Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Roboseyo Media Blitz: The Korea Herald AND Times in one day!

Hello.

Today, I am in two of Korea's English language newspapers.

The Korea Times published my letter to the editor, about that ugly stereotyping letter.

the Korea Herald's Expat Living section is publishing a best-of list I made by compiling the results from my recent "So What Really ARE The Ten Things Foreigners Like About Korea?"

If you're a new reader to this blog, take a look around. I hope you like what you see. I like living in Korea quite a lot, and one way I show it is by learning about Korea and writing about it.

More later, when I have the time to properly update this post.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Looks like James Turnbull was Right: Nudity in Korean Advertising Increases

James, at The Grand Narrative, predicted an increase in racy ads featuring nudity and body parts, due to trends visible during economic downturns.

For example, this one:
While on the subway, I noticed this ad, and realized he was totally right.

Be ready. It's pretty shocking that this would show in a public place...

Gratuitous nudity! Shameless! So many naked people in a single room! What's going on with Korea's public morality?

Can't get it to embed. Follow the link.
 Hint: it's babies.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Best Cherry Blossom Pictures:Kyunghee University

sitting around outside.
late afternoon sun
layers
Kyunghee's main gate
at HUFS
When there's just too much beauty, too many cherry blossoms, how do you come up with any kind of composition?

Easy: photoshop some people into the foreground

stealing a kiss

white in sunlight
same tree at HUFS



this couple was having way too much fun
i love taking pictures of people taking pictures of other people
one of the better shots from the group
you know I went through about 700 pictures to get these best few











that's all. ate at the spanish place in Paju again today. still the best Sangria I've had, no contest.

More about that later.

PS: Post number 550!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Fake Languages

Here's an interesting one:

This guy lays down the challenge: what does fake English sound like? You know when you used to say "Ching chang chong" in grade school, because you didn't know any better, and thought you were speaking Chinese? Well what do Chinese kids say when they think they're speaking English?

This guy speaks a bunch of gibberish that sounds surprisingly like Chinese and several European languages, and asks Youtubers to respond with the sounds of English, from people who can't speak English.


Some interesting responses:
One girl:


One Japanese Kid (my favorite)


Another one:


Another good one.


meanwhile, here is one Korean popstar's hybrid language, called "Hanglish" in the video title. Sounds to me like there's some latino L.A. style slang in there, too. (Warning: some of his non-language really sounds like some real English swears; note also that he's using one of those V-line face massagers during the video intro). Mr. Tyfoon.


Finally, this is what Korean sounds like to a couple of American kids. They're impersonating ajosshis (Korean old men), speaking English with Korean accents, but when they get excited, they swear in non-Korean gibberish. The Korean History Channel. (Language warning)

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

For your Benefit: a translation

I made comments a while back about the way Korean sportscasters can sometimes go a bit too far in their enthusiasm, and referenced Park TaeHwan's gold medal swim from the Beijing Games.

Well, I'm proud to say, with a friend's help, I've translated the commentary on that video, so that you, my dear readers, can see what they were saying all along. A few of my translations might not be entirely accurate, but I think I got the drift across.