Best & Worst List

Many people have asked what my favorite and least favorite things are in Korea. Here is the list.

The Best

Favorite Things About Living in Korea:

1. Meeting New Friends - students especially, I have enjoyed almost everyone I met and I will miss them when I depart.

2. The Food - Its nutritious, its delicious, it wreaks of garlic and red pepper, and I love it. As if this weren't enough, its reasonably cheap. Nuff said.

3. Traveling the countryside. I have been almost everywhere in this country and it never gets old. I love the fact that the country is 70% mountains, the many National Parks are great, the rivers, and the oceans. It's all good.

4. Learning Korean culture. It's one of the oldest continuous civilizations in the world with over 5,000 years of rich history. Fascinating in so many regards.

5. Beautiful Korean Women - they're everywhere, difficult not to notice, and I love them.

Bets Places to Travel in Seoul:

1. Cheonggye Stream - some may describe it as the heart of Seoul; it features a 11.5 km. riverwalk that is great for jogging or perfect for a stroll.

2. NamSan and Seoul Tower - this mountain is one of four distinct mountains surrounding Seoul. Actually, it's the only mountain completely in Seoul, while the others surround the city. Seoul Tower provides great views of the city and is a favorite amongst tourists.

3. Insadong - popular tourist destination with traditional Korean stores and souvenir shops. Despite the popularity and large weekend crowds, it's a good opportunity to view Korean art and culture in a condensed package. A good recommendation for any Seoul visitor.

4. National Museum of Korea - one of the largest museum in the world, I was originally told it takes a minimum nine hours to see everything. It's a great museum, I've been there three or four times and I still have yet to finish the third floor.

5. SeonyuDo - botanical island located in the middle of the Han River. I first visited here back in October on a perfect Autumn day and loved it.

6. NamdaeMun - outdoor market with everything imaginable for sale. Cheap clothes and a wide variety of camping/hiking equipment are my favorite items to shop for. Also, it's common practice to negotiate the price by saying, "sagae jusayo!" which means "discount please".

Best Places to Travel in Korea:

1. Any National Park - there are 20 Korean National Parks and each one is uniquely different. Two of my favorites are SeorakSan and JiriSan. In particular, SeorakSan reminds me very much of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains. I love it.

2. The Southern Coastal Areas of Goeje Do and Namhae - sub-tropical climate and stunning mountain vistas surrounded by blue ocean. It offers a variety of fresh seafood and has a Mediterranean or Hawaiian feel to it.

3. OeDo (pronounced "WayDo") - located off the Eastern shores of GoejeDo, it's one of the most spectacular places I have visited in Korea. Too bad they only permit you one and a half hours to visit there.

4. Jeju Island - Korea's honeymoon island and most popular tourist destination outside of Seoul. It definitely has a Hawaiian feel to it with the dormant volcano and lava tubes, etc.

5. Any Buddhist Temple - usually they're located atop mountains and face South. Each has its own special history, and many date back some 1,500 years.

6. Nami Island - also known as The Nami Republic for mostly marketing purposes, it's still a beautiful garden isle in the middle of the BukHan River.

7. Busan - mainly because my Toledo friends live here and I've always managed to have a good time, it's still a beautiful coastal city with a different vibe than Seoul.

8. The Entire Eastern Coast - steep rocky cliffs and sandy beaches that stretch from Sokcho in the North to Busan in the South. All really beautiful.

Note: I like islands, so its no wonder four of my favorite destinations are islands. Three of these four are private botanical islands that charge an entrance fee, but they're worth the price of admission. Really though, any mountain or coastal area is strongly recommended.

Favorite Korean Foods:

1. Kimchi - it's true. I once read that many foreigners experience "kimchi withdrawal" after leaving Korea, and I expect I too will suffer from this. I know, the thought of fermented cabbage may not sound appetizing, but it truly is delicious, and there are countless varieties. Every restaurant serves at least 1-2 kinds of kimchi as a free side dish, and there literally is an unlimited supply. In addition to the never-ending deliciousness, it's extremely nutritious with a full day's vitamin C content in every serving.

2. Samgyeopsal - it literally means 3 layer pork and tastes like thick cut bacon. Most restaurants serve it for you to grill at your table, accompanied by a big bowl of sliced onions, raw garlic, kimchi, and lettuce leaves for wrapping. I recommend with sesame oil and salt for dipping. Note: also try Ohyeopsal (5 layer pork) for even more porky goodness.

