Jamsil Station, Seokchon Lake

Now that we're wrapping up our time here in Seoul, I thought it was high time that I go out and take some photographs of the area around our school. With views like this, teaching indoors all day has been difficult.

At any time of the day, you can find Ajemas (directly translated as married woman, but means so much more) capering around the lake. Some cloister themselves in jumpsuits, uv-visors, and surgical masks; others sport lycra; and more than a few brave stilettos while making their circuits around the lake.

Ajoshies (married men) play card games and drink soju under the pavilion during the day, but you see fewer in the evenings.

Around the lake, the night belongs to couples. Gazing out over the lake is a favorite past-time for young lovers. I remember watching Korean soap operas in the WOW (a love motel/staging ground for new foreigner teachers furnished by our academy, ECC).

Despite my total lack of comprehension of Hangul, something--let's call it acumen--told me that the reoccurring scenes of lover’s quarrels over-looking some body of water (ranging from a beautified retention pond to the Pacific) hold some cultural significance.

Just go out to the lake after work hours. You'll see that soap-operas are important cultural indicators!