tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82063086789137512032012-01-09T01:32:00.911+09:00clubs, cinema & the cutting edge of Korea (now defunct)Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.comBlogger1061100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-70369651841955276652011-12-21T00:56:00.002+09:002012-01-09T01:32:00.925+09:00

girls generation - Visual Dreams t-ara - roly poly sunny hill - midnight circus 4 minute - mirror mirror 10cm - hug me super jnr - mr simple wondergirls - SuperB

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-494118344520250882011-02-12T04:23:00.006+09:002011-12-25T01:35:58.100+09:00

Best K-Pop of 2010, by MYBLEEDINGNOSE 5. Girls Day - Tilt My Head 4. Foxy - Why Are You Doing This To Me 3. Narsha - BBI-RI-BOP-A 2. Jo Sung Mo - I'm Gonna Cheat 1. Miss A - Breathe #Best K-hop: Onesun - Like Your Boy Best performance: Brown Eyed Girls - Sign (acoustic)

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-14839706115819442912010-09-20T04:41:00.009+09:002011-02-07T06:11:29.800+09:00

Read the whole story here.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-68775212093164031002010-09-19T23:48:00.011+09:002011-02-13T05:19:41.766+09:00

MEDLEY (Shampoo) Three girls strip and mime on a podium, on fire in the blinding purple-blue light. I’m in Suwon, a city known for trannies and homosexuality in a country where such things are not so much hidden as rare. Korea isn’t Japan. Gay doesn’t even translate into anything. So, seedy Suwon in Shampoo, traditional Korean nightclub. This means there are bench tables all the way from the

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-16684185161244896672010-03-05T18:45:00.004+09:002011-02-13T05:22:12.894+09:00

Apocalypse! (White Day, not today) I laugh way too much. It's 2 o'clock in the morning as I stand arms crossed, eyes bewitched in the light as the stage show begins, the all night darkness of dancing to electronic beats now giving way to the revelation of a Korean girl in a Viking helmet miming to Pussycat Dolls. The stage is her deck as Korean men dance in sync behind her with bare oiled torsos

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-27132711086331587472009-10-07T10:20:00.004+09:002009-10-07T13:37:43.966+09:00

Bye Korea x

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-25560704806786158972009-10-07T10:12:00.004+09:002009-10-07T10:20:05.892+09:00

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-63861652429738371682009-09-25T18:48:00.009+09:002009-09-25T19:58:30.632+09:00

Packing away my worldly possessions I bust the zippers on my suitcase. This in turn led me on a rounded tour of various Jukjeon tailors, ending with me in the hidden corridors of Shinsegae Department Store as a nice chap with an English lisp endeavoured to help me with my plight.Walking out I heard some nice synthpop beaming from the poles outside Shinsegae. I stood by one trying to work out the

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-42913358916772133092009-09-22T00:50:00.002+09:002009-09-22T01:00:40.998+09:00

Behind a petrol station I found this lovely temple.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-15291640879762174572009-09-14T00:03:00.001+09:002009-09-14T00:33:16.506+09:00

Try head down to the Naim June Paik Art Centre in Yongin when you can, and watch the 30 minute Oedipus Marshall (Javier Tellez, 2006) when you're in there. That link will tell you all.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-75567791238615797612009-09-13T13:54:00.004+09:002009-09-13T14:02:11.557+09:00

Finally saw 똥파리 Ddongpari aka Breathless this week, a much acclaimed movie from last year. I really recommend it, powerful stuff. The acting from Yang Ik-Joon and Kot-bi Kim is sublime.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-7096553967689925452009-09-12T13:36:00.008+09:002009-10-07T13:50:54.036+09:00

'giant robot taekwon v statue will be six times as large as giant gundam statue'It's actually going to be a tower with an exhibition about Robot Taekwon V on the ground level, an observatory in the chest area with another astronomical one based up in the head.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-63311955925251805262009-09-11T01:18:00.011+09:002009-09-11T02:51:17.219+09:00

I'm fascinated by this advert for Lotteria's 30th anniversary burger, the 불새버거, half shrimp half beef, real traditional Korean cuisine (or, K-usine).Is it the odd choice of Franco accordion soundtrack? The Harvey Dent/Gollum battle between the two psyches as they debate between fish or bulgogi? Maybe just the 3-dimensional plastic make-up job on the actor, much like the Burger King monarch or

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-90927048704223994072009-09-11T00:18:00.009+09:002009-09-11T02:36:21.824+09:00

Yet irrepressibly jaunty.Here's a funny story. I don't have an aerial connection on my TV, so I only know about two Korean dramas - the one which is basically Mulan all over again, and Tamna, which I blogged about last month in derision. Cue a few weeks of mockery of the show with friends relating to yellow fever and the general bad acting & writing on display, plus the freaky looking nature of

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-66972099340418836732009-08-31T01:21:00.008+09:002009-08-31T01:40:08.042+09:00

Yonghwajeon Temple, Yongin Local Relics No. 52

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-48406554334054666312009-08-30T15:14:00.006+09:002009-08-30T15:27:56.080+09:00

