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Vol. III Issue VII the Ulsanwww.ulsanpear.biz PearJanuary 2007 Getting Around Taking the KTX Catching a Taxi Hopping on the Bus and more inside...
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Cover photo by Bennett Ho FREE A Guide to Living in Korea’s Industrial Capital 무료 2 THE ulsan Pear
Dear Pear Readers,
By the time you read this, another year will have started, hopefully with a great holiday season behind all of us. New Year's is a time for resolutions, setting new goals and dreaming big. Now is the time to think of all the things you'd like to experience during your time in Emergency Contact Numbers Korea, and make the most of the mostly dry, sunny winter weather.
speak very slowly, and clearly. One thing we should all endeavour to do is see more of the country we are living in. This issue provides lots of information on how to get around Ulsan and Korea, so get out and explore! Do not panic, ask for English We’re also taking a look at the possible future of Ulsan. I hope you all enjoy the trip through the looking glass. Ambulance 구급(Gu-Guep) Happy New Years from all of us at the Ulsan Pear! 119 Fire 화재 (Hwa-Jay) Kevin Forman 112 Police 경찰 (Gyeong-Chal) Editor-in-Chief
1366 Women Emergency CAll
00799 International Operator ™ the Ulsan Pear Established 2004
1330 Tourist Information Creator: Joel Burslem H Ulsan Hospital Emergency 052-259-5000 Editor-in-Chief: Kevin Forman Editorial Board/ Staff Writers: Deirdre Madden Korean Legal Aid 052-257-4676 Fin Madden Law Jim Saunders Jason Teale Tax Office 052-259-0200 Labour Board 052-272-0009 Contributors: Helen Clayton Adamo DeFazio December 24th was the Ulsan Pear’s Christmas Formal Chris Devauld Andrew Fawcett We’d like to give a big Thank You to everybody who helped make this the best Christmas Shawn Hines Chris Linton Formal yet! Troy from Benchwarmers for the fantastic dinner, the organizing committee, Matthew Murray the setup volunteers, Gino and Dan for the music, the Tombstone boys for their donation, Katie Peavler Santa Jeff and his Funny Elf, to everyone who came out and supported the event, and Jason Pratt Rick Ruffin most especially, thanks to the Ulsan International Volunteer Centre for the use of their space and for the lovely poinsettias. Without everyone’s support to make events like this happen, Ulsan wouldn’t have such a strong, active ex-pat community. Thanks for Copy Editor: Deirdre Madden
helping to make this a better place to live. Principle Photographer: Jason Teale
Layout/Design: Kevin Forman Write Fin Madden for Jim Saunders The Volunteer: Cleo-ra Kim Ulsan Pear! Advertising: 011.9528.1934 [email protected]
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We don’t bite. THE ulsan Pear 3 Speed and Style on Korea’s KTX Service Jason Pratt make everyone feel comfortable. you to. As corny as that sounds stop after a certain period of time. to the KTX website at http://ktx. Contributor The ride is so smooth and it is nothing but the truth. It is a Also, it is equipped with the latest korail.go.kr and, luckily for most everything outside passes by in a feeling rarely felt on any kind of braking and impact absorption foreigners, it has an English option Finding the best transportation sort of slow motion as the train public transportation service. technology that contributes to make things easier. option is always hard. Questions continues it’s journey at an amazing greatly to the overall safety of the of time, cost, and availability speed. On board speedometers The train runs quietly without the KTX. It is also energy efficient The KTX is a great way to get are ever present in a traveler’s let you see how quickly the train noise pollution that is a normal and, because it runs on electricity, around the country quickly and mind. However one need look no further than the Korea Train Express or KTX.
The KTX high speed trains and lines took approximately 12 years to build and both lines opened in April 2004. Ever since then, travelers have been taking advantage of everything it has to offer. The KTX is in good company with the high speed trains in France, Japan, and Germany to name a few. All trains are comprised of 20 compartments, 16 of which are for passengers. It can reach speeds of 300km/h, with plans to surpass that on higher speed rails in 2008.
Currently, for people in Ulsan, the station is Busan and that can take you to Seoul in roughly two and a half hours. The fare from Busan is 45 000 won and the ride is worth every bit. It doesn’t matter if you travel in groups Photo by Jason Teale or solo, the KTX is something everyone can appreciate. Staring Inlay Photo by Fin Madden out the window and watching the beautiful scenery with music accelerates and decelerates. A part turn-off for travelers. This is truly a is very environmentally safe. in style. It is an experience that from an Ipod playing in your ears of you just can’t look away from it, marvel for a machine that runs on The easiest way to purchase tickets anyone can have and should be is almost surreal as the sun shines until settling into the comfortable 18,200 horsepower. Technology for the KTX is to get them at the considered. Have fun riding the upon your face. The friendly staff and spacious seats that are easy to is a wonder on this machine. If ticket counters in the stations, but rails! pass by every now and then to fall asleep in. However, the sheer anything happens to the operator you can also reserve tickets over check on their passengers and to sense of adventure that floods and he/she can’t drive safely, the the internet and through travel offer food and beverages to help through your body won’t allow train will bring itself to a complete agents. For more information go [email protected] 4 THE ulsan Pear
(a huge train station that takes areas around here, but I didn’t you to many other places in stay too long seeing as my body The Busan Subway Korea) and Seomyeon (the most was starting to shut down and it popular nightclub, restaurant, even started snowing. Chris Devauld a fabulous temple and a fantastic reminding me that this next stop and shopping place in the city). Contributor hiking experience that starts was a line transfer. Anyways, I fell Heading east on Line 2, I decided Back on the subway, I noticed that behind the temple and works asleep . . . and woke up at the very that the best destination would be a bunch of elderly people looked I’m rather used to being stared at, its way over the surrounding end of the line! Haeundae beach. at me with disgust as I sat and but for some reason whenever I relaxed. I didn’t really know what ride Busan’s subway I feel like I’m Obviously the most popular was up until I remembered that naked with a neon sign flashing foreigner spot in the city, I was in the “Aju” seating. Stay above my head. What’s worse Haeundae has some good night away from the seats at the very is that this time I’ve forgotten clubs (definitely check U2), an end of each subway car because, to brush my teeth and there’s a assortment of restaurants (even like the yellow seats on the buses, suspicious stain on my shirt. No, Outback!), and an interesting these are only for the eldery and I’m not a creep—I’m just a hung- underground aquarium right disabled. over ESL teacher . . . on the beach. But my reason for going was a delicious hot dog Other than that, I would say I Thankfully, Busan’s subway is stand called New York Hot Dogs. had a very successful unplanned designed so just about anyone It’s right across the street from the subway trip. There are 91 stops in can find their way. This subway aquarium. Don’t miss it! total, and about 90 km worth of has seen a lot of changes over the area covered by the subway line, years: from the recent addition of And then back on the subway I so yes—you can really traverse a a third line, to the massive, World went. This time, I decided to lot of ground in a very short time. Photo by Jason Teale Cup “Englishing.” But don’t travel back down line 3 to check So wake up early, finish off your worry, you won’t get lost. Unless out the Sports Complex stop. This beer or grab a coffee, and do some you try. mountains. Yeah right—too cold! Taking a reverse direction on was a surprising area. Nice and exploring like I did. Maybe you’ll Instead, I decided that some Line 1, I noticed some popular clean and if you are into baseball meet a movie star . . . I decided to explore the “intricate” Starbucks (I am a sucker for stops: Nampo-dong (like a little or soccer this is where you want to network of rail lines, bird noises spending money needlessly) Seoul in Busan), Busan Station be. There are also other sporting [email protected] (more on that soon), and strange made more sense. Stop 129 smells. I started at the end of is Pusan National University. line 1, which, if you’re arriving This neighborhood, as its name The Busan Subway System from Ulsan, is called Nopo-dong. implies, is loaded with students You will shell out 1,100 for a and is one of the more popular single line trip, but be warned: Friday night party spots, with a if you plan on transferring to couple foreigner bars playing live another line buy a two-line ticket. music and so forth. Otherwise, you will look mighty stupid as you stand locked on the Starbucks burnt my coffee and in other side of the ticket machine my nervous Hangul I said hello at the end of your journey, while instead of thank you, but that’s Koreans snicker at you as they okay. I decided that Bejeon-dong pass on through. Of course, you would be my next stop because can just jump over the ticket of its delightful fish market and machine, but that would be illegal music shops. now wouldn’t it? Basically, it’s a good place to take I hopped on at Nopo-dong and a stroll and gross yourself out. decided to let randomness take the Before making it to this stop, wheel. The first stop that went by however, I noticed a chirping was Beomosa, which is home to sound coming from the speaker, THE ulsan Pear 5
