Concerts

I won’t talk about university, nore people or places I’ve seen. This time, I’m just talking about music.

I wasn’t lucky enough to get tickets for autumn festivals. Well, I could have tried to go to Let’s Rock fes maybe or similar events but I had no time and I had much more important things to do. Moreover, registering on Korean websites (such as Yes24) as a foreigner is SO difficult.

With the help of my Korean buddy (which I haven’t seen for a month….), I succeeded in knowing how payment and stuff is done, so now I know how to buy ticktets online. For my case, I have to go to some distributor machine to transfer money to an account given by the website so that I can pay for tickets. In France (and elsewhere I guess), you always pay online on the same website where you buy your stuff.

As for getting tickets, system is different depending on the concert. And well, yes24 brought my mail to the guard of the Boys dormitory, even though I wrote the name for the other building. Hopefully next time I don’t have to see 4 different people before getting my package. At the dorms, there is a delivery office. I don’t know why the guy who delivered it didn’t go to this place.

ANYWAY, I’m going to see Monni and The KOXX in December!!!

I’m going to see Monni on 3 December at Mapo Art Center and the KOXX one week later, on 11 December at D-Cube Arts Center. I’m really really glad to see these bands since Monni is the band I’ve been listening to the most these past months and well, is one of my favorite bands, and The KOXX has always surprised me since I discovered them last February. Their lives seem very lively too! I’m also really interested in going to these concert halls. D-Cube Arts Center Hall looks sooooo nice!!

At the end of December, for New Year, I’ll be going to COUNTDOWN JAPAN. So looking forward to it. And well, coming back to Japan really means a lot for me. I can’t wait.

Extraits de concerts, d’abord Monni :

Morceau de the KOXX, pas forcément représentatif de leur musique mais tout aussi intéressant :

Sounds and music

October 28, 2011

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Continuation

If I didn’t write here for about 3 weeks, it’s because I have so much work to do. Homework amount in Korea and in France is totally different. Korean people work more than French people but I guess we just are the lazy ones. Ahah Actually, I happen to be of one of the first people to do presentations in almost every class, both group project and solo presentation. Hopefully I’ll have lots of free time in November. It’d be nice if I can travel at that time before my long trip in Japan.

Thanks to team projects, I made friends with Korean people and one Chinese girl! It’s difficult to keep contact with them but I’m really willing not to lose contact! Another round of team project will be announced soon. Hopefully I’ll work with people as nice as them, more productive ones, maybe. ahah

Also, in the dorms I more or less get to know which people live on my floor. Finnish, Russian, Austrian, Vietnamese and Japanese exchange students are especially nice. I’m not spending much time with them but from time to time I can hang out with them. For instance we went to Incheon, noraebang and restaurants around the campus.

Talking about food, I really like Korean cuisine. Though, I don’t really like what we have at the cafeteria. Every day it’s too similar and few hours after eating I feel hungry again. There is few meat. For instance, today among the small dishes we usually have, there was one small sardine and for dinner, we have kind of seafood in a soup. Outside campus, on the other hand, I got to eat great dishes: 순대국(soondaeguk), 닭도리탕(dakdoritang), 삼겹살(samgyeopsal), different kind of kimchi, street food, vegetables and dishes which I don’t remember the name. I also tried pizza and some other international food. Eating outside is always nice and very cheap. You shouldn’t go to Chinatown in Incheon though, it’s expensive and not even good. The city is really nice. Not far from Seoul and it’s very calm! next time I want to go to the sea.

Compared to last post, I haven’t visited lots of new places. CAU’s campus is like my new home. At least there is a place I know very well in Seoul. Last Monday, I went to Sinsadong which reminds me of chic areas in Paris, more crowded and more artistic atmosphere version. There are a lot of stores, cafe and restaurants. Also it’s really nice to see such a mature population compared to the average Chung-Ang university students population. ahah

Lately I’ve been asking myself many questions. It’s only been one month since I arrived but I’m trying to find out what this year in Korea will bring me, how I will change, how it will affect me. I guess I’m trying to tell the future. I will have to wait several months to find out about it.

Tomorrow, I’m going to see fireworks near Han River. It’s going to be really interesting.

Sur place

October 7, 2011

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First impressions

It’s been more than two weeks since I’ve arrived in Seoul. I’m very glad about how things are for now and expect it to get better for the coming weeks.

