RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD

Naengmyeon is the devil

I agree. The texture is weird. All noodles should be hot to me.

Ugh yeah. Like.. its cold. I feel like I'm drinking vinegar from the bottle.

Naengmyeon is the devil

I agree. The texture is weird. All noodles should be hot to me.

Ugh yeah. Like.. its cold. I feel like I'm drinking vinegar from the bottle.

I like naengmyeon; you must be doing it wrong . Plain sticky rice on the other hand has all the delicious taste of cardboard combined with the delightful texture of lumpy paste.

Naengmyeon is the devil

I agree. The texture is weird. All noodles should be hot to me.

Ugh yeah. Like.. its cold. I feel like I'm drinking vinegar from the bottle.

I like naengmyeon; you must be doing it wrong . Plain sticky rice on the other hand has all the delicious taste of cardboard combined with the delightful texture of lumpy paste.

I can sort of understand someone's dislike of naengmyeon.  I hated it for well over a year.  But I do this insane thing where I try things over and over AND OVER, even if I don't like them.... in the view that one day I might.  Kind of like how kids get over things like their dislike of tomatoes (unless they're juvenile and petty like my brother).  And I did find that I've eventually gotten to like naengmyeon.  I prefer bibimnaengmyeon to traditional naengmyeon.... but still.   

Naengmyeon is the devil

I agree. The texture is weird. All noodles should be hot to me.

Ugh yeah. Like.. its cold. I feel like I'm drinking vinegar from the bottle.

I like naengmyeon; you must be doing it wrong . Plain sticky rice on the other hand has all the delicious taste of cardboard combined with the delightful texture of lumpy paste.

I can sort of understand someone's dislike of naengmyeon.  I hated it for well over a year.  But I do this insane thing where I try things over and over AND OVER, even if I don't like them.... in the view that one day I might.  Kind of like how kids get over things like their dislike of tomatoes (unless they're juvenile and petty like my brother).  And I did find that I've eventually gotten to like naengmyeon.  I prefer bibimnaengmyeon to traditional naengmyeon.... but still.   

I feel pretty "meh" about naengmyeon.

Naengmyeon is the devil

I agree. The texture is weird. All noodles should be hot to me.

Ugh yeah. Like.. its cold. I feel like I'm drinking vinegar from the bottle.

I like naengmyeon; you must be doing it wrong . Plain sticky rice on the other hand has all the delicious taste of cardboard combined with the delightful texture of lumpy paste.

I can sort of understand someone's dislike of naengmyeon.  I hated it for well over a year.  But I do this insane thing where I try things over and over AND OVER, even if I don't like them.... in the view that one day I might.  Kind of like how kids get over things like their dislike of tomatoes (unless they're juvenile and petty like my brother). And I did find that I've eventually gotten to like naengmyeon.  I prefer bibimnaengmyeon to traditional naengmyeon.... but still.   

 

I don't usually post in these threads, mainly because I never feel the need to rant. Yes, I get annoyed by things here, but I get over it.

However, I spent 2.5 hours trying to order a swimsuit off of the Korean Forever 21 site. I have never in my life experienced such a hassle and inconvenience while trying to order something online. It wasn't because everything was in Korean, or because I didn't know how to input my address, it was trying to pay with my Korean credit card that made it such a nightmare. Having to switch to IE, then having to download FOUR different security programs, having to start over because I put in the wrong verification identification code, then finally pressing submit to have absolutely nothing happen! No confirmation, no deduction of 38,000 won from my account, and no swimsuit, but I did manage to enroll in some sort of card membership program, that is 5,000 won a month. WTF? Signing up for online banking was easier than this.

I was so frustrated that I had wasted that time. It was 9:30 by the time I gave up. I still needed to cook dinner, work on a lesson plan, get a workout in.

Back home, all you would need to order online is your card number and address.

Incidentally, I'm going to Busan this weekend to meet up with friends, so I will just physically go to F21 and buy a swimsuit in person.

Sigh, what can you do, eh?

