Haeundae Beach, Busan, 1 August 2010. Now that's what I call crowded, and supports the contention that Koreans like to go on holiday in crowds. But why are all the rubber rings yellow? http://bit.ly/c701UB # [Read More]
Category: Asides (page 69)
There’s such a thing as a world skipping championship?
Yes, and Loughborough is hosting it. So, welcome to the schoolchildren from Ulleungdo, who have come to the UK to compete in the world skipping championships 2010. http://bit.ly/96KgFT # [Read More]
Is the Kia Rio is safer than houses?
Is the Kia Rio is safer than houses? A motorist smashes through a wall and into a house in Cleveland, UK. http://bit.ly/cti3eV #. The unnamed driver was taken to hospital but suffered only bruising, said police. [Read More]
North Korean football manager now a bricklayer
North Korea's football manager Kim Jong-hun has been punished for his country’s World Cup flop by being made to work on a building site for up to 14 hours a day. Says The Sun: Kim Jong-Hun was being punished for “betraying the trust of Kim Jong-Un”. http://bit.ly/bVfZLx # [Read More]
“Veteran” Baek Ji-young’s fashion retail interests
When does a female entertainer become a “veteran”? Baek Ji-young, “veteran singer”, models some of the casual wear available in her online clothes store (via the Chosun Ilbo). http://bit.ly/absixK #. Her own lingerie line coming soon. [Read More]
Kang Woo-seok first director to get 30 million audience
Kang Woo-suk (of Silmido fame) is the most popular director in Korean box office history according to KOFIC: he has exceeded the 30-million viewer mark http://bit.ly/91Sabj #. With a career which started in 1988 (Sweet Brides) and the Public Enemy series behind him, the audience numbers have been accumulating nicely. [Read More]
BoA in long-awaited comeback
I can’t believe it’s five years since “Girls on Top”. BoA will soon release her 6th Korean album, entitled Hurricane Venus. http://bit.ly/bIWVeT #. This is a comeback worthy of the name. [Read More]
SNSD at an East Coast resort – a Korean man’s favourite holiday
Korean men want to go on holiday with Girls’ Generation, according to a KBS survey. Now that’s being greedy. http://bit.ly/a4zZ4O # And while on the subject of holidays: doing the arithmetic, does this mean around 6-7 million Koreans will be heading to the East Coast at the end of July? http://bit.ly/9HYiuk #. (47% of a … [Read More]
DPRK fined for supporting 1972 Israel terror attacks
Well, the North Koreans don’t pay their parking tickets http://bit.ly/9L6j6j so I don’t think they’re going to pay their $300m fine for supporting terror attacks in Israel in 1972 http://bit.ly/b2VKnv # [Read More]
Illusive Utopia reviewed in the Asia Times
Looks like a fascinating book on North Korean arts. Michael Rank reviews “Illusive Utopia” by Suk-young Kim in the Asia Times: http://bit.ly/96S7hq # This impressively researched book examines performance in North Korea in great detail and in its widest sense, from theater and film to visual art and literature and even fashion [Read More]
Mot’s eAeon does trailer for Kim Young-ha novel
Missing the sound of MOT(못)? Wishing Kim Young-ha would write another book? Check out @eaeon‘s trailer for Kim Young-ha’s new novel (Nobody knows) what happened (무슨 일이 일어났는지는 아무도) # (via @indiefulrok, who has the full story here) [Read More]
This summer’s soundtrack
In response to the question “So what's the soundtrack to the Korean summer? What's everyone listening to on Haeundae beach or wherever?” #, Indieful RoK responds: “Haven’t really kept up, but right now I would go for Ukulele Picnic:” Check it out. [Read More]
Perceptions on the Cheonan incident
Totally stunned at the South Koreans who don't believe that the North sunk the Cheonan. # Darren: Are they convinced it was an inside job? Philip: I was too busy rubbing my chin – bruised from hitting the floor so hard – that I wasn’t really focusing. And to be honest they weren’t making much … [Read More]
The attractions of North Korean restaurants
If ever you're on holiday in Cambodia this looks like the restaurant to visit. A North Korean noodle restaurant known for its beautiful waitresses – including the “North Korean Kim Tae-hee:” http://bit.ly/bHmvzR # …but if you work in South Korea you haven't got long to get there: an average of only 4.1 days for your … [Read More]
Boryeong’s Mudfest Ambassadors
What should three pretty actresses have to do as PR ambassadors for the Boryeong Mud Festival? Suggestions please. http://bit.ly/c9CD2O # [Read More]
Mountain walking, Tea Classics and a thriller: three new books
ROK Drop Book Review: Yin Yang Tattoo By Ron McMillan. Looks like a good novel for summer holiday reading. http://bit.ly/9hxn6M # Walk the Baekdu-Daegan: Korea’s mountain backbone: new book on the hiking trail. http://bit.ly/b9cmsu # An article about Brother Anthony (brilliant translator, says KTLit.com) and his new book about tea (not my cuppa!): http://www.ktlit.com/?p=1377 [Read More]