Just finished reading “Island of Fantasy” by Shawn Matthews over at Korea Life. The book starts by exploring Shawn’s humble beginnings in New York state and then the turn of events that brought him to Korea in the first place. The book then explores the complex relationships and situations Shawn found himself in on Goje-do island teaching english at a crazy “hagwon”.

The book was really funny and things that happened to Shawn in the book are the same things you will be thinking to yourself, happened to you sometime during your time in Korea in one way or another. However, some of things such as the jock itch problem he had, I have never had to worry about here fortunately.

The book is definitely worth checking out. I ordered my copy through Lulu on the internet for about $15 total. Shawn on his site now has copies of his book that he can sell to people here in Korea for 10,000 won. Much cheaper then the internet option. Also his newest edition should have the few gramatical mistakes corrected from the Lulu version. Either way you will have a good time reading this book and thinking about what you would have done in situations he found himself in.