Agree, the Korean internet is just the worst. Today I went online to buy tickets to the Gwangju Universiade basketball game tomorrow (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and not surprisingly, it proved to be basically impossible. Like so many Korean websites that have an English page, Interpark is perfectly useful until it isn't.

First off, the game I wish to attend tips off at 2:30 p.m., and it wasn't listed amongst available tickets, only 5:30 and 8 (women's games as it turns out).

Next, the game is listed on the Korean site, but with a start time at 0:00 p.m. (wtf?) When searching into the Korean version of the Gwangju Universiade website, I learned that tickets are sold in blocks, so a ticket for 0:00 pm (noon) gets me into my game as well.

When it came time to actually buy the ticket once I figured out which one to get - guess what - no surprise I guess - I need to install all manner of security certificates and other bloatware that would not only require flawless Korean ability to use, but even befuddled my Korean co-teacher.

In the end, I had to have her call the ticket office for me in order to get my ticket.

Yes, I know the Korean internet is for Korean speakers and we are a tiny minority here, but this is an international event that foreigners may actually want to fly in for. It's simply absurd that one cannot buy tickets without internet explorer, a good dose of Korean ability, and a willingness to install a bunch of security garbage one one's computer.

Good luck sorting out this mess before Pyeongchang.

Good luck sorting out this mess before Pyeongchang.

Very true. Probably won't be too many waygooks at the events because we won't be able to figure out how to buy tickets. And your co's will be too busy buying their own.

Have you ever tried buying tickets online for things like the Busan film festival?
Servers have major issues, English site always seems less useful than the Korean one.
Things sell out almost immediately.

The Korean version of the sites are often just as baffling and frustrating for Koreans.

Web design here seems to be about the same as building design. I.E. Bloody awful.

I don't usually post in these threads, mainly because I never feel the need to rant. Yes, I get annoyed by things here, but I get over it.

However, I spent 2.5 hours trying to order a swimsuit off of the Korean Forever 21 site. I have never in my life experienced such a hassle and inconvenience while trying to order something online. It wasn't because everything was in Korean, or because I didn't know how to input my address, it was trying to pay with my Korean credit card that made it such a nightmare. Having to switch to IE, then having to download FOUR different security programs, having to start over because I put in the wrong verification identification code, then finally pressing submit to have absolutely nothing happen! No confirmation, no deduction of 38,000 won from my account, and no swimsuit, but I did manage to enroll in some sort of card membership program, that is 5,000 won a month. WTF? Signing up for online banking was easier than this.

I was so frustrated that I had wasted that time. It was 9:30 by the time I gave up. I still needed to cook dinner, work on a lesson plan, get a workout in.

Back home, all you would need to order online is your card number and address.

Incidentally, I'm going to Busan this weekend to meet up with friends, so I will just physically go to F21 and buy a swimsuit in person.

Sigh, what can you do, eh?

Agree, the Korean internet is just the worst. Today I went online to buy tickets to the Gwangju Universiade basketball game tomorrow (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and not surprisingly, it proved to be basically impossible. Like so many Korean websites that have an English page, Interpark is perfectly useful until it isn't.

First off, the game I wish to attend tips off at 2:30 p.m., and it wasn't listed amongst available tickets, only 5:30 and 8 (women's games as it turns out).

Next, the game is listed on the Korean site, but with a start time at 0:00 p.m. (wtf?) When searching into the Korean version of the Gwangju Universiade website, I learned that tickets are sold in blocks, so a ticket for 0:00 pm (noon) gets me into my game as well.

When it came time to actually buy the ticket once I figured out which one to get - guess what - no surprise I guess - I need to install all manner of security certificates and other bloatware that would not only require flawless Korean ability to use, but even befuddled my Korean co-teacher.

In the end, I had to have her call the ticket office for me in order to get my ticket.

Yes, I know the Korean internet is for Korean speakers and we are a tiny minority here, but this is an international event that foreigners may actually want to fly in for. It's simply absurd that one cannot buy tickets without internet explorer, a good dose of Korean ability, and a willingness to install a bunch of security garbage one one's computer.

Good luck sorting out this mess before Pyeongchang.

