For me, February feels like it’s over before it’s even begun. Usually, I’m trying to fit in travel time, a few last days of skiing, and all my meetings for South of Seoul before I start work again in March. Therefore, February seems to be the month that barely happens. So let’s look at what my ideal February lifestyle framework looks like each year. Making the Most of February Every year, February arrives before I have finished half the things I wanted to get done in January. Because of this, February turns into my month of rest and family time. During this short little month, I do extensive work to prepare for my year so that 1) my family feels like they are my priority, 2) my actual job goes smoothly (South of Seoul is volunteer role), 3) South of Seoul continues to provide value to the community. What I have found, after living as an immigrant for over a decade, is that I can’t only focus on my next adventure if I want to feel mentally healthy over time. I need to take time to prioritize my life. This means I need to take classes to improve my job skills, visit family, work on my health, and invest in what matters most to my own growth. So, making the most of February may mean spending time at home or around my home city. After my first year in Korea, February became the month in my Yearly Adaptation Plan where I stayed home. The only adventures I allow myself are fast ones that focus on my personal interests and support my mental health. Such activities may include traveling to see family, snowboarding, or hiking in familiar places. Of course, taking it easy still includes a focus on cultural integration. Therefore, I still make time for food, art, and language or cultural learning. February Integration Missions The following integration missions will make February fly past. First, here are some recommended Korean meals, dramas, and books that build cultural empathy and set the tone for a more integrated life. What to Cook February Recipe Recommendations: Bulgogi and Mandu Jeongol Bulgogi is one of the most popular and well known Korean dishes. Thanks to the KimchiRednecks, our community has an easy outline to build Korean cooking skills throughout the year. This month, the KimchiRednecks teach us to make “fire meat” or bulgogi and a fabulous hotpot dish called mandu jeongol at home. Both of these dishes are ones you are likely to make at home often throughout the year. What to Watch February Drama Recommendation:  “Itaewon Class” Since the weather is still quite cold, it is a great time to get cozy and catch up on Korean dramas. Itaewon Class is a popular South Korean television drama that premiered in 2020. This drama follows the story of a young man who opens a bar in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul and takes on a group of misfits as employees who help him seek revenge against the corrupt corporation that caused his father’s death. Looking for an intriguing show exploring themes of revenge, diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurship, friendship and love, and the meaning of success with a great story? Then, this is the drama for you. What to Read February Book Club Recommendation: “The Island of Sea Women” Prepare for a summer trip to Jeju by diving into “The Island of Sea Women” by Lisa See. This fabulous book looks at the life and culture of the haenyeo, female divers who harvest sea life by hand. This fictional story set in Jeju revolves around two young women and their relationship throughout the colonization by Japan in the 1930s and 1940s, World War II, the Korean War, and after. It is a tale of friendship, vulnerability, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. After reading this book, plan to visit the Haenyeo Museum or Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak and Aquaplanet Haenyeo Performance while visiting Jeju Island. Weekend Activities As February is still frigid, you may want to stay home and snuggle under the blankets. However, on weekends when the temperatures are above freezing, and the wind is not so frigid, take the opportunity to get out and explore Korea. Remember you can always check with 1330 for travel related inquiries like operating hours or information on tickets or reservations (they cannot make reservation for you). Here is how I would spend my February. Weekend 1: Enjoy the Local Scene We like to take at least one weekend each month and enjoy the activity in our local area. For us, that could mean hitting our favorite restaurants and cafes or heading to the mall for window shopping and a movie date. Sometimes we just need to get out of the house and enjoy some good Korean comfort food such as delicious soups and stews. Weekend 2: Spend a Weekend on the Slopes Are you looking for a ski weekend itinerary but don’t want to plan it yourself? You can find organized trips from companies like Winter Friend and others in our Pyeongtaek Travelers Facebook group. You can also check out itineraries that our volunteers create and share to get ideas. Weekend 3: Check Out An Indoor Water Park Sometimes you simply need a break from the cold weather. Escape into one of these 5 indoor water parks near Pyeongtaek and enjoy a break from the winter blues. Since many of the indoor water parks are open year-round, you can enjoy warm summer fun while waiting for the warmer temperatures to arrive. Weekend 4: Hike Wolchulsan If you are working on hiking all the Korean National Parks in one year, Wolchulsan National Park on the southern coast of Korea is your next adventure. Wolchulsan literally means “mountain where the moon rises.” One of the most notable features in this park is the “Cloud Bridge 구름다리” that connects two peaks. There is a large granite rock atop Wolchulsan Mountain, that can fit up to 300 people, where you can enjoy the beautiful views. Schedule Reflection Time Don’t forget to make time to reflect back on how you felt at the end of the month. Consider asking yourself variations of the following questions: Join Pyeongtaek Travelers Looking for ideas how others are spending their month, you can always check out some of our Facebook groups, where people share their awesome adventures. If you are looking for travel ideas, Pyeongtaek Travelers is for traveling outside of the Pyeongtaek area. Looking for more inspiration, make sure to check out our blogs for a wealth of itineraries and ideas. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Do you love a fun festival on a beautiful fall day? Don’t miss the winter festivals across South Korea. If you already know about festival culture in South Korea, click here to jump to the festival list. Winter in South Korea Many consider Winter in South Korea as December, January, and February. Therefore, we have selected festivals occurring from December to February for our Winter Festivals list. However, such festivals may begin as early as November or finish as late as April. Korean festivals may occur over many months. During these months the weather quickly changes, the leaves turn, and the cold weather begins to move in. If you love a festival, you may want to visit more than once and take friends. South of Seoul volunteers choose to combine winter festivals in one post since many cover more than one month or change months depending on the year. Therefore, it made more sense to organize festivals by season rather than month by month. Large Winter Festivals in South Korea During the winter months, Korea loves to host outdoor snow or holiday-focused festivals. The weather tends to be cold and people are excited about being outside. You will want to dress warmly with great attention to windchill. Some festivals may be promoted nationally and internationally while others may only be promoted in the neighborhood or city hosting the event. Finding National Promoted Festival Information Large, nationally promoted festivals may have English information and promotion. The best location for large, nationally focused festival information is the Visit Korea website. Visit Korea is a non-profit government-affiliated organization that provides tourist information in a variety of languages. Basically, Visit Korea exists as a primary source of information. Non-Korean-speaking bloggers use this website to create many of their seasonal blogs. This means you don’t actually need to hunt through blogs to find current festivals, just go straight to the Current Festivals section of the Visit Korea website. National Festivals May Change Months, Dates, or Seasons Over time, the large festival details may change. You can’t be sure that a festival held in August one year might not be in September the next year. Date changes occur for a variety of reasons based on city budgets, national holidays, the fact that Korea runs off of two types of calendars, etc. It’s not a problem that dates change, it just means we always need to double-check each year. You should always check the Visit Korea website for current information. Festival Announcements Korean festival marketing campaigns may only start 1-2 weeks before an event. This means that you need to be ready to take action when you start seeing the advertising. Don’t expect extensive advertising for a festival 1-2 months away. It’s easy to miss a festival if you don’t know what time of year it may happen. Festivals May Be Ticketed, Free, or Mixed Methods Each festival planning committee makes its own decisions regarding pricing. Korea often has three types of festivals: free, ticketed, and mixed methods. The different types break down like this: Festival Parking Large, nationally focused festivals tend to offer extensive amounts of parking that may be paid or unpaid. Remember, extensive parking and large festivals also may mean that arriving at and leaving the festival by car may require extra time. Many festival attendees may choose to take public transportation to the festival. Taking public transportation may help a person avoid the stress of parking and cueing to park. Festival Events and Activities South Korea has its own festival culture. They do not base their festival experience off of festivals from other countries. This means that the foods, games, and experiences you may be accustomed to in your home country may not exist at Korea Festivals. Additionally, Korean festival culture revolves around the Korean experience. This means international culture may mix with Korean festival culture in unique ways. Each year festivals may evolve a little and change as Korea changes and culture moves in different directions. Korean society, like any society around the world, changes with time. Nationally Promoted Winter Festivals in South Korea The following large, nationally promoted festivals generally happen each year in South Korea. This list may change from year to year. Organizers may cancel festivals and organizers may add new festivals to the list. Always check with the Visit Korea Current Festivals list to determine when festivals may occur. Locally Promoted Winter Festivals in South Korea In addition to the nationally promoted festivals, different communities across South Korea also host localized events. These smaller festivals offer a closer connection to the local community. Smaller, locally promoted festivals can be a great way to connect with your community. For example, such festivals may provide a chance to connect with local businesses, community organizations, and culture. Finding Local Festival Information Visit Korea does not include information on localized festivals. Instead, you will need to look around the smaller cities and rely on local websites and information portals. Local city websites often offer information on local festivals. Local festival locations may only be available in Hangul. Such festivals will often be advertised on city websites, Facebook communities, and on banners around town. Everyone in the community is welcome at such festivals. Don’t get too worried about things not being in your own language. Google Translate Chrome Extention You can use the Google Translate Chrome extension to translate online information about local festivals. Papago Translation for Images If the local festival information is on an image, poster, flyer, or sign – use Papago to translate the image. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Let’s learn more about Korea’s complex history by reading The Island of the Sea Women this month. February is cold, so it’s a great time to curl up at home with a book and memories of the sea. About the South of Seoul Virtual Book Club Looking for book recommendations? Welcome to the South of Seoul book club. We recommend a book every month. Such recommended books explore topics like 1) South Korean history or culture, 2) the complexity of cross-cultural life, 4) the exploration of life within the diaspora experience, and 5) lenses on Korean culture around the world. Commitment to Accessibility South of Seoul volunteers take book accessibility into consideration when recommending titles. We consider: Commitment to Diverse Lived Experiences South of Seoul volunteers seek to put lived experiences at the forefront of their recommendation choices. When considering authors we look for such things as: Reading about Korean culture from a variety of perspectives may provide readers with a greater understanding of the country and culture. Commitment to Supporting Mental Health South of Seoul also includes book recommendations that support the lives and mental health of our community. This means that books may tackle the issues related to living between cultures. This may include topics such as culture shock, language, relationships, and more. Book Recommendation by Molly Hayden February’s South of Seoul Book Club recommendation, The Island of the Sea Women, is brought to you by Cultural Liaison and journalist Molly Hayden. Molly has volunteered for South of Seoul since 2022. Ms. Hayden helped launch the South of Seoul book club. See her last book review here: SOS Book Club Pick: The Birth of Korean Cool. About “The Island of Sea Women” “The Island of Sea Women” by Lisa See, a Chinese American Author, is a harrowing fictitious tale steeped in historical relevancy. Set in Jeju, it follows the culture and matriarchal society of haenyeo – female divers who harvest sea life by hand. The timeline weaves through the Japanese colonialism of the 1930s and ‘40s, followed by World War II, the Korean War, its aftermath, and into the present day. The story beautifully narrates the evolution of the haenyeo but also looks to the growth of the island itself, the generational trauma passed down, and the locals’ attempts to hang on to a legacy.” Molly Hayden About Haenyeo Haenyeo (also spelled “haenyo” or “hanyeo”) are female divers from the island of Jeju in South Korea. They traditionally dive into the ocean to collect seafood, such as abalone, sea urchins, and octopus, without using breathing apparatus. They are known for their strength and endurance, and the profession has been passed down through generations of women. Haenyeo played a significant role in the economy and culture of Jeju and was designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2016. However, the number of haenyeo has been declining in recent years due to aging, a lack of interest among young people, and changes in the seafood industry. Efforts are being made to preserve and promote the tradition of haenyeo, including through government support and tourism. More Commentary and Reviews For more on The Island of Sea Women: A Novel read the New York Times review Lisa See Sets a Coming-of-Age Story in the Tumultuous Seas of Occupied Korea. Online Purchasing Link You can purchase The Island of Sea Women: A Novel in English on Amazon or on Coupang. Find More Book Club Recommendations Did you like this recommendation? Be sure to explore our other volunteer-recommended books. Molly HaydenJournalist Molly Hayden has worked in the journalism field in Germany and the United States. In 2021 she relocated to South Korea. As a volunteer Cultural Liason and Content Creator, Ms. Hayden reports on a variety of life & style topics with a focus on families living in rural South Korea.

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The South of Seoul K-drama for February is a popular one. “Itaewon Class” was highly popular when it aired in South Korea and internationally on streaming platforms. With great storytelling, its strong characters, themes and performances continue to keep this drama popular and relevant. Let’s dig into this K-drama and expand your social knowledge. Breaking Down The Cultural Knowledge When you watch a K-drama when living in Korea or plan to live in Korea, you may want to go deeper than just the show. In order to fully understand the context of entertainment and the world around you, plan on looking at not only experiencing the movie plot, but also at the actors, music, and cultural conversation. In order to make it easier to maximize watching K-Dramas for cultural knowledge, I will provide you with some quick links each month related to the South of Seoul recommended K-Drama watch list. If you catch up on all these details you will become a K-pop culture master in no time. Let’s start with February’s K-Drama “Itaewon Class.” About “Itaewon Class” “Itaewon Class” is a South Korean television drama that premiered on the cable network JTBC on January 31, 2020. It is based on the Korean webtoon by the same name. The drama focuses on a young man, Park Sae-Ro-Yi, who starts a food and beverage business in the multicultural neighborhood of Itaewon. After his release from prison, he seeks revenge against the people responsible for his father’s death. He meets a diverse cast of characters along the way, including his employees and competitors. In addition, he faces challenges as he tries to achieve his goals and grow his business. About the Drama’s Success Written by Kim Eun-Sook and directed by Kim Sung-Yoon, the drama stars Park Seo-Jun as Park Sae-Ro-Yi, Kim Da-Mi as Jo Yi-Sep, Yoo Jae-Myung as Jang Geun-Soo and Kwon Nara as Ahn Bo-Young. “Itaewon Class” was a highly successful drama, commercially and critically. Well-received by audiences, the series had high ratings in South Korea. In addition, critics praise the show for its well-written script, strong cast performance and its handling of important social issues and themes. Additionally, “Itaewon Class” won Best Drama Series at the 25th Asian Television Awards in 2021. The series was nominated for and won many other awards from 2020-2021. About the Drama’s Themes “Itaewon Class” explores themes of revenge, diversity and inclusion, entrepreneurship, friendship and love, and the meaning of success. Merged throughout the show, these themes provide a rich and complex story. Revenge is the major theme and a driving force for the actions of Park Sae-Ro-Yi throughout the show. In addition, since the show takes place in Itaewon, a multicultural neighborhood, the drama also highlights the importance of understanding and accepting people from different backgrounds. Overall, “Itaewon Class” is a well-rounded, thought-provoking and emotionally engaging drama. Although the show explores serious themes, it balances those moments with humor and lightheartedness. If you’re looking for an intriguing show exploring important themes and featuring talented actors, this is the drama for you. The Music of “Itaewon Class” Whenever a new, popular K-drama hits the screen you hear the music everywhere. Take the time to become familiar with the tracklist and maybe even memorize one for the norae-bang. This will make you an absolute superstar at social gatherings. The following YouTube video provides English translations and Romanization so that you can learn the songs for “Itaewon Class.” Additionally, being able to sing the chorus when you hear the songs in the streets or be able to casually say to a new friend, “Oh, isn’t this the theme song for Itaewon Class?” creates a wonderful feeling of connectedness to the world around you. Learn About the Cast of “Itaewon Class” After watching the K-drama and becoming familiar with the songs, it’s time to also become familiar with the cast. You will see these actors and actresses in advertisements across the country or in new dramas. Knowing about the cast helps you create a language for understanding the visual world around you. The Food of “Itaewon Class” When watching K-dramas, it is often fun to see the different foods represented in the shows. Since this show takes place in the neighborhood of Itaewon in Seoul, known for its diverse food culture and international cuisine, a multi-cultural variety of foods is represented. This includes Korean dishes such as bulgogi and kimchi and international foods like pizza and tacos. Itaewon is a diverse neighborhood, and the food depicted on the show does an excellent job of representing a mix of culture and cuisine. If you want a more in-depth look at the specific Korean dishes represented in this show, this blog by Korean Bapsang gives a great detailed look at the food. Catch Up on Show Related Gossip Now that you have watched the show, listened to the music, and learned about the actors, it’s time to learn the tea. Since this was a multicultural show, “Itaewon Class” features a diverse cast of characters, including individuals from different ethnic backgrounds and with different sexual orientations. Here’s a look at behind the scenes from one of the actors, Chris Lyon. Also, here is a great video with the main characters of “Itaewon Class” where they discuss how they connected with the characters they portray. 2023 K-Drama 101 Recommendations You can find more popular K-Drama recommendations on the K-Drama 101 recommendations list for 2023. In the blog article we recommend a K-drama for every month of the year. K-Drama Reviews Each month in 2023, we will dig into each of our K-Drama recommendations to give you in depth information about the series. Last month, our K-Drama was “Crash Landing on You.” Check out the January K-Drama blog post for more details on this series. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Let’s tackle a classic at-home meal for families. About the South of Seoul ‘A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. The time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere. This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. About Bulgogi Bulgogi (불고기) literally translates to “fire meat.” It is perhaps the most popular Korean BBQ dish known to the western world. It is made from thinly sliced meat, marinated, and cooked over fire. The dish can be made from beef, chicken, or pork. Before cooking, the meat is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, black pepper, sesame oil, sugar, and often onions, green onions or mushrooms. The marinade mixture often has a fruit like the Korean pear or an extract like maesil-cheong (Korean Plum Extract) to help tenderize the meat. Often the meat can develop great flavor from the marinade in just an hour, but many cooks tend to marinate the meat overnight for better taste. This marinade mixture often varies according to the chef, but the basics stay the same. Believed to have originated in the Goruyeo era (37 BC to 668 AD), this dish has evolved from a skewered meat called maekjeok (맥적) to neobiani (너비아니) during the Joseon Dynasty. These days bulgogi is a popular family meal with many pre-made bulgogi options at the local grocery in South Korea, however, once we all return to our homelands we will need to know how to make it ourselves. Although traditionally bulgogi was grilled, it is commonly pan-fried as well. It is often served with rice, side dishes and a leafy vegetable (lettuce, perilla leaf, etc.) and ssamjang (thick spicy paste made from doenjang, gochujang, onions, sesame oil, garlic, sugar and green onions). It is not uncommon for diners to make a lettuce wrap from bulgogi, rice, ssamjang and side dishes. Biggest Hurdle Making Bulgogi You can choose to grill your bulgogi which will give it a rich smokier flavor or you can pan fry it. Often when pan frying your bulgogi, the extra juice created from the vegetables and marinade can create a wonderful gravy that can be added to your rice. That extra juice, however, keeps the pan-fried bulgogi from developing smokiness. If you still want that flavor and are pan frying, try heating your cast iron pan on a higher heat prior to adding your meat and frying your meat in smaller batches and without the vegetables. Don’t worry if you don’t have a cast-iron pan, your bulgogi will still taste great. Also, be careful not to marinate the meat too long as it will change color and possibly texture. We recommend marinating for a couple of hours to overnight (depending upon the cut of the meat and how tough it is). If you over-marinate the meat it does not get better. Instead, it changes into a strange-looking ‘mush’. Three Recommended Bulgogi Videos to Watch Bulgogi is an incredibly easy dish to make. You can often find the meat pre-sliced and ready to go at the grocery store. It is also possible to find the dish pre-marinated and ready to cook. Since it is a really easy dish to put together yourself, we recommend finding a recipe you love and get to cooking. (You can also add gochugaru to add a little heat to this dish if you like spicy!) Watch these three versions of bulgogi and try your hand at making it tonight! Korean Pork Bulgogi Korean Beef Bulgogi and Seoul-Style Bulgogi American in Korea Bulgogi Let Us Know How It Turns Out When you try Bulgogi for the first time, be sure to leave a comment and let us know how it went! If you live in Pyeongtaek you can even share your success (or failure) with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group. If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel or check out our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram, where we often share what we are cooking or eating. Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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Today let’s learn about cooking mandu jeongol (만두 전골) at home! Mandu jeongol is a delicious Korean hot pot consisting of steamed dumplings (mandu 만두), various vegetables, meat, and broth all cooked together in a pot. This delightful hot pot is super easy to assemble and is a popular comfort food in Korea. About the South of Seoul ‘A Year to Learn Korean Cooking’ Series If you are familiar with the series, skip ahead to learn more about jeongols. Many of us live in South Korea for only a year. The time flies past faster than we can imagine. At South of Seoul, we decided to create a simple series that will offer 2-4 dishes to learn each month so that when you leave South Korea you have a slew of new dishes you feel comfortable making anywhere. This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020, they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow KimchiRednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. What is a Jeongol 전골? Jeongol (전골), a communal hot pot, typically contains a variety of main dish ingredients. The dish generally cooks at the table where it is also served. The main difference between a stew/jjigae (찌개) and jeongol is that the jjigae usually has one main ingredient, whereas jeongol shares the pot with many other ingredients. Some of the components of a jeongol may include vegetables, meat, seafood, rice cakes, and noodles simmered in a flavorful broth. Historically, jeongol was considered a dish for the upper class and royal court, and jjigae was the dish of the common people. Also of note, jeongols are typically cooked in a jeongol naembi (전골냄비), which is a wide, shallow pot. There are many types of jeongols, including some vegetarian options. It is a very customizable dish. Therefore, even though they vary widely in terms of ingredients, seasonings, and cooking methods, jeongols have delicious, warm, and hearty flavors. About Mandu Jeongol 만두 전골 Mandu jeongol 만두 전골 is a delicious hot pot that features mandu and other ingredients like fresh vegetables, meat, and a broth all cooked together. It is a quick dish to assemble and serve to family and friends. For this particular jeongol, you must have mandu since they are the dish’s star. However, any frozen Korean dumplings will do if you do not want to make your own mandu. Mandu jeongol is prepared similarly to budae jjigae. However, unlike making budae jjigae, you will not use Spam, ramen noodles, or sausages. This is a much more fresh (and healthy) dish since you will use fresh vegetables like mushrooms, cabbage, zucchini, carrot, green onions, and others. Making mandu jeongol can also be a great way to clean out your fridge since it is customizable. So if you have a lot of fresh vegetables, mandu, tofu, meat, or whatever else you need to use up, you can quickly assemble this hot pot and enjoy a hearty meal. Our First Experience With Mandu Jeongol Chuck and I recall having our first experience with mandu jeongol at a restaurant in Seoul with a friend. Jaha Son Mandu, in Jongno-gu, Seoul. They had freshly made mandu, and the jeongol was so flavorful and delicious. Our friend even purchased some of their frozen mandu for us to take home. Our video listed below is our first time making it at home. My biggest challenge with making mandu jeongol is overfilling my pot. However, I have learned not to put too much in the pot over the years. Biggest Hurdle Making Mandu Jeongol One of the biggest hurdles in making mandu jeongol is cooking ingredients to the right temperature. If you cook it at the wrong temperature, it can cause the dish to have an off taste and change the texture of the ingredients. For example, if the temperature is too high, the mandu may become tough and overcooked or turn to mush and fall apart. Temperatures for Cooking Mandu Jeongol Also, if the cooking temperature is too low, the broth may not get hot enough to cook all the ingredients, especially if you have added vegetables like carrots or zucchini. Additionally, the broth may lack flavor. We recommend bringing it to a boil over medium to medium-high heat. After it starts simmering, you should increase your heat to high for a hard boil. The dish is ready when your mandu is fully cooked, and the vegetables are softened. Ingredient Choices When choosing your ingredients, make sure the ingredients’ thickness and texture match up for the cooking time. Mandu can overcook and disintegrate into the broth if your cook time runs long. Likewise, if you are using tofu or rice cakes, they can also overcook. Therefore, when choosing ingredients, be mindful of how long they need to cook to achieve the best results. For mandu in this jeongol, you can tell that they are fully cooked when they have a translucent wrapper. Also, the texture of properly cooked mandu should tender and a bit chewy. Overcooked mandu tends to be tough and rubbery. Whereas undercooked mandu can be raw and doughy. For rice cakes in this jeongol, check the texture to make sure that it is tender and chewy. Additionally, the rice cake should be slightly opaque and depending on the rice cake, may puff up from filling with the broth. Fully cooked rice cakes should not have a crunchy center of be hard and chewy. Finally, having the appropriate cut on your ingredients will ensure that everything will be ready simultaneously. We have found cutting your vegetables into bite size portions and making sure that they harder vegetables like carrots and zucchini are sliced thinly enough to cook quickly in the broth. This is a texture preference for most people. If you want your carrots and zucchini very soft, you can slice them ultra-thin. Otherwise, slice them to a Three Recommended Mandu Jeongol Videos to Watch We love everything about this dish! Who doesn’t want to eat yummy mandu with vegetables and other ingredients in a flavorful broth? Choose your ingredients and recipe and make this dish for your next get-together! Korean Making Mandu Jeongol Korean American Making Mandu Jeongol Americans in Korea Making Mandu Jeongol Let Us Know How It Turned Out When you make mandu jeongol at home, be sure to leave a comment on this blog or our video. We would love to hear how your dish turned out. Also, we love to hear about your adventures and experiences cooking these dishes at home. Follow Kimchi Rednecks If you are looking for other dishes (Korean or otherwise) or reviews of restaurants, be sure to check out the KimchiRednecks channel or our social media accounts on Facebook or Instagram, where we often share what we are cooking or eating. Join Pyeongtaek Food & Fun If you live in the Pyeongtaek area, share your cooking experience with us in the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook group.  Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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Complaining about the cold when you aren’t wearing the proper hat and gloves is as silly as complaining about the heat because you wore a snowsuit to the beach in Hawaii. Korean winters are easily managed with preparation and consideration for what is to come. You will find plenty of affordable cold weather gear being sold in street stalls, dollar stores, etc. So start preparing. Either that or you can continue to dress like it’s fall for the rest of the year and complain about it endlessly as if there is nothing you can do about it. Personally, I prefer to be warm rather than whinging. Here are the tricks we use to stay warm in the winter while also keeping utilities low. Bubble Wrap your windows. Putting bubble wrap over your windows is incredibly inexpensive (20,000 won for our 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment) and an easy thing to do to save a few bucks.  They sell bubble wrap at Emart and Homeplus as soon as the weather gets cold since this is a common thing to do. The shops near traditional markets also sell large rolls of the bubble wrap. We go through and cover every window in the house and it keeps us at least 5 degrees warmer and reduces our spending.  Since I don’t like to spend money heating my house, this a huge difference for us. It can save you between 50,000-100,000 a month.  You do need to be careful of a few things: 1) be sure not to damage your walls taping to paint or wallpaper, 2) with the increased humidity you may need to use a de-humidifier to prevent mold (your aircon may have a built in dehumidifier), and 3) you may need to leave a least one window uncovered for venilation. Here is a quick explanation and tutorial. We do this every year and keep us warm and our bills much lower. Door Guard A nice way to keep a bit of extra heat in the house is to use a front door guard during the winter. We actually have used tub socks and rice, but here is an option for using an old pair of blue jeans for a DIY door guard.  You can also use tape instead of sewing if you don’t feel fancy.  You can also buy a body pillow for about 20,000 and use that just as easily.   Bed & Sofa heated mats We use an electric heated bed mat. There are also electric couch, chair and floor mats. They come in all price ranges and really make winter more enjoyable.  Affordable ones are only 20,000 – 30,000 won at the local markets. We buy a few and spread them throughout the house so that whenever we are sitting down or laying down it’s lovely and warm. You can also find fancy ones for between 75,000 – 125,000 depending on size.  These are more plush and often have two controls on the queen size so that each person can feel their own level of warmth. Honestly though, we just buy two twins at 20,000 each and put them next too each other. We are cheap. They additional bonus is that they don’t run your electric bill up. It’s a nice way to stay warm and save on the electric bill. The one warning is that they will dehydrate you so be sure to drink a lot of water before bed and when you wake up. Also, be sure to turn them off when you aren’t home. Using your heated floor the local way In order to stay warm and not spend all your money, it’s important to understand your floor heating system. Here is a relatively not boring summary on this from EYK Fuzzy Slippers (and everything else) This sounds silly, but winter is a lot more enjoyable if you have a good pair of fuzzy slippers, fuzzy bathrobe, fuzzy pants, fuzzy socks, and… well… fuzzy everything. Keep your feet warm and the rest of you follows. We dress this way at home all winter and kind of love it.  Here is EYK once again, showing you a few more tricks. Five Blogs to Read About Thriving through South Korea Winters!!! You need to be as prepared as possible for winter in Korea. Make sure to read a variety of blogs on the topic because all of the information is going to come in handy. Here are five blogs that give great advice that we take all the time:

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Are you craving a delicious NOT spicy Korean soup? Look no further, here is our list of 5 NOT spicy Korean soups for you to enjoy this winter or year-round! Korean Soups Are Not All Spicy Although the spicy soups get a lot of attention, there are NOT spicy Korean soups to be found. In fact, not all the food in South Korea has the spice cranked up to 11. The truth is, there are many Korean dishes and restaurants where the only spicy food on the table is kimchi. The non-spicy Korean foods just aren’t as sexy to blog about. Sadly, this means many people who hate to eat spicy hot foods think there are no good Korean food choices for them. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here are five Korean soups that are hot, but not spicy. Please note, these are not ALL of the non-spicy Korean soups. It’s just a list of our winter favorites (even though local folks tend to eat a few of these only in the summer, as ex-pat residents of South Korea, we take the liberty to love them year-round). Just like we did with the 5 Best Korean Stews/Soups for Winter we will include a place in Pyeongtaek for you to try the dish and a recipe vlog if one is available. Ok, let’s get started. Beef Short Rib Soup (Galbitang) 갈비탕 The Korean bone broth soups are our big favorite non-spicy winter meals. Bone broth is filled with nutrition and very easy on the stomach. Perfect for people who aren’t big on strong flavors or spice. Galbitang is often filled with glass noodles and served with rice. Some galbitang only has an essence of meat and other galbitang is filled with ribs. If you order the version with ribs, getting the meat off the bones can be tricky, but don’t be shy. Scrape them clean. No matter which version you order, the galbitang won’t look like much but then you get very full. Where we like to eat it: Maangchi shows you how to make it at home: Ox Bone Soup (Seolleongtang) 설렁탕 This is another bone broth, but fewer bones and meat. Instead, there are just thin slices of meat and lots of broth and noodles. Honestly, if you eat a lot of this, you will look quite radiant. It gives your skin quite the boost in the cold winter months. Where we like to eat it: Maangchi shows you how to make it at home: Chicken & Ginseng Soup (Samgyetang) 삼계탕 This is a very light soup that includes a whole chicken stuffed with rice. You often have to order it ahead or plan on waiting because it takes a little while to cook. This dish is totally the opposite of what you might associate with Korean food. The strongest flavor is salt. Great for if you aren’t feeling well. Where we like to eat it: KimchiRednecks show you how to make Samgyetang at home Chicken Noodle Soup (Dak kalguksu) 닭칼국수 If you have a hankering for old-fashioned chicken (dak) noodle soup (kalguksu), you will find this Korean dish will hit the spot. Hearty, thick homemade noodles in a light broth, and pulled chicken, will leave you feeling like you have found home again. There are also seafood and mushroom versions of this soup. Please note that not ALL kalguksu is non-spicy. Where we like to eat it: KimchiRednecks show you how to make kalguksu at home Mushroom Chicken Soup 버섯백숙 If you are feeling like some mushroom, you will be delighted by this warm chicken soup. The mushrooms in this dish bring it to the next level. Where we like to eat it: Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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Are you looking for the best spicy Korean stews/soups to keep you warm all winter long? Whether you want to eat out or make it at home, we have you covered. Spicy Korean Stews/Soups for Winter Winter is coming and when it does you are going to be thanking us for this post. When the temperature drops and your butt freezes, there are five Korean stews/soups we recommend to chase the blues away. They are spicy, ass kicking soups that make you feel like you are being hugged by an angry grandmother from the inside out. These are the dishes we crave and eat in mass all winter long. At this point we don’t know how we ever lived without them. And if spicy stews/soups are not your thing, make sure to check out 5 NOT Spicy Korean Soups for Winter. Kimchi jjigae 김치찌개 This is not for the timid, but it is the ruler of them all. When we first arrived in Korea we thought this stew was too much, but now it’s what we crave more than anything when the weather gets cold. There is just no way of replacing this unusually, delicious stew. It’s spicy, tangy, sweet, and rich. This soup is often eaten for breakfast because it sets you up to have a good day. Where We Like to Eat It: If you are in the Pyeongtaek area, make sure to check out our blog with ten locations for you to enjoy the deliciousness of kimchi jjigae. KimchiRednecks show you how to make Kimchi Jjigae at home Budae Jjigae 부대찌개 Now, if meat is what you are all about, then you want to go for some good old fashioned soldier stew. This dish doesn’t try to be fancy. It originated during the Korean War when they were making food out of scraps left by soldiers. It’s pure brilliance. If you are a food snob, don’t even bother. This is all about cheap hotdogs, sausages, and ramen noodles. OMG we want some just talking about it.  