Global Gathering ,Busan, South Korea, 2012

I would call it a multi-cultural festival.
The experience was awesome with different Exhibition booths displaying their culture, food, dresses etc.
There were many luck draw prizes for the visitors.
I could taste Russain food, Iranian Food, Holland cheese, Turkish Kebab, Nigerian cookies, Nepal food,
I could buy Pashmina shawl from Indian booth, taste the Canada maple syrup chocolate etc. I als tried the American coffee and mexican food.
The visitors could try the Korean traditional dress and could take pictures.
It was so fun. I could meet so many foreigners from different countries.
There were also many cultural shows. I loved the Chinese traditional dance and Russian dance.
The whole atmosphere was fun-filled.
There was so much to learn from the booths about different countries.
I would highly recommend it.

PSY: Horse-riding signature step

“Gangnam Style" goes viral!

PSY has stole the show from most of the KPOP singers. Especially his horse riding step has become his signature step.

PSY’s press conferences have gathered a number of foreign media outlets from the U.S., France, and Singapore and a few leading channels including NBC and BBC. The most popular step was the main attraction of his performance, the famous horse-riding dance.

PSY surely is reborn as a global star. The most famous is his cow-boy dance or the horse riding dance steps.

He said“I thought I had already achieved five or even ten times more success than I had expected in Korea before I left for the U.S., but now, I just can’t believe what’s happening in front of my eyes,” said PSY during a press conference following his return. “I express my gratitude for the love and enthusiasm for my song and my music video and I will work harder to let the world know the singer PSY.”

“I will perform the horse-riding dance topless among a dense crowd. Wouldn’t City Hall Plaza be the most potential spot?”

PSY expressed his interest in the colorful parodies of “Gangnam Style” being uploaded these days. He said he keeps watching them every day, and was struck this morning by a parody performed by the marching band of Ohio State University.

Now the PSY video is available in 3D also.

How to do Horse dance?

Learn the horse-riding dance steps:

I just love the song!
Enjoy
Kojeblogger

"Chuseok" a Wonderful festival, South Korea

Chuseok (추석) is considered the biggest and most important holiday in Korea. It is a time when family members from near and far come together to share food and stories and to give thanks to their ancestors for the abundant harvest.

 

Chuseok is a festival of colors and lot of good food. The flavor of certain Korean dishes are unique for this fetsival.  Although there are many tasty treats or dishes during the harvest season, the one that stands out above all else is songpyeon, traditional Chuseok rice cakes.

Learn to make Songpyeon

The filling in rice cake is made by  green soybeans and sesame are used as ingredients for
the filling. Specially the Songpyeon is then steamed in a layer of pine needles, leaving a pattern on
the finished songpyeon along with an appetizing  scent. After all the necessary steps are taken,
rice cakes that have been filled and prepared are steamed in an earthenware steamer. The finished product will have a faint but fragrant scent, along with a deliciously chewy texture
that makes for a mixture of flavors and sublime tastes. Songpyeon is a tasty treat usually enjoyed during Chuseok, and there are many reasons for this.

Importance of Songpyeon in Chuseok

• Songpyeon is stuffed with ingredients such as red beans and other kinds of beans, and they are meant to symbolize the fulfillment of one’s knowledge or studies.
• The five cardinal colored songpyeon are supposed to represent vitality or energy, and the five basic elements that make up our universe. On the eve of Chuseok, all the family members gatheraround the table and make songpyeon.
• They try to make pretty shapes because there is the belief that if you make pretty songpyeon, you will have a beautiful daughter.

Chuseok for Expats
See the link below:
http://kojeblogger.blogspot.kr/2012/08/chuseok-for-expats-in-south-korea.html

Wishing you all a very Happy Chuseok and happy Holidays!

Enjoy!

kojeblogger

Food that smells like a Sportman's feet: Cheonggukjang, South Korea

Today my lunch was with one of my close friend who introduced a vegetable soup similar to Deonjang but is more fermented, called Cheong-guk-jang.
The Cheong-guk-jang is made up of potato, soya bean and tofu, is well fermented. It really has a very strong smell which might be unbearable to many people.
The smell is like some rotten food or foot smell or dead body smell. Some people also say the ultimate stinky ass food.
Though I couldn't bear the smell and so didn't eat it.