3. Dakgalbi - spicy chicken grilled tableside, either in a large cast iron skillet or on a grill. Served in a spicy red sauce with dok, the traditional Korean rice cake, sweet potato, and green onions. Beware, it's hot!

4. Mandoo - best when served from the back of a truck in the early hours of the morning. Seriously. The Mandoo Truck is a popular late night fixture in my town serving these tiny steamed dumplings filled with either spicy kimchi or gogi (beef).

5. Bibimbap - big bowl of rice served with numerous side dishes. These side dishes are mostly vegetables or various forms of kimchi and are mixed together with the rice and a spicy red pepper paste for a delicious and healthy meal. Sometimes bulgogi (marinated beef) is added along with an egg for protein. The vegetables also represent different colors designed to complement each other and make the presentation more appealing.

6. Naengmyeon - cold buckwheat noodles served with an icy broth and vegetables, and topped with a boiled egg. I prefer bibim naengmyeom because of the spicy red pepper that is included.

Note: There is no tipping in most Korean restaurants, which helps make it affordable. More expensive restaurants, including most Western style restaurants, sometimes charge 10% for tax and tip. In addition to this, many restaurants feature a table buzzer to alert the waitstaff when you want something. This works well, or you can always shout "yogi-yo" (here please) to draw the attention of restaurant staff.

Favorite Korean Alcohol:

1. Black Beer Stout - Most Korean beer tastes like Coors Light, so it's refreshing to sample something that does not. Per the label: "Deep & Rich Premium Beer ~ Stout offers a rich black flavor topped with sweet, smooth & creamy head" Only available at select stores, it's sold in six packs or by the liter.

2. Makgeolli - semi-sweet fermented rice wine. Sold by the half liter, there are many different manufacturers, each with their own distinct taste. My favorite is Sang Makgeolli and is best when served with pajung or Korean style pancake. Also popular after hiking or enjoyed with friends atop a mountain.

3. Soju - it's probably my least favorite alcohol, but it's hard to ignore it's abundance. Really, it's everywhere and seems to be consumed always. It is the national drink of Korea and is most commonly consumed by the shot and with a group of friends or co-workers. This can also be mixed with mak-ju (beer) for a dangerous drink known as so-mak.

Note: Imported liquor is usually expensive, especially when ordering in a bar. Imported beers, including popular American brands, are also expensive (e.g. Budweiser is 5,000 Won per bottle). Wine is becoming popular and can be purchased for reasonable prices at the grocery store, though most Koreans prefer sweet wine, so it can sometimes be difficult to find reasonably priced, "decent" wine.

Favorite Korean Music:

1. Drunken Tiger - Award-winning rap group led by a Korean/American named Tiger JK. Korean pop music, including hip-hop is extremely popular nowadays. Most of it's garbage. Tiger JK is the best. (Drunken Tiger - 8:45 music video)

2. Girls Generation - their music is total crap, but the nine members are hot. (Girls Generation - Genie)

3. Wonder Girls - five member Korean pop group, they recently have become popular in the U.S. following a 2008 MTV documentary and their 2009 tour with the Jonas Brothers. Their music is a higher caliber than Girls Generation, and they're equally as hot. (Wonder Girls - Nobody)

Favorite Korean Television:

1. Il Bak I Ill (1 Night 2 Days) - Korean variety show every Sunday at 630pm on KBS. The plot; 6 Korean entertainers travel to a new destination each week and have to survive, competing in various games and contests to win food and shelter. It's extremely funny, even for a guy who understands very little Korean.

2. Gang Ho Dong - former Korean wrestler turned entertainer and host of Il Bak I Ill. He is one of the most successful Korean MC's and is very entertaining with everything he does. Even though I understand very little he says, he manages to always make me laugh. Recently on a special episode of Il Bak I Ill, he performed a duet with popular Korean singer Baek Ji Young. The original song is titled "My Ear's Candy" and is, of course, a kind of love song. Gang Ho Dong changed the lyrics to describe his love of samgyeopsal. (Baek Ji Young feat. Gang Ho Dong - My Ear's Pig)

3. Iris - KBS television drama which premiered last winter, it's the most expensive Korean drama to date filled with explosions, car chases, and lots of action. Season 1 starred popular Korean actor Lee Byung-hun (Stormshadow ~ G.I. Joe) and the beautiful Kim Tae-hee as South Korean spies in an international web of betrayal and deceit. Yes, it was broadcast in Korean without subtitles, but I didn't care. The Season 1 finale was a shocker with a huge surprise ending. (Iris - trailer)

Favorite Korean Movies:

(Actually, they're the only Korean movies I have seen)

1. Good Morning President - this movie follows three very different Korean presidents and the various issues that plague their presidencies. It's very funny at times, and is told from the perspective of the Presidential chef, who has a unique opportunity to witness each president during their most intimate moments.

2. Take Off - based on a true story, it's a comical tale of the first Korean ski jump team and their preparations for the 1998 Winter Olympics. I actually saw this in the theater without English subtitles so I had no idea what was said throughout most of the film, but I still enjoyed it.

3. Haeundae - I watched approximately 15 minutes before I turned it off. Despite my short attention span, it was a huge blockbuster, the first Korean disaster movie with Hollywood-style special effects.

Note: Korea has a long and rich history of filmmaking, dating back to the turn of the century. Since the mid 1990's, Korean movies have reached a unbelievable level of success, following the first non-government funded movie in 1992. In 2002, the first Korean film won second place at the Venice Film Festival and another won second place at Cannes the year following. Honestly speaking, I regret not watching more Korean films during my stay here.

Favorite Korean Cars:

1. Hyundai Genesis - winner of numerous automotive awards including the prestigious 2009 North American Car of the Year, it's available as a coupe or sedan. It was specifically designed to compete with more expensive European sedans and features rear wheel drive and a near 50/50 weight distribution. The V8 model does not appear in Korea, and even without this, Hyundai has been criticized for the 53 million Won starting price tag versus $33,000 in U.S.

2. Kia K7 - recently released as Kia's all new flagship sedan, it starts at around 30 million Won and is a cheaper alternative to the Genesis, yet priced more than other front-wheel drive sedans like the Hyundai Sonata or Renault-Samsung SM5. Look for it in the U.S. sometime in late 2010 or early 2011.

3. Hyundai Sonata - code name YF, it was first introduced to Korean customers in November 2009. Since then, it has been labeled the "Camry Killer" as Hyundai prepares for serious battle with Toyota. Sleek styling, high-tech electronics, and impressive fuel economy are among its best features. Price starts at 26 million Won, three million Won more than the previous model, which is a sore spot for most Korean buyers. U.S. price tag is $19,000 and up.

4. Equus - Hyundai's exclusive luxury line with a similar relationship as Lexus to Toyota. First introduced in 1999, there is only one model, the VS with its big V8 engine, and it's currently preparing for a U.S. debut sometime in late 2010. Korean price starts at around 80 million Won. U.S. price is projected in excess of $55,000.

5. Kia Soul - unique styling and a surprisingly spacious cabin, it's one of the top selling cars in the U.S. following the Cash For Clunkers program. Mostly due to it's affordable price tag, $14,000, and Kia's legendary 10 year warranty, it also features an impressive 30 mpg.

Note: Auto manufacturing is one of Korea's top five industries, and it remains a favorite subject of study for me. What's most impressive is Hyundai/Kia's explosive overseas growth during the past decade and it's current title as World's Fourth Largest Automaker. Equally impressive; it's recent focus on both quality and design, especially to U.S. buyers who continue to speculate over American brands and are now questioning Japanese quality. Besides this, the ultra-impressive 10 year warranty offered only to U.S. customers is impossible to compete with.

On the flip side, Korea's sixth-largest company faces increasing competition from other Korean automakers such as Renault-Samsung, GM-owned Daewoo, and Ssangyong Motors. In addition, Hyundai has faced harsh criticism from many Koreans who believe the company is focusing too much on overseas product growth at the expense of it's domestic market.

Things I Wish America Could Import from Korea:

1. NoraeBang - private singing rooms each with comfortable couch and your own karaoke machine. The TV's broadcast nature video clips and it truly is a great way to spend an afternoon or an evening with friends. Don't nock it till you try it.

2. 24 Hour Alcohol - Bars remain open until 6am and it's not uncommon to see people drinking into the early hours of the morning. Of course, this can be both a blessing and a curse.

3. Speed Cameras - almost all highways feature these instead of patrol vehicle enforcement. Even better, the cameras are well marked and Korean GPS devices (sold separately) notify you before with a warning if you are over the limit.

