Two stud bulls from back home in America. Jalen (left) and Warner.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Published in the JoongAng Daily, October 16, 2005
[LETTERS to the editor]One question unanswered
I read with interest the article about Mr. Kang Jeong-koo, the notoriously left-leaning lecturer at Dongguk University. However, an important question was left unanswered. Putting aside my opinion on Mr. Kang's views (I do not agree with him, but acknowledge his right to express himself freely in a democratic society ― whether or not it violates the National Security Law is another matter), I have to ask: What were 20 reporters doing in his classroom? As a teacher, I know the presence of even one guest can sometimes affect the classroom dynamic.
If the school allowed the intrusion, shame on them for turning a class into a circus. If Mr. Kang allowed it, then I have no respect for him as a teacher, because it is obvious his vainglorious quest for controversy compromised his integrity. If the reporters entered without permission, then they did not show much respect for the students' education.
On a more general note, let Mr. Kang and other believers in the North cross the border for a while, and live in a land where integrity and joy are driven out of a person, and then we will see if they are still so eager to mock democracy by praising the society of the Dear Leader.
South Koreans, you do not want to deal with North Korea in its present state. Put aside ideas of tourist visits, unified national teams, brotherhood, and reunification until that hideous regime is no longer in power. They cannot be trusted to respect human dignity.
by Douglas Binns
I read with interest the article about Mr. Kang Jeong-koo, the notoriously left-leaning lecturer at Dongguk University. However, an important question was left unanswered. Putting aside my opinion on Mr. Kang's views (I do not agree with him, but acknowledge his right to express himself freely in a democratic society ― whether or not it violates the National Security Law is another matter), I have to ask: What were 20 reporters doing in his classroom? As a teacher, I know the presence of even one guest can sometimes affect the classroom dynamic.
If the school allowed the intrusion, shame on them for turning a class into a circus. If Mr. Kang allowed it, then I have no respect for him as a teacher, because it is obvious his vainglorious quest for controversy compromised his integrity. If the reporters entered without permission, then they did not show much respect for the students' education.
On a more general note, let Mr. Kang and other believers in the North cross the border for a while, and live in a land where integrity and joy are driven out of a person, and then we will see if they are still so eager to mock democracy by praising the society of the Dear Leader.
South Koreans, you do not want to deal with North Korea in its present state. Put aside ideas of tourist visits, unified national teams, brotherhood, and reunification until that hideous regime is no longer in power. They cannot be trusted to respect human dignity.
by Douglas Binns
Saturday, December 03, 2005
Published in the JoongAng Daily, August 26, 2005
"Pay Dictator Upgrade Dear Neighbour"
August 26, 2005 ㅡ There is a problem in advertising in Korea that needs to be addressed: It is trendy for big companies to use English slogans, but too many mistakes are being made.
For example, we have Baskin Robbins' new slogan "Ice Cream & City." It is grammatically incorrect. A foreigner would sense that immediately, but for the benefit of non-native-speaker readers, an explanation: "City", as a count noun, needs an article. "Ice Cream & A City" would work, but does not make sense. "Ice Cream & The City" does make sense, but is an obvious rip-off of "Sex and the City" ― and probably was not chosen for that reason.
It is one thing to see incorrect English in Korea on a sign, or on a T-shirt, or even in a store name ― but in a national advertising slogan?
This latest blunder joins a list of other ill-considered ideas that includes KTF's "Have a Good Time," Pagoda's former slogan "You Can Do," and Samsung's "Bravo Your Life."
For the record: "Have a good time" can only be used when the speaker knows what the listener intends to do after the conversation. For example, yesterday, at a store, a helpful clerk thanked me for my purchase and told me to "Have a good time." However, since he did not know what I planned to do after leaving the store, he should have used "Have a good day." (Or "Have a good night," as appropriate.) The slogan itself is not grammatically incorrect; however, Koreans, not knowing any better, are using the sentence incorrectly in conversation.
"You Can Do" was especially bothersome because it was the slogan of Korea's biggest English language chain. How ironic! "Do" is a transitive verb and needs an object, so "You Can Do It" is correct. "Bravo Your Life" comes from Korea's biggest company. Ironically, Samsung has been spending millions of dollars in America to promote itself as a high-end brand, and then they turn around and mar their image by using a ridiculous English slogan in Korea. "Bravo" is not a verb. Might as well say "Money Your Life" or "Kimchi Your Life" or "Ah-ee-go Your Slogan."
Don't the advertisers check with native speakers before adopting these slogans? And if they do, are the native speakers overruled? By someone who doesn't speak English fluently, but whose decision goes unquestioned in this Confucian society? Does that make sense? Does grammar matter?
