After a long day, it's time to Wi-Lax!

From My iPhone

You all know how much I love living in Los Angeles. But honestly, there are those days where I feel the stress at an all-time high. Sometimes I work eight hours a day, have to commute to evening class during rush hour, and then return home to write a paper due the next day. I consider myself lucky if I get at least six hours of sleep. Here comes another Koreatown solution: Wi Spa! This hidden gem located right in the midst of all the bank skyscrapers on Wilshire Boulevard will cure any signs of stress or fatigue. At Wi Spa, you can come with your significant other, by yourself, or with your entire family. These types of spas are called Jjim Jil Bang's and they are very popular in Korea. What's cool about Wi Spa is that there is no gender segregation throughout the facilities, except for when you shower. Once you wash up and soak yourself in the multiple jacuzzis, the next stop is the huge community room where boys and girls are free to chill and socialize amongst themselves.

From My iPhone

Once on the community floor, you will find entrances to mini-spas with all different kinds of climates and temperatures. For example, there is a "Salt Room" where the floor is covered with salt rocks and the temperature is 120 degree Fahrenheit. I cannot stay in these rooms for too long, but once I lay down I feel all negativity and hatred leaving my body when my pores open up due to the heat. There is also an "Ice Room" where the temperature is below freezing, which always feels relieving after a nap in one of the hot rooms. The community room also features a full sit-down restaurant and an internet cafe (free wi-fi is provided every step of the way). If you are willing to spend the extra few bucks, you can also get top-of-the-line massages and facials from what I hear. The next time you're in the need of a stress reliever and want to get away from all the traffic and congestion of Los Angeles, Wi Spa is really a one of a kind experience you will never forget!

Your Seoul Survivor,
Albert Ko

Korean American Idol

Taken with my iPhone

Monday through Thursday, I am Albert Ko; I wake up every morning, go to work, and then make my way to class in the evenings. Friday or Saturday, however, I am a mix between Ne-Yo and Eminem. Calling Koreatown my home comes with the luxury of living close to this thing called No-Rae-Bang ("Song Room" is the literal translation). Some of you might be more familiar with the term "karaoke." And because I live right down the street from one, I find myself serenading my friends well into the night on many occasions. These NRB's are special in the sense that the second your group walks into their own personal room, every form of judging or criticizing is prohibited until the night is over. Once you're in that room, you are free to get your N Sync, Michael Jackson, Beatles, or Whitney Houston on!

Taken with my iPhone

The handy dandy remote control will have your thumbs racing to find that next song, with genres ranging from K-pop to Disney songs to Gangster Rap. Just search the title or artist of your desired song and click the "reserve" button! For those of you who play by the book, a thick encyclopedia-style songbook is provided with songs listed alphabetically. What if you can't hit those high notes? Honestly, I am as tone deaf as it gets. Here's a personal tip that has guided me to greatness: a little liquid confidence never hurt me, just so long as it is done responsibly. Most NRB's provide food and beverages, so feel free to order some beers whenever you need that X-factor. Then even Simon Cowell won't have anything to nag at.

Your Seoul Survivor,
Albert Ko

Korean BBQ gets the W!

One cannot turn the corner in Koreatown without bumping into a Korean BBQ joint. It's inevitable. One cannot escape it. So naturally, he or she would be tempted in some way, shape, or form to venture into one of these meat heavens, right? This is what happened to a boy named Albert Ko. The flood gates had opened. If any of you have not been to a Korean BBQ restaurant, please do us both a favor and keep reading. If you have been already, I encourage you to also keep reading because it's more than likely that you didn't receive the full-service experience that I have been exposed to. Let's begin class:

1. For the purpose of this blog, I will be using the specific restaurant called "Kogi-King." This restaurant is my all-time favorite.
   
2. If I were to pick out a common denominator for all Korean restaurants, I would have to pick the side dishes. Every Korean restaurant you visit will provide you with a variety of side dishes comprised of everything from Kimchi to headless bean sprouts. Don't be scared, keep an open mind, and try each one. Kogi-King's special side dish is their signature spicy rice cakes.
   
3. Make sure to ask for the steamed egg casserole and the soybean paste stew. Nothing more need be said. 
   
   
   
   
   
4. Here comes the meat. You get to "do-it-yourself" and sharpen your cooking skills! You get to choose from over 20 choices of meat laid out in a simple menu. Order your meat and use their terrific tongs to cook the meat on your own personal grill. After it's cooked to perfection, cut the meat to your own liking and wrap it up in rice paper. Add a couple veggies and you might as well sing, "Hold on, We're Going Home."
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. "Where's the rice," you might ask. No need to fear, DoShiRak is here! Ask for this and your waiter will bring you a tin box filled with rice, kimchi, eggs, and spam. He or she will personally shake that box like they would shake maracas, and bon appetit!
   
                                           
   
6. By now, you should either be going on your fourth hour or second stomach there. To settle down your digestive system, Koreans use a bowl of hot water and rice, which aids in digestion.
   
   
      
                                               

I hope your next Korean BBQ experience will be as memorable as mine. Follow my directions and, "You're welcome."

Your Seoul Survivor,

Albert Ko