4. Public Transit System - at least in Seoul, the subway operates regularly (every 10 minutes on average) and the same with the buses. Cost is reasonable, usually 1,000-1,500 Won for a one way trip, and the T Money Card functions like a debit card. Load it with cash and it can be used for subway travel, bus transfer, and even some taxicabs throughout the country. It's tremendous. On the negative side, the subway stops at 1am during the week and 12am on weekends.

5. Heated Toilet Seats - complete with bidet and various wash functions. It's common to see this in people's homes or in posh restrooms, and they're ultra comfy.

The Worst

Worst Things About Living in Korea:

1. Crappy Internet Reception - mostly experienced in my apartment, so to say the entire country has poor service is unfair. After all, Korea boasts about exceptionally fast connection speed and proudly claims to be the most wired country in the world. Regardless, I cannot manage to get a strong signal in my apartment to save my life. It has seriously been the most aggravating part of my time here.

2. My Apartment - I live in an eight story office building. My apartment is approximately 10'X25'. I was the only resident until about three months ago, when a young Korean couple moved into the apartment next door. Most people cannot believe my accommodations when I tell them where I live. The school once tried to tell me it is upscale for teacher accommodations. It most definitely is not.

3. Split Shifts - Teaching adults is great. I chose to do this with full knowledge of the work schedule, and honestly speaking, I would probably choose it again. The schedule, however, is brutal with 4-5 hours sleep each night, and a 2-3 hour nap every afternoon.

4. Pushing on the Subway and Elevators - I've mentioned this before, and it remains a frustrating aspect of Korean life. There is no personal zone to speak of. Be prepared to be shoved, or to shove your way through a large crowd. Don't be shy about it. Others aren't, why should you.

5. Public Restrooms - most are dirty and lack toilet paper. Some lack paper towels and soap and are extremely cold because the windows are always kept open. Others reek of stale cigarette smoke despite the fact they are clearly labeled as "Non-Smoking". Even more disgusting, it is common practice in Korea to dispose of used toilet paper in a trash can next to the toilet. Yuck!

6. Suicidal Delivery Drivers on Motorbikes - they're f***ing crazy and have no shame. Sidewalks are open roads for motorbikes and traffic laws have no significance. Watch your back and check your mirrors more than once.

7. Spitting in Public - it's disgusting but very common to see this. Even though I have been told it's considered rude amongst most Koreans, and it may even be illegal, everyone seems to do it. I've witnessed little old ladies clearing their throats and spitting on the sidewalk. People also do not seem to care where they spit. Inside buildings, restaurants, elevators, or even the subway; it's all fair game. Really, it's that bad.

Least Favorite Korean Foods:

1. Soondae - Korean version of blood sausage. It's pronounced similar to "sundae", so I was most confused the first time I was introduced to this.

2. Silkworm Larvae - I have never tried this and I never will. However, it remains a Korean favorite.

3. Dried Squid - sold in every convenience store as a snack food, it's also popular at sporting events such as Korean baseball games and soccer matches. It looks like dried squid and smells like dried squid. Yuck!

4. Dog - it's not as common as it once was in Korea, though I am told it still exists. Obviously, I have never tried this and I don't intend to. Many Koreans feel the same way.

Note: Surprisingly, many Korean foods feature the something you never expect to find in a country known for it's centuries-old culinary traditions; mayonnaise. Even more surprising is the reaction when restaurant staff learn some Americans do not actually like mayonnaise. A perfect example of a normal food with this surprise ingredient; pizza. First of all, Korean pizza features some of the most bizarre toppings like shellfish, squid, sweet potato, fruits, and many others. Top it off with a drizzle of mayonnaise and you have one messed up pizza. Serve it with a side of sweet pickles and a once loved favorite food can become extremely hated.

I despise mayonnaise, pronounced "mayo-naiz-e", and it's especially difficult to learn 1) how to properly pronounce the word, 2) how to ask for sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, and many other "western" foods without this troublesome topping, and 3) learn to manage the reaction most staff give you when special ordering. McDonald's is a fine example, as is Quizno's, Subway, and Mr. Wow Hot Dog. The worst experience I suffered; a fruit salad with what appeared to be a sweet-yogurt dressing. Nope, sure enough, it was mayonnaise.

Strange Korean Phenomena:

1. Korean Fan Death - it's true. Koreans really believe that people can die from sleeping in a room with the fan on. Despite your best efforts to argue the point, including scientific evidence against this, their strong belief remains.

