Keyhole to Korea

[*Jess♥]

The purpose of this thread is to give an insight into Japan's neighbour South Korea.

Also known as Republic of Korea or ROK, and in Japan known as 韓国ã€ã‹ã‚“ã“ãã€KANKOKU。

 

Please ask any questions about anything you are curious about and I'll endeavour to answer.

I will also try and post my videos in here.

 

I'm not quite in Korea yet, I am waiting for my first flight to Dubai. Second flight will take me to Incheon airport in Seoul.

[*PrimalNemesis]

Whats the music scene like in South Korea? Is there a strong Metal community?

Good luck on your future endeavors Ryuki!

Edited February 19, 2013 by Sevastian

[*V Guyver]

It's styles are similar to japan and the US, right? Artists who perform there also tend to perform in china and in Japan. Just like in Japan, the singers regularly have their own shows on radio, tv, animation. One of my favorite Korean shows is 2 Days 1 Night, and that stars a number of Korean Singers and other celebrities, but the singers are more famous since they are regulars, and it's helped to save/revive their careers. Maybe I'm off, maybe it's changed in 4 years, but there was a time when the Korean channel was on regular digital TV, and had become my favorite channel. My favorite TV program aside from 2D1N was the TV program based off of Yi Soon-Shin

[durendal]

Ryuki, how do you find the real people in South Korea as opposed to what you see in the internet?  Would I be wrong to think that there was a bit of difference in your expectations?  Vanity is part of South Korean lifestyle, so I could be wrong.

[*Jess♥]

Thanks for your comments guys,

I'll make a better reply once I've had some more time.

 

 

[*Jess♥]

up until now,

 

haven't really heard any music. I'll keep an eye out for it.

 

The people....

met some nice people, met some abrupt people.

I don't really know what I expected. I suppose I based my ideas from seeing Koreans on TV. I thought specifically of the character 'Han' in the sitcom 'two broke girls'.

The abrupt people I met were in a shop that looked like it had electricals and bikes. I'm thinking these were some of the people with attitude that one might expect to see everywhere. It wasn't that they were mean, I just got a sense that they weren't really pleased about my presence.

[*PrimalNemesis]

Be careful Ryuki. I am not gonna generalize the whole population of South Korea, but be aware that some countries are not as open about foreigners as others. I am sure that you will have a wonderful time in South Korea Ryuki. Just be ready to deal with the few that our intolerant to those who are not of Korean heritage or native born.

[*V Guyver]

It takes a little time, so long as you don't rush, you'll be alright. And yes, following TV only gives you an eye into their culture, but TV is regulated, so you are not going to see the cream of the real Koreans until you make a few friends... or occasional enemy. 

[*YoungGuyver]

I don't think I need to tell you this, but what out for the girls.  I don't know if Korea is similar, but when I was in China, the girls wouldn't leave me alone.  My family went out for dinner... my wife was in the dining room, and I took my son down to see the fish tank.  The waitress' gathered around, telling me that one of them was... interested.  The audacity!  Then there was the girl on the boat.  And the prostitute on the street of lights that night (I think she was a prostitute, not sure, she kept following me and asking me to relax).  My wife pointed out that country girls like foreign boys as a ticket out, as their life in the city limits them to kitchen staff.

 

Don't know if that will apply to you

[*V Guyver]

I think Korean society is a little different. They aren't as obsessed with Dowries, and good jobs aren't as hard to find. Still, good point to watch out, and there are a high number of Chinese living in Korea, so I suppose this actually does apply. XD

China is a migrant working country, people migrate to cities to work, but their family stays home, used to be that only men would go out, but now women leave too and leave raising kids to other relatives. So most months out of the year they aren't home, instead just working and working. it's understandable why women want a foreigner, they tend to make more money for less work. The further away from the coastal manufacturing cities, the worse off they are. Also, the Dowries in China are strange, the family would approve a wedding, only to then refuse the wedding unless dowry demands are met to new terms. Literally some families hold their daughter hostage against a groom until they get their wants, like 40 Cartons of cigarettes (And no, the 40 cartons is not a joke I made up).

Korea, has it easier, it's an industrial base with most farms around the inland, but like China, they have to rely on food imports. Originally the North was the industrial complex of Korea, but after the split in government philosophies and war, the south had to develop it's own industry. It's thanks to the US financial support that it was possible, while the north's infrastructural strength is mostly a hollow shell of what it used to be, it's population unable to feed itself, and the highest supplier of jobs is the military. Oh, try to avoid talking too much about the North and South, it's a touchy subject, just ask and listen, but avoid opinions unless asked. 

I'm curious about YoungGuyver's experiences in China too, since I lean more towards Chinese culture and history over Korean as a hobby. 

[Bio-Boosted Dude]

Isn't Japan known for its xenophobia as well? I was thinking that perhaps that chances are, you would've encountered something similar to that eventually Ryuki. I don' think its something you will have to be careful about so much as mindful. Brace yourself for impatience of others.

