❧  The Shinchonji/Mannam cult tries to recruit me 

An enounter with some cute female volunteers who wanted me to join their club, and who turned out to be fronts for the Korean cult Shinchonji.

❧  Love motel review: Yeonhwajang Yeogwan, Gujora Beach, Geoje-do 

This is the first in what will be a series of reviews of love motels, in which I take a trip to Gujora Beach, stay at a mediocre motel, and meet the owners, a mother with an incredible singing voice and her sour daughter.

❧  Romanization and pronunciation of Korean names 

The English spelling of Kim Yuna’s name, and why the Korean surnames Kim, Park and Lee have English spellings that bear little resemblance to their actual pronunciation in Korean.

❧  How to travel in Korea: Love motels and inter-city buses 

Korea may be the easiest country in the world to travel in – if you know how. This is the right way to travel in Korea – the way most Koreans do, using love motels and intercity buses. You don’t need to book ahead, you can do it very cheaply, and you never have to stay in a 16 person dormitory.

❧  What is it like being a foreigner in Korea? 

Taken from an email I wrote to a friend-of-a-friend, who wanted advice specifically on coming to teach in Korea without being able to speak Korean.

❧  Teaching English in Korea: city or country? 

The advantages and disadvantages of working in a big city or regional area when coming to Korea to teach.

❧  What should I bring with me to Korea? 

‘Why didn’t I pack toothpaste? This Korean stuff makes my mouth burn.’ The things you will miss from home, if you neglect to bring them with you to Korea. A non-exhaustive packing list of the things most often overlooked by people coming to Korea to live and work, to their subsequent regret.