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5 Korean Foods for Adventurous Eaters

chincha — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:25:57 +0000

Restaurant search apps tend to favor quantity over quality. Most mine the web to produce general results vouched for by random strangers who think Kimbap Heaven actually lives up to its name. The MangoPlate team set out to create a better restaurant app that’s not just a directory, but a useful tool that makes restaurant discovery easy and delicious. It’s like having a personal restaurant advisor in your pocket that’s constantly updated with the latest hotspots and hidden gems. It’s linked with Facebook, so finding where to eat lunch can be as easy as perusing the “Friends’ Feed,” a timeline of the latest eateries visited by friends.

Joyce from MangoPlate drew up the “Top 5 Foods for Adventurous Eaters” coupled with restaurant recommendations on where to find these wacky dishes.

1. Teuksubuwi 특수 부위 – Cow Digestive System

Eating cow intestines isn’t that weird – if you can get past its role as a poop highway for our steak-martyr friends. Many cultures eat it as chitlins, tripe, menudo, andouille, and so forth. But Korea doesn’t stop there. In this land, everything from tummy to tush is legit consumption territory.

Cows have four stomachs. The first stomach, yang (양), looks like bleached, expired steak and chews like a rubber eraser though it doesn’t really taste like anything. The second stomach, buhljip yang (벌집양), is scarily gray and textured like a car tire, which is also what it feels like when attempting to digest it. The third stomach, cheonyeop (천엽), resembles ratty terrycloth and is usually served sliced and raw with bloody cubes of cow liver as “service”. The fourth stomach, makchang (막창), is greasier and not as chewy as the first stomach. If yang is like eating a lean six pack, makchang is like eating beer belly.

Weirdly enough, the closer one gets to the exit, the tastier the situation gets. The small intestines, gopchang (곱창), has the consistency of overcooked squid and tastes rich and beefy with a subtle touch of barnyard. The large intestines, daechang (대창), can be served straight up or “Gangnam-style” – inverted so all the fat is stuffed into tubes. Think bursts of buttery beef fat with each bite.

Where to Eat It:

Janggane Gopchang 장가네곱창 – Mapo 마포

It’s difficult to find a restaurant that serves all the innards mentioned, but Janggane does and does it well.

Squishy, delicious cow intestines. Photo by MangoPlate.

2. Bokeo 복어 - Blowfish

Blowfish, of course, is one of the most poisonous vertebrae in the world. It has enough tetrodotoxin to kill at least a couple dozen men. And the best part? There’s no antidote! Thankfully, the fish’s toxins are concentrated in its internal organs, namely the ovaries, eyes, and liver, making it so that skillfully trained chefs with stringent government licensing can expertly prepare blowfish without anyone dying. The Korean preparation of blowfish is different from the Japanese who favor serving it raw as sashimi. Instead, Korean blowfish is usually boiled in a soup with red pepper paste, garlic, and vegetables. The taste of the meat itself is light with a dense, slightly fibrous texture, and the experience of eating it is made all the more delicious when flavored with danger.

Where to Eat It:

Fukuchan 후꾸찬 – Apgujeong 압구정 and Seolleung Station 선릉역

Serves different variations of blowfish – deep-fried, grilled, raw, and boiled – in set menus. Reservations required at least a day in advance.

Blowfish soup. Photo by Mike 8283.

3. Sannakji 산낙지 - Live Octopus Sashimi

There’s fresh and then there’s still moving. A slithery octopus is plucked from its tank, sliced live, and made to sit in a myriad of its wriggling tentacle bits. The residual nerve activity keeps them dancing for a long time. Sannakji is slimy, chewy, and takes on the taste of whatever dipping sauce it’s plunked in. The novelty of sannakji is the sensation of a bunch of suckers furiously attaching themselves to your lips, tongue, and cheeks. It’s also a part of a long list of foods Korean men refer to as “Korean Viagra.”

Though entertaining to chew on tentacles that conveniently self-marinate by writhing around in sesame oil, some octopi get their revenge. There are about 6 deaths a year in Korea from choking on sannakji, and sometimes, it’s the tool for murder. The key is to chew thoroughly to make sure the suction pads have no way of fastening onto the throat which can lead to asphyxiation.

Where to Eat It:

Noryangjin Market 노량진수산 – Noryangjin Station 노량진역

First buy some octopus at a vendor then head to one of the many restaurants within the market to sit, eat, and drink. Use MangoPlate to find one that suits you.

Wriggle wriggle. Photo by MangoPlate.

4. Gaebul 개불 – Spoon Worm (“Penis Fish”)

Gaebul is a species of sea worm whose phallic appearance has earned it its nickname of “penis fish” or “sea weiner.”

It seriously looks like the male member, and not surprisingly, it’s known for its aphrodisial effects. For men. Oh, the jokes and arm-nudging I had to endure when I announced I was going to eat “penis fish.” If that weren’t enough, chewing on gaebul results in an explosive spray of…salt water. This is also what it tastes like, and chewing it reminds me of what I can only describe as what chewing on ~~condoms~~ balloons must be like.

Where to Eat It:

Daepohang Jogae Gui 대포항 조개구이 – Sookmyung University Station 숙대입구역

Most people aren’t going to want just a big platter of wriggling penis fish. Try Daepohang which serves gaebul in addition to tastier (perhaps equally strange) sea creatures like clams, sea squirts, and sea cucumbers.

Alive versus (kind of) dead. Photo by MangoPlate.

5. Dalkttongjip 닭똥집- Chicken Rectum

Ddakddongjip literally translates to “chicken shit house,” a colorful play on what it really is – chicken anus sphincter. Though you may recoil at the thought of munching on chicken butt, it’s really just chicken gizzards…but extended to where no man had dared. Until the Koreans. Because it’s a muscle (try not to think about what the muscle does), ddakddongjip has almost no fat, making each bite thick and springy. It’s usually skewered and slathered with a spicy sauce or stir-fried with garlic, peppers, onions, and Korean red chiles, but stand-alone, it tastes a bit like chicken livers. It may be of small comfort that ddakddongjip isn’t the actual chicken asshole. It’s the muscle that keeps the asshole closed. Are you too chicken to try chicken rectum?

Where to Eat It:

Ppeokkugi 뻐꾸기 – Several locations throughout Seoul

Popular drinking hole serving as-delicious-as-it’s-gonna-get chicken butts loaded up with lots of garlic.

Mmm, chicken anus. Photo by Nocturnalb.

Whether you want to have a unique dining experience or just need to know where to eat for lunch, MangoPlate is here to help. Use the app to get restaurant details on any of the restaurants mentioned in this article or use the powerful search function to find alternative restaurants in your neighborhood. MangoPlate boasts over 5,000 restaurants in the Seoul area and allows you to search for restaurants by name, keyword, proximity, cuisine, and price. MangoPlate is free and can be downloaded from the Apple app store or Google Play.

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Events in Seoul This Week: 23rd – 30th May

chincha — Thu, 23 May 2013 09:13:12 +0000

It’s a beautifully sunny day and we’re hoping the weather this weekend will be the same. Have a nice Seoul, whatever you’re up to.

ALL WEEKEND

HBC Fest

HBC Fest is back. The biannual multi-venue music festival will take place this friday and Saturday in the small expat village of Haebangchon, located near Itaewon. Head down from Noksapyeong Station and turn up the road where you see the kimchi pots to access lots of lovely local music. Here’s the event page for more info.

THURSDAY

LOCOLOCO Party at Exit

“After 2 years of spreading incredible good vibes in Korat, Thaïland, LOCO LOCO Party is coming to Seoul for the first time. On top of this, our favorite Thaï DJ and beloved friend, DJ Mendy Indigo will be celebrating her last DJ set in Seoul that night, so this is not to be missed.” Entry is free; Bar Exit is cool.

FRIDAY

The Dodos Live in Seoul

Mellow, catchy indie rock band The Dodos are playing Mun in Mullae this Friday night and we have three pairs of tickets to give away to some lucky readers. Head to this article for details on the contest and check this recent interview with supporting band New Blue Death.

The 3rd Seoul Record Fair Opening Party

Styled as a musical festival with the focus on records, Seoul Record Fair is now on its third round. The unique event will comprise of a variety of showcases, including a movie, and you can purchase LPs and CDs the next day at the Platoon Kunsthalle fair. Presale tickets for the opening party at Keu Keu are W20,000; doors open at 7pm.

Rooftop Tarantino Lounge

This summer, Platoon Kunsthalle presents a new kind of rooftop movie night: the Tarantino Series. Kicking off with his first feature film, Reservoir Dogs, after the film there’ll be DJing, dancing and Magpie beer. Perfect summer vibes and it’s totally free.

F de C Reader Korean Launch Party at New Russian Painting

With photography from fashion imagery stalwarts like Hasisi Park, the Korean version of Tokyo mag F de C Reader should be a must-read for any style fans in Seoul. The event is also a must-go with Slow Danse DJing. According to F de C, the reader is “something that sits alongside the pulses of culture and as a reminder that other more relevant connections exist in the world, something that can be carried in a pocket for consultation or as a dose of lo-fi paperback smelling salts.” Deep. The event is from 6pm – 9pm this Friday at New Russian Painting in Hongdae.

SATURDAY

Play Out Hongdae Park Takeover

Partying in Hongdae park’s playground is, of course, one of the best things about summer in Seoul. Usually it’s all about impromptu performances from singers, beatboxers and dancers, but this week sees something pretty special: a huge line-up of rock and punk bands are set to perform, and the super popular Bass Attach d&b crew will be DJing. Should be awesome.

Night of Passion

According to SOMOS, where this so-called night of passion will be held, all the ingredients needed for a red-hot evening are jazz, tropical cocktails (from Southern Sons, obvs), and Latin and Southern BBQ food. Let’s hope the weather holds out so they can throw a spot of sunshine in there too. Entry is W10,000 – bring cash for the food and drinks.

Other Saturday Bits

Share interactive Korean folk tale experiences with multicultural group Play with Culture, meet “Your Republic is Calling You” celebrated author Kim Young-ha, catch some burlesque at the White Lies Revue’s “lanterns and lingerie” dance event, and fundraise for charity at Mini Clash.

Any events we’ve missed? Comment or email us. Editor@chincha.co.uk.

Image: Janna Gibson for @chinchamag on Instagram

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Win Tickets to The Dodos!

chincha — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:32:14 +0000

Win tickets to see indie rockers The Dodos at Mun in Mullae this Friday night, May 24!

Alternative concert promoters SuperColorSuper are always trying to mix it up when it comes to creating live music experiences in Seoul. Mun is a really cool space in factory district Mullae, and next week SCS are throwing one of their long-running Super Sketch events underground at Sindorim Station. We love a bit of venue variation at Chincha so we want to know: what kind of strange, quirky or unusual space in Korea would you like to see a live concert at?

Answer on our Facebook page or in the Facebook comment section below, and make sure you tag your friends so you can get them to ‘like’ your comment. We’ll choose the three people who get the most love.

Buy tickets for The Dodos through supercolorsuper.com. New Blue Death are supporting; read our recent interview with the band.

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Catching New Blue Death

chincha — Tue, 21 May 2013 06:01:24 +0000

As the rain ceases to descend on a miserable day in Seoul, it’s a far cry from inside club Keu Keu, where New Blue Death’s Adam Brennan and Ethan Waddell are sat, relaxing after their show. The atmosphere is chilled and ambient. Their set-up for the gig was not the most exemplary: no stage, band in the center and audience lounging around the room. But while the unusually cozy design might not have conjured up much liveliness, what it did do was allow a chance for the band to put across their talent as songwriters. With not one song sounding exactly like the last their music can be described as experimental indie rock, fluctuating between shrill guitar effects, snappy rhythms and floating melodies. Adam’s vocals wavered from the high shaky pitches of Tom Verlaine to the lower moans of Ian Curtis, all of these factors drawing in to create a sound unique to them, to New Blue Death.

Patrick Walsh, Ethan Waddell, Adam Brennan, Adam Hickey and Andrew LaCombe of New Blue Death.

While Adam taps his cigarette ash and Ethan reaches for another, they talk about how their group came about. “At the first Loose Union show, I talked to Adam. We were both really drunk and decided to start a band,” Ethan says. Thankfully the plastered promise stuck and, gaining bassist Adam Hickey, keyboardist Andrew LaCombe and Drummer Patrick Walsh, all of who are of American or Canadian origin, they went on to composing their initial tracks. Adam describes how each member has some sort of musical background, saying, “Everyone’s a music dork. We all have extensive record collections.” This could conceivably be the reason for New Blue Death’s speedy development. Forming in October last year, they have already played a number of shows around Seoul, including their recent album launch at Powwow, near Itaewon.

Listening to their album you get an even wider perspective of the effects they pull, particularly with the presence of their keyboardist who was, unfortunately, absent for this show. Both the guitar and keyboard melodies are interplayed intellectually against the tight bass and rolling drums. Coating this are Adam’s deep vocals that transform the air of the album, integrating so many sounds of the post-punk and indie era. From the hard-hitting ‘Typhoon’ to the gentle, summery ‘Minnesota’, all of their songs differ and yet are true to New Blue Death’s style.

Although they had no direct inspirations in mind when writing the songs, Adam notes that their technique has derived from specific musical preferences. Discussing the many motivations they share, it’s clear they are in agreement that their sound is comparable with 70′s punk group Television. “We don’t purposely take cues from other groups. But once the song starts to develop you can’t deny that the influences sound like certain bands. When the song begins taking shape, then we can hear it,” says Ethan, “but we try to play every song individually.”

Click on this link for New Blue Death’s album on Soundcloud.

When discussing where they recorded their album the mention of Loose Union pops up again. The organisation Adam helps run, he says, has its own recording studio and plays an integral role in the alternative music scene in Seoul. “I have been playing in bands here for five years,” he states, “so it’s [the music scene] small, but it used to be really small. Now it’s growing and the music is more diverse.” Along with fellow founders Danny Arens from Used Cassettes and Ollie Walker from AWEH, LU was created originally as a medium to promote local bands further than just the clubs they were playing at and has extended into a multimedia platform. Their base is the label that has released records from other resident bands such as Love X Stereo and Used Cassettes. They also collaborate with film-makers, photographers, musicians and artists. The company records and documents live performances, creates music-based video projects such as their well-received music documentary Loveful Heights, and supports events with an inclusive aim at highlighting the current underground music culture. Adam adds, “there are more venues and there’s more of an audience than there used to be.”

As the evening draws to a close, the room now sufficiently filled with smoke, Adam and Ethan talk about the future of the group and for a band that was formed six months previous, their plans are nothing short of ambitious. “We’ll take a break in August and then the idea is to have a second album out in September and then another in December.” Alongside their three record goal, Ethan notes their recent success with famous actor Ha Jung-woo, who bought one of their songs to use in his directorial debut, Rollercoaster. With so much in the pipeline, the outlook for New Blue Death is promising, with many shows lined up to promote the album. Within what is evidently the small but exciting music culture of the city, it would be best to keep a look out for their next move.

New Blue Death are supporting The Dodos this Friday night in Seoul. Buy tickets from supercolorsuper.com, or catch them at Rocky Mountain Tavern with DMCK on Saturday.

Words by Daisy Phillipson
Images courtesy of Loose Union. Cover shot by Ryan Stripling.

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Rural Korea: Exploring Waymook Beach

chincha — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:07:34 +0000

On the west coast of Korea, hidden by the countryside rice paddies, lies a local beach called Waymook. Famous for its gorgeous sunsets, the small town boasts fresh seafood restaurants and beachside walkways, overlooking a few small islands. While young couples and families tromp around in the sand, shells and sticks, the local residents earn their money fishing for octopus, clams and other seafood to be sold to surrounding businesses. Adjacent to the seaside is a small mountain with the flora and rocks to go with it.

Dogs and Koreans, boats, old rope and shells alike all share the small sandy stretch of beach in front of the local town Waymook.

An abandoned boat has seen better days: now bright purple blossoms and the local wildlife call it home.

Not all boats are in such neglect. Tethered to the beach, this boat waits for its next voyage into the sea.

A boy runs into a group of seagulls and scatters them, a childhood game that never seems to grow old.

A shaded bench holds a child’s forgotten seashell collection, carefully laid in a straight line.

Alongside the walkway and underneath a walking bridge, a bright red boat sits in the shade until further notice.

Many families come to the beach to spend time together, which always includes picture taking.

Elderly women crack open fresh oysters for sale, hollering at passersbys to try and entice interest.

A plastic jar full of live fish sits unattended on the walkway.

A group of friends sits beside the rock cliff, in view of the water and eats lunch, picnic style.

Bright purple flower petals, straw, rocks and string all lay in a pile beside the rock wall.

A father and son stack rocks, beachside.

A lost chair and other litter have fallen, tangled into the vines and flowering bushes of this small hill.

An older man sits, enjoying the spring sunshine, while watching the fishing boats and the sea.

How to get to Waymook (왜묵):

Take a bus to Dangjin. In Dangjin, local buses 10, 11 and 12 will go to Waymook, leaving every 30 minutes. The commute lasts 1 hour from Dangjin. Dangjin is 90 mins from Seoul – you can take the bus from Nambu Bus Terminal.

Words and photography by Sally Bucey. This is her blog.

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Events in Seoul This Week: May 16th – 23rd

chincha — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:59:33 +0000

Happy Buddha’s Birthday, we hope you’re either exploring or fleeing the country over the long weekend. If you’re stuck in Seoul, don’t worry – we’ve got you sorted. Peruse the events on offer and pay attention to the bottom of this post. There’s FREE STUFF up for grabs. If you haven’t planned a trip yet but are eager to, why not visit some of the beaches around the Incheon area? They’re relatively close to Seoul and are pretty damn lovely. Try Muuido island or Waymook beach.

