South Korea FTW

[Sammie]

In South Korea, which has the highest rate of high-speed Internet use in the world, more than one-third of the population plays video games, with the result an alarming number of obsessive gamers requiring counseling (and, so far, two deaths after, respectively, 50 and 86 straight hours of playing). According to an October Associated Press dispatch from Seoul, at the many Internet cafes, gamers "typically live on instant (noodles) and cigarettes, barely sleeping and seldom washing." Video games are also a spectator sport: Three cable channels show matches, and the government is building an electronic-sports "stadium," where competitions will be shown on big screens. [Houston Chronicle-AP, 10-7-05]

source: http://www.msnbc.com/comics/nw.asp

[3043]

Having practiced Tae Kwon Do for many years I have had many Korean friends and let me say they just don't obsess over video games. Reading that some had died playing, well, it doesn't shock me at all.

Listen, these are a people that have allowed themselves to be at war for fifty years. And that's south korea. Most of the great TKD masters were stuck in the North and you don't want to know A) how bad it is there or B) what has been done to survive their horrific and ongoing conflict.

I always wanted to visit Korea, especially when I was training. Now, I would feel slightly ashamed as I am fat and haven't trained in three years. Injuries don't help. I dreamt of going there and getting my ass kicked. Sound odd? I know I couldn't beat EVERYONE there but I would have liked to be the 6' 1" american who made a ruckus TKD style and then met my Korean match. Now, probably even Tucket could kick my lazy, fat ass.
This is not to say, of course, I didn't lose plenty of times here in the good ole USA but fighting in Korea would have been great. And I would have kept fighting till I beat everyone (not at all likely) or got my ass kicked, (probably pretty quickly).

I digress.

I have seen pics of big LAN halls in S. Korea. Looks fun and serious. Just like me.

[McTucket]

30, are your korean friends that you speak of from south korea? cuz thats what the artic. is about....

[MiddleFinger]

30, are your korean friends that you speak of from south korea? cuz thats what the artic. is about....
^^^:conf:^^^

Considering the lifestyle they have to endure (according to 30) It doesn't suprise me much. They have to have some sort of release, and if it's that bad...there's where the excess comes in. It's like doing drugs to rid yourself of emotional pain...you go on a benge and often times, can't get enough.

[3043]

I have friends from S. Korea. And friends who's relatives are from N. Korea. I also have a friend from High School that teaches English in S. Korea. He likes it so much he moved to Australia and still teaches in the orient. He likes Korea MUCH better than Japan. In case anyone is interested.

I would like to go and I almost did in 2000. My wife and I visited Sydney just before the summer olympics. I though we could "hop" on over to the orient but, as it turns out, there is lots to do in Australia and China/Japan/Korea is still sort of far away.

[Nebula]

I would like to visit Japan some time.

I dont know how I would go about doing this though - I would have to make good friends with some one who speaks Japanese.

I only know one person who can speak _some_ Korean...(which isnt Japanese, I know) I dont know the extent of her abilities. I guess pretty good, considering she was thinking about going to college out there...

[HHBizzle]

did u know japan used to control korea?????


and becuase of the US and britain there is a south and because of china and russia there is a north?

[McTucket]

biz, i think we all learned that in like 2nd grade...


i almost joined the navy for the sole purpose of getting stationed in japan...

[HHBizzle]

biz, i think we all learned that in like 2nd grade...


i almost joined the navy for the sole purpose of getting stationed in japan...


yes yes arent we smart

TRUE OR FALSE......the prior presdient of south korea used to be a communist and was almost killed?

[Nebula]

yes yes arent we smart

TRUE OR FALSE......the prior presdient of south korea used to be a communist and was almost killed?


I would have to say True?

[HHBizzle]

you're a winner!
but japan stepped in and got them not to kill him

[McTucket]

if i knew what a presdient is, id get right back to you... sorry i have to go look that one up.. brb.....

[HHBizzle]

aww chubbs, ur spelling queeen you!

[Laroacha]

I've been to S. Korea several times. As to choosing whether to go there or Japan, I'd have to go with Korea. If you go out into the country, the people are really friendly like in a 3rd world country sort of way,,,,,,but in the cities it's kinda hit or miss for freindlyness because Korea isn't a 3rd world country and as normal in developed lands, they are full of mush headed college students who think they are gonna create nirvana and America is the anti-christ. Overall though, it's a pretty cool place to visit. As for Japan, I've only visited once and it was ok,,,,,,but I'd like to go back and hit some of the hot springs and stuff to enjoy that part of Japanese culture. (no ghey reference here, it's not like that in Japan)

[HHBizzle]

Homosexuality is not illegal in China. Private "consensual homosexual acts" were decriminalized in Hong Kong in 1991 (IGLHRC Dec. 2000), and sodomy was decriminalized in China in 1997 (it remains illegal in 20 U.S. states) (Washington Post 24 Jan. 2000). In October 2000, however, a Beijing court ruled that homosexuality was "abnormal and unacceptable to the Chinese public" (Washington Post 24 Jan. 2000).

[3043]

Korea won't leave my life. My nephew just took a job in S. Korea and leaves Tuesday. Maybe we will visit him this summer...