Cheong-guk-jang

But the food is considered very healthy and nutritious. My Korean friend just loved eating it and enjoyed it.
It was a bad experience for me. Later, I grabbed a McD burger and enjoyed my meal.
Do share your good or bad experiences by writing a comment!
regards,
kojeblogger

A Korean Wife

I am sharing somebody's experience which I received as a forwarded email:

Experiences are as follows:
• You own two refrigerators, and one is just used for storing Kimchee.
• She gets upset if you refer to the above as the Kimchee Box.
• She gets upset if you put anything other than Kimchee in the Kimchee Box.
• She lacks common sense, or for the politically correct: Faulty Logic.
• You have more than one type of Kimchee.
• She assures you that the meat bought in the open market is better, even if it still has the AAFES tag on it.
• Believes that any product bought in the open market is better, even if it still has the AAFES tag on it.
• She has 101 uses for Soju.
• She uses Soju as a cleaning product.
• She uses Soju for medical purposes. (Disinfectant.)
• She will go to an American restaurant to eat Korean Food and insists that it tastes better than served in a Korean restaurant.
• She believes wearing platform shoes is sexy.
• She wears a mini skirt in the winter, then complains that it is cold.
• The main ingredient in the food you eat at home is garlic.
• She eats non-Korean food with Kimchee.
• She won't eat spoiled food, but does not have a problem with Kimchee.
• You own a dining room table that is less than 1 foot high.
• You own more chopsticks than you do forks and spoons.
• She doesn't drink tap water until after it's been boiled, but she'll make ice with it.
• She thinks fish head soup is a delicacy.
• You can not watch TV on Mondays because the puzzle show is on.
• You can not watch TV on Sunday because Super Sunday is on.
• You don't rent videos unless they are subtitled.
• A meal is not complete without Kimchee.
• She won't eat American food unless served with a side of Kimchee.
• She believes that the floor is more comfortable to sleep on than the bed.
• You have an electric blanket on 356 days a year.
• You turn on a fan in the summer but still have the electric blanket on.
• You burn your butt sitting on the floor.
• You believe that controlled drugs can be bought over the counter.
• You go to the pharmacy to buy an IV.
• You do not own any chairs in your house.
• You refuse to own any Japanese products in your house.
• The only thing she knows how to do on your computer is play solitaire.
• Everyone she introduces you to is either a brother or a sister.
• Her immediate family moves into your house permanently.
• Everything in your house either has the logo Samsung or LG.
• She can't buy clothes unless they have a logo on them.
• She owns a beeper/pager that has a gold chain attached to it.
• She gets mad when you flush toilet paper down the toilet.
• She won't buy clothes from a store that is going out of business because she believes there is something wrong with the clothes.
• She believes that 1000 Won is enough money for lunch.
• She believes going out to dinner is going down the street to the Soju tent.
• You eat Ramen and kimchee for breakfast.
• You go to the open market to buy one thing and leave with both arms full.
• You own more than one type of Ramen in your house.
• She believes that Ramen, Rice, Soju, and Kimchee are the 4 basic food groups.
• You answer the phone in your house with "YOBO-SAY-O."
• You heat a dried squid over an open flame.
• You eat dried squid with mayonnaise.

May be you can share your positive or negative experiences below.
regards,
Kojeblogger

Robots of DSME at Yeoso Expo 2012, South Korea

The Robots DSME pavillion at Yeouso Expo the most famous and much appreciated by the viewers. The pavilion was run by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. and it's clustered together with the other big Korean companies inside the expo.
There were 73 robots which were displayed at the Pavillion.

The most famous of them was the Humanoid Robot from America, named Charli. Charli Robot was also well versed in korean language. Hence it became really popular.

