Grandpa's Libido

That's right. Granpdas need love to and Jongmyo Park in downtown Seoul is the best place where you can witness old men trying to flirt.

The park has been considered a ``sound'' playground for retired senior citizens, but it has recently become a hotbed of the illicit sex trade between sex-hungry old men and prostitutes.

But who would sleep with such old men?

``They are prostitutes,'' said a cobbler working in front of the park. ``The number reaches its highest around 3 p.m. Among them are ethnic Koreans from China

I like how they said "among them". Does that mean "among" all the Korean hookers? Nice omission, Korean media.

You can hear Confucian-style cats calls like "I'm older than you!" or "Because I said so" resounding from the buildings around the park. And not only is this a haven for these aging sex-addicts, but they can also score drugs there as well.

A public restroom in the park was already bombarded with fliers promoting sex-related medicine. ``Cure-all for those suffering declining energy!'' a flier read.

Illegal drug sellers frequent the path encircling the park. A seller attracted customers, displaying the prescription-required erectile dysfunction medicine Viagra

What's the difference between a "seller" and a "dealer" you ask? Blood. Korean's are "sellers" and foreigners are "dealers". The word "dealer" sounds much more depraved and evil whereas "seller" sounds like a child selling lemonade. Regardless, they even offer the old shaman favorites...

Among the traders were those selling dried parts of reptiles including snake. ``I caught and dried these on my own. It's really helpful in boosting metabolism,'' one seller said, but refused to say what kinds of side effects it might cause.

They also had dried skink and anole.

Then the article turned its attention to "sex cruisers". In the United States, people tend to "cruise" at rest-stops, bathrooms and, yep, public parks. Of course, most of these cruisers tend to be gay, but since there are no gay people in Korea (except for this guy and these guys), old-men step up to the plate.

And it closes with...

``Sexual desire is a desire not only shared among young people but also old people. But our society is sill stuck in the obsolete Confucian-based perception that labels desire as an undesirable state, playing a major hurdle in setting a sound sexual culture for the aged,'' said Prof. Lim Choon-sik at Hannam University's social welfare department

So desire is the problem? I guess that's why there are love motels, "massage" parlors and call-girl fliers on every corner. There's just no "desire".