Miso II

Given that South Korea also boasts of a dynastically rich history and culture, efforts to portray them artistically abound. Theatrical plays are common in the country, and most of them showcase Korean history, dynasty, culture, and tradition as general themes.

I got the chance to watch MISO II (춘향연가) at the Myeongdong Theatre today. The play only runs from November 26 to November 29, and was lucky enough to be invited by a friend who shared her two free tickets with me. It is actually a musical, and a sequel to the equally successful play, MISO. While both are love stories, the characters introduced in each of the plays are different. I was not able to watch the first MISO, but I would like to believe that this sequel showcased more traditional dances aside from South Korea's native songs that were present in both.

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On Speedy Korean Weddings

One of the very first adjectives that I came up with to describe my first few months of stay in South Korea was QUICK— quick, quick, quick on anything! Quick subway travel time, quick (brisk) walking of people on the streets, quick (rushed) polishing of any kind of work. Everything seems to be done in some speed above the normal. But when I said anything, I never thought they wouldn’t spare weddings. Yes, weddings! Weddings where even that simple walk in the aisle by the bride would normally take some time and a couple of yawns from guests already. That of course, had you been in the Philippines. But here? Hell no!

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Trip to the Seorak Mountains

It was a random and almost careless mention of a plan to go to the Seorak Mountains with a friend, as she browsed on a Korean survival guide book while we were on our way to one of our earlier “cultural travels". We were practically preparing for our next trip while experimenting on one. Weeks after that, I get to hitch to a black sports car of another friend’s officemate. Coooool-ness.

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On Korean Men

I am practically surrounded by Korean men in my workplace, and while my officemates would probably say how they’ve barely managed at least a minute of casual talk with me given such “aloofness” that I exercise inside the office, I must say that I have, and will probably always have in my mind, the most striking conversations with them.

Korean men are actually interesting. They may not be the best-looking men (face-wise) on earth, but they certainly are the most-buffed Asians. Their firm bods must be the result of their two years in military service. I am just not a fan of chinky and lid-less pairs of eyes. And I have sworn loyalty to the classic Borgy Manotoc and Leonardo DiCaprio “crush-ness”. Haha.

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Hwaseong Fortress

This is my second time to celebrate Thanksgiving Day in South Korea. I remember just staying at home last year, so I don’t think I can still forgive myself if I lock myself up in my room again. I have long been craving for travel that will technically throw me out of Seoul— with a cultural feel at that. And when you are not really sure how culturally blessed a place is, you basically just depend on titles attached to these places.

Like the Hwaseong Fortress. A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. How heavy is that. Teehee.

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On 'Jimjilbangs'

Jimjilbangs are a pretty common place to go (or at least try out) here in South Korea. They are public bath houses or saunas that help you keep up with your personal hygiene as you get bored with the same, old bath tub and find it inappropriate for a relaxing, night-time treat. Of course, for a Southeast Asian whose life back in her own country wasn’t much into the lavish “pampering”, it can really be a sophisticatedly cool experience. Then you talk to people and find out that there have actually been dirty connotations on preferring jimjilbangs for bathing, for the simple reason of being the “public” kind.

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Korean 'Masaji'

I first cried over a severe back ache that started with a stiff neck back in January of this year, enough for my housemates to rid themselves of such an unbearable face, as they finally brought me to a nearby massage place when it has reached my lower back. It was mainly brought about by the double wham of the very cold weather and the stress at work during that time. Seven months later, and I am at it again. Except that this time, my body seems to have gotten used to it. My back has been getting a great deal of beating lately, and I am afraid that the pain is becoming bearable. My body is forced to get used to the pain, especially when my mind is more occupied with deadlines and crammed reports everyday. Practically, there’s just no time to feel it. But when you finally steal a minute of relaxing and not thinking too much, you suddenly get overwhelmed by the weight of such pain in the back that has seemed to have temporarily muted, since there was just no space in your brain to process the pain. That’s exactly what just happened to me.

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My Own Hallyu Fever

Talk about the Hallyu fever, I was once a sucker for Korean dramas in the Philippines, and they have been the dubbed versions to my native language. As to Korean pop music, it was not that expansive two years ago in my country, so there was really no chance for me to get hooked to it. I guess I had other priorities, then. Teehee.

I am now here in South Korea, in a place where Asian teenagers would probably die to be in just to experience the real Hallyu craze, yet there seems to be little time (and interest) for me to get it on with them. I guess I still have other priorities in life. Haha.

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Korean Temple Stay

My housemates and I alloted a weekend for a temple stay experience. Our apartment at the seventeenth floor happens to be good friends with a Buddhist at the nineteenth floor, and he opened up the idea of a trip to Gangwha-do, where a meditation center is located. Mr. Lee, the Buddhist who is also a Taekwondo instructor, along with his two kids, drove us to the place as soon as we finished our Saturday lunch, and the weather joined us in our relaxed mood as we hope for an escape from the stress of the city.

It’s been quite a while since I breathed in fresh air in South Korea, and I should thank the wonderful atmosphere that the temple area provided as soon as we arrived an hour and a half later.

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Boryeong Mud Festival

It’s amazing how South Korea has suddenly become a melting pot of foreigners— of Americans and Westerners, at that. Korean’s huge appetite for learning the English language has definitely opened doors for these native speakers, and they’ve all swarmed and created their own communities in the country.

Festivals have always been a great way to group foreign people in South Korea, and one of the highly-awaited events during the summer month of July is the Boryeong Mud Festival held in Daechon Beach, in the province of Chungcheongnam-do. The place has been made famous by the mud that can be found in its beach, perceived to offer good skin benefits due to its mineral contents. But more importantly, the festival has been regarded as the grandest way to pool international people together— anyone who just want to enjoy and play it cool during the summer season.

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