Korean Job Discussion Forums

[D.D.]

Why do they say we look like monkeys?

[IncognitoHFX]

Some Koreans are taught in school that foreigners look more like monkeys because we haven't been evolving as long and we're further down the evolutionary ladder. I have some Korean friends, ranging in ages, that have been told this in school.

Back at my old hagwon, I had constant arguments with a twelve year old girl about this. Her grandmother would tell her things like: foreigners and Koreans could not have babies because they're "incompatible" (we're animals! Well, some of us are figuratively). I was also told that some older Koreans believe mixing with other races is akin to mixing with animals.

They're just silly old wives' tales at best. Most Koreans don't hold these views, but they are present especially amongst the older generations.

The main reason younger Koreans say we look like monkeys is because we have body hair. Yet many Koreans want to look like us. Hmm.

[stevieg4ever]

i think koreans look - and for that matter act and behave - like monkeys much more than any other group I have encountered before.

[grnmle]

I don't have anything to back this up but, I think monkeys maybe more truthful. And, they don't eat as loud.

[Alyssa]

They do not think we look like monkeys, they envy our looks. Girls have surgury to have our looks, men dress like western men. I agree, if anyone looks like monkeys it is them. Why do all of them always say 'very beautiful' to us, and the guys I used to hang out with were always getting the 'handsome guy' complement. How many western people say this to a Korean person on the subway or bus?? I mean complete strangers. Just another insecurity. They seem to feel the need to make tear down our culture and looks because they copy and dream of being like us in our world. Hence the copy cat fashions, learning English, studying in OUR home countries, watching our movies, reading our pop culture magazines and books. They have sunk into a sea of western life and feel insecure that most of us really do not care about them or their culture

[talika]

Wow, Alyssa I sense bitterness in your words. I'm so tempted to argue with you, but it might be futile. Basically, you seem to esteem caucasians as superior. But I'm pretty sure being called "beautiful" beats being called "fugly".

Well, I've never heard of this before, caucasian looking like monkeys? Why? Because of hairiness? That's pretty absurd.

[Spliff's Son]

Monkeys are funny.

[Alyssa]

[Hobophobic]

[talika]

I guess that's how mass idolizing works? Advertisers create this aura around white folks, and the general public, unable to make up their own minds buy into it. It's the same in N. America, except instead of the racial idolizing, it's the many other physical attributes, such as large breasts, small waists, perfect hair, etc. Not that this doesn't exist in Korea as well.

I don't know, it's a shame that many asian cultures can't embrace their own beauty. The majority of them all seem to feel the need to assimilate.

But I ponder though, it's almost imposed upon the non-caucasian cultures to follow the caucasian mainstream culture. I mean, as cliche as it sounds, Hollywood has a huge impact where broadcasting networks exists. And how often do we see Asian actors in Hollywood, hardly, and if there are they only get roles that emphasizes their background more then themselves as a person. But don't get me wrong, their background is part of their identity, but how many caucasian actors have you seen that play up their ethnicity?

I think it's all consumerism. Better for the American market. And the unknowing Koreans are technically buying into images that would enhance their own self-image. With that said, this is completely unrelated to the whole 'monkey business,' no pun intended.

[Grab the Chickens Levi]

Lol good memories of when I started this elementary sdchool job I'm at now. The new principal's first day. I'm in the lunch room eating away and he comes up to me pulls the hair on my arms, starts laughing and announces to about 20 other teachers

OH Wunsenggi (monkey) imnida!

I threw my tray on the side called him an ignorant cunt and said 'you're the f*cking monkey' and stormed out. Honest to god, I thought I'd be fired the next day but I never heard a thing about it and he's always nice to me from that day on. Weird country sometimes...

BUT KOREANS DO HAVE BODY HAIR!!!!

If the girls don't shave they get hairy legs just like white girls, I know becuase I've witnessed it first hand...

Also go to the sauna. Whilst most of the men are smooth skinned baldies apart from the pubis region, at least a third of Korean men have body hair too!

Yet another dumbass groundless myth from Korea.

Korea - hairy too!

[Pooty]

Good God, nobody here remembers Alyssa? Epic troll - great stuff. Wait a sec, I'll dig out some good ones from 2005-6.

[Flash Ipanema]

I remember her and can't for the life of my figure out WHY she's coming back to post now. Unless of course Dave's is more interesting than married life . . .

[Stormy]

[samd]