Starcraft: The Korean National Pastime

In Korea, there are two, yes two, television channels dedicated to Starcraft. They show starcraft matches 24 hours a day. 

Last night, I fell asleep with my television on CNN, (Yes, I actually watch the news) and woke up with my television on the Starcraft channel at 4am! Either my television is possessed; I accidentally hit a button on my remote in my sleep; or my subconscious has officially Koreanized itself. 

The sad thing is, it is now 4:43 am, and I have yet to change the channel. I'm a bit intrigued. Next thing you know, I'll be a regular at the PC Bang, all jacked up on ramen noodles and canned coffee.

Professional Starcraft gamers in South Korea have even gained television contracts. Lim Yo-Hwan is the most popular player, from what little research I've gathered, with something like a million fans, including screaming girls who want to date him. (Don't see that very often back home, now do we?)

And get this! Out of  the 10 million copies of the game sold, over half were sold in Korea! When Starcraft 2 comes out this year, I'll have to give up all hope on my students doing any homework...OK. I now officially know WAY too much about Starcraft. And why have I STILL not changed the channel??? I need an intervention. Someone get me to a Shinsagae, immediately!

You Arirang, Sir?

As most of you know, I have only recently started watching Korean television. Last weekend, I discovered Arirang TV, which is an English language channel based out of Seoul.

Korean History Lesson For the Day (get those pencils ready): "Arirang" is arguably the most popular and best-known Korean folk song, both inside, and outside Korea. Ahrirang is an ancient native Korean word with no direct modern meaning. 'Ahri' means "beautiful" (For example the native Korean word 아리따운 means "beautiful", "lovely", "charming") 'Rang' can mean "dear". (Thanks Wiki!)

ISAK (Pops in Seoul VJ)

   

While flipping channels, I caught a show on Arirang called "Pops in Seoul." It kinda reminded me of a Korean version of Top of the Pops or TRL (Do those shows even exist anymore? God, I'm old!) Anyway, on this particular episode the VJ, ISAK, was counting down the top 5 K-Pop singers with glasses. Say it with me, now. "RANDOOOOOOM!"


Actually, I suppose it is not too terribly random since glasses are THE fashion accessory these days, the bigger and dorkier, the better. My college students are all about the huge glasses right now and come to class wearing huge black frames, with no lenses if they don't really wear glasses. I've also heard that it is currently trendy to pop the lenses out of 3D Glasses (I'm assuming they steal them from CGV *tsk, tsk*) and rock them out on the town. 

I know you are all on the edge of your seats, dying with anticipation, so I won't withhold the results of the "celebrities with glasses" countdown any longer.


Here we go!!!


5. Kim Jin Pyo

He doesn't wear glasses. He wears sunglasses. Not the same, last time I checked. 

Err...Maybe they're prescription?

4. Lee Seok Hoon 

He is a member of SG Wannabe. "SG" is in honor of "Simon and Garfunkel." 

3. Lee Chang Min

He is a member of 2am. Random Fact: He is the only celebrity to enter the entertainment scene AFTER completing his mandatory military service. 

2. Kim Tae Woo

He's a former member of the boy bad, g.o.d. 

and has just returned from his mandatory two year military service. 

1. Sung Si Kyung

He's known as Korea's "Prince of Ballads." I love his crystal clear voice. 

I have a HUGE problem with this list! Hello? Where's my Alex Chu???