I can handle spicy food just as great as any one else, but Dwaedgi's Malay lady said it best: Korean red spices are boring. Personally, I find the food not smothered in red sauce (usually gochujang) to be the most delicious of Korean cuisine.
Today there was spicy soup (that's the name I can't make it up), which is just a mixture of gochu, kimchi, gochujang, and hot water. I decided not to have any. Personally, it's more of a pissing contest than it is an enjoyable meal. "Hey WT, can you eat spicy soup?" "Yes, but I don't want to." "Yes, it's very spicy for foreigners." Me thinking: Mr. Lee's mouth is moving too much again... "Want some more soju Mr. Lee?"
I don't think it's spicy, and even though I'm a super-competitive guy, it kinda reminds me of those gross concoctions you used to make with you friends. Take a almost-finished glass of RC Cola, put in some french fries, all of the salt and pepper, some mayo, some sugar packets paper and all, that last bit of hamburger bun, honey mustard, some ketchup and half a bottle of hot sauce....after mix it all up. "Hey WT, I dare you to drink it!" I did it more than once before, and you learn your lessons.
Things like dumpling and dduk soup, kalguksu, pumpkin porridge and pancake, etc. are quite delicious. I see the word 'subtle' being thrown around, and I agree with you. Simplicity is a fine art, and it takes patience and self-control to master it, especially when it comes to cooking.
