Ask a Korean! Wiki: Why do You Watch Korean Drama?

Dear Korean,Here is a simple question. Why are Korean dramas so addicting?K-drama FanDear K-drama Fan,Honestly, the Korean does not know. He absolutely LOATHES Korean dramas. Except for a few notable exceptions, the writings are terrible, the lines are unnatural, acting is awkward, everything is about hysterical yelling and the storylines defy belief. The Korean watched exactly three Korean drama...

Justice prevails, and Arizona is appealing immediate...

A good summary of Korean cuisine-inspired taco craze on New York Times. Just remember -- don't call it Korean food.The Tortilla Takes a Road Trip to Korea [New York Tim...

Ask a Korean! News: Four-Second Singers

Translation of a hilarious article on Dong-A Ilbo. This is exactly why the Korean cannot take the k-pop boy/girl groups seriously.Idol Groups Only Have a Few Words in Solo Parts as Number of Members, Chorus IncreaseSeven groups' solo time measuredEven with just four seconds of singing, a singer nonetheless?Average 16 seconds per person, less than one-tenth of a song.Cases of no solo part, only...

AAK! PSA: Watch This Video

As a part of the effort to raise awareness for North Korean refugees, The Jubilee Project will donate 30 cents to the non-profit Liberty in North Korea (LiNK) for every view this video receives. The money will be directed to an initiative called The Hundred, which seeks to rescue 100 North Korean refugees.So just watch the video, will you? It is for a good cause.Got a question or a comments for the...

Ask a Korean! News: North Korean Soccer (Part II)

[See Part I here.] This is Part II of the translation of Mr. Joo Seong-Ha's account of North Korean soccer history and analysis.-------------------------------------- The national soccer team was swept into the purge as well, because the team received unconditional support from Park Geum-Cheol, Chairman of the Subcommittee...

Today, the New York Times. Tomorrow, the world...

What does the Korean think about Yellow Fever?

Dear Korean,Do you think there is a growing trend of white male/Asian female couplings? If so, could they possibly have stemmed from anything other than traditional notion of love? My personal view is that most of white male/Asian female coupling was heavily influenced by innate sense of inferiority that some Asians tend to...

Fear the ajumma. Every part of this story is awesome. (Via Marmot's Hol...

Ask a Korean! News: Join the Lakers, Jeremy Lin

Is it wrong for an Asian American to be particularly excited about Jeremy Lin, former star player of Harvard basketball team? Because the Korean totally is, especially since Lin might join the Korean's beloved Lakers.Here are some excerpts from Lin's profile on ESPN from last year, when Lin was still in school:Soon the rest of the college basketball world might be turning its collective eye toward...

Ask a Korean! News: Bok and Dog Meat

A new addition to the roster of the Korean's favorite blogs (see the right sidebar) is 악식가의 미식일기, a Korean blog run by a food columnist. Blogger Hwang Gyo-Ik writes mostly about Korean food.Today is bok day in Korea. Bok refers to the three days in summer on which Korea is the hottest. Traditionally, on bok days Korean people eat hot, boiling soup that is supposed to make you sweat and restore balance...

50 Most Influential K-Pop Artists: Just Missed the Cut (Part 2)

[Series Index]It's been a long interruption due to the Korean's wedding and such, but the 50 Most Influential K-Pop Artists series is back. This is Part 2 of the roundup of K-Pop artists who were considered, organized by their debut year. Part 2 consists of the artists who debuted after 1990. After getting these names out of the way, the series will move along with a full head of steam.All of these...

Oh great. The Korean can only imagine what kind of stupid questions will come in after this mess airs...Meet The Cast Of The Asian Jersey Shore: K-town [MTV Iggy] (via Marmot's Ho...

Pricking Fingers

Dear Korean,I have been watching Korean dramas and there is something I noticed. When someone is not feeling well, they will use a needle to prick the fingers. How does that help? Is it a Korean thing?KatDear Kat,Yes. To be more specific, it is a type of acupuncture.The remedy is usually deployed for severe indigestion -- the...

Ask a Korean! News: North Korean Soccer (Part I)

First of all, congratulations to the Taeguk Warriors for making the knockout round for the first time outside of Korea.While this World Cup has produced plenty of compelling moments -- like Landon Donovan's beautiful 91st minute goal against Algeria (USA! USA!) -- the leading Korean Peninsula-related story of the World Cup...

AAK! PSA -- New Vincent Chin Documentary

Below is a public service announcement by Mr. Tony Lam.Dear Korean,This week marks the 28th anniversary of the hate crime murder of Vincent Chin, a case that ignited the first Asian American civil rights movement and gave rise to a new "Asian American" identity and community.In commemoration, we are releasing a Special Edition DVD of VINCENT WHO?, the 2009 documentary about Vincent Chin and the Asian...

Ask a Korean! Wiki: Cultural Classes in Korea?

Dear Korean,Do you know of any place in Seoul where I can take classes to learn calligraphy, paper making, bookbinding, knitting, how to cook Korean food, etc.?GinaDear Gina,The Korean does know a number of such places, but he presumes that you are not looking for a Korean-speaking place. Readers, do you know any foreigner-friendly cultural craft classes?Got a question or a comment for the Korean?...

Ask a Korean! News: Culturalism at Work - Why Is China So Bad at Soccer?

Before anyone takes out his flamethrower, the Korean must note that he did not come up with the title; the good folks at New York Times did:The Chinese are enthralled with World Cup soccer. Nearly 24 million viewers in China watched the match between Greece and South Korea, making it the single biggest audience in the first days of World Cup play. But the Chinese team failed again to qualify...