I have heard the argument that this is "creative" English, that Koreans are more comfortable with these easy slogans, that I should not let it bother me, E - T - C (as a student might say). I don't buy it. Reversing the roles, I would not presume to invent a slogan in Korean without checking it first with native Korean speakers, so why should it be any different in the present case?
Some suggestions: To Teachers: Introduce these slogans in your class and make a game of it: "Find the Grammar Mistakes in These English Slogans Used by Large Companies in a Country In Which Government and Business Leaders Can't Stop Talking About Being an International Hub." To Korean companies: Spend just a few million won of your huge advertising budgets to hire me to vet your English slogans. I will be able to finish the job in less than a minute, you will have a slogan that will not disappoint foreigners, and we can all go to a room salon to celebrate the deal! While there, we can "bravo" some room salon girls and "Have a good time."
While reading over what I have written so far, I saw a couple of commercials on TV. "Change the Life" was a new one for me, and I saw the old favorite, "Everyday New Face." Is that a plastic surgery ad? I just saw another ad. This one had "Everyday Fresh" as the tag line. It was for yogurt ― not feminine protection.
Finally, "North Korea Feeling Fresh," "Kim Jong Il Excite," and "Pay Dictator, Upgrade Dear Neighbor," are possible new slogans for the Roh administration to consider if they would like to jump on the Bad English Bandwagon.
by Douglas Binns
August 26, 2005 ㅡ There is a problem in advertising in Korea that needs to be addressed: It is trendy for big companies to use English slogans, but too many mistakes are being made.
For example, we have Baskin Robbins' new slogan "Ice Cream & City." It is grammatically incorrect. A foreigner would sense that immediately, but for the benefit of non-native-speaker readers, an explanation: "City", as a count noun, needs an article. "Ice Cream & A City" would work, but does not make sense. "Ice Cream & The City" does make sense, but is an obvious rip-off of "Sex and the City" ― and probably was not chosen for that reason.
It is one thing to see incorrect English in Korea on a sign, or on a T-shirt, or even in a store name ― but in a national advertising slogan?
This latest blunder joins a list of other ill-considered ideas that includes KTF's "Have a Good Time," Pagoda's former slogan "You Can Do," and Samsung's "Bravo Your Life."
For the record: "Have a good time" can only be used when the speaker knows what the listener intends to do after the conversation. For example, yesterday, at a store, a helpful clerk thanked me for my purchase and told me to "Have a good time." However, since he did not know what I planned to do after leaving the store, he should have used "Have a good day." (Or "Have a good night," as appropriate.) The slogan itself is not grammatically incorrect; however, Koreans, not knowing any better, are using the sentence incorrectly in conversation.
"You Can Do" was especially bothersome because it was the slogan of Korea's biggest English language chain. How ironic! "Do" is a transitive verb and needs an object, so "You Can Do It" is correct. "Bravo Your Life" comes from Korea's biggest company. Ironically, Samsung has been spending millions of dollars in America to promote itself as a high-end brand, and then they turn around and mar their image by using a ridiculous English slogan in Korea. "Bravo" is not a verb. Might as well say "Money Your Life" or "Kimchi Your Life" or "Ah-ee-go Your Slogan."
Don't the advertisers check with native speakers before adopting these slogans? And if they do, are the native speakers overruled? By someone who doesn't speak English fluently, but whose decision goes unquestioned in this Confucian society? Does that make sense? Does grammar matter?
I have heard the argument that this is "creative" English, that Koreans are more comfortable with these easy slogans, that I should not let it bother me, E - T - C (as a student might say). I don't buy it. Reversing the roles, I would not presume to invent a slogan in Korean without checking it first with native Korean speakers, so why should it be any different in the present case?
Some suggestions: To Teachers: Introduce these slogans in your class and make a game of it: "Find the Grammar Mistakes in These English Slogans Used by Large Companies in a Country In Which Government and Business Leaders Can't Stop Talking About Being an International Hub." To Korean companies: Spend just a few million won of your huge advertising budgets to hire me to vet your English slogans. I will be able to finish the job in less than a minute, you will have a slogan that will not disappoint foreigners, and we can all go to a room salon to celebrate the deal! While there, we can "bravo" some room salon girls and "Have a good time."
While reading over what I have written so far, I saw a couple of commercials on TV. "Change the Life" was a new one for me, and I saw the old favorite, "Everyday New Face." Is that a plastic surgery ad? I just saw another ad. This one had "Everyday Fresh" as the tag line. It was for yogurt ― not feminine protection.
Finally, "North Korea Feeling Fresh," "Kim Jong Il Excite," and "Pay Dictator, Upgrade Dear Neighbor," are possible new slogans for the Roh administration to consider if they would like to jump on the Bad English Bandwagon.
by Douglas Binns
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9th Bud Rock Concert
9th Bud Rock Concert
What!
EX
Delispice
Rumble Fish
Nell
Pia
Crying Nut
Jaurim
From the paper: Nov. 26: “9th Bud Rock Concert.” This concert includes many of the big players on the Korean indie rock scene, including Crying Nut, Delispice, Jaurim, Pia, Nell, and Rumble Fish. There will also be a rare appearance by baseball player-turned-singer Lee Sang-hun and his band, What! Tickets are 22,000 won. The show starts at 6 p.m. Olympic Park station, line No. 5, exit 3. (02) 3141-6560, www.bud.co.kr
A: I went to the 9th Bud Rock Concert last night.
B: How was it?
A: Good.
B: Where was it?
A: Hard to tell you. Somewhere out on line 5. Somewhere far from the station. Somewhere far away in a complex of Olympic buildings. Good thing I went with my Korean friend. Even she was having a hard time finding it. Go past the "god" concert (that's the name of a boy band), keep walking ‘til it starts raining, then ask some young guys sitting on concrete steps outside in the cold. They’ll point to the building behind them, which has no lights on its exterior, and no visible sign on that side of the building. Good luck.
B: Who played first?
A: What!
B: I asked, “Who played first?”
A: What!
B: Who sucked?
A: What!
B: Why did they suck?
A: Loud, unmelodic, sludgy grunge with attitude. Fell out of favor in America years ago. Apparently just getting to these shores.
B: Was it original when the lead singer / guitarist smashed his guitar after their three-song mini-set?
A: No.
B: Who was next?
A: A fun little pop group called EX. They had a female singer and bass player. Kind of a Jaurim lite. They played a Korean original and then two English covers: “Kiss Me” and “Video Killed the Radio Star.”
B: And then?
A: Delispice. Odd name. They are a British-influenced four piece. The songwriting wasn’t too imaginative, as all songs had the same 4/4 feel. Good singer / lead guitarist, though.
A: After that?
B: Rumble Fish. Three guys backing a female singer. She impressed me when she sang on the mic – good use of eyes and stillness – but her hunched posture was unattractive when she stalked the stage. Like their video on MTV, though.
A: And then came…?
B: A shriek of excitement when the next band, Nell, had their picture posted on the video screens. There was an almost sexual sound in the crowd’s reaction.
A: Were they any good?
B: Yes.
A: Describe them.
B: Their sensitive numbers are full of romantic guitar arpeggios, like the Cranberries, and they also reminded me a bit of earlier, soft Radiohead (a la “Fake Plastic Trees”). The singer's voice sounded familiar, and I couldn't place it until I realized that he sounded like the singer for Strawbs, a 70's prog/prop band from England. (I bet I hadn't thought of that band in 15 years.) Anyway, Nell's songs are rich and full, with great extended melodies, singing, and backing vocals. The lead singer has Harry Potter glasses. Their yearning, aching, dramatic songs resonate emotionally with the young crowd, akin to the way the bedsit anthems of Morrissey or Soft Cell once did.
A: What stopped them from being insufferably precious then?
B: Their dry, between-song jokes about concert-sponsor Budweiser.
A: Who was on next?
B: Pia.
A: What does that name mean?
B: It’s common here. It’s comes from the word “utopia.” Inexplicably, the shortened form “Pia” is often used in advertising, for example in the name of the chain of bars called “Happy Liquor Pia.”
A: And were they any good?
B: No.
A: What wasn’t to like?
B: They trap themselves into a corner with their militant, angry sound. Similar to, say, Nine Inch Nails or Rage Against the Machine, there is nowhere to go with all rage, all anger, all the time.
A: Was it a good idea for them to use a lot of special effects involving fire?
B: Of course not.
A: Who was on after them?
B: Crying Nut.
A: Could you tell by the name that they would be wacky frat-rockers?
B: Uh-huh. Rock for red-faced young ajushis (literally "uncle", more generally "middle-aged men") who will never see the inside of a library or a foreign country. Nice version of “La Bamba” though. Singer handled the Spanish well.
A: And finally, what act graced the stage?
B: Jaurim. Leave it to them to clean up the mess (figuratively speaking) that Crying Nut left on the stage. What can you say about this group? Along with august company such as David Bowie and Mick Jagger, the singer has the best stage presence I’ve ever seen.
It was a mistake to start with a ballad, however. Festival show closers have been making this mistake for years. They follow loud, rowdy bands by showing they are above crowd pandering and are more artistic – but it doesn’t work. In thinking about it, though, it may have to be that way; otherwise there is nothing from which to build to a climax.
Anyway, by the second song Kim Yoon-Ah had her guitar off. Nice fashion choice with the backless red dress. Sexy. But (as with my Korean teacher Arumi -- shout out!) Kim Yoon Ah’s attractiveness lies not just in her beauty, but also in her intelligence, skill at her craft, and sense of fun.
Their second number was “Summertime.” (“…and the livin’ is easy.”) Flawless English. She worked the stage like a true pro. Very impressive.