time is a great help, too. You bus. It stops at Nopo-dong and can also look through the Pear’s from there you can take the Riding The Bus archives online (www.ulsanpear. subway into Busan. The bus By Shawn Hines the most part. Looking to the bus graphic, you can type a bus biz) to see what other writers fare is 1,800 won and takes a bit Contributor left on this page, you will see the number into the box and click have shared about the bus over an hour, but on a budget, heading “Transportation Info”, the button. This will find the system. that’s a great savings! Transportation in your home and under that is the link to the above stated information for that country was easy! You understand City bus. Clicking here will take specific bus. This is helpful to Note: taking the 1127 to Busan [email protected] the road signs, you can drive you to the city bus page that will see the routes for your local bus is much cheaper than the express and it’s comfortable. Now you have immersed yourself into a totally different culture and are probably thinking, “How do I get around?”
South Korea offers many different types of transportation for foreigners. Trains, planes and automobiles (taxis) are the easiest to understand. The trains travel on a specific track, planes fly from one airport to another and you can tell the taxi driver where you want to go; sort of…
Buses are a bit more difficult to understand, but with some patience and some research, you can find they provide a valuable service. Buses are the cheapest form of transportation in the cities and finding a bus usually only takes a few minutes wait at the local bus stop. Currently it’s 900 won to ride the bus, but the fare is expected to go up in Photo by Jason Teale 2007.
Trying to figure out what bus you show you all the buses and their stop; better than the “pick-a-bus” want and where it goes is a major times and routes. system. hurdle for foreigners who have just entered the country. Randomly When you are reviewing this Clicking on the bus number will picking a bus to figure out where page, you will notice the bus bring up a small map that will it goes is not a good idea; a 3 hour number and its route. The next allow you to view the bus route. round-trip ride is not pleasant column is the time the bus starts You can see the general direction (personal experience). and stops running. The next 3 of the bus, but you are not able to columns to the right are helpful, zoom in to see the route closer. The Ulsan City website offers a the middle column is the total nice way to find the buses you time of the route, and the last Using this website can save some need. The website is column is the distance of the valuable time in learning Ulsan’s http://english.ulsan.go.kr/main/ route in kilometers. bus system. Asking foreigners main.htm and is in English, for At the top of this page, under the who have been here for some
Green Printing 6 THE ulsan Pear Taking the Boat From Busan Ship Builiding 101 Deirdre Madden Helen Clayton The Ulsan Pear Contributor Coming back is “The person who thinks a job is It’s the perfect time of year to the same; head out of Korea; it’s cold, the ferry possible is the one wet and there’s not much to l e a v e s who is going to get it done” do apart from the odd bit of J e j u - skiing or DVD watching at city at Chung Ju-Young home in the warm. There is 7pm and however a nice little island an a r r i v e s The Pear could hardly do an The world’s largest shipyard, HHI overnight boat ride away from back into Busan early in the though the police may come along issue on Transportation in Ulsan stretches along four kilometres the peninsula that is currently morning the following day. It’s to stop you. without mentioning Hyundai. of Mipo Bay at the mouth of the boasting temperatures a good a great alternative to flying and Between Hyundai Motor, the Taehwa River, covers 1200 acres bit above freezing and that has since you get to sleep, sing, go If Jeju or Gojae are not your country’s largest car factory, (over four square kilometres or a number of interesting sights to a nightclub or just drink on thing there are also a number of and Hyundai Heavy Industries 1.2 million pyong) of land and to visit, including oddities such the ferry, the time passes quite destinations in Japan to choose (HHI), the worlds largest ship boasts nine dry docks and six as Loveland and the Mysterious quickly. Bookings are taken on the from, ranging from the infamous yard, there’s a whole lot of “Goliath” cranes. 2005 brought Ghost Roads. fourth floor of the ferry terminal, three hour trip to Fukuoka to transporting going on. in a revenue of 5.34 trillion although if you plan to travel at a the 2-3 hour trips to Izuhara and won ($5.72 billion US) and the The ferry for Jeju-do leaves busy time, such as Chuseok, then Hitakasu on the Tsushima Island. In 1972 Chung Ju-Young, the projections for 2006 are over around 7pm every night, except you will need to plan a long time PanStar runs a cruise to Osaka on founder of Hyundai, decided to 6.47 trillion won ($6.93 billion Sunday, from Busan’s Domestic in advance. Jeju itself is gorgeous, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday build a shipyard in Ulsan. He US) in revenue. Terminal near to the Jungang- with green fields, horses, volcanic each week, leaving at 4pm and convinced a Greek ship operator dong subway station, and eleven mountains, and plenty of fresh- returning alternate days. A cabin to buy two cargo ships from HHI currently has a backlog of hours later you land at Jeju-city, air. will cost you anywhere between him, and broke ground in Mipo over 250 ships on order. That’s after a good rest in a cabin with 125-225,000 won per person, beds and a shower, or if you want Goje Island is a little over an each way, depending on the class. to go cheap, in a big ondol room hour away from Busan by boat; Reservations can again be made with two hundred other people. a great little summer get away at the terminal or directly with There are two ferries operating; with beaches and mountains, a PanStar ferries by calling 051 462 personally I much prefer the not-quite-so-authentic prisoner 5482, or visiting www.panstarline. Seolbong, it’s newer, cleaner and of war camp memorial, and a few com. a much nicer experience than other little attractions. Mainly the Cozy Island. it is home to the huge Daewoo If you are feeling a little romantic shipyards and a lot of open space there is always the PanStar night A three-bed room will set you and beaches. cruise around Busan’s islets, back around 50,000 won, but leaving at 4pm on a Saturday and it’s worth it if you plan to sleep. The boats run almost every hour returning Sunday morning around The ondol starts at 25,000 won, to one of three towns on the 9am. The cruise takes in all the but is cramped, noisy and not island, it takes between forty mins sights of Busan by night, including that much fun. You must stake to one hour twenty minutes to get Gwangan Bridge, and Haeundae, out your spot as soon as you there and costs 20,000 won each and you also get a chance to view board and if you’re on last, you’re way; a little more expensive than the sunset and sunrise from some out of luck. You would do well the bus but about 3 hours quicker. quite pretty locations. To make Photo by DeirDre Madden to take a sleeping mat and bag I didn’t think there was a lot to a reservation or more details call if you choose this option as the do there, but you can get a group PanStar on 051 4646 400. Bay building the facilities as he enough to guarantee work for floors are not the cleanest I’ve together, head down and camp on built the vessels. Two years later the next two to three years ever slept on, to say the least. the beach round a campfire, [email protected] workers completed both the without bringing in a single new yard and the two ships. Chung contract. Now you know why, Ju-Young died in 2001, leaving when most of Korea has been The Ulsan Pear one son in charge of Hyundai facing an economic downturn, needs you!! Motor and one in charge of Ulsan continues to grow and Hyundai Heavy Industries. expand like mad.
