Tutorial to MBC Music Core (Sign up membership + Apply tickets)

Related posts:
"Guide to SBS Inkigayo LIVE Show"
"Step-by-Step Tutorial to SBS Inkigayo"

Disclaimer:
I applied for the tickets before, but failed to get any
and hence, I do not know what would be the situation on the day itself at MBC
Those who'd successfully gotten the tickets before and/or went to the show before
are welcomed to share your experience by posting at the comment box

* * * * *

understanding myself

i think fyp can really demoralise someone
or at least to me

actually
i havent really reached the state of "complete-demoralisation" yet
but
i have started to think a lot about my future
do i really want to continue my studies after honours?
do i really want to continue working in lab?
do i really want to stay in the field of life sciences?

i think the exchange programme changed my mentality a lot
it let me witness and experience a world which is so much different from the life i have in nus
a world that is so much interesting and enjoyable without much worries on studies

so back to my 3 questions just now
i think im getting to the answers very soon

first, even if i were to continue my studies
i dont really want to do it in nus anymore
unless i get full scholarship or something
which is not really possible, though it's not really impossible
i once had a dream when i was still a kid
i wanted to study in australia
yes, that was my dream which im considering to fulfill
but it's gonna be very very very difficult

second, i doubt that i'd work in lab as a life-long career
even if i were to work in lab
i wont work in academic field
i know my own limit
im not good enough to do academic research

third, i still see hopes in life sciences
even if i dont work in lab
i think i'll still get a job related to life sciences
i think...

regretting

in korea
i once tried to start writing a korean history term paper
just a few hours before the deadline
and
i managed to bluff out a three page essay
and submit one hour past the deadline
and well
i actually got an A for that module

* * *

in nus
i am attempting the trick again
started writing one night before the deadline
but
with the deadline reaching in 12 hours
i already know that
the same trick is not going to work in nus
especially that this is not an arts paper
but a neurobiology paper

* * *

lalalalalalalalalalala.....

착하니까

난 너무 착한 딸이기 때문이다.
너무 착해서 모든 말을 들어 준다.
근데 이게 정말 자신에게 엄청 잔인하게 하는 것이다.
어쩌지?
어쩔 수가 없지.
난 착하니까...

Awkward

So I had dinner with some Korean SEP students yesterday at pgp
all guys
four of them
plus one more guy that went Korea
together last sem

5 guys 1 girl
who just met for the second/third times
having dinner together
Results:
AWKWARDNESS TO THE MAX

But
special experience lor~

Peer Advising Group

To overcome my post-SEP syndrome
I joined this Peer Advising Group
to be a buddy for SEP students coming NUS

I don't really fulfill my "duty" as a buddy to my buddy group
only met half of them once
I think I tend to be more "friendly" towards Korean SEP students instead
who are not in my buddy group actually

Met them during welcome party
Made friends with them because I was wearing a sticker with Korean Flag printed on it
(to indicate that I am a SEP returnee back from Korea)

So ya
With help of the stalking function facebook provides
I mingle with Koreans, again...

* * *

There's a whole bunch of Koreans coming NUS this sem
like 20~30 of them
a lot~~~
Among them, I only met and got to know 4~5
After survived half a year in Korea,
I sort of get the hang on how to mingle with Koreans
like, how to start a conversation with them

First you start with name, then continue with school
then based on what school they attend, try to talk about the "characteristics" of students in that school
eg, if they are from Seoul National Uni or Korea Uni or Yonsei Uni
you can say: "oooo.... S.K.Y~~~" and glance with them with amazement
('cause those 3 schools are supposed to be the top 3 uni in Seoul)

Then after talking about school, you can slowly move on to sth more personal
like, how old are you / which year are you born
this topic is IMPORTANT to Koreans
due to the junior-senior relationship thingy~
and well....
All those 4~5 Korean I got to know, are all younger than me =.=
And one of them actually TRIED to call me noona, but i rejected
(I'm okay with people calling me Unni, but, Noona, no please >.< )

Then can talk about the weather (really....)
Topic on weather can last quite long sometimes actually...
especially if you complain together with them, on how hot Singapore is
:D

* * *

This time
by talking to them
I finally gotten rid of my post-SEP syndrome
and finally admit and accept the reality that:

"Ah... I'm back in NUS..."

