Food Promotions

HG and I were in for quite a treat today with not one but two photo-worthy promotions. Both were related to food -ironic given our deep shared interest in that subject.

First up, in Myeongdong:  a lethargic Colonel Sanders distributing flyers for KFC while apparently conserving energy:

Next, in Insadong:  the sushi-heads -vastly more energetic and eager for a photo opp:

Gosh, I'm gonna miss the daily randomness...

Cute or Creepy?

By now faithful readers must have realized there's no shortage of cute in Korea. For the record, however, not everything dwells in the cutesy realm.

That said, I'm still deciding on whether these banners are aiming for cuteness or if they're just flat-out creepy. They appear to be promoting a DJ-hosted New Year's Eve party for the 18 and over crowd, featuring cartoonized men in drag. 

Cute or creepy?

Cinderella Surgery

It's well-known that plastic surgery is socially acceptable and common in Korea. Every day I see advertisements for various procedures, and while the signs may still make me sad on occasion, they don't faze me as much as they used to. In fact, I generally ignore them. Unless they're original and clever, like the one below:

Unusually Superstitious

Does anything seem unusual about this elevator sign? I noticed it yesterday at the National Pension Office in Songpa-gu.

Since when are 2, 11, and 12 on the superstitious numbers list?

Neo What...?!

A student was wearing this shirt the other day. I have no idea what it means. I wanted to ask him, but then I envisioned two outcomes:  

1. he wouldn't know the meaning either, OR:
2. he'd explain it to me, and an awkward conversation would follow. 

Thus, I'm resigned to letting it remain a mystery. Unless, of course, you happen to know...

Shot Me

Spotted near Anguk Station:

Museum of Chicken Art

 

At last I can now say I've visited Seoul's Museum of Chicken Art!

HG and I had long been curious to know if it was a museum full of art created by chickens or inspired by them. Turns out it's the latter.

Located in Bukchon, this museum is certainly interesting, particularly if you've got an affection for these fowl creatures. But even if you don't, it's still illuminating. For example, did you know that chickens are a symbol of fertility, wealth, fame, and a successful career?

There are also five virtues of The Chicken (taken verbatim from the museum brochure):

1. Intelligence:  the traditional hat given to government appointed high ranking official was named after the rooster's crest
2. Strength:  the fierce and sharp talons of the rooster
3. Courage:  the rooster fight without any fear with its foes
4. Heartedness:  the announcing cries the rooster makes when it finds food
5. Trust:  the rooster always tell of the morning whatever circumstances

Admission:  3,000 won

Open:  10am - 6pm (closed Mondays and holidays)

Coffee + ...?!

Coffee + chocolate.

Or a bagel, doughnut, croissant...

But a hotdog? 

Happy + Joyful

 

Happy and joyful all year round.

What a lovely motto.

E-mart's Bold Claim

I know in America we're accustomed to hearing companies proclaim Satisfaction Guaranteed, but for some reason seeing E-mart's twist on the verbiage made me laugh.

Beer Hunter

Beer Hunter is a chain of pubs around town. While I've yet to check one out, their sign has gotten my attention.

Having lived in Korea for 2+ years now, I tend to laugh when I see or hear the words hunter or hunting. My students use the term hunting to talk about a popular college activity:  heading to bars in search of women.

 

Caffe Bene Christmas

While running errands this morning, I caught sight of some festive decorations at Caffe Bene^. Apparently I'm not the only one getting excited about Christmas.

^A word on Caffe Bene:  I really like this Korean chain of coffee shops. Decent coffee and gelato, waffles, pleasant ambiance -what's not to love? 

This sign posted out front of a local shop made me smile. Can you guess why?

American Icons

Can you spot the references to American pop-culture icons on this sign? I counted three.

 

Would love to know what's being promoted.

Waxing

Been back in Korea for a week now. Probably ought to get back to chronicling the ol' Seoul adventure. There's still so much to discover and share.

After two years of residing in the R.o.K., I'm accustomed to frequently seeing peculiar things -peculiar by standards back home anyway, though par for the course here. With few exceptions, the things that fazed me in my newbie days -those first six months- don't really grab my attention anymore. 

So when I'm prompted to whip out my camera while walking down the street, you know it's something special. Like this sign I saw over the weekend while in Itaewon:

Eye-catching? Check.

Memorable? Check.

Potential to tarnish teddy bear images forever? Check.

Feelin' Feelish

 

This sign hanging up at the Konkuk subway station confounds me whenever I encounter it. The poster itself is difficult to read given the way the lighting hits the glass which encases it, but it's the wording that really trips me up.

Feelish.

Is that like a hybrid of feeling + foolish?

Or feel + English?   

Or [your thoughts here]...?

Oh, Konglish, how you bewilder me!

Raw Meat

Like other foreigners who have relocated to Korea, I've noticed that there's something very different in how restaurants promote their meat dishes. Big outdoor banners featuring photos of raw meat are ubiquitous around here. I try to block them out of my mind, but the truth is, they're everywhere. 

Unless meat is meant to be served raw (e.g. sashimi), it just doesn't look the least bit appetizing to view it in its uncooked state... does it?

Baby What...?!

 

Can someone please translate what this is all about? There's got to be a better English expression than this one.

PS IOU

 

I swear I wasn't seeking it out... 

The other night in Sinsa-dong I spotted the sign above. The English reads: 

I love you. IOU. Plastic surgery clinic.

So, I've gotta ask:  What's love got to do with it?

Carpe Diem

 

Amazing how certain aphorisms endure, transcending geography and time.

This picture was taken near my apartment, in an alleyway that I often walk through on my way home. Not a very scenic place, but I always smile when I see that wall.

Energy Source

I've graded 75 essays in the last 27 hours and have another 100 more to go.

With my energy levels nearly depleted, I got quite a laugh today when I ran across the slogan of a local gas station: 

Is unleaded now safe for human consumption?