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Families Through Korean Adoption (Madison)

One year since her latest album “Growing“, Korea singer Younha released her new mini album “Lost in Love”. The album consists of 5 new songs including hits song “Take Care of My Boyfriend”, a beautiful ballad co-produced by Hwayobi.

Another song is two Ost songs “The Personal Taste” theme “Can’t Believe It”. Single “In Dreams” was composed by herself, also a theme song for Pokemon Movie Phantom Ruler: Zoroark.

Singer : Younha
Album : Lost In Love
Released Date : 09 December 2010
Label : Lion Media (KR)

Tracklist:

1. 기다리다 (Waiting)
2. 말도 안돼 (Can’t Believe it)
3. One Shot
4. 꿈속에서 (In Dreams)
5. 내 남자친구를 부탁해 (Take Care of My Boyfriend)

Watch Younha (윤하) new single 내 남자친구를 부탁해 (Please Take Care Of My Boyfriend) Video here

Korea Pop Music Song Album MP3 Download

YG Entertainment recently released their plans for Big Bang and also for their sub units. Here is what YG planned out for them:
Ningin

Head twirling rope dancer. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

Several times a year the town of Wolgot (the small town where I teach) puts on a Korean cultural festival to keep the ancient traditions alive. My principal joyfully insisted that I accompany her to the festival in Wolgot, which I delightfully agreed as long as I was able to borrow her camera since mine recently stopped functioning; she agreed.

The festival was of considerable resemblance to American Indian Pow-Wow’s I frequently attended in the United States, but before I dive into the action, I wish to include another facet of this small wonderful town.

My principal picked me up from my apartment, drove the 25 minutes to our school and parked the car.

Teradactyls in flight. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

We were the only ones present, and up that point I had surmised that the festival was going to occur at the school, but I was obviously mistaken. We got out of the car and the principal pointed up to the nearby mountain and said “let’s go.”

Wolgot Elementary School's backyard. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

Go where, I thought. Without hesitation, I followed the principal through some brush and located a trail adjacent to the school.

“Wow!” I exclaimed. “I didn’t know this was even here.”

The principal smiled and then looked down at my shoes with a concerned countenance. As my shoes glimmered in the sunlight protruding through the trees, I quickly realized that I was wearing the wrong pair.

I couldn’t help but chuckle; I guess I didn’t get the memo that we were going on a hike. “No problem,” I said. “Hiked many times in shoes like these, not to worry.” And with a quick okay, we headed up the mountain side.

Deco Art Scene. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

I soon discovered that we were hiking within Gimpo’s International Culture Park; a hidden gem in the heart of Gimpo County. This park is somewhat tucked away into nearby hills and mountains on the outskirts of Wolgot, allowing for sublime solace while hiking and enjoying the multitude of exquisite art alongside the trails.

I plan on revisiting the park very soon in order to hike the entire trail and locate all the creative compositions concealed underneath the thick of elm trees.

When we reached the festival, the principal and I were immediately greeted by a huge hoard of costumed dancers. I was instantly handed a bowl of rice, plate of meat, and a cup full of mak’ kkolli (unfiltered rice wine), which I quickly gulped down with everyone.

Offering gifts to ancient gods. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

I then followed the principal to the head table where the mayor of Wolgot and several city council members were sitting enjoying some mak’ kkolli. The principal introduced me, and after a few handshakes and nods, my cup was once again filled with mak’kkolli. As soon as I sat down, several plates of food were plopped down infront of me, and at that moment I couldn’t help but ponder how great and almost surreal all this delightful attention I’ve been receiving. I’ve received bounties of generousity throughout all my travels, but never in this supremely magnanimous manner; it’s been a great surprise indeed.

Drummer girl. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

After enjoying a few more cups of mak’ kkolli with my principal and Wolgot locals that ventured to come over and introduce themselves, the festival officially started. With music playing and dancers dancing, following old traditions the city council members, mayor, and my principal bowed and offered gifts to the gods.

Colour fros. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

Unfortunately, at this current time I do not know the significance of this practice, nor do I do know the significance of the pig’s head that is being bowed to. Of what it all amounts to, the offerings appeared to be very peaceful and transcendent.

Once official offerings were given, the dances began. Many groups and special individual dancers took center stage and gave all they could to keep the rhythm flowing all afternoon; it was dance fever!

Drumming high. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

Each music group had fascinating and aesthetic costumes.

After all dances were performed, it was time to slam some rice.

The actual name of this food has slipped my mind, but apparently it’s sticky rice that has been slammed and molded into a gummy mush that is then powdered with some sort of bean powder that tastes a little bit like peanut butter.

