Erik's Online Column

Just sorting through some old papers

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:09:00 +0000

I was just sorting through some old papers when I found this viciously cute tiger. Made by me about 16 years ago.

Time to say goodbye to all my chingus from Korea

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Time flies and it is already time to say goodbye to Korea. It has been an amazing experience with the best people imaginable. Now the time has come to conclude one chapter and head back home for midsummer. Right now Anam is a sad part of Korea as most people have already left. Many goodbyes have been made. Hopefully I will see many of the good people I have come to know here again soon.

What Koreans and Finns have in common

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 05:24:00 +0000

South Korea and Finland have more things in common than one would expect. Both are small northern countries with four seasons. They have highly developed manufacturing sectors, and a love for saunas and drinking.

Singing

Koreans, like Finns, enjoy karaoke after the restaurant or nightclub. The main difference is that in a Korean norebang you will get your own room for you and your friends, where as in Finland you will usually have to entertain an entire bar. That is something I appreciate as I prefer to only terrorise my friends with my shrieks. And if you come late in the night you can keep it until the morning for the same charge.

Where to go: if you are really into singing and want a specific western song then check the travel guides. Otherwise it really doesn't matter. Just go to the one closest by and if you need some extra courage, the manager usually don't mind if you bring some booze with you as well.

Drinking

Korean Soju

When I say that Koreans love drinking I don't mean it in a mediterranean, glass of wine with your meal kind of thing. Koreans, like Finns, like to get hammered. When Finns are churning back vodka, Koreans have their soju. But here it is not just in the weekends. In Korean corporate culture, not going drinking with your boss a couple of times per week it is considered a sure way to miss out on promotions.

Where to go: the best place to enjoy soju is at a Korean barbecue. If you don't know where to go they can be a bit pricey. The best way to properly enjoy it is with some Koreans who can show you to a good place, teach you the proper way of toasting, and teaching you how to enjoy the meat Korean style.

Sauna

One of the best jimjilbangs in Seoul, Dragon Hill Spa

Visit a sauna with a finnish person anywhere abroad and he is sure to remark on the insufficient temperature and poor quality of the sauna. Not so in Korea. The jimjilbang is a Korean spa that always comes with super hot saunas and hot tubs. In a Korean sauna you don't sit on benches however: bring a blanket and relax on the stone covered floor. Then take a cold shower and immerse yourself into the 43 celsius warm hot tubs.

Where to go: although Dragon Hill Spa is one of the most popular ones and is easily accessible for tourists, there are many more to find all around Seoul. The one close to Korea University, in Anam, is a personal favorit. Sure it is a bit smaller, but also half the price (5000 vs. the usual 10000) and more Korean. They can be a bit tricky to locate, but just ask someone [chim-chil-bang-eun oudi]

Language

Some claim, although it is a bit controversial, that languages are from the Ural-Altaic language family. What I can say is that the vowels you produce when speaking Korean are remarkably similar to the Finnish and Swedish ones. The (very few) Koreans I have met that speak Swedish do so with an impeccable pronunciation.

Korean Banana Milk Commercial

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:12:00 +0000

Bukhansan Climbing Expedition

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 05:29:00 +0000

I meet my climbing team early on a sunny Saturday morning. We are going to spend our weekend on a mountain expedition. Our destination is the popular mountain and national park Bukhansan, right next to Seoul. We are going to try our skills on different routs near and on

the Insu peak, a Korean climber's Mecca.

Trying and trying and trying...

On the first day we learn how to climb chimneys and cracks, and how to do friction climbs. Above is a nice crack climb that I'm trying to make my way up through. One of the most interesting routs we did was one where there was really nothing but foot holds for help. I had to put my palms flat on the rock and push with my feet for the most part of the climb.

Nothing but my feet for support

When the day is over we return to our camp. There we pitch a tarpaulin for shelter and begin preparing supper. Around us more campers are settling in for the night and lamps dot the camping grounds.

On the second day our leader takes us to more advanced climbs where a combination of strength and technique is required. Before I go up he says "remember not to be afraid". Sounds reasonable enough when you are still on the ground, the real test is to remember it when the strength in my arms is fading.

Belaying

Learning to rely solely on my feet for support was really interesting and proved to be a great help in indoors climbing. The experience of climbing outdoors also helped me to feel confident using smaller holds for both my hands and feet when climbing indoors. I can't wait to go again.

Swedish coffee break in Dongdaemun, Seoul

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Sun, 22 May 2011 15:59:00 +0000

In the bottom floor of the Doota shopping center in Dongdaemun you will find Swedish cinnamon buns, the coffee the Swedish royal family enjoys and semlor. Delicious!

South Korean Parliament Ratifies EU FTA

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Thu, 19 May 2011 08:10:00 +0000

The free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the European Union was ratified by the European Parliament Feb. 17 and the Korean Parliament on May 5. Why is this not bigger news? The first FTA ever ratified by the European Parliament is close to becoming reality!

As a finance student the opening up of the financial market in Korea for European companies is what interests me the most. The Korean bond markets are underdeveloped but things are changing. The government does for instance seem to be leaning towards allowing short selling (though the article is old).

