Lake Palace Fitness

For years I thought there were few things more homoerotic than the American gym. Sweaty men wearing tight shirts that often were little more than leotards, all greased up and staring at themselves in mirrors. On the walls were pictures of famed weight-lifters of the past...donning banana hammocks and showing off the rippling chest and back that these other posers could only dream of. Afterward, many head into the locker room, strip down and shower together. Just shy of frolicking around the shower trying to play grab-ass...this...in my mind was the most accepting homo-erotic thing a homophobic culture could stand.

Then I came to Korea and got a gym membership.

The first time that "It's Raining Men" came on in the middle of a set...I was a little confused. Is this supposed to pump me up? *Hallelujah, it's raining men*--nine.....TENNN. Yes. There's my set. I realized after time that it was actually a Korean techno remix to "It's Raining Men," but don't worry, the choras is relitively unscathed. Other favorites from the gym have been the Abba Medley and Madonna.

A couple days later I was doing dips between two benches. The 30 year old guy who works the gym comes over while I'm doing them and starts squeezing my triceps. "Ooooh! Very good muscle! Handsome muscle! FIGHTING!!! Oh Kevin, you are very strong very good muscle."

There is also the other gym goer who finishes his set of bench presses...gets up and starts dancing provocatively to Dancing Queen. He really loves his Abba, which somehow is JUST NOW making it to Korea.