Korean Job Discussion Forums

[flotsam]

Whoa. I can see that the satire battles of the other thread are carrying over into this one, so let me clarify that I am a huge supporter of satirists, love Colbert and Stewart, think it is grand fun to make fun of other peoples' casseroles and hate the Scots.

That being said, I still think there is a trend to take Korea lightly on mainstream American TV. And we all know the reasons: people know less about it, it has had less of an impact on world history, the cultural artifacts were largely destroyed or aren't well known outside of Korea--or aren't appreciated as much as those of other Asian countries(bbundaegi and Bi, for example).

What I find interesting about this is the dichotomy of rising Korean presence in western pop culture in the form of actors, movie scenes and political shadow, and lack of accuracy and a seeming lack of interest in accuracy when talking about them. Case in point: Lost. Whenever they show Jin and Sun's past, they settle for all purpose Asian settings, backdrops props and that(i.e. the Vietnamese boating village of Jin's dad and the always present Chinese pagodas whenever we view scenes of Sun's privileged past). And I now this is done out of convenience--but with the budget Lost has, they could do it right if they wanted to, or knew to.

There's always a tipping point of demand, or ratings suasion, for more authenticity on these matters. But will there be here? I have this funny feeling that Koreans and Korean-Americans will just grin and let it slide because they also are divorced from a traditional Korean culture(or would rather seem divorced from it, and accomodate their foreign peers), and therefore won't act as quality control inspectors(Do KYJ and DDK ever point out the problems with the depictions, I wonder...). At the same time, Korea will remain a rarely visited destination, and Racetraitor footnoted, the assimilation potential/motivation for many of the foreigners who actually do live on the peninsula, so it will take a looooooooong time before anyone gets is right.

(On the other hand, I think we all know the intrinsic untranslatability of Korean cultural norms and idiosyncrasies. And the lack either of willingness or ability to translate their culture by Korean writers, directors and musicians. Ever watch a good Korean film with a smart friend from back in the world and have to act like a living munhwa subtitle throughout? There is a reason a Korean has never won a serious international award for literature.)

The only Korean movies that make it abroad to real international recognition are the graphic fantasy drivelletes like Old Boy (again, I posit my claim that Sympathy for Mr. Venegance was loads better, but would never make it outside of Korea because it would only be seen as a blood-fest) or the grand setting/costume pieces like Seopyeonje that depict rarefied, distant Korean culture. Outstanding films like Peppermint Candy, Oasis or even a quirky comedy like Attack the Gas Station, are like fish out of the bowl when they get exported.

In fact, I would say the most accurate depiction of any form of Korean in a non-Korean film is in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. "I have a two part question." Pure gold.

Discuss.

[The King of Kwangju]

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

[Tiberious aka Sparkles]

[koldijk]

Steve Colbert is a moron?

It's called satire... Lighten up...

[flotsam]

[Privateer]

[Roch]

[Roch]

[shevek]

Jesus, it's intended to be a joke. Obviously it's going to hit or miss depending on your sense of humor. Some people these days seem to have their heads so far up their PC riddled cans they're never going to find anything funny.
Lighten up. If it doesn't amuse you, move on.

[RACETRAITOR]

Here's another clip where he takes phone calls with a guest and pisses the guy off with his egotism and horrible answers. Of course it's all a joke but it was posted on YouTube and a few other sites because people actually thought he was really being this much of an ass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9Jat-NLtq0&mode=related&search=

[seoulunitarian]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovqwojezt4I

Peace

[billybrobby]

I think it's pretty clear he's making fun ill-prepared journalists, not Koreans. It also reminds me of the obligatory horribly-pronounced Spanish speech that most presidential candidates give. But the fact that he mispronounces all the words doesn't mock the language, he's mocking himself.

Now, when he gets out the bulgogi it is a kind of "oooh, look how weird their food is" joke, but it's well delivered.

I guess, if you've been reading other threads, it's predictable that I would defend him. But really, Colbert has been doing this fatuous anchorman character for a while now. It's completely in line with the rest of the character's actions and the humor should be pretty clear.

[giovanni]

You've never seen the show before?

[MantisBot]