Project Jade has taken me to other avenues of Korean life. You wouldn’t know it but late at night there’s a whole other breed of Koreans who come out of the kimchi-smelling woodwork. That’s right, the dieters are out.

Contrary to western belief, not all Koreans are a size 4. When the sun goes down in Busan, the “plus sizes” are out in swarms walking their weight away. But when I say “plus size”, it’s not what we consider a “plus size”. Overweight to them is anybody who doesn’t wear a size 4 or 6. Even the slimiest of women get ridiculed because they are “fat”. It’s absolutely ridicious.

I mustn’t forget to mention how tactless Koreans can be about it too. In fact, this was the first week in awhile where I haven’t been told I was fat. One coworker actually came me a compliment, “you look better than before” in regard to my weight. Imagine how wonderful it would be to work in a place where others find it’s their duty to make you feel about three apples tall on a regular basis. Welcome to my world.

All of this can be pretty frustrating because I am really not overweight for my height. In all honesty, I am at a healthy weight. I just want to get back to my fighting weight.

Anyway I have been rambling, so back to my story. I have been out walking later than usual. So I keep seeing the same women fitness walking. They all seem to be walking my circuit. But now that I think about it, I might be walking their circuit.