The graves of my maternal grandparents (right) and great-grandparents (left) on my family’s ancestral property on Geoje Island.

Seoul’s metro system makes New York’s look like something from an apocalyptic third-world nightmare.

Remember the scary wall console? I guess it’s more like a panel. But here it is, along with its minions below.

Last week, I accidentally set off the master alarm. A harsh, robotic female voice repeatedly screamed a Korean phrase that I can only imagine meant, “You’re an idiot!”

I panicked for 10 minutes before figuring how to stop the terrible noise. Then I ran out of the apartment to do something that wasn’t being in my apartment.

Nationalism is infectious.

Korea’s World Cup run may have ended this week, but that doesn’t mean I can’t stop posting pictures from their match against Argentina.

Here, the statue of Admiral Yi Sun-Shin is bathed in floodlights in the midst of heavy police presence and soccer enthusiasts.

When my bag gets caught in the metro door, I, too, shriek, “Ah-Cha!”

I chilled with my relatives over the weekend. Here are my cousin’s 7-year-old twins — matching World Cup outfits and all! They’re posing (after much coaxing) with their grandmother (my aunt).

Did you know that Seoul is the 2010 World Design Capital?

No? Well, maybe this enormous sign in the City Hall metro station will clue you in. Also, the New York Times tells me this is the reason to visit Seoul this year. So far, I haven’t experienced much “world design,” but I’ll keep everyone updated.

Oh, now you tell me.

A traveler’s thoughts on Seoul, named one of Lonely Planet’s nine least favorite cities.

From the New York Times, a stunning bird’s eye view of the World Cup crowd.