From: hseung@image.anatomy.upenn.edu (Rikiya H. Seung)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.korean
Subject: Soc.Culture.Korean FAQ
Date: 6 Jan 1993 04:14:25 -0600
Organization: School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu


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		      Frequently Asked Questions
				 for
			  Soc.Culture.Korean

			 (Unofficial Version)

If you have questions and/or answers that seems more appropriate for
this FAQ, or would like to improve an answer, please send email to
Rikiya H. Seung (hseung@image.anatomy.upenn.edu).

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			  Table of Contents

= Administrative Questions =

1. What is the purpose of this newsgroup?
2. Why is this FAQ unofficial?
3. What other versions of FAQ exist?
4. What is Nettiquette or Freedom of Speech?

= Political Questions = 

5. What is SCK?
6. Where is the Temple of SCK?
7. What is the SCK Party?
8. How can I join the SCK Party?
9. What is the number to SCK Party's Propaganda Division?
10. Who are the notorious SCK GgangPe?
11. What is the TOS Party?
12. What is the 1-2-2 YangShimSeonEon?
13. Who is HJ?
14. Is HJ running for next presidential election?
15. What is the GMBUG Movement?
16. Is DPRK on the net?
17. What is GukGaBoAnBeop?
18. Would all readers get arrested if DPRK is on the net?

= Cultural Question = 

19. Are there any restaurants in USA that serve ChungGukJang?
20. How many different versions of BiBimBap exist to date?
21. Does BoRiCha take away the bitterness in coffee?
22. What is the recipe for SuJeBi?
23. How do street dogs, shit dogs, or even young dogs wind up in that
    HUGE pot of boshintang house?
24. Can I order a bowl of HamHeung NengMyun from HamHeung?
25. Who are NalNaLi & YangAChi?
26. What is BakBan?

= Reincarnation Questions = 

27. What is reincarnation?
28. What is reincarnant?
29. What is reincarnator?
30. Who is Hyunsuk?
31. Is the soundtrack available?
32. How many reincarnants are there?  Who are they?
33. Who is Rachael?
34. Who is Roland?
35. Who is Ho-Dor?
36. Who is Huh-Poong?
37. Who is Rebecca?
38. Memorable quotes.
39. What is the significance of blue eyes?
40. What is the significance of folded eyelids?
41. What is the significance of BulGoGi?
42. Why does UPenn have 70% of all "Seung"s in USA?
43. Why is Rachael spelled Rach-a-e-l instead of Rach-e-l?
44. Who is Rachael's ex-boyfriend?  Is he Korean?  Is he chauvinistic?  
45. Who stole Rachael's pan?
46. Is Hyunsuk a reincarnant?

= Further Questions = 

47. Unresolved questions. 
48. Wish list.
49. Acknowledgements.

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		     = Administrative Questions =

1. What is the purpose of this newsgroup?

Soc.Culture.Korean is an on-line discussion forum for people
interested in just about any topic faintly regarding Korean culture.
To build a warm-hearted human integrated society is the ultimate goal
of the newsgroup.


2. Why is this FAQ unofficial?

The official version is being prepared by Andrew T. Kim
(jgl7@cunixa.cc.columbia.edu).  See question 3 for more information.


3. What other versions of FAQ exist?

Hangul FAQ (technical version)
   Contains answers to some Frequently Asked Questions often seen in
hangul/htex mailing list.  Contact Uhhyung Choi
(uhhyung@sparcs.kaist.ac.kr) for more information.

SCK FAQ (official version)
   The official FAQ for Soc.Culture.Korean.  See question 2.

SCK-P FAQ (political version)
   The official FAQ for political questions.  Any volunteers?


4. What is Nettiquette or Freedom of Speech?

For Nettiquette, please refer to news.announce.newusers newsgroup.