ONGOING

Good Labor, Bad Art

‘Good Labor, Bad Art’ is a solo exhibition of the artist Gimhongsok. As part of series of exhibitions to broaden the idea of Korean contemporary art by introducing more controversial and dynamic elements. The show covers a range of mediums showing the artists diversity in aesthetics. Gimhongsok’s work juxtaposes a criticism of reality with a sense of humour. Highlights include ‘Public Blank’ a witty take on the concept of ‘Public Art’, with extravagant and impractical proposals for external monuments based around the appreciation and enjoyment of solitude. ‘Good Labour, Bad Art’ is at Plateau, Samsung Museum of Art until 26th May.

ALL WEEKEND

World DJ Fest 2013

Dubbed Seoul’s first and largest electronic festival, World DJ Fest kicks off the summer festival season with a slew of international DJs whose genres range from techno to electro to hardcore house. Their official line-up has now been announced and it’s huge – Skream & Benga will be playing, amongst others. Directions to World DJ Fest Korea 2013 should be the same as previous years since it’s still in Yangpyeong. Check out this informative blogpost for details.

The 7th Seoul Jazz Festival 2013

Clashing with World DJ Fest is the 7th Seoul Jazz Festival at Olympic Park’s Lakeside Stage, with singer/ songwriter Damien Rice headlining and Kings of Convenience supporting. Discover more about the event by reading our preview.

Korea’s Second Wineglass Bay Outdoor Festival

A weekend of kayaking and other outdoorsy endeavors with intermittent drinking? Even the Buddha would approve. Sited at the beautiful Namhae Island, the Wineglass Bay Outdoor festival wraps up sailing, kayaking, bonfires, beer, live music, seafood consumption, and BBQ into a hell of a weekend. And, the Buddha is still smiling, it’s all in the name of preserving Korea’s national forests. Further details on packages and pricing can be found on the Facebook page.

THURSDAY

Stand Up Seoul SNEAK PEEK

Launch your long weekend with yuks courtesy of Stand Up Seoul. The Rocky Mountain Tavern shindig is a preview of SUS’s upcoming shows at the Renaissance. Local comics will start the sneak peek and the night will close with sure to be solid sets from Matt Braunger and Kyle Kinane. Tickets are free if you already booked for the Renaissance shows, W10,000 otherwise.

FRIDAY

Roller Boogie Night #2

Like the nightlife? Like to boogie…on wheels? Pull out the track jacket and get ready to roll at Platoon this Friday for the second Roller Boogie Night at Platoon in Gangnam. Chincha captured the disco inferno on wheels from the first event, watch it here.

SATURDAY

Tasty Soul: A Classic R&B Jam

On Saturday, May 18th, Jinbo the SuperFreak, DJ Soulscape, Deejay Stuf, and DJ Crab will spin a wide selection of soul classics at Cakeshop Seoul. Trap is trapping you? Pop ain’t popping for you? Then this is a night to breakaway! There’s also a Cakeshop night on to kickstart the early weekend this Thursday night with glasses of wine from W4000.

Loose Union Raid the South

Beer, cocktails and rock n roll–things Loose Union, Southern Sons and Magpie Brewing Co. hope to bring you this Saturday at Club Keu Keu, really fresh club Gangnam way. Head there for live performances from Yukari, DMCK, New Blue Death, Love X Stereo and Used Cassettes. Dance party to follow. W15,000 at the door.

Pegasus Headline Strange Fruit

Another option for indie in Seoul this Saturday is at always-awesome Strange Fruit in Hongdae for Busan and Seoul bands Les Sales, Genius and Three Summer. Pegasus from Japan are headlining and entry is manwon.

Bake Sale

Missing home-cooked treats? Pick some up at a charity bake sale near Noksapyeong this Saturday from 1pm. The group behind the event are raising money for a North Korean defector and have promised Chincha there’ll be flavoured breads on offer. We’re counting down the hours.

SUNDAY

Chuncheon Mime Fest Waterfight

Head up to Chuncheon this Sunday for a full-on waterfight in the streets as the Chuncheon Mime Fest launches. What could be more fun on a perfectly sunny day? Info on Facebook.

Sigur Ros Live in Seoul

Ethereal, epic Scandinavian post-rock band Sigur Ros are playing Seoul’s Olympic Gymnastics Arena this Sunday. Tickets are now being sold on Interpark and range from 99,000 – 110,000 won. Watch one of the band’s recent music videos, created by Seoul videographer Nils Clauss.

TUESDAY

Wye Oak Live in Seoul

Baltimore duo famed for having music featured on series such as The Walking Dead are in Seoul on Tuesday. Here’s the event page for more info on the show itself. Kuang Program and 404 are supporting, making this a solid evening of indie pairings.

Words by Charlotte Hammond and Loren Cotter
Cover image by Janna Gibson for @chinchamag on Instagram

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Review: Television Live

chincha — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:53:49 +0000

The English language promotion for this gig was about as loud as a monastery full of mute monks and so the majority of the audience seemed to be in attendance for the popular K-Indie band Kiha and the Faces. This lead to the bizarre sight of dolled-up Korean teenagers in mini skirts and bunny ears donning baffled expressions as four sixty-something foreigners took to the stage and performed music that was mostly recorded more than thirty years ago. Incongruous headgear aside, the New York art-rockers were met with an extremely warm reception by every part of the crowd’s varied demographic

Frontman Tom Verlaine looked poised and at ease throughout and immediately won over the audience with a decent stab at a ‘감사합니다’ in response to the hearty applause with which each track was bookended. A subtle light show acted as the band’s backdrop and this minimal set-up really allowed the music to speak for itself, which it did. In epic tomes. Sounding as new and as interesting as ever, the band drew the enthralled spectators in with gentle precision.

The large amount of material taken from their landmark debut Marquee Moon offered some of the high points of the show such as ‘Venus’ and the album’s title track. It would not be unreasonable to presuppose that in the numerous intervening years between the points at which this seminal act has been active, some of their magic might have dwindled but the New York four-piece still sounds fresh and their consummate musicianship stunned a captivated audience. Guitartist Jimmy Rip, looking like a benevolent Walter White in Heisenberg mode, proved repeatedly throughout the night that he has the clinical guitar shredding know-how to fill the Shaquille O’Neal-sized shoes left in 2007 by departed bandmate Richard Lloyd.

The way in which Television’s music holds up at both grimy late night gigs in New York’s legendary CBGB’s, where the band made their name, and last weekend’s show at Blue Square Samsung Card Hall in Hangangjin is a testament to it’s quality. The sweaty rock club that defined late-seventies counterculture and the sterile seated monument to consumer electronics represent binary opposites that very few bands could traverse with such grace.

Words by Mike Beech
Photography by Chris da Canha

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2nd Roller Boogie Night in Seoul

chincha — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:00:34 +0000

Roll up, roll up on Friday the 17th of May for round two of the awesome Roller Boogie Night series in Seoul. Featuring a mix of DJs from retro DJ crew YMEA’s Palpal, Yoberr, Hwangbaxa and Tigerdisco and house music collective Project Outings Po‘s Dambi and Deero, you’ll also bear witness to a myriad of impressive roller skating if the last disco is anything to go by.

Watch our video coverage for the first event, also at Platoon Kunsthalle in Gangnam, for a sample.

American Apparel are sponsoring the event and will be choosing three ‘best-dressed’ winners on the night. You have to incorporate one AA item into your ensemble and can win a giftcard ranging from W100,000 – W300,000.

Purchase presale tix on Tumblbug. Korean language skills are necessary for this, although you could give buying a go by using these handy instructions from Korean Indie. Tickets will also be sold on the door for W20,000. Roller skate rental is an extra W5000 for 45 min sessions. Extra info can be found on the event page.

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From Kreuzberg to Gangnam: An Interview with Jahcoozi in Seoul

chincha — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:25:40 +0000

Only a few hours after having touched down from Beijing, Sasha Perera and Oren Gerlitz have rolled into the Platoon dressing room and are relaxing before their gig. Although they both confess to being hungover from the previous evening’s exploits, neither seem subdued. In fact both, before long, are pouring drinks.

Jahcoozi are a Berlin-based trio who make electronic music. Third member, Robert Kosh, stopped touring with Jahcoozi a while ago, though he remains an integral part of the band. Both Sasha and Oren moved to Berlin – Sasha from London, and Oren from Tel Aviv.

The result of this geographic mix is a set of musical influences so broad and diverse that it resists definition. They released their last LP on cornerstone techno label BPitch Control, and have collaborated with Modeselektor, yet their music betrays a more diverse and worldly trait – outside the confines of Berlin club music, at least. John Peel once called their music ‘beautiful and surreal.’ The beats – a mix of unfurling gritty high-end and restless percussion – sit above a relentless drool of sub bass; though both elements are ultimately a backdrop for Sasha Perera’s soaring vocals.