2. Writing in Red Ink - this is reserved only for names of the dead.

3. Avoid the Number 4 - it sounds similar to the Chinese word for 'death', which is never a good thing.

Things I Wish Korea Could Import from America:

1. Mexican Food - it's available in Seoul, but it's rare. There are only two chain restaurants I know of; Tomatillo Grille and On The Border. What's most surprising about its absence is the similarity between Korean and Mexican foods, mostly the fresh vegetables and spicy peppers. They have no idea what they're missing.

2. Microbrews - imported beers are available in western bars, though expensive. Microbrews are noticeably absent.

3. Medium to Large Dogs - 99% of dogs in Korean are miniature and wear clothes. It's disgusting. Even worse, they are carried around like children and can be found in the arms of women in department stores and grocery stores.

4. Smoking bans and Enforcement of these policies - even though it is illegal to smoke in public buildings, it's very common to witness people defying these laws, mostly because the government does not enforce this. To say Korea is one big ashtray is an unnecessary and extreme exaggeration, but it sometimes feels this way when people smoke in elevators, public restrooms, etc.

5. Cruise Control - yes, it's true. Cruise control is illegal in Korea so nearly all Korean cars lack this feature. This makes maintaining a constant speed through the many speed cameras on the highway difficult at times, and you don't miss it till its gone.

6. Car Seats for Children - I know it's difficult to believe, but it's true. Parents hold their infant children on their laps while traveling in cars. Shocking in every regard, considering the dangers we all know exist when driving.

I'm sure there are many other things I am forgetting. I've tried to remain positive in my reporting, and mostly, it is positive. Please forgive me if I sound otherwise, but there are obvious cultural differences I simply do not understand. In turn, I'm sure many people cannot understand some of my behaviors as well.

Welcome to Korea.

KOREA Week XVII

Late October/ early November happenings:

New classes and students to commence month seven in The Orient. Low enrollment meant that one of my classes was cancelled, so I have extra free time this month and can actually eat dinner before 10pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. Yeah!

Mostly, classes are well and I have begun to implement new materials and reformat the class structure this month. My relationship with the students continues to be the highlight of my job, and it is always pleasurable to speak with them, both inside and outside the classroom.

It was recently brought to my attention that I may have a new neighbor staying in the room immediately adjacent to mine. While this may seem like a pleasant surprise and some much needed company, I enjoyed my solitude and I dislike having to be aware of my music levels, especially late at night. Besides, the walls are paper thin and already I have heard more from my new neighbor than I care to. So this could get interesting.

My one-burner electric range has bit the dust. Apparently, the UniMax 1550 HDC model is no match for Ethan's overzealous cooking habits. It's okay, actually, as I much prefer the Kovea KR-0906 model portable gas stove I originally purchased for camping, but have since adopted as a permanent feature in my kitchen. I will, most likely, have to purchase a second cooking apparatus, as one stove is simply not enough when you cook lots, and more importantly, cook well.

While I once thought cooking in my apartment would be an affordable alternative to frequently dining out, I, sadly, was mistaken. Gourmet tastes, and the premium prices which accompany the Western ingredients I often use, make this difficult to achieve. I suppose it's okay, though, as I have made some incredible dishes in recent weeks. Another trip to Costco (90,000 Won) and a fully-stocked pantry help make this possible.

This week's highlight, by far, was the Sunday trip to Bundang and breakfast at Butterfinger Pancakes. Bundang is located roughly one hour Southeast of Seoul via its own subway line, and is one of the most affluent regions of Seoul. Distance from Sanbon is approximately thirty minutes by car. Its a beautiful area with many modern apartment complexes, and a riverfront park which surrounds the Tancheon River. There are many upscale restaurants and coffee houses located here, including Butterfinger Pancakes, which is, without a doubt, the most Western-style breakfast restaurant I have seen in Korea. Two of us ordered bacon and eggs, french toast, a tall stack of pancakes, and a side dish of macaroni and cheese. They even had real maple syrup to float the french toast and pancakes in! A generous portion of each and all delicious, though, cost was somewhat expensive at 35,000 Won. It was, however, well worth it and I plan to return again soon.

Automotive news:

Hyundai Motor Company and it's junior, Kia Motors Corp., continue to impress me, on many levels. First of all, many students work for, or are in some way involved with them, so it's easy to discuss in class and learn about them. Also, Hyundai and Kia both dominate the passenger car and truck market in Korea, so they are a sort of national pride. What is most impressive, however, is the fact that Hyundai and Kia's market share in the U.S. grew 49% and 45% respectively over the past year. This is, in fact, despite, a global recession, and at a time when other manufacturers, including popular Japanese rivals, continue to battle declining sales. It's actually, astounding.

