A trip to the grocery store reveals that asian people really do eat a lot of ramen!
what’s wrong with this picture?
Greetings. Well, we’re powering through week 2 and the challenges just keep piling on. Starting my first round of meetings with stand-in translators and it’s definitely a little awkward (and takes much longer). Want to do everything I can to communicate better (wait till you hear about my weekend korean immersion program in 3 weeks), but this will have to do now. I can’t help but think that things are getting lost in the translation… which then makes me perpetually feel like Bill Murray in, Lost in Translation. I see sophia’s point of view more clearly.
On top of that, Gary “the glove” Payton is coming for a visit and isn’t happy with his hotel room. An event sponsorship promoter pretty much threatened one of the guys on my team, cancelling a press event with some athletes and sick kids. A one of the major media outlets feels that we “owe” them media because we chose another paper over them? What is up with this place? I’m not even sure how much I want to find out… and on top of that, i’m slowing learning that apparently all kids do in Korea is study. 8a to 10p every day, 6 days a week. no wonder they kick america’s butt in studies. BUT, can they drain the 3 when it counts?
Ugh. Another long weekend. It’s hard to believe it’s only been a week and a half. Part of me feels like months have gone by (if not more). I guess that’s what happens when your brain workw 200% harder at just the slightest thing. Spent more of the weekend shopping for more household stuff and moving in (pictures to come).
Highlight of the weekend was the MTV Trilogy Party – basically their 3rd year anniversary in Korea. Thankfully, I met the Creative Director the friday before and was able to skirt the line of 200 people outside. Ah, the perks :). A good time and lots of expats but I guess that’s MTV for you.
/ Dave and Pam, our Honk Kong visitor
…and then it was off to S-BAR for a little after, after. No idea why “S” and nobody else seemed to know, but that’s korea for you. My first real night out in Korea and it was pretty fun. This might turn out ok for me :).
/ Dave and Mimi, our non-nike friend
They say that Korea is such a small country and Seoul even smaller. I’m beginning to really buy that. So of you may know that everytime I move, a leading indicator of when I really “arrive” in that city is when I run into someone – who I don’t work with – totally randomly on the street without anyone else I work with. I know it sounds complicated, but basically it’s the odds of randomness of it happening. Usualy it takes 3-4 months, but here… 9 days till I bumped into MiMi at dinner just before the MTV party. very interesting….
For those of you who are aware of my *interest* in political affairs, you’ll find this (long download) as amusing as i did… but those who know me really well, know that this is where the rubber meets the road. See you in november (though i’ll be voting through our lovely absentee system… like those will get counted :).
It’s been just over a week and things have been pretty hectic and overly calm at the same time. It’s definitely a unique place. Packed with more people than I’m used to in the serene northwest… even compared to NYC. And it’s a totally new culture. In a typical day, it’s not unusual to hear a mother just walking around the store screaming her childs name. It’s not uncommon to see a young woman doing manual labor in a museum build out in heels. It’s not uncommon to sit with a group of people listening to korean banter for what seems like hours on end. It’s not uncommon to see a half-dozen skinny girls lined up at KFC. And it’s definitely not uncommon to meet some of the nicest, passive aggressive people there are. It’s all slowly coming together and each day, the natural ebb and flow seems to become more clear… until that one jarring WTF! comes out of nowhere. I’ll keep you posted on what today’s could be…
A exhausted wednesday night. Been across the country and put on an influencer event just in the past 3 days and i’m beat. But, time for a little team building. I’m not even going to tell you about the horrific stop-and-go, traffic filled car ride over to the World Cup Stadium (2+ hours), but needless to say, the game with the Nike Korea Senior Team was nice. We reserved our own skybox, had a great view of the pitch and the KOREA RED DEVILS – the most excited group of football fans i’ve ever seen… but alas, like practically every other football match i’ve ever seen, a 0-0 tie. UGH! Next time….
