Dangers of Escaping North Korea

You can never be too careful when plotting an escape from North Korea. Even immediate family members may report you. Watch KWOW episode 97 to find out the perils of making it to South Korea.

North Korean defector Shin Dong-Hyuk confesses he betrayed his family. Upon reporting his mother's plan to escape their country, she was hung. His brother was shot. While he'd apologize if he could travel back in time, he never felt emotionally connected with them enough to feel sadness. After all the slave labor camp in which he was born and raised in allowed limited time for families to bond.

Lee Hyeon-Seo shares her challenging journey of bringing her family to South Korea. Listen to her story and you'll see why luck plays a significant role in escaping successfully.

Additional links to check out:
Ask a North Korean: Why I Had to Leave
The Smuggler Named Dragon
Crossing the frozen Tumen River
More Stories of Escape... Resourceful citizens created black markets
Support North Korean Refugees via LiNK

And don't forget to read Barbara Demick's "Nothing to Envy."

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Before Kpop there was Pansori

In KWOW episode 107, we learned about the music scene in Korea that existed before Kpop: pansori. To say pansori is the Korean version of opera is not completely accurate. It's the traditional storytelling told in musical form, performed by one singer and one drummer.

Listen to some pansori performances with subtitles in many languages:

What’s the difference between pansori and Western music? How different do pansori singers’ vocal cords look compared to Kpop singers? How are people modernizing pansori these days?

Pansori Masters' Battle!

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18 Epic Fail Konglish

On KWOW episode 85, we talked about why it's important to know your Konglish (Korean + English). It'll save you from tragic yet hilarious misunderstandings!

Here's some epic fail Konglish seen in the world of Korea.

Which smoody would you like to order? (photo by lets.book)

Buy a car and get dinged by the bills. (photo by v15ben)

New adjective! Creative translation. 빵 actually means "bread." (photo by just_a_cheeseburger)

30 years experties of seasoned raw crap. Yes. Just what I came to Korea for! What they really mean to say: 30 years experience of seasoning raw CRAB. (photo by Paul Matthews)

Here we go again with the most infamous Konglish word! (photo by dj_saunter)

Where's the nearest totlet? Can't wait to see the Konglish in the bathroom stalls! (photo by Hovs)

Just the comedy relief one needs after a long day of looking for totlets. (photo by acleman)

Gacina, survire, suality, clistingais... New words of fashion? How avant-garde. The dictionary has major catching up to do! (photo by Stacy Martin)

The R sound doesn't exist in the Korean language. Thus why Koreans replace it with L. (photo by Candice Lee)

While cock does mean rooster, "stir-fried chicken" may have had a more accurate depiction. They get the last laugh; got your attention and now you're having dinner there! (photo by Brent Poole)

Yogurt in Korea be so gangsta. (photo by Timothy Friesen)

S'more gangsta Konglish. (photo by Steve Mohundro)

Ill fates after staying at Qookmotel. All of a sudden Hanjin Hostel starts to sound more friendly... (photo by ketuzin)

FYI: Black refers to the jjajangmyeon. (photo by Young Yun)

And white refers to... refined carbs? (photo by Shannon Aston)

The correct translation would've been: It's black like a demon, hot as hell, beautiful like an angel and sweet as love. But perfect English doesn't always guarantee a good laugh :) (photo by Laura Maria)

Dennis Rodman seems to be quite popular amongst the Koreans. (photo by Meg D.)

There's a ton more epic fail Konglish, but this post gotta end someday. Last sign just for you!

(photo by Marisa Burton)

See you next KWOW Wednesday! Until then, have yourselves a delicious love week :) Try not to smoke too many cigalettes, but do drink many veggie smoody!

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