Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shamham]

With all the discussions and fisticuffs about Koreans and intolerance, I think it's important to point it out when that's challenged by Koreans, whatever the source.

Case in point - SBS Drama 'Swallow the Sun'. (Here in the US I am subjected to these dramas on a regular basis. My wife demands I watch at least one with her a week ('together time'). This demand wasn't made when we were living in Korea. But I digress...)

There are a number of things in this drama that I thought were good signs of testing the boundaries. Take Hong Suk-Chun. Nick, my very good, very gay friend, calls him 'the only gay man in Korea' (while rolling his eyes). Remember when he came out and got hisself a lynchin'? (Metaphorically speaking). Well, he's on this drama, and not as a two dimensional character. What's more, when you meet him in Africa, you also meet his BLACK gay partner! Egads! He's a likeable, hateable, funny, masculine gay man.

Next: they had black actors in sympathetic roles. It wasn't all about oogah-boogah and bones in their noses. In fact, while they are recruiting mercenaries in Africa, they watch what is purported to be a Zulu traditional dance. The young man they're recruiting is one of the dancers, and he talks after about how they do it to make money from the tourists. I was impressed.

Next: part of the show is in Vegas, and in one scene they show one of the Korean chicks in bed with a shirtless white guy! And they make no bones about how he's her American boyfriend and they roll around in the hay on a regular basis! Egads! Yet she's not (so far) a hapless *beep*, but the best friend of the lead female character!

Finally, there is an actor with a minor (but very sympathetic) role that my wife says is half-Korean. Egads! I put this last as I can't confirm it - so if I'm wrong, blame her.

It's just a drama, but hey, it's a popular one. Credit where credit's due.

[Yesterday]

Even Koreans know "Sex sells...."




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[shamham]

[shamham]

Here's another one worth noting:

Watching 'Log in Sing Sing News' this morning, and they had a long segment devoted to mixed marriage couples and their children. It was very positive, very much a 'slice of life' kind of thing. The women were presented in a very good light, and the kids were just kids, and cute as hell.

This is the third time in the last year I've seen this specific issue portrayed in a positive way. Someone's making the effort.

[cdninkorea]

Prediction: This thread won't do well on this board because it's about something positive about Korea.

[Old Gil]

This is good to see for sure.

[vaticanhotline]

[Captain Obvious]

Some of these directors and writers are young and forward-thinnking. Very different than some Korean newspaper editors. These dramas have the power to change how people think in much more subtle ways than newspaper rants or gossip.

[Chaucer]

There's a newish drama with a Korean-speaking white guy in the role of one girl's boyfriend.

[freethought]

Maybe I'll enter the fray with the first "anti-korea" post....

I'm trying to figure out where the credit is due. Is it because this is a sign of improvement in tolerance and diversity? If that is the case I would say you have a half point. Not being intolerant really isn't something I applaud, since I think it should be the natural state of affairs.

It's kinda like someone standing up and saying "I don't hate black people." That's not really something to be proud of, you know what I'm saying?

Sign of progress, long over-due progress. Yes. I'm just not sure it's really credit worthy.

But if I have misunderstood the OP's intent, my apologies.

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

I work at a country school and we have about 7 mixed kids (Korean with Japanese / Phillipino / Vietnamese Mums)

TO be honest they're totally included and have friends and the other kids seeem to not treat them any differently whatsoever.

I know this owuldn;t neccessarily be the case in the big cities, but out here in the small country schools it seems to be the case.

I'm always confused though as to why phillipinos or Thais coming from such a beautiful sunny, laid back country would want to move here. Not that Korea isn't beautiful in it's own way and I like living here myself but I imagine it must be hard for them adapting to the climate and the balli balli nature of Korea... I mean, I'm not naive, I know sending money back home to support their famillies must be a factor, but I'm not sure how much a Korean farmer can allow them to send back home... Can't be much....

[Konglishman]

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

^^^^^

[shamham]

[Konglishman]