Korean Job Discussion Forums

Gibberish · Joined: 29 Aug 2009

I'm just throwing this out there, because I was thinking about it, and I discussed it with some Koreans who offered me some insight. Essentially, it really seems that with the prevalence of English, western-style everything, and the modernization of Korea in the late 20th century, Koreans wish they were living in the U.S. I know that Koreans have national pride unlike anyone else, but I really have it in my head now that Koreans really wish that they could switch places with Americana. If they had their way, they'd be over in the USA, and we'd be stuck on their little peninsula.

I was thinking that maybe they wish that everyone in the world was Korean and spoke Korean, but then I thought that Koreans are generally too selective and egotistical about being Korean for them to imagine everyone being the same.

Anyone else get this feeling sometimes? It's like the United States stole it from them, or put them into exile or something.

Css · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: South of the river

oh americans Laughing

yes, the rest of the world wants to be you...or move to your country and live there..

djsmnc · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Dave's ESL Cafe

I don't think this generalization to be true. If anything, they would rather be one complete Korean country with a big wall facing the outside world, replete with artillery, tank traps, and barbed wire surrounding. Well, they'd have a few heavily armed ports for all their exports and fishing boats, though.

DorkothyParker · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Location: Jeju

No.
For one: Western does not equal American.
Two: English is just seen as pragmatic as it is spoken by several very powerful nations. not just America. Though, if Firefly has taught us anything it's that Chinese is where it's going to be at.
Three: modernization is what happens with the passing of time.
Four: communication and transportation technologies have made the world smaller; there has been a great overlap of cultures in many areas. I think it's a process of exchange more than anything else. I don't wish to made any implications regarding the value of what is exchanged.

Anyhow, I might be wrong as I am not having extensive conversations with Koreans about whether or not they wish they were more like me.

Sadebugo1 · Joined: 11 May 2003

I think they just want to be superior and the US is seen as the main competition. And, although it may not be fair, many people in the world do see the US as the ideal in terms of its culture, power, what have you.

Sadebugo
http://travldawrld.blogspot.com/

placeshifter · Joined: 23 Jan 2010

Yes, Korea too would like ghettos filled with gangs, drugs, and impoverished groups; its people transformed into obscenely obese and fast food loving lardasses; and bring about the near collapse of the world financial system through greed and fraud. Laughing

Koreans just want to be RICH. That's it.

whatever · Joined: 11 Jun 2006 Location: Korea: More fun than jail.

anjinsan · Joined: 26 Feb 2008

I think the question is way too broad.
Overall, I'd say "nope"

I do believe that upper-class Koreans do tend to boast about
connections they may have to the US (university, children with dual citizenship, relatives in the US, family members studying in the US, US tastes in shopping, frequent vacations to see all these relatives in the US).

flakfizer · Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 5:11 pm Post subject:

edited. I found the article and it said 17 percent had close family living abroad, not just in the US.

joltaxt · Joined: 24 Oct 2009 Location: Seoul

Sector7G · Joined: 24 May 2008

Oliver · Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Location: Seoul, Korea

Maybe the US is looked to as a model. Dunno?

Css · Joined: 27 Sep 2004 Location: South of the river

definitely maybe · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

Old Gil · Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Location: Got out! olleh!

Koreans want to be #1, and to be seen and recognized as #1.