Korean Flight Attendants

I hate traveling. Driving is lame. Airports make me nervous. Airplanes provide an expensive and ultimately unsatisfying napping experience. But on a Korean company’s airplane, you will find little to complain about (other than the fourteen hour flight). Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the fine men and women that make up the flight attendants of Korean Air and Asiana Airlines.

Let’s talk about the flight attendants. They are young, let me tell you. Younger than their average Western counterpart. I don’t have numbers to prove it (which is usually a bad sign, but hey) but think about it. American flight attendants are working a job. They represent a fairly broad age demographic – some young, some old. It’s not that big of a deal because it’s like any other industry – new blood coming in while veterans retire thus keeping the cycle going. But apparently these young Korean flight attendants are like high school football stars in Texas – once you get a certain age, your chance is blown. You had one shot while you were young and once you’re done, a new, younger generation replaces you. Kind of harsh sounding, isn’t it?

For that matter, I see a much larger proportion of female flight attendants. Where’s all the guys? Strange, seeing how male flight attendants are in demand. Perhaps it’s like the teaching field – always a demand for quality male teachers but a short supply of young men who want to commit to teaching. I’m seeing a recipe for disaster…and wouldn’t you know it? Korean Air has had a troubled past regarding their hiring practices. Let’s hope that things have changed, yes?

But what about these hot young things? What makes them so worthy of a lowly blogger’s attention? Come on, people. These women aren’t born, raised, and groomed to be flight attendants. But something about those uniforms… Oh keep your minds out of the gutter. I’m not talking about how cute they are (which they are). But the aura of service they radiate is almost intimidating. Their attention to small details, pleasant demeanor, and unyielding veneer of professionalism is admirable. Even the male attendants have this dignified charm about them. They truly are the color of perfection or so says last year’s advertising campaign. Hey that’s a whole lot better than their first slogan.

But make no mistake, they are watching you as close as you are watching them. It’s just that they aren’t checking you out – they’re looking for potential risks and in my case, a potential husband. They are trained professionals and not just eye candy for your extra long trip. I mean, wouldn’t you want someone who was working a 14 hour shift to be on their guard for some goofball on the plane? Keep up the good work.
As someone who lives for good service (come on, who doesn’t it?) I absolutely love the service on Korean flights. They know you’re going to be on the plane for an eternity anyways, so might as well make it comfortable. Touch screen monitors, good food, decent leg room in coach, and unlimited supply of movies in Chinese, Japanese, English, and Korean. The only thing missing for me is a commons area to stand up and have a drink with fellow passengers (too much?). That would be awesome, though.

So, in summation, for someone who hates to fly, I love flying Korean. I’d live on a plane if I could. What are some of your experiences on an international Korean flight? Good service? Bad service?

Thoughts?

Korean post production.

It’s annoying as all get out. It’s unnecessary. It’s shiny. It’s colorful. It’s embarrassing. It’s a staple. One cannot watch Korean TV without noticed the astronomical amount of post production. You’ve seen it – even if you never noticed it before.

May 12 1956 marked a special day in Korean history. The event? The first Korean television broadcast. Small but soon to become a mind-numbing ritual for families all over the country. This ingenious invention might not have inspired the miracle on the han but it may have at least entertained the masses.

Now, it doesn’t take much to know that much of early imported media came from Japan. Yes, Korea’s history with Japanese media is rather interesting given the general misgivings of the past. That said, it’s easy to look at Korean TV post-production and conclude that it’s a carbon copy of some other country’s technique. But you’d be wrong. You haven’t seen my list, yet. I’ll break it down so you can easily identify the particular “tracks” that are exclusively used in Korea (oh yeah, it’s going to be one of those posts). In order to fully appreciate this post, one must have seen at least one original Korean show be it game show, variety show, or contest. A few starting places would be 무한도전 aka Infinity Challenge, 일박이일 aka 1 Night 2 Days, and 미녀들의 수다 aka Talk With Beauties.

Care to take a look at a sample list of techniques employed by the good people in Korea?

