Thanks to COVID-19, Plans to Leave Korea Have Been Delayed

My wife and I were planning on leaving Korea in July since our housing contract is expiring then. Unfortunately the Coronavirus in the United States is a big problem including my home state of California, so we have to delay leaving Korea. Although, California isn't nearly as bad as New York or New Jersey, there are still over 23,000 active cases there and everyone is on lockdown there still.

However, I'm just thankful to have a job, still teaching normal classes (outside of a few online classes), and I can save more money before moving back to California in November when I finish my work contract. Am I 100% sure that my wife and I are leaving in November? Nothing is that certain, but that's the latest plan for now. In the meantime, we are planning on moving to the Dangsan Station area of Seoul (near my wife's sister's home) into a small apartment for a short time before we leave Korea.

As far as the Coronavirus in South Korea is concerned, things are really looking up. As of yesterday (April 16, 2020), there were only 22 new cases (mostly from the airport), 4 deaths, 7,757 people totally recovered, and 2,627 active cases remaining. South Korea has certainly flattened the curve and I am proud to call the Land of the Morning Calm my second home. It makes me happy that I will be able to live here seven more months instead of three. Now let's hope the whole world can flatten the curve, so we can go back to church, cheer for our favorite baseball team, go to the park without having to wear a mask, and go bowling with friends!

Scott Worden (The L.A./Seoul Guy)

Instagram: l.a.seoulguy

A Unique K-Pop Experience in a Cafe in Seoul

On Sunday afternoon after finishing watching my online church service, I wanted to get outside and do something. I wasn't sure what to do exactly and I thought to myself, "Why not go to Seongsu Station and try to find another trendy cafe and just do some reading?" Little did I know that they call this area the Brooklyn of Seoul now.

I got on Line 2, headed from Seongsu Station, and started searching for some cafes. I passed a cafe that I had been to before called Zagmachi, which you will see after you turn right after you come out of Exit 3 on the south side of the street. If you walk father down, you will pass my favorite one in the area (Daerim Warehouse or 대림 창고), which is also on the south side of the street.

This time I thought I would try to check out a cafe on the other side of the street. I went to Wall Cafe and walked in. There was K-Pop music blasting. When I went to order my cafe, the owner of the cafe said it was a "happy birthday celebration" for APink Namju. Her real name is Kim, Namju but goes by the mononym, Namju. She sings for the girl group APink. I was told that I could write a note for her and put it on the wall. On one side of the cafe, her promoters were sitting together and talking to young ladies that came to drink coffee and celebrate her.

At first, I didn't care that much. I just wanted to read my book since I had never heard of her before. Even my wife didn't know who she was. The owner of the cafe gave me my coffee, a card with Namju's face on it, and a bookmark of Namju's face on it as well. Then I sat down to read my book. A half hour later her promoters sang "Happy Birthday" to Namju even though she wasn't there. Then they cheered loudly making it hard to read, but it was a really unique experience nonetheless. Then another 15 minutes passed by and one of her promoters gave me a piece of birthday cake from Paris Baguette. I couldn't turn that down and enjoyed eating my cake with my coffee.

I kept trying to read, but it was difficult, so I decided to go to another cafe. Before doing that though, I had to write a note for her. You can check it out. I wrote:

"Happy birthday, Kim Namju
From American Friend Scott Worden"

Sadly, I made a mistake when I said congratulations. I typed "생일 추하합니다" when I should have said "생일 축하합니다." Oh, well. I'm sure they were happy with my gesture despite my boo boo. And of course, I had to plug my blog while I was at it. Hopefully, someone will follow me. Haha!

This experience is one reason why I appreciate living in Korea. This is one adventure that I would never have expected to happen.

Scott Worden (The L.A./SeoulGuy)
Instagram: l.a.seoulguy