Most Convincing Advertising For Gym Membership Ever...

Gangnam is host to a fair few physical fitness centres, with many of them touting their facilities along the main drag. A gym rat I am not, but this poster has convinced me to change my ways:

The first header reads "The 100 day promise". The second reads "The 100 day fantastic body project". Above the couple on the left it says "Spring" and above the couple on the right it says "Summer". The red writing in the centre lists the different activities/facilities available. Underneath that we're told that it is a "special system" and that it only costs 40,000 won per month. Fair enough, 100 days to turn you into the body beautiful babe or boy you've always wanted to become.... The transformation from Spring to Summer for the couple featured is quite remarkable, lets take a closer look:

Here's Spring couple, aren't they delightful? A little overweight perhaps, but still very cute and expertly photoshopped onto the poster. Strange thing is that their eyes have been blurred out, almost as if they haven't given permission for their images to be used in this advertising or perhaps they have been ripped off from some random internet site (though I severely doubt that any Gangnam gym owner would stoop that low). It seems that despite their charming looks and pixellated faces, they've still got a lot to lose in the weight department and a lot to gain in terms of muscle. Let's head on over to Summer to see their transformation...

Still blurry-eyed these two lovebirds seem to have made a remarkable transformation. He has somehow grown a lower hairline and managed to place a cleft in his astoundingly chiseled chin, while she has turned into a minor Hollywood celebrity showing off her dress on the red carpet. Well done guys, your 100 day transformation is complete.

I am astounded by the wondrous effect this gym has on ordinary folk and feel strangely compelled to join up. Why, Gangnam Physical Fitness Centre, your advertising nous and real life models have convinced me that your 100 day program can turn me from bearded fatty into Brad Pitt. Sign me up today, if only for the chance of hairline regrowth....

Celebrity Obsession and Surprise Spice in Gangnam

Wandering the streets of Gangnam at lunchtime looking for something to eat, I settled on Il Mare, an italian restaurant chain that has branches all over Seoul. They are running a 9,000 won (plus tax) lunch set deal that looked like it was worth a try...

Salad, pizza, pasta and coffee in exchange for a little green King Sejong is not too shabby. The choice of pasta was confined to "verdure" and "beef fried rice". The second option seemed to be a little unorthodox for a pasta dish, so I went for the vegetable spaghetti.

First to come out were the obligatory pickles, two incredibly shiny morning rolls (which reminded me of dreadful breakfasts in business hotels, so I left them alone) and a small bowl of thick white sauce that did nothing to increase my appetite.

Then came the salad, a decent sized affair which was composed of several different leaves and rather too much iceberg lettuce. I'd asked for it without the dressing, so who knows what monstrosity might have appeared on my plate otherwise, all in all not bad for the price.

The pizza came next, a small slice of margherita topped with some chopped raw tomato (two pieces of which were ever so slightly dodgy looking). Not exciting and most probably microwaved back to hotness, the pizza is most definitely not the star of the set.

The spaghetti looked a lot more promising and the stalk left on the cherry tomato gave the plate a rustic air. The basil oil moat wasn't unpleasant and the sauce tasted very fresh... very fresh and very spicy. I'm a great fan of chili, but I was not expecting to be blasted out of my seat by the red pepper powder content. A fiery pasta, with lots of onion and the occasional piece of aubergine, courgette and capsicum. Overall a nice plate of vegetarian goodness, but certainly not for those who like their sauces to be subtle and spice free.

The coffee was pleasant, but the restaurant's obsession with Audrey Hepburn was more than a little disturbing. The scariest thing about it was a large quote on the wall:

I'm not sure what the double commas signify, but surely the restaurant's interior designer must have had a slight grasp on the basic rules of grammar. Saving that they could at least have given the film its proper title, you'd think as popular as it is in Korea, they could at least have got that right.

Then again, looking at the information "about IL MARE" on the other wall, you start to understand that perhaps the designer was going through a particularly rough patch in their lives and decided to take it out on Il Mare's decor. I've always wanted a restaurant to touch me deep, pure and true and I'm glad I've finally found it. Kiss me Il Mare, gift to me forever!

Il Mare's lunch set isn't bad for the price, but don't go in expecting something incredible and make sure to ask how spicy the daily pasta is. If you need an Audrey Hepburn fix and don't have "Rome Holiday" on dvd then make your way to Gangnam station exit 7, walk up to the City Cinema and turn right. Take the first left and Il Mare is on the right hand side just a short walk on. You can call them on 02 2051 8697 and ask them who their designer is and whether they're feeling better now.

More Than A Woman...

There's a new Face Shop in Itaewon and they've got some wonderful promotional banners out at the moment. I've not seen these new shots of 배용준 (Bae Yong-joon) before and they trump the previous womanly man photos that have graced Face Shops in the past.

Look at those lucious lips, those gorgeous eyes, that heart shaped face. Oh, Yonsama, you were loved by middle aged Japanese women and now you have become one...

I worry for his health and sanity. Remember when he looked like this? If you have a spare ten minutes, Gord Sellar wrote an interesting article last year that touches on Bae Yong-joon and his feminization. Worth a read.

