Morning Movies: Korea's Answer to the Matinee

As a child, I remember being sent to the movie theater on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon for a free matinee (at least I recall it occasionally being free, however, as a child all things appear to be essentially free thanks to the pocketbooks of one's parents). Regardless, weekend afternoons in small-town America provided cheaper-than-usual-if-not-free access to entertainment (if I recall correctly, the free show was always an older movie of sorts). 

Having now grown older, however, I generally view movies as a pricey form of entertainment especially since our small-town America still posts 'cheap-seats' at an old, run down theater. Alas, there is always an itch and a desire to head out for a movie, enjoy the smells of popcorn and lounging in expensive theater seats with surround sound and big screen action.

Yet, this Spring, after nearly two years of living in South Korea, the man and I learned about Korea's gift to the early bird in the form of Morning Movies. Most theaters will open around 8:00 or 8:30 and until roughly 10:00 am all movies are offered at the discounted price of 5,000 won! The man and I enjoyed our first morning movie on my birthday and recently headed to the theater again where we enjoyed watching The Dark Knight Rises on opening weekend in a full-theater for a discounted price!

If you're new to Korea or just arriving, be sure to drag yourself out of bed early a couple of times on the weekends because honestly, Morning Movies are just friggin' awesome and leave you the rest of the day to do as you please!

From Bluegrass to Hip-Hop: R-16 B-Boy Competition Road Trip

The Harrington's are always up for an adventure and checking out new things, including things which may be unusual to their specific leanings. On July 7th, the couple embarked on such an adventure, singing along to Nickle Creek and Jalan Crossland on the two hour drive to Seoul's Olympic Park where they were set to enjoy an evening fully immersed in the best of hip-hop, b-boy, popping and locking culture.

Aside from bluegrass blaring from the speakers, the days trip was additionally highlighted by driving through Osan, South Korea where none other than Chuck Norris began his martial arts career (Melissa brought in July by working through Chuck Norris' autobiography/biography Against All Odds and was filled with legitimate Chuck Norris trivia on this recent road trip).

A Place for Rest and Gambles

After exploring Beartree Park and wanting to refresh their hearts and minds just a touch more before the reality of Thursday and the work week returning set in, the Harrington's and the Kim's made their way to Hyunhee's father's farm

Set back off of the country roads and on the edge of a mountain nestled between rice paddies and a young fruit orchard, this simple 'farm-house' is similar in concept to Cabins or Cottages - a second home of sorts that allows one to soak in all that is beautiful and peaceful on the weekends and holidays while the city maintains it's hold on you for the rest of the days of the year.

 

The Harrington's were amazed by the views and the solitude of the place and quickly took to soaking it all in and meeting the farm pups (two Jindo's and one Shepard of sorts).

The Korean Love Motel

If you live in South Korea you've surely heard about the glory of the Korean Love Motel. Often cheap. Often sketchy. Often a touch of 'sexy'. Often fitted with tinted windows. These motels serve to meet the needs of a) men and women conducting affairs, b) young lovers getting out of their parents homes to experiment and enjoy one another's company (many Koreans remain at home until married, and don't marry until 30...so, you can see the need for such a market) and c) foreigners looking for cheap and adequate accommodation.

The Harrington's stayed in such during their winter 2011 travels to the north east coast and again this past winter when road tripping to Gyeongju. Always hoping to pay the minimum, the Harrington's have payed between

Wedding Vows on the Great River Han

On November 5, 2011 the Harrington's had the great honor of attending the wedding of their dear friend, Younglan. Younglan faithfully assisted the Harrington's in caring for various odds and ends which require Korean fluency as well as provided great friendship, joy and wisdom to the couple throughout their first year in South Korea. So, it was with great joy and anticipation that the Harrington's (along with dear friend Aaron, the reason M&M know Younglan at all) hopped on a Wedding Bus and headed toward Seoul. That's correct, you read the words 'Wedding Bus'. Since the Wedding took place in the groom's home town, the Bride (or Bride's family) provided transport from her hometown to the wedding site. And, typical to Korean service, fashion, culture and tradition, those who went by bus were greeted by a sweet gift bag of snacks (nuts, rice cake, squid jerkey, mandarin oranges, and candy) plus beverages (fiber-drink, cola, and water).