We are looking Hyundai Heavy Industries is HHI alone accounts for 15% of a main factor in why Korea the world’s shipbuilding market, for has risen from the rice paddies but it’s not alone in Korea. to take it’s place as the world’s Both Samsung and Daewoo Writers tenth (or eleventh, depending have shipyards on Goje Island. on the source) largest economy, Together, the three companies and the third strongest economy produce about 44% of the Layout in Asia after Japan and China. worlds commercial ships. Building tankers, carriers and Naval vessels, including So the next time you’re driving People submarines, HHI launches out to Bangeojin to get your with drive and approximately one new ship Subway fix, take a moment to determination! every five days. This is pretty marvel at the shipyards as you incredible considering some of pass. We may be a small hick these suckers are fifteen stories town, but the backbone of the high (49 metres) and the length Korean economy is right in our of three American football fields own back yard. e-mail us at (109 metres). They’ve completed 1170 ships in their thirty-four editor@ulsanpear. [email protected] biz years of existence. This year they broke the industry record and produced 74 ships. THE ulsan Pear 7 Taxis In Ulsan Adamo DeFazio’s View Jim Saunders they may press a button to start The Ulsan Pear increasing the fare by 20%.
According to the tourist literature Calling for a taxi should cost an available on tour2korea.com, extra 1,000 won but it is not often taxis are plentiful, clean, safe, and noticed on top of the total fare. inexpensive in Korea. Make what you will of this claim – everyone You may also see that some taxis has their own stories and anecdotal in the city are sporting large tales about a ride in a Korean taxi. and prominently displayed “free Yet for those without their own interpretation” signs, a service transport in Ulsan, they remain that is functioning somewhere but very much a viable alternative, perhaps not in that particular car especially once the bus services anymore. It is a hangover from the have stopped running for the 2002 World Cup when supporters night. needed English speaking assistance getting to places, so do not get too One of the first things that people excited when you spy this sign in wish to know is how much a a window. taxi fare is going to cost them. The minimum fare in Ulsan Ulsan taxis have three different begins at 1,800 won for the first coloured lights on top. Blue and two kilometres and increases by Green are part of a company and 100 won for every 144 metres the yellow/red lights represent a thereafter. Taking a taxi between drivers safety record of having no 12 midnight and 4 a.m. will incidents for upwards of ten years. mean an increase of 20% on the The same applies for the “Best minimum fare. 2160 being the Driver” awarded taxis some may new minimum, rising at 120 won see in the city. thereafter. If you do have a bad taxi ride and After 4 a.m. passes the minimum feel compelled to report the driver fare immediately returns to 1,800. then comment cards are sometimes If your driver places it on the available on the dashboard. If not, higher fare question this action or take their personal details (usually ask them to stop and get straight found on the front passenger seat out. 4 a.m. and beyond means glove box). Don’t worry about 1,800 won. writing it in English as it can be passed on to someone who Be aware if the driver touches can translate it to the relevant the meter at any point during authorities. the journey. There is only a need to touch it twice, once when the So armed with this information journey starts and once when it enjoy your ride in an Ulsan taxi! is over that is unless your journey starts shortly before midnight and continues past in which case [email protected] Photo by Jim Saunders
Empty Car Drive (start meter) Extra Price (12 midnight & 4a.m.) Taxi Language 빈차 주행 할증 Deirdre Madden Bus Terminal Ulsan Pear Ulsan Yeok = Train Station
You may have noticed that Seongnamdong (old downtown) addresses are hard to decipher Shinae = downtown here, so the best way to get Shigaetap = clock circle anywhere is to give the taxi driver a landmark destination Mugeodong near your intended destination, Ulsan Daehakyo = Ulsan then give small directions University from there with wenchok (left) orenchok (right) and chikchin Bangeojin (straight). Here’s a list of some Gwahak Daehakyo = Ulsan Telephone Call Time Pay of the landmarks that all cab College 호출 시계 지불 drivers know. Be prepared to try Ilsan hae su yuk jang = Ilsan numerous pronunciations until Beach Complex (If in the taxi prior to midnight and continuing after the fare will now increase at a20%) 복합 the driver finally says the same thing you first said, but this Other helpful words - just put the sagori = intersection godung hakyo = high school Blue Call Taxi time with a lightbulb on over area name in front of them, and Ulsan Daegongwon = Ulsan gonghang = airport 227-6728 (Nam-Gu) his head. you’re set. Grand Park gongwon = park Now you’re fluent in Taxi Cab Jin Heung Taxi Samsongdong (new downtown) byeong won = hospital shejang = market Korean. Get out and explore the 273-2035 (Nam-Gu) Lotte Bek hwa jam = Lotte hae su yuk jang = beach chodung hakyo = elementary city! Department Store su yuk jang = swimming pool school Speed Call Taxi Kosok Buseu Terminal = Express kyo = bridge jung hakyo = middle school [email protected] 223-8282 (Nam-Gu) 8 THE ulsan Pear The Future is Here Fin Madden The Ulsan Pear
Words like ‘skyline’, ‘architecture’, ‘world class’, or ‘modern’ are not the first ones that pop into my head when I describe Ulsan. The city has a reputation as a factory city. It is marketed as Korea’s Industrial capital. But like a recent university grad with his first paycheque in hand, Ulsan is shopping for a new image. The city government Lotte Castle (as well as Hyundai and SK) are 41 Stories spending a lot of money to clean 132 Units up the city. With plans in place and construction started Ulsan is Majestower going to be a vibrantly different Riversuites 35 Stories Lotte Innovation city by 2012. 33 Stories 396 Units ~47 Stories Since 2000 Ulsan has seen the completion of the Munsu Worldcup Stadium, The Ulsan Grand Park phase I and II and Dongcheon Stadium complex. To Ulsan KTX Station (Eonyang) These projects only mark the and Ulsan National University beginning of Ulsan’s leap from a regional city to and international, modern metropolis. Shinae/Seongnamdong The west end of the city is currently undergoing dramatic changes. The districts of Beomseo and Eonyang are both rapidly growing, with Sinbok Rotary new apartment complexes being Taehwa Rotary started almost everyday. The Doosan Ulsan KTX extension is under 48 Stories construction, with the new station Light Rapid Transit System (Stage 1) (as well as new bus stations) to 278 Units be located in Eonyang. There are plans to build Ulsan National University in Beomseo, Munsu Stadium with hopes of eventually even challenging Seoul Gonguptap Rotary University. Added to this is the construction of the Busan-Ulsan- Pohang expressway which will run right through Munsusan and run north past Beomseo.