Radio Ajosshi

This week I had my first encounter with tbs eFM, Seoul's English language radio station and it was very pleasant. The crew of The Steve Hatherly Show were all lovely and Steve himself was a genial and welcoming host. I had three seven minute slots to fill with chat about our theatre and before the event it seemed like a huge amount of time, but it whizzed by without a hitch. Unfortunately my father thought I sounded like Tony Blair..... At least if I find myself jobless, I could tout myself as an on-air ex-prime minister sound-a-like....

Photos by the wonderful 윤숙.

Dragon Ajosshi

When I'm not blathering on about restaurants on here, I have a day job to go to. Last week we had our photo shoot for our new production of "Twelve Singing Animals", and we all got to dress up and look silly...

김민정 as the crazy rabbit.

Myself as the Dragon.

Cherish R. Maningat, Amy Wollstein and Abe Mitchell as lots of different animals...

If you're interested and have a spare moment, I'll be on the Steve Hatherly Show on TBS eFM this Tuesday at 3.00 pm, talking about Latt Children's Theatre and our new show. Should be an experience...

Birthday Ajosshi!

Well, I'm a year older and not much wiser, but fortunately my parents have flown over for the special occasion and have brought some amazing birthday treats for me. I love my Mummy and Daddy, for they know exactly how to spoil the birthday boy!

The latest Gordon Ramsey book, some organic fairtrade breakfast tea from Harrods, lots of Cadburys, a pack of paella seasoning from Spain and some egyptian dukkah (spicy nuts).  Then some even more exciting treats....

Two packs of 100% cacao chocolate and Willie's Chocolate Factory Cookbook. Venezuelan Black and Peruvian Black.... Interesting experiments lie ahead....

A cute little jar: Azafrando?

Saffron!

I've been searching for vanilla pods in Korea and never found them. Extract and essence no more, paste is the way to go.

A truckle of double gloucester and a truckle of cheddar.

And finally a bottle of seven year old Laphroaig Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey. 

My wife also knows me far too well and got me this:

Fake poo, a wooden owl and handmade chocolates. A great way to celebrate my 31st birthday.

Plus as an extra birthday bonus is that the Korea Times quoted me in an article about Korean subtitled films this week. Published Ajosshi! 

Handmade Noodles and Deep Fried Goodness

There's a new kid on the block in the Japanese part of Itaewon and its name is Nisiki. Located just across the road from the May Bell Bakery, this small, but stylish restaurant is a great place to pop in for a Japanese treat.

The main feature at Nisiki are Udon noodles ranging from 6,500 won to 12,500 won (for a full set). I went for the Tempura Udon at 8,000 won.

Presentation is simple, yet beautiful.

The udon are handmade by the restaurant and are wonderfully chewy. The clear broth tastes and smells of the sea and while very salty, it never overpowers your tastebuds.

The tempura is a delicate, crunchy mix of various leaves and shreds of vegetables. The batter is some of the best I have tasted in Seoul and is miles away from the heavy, stodgy coatings that normally disappoint. My only complaint would be that the piece of tempura is too big to handle easily and has to be broken up if you want to enjoy your meal with any sense of dignity. 

Along with the tempura were two slices of homemade radish pickle and a small heap of delicious green tea salt. A very simple, yet very satisfying lunch.

To get to Nisiki, come out of Itaewon station and walk past KB star, the fire station and Sortinos, heading for the Cheil Building.  Keep going over the zebra crossing and you'll find Nisiki just a few metres down on the right hand side opposite the Maybell Bakery. You can visit their website or call them on 02 749 0446.

Maori Dances and Kimchi Icecream...

Last Saturday lunchtime I headed over to the COEX Grand Ballroom to visit the New Zealand Unlimited Festival in the hopes of snagging some free lamb. Unfortunately the queues were too long and I was informed by one of the staff, that even if I were to join the line, there would be no lamb left for me, unless I was willing to wait an extra hour or so. Forlorn and hungry I made my way to the stage area where I managed to catch Te Kapa Haka o Whangara Mai Tawhiti, a group of Maori dancers who treated us to a a fantastic performance of traditional dance and song.

This Maori performing arts group (commonly referred to as "kapa haka") showed a number of traditional dances, as well as getting a few audience members up to participate. Their singing was sublime and their dancing superb, a real treat that more than made up for the lack of free lamb.

Sadly, there was no stall for The Chosun Bimbo, but then again, he was probably too busy looking out for "Satellite Launches"...

Seoul Podcast's resident New Zealand blogger may have been absent, but I did spy a familiar face in the crowd....

Seems like Kimchi Icecream was spending some time in Seoul and I have the pics to prove it. See his own photos of the Maori dancers over here.

I'm glad I got a chance to go to the New Zealand Unlimited Festival, but it felt like the space was to small for the number of people attending and that there should have been much more lamb, freely available in every corner of the room.... Ah well, better luck next time.

Things I Have Learnt From Korean Stickers: Part Four

I worry about being tricked by these Con Artists, but somehow feel reassured by the fact that I'll be able to recognize them by their cowboy hats, flares and t-shirts that say "BAD BOY"...

나쁜남자 금지 means "Bad Men are Prohibited."