Korean | Geek in Heels

Apr 25, 2013 • In Asian, Beauty, Korean

“Samsung Robots” [Miss Korea 2013 Contestants All Look the Same]

Many of us are aware that South Korea has the highest highest rate of cosmetic surgery per capita (according to a 2012 report by the Economist).
But just how prevalent is plastic surgery in Korea?
And, perhaps more relevant to this discussion, just how homogenous is the standard of beauty in Korea?
These questions, along with the argument over the “westernization” of ideal beauty in Korea — and, as a result, the cosmetic surgery procedures that seek these features — were hotly debated when Redditor ShenTheWise posted photos of the 2013 Miss Korea contestants for the world to scrutinize. The photos quickly went…

Feb 12, 2013 • In Food, Korean, Personal

13 Comments

The Hidden Meaning Behind Peeling an Apple

When I was a little girl still living in Korea, I overheard that a good “test” to conduct on a future daughter-in-law is to have her peel an apple for you.
If she is able to peel the apple so that the skin remains in one piece, this indicates that she is not only adept with kitchen knives (which would presumably mean that she has spent some time preparing and cooking food), but that she is also patient and skillful.
And if the peeled skin is thin, with very little of the flesh still attached? That’s even better, because it…

Nov 7, 2012 • In Aerin, Korean, Parenting, Personal

6 Comments

Aerin’s Dol

When I had written a short update on the morning of Aerin’s dol, I had been worried about Hurricane Sandy’s impact on the party.
But while we could not hold my younger daughter’s first birthday at a banquet hall as we had originally planned…
And more than half of our guests could not make it due to the impending storm…
(Together with the fact that we ended the party early in hopes that everyone will get home safely…)
We ended up having a great time.
First, the decorations. I only decorated our dining area (we don’t exactly have a dining…

Nov 5, 2012 • In Asian, Korean, Personal

4 Comments

I’m Married to a Korean Celebrity

It is no secret that I was not attracted to J when we first met. Even when we were friends, I would often wonder why other girls found him attractive.
(And in case you’re feeling sorry for him, don’t be. He is well aware of this story and likes to remind people that despite all this, he still managed to snag me. Besides, his ego is big enough as it is.)
In fact, his pretty boy features are not my type at all. However, I know that this is — and has been for the past decade or so —…

Oct 26, 2012 • In Asian, Entertainment, Funny, Korean, Personal, Reviews

6 Comments

90s Flashback ["Answer Me 1997"]

I have a new obsession.
(And if you’re friends with me on Facebook, you probably already know what I’m talking about.)
It is a Korean drama called 응답하라 1997, or Answer Me 1997.

As the title suggests, the show revolves around a group of friends who graduated high school in 1997. The story unfolds through a series of flashbacks as they attend their 15-year reunion — and with the majority of the 16-part series taking place during the last decade of the 20th century, you can’t help but be taken back by the numerous 90s references.
If you are a…