| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
leebumlik69
Joined: 05 Jan 2006
Location: DiRectly above you. Pissing Down
|
 Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 9:07 am Post subject: The "Truth in Humor" |
 |
|
Anyone ever been in the situation where you made a joke to a Korean, and got a response something along the lines of
| Quote: |
| ~"You know, if you say that it's because you mean it/believe it in a way" |
and I often agree. I sometimes use comedy to see the funny side to a problem but it probably does just illuminate that there is a problem in the first place, especially to Koreans who seem sensitive on the matter.
Koreans often mention that it is related to an old saying that people often use comedy as a backdoor to escape from blame, or as an excuse for something.
I'm sure that's true and it makes me a little more careful about what I joke about (or claim as a joke), particularly with women.
It's awkward because I'm a fan of satire. I know that people can overdepend on satire to escape the realities of serious situations etc. but I don't think I overuse it. I think I dabble in it in healthy doses.
My concern is that satire seems a little off limits here in Korea, at least unless you establish a agreed limit to what you can joke about and assure that you are not trying to be malicious in any way, before you do so. My guess is it's all related to Confucianism in some way. For example here is one of Confucious' quotes that seems relevant:
| Quote: |
| "Clever talk and pretentious manner are seldom compatible with the benevolent" |
Anyone else experience this? I'd guess quite a few of you have.
Also, I think it's a big factor in the punishment of the Busan-9. Their "satire" was not taken lightly. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Barking Mad Lord Snapcase
Joined: 04 Nov 2003
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
RACETRAITOR
Joined: 24 Oct 2005
Location: Seoul, South Korea
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 4:38 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well there are a lot of Americans who don't like satire either. One of my closest friends told me he wants to kill Jon Stewart. However, I know he doesn't speak for all Americans.
I can tell you there are Koreans who enjoy satire and humour, but then again my Korean friends would be considered radical nonconformists by western standards.
Satire isn't mainstream here, because a few decades ago telling a simple joke would've been enough to pay your tuition to Samchung University. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kotakji
Joined: 23 Oct 2006
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Well keep in mind that satire can be illegal here if it 'defames' another individual. I must give grudging respect to the comedians you see on the various gag concerts for being able to keep their audiences entertained considering they cant make fun of any specific individual without facing a lawsuit. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
plutodog18
Joined: 01 Feb 2007
|
| Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 12:51 pm Post subject: Re: The "Truth in Humor" |
|
|
| leebumlik69 wrote: |
I sometimes use comedy to see the funny side to a problem but it probably does just illuminate that there is a problem in the first place
It's awkward because I'm a fan of satire. I know that people can overdepend on satire to escape the realities of serious situations etc. but I don't think I overuse it. I think I dabble in it in healthy doses. |
You are quite correct in your thinking. Almost 100 years ago Freud wrote the semial work about jokes/satire and how it is a relief valve to let our inner thoughts out in a kinder gentler way (most times). Humor in all forms is a psychic relief of underlying thoughts, beliefs and wishes, most of which are based on actual observation and human experience.
Those who scoff at this humor are usually those who consciously or unconsciously recognize a part of themselves, have guilt feelings that then turn into anger or criticism of the joke teller. The problem is really from within not from without.
Please see: The Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud: "Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious" v. 8: Books |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
