Session 4 (July 20) - South Korea Today

[Kathy Keffeler]

This was one of the most valuable sections for me as I welcome my four new Korean teeangers to ESL class in a month. Whether virtually or in person, I appreciate this valuable backgound on current culture. There is so much here! Thank you!

[Jasmine Weeks]

Hi Maria,

That is a good point you brought up about elected Jasmine Lee, a Phillipines -born but naturalized person to eb a lawmaker in SK.  I wonder like the point brought up by Jennifer that foereigners are expected to learn the Korean language and culture, if Jasmine Lee an epitome of Korean acculturation so much so that thye trusted her to be prat of their lawmaking.  On the other, we see examples also brought by Jennifer that those who did adjust well to the culture face diffcult to the point of outcas.  Such phenomena agan is not unique to Korean culture.  There is a certian degree of expectation for any culture to expect some acculturation once someone settles down.  The Korean born half Nigerian Han Hyun-Min is another example.  He finally rises to fame because of his Korean "nature" even though grwoingup, he was discriminated based on his skin color.  

[Heather Butler]

Due to a long history of patriarchy, South Korean society is facing many challenges. Low fertility rates and an aging population causes South Korea to face many of the same difficulties as Japan. South Korean women face societal pressure to stay young and beautiful, while at the same time fighting an imposing glass ceiling that keeps them from advancing in political and business spheres. South Korean female students also felt unable to fight agains sexual harassment and assault in schools in the past due to the power held by teachers and administration over them getting into college. LGBTQIA+ members of society are bullied in the military and have little legal protection.

 

Despite these challenges, there is a hopeful outlook for Korean society. There are artists such as Chris Sim creating artwork that promotes multiculturalism and there have been laws passed since 2005 to promote diverse families and immigration to South Korea. South Korea uses soft power through everything from Samsung phones, Korean dramas and K-pop to create a positive image globally. Boy groups like BTS and Monsta X create this concept of a more caring, “pretty” metrosexual, that is not less masculine. “Flower boys” is not just used for K-pop members and actors that fit that “look”, but that male aesthetic, in general. Girl groups like Blackpink and (G) I-dle offer various feminine representations, whether sexy, cute, innocent, sporty or powerful. Since getting into Korean dramas this past winter, I have been getting into K-Pop as well, and I find the crossovers with Western artists interesting, as well. The #MeToo movement has helped women to be able to call out men who harassed and/or sexually assaulted them, from the schools to the government offices, with actual repercussions happening. The Escape the Corset movement is also helping women to reclaim their bodies and choose not to conform to societal beauty standards. South Korean society in general has become more supportive of LGBTQIA+ people and the Seoul Queer Culture Festival celebrated it’s 20th annual parade in 2019. Through grassroots movements and government acts that embrace more of the members of Korean society, South Korea has the opportunity to become a more inclusive and diverse society.

 

[Jonathon Allen]

Laura, what a wonderful response.  Like others, I agree that the contradictions woven through South Korean society and culture today are compelling and provide opportunity for independent student research (I'm thinking about the Contemporary Asian Studies elective I'll be teaching in the Spring.)  Thank you for the Itaewon Class recommendation:  the diversity of the characters and the unfortunate realities of their lived experiences are important to highlight for the community, at large, and could serve as potential forces of change in a relatively conservative country.

[Jonathon Allen]

Kimberly, I really appreciate that caution you take when comparing nations and cultures.  The quick search you did that yielded the USA's predilection for aesthetic surgeries is no surprise to me, who teaches in Los Angeles, knows people who work on the television series "Botched," and see cosmetic product-based vending machines around the city.  Like you, I am intrigued by the "escape the corset" movement and the non-gender-conforming influence that has taken root in small pockets of South Korea.  I have more than one student who identify as non-binary and Asian-American, so I expect there to be a great deal of interest on this topic when I teach it in the Spring.

[Juana Evink]

After watching the video by professor Kim, I'm fascinated by South Korea's society. I have been aware of the Korean wave for years, specially K-pop and Korean dramas.  Currently, South Korea's society and culture are very modern and technological advanced, people from all over the world are watching Korean movies, dramas, and listening to BTS and Blackpink groups. Also, plastic surgery in Korea is prevalent, in man who want to obatin the "flower boy look," and beauty products emphasize Korean beauty. Many American companies like Starbucks and McDonald's have increased their presence, yet they have adapted to South Korea's culture. It's fascinating how it has modernized and still has a cultural pride. However, they still have low fertility problems,and foreign brides who marry older Korean man.