Other British robot Thespian, French robot NAO, Korean tallest robot Nabi, female warrior robot EveR were also displayed.

Special robots were displayed who play soccer and also dancing Robots were exhibited who danced on K-Pop songs.

The best were the Fish robot and snake Robot.regards,
Kojeblogger

Plastic beauties in South Korea

The aesthetics (cosmetics) and reconstructive surgeries. Aesthetics surgery is focused on enhancing certain body features or changing a certain part to make it conform to the looks that we want to have which is called PLASTIC SURGERY.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

MARGARET HUNGERFORD, Molly Bawn

Beauty is the gift from God.

ARISTOTLE

Plastic surgery has become a biggest trend in South Korea. I am just amazed that many of my close friends have also undergone the plastic surgery. Sometimes I wonder! what is the need for it? My friend said that there is no harm in improving one's beauty. I still believe "Natural is always beautiful". Even though with plastic surgery one can look extra beautiful but its temporary and has many side effects.

On a lighter side just see below:

Joke

Most famous plastic Surgeries for Woman:

• Eyelid surgery
• Nose Correction surgery
• Ear Correction
• Facelift
• Neck list
• Chin Lift
• Brow lift
• Lip augmentation
• Forehead surgery
• Botox lift
• Breast enhancement
• Wrinkles correction
• Tummy trimming
• Cheek Implantation

The plastic surgeries are not only common among woman but man also getting conscious for their looks.
Most famous plastic Surgeries for Man:

• Eyelid surgery
• Male breast reduction
• Tummy tuck
• Ear correction
• Nose surgery

Also there are several names for these surgeries like Liposuction, Rhinoplasty, Abdominal etching, Otoplasty, Septolasty etc.

These surgeries are damn expensive and requires several sittings and visits to the Hospital.
There have been mixed reactions on this topic. Plastic surgeons' business is booming up day by day. But every plastic surgeon is not skillful.
See some good and bad results of plastic surgery Good & bad results.
There are several articles on the growing interest in Plastic surgery Plastic Surgery in South Korea
See the statistics:

South Korea Tops in Plastic surgeries. The trend was started in USA and it grew drastically and captured the Korean markets.

The famous Korean celebrities reveal their stories of plastic surgery openly which attracts the major audiences. 

Plastic surgery has become so common due to the image-obsessed society in Korea. Surprising part is the Korean mothers buy their daughters surgeries as gifts. Also the young women grow up thinking they’ll never find love or career success if they don’t fix their faces. I think the Korean society is extremely superstitious or not confident or insecure about their looks. The society around them plays an important role and slowly becomes a fashion or trend to fix their body.

The Plastic Surgeon propagate that these surgeries will increase the self-confidence, self-esteem, confidence of the person. The positivity increases, better socialization process and may even improve the interaction skills. Correcting certain malformations in the face and body can help the person function better and more comfortably.

I am not totally against it but I feel there are several ugly reflections of it. There are many risks, complication and side-effects of these surgeries. It can adversely affect the health of the person.

Some of the risks are as follows:

• Allergies
• Increased blood pressures
• Excessive bleeding or swelling
• Infections
• Scarring
• Blood clots
• Loss of sensation
• Implant ruptures
• Inflammations
• Implant leakages
• Rippling or irregularities
• Severe fluid loss
• Nerve damage
• Skin damage
• Burns
• Fat clots
• Prolonged healing time

It depends on the person how they foresee their future.

But I am really surprised to see the growing plastic world around me.

Regards,

Kojeblogger

Comments and suggestions are always welcome!

5 unique things to do in Paradise of Leisure: Jeju-do

I am back from the Jeju-do trip but I still remember  the fun-filled time spent in Jeju-do.
Jeju-do has several unique things which we can do only n Jeju Island. So it is called the Paradise of leisure.
 The fun things which I did in Jeju are follows:

• ATV RIDING

• DRIVING THE 






• CRUISE TRIP

•  HORSE RIDING

• VISIT LOVE GARDEN

Jeju-do is a place to relax and popular spot for the honeymoon couples.

