*Smart Phone*
It's easier to say which model I'm using thesedays, but for some reasons I'd like to keep it behind. However I really like my phone with various applications. I have quite a variety of camera apps. For now, I have 14 cameras and 8 editing (and color-changing) programs for pictures. I'm sure that I've tried 20 or more kinds of camera apps since I bought this phone.
Camera, Cyworld
Before talking about photography, I'd like to introduce Cyworld to help you understand part of Korean culture. Actually, Cyworld is still my favorite social networking site. I'm not sure when it did appear, but I remember I started it in my middle school. It has been almost 10 years with Cyworld.
It is a Korean website, and the company tried to enlarge the market, but I guess it failed. A few years later, Facebook and Twitter got pretty popular in Korea, when people are getting bored of Cyworld. I think if Cyworld was an American (or English-based) website, it could have grown bigger than it is now.
When Cyworld was having great success in early 2000s, Koreans said that Cyworld made most people (especially girls) buy digital cameras. For me, it was very true. I wanted to make my Cyworld page prettier with the pictures I took. I wanted to upload more great pictures there. My efforts haven't stopped with my phone cameras. So actually I feel Cyworld gave me a hobby for taking pictures whenever I get chances.
So I'd like to share some of current pictures that I took with my smart phone.
It is a picture of Cheonggyecheon(청계천). This one is what I took on the day I bought my phone. The couple on the right road was accidentally taken, and I think it makes the picture more romantic.
I like to take picture in a low angle, as it looks so different from how I see in my eye level.
It's not a great view, but at least it looks so old. I took the view over the window, which was quite dirty, so the window gave some spots on the picture.
This is a picture of my favorite street. It's nearby my house and I have seen this street for many years, so it makes me feel comfortable.
It was taken in Gangnam Station area, but rarely people recognized it.
Do you know this popular green bottle? Although I don't really like it, I sometimes miss it when I feel depressed.
It's my representative image for Seoul. Bright and shiny lights, buildings, and lots of cars.
This picture was taken in one of my favorite cafes. The yellow smiles hanging in the air are so cute:)
Those are taken in the same place as the picture above.
I made some color effects with a color editting program.
I pass over Hangang (Han River) to go to my college. It was so nice weather!
It's also my favorite street, which is very close to my apartment. I like this kind of mood, which seems dreamy.
I bought four nail polishes at once! So I took a picture of them.
I visited Namsan Korea house village (남산한옥마을). It's nearby Chungmuro Station by Line 3, the Orange line.
This one is my favorite among pictures taken in Namsan Korea house village.
I took a picture with my phone, even the water drop on the flower appeared so clear, so I satisfied a lot with this picture.
Actually those pictures were not taken in Seoul, but southern part of Korea. I just wanted to share some pieces of my vacation in last summer!
I'm sorry I can't get two pictures together when they're bigger than this. Please just enjoy the calmness of the beach.
Haha it's me. I like taking pictures of my shoes.
I'm sure now you know what Namsan Tower is. The tiny tall one is N Seoul Tower (Nasan Tower).
It's my latest work. I took this picture yesterday. Thesedays it's great weather in Seoul, and I believe the sky of fall season is the most beautiful and clear in Korea. If you have plans to visit Korea, consider it to be in fall.
Brown Eyed Girls is back!!!
Idole Groups(Boys or Girls band) has grown up so quickly, so it's like a huge industry in South Korea. I'm very excited to hear that those groups get more and more popular in other coutries, however it's not a good thing for me that the Korean music market got filled with only group music.
BUT, I was looking forward to the new album of Brown Eyed Girls. Members of boys and girls groups are usually in their teenage or early twenties. However Brown Eyed Girls are early 30s, except Gain. They have worked with their music career longer than other groups, and I think their music gets much more powerful than a few years ago.