Songtan is also known for having the best budae jjigae in the country so it’s the perfect place to try it. Where We Like to Eat It: If you are in the Pyeongtaek area, make sure to check out our blog with eleven locations for you to enjoy the hearty budae jjigae. KimchiRednecks show you how to make Budae Jjigae at home Sundubu Jjigae 순두부찌개 We call this “Angry Care Bear clouds” in soup. It’s often super spicy but the soft tofu feels so comforting you’re not sure if you are in love or angry. Unbelievably awesome to eat in January and there is an especially fabulous version in Pyeongtaek not far from AK Plaza. If you are in a hurry though, this is a great dish to grab at any Korean lunch counter. Where We Like to Eat It: KimchiRednecks show you how to make Sundubu Jjigae at home Dakdoritang 닭도리탕/Dakbokkeumtang 닭볶음탕 Not exactly a soup or stew by Korean standards, but it is by ours so it makes the list. This dish can be hard to come by as it often has to be ordered ahead and is made for 3-4 people (also making it expensive on the menu). The chicken will simply melt in your mouth and the heat from this dish will keep you warm all day long. We love to go to a restaurant and order this on a weekend with friends. Especially if we have been playing outside in the cold. Where We Like to Eat It: Maangchi shows you how to make Dakbokkeumtang at home Yukgaejang 육개장 This winter classic is filled with stewed beef and unique Korean vegetables. Known for being VERY spicy and hearty. The mountain ferns give the dish and unique earthy flavor that you will either love or hate. Once again, this is for those who love Korean food and unique flavors. Where We Like to Eat It: KimchiRednecks show you how to make Yukgaejang at home Read more in our Year to Learn Korean Cooking Series This series is a collaboration with Kimchi Rednecks. In 2020 they created the first blog in this series Online Resources for Learning to Cook Korean Food. These two love to have adventures in the kitchen and share the results with their community. Be sure to follow Kimchi Rednecks on YouTube for other great videos about living life in South Korea. Join the Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group Share your adventures with the best spicy Korean stews/soups with our community at Pyeongtaek Food & Fun Facebook Group. Join the South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly Pyeongtaek international residents makes moving to Pyeongtaek easier. With so many different voices and opinions, it is always refreshing to see everyone’s adventures in our local community. In addition, all of the posts shared introduce our community to new places and old places that can feel new all over again. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content.

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Grab the kids or a group of friends and hit Korea’s sledding hills! It’s time to put on some cold weather gear and go have some slippery, slidey fun in the (often man-made) snow. About Sledding in South Korea Sledding is the perfect winter fun for families. Parents and kids can have a blast sliding down the slopes, enjoying the crisp winter air, and making memories. That’s why it is a popular seasonal, family activity in South Korea. Big and small, seasonal, groomed sledding parks dot the country. In fact, nearly every ski resort will have a sledding hill with artificial snow so that the kids can have fun no matter what mother nature says. Other common sledding areas include culture “lands” and golf courses. Sledding in Korea is not usually a free-range activity and you will need to pay a fee. You will visit the above-mentioned, organized areas and they will provide the sleds for you. You don’t need to bring your own sled, a sled rental is part of the admission fee to the park. Typical Season January – February Sledding season usually starts at the VERY end of December (usually right after Christmas around December 25th) or early January. It then runs through the end of February. However, these dates are subject to change based on weather and pandemics. To confirm that the location will be open contact 1330 for more information or download the 1330 app to use their chat feature (Google play, Apple Store) . During the pandemic, we recommend confirming all information before driving anywhere. The Korean Term Although Korea does use a Konglish term for sledding, when you search on Naver you will find more sledding options using the Korean work for sledding area which is “썰매장” or just sled “썰매“. Types of Sledding or “SSeolmae” Two types of sledding exist in South Korea. They have downhill sledding and they have ice sledding. The downhill sleds look like what we have in the west. However, the ice sleds go on frozen bodies of water and you pull yourself along with sticks. In this blog post, we introduce locations for downhill sledding. Types of Downhill Hill Sleds Available Each location may have different types of sleds. Some might be toboggans while others use tubes. Some may even offer a choice between the two. A few private resorts even have large, round multi-person sleds that look a little terrifying. Fees Fees range from 4,000 – 16,000 won per person depending on how developed the sledding area or how long you want to sled. This price includes sled rental. To confirm the current fees, season dates, and open times you can contact 1330. What to Take Keep in mind that the snow is often wet and manmade. This means you want to make sure that the gear you are using is waterproof. We recommend good gloves, waterproof winter pants, hats, scarves, etc. Therefore, take a dry pair of socks, shoes, and pants for each person sledding just in case you get wet. Handwarmers are also a great idea to have on hand just in case those hands get too cold. These can be purchased at most marts and quickie marts across Korea. Options Near Pyeongtaek If you live near Camp Humpherys or Osan Air Force base, any of these spots close to Pyeongtaek will be great to visit. Adults and kids are welcome on the hills. With COVID, many smaller areas are closed. We will update this list as we confirm what locations. Options in Seoul You can also go sledding for the day when you visit Seoul. Additionally, such city locations create their own snow so you don’t have to worry too much about if it’s snowing or not. It’s easy to stop in for a little sledding on a whim. Of course, if it’s the weekend or during school break (January and February) the slopes may be packed. Options at Ski Resorts The ski resorts across South Korea have excellent hills for sleds. You don’t need to bring anything! The reports keep the sledding hills well-groomed and work to keep things safe. People of all ages are welcome to go sledding. You can find the ski resorts by region listed below. South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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