Korean pop singer and actor Rain took home three prizes at Hollywood's Green Planet Movie Awards for his starring role in last year's action flick "Ninja Assassin," his agent here said Thursday, according to Yonhap News.
The 27-year-old, one of the country's most well-known celebrities, was awarded the "10 Outstanding Asians in Hollywood" prize, the "Asian Cultural Ambassador of the Year" and "Best International Entertainer (Asia)" award at the film festival held Tuesday in Los Angeles, J. Tune Entertainment said.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Most Office Workers Favor Substitute Holidays
**I'm not an office worker, but I think its a great idea. I hated all those Saturday and Sunday holidays because its a public holiday, but we got no time off. In America, if a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday we get either the Friday before or the Monday after.
The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute surveyed 1,000 office workers. 3 out of 4 were in favor of getting a day off when a holiday fell on a weekend. 767 of the workers were in favor of the substitution.
There is a pending bill in the National Assembly which would make the substitution mandatory.
There are 14 public holidays in a year. This year 4 of them fall on a Saturday or Sunday. 80.6 % supported taking the following Monday off. 19.4% supported the idea, but not necessarily the following Monday.
The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute surveyed 1,000 office workers. 3 out of 4 were in favor of getting a day off when a holiday fell on a weekend. 767 of the workers were in favor of the substitution.
There is a pending bill in the National Assembly which would make the substitution mandatory.
There are 14 public holidays in a year. This year 4 of them fall on a Saturday or Sunday. 80.6 % supported taking the following Monday off. 19.4% supported the idea, but not necessarily the following Monday.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
More Koreans Do Eating, Watch Movies Alone
**That title makes no sense to me....It would sound better if they would have said "More Koreans eat and watch movies alone".....since when do you "do eating?"....oh the joys of ESL
________________________________
I kept the same title that was used in the Korea Times. You can find the entire article here: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/03/113_62706.html
My summary of the article....
Koreans don't like doing things alone. They dont like to eat alone, go to the movies, travel, or drink alcohol. (I have no problem going anywhere alone. I go to the movies, travel, and eat alone at times.)
Things are starting to change. A lot of Koreans are doing things alone.
In Mapo, There is a noodle shop that has 23 tables. 11 of them are for one person. There are also coffeeshops in Gangnam that have seats which face the wall for those who like to come in with their laptop.
In Korean society there is a emphasis on group activities. If you do things alone people will think you don't have friends or that you could be a "loser."
The new trend of doing things alone is becoming popular among the younger generation.
________________________________
I kept the same title that was used in the Korea Times. You can find the entire article here: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/03/113_62706.html
My summary of the article....
Koreans don't like doing things alone. They dont like to eat alone, go to the movies, travel, or drink alcohol. (I have no problem going anywhere alone. I go to the movies, travel, and eat alone at times.)
Things are starting to change. A lot of Koreans are doing things alone.
In Mapo, There is a noodle shop that has 23 tables. 11 of them are for one person. There are also coffeeshops in Gangnam that have seats which face the wall for those who like to come in with their laptop.
In Korean society there is a emphasis on group activities. If you do things alone people will think you don't have friends or that you could be a "loser."
The new trend of doing things alone is becoming popular among the younger generation.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
"After You" Campaign proposed for tourism...
Seoul needs an "After You" campaign to make foreign visitors feel more welcome, the city's top tour promoter said Friday.
"Koreans are the most hospitable people in the world but they are shy of showing this to people they meet for the first time," said Samuel Koo, CEO of the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), in an interview The Korea Times.
Koo referred to the barrier that keeps Koreans from showing their true emotions to strangers as "thin ice."
"Please, thank you and excuse me are the three magic phrases they need to know," Koo said as the theme of a campaign for Seoul and Korea.
Koo said that a "Be Kind to Visitors" campaign reflects what he felt after reading Korea's ranking in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index compiled by the World Economic Forum.
Korea was ranked 31st overall, behind Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan in Asia, but performed poorly in travel and tourism, being ranked 114th among a total of 133 countries.
"Seoul, until very recently, was not considered as a tourism destination. This is beginning to change. We've managed to put Seoul on the international tourism map.
"My special emphasis is on introducing iconic Korean food. It is not only competitive globally but also good, healthy and delicious. This coincides with the pan-national campaign to 'globalize' Korean food," he said.
Koo thinks that Asian countries can cooperate more when it comes to tourism than compete. He even suggested a "Visit Each Other Year" in Asia.