– The Laugh Track – 

This can be as simple as a prerecorded audience laugh or as complicated as being filmed in front of a live ostrich. Either way, the laugh track is a sort of cue system to allow the audience at home to know when it is appropriate to laugh. It also functions to fill the air with the awful stench of bad cheese. It’s tasteless and ruins any pathetic attempt at a real joke. But, that’s just the thing – Korean audiences are lively and their laugh track is diverse. There are several different canned laughs and a few high pitched female “우~~” tracks that get played pretty regularly. Where did this idea even come from? Who in their right mind thought this was a good idea? Actually, the history behind the laugh track is actually pretty intricate. Take a minute and discover the controversy over one of the most annoying aspects to television. Then, go back to the ostrich. Because that is funny.

– The “Oh no he didn’t” Track –

This one can only be explained by typing the following: “Ooooooo” which is not at all the same as “Ohhhh”. It usually comes at a time when someone said something goofy. Or scandalous. This track is also similar to the “Oh, so surprising! He’s such a nice guy” track which usually comes out in interviews with quiet members of boybands. It’s always the quiet ones, isn’t it?

– The Closed Caption –

These courtesy captions are cute and feature highlights and other color treatments. They help people like myself read along while listening. Of course, that’s not why they are there, but they are a peculiar thing, aren’t they? Think about it. Someone’s job is to add these little one liners to every single show… how would you like to graduate from a prestigious university and tell your buddies at a party “Hey, you know those insistent little words that pop up during talk shows? Yeah. That’s me“. Sucks to be you, guy.

– The Batman Caption –

Pow! Bam! Kaboom! and other such classic lines graced audiences in the 1950s with Batman starring the legendary major of Quahog, Adam West. It seems the dark knight’s influence has found it’s way to the shores of Korea in the form of onomatopoeia goodness. They highlight a nasty fall, a kiss on the cheek, a slurp of a drink, and the sound of food cooking. They serve no purpose. These are my favorites. 짱!

– The Sparkling Effect –

Ever notice when that good looking guy enters the room, there’s Vaseline on the lens? That would be the 반짝반짝 effect. Magical, isn’t it? It just makes all entrances better, doesn it? These little blurry stars come out in full slow motion (black and white optional) to enhance a brave deed, sweet moment, or special guest. They even make me look 10% cooler than I really am. Cue the theme song ♪♪…Almost paradise…♪♪

– The “Say Whaaat? ” Repeat Effect –

This is the one where the shocking statement or quick comment by the person you least expect gets repeated thrice. It is by far the most unnerving aspect of post production. Like a Michael Bay action sequence that gets the hero jumping from the exploding building from every possible angle, this effect repeats the same audio but using three different camera angles. I actually like it because if someone was talking or laughed, I can always catch the joke the third time around.

Don’t lie. You love it, too. These and more is what makes Korean TV enjoyable. It’s just not exactly the same other places. I know I’ve left out a few other essentials (like the question marks that pop up over someone’s head, the bizarre sound effects, and the hyperactive and over enthusiastic hosts) but you get the picture. I love Korean TV and I’m not even a huge fan of American TV. Some might be shocked to know that I haven’t owned a TV for quite some time – but of course I still catch The Office online, though.

Then again, I suppose it’s not exactly appropriate to compare American TV and Korean TV without coming up with a list of why apples are better than oranges. Like spicy food, it’s up to the particular person’s own personal taste to determine which dish is more palatable. So, I ask you kind souls of KC101, do you enjoy the spice of life (also known as Korean television?) or do you prefer the hamburger and milkshake of mass entertainment media?

Thoughts?

Korean eating habits.

Rule number one: Shut your mouth.

Rule number two: Eat.

Rule number three: Enjoy your food. It’s insanely good.

Thoughts?

Typical eating habits in America include a lively conversation, witty remarks, and Matthew breaking all the ladies’ hearts an overall pleasant dining experience. Everything follows a prescribed rule and your actions are subtly noticed. Do you reach for the bill immediately? Do you order appetizers? Do you make a mess of yourself? Do you know the difference between a salad fork and a dinner fork? Are you polite to the server? Do you talk on your cellphone at the table? Do you tip at least 20%? Do you chew with your mouth open? Do you finish the whole meal?

By and large, I find American and Korean table manners to be quite similar. All of the above questions generally have the same obvious answer as in Korea (other than tipping). However, three things have stuck out to me when dining with Korean friends. These aren’t hard and fast rules, but they differ considerably from I’ve come to expect at an American table.

Rule #1 – Talk is cheap.

