Ask a Korean! Wiki: Korean Comics?

Dear Korean,I am a big fan of Korean manhwa [comics] such as Cynical Orange, Angel/Demon Diary, and Chocolat. What's your opinion on manhwa? Do you have any suggestions for series? I know that most bookstores don't carry manhwa so online is the only option to purchase, but do you know of any bookstores that do actually carry manhwa?The ReaderDear Reader,The Korean reads comics occasionally, but he...

The Korean has a lot of reservation about this whole WikiLeaks thing, but one thing is for sure -- it is very enlightening. And unlike with other countries, maybe -- maybe -- the disclosures regarding North Korea might have a positive effect. They seem to show that China has a private disdain for North Korea, which will drive North Korea even more paranoid and unreliant on China.Here is New York Times'...

Have you ever wondered what the news of North Korean provocations would be like if narrated in rap? (Who wouldn't have?) Wonder no more, for the good folks at ipoet laureate tried it out.The Skirmish of Northern Aggression [ipoet laurea...

Happy Thanksgiving

The Korean wishes happy Thanksgiving to all Americans. This year, the Korean is thankful for his new wonderful wife, settling into a new place with new friends, and being able to ride out the challenges of the economy.Thanksgiving is the Korean's favorite holiday, and it is a crying shame that it is slowly turning into a mere bump in the road on the way to Christmas shopping. Thanksgiving is the Korean's...

North Korea's Shelling of Yeonpyeong-do -- What You Need to Know

I am going to write this in first person. This is no time for humor. I will provide some essential facts that everyone should know, then answer the questions that people submitted.What happened exactly?On November 23, 2010 from 2:34 p.m. to 4:42 p.m., North Korea fired approximately 170 artillery shells on the island of Yeonpyeong-do,...

The Korean is aware that Yeonpyeong-do, island in South Korea, was shelled by North Korea. Ironic, because the Korean was preparing a different (but related) North Korea post.There will be updates later, but in the meantime, feel free to discuss here. The Korean will make an exception and take any question about this issue in the comment thread as we...

What is More Important -- Dogs or a Person?

In the "dog meat" post, the Korean stated that Michael Vick got a raw deal for serving 18 months for running a dog fighting ring. And now, prominent sportswriters like Gregg Easterbrook and Bill Simmons seem to be agreeing with the Korean. The latest sportswriter joining the camp is Rick Reilly, and his article makes the point the clearest:I'm just not sure what people want Michael Vick to do.Quit...

AAK! PSA: Support the DREAM Act

This little bit of news came over the wire:UCLA Bruin Marching Band drum major David Cho ... has been a vocal proponent of the DREAM Act. In August Cho, a Korean-American who also arrived here as a child, discussed his immigration status on the social-justice blog Citizen Orange as part of collection of posts titled “DREAM Now Series: Letters to Obama.”From Cho’s “letter:”While most of my friends...

The Mexican Asks the Korean (Again)

All rise for today's honorable guest, the grandaddy of all "Ask" blogs:Dear Korean,Why is the word "rang" in so many Korean names for things? Sarang Community Church, Hwa Rang Do, Arirang Market--what's "rang"?The MexicanDear Wab,Very nice of you to visit this humble site, inspired directly by your greatness. Actually, this...

Ask a Korean! News: Never Mess with an Ajumma with a Gun

This is cool and terrifying at the same time:  in the Asian Games being held in Guangzhou, China, South Korean sharpshooter Kim Yoon-Mi won two gold medals in individual and team air pistol... while being seven months pregnant.Kim Yoon-Mi, the pregnant sharpshooterCool part? That she won two gold medals while being seven...

A good, quick-and-dirty overview of Korea's automobile industry, courtesy of the blog The Truth about Cars -- just in case you need this sort of thing. TTAC is also running a very interesting "Korea Week" for this week. The review of 2000 Hyundai Tiburon is a delightful read.Korea Week: A Look At Their Auto Industry [The Truth about Ca...

