Party like a K-Pop star

I can't believe it hasn't yet been a week since I left. When I'm alone I think about what I was doing a week ago today, which is still events back home. I am looking forward to the passing time to make this transition easier. Being alone makes me homesick. But being with others out in Mokpo is exciting.
Therefore, I need to stay busy.
The girls I work with are wonderful and very supportive since they've been new here too. Two of the girls who have been here for a year are leaving in a week. They are the most confident in the city so I am a little anxious about them leaving. A girl who has been here for 2 years is leaving in April. I will be picking her brain while she's here!
The six of us teachers plus some other foreigners in Mokpo went out for a going away party for the two girls leaving. These girls are fun. We started off at a restaurant that serves fresh "makkoli" which is a Korean rice wine served cold and in a tea kettle that resembles milk at first look  (the yellow cup in the forefront of the picture). It does not taste like milk. The meal was nearly entirely seafood. The traditional assortment of sides including kimchi, clams, soup, seaweed, spinach, bean sprouts, potatoes, and acorns. The acorns were very good except for the fact that we all were stabbing at it with metal chopsticks to get them open. I'm not sure if it was worth the effort.
We ate a seafood pancake. I ate a small octopus tentacle on its own that was tough to chew and an odd texture. It was good when I ate with the pancake though. We ate tofu with beef and seafood kimchi as well as a main entree.

After the restaurant we headed to a so-called western bar called "Dios". I guess this is a spot that many foreigners visit. I learned here that the main foreigners  in Mokpo are either English teachers or dockworkers who are here a couple months at a time. I was quickly warned about them.


The best part of the night was going to a Korean karaoke bar, or a no-rae-bong. A group can rent individual rooms so luckily this is not like doing karaoke at an American bar making a fool of yourself in front of strangers. Instead you just make a fool out of yourself in front of friends- and for me newly formed friends. You are allowed to bring your own food and drinks making this a cheap, fun night. 

The karaoke screens all had videos with what I imagine are Korean K-Pop stars. They aren't actually singing the songs, but making a dramatic music video of sorts. If you don't know K-Pop, let me give you a preview. 

Best of "2014" K Pop videos

Being here, I wish I appreciated girly looking men more. Not unattractive.. but I miss the burly chest and facial hair already. 

Until next time. Signing off.