Korean Job Discussion Forums

[grunden]

every lunch I am given a CHOCO PIE, by one of the mothers, and as I eat it she and the other ladies smile and watch me. I like them, sure, but I used to eat them in the states, we called them moon pies. Then today she comes up to me and says something like CHOCO PIE, KOREA...CHOCO PIE....KOREA.I told this mother that they come from the U.S and she gets real defensive and says that korea invented them. I think I hurt her pride or something. So which is it?

[afsjesse]

haha that's funny. Not sure about the origin, but in Argentina there are Alfajores with Dulce de Leche, Cream etc.. in the middle. Man I love those things. Way better than any Choco Pie they have here or back home.

[Jane]

Good ole' Wagon Wheels...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_pies

[esetters21]

"MoonPies" have been around since 1917. Seeing as how Korea has 5000 years of history is it possible that their "ChocoPie" was invented prior to then?

Here is the actual "ChocoPie" history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choco_Pie

Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?

[grunden]

thanks. I still kind of wonder when they came to Korea, maybe it was during the war or something???


Well, now I am going to buy a full page add and put it in the Korea Times:


Korrea ERROR

South Korea did NOT INVENT THE CHOCOPIE.

[esetters21]

They did invent the "ChocoPie".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choco_Pie

Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right?

[robot]

[jahson4]

They smile and watch you eat a CHOCO PIE. That's kind of creepy.

[grunden]

no kidding, I feel like a monkey or something. they all stand in the corner, smile, talk in Korean, and keep their eyes on me the whole time.....it is really uncomfortable. I feel like just letting a huge fart rip really loud and then maybe they would leave me alone.

[Jane]

[bundangbabo]

[afsjesse]

[bundangbabo]

[Robot_Teacher]

While they look somewhat similar, it's not an American moon pie and they didn't come from America as those Lotte pies are made in Korea and seem to be not gourmetized like western made snacks. Looks to be a copy catted idea, but different due to being interpretted by a different culture. Remember, what western looking things you see in Korea are usually not what you think they are or have the same meaning as back home. During the latter half the 20th century, the world interpretted American ideas in their own ways to incorporate them into their cultures and do indeed perceive these things as being their own ideas and inventions. Many things you notice as being American, most Koreans think of it being Korean, especially if it's made in Korea. For example: KFC and TGIF are probably perceived as Korean specialty food for sure despite being American ideas. A sandwhich made in Korea is Korean food. I find cakes and Paris Baguette to be a western thing, but in Korea, they are perceived to be Korean specialty. Most people just don't think outside the box nor care, they just want their cake and to eat it too without feeling too insecure about it.

OP, opening up this can of worms of the thought of changing a Koreans proud thinking on what is and what isn't Korean conflicted as she believed you due to assuming you know what you're talking about since you're from America just offended the woman feeling pride in seeing a foreigner enjoy things Korean. I know not to go around identifying to the Koreans what is an American invention and how they got it wrong, but I will say the brew is not good for Westerners as a legit way to explain it's terrible for people using myself as the example it's bad for as the chemicals don't agree with a Westerners body body chemistry. Sound silly? It is, but they buy this silly explaination as they perceive Korean goods to be good for the Korean people only. Easier to just say you don't drink or you don't eat cake for health reasons when it's you're offered you don't want to consume.

[roadwork]

Bundang and Jesse, what were you guys doing there? Were you teaching?? Makes me want to go just for the food.