One of the very first places I visited in Seoul was Hongik university area, or Hongdae. At first I didn’t really like it but I got used to it. I went back there with friends and then I really enjoyed it. Musicians playing in the park located near the university offer so good performances! I could go there every Friday and weekend! First time I went there, there was some band with tap dancers, covering original songs and cover songs of some English-speaking bands! Last Friday night, I got to see the same band but this time they invited a beatboxer and the audience was much livelier! Felt like some open-air festival.

Actually I didn’t get to see Monni and The KOXX. Both live concerts were sold out. Similar thing is happening with Grand Mint Festival. I guess I can’t always be lucky. Ahah I really want to go to one of those fall festivals (Let’s Rock, Gap born to Rock, etc.) because I couldn’t go the oneman concerts I wanted to go to. Now that I have fixed 99% of administrative problems I had with university and stuff, I can think about what I want to do!! I just need to ask help from one of my few Korean friends. ahah

It makes me think of a Korean couple I met four days ago at some ‘tea party’ at the dorms! The girl loves Broccoli You too and lots of indies bands. Guess her bf does too. :D I hope we can talk more soon! I know they like festivals!

People I appreciate at the university, I only meet them sporadically. It does mean I often eat alone at the cafeteria and sit alone during classes, which doesn’t bother me at all. I like to think it’s only about time before I make really good friends by myself! Btw that buddy program from CAU is so helpul and we get the opportunity to meet nice people! My buddy is one of the nicest people I know here. I like her a lot!! Going to Han river and Yeouido park with her, her friends and some exchange students is one of my best memories from these past two weeks!

Two days ago, I got to see one of my French friends, along one of her friend and one Korean friend. Eating icecream at Baskin Robbins is one perfect thing to do with friends while being in Korea! There is one at the entrance of Chung-Ang University! They’ll never go bankrupt. ahah

Korean people are really helpful and nice people. Especially in stores. Not only from staff members but also from customers. Ahah Last Friday in the subway, some old men even gave my friends and I some sweets. It was awkward at first but we got to laugh a lot.

I hope to get to know more people soon and to know more about Korea as a whole. :D

I’m quite busy but I still have time to spend several hours on my computer and Youtube, so here some Korean songs I love:

Yi Sung Yol – Not coming back

Jaurim – Something Good

Sur place

September 11, 2011

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Kind of list

My departure for South Korea is coming soon. I’m leaving on 24th August. Who thought even two years ago that I would spend one year in Seoul?
Before school starts, I’ll spend about 5 days of holidays in Seoul. I will stay in a guesthouse situated in Hongdae. This coming week, I’m thinking about what to do and what to see.

Art&Music-wise, I’ll arrive in Seoul on the last days of Seoul Fringe Festival. I’m really curious about it. I know nothing about artists playing and performing there but I guess that is what makes this festival interesting.
About the same time, there are quite lot of oneman concerts I want to go to as well! As written on Korea Gig Guide there is a possibility I can see:

- On 26th August~27th August 2011: 몽니(monni) at Sangsang Madang (Hongdae)

- On 27th August 2011: THE KOXX (칵스) at V-Hall (Hongdae)

- On 3rd September~4th September 2011: 10cm at Songpa Olympic Hall

Choice of lives will depend on whether when I reach concert halls, there’s any ticket left. I especially want to see monni and THE KOXX. Sangsang Madang building looks great and I want to see what is inside! Btw ACIDMAN went there last and I’m still wondering if they’ll go back to Seoul next year.

_____

In Seoul, even at the end of summer and beginning of fall it’s not too late to go to festivals. I really want to go to Grant Mint festival 2011 and I plan to buy tickets asap. Regarding other festivals, I don’t know yet.

- On 17th September 2011: GAP BORN TO ROCK CONCERT at AX-Korea. One of my friends went to 2010 GAP BORN TO ROCK festival edition. They always have interesting and great bands playing at their festival. Moreover, there are unknown and friendly indie bands playing outside the concert hall. It seems to have a great atmosphere. I may only go to see them!…

- On 24th September~25th September 2011: Let’s Rock Festival at Hangang Park:  I heard about it once. I don’t know much about this festival but the lineup is near perfection to me. They’ve got my favorite Korean rocks bands (Guckkasten, monni, the KOXX, YB…)! Ohoh

Btw festivals tickets are so cheap. Or maybe should I say, tickets in France really are TOO expensive?!

