NORTH KOREAN STYLE VS SOUTH KOREAN STYLE?!

Source image: http://cdn29.elitedaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Featured.png

For those who had planned on seeing "The Interview" but unfortunately couldn't... here a North Korean girl singing about her mommy and daddy blowing kisses. 

To me, this girl's facial expressions and body movements seem so unnatural and forced. What distinguishes children from adults is that they are spontaneous... I believe that, when young kids have lost their spontaneity way ahead of time due to external influences, it naturally makes observing people feel pitiful and uncomfortable. See for yourself. What do you think?! http://youtu.be/hccmTlNl9jc

The most striking thing is the seemingly consistent disapproval by South Korean viewers, reflected in the comment section of this Youtube video:

"불쌍하다"(So sad; pitiful); 

"웃기는한데 마음아프다 불쌍해"(It's funny but I feel hurt, so sad.); 

"표정이 뭐야"(What's with the facial expression?!); 

"안쓰럽다"(I feel sorry [for her]); 

"아인데 표정이 40년대"(She's a kid, but her face looks like that of a 40year old."
"저표정이 부자연스러워서 슬프다" (Expressions are not natural, it's sad.)

On the other hand, many non-South Korean people commented mainly favorable things such as "So cuuuute!"; "Wow, I like her voice and movement" or "Fantastisca".

EDIT: (After reading some more comments) Even though most non-South Korean people loved the performance, a considerable amount of people (regardless of nationality) have shown signs of disapproval. However, they often didn't feel "sad" or "pitiful" like many South Korean people do, rather, they commented: "Act like a toy, she should not have the face like that at her age, this is creepy."; "Ça fait peur, oh my god." or "Just why.... she's a little kid..." Seems the netizens' opinion is very divided on this topic, thinking it's either really "adorable" or really "creepy". I guess such strongly diverging opinions are normal, since moderate opinions have a lower tendency to be expressed. Haha! Although I rarely comment on posts, I do love the comment sections. Always so much drama! :D

I agree with most of the South Korean commentators that this performance feels odd. Many of them are also saying that "if she would have been raised in South Korea, she wouldn't be like this and she would've been able to grow up as a normal kid". Other people commented arguing that she "should come to '우리나라'(Our Country, i.e. South Korea), then she wouldn't have to act like this." Those are all clear statements showing the feeling of distance and disconnection between many South and North Korean people nowadays. This sense of disparity cannot go unnoticed when comparing the tone in which news is broadcast!

North Korean news (Korean Central Television)
http://youtu.be/hccmTlNl9jc :

South Korean news (KBS News) 

http://youtu.be/yGnxqETVra8:

RACISM IN SOUTH KOREA

Source image: http://laseoulguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Foreigners-in-Korea.jpg

Racism in South Korea

Recently, one of my friends had asked me about South Korea's current racism issues after having read this intensely debated article titled “They actually want a white teacher”. (Click here to read the article.) According to this article, a black skinned male teacher applying for a job as an English teacher was turned down, a decision motivated by his skin color.

Living in Seoul for a couple of years now, I haven't experienced racism directly in this way myself. However, I've heard about these issues and also that they are actual and even very common. Needless to say, discrimination is something persistent and existing everywhere, not only in South Korea. 

Understanding racism and its causes and consequences, calls for a deeper understanding of a society as a whole, not only socially but also historically. Criticizing South Korea without a deeper insight of its society, while making ignorant statements and comments, is therefore as ineffective as fighting ignorance with ignorance or racism with racism. 

Now, when one wonders “Why South Korea is openly being accused of being a racist country?”, instead of merely accusing, in order to find answers and solutions it might be more meaningful to look for plausible causes and explanations within that society. In my opinion, and from my own observations and conversations with Korean and non-Korean friends, there are a few reasons that might explain South Korea's racist issues and accusations.

The (lack of) Awareness about different ways of discriminating 

First of all, in South Korean society, awareness about and understanding of theoretic notions such as ‘racism’ or even ‘discrimination’ seem still weak. Therefore, ethnic discrimination is not seldom regarded as merely a justifiable expression stating that someone does not match the right profile, ‘specs’ or requirements. Hence, being discriminated because of your ethnicity becomes only one other way to differentiate and discriminate. Different types of discrimination are rarely distinguished. In other words, in South Korea, you can be discriminated in many ways and it will be openly justified by the person who does so. For example, if you are not a good student and lack the academic abilities, you will be discriminated and be denied certain options in life; if you out yourself as being gay or lesbian, you'll might as well be; if you are not good looking, you will not get the same chances like other people simply based on your outer appearance rather than your skills, and so on.

