Nathan Schwartzman of Korea Beat: Korea losing a great blogger . . . I think I speak for everyone who followed his blog when I say I don’t wonder for a moment whether starting his blog was a good idea. Thanks, Brian.
Extra! Korea: A . . . way to describe Mr. Deutsch would be “honest, with no sugarcoating.” And those who think that he’s been too critical of Korea are, in my view, focusing too much upon certain posts, and need to step back and see the forest for the trees, viewing his blog as a whole. He has given a lot of information about events that tourists might be interested in, and has shown us a lot of the interesting sights of Korea through his photographs. Also, he put his real name, face, and location out there, and while some would describe this as attention-seeking, it shows courage that his anonymous detractors lack.
Monster Island: Brian has written so many things that show a clear-headed analysis of things in Korea, not to mention a genuine interest in the country and its people[.]
Over fifteen years later, which is like eight generations in EFL teacher years, many of the links are broken and some of the posts have been hidden, but the site is up my time capsule of this time. These formative years, while Korean entertainment and culture was just on the cusp of international attention, and when the places I lived were on the verge of many new developments, are sometimes neat to read through again. Many of the old places are now gone, and too many of my old friends have passed away, but this time still holds special meaning.
I'm no longer in Jeollanam-do, because I moved back to the United States in February 2010. The website will still be around, will still be Brian in Jeollanam-do, and will still have as many updates as time permits. I don't want to turn this into a blog about "back home," and I certainly don't want to act like a 70s rock group still touring three decades later because they haven't accepted they're not good, or relevant, anymore.
If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to catch up, please feel free to reach out to deutsch.brian at gmail.com.