"I think more and more Koreans should visit Japan and China, even in large numbers. Worrying about this sort of travel deficit is nonsense. I think for Korea, more people should go abroad than staying at home for the sake of keeping the national travel balance in the black," Koo said. "Student visits are very important as there is no better substitute than having children know about their neighboring countries."
He advised Seoulites to be kinder and gentler to draw more visitors from around the world.
"Koreans are the most hospitable people in the world but they are shy of showing this to people they meet for the first time," said Samuel Koo, CEO of the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), in an interview The Korea Times.
Koo referred to the barrier that keeps Koreans from showing their true emotions to strangers as "thin ice."
"Please, thank you and excuse me are the three magic phrases they need to know," Koo said as the theme of a campaign for Seoul and Korea.
Koo said that a "Be Kind to Visitors" campaign reflects what he felt after reading Korea's ranking in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index compiled by the World Economic Forum.
Korea was ranked 31st overall, behind Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan in Asia, but performed poorly in travel and tourism, being ranked 114th among a total of 133 countries.
"Seoul, until very recently, was not considered as a tourism destination. This is beginning to change. We've managed to put Seoul on the international tourism map.
"My special emphasis is on introducing iconic Korean food. It is not only competitive globally but also good, healthy and delicious. This coincides with the pan-national campaign to 'globalize' Korean food," he said.
Koo thinks that Asian countries can cooperate more when it comes to tourism than compete. He even suggested a "Visit Each Other Year" in Asia.
"I think more and more Koreans should visit Japan and China, even in large numbers. Worrying about this sort of travel deficit is nonsense. I think for Korea, more people should go abroad than staying at home for the sake of keeping the national travel balance in the black," Koo said. "Student visits are very important as there is no better substitute than having children know about their neighboring countries."
He advised Seoulites to be kinder and gentler to draw more visitors from around the world.
Friday, March 19, 2010
more Korean....
Sino Korean numbers
영 = 0
일 = 1
이 = 2
삼 = 3
사 = 4
오 = 5
육 = 6
칠 = 7
팔 =8
구= 9
십 = 10
백 = 100
천 = 1000
만 = 10000
영 = 0
일 = 1
이 = 2
삼 = 3
사 = 4
오 = 5
육 = 6
칠 = 7
팔 =8
구= 9
십 = 10
백 = 100
천 = 1000
만 = 10000
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
more korean practice.....
안녕하세요?
먹고 싶어요.
뭐 먹고 싶어요?
삼겹살 먹고 싶어요.
삼겹살 맛있어요.
Hello, How are you? (Literally are you at peace?)
I want to eat.
What do you want to eat?
I want to eat samgyeopsal.
samgyeopsal is delicious.
I'm thinking about using my youtube channel to make videos to practice my korean. I just have to find my headset with the microphone.
먹고 싶어요.
뭐 먹고 싶어요?
삼겹살 먹고 싶어요.
삼겹살 맛있어요.
Hello, How are you? (Literally are you at peace?)
I want to eat.
What do you want to eat?
I want to eat samgyeopsal.
samgyeopsal is delicious.
I'm thinking about using my youtube channel to make videos to practice my korean. I just have to find my headset with the microphone.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
more Korean practice....
뭐 하고 싶어요?
보고 싶어요.
가고 싶어요.
오고 싶어요.
서울에 가고 싶어요.
텔레비전 보고 싶어요.
What do you want to do?
I want to see/watch/look....also means "I miss you"
I want to go..
I want to come...
I want to go to Seoul.
I want to watch TV.
하나
둘
셋
넷
다섯
여 섯
일곱
여덟
아홉
열
1-10 in native korean numbers
now I need a Korean keyboard...maybe i'll get one when I return
I'm afraid that no matter how much I study I won't be able to carry on a conversation. I might understand some here and there, but its really hard studying on your own. I need a classroom setting where I can put it into use everyday. I need to spend a lot of time studying grammar and vocabulary.
I need a Korean Hagwon...finding one of those in my small area is impossible!
보고 싶어요.
가고 싶어요.
오고 싶어요.
서울에 가고 싶어요.
텔레비전 보고 싶어요.
What do you want to do?
I want to see/watch/look....also means "I miss you"
I want to go..
I want to come...
I want to go to Seoul.
I want to watch TV.
하나
둘
셋
넷
다섯
여 섯
일곱
여덟
아홉
열
1-10 in native korean numbers
now I need a Korean keyboard...maybe i'll get one when I return
I'm afraid that no matter how much I study I won't be able to carry on a conversation. I might understand some here and there, but its really hard studying on your own. I need a classroom setting where I can put it into use everyday. I need to spend a lot of time studying grammar and vocabulary.
I need a Korean Hagwon...finding one of those in my small area is impossible!
