Photo of the Week

I love sharing my food with you all! This is Rabokki (ramen teokkbokki), cheese fries, and grapefruit ade! 

I am how old in Korea?!

Hellooooo!

Today we are going to discuss the topic of Korean Age.

I don't know if any of you have heard of Korean age, but basically, you turn one year old on the day of your birth and you get one year older on January 1st of the following year. In South Korea, this is referred to as "man" age. Korean age is used in everyday life here, but official documents adhere to international age. I knew about Korean age before coming, but I didn't think it would be as important as it is!

Why do they count age this way?

They count age this way because they believe that the nine months in the mother's womb must be counted. That is why a newborn's 100th day is so important! It technically completes one full year of life. The one hundredth day party is called baegil janchi. 

Everyone Asks My Age!

You know how people usually refrain from asking an adults age because it could be seen as rude? That is not the case in South Korea. People here ask about age and marital status before having a proper discussion in order to use the appropriate level of Korean language. The Korean language strictly reflects the relationship and hierarchical order between two people. I have heard the expression of South Korea having a vertical hierarchical system while the West has a horizontal one. This suggests that people are spoken to with equal respect in the West, regardless of age or social standing. The vertical system in South Korea is based highly on your job position, age, and level of education. If someone is older, in a higher position than you, or both, you would need to speak to them using honorifics. This means that most words and phrases can be said two ways, informal and honorific.

I cannot speak Korean well, so this does not apply to me so much in the sense that Koreans do not expect me to adhere to the rules of hierarchy, especially if we are having a conversation in English. It's just not possible. However, I still refer to my Korean professors as Seonsaengnim because it is the honorific teacher. Always try to be respectful when referring to your teachers! When I go out with new people, they usually ask what year I was born. While we don't speak with honorifics, it is impolite to call someone by there name! So you must know someone's age to know what is appropriate to call them. I'm usually older, so the girls call me unni (older sister of a female) and the boys call me noona (older sister of a male). 

The Basics

Unni - older sister of a female

Oppa - older brother of a female

Noona - older sister of a male

Hyung - younger brother of a male

Yotongseng is the word for younger sister, but usually girls would just say the name of their younger female friend when referring to them. 

In a formal setting, refer to anyone and everyone as first name + ssi. In a formal setting, you would call me Marisol-ssi This is appropriate unless it has been specified that you can call the person by their first name. If a person has a specific title, you would call them by their title followed by nim. Remember seonsaengnim? Seonsang means teacher and nim is the formal ending. 

I have heard many people say that they do not agree with Korean hierarchy because they believe respect should be earned. Here in South Korea, you show a submissive type of respect to your elders and seniors. You are expected to do things for them and show respect at all times. If you're out to eat, you would serve them their beverage and set the table. Table setting is important! You wait for your elder to be served before you eat. If you're out eating Korean barbecue, you would do all of the meat cooking. However, the seniors are expected to pay. As a senior, you take care of your junior financially. 

What is your Korean Age?

Are you having a hard time figuring out your Korean age? Let me help! If you have already celebrated your birthday this year, add one year to your birthday. If you have NOT celebrated your birthday yet, add two years to your birthday. How old would you be in Korea? My international age is 23, while my Korean age is 24! Wow, that makes me feel old! 😅 

Try this:

(Current year) - (Year of Birth) + 1 = Korean Age

If you're still confused this quick video will help!

Photo of the Week

I conquered a mountain! Gwanaksan! I climbed, literally climbed, 629 meters 😮 

Akarakaaaaa!

Hello 😁

I hope you all had a great week! Let me tell you what I did this last Friday, May 17th!

Akaraka!!!

It is tradition in South Korea for universities to hold Spring festivals. Yonsei University is well-known for it's Spring festival, Akaraka! Students wear their blue Yonsei t-shirts (with club, sport, or major studies affiliations) and gather to cheer in the outdoor amphitheater. The festival is held to celebrate Yonsei's school spirit and the rivalry between Yonsei and Korea University, which has been going on since 1956. The schools are very competitive with one another and even hold a Yonsei-Korea sports competition in the Fall. The competition is very friendly though! Yonsei and Korea university students can be seen at both Akaraka and Ipsilenti (Korea University's festival).

The festival is more than a pep rally, it's a whole party! Before the concert begins, the event is opened up with performances by the many clubs on campus. I didn't see this for myself, but many people were gushing over this guy who played his saxophone and rapped on stage. Afterward, the school's cheerleaders lead the audience in song and dance of the Yonsei Cheers. Yonsei University is unique in that they have many cheers that students can sing along to with each having it's own unique dance move. All of the students know the songs and dances because this is what they are taught during freshman orientation!! Yonsei's school spirit is no joke. Check out the video below. Notice how active the audience is and the synchronized movements of the cheerleaders right below the stage. They guide the dancing and help keep the energy up!

Want to try one of the cheers? This is the main cheer that was repeated over and over again at the festival. In the YouTube video below, the first 20 seconds is this cheer! Listen and then try it for yourself!

Akaraka

Akaraka! Akaraka (Ara) Ching Akaraka (Ara) Cho
Akaraka (Ara)
ChingChing Chochocho
Lalala Sisboombah Yonsei Players Lapla
Hey Yonsei Yeah!

The Concert

Yonsei is known to have a great line-up of famous music groups and performers, but people don't know who is performing until they go out on stage! In past years when they would announce the line-up, people would sell there tickets for hundreds or even thousands of dollars online! The school didn't think it was fair, so they stopped announcing the line-up. This year, we saw TWICE, Beenzino, Zico, Red Velvet, and IU. Tickets are really hard to get because so many people, including non-students, want to attend. I was one of the lucky ones. As an international student, we had an application period followed by a lottery system that randomly chooses the winners. I was a "lottery winner". My roommate didn't win the lottery ticket so she ended up waiting in line for six hours during the first-come-first-serve ticket sale. This goes to show how hard it is to get a ticket to this event.

The video above is of the final artist to perform, IU. She had a lovely voice and interacted very well with the audience. The local students love her, no doubt about it! All of the cell-phone lights in the audience made the amphitheater look so beautiful!!! It must have been such an amazing view for people near the stage. If you're interested in seeing any more of the performances, there are many videos of Akaraka on YouTube, especially for the TWICE performance. The end of the performances was commemorated with fireworks followed by more cheering! Below is a clip of more song and dance. I left somewhat early because my friends got hungry, but the cheering continued until about 11 pm.

My overall impression of Akaraka was positive. I am envious of the amount of school spirit that Yonsei students have for their university! It was an amazing event to experience and I have no regrets about going. I'm grateful for the local students for being so friendly and welcoming to international students and including us in the singing and dancing. It was a memory that I will cherish forever 💙

Recap

What do you think of Akaraka? 

Would you like to go to a spirit festival like this?

Would you sing and dance with the local students?

Have you ever been to something similar? Like a Blazers or Timbers game?

Do you like asmr?

Hello!!! This week I have a special treat! I prepared the interview with a Korean middle school student! Unfortunately, this assignment proved to be somewhat difficult due to the language barrier and my limited knowledge of the education system here in South Korea. Thankfully, I am in a club that pairs me up with a Korean "mentor" (it's Mentor's Club) and my mentor was able to help me get the interview questions answered and gain some knowledge about a South Korean middle school student's life! My mentor's name is Kim Sung-Gyeong and her best friend is a teacher. We went out for lunch together and I asked her if I could ask one of her students a few questions. I am a bit sad that she was not able to get a picture of our interviewee, but I think it is necessary to be understanding in situations like this. As a teacher, she may not have been comfortable asking, the student may not have been comfortable with getting her picture taken, and her parents may not approve if her picture were to be taken. I will make do with what I have. I hope you enjoy it! I found her answers to be very interesting! Ryoo Hae-won ~ Female ~ 12 years old ~ 7th Grade

1) Where do you live? What is your house/apartment like?

I live in an apartment in Euijungbu-si.

2) Where do you go to school? I go to school at Chunbo Middle school. (www.chunbo.ms.kr) (Middle school in South Korea usually goes from 7th to 9th grade, and students enter at about 12 or 13 years old and graduate at 15 or 16 years old. I found the picture on Chunbo middle school's facebook page!)

Assembly in session at Chunbo Middle School. 

3) Do you do any after school activities? Clubs? Or sports?

After school, I usually go to private academies to learn more. Right now I am attending math and art classes. (It is common for elementary, middle, and high school students to take additional classes outside of their required public education. Academics are very competitive in South Korea and parents prepare their children for college starting from a young age. They are trying to do their best as parents, but some people, especially from other cultures, may view this as extreme.)

4) What do you kids wear to school?

We wear a school uniform and gym clothes for physical education.

5) What do you do in your free time?

I like reading books and listening to the music.