Their new album is amazing! For me, it's like a very fresh air on my playlist! I was so happy that they didn't make me disappointed. Their album was just like my expectation. They are so hot! I did concentrated so hard on TV when they appeared on the stage. I'd like to share the video. Even though the broadcasting date was today, I can share it with you thanks to Youtube. haha
Brown Eyed Girls on 음악중심(Center of Music)
Broadcasted on September 24th, 2011
MV for title of this album, Sixth Sense, released in September 2011
In Myryo's rap on their title song, Sixth Sense, Miryo says "After listening to this, other music will be boring"! It sounds very arrogant, but it really works. After listening to them, I felt bored to listen to other idole groups. haha
My favorite member in Brown Eyed Girls is Gain. She's so different from other Girls groups, even if she's in similar age with other group members. She is not that girlish, but still she is so attractive to everybody. I guess she is more popular in girls and women. haha She appeared on We Got Merried, a popular show program in Korea, and she got really popular.
I'd like to talk a bit more about their previous albums.
Actually there are three very huge entertainment company in Korea. Most of the popular groups were designed by those companies, which are SM, YG, and JYP. If you are really into groups, I guess you've already heard of them. However Brown Eyed Girls belong to NEGA Networks, which is not a big one in the industry, but growing with Brown Eyed Girls. Brown Eyed Girls are the main artist of this company.
So reminding Korean music industry, it's easy to imagine that Brown Eyed Girls had struggling days to be a top star. And then a song gave a great shot on Korean music industry. Abracadabra.
Abracadabra, released in 2009
Then, Gain got really popular for this song and the show We Got Merried, Gain also release her single album Irreparable(돌이킬 수 없는), and it was also so cool!
Irreparable(돌이킬 수 없는) released in 2010
Narsha has also her single album Pirippappa(삐리빠빠).
Pirippappa(삐리빠빠) released in 2010
Thesedays they look so strong, but in the past they also were also very cute(?) styled girl group. haha I'd like to finish up this article with their two songs, which are quite different from their current works.
Seoul is a safe city to travel around by oneself without any plans. There are many subway stations which you can take whenever you want to go back to your place, people are kind enough to help you out if you have some trouble, and guns are not allowed in Seoul, so I believe it makes you feel comfortable to walk around everywhere in Seoul.
Myeongdong (명동)
I went to Myeongdong to take part in a class requirement, and it gave me a chance to have a short trip around Myeondong. I love walking around Seoul, and I wanted to introduce some places around Myeongdong as the topic for this blog. The trip today was quite fascinating, because I could see great landmarks in the center of Seoul.
Myeongdong is the most crowded shopping area. I have also heard that Myeongdong has the most expensive realestate prices in Seoul. There are so many people whenever I visit, but I'm not a person who likes crowded areas, so I usually avoid being there for a long time. Plus, I feel a bit shy to randomly take pictures in crowd. (That iss my excuse for the bad pictures I took in Myungdong. haha)
Ooh, I have only two pictures of Myeongdong.
The 6th Entrance of Myungdong Station (Line 4, Blue line)
Lots of shops, especially cosmetic and clothing stores line up the streetside. It can seem like a maze to you if it's your first visit in Myeongdong. I have visited there many many times, but I'm still bad with detailed directions in Myeongdong. Good luck! (if you are planning to visit soon.)
In front of Shinsegae Department Store
Shinsegae's headquarters is located in Myeongdong. It has a great old-fashioned building for luxury brands, and a new building for other brands. I bought two cardigans today at the new building:).
In the middle of the picture, you can see a artistic statue, which is just a part of the whole work. You can see how it actually looks when you visit it!
In the background, over the mountain(Nam San), there is a tower named Namsan Tower (honestly it was renamed as N Seoul Tower), which is also a famous landmark in Korea. I love to see the tower there, and it's like a special symbol of Seoul for me(or possibly almost every Seoulite).
Duksu-goong (Duksu Palace, 덕수궁)
Duksu-goong is located kitty corner to City hall. So you can just take the subway to City hall station by Line 1, the dark blue line. It's a smaller palace than Gyungbok-goong(which I will explain about later), but it has beautiful walking roads that are bordered by a stone wall. I didn't go into the palace today, but still I would say it's a recommendable place for visitors.
I'm happy to show my successful work on these picures here.
The gate of Duksu-goong, called Daehan-mun.
