You (you), you are (you are) my universe. And I (I) just want (just want) to put you first.
Coldplay’s collaboration with South Korean super group BTS plays as soon as we leave Sydney’s radio reception and switch to a local station. It’s appropriate, because we off to Canberra to catch The Hallyu Wave exhibition of Korean culture at the National Museum of Australia. This is not to be confused with the Australian Museum in Sydney, which Alex and I visited yesterday to see the Bloodsuckers exhibition and dinosaurs.
We are forced to use the radio because Alex is doing the driving and learners are not allowed to have mobile phones hooked into the car’s systems. That’s the other point of this trip, to get his driving hours up.
Limited to 90 km/h, we are overtaken by everyone en route. Alex’s 2 hour limit is reached just before Goulburn and we pull into the Derrick VC rest area. There we encounter a small herd of lazy goats and the convict built Towrang Bridge.
B drives us into Goulburn for lunch, which we take at the famous and historic Paragon Cafe. The lime milkshake and the chips are good, but the rest of the specials leave a lot to be desired.
We stop by Morton’s Toys and Hobbies as we walk back and I am impressed. In addition to toys and bikes, they also sell Jaycar electronics and a few model railway items, including a Tomix N-scale Shinkansen set, along with the usual Hornby sets. On another day I might have bought some activities there.
It’s my job to drive us the final stretch to Canberra. Lake George has water, though less than its peak. I head straight to the museum. Standing in front is the giant Young-hee doll from the incredibly popular K-drama Squid Game.
Inside the exhibition we are greeted by a Psy mannequin and Gangnam Style. We visited the Gangnam district in Seoul. It was a weekend and during the Chuseok festival and almost dead quiet. Not like Psy.
The dark hall of Korean popular culture exhibits is lit by colourful neon signs and lights. There are explanations and displays of Korean history, from the Japanese invasion, independence, the Korean War, financial crisis and birth of an Asian tiger economy.
The real focus is on South Korean popular culture and its impact on the world. That means K-pop and K-drama. B loves the latter, and though none of us are really into it, we did attend a Stray Kids concert thanks to free tickets. And we’ve visited South Korea a few times before. So there is a connection.
It is interesting to learn about the development of Korean popular culture amongst the political turmoil of dictatorships and protests. If you like Korean fashion, there are plenty on display. None of us are game to try the dance choreography.
Alex purchases a gatchapon from the museum shop. If is a soft toy of a toilet.
From the museum we head towards the airport and our hotel, the Vibe. It is modern with a huge central atrium and nicely appointed rooms. Unfortunately ours does not have a view of the airport, though I can see aircraft on descent into it.
We eat chocolate flavoured Turtle chips I bought on discount in Sydney. They’re from South Korea.
After a rest I drive us back into the city centre. The traffic is a bit feral and I’m unsure which lanes to keep and turn offs to take, despite the GPS.
Eventually I make it into the Canberra Centre carpark, back up to the same level I parked my car at last time. Down through the Centre’s shops and out to Yumko, a small and cool Korean restaurant.
While we wait for our dishes of beef ribs stew and tteokbokki to be served, I realise it is strange not to have banchan, a collection of small dish as well. Some pickles radish and kimchi eventually arrives with the mains, which are less generous than we have had before in Sydney.
Korean done for the day, we wander back through neon Tiger Lane and the shops of the Canberra Centre, as it is late night shopping tonight. I had thoughts of getting a box of Lego to play with at the hotel, or some other activities, but I am so tired I can’t think straight.
It is a relief to return to the hotel. I’m sleeping on the sofa, having decided not to turn it into a sofa bed. I brought my own aircraft blanket. Hopefully enough.
Seeing all the email during my absence makes me think of my career. But today was all about Korea.