Mark Russell
@markrussell.bsky.social
Former journalist. Sometimes writer. Usually in Korea
I’m going to miss eastern Seoul (moving soon). On The Bread is a quality cafe with excellent views.
November 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I’m going to miss eastern Seoul (moving soon). On The Bread is a quality cafe with excellent views.
Bye bye Hannam-dong….
November 7, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Bye bye Hannam-dong….
Well, I guess I won’t be visiting my old neighborhood anymore.
November 7, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Well, I guess I won’t be visiting my old neighborhood anymore.
It’s funny walking around this old part of town. I remember when it was almost all run-down low rises, around 5 storeys high. Not many of those blocks left anymore.
November 7, 2025 at 1:51 AM
It’s funny walking around this old part of town. I remember when it was almost all run-down low rises, around 5 storeys high. Not many of those blocks left anymore.
I mean, look at this entrance — down an alley I can barely squeeze through. Very Narnia-esque.
November 7, 2025 at 1:39 AM
I mean, look at this entrance — down an alley I can barely squeeze through. Very Narnia-esque.
Ah, Cafe Hanyakbang. Best coffee shop in Korea, hands down. It’s been too long.
November 7, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Ah, Cafe Hanyakbang. Best coffee shop in Korea, hands down. It’s been too long.
I still think this meme has never been topped for explaining Americans and socialism.
November 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I still think this meme has never been topped for explaining Americans and socialism.
It’s so nice having kids that wake you up early to see Venus and the sunrise. :-/
November 2, 2025 at 9:29 PM
It’s so nice having kids that wake you up early to see Venus and the sunrise. :-/
Ack. Nighttime low below freezing, coming soon. Isn’t that a lot earlier than usual?
October 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Ack. Nighttime low below freezing, coming soon. Isn’t that a lot earlier than usual?
Feel the ancient Amsa archeology…
October 18, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Feel the ancient Amsa archeology…
It’s time for the annual Gangdong District fall festival. This is the 30th edition and it’s looking bigger than ever. Good stuff.
October 18, 2025 at 8:39 AM
It’s time for the annual Gangdong District fall festival. This is the 30th edition and it’s looking bigger than ever. Good stuff.
Never seen these before. Port-a-stools? Very useful.
October 15, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Never seen these before. Port-a-stools? Very useful.
Great weather for Sports Day at the local elementary school.
Parents kept safely behind a fence (whether it’s for the kids’ safety or ours, it’s hard to say).
Parents kept safely behind a fence (whether it’s for the kids’ safety or ours, it’s hard to say).
October 15, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Great weather for Sports Day at the local elementary school.
Parents kept safely behind a fence (whether it’s for the kids’ safety or ours, it’s hard to say).
Parents kept safely behind a fence (whether it’s for the kids’ safety or ours, it’s hard to say).
Gorgeous autumn morning in Seoul.
October 14, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Gorgeous autumn morning in Seoul.
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to take a rainy nighttime walk through Seoul. But it’s one of my favorite things to do.
October 10, 2025 at 12:46 PM
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to take a rainy nighttime walk through Seoul. But it’s one of my favorite things to do.
Lovely morning in Seoul, clouds rolling over Namhansan…
October 7, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Lovely morning in Seoul, clouds rolling over Namhansan…
After many years, it looks like Gangdong-gu is finally at work on the expanded Amsa Historical Park. This area used to be full of decaying greenhouses and little farms. I hope it turns out well once they’re done.
September 20, 2025 at 1:17 AM
After many years, it looks like Gangdong-gu is finally at work on the expanded Amsa Historical Park. This area used to be full of decaying greenhouses and little farms. I hope it turns out well once they’re done.
Big mushroom growth around my apartment, thanks to all the rain.
September 20, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Big mushroom growth around my apartment, thanks to all the rain.
Good morning, from Korea’s east coast. It’s cold, but the rain is over.
September 17, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Good morning, from Korea’s east coast. It’s cold, but the rain is over.
This is weird. Why are 5 sports channels all showing the same Hanhwa-Kioom baseball game? I’ve seen the same game on 2 channels before but never 5.
September 15, 2025 at 12:27 PM
This is weird. Why are 5 sports channels all showing the same Hanhwa-Kioom baseball game? I’ve seen the same game on 2 channels before but never 5.
Some choice bits here.
September 14, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Some choice bits here.
It’s bizarre how many fewer chestnuts the chestnut trees where I live are producing these days compared to just a few years ago.
Are my apartment chestnut trees sick, or is this a Korean-wide phenomenon? Maybe because of the climate? I have no idea, but it’s a bit sad.
Are my apartment chestnut trees sick, or is this a Korean-wide phenomenon? Maybe because of the climate? I have no idea, but it’s a bit sad.
September 14, 2025 at 12:26 AM
It’s bizarre how many fewer chestnuts the chestnut trees where I live are producing these days compared to just a few years ago.
Are my apartment chestnut trees sick, or is this a Korean-wide phenomenon? Maybe because of the climate? I have no idea, but it’s a bit sad.
Are my apartment chestnut trees sick, or is this a Korean-wide phenomenon? Maybe because of the climate? I have no idea, but it’s a bit sad.