to refer to women that they are friendly with that are slightly older than they are.
O
Onni (언니) - A girl's older sister. Can also be used by girls to refer to random girls older than them.
Oppa (오빠) - Korean for a girl's older brother (a boy's older brother uses a different word). This word is also used by girls to refer to other boys slightly older than them. You will hear this term a lot on the subway as college aged girls phone or speak to their boyfriends. I am never called oppa since my girlfriend is older than I am.
Oppa (오빠) - Korean for a girl's older brother (a boy's older brother uses a different word). This word is also used by girls to refer to other boys slightly older than them. You will hear this term a lot on the subway as college aged girls phone or speak to their boyfriends. I am never called oppa since my girlfriend is older than I am.
P
PC Bang (PC 방) - Bang (방) is Korean for room, so these places are computer rooms. They are everywhere! Nowhere in Korea are you going to be more than 5 minutes from a PC Bang. These are smoke filled dens where (mostly) dudes sit around chain smoking and playing Starcraft...or some other computer game.
Pickles - I'm not talking about Korean style pickles (kimchi, danmuji, ect.), I'm talking about western style sweet pickles. Anytime you order a pizza, or have a spaghetti dinner, you will be presented with a side order of sweet pickles. I have asked Korean friends about this, and they told me that the taste of the pickle balanced out with the grease of the pizza or the spaghetti.
Playboy - Playboy is the most popular label here in Korea. The Playboy bunny logo is on all manner of bizarre items, and unlike America where only whores and strippers wear Playboy gear, in Korea it is totally acceptable for a 12 year old girl to carry a Playboy umbrella to school or church. The best item I found which possesed said logo was a spoon and chopstick set for kindergarteners. The case had some Hello Kitty character on it, but when I opened the case...PLAYBOY!
Pojangmacha (포장마차) - This is the Korean name for those tents on the side of the street that sell all manner of meats on sticks and alcohol. Now you know!
Pickles - I'm not talking about Korean style pickles (kimchi, danmuji, ect.), I'm talking about western style sweet pickles. Anytime you order a pizza, or have a spaghetti dinner, you will be presented with a side order of sweet pickles. I have asked Korean friends about this, and they told me that the taste of the pickle balanced out with the grease of the pizza or the spaghetti.
Playboy - Playboy is the most popular label here in Korea. The Playboy bunny logo is on all manner of bizarre items, and unlike America where only whores and strippers wear Playboy gear, in Korea it is totally acceptable for a 12 year old girl to carry a Playboy umbrella to school or church. The best item I found which possesed said logo was a spoon and chopstick set for kindergarteners. The case had some Hello Kitty character on it, but when I opened the case...PLAYBOY!
Pojangmacha (포장마차) - This is the Korean name for those tents on the side of the street that sell all manner of meats on sticks and alcohol. Now you know!
R
Ramen (라면) - Instant noodles. While ramen tends to be cheap food for college students and other finacially challenged folks, ramen is a social acceptable food for all people in Korea (though it tends to be eaten as a snack as opposed to a meal). Korean ramen is, for the most part, much spicier than ramen in the west. For those of you in Korea that are tired of the same ramen day in and day out, feel free to try some of the recipes offered at The Offical Ramen Homepage.
ROK - Short for Republic of Korea (the country I'm living in). The people on AFN likes to pronounce it as "The Rock" as opposed to "R-O-K," which in my humble opinion is stupid.
ROK - Short for Republic of Korea (the country I'm living in). The people on AFN likes to pronounce it as "The Rock" as opposed to "R-O-K," which in my humble opinion is stupid.
S
Sekki (새끼) - Literally "baby animal." This is a derogatory term often heard in conjuction with the Korean word for dog, gae (개). When put together 개새끼 is akin to son of a bitch. Thems fightin' words!
Seoyae (서예) - Chinese style calligraphy. This is one of my hobbies, so that's why this entry is here.
Soju (소주) - A Korean liquor, as cheap as it is strong.
Spam - Along with mayonaise, Spam is the western world's greatest cullinary achievement. At least that's what one would believe after spending some time in Korea. Spam (or the other kinds canned ham) are used in all sorts of Korean dishes. You'll find ham in kimbab, fried rice, as side dishes, with eggs, and so on and so on.
Spitting - It is perfectly acceptable to spit in the streets here in Korea. Especially if you are an old, drunk man.
Starcraft - The male population of Korea older than 10 years of age is obsessed with this game. When I lived in Bongcheon I had three TV channels that would show Starcraft matches, hints, ect. (my current cable provider only has one such channel). Inspite of the fact that the game is probably 6 or 7 years old now, it still continues to be the most popular video game in Korea.
Seoyae (서예) - Chinese style calligraphy. This is one of my hobbies, so that's why this entry is here.
Soju (소주) - A Korean liquor, as cheap as it is strong.
Spam - Along with mayonaise, Spam is the western world's greatest cullinary achievement. At least that's what one would believe after spending some time in Korea. Spam (or the other kinds canned ham) are used in all sorts of Korean dishes. You'll find ham in kimbab, fried rice, as side dishes, with eggs, and so on and so on.
Spitting - It is perfectly acceptable to spit in the streets here in Korea. Especially if you are an old, drunk man.
Starcraft - The male population of Korea older than 10 years of age is obsessed with this game. When I lived in Bongcheon I had three TV channels that would show Starcraft matches, hints, ect. (my current cable provider only has one such channel). Inspite of the fact that the game is probably 6 or 7 years old now, it still continues to be the most popular video game in Korea.
T
Talent - A certain breed of Korean celebrity who ironically lack the thing their namesake claims they have...talent. These celebrities go on random variety shows, and talk, and for this they are famous. They are not singers, or actors, or hosts of shows...they are just guests on variety shows.
"Tissue" - What Koreans know as tissue, we in the west would refer to as toilet paper. It is not uncommon for resturaunt, offices, schools, ect. to have a roll of toilet paper out on a desk or table to be used for all your tissue (or napkin) needs. It was a good 2 or 3 months before I saw something akin to a box of tissues, and at the price they were going for...let's say I too have a roll of "tissue."
"Tissue" - What Koreans know as tissue, we in the west would refer to as toilet paper. It is not uncommon for resturaunt, offices, schools, ect. to have a roll of toilet paper out on a desk or table to be used for all your tissue (or napkin) needs. It was a good 2 or 3 months before I saw something akin to a box of tissues, and at the price they were going for...let's say I too have a roll of "tissue."
U
Umbrella (우산 / 雨傘) - Koreans apparently learned their umbrella culture from Victorian England (or a similar time period) since you will often see people parading around on sunny days with a parasol to...I dunno keep sun off of them.
V
Video Bang (비디오 방) - Though now-a-days these places are more likely to be called DVD Bangs (DVD 방), a video bang is a venue where one can rent a video, get a private room with a couch and big ass TV and watch said video. That's the offical story. The reality is that in Korea most people live with their parents until they get married. So college students who want to get it on, can't really drag their date home and bed them down with mom and dad in the next room (if they have a sibling really forget about it since many Koreans will share a bedroom if not an actual bed with siblings of the same gender). What are a guy and gal to do them? Enter the Video Bang. Like I said you get a private room...with a couch...the movie is pretty much an afterthought.
W
Way-guk-in (외국인 / 外國人) - That's me! Way-guk-in is the Korean word for a foreigner. I hear this word at least every other day. Walking in the streets people young and old will be so shocked at my foreigness that that have to comment "와! 외국인이다 ("Wow! A foreigner!")." I usually respond with the Korean version of "Wow! A Korean!" or sometimes "Wow! A native person!" I could understand the shock if I was living in Seoul in 1904, but I live in 2004. There are countless foreigners here, foreign TV shows are common, most kids will have a foreign teacher at their English hagwon...so I'm not sure what the shock is all about. It would be akin to me in the states being like, "Wow! A Mexican!"
Won (원 / 圓) - The currency of South Korea. For the sake of simplicity $1US equals 1,000 won.
Won (원 / 圓) - The currency of South Korea. For the sake of simplicity $1US equals 1,000 won.
Y
Yellow Dust (황사 / 黃砂) - Every spring sand from the Gobi Desert blows into Korea. This dust is allegedly dangerous so people walk around sporting medical masks.
Yi Sun-shin (이순신) - A Korean navel hero from the 16th century (1545 - 1598). He is a hero in Korean history for his role in repelling the Japanese from Korea. He is also credited with building the world's first armored battleships, the "turtle ships."
Yonsama (ヨン様) - The Japanese nick-name for Korean actor 배용준 (Bae Yong Jun). Middle aged ladies in Japan apparently became obsessed with this dude after seeing some drama he stars in. The main reason I included this guy is strictly to get middle aged Japanese ladies looking for information on good old ヨン様 to visit my page...that and I found the greatest quote ever involving this guy, and Japan's Korean crazy in general...please bear in mind this is a quote from an actual reporter, in an actual publication, so I'm giving credit where credit is due. Take it away Mainichi Daily News!
How awesome was that?! ヨン様, keep on moistening those middle aged Japanese ladies' panties, and lending your likeness to crappy merchendise geared to Japanese tourists, I know I am!
Yi Sun-shin (이순신) - A Korean navel hero from the 16th century (1545 - 1598). He is a hero in Korean history for his role in repelling the Japanese from Korea. He is also credited with building the world's first armored battleships, the "turtle ships."
Yonsama (ヨン様) - The Japanese nick-name for Korean actor 배용준 (Bae Yong Jun). Middle aged ladies in Japan apparently became obsessed with this dude after seeing some drama he stars in. The main reason I included this guy is strictly to get middle aged Japanese ladies looking for information on good old ヨン様 to visit my page...that and I found the greatest quote ever involving this guy, and Japan's Korean crazy in general...please bear in mind this is a quote from an actual reporter, in an actual publication, so I'm giving credit where credit is due. Take it away Mainichi Daily News!
Korean hunks are dampening more panties than the condensation that builds up in the annual rainy season.
How awesome was that?! ヨン様, keep on moistening those middle aged Japanese ladies' panties, and lending your likeness to crappy merchendise geared to Japanese tourists, I know I am!
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