The concept of subscription boxes has had my attention ever since I first heard of their existence. It wasn’t that long ago, and I never actually subscribed to any before. I guess none had ever stood out to me in particular, at least not enough for me to get my wallet out.
Last month, at last, I came across INSPIRE ME KOREA’s website and was smitten. When you’re studying a language you’re bound to grow interested in its origin country’s culture, history, and overall affairs. INSPIRE ME KOREA’s box promised to send me a little bit of South Korea in the mail, and I was eager to receive it!
The shipping dilemma
Although the shipping expenses (those little big annoying devils) almost had me changing my mind, I went ahead and got the box anyway. I bought it, cancelled it because I thought my poor broke ass couldn’t afford it. In the end, I decided to get it again. Then, I waited for February.
Curiously, when I first cancelled my purchase, they asked me the reason why I was cancelling, so I wrote a little message being honest about how handling the shipping costs was a little to much for me. And, recently, I got an e-mail from them saying the shipping costs have been lowered! About 4£ for me!
Curiously, when I first cancelled my purchase, they asked me the reason why I was cancelling, so I wrote a little message being honest about how handling the shipping costs was a little to much for me. And, recently, I got an e-mail from them saying the shipping costs have been lowered! About 4£ for me!
When I got it I was immediately excited. A box full of surprises! That’s the best part about subscription boxes to me - opening them and finding out what’s inside, item by item.
The box itself is super cute. I like the “Thank You” heart sticker especially. It’s a humble and sweet message to us, subscribers (plus, I do like hearts, and pink, and pink hearts).
Okay, let’s get on with it to the good stuff.
WHAT’S INSIDE
‘What’s in the box??’ you ask. Well, in case you have not yet seen my video where I show and try the box’s contents (in that case, you really should), the box comes with 6 items, excluding the magazine, which comes with every box, every month. Half of these items are snacks, and we all know those are the ones we truly care about (don’t lie to yourself).
My Favorites
Kancho Love Biscuits: these are just too goddamn delicious. I ate them all in one sitting, so fast that it feels like a dream -- okay, tone it down, Maia…
But, in all seriousness, I’m going to have withdrawals from these. I hope I get to buy some more in the near future.
But, in all seriousness, I’m going to have withdrawals from these. I hope I get to buy some more in the near future.
Heart Blackboard: I know I introduced this is my video with something along the lines of ‘this isn’t that useful’ but I admit I was mistaken. As I write this, it’s staring at me, looking all cute on my desk. On it I’ve written a new Korean word I learned today (체육관 a.k.a gym, in case you’re curious). I’ve decided to write a new new Korean word on it every day, and have it staring back at me all day.
Honestly, the schemes I come up with to learn new stuff without actually having to cram with my books…
Sadly, my handwriting with chalk sucks really bad, as you can see. But I’m willing to bet one day it won’t make my eyes hurt anymore.
Honestly, the schemes I come up with to learn new stuff without actually having to cram with my books…
Sadly, my handwriting with chalk sucks really bad, as you can see. But I’m willing to bet one day it won’t make my eyes hurt anymore.
Inspire me Korea Magazine: As I’ve said before, every box, every month, comes with a different issue of this magazine, from what I’ve gathered. This month it’s themed after Valentine’s Day, like the entire box itself. I liked it because it was a light, easy to read little magazine, with some information on nice places to places to visit in Seoul, recipes (that I would like to try one day) and some love-themed sentences in korean for all of us who are learning the language. Here are two sentences that I particularly enjoyed learning:
내가 어디가는 나는 너만 생각해
Wherever I go, I’m always thinking of you
너는 내 심장을 멈추 게해
You make my heart skip a beat
My not-so-favorites
Why does a cute package smell so bad? |
An item that will tell apart the weak from the strong.
Truly.