It’s tuesday night and we just finished my first ENERGY event for the Korea market. The team did an amazing job and i was impressed at the speed at which they rallied behind a concept i directed via email from the states just 5 weeks ago. The ART OF SPEED Project is a collaboration Nike created between 15 of the worlds leading digital artists around the concept of speed.
The event was geared to those fashionistas and metrosexuals you see in the likes of Elle, Vanity Fair, GQ and US. We had a great turnout with about 250 *influencers*, media and nike lovers. Han Lee, one of the artists hailing from Korea was flown down and was a big hit. In the slipperly world of energy marketing, i’d have to mark this one in the WIN column. The space was a powerful brand statement, the celebs were A-List (though unrecognizable to me) and the PR should be great (keep your fingers crossed). It’s an event that I can’t really explain so just take a look at the shots below for a feel for what it was like…
First there was the prep then there was the last minute script changes. Then the show…
/ The Speech – in English Thank God.
/ Our invited artist, Han being interviewed
/ YD (my Boss) + Amy (my PR Maven)
/ EuGyu (iggy) and YoungMi greeting guests
THE FOOD HERE IS highly under-rated. Not only has the Korean cuisine been excellent (no dog) but the range of other delicacies has not been bad at all. On a scale after the first dozen meals or so, i’m going better than portland, less than NYC but on par with Chicago but on a different scale. Lots of BEEF with GOOD FAT – what the hell is that? It’s like saying he went peacefully? And lots of sides… kimchi (umm), squid legs, eggs and cabbage? The only odd/different thing about eating Korean is the DIY preparation. The DIY part is actually ok, but on days when the temperature reaches 90+ they drag out this grill onto your table, fire that puppy up and you BBQ right there… and DAMN does it get hot! Outside of Korean, i’ve managed some Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, BK, French (check this one out :) and almost Steaks at Outback – but believe it or not, the line was TOO long! Must be that new super spokesperson Meredith! Also, I can’t tell if Chicken is a special thing or something that they settle for. Today was one of three special days in the Asian summer calendar. Apparently, as tradition has it, on the first official day of summer, the middle day and the final day… you eat DOG to keep you cool (or make you sick). Thankfully, the modern day asia has opted not for dog and replaced the tradition with Chicken. Twice we’ve tried to accomodate this local custom only to be shutdown with major waits at chicken specialty restaurants.
One more odd thing about eating and then i’ll let it go. This also goes not to the food but the custom. In Korea, EVERYONE eats lunch at Noon. So bazaar. I would come out of my office at 12:05 and the place would be a ghost town. All 3 floors top to bottom… nobody. Apparently, the lights in the whole building flicker on and off at Noon to let everyone know it’s time to eat lunch, but since i don’t turn the lights in my office on, I never noticed it. In addition, if you don’t leave to eat lunch, eat at your desk or eat alone, you’re considered an outcast! seriously. So thankfully, the team has been kind enough to remind me about lunch and let me tag along.
One last plug. Right after i got here, DailyCandy.com published this neat little prop to korean food.
Cannoli and chopsticks. Bamboo and Brioni. Gnocchi and ginger root. Ah, the melting pot that is Little Italy-Chinatown.
And now, a little seasoning: Li Hua, a new Korean eatery. The tiny spot may look modern — with its airy minimalist vibe and gleaming high-tech kitchen — but the cooking is proudly traditional. Our Korean pals deemed the scallion pancakes, soon-doobu (tofu and seafood in spicy egg-yolk broth) and chap-chae (sweet-potato noodles with beef) as good as grandmom’s, and everyone fought over the never ending supply of sides. But the table favorite was definitely galbi, marinated short ribs.
A cool rock soundtrack encourages grooving as well as gorging. And the prices are beyond reasonable. When was the last time eight people ate for less than 80 bucks?
Talk about spicing up the neighborhood.
Li Hua, 171 Grand Street, at Baxter Street (212-343-0090).