Then came the hits and, pointing at her watch between songs, she asked for the crowd’s indulgence, as they had to leave the stage earlier than they wanted to, in order to end on time.
B: How long was the concert?
A: Exactly 200 minutes. I know because it said so on the tickets.
B: Okay. So what other impressions did you have of the concert? For example, did you think it was a good idea that hits by Bryan Adams and Poison were played loudly on the sound system between acts?
A: Of course not.
B: How about Motley Crue’s “Dr. Feelgood”?
A: Now that is another story. The Crue (where is that umlaut button?) rarely sounded so good. It was nirvana.
B: Nirvana played?
A: Yes, Dr. Hwang came out of seclusion and cloned Kurt Cobain.
B: What else?
A: We each got a free can of Bud as we left the venue. So young fans could be spotted up and down the subway car drinking their cans of Bud.
B: Were there any other whiteys in attendance?
A: I saw a few. I waved half-heartedly to one guy’s back after he passed by, in an ironic way -- just to amuse the Koreans sitting around me -- and whitey didn’t see me.
B: What else?
A: I was impressed by the number of young couples who brought their kids. I saw a few five and six-year-olds. I thought that was odd, but cool.
B: How about the crowd in general?
A: Good. Younger than back home. They were a little too willing to give up their individuality by heeding calls to conform by clapping along or swaying their arms from side to side, but knowledgeable and active.
B: And the price?
A: A more-than-reasonable W22,000 (about twenty U.S. dollars).
B: What else?
A: There was no emcee. Acts were “introduced” by having their photo posted on the large video screens to the side and rear of the stage, and then the crowd would roar. Those screens also featured some distracting, hyperactive, geometric displays of flashing effects during some bands’ performances.
B: You mean Koreans went overboard with technology and effects? No way, really?
A: Yeah, and they should shit-can the cameramen that roam the stage and get right up in performers’ faces, like they were at a Korean wedding or something.
B: How were the technical aspects of the concert?
A: First-rate. We were sitting up behind the soundboard. Sounded good, if a bit loud. No major glitches. And the stage crew did a great job getting bands onstage quickly, often in less than five minutes.
B: Rate the bands in order of preference.
A: Gladly:
1st Jaurim
2nd Nell
3rd Rumble Fish
4th EX
5th Delispice
6th Crying Nut
7th Pia
8th What! The Fuck?
B: Would you like to hand out some awards?
A: Yes.
Bronze Medal: To the person who labeled the mosh pit -- for the purpose of identifying the seating section to ticket buyers -- as the “Mania Zone.” Great name. Pronounced "Mania Jone" by Koreans.
Silver Medal: To the Rumble Fish singer. It’s obvious that she puts a lot of work into her voice. She was dead-on the whole set.
Gold Medal: The songwriter for Nell, whoever it is. They are really on to something.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Jaurim. The class of the Korean pop music scene. If the over-hyped “Hallyu” (“Korean Wave”, supposedly sweeping across Asia) included quality like this instead of crap like Bi (pronounced “Bee”), boy bands, and bad dramas it would deserve its press coverage. Kim Yoon Ah could be world famous; she’s that good and her English is good enough. I think they should try to break England. Hire a helper to co-write some good English lyrics – this is where I come in – and go tour there for a season. That would be an achievement and I think they are up to it. Remember when the Brits were proud of themselves for breaking the Sugarcubes (Bjork’s first band) from Iceland, or how Cibo Matto from Japan impressed trendy New Yorkers? I could see Jaurim hitting it big in England in the same way. They would get huge attention from fanboys.
Jaurim's website
http://jaurim.com
What!
EX
Delispice
Rumble Fish
Nell
Pia
Crying Nut
Jaurim
From the paper: Nov. 26: “9th Bud Rock Concert.” This concert includes many of the big players on the Korean indie rock scene, including Crying Nut, Delispice, Jaurim, Pia, Nell, and Rumble Fish. There will also be a rare appearance by baseball player-turned-singer Lee Sang-hun and his band, What! Tickets are 22,000 won. The show starts at 6 p.m. Olympic Park station, line No. 5, exit 3. (02) 3141-6560, www.bud.co.kr
A: I went to the 9th Bud Rock Concert last night.
B: How was it?
A: Good.
B: Where was it?
A: Hard to tell you. Somewhere out on line 5. Somewhere far from the station. Somewhere far away in a complex of Olympic buildings. Good thing I went with my Korean friend. Even she was having a hard time finding it. Go past the "god" concert (that's the name of a boy band), keep walking ‘til it starts raining, then ask some young guys sitting on concrete steps outside in the cold. They’ll point to the building behind them, which has no lights on its exterior, and no visible sign on that side of the building. Good luck.
B: Who played first?
A: What!
