Korean Job Discussion Forums

stalinsdad · Joined: 25 Jan 2003 Location: Jeonju

I have just been watching a documentary about the grandson of the last King of Korea, seemingly he was married to an American woman until 1973. My girlfriend was shocked to learn this, she knew he had divorced but had no idea that he had married a foreigner. My g/f then told me that the first president of South Korea had also married a foreigner!!!
Everytime I go out with my g/f she gets looks from people, especially men, they ask her rude questions and sometimes ask me, often personnel one's. It seems strange that Korea is so closed to multicultural relationships, especially as it has a long tradition here. The Chinese invading, the Mongols, Japan, now the dreaded westerners. It annoys me that me and my gal are judged on the basis of hidden history, ignorance and bigotry. I suppose Koreans feel that they have to over compensate, their national pride is based on sand, their culture a long line of borrowed ideals. It reminds me of why men buy big cars-maybe their small in other areas. Oh! Koreans like big cars, its a shame they can't see over the dashboard.
I find it incredulous that a nation with so little to offer the world, can seriously believe that it is superior, could anyone tell me of a famous scientist, inventor, philosopher, actor/actress, novelist etc etc from Korea.

No!!!

I wonder also if anyone else has noticed the dirty habit of not washing their hands after #1 and 2's, maybe it's a tradition that dates back to Ghengis Khan?

In all areas Korea is inferior except for the gorgeous women I see, particularly my beautiful Girlfriend!!

Rant over. Mad

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Its the same in every country and nation. I've visited 26 and lived in 8. They all think they're the best for some reason or other. And they all have fierce rivalries with their neighbours. If I actually went to a country where the people said, "oh no, why was I born here, we people are so dumb and inferior, I'm ashamed" I"d faint. Mind you the english seem pretty ashamed of themselves half the time.

Grim Ja · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: On the Beach

In Korea you are either in the group or wangta.

Remember those Apple commercials "Think Different", It is opposite in Korea, "THINK SAME SAME"

If you are anyway shape or form different in Korea you are bad wrong and then outcast.

Foreigners are outcast because we don't have the same "Blood". Women that date foreigners are outcast because it's not the norm. Even though most other women are envious of them and wish they were in their shoes.

And it is not just the foreigner thing either. If you have any strange or new or revolutionary ideas you will not be praised but you will be shunned. That is why there are no great scientists coming from Korea. The country is run on the Peter Principle. That is why it will never change and that is why I see no hope for Korea's future.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

In that case Grim, why is Korea jammed full of ever more innovatory gadgets and hi-tech stuff?

sickboy · Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Location: Miari Texas

Proximity to Japan.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

bignate · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Location: Hell's Ditch

Exactly Sickboy,

It is no coincidence that most everything in Korea (cars, electronics, fashion, etc.) is "innovated" following a short period of latency after a Japanese success.

It is also one reason why patent laws are very lax there.

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

sid · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Location: Berkshire, England

desultude · Posted: Thu May 22, 2003 4:17 pm Post subject:

I'm sorry, Stalinsdad, for the responses you get with your girlfriend. Its too international a problem. It must go back to defensive tribalism.
We can only hope that someday, before it is too late, the human race outgrows such destructive behavior.

It is far from being a problem only in Korea. I certainly have seen such behavior in the United States. I have seen mixed race couples move out of their home cities to live in more tolerant places in the U.S.. A mixed race friend of mine has two blonde sons, and is always being asked if she is their nanny, in Illinois. Some areas of the States are better and more cosmopolitan, some are worse.

I have also seen a lot of loving and generous behavior here in Korea. I went to a wedding recently of a colleague. She, a Korean, was marrying a white guy from the States. Both families were there, and one of the students, a very black exchange student from Africa, stood in the front of the wedding hall translating the event into English and into Korean, for both groups. This is how the world changes.

Butterfly · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Kuwait

Korea Newfie · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Location: Newfoundland and Labrador

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

Talking of ethnocentrism, i spoke to a 45 yr old korean man last week who's contemplating leaving korea for the first time in his life on holiday to Miguk land. He's going through such terrible jitters as this "quote" what if someone tries to talk to me on the bus and i can't understand what they're saying?
and:"maybe people will see me as a foreigner and not like me"
Just go to L.A., (or Elrr ayy) I said, you'll be fine.