Korean Job Discussion Forums

ThingsComeAround · Joined: 07 Nov 2008

Of all the "Koreanized" foreigners I have seen in Korea, this one stood out the most.

[img]http://www2.jumptv.com/seo/super_kids/img/1.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www2.jumptv.com/seo/super_kids/img/3.jpg[/img]

Worked for my hagwon and I recall being first introduced to this dude through the "edutainment" movies we were forced to show the kids. Then I heard about him working for Arirang.

It was the avatar of Whistleblower that reminded me of him...

I found this link explaining how he escaped his "cage". (pretty humorous)

http://theyangpa.wordpress.com/2006/10/06/isaac-durst-escapes-from-his-cage/

Has anyone met him? Or known anyone like him? Could you live like him?

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

I've read on here on Dave's that, according to some posters who have met him, he's a pretty nice guy. I wouldn't know.

It has also been reported here that he makes some serious bank and lives in a sweet pad. Of course, from my perspective I'd really have to be raking in the cash to sell what remains of my dignity by acting like that on national cable TV (even if it is in Korea).

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

seoulsucker · Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject:

Some of the stuff the guy does isn't too bad, but there are times where I have to shake my head at his clownish antics.

I have personally been asked several times to "be more like him" in the classroom, and know lots of people here with similar stories.

It is true that he is one of the most well-paid people in the ESL/Edutainment industry in Korea. However, I'm with caniff in regards to keeping my dignity for a farily lower income and not making life a pain for the rest of my industry peers.

jdog2050 · Joined: 17 Dec 2006

Beej · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Eungam Loop

Isnt he Fred Durst's mentally retarded evil twin? Keep Rollin Rollin Rollin!!!! Or maybe Fred is the retarded one.

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

If you look at most people in childrens' entertainment, what he does is pretty much par for the course eg The Wiggles, Blues Clues etc. Plus the chances of anyone he knows seeing him are pretty low. I also would probably sell my soul to the Korean devil given half a chance.

Mix1 · Joined: 08 May 2007

Nice guy or not, making bank or not, you don't have to act like a total retard in order to teach English effectively. But it's too late, the image has been formed.

Consider the role he has played in shaping Korea's perception of English teachers and the English language in general. Now you know why Koreans often treat us as retards.

It cheapens the whole ESL experience for Koreans, and leaves us all open to ridicule that we normally wouldn't have had if not for the edutainment retardo movement.

I'm not saying you shouldn't try to have fun while learning a new language, but acting like a monkey with brain damage goes way over the line. It's a stylistic choice I guess, but why not show some f**king dignity?

When I taught English in Argentina, the students didn't automatically assume English teachers were clowns to be ridiculed, but then again, they weren't seeing Isaac Durst on television.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

I saw him do a quiz show once where he acted quite normal, just asking the questions and being nice to the kids. Superkids? But I guess that is not the prevailing impression.

Alyssa · Joined: 15 Jan 2006

If he could ever imagine the images that have been burned into
the minds of so many people, of just plain stupidity, I am sure he would have never sold his soul to seoul. Dignity is worth more than a great place to live and money. A family name is to be cherished, he represents a long line of ancestors who would cringe if they saw what he was doing. I feel sorry for him, I really do Sad

DURST - NOUN/VERB To act like an @ss for lots of money and a nice place to live. To give up all dignity for monetary gain.

e.g No amount of money can ever cause me to DURST myself.

Rusty Shackleford · Joined: 08 May 2008

He's no worse than the Wiggles and they make mad-bank. I wouldn't say they are respected in Aussie and NZ, but I know many people who have said they would do the same in their position.

Ukon · Joined: 29 Jan 2008

I'm guessing most of you never grew up with tv as a kid.....acting like a clown is par for course on kid shows...Even the koreans act like morons and dress in stupid costumes....

bassexpander · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Location: Someplace you'd rather be.

I always thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy. He gives Koreans what they expect, and does a good job of it. Yeah, it may seem weird to us, but what he does is not exactly easy.

Would love to do a podcast on the guy.

Whistleblower's avatar cracks me up.

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

sodabread · Joined: 30 Dec 2006

Aside from the clown routine, he's not doing much (and possibly screwing up) the English of his audience. The methods don't work, right? From what I've seen, his shows are almost all translation and explanation in Korean. Getting 'um started early on how NOT to learn, he is.
Nice guy or not, he's being paid a ton to be a terrible teacher. Shame on him ( all the way to the bank), and shame on Korean educational TV folks in general.

I hear the dude's Korean is great, though.