Upon arrival at the wedding hall, beautifully situated on (or more technically, in) the great Han River, guests sought out the Bride and/or Groom and sat down for an all-out photo shoot. A rather daunting experience considering the glowing, spectacular beauty of the Bride compared to her guests. Nonetheless, this photo experience is a great chance to whisper a few encouraging words to the bride and give a warm wish for a most joyful marriage to come.

Unlike a typical western wedding where all guests are expected to focus solely on the ceremony as it occurs, the Harrington's were seated one floor above the wedding ceremony where they could watch the events unfold on a large TV screen while enjoying the most delectable luncheons provided in the land of Kimchi. It is therefore assumed, that while the Harrington's were washing down the most delicious salmon with a glass of red wine, stuffing bits of prime rib and pumpkin into their mouths and enjoying every bit of chocolate cake they could manage, the Bride and Groom promised to love and hold one another for all time.

Although unlike any wedding ceremony the Harrington's had ever attended, the day was perfectly sunny, warm, beautiful and filled with love and anticipation for a beatiful future of a man and his wife.

Floating Lanterns and Festivities in Jinju, South Korea

The night of October the 7th, the Harrington duo alongside their Sofa-Sleeping friend Aaron and the most trustworthy sidekick Ms. Lady Annyeong loaded up the dear Guemi Matiz and hit the expressway en route to Jinju. About 2 hours, an egg salad sandwich and an unfortunate exit choice later, the crew pulled into Jinju, South Korea where festivities were just beginning to light up and had yet to receive the full flux of weekend travelers. So it was that the Harrington family and Mr. Fitz enjoyed an evening of glowing lanterns, candle-lit-floating-lantern-wishes, tunnels of glowing-red-lanterns, joyous children, fire-breathing phoenix and dragons, floating river bridges, heaps of food scraps for the Lady and a most amazing late-night-chicken-snack all on a Friday night. Having enjoyed the festivities and committed to setting up a tent and sleeping in it, the crew made their way south (slightly unknowingly) and pitched their tent between the sea and a rice field .

The Jinju Lantern Festival was fully enjoyable on all accounts. For the Harrington's, arriving Friday night was a special joy as the crowds were smaller and partaking in the festivities proved much easier than when the crew attended the same festival on Saturday night. Saturday night was highlighted by

Sports Day at Nameson Middle School

If readers want a story to go with these photos, they'll have to petition the male editor of The Harrington Times. You can petition him by leaving your pleading, desparate-for-more remarks in the comments box.

Sports Day at Bongam Elementary School

Sports Day is quite the phenomena. Filled with songs, dancing, saluting, synchronized stretching and a wide variety of relays the day is a day that students can kick-back a little and enjoy life as a child, as opposed to a student. Highlights of Sports Day at Bongam Elementary school include:

• Kindergarten students paired with their parents rolling a giant ball down the field.
• Melissa Teacher being paired up with the one foreigner (Chinese) student as his 'step-in' parent for two relay races:
• Race #1: Pair up with another family, each individual grab a corner of a sheet, carry a large ball to a mid-way point, set down ball and sheet, scurry through small tunnel like thing, run back to ball and sheet, run back to start point.
• Race #2: Child sacrifice one shoe. All shoes scattered in the middle of the field, adult carry child to center of field and find child's shoe - both run back to starting point.
• (Please Note: Student is approximately the same size as Melissa Teacher)
• Mother's competing for Fabric Softener by keeping the hula-hoop in motion.
• Father's competing for Toothpaste in a game of singles hacky-'golden-pom-pom'-sack.
• All students gathering in the field, hula-hoops in hand to conduct a song and dance routine.
• Kindergarten students and their teachers busting out a K-Pop Routine with white gloves and matching yellow shirts and white socks pulled up to the knees.

Days such as these are always welcome when one has been teaching in South Korea for a few months (or longer). It's great to see the students outside of the classroom environment having a good time competing and performing for each other, their parents and themselves.