B: I asked, “Who played first?”
A: What!
B: Who sucked?
A: What!
B: Why did they suck?
A: Loud, unmelodic, sludgy grunge with attitude. Fell out of favor in America years ago. Apparently just getting to these shores.
B: Was it original when the lead singer / guitarist smashed his guitar after their three-song mini-set?
A: No.
B: Who was next?
A: A fun little pop group called EX. They had a female singer and bass player. Kind of a Jaurim lite. They played a Korean original and then two English covers: “Kiss Me” and “Video Killed the Radio Star.”
B: And then?
A: Delispice. Odd name. They are a British-influenced four piece. The songwriting wasn’t too imaginative, as all songs had the same 4/4 feel. Good singer / lead guitarist, though.
A: After that?
B: Rumble Fish. Three guys backing a female singer. She impressed me when she sang on the mic – good use of eyes and stillness – but her hunched posture was unattractive when she stalked the stage. Like their video on MTV, though.
A: And then came…?
B: A shriek of excitement when the next band, Nell, had their picture posted on the video screens. There was an almost sexual sound in the crowd’s reaction.
A: Were they any good?
B: Yes.
A: Describe them.
B: Their sensitive numbers are full of romantic guitar arpeggios, like the Cranberries, and they also reminded me a bit of earlier, soft Radiohead (a la “Fake Plastic Trees”). The singer's voice sounded familiar, and I couldn't place it until I realized that he sounded like the singer for Strawbs, a 70's prog/prop band from England. (I bet I hadn't thought of that band in 15 years.) Anyway, Nell's songs are rich and full, with great extended melodies, singing, and backing vocals. The lead singer has Harry Potter glasses. Their yearning, aching, dramatic songs resonate emotionally with the young crowd, akin to the way the bedsit anthems of Morrissey or Soft Cell once did.
A: What stopped them from being insufferably precious then?
B: Their dry, between-song jokes about concert-sponsor Budweiser.
A: Who was on next?
B: Pia.
A: What does that name mean?
B: It’s common here. It’s comes from the word “utopia.” Inexplicably, the shortened form “Pia” is often used in advertising, for example in the name of the chain of bars called “Happy Liquor Pia.”
A: And were they any good?
B: No.
A: What wasn’t to like?
B: They trap themselves into a corner with their militant, angry sound. Similar to, say, Nine Inch Nails or Rage Against the Machine, there is nowhere to go with all rage, all anger, all the time.
A: Was it a good idea for them to use a lot of special effects involving fire?
B: Of course not.
A: Who was on after them?
B: Crying Nut.
A: Could you tell by the name that they would be wacky frat-rockers?
B: Uh-huh. Rock for red-faced young ajushis (literally "uncle", more generally "middle-aged men") who will never see the inside of a library or a foreign country. Nice version of “La Bamba” though. Singer handled the Spanish well.
A: And finally, what act graced the stage?
B: Jaurim. Leave it to them to clean up the mess (figuratively speaking) that Crying Nut left on the stage. What can you say about this group? Along with august company such as David Bowie and Mick Jagger, the singer has the best stage presence I’ve ever seen.
It was a mistake to start with a ballad, however. Festival show closers have been making this mistake for years. They follow loud, rowdy bands by showing they are above crowd pandering and are more artistic – but it doesn’t work. In thinking about it, though, it may have to be that way; otherwise there is nothing from which to build to a climax.
Anyway, by the second song Kim Yoon-Ah had her guitar off. Nice fashion choice with the backless red dress. Sexy. But (as with my Korean teacher Arumi -- shout out!) Kim Yoon Ah’s attractiveness lies not just in her beauty, but also in her intelligence, skill at her craft, and sense of fun.
Their second number was “Summertime.” (“…and the livin’ is easy.”) Flawless English. She worked the stage like a true pro. Very impressive.
Then came the hits and, pointing at her watch between songs, she asked for the crowd’s indulgence, as they had to leave the stage earlier than they wanted to, in order to end on time.
B: How long was the concert?
A: Exactly 200 minutes. I know because it said so on the tickets.
B: Okay. So what other impressions did you have of the concert? For example, did you think it was a good idea that hits by Bryan Adams and Poison were played loudly on the sound system between acts?
A: Of course not.
B: How about Motley Crue’s “Dr. Feelgood”?
A: Now that is another story. The Crue (where is that umlaut button?) rarely sounded so good. It was nirvana.
B: Nirvana played?
A: Yes, Dr. Hwang came out of seclusion and cloned Kurt Cobain.
B: What else?
A: We each got a free can of Bud as we left the venue. So young fans could be spotted up and down the subway car drinking their cans of Bud.
B: Were there any other whiteys in attendance?
A: I saw a few. I waved half-heartedly to one guy’s back after he passed by, in an ironic way -- just to amuse the Koreans sitting around me -- and whitey didn’t see me.