For information about Freedom of Speech in U.S. in general, it is
available on-line by anonymous ftp (the preferred method) and by
email.  To get the file(s) via ftp, do an anonymous ftp to ftp.eff.org
(192.88.144.4), and get file(s):

  pub/academic/law/cohen-v-california.1
  pub/academic/law/cohen-v-california.2
  pub/academic/law/cohen-v-california.2
  pub/academic/law/constraints.constitutional
  pub/academic/law/constraints.contractual
  pub/academic/law/uwm-post-v-u-of-wisconsin
  pub/academic/academic/speech-codes.aaup
  pub/academic/faq/media.control
  pub/academic/caf

To get the file(s) by email, send email to archive-server@eff.org.
Include the line(s) (be sure to include the space before the file
name):

send acad-freedom/law cohen-v-california.1
send acad-freedom/law cohen-v-california.2
send acad-freedom/law cohen-v-california.2
send acad-freedom/law constraints.constitutional
send acad-freedom/law constraints.contractual
send acad-freedom/law uwm-post-v-u-of-wisconsin
send acad-freedom/academic speech-codes.aaup
send acad-freedom/faq media.control
send acad-freedom/caf

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		       = Political Questions =

5. What is SCK?

It is an acronym for Soc.Culture.Korean.


6. Where is the Temple of SCK?

Since you are reading this article, you are in the temple already.


7. What is the SCK Party?

Notorious for its endless corruption and censorship, SCK Party is the
ruling party of Soc.Culture.Korean.  Most of its members are from
Orange-Jok background.


8. How can I join the SCK Party?

Submit a C8-JFE-904 form (available from SCK Party's Propaganda
Division) along with your most recent bank statement to SCK Party's
Personnel Division.  Also, as rule of thumb, posting an article
condemning one of your comrade helps speed the process.


9. What is the number to SCK Party's Propaganda Division?

It has been temporarily disconnected.


10. Who are the notorious SCK GgangPe?

* CENSORED *


11. What is the TOS Party?

Short for Temple of SCK Party, it is the opposing political party
headed by HeJa Nuna (aka Rachael H. Seung; see questions 12, 13, 14,
and 33).  Members communicate via underground e-mail channels.


12. What is the 1-2-2 YangShimSeonEon?

It is the famous "Declaration of Conscience" posted by TOS Party on
December 2, 1992.  Attached is a personal copy obtained through
e-mail.

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

			  "YangShimSeonEon"
		      (Declaration of Conscience)

			   December 2, 1992


We, Rachael and Hyunsuk, hereby proclaim our indefinite departure from
the distinguished Temple of S.C.K. for reasons of causing absurd
hungers with our ceaseless dishes, misleading clever readers with
poetic memories, and tantalizing innocent souls with subtly
self-contradicting statements.  We sincerely hope that virtuous people
like ourselves are expeditiously growing around the world, and are
happy to remark that it had been, without doubt, a truly rewarding
experience to hear your tormenting confessions in public, not to
mention the ceaseless suspicions surrounding our very existence, but
rest assured Rachael and Hyunsuk are single entity, and this we
declare without sexual connotation.  May reincarnated angels of
innocent puppies bless your maliciously sentimental hearts.

Sincerely yours,

Rachael H. Seung                      hseung@salsa.seas.upenn.edu
Hyunsuk Seung                         hseung@anat3d1.anatomy.upenn.edu

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +


13. Who is HJ?

HJ is an acronym for HeJa.  Please refer to questions 14, and 33.


14. Is HJ running for next presidential election?

* CENSORED *


15. What is the GMBUG Movement?

GMBUG stands for "GePoDong MaEul Bus Users Group," and GMBUG Movement
denotes the revival of SeMaEul spirit that died away during the 80's
when GoDoRi generation started crawling out from the ground.  Aside
from their cheap bus service (only 100 won) operated between GePoDong
and MuYeok SenTa (Trade Center), GMBUG Movement also participates in
the alcohol-free karaoke bars called "NoReBang (Singing Box)."


16. Is DPRK on the net?

Yes and no.  Look for *.kp domains.


17. What is GukGaBoAnBeop?

* CENSORED *


18. Would all readers get arrested if DPRK is on the net?

[Open for discussion]


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			= Cultural Question =

19. Are there any restaurants in USA that serve ChungGukJang?

So far, the answer is no.  However, instant ChungGukJang packages are
available from Oriental stores around the country.  They even have
DuBu (tofu), HoBak (pumpkin) as well as other fine dried vegetables.


20. How many different versions of BiBimBap exist to date?

BiBimBap (regular version)
JeonJu BiBimBap (JeonJu city version)
DolSot BiBimBap (stone dish version)
DoShiRak BiBimBap (lunch box version)
SanChe BiBimBap (wild vegetable & mushroom version)
Philadelphia BiBimBap (melted cheese version)


21. Does BoRiCha take away the bitterness in coffee?

No, this is a hoax.


22. What is the recipe for SuJeBi?

From TOS Party's public archive:

  1. Make a dough out of flour and water.  
  2. Boil some water (I don't use measuring instruments) in a pot while
     poking out some soojaebi sized dough; the sphere made out of an "OK"
     sign with your finger is more than adequate.
  3. When water boils, gently stuff the soojaebi in.
  4. Put potato cubes in the water for building that warm creamy soup.
     If you prefer you can put beef broth or anchovies instead.
  5. Oh yeah, stuff some onions, carrots, scallions, and a little powder
     of garlic. 
  6. Let it simmer over a small flame over about ten or twenty minutes.
  7. And voila!  A tasty soojaebi is waiting for you!  Put a sprinkle of
     sesame seeds for the finishing touch.

  (Copyright 1993, TOS Party -- reprinted with permission)


23. How do street dogs, shit dogs, or even young dogs wind up in that
    HUGE pot of boshintang house?

Although people on the net get extremely hungry whenever the topic is
brought up, the actual problem lies NOT within ourselves, but rather
within SCK Party's corrupting officials who unhesitatingly accept
briberies from AJumMas who run underground ring of BoShinTang houses.


24. Can I order a bowl of HamHeung NengMyun from HamHeung?

* CENSORED *


25. Who are NalNaLi & YangAChi?

Nalnalee
   Someone who shivers even at the sight of text books or novels; begs
for answers during exams; drives Sonata with tinted windows, Daewoo
Le-Mans with Opel mark, or Kia Pride with "Turbo" sticker; "watches"
Men's Nonno.  They also take pride in not getting carded at nightclubs
around ITaeWon or ShinSaDong.

Yang-ah-chee
   American wanna-be; dresses like one, but always puts a finishing
touch that is definitely Korean; always keeps on top of Billboard; has
a comb in the back pocket sometimes.  They also get funky hairdos done
at MiJangWon (beauty salon).


26. What is BakBan?

A white powder (Hydrous Potassium Aluminum Disulfate, KAl(SO4)2.12H2O)
used for maintaining shiny BongSungAh dyed finger nails.


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		     = Reincarnation Questions =

27. What is reincarnation?

"The doctrine that the soul, upon death of the body, comes back to
earth on another body or form."
  - The Random House College Dictionary, Revised Edition, 1975.


28. What is reincarnant?

"A reincarnated being or form; usually dreams about previous lives."
  - TOS Webster Dictionary, 1993.


29. What is reincarnator?

"Member of elite electronic warfare squad who reincarnates being or
form into yet another being or form (i.e. into a reincarnant)."
  - TOS Webster Dictionary, 1993.


30. Who is Hyunsuk?

Ex-reincarnator employed by TOS Party.


31. Is the soundtrack available?

The original Reincarnation soundtrack has never been officially
released, although some of them are scattered throughout various
albums released by New Order.  The following songs are some of the
confirmed songs dealing with Reincarnation.

  "Love Vigilantes" (_Low-Life_)
  "1963" (_Substance_)
  "Bizarre Love Triangle" (Video version of _Substance_)


32. How many reincarnants are there?  Who are they?

According to sensitive TOS Party files, there are total of six
reincarnants spread throughout the net.  They are Rachael, Roland,
Ho-Dor, Huh-Poong, and Rebecca.


