Image Source: Ebay

This past Korea Style Expo in COEX showcased different areas of Korean style, ranging from food to clothing. One of the fashions that caught the eyes of many buyers and general public was the gatshin.

The following article from Heraldbiz asserts the appeal of the traditional Korean flower shoes, gatshin, also known as kkotshin. Second generation master craftsman Choi Duk-soo, attempts at capturing the yin and yang of gatshin (they are both for men and women alike). Gang Young-min of the design research department adds that due to popular demand, the hanbok has been able to be mass produced, while the gatshin has yet to–thus adding to its value.

When I think about the modern gatshin, I imagine something along the lines of flats or kitten heels. Perhaps only then can they be paired with everyday wear such as jeans and skirts. The question is, how will these master craftsmen maintain the authenticity of gatshin without them looking like they belong to a traditional Korean museum?

   There’s Lotte, Shinsaegae, Hyundai, and then there’s Galleria and Avenuel for those with expensive taste. But let’s face it, as a college student, all that I can afford to buy would be located in the basement floors–yes, a parking ticket if I don’t purchase anything or something from the food court. Speaking of food courts, I would have to say that department store food courts are rave-worthy. You can find everything from Peking duck to European egg tarts.

   국내 백화점은 롯데, 신세계, 현대, 그리고 고급 취향인 자들에게는 갤러리아와 에비뉴엘이 있다. 그러나 솔직히 얘기해서 대학생이 백화점에서 살 수 있는 것이라고는 백화점 지하에만 있다. 영수증이 없다면 주차권을, 혹은 지하 음식 코너에서만 멤돌아야 할 신세다. 그러나 백화점 음식 코너는 갈 만하다. 흔히 일반 음식 코너에서는 찾을 수 없는 군침 돌게 하는 북경오리, 달걀 타르트, 각종 파이가 눈에 띈다. 

   The cosmetics are on the first floor, then the bags and accessories floor, the “young casual” floor and so forth. The department store franchises located in Seoul proper have more imported goods, such as the Marc Jacbos and Nine West lines. Occasionally, I will check out the floors above sea level. I wander around listlessly, amongst the ladies toting real and fake Louis Vuitton or Coach purses. Wherever I walk, I can feel the Guccis, the Hermes, and the Jimmy Choos staring me down in contempt.

   주로 화장품은 1층에, 가방과 악세사리는 2층에, 그리고 영 캐주얼 등이 있다. 살펴보면 서울 특별시에 위치해 있는 백화점 상품들 중 마크 제이콥스이나 나인 웨스트와 같은 수입품들의 비율이 지방 백화점보다 월등히 높다. 

   때때로 지하층을 벗어나 1층이나 악세사리 층에도 간다.  진짜 명품과 가짜 명품을 들고 다니는 여자들 사이에서 백화점 안에서 떠돌아 다닌다. 걸어다니는 곳 마다 여러 구찌, 에르메스와 지미 추 제품들이 나를 째려보는 것만 같다.  

     One of the fascinating aspects of Korean department stores is their attempt at incorporating “cultural activities”. Classes are offered at the department stores, mini art exhibitions(I sauntered around a Nancy Lang exhibition once in a department store–free of charge!) and performances are held. I faintly remember the Lotte Department store in Jeonju having an old trot singer perform for a crowd that started dispersing the moment he hit the stage. 

   국내 백화점에 흥미로운 점 중 하나는 “문화 공간”을 제공해 준 다는 것이다. 국내 백화점은 각종 수업을 수강 하고, 예술품 전시회와 공연들이 열리는 장소기도 하다. 운이 좋게도 언제 한 번은 낸시 랭의 전시회를 무료로 감상하기도 했다. 그리고 한 번 은 전주의 롯대 백화점에서 트로트 가수 남진이 무대에 오르자 관객들이 자리를 뜨는 안타까운 광경을 목격한 적도 있다.

    There are valid reasons as to why I avoid shopping at department stores. Most of their products are marked up simply because they are placed on the racks of a department store. Fortunately cosmetics, specifically make-up is around the same price range for the most part. That still doesn’t mean I will opt for the department store over pharmaceutical stores such as the W-store or the personal beauty franchise, Olive Young when it comes to purchasing make-up. As for now, I’ll settle for indulging in the free thrills at the department store.

   백화점에서 쇼핑을 피하는 이유가 있다. 흔히 알려진 사실이지만 백화점에 있는 상품들은 백화점에 있다는 사실만으로 더 비싼 경우가 많다. 다행이도 화장품은 가격대의 차이가 크진 않아 가끔 애요하기도 한다. 그렇다고 약국전용 더블유스토어나 여성 가게 1호 올리브 영을 놔두고 백화점을 선택 하진 않을 거다. 지금으로선 백화점에서 제공하는 공짜의 행복을 누릴 거다.

1. Lucite heels (also known as “clear” heels in Korea)

Type in “stripper shoes” on google.com and you’ll see images of lucite heels plastered in the image section. More and more lucite heels (especially with a cork wedge heel) are turning up on the streets of Seoul. Ladies, there is a reason they are called “stripper shoes”. Not just that, unless you have beautiful feet with an impeccable pedicure, these heels will only highlight your ashy feet and/or some unsightly corns.

