Weekend Crash Episode Six

I should have been posting these every week we do them, but I it happens. If you watched the last one, we've gotten way better with . . . everything. Just watch it.

Weekend Crash Episode Six

The Weekend Crash Episode 2

So my friend and I decided we were bored and decided to make a podcast internet show. It's commentary about life here in Korea but with a more light hearted twist to everything. It's more SNL than 60 minutes, but we think it's funny. We hope you do too.


Go Here For the Weekend Crash

"It's A Men's Carry-All!"

You know, I make jokes about guys carrying purses in Korea, but I'm beginning to understand.

Years ago when I watched the old “Murse” episode of Sienfield I never thought the idea would catch on. Living in the southeastern part of the United States, certain ideas are slow to perpetrate, even in the cities like Atlanta. Several times I remember even my grandmother questioning why I still carried a backpack after I graduated from college. Her reasoning? “Men just don't do that.” The most advanced it got was a briefcase and I always associated those with cubicle worker drones and wall street brokers.

(It's a Carry All for the Last Time!)

Then Kanye West and his “Louis Vutton Don” backpack shook up everything; a year or so after his first album dropped and suddenly dudes are walking around with brown Louie V bags. Still, it was (and still is ) a “GQ” concept. Where I come from, if it doesn't have two straps and goes on your back then you don't wear it. So even thought I was warned ahead of time about the metro-sexual guys here in South Korea, the man-bags shocked me right along with Korean guys walking arm in arm and male celebs doing cosmetic ads.

(Coming soon: His and her compacts)

However, it all fits. Look up the term “pretty boy” and you'll probably see a picture of the F4 guys from “Boys Over Flowers.” Younger guys here put just as much time into their appearance as the ladies, so why shouldn't they make sure the bag and tie match?

(Put in them the sunlight and their skin sparkles with glitter!)

While we from the west find the idea a bit of a joke, we forget one thing; it's actually PRACTICAL to carry a bag. In fact, it may be MORE practical for us who are just visiting. Most expats here don't own cars and rely on public transportation. That means planning ahead is essential because often going back home isn't an option.

(Yep, That's an NFL QB. . . )

Also consider that in 2010 people just carry more stuff around. Many carry laptops or netbook, various gadgets, mp3 players, notebooks, books, clothing, cameras and the like. And because bathrooms in Korea don't always have toilet paper, men often carry packets of tissue around.

(Man-bag AND Skinny jeans. . . . yeeesh!)

Want another reason? Then just go shopping. Stores often don't give you a shopping bag unless you ask for them and Grocery stores here even charge you FOR the plastic bags when you request them. The idea that all you need is your wallet and cell phone seems a bit dated with you consider all of this.

So while I can completely see the rationale behind carrying around a bag; the part I can't get my head around is the fashion element. Do they have to look so. . . purse-like? The fact that many of the bags here DO look like purses can be off-putting for some. There are already those negative connotations of manhood and sexuality attached to so many things here and the murse is yet another one. Accuse any guy with a messenger bag of carrying a muse and watch him squirm in their seats. Much of it also just comes from comfort. Many guys have no issues with the idea itself, but they just aren't progressive enough to take a chance on a bag that MIGHT actually be meant for their mom or girlfriend.

(Even The guys at ROKetship.com understand this all too well.)

As for me, I'll keep my backpack. I think I would look silly with a “satchel” slung around my chest considering my size and height.

Weekend Warrior Report: Where Does The Time Go?

One of the disadvantages I've run into is that most extra curricular activities are usually on Saturdays. Most hagwon teachers work evenings so activities geared towards ex-pats tend to favor their schedules. To me, this is one of the few disadvantages to working for public schools/EPIK.

Want to go up to Seoul and visit friends or take in the nightlife? Going to be on the weekend. Korean class at the YMCA? Most classes are either mid-day on select weekdays or Saturday morning. If you want to start an activity, club or organization, then you'll more than likely have to meet up on Saturdays because that's when people will have time for it. There are exceptions, but it can make for some tough scheduling choices.

My own Saturday schedule is this: Band Rehearsal at 2, Salsa at 8, then dinner with friends afterwards. Doesn't sound like much, but before the winter break I took Korean classes early in the morning on Saturdays and went to Fight Club at 1:30. When I joined my band, I had to give up Fight Club (an activity I've done for over a year) because those times overlapped. Then I recently took up an activity on Fridays that goes from 11pm to 3am.

So imagine this schedule once school starts:

Friday: 11-3AM - Get home about 4 AM
Saturday: 11-1 Korean class. 2-4 or 5 rehearsal, get home about 6. Leave house for Salsa lessons around 7 or 7:15 and get there just before 8. Salsa is from 8-10 with social dancing afterward. Dinner with friends around 11. THEN you get to go out for the rest of the evening. Add in travel times (train, walking, cab, etc) and you have a full day ahead of you.

I used to have Sundays to recover, but now there is another activity that started on Sundays that starts at 1pm. Yikes!

Doesn't leave much space for any unexpected events like birthday parties, going away parties and other activities (all common things here). This leaves me with a lot of free weekday evenings. I would much rather spread out some activities during the week and free up weekend time.

I am looking at options. There is a new hagwon that teaches Korean to foreigners here and they are open on weekdays. The downside is the prices are high for classes. The YMCA 12 week course is the about the same price as one month at this school. Granted, classes are several times a week and the YMCA classes are once a week, so it evens out a bit. So it's a dilemma I'm trying to settle here.

As for fight club, I plan on going back to Daegu MMA for weekday workouts. While I would love to have that extra day on Saturdays to work out with my friends, it's not required if I renew my membership. I will see my friends later on that evening on Saturdays.

I had planned on taking some vacation time and going up to Seoul to visit a friend who is leaving Korea soon. Due to obligations, I wasn't able to go. I also had to pass on participating in an event because of scheduling conflicts. Most of the participants were Hagwon teachers and rehearsal times would have been during the day.

I'm not so much complaining as I'm trying to look for a medium for all of this. It's getting a bit out of hand and stretching me thin. I felt it this past weekend when I found myself face down in my bed with little motivation to move on Sunday (and none of it was influenced by alcohol!). I have friends who are active in other things and they too have expressed their own frustrations with keeping such schedules. I honestly like having things to do. Just not on top of each other. Now if I could clone myself, then I wouldn't have this issue.

Weekend Warrior Report: Rainism Assassin

I'll Preface this by saying that I talk a lot about the movie "Ninja Assassin." While I say there's no plot points to speak of in the movie, you have been warned.

So last week I had a day off and decided to check out the movie “Ninja Assassin.” I had heard about this movie for some time and remember it being delayed more than once. I had been skeptical about it when I saw the first trailer for it, but I was still curious. This was supposed to be the movie that showcases Korean star Rain (비) and introduces him to the western world. For those who don't know, Rain is Korea's entertainment God. He's been in movies, TV shows and is known in his home country for his flashy dance moves and songs about his “magic stick.” Before I came to Korea, all I knew Rain for was that dude that Steven Colbert had a feud with on his show. After coming to Korea I learned that Rain was trying to break into the American market and wondered how well he could do. Considering that he's more known for his music and his role in a Korean soap Opera, I doubted he could be taken seriously as an action star. (His previous role in a Western movie was in Speed Racer. Despite that steam pile's lack of awesome, he impressed the producers enough to give him a shot at his own movie.)

Turns out I was wrong. Rain does a pretty good job as a ninja. Critics didn't like the movie, but it worked well for me. The movie is gory as hell and the first 5 minutes set the tone for it. I wouldn't say it's a family film, but if you want action and fighting, it's the way to go. Just don't expect a plot. The story in this movie makes “The Transporter” look like high art. It pretty much goes like this: Kid is kidnapped and trained to be a Ninja. Ninja rebels against clan, ninja attacks clan and gets revenge.

I will admit I was expecting A LITTLE more form the plot, but wasn't upset by it. No, I was impressed by . . . . wait for it. . . THE NINJAS!!! Thankfully the director realized he shouldn't let a silly thing like plot get in the way of a good fight. However I would imagine it's tough to make ninjas look cool when they are supposed to be silent stealth killers. Somehow he manged to make things work. I watched this movie and thought “this is exactly how I would expect two ninjas to fight each other.” Sure, there some anime influence here (*cough cough NINJA SCROLL cough*) but it came out well. To barrow from my friend who I was watching the movie with, it has some great action sequences that you can't see well in the dark.

Now the one big thing I wanted to get back to the casting. Rain's co star in this is Naomie Harris (yeah, I don't know her either). She plays a Eruopol Agent who first learns about the strange ninja world Rain lives in. In action movies like this one with paper-thin plots, a girl like this is usually some sort of romantic interest for the lead. What I found odd about this is that she's a black woman. Why is this so odd? Well, besides the usual ethnic issues Hollywood has, I was thinking about the Korean angle. The whole time I was watching this movie, I kept thinking “There is no way in hell Rain kisses this woman.” The nationalist, conservative views of the country as a whole places a lot of value on pure blood. Koreans think very highly of their stars and watch their every move when they venture out into the world to gain fame beyond their boarders. So do I expect one of Korea's spokesmen to come out and kiss a black woman on screen? Hell no. At some point, Rain will want to come home to his native country. No way they accept him doing this, even for a movie. (Remember Romeo Must Die??? Come on!)

So this brings up an interesting point; could Rain kiss anyone else in Hollywood and Korea be OK with it? Yep. However, I think it would have to be a certain caliber actress. Even if his name isn't big in the west (despite me having to break my student's hearts when I tell them that Rain isn't well known in the USA), Korea holds him in a light equal to a Will Smith, Tom Cruise or Bruce Willis. He could go as low as Megan Fox and be alright, perhaps even a Kristen Steward of Twilight fame (I'm sure this would delight the females of my school who read Twilight and are waiting for New Moon to come out this week over here). But Hallie Berry? Nope. Jennifer Lopez? Sorry. Eva Mendez? Try again. Beyonce? Almost but not quite.



So with this in mind, I'm going to start a “Who Will Rain Kiss In his Next Hollywood Movie” betting pool. If you have any suggestions, please let me know so I can make a chart. This could get interesting. Place your bets! He is supposedly reading for parts now. America, it's about to Rain.

Who Was That Masked Child??

Korea is pretty cold during the winter and people here worry quite a bit about being sick. The first cold day of the year brings in legions of people wearing medical face masks wherever they go. 2/3 of a class might have on face masks when I come to work, and for some reason I decided to snap as many pictures of students as I can. Sometimes I have to sneak, other times I they are more than willing to appear in a picture.

Sports Day Is An Excuse To Wear A Costume During P.E. Class

Students flutter around in colorful T-shirts and pants. The usual blue and while uniforms are exchanged for green and blue P.E. Sweat suits. Out come freshly made signs written in Korean. The teachers are dressed down. It's my favorite school day of the year: Sports Day.



Of all the school days in the year, Sports day is the one I find most fascinating. It's the one day were the students are allowed to kick back and be a little wild. They get to paint their faces, wear costumes and funny clothing, along with oddball accessories. I have nothing to do but watch and observe this day, so I get to really enjoy watching the students.


Sports day is like Field Day for some schools in the states or summer camps. In this case it's class vs. class. There are various events, most of them kind of silly; but it's meant to be fun.



The students usually wear some kind of uniform clothing to match with their classmates. 2-4 might wear blue t-shirts while 1-3 might wear funny hats. This year one of the second year classes decided to wear headbands with Giant flowers on them. Boys as well as girls. Another class decided to wear animal ears. Another got Giant Bows.



They all make signs, most of which are in support of each other. Most are Korean so I can't understand what the hell I'm reading. However, many of them are in English. What's even funnier are the ones that are written in Korean to phonetically spell out an English word or phrase. Clever kids.



My role in this is very limited. I walk around all day and do squat. No classes, no tutoring. Just wandering around and talking to students and/or teachers. I usually take a lot of pictures because it's one of the few times I can get pictures unexpectedly. It also might be one of the few times students might willingly pose for a shot. So I get to pose in pictures with them and they act a little silly.



I spent most of my time around the 3rd year section. This is odd considering that I tend to favor the second year students. But many of them were talkative.



I won't go into a lot of detail, but will say I was a bit disappointed with this year. Last year seemed to have more events and the students wore more interesting clothes. This year they mostly wore their P.E. Uniforms with an added assessory or two. Also, the students seemed to have more fun last year. I recall several students doing commentary during events over the PA system. I also remember them having a Talent Show after the regular events. No Talent show this time, so no students showing out. I have no idea why, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with the more conservative principal we have this year.

Regardless, pictures are here for your enjoyment.