K-Submissions

A compilation of K-inspired written submissions by Tammie Domingo

Creative entry for a job application requirement with the guide question: How will you spend your day?

Bom-iwassda! Spring is here! I am strolling along the path of Yeouido Hangang Park overlooking the river, noticing crowds enamored by the season’s breezy and blossomy greeting. Like my crammed picnic tote bag safely tucked on my left shoulder, I see the open grass field already occupied with mats of every color, pattern, and size; try to find a picnic spot and “oh, there’s just perfect!”, that spot somewhere in the middle where, thankfully, it seems to have some saved space, just for me. I thrive through a maze of picnickers, exclaim an “omo!” and rush. I take out my brunch meal of pojangmacha-bought gimbap, rolled omelet, and odeng and a 400ml Shooky tumbler filled (to the brim!) with an ice-cold iced americano. Delighted with this authentic Korean-style spring picnic experience, I suddenly hear muffled synth tunes, RM’s voice I think, and look around to locate the source, trying to find a fellow Army amongst the sea of bopping heads.

I check the time, it’s now 13:30. I’m wandering and taking in the moments of spring, both hands occupied and holding dearly onto a rented bike. I’ve become so enthused with the idea of learning the how-toss” of it in an hour, that I thought rusty me could go on a half-day tour. For the rest of the way, I relied on my biped self, hydrating once in a while, until I reached the “I Seoul U” signage, dragging that rented bike. The Yeouido Han River Park is home to one of the, if not the, largest I Seoul U sign in the city, I scrolled, and I read in a blog. I am boldly uttering: “Thank you, Hallee Bradley, indeed it is!”, and without hesitation, I was posing as an aegyo human heart and all, for an obligatory Instagrammable photo. Saranggwa miumi gateun marimyeon I love you Seoul…There it is again, the synth, RM’s husky voice. Where is it coming from?

I’m still exploring. A copse of beotkkot (cherry blossom) trees trace the stretch of the road by the southern edge of the Yeouido Park to the KBS Annex building. I encounter another wave of crowds, this time against a backdrop of falling petals. I take pictures of spring too, immortalizing the day I came, saw, and conquered. By the roadside, an ajoomma selling Korean corndogs gave a warm welcome. I approach her and purchase the snack remembering Han Jipyeong and carrying with me a mental bucket list of trying the “real thing” here. RM’s whispering to me again, now I can lucidly hear his words: I’m leavin' you, I’m livin' you, Seoul. I left and went back to Seoul again.

I am now aware of the enchantment a song can bring when you’re indoors for most of the time, in your evergreen head, in front of a calling screen. Dreams and daydreams of lingering freely in the world, in the seasons, and fully realizing a kind of freedom that’s seemingly far away. At least that’s how I’ve narrated spending a day in my future, the first week of April, at the Yeouido Spring Flower Festival.

Entry for a Photo & Essay Contest with the theme: KCC Philippines: 10 years of Korean Culture

Sobok Sobok! Happy 10th KCCPH! I was spring-cleaning the other day and chanced upon a creative photo roll of stories that trace back to my immersive journey in Korean Arts and Culture. The number of life lessons and creative discoveries I’ve encountered through regular consumption of K-content allowed me to explore and expand my knowledge of its other cultural areas (e.g. pop traditions, art forms, and travel destinations). Because of this profound appreciation and admiration, I’ve elevated my immersion by engaging in and practicing the K-lifestyle at home and sharing; even encouraging family members and friends to join me in these KolorfulAdventures. • I remember the first time I set foot in Seoul. It was the week-long 2014 Asian Youth Day and our schedule permitted us to have leisurely perambulations in the Myeongdong and Gyeongbokgung-Bukchonareasa. The rest of our days were devoted to pilgrimages and mass events, a symposium at Sookmyung Women’s University, and travels to Daejeon Stadium and Seosan province.

Newfound quarantine traditions at home evolved from watching Kdramas, Jipsabu, and 1박2일 together to eomma buying Korean ingredients from Haneul Mart and preparing Korean cuisine every month. Our household conversations often involved gushing over series, OSTs, and various Kpop groups.

I took my fangirl self up a notch by participating in cup sleeve events for BTS birthdays, purchasing merchandise—Park Sae-royi Oppa pillow aside; and creating an Instagram blog called SundaySul 일요일 술 as my way of digesting content, gaining insight, and sharing discoveries.

My chingu who is an avid K-culture enthusiast and blogger introduced me to Korean literature; recommended I read Pachinko, among other things. It’s incredible how friendships are formed over exchanges on K-culture!

Of course, this extensive learning journey is supported by KCC Philippines posts and activities. I am always grateful for the new information and takeaways gathered from the organization’s SNS content, providing me with more reason to love the culture. •

Indeed, post-spring cleaning often gifts us with nostalgic and thoughtful outcomes.

건배 행복하자!