Haylo

How did I end up reading subtitles for almost all the the shows I watch, and now have minimal entertainment content in common with my local friends? Well it started with a Netflix recommending Alchemy of Souls and a remembered conversation with a Canadian- South Korean student that was sharing what she missed most while here. Little did I know the adventures my shrug and “why not” were going to take me on.  

Since then I’ve learned a smattering of Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean. Just enough to surprise a smile from the staff at the Asian grocery stores and restaurants, not enough for polite small talk and probably too many phrases that will get me in trouble since the most memorable phrases all seem to be exclamations  

Aside from language, some of the other side-quests the shows have sent me on include 

• finding new local stores, restaurants, and local Asian themed events (I live in Canada and out population is ethnically diverse) 
• trying out recipes, 
• buying a fancier rice cooker than I could have ever foreseen, 
• starting a collection of brands that mimic real ones or are product placements that made me laugh and
• exploring new artists and musicians, mythologies, history, religions, and cultural customs. 

My “completed” list is embarrassingly long… how can I possibly have watch that much tv since 2022? … and my “plan to watch” list regularly crashed my phone if I use the browser instead of the app.  You have been warned.