Most companies get their financing from banks and the bulk of the bond market is denominated in dollars. The story is the same for all of North East Asia. This is bound to change as the value of creating a regional bond market is great. More on that in an upcoming post. So what are the consequences of the FTA?

Access to the Korean market for all EU financial firms

The market access for EU financial firms is to be significantly improved. The most significant change will be that financial firms will be able to freely transfer data from their branches and affiliates to their headquarters, a long-standing industry request. The FTA also brings opportunities for the EU:s agricultural, industrial, and telecom sector.

Boon for German manufacturing, including the auto industry

Due to import restrictions (8 % tariff, plus non-tariff restrictions such as separate testing for the Korean market) on foreign vehicles, almost all of the cars on the streets of Seoul are made either by Hyundai or Kia. This is likely to change once the FTA comes into force as the tarifs are removed and European testing standards become accepted in Korea.

Cheaper food, decreasing inflation in South Korea

"A free trade deal with the European Union is expected to help ease inflationary pressure in South Korea by lowering import prices of agricultural and fishery products and other food materials, the finance ministry said Monday."

Having lived for three months in Seoul I can testify to the high prices of meat, cheese and imported foods and drinks. The Korean people (and the exchange students living here) deserve high quality cheese, wine and meat for a decent price.

For an overview of the numbers associated with the deal, please visit the European Commission's site on the issue.

Sources:

I make a guest apparence on Olli Gunst's latest project People + Things

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:07:00 +0000

Gunst is working for a Thinglink, a company that has created a tool that allows the user to tag images. In his project People + Things he puts it to use. My climbing shoes and reading material can be seen there.

Why I spent my hard earned money buying bitcoins

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Tue, 17 May 2011 07:36:00 +0000

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that was created in 2009. The name refers to the peer-to-peer technology it uses to make transactions between users. Unlike other fiat currencies, bitcoin does not depend on a central issuer. Bitcoins are instead created in a process called "mining" and the total amount that will be available is restricted to 21 million coins. At present there are approximately 6 million bitcoins in circulation.

Why do I like Bitcoin?
Sure, it does have the characteristics of a pyramid scheme. Those who entered early and got their coins at the start will make a huge profit if the currency takes off. But there is also immense potential in having an anonymous, fast way of paying for things online. It would become easy to make small payments to show appreciation. There would be no risk in shopping online. It would reduce the cost of setting up an online business further. There are in fact already companies that caters exclusively to the bitcoins community (peanuts, poker, clothes, etc.)

Decentralized transactions

Bitcoin has come up with an ingenious way of creating a decentralized method for processing transactions. By downloading Bitcoin's software any user can help out with the task. In the process, called "mining", users have a chance to generate new Bitcoins. The way in which transactions are verified and forgery is prevented is slightly technical and is better explained in this interview from ThisWeekInStartups.

A bubble brewing?

The way that bitcoin is designed will lend itself to deflation over time as only a limited number of coins will ever be produced. The price of Bitcoins on Mt Gox's Butcoin exchange have shot up from $0.9 to almost $8 since it opened and there is a risk that the recent media attention has generated an unwarranted upward pressure. On the bitcoin forums the user S3052 attempts technical analysis of the market.

Around the net
Forbes: Crypto currency
Betting on Bitcoin. Fundamentals vs Technical Analysis
Bitcoin wiki
Time: Online Cash Bitcoin Could Challenge Governments, Banks

Taiwan itineary

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Thu, 05 May 2011 03:09:00 +0000

We decided that Taiwan would be an interesting vacation destination when we take a brake from school during children's day and Buddha's birthday here in Korea.

I will meet my fellow exchange student's at Taipei 101 tonight. From there we will make our way southwards, towards the Alishan mountain and Kenting National Park. Hopefully I will get the chance to visit my friend studying in Kaoshiung.

I would also love to get the chance to try out the climbing routs on the east coast, at Long Dong.

Bungee Jumping in Korea!

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:43:00 +0000

The 45 meter high tower in Yuldong Park was a great place to try bungee jumping for the first time.

What makes a company great?

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:24:00 +0000

I recently read the book "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't" by James C. Collins. It is based on a study of the Fortune 500 companies from which Collins and his research team select the outstanding performers. He defines outstanding performance as consistently outperforming the market by a factor of three over a period of 15 years. 11 companies make the cut:

Abbott Laboratories

Circuit City Stores

Fannie Mae

Gillette Company

Kimberly-Clark

Kroger

Nucor

Philip Morris

Pitney Bowes

Walgreens

Wells Fargo

What separates these companies from those that didn't achieve greatness? Collins identifies seven characteristics that stands out in the group.