B: What else?
A: I was impressed by the number of young couples who brought their kids. I saw a few five and six-year-olds. I thought that was odd, but cool.
B: How about the crowd in general?
A: Good. Younger than back home. They were a little too willing to give up their individuality by heeding calls to conform by clapping along or swaying their arms from side to side, but knowledgeable and active.
B: And the price?
A: A more-than-reasonable W22,000 (about twenty U.S. dollars).
B: What else?
A: There was no emcee. Acts were “introduced” by having their photo posted on the large video screens to the side and rear of the stage, and then the crowd would roar. Those screens also featured some distracting, hyperactive, geometric displays of flashing effects during some bands’ performances.
B: You mean Koreans went overboard with technology and effects? No way, really?
A: Yeah, and they should shit-can the cameramen that roam the stage and get right up in performers’ faces, like they were at a Korean wedding or something.
B: How were the technical aspects of the concert?
A: First-rate. We were sitting up behind the soundboard. Sounded good, if a bit loud. No major glitches. And the stage crew did a great job getting bands onstage quickly, often in less than five minutes.
B: Rate the bands in order of preference.
A: Gladly:
1st Jaurim
2nd Nell
3rd Rumble Fish
4th EX
5th Delispice
6th Crying Nut
7th Pia
8th What! The Fuck?
B: Would you like to hand out some awards?
A: Yes.
Bronze Medal: To the person who labeled the mosh pit -- for the purpose of identifying the seating section to ticket buyers -- as the “Mania Zone.” Great name. Pronounced "Mania Jone" by Koreans.
Silver Medal: To the Rumble Fish singer. It’s obvious that she puts a lot of work into her voice. She was dead-on the whole set.
Gold Medal: The songwriter for Nell, whoever it is. They are really on to something.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Jaurim. The class of the Korean pop music scene. If the over-hyped “Hallyu” (“Korean Wave”, supposedly sweeping across Asia) included quality like this instead of crap like Bi (pronounced “Bee”), boy bands, and bad dramas it would deserve its press coverage. Kim Yoon Ah could be world famous; she’s that good and her English is good enough. I think they should try to break England. Hire a helper to co-write some good English lyrics – this is where I come in – and go tour there for a season. That would be an achievement and I think they are up to it. Remember when the Brits were proud of themselves for breaking the Sugarcubes (Bjork’s first band) from Iceland, or how Cibo Matto from Japan impressed trendy New Yorkers? I could see Jaurim hitting it big in England in the same way. They would get huge attention from fanboys.
Jaurim's website
http://jaurim.com
Game blog
Sangam World Cup Stadium
Seoul, Korea
Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 8:00p.m.
South Korea vs. Iran
International Friendly
2 minutes: Korea scored! #23 got the goal. I don't know his name. The ball came to him in the penalty box. He was alone and shot. The ball deflected off an Iranian defender into the net. Pandemonium!
KOREA 1, IRAN 0.
I only know three of the Korean players by name: Park Ji Sung, Super Rookie, and Ajushi Goalie. I recognize most of the other guys. They sure look young. Ahn Jung Hwan not in the starting lineup, but he is on the bench.
Below the drummers in the stands is a banner in English for the new coach. I couldn't see it all, but it read "... Full Support." The new coach looks good. He has a suit and tie, and has a pleasant expression on his face -- unlike J.Bonfrere who often looked unhappy, or worried, or disengaged, etc.
5 minutes: Yellow card to an Iranian for tripping a Korean from behind.
9 minutes: I'm thinking about opening my Hite beer.
15 minutes: Korea has had a couple of good shots. They are controlling possession. (76%)
17 minutes: Yellow card to Kim Dong Jin. His haircut is strange. He didn't get his yellow card for his haircut though, it was for tripping.
The Iranian guys make a funny gesture when they are upset. They raise their right arm like they are threatening to slap somebody.
20 minutes: Hite can and almonds. Mmmm, good.
21 minutes: Iran got upset because of a hand ball -- clearly inadvertant -- that wasn't called in the Korean penalty area.
The new Anycall commercial with Hyori and the North Korean actress was on before the game. Too contrived. I don't like celebrations of brotherhood between the two Koreas -- not while that hideous regime is around.
28 minutes: "Combination play" said the announcer. Park Joo Young has created the best chances so far.
29 minutes: Another yellow card for Iran.
Park Ji Sung just got kicked under the chin, just outside the penalty box. It's a free kick. Now there is pushing between players in the wall as they await the kick. ...Nothing much happened on the kick.
Ajushi Goalie just made his first save. He didn't yell at anybody.
38 minutes: Another yellow card for Iran. That's three.
41 minutes: End of the first half approaching. Korea had the ball down close for a long time, but no shots.