Situations where people are being left out because of their characteristics is nothing new and can be found in many other places elsewhere in the world. However, in a fiercely competitive society such as South Korea, the line between characteristics you can acquire and the ones you actually cannot or would not is very thin. To illustrate that this line is very thin, the example of extreme plastic surgery can be given. People, in a Machiavellian way, undergo small to major plastic surgeries to look better in order to attain certain goals. When extreme goals require extreme measures, the outer appearance is permanently altered to fit the requirements of society.

As we can see, one characteristic that one would usually regard as initially unattainable, has now changed status to being something attainable, albeit with extreme and exterior means. The reasons that spur discrimination, whether they are motivated by inherent characteristics or changeable abilities, they are regarded as lying within the person's characteristics and ability. The requirement of altering ones inherent characteristics should always be met with strong criticism and caution. In a society where people are discriminated for being ethnically different than the main population, gives people the idea that this inherent characteristic should be changed to meet to fit into society, which is of course something impossible and something one should never demand, directly nor indirectly. In short, to battle bigotry and racism, awareness about theoretic notions such as "racism" and ‘discrimination’ is a first step.

The Myth of Ethnic Homogeneity

The Korean ethnic-nationalistic sentiment is strong and up until today, despite recent migration statistics, many Koreans are convinced that the Korean society is still a homogeneous one. Korean people tend to believe strongly that Korea is a “pure blood” nation and strangely feel more connected with people sharing the same blood, such as overseas Koreans (교포, kyopo) who might not speak any Korean or who have never set foot on Korean soil before, rather than non-Korean people living in Korea since ages. Contrary to what is generally believed, this concept of “Ethnic Homogeneity” only exists since the beginning of the 20^th century, more specifically since the Japanese colonial rule. Through the presence of the Japanese colonizers on the Korean peninsula and following colonial policies Korean people became aware of their ethnicity. The Japanese colonizers at that time used ethnicity as a means to convince the Korean people that they were “brothers” of the Japanese pure race, stemming from the same ancestors.

After the Korean War, American soldiers were stationed in South Korea. Many of them had relationships and affairs with Korean women, who then later gave birth to mixed-race babies. These babies often bared the stigma of being not “pure” and seen as a disgrace for the Korean people. Nowadays, similar to Japan, that idea of having a “homogeneous society” still lingers. If you would ask a Korean person what stance they take towards foreigners wanting to be naturalized and attain Korean citizenship, the answers might be shocking. For example, it is “OK for most of the people (read Western, white people) to become naturalized, as long as they show devotion (애정, aejeong) for the Korean nation.” However, other Asian people such as Chinese, Japanese or South East-Asian nationalities are much less welcomed.

Since Park Chung Hee, the government has used this concept of “Ethnic Homogeneity” in policies to create a unified feeling among its people. It can be said that strong nationalistic sentiments have been nurtured since the colonial period until the modern period. The nationalistic feeling of sharing the same blood has been encouraged and solidified in order to speed up the rapid modernization of South Korea in the last decades. However, strong nationalistic pride came along with (ethnic) prejudices. These prejudices, which can lead to openly discriminating, are justified with the excuse of “it is normal, because Korean people have not yet experienced or been in contact with many foreigners before.” Such statements are proof of the stubborn unawareness about racist behavior and are merely excuses to justify open discrimination.  It is true that South Korea has not yet experienced a big inflow of immigrants compared to Europe or the United States; however statistics show that modern South Korea is rapidly changing into a far less homogeneous country. Some Korean politicians have tried to amend laws regarding ethnic discrimination, but they are often met with strong disagreements.

When any country wishes to peacefully harbor a multicultural and ethnically diverse population, bigotry, nationalistic pride and prejudices will have to make place for mutual understanding, tolerance and acceptance. And a first step in this process is promoting ‘awareness’ about these issues.

Further reading:

Shin, Gi-Wook, "Korea's ethnic nationalism is a source of both pride and prejudice, according to Gi-Wook Shin." (Click here for link to article.)