The three people standing at the gate are working for the "Changing of the Guards Ceremony". I believe there are more fantastic events and ceremonies for visitors on the weekends, but I think I missed it. However I was very happy to take these pictures to show you guys, as I had unintentionally stumbled across this event.
Gwanghwamun Square (광화문 광장)
I love this part of Seoul. Seoul's most fascinating part is that it has historical landmarks as well as cutting-edge technology all mixed together. Gwanghwamun Square especially displays very important parts of the Chosun dinesty's history. Let me show you the pictures I took today.
Gwanghwamun Square
Gwanghwamun is the front gate of Gyungbok-goong, which was the main palace of the Chosun dinesty. I didn't enter Gyungbok-goong today, but it's the largest palace in Seoul. You may see two statues standing infront of Gwanghwa-mun. One is Admiral Soonshin Yi, and the other is King Sejong.
The Statue of Admiral Soonshin Yi
Admiral Soonshin Yi had contributed greatly in the Imjin War, when the Chosun dinesty was invaded by Japan in 1592. The art work on the left is based on the history of Soonshin Yi's navy. In honor of his memory, the statue was built and 100 won coin has his face on the front side (the right picture).
I like children playing with water in front of his statue. It seemed like Admiral Soonshin Yi is still protecting the future of Korea. I don't know whether you can see it or not, the statue has the General's face with dignity and great bravery.
The Statue of King Sejong
King Sejong is remembered as the greatest King of the Chosun era. I know some of you are working on your Korean skills, and I hope you're enjoying Hangeul(Korean letters) as well. King Sejong is famous for his achievement regarding Hangeul. He let bright scholars invent our own system of writing. It shows how much he cared about his people.
King Sejong's achievements
You can read explaination about his achievements in science and with Hangeul there. Recently, the popular game "Civilization 5" put King Sejong into the game, and it became a popular issue in Korea because of the strange voice that was given to King Sejong. It sounds funny to Korean people, so some person remade the voice by video editting.
↑↑↑↑ The original version ↑↑↑↑
↑↑↑↑ Remade one by a Korean netizen ↑↑↑↑
Haha I hope you can find the difference:^)
It was very hot and humid today, even if people say autumn has come in Seoul. But I was really excited to take pictures, while thinking of the blog. I'd like to have more time to travel around Seoul and I wish to share more parts of Seoul with you!
천천히 터벅터벅 사랑은 끝을 향해 가네
다시 돌아올 수 없는 길을 걸어가네
(내가 널 미워할 수 있을까?)
서슴없이 성큼성큼 사랑은 끝을 향해 가네
이제 두 번 다시 돌아오지 않을 길을
Slowly, the love is trudging away for the end,
walking away along the street where never can be back.
(wonder if I can hate you)
Unhesitatingly, the love is striding away for the end,
along the street where it never be back again.
꼭 이만큼 이만큼만 잊은 채 살 수 있기를
미안해, 어쩔 수 없잖아 그리워해도 소용 없잖아
이제 널 잊어야 한다면
Just like this, hope to live forgetting you like this.
Sorry but there's no way. There's no use for missing you,
as if now I should forget you.
천천히 터벅터벅 사랑은 끝을 향해 가네
다시 돌아올 수 없는 길을 걸어가네
(난 널 잊어 버릴 수 있을까?)
서슴없이 성큼성큼 사랑은 끝을 향해 가네
이제 두 번 다시 돌아오지 않을 길을
Slowly, the love is trudging away for the end,
walking away along the street where never can be back.
(wonder if I can forget you)
Unhesitatingly, the love is striding away for the end,
along the street where it never be back again.
이제 뒷모습도 내게는 보이지 않네
꼭 이만큼 이만큼만
Now even the back can't be seen at my sight.
Just like, just like this much.
I hope everybody who reads this can understand my translation on the lyrics.
Music city of Sung Sikyung
I'm a big fan of the radio "Music city of Sung Sikyung". It's on air every night from 10 pm to 12 am in Korea, but I usually download it from podcast with my iphone, and listen to it on my bed before I fall into sleep. Casker is a fixed guest on every Thursday night. That was the chance for me to get to know that this band exsists, but didn't get a chance to listen to there actual songs as the radio program on podcast cuts all the songs because of the license issue.