[durendal]

I don't know where you guys got that idea of China but I have to disagree with the lot of you.  In YoungGuyver's case, it would probably be an isolated incident and would depend on which territory he was in.  Dowries are a cultural custom.  The reason why some families require them is to make sure that their child can be taken care off by the person their child is to marry.  Also dowries are two ways, the groom requires to give the bride's family certain jewelries, and the bride is required to give the groom's family an equivalent amount of jewelry.  An example, the groom needs to give the bride an expensive gold or diamond necklace (pearls are a no no), while the bride requires to give the groom an expensive watch.  How expensive the gifts should be depends on how the two families agree.  Think of dowries as an engagement party.  It is a custom still observed today to make sure that the future of the bride and groom would be prosperous.  Just think why there are so many successful Chinese businessmen.

 

I may not live in china, but some of the insinuations posted above are bordering insulting to me, and I know that this was not intentional.  I just want to give everyone a heads up before somebody mentions something inappropriate.  Foot in mouth disease does strike some of us most of the time.

[*V Guyver]

Sorry if that's the case Durendal. I learned of the strange dowry case from a documentary on modern China's work and marriage culture. Your right about the traditional dowry customs, but it doesn't mean one will not find unpleasent greedy families in place of the mutual good ones. I suppose the same thing can happen in other countries. I suppose I should take PBS documentaries with a little more reservation from now on. 

[Aether]

you shouldnt really make sweeping statements about any culture, or anything at all really. it comes down to rumors, heresay stereotyping and sensationalism of the unkown. there will always be stereotypes and always exceptions to those stereotypes even if they are based on some truth.

 

you cant tar everything with the same brush.

 

anyway

 

being english, i'd like to know what the weather is like over there in S Korea ?? 

[*YoungGuyver]

Sorry Durendal.  I meant no disrespect to the Chinese.  My wife is Chinese.  She was the one translating these experiences for me.  Most of this happened in Shanghai (loved the scifi archetecture), but nothing really in Beijing.

[durendal]

It's quite alright.  Do pardon me as well if I sounded rude.  The thing about the dowries is not really greed but more on pride.  One family would give out much more expensive dowry gifts expecting the other side to do so as well.  It's an old tradition but one that is full of drama.  It's actually more of control by the in-laws, as whosoever gives the most expensive items is the one who has more authority.  In short, money talks.

 

Anyway, going back on the real topic, I've never been to Korea, but a lot of my friends have been there for vacation.  They say that the place is clean and the people are friendly.

 

I would probably go there one of these days, but it's the language that's keeping me from going.  I tell you, the Korean language is as alien to me as Hieroglyphics.  Anhyeung Haseyo!  Ara so! 

 

We haven't heard from Ryuki yet these past few days.  Perhaps a lot of Korean girls is keeping him hostage demanding his virginity?

[*Jess♥]

komap sunmida  guys.

anyeung hasseyo!

 

It's nice to see so many questions. but I have to tell you all something.

Work did not go too well and things got difficult with my co-workers.

In order to prevent an unbearable situation, I have come home to the UK.

That doesn't mean I don't have some of 'the goods' for you though.

 

First thing. IT'S COLD. The whether was persistently sub-zero. it was different from cold in the uk though. In the UK, if it is 3 degrees, it feels cold. in south Korea it can be minus 6 degrees and it feels the same as the UK. probably something to do with the air moisture content.

You'll see some of the snow in one of my videos. coming later.

 

second thing, Koreans do not seem to be remotely interested in foreigners. Many of them have a decent rudimentary understanding of english. nothing like Japan. In Japan, most people have knowledge of english grammar etc, but are terrified to say even the slightest thing in English. the people I asked for help identifying the right route to Seoul, seemed to have a clear knowledge and working ability of giving direction and asking basic questions. Aside from that though, a foreigner didn't seem to be of any interest to them. it was just a person. This is true of Men and Women. I saw a few pretty girls, but they had no interest in me whatsoever. Then again, Korean society has less of a focus on that way of looking at people, you know they don't have adult materials so their relationships all seem more 'pure' somehow. also there is a big Christian revival going on there so a lot of them are probably very religious.

 

Durendal, let me tell you, you may think it looks weird at first, but Hangeul is very very simple.

for example this is hangeul for seoul - 소ì„

S - ã……

EO - ã…—

U - ã…‡ + ã…¡ 

L - ㄹ

I disagree on your friends opinion though, but I am not suggesting their perception is wrong. I have seen pictures of various countries around the world and Korea is clean compared to many. compared the the UK however, it is dingy and the pavements are terrible. There are some beautiful buildings but then the pavement across the street is in a terrible state. It is definitely less clean than Japan. and don't even mention Singapore.

It is not a massive leap though. you'll see in one of my videos. I made a point to show the pavements in one video and compared it to the high rise executive buildings.

 

About the people being nice.... for a large part this is true, but as has been alluded to.. xenophobia. yes I experienced something odd. I'm not sure I can say it was xenophobia because it could have been something else, but anyway here is what happened. I was by Seoul station looking for a nice coffee place with a good view.  I saw a second floor establishment from the street, their sign said in english " hot food and coffee" so of course I went in. I looked around a little and wasn't sure if I order first and sit down or if I sit down and order from the table etc. I waited for the staff. they arrived and started gesturing. I wasn't sure, but then i saw they were gesturing towards the door. so I gingerly pointed to the door, they nodded, I walked towards the door slowly, they nodded. I walked out. the door closed. and that was it. They were saying something but I do not know what they were saying.

[*Jess♥]

here is some pictures. I intend to write some short blogs for the photos I took but i'll throw some at you for now.

 

 

[durendal]

Oh man, that's tough.  And here I was hoping to drop by you someday when I eventually travel to Korea.  You might be right about the cleanliness, and probably because the basis of comparison is from where we live.  I've been to the West side of the world and some in the Southeast Asian region, and I have to say that only Singapore has the cleanest streets, hands down.  Japan probably comes to a close second.  

 

I think generally people from different parts of the world are nice.  The only foreign place that I've been to that I've experience people mostly being rude is in China.  This is probably where the perception of the posts indicated above came from.  Well, different cultures do have different ways of treating strangers. 

 

How long did you stay in Korea?  Care to share some of your adventures?  A day to day detail would probably fit quite nice as a blog.

[*Jess♥]

I was there.... I'll say 5 days. 1 day was a half day, in Suji-gu, 2 days teaching, saturday sleeping all day, sunday was spent in Seoul then slept overnight in the airport before the 12 hour flight to London.

I do intend to write some blogs with my photos as the basis, but that is also a good idea. a day by day account.

[Aether]

oh man, thats a shame..

 

xenophobia is a  real shame... and i suppose its especially difficult or shocking to experience such a thing being from a multicultural society such as the UK and going somewhere less so.

 

my mate in Taiwan has experienced it a little. but to be honest by the sounds of it it was somewhat warranted because the westerners lack full respect for the natives sometimes ( i.e loud late night parties on rooftops etc!).

 

oh well, at least you gave it a go!

[lost unit]

im sorry to hear that things didnt work out as you had wish but its nice to have you back. Whats gonna happen with plans over here now.

[*Jess♥]

plans here, probably the same but probably easier. for me at least. I'll have to give that some focused thought very soon.

 

Aether

 

oh well, at least you gave it a go!

please phrase it more like this :-

 

it didn't run out as planned, but you must have gotten a great deal of value out of it

 

How you said it seems as though it was a wasted venture, but it was far from wasted.

I have learnt so much. I learnt that I love kids. I will miss those guys. I learnt that my family thinks more of me than I realised. I learnt how to deal with multiple new situations. I learnt how to get past some of my hang-ups. I learnt that happiness is more closely related to individual people than arbitrary locations. I gained a degree of personal strength and also learnt of some of my weaknesses and am able to accept them.

I learnt a lot more things than this but I am of course still processing.

[*V Guyver]

Ahh, those street pavements are moderately bad, not as terrible though as the run down areas in my city. But looks looks like at one point they really went all out with the refined touch on that side walk, but didn't keep it up over the years. 

 

In these types of trips, I would hope to bring in a translator of some sorts. Preferably the digital type, even heading to my native Portugal I at least carried a bilingual dictionary to help out. I always learn more Portuguese when over there, more so than in some language school in the US. I don't know how I got around before we had things like Bing Translator to help out

 

Sorry to hear about the job issues, I can imagine some of the communication problems, but different cultural work routines can make it worse too. 

 

So they are better English communicators than the Japanese, that's pretty reassuring. Also lack of interest in foreigners, sounds like they are pretty damn used to it, must be partly because of all those years the US has had troops stationed there. 

 

About the christian thing, I was always curious about the large number of christian imagery used in the TV programs. So it was due to a revival? Never knew that. 

[*Jess♥]

yeah I went to a church service there. I'll talk more about that later .

 

about the pavements. here is the first video I have uploaded. it's about the pavements.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_utg0VtOOI

 

yep, I had a translator. a pretty damn good one. I used it all the time in Wrexham when speaking with Polish people.

it's google translate app in my iphone. the main issue there... is that my phone would not connect to any networks in South Korea.

This is the most stupid thing to be honest. I had checked with my network about options for possibly using my phone etc. they said roaming could get expensive but I could use it for a while. well to use roaming, you have to get the phone to accept a connection first. ridiculous.

 

I did have a phrase book, but I hadn't invested the time in it to make it very useful. it took me way too long to find what I needed.