What Age means in Korea

          In the Korean language, there's formal and informal. When you use formal and informal depends on who you're talking to. If the person you're speaking to or addressing is older than you or is in higher rank than you (such as, your boss), then you must speak formally to them.

          To stem off from this, let's look deeper into age in Korea. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that age is a great advantage to have, the older you are, the more respect and honor you receive. I've been taught this common sense since I was a young child so I take it as a given, but to be really honest, this whole age thing sometimes annoys me.

          When I say that the elderly get more respect, I mean that basically, everything they say goes. This has been less apparent these days which I do find sad. But the greatest thing that I find difficult to accept is the fact that when you're eating out with an elderly person and they offer you alcohol, you must take it. Otherwise, you're being disrespectful and it's seen as an honor when an elderly pours you a drink. I find this to be wrong because some people have certain values and don't want to drink. Even if it's an unfortunate truth that drinking is a large part of Korean society, I don't think anyone should feel obligated to drink when someone older than them insists they take a drink. Now, according to my dad, if I ever find myself to be in that situation, I can just politely refuse and they'll move on but I'm still uneasy about that. I've seen enough Korean dramas and have seen that when someone refuses to drink an elder will be like, "Oh, come on!"

          But let's take a look at the bright side, when you are the older person, then oh yeah, it's pretty sweet. Actually, you can never, ever, refer to someone older than you by "you" (너) to them. Unless you use the formal word for "you" but that's hardly used in Korean conversations. Also, you can't never, ever call someone who is older than you by their name. So it may be hard for you to wrap this around your head and you may very well be wondering how people interact with each other then. Well there are various titles you call someone older than you, such as hyung (형) if you're a guy and the other person is also a guy and if he's not too much older than you and you're kind of close to him or he's you're actual older brother. Oppa (오빠) is the what the girls call their older brothers or another guy who is older than them and who are close to them. Noona (누나) is what guys call older sisters or any other older girls and unnie (언니) is what girls call their older sisters or another older girl who is close to you.

	For a male	For a female
Older brother/older guy	Hyung (형)	Oppa (오빠)
Older sister/ older girl	Noona (누나)	Unnie (언니)

  

          So in a Korean family, if a younger child called their older brother/sister by "you" or their first name, then that child would get in trouble by their parents. Plus the oldest child gets to be always be first. So depending on what position you're in, an older person can be a nuisance to you or if you are older, then you have certain advantages, in Korean culture.(567)

김치 (Kimchi)

          

Picture Source: Wikipedia

          If you have any interest in Korea, then I'm going to assume that you have at least heard of the term, "kimchi." (김치) What exactly is kimchi? It is a famous Korean dish, made of cabbage with spices. And when I say famous, I mean, they eat it with their meal everyday. It just goes with the daily 3 Korean meals with rice. Koreans love kimchi, it's the first dish that Koreans studying abroad crave and the extra side dish that is required when eating some other main dish.

          As a younger child, I did not like kimchi all that much. In fact, I almost never ate it. My sister and brother liked kimchi. But I didn't think it was good. It actually has nothing to do with the fact that I have been growing up in America, in fact, there are other very few Koreans who do not like kimchi. Now, those people are super rare but yes, they exist. I guess you can think of it this way, kimchi to Koreans is like hamburgers to Americans. Hamburgers may be popular to Americans, but that doesn't mean that every single American likes hamburgers. So it is with kimchi, only it's less stereotypical and kimchi is very close to being a necessity of Korean life. 

          Anyway, back to my experience with kimchi. So growing up, I avoided eating kimchi and although my parents probably weren't too thrilled about this, they gave up on trying to make me eat it a long time ago. But then along the way, I started liking kimchi. It wasn't a spontaneous change that happened in the course of a day or anything, it was more gradual. One way to put it is that I acquired the "Korean taste". Now when I eat a Korean meal without kimchi, I just feel like something is missing. I need my kimchi. This is all very true of me now but I think it's because I had that habit of avoiding kimchi when I was younger that I still go without kimchi while eating a meal sometimes.

          Kimchi has a strong smell, it gives out a strong odor. Given the fact that kimchi is made by spreading red pepper paste, adding spices, and garlic and then all of it packed together in glass jars to be ripened, it really does have a strong smell. Not too long ago my dad has asked us (my siblings and I) if anybody has made fun of us for smelling bad at school, particularly because of kimchi, and I honestly answered no. We eat a Korean breakfast everyday, even on schooldays. Then my dad went on to say that he's heard his other companions say that their children won't eat kimchi before they go to school because the kids said they smelled. Upon hearing that I couldn't help but think that either they're telling the truth or they're using that as an excuse to get out of eating kimchi.

          Despite the fact that kimchi has a strong smell and naturally, tastes very foreign to those who have never ate it all their life like a typical Korean, it is very nutritious. Actually, thinking back, during my older years of elementary school, I got into eating more kimchi because I've watched a Korean cartoon about kimchi and how healthy it is. 

