Third Time's the Charm (Korea)

I’m already used to the “huuuuuhhhhs” and “high yaaaahs” that echo in my window each morning. The Korean children practice their national sport at the World Taekwondo Federation at Kukiwon, located just behind my apartment in Seoul.

I’ve spent three weeks here already (which also means I’ve already returned to some of my local favorites: NB, Norebang, Kogi Kogi, the yogurt ice cream store…). I’m amazed at how easy it was to come back and pick up where I left off last summer.

This is my third summer in Korea, my second year in Seoul. For the first time, I arrived in a foreign country with a visa, a cell phone, a bank account, and a friend’s house to crash at. The ten hour plane ride felt like a normal commute. My brain shifted gears and "ney" (yes) became an automatic reply. I unfolded the mental map in my head, and I knew exactly where I was and where I was going. I didn’t have to research how to say “hello” and “thank you.” Ah yes, I was back in Korea!

Feeling guilty about a forgone opportunity offered to me THE DAY BEFORE I hopped on the airplane, I knew I’d have to make this summer count. It’s not everyday MTV calls you, my friend reminds me. Under other circumstances, I would have jumped on the offer, but this time, it will have to wait.

So I had a few mixed feelings when I first arrived. I was excited to reunite with old friends, like Robin and Paul and John too. I felt motivated to work hard, make some money, and study a little Korean. On the other hand, the familiar surroundings allowed other memories to surface. Some were great, and some made me dizzy: morning walks through sticky humid Kangnam subway station, essays to be graded, happy kids, unruly kids, stress, overtime, instant packets of curry, hot nights, bug bites, why did I want to do this again?

With thanks to my new friend and roommate Karim, I was easily reminded that there was a reason to be “so excited!” I showed him around the first few days, and it was wonderful to look at this place with fresh eyes. I didn’t realize my eyes were so cloudy. I automatically quit noticing a lot of really notably interesting things because I’d seen it all before. It was terrible and it was great. I hated to be that jaded traveler who’s seen it all, “temple, temple, just another freaking temple” (everything except hajjima ladies who lint roll their face on the subway)! But, I also felt empowered to see Korea beyond the congested sidewalks and automobile threats on the side streets that had distracted me for so long. This time, I would get “excited” about new things (like learning how to make kimbap, thanks Robin!).


Somehow, I’m proud to report that so far, I’ve done a good job learning from my mistakes from last year: working too hard and too much! Returning to the same hagwon has many sophomore benefits. I have managed to let my work stay at work, and build in personal time to work out, be creative (blogging & video editing), study Korean, and enjoy this vibrant area.





The Kangnam area is still alive and well. It’s still a prime place for eating and nightlife, for teens studying at summer hagwons and for business men in suits and ties. There have been a lot of changes over the past year; Many familiar streets are decorated with new shops, new restaurants and new bars. But there are still a bunch of the same hang outs, like our everyday kimbap store and Kom Nae Mi and Kogi Kogi. It's fun to have an inside view about the area. Knowing where to go and what to do is nice sometimes.



I’m settled in a nice apartment with two great roommates, Karim and David, whom are both good people. My house is just a 12 minute downhill walk to work, the bars, and the subway, and an athletic 20 minute walk back up at the end of the day. I’ve already devised a stress-free route to work, a way that remarkably eliminates the everyday pedestrian versus automobile war that surrounds me at all other times.

Photos of my apartment and a view from my window: