Kimchi Mamas

Because Middle School is Tough . . .

Just in case looking and talking with your own Small Talk isn't enough:

http://vimeo.com/40923539 

Gah! My ovaries!!

Angie in Texas considers making more babies when she sees videos like these!

Kimchi Mama Honor Roll: Hee Jun Han on "American Idol"

"American Idol" featured a Korean American contestant yesterday named Hee Jun Han.  With the goofy music playing in the background, the extended interview, and the overenthusiasm, I didn't know what to expect.  But Hee Jun, who hails from Flushing, NY, definitely gave "American Idol" some motherland flavor, from complimenting Ryan Seacrest on his small face (even comparing his face to his fist, which is SO KOREAN!) to his insistent self-deprecation.  He was super-endearing and gracious to the judges, and I think he's destined to become a fan favorite!

I'll be rooting for him! Hee Jun-ah FIGHTING!!!

--Julie

Queen of Housewives

I am currently totally addicted to just finished a Korean drama series called Queen of Housewives. It's on Hulu. My efforts to watch less TV is totally out the window. Anyway, I liked it because it's kind of funny. And of course, there was eye candy.

I never knew of Oh Ji Ho before but yeah.. me like.

Open Thread Thursday

Haven't done one of these in a while.

Me and the hubs are HOOKED on Kimchi Chronicles (if you are in the Bay Area, it's on KQED or PBS or one of those public channels). We wish it was an hour long show. After the most recent episode, I just HAD to make kimchi bokeum bap to satisfy my craving.

It's Open Thread Thursday, what's on YOUR mind today?

- Mary

"Kimchi Chronicles" on PBS

Marja Vongerichten, wife of three-star Michelin chef Jean-George Vongerichten, has created a series that seems tailor-made for us Kimchi Mamas.  Part travelogue, part documentary of self-discovery, part cooking show, "Kimchi Chronicles" takes the Vongerichtens around Korea, highlighting all the different dishes and culinary traditions, then interpreting them for the home kitchen with the help of...Hugh Jackman.  Here is a clip of Marja introducing the rest of the gang to what looks like 육개장 (yukgaejang).

An extra-long preview of the series can be seen on the New York Times site.  There, you will be bombarded with image after image of HD deliciousness...I can't watch it without drooling!

Marja will also be publishing a cookbook in August, and it's already up for preorders on Amazon.  Just think about it: authentic Korean recipes adapted for the western home kitchen, written in English, from a Michelin-star family...I can't wait to get my hands on it!  Here are some pics:

The show will make its nationwide debut in July, but it is currently running in New York (you lucky bums).  If you have seen it, please let us know what you thought below!  How's the cinematography?  Does it accurately portray Korea and Koreans?  How much does Marja's personal life story come into play?  Is it  food porn, and/or Hugh porn?  Enquiring minds would like to know!

--Julie

PS: Later this summer when they are released, we will be giving away DVD sets of the series as well as the cookbook, so stay tuned!!!

PPS: All throughout writing this, I kept misspelling "Hugh Jackman" as "Huge Jackman."  Freudian much?

PPPS: Man...I am HUNGRY.

Korea's Got Talent: Sung-Bong Choi

I have a hard heart when it comes to reality television, but even I couldn't stop the tears from flowing when I watched this:

Orphaned at the age of three and left to fend for himself starting from the age of FIVE, Sung-Bong Choi sold gum and Bacchus drinks on the street to survive.  He did not attend school until high school, and during his many nights wandering alone through the city, he listened in on vocal lessons to learn how to sing.

I hesitate to call him Korea's Susan Boyle, not because of any lack of talent, but because there is too much tragedy staining the transcendence.  In his pre-performance interview, Mr. Choi stated he entered this competition so he could be normal like other people, not famous or rich or notorious.  I find that very telling of his strong character, and since he had been let down in such a profound way by his government and fellow citizenry, I hope his appearance on this show will at least cement a sure and stable future for him, never lacking in comfort or company.

--Julie

Kimchi Mama Honor Roll: Lt. Dan Choi

I've had my eye on Lt. Dan Choi for a long time.  A West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran with a specialty in Arabic language, he ignited an intense national debate over the ethics of Don't Ask Don't Tell when he publicly came out of the closet on "The Rachel Maddow Show."  He was the first Arabic linguist to be discharged from the military during the Obama administration under Don't Ask Don't Tell, but quickly re-enlisted to fight another war: the war for social justice and equality in the military.

And it turns out that Lt. Choi's own Kimchi Mama played a role in all this by doing what Korean moms do best: nagging him about marrying a Korean girl and making Korean babies.  She nagged him so much, in fact, he said: “I am not going to marry a Korean girl, nor am I going to marry a white girl.  I am gay, and I was born that way, and I tried to pray the gay away.” (source: Iowa Independent)  Once he came out to his parents, coming out to the rest of the world was easy by comparison.

And now, less than two years since he uttered the words "I am gay" on television, Don't Ask Don't Tell has been repealed by the Senate. In response, Lt. Choi released a statement:

President Obama, you are not off the hook. The compromise bill passed today puts the moral imperative squarely on your desk. Sign an executive order instituting a full non-discrimination policy throughout the military. If you do not, if you drag your feet and politicize this with your theoretical calculations as you have these past two years, you will be guilty of abetting those who loudly proclaim homophobia from their platforms and pulpits. Provide them no shelter or safe haven. Institute justice now.

Wow, right?  Them's fightin' words: fearless, passionate, and intelligent.  

Lt.Choi's accomplishments both as a soldier and as a civil rights leader are too manifold to list individually here, but let me just say that for the West Point grad, Arabic linguist, infantry soldier, church-going, justice-fighting, and darn handsome young man he is, he is pure Korean mom swooning material, and therefore the inaugural member of the Kimchi Mama Honor Roll!

Lt. Choi, as the Koreans say, FIGHTING!!!  We heard you are currently in the hospital, so we wish you a quick recovery back to health so you can return to what you do best: fighting the good fight!

Additional Source: http://ltdanchoi.com/

The Kimchi Chronicles and OTT

The Kimchi Chronicles advertised as A look at the new PBS series on Korean food featuring Marja Vongerichten, the chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten's wife.

This looks like it'll be really fun (and mouth watering) to watch. 

I'm just learning about the amazing lady who hosts the whole series.  She's a Korea-born former actress and model currently living in NYC.  Apparently, she's awesome at cooking up the Korean deliciousness so she really knows her stuff.  She's a true fellow Kimchi Mama!

And it's Open Thread Thursday.  I've never put one of these up, but thought I would since I had this cool PBS  series on my mind and wanted to share it.  What's on yours?

Open Thread Thursday

Better late than never.

It's Thursday!  What's on your mind today? Taxes? Spring? Glee? (Saw the cast on Oprah the other day.)

Random: There seems to be a community outbreak of hand-foot-mouth disease in my area. My little one caught it but he's almost recovered now.

- Mary

Love at First Sight

Love at first sight... is what I felt the moment I laid eyes on Kim Yu-na (김연아).

 

Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Mesmerized was what I was... during both of her performances... I think even my 3 year old son was crushing on her.

Hands down, she was the highlight of the 2010 Winter Olympics for me. Way to go Yu-na! 

This Kimchi mama (+ the rest of the world) loves you.  

You make me a little more proud to be Korean and I sure hope that all of your endorsements (she's the highest paid in endorsements among all celebrities in South Korea) help close the largest gender income gap in the developed world.  (Thank you Hyon Bin for the heads up about the great article!)

- Mary is a little sad that the Olympics are over and still a little pissed about all of South Korea's missed metal opportunities in short track. *sigh*