Post by IceCat on Dec 16, 2015 11:19:23 GMT
Long time fans of the site will realize that this day was inevitable and they certainly won't lack for things to talk about in Japan but the fact that they will be moving on after seven years in Korea will take some getting used to. The comments on their blog post have been overwhelmingly positive as their fans look forward to new adventures. I am hoping that my own contribution to the discussion will be considered supportive as well but I couldn't completely hide my melancholy at the news:
www.eatyourkimchi.com/we-are-moving-to-japan/
Hey, guise!
This is Kevin, who you met briefly back in NYC during your tour this past August. I’m one of your older Nasties (52) and first became aware of Korean culture through the incredible ladies from that country who play on the LPGA Tour, many of whom I’ve chatted with. The two in particular who I saw when I attended my very first tournament way back in 2002 are each memorable in their own way. One of course is the woman who started the Hallyu wave in women’s golf with her incredible rookie season in 1998, Pak Se Ri, who has become and still remains the most successful Korean player in professional golf, male or female, and is an inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame. The other is a contemporary of hers who had a few wins on Tour herself before she retired a few years ago to start a family but just as importantly I consider one of my dear friends, Park Jie Eun, or Grace Park as she was known in her playing days. From watching the dedication they and the “hoobaes” who have followed in their footsteps have in the sport, I learned first hand about the Korean work ethic and also the devotion they have to their families and their elders. Many of the young stars on Tour today, including the Korean-born New Zealander Lydia Ko who currently sits atop the world rankings, look up to their “unnies” and credit them and the generation of players who immediately followed in their spike marks with motivating them.
At my age I’ve learned that the one constant in life is change. Just as professional athletes eventually move on as they grow older to follow other pursuits – my friend Grace has already retired from competitive golf and it is likely that Se Ri will do so at the end of 2016 – it is also true of others as well. As much as you have hinted that your initial goal back in the day was to move around from place to place and document your experiences for the wider world to enjoy everyone got used to you guise in Korea so this news did initially jolt me. Now that I’ve had a chance to think about it I realize that you too have realized that the one constant in life is change. It sucks that Martina’s quality of life issues are partly responsible, and I wouldn’t of course know whether the doctors in Japan will be any different than the ones in Korea but here’s hoping that she gets better support for her EDS.
I won’t go into detail what I’ve been experiencing lately, but one of my sisters passed away recently and my father, who I still live with, has been in frail health and when the day comes that he departs from among us I’ll have to move. Maybe that would be the kick in the rear I need to find some meaning in my life. Rather than burden you with my issues here’s hoping that your journey continues to be meaningful.
Two things you didn’t mention although I can guess at one of them: you will probably return the EYK Mobile to Kia if you haven’t done so already. The other would concern your weekly show on SBS PopAsia radio. The holiday hiatus you normally take with the show is coincident with this announcement but I’m wondering if you’ll still be doing the show going forward. Not that you’ll be lacking for things to talk about, I’m sure, but much of the show had been on the Korean entertainment scene which you’ll no longer have first hand experience with. Have you had discussions with SBS Australia regarding the future of the show?
I still look forward to seeing what experiences you have to share with us in the future. Fighting!
This is Kevin, who you met briefly back in NYC during your tour this past August. I’m one of your older Nasties (52) and first became aware of Korean culture through the incredible ladies from that country who play on the LPGA Tour, many of whom I’ve chatted with. The two in particular who I saw when I attended my very first tournament way back in 2002 are each memorable in their own way. One of course is the woman who started the Hallyu wave in women’s golf with her incredible rookie season in 1998, Pak Se Ri, who has become and still remains the most successful Korean player in professional golf, male or female, and is an inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame. The other is a contemporary of hers who had a few wins on Tour herself before she retired a few years ago to start a family but just as importantly I consider one of my dear friends, Park Jie Eun, or Grace Park as she was known in her playing days. From watching the dedication they and the “hoobaes” who have followed in their footsteps have in the sport, I learned first hand about the Korean work ethic and also the devotion they have to their families and their elders. Many of the young stars on Tour today, including the Korean-born New Zealander Lydia Ko who currently sits atop the world rankings, look up to their “unnies” and credit them and the generation of players who immediately followed in their spike marks with motivating them.
At my age I’ve learned that the one constant in life is change. Just as professional athletes eventually move on as they grow older to follow other pursuits – my friend Grace has already retired from competitive golf and it is likely that Se Ri will do so at the end of 2016 – it is also true of others as well. As much as you have hinted that your initial goal back in the day was to move around from place to place and document your experiences for the wider world to enjoy everyone got used to you guise in Korea so this news did initially jolt me. Now that I’ve had a chance to think about it I realize that you too have realized that the one constant in life is change. It sucks that Martina’s quality of life issues are partly responsible, and I wouldn’t of course know whether the doctors in Japan will be any different than the ones in Korea but here’s hoping that she gets better support for her EDS.
I won’t go into detail what I’ve been experiencing lately, but one of my sisters passed away recently and my father, who I still live with, has been in frail health and when the day comes that he departs from among us I’ll have to move. Maybe that would be the kick in the rear I need to find some meaning in my life. Rather than burden you with my issues here’s hoping that your journey continues to be meaningful.
Two things you didn’t mention although I can guess at one of them: you will probably return the EYK Mobile to Kia if you haven’t done so already. The other would concern your weekly show on SBS PopAsia radio. The holiday hiatus you normally take with the show is coincident with this announcement but I’m wondering if you’ll still be doing the show going forward. Not that you’ll be lacking for things to talk about, I’m sure, but much of the show had been on the Korean entertainment scene which you’ll no longer have first hand experience with. Have you had discussions with SBS Australia regarding the future of the show?
I still look forward to seeing what experiences you have to share with us in the future. Fighting!
Given what I've shared about myself there and now copied here it is doubtful that I'll be able to attend a tournament next season, but that is the least of my concerns right now. Back on topic, we can all look forward to new adventures from Simon and Martina going forward.
Kevin