An ajuma works a pair of toe socks at the Gu In Jung Sa Temple’s sungmoo on Sunday, April 4, 2010.
While I was at Gu In Jung Sa Temple watching the sungmoo on Sunday (please see Buddhism With Korean Characteristics below), I noticed an older woman wearing toe socks. I’ve always thought these gloves for the feet were just a novelty item, but apparently they’re not over here.
I figured that perhaps toe socks were something that ajumas wear, but KJ’s older sister, Kyung-mi, set me straight. She informed me that they are most commonly worn by people suffering from athlete’s foot so that the toes can be kept separated. In fact, she said, her husband has a few pairs and I could have one – an unopened and not previously worn pair, I would like to make clear.
I’m always up for a new experience, so I said sure. Off she went to fetch them, and I wore them that afternoon when Kyung-mi, her husband, KJ and I took the kids out to Ulsan. Well, I am quite pleasantly surprised to report that they are the most god damn comfortable things I’ve ever worn on my feet.
Sure they look kind of funny, but your feet stay cool and you don’t even feel like you’re wearing socks. They are fantastic.
A place for every toe + Every toe in its place = AWESOME!
Jeff Melland
Gnomeless 