- Last but not least, on 22nd October~23rd October 2011: Grant Mint Festival at Olympic Park : Greatlineup. Not too far from my campus. On weekend. Day time!! Can buy tickets on yes24. I haven’t ordered on it yet but I think it’s really a great thing for foreign fans.

Surprisingly, yes24.com is not available in English for lots of concerts and festivals (2PM and??) Maybe I’m wrong but in Japan or in South Korea there are no such thing as FNAC or Virgin stores, where you can go anytime and get tickets for almost any concerts. Two years ago, I succeeded in going to ROCK IN JAPAN festival only thanks to the help of a Japanese friend! (need a Japanese account address, submit a kinf of application letter to a magazine -I think you get that application paper only in Rockin’On mag, am I wrong?- etc.) At least, when everything is done and you are at the festival, listening to your favorite bands, you are HAPPY and feel extremely lucky!! I wonder how things are going to turn out this winter.

I plan to go back to Japan during winter break. Among the things I want to do there, I want to try to go to COUNTDOWN JAPAN Fes!  Also, I want to see friends and go back to some places such as Yokohama and Kichijoji. In September, I really have to buy my airplane ticket for Tokyo. Maybe it won’t be possible next month since there’re a lot of things to pay at university. Dear credit card, don’t let me down.

September is also=administrative formalities. University starts on 1st September but well, let’s not talk about it until orientation day. Btw, I read there’s a buddy program but no Korean student has sent me an email yet. I guess it won’t happen anytime soon.

Luggage is almost ready. See you in Korea!

En attentant

August 17, 2011

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Acceptance

I’ve just received my acceptance letter to Chung-Ang University. So that’s where I’ll be staying several months as an exchange student (and hopefully more). CAU is mostly known for arts, theater and movies but I’m going there as a business student. I’m interested in cultural management though but I have no specialization degree yet.

I feel really lucky to be able to go to Seoul! CAU is not too far from the Han river and I really like the idea of going there during break times and stuff. I’m curious about leaving Paris for a new destination. I’ll meet foreign students from all over the world and Korean students. Moreover, there are many areas in Seoul and other cities in South Korea I want to visit! And…. there are many festivals and concerts I’d like to attend! btw, I’d like to go to “the KOXX” live on 27th August but I don’t know if I’ll be lucky enough to get one ticket (=if it’s sold-out, e.g.) Let’s see!

I don’t know exactly what is going to happen but I’m not too worried about it -yet lol-. Actually, living alone in Paris I got some habits so living in a dormitory on CAU campus will be a very new experience to me. :D

Well, I first have several problems with Korean and French administration to fix and then I’ll be able to relax.

See you soon.

En attentant

June 27, 2011

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Reason

A new post with some videos about South Korean film and music industry I want to share. Very inspiring ones.

Lately, I’ve been asking myself questions about my choice to leave Paris for Seoul. Not surprising considering I’m leaving in about 2 months now.
As I’ve already said, lately I don’t like what I’ve been exposed to (=Kpop in French media). This is not what I’m interested to! It makes me feel like I didn’t think about it enough and feels like it tries to make me forget about what I really like.

I love South Korean movies (not your American comedy movies-like!!!). Also, the more I get to know about it, the more I love South Korean indie music scene.
The videos below explain why. The first one is an interview of three South Korean indie bands during SeoulSonic North America tour. I especially like the interview with Idiotape.

The second video is another interview (in English as well), this time in Cannes with a young South Korean director who is talking about hardships in South Korean film industry, what is taboo and stuff. I wish I could meet ppl like him when I go to CAU!

Seeing such passionate people is really inspiring. I feel like I’ll discover a lot of things when I go to South Korea. It makes me want to meet as many diverse people as possible and try to understand better the world I live in. I can’t wait.

Bonus: you can go to http://www.thecreatorsproject.com. A website about artists (musicians, directors, painters, etc). and technology. btw there’s even a category for South Korean artists. Very interesting.

En attentant

June 13, 2011

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UV and parody

During moments when the only thing you think about is university and work, it’s good to listen to music.

