Chan Ho Park Update 2

As Roger pointed out, it didn't look good for Chan Ho Park during Spring Training competing for the fifth starter position and certainly didn't look good for him to be a middle reliever. Park is way too inconsistent to trust to hold a lead and cannot overpower anyone right now. It was a bit of a shame when the Mets finalized their roster and sent him to the minors. Despite his relative disgust when he was pulled after three innings, Park's attitude about being sent to the minors seemed refreshing. Under MLB rules, he could have agreed not to have been sent to the minors. I'm not sure what this would have meant, perhaps being traded ... but he was quoted in the NY Times as being excited to start for AAA New Orleans and hoped to be the first pitcher to be recalled should any other starter get hurt. Anyway, it's wierd and sort of sad to see him relegated to the minors but his past few years with injuries and control problems really haven't helped his case. I think, should he really do well in the minors and actually get back to the majors (and do well) would be a great story. Certainly, it would endear him to the fans and, most importantly, earn the respect of Willie Randolph. Taking his shots, working hard and proving himself is what Willie Randolph is all about.

-Pat in Seoul

Obsessed with rankings

You can't go through a week without coming across a Korean newspaper headline touting where the country stands in international rankings of some sort. I have mixed thoughts about this.
The country's competitive zeal that fuels this national obsession over rankings probably had a lot to do with its rapid economic development. On the other hand, I can't help but think that it reflects its decades-old insecurity over where it stands in the eyes of the world - and that, very often, rankings themselves reveal very little about the true conditions behind them.
Take this headline/story by the Korea Herald: Korea ranks world's 11th largest exporter. Is that really news? Are Koreans still obsessing over this when it has been ranked somewhere between 11th and 13th since 1990! Should the country move past this and begin to wonder why - given Samsung, Hyundai and all the other chaebols - it hasn't moved up any higher? That it still lags Belgium or is about on par with tiny city-state, Hong Kong?
- Roger in DC

Morsels from "The Troubled Tiger"

I knew that Park Chung Hee's wife was assasinated on the Korea liberation day. But I had no idea that it's also the day the first subway line opened in Seoul, according to "The Troubled Tiger," by Mark Clifford --- a day of monumental infrastructural achievement countered by an event that probably triggered Park's eventual downfall.
Park was never the same after his wife passed, which turned the already introverted dictator even more inward. He openly sobbed when he met opposition leader Kim Young Sam and compared the presidential palace to an empty Buddhist monastery.
Another interesting tidbit: Everyone knows Park famously finished the speech he was delivering when his wife was shot. The book reports that Park, on his way off the stage, noticed his wife's purse and belongings and retrieved them as he walked off and his wife was rushed to the hospital. It's details like these that separate readable books from textbooks.
- Roger in DC

Chan-ho Park update

Chan-ho Park holds a special place in my baseball fandom. Of course, it has a lot to do with him being the first MLB Korean pitcher. That he pitched for the team I grew up loving, the Dodgers, helped. I felt for him when he struggled mightily for the Texas Rangers. Like a lot of Koreans in Dallas, I tried going to the ballpark as often as possible when Park pitched, which was not often. A local rumor was that he hated being in Texas and never really connected with the local Korean community.
And it looks like his career as a starter may be coming to its end. He's competing with six pitchers for the fifth spot in the NY Mets' starting rotation. He hasn't looked good.
Also, after 12 years in the U.S., how is it that he still has problems straightening out his work visa? It prevented him from pitching for a while during spring training, which probably didn't endear him to his manager. I hope he revives his career. During the World Baseball Classic last year, he showed that he can still pitch well when inspired.
- Roger in DC

No Gun Ri Park

The Korean government plans to build a No Gun Ri Memorial Park, says an AP story. It should be completed in 2009 and will be, of course, at No Gun Ri, about 100 miles southeast of Seoul. The No Gun Ri scandal showed that investigative journalism still matters, even in Korea. But it's not the kind of journalism that takes place often in Korea.
It took a reporter working for a foreign agency - the AP bureau in Korea - to unearth the story. I worked with the reporter, Choe Sang-hun, in the same office when I was in Seoul - after he had won the Pulitzer for the story. A quiet, unassuming gentleman, he spent hours, often late into the night, digging through documents and typing away at his desk. The piles of papers, books and files overran his desk. His stories were always interesting and he was never afraid to ask tough questions - at least from what I can gather, occasionally overhearing him on the phone from my desk a few feet away. He now writes for the International Herald Tribune as its Seoul correspondent.
- Roger in DC

But then why would reporters show up?

The organizers of Seoul Motor Show wants to cut down on the number of scantily clad women. Check out the story. Apparently, they're too distracting for journalists and other VIPs who should be looking at cars. I guess they'll just have to settle for free food and model cars that will never be made.
-Roger in DC

What would Kofi do?

The footage of Ban Ki-Moon yesterday at a conference in Iraq belies his cool-as-cucumber reputation. To be fair, it was a loud blast, though al-Maliki didn't even flinch.
Ban had just said he would consider expanding the U.N.'s presence in Iraq "as we see the situation improve on the ground" when the blast rocked the room, A Washington Post story says.
- Roger in DC

When in Rome ... Do As Your Fellow Koreans Do

I was perusing the Joongang Daily on the subway and came across an article about a 38 year old Korean office worker that smoked pot on a business trip to Amsterdam and wrote about the experience on his personal blog. Apparently, under Korean criminal law, there is a principle of "personal" and "territorial" law which allows for punishment to Korean nationals who violate Korean criminal law though the offending conduct is not criminal in the visited territory. While I do not know the law in the Netherlands, my recollection is that it is not legal to smoke to pot but just tolerated and bans against it, to an extent, is not enforced (hence the numerous cafes that sell pot).

Regardless, this office worker was arrested by the police after an investigation into Internet drug trading found his blog. I'm sure this type of person is not their main target but he is apparently can be put in prison for 5 years or be fined up to KRW 50 million (approximately US $52,000).

I've heard some horror stories about people getting caught for pot use. Though I wouldn't say drug use is rampant in Korea there are quite a few people who smoke out and use ecstacy. If you go to the clubs in Hongdae, it's not hard to get ecstacy though as you would imagine prohibitively expensive. In this month's GQ magazine, there is a story of a foreign English teacher that spent five years in jail for trying to smuggle in hash via the mail. It's really not worth it in Korea to subject yourself to this as, unlike the US, you will not get a misdemeanor or warning should you get caught.

When in Seoul, do are the Seoulites to and inebriate yourself silly. There is a reason why Korea is one of the top three consumers of whiskey in the world.

-Pat in Seoul

Robot Taekwon V

Has it really been 30 years? A digitally-remastered copy of Robot Taekwon V has drawn nearly 700,000 people in Korea this year. I remember pleading with my mother to take me to go see it. And I remember being enthralled by it, like many boys in Korea at the time, for days after seeing it at a theater in Myung-dong. This and Mazinger Z were the subjects of my obsession for years. Its theme song might be the only Korean children's song I can still sing. Based on the number of so many thirty-something parents taking their kids to see it this time around, my nostalgia apparently is hardly unique.
-Roger in DC

Suicides in Korea

A troubling LA Times op-ed about the rate of suicides in South Korea. The story, without attribution, says that the rate has more than doubled, from 11.8 per 100,000 people in 1995 to 26.1 per 100,000 in 2005. It's the No. 1 cause of death for South Korean men in their 20s. It mentions its rapid economic development as a possible reason. The national obssession for status and power may also be factors. One professor quoted in the story claims "Americans pushed (Korea) into modernity," but that Korea may not have been culturally ready. Not sure I agree with him, but there it is. I do recall that Koreans I met while I lived there were a stressed bunch - about careers, dealing with parental expectations, lack of earnings, too many hours at work, the hierarchical constraints, etc.
- Roger in DC

Where's the Beef?

Concerns over mad cow disease have led to the now few year old ban on the import of US beef. Obviously, this ban is a huge issue for the US and their beef lobby. There is immense pressure being forced upon Korea to get rid of this ban and this gets a lot of mention in the press. In most of today's newspapers, President Roh Moo-Hyun is quoted as saying that the import of US beef is inevitable regardless of whether Korea fails to sign the free trade agreement with the US.

