For the past few months I have been on a quest for experiencing as much of this city as I possibly can. Some have called it over-compensating, others a need for distractions. Whatever. Some of these experiences are so strange I have no idea what to do. Usually, I just let my loss for words communicate my complete confusion. Not this time.
A while back a scientist from Japan visited our department to give a seminar. Whenever a visiting scientist gives a seminar, the rest of his or her time is scheduled to meet with faculty to discuss science one-on-one. At night a few faculty are selected to take the speaker to dinner. I was one of those selected.
We went to a Bulgarian restaurant in Itaewon which was very good. At the end of the meal we were discussing what we should do next. Since we were in Itaewon, it was decided I should choose our next destination. Clearly a sign that I spend too much time in Itaewon.
"What do you feel like?" I ask.
"Something Korean. Something that will make an impression."
Well, I am not the greatest Korean ambassador, but when it comes to making impressions I know just the place, Seoul Pub. Seoul Pub defies description, but I will try. I have already posted about the owner's magic tricks and drinking games. It can be a fun place. You also meet a most diverse clientele. Palestinians have bought me shots. I met a man from Guiana. He introduced me to a Jordanian who crashed and burned with the ladies like no one I have ever seen. One night my friend from Guiana took an interest in two Russian ladies sitting at the bar. We had been watching the Russians reject approach after approach once they got a cigarette from the guy.
"Okay, I'm going in," says our Guiana friend as he takes a seat next to them.
I lose track of him as a very attractive Korean woman next to our booth is also rejecting every approach in dramatic fashion. She had been making the 'x' sign with her arms, sticking her tongue out, and dropping her head into her hands. There was a lot to watch. Eventually, no one approaches the Korean woman any more. So, she decides to approach some westerners. Unfortunately, one of the guys must have said something that she didn't like because she took her beer and poured it onto his lap.
"Oh my God! She pushed him," says a companion as I turn to see our Guiana friend lying flat on his back with his arms and legs flailing about. One of the Russian ladies tried to push his chair away and succeeded. Welcome to Seoul Pub.
Since the official part of the evening was over, I decided to take our visitor from Japan to Seoul Pub. He did want an impression. When we got there it was sort of quiet, so we sat at the bar. The owner started doing his magic tricks, and our visitor was impressed. Then we started playing the dice game where the loser pays for a round of shots. After seven rounds of shots we were feeling pretty good.
My colleague's dance got the applause of a group of musicians sitting at a booth behind us. There were four Korean musicians, one very attractive lady who turned out to be a singer, an elderly gentleman who was her producer, an elderly lady who was her manager, and a young guy who was the producer's assistant. How did I learn this? Well, a few minutes later the singer comes to the bar to order a round of drinks. She then grabs my arm and drags me to her booth. What followed was one of the strangest conversations I have had.
Their English was very poor so we would try to translate with our phones which was hilarious. I was having a great time trying to communicate. The record producer had spent a little time in the States and was able to find a song the singer sitting next to me was known for on the internet. She plugged in her earphones and handed one to me. We then sat there listening to her sing the theme song of a Korean TV drama. It was easy to forget about everyone else especially since she started to caress my back and rub my legs. She was very friendly, and I was having a great time.
It turns out that she is a Korean pop star named Navi. Here are some pictures from the internet.
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| Navi is on the left with her duet partner. |
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| An advertisement that shows how she looked that night. |
And here are some links of her performances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jv2QZ9FKrE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNLgNtAslLQ
Of course, all good things must come to a close. Navi was leaning against me with her head on my shoulder when she whispered she needed to use the rest room. After she left the booth, the producer's assistant says to me, "This is her mom." Thank God I hadn't taken a drink because I would have spit it all over him. Her manager was also her mom! There seemed to be a very long silence. Then I did the only thing that came to mind. When in doubt..."High five!" I said to the mom. And then Navi's mom high-fived me. I don't even want to know what was going through the mom's mind.
Navi returned as though nothing had happened. My friends came by the booth letting me know they where headed home. I decided that was probably a good idea. I got her number and a good night kiss...in front of the mom. Awkward. I have texted her a few times once in Korean. No response. I guess the mom didn't like me. It wouldn't be the first time.