33. Who is Rachael?

FULLNAME:         Rachael HeJa Seung
E-MAIL EXISTENCE: hseung@salsa.seas.upenn.edu
INCARNATED DATE:  29 Nov 92 08:15:09 GMT
FUNCTION:         reincarnant, cosmetic engineer, leader of TOS Party
FORMER LIFE:      kitty cat, probably called "YaOng-ee"
PHYS: A           MENT: A


34. Who is Roland?

FULLNAME:         Roland Hoshik Seung
E-MAIL EXISTENCE: hseung@retina.anatomy.upenn.edu
INCARNATED DATE:  4 Dec 92 01:40:59 GMT
FUNCTION:         reincarnant, retinal micro-circuitry researcher
FORMER LIFE:      puppy, probably called "BaDuKi"
PHYS: C           MENT: A


35. Who is Ho-Dor?

FULLNAME:         Ho-Dor Seung
E-MAIL EXISTENCE: hseung@spasibo.hamheung.ac.kp
INCARNATED DATE:  22 Dec 92 08:43:37 GMT
FUNCTION:         reincarnant, defected soldier, emacs-fanatic
FORMER LIFE:      flea
PHYS: A           MENT: B


36. Who is Huh-Poong?

FULLNAME:         Huh-Poong Seung
E-MAIL EXISTENCE: hseung@gmbug.gepodong.or.kr
INCARNATED DATE:  22 Dec 92 21:12:11 GMT
FUNCTION:         reincarnant, chief executive driver of GMBUG
FORMER LIFE:      fish, probably a JiPo variant
PHYS: A           MENT: C


37. Who is Rebecca?

FULLNAME:         Rebecca (Surname N/A)
E-MAIL EXISTENCE: N/A
INCARNATED DATE:  N/A (probably similar to Rachael)
FUNCTION:         reincarnant, bioengineer, Rachael's roommate
FORMER LIFE:      shrimp eating rabbit
PHYS: B           MENT: D


38. Memorable quotes.

Hyunsuk
  "To appetize without fear is the leitmotif of my life."
  "As a striving vegetarian, BulGoGi is my sole obstacle."
  "One can easily exasperate mentally, especially at a bustling steak
   house in Korea while your obedient waitress/waiter anxiously waits the
   answer to the internal struggle between your rice-addicted stomach and
   etiquette-filled brain."
  "There was a soap-opera version on TV done by the same director, and I
   think it was called `BeDalEui GiSu (Gisu the delivery boy?)'  I
   believe it was popular among soldiers in the barracks until the
   leading actor got married, but I still love those two films."

Rachael
  "No kimchee, whether under or over marinated it may be, is never ready
   for kimchee fried rice."
  "I request the old posters make room for the young posters."
  "MY POOR PAN JUST GOT STOLEN! ...the pan which my ex-boyfriend gave
   it to me at the peak of our romance!"
  "Salsa Today.  Shopping Tomorrow."  
  "Deride me if you wish, I store colony of smelly shoes with pride...
   With careful observance and painstaking sniffing, I have begun to
   notice even the most unnoticeable characters of each pair that makes
   it totally unlike another."
  "If I can't have green eyes, then I'll make do with colored contact
   lens; can't find brown eye shadows, I'll use soy bean paste, and so
   on."

Roland
  "I've been silently following the various debates between Rachael and
   Hyunsuk, and, to be honest, was quite impressed at their broad
   knowledge of the Korean culture."
  "I am actually getting REALLY sick of all these morally offending posts
   by Hyunsuk."
  "Big brother is watching you."

Ho-Dor
  "AnNyung from city of NengMyun!"
  "To top it off, all the female students here dress in chic & classy
   sixties' style!"
  "Hi Mom!  I'm alive!  It's not 1984 here.  It's 1992."

Huh-Poong
  "Granted, our economy desperately needs high-technology industry to
   stay internationally competitive, but in the light of all these hoopla
   doopla, the diligent life of the common man is helplessly falling
   apart!"
  "I am struggling to pay my tuition, but what the hell is this so
   called `commuting by car to school!?'"