Lab - my second home

Just started FYP for one month
and I already started to see the lab as my second home
physically...

Except the time for lunch and dinner and lectures
I stay in lab most of the time...

I still can't adapt to the tempo yet
Felt exhausted every time I'm back in pgp at night
Don't feel like doing anything except slacking...

That's a bad thing...
since I need to prepare for Korean test, which will be held in one month time
and also
I need to read all those papers to get ready for experiments
esp when meeting with prof scares me already >.<

어떡해~~ ㅠㅠ

My Unni~

我有个姐姐～
两年前开始“叫”的。
开始时害羞叫不出口，
只有传短讯时才叫她“Unni”，
平日见面都是咿咿呀呀的没叫。
知道半年前再次回韩国时间面，
两个人比较熟了，
我的韩文也没那么别扭了，
那是，
正式开始叫“Unni”，
越叫越上口，呵……

* * *

Unni 是我2009年在延世大学的Buddy……
托Unni的福，
带我去了很多地方，
吃了很多好吃的～

【回忆录：http://musical-bell.blogspot.com/search/label/%2709%20Yonsei】

2011年初回到韩国，
Unni 主动通过facebook联络我。
那时是感动加开心，
Unni 没忘记我 :)
可是Unni忙，我也不好意思一直找她，
所以在韩国的四个月，
只见到了Unni两次。
那时的Unni，看上去真的很憔悴，
学校也太折腾人了吧～

在韩国和Unni告别的时候，
很很很不舍，
毕竟是第二次说再见了，
不知何时才可以“再见”。

* * *

可才过了一个月半，
Unni 一家人竟然来新加坡度假！！！
短短的两天，没时间聚一聚，
可我决不能就这样让她回韩国！
呵呵……
所以，
去机场送机，
顺便送上一些土产～

* * *

三次相遇、三次的再见。
希望
以后还有更多更多的 "안녕" ^^





* * * * * * * * * *


番外篇
这礼拜，两次遇到初院的同学。
第一次，她也是可欣的朋友，一起坐着等上课；
我知道，那是自己突然变得很静很静。
第二次，在朋友家，去他们家的时候刚好碰上的；
我站在门外，拿了东西就走人了，短短1分钟。
到了现在，
我终于明白了，
我在初院很安静、和班同学不亲，
是有原因的。
因为自己成绩不顶尖却拿着奖学金、
因为自己是scholar却老是不及格、
因为自己的GCE O Level英文拿A2实际上英文却差得要死，
所以我自卑。
甚至会怕同学们讨厌我这个“冒牌”的scholar。
所以我孤僻起来、安静起来，没法和他们亲起来。
即使是到了现在，
看到了他们，我还是会莫名其妙的“自卑”和“怕”。
唉，
我也想和他们交朋友，自由自在的聊天什么的。
就可惜，我们认识的时候，
我刚到新加坡，人生地不熟，有语言障碍，
正处“人生低潮期”。
Too bad~~~

NUS Year 4 Week 1

Byebye SEP
Byebye KU
Now that I'm back in NUS
FYP torture starts now~~~

* * *

刚开始回学校时
真的很不习惯
都大四了
得准备实验和论文了
可是看书温书什么的
有心无力啊

现在周末
一个人在宿舍
自己吃饭什么的
很闷很闷
想出去找朋友吃饭逛街
可又怕打扰到人家
自己也知道其实搞利用周末的时间看书
毕竟再一个月就要去考韩文TOPIK测验了
到现在都还没做准备
唉
所以就没出门
呆在房里
可是
就是提不起劲儿看书啊
T.T


我被韩国宠坏了啦！！！

Last post for '11 SEP à Korea

Finally tidied up my feeling
and
finally writing the last post
to mark a full stop to my journal on SEP @ Korea


* * *

Flew back from Korea on 2350 Korea time
Luggage got fined ~900 ringgit (Bravo AirAsia)
Transited at KL, ate Nasi Lemak (Aww that taste T.T )
And finally reached JB ~9am M'sia time
Got home ~10am
Sitting at living room, i stoned~
To use Chinese: 懵
To use Malay: Bingung
To use Korean: 멍~
(there's a reason why i write in 4 languages...hmm...)