Immediately after this photo was taken, I was handed the heavy plastic sledgehammer and pushed in to give it a few whacks.

Apparently I didn’t know my own strength, as on the first hard blow I heard a loud CRACK! I took a quick peek below and saw a huge crack in the wood table support.

Slamming rice into a gummy mush. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

Oh man, I thought. After asking the festival coordinator if that crack was there before, he chuckled and said “no” and told me not to worry about it. Whew!

Okay, next time don’t give the big white dude a large sledgehammer and tell him to whack the rice, ha ha.

Soon after, I was interviewed by KBS (Korean Broadcasting Station) and plan to see myself on TV again soon, woo-hoo!

Pondering the entire festival, the part I enjoyed most was the head twirling rope dancer. Here’s a short clip that I think is pretty cool. Enjoy!

> Paul Graham

TESL Korea News

The members of KARA were recently guests on KBS2TV’s General Public Talk Show ‘Hello’ and spoke a little about their personal lives. When the KARA members were asked whether they wanted a boyfriend or not, leader Gyuri, answered she would like to have a boyfriend. However what shocked many people, …
Ningin

Tonight Popseoul headline “Indie Band covers 2NE1 “It Hurts”” caught my attention. Turns out rapper Verbal Jint put on an atypical show at Pastel Music café Kubric last weekend, covering 2NE1‘s 아파. From what I can tell, 2NE1 is one of the most popular idol groups among Korean indie musicians, some which have covered other songs in the part. I Don’t Care in particular is regularly sung by O So Young and has also been heard performed by Julia Hart.

Anyhow, hearing Verbal Jint in that unsual setting led me to find that he released a new EP, _easy go 0.5, on December 6. Teaser available here, music video for main track 약속해 약속해 here. Among other things, the EP contains a Christmas themed tune called 크리스마스를부탁해 that much like the 아파 cover was much less hiphop than I had expected. It also has a song called 기름 같은걸 끼얹나 featuring deb.

Indieful ROK

The much-talked-about movie “Ghost: In Your Arms Again,” in which Hallyu star actor Song Seung Hun and Japanese star actress Nanako Matsushima appear together, has been released in Japan and ranked in second place at the Japanese box office.

According to a Japanese research institute, “Ghost: In Your Arms Again,” which is a remake of the movie “Ghost” starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore, had been released all around Japan on November 13 and ranked second at the weekend box-office.

In the film, Korean potter Joon Ho (Song Seung Hun) meets a successful CEO Nanami (Nanako Matsushima) in Tokyo and they fall in love with each other. But Nanami leaves this world due to a sudden accident and she comes back to see Joon Ho as a ghost. A sensitive melodrama, “Ghost : In Your Arms Again“ will be released in Korea on November 25.

source: KBS Global

I love korean movie

On the most recent episode of KBS2TV’s “General Public Talk Show ‘Hello’“, KARA’s Seungyeon revealed her true feelings about her looks.

The topic was brought up by one of the audience members, who made an appearance with her mother; the mother was said to have been discontented with her daughter’s looks.

Hearing her story, Seungyeon confessed that she could relate, by saying: “My parents are very unsatisfied with my looks as well. They always give me criticisms like, ‘Your legs aren’t pretty, so don’t wear skirts’ and ‘Don’t make your eyes like that’. They even said, ‘Your group has a young and tall member, but what’s the matter with you?’”

It may seem a bit harsh, but perhaps her parents feel that they’re delivering constructive criticisms for her career.

Source: Newsen via Nate

allkpop

Wednesdays are my chill day of the week. I have no classes in the morning and I can just sit back and relax in my office preparing lessons, or even sleep on the comfortable couches if I please until my after-school classes start at 1pm. Although, today my three afternoon classes will be postponed to next week due to the fact that I will be joining our school teacher’s volleyball team for a school vs school tournament this afternoon at a school in the nearby town of Ilsan.

I’m greatly looking forward to this volleyball tournament today, except that I’ve been hammered with the common cold for the last few days. I don’t think I’ve ever blown my nose so much in my entire life; it’s horrible! However, despite this inconvenience, it has made for a splendid experience learning more about my Korean co-workers, friends, and of course, Korean culture.

Is there actually a cure for the common cold? Apparently a few of my fellow Korean teachers believe so, as they had me gulp down some pretty nasty-tasting potions, derived from who knows where, in attempt to quell my overwhelming symptoms.

