Grand Ole Opry's owner, Kim Sang-sook, better known to her customers as "Mama Kim," still goes to work six days a week at age 86. Though her voice is hoarse with age, she still commands attention in a room of rowdy drinkers. She opened the doors to her bar on June 29, her only day off that week, to speak about her life and experiences. The special event, organized by Royal Asiatic Society (RAS) Korea, gathered more than 50 people to hear Mama Kim speak about her more than 50 years of doing business in central Seoul's multicultural Itaewon area. For decades, the alleys behind Itaewon Fire Station were filled with clubs dating back to the 1960s with names like King, UN, Playboy, Seven and Lucky that catered to American soldiers. Now, Grand Ole Opry is the last of its kind in the area. Mama Kim has been featured in the media many times, including on CNN and in Playboy Korea. With her half-century of experience working in Itaewon, it is not uncommon for her to be approached for interviews or requests to speak. For years she has spoken to Ewha Womans University students, but when they first