And if you would like to read more simply type in Google Search: "Racism in Korea", you will find plenty of food for thought. However, keep in mind that every article needs to be read with caution and an attitude of skepticism. 

I would suggest to do the same for the one I wrote here. I have written this short critical essay mainly from my personal stance and observations, with the purpose to put forward current issues in the South Korean society. It has therefore by no means any intention to offend anyone. I would like to clarify that I'm NOT trying to generalize all Korean people as being racist, unaware nor ignorant. Since there are plenty of Korean people who show awareness and who are trying hard to prevent ethnic prejudices from becoming justified. The only thing I'm argueing is for more efforts to sensibilize people about this important issues. If you have any questions or comments you can send me an email: lara.deboeck@hotmail.com.

Peace and also love!

So long,


Lara

3 YEARS!

Wow!

Exactly three years ago on the 29th of August 2011, I came to South Korea, a country I'd never been before. Like a stranger, I arrived with everything packed in barely two suitcases, ready to start a new adventure! 

Time really does fly! Now we are three years later and I'm thinking to write something on this blog again!

The past three years were unforgettable, but also very turbulent, with many ups and downs. My Korean still sucks and I have only a couple of real Korean friends. However, along the way, I got the chance to meet and get to know so many other amazing and inspiring people that I don't regret ever coming here! 

When I arrived here at first, I was a lonely stranger. (Eric Clapton - Lonely Stranger (MV)) It felt as if I'd left everything in Belgium and came to Korea empty handed. Everything was new and exciting. Slowly, I started making new friends and  together we discovered many new things and places. We learned together and we grew together. Friends have come and many have left again too. I've complained a lot and sometimes even hated the way things are or are handled in Korea... about how discriminating and demanding Korean people can be. Or about how difficult the Korean language is and how hard it is to make real Korean friends (worth another blog post ;)). Nevertheless, I've come to love Seoul as a city to live in. It's a never-sleeping metropolis and it's never boring. Going out for dinner is relatively cheap, public transport is fast and reliable. And on top of this, the weather is great too: four distinguishable (!) seasons!... with autumn as my ultimate favorite one.

This summer I went back to my hometown for a visit... after two years. Yes, two years! It felt so good to see my family again. I'm blessed with a big and loving family, that will always welcome me back home and keeps waiting for me even when I did not come back in the past years. I feel in a way I have matured, I am calmer on the inside. I enjoy small things and moments a lot more than I used to do before, such as a day going out with my older brother; a shopping spree with my younger sister, letting my hair being cut by my other sister; a trip with my mum; conversations with my dad; visiting my brother in Dublin; being amazed by my nieces and nephews and how fast they grow and so on.

Meanwhile, I've also tried to visit some friends around Europe, whom I have been promising repeatedly for many years that I will come to meet them again. Now this time, I finally made it! Seeing them and being welcomed as if time did not change anything, it was worth the long bus rides. Friends are friends for a reason, and we should always cherish them! They pull you through the good and hard times and they like you for who you are. I always enjoy seeing how friends live their lives and to step into their worlds for some time. From my experience, my friends (and people in general) don't easily change in essence, but that doesn't mean they don't move on with their lives. They get babies, buy houses, have been in relationships for many years (that is in case they did not just recently broke up of course! ;))... It's nice to see, but also poignant. I also need to get my shit together... soon... somehow!

A warm and heartfelt thank you to all those who have made the past three years absolutely worth it.

Love,

Lara

When you feel sad
Cry yourself a river
When you are happy
Smile brightly 
When you are angry
Be furious
But then forgive quickly
When you love
Love wholeheartedly
When you are alive
Live

HOME

The first city I lost my heart to was Hanoi. It was when I first realized: home is where I go. Now 7 years later, miscellaneous thoughts of beautiful Ghent and bustling Seoul are taking turns in guarding my heart. Will I always feel so torn between different places?

-- Home is where the heart is, they say.

설날 - SEOLLAL, LUNAR NEW YEAR

Today the biggest holiday in South Korea has started: 4 FULL(!) days to celebrate Lunar New Year (Seollal). For most Seoul people this equals an exodus to their hometowns. I am just lying on my bed surfing on the internet. What a quiet day. The streets are even more deserted than during Christmas in Belgium! I remember spending Tet in Hanoi when I was about 18. *gosh, seems ages ago* At that time I bought a cherry blossom tree with Zương and visited family and friends for two weeks eating banh chung (Vietnamese style New Year rice cake packed in banana leaves) till I dropped. In South Korea, similar to other Asian countries with a Confucian background, people living in the big cities go to their hometowns to spend time with family, bow to family elders, exchange well wishes, and eat Tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup). 

