The Pragmatics of Suicide

Japan has recently undergone a suicide wave of sorts. In the past few weeks I have seen a scattering of news stories about Japanese suicide. The new way is a concoction with liquid detergent or something. Mixed properly the method emits a poisonous gas that kills those close to it and can be dangerous for [...]

I hate people who pun the words Seoul and Soul

I haven’t been posting as much lately, sorry I guess. It’s a combination of nicer weather making me want to be outside, a preference to studying Korean rather than writing and an aversion to just posting for the sake of posting. Also, any idea I’ve had lately seems to fit into a series [...]

It’s like looking for a needle in a needle stack

That’s what it’s like to look for racist undertones in this music video.
Breaking down the unintended messages of this video:
Lee Hyori dances to impress white people.  Runs away from black people.
I’m not saying Lee Hyori hates black people, just that she probably locks her car doors when they walk by on the street.
[...]

A free shot for your thoughts

I’m really trying to decide if my year is on an upward climb or a downward spiral?
A bustling street corner with children running around, riding bikes and roller skating. Free shots of raspberry soju outside a convenience store. Why shouldn’t there be?
What does this scene say about Korea, I wonder.
For a moment I don’t care, [...]

I wish my grass was Korean, because then it would cut itself

Note: I really have no idea the statistics or popularity of self mutilation among Koreans. I imagine it’s relatively low.
But either way, Korea seems to have finally discovered Emo Music.
True, South Korea has been churning out incredibly sad love ballads and their videos since the Wondergirls were using children’s chopsticks, but this is the [...]

Of Raisinets, Grudge Matches and a Moment Frozen in Time

The day was hot and the battlefield dusty. A white orb, a split second, a willingness to dive that extra inch is all that separated the winners from those who simply weren’t ready. Mother vs. Female Teacher Dodge Ball: 2008.
Why no Fathers vs. Male Teacher Dodge Ball: 2008? Because the fathers all have [...]

Maybe Korea Doesn’t Need Acid

The video reminds me of Hunter S. taking a novels worth of mescaline to Vegas. While it made for an interesting read I always thought that it was a terrible decision. Vegas is screwed up enough.
Lord knows there’s enough fluorescent lights here in Seoul.
This video is also pretty fun.

Gambling with my life

(Updated: 5/7)
I’ve mentioned before a few ways I could potentially die here in Korea, but they were all based around urban myths and fans. Hardly solid facts.
There are plenty of ways I could die in Korea. If I were a gambling man, which I am, I might even wager on some of the [...]

When the music doesn’t match

You might get a video like this.  It’s like if the “Soggy Bottom Boys,” did the sound track to “Gothika.”

Korean Pop Culture is to American Pop Culture…

…as Christian Rock is to Secular Rock.
So, with no other thoughts for the day I leave you with the music video that inspired this post.