Korean French

There has been a recent development in my time in Korea, being that practicing my French skills with other Koreans has now become an option!

SungSou, a friend from Madison, is both a Business major and a French major, while being practically fluent in English. We were finally able to see him on Friday for the first time in months, and what a treat it was! We met near Hangkuk University of Foreign Studies, where he attends, so that we could be exposed to a true Korean university experience. After wandering down winding alleys lined with brightly-decorated restaurants with delicious-smelling offerings, he led us into a packed restaurant. The decor was quintessently made for university students: christmas lights strung on the ceilings, enormous soju posters hung on the walls, and markers all around so that everyone might discover their hidden artistic talents, with only the walls having to pay a small sacrifice. Regardless, the restaurant is apparently famous for its delicious, enormous, and best of all, cheap pajeon. And, surprise surprise, it lived up to its reputation! Deeeelicious. (Pajeon is a type of doughy Korean pancake, usually stuffed with seafood, green onions, and whatever else is around the kitchen that the cook is trying to get rid of. A favorite!)

Being wooed by Adam's amazing French skills

After a couple of pots of dongdongju (a type of slightly carbonated rice wine), we were off to a new establishment, with an even greater selling point. After escaping from the maze of alleys, SungSou led us to a door that was practically hidden from the main street. Going down, the most wonderful sound hit my ears, that of the language of my last international adventure--French! It's true...we had been led to an underground

Basking in the French-speaking glow

gathering place for all of the French majors of the neighboring university, and while most people spoke Korean amongst themselves, they were all more than willing to speak French with me. This last part of the night held an enormous amount of irony for me: here I am in Korea, where my Korean skills are sadly much above nill, but I was able to use what little French ability I have left to finally talk to Koreans! It was a rather exhilerating experience. To cap it off, there was a variety show (unfortunately not in French) in which students got up and sang the two popular Korean songs of the moment. In drag. What could be better?

Seoul, South Korea