Weather is beautiful these days. Clear and cool in the mornings. High blue sky in the afternoons.
45 minutes: Two minutes of extra time. Corner kick for Iran.
Another corner now. Ajushi Goalie is yelling at his teammates. "Punching!" He just punched the ball clear. (The Iranian corner kicker is good.)
That's it. Halftime. Time for a lot of CFs.
----------------
The "Rush & Cash" chick is hot. I heard she's a bilingual Kyopo.
Yonsama is advertising some new apartment complex on the Han River. Super cheesy, just like everything he does.
I like this new commercial that uses Bryan Ferry's version of "I'm in the Mood for Love." The one with the chick floating inches above the dude lying on the bed.
Oh, here's Bee/Bi/Rain/Tool in a Vita500 commercial. I should stop drinking that stuff. Love the taste, don't care for the endorser.
A KBS ad for Korean sports just aired. In a montage, it mixed some nice images of Korean sports heroes with an unpleasant, nationalistic focus on the controversial decisions involving Apollo Ohno and the gymnast from the last Olympics. Get over it.
In America, they are now honoring the military before some NFL games. That's creepy.
----------------
Second-half action.
4 minutes: No goals, fouls, cards. Maybe I should take a break.
6 minutes: Ajushi Goalie angry again. He needs to get over himself.
9 minutes: Good shot from Iran. Ajushi Goalie had to extend all the way for that way for that one. It will take awhile for him to get his old bones up.
10 minutes: Park Ji Sung checking his mouth for blood after getting taken down. Free kick from far out. Korean player down in the box. No call. It's #5, Kim Young Chul. He's up and going to the sidelines. Play resumes.
17 minutes: A new kid, #15, Kim Jung Oooo, is coming in for Korea. Eeee Ho out.
18 minutes: Free kick for Iran. I wouldn't be surprised if they score soon. They are getting close, I can feel it.
Nice free kick from long range, but right to Ajushi Goalie.
#9, Lee, in for Park Joo Young. His hair -- Lee's -- looks really dumb. Kind of frosted, goldish, light-brown. He has had better attempts at wild styles in the past.
Now #2 is going to come in. I think the coach wants to see many new players.
22 minutes: Lee to take a free kick.
Iran controlling the ball more this half. (57%)
Another Korean player down. Iran is a bit rough.
27 minutes: Korean free kick after another takedown.
Yellow card to Korea #6. That's six yellow cards in the game. This is supposed to be a friendly.
Yet another takedown.
And another.
Only 15 more minutes of fouls, whistles, and free kicks, and this game will be over.
Iran corner kick. Ajushi Goalie typically overreacting about something. Why doesn't he take it out on himself; he's the one who missed his "punching."
38 minutes: It looks like Ahn Jung Hwan is coming in. I seem to remember now that unlimited substitutions are allowed in friendlies. Iran tried to foul him before I had finished typing the last sentence.
More players down. Iran free kick. Let's see if AJ (Ajushi Goalie) misses the ball and gets mad at someone this time. ...Nope. The kick was blocked at the wall.
Another Korean player down and grimacing. The team doctor is going to be busy after the game.
Frickin' mogis (mosquitoes). It's too late in the year for them to be out in such numbers.
42 minutes: Iran free kick from just outside the area on the side. Dangerous angle. Yellow card to a Korean in the box before the kick. Tense moment. "Punching."
45 minutes: Goal for Korea on the counter attack! After almost blowing a 3 on 0 break, #6 gets a goal off another deflection.
KOREA 2, IRAN 0.
Fans singing.
48 minutes: Iran almost snuck one by Ajushi Goalie.
GAME OVER.
Coach smiling. I don't recall Bonfrere smiling.
Final score: KOREA 2, IRAN 0.
Seoul, Korea
Wednesday, October 12, 2005, 8:00p.m.
South Korea vs. Iran
International Friendly
2 minutes: Korea scored! #23 got the goal. I don't know his name. The ball came to him in the penalty box. He was alone and shot. The ball deflected off an Iranian defender into the net. Pandemonium!
KOREA 1, IRAN 0.
I only know three of the Korean players by name: Park Ji Sung, Super Rookie, and Ajushi Goalie. I recognize most of the other guys. They sure look young. Ahn Jung Hwan not in the starting lineup, but he is on the bench.
Below the drummers in the stands is a banner in English for the new coach. I couldn't see it all, but it read "... Full Support." The new coach looks good. He has a suit and tie, and has a pleasant expression on his face -- unlike J.Bonfrere who often looked unhappy, or worried, or disengaged, etc.
5 minutes: Yellow card to an Iranian for tripping a Korean from behind.
9 minutes: I'm thinking about opening my Hite beer.
15 minutes: Korea has had a couple of good shots. They are controlling possession. (76%)
17 minutes: Yellow card to Kim Dong Jin. His haircut is strange. He didn't get his yellow card for his haircut though, it was for tripping.
