Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Harin]

I think Korea has a lot more love-focused holidays than any other countries. The fourteenth day of each month always reminds us of our current love life; single or not. Young couples celebrate everything from first-kiss to first-date anniversary. You also feel somewhat obligated to buy something speical for your love bird every 100 days.

How about one year anniversary? Ooohhhh Wahhh, it is time to go buy a pair of silly-looking couple rings. One of my girlfriends once showed me a box full of rings. Instead of keeping love letters or photos, this girl was collecting couple rings. I am not kidding you, fellas.

If you look around, you will see the four-letter-word, 'LOVE', everywhere; t-shirts, mug-cups, letter stationerys, hats, table cloths, hankies, towels, etc.

I don't get it. I read some of you writing about k-girls expressing their love too fast and too soon. Maybe......there is too much love in the ROK air. What do ya think?

[Crois]

Before I went on a Date with a Korean Girl she said she loved me. I think love these days can be thrown around too much or be misinterpreted.

But it's good to have a society where you have to do something otherwise we'd all be stuck on the computer.

[just because]

I think most of those holidays are excuses for componies to make money.

I'm all for Valentines Day, maybe White Day, but Black Day. I mean come on.

[TommyPickles]

I did notice a disturbing trend of all songs played anywhere, whether it be on Korean radio, shopstores or tv, all were about love or had the word 'sarang' contained at least once. As one who appreciates a variety of music styles it seemed a bit monotonous, like a ten-year old kid writing music for the first time. Then again, as I'm not a native in the language and only was able to 'appreciate' k-pop, that may be an unfair statement to make.

What fascinates me more about love in Korea that I noticed when I was studying there is how fellow students (in particular girls) go from not seeing anyone (ie. single) to a CC (campus couple). There was no in-between part, where people are just discovering if they like each other, more than what I notice from a western perspective. Why? Because of rumour mongoring, it seemed scandalous to just be hanging out with girls who happend to be friends. Which is what happend to this poor goon. *Sigh*.

[ryleeys]

Mental note: find Korean girl that "loves" me...

Wait, tried that... didn't work.

[Harin]

[katydid]

There is so much pressure to be in a relationship here, even more so than back home. Whether you watch a music video or watch a movie, go shopping or what, declarations of love are so much more pronounced here. Back home there are promise rings that are worn before engagement rings, so couple rings are OK, but couple T's is going a bit far, I think. I have even seen couples wear everything the same, down to the shoes. And I wanted to run for the hills.
Then with that and the whole "Are you married? Do you have a boyfriend? Why don't you have a boyfriend?" yeah, I'd say there's too much emphasis on being in a relationship. On some days, it gets me down.
I'm not sure what my feelings are for Black Day. I suppose it's fun to have an anti-Valentine's Day, but then a day for all single people is associated with black, a color associated with death and depression? Hmmm....

[Swiss James]

What is the point of a promise ring exactly? I always thought that was just something the ginger kids on Happy Days did?

I agree on the couple stuff, I find the whole matching clothes thing pretty ridiculous, and there's a coffee shop in Sinchon called "A Twosome Place" which really annoys me, as though their coffee is only suitable for couples.

[katydid]

I think promise rings are more Midewestern, and as far as I know, never made it to the more cosmopolitan Northeast but I believe a promise ring is what you give to someone when you want them to know you'd like to marry them....someday. I guess with an engagement ring you have some kind of date in mind?

[Swiss James]

If I was being cynical I would say that a promise ring sounds like something teenagers give to their sweetheart in return for, shall we say certain favours, without having to go all out and get engaged.

However- I'm not being cynical, and I think it's a very touching gesture.

[TommyPickles]

As people are constantly bombarded with "Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend" questions, I assumed a promise ring was to shut strangers the hell up when you meet them the first time. Or that it shows your social standing (ie. "im a nice girl who is dating a reputable man, so keep away all you other guys!").

I didn't realise about promise rings until four months of courting a kgal friend of mine, even though I asked her on three occasions at least about whether she had a bf or not (replied: no). One night I got invited over to a korean ladies-only drinking night at a home (six girls and me, go figure), where we all got so very drunk. I was in the middle of my usual deep conversations with my lady while she surfed the web in front of the others when the oldest girl there loudly asked "Hey xx, why don't you call your bf in Korea?". My friend turned a very bright shade of red and was politely whispering to noona to shut the hell up in Korean.

Needless to say, out of respect for her and her boyfriend back home I stopped seeing her in any romantic way although it really broke my heart. Though I can declare to this day, I'm still infatuated with her and I'm fairly certain she feels the same way. When she got back to Korea she broke up with her bf straight away (wish I had known that earlier heh) and still kept in touch, four years on.

Sorry to go off topic, but since we are talking about love and all.. let me count the ways

Cheers
TommyPickles

[peppermint]

I haven't heard anyone mention promise rings since high school. Most people didn't have them or want them, and the idea of making a "promise" like that in high school was seen as being somewhat trashy.
I guess we were somewhat cynical. .

[djsmnc]

I loathe promise rings about the same as those silly "Daddy I'm going to stay a virgin until I'm married" rings that some ultra-religious girls wear in the US (and maybe elsewhere?). Those are the girls that perform every sexual act with their boyfriends and any other guy, except the one their boyfriends are really hoping for. A simple verbal "I promise not to *beep* anyone else as long as we are together" would work just fine. What does a promise ring symbolize other than "I'm too shallow, weak, and dishonest to be able to keep a spoken promise, so let me wear this ring as a cheesy sentimental reminder that I have a significant other.." ???

Anyhow, there is a lot of love in Korea. It flows in the air, permeates our systems and nearly chokes us like that fine yellow dust. There seems to be a number of people here who have this cute and cuddly mindset, evident in fashion, music and personal style (ie. pink teddy bears, Hello Kitty, and decorative cell phone paraphenalia). I really don't like it, but there's a lot of things like that in the US too. It's the attitude that says "Ooh, look at that baby, babies are so cute, but I don't think about where they come from. Let's hold hands and giggle when we kiss or look at each other, then go our separate ways and pretend we don't want to do more than this trite crap for more than a month." Which is why I tend to avoid those girls here...

[Swiss James]

Nice rant- perfect for a Monday

[weatherman]