Buhay sa Korea

February 14 is to “Red day” as March 14 is 화이트데이 (White day). It is Korean men’s turn to give candies or gifts to their girlfriends. This custom originated in Japan in the 80’s. Last weekend, my husband and I were talking about how innovative the Japanese are. And he agreed. Like most Koreans, he hates the Japanese government but likes a lot of things Japanese (like we both love sashimi and Ayumi Hamasaki and that we’ve been planning to go to Japan for the longest time and we both have Japanese friends).

When my son and I went camera-hunting the other day, we saw young men shopping for candies. To some, it may seem a little gay but I admire how these guys would spend time looking for gifts for their girls. Most guys I know would rather not be seen shopping and would just buy something online, sitting on their comfortable leather office chairs.

Not really. I was washing dishes after breakfast while my parents-in-law (who were here for the weekend) were watching the 8 o’clock news on KBS TV1. My MIL called me, pointed to the TV and said something about the “Philippine papaya dance”. I saw about two seconds of the clip where a group of workers (in the Philippines) were dancing to the song revived in Edu Manzano’s dance album. I guess the dance craze back home is as popular as the Wonder Girls’ “Tell Me” is in Korea. So has the papaya dance hit Korea? No. It was just featured in the news.

Here’s a sample clip of the dance. Borrowed from sushi16

Edu Manzano dancing to the Papaya song in Game Ka Na Ba?

Edu Manzano is my favorite Philippine TV host.

Snail mail, that is! I finally sent the bookmarks promised almost two months ago. They were rotting in my drawer and I really had to send them out. It took me a long time because I’m just a very “good” procrastinator. Truly A1!

I just sent them this afternoon. It might take a week or two before you can receive it, depending on where you’re located. The bookmarks were given to me so I only paid for the post, which is not that much. It’s a simple token appreciation.

Want a souvenir from Korea? I have several bookmarks that I’d like to give away (it’s Christmas!). I have no use for them since I find it more convenient to fold the last page of the book I’m reading. I couldn’t post a picture since my husband, who’s on a business trip to India, has my camera. Anyway, they are similar to the ones posted on this page.

If you’d like to have one of the eight, just send your address to buhaykorea AT gmail.com. I have eight of them and I’d like to send them out before Friday (as I will be traveling to the Philippines this weekend).

Interpark internet shopping mall had an online poll during the summer break. It was about which entertainer do single and married people would like to go out with. I’m not Korean but I have the same choice as married Korean women who responded in the poll. Guess who? Anyway, 46% of single men would like to go out with Kim Tae Hee. No surprise there. She’s beauty and brains and rich :). 26% of single men chose Moon Geun Yeong and 24% opted for Lee Hyo Ri.

Amonng the single women who responded to the poll, 44% would like to date Bi (Rain), 34% voted for Jo In Sung and 17% wants Kwon Sang Woo.

Among married men, 39% likes Jeon Ji Hyun, 32% for Han Ga In, while Ok Ju Hyeon at 15%, and 14% for singer Jang Yun Jeong. 46% of the married women of Korea want to go out with Jang Dong Gun (ako rin!). Again, not surprising! 33% of ajummas (married women) chose MC (emcee) Kim Jae Dong, 14% Bae Yong Jun and 11% Lee Byung Hun.

About 20,301 responded to the poll which ran from July 30 until August 19th. I didn’t know about it but I would have voted Jang Dong Gun, naturally! Who do you choose?

Probably the most popular pinoy video on youtube is the Prison Thriller video. The video was originally uploaded by Mr. Byron Garcia, security consultant of the Cebu provincial government. He has been sharing videos on the web of the dancing prisoners in CPDRC (Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center). Find out more about the prison with this article on viceland.

just for fun… i tried this face recognition feature of myheritage.com… i uploaded a photo and voila… here’s the result:

me? 75% a look-alike of angelina jolie? i couldn’t be happier! hehehe…