You can enjoy the special and unique sport and fun things which are available in Jeju-do only.

You must plan your trip to cover the fun spots in Jeju-do.

Regards,

Kojeblogger

Check list for expats leaving South Korea

 There are many things or issues which need to be taken care before your leave South Korea. The whole process might take at least two weeks or so. One should prepare in advance for getting the final clearance. I have made a checklist for the expats leaving Korea. Please see below:

• Experience certificate
• Reliving certificate from employer 
• Recommendation letter from the Senior
• Residence proof of your stay and duration.
•  Police verification from the nearest police station that you have no criminal records there.
•  Keep copies of Korean ID, Driving ID, Gas Bills, Electricity Bills.
• Translate all Korean documents to English and get attested from legal advisor.
•  Or get attested from govt officer preferably attested with seal.
• Withdraw national pension from National pension office National Pension
• Dispose off your car (if you have any)Scrap your car , Sell your car
• Convert Korean won to USD or Euros Money conversion
•  Close your Korean Bank Account (after withdrawing / transferring all your money)
•  Take your tax clearance certificate in Korea from National Tax Dept.Tax Office
• Collect your severance pay be leaving the bank account details of your home country Severance pay
• Apartment Rental contracts with heavy fixed deposits should be terminated
• Employment Insurance and Workers insurance may be collected which is a high amount of money. It is generally deducted every month from your salary and can be received at the end. But the rule may not be valid for all expats, it depends on your employment contract.Employment insurance
• Terminate your NHIC, National Health Insurance Cooperation.Health Insurance
• Clear all electricity, water etc bills.Electricity
• Inform immigration office and submit your alien card
• Cancel your credit card and mobile service
• Claim your Air-ticket and extra baggage charges from your employer (if mentioned in your contract)

 Give your comments or suggestions, if you want to add some more to do the list.

Good luck and Best Wishes!

Kojeblogger

Traditional dress of South Korea for Chuseok

The traditional Korean dresses are beautiful with vibrant colors.

The dress is considered a formal wear which is worn on special days like weddings, festivals (like Chuseok) etc. It's beautiful to see the families in their traditional clothing.

The design of hanbok are generally inspired from their historical tombs and historical paintings. The hanbok was an influence of multiple invasions in Korea.

HANBOK(for woman) =Jeogori(Top part)+ Chima(sleeveless one piece)

  

Jeogori

  

Chima



HANBOK(for Man) =Jeogori/Coat(Top part)+ Paji(Pants)

Paji

 

 Various accessories such as foot gear, jewelry, and head-dresses or hair pins completed the outfit.

The hanbok give a very elegant and decent look to Korean couples.

Also the Hanbok may be considered as the beautiful ceremonial robe.

The cultural dress is very comfortable with loose fittings. It is also called the costume of winds with the voluminous look, which retained air within. It depicts  as the symbol of the Korean culture and the cultural heritage which generally mesmerizes the non-Koreans.

I love the elegance of the dress.

Best regards,

Kojeblogger

Save yourself from Typhoon, South Korea 2012

The news and radio channels are announcing the residents and expats in Korea to cover the windows to avoid Typhoon damages.

SAVE YOURSELF BY COVERING THE WINDOWS

This will protect your glass windows and your home.
You might have the windows broken with the strong winds of the Typhoon.


Method I: Cover your windows with the newspaper

•  Take a Clean newspaper
•  Spray some water on the windows
• Stick the newspaper on the window

Protection from Typhoon

Method II Cross tape your windows to protect from Typhoon

• Use the scotch tape or any tape

• Paste it on the window in cross shape

Safety first!

regards,

kojeblogger

Preparation and Warning for Typhoon in South Korea

What is Typhoon? It is a type of Hurricane, Thunderstorm, Cyclone, powerful winds and abrupt strong rainfalls. The level of the Typhoon might vary. I have experienced different levels of Typhoon while living in South Korea but this time, it is expected to be a very strong one.
An intense Typhoon is with a well-defined circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph or higher. The winds have great velocity and as they move ashore they sweep the ocean inward giving birth to torrential rains and  flooding.  
Higher the Intensity of the Typhoon higher is the destructiveness!

