Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ddeubel]

I"m not overdramatizing. Get a coffee and take the 30 min to watch this amazing presentation and story about an American photographer and a Korean American child from a village up near the DMZ.

Amazing and really gets you thinking.... Find it on our community TED Talks video player feed. One of the newest. Click "Rick Smolan tells the story of a girl". http://eflclassroom.com/tedtalks.htm

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com

[sistersarah]

Yes, it's a good story.

Here's a direct link:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/rick_smolan_tells_the_story_of_a_girl.html

[New Balance]

I saw that clip a while back. Maybe someone here posted it, but I definitely didn't have a happy trippy good vibe in me after I finished watching it. I saw a documentary called "The Brothels of Calcutta" about another white knight phtographer, but in comparision the little girl in Korea didn't in no way have it as bad as those kids in India. Hypothetical hero story, no?

[sistersarah]

I don't think the half-Korean girl's story would have had a happy ending had she stayed in Korea, unfortunately. Grandma dead, mom didn't want her, living in a sketchy neighborhood in Seoul. IMO, it's good Rick got her out.

[ddeubel]

Thanks for the Ted link.

I also was "disturbed" in a strange way while watching the talk. Something didn't "fit". This blog I found later, really states much better than I could, why I felt so queasy.... http://enkerli.wordpress.com/2008/07/19/mental-imaging/

What happened to Father Keene's orphanage? Anyone know? I'd love to know more about that aspect of things.....

I've been teaching Korean teachers on how to incorporate Korea specific content into their lessons. Great lessons and they love it but one part of the unit, I ask - "What makes one korean? They brainstorm and come up with all sorts of things. Then I show this video of Joh, http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=It_AkCBAruk a Korean adoptee. I then ask and we discuss whether he is Korean. Lots of lively, if sometimes disturbing debate....

DD
http://eflclassroom.ning.com

[sistersarah]

Thanks for the link to the blog.

I agree with the guy about the strange referrences Smolan made to being a "hero." That made me uncomfortable too. I also didn't like how Smolan assumed that Eunsook's uncle was enslaving her.

But in the end, I do believe that her adoption to the States was probably the best choice. The blogger, Alexandre, doesn't like how Smolan focused on Eunsook's "American" looks, but like it or not, in Korea, that's a big issue. She would have been judged on her Caucasian appearance and treated differently. Alexandre's comment about Eunsook possibly becoming "a socially engaged Korean woman" and possibly "living a comfortable life" made me laugh. Even if some of Smolan's comments were a little out there, I think he did the right thing. Even the grandmother wanted her out of Korea.

I wish I could learn more about Eunsook's adjustment to life in the States, because that seemed to be rushed through, and made to look easier than it probably was.

[ddeubel]

I felt the same way and even now, her looks might still be a challenge. But 20 years + ago, they certainly would have made life very difficult.

But I must say -- he takes some great photos...definitely he has talent.