My favorite bit is when the whole page is one solid JPEG, thus you can't even self-translate any difficult bits.

My favorite bit is when the whole page is one solid JPEG, thus you can't even self-translate any difficult bits.

Oh GOD!!! This!!  Totally this!!!

Good luck sorting out this mess before Pyeongchang.

Very true. Probably won't be too many waygooks at the events because we won't be able to figure out how to buy tickets. And your co's will be too busy buying their own.

Have you ever tried buying tickets online for things like the Busan film festival?
Servers have major issues, English site always seems less useful than the Korean one.
Things sell out almost immediately.

In all fairness I think they will have the Olympic internet situation figured out. Unless they are completely oblivious to the outside world then they will get it figured out.

Anyways onto the rant.
My wife tells me to be more self-sufficient. So I spend hours trying to translate these crappy sites and downloading whatever it wants me to install. After about 3-4 hours of banging my head against the keyboard and a few calls to my Korean buddy, I have the purchase receipt in hand. I then proceed to show my accomplishment to my wife only to be scolded for not using the proper discount cards or the fact that if you used certain codes that are found on Naver blogs we could have gotten a discount. One of these days I may actually flip over the table like I do in my mind.

I love my wife and we have a great relationship but if she continues to make me learn how to use the Korean internet we may have to start going to counseling in the near future.

Good luck sorting out this mess before Pyeongchang.

Very true. Probably won't be too many waygooks at the events because we won't be able to figure out how to buy tickets. And your co's will be too busy buying their own.

Have you ever tried buying tickets online for things like the Busan film festival?
Servers have major issues, English site always seems less useful than the Korean one.
Things sell out almost immediately.

In all fairness I think they will have the Olympic internet situation figured out. Unless they are completely oblivious to the outside world then they will get it figured out.

Anyways onto the rant.
My wife tells me to be more self-sufficient. So I spend hours trying to translate these crappy sites and downloading whatever it wants me to install. After about 3-4 hours of banging my head against the keyboard and a few calls to my Korean buddy, I have the purchase receipt in hand. I then proceed to show my accomplishment to my wife only to be scolded for not using the proper discount cards or the fact that if you used certain codes that are found on Naver blogs we could have gotten a discount. One of these days I may actually flip over the table like I do in my mind.

I love my wife and we have a great relationship but if she continues to make me learn how to use the Korean internet we may have to start going to counseling in the near future.

What, are they gonna use their 2nd internet?

What, are they gonna use their 2nd internet?

Maybe that is the internet they use for the Koreans.

Seriously though there is no way there will have to be certificates to purchase and countless software installs. The tickets will probably be sold by an outside vendor anyway that will handle this issue in cooperation with the IOC.
Now if they decide to use two different systems for purchasing tickets, one for international visitors and the other for those inside the country already, then I hope your prediction of a second internet is true.

Can people stop filling up their 1L bottle of water from the self-service water dispenser in restaurants? WTF goes through someone's head when they do something like that? It's not a McDonald's free refill fountain drink dispenser.

My day got bad!

Came in full of vim and vigour ready to give it my all. Get to the lockers to put on the slippers only to find them all blocked by large, framed group photos. Wall opposite full of trophy cases that no one needs to open. Why? Why the stupid so early in the day?

I was planning to review the term in a fun and educational manner but that's out the window. I will now show the best of devinsupertramp on youtube and tell the kids that they are watching an average summer vacation in Waygukia.

You can take the wind out of my sails, Korea, but I can make your kids hate you.

My day got bad!

Came in full of vim and vigour ready to give it my all. Get to the lockers to put on the slippers only to find them all blocked by large, framed group photos. Wall opposite full of trophy cases that no one needs to open. Why? Why the stupid so early in the day?

I was planning to review the term in a fun and educational manner but that's out the window. I will now show the best of devinsupertramp on youtube and tell the kids that they are watching an average summer vacation in Waygukia.

You can take the wind out of my sails, Korea, but I can make your kids hate you.

Doesn't take a lot for you to have a 'bad day'!

I don't usually post in these threads, mainly because I never feel the need to rant. Yes, I get annoyed by things here, but I get over it.

However, I spent 2.5 hours trying to order a swimsuit off of the Korean Forever 21 site. I have never in my life experienced such a hassle and inconvenience while trying to order something online. It wasn't because everything was in Korean, or because I didn't know how to input my address, it was trying to pay with my Korean credit card that made it such a nightmare. Having to switch to IE, then having to download FOUR different security programs, having to start over because I put in the wrong verification identification code, then finally pressing submit to have absolutely nothing happen! No confirmation, no deduction of 38,000 won from my account, and no swimsuit, but I did manage to enroll in some sort of card membership program, that is 5,000 won a month. WTF? Signing up for online banking was easier than this.

I was so frustrated that I had wasted that time. It was 9:30 by the time I gave up. I still needed to cook dinner, work on a lesson plan, get a workout in.

Back home, all you would need to order online is your card number and address.

Incidentally, I'm going to Busan this weekend to meet up with friends, so I will just physically go to F21 and buy a swimsuit in person.

Sigh, what can you do, eh?

Agree, the Korean internet is just the worst. Today I went online to buy tickets to the Gwangju Universiade basketball game tomorrow (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and not surprisingly, it proved to be basically impossible. Like so many Korean websites that have an English page, Interpark is perfectly useful until it isn't.

First off, the game I wish to attend tips off at 2:30 p.m., and it wasn't listed amongst available tickets, only 5:30 and 8 (women's games as it turns out).

Next, the game is listed on the Korean site, but with a start time at 0:00 p.m. (wtf?) When searching into the Korean version of the Gwangju Universiade website, I learned that tickets are sold in blocks, so a ticket for 0:00 pm (noon) gets me into my game as well.

When it came time to actually buy the ticket once I figured out which one to get - guess what - no surprise I guess - I need to install all manner of security certificates and other bloatware that would not only require flawless Korean ability to use, but even befuddled my Korean co-teacher.

In the end, I had to have her call the ticket office for me in order to get my ticket.

Yes, I know the Korean internet is for Korean speakers and we are a tiny minority here, but this is an international event that foreigners may actually want to fly in for. It's simply absurd that one cannot buy tickets without internet explorer, a good dose of Korean ability, and a willingness to install a bunch of security garbage one one's computer.

Good luck sorting out this mess before Pyeongchang.

My favorite bit is when the whole page is one solid JPEG, thus you can't even self-translate any difficult bits.

As someone with web-design experience, I cannot even begin to wrap my head around the solid jpeg pages...

1. They take longer / more complicated to make
2. They are a complete waste of server resources (you have to download a whole image instead of a couple kb's of text)
3. None of the text is indexable by bots (None, absolutely none of it will be picked up by any search engine)
4. If you want to edit it in any way, you have to go back and recreate the original instead of just changing a few small things.
5. Because its a solid block, its not adjustable to different screen resolutions by the browser (it can show up extremely weird across phones/desktops)

I just can't believe that anyone would ever think that is a good idea, much less have the entire Korean internet somehow get behind the scheme and do it. In my eyes, this, and the internet in general is by far the most backward thing in the whole country.

Don't get me started on the complete and unnecessary overuse of javascript

I don't usually post in these threads, mainly because I never feel the need to rant. Yes, I get annoyed by things here, but I get over it.

However, I spent 2.5 hours trying to order a swimsuit off of the Korean Forever 21 site. I have never in my life experienced such a hassle and inconvenience while trying to order something online. It wasn't because everything was in Korean, or because I didn't know how to input my address, it was trying to pay with my Korean credit card that made it such a nightmare. Having to switch to IE, then having to download FOUR different security programs, having to start over because I put in the wrong verification identification code, then finally pressing submit to have absolutely nothing happen! No confirmation, no deduction of 38,000 won from my account, and no swimsuit, but I did manage to enroll in some sort of card membership program, that is 5,000 won a month. WTF? Signing up for online banking was easier than this.