Well
that's the real "reaction" I had when first got home
after 4 long months

Later went Sutera Mall, walked around
reaction?
"HOW COME EVERYTHING STILL SEEM SO FAMILIAR?"
"HAD I EVER LEFT JB BEFORE?"
"WAS THE 4 MONTHS TRIP JUST A DREAM?"

Everything simply seemed unreal
I'm not referring to the things surrounding me at the moment
but those memories that I had had on my SEP
all those stuffs that happened in Korea
The feeling was really...frightening...
...frightened that all those memories were simply just a dream...
...real scared...


* * *

The first few days
even after a few weeks back to Sg
I still "refused" to accept the truth that I'd left Korea
I started being sensitive to my surroundings
started to compare things with what I'd had/seen/experienced in Korea
I saw the trees and flowers along the roadside; I complained the absence for sakura in Sg
I took public bus to find friends; I complained the absence of announcer on Sg buses
I tried some "local-made" Kimchi; I secretly sniffed, and disapproved of its inauthencity


* * *

Then
I started going for IRO's SEP-related events
I went to Pre-departure Briefing Session, shared my stories with students going Korea next sem
I had phone interview with Reader's Digest, tried to be a NUS ambassador talking good of Korea
I went to Re-entry Talk, learnt something that changed my mentality...
i learnt that...
all this while, after i was back in Msia/Sg
I was actually having "Reverse Culture Shock" (Oh well, they have a NAME for it haa)
which has the following "stages":

1. can't adapt back to the life at home
2. find things being imperfect at home, incompatible to that in Korea
3. find it frustrating to see things being so imperfect, wished i can be back to Korea
4. manage to find a balance and see things from new perspective

* * *

Now,
I find our Hibiscus really beautiful, prettier than Korean's Hibiscus syriacus
I find Sg public transport much more comfortable and cleaner than that in Korea
I find Chicken Rice and Bubble Tea the BEST!!

* * *

Thanks god I manage to pass through the "Reverse Culture Shock"
and mange through all the frustration, especially:

"No-one-wants-to-listen"
Well...SEP returnees are usually super emo upon return
and we simply wish someone can listen to our stories,
be it an interesting experience, or just a complain.
But, not everyone wants to hear those stories...
Your family, and even your close friends, might not be THAT interested to listen
You being so enthu to share the stories, yet people just "Oh...Okay...Hmm..."Interesting"
The story-teller would feel REAL bad and hurt
I was hurt
and hence, sooner, i learnt not to share to people
not unless they ask and "look" enthu enough to want to listen
and i dont share everything at once
I was just so hurt, and scared that they will get bored and start being "perfunctorily"
So, how to overcome that?
You go for SEP-related briefing or talk or sharing session
Students who want to go SEP are the best listeners!!
And,
I become a Peer Advisor, buddy to foreign students who are having SEP in NUS now
:)


* * *

Yes, I adapt well :)

Instead of saying "Goodbye Korea"
I would rather say:
"Thank you Korea"





* * *

Read more on Reverse Culture Shock here: <click>

Last week in Korea, featuring the best of Seoul

This shall serve as a travel guide for those who want to visit Koreaand have something different from what travel agency/ tour guide would take you to
All to be summarised and presented in photos

For me
they are the best out of the best of Seoul ^^

All to be summarised and presented in pictures and short captions,
click to read more ya!!!

KU Week 16 Part 6 - Farewells (20th June)

20th June (Monday)
The closing of all farewells~~~

Morning...
packed luggages
and checked out CJ I-House

Well...see my luggages?!!! muahahahahhah~~~
Luckily I got my ABK roommate to help me carry down to lobby as well as help me call a taxi >.<

So what did I do after checking out of CJ?
I didn't go home
but stay for a few days in Korea
coz me mum was visiting!!!