Amidst this success, Hyundai's quality continues to improve, and many believe, the company is truly building a world-class product. As an example, take a look at the recently unveiled fifth-generation Hyundai Sonata. It's sleek, stylish, and vastly improved over previous models. All this, and, it will be priced less than competitive Toyota and Honda models; namely the Camry and Accord. Other notable mentions include the recently redesigned Hyundai Tucson, the Kia Forte, Kia Soul, and my personal favorite, the Hyundai Genesis; 2009 North American Car of the Year. As if this weren't enough, the Equus line, Hyundai's premier luxury line, goes on sale in North America sometime in late 2010. Remember when Lexus first debuted in 1989 and exactly how Toyota's U.S. market percentage has grown since then? Think similar thoughts.

Toyota, bizarrely, was recently introduced to the Korean marketplace in mid-October. Since then, I have seen many television commercials advertising their three vehicle lineup they are selling, and I have seen many new Camrys, Prius's, and RAV4's hit the streets. It's actually like a status symbol to drive a foreign automobile, even a Toyota, against a product offered by the more traditional Hyundai, Kia, GM Daewoo, Renault-Samsung, or Ssangyong Motors.

Other technology:

The Apple iPhone is set to launch soon in South Korea, though, there is much controversy surrounding the application fees and monthly service fees offered between Apple and the local carriers, namely SK and Korea Telecom (KT). Hopefully, this matter will resolve itself soon, for the introduction of the Google-based Droid is fast approaching, and sadly, it offers more gaming opportunities; something, which, most young Koreans will consider important.

Korean GPS units, found in almost every automobile, feature many functions and are truly, state of the art. What is most unique, however, is the television feature and split-screen function. That's right, satellite television in the front seat of the car while navigating the busy streets of Seoul and Korean highways. As if most Korean drivers weren't bad enough without this distraction..

Stayed tuned.

KOREA Week XX

Monday, September 14, 2009 at 4:45pm

Week twenty. Woo-hoo!

I have recently met some new friends in Sanbon and have been hanging out with them. Most of the other teachers here are younger, perhaps mid-twenties, and so it is rare to find a group of Westerners that is of a more mature age. It's also funny to meet new arrivals here in town, as I am reminded of the amazement and bewilderment I felt when I first arrived some four and a half months ago. Introducing someone to favorite restaurants and late night NoraeBang is especially fun, as is the Mandoo truck, a popular late night fixture in town center and nourishing meal for around 2,500 Won. Delicious!

Week II guitar classes are going well. This is despite the obvious language barrier that exists between me and my Korean instructor. Also, the class is filled with a bunch of rowdy Korean teenagers, who, at first, were amazed at the 30 year old foreigner sharing their class and laughed very hard at my arrival. It's okay, I'm used to it. The guitar I purchased last week in Itaewon is now tuned, and I am practicing as best I can outside the class. If any of my guitar playing friends who may be reading this blog want to offer any suggestions, I am all ears.

Many new restaurants have opened recently in Sanbon. What is most amazing, to me, is the turnaround time they require to remodel the space and suddenly appear open for business. Lately, I have been strolling through town, and suddenly there is a new restaurant I have never noticed before. It's almost as if they appear overnight. In fact, one late night I did notice a construction crew working diligently on a space, only to find the restaurant open for business approximately two days later. No joke.

One of these new restaurants is a delicious samgyeopsal (thinly sliced pork) and galbi (thinly sliced beef) establishment that James and I visited one evening between classes. For their grand opening, they provided free bottles of soju, which was a real treat before late night class. The restaurant was so delicious, I took Alvin there later that same week. It was during this second visit, that we almost set the restaurant on fire. Because most samgyeopsal restaurants feature a gas grill on every table, the risk for a fire, I suppose, is increased. Or so, that is what I would like to believe.

In fact, the oil from our grill did overheat and cause a flare-up, and also, in fact, we twice alerted our teenage waiter that the flames were getting higher and the grill was getting significantly hotter. Both calls for action, I would like to point out, he did ignore. So, by the time it was noticed by someone other that the pimple faced kid whose responsibility it should have been to look after us, the flames were slightly out of control. In fact, it did take nearly the entire restaurant staff to attempt to extinguish the flames, and thankfully, prevent our pubescent waiter from dowsing the fire with more water. That, in fact, would have been disastrous.

