Bullwinkle,
Glad you made it there safe. Keep your head straight and do well. You're in for a good winter. Hovey is a good place to be.
Quit listening to your buds when they say things like "kimchi-land." South Korea is a nice place and the people are good. It'll grow on you after awhile. Once you get past the hard-headedness and arrogant brutality of the Korean ego, you'll realize that they are a warm group of people.....and your tour will be worthwhile. Guys that sit around, drink beer, and talk crap about the people and the land will leave with nothing but a hangover to show for a good year abroad.
You're a bit too new in country to go out and see the sites I'm thinking, but just in case you're in Seoul next week, I'll be passing through Wed-Friday. Otherwise, we'll meet up I'm sure the in the future.
Take care, keep sober, and write home....often.