          Here's another great thing about kimchi, it's bold taste comes in very handy at times. For example, my family and I have asked for kimchi to be brought to the table when we're eating a super greasy pasta or something. You know that feeling when you're eating something pretty greasy and you need to wash your mouth out with water or something? I know something better than water - kimchi! Totally cleans out that greasiness in your mouth. Not only that, kimchi is great solution when you're meal is bland.

          Maybe if you're someone who's never heard of this Korean dish called kimchi, you're judging that kimchi is just nasty based on its description. But really, it isn't. I feel like if I wasn't Korean and I was just reading the description of kimchi I might think that way also, but really, when you actually have kimchi, it's not like you can actually see all the spices or the garlic or anything. 

          So, if you are planning on trying kimchi someday, (especially if you plan on visiting Korea, in that case, it's impossible for you to avoid kimchi, really), let me warn you, it is spicy. Maybe this was obvious by the picture and/or description, but it is. But honestly, it's funny for me to tell you that kimchi is spicy because we Koreans who have grown up eating kimchi do not find kimchi spicy. So if you're a typical Korean who have been exposed to kimchi before and say that you think kimchi is spicy, the vast majority of us Koreans will look at you and exclaim, "What?!" But after seeing the reactions of my non-Korean friends who've tried kimchi, it must really be spicy. So there's your heads up. :) [848]

The Addition of Substitute Holidays in South Korea

           Korean workers and students are cheering on the new legislation about substitute holidays that was recently passed. The exciting news was announced this past August 28th and will be carried out starting this coming October. What is this new legislation about? Whenever a holiday (such as the Lunar New Year, Chuseok, and Children's Day) is on a weekend, workers and students get one more day off.

          Workers in Korea has the longest work hours in the Organization of Economic Cooperation Development (#1) and the vast majority of high school students, along with some middle school students, are pressured to study hard while being cooped up in their school for at least 10 hours are in desperate need of more days off. Compared to the amount of breaks America has, Korea does not have many, and they only have about 14 public holidays a year (#1). According to the new legislation, it is only when the public holiday falls on a weekend that an additional day is given for break, not every time there is a holiday. So this is enough to improve the quality of life in Korea while managing to maintain its productivity, in my humble opinion.

          But there are others who voice out their disapproval, particularly the high-ranked people in the business field (#2). Their complaints are that they will have to pay their workers more while they get more days off. But this sounds to me a much exaggerated complaint due to the fact that the reality is a majority of Korean workers are overworked and underpaid (#2).

          I understand that although Korea is officially labeled as a developed country, its country is still not developed enough to compete with the other international markets and blah blah, and the details that I don't know about. Therefore I understand that in order to compete, Korea must educate its students strictly and work their workers hard. But to me, those people who are supposedly afraid that allowing substitute holidays will slow down production sound like they're just being stingy. Like I said, a vast majority of Korea workers are overworked and underpaid and yet their bosses are complaining about paying them more, what, every two holidays a year? Not even, I don't know when public holidays generally fall on weekends. But do you see my point? I don't think this new legislation of substitute holidays is asking for too much and is an unmeetable demand.

          As a Korean-American living in America, I long to live in Korea! But the one thing that gives me relief that I don't live there is the schooling. Oh my. We Americans think we've got it bad (but don't get me wrong, we do), but Korea's education system is probably the worst. I know that one Korean high school that teaches trignometry to freshmen ~ sophomores (yes, this is accurate) who aren't all even capable of taking that high level of math and I've heard someone from the “outside” wonder if it's necessary for all students to be taught that. I mean, shouldn't the ones who are majoring in math the only ones to take such an advanced class? So I agree that since Korea is a less developed country than America, it may just be necessary that students go to school more days than here but I feel like they go too far sometimes.

          So my point is, this new legislation for substitute holidays is a much-needed, great idea and it just confuses me that some have complaints about it. Now I know that I'm not posting this after I've done 100% of all my research but, knowing so well how Korea's education system works (I know this part more than how it is in the work force), I have to say, this new legislation is one of the praiseworthy acts that first female president of South Korea, Park Keun Hye, has done.(643)

Sources:

#1 [Voice] Should Korea introduce substitute holidays?

#2 Practicus Naver Blog

추석 (Chuseok)

추석 (Chuseok) was celebrated very recently. Chuseok is Korean Thanksgiving that is always on August 15 by the lunar calendar. This year Chuseok was on September 19, so by Korean Time, this was 3 days ago. As it was the 15th, there was the full moon on Chuseok night. What is this thanksgiving holiday giving thanks for? It's for harvest, which makes sense, since the September full moon is called the Harvest Moon.  

In America, we get a lot of breaks. There's Thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break and occasional three-day weekends. But not so much in Korea. Which in my humble opinion, they're greatly in need of more breaks, since High School students go to school at 7 or 8 (depending on the school) and go home at least past 9, some even attend an academy after school, so they go home at 2AM. On top of all of this, they hardly get any breaks. But Chuseok is a happy time, since all students get 3 days off from school, Chuseok and the day before and after Chuseok. But this year was special in that the 3 days of Chuseok celebration led right into the weekend! During Chuseok break, