Tuesday 31 January 2012

Martial Arts

Martial art is one of the biggest sports in South Korea and Taekwondo, Taekkyon as well as Hapkido were all established in South Korea.

 태권도 (Taekwondo) have apparently been traised as far back as the 1st centuary BC, and it only became widely known during the Second WW. Soon it became part of the combat military training and has been incorporated in the miliary training rules since 1961. Taekwondo was the world's largest sport in 1989, and has been one the games in the Olympics since 2000. There are traditional taekwondo as well as sport taekwondo and the training includes combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, mediation and philosophy.

 World Taekwondo Federation and International Taekwon-Do Federation are the two most popular organizations in the world.

택견(Taekkyeon) originates from an art from called Subak which apparently was divided and split into two parts back in the time of the early Joseon Dynasty. Song Duk Ki was one of the last Old practioners that teached Taejkkyeon the old way, when he died in 1987 he was 94 years old and he was national treasure status the same year.

The style or training includes kicks , hand and leg techniques. Apparently it is supposed to have around 10 different techniques.

합기도 (Hapkido) is not as closely related to Aikido as many apparently seems to believe. They are two very different martial arts sports. Choi Yong Sool he was born in 1899 and died in 1986 and he only is responsible for creating the modern Hapkido style, he had five gifted students, Seo Boek Seob being his first student, Ji Han Jae, Kim Moo Hong, Myung Jae Nam and Myung Kwan - Sik. Where the last one linked Hapkido with Aikido...

Today Hyun Kwan Seek is supposedly one of the few 9th degree Hapkido Black belts in the US. He is apparently responsible for traning over 12.000 students as well as 9000 policemen in the art of Hapkido so far.

Hapkido mixes soft techniques from jujutsu and aikido with hard techniques stemming from taekwondo.The Korean Hapkido Association was established in 1965 on request from the Korean president Park Jeong Hee.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Monday 30 January 2012

The Jewelry Box

Below just a short sory I came up with from the top of my head... 


The topic might be what you pressume just as it might not be, it could be just a short sweet story. With no hidden or underlying meaning - but I'll leave all that for you - my readers.

Once there was a troubled girl who lived from day by day, one day she tripped over a diamond a few years later she learned the diamond wasn't real. She tried to replace the diamond with gold only to discover that gold instead was yellow mica, everwhere she looked she only found yellow mica. Until years later when someone told her that she'd found a real gem - but it again was no gem. It was no ruby, emerald, sapphire or amber not even a diamond in the rough. Her jewelry box again was empty filled with nothing, around her neck there was no necklace, when she looked in the mirror she felt like there was something missing - she felt incomplete. Of course she always had her trusty necklace made of pearls of sorrow.

The girl's mother comforted her daughter by telling her that she didn't need a filled jewelry box, all she needed was one special gem.But right now the pearls of sorrow looked really good around her neck, the girl was told by her mother that she would know if a gem was made for her. It could be a ruby, emerald, sapphire or amber could be the gem that would be meant for her.

But the girl's mother also said that her daughter was beautiful just the way she was that she didn't need jewelary to make herself look beautiful. The girl would discover jewelary and gems soon enough.

That night the girl went to sleep with a light heart and woke up the next day with a smile, she knew that she one day would own a gem just like her mother.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Sunday 29 January 2012

Jeanne D'Arc

Sometimes I wish I could be more like the French heroine Jeanne D'Arc, really really believing in your principles having that kind of conviction and belief in yourself. Even dying for your principles and for your country....

I'm not a Catholic I'm not even sure if I believe in God, I believe in something.. maybe not God. I respect the people that do but personally I can't say that I do. I was raised as a Swedish child therefore I'm a Lutheran. There I said it.

But I still admire Jeanne D'Arc for her courage, her conviction, belief and principles. She was alive in the 15th century,so if anything maybe she was one of the world's first feminists...

Yet I'll never become a Catholic... Of that I'm sure, but it doesn't make me any less of a person. A person's religion, race or sexual orientation shouldn't matter, because in the end all people are equals ; we're equals when we're born and we're equals before death...

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Saturday 28 January 2012

Time For Rice

I have reconciled with my past, I truely have many questions will never be answered but it's 괜핞아.
어머니 괜핞아.

 It's allright, it really is my soul is at peace now, because I don't need to find the answers when I got something else, something far more greater than I ever could have hoped for. I was able to find my other family, my first family and I was welcomed back into the family. I am proud and happy to know that I got them my very large first family, it fills me with excitement and joy whenever I come up with ways to show them that I care.

But the love, determination, dedication and devotion can never and will never be replaced, missplaced or forgotten. My first family is that important to me and my newest family understands that. They are not at all threatened by that because they know nothing replace them and suddenly take their places. With friends it's another thing, I'll never let my friends become more important than my first family and maybe that's threatening to them...

I know you need to compromise when it comes to love and relationships but I don't think you should compromise with your own feelings if you know it wouldn't work. I like my independence too much at this point, I'm happy to be just the younger sister that's more than I ever could have hoped for. Maybe I'm unable to love someone in that sense to give yourself to someone so completely. Then I'm remined that well, I'm still young not even 30 I'll be 여섯 스무 살  meaning 26 years old so there is still time left to worry about that.

Besides it doesn't feel right to start something new when I have my heart set on moving to Korea permanentely. That's how much I care for my first family and I will nothing get between them and me just as I will not anybody or anything to change or spoil my moving plans.

In the meantime I will have some rice, until it's my time for rice... Or I could watch the 너를 않을거야 26 Year's Diary which is true story about Lee Su Hyon's love for a Japanese woman and his life until his tragic and too soon death on January 26th 2001... Su Hyon actually died when he tried to rescue a man who had fallen onto the railway tracks of the Train East Japan Railway Shin at Okubo Station on the on the Yamanote Line. In the drama  Lee Tae - Sung and Makii portrays the Korean  Japanese young couple.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Friday 27 January 2012

Old Boy

I'm certainly not spoiled when it comes to watching Korean movies on TV on Swedish television... But it seems as if the Swedish channel SVT1 either have changed their minds or Korean movies must be really good. Either way Old boy is the second Korean movie that I've seen on Swedish TV since getting back from my Korea trip last summer...

And the plot for Old boy is even more complicated then Lady Vengeance, a lot of adult scenes even incest and you don't really understands who takes revenge on who. Old friends turns to enemies which causes death in the end. But it is a really interesting movie even though I might be partial - again. Unfortunately I missed the first segment in this three part movie, the one I havn't watched is Sympathy for Mr Vengeance.

In Korean the names of these movies are :

복누는 나의것
올드보이
츼절한 금자씨

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Thursday 26 January 2012

Mind, Body & Soul

I seriously doubt that there will be a near end of the Korean conflict which hasn't ended officially despite the fact that it has lasted for over 60 years now. I'm at least not confident that a reunification of the Korean peninsula is near, because South Korea has been doing pretty well and is now considered one of Asia's leading economies while the same can't be said for its Northern neighbour...

For South Korea it would be detrimental if North Korea fell, because it would mean that North Koreans would try to escape to South Korea which most likely would cause the South Korean economy to slowdown its progress...

Although North Korea presently still is an autocrazy Americans is currently negotiating and lobbying for a new Korean adoption law which would allow US citizens to adopt North Korean infants, babies and children...

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Wednesday 25 January 2012

The Rainbow Has Gold

I have accomplished many things that I thought that I never might be able to fulfill. My biggest wish ever has been fulfilled and I'm so tremendously grateful for my Korean family, the post adoption agency, fellow Koreans as well as fellow Korean adoptees. I my still lack some areas of fulfillment in my life, but things are looking far better now. Honestly.

It's like I recently discovered that the rainbow has gold in its end hidden away and it's up to me to find it. My mind and soul are finally at ease. At least. Without scaring anybody unintentionally I can say that if I where to die tomorrow I wouldn't regret it. But you see I have a debt to continue paying of  Umma and Appa that probably will take a lifetime to fulfill...

But it's true the rainbow has gold and comes with happiness and unconditional love. Or at least I like to think that it has.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Tuesday 24 January 2012

I'm Like A Bird

I'm Like A Bird - Nelly Furtado


A stone has shifted from my chest , last week Missing or Spårlöst in Swedish begun airing again but I didn't feel at least tempted to watch it. That's progress and I feel more secure, calm and light hearted now.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Monday 23 January 2012

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

새해 복 많이 받으세요 !!! ^^ Happy New year (again), today marks the start of the Lunar New Year and the year of the Dragon which apparently is the most powerful creature out of them all in the Chinese sodiac... And moreover it's supposedly known or believed that babies born in the year of the dragon are more fortunate in life then those children born in the year of the sheep... A Chinese babyboom ahead soon, perhaps...