It's not all Adventures and Cute Children: Issues of Safety

This was never intended to be a series. There was never a desire or expectation that this place should be filled with stories of pain and ugliness. Nor is there a desire to sugar-coat what composes the full spectrum of an international-living experience. There are countless opportunities to see new things, enjoy adventures, interact with sweet children and so much more. Then, there are a handful of opportunities to be broken down, vulnerable, exposed, and violated.

The first time The Harrington Times addressed one of the more difficult aspects of living abroad was following the third death the Harrington's faced while living abroad. This next difficult aspect occurred on Friday, May 27th later after Mike had left the country. That evening a Korean man followed Mrs. Harrington (quite stealthily) to her door and was merrily flashing his man parts and a ridiculous grin when she turned to close the door and get Lady back inside. Shocked and unprepared for such an encounter, the Mrs. slammed the door and frantically called some friends who were quick to offer their presence and a safe place to vent and be upset. The time while the Man was out of the house was particularly trying as Mrs. Harrington feared a possible second-sighting of this man.

The encounter has left the Lady of the house thinking and reflecting about a number of things, most which do not fit the theme of this blog. However, one is the expectations that so many people bring with them to South Korea - specifically the expectation of being safe. Being flashed outside one's home may not constitute the highest threat on safety but surely raises questions regarding what is a culturally appropriate response. On nearly any given day, safety in South Korea is a sure thing, regardless, women and others who choose to travel to South Korea should maintain a sense of awareness regarding their surroundings and what to do in case of emergency or uncomfortable encounter.

The following provides links and information regarding safety in Korea, emergency protocol, a few legal matters and articles detailing a few of these not so welcome incidents.

• Police Number: 112
• Safety in South Korea (full-detailed record from the UK)
• Legality of Pepper Spray
• Short article: "Burberry Man" Arrested Near Elementary School
• Account of a more serious incident - reveals some of the legal processes involved in such incident
  
  

A side note to friends and family back home: Melissa is safe leaving and returning from her home. She would have accessed her ninja-like skills were it not for a heavy bag of groceries in her hands. However, such skills may have caused a bigger issue as self-defense may not be seen in the same vein as it is stateside. The Man has returned home and there is no need to worry endlessly about their safety and comfort, although prayers of such are always welcome. Our home/building is one of five in a neighborhood of 30-40 that has a locking front entrance as well as a key-coded personal door. The Harrington's are definitely safe and don't expect to face any additional problems such as this. Family and friends, remain calm and confident that the couple is in a safe place.

Surprise! We're Going Hiking

Somedays you arrive at your given school setting expecting to bust out some lesson plans, waste-precious-time on facebook, play a little online chess and send of some important emails as you've been informed that you won't be teaching that day. Yet, occassionally you arrive at work on these days to be told that your plans to be productive are being replaced with an all staff hike followed by all staff dinner. It's on these days that you are fully aware of the Dynamic Korea in which you live.

The above photos are from one such day in the life of Michael Teacher. Hiking on the edge of Daejeon city, you can see the haze of yellow dust hanging in the sky - the least pleasant attribute of the spring season in the Republic of Korea. Regardless, trading in a computer screen and squeaky desk chair for a peaceful stroll on the mountain side is always a welcome surprise.

Happy Lunar New Year

Feburary 3, 2011 is an important day residents of Korea and in much of Asia. Known as the Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year or Seollal (in Korean), this day is a much appreciated break from the daily grind particularly for the expats living in the land of Kimchi.

For the Harrington's the day has been entirely uneventful.

The couple slept in, Melissa until 10 am and Mike until 11:30. Melissa took the lovely Lady Annyeong for a walk before spending too much time on the computer reading blogs, facebook stalking and the like. After showering and such the couple went separate ways, Mike headed out for a long walk and a chance to see a man about a guitar while Melissa held down the fort and caused smells of banana bread and peanut butter blondies to fill their tiny apartment.

