My Life in Korea

Challenge myself! Until my 24th Birthday.

2009-12-18T05:51:00.001-08:00

After a lot of times being wasted on being worried and all, I decided to become more productive from now on. 2009 is almost over. I know there have been some dramatic changes this year including the big move in the middle of the year. Well, I am now all settled with life here. Now, it is to go take advantage of all the resources KAIST has while I am still a student. There is a big reason why I decided to go back to school!! So let's not forget that!

I tend to start things and never finish it. So, in year 2010, let's become new me!! Stop whining and be more assertive!

I am creating a list of 10 things to do before I turn 24. Sort of short term goals for my long term goal in life.

Health

1. Start a routine work-out plan. Let's get that Abs showing!

I am going to dedicate 30 minutes of Cardio and 40 minutes of non-aerobic exercises to

build my strength and get in shape! ( This will be the toughest challenge, because let's face it, working out takes a lot of dedication and persistence! )

2. Eat a balanced diet. No junk foods!

3. Read one novel / week.

No matter how busy my life gets, I should not ignore the importance of reading.

After all, I need all the imagination and inspirations if I want to become a director. And what more good source for that than reading books?

From non-fiction to NY Times bestsellers, I should diversify my reading list as well!

4. Write a journal/blog everyday.

Writing is a powerful tool. What better way to practice that then writing everyday?

By keeping a journal, I will organize my thoughts clearly.

Relationships

5. Express my "Love" towards my friends and family.

I was always negligent towards people around me no matter how great they were to me. Now, it's time for me to express my gratitudes toward them. Even a small gesture can make people happy. It's time I say "thank you" to them.

6. Take an initiative

It's time to take in charge and make others follow me rather than be a follower in a group.

7. Be in a serious relationship

Being in a relationship is different in Korea. Different culture and standards apply.

My first relationship taught me well. I am going to learn more in the dating pool.

8. Keep in touch with old friends (US)

Let them know what I am doing in Korea. Invite them to come visit S. Korea.

9. Go someplace new and take pictures that I can proudly show to my friends and family.

After all, pictures are worth thousand words.

10. Read Academic journals and papers related to Culture Technology

Prepare myself to find my topic for Academic research and start my first draft.

Let the countdown commence.

Tomorrow will be D-94

Norman McLaren

2009-10-27T23:35:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to Seoul to watch a performance made by Lemieux and Pilon from Canada as a part of on going performances play and musical festival "9th Annual Seoul Interantional Performance Festival" in 대학로.

8 of us took the KTX train from Daejeon to Seoul. We booked the 5:29PM train but we got to the train station on the dot. (Almost missed the train >.<) On the train, took pictures and listened to some music and discussed After arriving at Seoul station, we didn't have enough time to eat dinner so we ordered KFC and ate in 15 minutes! hehe The perfomance was captivating, visually stimulating and just simply words can't describe!

I was lucky to sit close to stage. The most impressive use of 4D projection was when family of cats crawled across the stage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7QoI814ALk

Porco Rosso

2009-10-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

Thank god it's examination week! Fortunately, I have no exams this semester so it is going to be somewhat light week for me.

So in celebration of it, I watched Porco Rosso today. As a fan of Miyazaki's animation, I was interested in watching his earlier works. The main character is a human who turned into a pig. Who is also a fighter pilot. Throughout the film, I was curious how the character turned into a pig but it doesn't explicitly tell you what happened to the character.

Pusan International Film Festival

2009-10-11T02:34:00.000-07:00

On Friday,

KAIST GSCT held an annual workshop in Pusan. I woke up at 7AM to meet at the bus stop around 8AM. About 40 people showed up for the workshop including 3 professors.

The bus ride was somewhat decent. From Daejeon to Pusan, it took about 4 hrs but talking amongst peers and listening to music let the time fly.

The bus stopped at 칠곡휴게소 for brunch. Also on the way to the bus, people were assigned groups to move together when we watch the films. Unfortunately for me and other student council memebers, we had to were obligated to work throughout the workshop times.

I did get to watch one movie called "The French Kissers" from France. It is a French "American Pie" movie telling a story of French teenagers and coming of age.

afterwards, we moved to Hae Un Dae to eat dinner and free time.