Travel blog
new travel blog:
http://valerietravels2010.blogspot.com
I plan to do some travel while I'm on my one year hiatus from teaching. I dont know when my next trip will be. I'll probably also highlight some local festivals in my area.
I'll try to blog here from time to time....i'll practice my korean
http://valerietravels2010.blogspot.com
I plan to do some travel while I'm on my one year hiatus from teaching. I dont know when my next trip will be. I'll probably also highlight some local festivals in my area.
I'll try to blog here from time to time....i'll practice my korean
Monday, March 15, 2010
Korean practice
저는 바러리 입니다
저는 미국 사람 입니다
저는 영어 선생님 입니다
스물여덟 살 이에요
I am Valerie
I am an American
I am an English Teacher
I am 28 years old
저는 미국 사람 입니다
저는 영어 선생님 입니다
스물여덟 살 이에요
I am Valerie
I am an American
I am an English Teacher
I am 28 years old
3 Bears....cute Korean song
곰세마리가 한집에있어
아빠곰 엄마곰 애기곰
아빠곰은 뚱뚱해
엄마곰은 날씬해
애기곰은 너무귀여워
히쭉히쭉 잘한다
I heard this song on "Full House" (A Korean drama)...maybe I'll practice it and impress my children when I go back.hehe..
아빠곰 엄마곰 애기곰
아빠곰은 뚱뚱해
엄마곰은 날씬해
애기곰은 너무귀여워
히쭉히쭉 잘한다
I heard this song on "Full House" (A Korean drama)...maybe I'll practice it and impress my children when I go back.hehe..
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Koreatown in NYC!
I've been back in America for a week now. Right after I got back I went on vacation to New York city.
On Sunday March 7 I went to Koreatown for lunch.
I really wanted to go to a place where you could grill on your table. I looked at the menus posted outside the doors. Most of the restaurants say that you have to order 2 portions to be able to grill it on your table. I found one that I wanted to go to that had a charcoal grill so I looked the menu for a long time contemplating what I wanted. Then when I decided to go in I was greeted with a sign that said "closed on Sunday".
I decided to go to the restaurant next door (Han Gang on Korea Way) to eat some galbi. I asked the waiter if I could grill it at my table and he said yes!
The waiter was a handsome 30 year old Korean guy. We chatted for a while. I told him that I had just gotten back from Korea so we were talking about Korea. He told me his step mom owns a hagwon. He took down my name and email. Maybe that will be an option for my 2nd year.
I wish I would have gotten a picture and his contact information.
The meal was delicious! We ordered a portion of Galbi for 24.95. A bit expensive, but worth it! We had some good side dishes also.
I should have practiced my Korean but its at a very beginner level. I did use the word "Hana". They asked me if I wanted dugae (2) portions and I said "hana". I think I shocked them when I spoke in Korean. They looked at me like "OMG she just spoke Korean". Then me and the waiter started talking about Korea.
On Sunday March 7 I went to Koreatown for lunch.
 |
| a shot from Koreatown (NYC) |
I really wanted to go to a place where you could grill on your table. I looked at the menus posted outside the doors. Most of the restaurants say that you have to order 2 portions to be able to grill it on your table. I found one that I wanted to go to that had a charcoal grill so I looked the menu for a long time contemplating what I wanted. Then when I decided to go in I was greeted with a sign that said "closed on Sunday".
I decided to go to the restaurant next door (Han Gang on Korea Way) to eat some galbi. I asked the waiter if I could grill it at my table and he said yes!
The waiter was a handsome 30 year old Korean guy. We chatted for a while. I told him that I had just gotten back from Korea so we were talking about Korea. He told me his step mom owns a hagwon. He took down my name and email. Maybe that will be an option for my 2nd year.
I wish I would have gotten a picture and his contact information.
The meal was delicious! We ordered a portion of Galbi for 24.95. A bit expensive, but worth it! We had some good side dishes also.
 |
| I didn't take a picture until we were finished..hehe |
I should have practiced my Korean but its at a very beginner level. I did use the word "Hana". They asked me if I wanted dugae (2) portions and I said "hana". I think I shocked them when I spoke in Korean. They looked at me like "OMG she just spoke Korean". Then me and the waiter started talking about Korea.
Monday, March 1, 2010
I'm back in America....
I had a really good double cheeseburger in the Tokyo Narita airport McDonald's. Best McDonald's cheeseburger I ever had. It was really expensive. $9.41 USD for a double cheeseburger combo!! Wow. I would never pay that much in America!
I travelled for a full 24 hours!