Latest Update of the Typhoon from Japan

Present Situation: Typhoon is approaching South Korea!!!!A powerful typhoon lashed the southern Japanese island of Okinawa and surrounding areas Sunday, injuring four people and cutting off power to about 57,000 households.
Weather officials had warned that Typhoon Bolaven
The most powerful typhoon in a decade is set to hit the Korean Peninsula early this week, weather forecasters said Sunday, prompting authorities to brace for a worst-case scenario.

Predictions for the consequences in South Korea:

• Tree might fall, small plants get damaged
• Blackouts and no electricity for few days
• No water supply
• All grocery stores close down
• No restaurants are open
• Its a major close down
• Blocked roads

Preparation for the Typhoon:

• Keep your refrigerator to highest settings
• Store Water and buy drinking water
• Pack some food which does not need refrigeration
• Buy some candles, prepare some battery torch or falshlights
• Keep your first-aid kit ready
• Throw away all garbage stuff from home
• Find a safe place for your pets
• Keep in track with the media through TV, radio etc for emergecy info
• Keep plenty of food for infants
• Fuel your vehicles
• Fix the broken door or windows
• Find the emergency evacuation places
• Keep the important documents handy
• Unplug the small appliance
• Charge the mobile, ipad, notebooks in advance
• Stay at home or any safe place

Just small preparations are needed. Hope things are fine and everyone is Safe.
May be the velocity of winds slow down while approaching South Korea.



Stay safe!!!!

love and prayers,
kojeblogger

Chuseok for expats in South Korea

Chuseok holidays start from Last week of September,(September 29 - October 1, 2012)
 Chuseok (추석), is the biggest festival of Korea.

It is called the Thanks giving day or also called the Harvest festival. The Koreans say prayers and thanks to their ancestors by offering food, or flowers to the ancestors graves.

The Korean families conduct ancestor's worships at their home and hometown.

In modern days, Korean family get-together and celebrate by cooking special foods  and playing games at home. Some Koreans visit the temples and offer prayers.

You can eat a lot of sweet dak(rice cake) at this time and also songpyeon.

RICE CAKE OF SOUTH KOREA

Top 5 Korean customs and traditions in Chuseok Holidays:

• Charye is the Ancestor memorial service which is performed by Korean families at homes.
• Beolcho is cleaning the dust around the grave
•  Seongmyo is visiting ancestral graves
• Ssireum is Korean wrestling
• Chuseokbim is the Korean dress, special for the festival



All the family is well-dressed in Korean traditional clothing's and offer prayers.The festival is a totally family affair. Hence Korean friends get busy with the preparations and celebrations.

Being an expat, Chuseok holidays can be boring as they are long holidays. I miss my home in this festive season. Most of the expats prefer visiting their home country in these holidays.

If you are staying in Korea in the Chuseok holidays, it might get boring as most of the shops & restaurants are closed and trains, buses etc all are overbooked. There are many traffic jams on the road, as Koreans are travelling to their home town. Even homeplus, Emart etc are closed for few days.

Good thing about Chuseok is that the Korean Govt. organizes several events and activities for Chuseok Holidays especially at the National Parks, National Museums and Korean folk villages, in order to promote Korean culture. They offer discounts for the foreigners to visit the National museums and parks. Also there are many Folk games, programs, and performances held at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Deoksugung Palace.

