Super Concert

Friday night John and I headed to the beach to enjoy our first K-POP (Korean Pop) concert. To say that K-POP is big here would be an understatement. John once asked one of his students with her headphones in, what she was listening to. He got a strange look and she replied, "K-POP" and couldn't fathom why he would ask such a stupid question.

Saturday night was the Busan Fireworks festival so all the popular bands were in town for a free concert on the beach. My new favorite band name is "Sistar" and my new favorite performer is "T.O.P". T.O.P has more of an edge to him, if only so slightly.

Although I had reserved tickets online, we got there late because of a dentist appointment so we were in the back.

No expense was spared.

Each band had matching outfits and coordinated dance moves.

This is the band "Sistar" performing their song, "So Cool".

I really enjoy the background for this song.

Here is T.O.P. You can't tell but he is slightly edgier.

The middle school students that I sometimes teach on Saturdays are huge fans of Shinee (pronounced Shiny).

Grandad

If you are one of the few people in my life who has not seen my Grandad's viral YouTube video, I strongly suggest you check it out. It will make your day. He's already appeared on two local television stations on the California central coast, and has fielded an "exploratory call" from the Rosie O'Donnell show. My mom says, the distribution has been predominantly through Yahoo mail, and not through social media, and it's number on in the U.S among 50-65 year-olds.

Would You Help Me

For some reason I just remembered this ridiculous song/video I made for a lesson on the phrase "Would you help me..." The lesson was kind of a flop, but I think the song stands up to the test of time.

Allergy Warning: This product contains trace elements of auto-tune.

It's the little things

Sometimes it's the little things that I try to take advantage of and appreciate about living in a different country. Often times when I am faced with a choice of things to buy I try to think to myself, what would I not be able to get in America. Sometimes that results in me having a persimmon smoothie instead of strawberry. Sometimes that's buying Aloe dish-soap instead of lemon. Last week I bought "Tiger Herb with bamboo salt" toothpaste instead of mint. It mostly tastes like baking soda.

Lantern Festival

Last Sunday John and I went to Jinju for their annual lantern festival. Our intention was to camp, but alas we were foiled by the bazillions of people there. Thankfully we were able to catch a bus home and sleep in our quiet, peaceful, warm (but not too warm) apartment.

Large lanterns floating on the river.

Cute kids posing in front of a lantern.

This photo was taken from I think the nicest park I've been to in Korea. It was an old fortress that has been restored into a lovely park.

Releasing lanterns into the water.

The lanterns were by far the coolest at night.

John just happened to catch the firework in this photo. Nice.