6) What kind of music do you listen to? What books do you read? What do you watch on tv? Do you like kpop and anime? I like a k-pop! My favorite singer is Bolbbalgan4. I like reading fantasy novels. I enjoy entertainment shows like KBS's The Return of Superman. ("The Return of Superman" is a reality show featuring celebrities and their families. The men are left with their kids for 48 hours and are tasked with various activities assigned by their wives. The wives have 48 hours to enjoy time to themselves and relax. It is very well enjoyed by families in South Korea. Watch the one-minute clip below!)

7) What do you worry about and think about? Do you have plans for the future?

I worry about what I want to do in the future.

8) What is considered cool right now? What is trendy?

YouTube is really popular. I watch make-up tutorials, ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response: relaxation from sound), and slime-making videos. 

This is Ryoo Hae-won's favorite YouTuber! YouTube videos of people eating is really popular in South Korea. This would be an example of ASMR as well. What do you think? Do you watch ASMR videos on YouTube?

9) What is your favorite food?

Tteokbokki. (her and her friends love this, especially sinjeon tteokbokki, which is just spicy rice cakes with cheese on top.)

10) What do you do when you spend time with friends?

I chat with my friends. End Those were the questions that I was able to get answered. I hope this gave you an inside look into the world of a middle school student in South Korea! From my perspective, she studies hard, enjoys socializing with friends at school, and watches YouTube, reads, and watches "The Return of Superman" in her spare time. What did you think? Do the students in South Korea study a lot? Is their food odd? Does the show sound interesting? Would you like it if you were required to wear a uniform to school (not including PE)? These are example questions so do not feel the need to answer word for word. Please give me your honest opinion! I look forward to reading your comments ~

Photo of the Week

I may have missed the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, but at least I got to enjoy the International Horticulture exhibition in Goyang-Si, South Korea!

BTS wore what?! Where can I buy it too?

Welcome back!

Last Sunday, May 5th, I got to go to Seoul Fashion Festival 2019. There were fashion brands presenting their new lines down the runway, artists performing their sets, and DJs keeping things groovy in between. In light of this recent event, I wanted to talk about Korean fashion trends, how K-pop influences these trends, and where I shop to stay up to speed with these trends. 

K-Pop Influence on Fashion Trends

It's not just in South Korea, fashion trends all over the world are being shaped by what K-pop stars like BTS and Blackpink are wearing. Fans are wearing the same designers as their favorite K-pop starts according to Lyst, a fashion search engine. They also identify K-pop stars as major-fashion influencers. Some of the most odd items become must haves after they are seen on K-pop stars. For example, would you think of wearing a campaign T-shirt from Rev. Jesse Jackson's failed presidential run from 1988? Me either. This item became a must have in South Korea after rapper Moonbyul of Mamamoo wore it. An explanation for this may be that since fans cannot get to know their favorite stars personally, they buy and wear the same items as a way to feel closer to them. Do you think that what you wear is influenced by your favorite artists or celebrities?

Fashion lines even embracing K-pop and taking advantage of this fact. Celebrities are often hired for photoshoots or are paid to wear certain brands as a way to make more money. I noticed that BTS is sponsored by Puma. They participate in photoshoots and can often be seen wearing Puma products in their videos that they release. It is a great way to increase their sales and popularity considering fans are more likely to buy their products if they see their favorite idol wearing the same thing. 

Seoul Loves Fashion

In the time that I have been in South Korea, I have seen Seoul Fashion Week going on and attended Seoul Fashion Festival. Both events are widely attended and enjoyed by locals enthused with up-and-coming designers and alternative fashion ideas. Seoul is the place to be for emerging designers and streetwear labels. South Korean fashion is often compared to Japan in the 90s with an attention grabbing aesthetic that screams, "Look at me!". South Korea is one of the leading Asian countries in terms of fashion and are considered to be more open to experimental fashion ideas. They have to be in order to be seen as authentic and fresh. 

I definitely saw this at the Seoul Fashion Festival. Most people were dressed in normal streetwear fashion considering the vibe of the event was R&B and EDM. What I saw on the runway was way different! People like to joke that fashion today looks like it could have been picked out of the trash or put together by a five year old, but I did see some outfits that made me feel this way. I was not a fan of every show that I saw, but even if I did not like the outfits I could still pick out individual items that I would wear. I love fashion because there is something for everyone! Especially in South Korea. Even if you can't afford these designer brand showcasing their lines, you could still go to places like Dongdaemun or Ewha and find something similar or inspired by your favorite brands. More on this below...

Streetwear brand D-Antidote with SOMDEF. My favorite show of the night.  

Seoul Fashion Festival 2019 schedule of shows, DJs, and artists. 

Dongdaemun

Dongdaemun is a district in Seoul known for affordable fashion. If your ask a local where to go to shop, they will say Dongdaemun. The subway drops you off at the Dongdaemun History and Culture park museum which is across the street from the apMWholesale market. I saw wholesale and thought their would be good deals, but it was not affordable for me... It was still my favorite place to look around because there were unique, trendy, and beautiful items from local designers! I went to explore outside and had a lot of fun because there is a large variety of street food and clothing vendors as well as lots of people walking around at all hours of the day. What they sell on the street is usually much more affordable. The video below is from 2014, but I still found all of the information to be relevant and accurate based on my experience in the area. 

Dongdaemun is one of the many places to buy knock-off items as well. Hermes belts, Louis Vuitton handbags, Gucci and Off-White everything. South Korea is a country known for counterfeit items. Personally, I can't comment on the illegal distribution of intellectual property, but from what I have seen, the rules regarding copywrite infringement are vague and often broken. 

I asked a local student from Korea University what they thought of South Korea's counterfeit market. Here is what they said: 

Me: "Do you think counterfeit items are harmful?"

Kim Joon-Young: "I think it is harmful for the workers in sweatshops who have to make it, harmful for the market, and harmful for the environment because it is fast-fashion." 

Me: "How would you compare South Korea's counterfeit culture to China's?"

Kim Joon-Young: "I have seen a lot of people come to Korea for ideas. They'll be in stores and pulling out dresses one by one to take a picture so that they can replicate it." 

Me: "Do you think people come to South Korea just to buy counterfeit items?"

Kim Joon-Young: "Definitely. I see a lot of people coming here to shop. I don't know if it is specifically for counterfeit items, but they end up buying it anyway."

Me: "Have you ever bought a counterfeit item?"

Kim Joon-Young: "Of course. It was a snapback Obey hat, but it was a long time ago. Ten-thousand won. Which is about ten dollars."

This is a video I took in Ewha of the counterfeit Supreme bags and fanny packs. Sorry about the orientation, but I took the original video on Snapchat. It's just a small snippet. 

Ewha (ee-hwa)

Ewha is a ten minute walk from my dorm, right off of the Ewha Woman's University campus. It is known to have trendy, cheap fashion with new products popping up on shelves constantly. Definitely fast-fashion. Have you heard of fast-fashion? It keeps up with trends, but is constantly changing to make the consumer feel out of style. The products are often made with poor-quality materials and do not last many wears. My roommate Ugne recently had an unfortunate experience when she bought a ~$5 tank top. She thought they would look good with her new jeans, but when she went to try the top on the seam came undone on the entire left side was open. She has always said that the clothing was too cheap for her preference and this experience definitely confirmed her belief. However, she bought her jeans in Ewha and they turned out of be very soft, stretchy, and comfortable. Only a little short considering she's taller than the average Korean. 

Ewha is another place that people go to buy cheap counterfeit items. $10 Supreme, Stussy, Champion, Fila, and Balenciaga everywhere. For people who just want the look, this is the place to go. Personally, this is where I go to shop because as a young college student, I can't afford high fashion brands and I don't feel like brand names are necessary either way. I packed for Winter, but now it's getting so warm here! Ewha has been my go-to spot for cute dresses and shorts. The expensive fashion brands can sometimes be better quality, but I feel that most of the time people are just interested in the name. Have you seen the Payless commercial? For this reason, I like feel okay buying cheaper items, especially if it is second-hand! 

Back home, I thrift a lot and while my fashion may be influenced by popular culture, I am a firm believer that individuals should shape their closet around their lifestyle and what they feel good in. When I was in middle school, I listened to a lot of screamo music and liked wearing black or really bright colored skinny jeans. My style has changed a lot since then, but I still enjoy wearing my favorite band tee every now and then. What I buy here in South Korea may not be the best quality, but it is a temporary solution to my limited closet options and I am enjoying the Korean-fashion styles available conveniently to me! It's all so cute!!

Ewha street shopping. Winter styles include long sleeve tops and skirts. 

Questions:

1) Do you ever want something because your saw a celebrity wearing it?

2) How would you describe your style? 

3) Do you like a particular fashion style?

4) Do you have an opinion on buying counterfeit items? Would you buy something counterfeit?

Sources:

https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/global-currents/how-korea-became-a-lifeline-for-cool-young-designers-everywhere

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/12/4/18124626/k-pop-bts-fashion-melon-music-awards-jin-birthday

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/the-rise-of-seoul-fashion