Talking during a meal is by no means considered rude, but it’s not necessary. Traditional families of old Korea ate in near silence in order to fully appreciate the food, the ambiance, the experience. It was a time for nourishment – not for socialization. This tradition has watered down considerably but is still alive and well among most Koreans. I also find that my male Korean friends tend to be more reserved and talk less during a meal when compared with female Korean friends. However, one can still expect to eat somewhat more quietly than in America. If you find yourself eating with a friend or coworker and find the atmosphere a little thick due to lack of conversation, know that it might just be you. He or she might not be nervous; rather, the lack of conversation may not be due to the language barrier – it might just be because it’s time to eat. So don’t freak out and feel that you must initiate conversation. Think of it as simply enjoying each other’s presence. So next time when the atmosphere goes a little quiet, try a little slice of silence. It’s yummy.

Rule #2 – No, I’M paying for the meal.

We’ve heard before (actually, twice before) that “going Dutch” is not especially common in Korea. However, one must look deeper into the context because sometimes it can be common. For instance, if a group of similarly-aged university students share a particularly expensive meal, all might agree to share the bill. No one wants the other friend to bear the burden of paying for the entire meal – especially if this meal is not a common one. It’s understood that in a normal situation, the oldest would foot the bill, but since everyone shares a common social level (i.e. university sophomores) then insisting to pay the bill might actually make your friends uncomfortable. All of a sudden, when you whipped out your card in good will, the mood changes from equal-leveled brothers to what’s-this-guy’s-problem? faster than a prairie fire with a tail wind. Sure, if it were all 떡볶이 then nevermind, we can just say “thanks bro” and be done with it. That’s a cheapie meal. But, if you pay for an expensive meal when the bill is quite higher than usual, and the present company aren’t exactly business executives, then your friends might feel indebted to you. They know that they cannot repay the favor comfortably. Even if they pick up the tab at the coffee shop later, it still doesn’t even put a dent in the bill you just swallowed. So, even if you are feeling generous, and you’re the oldest, restrain yourself and take hints from the mood. If they genuinely resist your treat, play it safe and allow them the chance to save face and go Dutch.

Otherwise, in a normal situation, if you’re older, go ahead and pay away. A mental tab is made. He’s got your back next meal.

Rule #3 – Do not blow your nose. Ever.

Tearing a page from the book of Common Sense, one must strive to be polite whilst dining. However, prescribed notions of politeness might differ from country to country. In Korea, moderate slurping of the broth of a soup isn’t exactly rude. It’s not super common but not rude. For that matter, loud slurping of 비빔국수 noodles is considered a normal eating sound. Blowing sounds made from the cooling of hot 라면 noodles and boisterous 캬~ sounds made from consumption of alcohol are all quite common at a Korean table.

But. Don’t you even think for a second that you can blow your nose. Just don’t. What? No, no one cares that the soup is spicy and it’s making your nose run. No, no one cares that you’re eating 죽 because you’re sick in the first place. No, under no circumstances may you use a cotton-ply tissue in order to remove excessive fluids from your nasal cavity. Forget about it. It’s not going to happen. If you feel the need to cure your nostrils of an especially bad case of rhinorrhea, then by all means, excuse yourself, go to the restroom, and perform your dirty deed there. However, if you’re feeling brave and feel confident in your cat-like reflexes, bring a small tissue with you to the table, turn your head in shame, and wipe your nose discretely when needed, paying close attention not to employ sounds of nasal evacuation. Then, quickly discard the soiled cloth amongst your person without notice. But be warned, stuffing a used tissue in one’s purse or pocket in lieu of a trashcan may be acceptable in the States, but don’t let anyone catch you doing that kind of noise here. This is my house, son.

Thoughts?

Listeners Unite!

In part three of our Korean Stuff in Texas series, we take a look at beautiful Dallas, TX. As with the other parts in this series, there’s no way I can cover all of the Korean establishments in this fair city, but I would still like to share with everyone the places that I have come to enjoy.

Dallas, as one can expect, offers a bit more than, say, Denton. It’s a big city with a rich history. However, like Carrollton, it has a concentration of Korean businesses in a section of downtown known as Harry Hines and/or Royal Lane.