Which would mean that Japan, Korean and other Asian countries might see more children being born... And as for Cina at least many women do want more then one child so maybe it's the same for Korean women too...

I know many people way Chinese New Year, but I like the English expression Lunar New Year far more better since the Asian New Year is celebrated according to the Lunar calendar and does not really place that big a deal on China. And no Korean's doesn't like China or Japan that much based on historic happenings which has had a big influence and impact on Korea.

If you believe the Mayan calendar maybe you fear that the 21st December will be the end of the world, and of life as we know it... Or could it be that the upcoming year 2013 will look completely different, would it even be the start of the 6th discourse ?

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Sunday 22 January 2012

Burn After Reading

As the Korean conflict still seems likely to continue on in the year of the dragon 2012 the (South) Korean army is letting their soldiers train combat training in extreme weather conditions. 20 minus Celcius degrees as well as snow and swimming in freezing water. This is just prepare a special task force of what is likely to happen if the war/conflict intensifies...

Meanwhile North Koreans that didn't obey orders when the deceased leader was buried has been punished with 6 months stay in a worker camp. But there's nothing that says this actually is true... could be , and it just as well might not be.

Oh, yeah and with new leader North Korea is getting online, the regime are now apparently active on Facebook and twitter and has even created an online newspaper... Hm.

And yes, maybe not so interesting but still, the honeymoon couple stuck on the Italian ferry while on a cruise was a South Korean newlywed couple. They said they'd like a new honeymoon but not another cruise.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Saturday 21 January 2012

Seoul 2011 Part III

Here are a few more pictures from Seoul.. and well there's plenty more... Enjoy them til next time !!!









© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Friday 20 January 2012

Nothing Else Matters

Nothing Else Matters - Metallica


© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Thursday 19 January 2012

Funny Pictures

This is my lovely yet diabolic cat, doesn't he look a bit like Garfield on this picture ? 
Anyways I think he looks really funny like he thinks he's a human or something. 


This is the only kind of soccer that I play ^^


Doesn't they look adorable and like best friends, well don't let this picture fool you... Like they say nothing's like the calm before the storm....



© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Wednesday 18 January 2012

Tuesday 17 January 2012

Lady Vengeance

I happened to stay up really late the other and bumped into the Korean movie Sympathy for Lady Vegeance. I watched the entire movie just because it was Korean, and well to be honest the first impression of the movie was a bit confussing to say the least. And one subplot in the movie revolves around adoption.

Maybe not surprising, I don't know. There's also violence, blood, death and adult scenes in it. But I must say I was surprised to see a Korean movie in the Swedish TV guide. If I'm up and awake still, I'll probably watch another Korean movie (in the middle of the night).

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Monday 16 January 2012

Excerpt


Have you heard or seen Adopted the movie ? I've seen parts of it and I believe some things are more "true" or accurate than others.

But I still miss a level of understanding for reunited adoptees and more especially reunited KADs, it's seems to ironic that the only place where I can make myself heard and understood is in Korea, the very same country that once rejected me as a an infant... Oh the irony.

Yet I must say I can relate to much of what the girl in the clip says about fitting in I mean.

©Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Sunday 15 January 2012

Let's Go Nuts

I completely forgot to publish pictures from Christmas baking, but I finally remembered it.



Above is the Gingerbread Pie which isn't made off gingerbread doough btw.



The last picture above, is of the homemade marsipan which was an intended Christmasgift but I messed up a little when I made them. Doesn't they look colourful but toxic? They were actually really tasty.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Saturday 14 January 2012

Friday 13 January 2012

Love Song

I Hate This Love Song - Big Bang.



© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Thursday 12 January 2012

A Lifetime

24 years can change a person quite a lot, it's like a lifetime. So why did I imagine that I'd instantly be able to connect with my sisters ? Because we seemed to get on so well the year before, but that time we really didn't get to spend that much time with one another. I still love my older sisters almost more than life itself. I'd defend them and protect them whenever there's a need, it might seem strange but I love them so.

My oldest onni is 40 and my youngest onni is one year older than I am. That's a huge age gap apparently, which I guess should mean that they have different values (as should be expected), but no that does not seem to be the case. You see my sisters have all helped out raising each other so they all share the same values more or less. I thought that we instantly connect and be able to understand each other that we sort of shared a secret link or hade organism running through our vienes just because we're sisters.

I thought I'd be able to understand them and relate to them, because it's what I wanted to. But I wasn't raised by our parents , I was not brought up with them I never learned to speak Korean... so it's harder than I thought. Korean women , generally have toys do what's  obey orders, do as they are told and always do what's expected of them. The only thing I know for sure is this; they are sorry they never had a chance to get know me as a toddler, sorry they missed out on a big part of my life. They were raised in a big household I on the other hand was a lonely child for many years, they always had each other while I always seemed to get attention from my mum and dad.

They love me because I'm one of them I know that because that's how I was treated. I love them equally just as much, I'm just sorry I still struggle to get to know them now 25 years later. But we're all sisters and young women that all wants to find love and happiness and I know they'd like nothing else for me than to be happy whatever that would mean.

My oldest namdongseng is someone I feel a great deal of respect for, I respect each and every one in my Korean family. Thay are just as important as the family that raised maybe even more. I think they're all proud of me because I live in Europe and Sweden which to them is something to be proud of. I only wish the 25 years I spent in Sweden hadn't washed away the Koreaness which I was born with back in the days. Maybe things will become easier when I've learned more Korean a promise I made to the same brother. Don't feel bad or guilty anymore because I love you all so and I'm so greatful and happy that I found you in this lifetime. Nothing else matters to me.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Wednesday 11 January 2012

The Winner Takes It All

And yes another random Abba song...^^

I don't wanna talk
About the things we've gone through
Though it's hurting me
Now it's history
I played all my cards
And that's what's you've done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play

The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That's her destiny

I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Building me a home
Thinking I'd be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules

The gods my throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down there
Loses someone dear
The winner takes it all
The loser has to fall
It's simple and it's plain
Why should I complain

But tell me does she kiss
Like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed

The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show
The game is on again
A lover or a friend
A big thing or a small
The winner takes it all

I don't wanna talk
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand you've come to shake my hand
I apologize
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
But you see...

http://www.lyrics007.com/Abba%20Lyrics/The%20Winner%20Takes%20It%20All%20Lyrics.html

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Tuesday 10 January 2012

Monday 9 January 2012

Thinking Of You

How are you doing, I hope all are well. I am extremely sorry for all the commotion , drama and worry that I might have created. To be fare I've never experienced something like that before not even close, of course I did met you two years ago with my Swedish parents but can't compare to this latest experience.

Honestly speaking, I behaved and may have acted out of character because I felt so strange and strong feelings and reacted to every impression on the spot and very differently than I ever imagined. I hope there's a way for you to forgive me for all the heartache, pain and tears I might have caused.

I hope you still think of me as your sister, and maybe that we one day will be able to see each other again. If it's going to take the rest of my life, I'm determined to show you how devoted I am to each and everyone. My only brother, my six older sisters and my nieces and nephews as well as brother-in-laws. I love you all equally as much and I hope I havn't screved up too much.

Hoping that 2012 will be a better year, and I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. If it will mean I have to read 1000 books about Korea or study Hangul and Korea for 25 years I'll do it on the spot without as much as a blink, if I only could be promised that it would help us understand each other and grow closer.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Sunday 8 January 2012

Love Dovey

T -ara's latest  and very cool music video for the song Lovey Dovey.


It's very different compared to ordinary music videos, it's definitely more violent and seems to be a bit Americanized because of it. But it's still refreshing despite the violence and everything,at least I think so.

(c) Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Saturday 7 January 2012

Let The Dancing Begin

The search has ended now, I've found what I've searched for for many many years now. Even though things didn't turn out the way I thought it would I'm ever so grateful that I found my Korean family and that they seemed to embrace me wholeheartedly and welcome me into the family. However I may have thought that I would found something else, that it would feel if not easier differently than what it did initially.

But I no longer feel lonely not in the same way and I'm tremendously proud of each and every one and I love them just as much as I love my later family. Now when the search has ended, I have found my inner peace the dancing can begin instead. And I guess we've already danced for a couple of months now, and I'll keep dancing from now on maybe for the rest of my life.

(c) Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Friday 6 January 2012

Life Quotes II

A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life. - James Allen 
 I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches. - Alice Roosevelt Longworth 
 Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. - George Bernard Shaw 
 Life is a series of collisions with the future; it is not the sum of what we have been, but what we yearn to be. - Jose Ortega y Gassett 
© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Thursday 5 January 2012

Then And Now



Who is this little baby ? Well, the little baby is actually me, believe it or not.
This is me as an infant before I became an ugly duckling..... Picture from 1986. I think I resemble my appa a lot here on this picture...




Would you have guessed that that tiny infant would have been me as a newborn baby ? Well, anyways this picture is of me now.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Wednesday 4 January 2012

Mijn Oudere Zus

It's a bit funny or maybe not funny, strange more than anything yet understandable.... that I seem to have a deeper relationship with my remaining onnis in Korean than what I have with  the sister that I literarily could visit the next day since she lives in Europe with her European husband and children. I have nieces that are half Koreans.

As far as I know nobody from my Korean family has never been unfair to my European brother-in-law and my siblings and parents love all the children in our big family. My family are poor (by Western standards) and the hierarchy placed our sister's European brother-in-law high up on the scale. I can't imagine what a big responsibility that must be, but to willingly agree to take on such a responsability there has to something more than just responsability. I guess that's wahat's called love.

Life is never easy, and I assume more than know that being an interracial couple coming from different cultures that have different customs and traditions most be challenging. And then there's the language barrier but love is like the ultimate prize right ? I wish I also would be able to find that kind of love, but love can come in many different shapes but I guess it would help I were more romantic but I'm not.

내가 어머니가 사강.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Tuesday 3 January 2012

Some Things Stick

Although it happened several years ago I can still remember all those hurtful words and comments and the laughing and the smiles. I was bullied in school which probably is why I these days see myself with their eyes. I've tried to look passed it but it's hard, things from ones childhood can really determine what person you become as an adult.

I know I'm not the only one that was bullied as a child, it's really easy to be when you're another ethnicity because you stick out you can never hide or just melt in. Then of course people seemed to bother quite a lot about me being adopted, told me things like I should go back to where I came from and that my mum and dad wasn't really my real parents.

I know children can be cruel not just because they always say what's on their mind, I wish more people could be like that more honest and not beat around the bush. A child can act a certain way and still become a nice person as an adult I know that. But even so I still have a hard time getting passed all that's in the past because honestly speaking it made me feel very sad. Like I didn't deserve things, now I know better at least that's what I try to tell myself. I was born therefore I deserve everything my heart desires and I shouldn't have to feel bad about it. Yet people are surprised when they see me in person but that's just because they don't know about my childhood I suppose.

That's one reason why I liked my stay in Korea and meeting all other KADS from all over the world, we understood each other. But I never told them about my childhood or anything like that but still I felt happy, calm and secure.

So no I don't really like Sweden or at least not the place where was raised, maybe because it's sort of like a Swedish suburb. And that's another reason for wanting to move abroad back to my birth country even though I don't expect things to be easier. But still...

Adopted children don't choose their new parents or where they grow up, they basically have no say. 

Sorry but that's the cold hard truth don't like it, then don't keep reading...

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Monday 2 January 2012

I Do I Do I Do

Abba did this New Years song many years ago but I think it would have been to obvious to start of the new year with that. And remember, there's no hidden message in this songs, there just songs nothing else. 

Love me or leave me, make your choice but believe me
I love you
I do I do I do I do I do
I can't conceal it , don't you see can't you feel it?
Don't you too ?
I do I do I do I do I do

Oh, I've been dreamning through my lonely past
Now I just made it I found you at last

So come on now, let's try it, I love you can't deny it
´cos it's true
I do I do I do I do I do


http://www.lyricsfreak.com/a/abba/i+do+i+do+i+do+i+do+i+do_20002884.html

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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Sunday 1 January 2012

Pyeongang Guy Delise

Happy New Year , 새해 복 많이 받으세요 ^^ !!!

Pyeongang, Guy Delise a book about North Korea.





Reading is one of my passions in life although I have many.You can never learn too much or read too many books... At least that's what I think.

© Taste of Kimchi, Elle

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