Korean Job Discussion Forums

Daphne · Joined: 03 Jul 2004

I'm sure any American Adult is quite familiar with the show M*A*S*H from the late 70s and early 80s, but for many who did not see the film from 1970 starring Donald Sutherland, and hence have only heard the acoustic version of the famous theme song at the start of each show, it may come as a surprise to know that the song is titled 'Suicide is Painless.'

It seems both an ironic and appropriate song for a story based on foreigners working in Korea--kind of like the saying that 'life imitates art.'

Even some of you Brits who might not have seen the film or the show will probably know the song, as it was covered a few years ago by that great Welsh group; Manic Street Preachers.

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa

Who hasn't seen MASH? MASH is the Pope's favourite TV show.

Foreigners working in Korea? Last time I checked it was about the war...

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

peppermint · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 5:06 am Post subject:

Suicide was the dentist's nic in the movie. Dear old dad rented the flick just before I came over.

SarcasmKills · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

FYI.. M*A*S*H was based in Uijeongbu.. Razz

If it's good enough for Radar, it's good enough for anyone...

coolsage · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 5:17 am Post subject:

Some years ago, M*A*S*H was broadcast on what was then AFKN. Apparently there were howls of protest from the locals, who believed that they were portrayed as ignorant, obtuse Neanterthals. The series was subsequently pulled off the air.

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

One of the best tv series ever. Watched it religiously in New Zealand ...

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa

Actually a Korean chap that I used to work with said that he had fond memories of watching it when he was a younger man.

Randall Flagg · Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2004 6:10 am Post subject:

When I was in the fourth or fifth grade we had to learn the theme song in music class. Looking back it seems a little inapropriate. The only words I remember from it are "and I can take it or leave it if I please" or something like that. The class left me with the feeling that suicide is a choice I'm allowed to have. Thats heavy shit for an class of 11 year olds. The teacher was eventually fired but for other reasons.

katydid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Here kitty kitty kitty...

kiwiboy_nz_99 · Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Location: ...Enlightenment...

It's got everything, great dialogue, comedy, characters, story lines, and emotion, message, depth, a real gem ...

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa

I'll agree up until the final few seasons when Alan Alda started writing a lot of the scripts.

Then it turned into a lot of soppy shit.

Yangkho · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Honam

I can see how some Koreans would take offense. Pay close attention to some the of the actors who are supposed to be portraying them. Some of them say thank you in Korean with an accent worse than mine.

However, quite a few of the extras really were Korean.

What I always liked about Mash was Alan Alda's character. Make Groucho a surgeon and put him in the middle of an absurd war. Then, listen and laugh.

Wangja · Joined: 17 May 2004 Location: Seoul, Yongsan

Yes, great programme ... but although set in Korea was the message not Vietnam?

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

Suicides Hit Record High in 2003
What is more problematic is that suicide topped the causes of deaths for 20- and 30-somethings last year.
The Korea Times (September 22, 2004)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/biz/200409/kt2004092214480811860.htm

Rising suicides a bad sign
A high suicide rate means that there is something wrong with the well-being of a society. Korea is a nation heavily influenced by Confucian tradition, which forbids a person from hurting his body, obtained from his parents, in any way. But the recent rise in the suicide rate shows that our society has become seriously ill.
JoongAng Daily (September 23, 2004)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200409/23/200409232201453939900090109011.html

Elderly suicide rate soared last year
Every day last year, 10 elderly people took their own lives,...
JoongAng Daily (October 13, 2004)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200410/13/200410132242500809900090409041.html

Suicides in Han River increasing, police say
by Bae No-pil
JoongAng Daily (May 23, 2004)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200405/23/200405232335541139900090409041.html