Some friends of mine were going to open a high end steak house using premium corn-fed U.S. prime but have put the project on hold due to the instability of supply. Apparently, there were more than a few people who wanted to bring in Lawry's and Mortons in to Korea to no avail. Probably one of the few types of food I miss living in Korea is this type of steak. Ruth's Chris, Mortons, Del Friscos, Peter Lugers .... it's probably the one thing I always get when I travel abroad to other countries that do not ban the import of US beef (namely, most places you would go).

In the meantime, us steak lovers in Seoul have to put up with Australian beef that really does not compare. I won't go to a restaurant to have steak because as I'm always let down and prices are higher than you'd pay for a Ruth's Chris filet (we're talking between US$40 to $50). I now many a foreigner has been disappointed especially when the bill comes. Also, when you bite into that Australian steak you won't have THAT reaction ... you know what I'm talking about ... when you bite into it and close your eyes, bend your head back, nod and say, "Oh yeah." Nope, not gonna happen with Australian meat. While the "hanwoo" or high grade Korean beef is delicious (and seriously pricey) and Korean BBQ offers many types of savory meat offerings ... sometimes you just feel the need for that big ass fat steak and I don't expect to be able to get any in Seoul for the foreseeable future.

-Pat in Seoul

The Troubled Tiger

I'm now re-reading "The Troubled Tiger," a book by Mark Clifford that I read as a graduate student more than a decade ago. It was homework then, but it's pleasure reading now. And that makes all the difference in the world. The book is in need of an update, but it's probably the most readable account out there about Korea's economic development. It reads like a good, long magazine article. I just got started and, as I go through it, I'll occasionally share things that surprise me in the book. For starters:
--Clifford compares Park Chung-hee, the nation builder, to Ataturk and Nasser and comments that Park's accomplishments are more enduring. Tough to argue with that one.
--Park flirted with communism when he was young. Didn't know that.
--One politician was quoted as saying that Park was "vaguely frightening" because he constantly wore dark glasses.

-Roger in DC

The Great Alphabet

Koreans are extremely proud of their alphabet. And rightfully so. It's logical, phonetic and easy to learn. What I'm about to say might verge on messing with the sacrosanct. But I think Koreans - with their business and culture so infused by the western (English-speaking) influence - could benefit by tinkering with the alphabet just a bit. My proposal won't take a lot and it involves addition, not subtraction. How about adding two consonants that mirror the "V" and the "F" sound? In fact, they can just use the Roman letters exactly as they are in the Korean system, and it would work just fine in writing. Of course, given the national pride involved in the language system, I know this idea would never fly. It's an entertaining idea, at least for me, nonetheless. And it would save me from having to hear "Whiting!" at soccer games.
-Roger in DC

About those zeroes...

I was never a big fan of the Korean Won for one simple reason - too many zeroes. For a long time, I've thought the Korean government should lop off at least one zero now that the Korean economy has caught up with other developed nations. In my proposed system, KRW 100 would be equal to more or less $1. It'd be like the U.S. Dollar without the decimal.
Who knew that, of all people, Hugo Chavez agrees with me. The Venezuelan strongman just got rid of three zeroes in the country's currency. Here's the story from the New York Times. Of course, he's accompanying the move with another looney idea of introducing a 12.5 cent coin. Ok, that's not random. His purported reason: to fight inflation. Not sure I get the logic, but dealing with the public's mass confusion is always an important consideration in tinkering with the national currency. But I'm sure Koreans can figure it out if their government simply dropped off one zero (though I'd advise my grandma to stay away from Namdaemun market for a few months until she gets used to it). Italians did it for the Euro. Koreans can too!
- Roger in DC

Korea Society Downloads & Podcast

I just noticed an interview with director Bong Joon-Ho on the Korea Society's website. Actually, you can subscribe free to their podcast on iTunes. Other recent downloads I found interesting was a talk by Christopher Hill on the current state of North Korea talks. I saw Christopher Hill at the Hyatt's Paris Bar a few months ago and he was very smooth. No entourage or anything. Apparently, he was a very good lacrosse player when he was younger. I have yet to find a lacrosse player who wasn't "cool." I'm the auditor for the Korea Lacrosse Association though I've never played the sport, hence, I'm not that cool. If those links above do not work you can just go to the Korea Society's web site and they're not difficult to find.

-Pat in Seoul

Koreanfilm.org

Here's a neat little website for those interested in Korean movies. I refer to it when I want to keep up with new Korean movies or when I want to learn more about popular actors and actresses. I use it frequently as a guide before renting Korean movies. Founder Darcy Paquet is by far the best writer. The other contributors need some serious editing.
- Roger in DC

Perplexing Korean names

Pat's reference about spelling out "Dong Gook" in a soccer player's jersey and my recent travails in trying to get social security benefits for my mom got me thinking about Korean names. Mainly, Koreans - it's mostly an issue only for those who deal with Westerners - are too inconsistent about their names! And we wonder why Westerners mess up Asian names. Koreans typically have two syllables (or words? Or characters?) as their given (or first) name, such Dong Gook. So his name in Korean is Lee Dong Gook. In the U.S., it would be Dong Gook Lee.
Of course, it doesn't help that Koreans still consistently introduce themselves to Westerners by leading with their surname. (Hi, I'm Lee Dong Gook, leading others to wonder if Lee is the first or last name. And what then is Gook? A middle name?) Recently, I found out that Social Security administrators have misplaced some key documents that my mom needs because they can't figure out whch is her first, middle or last name.
Here's my proposal: I say Koreans stick to one first name by combining the two characters into one name. Sunhee or Chanho or Donggook (Actually, Donggook is a terrible example. Maybe he should use a dash. Dong-gook. Better yet, he should get himself a Western name - James or something.) And always introduce your first name first - "Hi, I'm Chanho Park."
- Roger in DC

The Host Lands in the US

I've been seeing some reviews popping up for this film called "The Host" by the Korean director Bong Joon-Ho as it is set to make its US debut. This film also made the cover of Artforum magazine in January 2007 which really surprised me since Artforum is more of a fine arts magazine. Reviews of this film have been almost all positive and just this past week the New York Times also gave the film its blessing.

I was probably one of the last people of the movie-going public living in Korea to see this film. I saw bits and pieces on an airplane but bought a legimtimate DVD.

To begin with, this movie is hands down the highest grossing movie in Korean film history. Ticket sales were roughly KRW 45,500,000,000 (about US$48 million) which is quite staggering given that fact that the total population of Korea numbers around 48 million. Also quite surprising taking into account the rampant illegal downloads of movies and the many street corner vendors selling copied DVDs (three for US$10).

While this movie is thrown into the "monster genre" or "horror" category it does not fall neatly into either category. The director has said that he is a fan of M. Night Shyamalan and compares this film more to a movie like "Signs" with its focus on the family and not the monster. The power of this movie is the focus on the rather dysfunctional / lower class family that unites to get back the young daughter that has been kidnapped by the monster. Not only is the family fighting the monster, they are actually up against most authority figures in Korea (be it the police, hospital officials, and the US military). As such, the movie is a refreshing mix of social commentary (corruption on all levels and, most ostensibly, Korea's reliance on the US military), proponent of family values, horror and comedy and while it sometimes does flirt with the border of melodrama it does not go too far in any one direction to put anyone completely off. Some may not agree and one Korean critic wrote, proudly, that "This is Korea's first legitimate anti-American film."

The power of this movie feeds off of the very human quality of the family members. The acting is really superb. The lead actor, Song Kang-Ho, is one of the best actors in Korea. He's been in so many leading Korean films and is consistently good in all of them. He plays the rather bumbling father to a tilt here and injects such a human character to him that you feel for him even while being so irked by his actions.

The final scene shows the small snack shack located in a park next to the Han River where the family lives and runs its business. It is snowing and the glow of the hut stands in contrast to the darkness over the river. Many critics read this to show a rather dark world out there but I actually had a different reaction. There is great warmth emanating from the hut. It is inviting and warm and safe. It is a simple joy in a crazy world. In a way, it is quite uplifting in my opinion. To watch the family cook up ramen noodles in the hut and watch their little TV it somehow made me feel that, while they are not well off in the typical sense, the characters lead a rich life in their own way.

-Pat in Seoul

On "Korea Style"

A friend of mine co-authored a book called "Korea Style" that was recently published so I thought I'd mention it.

Many times, Korea gets lost in the shuffle between China and Japan with no voice that clearly articulates the uniqueness of Korea and its art, architecture, design, music and other cultural areas. I trust that most non-Koreans would be unable to discern a piece of furniture or design that is Korean though may have an idea of something Chinese or Japanese. Maybe, it's all Chinese to all non-Asians.

The opening essay by the architect Clark Llewellyn is an interesting survey of Korean aesthetic history and also introduces the reader to the philosophical underpinnings that permeate Korean design, art and, though it may be a stretch to say, thought in general.

Korea’s sense of aesthetic is rooted in both Confucianism and respect for nature. Confucian ideals are tangible in all aspects of society – piety, simplicity, respect. Llewellyn explains the notion of “Geomancy” as a “method of divination for locating favorable sites as a leading principle of design.” This may be akin to notions of “feng sui” and, in this case, he further expounds that the theory held by Korean “stems from the belief that the earth is the producer of all things” and one must respect and harbor the “energy of the earth.”

While China and Japan share these general notions, the divergence starts here. I recall an article written by the art critic Souren Melikian that described an auction of Asian ceramic pottery. He explained that “Chinese scholarly taste demands technical perfection” while “Korean potters take the reverse stand” by, for example, finding charm in asymmetry or unevenly applied glaze almost to a point that "one can almost feel the touch of the potter’s hand.” While Chinese connoisseurs may find this notion near “damnable” the Koreans would appreciate this “poetic spontaneity” and “natural feel.”

For these reasons, Korean aesthetic allows for untreated wood or plants growing in a natural way. This is in contrast to the sharpness one would fine in, say, a bonsai plant. Llewellyn explains that the “Korean culture discovered aesthetic and moral value within materials exposed to and thus altered by the natural elements.” The Japanese like their Zen gardens or those gardens of perfectly raked sand. What do Koreans like? They like to see grass that is naturally browned in the Winter rather than landscapes that are "manufactured or artificially developed."

Despite a relatively dark time for Korean architecture and design after the War, this books is a celebration of the re-incorporation of traditional Korean values and re-injection of true Korean soul into contemporary art and architecture. I find that I am drawn to Korean contemporary art that reflects these value and will certainly share thoughts on these artists in future posts.

-Pat in Seoul

Salacious headlines

Yes, they're salacious and prurient, as well as consistenly badly written. But I read the stories on this link more often than I care to admit. It's a list of Chosun Ilbo stories "that are completely different" - tho I'm not sure how different is the notion that Koreans now travel for sex. Check out the story about a survey of perverts who admit they aren't really concerned about their victims' appearance. Hilarious, though unintentionally.
-Roger in DC

Hollywood Korean Badass

I read an article in the March 5th New York Times about young Asian pop singers and their difficulty in making it "big." I agree that the pop music scene in the U.S. and Western Europe would be a tough nut to crack especially for an Asian male.

Female Asians will do much better because, frankly, female Asians are almost wholly accepted in the non-Asian world and universally regarded as sexy. No one seems to turn ones head when a non-Asian male dates an Asian female but somehow it's a little harder to take the other way around. Watching a video by a "hot" Asian female singer just seems a lot sexier than picturing an Asian male doing the same thing, you know? I just can't imagine saying, "Oh yeah, baby, let me pop in the George Kang and take you on a journey."

Right now, Asian pop stars are few and far between ... probably Amelie is the most well known and she's half-Korean. I can't really think of any others. In rock, it's a slightly different story namely because of the target audience. For indie rock fans it's easier to accept the likes of Jame Iha, Joseph Hahn or Mike Shinoda since they all inhabit, to some extent, some alternative sub-culture where race rarely comes into play.

In most other fields of entertainment, it's just a matter of time as Asians are so much more assimilated with this generation. When I was growing up, you basically had Soon Taek-Oh playing the bad guys and that was it for Korean actors in Hollywood. Now you have Daniel Dae Kim in People magazine and in Gap ads along with Wentworth Miller and Chris O'Donnell ... that's a huge thing. I used to say that Koreans needed a true badass in Hollywood and, that being said, I think Grace Park from Battlestar Galactica is taking us all to the promised land.

