Well almost. According to the BBC, Koshik the elephant has learnt to imitate human speech and can say five words in Korean: hello, no, sit down, lie down and good. The zoo animal places the tip of his trunk into his mouth to transform his natural low rumble into a convincing impression of a human … [Read More]
Category: Tabloid (page 2)
Arson, suicide and creationism
To find the story that links arson, suicide and creationism, visit the Marmot’s Hole, where you can also find the answer to that burning question: what is the Korean for archaeopteryx? (It’s 시조새) [Read More]
How to get a Korean boyfriend
Many of you will have seen this already, but I only just came across it via Stephen Epstein’s and Rachel Joo’s fun article on Japanfocus.org on legs, abs, and the surprising de-emphasis of boobs in Korean pop culture. The entertaining video, from My Korean Boyfriend, is particularly fine in respect of its observation of “aegyo” … [Read More]
Korea’s latest theme park celebrates the toilet
Suwon is home to Korea’s latest theme park: the “Restroom Cultural Park” (수원 화장실 문화공원), which opened on 4 July 2012. Suwon is the city that launched the “Making Beautiful Public Restrooms” project in 1997, and lists its top conveniences on the city website. (via Rocket News; photo: KBS) [Read More]
Korean badminton pairs – bad losers?
The two South Korean badminton teams kicked out of the games for trying to lose their matches – against Chinese and Indonesian pairs who were also trying to lose – both ended up winning. (Source – FT) [Read More]
Oh dear
The first mess-up of the games: I really don’t blame the North Korean team for walking off. (Image source) Links: North Korea Threatens to Destroy Glasgow in a ‘Sea of Fire’, Dokdo Times, 26 July 2012 [Read More]
The world’s tallest LEGO tower, at Jamsil Stadium
The state visit of the Danish Crown Prince Frederik produces constructive results: the world’s tallest LEGO tower, at 31.9 metres, celebrating LEGO’s 80th birthday. Full story and photos: A tower of fun: World’s tallest Lego structure unveiled in South Korea to mark toy’s 80th birthday, Daily Mail, 13 May 2012 [Read More]
Today is not a good day to be managing the Mangyongdae funfair in the DPRK
The management of the Mangyongdae funfair got a very public roasting from Kim Jong Un during an on-the-spot guidance visit. The Great Successor even did a spot of weeding to show them how bad things looked. Who would want to be in their shoes? Full story on the KCNA website. Natty hat, by the way. [Read More]
Chinese upset in kimchi cabbage row
“The Koreans stole Dano from us, and now they’re stealing our cabbages,” say Chinese netizens, according to the Korea Times, following a report that the UN’s Codex Alimentarius Commission will decide to adopt the name “kimchi cabbage” as an international standard for the cabbage formerly known as “Chinese”. [Read More]
Tabloid story of the week
Tabloid story of the week: eight South Koreans arrested over alleged scheme to smuggle gold to Japan in their rectums: http://t.co/OB5hfpQn (via the Marmot) [Read More]
A look back at 2011 – part 3
In the final part of our look back at 2011, we summarise some of the news stories which caught our eye. China This year the region’s biggest economy continued flexing its muscles: it conducted the first test flight of its new stealth fighter, announced that it had deployed stealth missile speedboats in the East China … [Read More]
Shilla Hotel in hanbok gaffe
This is unbelievable: Seoul’s Shilla hotel bans hanbok from its restaurant for health & safety reasons. Big mistake. (via Marmot’s Hole) http://bit.ly/dTkkaS #: [Read More]
Arirang TV on healthy legs. Ugh.
Ghastly, cheap, trashy Arirang TV piece on "healthy" legs (http://bit.ly/ektinf) (for which of course read "fat") causing lively debate at Korean Studies portal http://bit.ly/ebT4F4 # [Read More]
Suwon Blue Wings appeal to female fans
If you were female, would this pic make you follow the footie? K-League Goes All Out to Attract Women Fans, says the Chosun Ilbo http://bit.ly/f93yc5 # [Read More]
A novel way to encourage people to pay tax
I'd be sure to pay my taxes in person if T-ara was down at my tax office. I expect that's the point. http://bit.ly/icptwa # [Read More]
A last look back at 2010
We’ve digested the albums, films, sporting events and books of the year, and reviewed some of the memorable stories of 2010 in our Quiz of the Year. Here are some of the other things we noted in 2010 which didn’t quite make it into any of those articles. 2010: a year of anniversaries It was … [Read More]