OK, it’s official—Japan is strange (NOT safe for work)
Monthly Archives: February 2007
Selective Korean Outrage
Abiola looks at Korean selective outrage, i.e., why Koreans can seemingly get hysterical toward the United States and Japan but restrain themselves when it’s China or North Korea. An interesting contrast to Joshua’s cultural explanation.
Marmot brother’s ‘Nightmare on Elm Street 2′ review
This time, my brother looks at, of all films, “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge.” As he points out, “Freddy’s Revenge is the kind of bad film that’s interesting to talk about - this has to count for something.” Much analysis on Freddy’s development and the film’s homoerotic undertones.
Chinese gov’t homepage marks map ‘Sea of Japan’
In a scoop, the Kukmin Ilbo reports that a map at the homepage of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China (i.e., the Chinese government) exclusively marks the body of water that separates the Korean Peninsula from Japan as the “Sea of Japan.”
In Korea, of course, that body of water is called [...]
Cheonggyecheon miniskirt-proofed
Female readers and Scotsmen will be happy to know that it’s safe to wear skirts/kilts in the Cheonggyecheon now.
Where can you get the good drugs?
I have taken heat from people in certain sectors on presenting on my old blog one of the most persuasive arguments for intellectual property rights enforcement, public health.
You all know the arguments, those evil multinational drug companies deny drugs to poor people because of exorbitant prices, therefore we should just strip them of their patent [...]
Sick Childish Chutzpah at the Korea Times
Since it was on the front page, my eyes were attracted to an opening paragraph on a story on child molestation in Korea “Child sex abuse is no longer a foreign idea in Korea, but the legal and cultural ramifications of the change in public sentiment are just beginning to unfold.” What does that opening [...]
Tis Better to rule in Hell Than to Make Cars in Heaven
Hyundai Motor Company Chief Chung Mon-koo has been convicted of embezzlement and other charges. Despite his “grave” crimes, Chung has earned enough bonus points to qualify for only a three year vacation sentence.
YTN’s Hongdae victory dance
YTN celebrates its victory against the barbarian hordes that were apparently ravaging the entertainment district in front of Hongik University. Since YTN’s Pulitzer-quality exposé and the ensuing decision by USFK command to designate the area “off-limits,” peace has reportedly returned to that strife-town community and local residents have begun rebuilding their shattered lives.
I translate this [...]
Marmot on CBS
Yes, my fat white ass was on the CBS Superbowl Pregame Show. The other person interviewed from our office was Elizabeth Shim, our assistant editor. And no, I didn’t meet Katie Couric.
Does this mean I’ll have to delete all the Velvet Underground from my iPod?
From “God Hates Fags! Love Gods Way” (BTW, does the lack of apostrophe before the s mean you’re polytheists?), a list of bands that might turn you or your kids into raving homosexuals. (HT to the Peking Duck)
Oh, those jokers up North…
OK, I might hold North Korea in open contempt, but they get points for creativity with this slam on the Grand National Party’s sexual scandals (Korean). Seong Mangnani-dang? Hilarious. Definitely more inspired than Ttannara-dang. Oh, and a belated happy birthday to Park Geun-hye!
Chosun interview with Kim Hye-soo
I’ve never doubted your talents, Hye-soo.
Oil for nukes?
Quoting former U.S. State Department Joel Wit, the Asahi Shimbun reports that North Korea is ready to freeze Yongbyon and accept IAEA inspections—although the reactor itself would remain off-limits, as would the October nuclear test site—in return for over 500,000 tons of crude oil a year and steps to lift financial sanctions on North Korean [...]
Let the Sino-Korean netizen war begin!
God, I love this place.
Yonhap is reporting that Chinese netizens are pissed off at what they consider historical distortions in the Korean historical dramas “Jumong” and “Taewang Sasingi.”
According to a Hong Kong current events weekly, Chinese netizens are criticizing the MBC drama “Jumong” for distorting history. “Jumong,” strangely enough, deals with the life of [...]
Meong-meong, nyam-nyam!
Hey, maybe North Korea isn’t such a shitty place after all!
Well, that’s one way to get rid of the Ryugyong Hotel
This is a cool Youtube video:
Here’s the URL if the video doesn’t show on your browser.
(HT to reader)
UPDATE: Here’s the background on the video:
demolition S how is a surreal and provocative video installation produced by extraneo group presenting the results of the consultation of ideas, launched by Domus and by the Politechnic of Milan in [...]
YTN on ‘disgraceful foreigners’ of Hongdae
YTN—that’s right, the TV station of state-owned Yonhap News Agency—reports on how the outrageous behavior of the foreigners and GIs who frequent the area around Hongik University is turning the neighborhood into a “lawless zone.” It also laments that the police are powerless to do anything about it.
After reading the piece, I didn’t know [...]