50 Most Influential K-Pop Artists: 42. Jang Yoon-Jeong

[Read more reviews from the Korean from the Library Mixer. To join, click here.] [Series Index]42. Jang Yoon-Jeong [장윤정]Years of Activity:  2004-presentDiscography:Oh My [어머나] (2004)Jjanjjara [짠짜라] (2005)Later, later [이따, 이따요] (2006)Jang Yoon-Jeong Twist [장윤정 트위스트] (2008)Ole [올래] (2010)Representative Song:  Oh My [어머나] from Oh My어머나Oh My어머나 어머나 이러지 마세요Oh my, oh my, don't be like this여자의...

The highly popular "36 Hours" series of the New York Times gives you -- 36 Hours in Seoul. A sampling:11) BATH AND BEYONDA staple of Korean life has long been the jjimjilbang, or bathhouse. And perhaps the biggest and most extravagant of them all is the seven-story Dragon Hill Spa & Resort (40-713 Hangang-ro 3-ga, Yongsan-gu; 82-2-798-0114; dragonhillspa.com). Something like an amusement...

Overrated/Underrated -- the Asian Way

Here is the first installment of the Korean's shameless gimmick item -- the overrated/underrated series. This series will cover everything from serious to petty, as the Korean sees it. Each part will be loosely themed, and the theme of this post is a little more on the serious side:  things that people constantly overvalue/undervalue when they consider how Asians -- including Asian immigrants...

50 Most Influential K-Pop Artists: 43. Leessang

[Read more reviews from the Korean from the Library Mixer. To join, click here.] [Series Index]43.  Leessang [리쌍]Years of Activity:  2002-presentMembers:Gary [개리]- rapGil [길] - rapDiscography:Leessang of Honey Family (2002)Re: Development [재, 계발] (2003)Library of Soul (2005)Black Sun (2007)Baek-Ah Cuts the Strings [伯牙絶絃(백아절현)] (2009)Hexagonal (2009)Representative Song:  It's Not...

Ask a Korean! Wiki: Free Korean Language Classes?

Dear Korean,I’ve been living in Korea for about a month now. I’m a teacher in a public school in Seoul. I’ve heard of some teachers that have been able to take free Korean classes. I am really interested in learning Korean while I am here. I feel it would make my experience here that much better. Do you know of any classes that are offered to teachers living in Seoul?Sara C.The Korean never had to...

Interesting.For understandable reasons, Japanese often benchmark their country against the U.S. But in many cases, the differences between the two societies are such that importing U.S. models would be like a gardener in subtropical Okinawa looking for inspiration in the flora of Alaska. As Japanese policymakers worry about another round of "Japan passing" and consider ways to more effectively engage...

Korean Age is Coming

Dear Korean,I'd like to ask you about how do Koreans count their age. I know that, compared to our system, they are either 1 or 2 years older but I don't understand why. The other day I asked to a tourist and he told me that on New Year's day, everyone turns a year older and that's ok. But why 2? For instance I'm 36 and will turn 37 this month. So if I was korean would I already be 37 because of new...

Oh Europe, you never let the Korean down.Footy fans have been caught up in a race storm after "woofing" and chanting "Who ate all the dogs?" at Celtic's South Korean star Ki Sung-Yueng. St Johnstone fans directed the sick abuse at the midfielder during their side's televised SPL clash on Saturday. ...Celtic defender Cha Du-Ri also accused the Saints fans of being racist, by making monkey noises at...

Congratulations to all Korean American politicians who won in yesterday's election:Michelle Park Steel - Member, California Board of EqualizationSukhee Kang - Mayor, City of Irvine, CaliforniaMiller Oh - City Council, City of Buena Park, CaliforniaSteve Hwangbo - City Council, City of La Palma, CaliforniaMary Chung Hayashi - California State AssemblyJane Kim - City Supervisor, City of San...

Ask a Korean! News: The Cruelest Meeting

Yesterday was the conclusion of the 18th meeting of separated families between North and South Korea. A bit of a background first -- during the division of Korea and Korean War, many families were separated. As of 2010, there were 120,000 registered South Koreans with separated families. 40,000 of them already passed away,...

Tim Lincecum was half Filipin...

AAK! PSA: Film Festival

Below is a public service announcement about Korean American Film Festival in New York (KAFFNY):The KAFFNY Urban launch is scheduled to run from November 10 - November 13, 6:30 to 9:30pm, and November 14, 3:00 – 6:00pm. KAFFNY Urban will be held at the Big Screen Project, an innovative presentation model for film, video,...