2. Ambiguous shoes

Sneaker-sandals? Dress shoes/slip-ons? Shoe stores have different sections for different shoes for a reason. Please make up your mind before you buy a pair of shoes.

3. Man sandals

I no longer wish to reiterate my intense hatred for man sandals. They reek of ahjuhssi-ness. Man sandals are the epitome of footwear gone wrong. Complete fail.

4. Flower shoes

Florals are always popular in Korea. Flower designs exude a certain air of feminity and innocence. Flowers on your feet, is a seperate issue. While I personally disagree with the age-old belief that Koreans have of people who have flowers on their head/hair (flowers on head/hair means you’re crazy), having a plant in full blossom on your feet makes it seem like something is growing out from between your toes. After walking around Seoul for a day, the plant on your sandals will most probably look wilted and no longer resemble a flower.

5. Plastic/rubber shoes (also known as “jelly shoes” in Korea)

There is a plethora of plastic/rubber shoes: plastic flats, plastic flip-flops, plastic heels, and crocs. All plastic shoes will remain reminiscent of the shoes I would put on the feet of my dolls when I was six. And they should stay on the feet of miniature, plastic, human-like toys, not real human beings.

   Do people remember the episode from SATC where Samantha had fake nipples to follow the trend of the “no bra” look?

  여러분 혹시 “노브라” 트렌드를 따라가려고 가짜 유두를 이용했던 Sex and the City의 Samantha를 기억하나요?

   Yesterday I had quite an experience roaming the streets of Seoul donning the “no bra” look. It was not an intentional move–I simply do not own an adhesive bra, or as my friend would call it, “cutlets“. If you think bare shoulders are taboo in Korea, you should have seen the looks from the ahjuhssis when I went around bra-less.  One ahjuhssi had the nerve to stare my chest blatantly with his mouth agape. As much as I wanted to snap at him, I realized the attention, whether positive or negative, was self-induced, so I shrugged it off.

  어제 노브라를 하고 서울 거리를 나섰다. 그러나 Samantha 처럼 고의적으로 한 것이 아니라 나시를 입고 있었지만 누브라가 없었던 탓이다. 만약 국내에서 민소매를 꺼린다고 생각하면 노브라는 거의 금기시킨다고 해도 될 것 같다. 아예 노골적으로 입을 딱 벌리며 가슴만 뻔뻔스럽게 쳐다본 아저씨도 있었다. 아저씨한테 한 마디하고 싶은 마음은 굴뚝 같았지만 사람들의 시선이 자초한 결과라는 것을 깨닫고 나서는 그냥 그려러니 했다. 

   Still, at the back of my mind, I could not understand why older ahjoomahs could go around bra-less wearing tops made out of paper-thin fabrics, yet a younger woman could not, or should I say, should not. Ahjoomahs are so desexualized in Korea, since they are only viewed as mothers. Which reverberates with my previous post of many Korean ahjoomahs who are infamous for their low-maintenance nature. I believe that they are low-maintenance partially due to the fact that Korean men no longer see them as desirable as women.

   하지만 노브라를 하고 다니는 사람은 나뿐만이 아니다. 노브라를 하고 다니는 아줌마들을 흔히 볼 수 있지만 왜 아가씨가 노브라를 하면 안되는 건가?  어머니로만, 다른 말로 하자면, 더 이상은 여자가 아닌 아줌마들에 대한 편견 때문이 아닐까? 그렇다면 아줌마들이 꾸미지 않는 큰 이유 중 하나는 남자들이 그녀들은 더 이상 여자로, 즉, 성적 매력이 시든 존재로 보기 때문이다.

   All the unwanted lingering glances made me regret with a passion that I stepped out the door without a bra in broad daylight. Now I am going to buy an adhesive bra and only go bra-less at night.  

  하루 종일 낯뜨거운 시선을 받은 나는 대낮에 노브라를 한 내 자신이 원망스러웠다. 이젠 누브라를 꼭 살 것이며 노브라는 밤에만 해야 될 듯 싶다.

Every month, my school distributes Cosmo Campus, a monthly special edition magazine from Cosmopolitan for college students. Cosmo Campus has useful tips on fashion, beauty, relationships, college campuses, and career advice. Everytime I get my copy of Cosmo Campus, I skim through the Cover girl interview, the style tips, and the Boy-O-Meter. The Boy-O-Meter puts two male college students in the hot seat, where each student has to talk about himself favorably, preferrably, to win over female students. Selected female students will then express their opinions on the male students. I always find myself chuckling at the womens’ cutthroat honest opinions–they are always refreshing and amusing to read.

Beauty and fashion coverage are the norm, much like many other fashion magazines(in fact, the fashion coverage is a little lacking in Cosmo Campus), but Cosmo Campus covers more content that captures the interest of the college-age audience. One of the segments on relationship has an opinion poll on “Student boyfriend vs. Working boyfriend” and its pros and cons, and another features real-life college couples and does a short interview on each couple.

The May 2009 edition of Cosmo Campus includes “Life Lessons”–a career advice segment, which interviewed students who gave tips on the real world and preparing for it, such as networking. And on the very last page of every copy of Cosmo Campus, there is “Talk, Talk, Talk”, a spread of classified ads for study groups, gatherings, or even personals.

Cosmo Campus is free and is available in 24 college campuses in Seoul.