I was so frustrated that I had wasted that time. It was 9:30 by the time I gave up. I still needed to cook dinner, work on a lesson plan, get a workout in.

Back home, all you would need to order online is your card number and address.

Incidentally, I'm going to Busan this weekend to meet up with friends, so I will just physically go to F21 and buy a swimsuit in person.

Sigh, what can you do, eh?

Agree, the Korean internet is just the worst. Today I went online to buy tickets to the Gwangju Universiade basketball game tomorrow (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and not surprisingly, it proved to be basically impossible. Like so many Korean websites that have an English page, Interpark is perfectly useful until it isn't.

First off, the game I wish to attend tips off at 2:30 p.m., and it wasn't listed amongst available tickets, only 5:30 and 8 (women's games as it turns out).

Next, the game is listed on the Korean site, but with a start time at 0:00 p.m. (wtf?) When searching into the Korean version of the Gwangju Universiade website, I learned that tickets are sold in blocks, so a ticket for 0:00 pm (noon) gets me into my game as well.

When it came time to actually buy the ticket once I figured out which one to get - guess what - no surprise I guess - I need to install all manner of security certificates and other bloatware that would not only require flawless Korean ability to use, but even befuddled my Korean co-teacher.

In the end, I had to have her call the ticket office for me in order to get my ticket.

Yes, I know the Korean internet is for Korean speakers and we are a tiny minority here, but this is an international event that foreigners may actually want to fly in for. It's simply absurd that one cannot buy tickets without internet explorer, a good dose of Korean ability, and a willingness to install a bunch of security garbage one one's computer.

Good luck sorting out this mess before Pyeongchang.

My favorite bit is when the whole page is one solid JPEG, thus you can't even self-translate any difficult bits.

As someone with web-design experience, I cannot even begin to wrap my head around the solid jpeg pages...

1. They take longer / more complicated to make
2. They are a complete waste of server resources (you have to download a whole image instead of a couple kb's of text)
3. None of the text is indexable by bots (None, absolutely none of it will be picked up by any search engine)
4. If you want to edit it in any way, you have to go back and recreate the original instead of just changing a few small things.
5. Because its a solid block, its not adjustable to different screen resolutions by the browser (it can show up extremely weird across phones/desktops)

I just can't believe that anyone would ever think that is a good idea, much less have the entire Korean internet somehow get behind the scheme and do it. In my eyes, this, and the internet in general is by far the most backward thing in the whole country.

Don't get me started on the complete and unnecessary overuse of javascript

I agree completely. It's just complete laziness in the coding.: They couldn't get x formatting to work through HTML/Javascript so they basically worked out how many pixels wide their monitor was, and just made a jpg sized 10000000px by 480px instead. Somehow this idea spread and it became normal practice.

The amount of bandwidth wasted on text within jpg must be huge.

I hate Korean banking in all its form. On the Korea Air website when it comes to make a payment, you can use a card from anywhere in the world normally but if you need to use a Korean card then you have to go through all that bloatware and security features. In other words impossible if you're not Korean.

I'm about to have to change schools. Again.

After my first year here, I wanted to renew. However, the school I was at was changing from EPIK to TALK, so I had to reapply to EPIK and change schools. I taught at two schools over the next two years, and I developed a great relationship with the students at both of them. I wanted to renew for a third year at those schools, but because of all the budget cuts, all the English teachers who were staying in my province were reshuffled and I had to change schools.

I'm currently working at four different schools, but again because of budget cuts and many of the August hires not renewing, some teachers are being shuffled again, but mid-year this time, so I have to leave the schools I'm at to start at new schools after summer break. I'm told there will be at least two. That means that in four years here, I'll have taught at at least eight different elementary schools, each and every transfer being something I didn't request.

This has officially gone past frustrating and into soulcrushing territory. I just feel so... defeated. I know the forced budget cuts have put many POEs in tough situations, but that doesn't really make things any easier on me or any of the other teachers affected by them. It makes me feel so powerless. Well, more powerless than foreign English teachers in Korea already feel, that is.

Gonna be really hard not to fall off the wagon this weekend. I can't deal with this sh!t.