Seoul Man

I've spent a full 24 hours in Seoul now, and it certainly lives up to it's promise as a cosmopolitan, stepping-into-the-future kind of place. Itaewon, where I'm staying, has an American military compound, German, Egyptian and Mexican restaurants and more "PC rooms" (where, apparently, several Koreans a year die from dehydration - they can't stop playing video games, and forget (?) to get up to get a drink). I went into a place called "Paris Baguette" that was paired with a Baskin Robbins. I'm not normally a real dessert eater, but seeing a red bean donut and glutinous rice sesame ball made me break down and buy both. As I was paying for my treats, I noticed a small TV screen beside the cashier: Drew Barrymore being kissed. And kissed again. And again. Then, an ice-cream cone appeared in her hand, she smiled, and the Baskin Robbins logo appeared. A bona fide "Lost in Translation" kinda moment.

My friend's big wedding was a few days ago - it defies explanation at the moment, but it was lovely, colourful, and unique. Traditionally, in Korean weddings, there is a 'celebration song', and so Nate and Hyo Jung picked "Off Guard" as their song. Facing a largely Korean audience of about 100, I did a version on the accordion that ranks as one of the most memorable performances I've been fortunate enough to give.