Harry Hines doesn’t exactly have the best reputation but it is what it is. It’s home to the best 노래방, 찜질방 and restaurants. Take the good with the bad, right? So, let’s take a look at the menu, shall we?

(download map)

– 노래방 – Family Karaoke – for twenty bucks an hour (half price specials on some weekdays) you can realize your lifelong dream becoming a K-Pop star in Texas (what? was I the only one?) Unlike typical 노래방 in Korea, there are no drinks allowed in the room but there is a full bar available. Hands down the best selection of songs, highest quality sound system, crazy comfortable rooms, two flat screens and an overall enjoyable experience. It’s clean and it’s here. No, it’s not exactly what one would expect to see or pay for in Korea, but it’s the cream of the crop for Dallas karaoke.

– 찜질방 – King Sauna – 18 bucks gets you cold and hot tanks, wet and dry sauna rooms, a movie room, 노래망, children’s play room, salt room, cold room, and more rooms than I care to count. It’s open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The website does a nice job of introducing the basics of Korean sauna procedure as what to normally expect from a full service 찜질방. Those familiar with 찜질방s in Korea will surely feel at home with the service, snack bar and access to a men’s barbershop. The only real drawback is the price witch is substantially more expensive than the price of one of similar quality in Korea. However, if you’re looking for a genuine experience, look no further. It’s not humongous by Korean standards but by American sauna standards, it’s well above par.

– Restaurants – Too many to name, so I’ll just focus on my favorite. 소공동 Tofu House. This place will rock your socks. My recommendation? They have the best 순두부 ever. Spicy as all get out and cooled down with 도토리 공국수. It’s heavenly. Beautiful interior with a great atmosphere.

– 팥빙수 – This sweet sweet treasure of a dessert is readily available a nearby bakery. I have little else to say about the greatness that is 팥빙수. The bakery itself is a great little date destination. The little concealed booths are neat little feature that I have yet to see elsewhere.

– Grocery – KoMart –  This grocery store gets the job done but it’s nothing glitzy. If you need Korean food and you don’t feel like seeing every Korean person you know, then you come here.

That’s about it for the general course. Seeing how it’s Dallas, I’m positive there’s specialty Korean businesses for just about any type of service or product one could imagine.

Tune in next week when the lines of Korean and American businesses blur.

Thoughts?

Listeners Unite!

Part two in our Korean Stuff in Texas series. Today’s focus will be on Carrollton, TX. Again, this series is based on my own personal opinions and viewpoints. There is certainly plenty more to talk about but I’ll just focus on the few points that I’m familiar with. With that said, let’s take a look at something that is of interest to everyone!

Yes yes, the great equalizer. The grocery store. Young and old, rich and poor, everyone needs groceries. So what is a good ol’ country boy with a hankerin’ for some kimchi to do? Where might he go to get some delectable side dishes? Where can he find a bottle of the finest Korean spirits?

H Mart.

(full-sized map download link)

H Mart might have questionable financial backing, but it certainly is the Cadillac of Korean markets. It’s hard to find fault in all that is offered. Expect to come here and have your jaw drop.

A list of products available:

• American, Korean, Japanese, Chinese dry goods
• Crazy big produce section
• American, Korean frozen food
• Korean fresh fish market
• Korean, American alcoholic beverages
• Korean fast-food court
• Korean-style bakery
• Tapioca/Bubble tea stand
• Hello Kitty stationary store
• Korean furniture, refrigerators, sleeping mats
• Korean cooking, kitchen, bath goods
• Korean appliances
• etc

Products are fairly priced and the staff is quite friendly. The vast majority of workers are bilingual in English and Korean but there are also Spanish speaking employees, too.

Now, this doesn’t even include the small Korean business park located in the same space. Nearby you’ll find:

• Hairstylists, Barbershops
• Coffee shops
• Bakeries
• Restaurants
• Private Academies (학원)
• Bookstore
• Gym
• 찜질방 (coming soon)

What I like about Carrollton is, to the best of my knowledge, all of the Korean businesses are located in one spot. One can easily drive down to the business park to get a haircut, do some grocery shopping, and finish the day off with an especially good Korean meal. I always look forward to the drive to Carrollton because of the sheer convenience and shops available.

Stay tuned for next week when we look at the third largest city in Texas. As always, we would love to see similar videos about your local Korean town or Korean district.

Thoughts?