하늘

If you never think sky is beautiful, you should really find a chance to look at the clear blue sky of autumn. Things on earth look more alluring with autumn sky as backdrop.

Blue autumn sky in Kyunghee

Clear autumn sky in Daegwallyeong

산수간에 즐긴다

Daejeon Beach
(대전해수욕장, 大田海水浴場)

Achasan
(아차산, 峨嵯山)

왕따

Koreans like to do things together. Social bonding is important to them. They enjoy eating, singing, drinking, bathing and sleeping in big group. Because of this, being made an outcast or loner is considered a harsh punishment socially. Koreans have a special term for this group of people whom they call "왕따" (pronounced 'Wang Da', 译音: 王大). It will be a sad thing if you are being labelled "왕따" in Korea. But, the fortunate thing is, to be made a "왕따" is very hard in the first place.

난 왕따 당하는 양이다. I am a "왕따", boo~

We are so happy together. See my smiling face?

Together forever. Happy happy.

Sorry for being anthropomorphic but these sheeps do look 'emotional'. By the way, you can have a close encounter with them at the children's zoo in Seoul Grand Park. These amiable sheeps will eat any grass you hold out to them. It is unlikely they will ignore you.

여름 바캉스

I like vacation, I mean who don't. If only summer is a season and not a climate in the tropics, I will soon be hitting the beach for my summer vacation.

Saw this MPV carrying a family of bikes on my way to Daejeon Beach. They must also be on their way to the beach.

I like beach festival in summer. You know that a festival is going on when you can see balloons floating high up in the sky.

Here I am, lying on the Daejeon Beach, with waves after waves of cold sea water sweeping over me. What a cool treat.

우유보다 커피

No prize for guessing what is keeping me busy late into the night these days. I need more coffee. Remember to support "Dae Han Min Guk" tomorrow.

청정

On a hot summer afternoon, it is good to be sitting beside a lake. I like this view, for it has sky, mountain, trees, water and their reflections. I wonder does 'coolness' come from a calm heart or from the lake of water.

Sitting under shade is also a good idea. I will give up my room aircon for it. I need to appreciate how fortunate I am to be sitting under the shade when outside is scorched by the blazing summer heat.

금강산도 식후경

The scenery of Mt. Geumgang is said to be very beautiful. Despite that, there is a Korean proverb which says you can only appreciate the scenery of Mt. Geumgang after your stomach is filled. "A hungry man is an angry man", I don't think anyone will disagree "금강산도 식후경" (金刚山也是食后景). I shall stop showing scenery pictures temporarily for today. Let's 'eat' instead.

Pearl-like fish roe and rice served in a hotpot. This 'Al-bap' (알밥) may not look nice but its smell and taste were very good. I especially like eating the burnt rice on the side of the pot.

What is there to say about kimchi? Give me another dish, please.

하루

밤이 될수록 아름다워지는 해운대
(Picture: Haeundae Beach, Busan)

물결

Waves sweeping up Haeundae beach, I can almost feel the cold sea water

Waves sweeping over your feet on a hot summer day is a cooling enjoyment

붉은 악마

In a football match, fans are as important as the players. The supporters of the Korea's national football team call themselves the 'Red Devils'. In Korea, 'Red Devils' (붉은 악마, pronounced as '불근 앙마']) is not merely a term, it is a culture. A simple proof is the Teddy Bear's Museum at Namsan included 'Red Devils' as one of its exhibits on Korea's modern culture.


To be a 'Red Devil', I guess you will have to wear red and learn to shout "Dae-Han-Min-Gook". Face paintings and 'horns' are optional though. In depth understanding of the game is also not required.

By next week, the 'Red Devils' will be set loose again as the Korea's national football team seeks to repeat the glory of World Cup 2002 at the South Africa's World Cup 2010.

With so much support back home, I think the Korea team should at least advance to the quarter-final so as not to disappoint their fans. To have a sense of the degree of support the team is enjoying back home, just watch the music videos below. With so much hype, you may be forgiven for thinking that Korea is hosting World Cup 2010.

"We Are One" - HAM [Credits: koreanpride2]

"Victory Korea" - Super Junior [Credits: sment]

"We Are The One" - T-ara [Credits: ThearmtvpHD]

"We Are With You" - Kara [Credits: ThearmtvpHD]

"Dreams Again" - After School [Credits: misocha]

"The Shouts of Reds" - Big Bang & Kim Yuna [Credits: taijizero2]

"The Shouts of Reds" - Trans Fixion [Credits: TheArirangseoul]