Approaching Jamsil Baseball Stadium, you can hear the crowd even before you’ve left the subway steps. The fans are loud, dedicated, attentive, and excitedly cheer every strike, ball, pick-off attempt, defensive play and hit. With reasonably priced tickets and beer, cheerleaders, chant directors, and games almost everyday of the regular season (since Jamsil is home to both the Doosan Bears and LG Twins), Seoul is truly the mecca of baseball in the ROK. (more…)

Sept. 23 to Oct. 6th the Daegu Art Cinema will be screening the critically acclaimed “Sunshine Cleaning” that premiered at Sundance in 2008. Also added to the schedule is “One Week” a Canadian film starring Joshua Jackson that debuted last year at the Toronto International Film Festival. Both films are scheduled everyday at varying times. Check the website for show times. In Busan, the Eric Rohmer programme continues until the end of the month with subtitled screening everyday. (more…)

In a bid to reclaim a share of the heavyweight boxing title, 46 year-old Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield is planning a fight in Korea on November 8th. One small problem – he doesn’t yet have an opponent. Korean R&B singer Wheesung is planning to release a digital album in the U.S. next year. The artist recently signed a contract with the world’s largest label, Universal Records, and will be working with top producer Richard “Darkchild” Jerkins. The Korean production of Phantom of the Opera opened its 10 month run Wednesday, featuring an all-Korean cast. The first production, in 2001, drew a Korean record 240,000 people in 7 months. The Korean Olympic Committee submitted a bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics, in Pyeongchang. This is Pyeongchang’s 3rd attempt and it will likely be competing against German, French, and Chinese cities.

As a national cinema, Korea is generally thought to comprise two main branches: (1) mainstream movies done in a style close to the international popular cinema norm (i.e. Hollywood);and (2) art cinema films made by auteurs who avoid the conventions of genre entertainment. In this way, it is not much different than other national industries. But, Korean cinema does have a number of crossovers between these two poles, especially within the domestic market itself. So while there are festival directors like Hong Sang-soo and Kim Ki-duk who do not gain a large following within the country, there are filmmakers like Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho and even Lee Chang-dong who are able to achieve domestic success and international critical praise. This occurs on a smaller scale as well. Just as Hollywood has a number of independent films that bridge the gap between the popular and the esoteric, so does Korea have films that are mixed or hybrid in their approach. One such film is THIS CHARMING GIRL, the feature debut of Lee Yoon-ki. Although relatively unknown as an art cinema director, Lee has made films that have all found critical favour by critics focused on Korean cinema: LOVE TALK (2005), AD LIB NIGHT (2006), and MY DEAR ENEMY (2008). (more…)

Samsung’s new handset Samsung SCH-B900 went on sale today just as the announcement that the iPhone has now been cleared for sale in S.K was released. Other must haves like the genetically modified Munchkin Cats are seeing a huge rise in demand despite the economy. Genetically modified pets my be less detrimental to you health than your cooking oil as consumers are advised that CJ Litra cooking oil may contain a carcinogen. The  R16 Wall Lords Asia Graffiti Competition drew big crowds in Incheon as the city gets ready of the R16 BBoy battle this weekend. Juvenile felonies are at their highest ever, but it’s not loitering and graffiti that’s got baby booking bursting; it’s murder, robbery, arson and sex crimes perpetrated by “morally numb” teens.

Apples are coming into season here in Daegu, a city known for having the best in the country. And what goes with apples? Pork and cabbage, both in abundance all over the country. This weeks recipes are a quick and easy way to make the most of all these great ingredients and in the end wind up having a German feel. Caraway seeds go great with these flavors but can be substituted or eliminated. I happened to have some Cajun blackening rub that I got at Costco but if you don’t want to buy a years supply just to make this dish (the salt in the mixture preserves the spices so it lasts in the cupboard for ages) you can use any spices you have on hand. This meal pairs wonderfully with 2006 Black Tower Pinot Noir-Dornfelder, a fruity beaujolais-like wine available at emart and Home Plus for about w16000. (more…)

As the controversy over unilateral HIV testing of E2 visa holders heats up, the Justice Ministry is proposing a bill that would require all foreigners to be fingerprinted in order to collect biological records. One of the main arguments in favor of the bill is a recent report stating that crimes by foreigners have risen nearly 500% since 2001. On the sports front, Yeongam has been awarded a Formula One race for the 2010 season, the country’s first, dubbed the Korean Grand Prix. The new 135,000-seat track is currently under construction. According to a recent study by a New York real estate consulting firm, Myeongdong is the 11th priciest street in the world. The rankings are based on the amount of rent paid by retailers who set up shop there. In a video recently released, purportedly by Amnesty International, several Japanese can be seen verbally harrassing Korean tourists with comments such as “Go back!” and “Get out!” as they arrive on the Japanese island of  Tsusima. The locals are reportedly upset with the behavior of some Korean tourists during their visits there.

Vegan Spinach Pie, or How To Turn Your Urine into an Ideal Hydroponic Solution for Plants! – More DIY How To Projects

Why is this not WTF#11? Because that would be the easiest way to dismiss this project as something that didn’t warrant much discussion. While it does seem disgusting and crass at first I beg you, dear reader, to look closely, especially at step 4. This is not health food taken too far, or environmental fanaticism, this is much, much more. There is something here more akin to the Piss Christ than to simple urophagia.