The Iranian guys make a funny gesture when they are upset. They raise their right arm like they are threatening to slap somebody.
20 minutes: Hite can and almonds. Mmmm, good.
21 minutes: Iran got upset because of a hand ball -- clearly inadvertant -- that wasn't called in the Korean penalty area.
The new Anycall commercial with Hyori and the North Korean actress was on before the game. Too contrived. I don't like celebrations of brotherhood between the two Koreas -- not while that hideous regime is around.
28 minutes: "Combination play" said the announcer. Park Joo Young has created the best chances so far.
29 minutes: Another yellow card for Iran.
Park Ji Sung just got kicked under the chin, just outside the penalty box. It's a free kick. Now there is pushing between players in the wall as they await the kick. ...Nothing much happened on the kick.
Ajushi Goalie just made his first save. He didn't yell at anybody.
38 minutes: Another yellow card for Iran. That's three.
41 minutes: End of the first half approaching. Korea had the ball down close for a long time, but no shots.
Weather is beautiful these days. Clear and cool in the mornings. High blue sky in the afternoons.
45 minutes: Two minutes of extra time. Corner kick for Iran.
Another corner now. Ajushi Goalie is yelling at his teammates. "Punching!" He just punched the ball clear. (The Iranian corner kicker is good.)
That's it. Halftime. Time for a lot of CFs.
----------------
The "Rush & Cash" chick is hot. I heard she's a bilingual Kyopo.
Yonsama is advertising some new apartment complex on the Han River. Super cheesy, just like everything he does.
I like this new commercial that uses Bryan Ferry's version of "I'm in the Mood for Love." The one with the chick floating inches above the dude lying on the bed.
Oh, here's Bee/Bi/Rain/Tool in a Vita500 commercial. I should stop drinking that stuff. Love the taste, don't care for the endorser.
A KBS ad for Korean sports just aired. In a montage, it mixed some nice images of Korean sports heroes with an unpleasant, nationalistic focus on the controversial decisions involving Apollo Ohno and the gymnast from the last Olympics. Get over it.
In America, they are now honoring the military before some NFL games. That's creepy.
----------------
Second-half action.
4 minutes: No goals, fouls, cards. Maybe I should take a break.
6 minutes: Ajushi Goalie angry again. He needs to get over himself.
9 minutes: Good shot from Iran. Ajushi Goalie had to extend all the way for that way for that one. It will take awhile for him to get his old bones up.
10 minutes: Park Ji Sung checking his mouth for blood after getting taken down. Free kick from far out. Korean player down in the box. No call. It's #5, Kim Young Chul. He's up and going to the sidelines. Play resumes.
17 minutes: A new kid, #15, Kim Jung Oooo, is coming in for Korea. Eeee Ho out.
18 minutes: Free kick for Iran. I wouldn't be surprised if they score soon. They are getting close, I can feel it.
Nice free kick from long range, but right to Ajushi Goalie.
#9, Lee, in for Park Joo Young. His hair -- Lee's -- looks really dumb. Kind of frosted, goldish, light-brown. He has had better attempts at wild styles in the past.
Now #2 is going to come in. I think the coach wants to see many new players.
22 minutes: Lee to take a free kick.
Iran controlling the ball more this half. (57%)
Another Korean player down. Iran is a bit rough.
27 minutes: Korean free kick after another takedown.
Yellow card to Korea #6. That's six yellow cards in the game. This is supposed to be a friendly.
Yet another takedown.
And another.
Only 15 more minutes of fouls, whistles, and free kicks, and this game will be over.
Iran corner kick. Ajushi Goalie typically overreacting about something. Why doesn't he take it out on himself; he's the one who missed his "punching."
38 minutes: It looks like Ahn Jung Hwan is coming in. I seem to remember now that unlimited substitutions are allowed in friendlies. Iran tried to foul him before I had finished typing the last sentence.
More players down. Iran free kick. Let's see if AJ (Ajushi Goalie) misses the ball and gets mad at someone this time. ...Nope. The kick was blocked at the wall.
Another Korean player down and grimacing. The team doctor is going to be busy after the game.
Frickin' mogis (mosquitoes). It's too late in the year for them to be out in such numbers.
42 minutes: Iran free kick from just outside the area on the side. Dangerous angle. Yellow card to a Korean in the box before the kick. Tense moment. "Punching."
45 minutes: Goal for Korea on the counter attack! After almost blowing a 3 on 0 break, #6 gets a goal off another deflection.
KOREA 2, IRAN 0.
Fans singing.
48 minutes: Iran almost snuck one by Ajushi Goalie.
GAME OVER.
Coach smiling. I don't recall Bonfrere smiling.
Final score: KOREA 2, IRAN 0.
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