-Pat in Seoul

Make that double

Obviously, the idea is completely lacking in orginality, but I think it's a good one. The proposal to change the Korean presidential term from from one five-year term to a renewable four-year term makes perfectly good sense. A term of five years is just not long enough for anything meaningful to be achieved. I don't know about you, but it takes me a good 12 months to feel truly comfortable at my job. The notorious political infighting in Korea - erupted often over the most trivial matters - probably saps away another year. The last year is completely useless since he's already a lame duck. So what do you have left? A year or two at best to make your mark. Not long enough.
-Roger in DC

Redefining the K in KFC

Since I've returned from Korea in 2002, I've told a number of friends that some of the best fried chicken in the world can be found in Korea. Call me biased. I still fondly recall the nights I spent with salsa buddies at a number of chicken pubs in the Hong-dae district, chowing down wings with Cass beer. They're generally lighter but still more varied in seasoning that their U.S. counterpart, I've always thought. That's why I loved this NYTimes story that pretty much confirms what I've been saying. As I recall, it was the most e-mailed NYT story for three days.
- Roger in DC

Asian hotel owners - 20,000 strong

Reporting from Charlotte, where I'm chillin' - actually for a story coming up later - with 8,000 hotel owners who are of Indian background (as in the Asian country). They're here until Saturday for their annual convention put together by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association. Little known fact: 35% of all hotels in the U.S. are Indian-owned, and 60% of all budget hotels. And they're all from one state in India - Guajarat. It's a good cash flow business if you can put together several hundred thousand dollars for down payment. You can save money by living in the rooms and hiring relatives. And being vegetarians, they don't have to mess around with having a kitchen if they own limites service hotels. Sounds like many are making serious revenues. This got me thinking as to why Koreans toil in the toughest of startups - liquor stores, laundromats, gas stations, restaurants or anything else having to do with food. I think I saw maybe on two Koreans all day. One key advantage for Indians - many are comfortable speaking English. Newly arrived Koreans aren't, requiring them to seek out businesses that have minimal contact with customers.
-Roger in DC

Lee Dong Gook Premiership Debut

I was watching soccer this past weekend and happy to say that the Korean sports channels show quite a bit of English Premiership soccer nowadays due to the fact that four Koreans now play there. After Park Ji-Sung went to Manchester United he became something of a hero. It's quite a big deal, you know, having a Korean on one of the best teams in the world. It's hard to fathom, Park Ji-Sung running around with the likes of Van Nistelrooy (since gone), Rooney and Ronaldo. Rub your eyes but there is he is - with significant playing time to boot.

This weekend the Korean sports channel were showing Lee Dong Gook playing for Middlesbrough. During his first game he played maybe ten minutes tops but almost scored a goal. I think he is quite popular with the fans already.

The only thing I found a bit disconcerting was his jersey that had in huge letters, "DONG GOOK" on the back. I'm not sure how this is perceived in the UK but "Dong" refers to, well, you know and "Gook" is exactly how the derogatory word for Asians (particularly Koreans) is spelled. It's a great thing if he is popular and probably these guys are doing more for Korean race relations in the UK than anyone. Let's just pray that Dong Gook doesn't score an own goal in the near future.

-Pat in Seoul

Lost in translation

A puzzling UPI story - I didn't know the agency still existed! - about Koreans increasingly becoming more conservative. All good, except the story really never explains what Korean conservatism exactly is. In my two years there, I was never really sure either. I saw little to convince me that ideology plays a big role in domestic policy-making in Seoul (though all bets are off when it comes to North Korea policy).
- Roger in DC

Starting out

It took a while, but the blog is finally up. Our goal is to gather ideas and observations - political, social, economic, cultural and personal - that might intrigue and entertain us Korea-watchers. The gate's wide open.
(PS: The blog is named after a Korean movie by auteur Hong Sang-soo. I know, it's kind of random. But it's one of my favorite movies.)
-Roger in DC