I in fact, feel a little better today, but I believe it’s from my visit to the local rural pharmacist, rather than the medieval-like alchemy I was mercurially swigging.  My fellow teachers had great intentions, but it turned my stomach into a vicious whirlpool that almost saw the light of day.

After my co-teacher and I visited the local pharmacist, I left with a bag in my hand and a worried smile as I was given a three-day supply of five different pills which were all grouped carefully and hand-packaged into individual packets that I need to take with food three times a day. Five different pills! I soon thought that my stomach whirlpool would be the least of my worries.

“What are these pills? What am I taking?” I asked David, my co-teacher.

“The pharmacist gave you some special medicine without a prescription,” David responded.

“Without a prescription… isn’t that illegal?” I retorted.

“Yes… but perhaps he did that special for you, and perhaps there are not many good doctors in the area,” David said.

“Okay.” I said. After a brief pause, I continued, “… but I still don’t know what I’m taking. There is no label or anything on this bag to tell me what I’m taking.”

“No worries Paul, it’s all good.”

I chuckled for a moment as David is picking up on the expressions I continually use with him, such as “no worries” and “it’s all good,” after of which I quickly snubbed the apprehension I previously had about the medication that was in my hands.

When I arrived to school this morning, I was personally greeted by my principal, vice-principal, and several teachers to ascertain my condition and to see if I was okay. Each one offered a helping hand, but I sent them all off with the impression that I was getting better, despite the fact that I could hardly talk, and the promise that I would play in the volleyball tournament this afternoon. It truly felt good to know that all my fellow teachers and staff genuinely care about my condition and offered their assistance.

Gimpo seafood restaurant (aka. "My joint"). Photo credit: Paul Graham.

After our principal’s mother passed away nearly 10 days ago, and following tradition, each staff member at our school, including myself, gave a token amount of 50,000 won () to her in order to help pay for the funeral cost. In response to all of our kindness and sincere remorse immediately following our principal’s loss, and to attempt to make things a little delightful despite the sorrowful situation, our principal has joyfully offered to take us all out for a lavish dinner after our volleyball tournament. What I’m quickly beginning to discern is that Koreans extensively and delightfully practice genuine reciprocity.

To give a fun example of Korean reciprocity, I must share a charming story that has been on the tip of my tongue for the last few weeks…

…Fatigued, my co-teacher dropped me off on the main drag that runs through Gimpo City after a rough day of teaching. During my short, quick walk back to my apartment, I caught view of “my joint” and my mouth immediately began to water. “My joint” is a kind and informal name given to a small, cozy Korean restaurant just a few blocks from my apartment that serves up the spiciest and tastiest seafood vegetable soup I have ever had.

If you recall in a previous blog post, this happens to be the same restaurant that was chosen by my fellow teachers when I randomly ran into them during my first night-stroll around town. Quite frankly, I have made a bit of a habit of frequenting this cozy, delectable restaurant at least once a week since that favorable outing.

During that first evening at this restaurant enjoying a mountain of ‘bu chim gae’ (Korean potato cakes w/ vegetables) and ‘mak-kkolli’ (korean rice beer) with my fellow teachers, there were a two young Korean businessmen sitting at the table adjacent to us.  They inadvertently heard me speaking English and one of them conspicuously edged in to ask me where I was from and what I was doing in the city of Gimpo. After my introduction, the kind fellow bought a bottle of mak-kkolli for our table, from which we the gave a toast and included the young businessmen that purchased it for us.

Inside "My joint". Photo credit: Paul Graham.

The following Tuesday evening I walked by the restaurant again and immediately began craving ‘bu chim gae’ and ‘mak-kkolli’. I made a quick call to Wassim, a great Lebanese friend from Canada that lives down the street, and he agreed to my request to meet up at the restaurant later in the evening. When we arrived, I noticed the two businessmen again, and we happened to sit at the table next to them. After getting our fill of mak-kkolli and bu chim gae, we noticed the businessmen with a kettle of red seafood soup boiling infront of them. Both Wassim and I were very curious about the soup and I happened to ask the men what it was. They pronounced the soup in Korean, but I was able to discern that the soup had a large quantity of mussels floating around in it. “Wow, looks good. Perhaps we will try it next time,” I said. A few moments later while Wassim and I were amidst conversation, two medium-sized bowls of the red seafood soup were placed infront of us compliments of the two businessmen. We both said thank you and quickly dug in. What first hit me was the fresh seafood flavor, and then POW!, a shotgun of spice exploded in my mouth catching me totally off guard. “Está muy picante!” I exclaimed with Spanish accent. I then nodded to the businessmen in thanks and quickly learned what to order the next time.

