Two Valentines Days in Korea

So yesterday was Valentine's Day....but things happened a bit differently here in Korea. If you must know, unlike in other countries, in Japan and Korea, Valentines Day is for girls to buy gifts for the guys. The guys turn falls in March, when they have to return the favor.
So there are effectively 2 Valentines Days!!! These marketing guys are really innovative. They have set aside different days for celebration, almost one a month for a variety of excuses.
As this news report points out:

Jan. 14 - Diary Day
On Diary Day, lovers and friends give one another day planners, which is symbolic of a fresh start to the year. Girlfriends also encourage boyfriends to record their special days together.
Feb. 14 - Valentine’s Day
Korea’s version of Valentine’s Day was imported from Japan after a Japanese company cleverly carved out White Day from Valentine’s to create two days in which they profited from greeting card and chocolate sales. On Valentine’s Day, it is the woman’s responsibility to buy chocolate for their significant others.
March 3 - Samgyeopsal Day
March in Korean is written as the number 3, pronounced “sam,” which is the same as the first syllable of samgyeopsal, or pork belly. Started in 2003, this is the day where people go out to eat pork belly.
March 14 - White Day
On this special day, it is men’s turn to return the favor to the women who have given them chocolate on Valentine’s Day.
April 14 - Black Day
Those who failed to be the beneficiary of love on Valentine’s Day or White Day have Black Day to fall back on. On this day, singles gather to eat jajangmyeon, which is a black noodle dish at Chinese restaurants.
Grape Day / Diary Day /Rose Day
May 14 - Rose Day
Another marketing scheme, on Rose Day lovers are supposed to present each other with a bouquet of roses, as May is the month when roses blossom. The day is promoted by florists and amusement parks, who try to lure young customers with the onset of spring.
June 14 - Kiss Day
Not related to any business, Kiss Day is pretty self explanatory.
July 14 - Silver Day
Young couples exchange silver rings - known as “promise rings” - on Silver Day. Interestingly, more couples introduce each other to their parents on this day than any other.
Aug. 8 - Grape Day
Grape Day is relatively unknown compared to other days since Nonghyup began promoting Grape Day in 2008 to raise grape sales. Also, “August” in Korean is the same as the number 8, which resembles a bunch of grapes.
Aug. 14 - Green Day
This day is designated for lovers to enjoy the beauty of nature. For those flying solo, Green Day is a day to ease loneliness by drinking soju, which is sold in a green bottle.
Sept. 9 - Googoo Day
Created by the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Googoo Day (Chicken Day) is intended to promote chicken consumption. In Korean, the sound of a chicken is “googoo,” which is the same as the pronunciation of the number 99.
Black Day /Samgyeopsal Day / Kiss Day
Sept. 14 - Photo Day
Lovers, friends and family celebrate this day by taking pictures outdoors.
Oct. 4 - Cheonsa (Angel) Day
In Korean, the number 1,004 is pronounced “cheonsa,” which sounds the same as the Korean word for “angel.” On this day, non-profit organizations encourage people to do volunteer work and make donations.
Nov. 8 - Bra Day
On Bra Day, men are supposed to buy brassieres for their girlfriend or wife. They say the numeral 11 resembles the strings on a bra, and when “8” is flipped on its side, it resembles a bra.
Nov. 11 - Pepero Day
While many of these days are altogether ignored, Pepero Day is one of the most successful (from a marketer’s standpoint). Pepero is a brand of chocolate-covered cookie first made by Lotte.
Legend has it that Pepero Day started in the 1990s among middle school girls in Busan in the hopes they would become as slim as a stick.
Nov. 14 - Movie Day
Movie Day was established by movie companies to encourage people to go to the theater.
Dec. 14. - Hug Day
This is a day when people hug one another to share the spirit of love. Its origin is unknown.

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Korean restaurant in Delhi looking for business partners

I received the following emails a while ago. An Indian hotelier plans to open a Korean restaurant in Delhi and is looking for a business partner (Korean.
The first email:

I needed your help to find a company or persons who may be interested in running a Korean Restaurant in New Delhi, India. The location is already set up as a restaurant and has some Korean kitchen equipment available in terms of kimchi fridge, bar b q tables, burners from Korea etc. Also pots and and pans are available.
The location already has a local government license to run as a restaurant and also has a liquor license available. The restaurant has seating for 45 plus a basement which already has the Korean style rooms made.
Currently in New Delhi there are 3 Korean restaurants of which only Gung the Palace is doing extremely well. Of the other two one is located in a 5 Star hotel and thereby is quite expensive and the quality is not so good. The last one has poor food quality and therefore not doing well.
My location is located near the diplomatic area and also has a huge expatriate population living in the neighbourhood; comprising of Europeans, Americans, Japanese and Koreans.
I am already running other restaurants in New Delhi and very familiar with running a restaurant. I am looking for a JV/partnership with a Korean company or person who wants to move to New Delhi for this business opportunity. The sales expected for the Korean restaurant are around Rs 35lakh - Rs 40lakh/month (USD 80,0000 - USD90,000 per month).

Another mail with details:

Let me give you a gist of the concept of the JV I envision : The Korean Partner will be responsible for ensuring the quality of the food so that it meets the authentic tastes & standards of the Korean clientele. They will also be responsible for networking in the Korean community in New Delhi to bring in business for the restaurant. There is a financial aspect of the deal as well but we can discuss that later.
My role essentially will be providing space , certain staff to manage the government required book keeping and also provide purchasing efficiencies to the partner. I will ensure compliance with all the local legal requirements needed to run the restaurant.
The restaurant will be catering to only Korean/Japanese people, other expatriates interested in eating Korean food and some Indians who may come in as guests of the Koreans who will visit the restaurant.
In terms of beef/pork , both are being imported and being sold in the Korean restaurants already present. There are also Korean supermarkets where beef is available.There is an issue with the beef but its being "managed". Soju is already available in my restaurant.
The most important issue is the ability to deliver quality food and network in the community. Even yesterday a fellow hotelier informed me that a tour company was looking for authentic Korean taste place and they have 35 groups that they can provide in a season.
My only request is that preferably I would like a person who can speak at least basic English as that really helps the dynamics and will also also make the business relationship easier.

If any Koreans are interested, do drop me an e-mail and i will give you the contact details.

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Rest in Peace

Eunmi's father has left this world for the next.
May he find happiness wherever he goes!

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Aging process of Korean women...it's true!!

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