So I went check in to hotel at Myeongdong
closed my bank account
sent some postage
and
last round of farewell with Kukyeon friends...
Had Cold Noodles at 서울쌈
think that place is going to be the "memorable place" for Kukyeon

After lunch,
철희선배 treated us yogurt ice cream
before going back to Kukyeon Room (동방) and slack

And
Here comes the end of my 4-months SEP trip
Bravo~
:')





p.s.
as i said
i stayed in Korea for a few more days with my mum
so on Monday night
after the farewell
I went back to hotel for a while
and
finally
started on my history paper
oppsss
yes
it's due that night 12mn
muahahahha~~~

and i got to rush to airport to pick up my mum
carrying my laptop with me
keep typing and typing and typing my essay on the train to airport
and i finally produced a 4 pages essay
and submitted it around 1am to the prof
BRAVO~~~~~

(note: I got an A for History wor!!!!! muahahahaha)

KU Week 16 Part 5 - Farewells (19th June)

19th June (Sunday)
Another farewell
with my unni
:'(

Unni didn't look good
looked sick
and i think that's why she brought along her brother with her
to safeguard her
though she said her brother came because he's "curious"

Seriously
when an unni still came out to meet you when she's not feeling well
or when she's busy with her schoolworks
how can you not be touched...
Of all Korean friends I made friends with,
unni was the BEST friend I think I've befriended with
though we didnt meet each other frequently
and though we are not very very close

Oh yes, we had fun playing with the polaroid instant camera...glad that I bought it :)

p.s.

wanted to visit JYPE company...but didn't go at the end...

reason 1: I hadnt started on my history paper yet, which was due the next day

reason 2: I sort of got bored of those 追星 games, though I never really tried it

well...

so did i regret that I didnt visit JYPE? nope...not at all :)

KU Week 16 Part 4 - Farewells (18th June)

18th June (Sat)
Woken up by the cleaner ajummas at 8am
Why must they clear up the room now?
I still haven't check out leh~~

Anyway...
went for another farewell lunch
with a girl whom I knew in NUS before
the girl who was once my cluster mate in pgp

Maybe it's all destined
I finally visit Daehangno (대학로 大学路 University Street)
It's a place that I've heard lots of stories from many Koreans
past by the street for several times
but never got a chance to tour around that area
Hence being brought to the place before I left
gave me a weird feeling

Daehangno - a smaller version of Myeongdong crowded with teenagers...

We had Hanjeongsik 한정식 韩定食 - something like “满汉全席” hahahha...

Btw, we visited the Seongkyunkwan University... the one featured in Korean drama Seongkyunkwan Scandal

p.s. went Homeplus to buy a new luggage bag....well... you will see how many luggage I ended up having ><

KU Week 16 Part 3 - Farewells (17th June)

17th June (Fri)
As mentioned
roommate left in the morning
sad
secretly wiping off tears on bed while she left
suddenly everything seems so unreal
it really feels like i just moved into the dorm and met her not long ago
4 months past really quick
really really quick
scary~
:'(

And I actually feel bad for her
she spent most of her time in Korea studying
well, unlike most of the SEP students who enjoyed travelling and playing
studies is her priority
which makes me wonder
what's the point of coming SEP?
well...
different people have different goals and ways to plan one's SEP
mine is to live the fullest by experiencing all sort of local lifestyles
and i don't regret not studying hard this semester at all!!


Evening and night
spent the time with 국연 (Kukyeon)
It's the same CCA which i usually called Kuk'ak (국악 國樂)
today
i just want to address it with a more proper name
it's full name is 국악연구회 (Kuk'ak Yeonkuhoe 國樂研究會)
in short, Kukyeon (국연 國研)

So today, Kukyeon had camping near the Han River
mainly BBQ and drinking and chatting
but it's very different from MT
this camping
was participated not only by current KU students
but also alumni
how old are the alumni that attended today?
well...the oldest was in his 50's...
the others were mainly in late 30's or 40's...
yes...
this is the strength and passion i witnessed in Kukyeon!!!
imagine a group of Ajussi and Ajumma coming to a university students' camping
bringing along their wives or children as well
it's sort of a reunion among old friends
while making new friends with the younger generation

