Welcome to Sokcho!!!! -Photo Essay

On vacation, most of the people visit their relatives in countryside. It can not only strengthen the family bonding, but also give opportunity of sightseeing. Seoulites might be very excited. However, Their visit is quite bothersome to those who have the duty of being the host. Since I live in Sokcho, one of the most famous resort areas, I am suffering from that problem. Finally, I made a tour schedule, so that I can just give relatives a paper instead of guiding them all day. In Sokcho, you can visit my home, Seorak mountain, beach, traditional market, and Getbe wharf.

Welcome To My Place - Yeonglang Lake

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If you visit Sokcho, you have to come over to my place. Then why did I use this picture? Well, this is my home. My apartment is next to the Yeonglang lake. You can see the eautiful lake an sky blending each other. Because it is a lagoon, where the see and freshwater meet, the water tastes a bit salty. Birds are always singing. this lake keeps my home warm in winter, cool in winter.

After meeting my parents, you might pack up your backpack. For what? The hiking!!!! 

Beautiful Seorak Mountain

I prepared the picture of fall because I prefer colorful maples to green leaves. Seorak mountain is pride of Gangwon province. You cannot but admire the magnificent scenery of nature. There are variety of of routes, so choose the appropriate level which fits you. You must be happy to hear the harmony of trees, wind and streams.

You would have spent whole day climbing the mountain. I have already reserved a hotel for you. PLEASE do not keep after me to lend to my room. Sorry to disappoint you, but I never want to see you drinking all the night through. 

Crowded Sokcho Beach

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The next morning, wear your bathing suit. I'll give you a lift to Sokcho Beach!!!!!!!!!  You can feel he soft sands in your bare feet or listen to the gulls with your eyes closed. The distinctive characteristic of Eastern see is that it is clear and deep. Some people love it, but others complain about the wild wave. You could have gone to valley instead unless you wanted to enjoy surfing.

Playing in the water takes a lot of energy. You must be starving after flashing and fluttering. Let's go and eat some special food.

Raw Fish

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If you are a fish lover, fresh raw fish of Sokcho will hit the spot. They serve you dessert, Mulhwe, which tastes a bit sour. It is a raw fish mixed with chojang sauce. Mulhwe is more than a match for that of Seoul. Oh, make sure not to miss Meoontang! Be careful because the soup is very hot.  It is the final dish of the course. Raw fish is kind of expensive cuisine. So how about splitting the bill? Just kidding. I'll pick up the tab.








If you want to serve me a meal as a token of appreciation, go shopping to Jungang traditional market. There is everything, including vegetables, fish and etc.

Jungang Traditional Market

The world is ever-changing and dominated by franchise markets. This place is reminiscent of your childhood. How about looking back on your cherishable memories with some sweet snacks in your hands? I;m sure that you would be captivated bu Jungang market. Even the noises are lovely!!!








On the way home, please drop by the "Chicken Street" (filled with unique sound of frying) and buy a box of Dakgangjeong.

Mouthwatering Dakgangjeong

You've probably heard about that. It is a traditional fried chicken(?). I has been famous since it appeared on television. You should wait in extremely long lines, but I think you are willing to do it. Also, listening to the appetizing frying sound must be fun. Dakgangjeong tastes both sweet an spicy. One of the biggest merit is that Dakgangjeong is delicious even it is cold. NO ONE skips eating this when visiting Sokcho.

Was it yummy? That's fine. Now we're going to the most important place ni Sokcho. The Getbe wharf.

Getbe, the Scar of the War

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Getbe is a ship that solely used in Sokcho. It helped people go across the narrow lake, Cheongchoho. Most of the users were refugees sho left their hometown to flee from the Korean war. They settled in Sokcho and had to start from scratch. The only option was to make a living by fishing. They still live in Sokcho with indelible scar of war. Touch the ship. It must be tough, just like their pinched life.

Sokcho is very attractive and fascinating place, right? Enjoy yourself with my perfect schedule. If you follow my instructions, you'll never interrupt me, nor feel bored. Delicious food, gigantic scenery, reminiscent places are ready to excite your five senses. come and make some memorable experience.

Movie Review - Mao's last Dancer

<Mao's last Dancer>

  

  I cannot put its genre in a nutshell. Some people would call it comedy. Others might say they saw a romance movie. Anyway, the movie is about a man who improved his lot overcoming so many barriers, difficulties and constraints. Li Cunxin is the main character. This film tells us a true story about his life as a ballet dancer.

  Li was an extremely normal boy living in countryside. One day, he got the opportunity to go to Beijing that he had always thought impossible. He left his hometown to be a student of a ballet academy. Thanks to Li's effort, he was able to draw attention of American visitors. He moved to US and became recognized as a great dancer there. At first, Li was in serious anguish over political doubts not to mention culture shock. He realized that US was much better for him to dance as a ballerino than oppressive China. Winning the admission of Chinese government, he stayed in US and revered as a towering figure in ballet.

  

  It was the brief summary of <Mao's last dancer>. Do you like the main character, Li? Maybe you would think him a brave and diligent man. But my view is "short-tempered". He made so hasty decisions that everyone was at a loss what to do. It is said the prudence is the major factor of success. Lacking that, how could he succeed? - the people. Not only his blood-and-tear endeavor, the "people" played huge roles in his success. Could Li adapt himself to the life in America without Ben? Were if not for Liz, he was not able to stay in US. Ben Liz devoted themselves to Cunxin with no strings attached. It was lucky of him to be surrounded by such good people. 

 

  Let's talk about the point the director wanted to drive home. "Frog in a well". What does in mean? If it stayed in a well forever, frog would know that the opening was the whole world. It could 'fly'by escaping the well. Li was flying after being freed from China. Although it was not discreet enough, I go all the way with his decision. China was too narrow to hold him. I did the same thing with Li. I was living in a well named Sokcho. It might be much enjoyable to stay home, grazing on cookies. However, I wanted to see another world, so now I'm here. In the GLPS. The frog decided to adventure despite the risks he had to take. Frog in a well is just a frog in a well, literally. I am a frog who desired something more valuable than the mediocre life in the well. 

  Finally, in this new world, I met someone who really inspires me, just like the teacher of Cunxin. I'm sure that my life has changed because of her. I run to keep up with her. But I once outrun her, I turn around to look at her. It sounds a bit silly....She gave me a fresh impetus to be ardent

  I'll give 5 stars to this movie. Not to mention its dramatic story(I could hardly believe it was a true story), the movie deserves applause in that they kept everything in balance. Comedy, romance, artistry, satire were blending each other. How could they criticize Mao Zedong so humorously? Many directors have failed in that, but <Mao's last dancer> made it. 

  This kind of movie(growth movie)are prone to be filled with cliche after cliche. One of the most interesting things of the movie is that the main character was not a prodigy. I'm already fed up with films spotlighting the heroism of genius. This made me attracted to this dancer. The subtitles were annoying, but it couldn't overshadow the movie. I strongly recommend it to you if you are looking for something to watch and be inspired by.