Last year, I was in Seoul for Chuseok 2011 and I really enjoyed the Korean traditional parade at Gyeongbokgung Palace. The palace is really magnificent and magnanimous. In chuseok time it was very beautifully decorated. See some glimpses of my visit:



Chuseok 2011 at Gyeongbokgung Palace

Also you can get information about the Chuseok events on korea4expats website. I have found the site has many good information for expats in Korea.
See the link below for more information about the events:
http://www.korea4expats.com/article-things-to-do-chuseok.html

Happy Chuseok in advance!
Enjoy!
kojeblogger

Hawaii of South Korea, Jeju-do

Jeju-do is the National pride for most of the Koreans. Jeju-do is the best tourist place in South Korea.There are many World Heritage tourist points in Jeju-do.
The Koreans consider it as the Hawaii of  South Korea.
According to my view point, I cannot consider it totally Hawaiian style but Semi Hawaiian.
The points which make Jeju-do similar to Hawaii are as follows:

• Jeju-do is located in Southwest side of South Korea. It Is the tropical region with strong sunshine similar to Hawaii

• Jeju-do has many Beautiful, clean beaches with white sand  and also have freash sea-food similar to hawaii

Udo





• Jeju-do is a volcanic island similar to Hawaiian Islands. Hence Jeju also have the Lava tubes similar to Hawaii.



Volcanic mountain

• Its famous fo hiking, horse riding, golfing,snorkling, scuba diving etc and has many sports activites like Hawaii. Jeju hot springs are also very famous.
• Jeju has famous ports and harbours. It offers special cruise trips and submarine trip which are awesome.

Submarine trip

• Some museums in Jeju-do are similar to Hawaiian museums
• There are many beatiful waterfalls to similar Hawaii

Waterfall

Jeju -do is the biggest island in South Korea. 

It has the resemblance to Hawaii Island.

Jeju-do is different from normal South Korean cities and also considered the best place for honeymoon couples.

So if you are in South Korea I strongly recommend to travel to Jeju-do.  

Enjoy!

kojeblogger

http://kojeblogger.blogspot.kr

Top 8 Unknown facts about South Korea

There are many facts and figures which are well known about South Korea but there
 are some unknown facts. I have listed top 8 unknown facts on which I keep thinking and pondering:

•  Christianity was propagated in many Asian countries but it got well rooted in Korea.
• It is one of the safest country in the world. The crime rate is very low. Though Koreans drink a lot of alcohol but they generally are disciplined. The Koreans are very honest and well behaved. There are very few cases of cheating or theft.
• Korea was invaded several times. It is surprising how they fought and became the world's 11th wealthiest country in the world
• Any foreigner for Koreans kids is Migu -Ki i.e American. The geographical knowledge about other countries of Korean kids is little poor. Korean teens have a lot of knowledge about USA.
• Most of the restaurants in Korea are run by woman. Woman play a strong role in controlling money at home. Though in the past the Korean woman didn't have much say in the family issues.
• Korean eat a lot and drink beer, soju etc but still they are considered the slimmest country. Most of the Koreans have flat tummy and maintain good body line.
• Why most of the Korean men eat food so fast?
• Korean woman are among the top cosmetic users. The Korean woman are very cautious about the make-up which they put daily and keep applying it in the public places.

These unknown facts are based on my experiences in South Korea. 

If you have the answers to these unknown facts just let me know.

Regards,

Kojeblogger

http://kojeblogger.blogspot.kr

Teddy Bears in Jeju-do, South Korea

My favourite in Jeju-do was the Teddy Bear Museum. The super cute Teddy bears were waiting to greet us. 
The museum contains two galleries, a museum gift shop, and a museum cafe.

The museum had many Teddy bears which were moving and showing some cute situations.

There were teddy bears portraying Mona Lisa, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Munroe, Gandhi, Mother Teressa etc.

I just loved and cherished the amazing displays of the Teddy Bear in a unique style.

 The cutest Teddy was of  America's 26th president, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt and NASA astronauts.

Wedding of Teddy's

 I was really excited to see the Korean Teddy couple, it was very cute.

Korean bride and bride groom

 I loved the Teddy Bear fashion models which displayed the scenes very well. It also showed the green room and the fashion show.

Teddy Fashion Models

 The best one was the Mona Lisa teddy bear. It depicted her picture so well.

Teddy Mona Lisa

All the teddy bears were really cute and lovely. I was totally in Teddy's world.

I enjoyed it a lot. Hope to visit again someday.

For more information:
http://www.teddybearmuseum.com/Etc/English.asp