There, i again witnessed the "hierarchy" of seniors and juniors
Juniors ("Hubae" 후배 後輩) should never forget to greet those older than you,
and address them by "Sunbae" (선배 先輩)
When you greet, always stand up and bow, at least nod your head while saying Annyeonghaseyo
When receiving drinks from Sunbae, receive it with both hands while bowing your head a bit
and of course, always end it with Kamsahamnida
When drinking with Sunbae, turn your head to the side and drink, implied to both guys and girls
When you need to leave the place first, should inform and greet goodbye to seniors

Seems like Hubae are being "bullied" and "suppressed" huh?
not really...
if you're behaving well as a polite Hubae, you will get some "benefits" from Sunbae
It's always the Sunbae that treat and pay for meals...
No transportation? Sunbae will drive you to the nearest subway station...
Hubae are taken well care of...

I've adapted to this Sunbae-Hubae hierarchy in Korea...
I used to call our Kukyeon Music Director as Akjang-nim (악장님 樂長nim)
note that "-nim" is used to show respect to someone with higher position than you
never called him by his name before
tempted to call him Oppa but...well...i shy...
haha...i'd blog about this after i leave korea :P ...
Next, I also had a Sunbae that took care of me a lot (3 years older than me...again, not Oppa)...
Though I'm older than most of the members in Kukyeon,
I still call them by their name plus "ssi" (씨 meaning "Miss" or "Mr")...
Except some girls who insisted to call me Unni (언니 meaning "elder sister")
and I've finally overcame the awkwardness in using informal language to them...
This all means
I've started to become quite close to them
which is
not good
since i'm leaving soon

sobsob...

well well...
back to the camping
so we eat, drink and chat
and had some photo taking
and...
unexpectedly
they held a little farewell party for me
T.T
with cake and candle
and Auld Lang Syne sung in Korean
and letters from the Kukyeon friends
when they sang, tears were accumulating
grateful that it's dark there and i manage to hold back the tears

but
after going back hostel
sitting in the empty room
reading their letters
i had no strength left to hold back the tears anymore

oh no...
i cried too much today
T.T


* * * *

Thought that it'd be good to end all the goodbyes during the camping
but
they want a farewell lunch again
since today's gathering wasn't that "private" and everyone was busy “应酬”-ing
=(
what if i cry again during the lunch
no...i want a cool goodbye~~~

Tell you a secret, my eye candy was captured in this picture  ~^.^~

KU Week 16 Part 2 - Farewells (16th June)

16th June (Thu)
Had lunch with my roommate and her classmate
went for shabu-shabu
as i had a 2+1 voucher
a rather quiet lunch
but i did appreciate the time

Then to Gwangjang Market
to collect Hanbok for a friend
touched that the shopkeepers can recognise me
haha
since i went there for like, 4 times...
hehe

Then to Yidae (Yihwa Women University)
to do my hair!!!!!
those who followed my FB status might know about this
i decided to have the 2nd option
but
the results came out to resemble the 1st option instead
hehe
nope
im not going to upload any photo, yet
wait till you meet me!!!!!
let's plan for gathering when i'm back!!!!!

Then dinner
had it with my Korean buddy
had 부대찌깨 (Budae Jjiggae)
a kind of steamboat with vege, hotdogs, ramyeon etc
Then had ice cream while chatting at the square at the Science Campus
our conversation was rather "diplomatic"
but
i did speak out honestly though it really sounded diplomatic
i really did enjoy my trip in Korea
and really like Korea Uni a lot
yes...

