Korean Job Discussion Forums

wondobern · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Yangjae2Dong

This has happened to me many times to my frustration!

I'll make a reference to something from American pop culture only to be met with blank stares.

For example, yesterday, after church, one of my members happened to have on a pair of red shoes. So, I commented that she looked like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. And even though she has "Somewhere over the Rainbow" as her ring tone, she had no clue what I was talking about -- she thought I was talking about Alice in Wonderland instead!

Then there's the time we were talking about going to Japan for a mission trip, and I started singing "Turning Japanese" by the Vapors, again, no clue!

Still, another time, someone was asking for my cell #, and I made the smart a** comment, 867-5309 (from the song Jenny I got your number). Again, blank stares.

A couple of months ago, I was trying to make a point in Bible Study, and I referred to the classic Life Cereal commercial with Mikie! ("Try it, you'll like it!"). Again, lost in cultural translation.

And as it's Christmas season, I told someone, "not to be a Grinch", and of course they had no idea what I was talking about (I made it a point to read the Grinch Who Stole Christmas to some teachers, I've been teaching English lessons to the past couple of months). Also, last Saturday, we were putting lights up at church, and one of the strands wasn't working, so I mentioned the Clark Griswold scene from the movie Christmas Vacation -- alas, my attempt at humor was lost again in cultural translation.

There are other examples as well, where all I can do is laugh to myself, because no Korean would have any idea what I'm talking about. Share some examples where this has happened with you, or perhaps the other way around....where Koreans assumed you knew something but had no clue what they were referring to!

I like to joke around alot, but it can be really frustrating when you haven't a common framework to work with!

cj1976 · Joined: 26 Oct 2005

As far as I can tell, after the Beatles western pop music ceased to exist.

bobbyhanlon · Joined: 09 Nov 2003 Location: 서울

should they know? do most westerners in korea know a lot of korean cultural references?

yawarakaijin · Joined: 08 Aug 2006

This has to be a troll or you are one of the biggest fukin idiots I have ever come across on this board. Bitching because Koreans don't get your 857-6309 joke? Holy *beep*! If you are from a certain generation a North American wouldn't get that one.

I predict this thread turns into a 15 page bash the poster due to his ignorance and arrogance thread. You deserve it.

Newsflash dickwad. Koreans weren't put on this planet to study American pop culture.

Fuking Tard.

Oh yeah, It's a huge fucking shock that you are here as a missionary. Rolling Eyes

Observe · Joined: 28 Nov 2008

VanIslander

Koveras · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

Koveras · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Maybe if you hung out with more than just children and Christians, you'd meet Koreans who actually know something about something.

wondobern · Joined: 14 Oct 2008 Location: Yangjae2Dong

Why all the negativity? I wasn't trying to bash Koreans at all! I was just saying that there are certain cultural references that they are "clueless" about (understandably), as am I of some of theirs.

Perhaps, my examples sounded vague -- these were just examples where I wanted to laugh about something that most of my American friends would know of (so, yes the Vapors reference and the Jenny reference were perhaps "out there", but I think most Americans would know of the Grinch, and the Wizard of Oz).

And, yes, while my work does involve interacting with Christians, I do spend time interacting with many non-Christians as well. But, go ahead and bash if you wish. Your perogative.

Have a good day!

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

The OP is expecting a bit much from Koreans there......

........but I do distinctly remember the disconcerting feeling of being in a room full of Korean 6th graders and not one had ever heard of Elvis Presley. I guess there's no reason why they should have......it's just weird to see a total lack of knowledge about someone who's such a household name in the West.

Draz · Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Location: Land of Morning Clam

ernie · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Location: asdfghjk

i actually wish i DIDN'T know those pop culture references.

cj1976 · Joined: 26 Oct 2005

I remember when I first came to Korea. I tried to play a game with middle-school kids that involved talking about famous people. I naively assumed that they would have heard of Madonna, Elvis Presley, Britney Spears, Bruce Lee, Matt Damon, Sandra Bullock and various other celebrities.
It wasn't exactly a roaring success.
Now when I do similar activities, I always use Korean celebrities.

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005