The afternoon continued on in slow-relaxed fashion until the couple made their way to a friends house to enjoy treats, games and  good company. The Harrington's and Teacher friends enjoyed an array of desserts including an apple crisp, pineapple rum cake and peanut butter blondies before a rousing game of Phase 10 in which Melissa reigned victorious!

The solar new year's started off well and now the Harrington's can anticipate the lunar year, the year of the rabbit as well.

To learn more about traditional Lunar New Year celebrations in Korea check this out!

Coming off the Mountain

A recent Harrington Time article regarding the hiking of Wolchulsan left readers with a promise to continue the story. That dear reader is where this article picks up.

Finding themselves off the mountain with a bit of food to curb the appetite, the Harrington’s and crew made their way into town where they were about to enjoy an all-out glorious Spa Extravaganza. For those readers who’ve resided in America or a few other Western nations all their lives, you may or may not be surprised to learn that a spa experience in South Korea has one distinguishing feature: nudity. That’s correct, to enter the spa’s and hot springs of South Korea it is necessary to strip down to complete nothingness (this is of course after having made your way to your gender specific spa area). Needless to say, it can be a bit uncomfortable at first for those of us from foreign nations to offer the Korean world our pure albeit blemished, Waygook (foreigner) bodies.

At this point, readers may find themselves feeling awkward on behalf of the Harrington’s, yet have not fear, a grueling hike which was endured during the day and the normalcy with which Koreans view an afternoon or evening at the spa makes the experience quite rewarding. One is given the opportunity to soak in warmth, be steamed like a dumpling and take a laborious relaxing shower with no preoccupation toward…well, anything!

Following this delightful experience which was likely a muscle saver, particularly for Melissa Harrington, the crew found themselves sitting down for an impressive meal of fresh grilled eel, side dishes including silk-worm larvae, a few shots of Soju and the learning of two Korean drinking games (flick the ??? and Titanic). However, the drinking games and fun didn’t stop after dinner, before having the freedom to doze off the Harrington’s alongside their Korean friends played one more drinking game, snacked, chatted and ‘rolled on the floor laughing’ prior to the start of a popular Korean drama which took all parties to their respective sleeping quarters to catch up on Secret Garden and finally doze off into the sleep which had been yearned for since pre-dawn.

Sunrise 2011: Ringing in the New Year Bright and Early

In South Korea, there are generally two occassions upon which to celebrate the new year. The calendar dictated new year common to most westerners and the Lunar New Year, more common to Asian nations. The Lunar New Year has yet to come, therefore this article will have little to nothing to do in regards to such. However, readers may wonder if and how the Harrington's brought in 2011.

With the help of some well-informed and investigative expat friends, the Harrington's learned of a Korean 'New Year Tradition' which involved the following: hike, friends, food, January 1st (or Lunar New Year day) and sunrise. Wanting to get the most out their Korean experience with dear friends and loving a good, frigid morning hike, the Harrington's were all to eager to join in the 'reindeer games'.

After ringing in midnight with friends, the Harrington's accompanied the Mullen's home to crash on their floor. With a mere 5 or maybe 6 hours of sleep the Mullen's, Harrington's, Callaway's and Dickerson-Bradford's met in the dark hours prior to sunrise and began a modest 1 or 2 hour hike up iced-over trails alongside Korean men, women and children, young and old.

The journey was well-worth it regardless of lacking an-all-out-vibrant-and-spectacular-sunrise, the crew settled for pink skies covering a snowy cityscape before heading down the trail back to the Mullen's for the world's fluffiest, most delcious pancakes dripped and flipped by noneother than the hostess, Jennifer Mullen. The morning continued forth with games and napping before each family made a decision to return home for a 'real' solid nap experience. So it was, on January 1st in Daejeon (an hour likely correlating to the end of 2010 for family and friends back home) the Harrington's found themselves ringing in the new year, bright and early!

Abundant Toilet Paper yields Abundant and Long Life

Korea has a beautiful gift-giving culture (as well as a not so beautiful side of gift-giving and consumerism, but that's not the focus of this article). The moment one arrives in Korea, they are showered with various gifts. Drinks, snacks, free colas at a restaurant, fruits and chocolates from co-workers, just to name a few. The moment one invites a few co-workers into their home is when the real fun and gift-giving occurs.