UV makes hilarious video clips. Lyrics are funny as well. I love all of their previous songs, but their latest one ‘Itaewon Freedom’ features JYP so it’s kinda special to me. I really liked him watching Dream High and actually, the only idol groups I like come from his company.
I just saw some band did a parody of ‘Itaewon Freedom’, called ‘Gangnam Freedom’. I understand most of the lyrics, so I can’t not like it. ahah Some people are complaining it doesn’t represent Seoul. I really dislike foreigners who only go to clubs and bars when they visit Japan or South Korea, but hey, it’s… a parody. Don’t take it too seriously~

My sister got to see UV yesterday at GREENPLUGGED festival. I’m so jealous.

Enjoy!!

Itaewon Freedom

Gangnam Freedom

Sounds and music

May 15, 2011

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Raisons

Les gens sont surpris par mon choix de partir en Corée du Sud, surtout ceux qui connaissent mon intérêt très prononcé pour le Japon.

Ca peut en surprendre certains mais je comptais au départ partir à Hong-Kong. Autant partir un an vers une destination où je ne remettrais pas les pieds avant longtemps (choix 100% découverte, en plus je n’ai aucune connaissance du chinois).

Je suis déjà allée au Japon (certes, qu’un mois de vacances) et ça fait maintenant une petite dizaine d’année que je suis intéressée par ce pays. En comparaison, je connais peu la Corée, si ce n’est en très grosse partie par “procuration”. En effet, ma sœur (jumelle) est depuis août à KAIST (Daejeon) et P. me fournit des  tonnes d’information ultra intéressantes (ciné, histoire, musique, etc.). J’ai eu pendant très longtemps un gros blocage sur ce pays… mais passons. Je suis devenue très tolérante. ahah (il faut voir mes goûts musicaux ! Je passe aisément de Gorillaz à 2AM en passant par ACIDMAN, du bon vieux YB ou KREVA ! :D)

Mon profil correspondait le plus à l’offre des universités coréennes. (cours en anglais, nourriture & logement pas trop chers, universités en centre-ville. A côté, les universités japonaises sont très fermées et quasiment inaccessibles !) Et finalement, je ne regrette pas que les choses se déroulent dans ce sens. Je me dis aussi que le Japon n’est pas loin, que rien n’est joué. Plein de voies s’offrent à moi, il faut juste que je sache où je veux aller. Je peux finir mon M2 en France, rester en Corée, partir au Japon ou au pôle nord !

Je suis vraiment curieuse. Je ne sais pas vraiment à quoi m’attendre. Enfin, j’ai toujours eu une très bonne impression des coréens que j’ai pu rencontrer pour l’instant. Je me rappellerai toujours d’une des coréennes que j’ai croisé  à Tokyo. J’ai passé avec elle une des journées les plus mémorables de mon séjour (right after ROCK IN JAPAN!!), avec notre balade à Roppongi (ciné!), Asakusa (restaurant!) et Harajuku (shopping!).

D’un côté, je pars avec peu d’a priori, et de l’autre j’attends beaucoup de ce séjour. Je me demande si le pays me correspondra. Enfin, il est trop tôt pour s’avancer !

En tout cas, depuis que j’ai commencé les démarches pour partir en Corée, mon intérêt pour le pays a triplé ! Dernièrement je suis complètement obsédée par les groupes indies rock coréens ! (Je cherche de potentiels futurs employeurs mais chut…) Je suis devenue ultra réceptive concernant les nouvelles ~~from S.Korea~~ et je n’attends plus qu’une chose, finir ma L3 à Nanterre et partir !

Je suis sûre que plein de bonnes choses m’attendent !

En attentant

April 29, 2011

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Introduction

Je souhaite la bienvenue aux internautes égarés sur ce blog.
Ce blog a été créé dans le cadre de mon échange universitaire en Corée du Sud en août prochain. Il reste quelques formalités à effectuer mais il est fort probable que je décolle pour Seoul cet été et cela pour y rester un an (au moins ?).
J’écrirai en français mais également en anglais. Ce blog n’est pas destiné à la famille mais plutôt aux amis. Je parlerai tout aussi bien de musique que de ma vie universitaire.
Je considère ce blog comme une alternative à Twitter, c’est-à-dire pouvoir raconter ma vie plus en longueur. ahah

A bientôt. J’espère vite avoir des nouvelles.

En attentant

April 25, 2011

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