Korean Job Discussion Forums

[freethought]

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/10/123_53742.html

So that article explains that they are going to do one of the K-gov's favourite things; crack down. They want to curb indecency and problem TV.

I recently had a discussion on this topic with 4 Korean medical professionals. I asked them why nipples (wonder if that word will get censored? if it does, n-pples) are evil, but two men punching, kneeing, elbowing, kicking the crap out of one another until the other is rendered unconscious is A Ok?! Wrestling, K-1, ultimate fighting, kick boxing, boxing, action movies etc, you name it and it's all good. But pubic hair is all corrupting, apparently, and needs to be censored.

I have seen more violence between kids here than I ever saw growing up or as an adult back home. Violence is a real problem.

The answer, btw, that the K-Docs gave me was that they do tae-kwon do, and so 'violence' is viewed differently here. Violence was put in quotes by them because, they explained, K1 fighting was sport and not violence.

They didn't get my joke/corollary that intercourse and nipples were 'love' not sex.

Do you find the levels of violence high here? does it seem to manifest itself in the kids you teach?

[Xuanzang]

They seem to be in love with guns and killing. Judging from my students' notebook comics. Must be too much Counterstrike on the brain.

[UknowsI]

What I have a problem with is that the adult shows shown on regular channels in Korea shows immortal sex without condemning it. Men abuses or even rape women and it's supposed to turn the viewers on. Even though it's not very explicit, this stuff would have been censored in my liberal European home country because it it trivialises violence against women and makes it seem like an ok thing to do. They usually try to hide it as a drama, comedy, or real docu but these things should be banned imo. The problem isn't what part of the body a child see, but when this kind of behaviour is shown as acceptable or normal behaviour it is a big problem.

[Xuanzang]

Immoral right? I don't think they would show Highlander having sex on tv.

[DIsbell]

Although it may stick out more as an outsider looking in, I don't think the attitude is too much different from back home. Just think about ratings systems and such- things for Teens or PG are loaded with gunplay, hand-to-hand violence, etc. UFC is incredibly popular, as is pro wrestling. Yet showing a breast on TV or saying certain words (many of them with sexual connotations) is an absolute no-no, instantly relegating something to R or Adult status, not suitable for public channels.

[TK421]

Isn't that exactly how America is (can't speak for other countries)? It's ok for American parents to let their children watch as much violence as they want but as soon as there is bad language, sex or *gasp* breasts! They throw a fit. Not too different I'd say.

[UknowsI]

[DeathPony]

I thought the Highlander joke was pretty good, myself. Oh well.

Good to see that we are able to have a civil discussion on here without resorting to name calling and...oops!

I think the level of casual violence between people in Korea is higher than it was in the US back when I lived there, though it's been awhile. Maybe that has changed. My students hit each other all the time, kids tackle each other in the streets, girlfriends smack their boyfriends, etc. etc.

I've always thought it was foolish to protect the "poor innocents" from a bad word or a flash of skin and then show people being gunned down right and left and claim that it was keeping television clean and wholesome.

Also, it seems a bit unrealistic to claim that there are any "free" countries, though some are more free than others.

Guess that should be "free" societies, not countries, but you get the point.

[fermentation]

Its same anywhere. Many kids grow up watching action movies and playing video games but if there's a sex scene on TV, their mothers immediately cover their eyes. My mom did and many American kids I know told me the same. Its weird and I don't understand it. I'm personally fine with current levels of media violence and sex. It's the parents' responsibility to teach their children the difference between real life and what's on a screen.

[Old Gil]

Truth be told, American media is rather similar, actually just about anywhere. And if you notice, any time it's white women getting naked it's not really a problem.

[Joe666]

Are you guys in the same country as I am? From what I have seen, it's much less violent than the U.S. I can't speak for other western countries. I guess it's where you grew up. Kids are kids everywhere. There's almost zero contact sports in Korea. No guns on the streets. No "choice" controlled substances. Maybe I am missing something?

[detourne_me]

I'm just wondering where these rape shows are that you'e concerned with.

I've seen some Korean movies where it is implied/shown, but those are past 11pm and on cable channels.

I'd say that Korean TV is as(if not more) conservative about some sex and mature issues than the US.
For example The Simpsons are played late at night because of adult content.
However Sue Johanson is on the Women's channel from time to time

Violence on Korean TV is as comparable to the US. however they tend to censor/blur out violent parts more frequently in movies.
Violence on the street is I'd say...much less than in Canada. and that's from all levels of school to bars and gang violence.

Oh, and don't kid yourself about Korea being a free country, from internet regulations to slander laws.

[UknowsI]

[ed]

the reason is: world overpopulation and monkey see monkey do

[redaxe]