Monday May 19
 
18:50
 
Korea Town

A few weeks ago I met a couple of Korean guys at Tonjang - the only REAL Korean BBQ that I’ve found in Tokyo. We got talking because they saw me speaking Korean, and we exchanged contact details. Last night we met up and headed to Shin-Okubo - the Korea Town of Tokyo - and ended up in a bar (pictured) which could have been lifted straight out of Shinchon in Seoul. For atmosphere, it was an excellent find.

I used to go to Shin-Okubo often, but stopped because I always ended up getting very drunk. Last night was no exception. Korean alcohol is lethal.

The whole night reminded me of all the things I miss about Korea - so much so that I actually started crying in the subway on the way to work this morning. The same thing happened at lunch.

Tears. Me?! I never cry.

I really miss Korea a lot.

I’d like the think it’s just the Tokyo-Japanese people I know, but it’s not. It’s difficult to bond with people here, full stop. It’s like going out to party with your mother tagging along - there’s always a restraint.

They only want to go out on weekends, not during the week. They are continually thinking of the subway home. They never let go and party or express their emotions. They don’t know how to live and be free.

It’s not just me that feels this way either. I’ve know people who have been in Japan for years, even people who speak fluent Japanese, and they tell me the same thing. There’s always a barrier - a shield - with Japanese. They are minding their Ps and Qs. You never really know what’s inside.

Last night I went out with Koreans that I had randomly met in a restaurant. We drank, ate, chatted, had an awesome time. I ended up getting a taxi home at 2am. I almost never made it into work this morning.

I have never done that with Japanese.

When I used to go to Shin-Okubo regularly, I’d always end up getting talking to a group of Koreans in a bar. We’d share bottles of Korean alcohol, to the extent that it was impossible to tell what one had actually consumed.

That has also never happened to me with Japanese, ever.

You can meet Koreans randomly, and become friends instantly. No guard. No hiding. No restraint. THAT is what I miss about Korea.

I better start finding more Korean friends if I’m to enjoy Tokyo.