Korean Job Discussion Forums

rt · Joined: 27 May 2009

At least that is the way it seems to me. Actually, I enjoy living and working here in Korea, and it makes me feel a little embarrassed for the Korean people every time I see/hear some news article (or PR ad) where they seem to be crying out for world attention.

Just what is the root cause of this? Are any other countries so obsessed with getting this type of validation?

andrewchon · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:

Because Korea is shorter than 180cm?

sokocanuck21 · Joined: 16 Mar 2009 Location: Ansan

It's the ugly kid that isn't especially good at anything and his older brothers (china and japan) are the favorites.

ardis · Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Location: Seoul

Countries like the US, England, and so on hardly need to push their agendas into the international forefront, thus they don't come across so desperate. But take a country that has very recently modernized and developed, a country that also has a huge amount of nationalism, and you can see why Korea sometimes appears to embarrass itself with its "look at me!" cries. Not saying it's right, not saying it's wrong, but it makes sense.

tefain · Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Location: Not too far out there

waynehead · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Location: Jongno

National Little Brother Syndrome.

lookingforworkinasia · Joined: 14 Dec 2007

[quote="tefain"][quote="rt"]Are any other countries so obsessed with getting this type of validation?[/quote]

Just Korea and Canada from what I've seen.[/quote]

What's an example of Canada doing it? I haven't noticed anything beyond their seemingly (and fictitious) monopoly on hockey greatness.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

mayorgc · Joined: 19 Oct 2008

Canada may have done it in the past, but it was almost all in relation to the U.S.

These days, I see less and less of it.

yeti08 · Joined: 04 Nov 2009 Location: Anyang - Pyeongchon

It isn't such a bad thing, annoying at times yes, but not totally bad. At least they are trying, and sometimes thats awesome.

beercanman · Joined: 16 May 2009

I taught a 9 year old Korean boy once. He had spent a year in the US and was pretty much fluent in English. Once he described his neighborhood as being in the center of the city. He said this proudly, like it mattered somehow. I had a map of Seoul. We pointed out our location, near the edge of the city. He seemed a little sad about this.

Bloopity Bloop · Joined: 26 Apr 2009 Location: Seoul yo

Old Gil · Joined: 26 Sep 2009 Location: Got out! olleh!

mateomiguel · Joined: 16 May 2005

its been said already, but for the same reason your little brother does.

fermentation · Joined: 22 Jun 2009

When I talk about Korean nationalism to Americans in the US (some Americans think they're the only country with arrogant jingoists) I always described it as the little loser kid who desperately tries to convince himself that he's not a loser and that somehow, he's cool. That's how it's like the way this country acts sometimes. "Hey, look at us! We matter!"