The UFO's of Taiwan / January 25, 2018 by Tyler Wood

Along the coast of Northeastern Taiwan remains a relic of a past that is slowly crumbling. A beachside community developed in the 1970's as the future of holiday retreats now almost completely abandoned as if the inhabitants vanished into thin air. This is the UFO village of Taiwan.

Comic Dance Festival / June 9, 2015 by Tyler Wood

An empty stage, brightly lit, sits empty. Then a shoe flies from stage left right into the middle of the stage. Then another shoe, and another. By the end of the opening sequence a street shoe stall had been thrown onto the stage and then seemingly confused ajjumas appear and act as if they are shopping with a male barker helping them find the shoes of their dreams. They put their shoes back on and the group of about 10 ajjumas, one ajoshi, and a random young guy slowly begin to enter a drum circle, it seems, and start hippie interpretive dancing to Korean trot music. At one point they have a circle mirror dance going where everyone is following the unchoreographed moves of one of their own at a music stand before that devolves into a conga line that includes random ass slaps.

Korean Visa Renewal (Sejongno) / February 17, 2015 by Tyler Wood

There is some conflicting information on the web about the Sejongno Immigration branch. Some sites are still posting the old address near Anguk Station and I even found an address for the new one that is a few blocks off that can get people turned around. On the government website it is still an additional click about the change, even though it is over a year old. If you are new to renewing your visa, recently moved or are moving to North Seoul from another branch, or have forgotten then this is for you.

Bali Christmas / January 20, 2015 by Tyler Wood

The clock struck 00:00 in red as I heard the wave of horns and cheers rise from the floor below and come towards me riding a wave. I could barely walk, so I was sitting in a wheelchair in the Denpasar airport waiting for an attendant to bring me back my ID card when 2015 started. “Happy New Year,” I said to him when he returned. He responded with a “yeah, happy new year,” and pushed me to the counter to pay my departure tax. I had managed to control my bowels by now, but It was still an exciting start to 2015. How did I get here? It all started a week prior.

Halloween Exotic Dance Party / November 11, 2014 by Tyler Wood

This was the second year I have been able to attend Hellow Pinup Star Pole & Exotic Dance Halloween Party in Cheongdam. This is a more intimate performance than the Korea Pole Sport Championship and less stress for the performers. It is a much more relaxed and encouraging environment. Many of the performers were students, in fact. The show got kicked off with a bang with the T.I.P. Crew putting on a breakdance clinic. Including some pretty amazing moves from a guy missing a leg. It was a better performance than the one they did for the KPSC show. More intricate and in sync.

Korea Pole Sport Championship / October 9, 2014 by Tyler Wood

On September 27th at Kookmin University, past the children in amoeba-shaped groups hovering over a soccer ball on a field and their attentive parents with drinks to rush to them at half-time, was something far more interesting. A sport that includes large colorful eyelashes, six-pack abs, and a vertical pole. It wasn’t pole vaulting, it was one of the largest pole dancing events in Korea - The Korea Pole Sport Championship.

Hong Kong Disneyland / July 13, 2014 by Tyler Wood

Disneyland is notorious for long lines and crying babies, right?

I had a plan, one round of seeing the park and then finding the few rides I would want to ride and wait in line. This was all to happen before going to the airport for my flight back to Seoul that night. Could it be done? Youʼre about to find out.

Standing on Hong Kong's Shoulders / July 12, 2014 by Tyler Wood

The icon of Hong Kong sits just behind the mesmerizing cityscape that is the modern metropolis. When I was there the sky was not accommodating and was shedding it’s water weight. I was only there for a weekend, so I didn’t have time or patience for the clouds’ weight problem. As the day went on, walking around the raised walking paths from shopping center to shopping center, the sky began to finish it’s weight cleanse and go elsewhere to no doubt cry into a tub of ice-cream. This was my chance to see the view from Victoria Peak.

Osaka Gallery / May 21, 2014 by Tyler Wood

A weekend getaway to Osaka. A large city that is walkable and has a small town feel with great city scenery and historic landmarks, but always with that Japanese flare.

W Hotel Seoul - Confused Image / September 23, 2013 by Tyler Wood

The chic interior and design coupled with their advertising of young, trendy people partaking in art and fashion along side their support of equal treatment and innovation tells the tale of a sleek, modern hotel brand that caters to the young and progressive. Pushing the ideas of equality and art also infers the idea that they are open to foreign exchange and cultural openness. That’s what I thought – until I stayed there.