Their leaders are humble and driven. When asked during interviews what made their companies so successful they often credit circumstances, even if their competitors have not been able to achieve simliar results.
There is a focus on people first, directions second. Collins repeatedly points to how a crucial characteristic of the great companies is that they treat people as their main resource and are vigilant in selecting great people.
The Stockdale paradox. Great leaders confront the brutal facts of reality head on, while at the same time never giving up hope.
The Hedgehog Concept. By identifying where the company can make money, be the best in the world at, and be passionate about, companies can identify their "hedgehog concept".
There is a strong culture of discipline which makes hierarchy and bureaucracy unnecessary.
Great companies find what their core business are first, gain momentum, and then carefully uses technology to accelerate growth.
Lastly, great success does not come over night. It is the result of many pushes in the same direction which builds up momentum.

The main lesson I drew from the book is the importance of facing the facts while maintaining dedication and passion, as well as the importance of dedicated work with outstanding people. All in all it was a very interesting read!

Ninni på besök i Korea

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:17:00 +0000

Toppen av vulkanön Jeju

På besök till klädaffären Åland i Myeong Dong

Bläckfisk så färsk att den fortfarande sprattlar när den serveras

Spring Rain in Seoul

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:48:00 +0000

We had a rainy weekend here in Seoul. Fortunately I was sunbathing and skiing in a resort a couple of hours away from Seoul. But it was a pretty wet and windy Sunday.

Spring rain: People holding umbrellas walk on stepping stones in the Cheonggye stream in downtown Seoul, Sunday. More than 30 millimeters of rain will fall across the country throughout Monday with a downpour of more than 80 millimeters hitting some eastern and southern parts of the country, according to the state weather agency. A sudden chill is also forecast to grip the nation following the rainfall, the agency said.

Source: Korea Times

N. Korea Demands That S. Korea Stops "Psychological Warfare"

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 07:24:00 +0000

South Korea has is once again sending leaflets over the boarder to North Korea. In 2010 they resumed sending basic supplies with balloons to the north, including toiletries, gloves and instant food, which they have not done since 2000. South Korea has also resumed sending propaganda leaflets to the north.

"The ongoing psychological warfare … is a treacherous deed and a wanton challenge to the demand of the times and desire of all the fellow countrymen to bring about a new phase … through all-round dialogue and negotiations," a North Korean military official told the regime’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

In response North Korea has threatened to attack South Korea. The threat came as the U.S. and South Korean militaries are preparing to hold their annual military exercise.

Source: Korea Times

North Korean Military Grade Traffic Control Tech

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 05:13:00 +0000

"Now we have the ability to control traffic at anywhere, at any time. We can drop a platform at any location in the country within 30 minutes time."

Update: The Korean traffic girls have a website as well!

American-Korean Far East Movement

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 14:09:00 +0000

I heard these guys on the radio today. Really good!

From Wikipedia:

Far East Movement (stylized Far⋆East Movement and abbreviated FM) is an Asian American electro hop quartet based in Los Angeles, California. The group formed in 2003 and consists of Kev Nish (Kevin Nishimura), who is of Japanese and Chinese descent, Prohgress (James Roh), of Korean descent, J-Splif (Jae Choung), of Korean descent and DJ Virman (Virman Coquia), of Filipino descent.[1] They put together the first multicultural live music event in Koreatown, Los Angeles to benefit a drug rehabilitation center in the community called "Movementality".[2] FM's first claim to fame was their song "Round Round" featured in the Hollywood movie, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and its subsequent soundtrack, video game and DVD

Korean pop

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Koreans think xylitol is hyvä hyvä

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:49:00 +0000

Because of this commercial there is a Korean stereotype that all Finns chew chewing gum, all the time. They also know how to say "good" in Finnish.

Random pictures

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:59:00 +0000

A day in the life of a Korean student

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 15:45:00 +0000

I suppose introduction week offers a slow start, but I hope this isn't what I'm in for.

Satellite image of Korea nine days ago

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:34:00 +0000

How not to buy shoes in the flea market

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:40:00 +0000

I was planning to hit the gym tonight so when I passed by a shop selling sneakers I picked a pair up. After some pointing and waving the seller brings me my size.

When I motion to buy them she asks me if I would like two pieces. Why yes, it would be nice to have one for each foot. She asks me to pay for two as well and I'm somewhat amused by this way of pricing shoes. I chalk it up to cultural differences and get on my way.

As I'm waiting for the subway I get worried that she also gave me two pieces for the same foot. I open the bag to have a look. Turns out she gave me two pairs of the same shoes. Well that seemed a bit excessive so I head back for the stall to change one of the pairs. This time it was a simple misunderstanding, not a cultural thing.

Day one: Arriving in Korea

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:22:00 +0000

The flight was over in a flash and here I am in Seoul, South Korea. Despite rapports of heavy snow the weather is a pleasant change from the finnish temperatures. It is about ten plus degrees and sunny. We arrived at Incheon National airport midday and I have been struggling to stay awake since then.

The atmosphere here is amazing and the University looks promising. The seasoned Korea visitor next to me on the airplane told me they have a great hockey team as well, who would have thought.

Heavy snowfall in eastern Korea, not what Seoul looks like fortunately

Accuweather

Vertigo

noreply@blogger.com (ErikJJ) — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 23:35:00 +0000

"What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves."
-Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being