From the KTX station Welltz Towers a Light Rapid Transit (LRT) will run. This 25 Stories will be a high tech 253 Units streetcar, similar to ones in many European cities. The first line will run from Eonyang, through Mugeodong and past Munsu Stadium, through Gonguptap to Ulsan Station, and then north to Hyomun Station (near Dongcheon Stadium). This project will cost a forcasted 1.4 Lotte Castle Kingdom billion dollars. There are further 30 Stories World Meridian plans to build 3 more lines, 196 Units including one around Bangeojin 25 Stories to the Hyundai Mipo Yards. Light Rapid Transit...KTX...National University...Ulsan Grand Bridge THE ulsan Pear 9
Kukdong Skyclass 30 Stories Ulsan 2012 188 Units As the city spreads outwards, it The city also plans to go hi-tech also beings to reach upwards. for traffic. They are currently Currently there is no building building an Intelligent Traffic taller than 25 stories in town. system which will not only There are plans to build 15 quicken traffic flow, but it will different buildings taller than also include such neat things as this, and the tallest twin towers computerized signs at bus stops will reach 54 stories. Most telling you exactly how long of this development is based your bus will be. Some of this around Seongnamdong, which technology is already visible in is currently a rather rundown computerized signs telling of Lotte Castle neighbourhood. By 2010 there traffic flow on various roads. This 41 Stories will be a remarkable skyline along system will be further developed Exordium the Taehwa river. Most buildings in the coming years with PDA 132 Units 54 Stories will be ‘Offictel’s which include and handphone applications. shopping on the lower floors, offices in the midranges, and If all of these plans come to the top floors for apartments. fruition Ulsan will rapidly climb An average luxury apartment from an industrial stopover to a in these towers will cost around business center. The shear number $500 000. of highways, railways, apartments Hyomun and skyscrapers being built is Station There are also plans to build either mind numbing. If you sit in an ‘Ulsan Grand Bridge’ or Yeompo empty parking lot long enough Dongcheon Stadium Sante ville Tunnel to reduce traffic problems there is a good chance that a high 32 Stories on the Asanno. These projects are rise will be built around you. currently under review. Bridges 188 Units add much more to a skyline then Shinae/Seongnamdong tunnels, though. [email protected] LRT Routes
Taehwa Rotary
Lotte Hotel Ulsan Station Amuty Gonguptap Rotary 33 Stories 212 Units
Yeompo Tunnel
Skyrex Hyundai Mipo 40 Stories 268 Units
The Prestige Artnouveau Jangsangpo 32 Stories 33 Stories 149 Units 127 Units Bangeojin Light Rapid Transit...KTX...National University...Ulsan Grand Bridge 10 THE ulsan Pear The Pear’s Events Calendar FOR JANUARY 2006 THE CUT-OUT & KEEP GUIDE TO FORTHCOMING EVENTS ACROSS ULSAN
PHOTO OF THE MONTH River in Jeju By Park Su-chun
Martial Arts Training www.imasgroup.us Ki Muzu Ryo Do Official certificates and Belts English Language Only [email protected] Free Alcohol! Photo of the month is a contest sponsored by Benchwarmers. Each winner recieves a 20,000won tab. Send your photo to: [email protected] Artistic shots or Mobis Basketball home games Konglish signs are welcome as submissions. played at Dongcheon Gymnasium
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Seoul Int’l Marathon March 18th. Mobis Basketball Won Shot Wanderers Runners and Supporters wanted. Training 4 days a week. Game 3pm 1-3pm Nongso Beginners welcome. [email protected] Frisbee 3pm
Bowling Tuesdays & Poker on Thursdays @ Tombstone
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Hyundai Arts Center Mobis Basketball Writers Group @ Mc- Won Shot Wanderers Childrens Magic Show Game 7pm Kenzie’s 10:30pm 1-3pm Hyomun (In English) Hyundai Arts Center Poker @ Tombstone Frisbee 3pm 2pm & 5pm Childrens Magic Show Hyundai Arts Center Mobis Basketball 10,000 - 15,000won (In English) Childrens Magic Show Game 5pm 2pm & 5pm (In English) 10,000 - 15,000won 2pm & 5pm 10,000 - 15,000won 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Mobis Basketball Poker @ Tombstone Mobis Basketball Won Shot Wanderers Game 7pm Game 7pm 1-3pm Yangjeong Frisbee 3pm
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Writers Group @Mc- Hyundai Arts Center Frisbee 3pm Kenzie’s 10:30pm Kim Chang Gyoon Poker @ Tombstone Violin Recital 8pm Tickets 10,000won
29 30 31
Books and Booze Running - Hash House Harriers meet every second Sunday at the Writers Group @ McKenzie’s Bar: Share your short stories, po- Literary Discussion Group. Foreigners compound in Bangeojin at 10am. etry and music. Or just come and listen. [email protected] “Water for Elephants” by Sarah Gruen Paintball Mountain Bike Club - UMTBC McKenzie’s, Mondays The Ulsan Ugly Playboy Rugby Rock Climbing - Most Saturdays Can organize paintball days for Jung Sang Young, Samchuly Bicycle at 10pm. Email Team are back. Interested? Con- and some mornings. groups of twenty-five to thirty. between Gongeobtap and Taewha [email protected] tact Benchwarmers at ulsanrockclimbing@googlegroups. Contact Benchwarmers. Rotaries. 052-260-3000. [email protected] for details. com THE ulsan Pear 11 The Challenges of Learning Korean The Pear’s Events Calendar FOR JANUARY 2006 Rick Ruffin unimagined to the Westerner. difficulties learning English-- verb is at the very end of the Truly—is knowing what words Contributor The sounds are utterly because they “think backwards.” sentence. Strange stuff. But and expressions to use. The ones different, the pronunciation Or perhaps it is we who think such is the challenge of living you find in the newspaper or Living in a country and not is challenging at the least, backwards. A typical sentence in an exotic country. in the dictionary are often not learning the language is like and Koreans often don’t use translated literally into English used by the common people. eating a meal with a mouth full subjects when they speak. If Another challenge is the way There is a considerable gulf— of Novocaine. You must learn they do, they are buried away words are put together. Korean unlike in English speaking the language to fully appreciate somewhere in the middle or at is a language of chopping, countries—between written your time spent in Korea. the end of the sentence, leaving slicing and dicing. For example and spoken Korean. the reader clueless as to what is meegook means USA, ilbon If you are here for any going on. refers to Japan, and hangook If you do decide to learn Korean, considerable length of time it means Korea. However, Korean- it is important that you practice is essential that you learn the Also, pronouns are rarely American is hanmee instead everyday. If you are young and language. It will make your used and verbs are conjugated of hangookmeegook; Japanese- have a good memory, and a sojourn here that much richer. according to the other person’s American is ilmee, and Korean- desire to know what everyone age (known as honorifics). Japanese is translated as haneel. around you is saying, you have The good news is that Korean People are referred to by titles, Unless you know the Chinese a particular advantage. Few is composed of a phonetic or through a complex series (hanja) roots to these words, non-Koreans can speak this “alphabet,” Hangeul, which of hierarchical and family you’re going to spend a lot of challenging language. I say go is relatively easy to learn nomenclature such as aunt, time guessing which part of the for it. (unlike China’s thousands of uncle, big brother, big sister, word to keep, and which part ideograms). The bad news is esteemed elder, teacher, etc, from Korean will read: “To to leave on the cutting room Rick Ruffin lives in Donghae, that it is a language totally etc. mail a letter, to the bank go.” floor. Kangwon Province. He’s lived in unlike any other--Japanese is its The first thing the foreigner Korea on and off for 10 years. closest linguistic relative--full of Order is, of course, the greatest asks is “Who goes to the bank?” Probably the most frustrating nuances and thought that often challenge, and many people Again, there is no first person thing about trying to learn comes out in ways completely think that is why Koreans have singular pronoun, and the Korean—at least for Yours [email protected] The Unbearable Lightness Of Bicycling Katie Peavler home tiresome. A bicycle proved internet offered such miraculously the sweetest deal. My bike, for So the next time you’re headed to Contributor the perfect solution. cheap finds. example, came with a free basket, a favored location and faced with bell, and cable set. Its folding the conundrum of it being just All of the searching, the waiting, I think we all know what happens The bike arrived at the end of the capability supposedly lends itself too far to walk and just too close the teamwork had paid off. As when we tell our Korean co- week, and my co-teachers helped to easier portability, such as a for a taxi, consider purchasing I jetted into the chilly winter me to assemble it taking it on a bus across town, yourself a bicycle to further add night of Ulsan, floating over right in the lobby of or in the trunk of a taxi. I have to your Ulsan experience! cracked concrete and cigarette our academy. The not done this as of yet, but I have butts, I knew if I rode fast self-assembly could tried folding it and found it to be enough I could drift right back be considered a quite easy. into my childhood memories downside to internet [email protected] of late night alley races and purchasing, but it summer trail treks. To have actually was not a bike in Ulsan makes for a difficult at all. Most of magical, albeit dangerous, the requirements were experience. as self-explanatory as joining two pieces of Sure, throwing yourself amidst bread for a sandwich. traffic, pedestrians that include Anything a bit darting, sugar high children and confusing was dealt ultra slow ajummas, and facing with in the Korean the horrendous bumps that instruction manual, Ulsan’s curbs present (whatever which should not happened to handicapped pose any problem accessible?) makes for a if you have some daunting task. I must confess Koreans to help you. that I have thus far kept to the sidewalks and find the idea of Photo by Jason Teale After a little legwork, riding in traffic to be completely I have found that mystifying, if not suicidal. teachers of a new idea. Our idea bikes in stores can range from becomes their idea. They must 80,000 won at the cheapest up I decided to buy my bike one be part of its solution, or face to whatever amount you can lazy morning after the fifth time certain embarrassment from not imagine for the bells and whistles of rolling over in bed because my having wisely shown their foreign some professional cyclists might gym was “just a bit too far away” counterparts the ropes. So two pursue. However, online they are from my apartment. The distance minutes after asking what would very cheap, as my own bike was certainly wasn’t far enough for be a good store from which to around 50,000 won, including a taxi ride, which would be buy a bike, my helpful Korean shipping. extremely guilt-ridden after half co-worker was surfing through an hour’s attempt of burning bike ads on G-Market. There was Another delicious reason to off those weekend rounds of much tut-tutting over my naïve make an internet purchase is soju, but it was just far enough idea that I could find a good that competing sellers offer their to make the post-workout walk deal in an actual store, when the own freebies to make theirs 12 THE ulsan Pear The Hyosung Rally 50 : A Great Thrill Ride Fin Madden on the bike steel lock. Any bike The Ulsan Pear that my sister can pick up is very easy to steal. People used to tell me that I was Maneuverability crazy riding a bike Incredible. With the wide tires, here. After years of light weight and tiny wheelbase this
G u i de research, I can only bike is a dream to bounce through confirm what I was traffic. Unlike some scooters that originally told. At scrape on almost every corner, this first it seems like bike can be heeled over quite far all the drivers are and still seems stable. It’s fun to out to kill you, you
Ri de race through heavy traffic on this quickly discover bike. that this is not true. Most drivers are out Style to kill you, some are None. Jamie Oliver might have satisfied simply with T he brought the Vespa back into style, a good maiming. but this bike has none of it. Retro You may as well scooters are cute, the Rally is an make it a challenge for them. eyesore. Luckily it was dark so nobody saw me test drive the pink For the transportation issue model. I decided to test something comparable with the cost of Passenger riding the bus, a 49cc scooter. My passenger refused to get on The Hyosung Rally is Hyosung’s Photo by Fin Madden because the bike was too ugly. top of the line 49cc scooter. power, you’ve bought the wrong Comfort Cost But remembering back to my bike. The engine is just strong It’s small. This bike was designed Cheap. Wrapped in plastic this scooter long ago I can tell you First thoughts enough to get you ahead of the with a 50 kilogram (110 pound) bike will cost you no more than that the Rally seemed to die with Riding a scooter was once cars at a red light. On a flat coffee girl in mind. The foot box 1.3 million won. A used model somebody on the back, on hills compared to riding a kitchen stretch of road it takes about 30 is small and gets cramped on long will run between four and six the bike became almost comically stool through traffic. This image seconds to reach the top speed of rides. There isn’t much room to hundred thousand. If you don’t slow. still comes to mind whenever I 70 km/h. move your butt around either, as crash it too often you can even get hop on one. The Rally was the the seat is quite tiny. a decent resale price. Scootering is dangerous. second scooter I ever owned, I did Braking Scootering could very well be some long trips on one, and I have At 90 kg, this bike is quite light. Fuel efficiency Reliability considered a mental disease. I love fond memories of it. In the name It doesn’t take much to stop it. Filling the tank from empty for Good. I drove one of these it. They are the cheapest, quickest, of good research, I borrowed one It’s got a single disc in the front my test drive cost 3800 won. bikes for 6 months, including a most efficient way to get around from Ulsan Autobike, and within and a drum in the back. Because That’s about as much as a decent 1000km weekend, and I had no the city, and a fun day out of seconds of taking off into traffic I of the lower speeds involved with pair of socks. I drove around the problems with it. It’s two stroke town on the weekend. Some of had a huge grin on my face. These riding a 49cc bike emergency city for an hour and the gas gauge (bad for the environment, good my fondest memories of Korea bikes are simply fun to ride. braking isn’t a problem. You can stayed at full. At these prices who for acceleration), so make sure are my friends and I racing off at comfortably tailgate in hopes of really cares about kilometers per that you’re always carrying an extra 50km/h to some remote mountain Acceleration drafting behind almost any car or litre. All that matters is that this is bottle of oil. The biggest problem temple. Buy one, have fun, just Zero to twenty in 4.2 seconds. It’s truck. a cheap ride. is that 49cc bikes attract thieves BE CAREFUL. basically a riding lawnmower, so if like soju causes trouble. If you buy [email protected] you are looking for tire squealing one, spend the extra twenty bucks THE ulsan Pear 13 K Che realizes that this could be a will she end up with his brother poet and his work is not lost on beautifully so in his Goong (궁) way for her family to escape the who seems nice (yes!) but may be foreigners with any particular poem, “In A Tavern,” ore a n The Hyosung Rally 50 : A Great Thrill Ride poverty they live in, she relents. too good to be true? Korean experience. where the narrator-poet She is willing to sacrifice herself sits at dusk and wonders Matthew Murray for her family. Goong is one of the most popular Chun Sang-byung was a great at the smoothness The Ulsan Pear comics currently being made in man in as much as any poet can be which the day takes However, Shin’s motivations are Korea, and has also been made great at being a man. He embraced on from such a seat. Che Kyung Shin was just a normal nowhere near as self-sacrificing. into a TV drama. If you want to it as his way of life from an early With another drink the high school girl, but now she’s The prince thinks Che is a clutz brush up on your Korean, you can age and never wavered. He was boundaries become hazy
learning just how much being and a fool and only agreed to pick up the graphic novels easily recognized by the age of 22 for and he is able to see with Li ter a a princess sucks. Every day is marry her because he knows the enough. Thankfully, it’s also now his skills, and began a brilliant calm eye past the city, scheduled down to the last minute, life of a princess is horrible. “Do available in English, just check career of poetry and literary essays. over the mountains and she can’t live with (or even see) her you think I’m crazy enough to amazon or somewhere. Sadly, he was arrested during to a mountain clime family anymore and her husband make the one that I love be forced the terror of the late 1960’s and of children playing, (the crown prince) is a jerk. to live in the palace like a doll? severely tortured. He survived the “infinitely cheerful.” Since I don’t care what happens [email protected] horrendous torture but spiritually The poet figures into So Hee Park’s Goong is set in to you, I am letting you be sejabin and emotionally he lost a great most of Chun’s poetry
a world were Korea still has a [crown princess].” He also says deal. and it is a poet who gives ture royal family and operates as a that later, when things get really wonder and thanks to a constitutional monarchy. The horrible, he’ll just divorce her. Chun took to a hard drinking god for allowing him so royal family are absurdly popular How nice! vagabond lifestyle and in 1971 much beauty. with the general public, despite, or disappeared from all friends and perhaps because of, their extreme At this point you can pretty much family. Chun Sang-byung has the Chun Sang-byung’s
ties to tradition. So when Shin figure out this isn’t the start to a distinction of being a poet who work is wonderfully corner Lee, the crown price or “seja,” typical romance story. lived to see his work published translated by Brother starts going to Che’s school, she’s posthumously as he was thought Anthony of Taize excited. Until she actually talks to It is, however, funny and mostly dead during that time. He was and Kim Young- him and discovers he’s a jerk who undercuts things expected from found in an asylum some time moon. Certainly, there she wants nothing to do with. this type of comic. At times a later and brought back into the are some places of page will show what will happen world by his friends and loved difficulty but on the Unfortunately, things don’t go in normal romance comics, and ones. whole the reading is that way. It turns out that Che’s then the next page will have very rewarding. Here is grandfather was best friends what actually happens in Goong This collection of poetry from a poet of often childish with the prince’s grandfather (usually featuring characters doing the Cornell East Asia Series, Back glee which could easily (the former king) and before the something stupid). to Heaven, Selected Poems of be under-estimated. king died they decided that their Chun Sang-byung contain works Here is a poet for your every day, grandchildren (Che and Shin) The art is heavily influenced by Chris Linton beginning in 1971 and ending for reading on buses, for taking would marry. In the twenty-first Japanese comics (as are most The Ulsan Pear with his own death in 1993. He is on hikes. The Cornell East Asia century it seems unlikely that you Korean comics), but it looks good a lyric poet and a vagabond poet, series offers a wide variety of could convince two teenagers, and works well with the story (a So many Korean people are wary living a life marked by poverty but Korean poetry translated notably especially ones that don’t like lot of effort has been put into when they see foreigners reading with an eye for the harmony of the well. They are available at any each other, that they should get making the characters’ clothes look their literature. They always fret world; love and sorrow marked large bookstores in Korea. The married, yet in volume two they fashionable). At times it becomes that foreigners cannot understand in all creation. The accessibility volumes have the English and the do. So what happened? super-deformed, which is strange their art. This is for various of his poetry comes through the Korean so these novels are often the first time you see it, but is part reasons, mostly because of Korea’s romanticism in his work and his not found in the English book At first Che is going to say no, of this artistic style. insulated existence, their singular many allusions to Western literary section. Keep your eyes peeled for but having her mother prodding world view. Sometimes, it is a figures and religion. Nature and a new translation of Yang Gui-ja’s her towards marriage because she Romance stories aren’t really my valid concern, especially with the God intertwine, in the Chinese 1998 bestseller, Contradictions, would rather have her daughter thing, but Goong is good and poets. sense of heaven and nature, and translated by Stephen Epstein and be unhappy for the rest of her life different enough to pull me in. figure heavily into Chun’s work Kim Mi-Young. than her father-in-law feel guilty, Will Che fall in love with Shin The work of Chun Sang-byung is without fettering it to Catholicism. doesn’t exactly help. But when (don’t do it, he’s not worth it!) or as familiar to me as any Western He is a solitary figure in his work, [email protected] 14 THE ulsan Pear K Hail To The King And Queen! The Host ore a n Chris Linton much loved and Contributor cared for by her idiot father, grandfather, “The Host” is a movie which venerable actor could be categorized as drama, Byon Hie-bong,
sci-fi, horror, comedy, action, her aunty (lovely M o vi e thriller and more. Movies which Bae Doo-na) and successfully pull off multiple uncle (Park Hae-il). genre storytelling are few and far Hyun-seo, thought between. These are notable movies dead, manages to get and are the work of competent a fuzzy call to her direction with a solid story line. father in the hospital. The family is corner committed to finding their lost daughter.
Simple, right?
There is a Photo by Kevin Forman monster which eats people, the Andy Fawcett admonish any and all unruly roasted chicken and pumpkin pie monster may Contributor guests. His constant ringing of the all appeared to be crowd favorites, also be carrying royal bell and frequent shouts of while the unlimited draft beer a deadly virus, On Saturday December 9th, “HERE YE, HERE YE” provided had a few drinking themselves there is the Tombstone held its first Henry continual amusement for those in to another place and time. American military and the VIII feast. The evening attendance. Buxom bar wenches Kristen and Korean government who consisted of a 5 course meal, Nicole worked the room in style, are orchestrating a massive games and excellent acting from As for the guests, Slytherin house charming the audience with their Big Brother quarantine some of Ulsan’s finest thespians. were a particularly ill-mannered grace and good humour. and there is the family who King Mitchy and Queen Colleen group, often challenging the believe Hyun-seo is still presided over the event and were court’s authority with shouts of In the end, it was Gryffindor alive. quick to make their presence “Down with the King”. Were it who took top honours, due to “The Host,” by Bong Joon-ho known, sending late comer Sir not for Sir AJ’s exquisite dance their good looks, high level of (“Memories of Murder”) is a The family fights a lot too. The James to “Ye Ole Box O’ Shame” moves, they all most certainly participation and sophisticated movie with no identity because it movie is shattered into slapstick; for his tardiness. Attending the would have been drawn and magic skills. They narrowly beat lacks a solid story line and good monster rampages; death; evening’s events were the houses quartered. Tudor were thought out the House of Stuart, whose direction. It is classified with government conspiracy; public of Tudor, Normandy, Windsor, to be strong favorites as they opening toast introduced the multiple genres because it is not paranoia; family drama; societal Stuart, Hanover, Chosun, represented the King and Queen’s King and Queen to rap music and much of anything; it is a movie problems in modern Korea; Gryffindor and Slytherin. The goal very own house. However, their its deadliest weapon; the human one struggles to care about. emotional problems in these for each group was to be named troublemaking ways had them in beat box. Bringing up the rear characters; and perplexingly the King and Queen’s favourite. front of the King and Queen more was the House of Windsor, whose The movie’s premise is based on humorous patricide. There is often than not. one highlight was a controversial the actual event of an American no end in sight and finally the The houses were judged on a victory in the frozen fish duel. military facility staff who ordered person next to you says, “What variety of criteria including, but When the houses were not the dumping of large amounts the hell is this movie about?” not limited to, dancing ability, fighting amongst themselves or Tombstone would like to thank of formaldehyde down the drain quiz smarts and most importantly, giving the King and Queen a hard everyone for helping make this and into the Han River. That Bong Joon-ho directed the etiquette. Court chamberlain time, they found time to indulge event such a success. man was tried and eventually chilling thriller, “Memories Gareth made sure the event in a delicious meal put on by Jeff, convicted without any penalty of Murder” (see Ulsan Pear, ran smoothly and was quick to Mark and Aussie Nate. Turkey, [email protected] served. The event was big news September 2006) which was a and illustrated how helpless the genre bending story based on the Korean government and the unsolved serial killings of women Korean people are to the American in rural Korea during the 1980’s. military’s actions. This reference With mastery he told a basic to a major news event grounds the serial killing story which fed off story in reality making it clear the of Korea’s political environment director’s intention to tell more of the day. “The Host” with all than a monster movie. its notable actors and actresses, and great special effects, fails to Five years after the formaldehyde tell one story or another. dump, a big mutant beast leaps out of the Han River and all hell It must be noted that the first breaks loose. The beast, hungry 15 minutes of the movie, when and pissed off, does more than it was a movie about a monster eat people. It also sucks a few up rampaging through Seoul told and brings them to his layer in through the experience of one the sewers of Seoul. Why does it family, were promising. This do this? We never know. But, the movie may have been impressive beast takes a middle school student, enough to sell tens of millions of Hyun-seo, who is the daughter of a tickets in Korea but I want my man-child beach worker played by 2000 won rental fee back. the usually reliable, Song Kang-ho (“Memories of Murder”). Hyun- seo lacks a mother but she is [email protected] Photo by Jim Saunders THE ulsan Pear 15 Chow Down At Tombstone Jim Saunders The Pear’s Classifieds The Ulsan Pear
Quesadillas, Club FOR SALE SPECIAL EVENTS Sandwiches, Pou- Starting this month you can Want to party, have a party, tine, Grilled Cheese advertise personal sales for throw a party, be a party Toasties, Hamburg- 10 000 won a month. to something? This is your ers, Thai Chicken chance. Ra myeon and a number of [email protected] [email protected] Nacho dishes. Just a casual glance over LOOKING FOR SWF seeking the Tombstone food Somewhere to get rid of your A place to advertise? menu is enough to 17 fans from your fan-death This is it. With over 2000 make even the most experiments? Advertise with copies in print, the Pear is Koreanized foreign- us for only 10 000 won. THE most effective way. [email protected] [email protected] er’s mouth water. Photo by Jim Saunders Available all week until late into the used to do the melting. However, is taking a while one evening, he USED BIKE HAGWON JOB B eyond night, many people Tombstone actually smouther does a good job. You want to buy or sell? Needed or wanted, it’s a good in Ulsan get cravings potato wedges in gravy and then Stuck with a 50 cc scooter place to advertise for private for this food. bake cheese over the top in the Tombstone also has food you when you dream of an R1? individuals. Businesses can oven. Despite this difference it’s can buy to take home with you. Trade up with us. contact us at It’s because the ingredients go- very tasty. It could be likened to Check the board on the back wall [email protected] [email protected] ing into it are predominantly in- mixing chips and gravy for those behind the pool table for what’s gredients from back in the west from the UK. available on any given week. Past OFFERING SERVICES PLAY IN A BAND via Costco in Daegu. And then and present items have included You can repair computers? Your perfect place to let it’s non-greasy, well prepared Other items such as the Grilled Honey Nut Cheerios, Camp- Give massages? everybody know that you can and well cooked. The end result Cheese Toastie (3,000 won) is bell’s Tomato Soup and blocks of Teach Korean? do an amazing Eddie Van - whatever your choice - is not done well. The Tombstone Burg- Cheddar Cheese with half blocks Let everybody know. Halen. typical heart-attack-on-a-plate er (4,000 won) is homemade and available too. Specials appear reg- [email protected] [email protected] bar food. hits the spot. ularly with home-made Lasagne to eat there or take away. There Regular Nachos, Chicken Na- Some dishes also have a vegetar- will be some soup and salad com- KOREAN LESSONS FURNITURE chos, Bacon Nachos, Deluxe Na- ian option or can be made veg- binations appearing soon. Want to let the world know Filling up your apartment? 