Foreigners, including myself, usually are left with the only option of trying to find any place that didn't close in order to eat a decent meal. And when unsuccesful, fortunately... there is always instant Ramyeon! 

새해복 많이 받으세요! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! 

SOUTH KOREA AND EXTREME PLASTIC SURGERY: QUESTIONABLE?

PLASTIC SURGERY IN SOUTH KOREA: The pretty TV presenter who deformed herself . . . for the sake of a 'heart-shaped’ face.

This is a response to the above mentioned article (you can click on the link to read the article and to find the source of following pictures) about extreme plastic surgery in South Korea.

AFTER

BEFORE

Two words: OH MY! This woman who has undergone relatively extreme plastic surgery was pretty before her surgery! So typical. 

I don't mind plastic surgery as long as it's fully a personal choice. However in South Korea the plastic surgery tendency comes with a questionable degree of societal pressure. I wouldn't say that this woman in question can be "accused" of ruining her face, 'cause in the end it was HER choice and she didn't harm anybody by doing it. Therefore other people shouldn't accuse her of anything or tell her what to do. 

After reading this article, I cannot agree with the claim that Asian people want to look western. Insofar generalizations are allowed, there is a tendency of wanting to look different in a certain way. However, this does not necessarily mean 'western', i.e. Caucasian. Logically, the beauty ideal in Asia can differ from those in other places around the world and it's almost a universality that people in general want to look different than the way they actually do. The grass is always greener on the other side, isn't it?! We, humans, in fact like the things that are hard to acquire, such as characteristics opposite to ours. The moment we attain relatively difficult to acquire things the level of satisfaction is much higher in comparison with things not requiring any efforts. From this point of view, it almost seems logic that Asian people want to look different than the way they are and on top of that are willing to do efforts for it. Likely, this also counts for Caucasian people, who for example have white skin but like to be brown; who have bigger noses and prefer to have smaller ones. 

The reason why South Korean people do a lot of plastic surgery in my opinion is first of all caused by the societal pressure and need to look conform to the surrounding people. This shared feeling of unwillingness to go against the tide is strong here. Secondly, as a modern compressed society South Korea is highly competitive and looking prettier according to already established beauty ideals gives people a bigger chance to succeed in life. And lastly, the popular culture in South Korea represents and reflects perfectly those existing norms about beauty: if you are not pretty you can (or even should) do something about it. In short, if you are good-looking you have more chances to become successful and attain recognition from the entire society more easily. It's exactly at this moment, when plastic surgery comes flying in quite handy as some sort of magical tool, that we are urged to raise the question: when it comes to appearances, have South Korean people come to believe that the end always justifies the means?!

Another way to explain this tendency of drastic plastic surgery is to compare it with disorders such as anorexia and boulimia. Societal pressures force people to have an appearance conform to a certain norm and also make people willing to go extreme in order to attain that norm. Furthermore, in analogy with above mentioned appearance-associated disorders, I believe that extreme plastic surgery is often regarded as a means to stay in control of one's own life. People struggling with these disorders often realize very well that our body belongs to only us and no one else. More precisely, it's the first 'tool' we can use to take our life in our own hands and decide about it independently. However, some decisions caused by societal pressures are extreme according to other standards. 

If you would like to discuss this hot topic further, feel free to leave a comment below.

So long,

Lara

P.S. Oh, one message to all those Korean men out there: PLEASE DON'T DO THE JAW SURGERY TO MAKE YOUR CHIN MORE POINTY! It's more manly and attractive to most women if you have a more rectangular face instead of a pointy flower boy face with a pointy chin! (Yeah, you hyeonbin (현빈), did you do it? Seems like you did... Because you were more handsome before all the weight you lost and the plastic surgery. Although flower boys are pretty they often lack the handsomeness of a manly man! Please spare me the disappointment of having to shockingly see your face after you've undergone extreme plastic surgery. Gracias!

I have written an entry related to plastic surgery already about a year ago!:

"Fashion in Korea"

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