Rebecca
  "Hi."


39. What is the significance of blue eyes?

Apparently, quite a few people have questioned TOS party through
various underground e-mail channels whether Rachael was trying to
undermine US presence in the fashion world of Korea in the form of
blue eyes.  So far, the unofficial response from the TOS party has
been that such accusation is absolutely groundless, but nevertheless
appreciated the readers' support.


40. What is the significance of folded eyelids?

It is a fad among reincarnants.  


41. What is the significance of BulGoGi?

When Hyunsuk requested the recipe for Epstein-style BulGoGi in
November of 1992, he mentions that a good BulGoGi can suddenly attract
all the dogs in the neighborhood.  Given this clue, one can argue that
Hyunsuk is a reincarnant himself.  Remember that Rikiya mentions that
there are six reincarnants (see question 32), but he only gave five
names.  Perhaps this was a typo, but others have come up with
increasingly supportive theories regarding the issue.  Please see
question 45 for more details.


42. Why does UPenn have 70% of all "Seung"s in USA?

* CENSORED *

43. Why is Rachael spelled Rach-a-e-l instead of Rach-e-l?

* CENSORED *

44. Who is Rachael's ex-boyfriend?  Is he Korean?  Is he chauvinistic?  

Rachael's ex-boyfriend is, of course, her boss (Korean) at the bowling
center in Seoul.  Rumor has it that he constantly beat her up ever
since the love had gone, and that Rachael ran away to US.


45. Who stole Rachael's pan?

Frickled dork down the hall.


46. Is Hyunsuk a reincarnant?

(Or Hyunsuk as sixth reincarnant doesn't hold water!)

This question causes the most debate among Reincarnation fans.  The
numerous articles posted by Hyunsuk support this notion to differing
degrees.  One might argue that in the pre-1-2-2-YangShimSeonEon
period, Hyunsuk is considered as a reincarnant from a dog, but in
post-1-2-2-YangShimSeonEon period he is perceived as a humble pig.
   There is no definitive answer: Rikiya himself has stated that,
although he deliberately made Hyunsuk ambiguous, he also intentionally
introduced enough evidence to support the notion, and as far as he is
concerned, Hyunsuk is a reincarnant.


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			= Further Questions =

47. Unresolved questions. 

  - Are there any mail-order stores that sells HoDdeok?
  - What is the secret behind Epstein-style BulGoGi?
  - Why doesn't Hyunsuk use "sseung" as his login name following his 
    family tradition?
  - What is Andrew's soon-to-be-born baby's name?
  - Why don't reincarnants use smileys at all?
  - Where can I find the weird film called "Hyunsuk Seung" that is 
    currently being discussed at rec.arts.movies?


48. Wish list.

  - I need to finish my projects.
  - I need to get into grad school.
  - I want the blue-leaf CD of New Order's "True Faith."
  - Please don't flame me.  Treat me -- with Korean food!


49. Acknowledgements 

I thank the following alphabetically listed people for making this FAQ
possible...

  Rikiya Asano, Cathy Chang, Murray Chapman, Il Hyung Cho, James Choi,
  Henry E. Chon, Steven Chung, Stefan Dongsoo, Stephen Epstein, Matt
  Garretson, T. M. Haddock, Youn-Sik Han, Andrew T. Kim, Gag-Lae Kim,
  Jinsoo Kim, Jiun Kim, Nina L. Kim, Michael Kurinets, Jung S. Lee, Eddy
  Wankyu Park, Rebecca, Raymond Roskwitalski, Eskinder Sahle, Lucie
  Sebetka, Ho-Dor Seung, Huh-Poong Seung, Hyunsuk Seung, Rachael H.
  Seung, Roland H. Seung, Laura Walker, and Sang Sik Woo.

This FAQ is dedicated to WonMi who reincarnated last year.

--
Rikiya H. Seung (hseung@image.anatomy.upenn.edu)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.korean