부대찌깨

Met another Chinese buddy (we sharing the same Korean buddy)
so lucky
didn't manage to contact her for the dinner together
but ya, so lucky to see her before leaving Korea
for the last time
though we didnt really see each other very often
but whenever we met
she took care of me a lot
like a big sister
really~
so lucky~
T.T


Back to hostel
roommate was starting to pack her luggage
yes
she's leaving the next morning
why so fast!!!
T.T

KU Week 16 Part 1 - Exam Week (13th - 15th June)

13th June (Mon)

Korean Art final

I think I did better than midterm

meaning

I have chance to get an A

since I got B last time

and an A for my essay ^^

* * *

14th June (Tue)

Neuroethics final

I think

i WILL pass

hahahaha~~~~

* * * *

15th June (Wed)

History final

I think

i CAN pass

but i still left with a 7-pages paper

due next monday

which i havent started yet

>.<

Neurobiology

I think

i SHOULD BE able to pass

no confidence at all

coz

it's MCQ, i'm weak in MCQ

what's more

it's negative marking

Negative Marking MCQ = 我的死穴

T.T

AND HERE COMES THE END OF MY FINALS

AS WELL AS MY SEP IN KOREA UNIVERSITY!!!!!

* * *

16th - 19th June

Will be updated daily later

as the last few days in Korea Uni

would be filled with farewellsssss

which i wish to dedicate one post to each of them

T.T

Counting down...

KU Week 15 (6th - 12th June)

Nothing to blog for week 15
yes nothing~~


* * *

Oh, maybe...
I did a lot of researches on the hotels around Seoul the week before
and made a conclusion:
ACCOMMODATION IN SEOUL IS REALLY NOT CHEAP!!!
yes...


* * *

And, maybe...
I traveled to Gwangjang Market again on 7th (Tue)
helped friend order the Korean Traditional Cloth (Hanbok)
it's really very beautiful~~~
and then
traveled to Sinchon and Yidae area
nostalgia...had the urge to hop on the Yonsei shuttle bus when it stopped by
T.T
anyway, brought home a new friend with me ^^

and finally visit Yihwa Women University (aka Yidae) on the way...
hmm i think i once said that Korea University and Kyunghee University had lots of "castles"
well...Yidae as well!!
Korea Uni's are more like German old castles
Kyunghee Uni's are more like Catholic churches
whereas Yidae's are like the lovely English cottage!!!
See the comparison:

Well...my phone decided to die at the moment i stepped in Yidae, so no photos taken. [Disclaimer: Photo origin]

Kyunghee Uni

Korea Uni

* * *

Why was the week so boring?
Because the following week is exam week
FINALS!!!!
time to mug and mug and mugggggg~~~~


* * *

Did I say I'll share my Korean Art essay if I got an A?
Haha...
I REALLY GOT AN A!!!
Click "Read More" below if you're interested:

KU Week 14 (30th May - 5th June)

A really boring week
really boring~~~

Maybe except that I produced an essay for Korean Art
entitled:
"Immortal Playing the Saenghwang under a Pine Tree"

송하취생도[松下吹笙圖]

I'll "share" my essay if I got an A from the prof

haha~~

* * *

2nd June (Thu)

Finally get to watch a movie in Korea

Ticket price is similar to Singapore's

so...it's expensive, compared to Malaysia's

* KRW8,000 = S$9 = RM22

Cinema is pretty much the same as those in MY and SG

not much difference~~~

The only special thing is...

...well...there're Korean subtitles instead of English/Chinese  =.=

there's no need for translation :PP

* * *

3rd - 6th May (Fri - Mon)

It's a 4-days break

but

no one wanted to go travel

so

I ended up staying in dorm

attempted to study

but as usual

failed again...

Well...i watched a movie online...

it's a Korean historical movie

narrating the last prince of Parhae Dynasty

Note, this is not an entertainment k

i watched this movie for the sake of my history module k

i'm writing a paper related to korean historical dramas and movies

so it's an "assignment" k

(or you may say it's simply an excuse to watch dramas/movies :PPP )

무영검 無影劍
The Legend of the Shadowless Sword

KU Week 13 (23rd - 29th May) - ft Jjimjilbang Spa/Sauna + Baseball

23rd - 26th May (Mon-Thu)
Nothing exciting
except that on 23rd May...