The following Tuesday I was invited by Wassim and Larissa to join them at the same restaurant and share this exact soup that Wassim and I had been talking about all weekend. The kettle of soup was plopped down on the table grill and I took a deep breath pondering the spiciness that I would soon endure. Wow! Again, it hit me hard and I quickly began sweating profusely. I ordered a beer in hopes to quell my burning tongue, but it did not suffice. Wassim and I then began discussing ordering a small bottle of mak-kkoli as we believed it would compliment this soup perfectly. A few moments later a bottle of mak-kkolli was set in the middle of our table, although it was not per our request. We all took our eyes off our food and began looking around the room. We soon discovered that it was the same two businessmen whom had requested that a bottle of mak-kkolli be brought to our table. We said thank you and drank to our immediately relief; the mak-kkolli gratefully extinguished the burn.

The following Tuesday evening I was planning to go to Seoul in order to catch glimpse of a small festival that was occurring solely for a week or so. I had nothing in the cabinet dinner-worthy and had no desire to cook in a hurry. Thus, without a moment to lose, I grabbed my camera and jacket and headed to ‘my joint’. I quickly sat down next to the heater and was handed a menu. I motioned that I did not need a menu, but quickly pointed to the items I wanted: bu chim gae & red seafood soup. Due to my lack of speaking Korean, I motioned with my hands to describe that I wanted small portions of each. The kind waiter smiled and nodded her head, and said, “Arraser,” which essentially means ‘okay’. A few moments later my lack of speaking Korean paid its consequence.

To my surprise, a super large potion of red seafood soup and a super large portion of bu chim gae were placed infront of me. I was at the verge of saying something, but quickly realized that it would be futile and desired not to make a scene. I immediately called Wassim and a few others to see if they would care to join me for some tasty, sumptuous food, compliments of myself. However, to no avail, everyone was busy doing something. Just my luck, I thought. I shook my head, smiled, and then took a few bites of the steaming bu chim gae.

After relishing a few scrumptious bites, I noticed that the two businessmen were sitting at a table across from me. How come I didn’t notice them before?!? It blew my mind that I walked right passed them without even taking notice that they were even there. I then saw that they were drinking soju (Korean rice liquor), and I quickly made the decision to practice Korean reciprocity. Thus, I flagged the waiter and motioned with my hands that I’d like to buy the businessmen a bottle of soju, and to my delight it was soon brought to them. They happily looked over in my direction, smiled, and raised their glasses of soju in the air. Since I didn’t have one to raise, one of them grabbed an empty glass, poured soju into it, and handed it to me. We all chinked our glasses and drank to our health, as far as I know. I shook hands with them and then sat back down at my table with my stomach already calling it quits.

One of the businessmen peered over and questioned,  “You wait for friends?”

In slow, simple English, I responded, “Friends working tonight.”

Mr. Song and I. Photo credit: Paul Graham.

I then contemplated for a moment and attempted to explain to the businessmen in simple English that I could not eat all this food infront of me and would like them to join me. They happily agreed and what was soon-to-be-wasted food was hogged down. We all had quite a bit to eat, and at this point I was feeling fairly jolly, so I decided not to follow the urge to hustle to Seoul in the bone-chilling cold. Good decision, because the night was just about getting started. The businessmen ordered another bottle of soju and I was poured a few glasses. I hesitated for a moment, but then figured it would be okay as long as I drank it slow and didn’t have too much. Moments later, their girlfriends showed up to join our festive evening. They didn’t speak a lick of English, but that didn’t matter. I spent a good portion of the evening continuously asking what things were in Korean and how to pronounce them, and to everyone’s enjoyment they would attempt to explain everything to me. In many instances we had to utilize the Korean/English dictionary in our phones to describe something specific, but it didn’t matter as it surely brought a few laughs when the wrong word would pop up.

After a shot or two more of soju and an hour and a half later, I decided to call it a night; however, I did not initially tell everyone that. I essentially explained that I needed a breath of fresh air for a moment with a plan up my sleeve to head to the register and pay for our entire evening. Therefore, I got up and slowly sneeked to the register which was by the front entrance. My furtive attempt failed. Both businessmen, Mr. Song & Mr. Hahn, quickly rushed to the register and explained to the cashier that I would not pay a dime whatsoever. I vivaciously tried to hand the cashier my bank card, but the businessmen joyfully pushed it away from her and motioned that I should put it back in my pocket. With a slight grin and a head nod, I put the card back in my pocket, shook their hands, and said, “see you next Tuesday.”

My attempt at successful Korean reciprocity will soon have its day.

> Paul Graham

TESL Korea News

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