Memorizing Korea's Tragic May: 5.18 Democratization Movement

I read a book, which was recommended by RM from BTS, whom I greatly admire. When I first picked up this novel, recommended by a friend, I knew it would be no ordinary read. As I flipped through the pages, I felt a mixture of anticipation and hesitation. It was a profound and challenging narrative, one that compelled me to write this heartfelt review.   This book is about  This remarkable book delves into the events of the 5.18 Democratization Movement, shedding light on a significant period in history. Every word, every sentence evoked a sense of pain and anguish. It is not a book to be read casually, but one that demands to be embraced fully. The events of May 18, 1980, unfolded when students gathered at the main gate of Jeonnam National University in Gwang-ju, Korea. On May 27, 1980, martial law troops indiscriminately attacked the citizens gathered at Jeonnam Provincial Office, bringing a tragic end to the situation. Over the course of ten days, the official casualties ...

Parents' Day in South Korea

May 8th was Parent's Day in Korea, and to celebrate, we treated my 79-year-old father-in-law to a 3-night, 4-day package tour in Sapporo, Japan. Upon their return, we wanted to host a dinner for them and my brother-in-law's family, but we faced the challenge of deciding where to eat. Although dining out was an option, my in-laws prefer home-cooked meals for their comfort and to save on expenses. So, we decided to cook a meal for ten people ourselves.

 

How much did I pay for shopping for dinner? 

The cost of dining out for ten people, including a child, would have been at least KRW 200,000 (USD 175), but preparing the meal ourselves only cost a little over KRW 100,000 (USD 85). However, cooking has always been a chore, especially for me, as I'm not much of a chef. Fortunately, we found Market Kurly's fresh delivery service to make our task easier. Market Kurly is one of South Korea's most popular online grocery stores. By the way, the model for Market Kurly is Blackpink's Jennie. Market Kurly's signature color, purple, goes perfectly with Jennie. 

https://www.kurly.com/main

 


What did I buy for dinner?

For our menu, we selected three dishes. First on the list was the Steak Rice Bowl, which involves cooking two 300g American sirloin steaks, thinly slicing them, and serving them on top of half a bowl of rice with lightly fried asparagus. A sauce made of soy sauce, plum juice, a little sugar, water, and minced garlic is then poured over the steaks before bringing them to a boil. It's super simple! Next, we had Vietnamese Spring Rolls, which came with a meal kit. We wrapped 16 different vegetables and meat in rice paper and dipped them in sauce. It was a healthy and delicious option with no further preparation required. Finally, we served Busan-style Fish Cake and Tofu Stew Meal Kit, which had a distinct flavor that we enhanced by adding radish, green onions, and hot peppers. By the way, Busan is known for its seafood cuisine, so this dish is a must-try for Koreans!

 


What did I buy for dinner?

I ordered the ingredients at 9 p.m. the night before and received the delivery at my doorstep the next morning. After the ingredients arrived, the total preparation time was around two hours. Since COVID-19, meal kits and early morning delivery have revolutionized the way we dine, and they can also prevent overspending when used appropriately. However, we still need to address the issue of excessive packaging and the workload of delivery personnel. As my parents are getting older, I want to make sure they're treated well and pampered, even if it means trying my hand at cooking, even though I'm not the best chef out there. All in all, I made it through another day safely.


Plus, she added.

My mother-in-law contributed lettuce and homemade Fresh and tangy green onion kimchi as side dishes, and our guests complimented us for the generous and scrumptious meal.