Korean Job Discussion Forums

[3DR]

OP is very obsessed. Sad.

[atwood]

Criticizing Korean weddings is like shooting fish in a barrel.

And unlike a lot of the things folks criticize in Korea, they are easily avoidable.

[denverdeath]

Gotta say that although the OP's article is, more or less, pretty accurate, I think this is where a comparison to back home IS needed. Back home, we all go to the reception, listen to the same crappy music the bride has chosen, clang our forks on our wine glasses till our eyes glass over, and give the same gift as nearly everyone else does, so the couple has 100 microwave ovens. Having said that, my wedding was in a korean church that decorated for christmas early for us. Our reception was at a galbitangjib, which was pretty inexpensive yet delicious, and we had the 2nd round at our 2-tiered house...in-laws dounstairs, my family, friends, korean friends, and co-workers upstairs. Lotsa booze n fun. Having been here 17+ yrs(does that actually matter that much?), I know we did it pretty right, although i wished i coulda splashed a bit more ca$h out 4 the wife. You forgot 2 mention some of the REALLY strange customs at korean weddings that are still not too uncommon, like rockets, dry ice, and bubbles, that i still feel are rather disturbing, but thankfully are becoming less commonly used. Extremely glad ive only had 2 attend 3 catholic weddings in canada...no offense, but those are damnass, long, and boring ceremonies!

[mayorgc]

What's funnier?

The korean wedding hall weddings (as described above).

Or

Western (Canadian/America) wedding ceremonies, with all their pomp and circumstance, ending in divorce maybe 50% of the time.

[le-paul]

[r2b2ct]

[mr_thehorse]

[Steelrails]

[cdninkorea]

I find it hilarious how:

- the wedding hall employees act robotic. They shoot the streamers, you can see them counting "1... 2... 3..." before picking them up, they don't smile, etc.

- most of the guests don't even pretend to pay attention to the ceremony. They talk on their cell phones, let their kids run and dance in the aisle, and sometimes skip it altogether in favour of the buffet.

- you have to get a ticket to get into the buffet. People do crash weddings in North America too, of course, but I'm not sure the solution is something as tacky as a ticket.

[le-paul]

[edwardcatflap]

There are two issues here. Who pays for the thing and how much they get back and the aesthetics of the ceremonies. Personally I think the Korean way of having a pretty cheap ceremony and getting a load of money back works much better than the Western model of the couple forking out an average of around 40,000,000 won (in the UK) and getting a load of microwaves/bread makers etc.. back in return. Especially bearing in mind people are graduating with thousands of pounds in student loan debt and house prices are sky high.

Dealing with the second issue, obviously a cheap wedding is going to look worse and to our Western sensibilities this is all the more true when we see an Asian culture adapting elements to of Western culture to suit themselves. It's a guaranteed recipe for tackiness. However that still doesn't excuse people playing with their smart phones or talking during the ceremony, which is just rude. Having visited Japan recently and noticed quite a strong anti-mobile phone culture, prohibitory signs in restaurants and the like, I think Korea can, and will eventually learn something from their neighbors.

[beentheredonethat777]

I've been to EIGHT! This is 100% my experiences at ALL of them! The first time send me into shock mode, but now I'm well- versed.(especially being asked outright" how much money" was in the white envelope, and people leaving half way through to go to the food buffet)

In summary,
Show up, pay the money,get your food ticket, say Hi to the one who invited you, exit right- to all you can eat Buffet**, Take a photo, (proof you were there.) Travel back home.

I don't think the OP was being critical, just writing the facts in a creative blog. Of course, it was just a generalization,everybody lighten up.

IMO, every foreigner should seize the opportunity to experience a Korean Wedding. It's an amazing glimpse into the culture. I have TWO weddings to attend this month, I'll let you if anything has changed.

After TEN weddings, I'll feel more qualified to confirm or dispute the OP.

** A large variety of some of the most amazing food on the planet.It's really hard not to over-stuff yourself.

[edwardcatflap]

[northway]

Korean weddings are awful, but they're often a lot more affordable than their Western counterparts, particularly by "big wedding" standards.

[Who's Your Daddy?]

I'm always surprised by the lack of class in Korea. And the weddings personify that. I think anything classy about a wedding has been removed. And the sad thing is I don't think Koreans notice.