Oren is reluctant to name any staying influences, saying that this ‘would take it in the wrong direction,’ but he agrees that dub ‘in the very wide interpretation’ might be a unifying feature. Dub echo and an easy 2-step groove are definitely significant aspects of both their music and Sasha’s DJ mixes.

Another unifying feature of the group is the Berlin neighbourhood of Kreuzberg, where they have a studio. Jahcoozi are well toured, and in the last few years have played far-reaching cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Nairobi and Mexico City. Yet their musical background might be well explained as being distinctly from the area of former East Berlin which was a little-known suburb before cheap rent attracted artists and musicians.

During the 90’s, Berlin’s liberal licensing laws, plenitude of space, and burgeoning music and arts scene quickly made it an attractive destination for creative-minded people who wanted to move somewhere less cut-throat and more accommodating than, say, London. Kreuzberg is now one of Europe’s most notorious neighbourhoods for art, music, and parties, with a thriving scene having developed there. Along with this came a whirlwind of media attention, welcomed by few, and many would say that the party finished long ago.

‘We are all based a couple of hundred meters from each other in Kreuzberg , we work a lot there,’ Oren says. ‘I’ve been in Berlin for 12 years, and about half of the time in Kreuzberg.’ During this time, Oren says that ‘the whole city has changed a lot.’ In terms of the club scene, he says ‘it was all about small parties, squat parties, [and] house parties. Now it’s more about the big clubs – it was less like that before’.

Jahcoozi’s last album was released on BPitch Control records, a label founded by one of Berlin’s most popular DJs, Ellen Allien. She says that Ellen saw them play many times before they talked about a release on the label. ‘When we moved to Berlin in 2000 it was tiny. Our first EP came out on WMF Records, which was a big club in Berlin where everyone played – where Ellen played. I guess it’s different now, because there’s so many acts in Berlin, there’s so many clubs. There were like 5 clubs back in the day. [Now] It really is an industry.’

Sasha is critical of the mainstream media attention that for a long time promoted Kreuzberg as a kind of hipsters’ haven. ‘The most horrible article I ever read was in about 2007 in The Guardian. The title of the article was “top 10 things to do in a hipsters’ to do list,” and number one was “move to Berlin”. One of the things It said about Berlin was that you can further your career in Berlin… At the time people were maybe moving to Berlin to make electronic music, to get their feelers out. I certainly didn’t move there for some kind of financial return, it was for cultural good, you know?’

There’s been positive change, too. ‘It was much more uncomfortable to live there before. That’s the reason people didn’t move there. When I first moved there I had coal heating! You’re freezing your ass off when you’re having a shower! The food was shit…There was no food variety. You probably wouldn’t want it to go back to that.’

I myself first visited Krezberg for the first time almost 10 years ago, and most recently returned last year. During this time, the change in the neighbourhood has been subtle, but apparent. Cycling around during the evening, it’s remarkable how many buildings seem to be housing full-on parties, clubs or bars – the streets seeming truly alive. At the same time, it’s hard to explain my affinity with the area to Sasha and Oren without perhaps coming across as one of the ‘hipsters’ who have flocked to the area.

Many like myself are attracted to Jahcoozi’s home neighbourhood because of an active interest in techno and house, and because they dislike London’s scene so much in comparison, where one struggles to find a party that last past 6 or 7AM. Oren agrees that Berlin is still the most exciting place for electronic music. ‘Absolutely. It still has a lot of freedom – the freedom that the clubs have, the freedom to go out, and go to a club whenever they want, drink whatever they want.’

Sasha is, by her own definition, ‘a real London kid,’ yet she talks down the city’s clubbing landscape in agreement. ‘London was just a meat market. People spend a lot of money to go out and if they don’t go home with pussy or high on a pill then it wasn’t worth it.’ Berlin, is, in comparison, a place where the clubbing experience is more casual and enjoyable. ‘In Berlin, you might just get on your bike, and if it’s happening, it’s happening, you leave or you don’t.’ Oren agrees that ‘It’s more a cultural thing, it’s like your meeting place, you go and listen to music, drink a few beers, it’s completely normal.’’