F.T. ISLAND COMEBACK TO KOREA!!!!
3rd Mini Album [Return]
<MV> Hello Hello:



and well... I've fallen in love into Kuk'ak
the instruments as well as the people there
Got treated with great dinner, again ^^

Each of us had one serving of marinated pork;
but our two presidents (會長 and 樂長) had had more than 3 servings each >.<

* * *

27th May (Fri)
Finally accumulated enough courage to go to Jjimjilbang 찜질방
it's Korean Spa+Sauna
similar to Japanese one
which means
you can't wear anything while going to the spa
>.<

Went there with 2 Koreans and 1 Japanese
knew them in KUBA but not close at all
and just because I'm not that close with them, I joined them for Jjimjilbang
less embarrassment, i think (and my theory was proven correct)

We went to the famous Dragon Hill Spa at Yongsan [disclaimer: i do not own this photo]

Waist-band, for entrance, food, drinks and all other services inside the 5-storeyed  building.
Entrance fee is KRW10,000 by the way.

Then, we were given sauna clothes and towels
went to our "assigned" locker
and changed cloth

Hmm....2nd floor is ladies' floor...
as soon as we stepped out of the elevator
the culture shock began
>.<
yes...
before reaching our lockers
we need to walk through the "lounge" and a long corridor
there
we see ladies of all ages
cloth-less~
(or naked or nuke or whatever vocab, but i prefer to say "cloth-less")


*ahem...no photo description, yes, no photos*


So after changing into the given clothes
we first went to the cafeteria there for dinner
had Jjajangmyeon (black sauced noodles)
then
to the main hall

You can watch TV there, eat, drink, and even sleep. Yes, you can sleep overnight there...
Budget "accommodation" for backpackers actually...

Time to try out some sauna~~~ they have 30+deg, 80+deg and even near-100deg which we failed to even step in.
Note the towel-hat... ya, it's typically Korean.
Btw that's where we had some girls' HTHT hahahah...

There're arcade, karaoke rooms and other entertainment facilities as well
Also, massage service and fitness centre on other floors...

And playground

And outdoor swimming pool
(pardon me for not taking picture directly towards the pool, not polite you know, ha)

After sweating aaaaaaalot in sauna
it's time to bath
yes
cloth-less-ly
the hardest part of this was that...
you got to take off your clothes and kept them in your locker
then with only a small towel
you need to walk through the long corridor
to the lounge
then walk down the stairs
to the spa area
you can't jump into the spa pool straightaway
but wash your feet and hands and face first (strictly speaking, one should take a shower first)
and then only can emerge yourself into the pool
and peace~~~~

...hehe...
...again...no photos...

After all those culture shock
I realised, or rather learnt, something:
"humans are simply too obsessed with clothings"
When everyone around you are cloth-less
you don't really "need" to feel embarrassed at all
there's really nothing to be shy of or ashamed of
it's simply "back to nature"
it's "freedom"
hahahahah~~~

After coming out of water,
we had shower
and walked back to lockers area, still cloth-lessly
but this time
everything seemed so nature and carefree
i've gotten used to the Jjimjilbang culture too fast!!!!!
:PPP


** Friends, if you have chance to go Korea (or Japan)
you must at least try to go Jjimjilbang (Spa and sauna) once
the experience is priceless



* * *

28th May (Sat)
Besides Jjimjilbamg,
another thing one must not miss out in Korea
is their baseball game
like what i said in my previous post for ipsilenti:
"KOREANS ARE CRAZY!"

I can't understand the rules of the baseball games at all
and i don't know how to appreciate the games
but yeah
it's still fascinating to watch the live game in a stadium

Jamsil Baseball Stadium; entrance fee was KRW8,000, free seating/standing (i.e you're not guaranteed a seat)

They're not super-famous teams, but it's full house, and we ended up standing throughout the games.

White vs Orange

P.S.

Went to the baseball games with roomie and her classmates (Koreans)

one conclusion i had drawn from the trip was:

"DO NO PLAY WITH YOUR PHONE OR MP3 WHILE GOING WITH FRIENDS"

In the subway, they just kept staring at their phones,

texting some one else, listening to music etc etc

and i ended up staring at them and being amused by the situation

yes

friends,

do not play with your phone or any kind of "toy" when you're with your friends or family

pay respect to those you're going out with

treasure the time when you're together

if you want to play with your phone or "toy" so much

go stay at home and play by yourself

thank you