Meeting Mr Kim: Or How I Went to Korea and Learned to Love Kimchi [Kindle Edition]

In 2000, Jennifer Barclay's boyfriend, a drummer, secured a three month gig at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, South Korea. Unhappy with her life in Toronto, she quits her job, and joins her boyfriend, Gavin, on what would ultimately be an inspiring trip to the "Land of the Morning Calm". The initial excitement quickly peters out as both Jennifer and Gavin struggle to integrate with life in Seoul, finding it unfriendly and soul-less. Gavin's day (night) job means that he spends most of the day sleeping before playing with the band at night. This life leaves Jennifer to her own devices for much of the day. Tiring of the urban sprawl that is Seoul, Jennifer begins to make solo trips away from Seoul, and begins to experience the "real" Korea. It is these journeys of exploration which is the basis of "Meeting Mr Kim".

Much of the author's experience revolves around food - which is not surprising given the wide variety of dishes available in South Korea. The adventure with a dish of "mool naengmyun", as described in chapter three, "The Noodles and the Scissors" is hilarious. Of course, the author's experiences extend to more than just food and range from the challenges of traveling in Korea, dealing with bus trips to small cities and towns, hiking, visiting Buddhist temples (which can be an inspiration in itself), finding places to sleep, camping, as well as meeting Koreans along the way, Mr Lee, Mr Che and many more, some of whom remain nameless. The Mr Kim of the title was one of two older Korean men that the author met on one of the last of her trips out of Seoul, and who remains in email contact with the author. Because she was traveling alone, it seemed that people would go out of their way to be friendly and helpful to Jennifer - their random acts of kindness, such as a maintenance worker allowing Jennifer to enter a excavated tomb in Gyeongju which otherwise was closed for maintenance, is something that I identified with, having been the grateful and appreciative beneficiary of many such acts myself. Jennifer is overwhelmed with the constant acts of kindness that she encounters out in the smaller cities of Korea, and contrasts these with her experiences in Seoul.

If I had a gripe with the book, it is about the depiction of Seoul - there is much more personality in the city than perhaps the author allows - at times she is looking to experience some culture, and struggles to find it, despite having a guidebook. I know from personal experience that there are many such places in Seoul (which I found using a guidebook), not least of which is the alleyways of Insadong (but perhaps she found it too touristy, as she clearly found with Itaewon). Another gripe is the spelling of the placenames - the older system of translating Korean into English is consistently used throughout (for example, Chongmyo for Jongmyo). As explained in an appendix, the transliteration system has been revised, and I would have preferred the newer system since it would probably be more familiar to the majority of readers.

Jennifer clearly has fallen love with all things Korean - as many of us, often unexpectedly, do, having spent time in Korea. My fiancee and I lived there for a sometimes difficult year in 2001/2002 as an ESL teacher. Many ESL teachers have bad experiences in Korea, and are unable to separate their professional lives (which is usually where the difficulties arise) from their personal lives. Fortunately, the Korean friends that we made during our stay meant that we had very rewarding social lives (for some reason, probably because neither of us are drinkers, we didn't really socialise with the other ex-pat ESL teachers at our school who would generally just party during the weekends). As a result, I have a passion for all things Korean (although I admit to being a little unadventurous with the food - Jennifer definitely has the edge on me there!), and have been back to Korea several times since. "Meeting Mr Kim" was a refreshing read; the author bridles with unadulterated passion for Korea and Koreans, with an open-mindedness about new cultural experiences that is not always present in many travelers to Korea.

I would definitely recommend this book to all Korea-philes like myself - it was a delight to read such an accessible travelogue of someone who is clearly just as passionate about Korea as I am. In the appendix, the author has even made suggestions where one can find Korean food in London! I would also suggest that prospective and current ESL teachers have a read as well; learn that there is more to life in Korea than just Seoul. Also, while it doesn't replace a history book, many chapters (there are 22 chapters, plus an appendix containing a Kimchi recipe, a basic bibliography and pointers for further information) begin with a little recap of some aspect of Korean history. But above all else, "Meeting Mr Kim" makes one appreciate the amazing experiences that are available to someone who is open-minded and willing to seek out those experiences.

This is one of the first books I have read about South Korea since deciding to go there in a couple of years time. It was a wonderful account by someone who had obviously gone there with a brilliant attitude. Her story is an awesome one, that is really well written and draws you into her world at the time, while teaching you a lot about common pit falls foreigners come across in Korea. This is a book I would recommend for a great read, especially if you are interested in learning more about this country and its attitudes and traditions. I read it in just 3 days, couldn't put it down!

I agree with 'What the Hell,' who reviewed the book last year. Miss Barclay's style is as bland as some of the comments she makes. I could only skim through the first part of the book as I thought is was so tediously written and offensive. In the early chapters she writes about eating bibimbap as if it's a big adventure. I think the other reviewer mentioned the same passage, where the Korean waitress warns the food is 'ferry ferry hhat!' It's not that far removed from those old racist jokes where the Chinese guy ends up saying 'No glot, so solly!'

The same passage includes such gems as:
"The woman in charge, wiry with short curly hair immediately told us to leave. 'Only Korean food,' she explained.
'It's OK,' said Gav, and I smiled. 'We want Korean food!'
Eyeing us suspiciously, she let us sit at a table." etc etc. ad. nauseum

This passage is awful in so many ways. Firstly Barclay's nasty adverbs, which she overuses throughout the book. Did she 'eye' you 'suspiciously' Jennifer? did she really? Or did she actually just nod and go get your food? Secondly the sentiments implied here: that Gav and Jennifer are being terribly daring by eating with the natives. Dear me! Every waygook in Korea has eaten bibimbap a thousand times. I know I lived on it for my first fortnight in Incheon, it was the only thing I knew how to order. Thirdly the idea that the waitress would eye them 'suspiciously' for ordering Korean food is inconceivable; Seoul is a modernistic contemporary city not some cultural backwater. She 'immediately told us to leave?' No she didn't! She'd have wanted the business.

In my opinion Miss Barclay needs to go back to school and start off by reading Edward Said's 'Orientalism.' All the way through this book she sets up the Korean people as these intriguingly exotic Orientals whose behaviour is all directly influenced by Confucian ideology and Buddhist principles. In one chapter she is introduced to a Korean woman who is very hospitable - she offers her food and a bed. For Barclay this is an example of Buddhism in action rather than just an example of someone being decent and friendly. I know plenty of British people who would do the same thing who don't know squat about Buddhism and have never been to church in their lives.

My main problem with this book is the simplistic and naive sentiments that Barclay continually exhibits. What makes it worse is her pallid style and inability to craft her writing.

On a good note, when she narrates her experiences hiking in the mountains and visiting Buddhist temples there are some nice contrasts between the countryside and Seoul. This did make me realise that next time I live in Korea I really want to see the rest of the country more and not get stuck in the capital. I like Seoul but Barclay made me aware that the country is a lot more varied than one city. So for that reason, many thanks and an extra star.

Without this I would have given this book one star or below. The book reads like the sort of self-engrossed ramblings I sometimes indulge in when I'm feeling sorry for myself and write a diary entry. These are often embarrassing even for me to re-read, and I certainly wouldn't attempt to publish them. Who agreed to publish this and why? Maybe she has relatives in the book industry? Do we really want to know about her relationship with 'Gav,' her twenty-one year old drummer boyfriend? Not really. Utter turgid, sanctimonious, self-absorbed drivel that reeks throughout of middle-class, Eurocentric, imperialistic attitudes more fitting to Victorian England than the twenty-first century. Jennifer, you ought to be ashamed of yourself young lady!

However, if you're the sort of bovine individual who enjoys Bridget-Jones-type novels and thinks that actually talking to Asian person is terribly interesting, then do read this book, you'll probably like it.