I made it back to South Carolina...now I've got so many people to catch up with! Last night I saw my mom, dad, and sister. I also went by my former employer (Hertz at the airport) and saw a few people. They were all begging me to come back.haha.
I wanted to go to Jack in the Box for my first American meal. I like the sirloin cheeseburger, but they were out of it! I settled for something else. Tomorrow I'm going to Chili's with my mom and sister for my 2nd American meal.
@365 days and I'll be back!! My goal is to live frugally and save a generous amount of money for a down payment and buy a Hyundai Genesis Coupe when I get back to America. The starting price is $22,000. I'll probably buy a gently used one. The first model in the US is a 2010.
Isn't that beautiful?! And its made by a Korean car company. I wonder if they would give me a discount if I tell them I love South Korea. haha. fat chance.
I may stay 2 years next time. My mom won't like that idea. She thinks I'm an angel and still calls me her baby. But she's got to let me be an independant adult sometime. I'll be 29 this year.
What will I do until March 2011? I'm going to take some time to travel. My first trip is to NYC this week.
Where else will I go? I don't know. I'll probably stay on domestic trips this year. I'll try to cover more states in the USA. One of my goals is to visit every state in the USA. I won't be able to do in all in a year, but I'm going to at least visit a few states. Maybe I'll take a road trip. I got a GPS for Christmas!
I'll also need to find a part time or temporary job just to pay what little bills that I have. At this point I'm not worried about finding a career when I will have to quit in a year. I've already made up my mind. I am coming back.
I might also get certified in TESOL. I found a 150 hour course on the Internet that is affordable. I want to have the resources to see my students succeed.
I'm actually looking forward to the future. I think this spontaneous trip to South Korea ended up being a great experience. Maybe it was fate that I ended up there. I didn't research anything before I went to South Korea. I had never even left America. I took a huge risk and jumped in blindly. It was tough getting adjusted and I didn't start loving it until it was close to time to leave. As I look back I'm really glad that I had the opportunity.
Round 2: 365 days...this blog is going to be bigger and better...and I'm going to use my youtube channel next time! I have a youtube account but no video camera. I'm looking into buying a dslr that also has the video function. 2 in 1 is even better. I won't have to carry around a camera and a video camera.
Maybe I'll date (and marry) a Korean man, but he has to be able to speak some English.
I travelled for a full 24 hours!
I made it back to South Carolina...now I've got so many people to catch up with! Last night I saw my mom, dad, and sister. I also went by my former employer (Hertz at the airport) and saw a few people. They were all begging me to come back.haha.
I wanted to go to Jack in the Box for my first American meal. I like the sirloin cheeseburger, but they were out of it! I settled for something else. Tomorrow I'm going to Chili's with my mom and sister for my 2nd American meal.
@365 days and I'll be back!! My goal is to live frugally and save a generous amount of money for a down payment and buy a Hyundai Genesis Coupe when I get back to America. The starting price is $22,000. I'll probably buy a gently used one. The first model in the US is a 2010.
Isn't that beautiful?! And its made by a Korean car company. I wonder if they would give me a discount if I tell them I love South Korea. haha. fat chance.
I may stay 2 years next time. My mom won't like that idea. She thinks I'm an angel and still calls me her baby. But she's got to let me be an independant adult sometime. I'll be 29 this year.
What will I do until March 2011? I'm going to take some time to travel. My first trip is to NYC this week.
Where else will I go? I don't know. I'll probably stay on domestic trips this year. I'll try to cover more states in the USA. One of my goals is to visit every state in the USA. I won't be able to do in all in a year, but I'm going to at least visit a few states. Maybe I'll take a road trip. I got a GPS for Christmas!
I'll also need to find a part time or temporary job just to pay what little bills that I have. At this point I'm not worried about finding a career when I will have to quit in a year. I've already made up my mind. I am coming back.
I might also get certified in TESOL. I found a 150 hour course on the Internet that is affordable. I want to have the resources to see my students succeed.
I'm actually looking forward to the future. I think this spontaneous trip to South Korea ended up being a great experience. Maybe it was fate that I ended up there. I didn't research anything before I went to South Korea. I had never even left America. I took a huge risk and jumped in blindly. It was tough getting adjusted and I didn't start loving it until it was close to time to leave. As I look back I'm really glad that I had the opportunity.
Round 2: 365 days...this blog is going to be bigger and better...and I'm going to use my youtube channel next time! I have a youtube account but no video camera. I'm looking into buying a dslr that also has the video function. 2 in 1 is even better. I won't have to carry around a camera and a video camera.
Maybe I'll date (and marry) a Korean man, but he has to be able to speak some English.
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