Korean Actor Gong Yoo
Basically I'm interested in indie bands, however usually they don't appear on TV or Radio that much, so it's hard to get to know each band. (I understand that it would be much more diffucult to get to know Korean indies from other countries, so I'd like to introduce many good indie bands through this blog.)
After a few days from the day I got Casker known, I found Gong Yu(or Kong Yoo, 공유) one of my favorite actors, had introduced Casker's fifth album as one of his favorite music albums on Naver (the most popular potal site in Korea). The article made me to find Casker to listen to their actual songs. And, of course, I found the vocal has amazing voice when she's singing. (It has quite different air from her voice talking.)
I'd like to leave lyrical part of this song's lyrics, but you know, it's hard to translate mood and atmosphere into another language. I hope just you can feel the mood properly by listening. Especially there are lots of mimetic words, and this song has well-described scenes with mimetic words, which I couldn't find on dictionary for translating. The sound of To-buk-to-buk reminds me of someone walking down the street very weakly, with dangling arms. I translated into 'trudge', but I'm not sure if it gives you the feeling of how love ends in the end. It sounds love leaving sufferingly, so that I can't stop it for a moment. As I felt the same way when my love was heading for the end, so the lyric really touched me.
If you are interested, you can find more music of them on Youtube by searching 'Casker or 캐스커'. I have also attached another one below from their fifth album, which was my another favorite one.
Hey, it's Chusok holiday in Korea.
Just in case, this is your first time to get to know Chusok, I'd like to explain it as:
Chusok is Korean Thanks Giving
Simply speaking, it's Korean Thanks Giving. Korea has two biggest holidays, one is a new year day in lunar calendar, which is called "Seol", and the other is Chusok, thanks giving. If you have any Chinese friends, then Chinese thanks giving is on the same day with Korean Chusok. It's annually August 15th in Lunar calendar.
I know it's complicated to think about Lunar calendar, but if you buy a Korean calendar, there are small numbers under the main dates. Those small numbers are counting days in a lunar way. You can have more details on Google. or Yahoo. or Wikipedia.
(on the picture, the letter saying "Han-gah-wi", it is another name for Chusok)
Special things for Chusok will be:
[Traffic jam on the highway]
Visiting a family : We visit our family and relatives, and have great dishes together. As almost every people in the city want to visit their hometown, usually the holidays have great-great traffic jam on the highway.
Actually I'm planning to leave this city at 4 am (after around 3 hours). Everytime I leave the city in the dawn, I feel like I'm doing something really important like 007 missions.
Sharing great dishes with family on Chusok is originated by celebrating successful harvest in the past, as Korea was also an agricultural country. I know same thing was the origin of Thanks giving. We also pay our respect on family members' grave to thank this years achievement. It is religious thing, like a prayer.
[Songpyeon]
Song-pyeon: It is a type of rice cake, especially for Chusok. We put sesame or beans in it. I recommend sesame songpyeon, not only as it's my favorite, but also it's very sweet.
If you're on a diet for loosing weight, don't have it so much. It looks very good for health, but it contains 40 kcal for each songpyeon. I really like it, but I'm also worried about calories.
Pray to full moon for wishes: The biggest full moon rises on Chusok, August 15th. Still many people pray for wishes to the full moon, not as a serious religion, but as the culture. Seeing full moon on Chusok is quite important thing, so news tell us about how the moon will be like for Chusok.
I heard it will be cloudy or rainy on the holidays, so I can't expect to see the clear full moon this year.
Gang-gang-sul-lae
Also, there is a kind of dance, called Gang-gang-sul-lae. People grab each other's hands, making a large circle like the picture on the left. Sing together and walking or hoping to the one way, under the full moon. It's like a celebration for the moon and Chusok.
These days it's very difficult to find people dancing together, but still many people like to play traditional games on Chusok. Hope you can try some, if you're interested.
That's all for today, as I'm leaving in 3 hours. I need to go to bed:)
Enjoy Chusok!
