Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Minshin]

Hey guys, I'm filming an indie movie over here in Korea. It's extremely low budget (try zero dollars). I do have some semi-pro equipment so the outcome should be pretty good. The point of the movie is to point out the everyday cultural misunderstanding that we, foreigners, run into and bring it into light. Being a Korean-American, I will also try to bring the cultural differences that the Koreans run into. It'll be a fun middle ground, and I will poke fun at both sides.

A lot of people always write about these, and I would like to compile them in this thread, if at all possible.

Anyways, I'm brainstorming for ideas, and would like yours! What are some outrageous cultural differences that you have experienced/perceived? And can I use those ideas in my movie? Of course it'll be anonymous....

Anyways, thanks for reading, bye!

[DaeguKid]

First and foremost, cool project. Really look forward to your outcome.

Cultural differences....try the subway/line up issue...for example, getting off the subway, but the oncoming passengers make it difficult cause they want to get on first....

2) the lineup...people jump line all the time...go to a convience store and try to buy something and then low and behold, the smoker wants his butts first...

Just a thought....like i said, i really want to see your finished work. My family and friends at home are always curious about what happens here on a daily basis...but it is so hard to explain...maybe your vid/movie can help explain

Good luck
DK

[Samantha]

Get the book

Ugly Koreans, Ugly Americans and see if you can find some of them happening in real life. I bought the book when I was doing a short term class out at the Police University. It's not a bad book, has some really funny situations in it. Some of the situtions though I've never run into or known someone who's had to deal with it. That would be a good starting point for possible scenes.

[curlygirl]

Totally agree with the above post as I've bought the book, read it all the way through and for the most part thought "yeah, that's just what's happened to me". Cultural differences? Ooooh so many to choose from. How about starting the film by showing a tall, blond-haired Westerner talking Korean in a rural market place. You'll hear "와! 우리말 잘 하시네요!" so many times. Or perhaps send the (unsuspecting) Westerner off to dinner with several new group of Koreans on different nights and see how often the exact same questions
crop up: "Oh, isn't our food too spicy for you?"; "Can you use chopsticks?"; "Have you tried soju yet?".

Sidenote: I absolutely adore this country but I have yet to adapt properly to some of its quirkiness. Time will lend me tolerance I'm sure.

[Minshin]

Where would I be able to find this book?

[Samantha]

Sorry forgot to include that, you can get it at any of the bookstores I think, Bandi&Luni, Libro, Kyobo or WhattheBook. You might also be able to order off one of the websites for Barnes&Noble or Amazon. Kyobo has it for 5000won at Gwanghwamun (I was just there this afternoon, there are some in stock).

Another situation is when you write Korean on something without blinking an eye, they get all excited, "oh very good, you write Korean so good!!!" This strikes me as funny, the whole being praised for simple no-brainer things like being able to write or use chopsticks. (I realize that neither of these skills are "no-brainers" for everyone. Honestly though have you ever praised/complimented a Korean on being able to use a fork and knife or write out simple words in English (that wasn't a child that is for the writing skills).

Like I said that book would be a good starting point.

[tomato]

One time, I make a list of the misbehaving students using a red marker.
The students got all upset, because there is a superstition that you can kill a person by writing his name in red.
I agree, capital punishment would be overdoing it a little bit.

Last week, I was whistling during an evening class,
and a student told me that there is a superstition that one could summon snakes by whistling at night time.

[curlygirl]

Something I'd love to see in the film is the reactions of Koreans when a male Westerner wanders into a restroom. I know you won't be able to film this but we've read so many times on here about ajosshies practically twisting their necks off to get a good look at whitie's manhood. If you could film it above the waist it'd be damn funny to see the lengths the Korean men go to to catch a glimpse. Err...that doesn't sound too pervy does it?

[Captain Corea]

You might even want to add in a few parts about Urban Legends (Fan Death comes to mind). Have a guy heading to sleep on a hot summer's night and turning on the fan, only to have his GF explain to hm that it'l kill them.

[ladron]

Rampant spitting, preceded by a chest-rattling hawking.

A girl, lots of makeup, nicely coiffed, mini skirt, spitting in an ashtray.

Late night/early morning street vomiting.

Soju tents selling boiled snails until sunrise, then being folded up and wheeled away.

[seoulsucker]

A parental culture that sends 13 year old kids to academies until 2AM, yet demands that their 30 year old daughters be at home no later than midnight.

[moosehead]

Western educators don't beat students.

in fact, we frown on it - a lot.

[ms.catbc]

I just moved to korea four days ago.

I taught two days of kindergarten classes

throughout my days i was asking children to come towards me by using the come hither, palm facing me wave towards me hand gesture that i never knew could be a problem. Apparently that is thought to be belittling and is only done to dogs or something. I didn't face a problem or anything but i will make sure no to do that anymore.

I would also walk by my students and put my hand gently on their head, rather then shoulder while saying "good, i like how you are...". Apparently that is also belittling. From now only the shoulder.

It is also frowned upon to put money on the counter when paying for something.

[fortysixyou]

OOOOH!


How about when it's chilly outside and everyone is wearing jackets and whatnot, and they look at you like you're crazy for wearing a short sleeved shirt, yet girls are walking around in muff-exposingly short mini skirts?

[BigBuds]