Clubs in Berlin notoriously timetable DJs into the morning, lunchtime, and even afternoon of the day after. Might the cultural importance of dance music to the city be why there has been an explosion in the popularity of after-hours events? Do Berliners actually consume dance music differently, I ask? ‘’I think they consume everything in a longer sort of way’, Sasha says humorously. ‘Because everything’s less expensive, you don’t have to make everything work immediately. You can build something up…I guess you know it’s like a timer in London – if your club doesn’t work in two months, you’re bust.’

It’s the pair’s first time in Seoul, and they’re eager to hear about this city’s own ongoing social evolution. When I say that a conflicting attitude to welcoming outsiders is, in some people’s opinion, a feature of Korean society, Sasha suggests in a humorous tone that the attitude might fairly be summed up as: ‘Don’t have sex with our daughters, basically!?’

‘My boyfriend is white, and I tell you, if we go to places like India or whatever and I’m walking alone, it’s fine. If he’s alone, it’s fine. But when we’re walking down the street together, people can’t believe it! How does that work?’

Their performance showcases a full range of tempos and dynamics – with Oren mostly using a sampler and bass guitar, whilst Sasha prowls the stage, dancing wildly atop risers, and venturing into the crowd itself. The gig starts with Sasha playing trumpet on an almost solemn-sounding song, but soon the tempo becomes more energetic, songs like ‘Barefoot Dub’ employing a free-falling 2-step beat which recalls the glitchy sound of fellow Berliners Funkstörung. ‘Lost in the Bass’ brings the pace back down, Sasha’s effortless singing voice intercepting the rumbles of sub bass which sit at the heartbeat of the song.

From here in Seoul, Jahcoozi will continue on to Shanghai, Manila, and Ho Chi Min City before returning home to Kreuzberg, Berlin. During this time, they’ll take on even more worldly influences to channel into their music – but their sound will surely always remain to be unmistakably of Berlin.

Words by Marcus Siddall
Photography by Hyunmin Jeon

The post From Kreuzberg to Gangnam: An Interview with Jahcoozi in Seoul appeared first on Chincha.

MSFTSrep x General Idea Collaboration Pop-Up Event

chincha — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:34:30 +0000

In case you missed it, Will Smith and his son Jaden were in Seoul this past week. The main purpose of this was to promote for their new movie After Earth, and in true Smith family style they made sure to try their hand at any other creative venture they could work into their schedule. Spotted at the YG studio with idols from BIG BANG and 2NE1, they talked of possible collaborations with PSY and G Dragon to the press. They then featured a Jay Park song in the trailer and closing credits of the Korean showings for their new film before Jaden, who has become a trending celebrity in his own right through his acting and musical talents, held a pop up event and collaboration with Korean fashion brand General Idea. Jaden’s streetwear brand MSFTSrep (Misfits Republic) has recently done collaborations with other Asian designers, like Taipei brand SMG, as a means to introduce the LA-based brand to the Asian market.

Choi BumSuk is the designer behind General Idea, a Seoul-based menswear line that has been showing at New York Fashion Week since 2009. His recent 2013 F/W Seoul Fashion Week show was one of the most highly anticipated due to it being unconventionally located at Gangnam club Octagon.

The collaboration event, held early this past Wednesday, was located at the General Idea flagship store in Sinsa. The collaboration consisted of cotton jersey t-shirts in black and white, screen printed with both the brand’s logos represented in harmony. Jaden talked about the shirt designs as a clear representation of the MSFTSrep image, described as “black and white basic.” The atmosphere was light and not stuffy, as some of these fashion events tend to be. Even with idols such as Hyoyeon and Sunny from Girl’s Generation and Jay Park in attendance, Jaden and his other MSFTSrep partners in crime managed to put on a show for fans outside when they took off on their skateboards to do a few tricks in the adjacent parking garage. Overall, the event was surprisingly fun and low-key: an atmosphere that embodies the aesthetics of both General Idea and MSFTSrep perfectly.

Choi BumSuk sits down with the MSFTSrep crew for the press conference.

The General Idea Sinsa storefront

Brad of Busker Busker and wife Dani

MSFTSrep crew with Choi BumSuk

Hyoyeon and Sunny of Girl’s Generation

Jay Park and Jaden

Jay Park

Jaden mingles amongst the product

Choi BumSuk making small talk while Jay Park lingers in the background. Kk

General Idea plus MSFTSrep

The swag bags

MSFTSrepxGeneralIdea collaboration logo

All photos are credited to Alex T, a model/graphic designer/photographer/otaku who just relocated to Tokyo. Follow her on Instagram.
All commentary courtesy of AJ Lund, a fashion industry chameleon. Follow her on Tumblr.

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