06/16/2026
Mike Kaukl is in Seoul, South Korea.
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Asia Trip Day 10 - Seoul, Korea. Today I was back at work, visiting the scene shops to check in on progress since last Tuesday. Generally good progress. Like with all shows, the biggest challenge is time. We're running short, but things will get done.
The best part of the day was getting to spend time with my Korean collaborators. Prior to the shop visit, the CEO of the company treated us to lunch. Since the shop is right near the border with North Korea, there is some cross over with the northern culture. My understanding is that this restaurant specializes in more of a northerner cuisine, which is apparently less spicy than southern cuisine and a bit more hearty. This meal was a cross between Korean barbecue and hot pot cooking, where the raw ingredients were brought to the table and it cooks in front of us.
I enjoy the communal style that Korean restaurants serve food. It's part of their culture. We all sit around plates of ingredients and mix and match and try different things. It's nourishing to the soul. I am very appreciative that they wanted to introduce me to and include me in their culture.
I let it out today that I've been studying some Korean for the last 4 months. I'm nowhere near able to actually speak it, but I can pickup certain words and phrases. They were impressed with my introductory knowledge. I was even able to thank the shop CEO for lunch in Korean and he complimented how well I pronounced it. He said it was very clear and understandable. Who knows if I will keep leaning it, but it's been fun while I've been learning it.
One more day to explore tomorrow, one more workday on Wednesday, and then I return home that evening!