Early this week, the Harrington's hosted a Thanksgiving Dinner for their co-teachers. The first three to enter came with two giant packs of toilet paper (toilet paper with an inlay of puppies and a scent of plumeria). This was then added to the stack of toilet paper received from an expat couple who'd crashed the Harrington's couch in October plus the t.p. purchased upon the Harrington's arrival, needless to say, the Harrington's are not lacking in toilet paper.

Other gifts from the evening included

A Day for Chocolate, Cookies and Love

While many friends back home are thanking a veteran and reflecting on the sacrifices made by a many good man and woman, the Harringtons as well as the rest of South Korea are collecting and giving the gift of Pepero. November 11th, more popularly written as 11-11 is a day overwhelmingly celebrated in South Korea as the number 1 has an uncanny resemblance to a straight stick of candy known as Pepero.

The day is more or less a take on Valentine's Day however the gift market on Pepero Day is essentially a Monopoly held by Lotte, the makers of Pepero, although, according to the all-reliable Wikipedia, "Lotte denies starting the holiday and instead states that they noticed a bump in Pepero sales around November 11th and after continued popularity they decided to then encourage the holiday with special gift boxes and other promotions." Having been in Korea for three months, the Harrington's believe either story is entirely possible.

Regardless of the history or purpose, the day ushers in a fair amount of delicious sweet snacks for teachers and loved ones.

Besides having a delicous chocolatey treat, the reciepient is also encouraged by the loving words printed, in English conveniently, on many Pepero package. And here, in no particular order are some of the loving words one might read on Pepero Day:

• I only want my love to grow in you.
• I beleive we need to let others feel the love instead of talking about the LOVE.
• I love you today more than yesterday.
• You & Me -- I'm happy to have been with you so far.
• Love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking together in the same direction.

(For more information on Pepero Day do a quick google search or check out this Wikipedia Article.)

Professional Development with a Korean Twist

Engaging with the Korean population and culture is never short of an adventure. More often than not, there is not only an adventure to enjoy but said adventure provides much entertainment, laughter and a constant reflection of ‘this would never happen where I’m from.’


One such example can be gleaned from the Harrington’s recent professional development on Wednesday October, 27th 2010. Before the official end of the school day, the Harrington’s alongside their head Korean co-teachers, made their way to Yuesong Spa Hotel for a five hour professional development (or as it is often called by Korean Teachers a ‘business trip’). Upon arrival teachers were encouraged to grab a cup of coffee or tea and a few snacks. Korean co-teachers then helped each wayward Guest English Teacher find the appropriate seat for Elementary School and Secondary School. A little time to chat then the show began, and we do mean show!



The training was aimed at communication with ones co-teacher. The first 30 minutes of the training were dedicated to a few important introductions followed by ice-breakers. Unlike typical ice breakers in the western world that may amount to a small time of stretching to introducing yourself to all who are sitting at the same table, these ice breakers were real show-stoppers! To begin the event a series of magic tricks were performed showing us the importance and beauty of…working together and loving each other. Following the magic trick attendees were taught 7 dance moves, each corresponding to a number 1-7. Together attendees then danced to Mama Mia’s …. Dancing lead to a massage conducted in a similar fashion and was promptly followed by a game of “stand-back-to-back-and-try-to-look-the-same-way-as-your-co-teacher-GO!” And, just in case attendees were not yet in an agreeable mood the ice breaker session ended with a group sing-a-long of ‘You are my Sunshine’ in which the word sunshine was replaced with co-teacher’s names. Ice breakers completed it was time to take a 15 minute break to refuel on the new snacks available and prepare for the first lecture.



The training continued in the usual manner with two presenters presenting on materials relating to the co-teaching relationship in Korea. Between the lecturers, attendees were again offered a break to grab new snacks and use the restroom before continuing through the training. As the training was wrapped up, attendees were separated into the native tongue before heading to the buffet tables were they were offered numerous traditional Korean foods to enjoy with one another.