[Alyssa Yff]

Yes! You are definitely right!  Anime really plays to these stereotypes.  Thanks Meghann!

[Nancy Marvel]

I find society and culture in South Korea today really interesting and complex. South Korea is a nation that has bounced back after the challenges of the Korean War, it has gone from a country receiving aid to being one of the leading nations in the global world. It is interesting to learn the diversity of culture beyond K-Pop and BTS. From the film industry to esports leagues, South Korean culture seems  very much like that of the US- and with that comes the good and the bad. I think I had always thought about South Korea as being a more "traditional" country so the focus on aesthetic surgery was really surprising, especially that there are so many ads for the clinics that they are being banned in the next 2 years. I also didn't expect to learn that the birth rate was one of the lowest in the world.  I have been surprised (in a good way) with the amount of agency that women have in South Korea.  It is quite mindboggling that a country where the women have a voice and speak out #MeToo movement and Escape the corset movement, is also the country that brings in foreign brides who they expect to transition quickly into becoming Korean. However, there are obvious areas that still need improvement. With the #MeToo movement, laws are being changed. Women who are now sexually attacked can press charges and their assailant may serve up to 10 years? What was the amount of time before this law that the perpetrator would serve? How many were actually ever convicted? I realize this is positive movement, even here in the US, the treatment of women who have been sexually attacked is horrific and the arrest and prosecution rates are awful. What percentage of women actually report? It seems no matter what the level of the society, women are still victims of sexual abuse. I also wonder what percentage of LGBTQ people actually are open about their sexuality. Although there has been a Queer Culture Festival and Pride Parade for 20 years, there are no laws protecting members of the communuty and there is still abuse and misunderstanding. Do they feel safe in their country? Ultimately, I think it is a society and culture that is growing and changing, and facing the challenges that come from that, but there is far more to it than K-Pop and cell phones.

[Kimberly de Berzunza]

Yes, Jonathan- I had a middle school student a few years ago who I believe is non-binary but was not completely open (yet) having one Korean grandma and one Puerto Rican grandma they were extremely reluctant to disappoint...

[Kimberly de Berzunza]

Thank you, Jennifer, for mentioning the Korean punk groups! However, I only wrote down Crying Nut- I love it! What was the other group you mentioned? Also, how popular are these groups in and outside of Korea?

Everyone- you need to check this out- I far prefer it to K-pop. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbJCB2ArgK0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGyl2hReZks

[Maria Cardenas]

Hey Evink.

Yes, I have watched korean dramas and listen to k-pop for quite a while now. When I first started listening to k-pop and watching korean dramas I konw not many people from the United States were doing the same thing. I first started because my older sister watched a Korean drama. Their variety shows are pretty funny too. I know that when I was studying in Korea in the summer of 2012, a group of us ordered Mcdonalds and they delivered to us at our dorms. We were all Americans from California so we were surprised. Now, you can get Mcdonalds with ubereats, postmates, etc. They were pretty modern with that. 

 

[Tom Mueller]

This is great - thanks.  It is definitely a mix of old and modern punk.  It reminds me of the Dropkick Murphy's.  

[Meghann Seril]

Hi Jasmine. I believe these beauty ideals are common in several Asian countries. In my own experience as a Filipina I remember my aunties telling me not to sit in the sun so I wouldn't get dark. In fact, every time we have gone to the Philippines to visit they will ask if we want to make any beauty appointments while we are there. This reminds me of the cosmetic tourism Dr. Jung-Kim mentioned in her lecture. Hopefully the movements like Escape the Corset will take hold and help to redefine beauty standards.

[Meghann Seril]

Hi Maria! You bring up a good point about the discrimination that women face in the workforce and the fact that although it is illegal, unfair practices still occur. It makes me think about experiences I've heard even here in the US. I believe our profession has in some ways been held down because the majority of our workforce is women. Although politicians say they appreciate and acknowledge teachers, that hasn't really been backed up with legislation that supports our work in the classroom or provides a social safety net for our students and families. Just thinking about the lawmakers who are expecting teachers to return to the classroom full time in the fall without proper protection is disheartening.

[Kimberly de Berzunza]

It seems like we have looked a lot at what life is like in Seoul or other cities, but what about in the rural areas? Jennifer touched on this the other day but I was thinking about the "super-fast WiFi" she mentioned and wondered if that is true everywhere or only in cities? Are the rural areas still much more traditional, like in most places? Is there a huge rural/urban dichotomy like in the US and most places?

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