삼선 슬리퍼

Tags

korean fashion, korean slippers

푸하하하하!!!

I’m strangely happy that I finally found out what is the name of the slippers that are so common in Korea. I should have guessed. For those who don’t get it, it means ’3 lines slippers’. Ingenious. Dare I venture to say that almost all Koreans will have at least a pair at home?

They are worn everywhere, cheap and so comfortable. I have seen university students who wears that to school too.. ㅋㅋ Of course on guys.

On hindsight, I should have bought a pair back home.. although I don’t think I will have much use for it here. Koreans wear them to go to the mart, downstairs etc

As you can probably sense, I’m still feeling super happy about my discovery.

I’m reading an article on the prevalence of university jumpers and this was in it ^^

Talking about university jumpers, I didn’t really understand the hype behind them. Why would fashion conscious Korean girls wear that everywhere (I don’t think it looks very nice…) and the guys are forever wearing that. I thought it was out of school loyalty and I was only partially correct. Turns out that it’s growing to another trend among university students to differentiate themselves. And also a way to flaunt that you are studying at a branded university. Perhaps that’s why I see a lot of Yonsei / Korea University / SNU jumpers around. ><

Not my cup of tea.

The baseball jumpers doesn’t suit the Singapore climate either and I’ll probably be attracting too much unwanted attention if I wear that to school here. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Okay I got side-tracked.

Back to studying (:

Rainy days in Seoul

Tags

seoul life

It’s kind of interesting to compare the sights during rainy days in Seoul and Singapore. Here’s some interesting things I’ve seen.

1. Huge umbrellas during a slight, almost non existent drizzle

Looked out of the window and see everyone on the street using their large umbrellas. Didn’t see any raindrops but thought I was just being blind. Walked out with an umbrella, only to find that there is ALMOST no rain. -.-

The above happens to me really often here. Drizzles here are kind of fine, instead of the heavy water droplets we have in Singapore. In Singapore, most of us don’t bother using the umbrella if it was a slight drizzle. It’s a common sight to see people walking in the rain (drizzle), especially the guys. Most guys don’t carry umbrellas, unless it’s really raining. But in Seoul, I’m puzzled by how everyone uses umbrellas in the slightest rains. Huge umbrellas. And I’m just walking normally.

My Korean class is now learning about 환경 (environment) and our teacher told us that it’s dangerous to be in the rain without an umbrella because of acid rain in Korea. All rain is acidic and unless you have loads of hair to spare, do use an umbrella.

Is that really the reason? I’m really curious.

(I’m sure the rain in Singapore is acidic too..)

2. Huge umbrellas

Singapore is known for its rainy season but strangely, we seldom use those big umbrellas, preferring instead the foldable ones. As a general rule, the smaller/lighter, the better. Especially among the girls. However, Koreans seem to prefer larger umbrellas. Guys go for the long ones in dark colors while the girls, being fashionable, has the pretty, patterned ones. Seriously, umbrellas are really pretty in Korea. And expensive. I own a 28,000won umbrella and I’m always scared of losing it.

We get all the rain in Singapore, but I seldom see pretty umbrellas. We usually use the same umbrella for sun and rain and thus, they are usually those ugly silver ones with the UV coating. D:

3. 3000won umbrellas

I love these umbrellas. I’m sure many of us have the experience of not having an umbrella when it starts pouring. 3000won umbrellas are the best inventions. They are sturdy, last for quite some time, pretty enough and cheap enough for you to buy them without batting an eyelid.

‘It’s too troublesome to bring an umbrella out today. Oh well, if it really rains, I can always buy the 3000won umbrella anywhere’. I’m sure alot of Koreans have this mentality.

They are sold everywhere. Subway stations, convenience stores etc. I’ve seen florists, handphone shops selling umbrellas. And you find these umbrellas at shops that seems to sell everything.

Umbrellas are for sale everywhere in Seoul, but it can be such a chore to buy one in Singapore. My friend once walked through the entire mall in Singapore but fail to find an umbrella.

This is my own photo of the 3000won umbrella. Will try to snap one next time!

Here’s another common design in Korea.

4. Rainboots

The must-have item for every Korean girl. When I first went to Korea, I thought it’s ridiculous that the fashionable girls there are wearing these ugly, fishmarket-like boots. I’ve never seen them in Singapore.

But taking into account the heavy rains and the uneven roads in Seoul, I can see why they are so popular here. And I secretly wish I had a pair too.

——-

Is there any interesting sights during rainy days in your country? ^^

 

Gangsong Art Museum (성북동 간송미술관)

Tags

gangsong art museum, joseon artworks, portrait of a beauty, seoul life

Thanks to a tip-off from a Korean friend, I made a trip to Gangsong Art Museum located in Seongbuk-dong this afternoon.

Gangsong Art Museum is the first private museum in Korea and it houses many priceless cultural artifacts of Korea. It is only opened twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, for 15 days each. The theme of each exhibition changes and for Autumn 2011 (16th Oct to 30th Oct), the museum is showcasing the artworks of 52 artists from the Joseon Dynasty.

One of the highlights of the exhibition is the 미인도 (美人圖 / Portrait of a beauty) by 신윤복 (Shin Yun Bok), which is made famous to people all around the world from its common appearance in dramas and movies etc. The painting hasn’t been shown to the public for 2 years, so please do not miss this opportunity!

