Who Found Mister Fabulous?

The shit hit the fan. Goo Jun Pyo’s mom found out about Geum Jan Di. She was pissed. She offered the family three million dollars if Jan Di would agree to never again meet Jun Pyo. They refused and she responded by bankrupting the family, forcing them to sell rice pops and coffee on the highway. Jan Di was also forced to get a second job as a gas jockey. Good news though, Goo Jun Pyo still likes Jan Di and she promised that his mother would never be the cause of her leaving him. It was a lovely two episodes and they finally kissed! Twice!

I went to Sarah’s apartment on Wednesday evening to watch Monday and Tuesday’s episodes on-line with English subtitles. We ate chamchi kimbob and drank white wine, cheering loudly when Jan Di and Jun Pyo finally kissed, booing when the mother was being cruel to Jan Di and her family, and sighing when Jun Pyo was being sweet to Jan Di’s family. It was an emotional roller coaster with a cliff hanger ending of course. This Wednesday, I’m hosting.

When Sarah walked me back to the subway, she introduced me to an important part of traditional Korean culture: the claw game. Although we do have versions of this game in Canada, usually found in bowling alleys and movie theaters, they are neither so welled played or so common as in Korea. They are more common than corner stores and apparently an important part of a Korean date. Boys will spend all their change trying to win the perfect the prize for their lady. The game that Sarah and I played had an odd assortment of prizes, from liters to gloves to gum to plush animals. We were unable to win anything but I look forward to playing this game more often now that I know what it’s all about. I can also see how one might become slightly addicted to this game. I was so close so many times.

I finally got back to Hongdae this weekend after not visting for almost two months. Friday night I meet up with Sally, Sarah, Amber, Dave, and Lisa at Club FF to catch a couple live bands and take advantage of happy hour, free cocktails between 11:00 and midnight. Free. Weak cocktails, but free. Sally and I arrived later than the other because I only got of work at 10:00, but we still managed to get at least 15 minuets worth of free drinks and we caught the last half of a set by a band that was actually not bad. After hearing a lot of really crappy music at FF, I was not optimistic, but Easy Boy, a Korean band, was decent. I was rather pleased. However, they were followed up by a really crappy band of white dudes that had neither talent nor stage presence.

At the club, Sarah and Amber met a few Canadian dudes, one of whom was just visiting and it was his last night in Seoul. He had not yet been to a noraebang, so we of course had to show them the way. It is an absolute sin to come to Korea and not visit a noraebang especially when in Hongdae; they have the nicest Noraebangs. We left FF at about 3:30 and headed to the luxury noraebang down the street. Sarah and I stopped to pick up some street food. The vendors where all really busy and we had trouble getting exactly what we wanted and had to visit two to finally get the right combination of food. Eventually we were mostly successful and headed to the noraebang with dukkbogi in plastic bags. My favourite.

After the noraebang, I caught a taxi with Sarah and Amber and ended up staying the night or morning at Amber’s apartment, all three of use sharing a bed and blanket. I slept in the middle. Did I just blow your mind? I, Desirae Warkentin, shared a bed and a blanket. Me, the most space selfish person I know. I’m maturing.

Amber lives in Nowan, so after a breakfast (lunch) of toast, fruit, and coffee, I walked back to Ssangmun. It was a cloudy and foggy afternoon, very pleasant for walking.

In the evening, Sally and I met up with everybody again because two of our friends, Mike and Chris, walked from Jamsil, where they live, south of the river, all the way to Nowan, which is in the northeast corner of the city. It took them six hours. After beers, I made Sally walk home with me. I felt inspired. In fact, I am feeling inspired again. I’m going to go for a long walk now too. It’s not quite two in the afternoon and my hair is finally dry. It’s time to see the sun.

Dee

P.s. Bryan finally bought his plane ticket and will be arriving on April 27 at 3:40 PM! Only 77 days!