를 chos - a wide variety to choose etarian upon request - just ask. how to pronounce prop- Dump 10 000 won and between and a must try on the Though many of you reading this erly? Put an ad in the Pear. make some cash, rather than menu (from 6,000 won). For And not one of the aforemen- may have tried the menu already, dumping it on the street. [email protected] [email protected] 1,000 won more sour cream is tioned choices above is unreason- this serves a friendly reminder of available as a side. Extra salsa is ably priced either. Which means just how good it is. also available on demand if you that it’s not something that be- TRAVEL PARTNER WANT TO BE FAMOUS run out over the course of your comes an occasional treat like the Tombstone provides a home Want to go to China for the Spend 10 000 won and just food. western chain restaurants in the away from home with a cosy at- holidays? Vietnam? Find a put your name in the Pear. city. If you’re in the area after a mosphere in which to enjoy your travel partner with us. At least 2000 people will see A Quebecois item, Poutine, (from day at work it makes a great eat- food. The menu earns a very pos- it. 5,000 won) containing fries and ing alternative. itive recommendation. [email protected] [email protected] cheese curds smothered in thick brown gravy, is another must try. The main cooking duties usu- The Pear’s classified section is for personal use only. Business In Quebec the cheese curds go in ally fall to the head chef. Always inquiries please use [email protected] first and the piping hot gravy is polite, always apologetic if food [email protected] THE ulsan Pear 16 Editorial : 2006 Year In Review Next Issue: Kevin Forman continued to change. As the city architecture. It is interesting to The Ulsan Pear has expanded, the international watch the city grow and change, feel within the city continues and every week it seems as Looking back at the past 12 to increase as well. Food plays a though there is something new months, 2006 has been a big part in our lives, and we’ve appearing. memorable year. managed to find some excellent Italian, Indian and Mexican The foreign community has also Starting with the Ulsan Pear, we’ve restaurants, among the other seen some memorable times in seen tremendous growth. Last cuisines looked at in the Pear. 2006. From the third annual January the Pear was eight pages, There has also been a flourish in sports Triathlon, fourth annual with a much smaller circulation. the number of family restaurants, Inferno, and hash runs, to a new Since then, thanks to all the hard so ubiquitous to every large city. book club and bingo night, there work of the volunteers here, we’ve is always something to do. increased to sixteen pages, and The city has also seen an increase had a great increase in circulation in the number of recreational There have also been successful as well. facilities. The Ulsan Grand Park celebrations and weddings that has expanded, as well as the Munsu many people have been a part of. The Pear has also seen the Stadium Complex, and Ulsan departure and arrival of many College. Add these with various Hopefully, 2006 was a good year writers and board members. We other sports complexes, and for all of our readers, and we here miss all those that have gone on cultural areas, there is increasingly at the Pear hope that 2007 will be their way, and we welcome all the more to do in the Ulsan area. prosperous and exciting for all of ones who have joined. you. The city also continues it’s facelift, The city of Ulsan has also both in terms of green space and [email protected] Arts and Culture! LETTER TO THE The theme of our February issue is Arts and Culture. Drama? Movies? Sculptures? Paintings? Performance Art? What is EDITOR there in Korea to prevent you from becoming a philistine? All contri- I have recently made a trip butions are welcome, and other topics will be accepted as well. (my first) to Korea (Ulsan) to attend my nephew’s Please send 500 words (and an accompanying photo- wedding. While there, I graph) to [email protected] before January 19th. If you accompanied him on his have any questions, please feel free to ask! rounds of a routine “day in the life of...”. While at his Bar, I noticed several editions of “The Ulsan Pear”--no brain. I found myself slowing the rules listed in this column. doubt due to the (by now) down, re-reading and thoroughly Oh yes, guess what I gave my unfamiliar characters in enjoying the content. If ever I nephew and his beautiful new which it was written (a, b, c, were to find myself in Korea bride as a wedding gift--a clock. d, etc.). again, I do not think I would It was a beautiful clock; however, leave home without consulting according to Korean Superstitions, Anyway, the Paper’s origin “The Ulsan Pear”. “never give a clock as a gift.” was explained to me at It did not signify the potential which time I inquired if Even though such a trip, for me, retribution for such an offense, I might take some copies would be unlikely, you may think but I cannot help wondering if home. I wanted them as the content of the Paper would the gift went out with the trash mementos of my nephew’s be irrelevant to say the least. the day I left. life in Korea, where he has Probably so. However, that did been for the past 7 years. not diminish my enjoyment of it I do not know if you accept “Letters in any measure. I found the style to the Editor” from transients, So, here I am, home again. of writing amusing and, in some but I do hope you will pass on to Now, I must be brutally parts, laugh-out-loud funny. your staff the admiration of one honest. Upon opening these person from a tiny little place in papers, I did a very quick In the issue on “food”, I could Nova Scotia, Canada (South Bar, visual scan for any sign of commiserate with your writers as Cape Breton). Your paper is like a my nephew’s name or any they deliberated most ingenuously “how-to” manual to live, play, eat references to his Bar. I know, on their first impressions of the and, ultimately, be happy in an I know! This is very shallow epicurean delight of Korean alien environment. and perhaps, in a vicarious Society. way, even somewhat As I mentioned, I did not expect narcissistic. I do not care. Of Unfortunately, I was not to be entertained by information myself and my 2 siblings, my there long enough to gain an I might have thought to be nephew is the only progeny; and appreciation for it; however, on detached from myself and my life I never pass up an opportunity a brighter note, I did manage to 1/2 a world away. However, the (much to his chagrin at times, I leave several pounds behind me writing prowess of your staff with am sure) to express my pride in to enjoy the country as they so the injection of their personal him. choose. anecdotes make this Paper a must-see to anyone who might Anywaaaaaaay, at some point on I must admit I did blush several have access to it. my marathon run through these times as I read, “Eating Etiquette papers, the actual content began in Korea”. I am quite certain I Susan MacDonald may have broken about 1/2 of A Look Back at the Ulsan Pear in 2006 to emerge in my extremely biased