Do you remember that old joke? It’s not really a joke. It’s a zen riddle to challenge rational thinking to help achieve enlightenment. Huh? Right. It’s way above my pay grade to understand deep thoughts like this, but it’s what I always think about when I watch a Kdrama and see how Koreans clap. Americans clap full out with our fingers against our palms. At least that’s the way I clap. Koreans clap with their fingers touching. It’s a more gentle clap, more measured an

It's Pat. In all the Kdramas I’ve watched, I’ve never heard of a ritual dinner. In the Kdrama I just finished, You and Everything Else , the film crew has a ritual dinner before they start filming their newest movie. The crew gathers together to have a staff person prostrate himself and ask the gods of heaven and earth to save them from the demons of schedule cancellations, fickle weather, retakes, tardiness, and accidents. Then he asks that these demons be sent far, fa

Judy here to keep you current! Koreans are definitely into personality tests... not only do they categorize themselves amongst acquaintances but they'll also include this information on job interviews! The latest trend is something being called Teto vs Egen. (Since you religiously read this blog you already know about the MBTI Personality Tests and Blood Type Personality Indicators.... but just in case you forgot I'll remind you.) MBTI stands for Myers-Brigg Type Indicator

We all notice the shoes off policy in Korean homes as depicted in Kdramas. But that's even starting to become more common in the US. How many of you noticed the difference in showering protocols? Park Shi-hoo (Not familiar with him but perhaps I should be...) I have rather fine hair. In order to look my absolute best I must shower and shampoo every morning to get maximum lift and volume for my hair. If I shower at night I closely resemble a drowned rat the next day. Cer

It's J udy. Taxi Driver is a Kdrama whereby a taxi customer can get revenge from people who have wronged them. I think I rated it a 7 or 8 and honestly, I cannot remember many of the scenes except one. I am absolutely certain that they drove across the Han River 5-6 times per episode. There were 16 episodes in two seasons so that means we visually crossed the river perhaps 150 times. There are many different bridges over the Han but I did not keep track of which bridge

In all my years of watching American TV or attending movies I have never heard this noise. Not until I watched a Kdrama. And now it's a fairly common phenomenon. What is it? Well, it's growling stomachs. I've mentioned before how food plays such an important role in Kdramas - and apparently Korean society - and growling stomachs is just one more symbol. I would guess that perhaps 20-30% of all Kdramas have a scene where one of the actors's stomach will loudly growl and e

Judy here with great info. In the US you ask people 'how are you?' In China and in Korea you ask them 'have they eaten?' In Namibia, you ask if 'they slept well?' Naturally you know that I have learned the Korean version from my language classes plus my trip to Korea last year. Our tour guide taught the group to ask that when we greet one another. My niece lived in China for four years studying the language & told me recently that the Chinese also inquire about their

Cast of Kim's Convenience Store (not sure which cast but this is the best I could do!) I was lucky enough to see this play in San Francisco last weekend. This was the play that inspired the eponymous Netflix show. Playwright Ins Choi not only wrote the play but also starred in the leading role. The story is a humorous take on the serious subject of immigrants who have made their home in foreign countries. Here the country is Canada, the city, Toronto. Ins Choi is a Korean

*That is Pat Speak for ‘I’m Annoyed’ I’m on an overseas trip, and because I’m a Kdrama addict, I came well prepared. IN ADVANCE, I downloaded all the Kdramas I wanted to watch while traveling. This included an old Lee Byung-hun movie, Iris , and the Kdrama, Little Women. My current obsession with Kim Go-eun has motivated me to watch everything she’s been in, and she’s in Little Women. I have to say I’m not crazy about this Kdrama, but I decided to finish it anyway. The s