Long story short, Alvin and I received free bottles of Cass beer for the inconvenience of the fire at our table. And, I am now well recognized and given special treatment every time I return to dine there. Later this same week, and on my third visit to the restaurant, there was a television crew filming an interview, so once again, free soju was provided to those fortunate enough to be a part of this. Since the interview was entirely in Korean, I can only guess how James and I looked in the eyes of the camera and the millions of Korean viewers. I am still searching for the footage, and if I am fortunate enough to locate it, I will surely post it for all to see.

We have been reading many automotive articles in business class and discussing the competitive advantage of Hyundai Kia Automotive Group. It's a fascinating subject for me, as I have learned many things about one of Korea's largest companies and a source of national pride. Hyundai is actually a chaebol, or a family-run Korean conglomerate, owning a multitude of companies ranging from construction equipment, to elevators, land development, finance, department stores, mining, and petroleum. Other noteworthy chaebols include Samsung and LG.

More interesting facts about Hyundai include:

Hyundai Motor Company has grown to become the world's 5th largest automotive company, and employs some 75,000 people globally; both rather impressive figures considering the company was founded in 1967.

Hyundai Kia Automotive Group was the only automaker to post significant profits and increased market share, not only on a worldwide basis, but especially in the crippled U.S. market. According to some reports, U.S. sales rose 47% for Hyundai and 60% for Kia between 2008 and 2009, and their worldwide sales continues to increase from the previous year. Amazing! I have also read reports which suggest it's the second largest automaker in India, and it's increasingly popular in European markets.

Hyundai's popular 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty and two year buyback guarantee is a major reason for their U.S. success, as is the recent launch of many new and redesigned models. Improved quality reflected by numerous awards, including Consumer reports and J.D. Power and Associates, is also an attribute.

The flagship Hyundai Genesis was named North American Car of the Year and won a combined twenty industry awards. Priced at around $35,000 U.S.D., it is designed to compete with more expensive BMW and Lexus models, which is exactly what it's styling reminds me of; something of a cross between the BMW 5 or 7 series and the Lexus LS at approximately half the cost.

The newly redesigned Sonata sedan and Tucson SUV are not only good looking, but are designed and priced to go head to head with product rivals from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.

The Equus line, Hyundai's premier luxury line and similar to that of Lexus to Toyota, Acura to Honda, or Infiniti to Nissan, is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. sometime in 2010 or 2011 and should be major competition for those aforementioned carmakers.

Strangely, and despite their worldwide success, Hyundai's market share in Korea is actually slipping. For years, they were one of a handful of automakers sold in Korea, the most popular of which included; GM Daewoo, Renault Samsung (which is uniquely similar to the Nissan model line because of it's affiliation with French company Renault), and Ssangyang Motors. Ford, Chrysler, Peugeot, Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes are all sold here but remain a minority amongst the more popular and less expensive Korean brands.

Even more strange; popular Japanese brands such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have only been recently introduced to the Korean marketplace. Lexus was first introduced in 2001, Honda was introduced in 2007, Toyota and Nissan both in 2009, and Mazda does not appear to exist in Korea.

Other exciting news this week:

Last weekend, I saw a Korean man in Seoul wearing a Put-in-Bay Lake Erie t-shirt. I was unable to stop and talk with him, but nonetheless, it reminded me of home and made me feel good. It's funny how something so simple can make someone feel good. You can be, literally, half-way across the world and see something or meet someone from close to your home, and it can make, pardon the pun, all the difference in the world.

On Friday, there were no classes so I visited a university located in Daejeon, approximately two hours south of Seoul or only one hour by high speed KTX train. I read about the school in the Korea Herald, and they offer a two year accredited MBA program for only $25,000 U.S.D. Incredible, especially when you consider the tuition fee includes room and board. At this time, it's only a consideration in my eyes, but one cannot dispute the value. Daejeon is actually the fifth-largest city in South Korea with over 1 million residents, and is referred to as the "Silicon Valley of Korea" as many technology and R&D firms are located here. Check out their website: The SolBridge International School of Business (http://www.solbridge.ac.kr/). More info to soon follow on this subject.

The remainder of this past weekend was spent cleaning my apartment, reading, taking many naps, improving my dart game, and otherwise laying low. This coming week is only a four day week, so I will most likely use the three day weekend to travel somewhere. Details to follow next week.