Kim Jong-ho: One Perfect Song

I don't know that much about Kim Jong-ho, but in the process of researching all that old Korean music for a shin joong-hyun documentary that I'll feature in an upcoming post... I just happened upon one of those songs that's simply perfect, where it all comes together:



The song is 보고싶은 마음 from the 1974 album 이름 모를 소녀, or "Nameless Girl."  I haven't been able to find an English translation of the lyrics, and have too much pride to put google translate crap on my blog, but not enough time to attempt a translation of my own, so... no lyrics. I know almost nothing about Kim Jong-ho, except that his album pops up on a collection I have, and manages to stay on the right side of all those balances Korean sentimental songs struggle to balance out, and this album has at least two really lovely songs on it. Listen to this perfect song. I hear a bit of downbeat Beck, a bit of Portishead, and other than that... just straight-up musical goodness. Just listen to the interplay between the violin and the bass. That is all.

Enjoy.

While We're on the Topic of Macademias... and Elites Being Jerks Bingo

While Macademia nuts are all the buzz right now in Korea, because of this story, I don't have all that much to add. You can read more at reuters. The New York Times, The Guardian, or almost anywhere.

My "privileged class/asshole behavior" bingo card is getting pretty full:
privileged class going berzerk? check
public overreaction driven by social media? check
big company doing damage control? check
internet shaming bad behavior by a woman?  check
walk of shame press conference? check
public resignation that is probably a sham until things blow over? check

the only two boxes that remain unchecked yet are these:
the hospital gown/wheelchair combo
netizens moaning that this will damage Korea's global image...


But then, I haven't been paying THAT much attention, so maybe I've missed it.

But while everyone is talking about macademia nuts...
here is my favorite use of the word, ever, and I feel like I just have to add this to the overall discourse.




And if you have any suggestions for more boxes to add to my "Korean elites being assholes bingo" card, feel free to leave them in the comments.