Despite being a weekday noon, there was a long queue at the museum, stretching all the way to the main road. It took me 1 hour to get into the gallery, but I assure you that it was worth it.

The museum houses two galleries and the one in the 2nd floor showcases the smaller artworks while the one on the 1st floor has the larger portraits and paintings. The 미인도 is located on the right of the 1st floor gallery.The gallery itself is simple and no-frills. Unlike the classier galleries with spotlights, laminated flooring and intricate designs, the Gangsong Art Museum is simple and plain, but it houses the treasures.

I’m not familiar with the artwork from Joseon Dynasty but it was an eye opener to see some of the famous paintings in person. Personally, I loved the artworks from Shin Yun Bok.

Definitely not to be missed if you are in Seoul. It’s not a very popular / well known place with the tourists, but if you are interested in ancient artwork, please make a visit to the museum.

———

Exhibition Date: 2011.10.16 – 2011.10.30

Time: 10am – 6pm

Fee: Free

Useful sites: Visit Korea

Directions: Get off at 한성대입구역 (Hansung University Station) Line #4 –> Exit 5 –> walk straight along the main road until you see Shinhan Bank building, cross the road, turn left and continue walking along the main road until you see sign for the museum.

For better directions, please download the Naver 지도 application on your smartphone. They give really detailed directions, in Korean though.

p.s. photography is not allowed in the gallery and I am a law abiding citizen. Apologies for the lack of photos!

credits: Daum blog, 중앙 Sunday

 

[Cultural quirks] Brushing your teeth in school

Tags

korean culture, seoul life

hehe I’m typing this in my syntax class now. oops I’m a bad student.

I have been meaning to blog about this for ages: brushing your teeth after meals / in the morning etc in school.

I’m very curious about how common is it to do so in your country / school. I started to develop this habit while I was working part time in a fund management company back in Singapore. Some of my colleagues did it, and I picked up the habit. It’s gross to not brush your teeth for the entire day (personal opinion!). There were people who do not have the habit but they do not comment on those that did it – which is totally fine by me.

Back in university in Singapore, I do that sometimes and I hate it when people give me the incredulous look and one of my classmates actually went ‘omg you didn’t brush your teeth in the morning??!!!’ I gave her the -.- look and ignored her. Ridiculous people. But it’s true that people will stare at you weirdly in the restrooms if you do that. Makes me a little self conscious but I can’t be bothered with them.

Very very rarely will I meet any girl who does that, and I can almost safely say that no guy will do that in Singapore.

That’s why I’m so happy to be in Korea. It’s super common to see girls brushing their teeth in the toilets and no one will say anything at all. I’ve seen girls who will ask their friends if they want to go brush teeth together. It’s normal to take out your dental care set and there’s no need to hide what you are doing.

It’s funny because Koreans go one step even further and they have no problems sticking the toothbrush in their mouth and start brushing even when they are outside the toilets O.o hahaha I won’t really do that but I don’t judge them. xD

It’s common for guys to do that too! Me likes. But I have a shrewd feeling that guys do it because they don’t want to smell of cigarettes LOL.

But I still get annoying comments from the international students here. The other day I was in the toilet brushing when my classmate from China came in and exclaimed really loudly ‘OMG SHANNA. since when have you develop this habit like the Koreans?!!’. -.- I was in a ‘do not disturb’ mood that day and I just ignored her oops.

I’m really curious on what you guys think about this issue!! Feel free to voice your opinions (and disagree with me!).

Awesome TV programme: SBS 오마이갓!

Tags

korean resources, korean tv, seoul life

Today is actually the first day I spent some time watching tv in my room. The TV doesn’t work well in my previous place and I’ve been too busy to watch it in my new room!

Found out about this programme when I was eating with my friend at a 분식집. SBS 오마이갓 (Oh My God) is a short sitcom that deals with the life of married couples. Every episode will have a theme (eg. 부부간의 나쁜 버릇) and it will showcase and compare the different stories based on two couples: a newly wed couple and a middle-aged couple!

VISIT THE OFFICIAL SITE

I loved both couples However, the female lead for the newly wed couple got changed to 황보 and although she’s a good actress, she didn’t fit the image of the newly wed D: D: Here’s an image of my favorite old couple!!

There are a few things I loved about this show:

1. Hilarious without being too exaggerated

The narration is really funny and the dialogue between the couples is super hilarious too xD It’s hard to describe, you have to watch it to understand.

2. Learn about the Korean culture

I get a lot of insight towards married life and especially married life in Korea. It’s funny on how they talked about letting the wife keep check of all the expenses and how the husband will try all ways get and secure his ‘spare cash’. And how the wife gets annoyed when the husband tries to act generous by paying for everything when they are with his 후배s.
3. Practice Korean listening!

I think this sitcom is a good resource! I tried to find videos online but there aren’t many D: For those of you who gets access to this, please watch it! The narration is clear and all the dialogue is pretty simple and accessible I think!

Here’s part of an episode!! Go watch it. I can’t embed videos here, so please click on the link (will bring you to a naver blog!)

It’s about the differences of going to a hair salon between the 2 couples xD I think you will only get the newly wed couple here!

I LOVE THIS SHOW <3