Circles and Squares

When first I came to Korea to study for a year back in 1995, you could walk a mile to find a cup of coffee in Seoul. In the morning, there simply were no places to go out and get coffee and no habit of meeting with individuals for coffee to talk, or simply to read a book.

If one drank coffee, even five years ago, the standard was to rip off the end of a round packet about seven centimeters in length and one centimeter in width. Inside was a delightful coffee mix, famous for its use of transgenetic fats. Then there were the dabang 다방, but those old coffee shops were the domain of men from a previous generation and not particularly welcoming to us.

But now coffee shops are springing up everywhere and just about every coffee shop offers café latte and cappuccino—although the quality may vary. In some cases, there seems to be no economic logic to the number of cafes springing up. The pastries also have improved by leaps and bounds, now rivaling what is found in other major metropolitan centers around the world. What we can say is that the coffee shops often do not open until 8:30 or 9:00, so do not go too early.   This particular coffee shop took my fancy. Here we see the long-predicted “death of ideology” when the very concept of ideology becomes a consumer good, proper for a fashionable place to consume espressos .

Koreans have not been so big on maps. Whereas in Japan highly accurate maps have traditionally been a mainstay for citizens and a symbol of good living, Koreans prefer to ask the way, or if necessary, use a navigation device. But that aspect of Korea is now changing as well. Rather well organized maps are going up around Seoul that are as good as anything one finds. In fact, several subway stops now feature both maps and photographs taken from above to allow the observer two means of understanding the geography of the neighborhood.  Seoul Metro also has come up with an innovative manner of providing maps to riders.

Emanuel Pastreich

Circles and Squares

Seoul traditionally was not very attentive to the handicapped, but I have been impressed by recent efforts to make life more convenient for all citizens. There seems to be an effort to create a more open environment. Here a young handicapped woman exclaims, “Seoul is such a wonderful place.” She is referring to the ease of life. It would not be accurate to say that Seoul is particularly convenient, but an effort is being made these days.

Emanuel Pastreich

Circles and Squares

The Lotte Hotel now features a museum on the first floor!

Sign for the museum in the Lotte Hotel lobby

Read more of this post

I am not sure what to make of the underwear emblazoned with the currencies of the world that are for sale in Itaewon these days. I suppose they symbolize the coming collapse of currency itself as the process of mechanical reproduction reaches an extreme in this fluid age.

Emanuel Pastreich

Circles and Squares