The night went on with a roof top event at our min bak jib. The video I made this week was presented along with singing and food and good times.

Namsan Hiking

2009-10-03T05:14:00.001-07:00

소나무 숲 in 남산

Chusuk in Korea

2009-09-30T03:30:00.000-07:00

This weekend is Korean Thanksgiving known as Chusuk (추석).

Having lived in America for many years, this will be my first Chusuk in many years. It is one of the biggest Holiday in Korea, yet this year, the date falls on Saturday. So it won't feel much like

a holiday for many people. Although I am going home for the holidays, I don't think there will be any family events that I know of.

This just reminds me that in contemporary life, there is less family interaction. I can feel it strongly by skin! Looking at my own family, my twin brother is in America going to college, my sister is a career woman who works full time. And myself a graduate student in Daejeon, home away from home.

To give an update of my life at KAIST:

Thesedays, I am pre-occupied with classes and Student council work. CT workshop will be held in Pusan International Film Festival in October 9-10. As a member of the CT student council, we planned the event accordingly under strict budget.

This week, we also had our first idea presentation for Culture Technology Project class. Many team came up with interesting ideas including my team. However, the general comment from the professors were that our projects need to be focused on research rather than the product.

Afterall, we are not here to sell the IT products but to effectively work with many students from different discipline to research areas in Culture Technology.

This week was somewhat more significant to me because I have finally decided on what direction I am going to follow during my graduate studies at KAIST. Rather than to put myself into writing technical papers on the topic of research that I am not passionate about, I am going to pursue my professor to support me on creating contents based on CT equipments in next 2 years.

My goal then will be to walk out from KAIST with a strong and diverse portfolio that won't lack any qualty that the professional film industry looks for. I am not thinking this will be any easier than the more traditional track of writing technical paper and defense upon graduation. However, at this point, I think putting my energy into more of the artistic aspects of visual media would make myself much happier than the first option.

It's been a long (about a month long) dilemma I had and now I finally can focus.

I can't believe the month of September went by so fast!

Wishes everyone in Korea, HAPPY CHUSUK!!

Swimming lessons!

2009-09-11T01:30:00.000-07:00

So yesterday, I began my swimming lesson.

One of my fellow classmate offered me to teach me how to swim. ( more importantly help me over come my fear of water)

When I first jumped into the pool, I became so nervous, stiff and shivered like it was winter or something. But after moving around the pool and whatnot, my body started to relax.

First lesson was to dip my head into the water. This may sound like a simple task but for a person who has fear of water, it is not so easy.

I have to say, I am proud of myself. I am 23 years old and after all those years, I finally put my mindset to overcome this fear and learn how to swim. So hopefully, I won't give up after couple days! My goal is to learn freestyle swimming by end of this semester! After all, I can rip all the benefits of swimming! It is the best exercise one can do daily!

This morning, I woke up around 8:30AM and headed to the pool around 9AM.
Moving on from yesterday's lesson, I dipped my head into the pool in a sitting down pose.
After doing it for ten times, I became more confident of being inside the water.

So my new goal is to
Swim daily and workout three times a week!

First Week of Graduate School @ KAIST

2009-09-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

First week as a Master's student @ KAIST went pretty well.

After spedning 7 intensive week at Visual Media Lab, I am spending my first semester with all other new incomding students in Davinci lab.

There are many students from many different disciplines. But I gotta admitt, I think I studied the coolest subject: Film!

It's great to know there are many students who are interested in film. Otherwise, I wouldn't fit in at all.

Yesterday, I had a discussion with Visual Media Lab's supervisor PhD. student about my concerns. My only passion is to create my own films by developing storytelling.

One "London Fog Tea" please!

2009-08-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

On Thursday Night
4 of us went to eat 보쌈 (Steamed Pork) near CGV theater for dinner. Strangely, I have been having upset stomach since that morning. As the deadline is approaching, I must be having some sort of stress.
Although I told my lab supervisor I wasn't feeling great, I joined them for dinner.
보쌈 was delicious! One of my favorite food! So I couldn't say no
to that. Almost to the point that my sickness looked fake. (Haha)
Don't get me wrong. I am not still feeling great.

Anyway,
After dinner we went for coffee across the cafe. Unfortunately, there weren't any Starbucks or Coffee Bean nearby. After all, this is Daejeon.
There, we each ordered our drinks. When my turn came up, without any hesitation I asked the cashier, "Do you have London Fog Tea?"
The cashier looked at me confused and asked, "What is London Fog Tea?" At that point, all others around me looked confused as well.
So I explained to them, "You make it with Earl grey tea, syrup and milk." and her next response was,
"아! 홍차 라때!"
and suddenly my roommate's response was "I thought you were ordering something fancy but it's just 홍차라때!"
So, I made a fool out of myself. I only ordered that thinking that it might comfort my upset stomach but apparently it is a specialty tea!

Well... It is a small culture shock I think.
surely, people in Seoul knows what London Fog Tea is!

My 3D Face

2009-08-20T05:12:00.001-07:00

almost completed.

All I need to do is facial rigging and animation.

Talks Robert Full: Learning from the gecko's tail

2009-08-18T05:18:00.000-07:00

Interesting study done by Robert Full.

I like the concept of Biomutualism where Biology and engineering meets to create a robot

that mimicks nature's greatest gift. In this situation, that of a gecko's unique feet and tail structure that makes it climb up the surface without falling.

My 3D face

2009-08-12T02:46:00.001-07:00

Work in progress July 29 - August 12, 2009

The Road Less Traveled?

2009-08-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

From Disney Pixar "UP" (2009)

I take a break today and wonder...

Am I traveling the road "Less Traveled"

I try not to dwell on the past but what if ...? Some of these questions were lingering on my mind for a while but after watching "Up" recently, the story of the movie reiterated my situation.

I guess nobody lives the life according to their plans. Like Carl & Elle, I had my own adventure book but at this point, I am not exactly following my adventure as I planned and dreamed.

Is that the nature of human life? I am not saying where I am and what I am doing right now is unsatisfactory, it isn't exactly my Hollywood dream either.

The sizzling hot summer days continues... and I have another 3 weeks of summer left.

New character

2009-07-26T22:43:00.001-07:00

Inspired by my enthusiasm for UW Badgers, I have decided to create a Wisconsin character. At first I was going to make the Badger mascot character, but for the sake of simplicity, I have decided on a bear. Which turned out cuter than I thought.

I'm still learning how to use Maya and this week, I will learn how to do Facial rigging,

which will be more geared towards the summer project.

Hot summer days in Daejeon continues and my time in VML is teaching me a lot!

and the finished product is....

2009-07-23T00:10:00.000-07:00

From July 15 ~ July 22, 2009.

My first assignment was to create a character using Maya.

After the hell week, I am proud of my product!

Work in progress

2009-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

40 years ago today man first landed in the MOON.

2009-07-20T00:11:00.000-07:00

I was reading the New York Times today and it featured many articles about Armstrong's journey in the moon and how it was a remarkable turning point of humankind's technology and achievement.

Looking over the pictures and reading some of the articles, I have felt how fast the world has been changing in the last century.

Then I stop and wonder... What would the world be like in next 50 years? 100 years?

All the talks about global warming and thining of ozone layer, poverty, nuclear threats... always concern me of the future of this beautiful planet. (Sorry if I sound like a hippie :P)

Anyway, one of the most interesting photos I've seen in NY Times is that the equipments and foot prints from 40 years ago is still present in the Moon. I've read it elsewhere in the past that they have found H20 like substances in the Moon. Does that mean life exist in other planets? Kinda sounds like a science fiction but it does interest me.

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On the other news, one of my favorite writer, Frank McCourt who wrote "Angela's Ashes" died today at the age of 78. I remember reading his book in high school and getting motivated to live the American dream. How Frank McCourt suffered during his childhood is truely inspirational. Coming from an Irish immigrant background with the typical Drunk father and scrapping for food daily. Surprisingly, one of my teachers was a former student of Frank McCourt in NYC. As I recall, my teacher told me great stories about him.

First day at the Visual Media Lab

2009-07-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

After an email confirming the start of the summer graduate research volunteer in Visual Media Lab I've headed down to Daejeon this morning. There was a meeting with my professor and the PhD student in charge of the lab.

There is a good news! Up until today, I was told that housing will not be provided during the summer. However, we have learned that under professor's permission, students participating in the summer research are allowed to live in the dorms if there is space available. Fortunately, they have told us that there is space and we can move in starting tomorrow for 78000won until August 22nd. What a bargain! almost 2 months!

Today, there was another new student, her name is So Young Kim. We both helped set up our own desks at the lab and computers. In between, our Byoung Gook, the PhD. student in charge of lab gave us a detailed explanation of what are the expectations in the Visual Media Lab.

As he gave us the general outline, he emphasized on how important Math, Programming and 3D software Maya was. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with any of those things. Well, my math skills are College Calculus II but it's been ages since I took the class and I almost forgot it all.

So over the summer, our plan is to catch up on mathematics, and learn the programming language and some Maya before the semester kicks off. This will be a time well spent for sure.

Tomorrow morning, we have a meeting with our professors and will get placed in the dorms and hopefully I can go back to Seoul and pack my stuff and get some good night sleep!

till then.

DK

Is it the beginning of Monsoon season now?

2009-07-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

I've woken up this morning by the sound of rain drops. In fact, it was pouring since early morning. According to Weather.com it is suppose to rain all day today.

After hearing that Korea entered Monsoon season but not having much rain, now it finally feels like we are officially in the season! But don't get too excited, it is suppose to be cloudy with partial sun tomorrow. yeah... I think the weather is very unpredictable these days.

So.. besides raining like cats and dogs, some interesting things are developing in my new life.

on July 6th, I headed down to Daejeon for KAIST Visual Media Lab pre-orientation. There were 6 freshman from all over Korea! We were greeted by current Masters, PhD students, researchers, and professors. The orientation gave us some general idea on what kind of projects and research does VML work on in the past, current and the future. Most of the projects are dealt with 3D computer graphics such as 3D Max, Maya and also programming language C++ which I am not familiar with it at all. :(

Fortunately, there have been some former students coming from Art background and managed to successfully learn how to use all the programming stuffs. So I am not gonna give up just yet!

I thought all the people at VML was very friendly and passionate individuals! I am honored to join their team and I hope to learn and grow as a successful filmmaker! hehe

Now I have to make a decision... The lab is offering an opportunity to jump right in this summer to participate in current ongoing research to get ahead start.

However, the dilemma is that they are not providing accommodation and since I live in Seoul, commuting to Daejeon everyday (2hrs each way) is impossible. I hope to find a way to work this out. Otherwise, I really want to focus on how to use my remaining time until school starts. I'll try to make a use of what Seoul has to offer... visit galleries, attend music events, travel around the country if I can hehe

Anyway, I have till tomorrow to make that decision. I just hope to see some sun tomorrow!

Abzal's farewell

2009-07-02T08:55:00.000-07:00

Abzal's last night in Seoul

So, one by one, my new friends are leaving Seoul to return to their home country.

On Wednesday night, I met with my fellow Shinchon friends to say goodbye to Abzal. The night was young! We all went to the Chicken place in the alley and ordered beers, soju and Cajun Chicken salad! It was a night of feista!

Amongst all of us, I think Jana would be most upset that Abzal is leaving. They have been very close friends! But I'm jealous, they will all reunite in Praha in the winter. Maybe I should go to Europe this winter vacation as well!

I am so delighted to have met Abzal this summer. I hope he remembers good memories of Korea and come back in the near future.

Last day in June. ( A month in Seoul)

2009-06-30T07:53:00.001-07:00

Picture taken by Danny Kim
6.24.09 @ ShinChon London Pub - Transformers night

Time flies like an arrow!
It's been already a month since I came to Korea.
I think I got used to the Korean lifestyle very fast, thanks to my wonderful friends. While in America, I always had this unpleasant feelings towards going back to Korea. But I definitely broke that stereotype this summer. Which I am glad for. Hey, living in Seoul is not that bad! hehe

In the morning, I woke up and went to the gym. I've been diligent about going to the gym lately and hopefully by end of this summer I can see some results! ( I mean muscles! ) haha
I like how the trainer at the gym always greet me and asks me "운동은 할만해요? " which means "How's working out?"
I always reply by "yeah it's ok" in Korean. Hopefully by end of three months I can show him the results too!

But it's getting hot and humid lately and maybe I should start going to the gym earlier like 6AM... haha yeah right.

Today, I also got an email back from KAIST telling me that my orientation will be held on July 6th 5PM in Daejeon.
I'm excited to meet my professors and fellow classmates. Hopefully the weather is more cooperative since I have to take the bus down there and it will be approx. 2 hrs long from Seoul to Daejeon.
Unfortunately, it is the same weekend when Amy and the gangs are heading down to Pusan. I wanted to go to but I guess I'll be in Daejeon. But next time, I hope I can go somewhere outside of Seoul with my friends!

Tomorrow, I will go to Shinchon again to say farewell to Abzal. Although, I've only hanged out with him for past month, I think we became very close and I will definitely miss him for sure.

RIP Michael Jackson 1958-2009

2009-06-26T00:12:00.000-07:00

This morning, in the KBS news they briefly reported
that Michael Jackson died today. When I first heard the news, I did not believe it. It was so unreal. SO I immediately went online to check LA Times and NY Times. There they have reported that Michael Jackson suffered a Heart Attack and was under a coma.
However, it wasn't long until all the sources confirmed that Michael Jackson is dead.
Although, I am not a huge fan of his behavior lately, Michael Jackson is indeed the King of Pop.

I hope his legend lives on through many years to come ahead!

Starting my own blog!

2009-06-25T06:41:00.000-07:00

June 24, 2009

The night of

Transformers and truths.

in Shin Chon ( 신촌)

@ Osama Bar ( おさま）

photo by Danny Kim

It was around 12 PM, my friend Jack was online on facebook. He is an exchange student from China, who is finishing up his term in Sogang University and getting ready to head back to China. I told him we must hang out before he leaves Korea and we agreed to watch Transformers. Originally, we planned on watching it in Apgujeong (압구정) at 9:30PM and get drinks after the movie. However, the tickets got sold out and we have decided to watch it in Shinchon for the 1AM showtime.

So I went ahead and texted Jana and Abzal and asked them to join us. They told me they will join us at the movies because they are working on their essays. Along came

진화 and Mohammad. Around 9:30PM I took the bus to Jamsil (잠실) and then the metro to Shinchon to meet with the group.

Jack brought his friends one Mexican guy and two Japanese girls. We all headed to the Megabox to buy tickets. After securing the seats for the show, we had one hour to kill so headed down to the London Pub for a beer. London pub is popular amongst foreign exchange students. The atmosphere is a typical Western bar with foozeball and pool table.

Jack never played Foozeball before so we decided to play. I've teamed up with Akiko? (I think that was her name) and Jack with the other Japanese girl. For a first time player, Jack was really good at the game. Unfortunately my team lost :(

After watching the game, Mohammad jumped in and teamed up with me and challenged Jack's team. Then, the games turned around. Luckily for me, Mohammad was a start player. He shot goals after goals leading my team to victory! yes!!

After that, we had about 15 minutes to the show and headed back to Megabox.

It's been a while since I've watched a late night movie. However, tonight I was excited to watch Transformers 2: the Revenge of the Fallen. It is definitely entertaining to watch Hollywood Summer Blockbuster films. They know how to entertain their audience for sure. While, I enjoyed the action packed explosions and hot cars and transforming robots, I thought the movie was long. Poor Jack had fallen asleep and missed all the important parts!

3:30AM. After the movies, 10 of us split. Some of them went home to sleep while, me, Jack, Mohammad and 진화. Thanks for being a pal and staying up with me!

We all headed to Osama bar , funny name? It reminded of Osama bin Ladin but actually it is a Japanese name (おさま）meaning important person.

There we ordered more beer and soju and started to play drinking games such as

Baskin Robbins 31 and Spin the Bottle.

While playing Spin the Bottle, some questions became I should say.... sexual? ahahah

Most of us were drunk at that point and I had a great time getting to know each of them more personal should I say!

6AM - the sun was up, we parted our ways. Me to the Line #2 metro and the others to their dorms and apartments in Shinchon.

I have to say, it's been almost a month in Seoul now, and so far I'm loving it. I've met so many great friends and I finally feel like I am home in my own country! Let the great summer continue~