With my school bankrupt and closed, I was bored sitting around at home so I hopped on the Bundang Line and came across Bongguksa 국사 Temple.Walking in the grounds I met a former MC turned monk, who invited me to eat noodles & dumplings with others in the monastery. Aged 23, he was a freestyler in Seoul just 5 months before taking up his studies in the temple. Really nice guy. Thank you MC Mandu

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-56459998910143570562009-08-29T18:47:00.007+09:002009-08-29T19:03:59.058+09:00

In Bundang's Last Angel: A guy with an eye for the guys hoisted me up to the elevated dance stage overlooking the bustling main floor space. Here we go again I thought.'Where are you from?'etc etc im a teacher etc'Is your mother Korean?'Wasn't expecting that one. No.'...Is your father Korean?''...No!'Today I popped down to the corner shop, stumbled across a pansori performance at the local temple

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-42068088870970571602009-08-27T20:59:00.005+09:002009-08-27T21:22:44.014+09:00

Lately on Twitch there have been some fantastic reviews of Korean cinema by the always excellent X. Read his takes on 김씨 표류기 (Castaway on the Moon) above and 반두비 (Bandhobi). Also a trailer was posted recently for September's 내 사랑 내 곁에 (Closer to Heaven).#Found a cracking blog here on graffiti in Korea - Wall Art Korea, and out of Taiwan it's Tagging Taichung.This post was brought to you by Uncle

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-41990704958297314072009-08-25T23:46:00.009+09:002009-12-20T21:26:40.222+09:00

As inspired by Pitchfork#1 More Than A Woman Aaliyahand the rest in no particular orderGo With The Flow Queens of the Stone AgeThey Removed All Trace or Branches Bare - HoodFatalist Palmistry Why?I Luv U Dizzee RascalEgowar Gang Gang DanceLeyendecker BattlesSave Me Save Me Xiu XiuHey Ya! + Prototype - OutkastLost Cause Beck (plus Cellphone's Dead and the 2 singles from Guero)Feel the Love or

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-30808735018357082182009-08-23T15:56:00.009+09:002009-08-23T16:57:15.549+09:00

Walked into a local convenience store yesterday around 3am and found a little 8 year old boy at a laptop manning the counter, dolled up mother hiding outback in a white blouse and blue skirt. It was a Saturday, just let the little bastard rest for once!And that same hour as I walked back home some high schooler with his friends shouted at my back 'Night is dangerous!!' Melodramatic but a nice

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-77076173650422414612009-08-21T10:57:00.018+09:002009-08-21T16:45:47.237+09:00

CHECK OK Korea. OK?...Whatever That Means are a promising alt rock group just starting out in Korea, half American half Korean.They play a free gig tonight the 21st in shItaewon.More live music...Melt Banana play two gigs this weekend in Hongdae, 25k each. Support comes from Lazy Magnet, who's touring Korea this month, supported on Thursday 27th by Yano Shiku, Urasawa Satsuki, Sen Yukie, Fujieda

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-8333665679812304952009-08-21T09:35:00.001+09:002009-08-21T09:38:27.651+09:00

SNSD aka Girls Generation look after a baby.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-54362458250198224802009-08-19T08:06:00.006+09:002009-08-21T09:35:51.939+09:00

A fantastic review of this year's 마더 Mother went up yesterday on Twitch. Mother has been picked to represent Korea at this year's Oscars.Coincidentally, Bong Joon-Ho's previous films The Host and Memories of a Murder were picked by Q Tarantino this week as two of the best films to be made since 1992. One other Korean flick gets a mention there, Joint Security Area, which I'd never heard of.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-38019827566966926262009-08-16T17:03:00.006+09:002009-08-19T08:32:40.739+09:00

A young English nobleman sails to Japan, crashes into Jeju instead. Gets saved by a Jeju mermaid. Remarkable.A Radical New Korean Drama?

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-28265160367600752772009-08-11T14:38:00.005+09:002009-08-11T19:18:03.190+09:00

I borrowed the first album by Korean indie trio Humming Urban Stereo 허밍 어반 스테레오, the 2cd Very Very Nice! and Short Cake. Their style? Well, one song is named The Lady From Ipanema so that's a big indicator. When I first listened, one song's loungey refrain sounded remarkably like 'Scully doesn't doesn't love you...' Not wanting to believe, I just assumed it was her accent's take on sayin 'Cos he'

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-16474264937087985402009-08-09T17:29:00.007+09:002009-08-11T17:53:34.915+09:00

Have you seen this infomercial? Always makes me laugh. A pretty young girl sits on a Seoul train, reading a book. Opposite her is a pervy 40something peering over the top of his newspaper at her with the most OTT overacting, sweaty brow with a few nervy strands across it, having a good old lech at the young maiden, waggly eyebrows and parched lips. Next to the girl sits another brute male, a

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-51878723538279974102009-08-05T17:40:00.009+09:002009-08-05T19:25:37.671+09:00

Track back one post for more on Wawoo

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-79696970151649739132009-08-05T17:35:00.001+09:002009-08-05T19:24:13.559+09:00

You must go to Wawoojongsa Temple in Gyeonggi-Do. You must.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-62415271814448159332009-07-31T20:02:00.005+09:002009-07-31T20:35:01.452+09:00

Of men and irony: my boss ushers me into an empty dark room without a word. This is yesterday afternoon. 'Here we go' I think. Right on cue he twists me round and mimics anal intercourse, fumbling for my crotch. Does it again in the office, armed with the aircon remote. 'I don't like boys' he mumbles after as precaution. Tries again in public as he waits for the bus, seeing me leaving work.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-75612250204446421762009-07-30T16:35:00.010+09:002009-07-31T11:16:36.668+09:00

Prodigy - GirlsSomehow you can buy tix here for Global Gathering 09, a dance music event happening on September 19th by Han River, headlined by The Prodigy, Royksopp and MSTRKRFT.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-86489072521380105102009-07-29T22:42:00.007+09:002009-07-31T11:18:27.907+09:00

Recently I posted about Korean solo artist Haihm and her curious remix work on the new release by K-starlets Brown Eyed Girls. Thanks to the excellent treekingdom, I found Vol. 1, her debut from 2008. I was expecting some harsh avant garde in the vein of her chopped up BEG rmx, but instead the album's half hazy lounge like the lone single above, and half subtle 2step sadness. These beaty tracks

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-54780822867707947552009-07-29T09:25:00.002+09:002009-07-31T11:20:35.581+09:00

More recent listening. and your mother won't leave you alone...Capsule - You Are The Reason. Great track by synth dance duo Capsule. I got their CDs Flashback and More More More in Tokyo, really decent stuff with shades of The Knife, Tiga, Crystal Castles, even Kylie.Lo Fi Fnk - Want UAir France - June EveningsCassius - Almost Cut My HairMorning Mesume - Love MachineAfter School - Dream Girl.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-47425806606826347922009-07-29T00:35:00.000+09:002009-07-29T09:42:36.629+09:00

News on a sequel to Korea's highest grossing movie, 괴물 The Host, courtesy of SciFi Japan. The original's good fun if you take away the awful American actors involved and the at times uneasy collision of comedy and tragedy amidst the schlocky monster mayhem. Cloverfield ripped off the creature's design as well.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-40537269605793830882009-07-27T23:01:00.000+09:002009-07-27T23:05:50.731+09:00

Found through Naver. This exhibit can be seen at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon. Thanks to my student Jake who helped me work that out, haha.I finally visited the Dissonant Visions showcase at the Seoul Museum of Art in City Hall. There I saw Ji Yong Ho's sculptures made out of tire rubber, Bull 1 being especially grand.Also happy I saw the Image of Youth photo showcase at

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-81253659452860050252009-07-24T20:05:00.002+09:002009-07-26T00:19:28.292+09:00

Twitch at the PiFan festival reviews Korean flicks The Neighbor Zombie, A Good Night’s Sleep For The Bad and Private Eye.#Following my last post on the Brown Eyed Girls' newbie Sound G, Indieful Rok reports on an interesting bonus remix CD by various Korean electro alumni of past hits. There's a nice drum n bass remix by Fraktal which comes at you like a rhythm made out of brown paper, very 90s,

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-91853803709373177342009-07-22T22:48:00.005+09:002009-07-24T16:45:23.520+09:00

I think Brown Eyed Girls will own the second half of '09 with new mini album Sound G.Abracadabra starts off an awful lot like that track Wa by Jun Jin 전진 I posted a while back. This one, Strange Days, is very picopop.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-12413579878818858192009-07-21T13:30:00.002+09:002009-07-21T13:42:42.175+09:00

In a minute things can change, at least until you get home...It’s the middle of the night.That’s my favorite part,Keeps me under the gun...Recent listeningHoly Ghost - I Will Come BackThe Juan Maclean - One DayWonder Girls - Headache

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-33905507258508842742009-07-20T12:35:00.005+09:002009-07-20T12:42:11.396+09:00

Julia Hart - Prayer. The best of Korean indie. Just lovely

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-37121863762646863952009-07-18T13:16:00.012+09:002009-07-18T16:57:45.713+09:00

'AmityAmityAmityAmityCaught stars in her armsHello, hello kitty, happy in New York City...' more of the same

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-66275566897034123192009-07-17T16:58:00.003+09:002009-07-18T13:14:23.589+09:00

도야지봉 :: 네이버 블로그

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-48381420591136443812009-07-15T13:50:00.006+09:002009-07-18T17:09:26.623+09:00

Double Bill is screening Thailand's answer to Amelie หมานคร Mah Nakorn aka Citizen Dog this Sunday 19th. It starts 17.00 at the Godard Cinema Bar in Hongdae, near the very hip bar Strange Fruit. You can catch Some Like It Hot after if you want!!Yesterday I noticed the BBC has 3 fascinating reports on the land up northNorth Koreans learn Southern ways The meaning of N Korea's strange jibesSpare

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-4707283788471995002009-07-14T00:58:00.000+09:002009-07-14T02:31:48.516+09:00

that's what my daddy made me.Simian Mobile Disco are DJing @ Club Answer this July 25th in Gangnam. 40,000 for tickets.HustlerI BelieveI Got This DownAnd why not post this, a song I actually didn't mind hearing every night out at uniJustice v Simian - We Are Your Friends

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-36273166820728490872009-07-13T14:22:00.004+09:002009-07-17T00:08:20.721+09:00

I'm Like A Bird. Yep, you can sing this in Korea's noraebang rooms, but what about Nelly Furtado's classic singles from Loose, one of the best modern pop albums to date? Did songs like Maneater, All Good Things and Promiscuous Girl flop that badly over here? I would love to sing this some dayIf you like JT, I'm happy to say you can sing most Futuresexlovesounds in Korea, with exception of What

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-83336335079762874752009-07-12T16:45:00.008+09:002009-07-13T14:55:52.567+09:00

Photos from the 420ml graffiti exhibition at Platoon Kunsthalle.More on 420ml - link

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-43090067563833895842009-07-10T16:28:00.005+09:002009-07-10T16:55:22.689+09:00

Tokyo noiseniks Melt Banana are playing Hongdae @ Freebird, August 22. LinkNine Inch Nails + Keane will be playing this year's ETP Festival on August 15th @ Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Keane and Nine Inch Nails? That's like Aqualung supporting Tool.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-62205722193112013402009-07-09T02:06:00.005+09:002009-07-09T09:23:11.579+09:00

Uncle Tomato recommendsTune les joursFire by 2NE1. They look much nicer here than they did in the Lollypop vid.#Blogs les joursYour BoyhoodSAME HAT! SAME HAT!The latter is a 'weekly manga commentary featuring horror, gag & erotic-grotesque nonsense'. Talking of comics, why not see 'Manhwa - 100 Years of Korean Cartoon' at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Gwacheon?More classic art from

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-36918107424744324292009-07-08T14:19:00.004+09:002009-07-09T02:12:03.846+09:00

The Platoon Kunsthalle gallery between Gangnam/Apujeong is holding some cool events.From this Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th there's a graffiti exhibition, and on the 11th they'll be holding Korea's 2nd annual scratch battle, Skratch Day.On Thursday July 23rd you can also catch Moderat performing live, the collaboration between two German acts, Thom Yorke buddies Modeselektor and the ambient

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-10188478807798572092009-07-07T20:13:00.011+09:002009-07-18T16:58:33.802+09:00

Faithless, but still I was intrigued by a seemingly abandoned church, newly built in the redevelopment area of Gyodong 2. I first saw it lit at night, imbued with a European aura from on high, a plateau by the in-progress apartment blocks, cordoned off but constructed in an area definitely under construction.I possibly trespassed when taking these photos, but there were no fences to climb or

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-4097559330104390612009-07-06T16:54:00.003+09:002009-12-20T20:29:46.332+09:00

Where I live, I can just walk 5 minutes down the road and enter some sort of equinox between city/country, the old and new Korea, ever developing.Gyodong or Gyodong 2 in Yongin is that equinox, with derelict temples sharing the land with unpolished tower blocks. More photos tomorrow. Others here

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-45016778860973642282009-07-05T12:53:00.003+09:002011-04-21T00:29:39.724+09:00

Royal Pirates, two Korean guys based in America, taking on 'Sorry Sorry'. I played this in class once and felt like I was introducing rock n roll to Korea, blowing their little minds....the revolution did not come. Filipino prisoners dancing to the original version, the same inmates who did the Wacko Jacko tribute. I think 'Sorry' would work better abroad than the Wondergirls. One of the

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-60319203911083867932009-07-03T15:32:00.007+09:002009-07-21T14:03:45.418+09:00

So my horny boss learnt I was off to Hongdae last week for a night out. Cue some ridiculous story which involved him miming masturbation to ejaculation all over his face.Later in the day he followed fellow worker D around, asking if he was going Hongdae too.'Maybe'.Mr Lee pulled a grimace.'Be carefulsh'.And tapped D's dick.'Do you have a condom?''Um, no'.Mr Lee walked away shaking his head with a

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-60115385501151095932009-07-02T19:59:00.010+09:002009-07-03T16:09:42.701+09:00

So simultaneously my school went bankrupt to be then taken over by another private chain (no names mentioned).The place is jinxed whent it comes to hakwons - 4 different owners in 2 years, think about that. Last headcount - around 50 kids. In step 2 men to make their fortune - a horny middleaged chappie called Mr Lee, and his always silent partner, 80%, so-called because he owns an 80 per cent

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-62446104286999512972009-07-01T15:33:00.009+09:002009-07-02T00:45:11.841+09:00

I'd like to watch this - Bandhobi.I'd like to hear this - Stylish Korea, a compilation on Japanese label Freedom Records.FYI-You can watch seminal 60s flick The Housemaid here.Korean Royal Tombs Become World Cultural Heritage 'Group Sex Club' Lands in Gangnam Spider Man shoots web out his ass, woman in bikini climbs up. #I heard a yelp from the other side of the street, the open mouth above a

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-76485009712537600822009-07-01T08:36:00.007+09:002009-07-01T12:25:43.434+09:00

한, or HanBook Portrays Gloomy 20-Somethings Korean Teens Unhappier Than Peers in Japan, ChinaExhibition focuses on Korean teens Japan to Deport Late Actress' AgentUp North, courtesy of Asia Exile -Understanding the supervillain: Kim Jong Il's poignant evilWhy shouldn't Kim Jong Il fire his missile?

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-3167115351856789572009-06-29T00:41:00.002+09:002009-06-29T00:56:40.113+09:00

Lonely synths lose their petals under beats clamping from the stands. They're drenched in an Aphex acid, and a pervading melancholy as she pledges devotion, nostalgic, genuine.Yes, I'm talking about the rap coda to Wonder Girls' Nobody, basically Korea's new national anthem and cultural pop monolith of the 21st century. Now re-recorded for the American market in English, the above promo reminds

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-92083113374025588212009-06-25T00:02:00.015+09:002009-06-27T15:16:11.586+09:00

Time for a roundupTwitch reviews K action film Rough Cut. I'd like to see this.Foreign/er: Voyage to the World of Illustration ExhibitTwo N Korea photo albums - one on Ghostreemedia, another on Flickr.Korea Herald has an article on the Jecheon Music & Film Festival.'No sex please, we're South Korean'.The Korea Times: Man Nabbed for Selling Fake 'X-Ray Glasses'TF in the SK made me laugh with a

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-49237888435124724422009-06-23T19:15:00.013+09:002009-07-18T17:00:18.845+09:00

Orange line #3 - if you get off at Gyeongbokgung 경복궁, head your way to the National Folk Museum of Korea (photos above) and see the palace. Down the road, you can check out one of my favourite parts of Seoul, Samcheong-dong 삼청동. Part of Jongno, this obscure little area has a lovely European feel, recommended for its boutiques and cafes. There's even an owl museum. On Sunday I visited Toy Kino

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-71057990345625640012009-06-23T08:31:00.003+09:002009-07-18T16:57:06.221+09:00

Where I lived used to be all countryside just 4, 5 years ago. At the weekend I took photos of places left behind or preserved for heritage.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-3162381269454822742009-06-22T16:31:00.004+09:002009-06-22T16:59:06.541+09:00

제천 Jecheon will be hosting its own music & film festival this August 13th. Having quickly skimmed the .zip schedule on the event website, it's good to see they're showing the wonderful La Antena, or The Aerial, a 2007 ode to B&W silent movies and German expressionism, set in a future where no-one has a voice, speech taken by dictatorship.The Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival (July 10th - July 19th)

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-48295481729596133782009-06-20T10:07:00.011+09:002009-06-20T16:00:33.384+09:00

Heads up - UNKLE are DJing at Club M2 in Hongdae on June 27th.Unkle + Thom Yorke. What else was I going to post?#The Korea Times has a nice article on things to do in Seoul.Here's a nice blog on manwha - Korean comics - + animation > dokebi club#An elementary pupil really hates me. Her name is 'Rose', and she's always had some unidentified problem with me, climaxing in April when I asked her to

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-63823499366766059932009-06-18T21:13:00.009+09:002009-06-18T21:48:49.062+09:00

Updated yesterday's post on the Puchon Film festival.News of interest -Hundreds seek to wed rich KoreanNorth Korea qualify for World CupThere's a chance to see controversial Korean classic Madame Freedom in Hongdae this Sunday 21st. Check Double Bill for details.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-58471619383381612712009-06-17T18:20:00.016+09:002009-06-24T09:12:08.120+09:00

This tempts me - via Twitch I learnt of July's Puchon Film Festival, a two week event held in Bucheon 부천 from the 16th to the 26th.On the weekend of the 18th there's another chance to see Thirst 박쥐 with English subtitles, and a quaint looking Czech film entitled Mysterious Castle in the Carpathians. Also offered - the premieres of Good Night Sleep for the Bad, Bloody Shake, Today and the Other

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-31783997681168419902009-06-15T19:54:00.012+09:002009-07-18T17:01:17.939+09:00

Photos from Suwon. And photos here of a different sort.The prince in the rice box. Speaking of rice, had a marvellous dish of bulgogi 불고기 there. Cheers Jenny.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-1839116343079198332009-06-14T10:10:00.014+09:002009-07-18T17:01:45.662+09:00

My new briefs are Vobil 'total underwear', meaning they 'be as smart as a new pin'. I'm a lucky hunk.This also made me chuckle - Not Exactly Barney...#Photos from the Totoman toy museum in Insadong 인사동#Photos from the American Comics store in Jukjeon 죽전

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-45250344801154714252009-06-13T11:14:00.006+09:002009-06-14T11:05:26.865+09:00

Fantastic blog on Korean music, and I don't mean K-Pop at allhttp://zealive.livejournal.com/NewsN. Korea digs tunnels in Myanmar to earn dollarsKoreans biggest cellphone chatters#I've been re-reading a 12 part travelogue by Conor Purcell, aka Seoul Man. I first read his piercing, acerbic articles before coming to Korea, and now I can appreciate how bang on they are about certain things out here

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-69655704309948257582009-06-12T00:13:00.008+09:002009-06-12T09:08:22.651+09:00

2 similar sounding songs, first one fresh to the Korean charts, with an apparently controversial video.Shake 흔들려 by Chae Yeon 채연Wa by Jun Jin 전진Found a cool live version of this fried up with an acidic Sexyback.#Thinking about my vacation. Narrowed down my options to Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. Could wing to Singapore if I visit Malaysia.BBC News: S Korean airport 'best in

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-88154407221557436102009-06-11T00:39:00.004+09:002009-06-11T08:33:47.987+09:00

Of all places, I stumbled across Korea's first ever comic book shop in Jukjeon 죽전, Suji-gu yesterday.American Comics (아메리칸 코믹스) opened a month ago, offering archive issues and trade backs from DC/Marvel et al to rent in their original English form.Enthused, I got speaking to the store's owner, Sean, a seemingly bitter man.'This place is great!' (said before realizing I couldn't actually buy

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-48270505481242614962009-06-10T08:26:00.015+09:002009-06-11T21:10:53.645+09:00

My new boss - or bosh - has been talking about hiring a "sexy American teacher" to complement the way too manly duo of myself and D. Good idea - men really don't sell kindergartens to parents, and our academy is in dire need of a boost.This week Bosh called me into his office to check out 2 resumes on his computer screen. One was an American, one was a Brit. Inch by inch he kept stretching out

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-44737709160655266102009-06-08T12:56:00.007+09:002009-07-18T17:02:38.433+09:00

In Seoul's City Hall subway stop something set the sprinklers off.At another subway a drunk reached across my chest from behind in surprise - the 2nd time in as many days - and told me 'I love you', the 2nd time I've heard that in Korea.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-58826130854376692182009-06-07T11:37:00.016+09:002009-06-10T18:04:36.410+09:00

First Italian restaurant opens in Pyongyang, North Korea#With the business failing, my school's founder quit last week, unexpected but understandable. This being Korea, she'd already sold the school and on Friday afternoon we met the new boss - David, bespectacled 30 something and all round cool dude.I'm not one to mock Koreans attempting English, but this boss has a rather unique habit of adding

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-53790684716581426482009-06-06T11:44:00.005+09:002009-06-11T20:22:44.667+09:00

It's a strange life. Last night I was sat in 홍대 Hongdae with a mentally disheveled and self-absorbed American artist, desperate to leave and stop listening/trying to fathom out her glassy eyes.During this an odd number rang me up.'Hello?''Hello' a female sounding voice replies.'...Annyong haseo?''...Hello?'(and repeat)'...Annio Hanguk!' I plead in pig Korean, 'no Korean!'The voice says hello

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-66293141233698986202009-06-03T23:39:00.005+09:002009-06-07T21:39:14.410+09:00

Jason called me, Korean guy, little older than me, also a teacher. We go out for the first time to a club in 분당 Bundang (I think) - Star Dom. There's 3 of us - his friend Kim is there, cool guy in army training. Jason didn't tell me on the phone though that we'd be hiring a room for the night - it was that kind of club, very Korean. I was worried this would turn into Shampoo, part 2. But I went

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-70544765107619291792009-06-02T21:58:00.021+09:002009-06-11T08:32:07.725+09:00

From three storeys high I saw a young woman from the back all in black, holding a dark umbrella in the sun, and a little red purse level with her ears, arm bent like a rabbit's paw. She was walking quick by the stream near my apartment.I'd never seen someone so uniquely styled in my little gu. There are no universities, no galleries, no kitsch cafes or bars where I am. I've never actually seen

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-53966859292478096152009-05-30T09:18:00.010+09:002009-06-07T13:33:17.829+09:00

Dunkin Donuts have really surpassed themselves with their new ham & cheese burger.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-86555922535788109512009-05-27T22:43:00.015+09:002009-07-18T17:03:43.264+09:00

춘천Discovered the word 'Sandogi' which I'd been using for the last 5 months in class doesn't actually mean 'the same, identical' when pointing at 'spot the difference' pics. It actually means 'mountain rabbit'.#In 춘천 (Chuncheon) I saw a love castle/brothel. At the palace entrance a tall lady of sin in red waved with a smile for all passerby's, dirty old man on hunched knees by her side, surely her

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-26015642377737379112009-05-27T18:45:00.010+09:002009-06-03T08:48:42.730+09:00

A unique version of Hangman, where every mistake earns you half a black heart below the hidden word on the boardHis name was Mr. Shinh, asking if I could privately teach his high school daughter English, a business man on the bus. He took me and a fellow foreigner for some beer and seafood, and soju shots. As I ate a lovely boiled egg to temper the rank alcohol in me, our new associate kept

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-89753851051925384452009-05-26T19:42:00.008+09:002009-05-28T02:18:16.198+09:00

Midnight on a Saturday when walking back to my apartment I saw a young couple, the only other life around. The man wore a sharp suit, holding up his stumbling partner bent in 2, dressed smart also, drunk but where they'd been drinking I couldn't guess. There aren't any bars in the direction they were coming from that I know of, just a chicken place, a scooter shop, key shop, then a road leading

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-7673225956260863112009-05-26T12:55:00.007+09:002009-06-08T22:43:05.368+09:00

Went on a girl's night out with 3 of the teachers from school in 수원시 (Suwon). It was a freaky Friday, starting off with some noraebang in Jukjeon. Be advised to never sing this*. Very alienating and kills all atmosphere -Shampoo Night Club in Suwon occupies the 9th and 10th floor of a usual Korean city cube. I've never danced so far off the ground, nor in such a setting. The establishment had a

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-30187865515575757102009-04-22T19:41:00.009+09:002009-06-03T08:51:52.531+09:00

I was dropping off in class with only 700 in my pocket. Lotteria then, my last resort, the Korean McD's. Stepping in I found my reality warped - 2 American businessmen were inside standing around with a Korean suit. I rarely see outsiders here, and these 2 were suited on the other side of 40, which is uncommon even in Seoul.For the sustenance, I bought a white soft cone ice cream, and listened

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-23384336334059340362009-04-20T18:16:00.013+09:002009-06-03T22:22:23.989+09:00

So I think I'll quit while I'm behind / Now that I'm twenty-twoSpend too much time walking the main highstreet of Kangnam really. That's where I get off on the bus from Yongin.Everytime I walk past the clothes shop Giordano, they're blasting out this UK 90s club classic outside onto the street, 'Show Me Love' - you gotta show me loove! This week I heard it once in the afternoon on arriving and

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-48112702924200117352009-04-14T19:09:00.003+09:002009-04-14T19:37:32.333+09:00

One of the 6 year olds in class was wearing a green t-shirt. In the monologue printed on the back I spotted a 'Fuck' scrawled in white. Wondered if I should tell anyone. Didn't!

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-15332667822013654172009-04-13T13:00:00.000+09:002009-04-15T01:45:56.583+09:00

At the weekend, we were scouting for a noraebang in Gangnam. As always, a drunk Korean was being hoisted by the armpits, dragged along the street, but it wasn't even 8pm! They were 3 high school boys, letting us walk the stairs in front of them. As we waited for our room to vacate, the trio caught up, the catatonic young lad in the middle spewing all over the lobby, a real red soju catastrophe

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-19279103852307980602009-04-13T12:07:00.001+09:002009-06-11T13:01:17.730+09:00

I went for omurice in a Korean fast food place. It was the first time I'd ordered that dish there, not being a regular customer because of the bare naked windows on all sides of the shop, meaning people can see me inside, like kids from school who then come in and demand 1,000 when I just want to eat in peace, hehe.Last night it happened again, hearing a knock on the window, seeing two people I

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-70915638175845281212009-04-09T23:49:00.005+09:002009-06-03T08:36:43.417+09:00

I always worry about the speedy delivery boys on their scooters, chunky boxes attached to the back. One nearly ran me over...last month, I think.Today I was on the 33 bus, standing trying to keep balance. At one stop gasps rung out - a passenger was getting off when a kid hit him between the bus and the pavement.I was worried about the elderly passenger on the floor but it was actually the kid

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-3510753614009207662009-04-09T22:33:00.010+09:002009-04-14T09:55:57.393+09:00

Each elementary class has a spacey minimalist name on the door - Sky, Moon, Star. The Moon class is cursed, it seems.The Wednesday of one week, a commotion charges up. I leave my Star room and smell the problem out - the little white fashionista pooch one girl brought in left a DONG!! on the Moon floor. I retreat wondering why no-one else expected this to happen.And the Thursday, the very next

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-63892373754420467612009-03-24T08:09:00.009+09:002009-04-14T19:05:16.173+09:00

I know I've been in Korea for only a few months, but the novelty factor is still very much there. At least once everyday it hits me, when walking out my apartment in the morning or watching my classes talk amongst themselves. I still have yet to even explore the country, but spring is here now, finally, allegedly. But aside from the climate, it's great to be in Korea, and whenever the novelty of

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-8615829861722441822009-03-06T18:16:00.051+09:002009-03-10T23:11:22.760+09:00

I rarely have a musical eureka, sucking the fun out of musical finds by trawling the Hype Machine or reading Pitchfork, 2nd hand tips at your easy disposal.But a magic moment came in the CD shop in Seoul's COEX maze. I fell in love with an electronica tune that drifted over the in-store system like kisses and roses over a waterfall, smartly sweet like a shampoo commercial but one of an entire

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-13901692641797393262009-02-24T13:54:00.026+09:002009-02-27T14:13:40.456+09:00

Went to an afternoon gig in the Yogiga art gallery. It was a warehouse space, no natural light, a dizzying smell of gas. A bookshelf of mouthwateringly obscure CDs for sale. Loved it.A Korean duo came on, sampling struck metallic pots, the notes stretched out in infinite waves, reverbed. At a table one performer sat spraying foam from a canister by a mic, covering the slab on the desk til the can

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-5284499266926754932009-02-19T22:52:00.004+09:002009-02-19T23:16:48.424+09:00

Having a beard is of course fascinating to the Korean kids. Some elementary kids were curious enough to ask if I had a hairy chest to go with the scruffy face. That's when they went wild, the crazycrazycrazy kid rambling up then drawing on the board some Valentine scenario of me opening up my shirt to show a ladyfriend my chest hair all carved into the shape of a heart. She of course runs off and

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-63486704168395785392009-02-16T21:57:00.012+09:002009-04-14T01:04:29.209+09:00

V Day began with me stumbling home out of a taxi, soju drunk. Actually, there was no stumbling. I was dignified and feelin fine. I was sick.Up at 8.15. Again, I'm in a pristine mental condition and I manage to get to work. It's a Saturday open day for the kindergarten folks. I somehow look fairly respectable, cos I really am the kind of guy you want teaching your kids.#The evening I'm with a

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-292688436505513152009-02-16T21:09:00.012+09:002009-02-16T22:43:32.507+09:00

Soju. Made me stumble out of a taxi home, could barely keep in a straight line. It was my first time, voice coarse out of karaoke. I'd drunk it straight, a drink that tastes weaker then vodka but breaks you down with a deadlier makeup.The next morning I went to church still drunk, wide awake and pristine mentally. I don't know why I go there to be honest. It was a comfort zone in my 3rd week out

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-26024313098247814692009-02-16T14:02:00.010+09:002009-02-16T22:44:36.205+09:00

The only bathroom I like in Korea is the one in my studio. And the one at the 63 Building.They're never heated, the dryers never work, paper is scant, and you can't get hot water. A jacket is essential wear for a public piss.My school is a shiny respectable place but there's an abandoned wringer trolley no-one's ever emptied sitting by the urinals, stinking of fish. The fast food toilets

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-4477238992342359822009-02-02T16:41:00.021+09:002009-02-04T16:56:45.420+09:00

You can go to a bar in Korea and have a peaceful time. But be wary you of the coffee chains for they attract most unsavoury characters.It was a typically cold evening in Gangnam, the night overhead pushing down on the lights of the district, the warm glow of Hollys Coffee welcoming our party within. We'd debated Wa Bar for a while but the place holds too much history for me (private joke #1).

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-23945050802553652262009-02-02T14:03:00.008+09:002009-06-11T12:59:07.865+09:00

'So what music do you like?'I was lost and I was found, trying to reach Giheung-gu from the bustle of Megum. A 19 year old with indie band hair and buck bugs teeth helped me out. I could picture a guitar strapped to his back so I had to ask.'Britney Spears'.'Oh, really?''Um, gimmeegimmeemore-gimmee morrre...''Oh yes! What else do you like?''I believe I can fly'.'Oh ok, R Kelly!'He just really

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-609307019735473452009-01-31T14:32:00.015+09:002009-02-02T16:45:25.919+09:00

One potato two potato three potato four! Five potato six potato seven potato more!! Everyday for the last few weeks I've been besieged. This song blasts through one wall in the morning and another near lunch as I teach my kindergarten kids. As they listen to the other kids sing along I wouldn't be surprised if they wonderWhy can't we listen to that?Because I don't teach maths and you're going to

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-2646594113208457332009-01-27T20:36:00.011+09:002009-02-02T16:47:50.873+09:00

had to pay a fine today at the DVD place. my copy of, um, Hairspray was overdue by one day. ahem. so i was slapped a 1000 won fine.yesterday i had my first Noraebang experience. loved it. off the top of my head i sang Wonderwall, Toxic, Heard it Through the Grapevine, Come As You Are, Somebody Told Me, Easy Lover, Abracadabra, Sexyback and two Maroon 5 songs. in a childish mood i also picked a

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-22712077573388798802009-01-25T14:44:00.004+09:002009-01-25T14:48:16.755+09:00

ten minutes after writing yesterday's entry i went outside and slipped up again thanks to a metal lid in the ground. really cracked my anus that did. then i had to return to the scene of the crime cos i lost my phone in the fall, which by awesome good luck i found buried beneath the white.

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-88970012413471048922009-01-24T20:02:00.008+09:002009-06-03T18:43:36.610+09:00

i write this after falling on my buns 20 minutes ago. it snowed here so like a twat i walked within the wide yellow parking line of the road when leaving my flat, slipping onto my side and fumbling up on my feet in the middle of the road as two cars came charging from both directions...ok, i exaggerate. i didnt tumble over into the middle of the road, and the two cars were driving rather slowly

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-8260532967317008952009-01-23T17:31:00.009+09:002009-02-02T16:48:33.767+09:00

to keep myself from daily pestering the gorgeous waitresses at Uncle Tomato, I ventured into a Korean/Japanese place called Cobaco. small with a TV by the kitchen, the owner was grateful for my presence, perhaps humbled, helping me with the menu, English translations beneath nice pictures of cutlets and soups and the like. as he spoke English well i did ask for suggestions but unfortunately the

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206308678913751203.post-10047562204509264962009-01-19T14:04:00.025+09:002009-01-24T20:45:29.062+09:00

2080 Dongeuisaengkum toothpaste keep the 20 healthy teeth till 80 years old...disturbed by a dream where i was teaching, and certain of my kinder kids looked up with Caucasian eyes, Westernised. i didn't say anything, told not to, carrying on...#under my immature delusion of being some sort of younger Louis Theroux , i attended a Korean church service near home. 7 floors tall, it was packed with

Uncle Tomatohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06167999096949488855noreply@blogger.com2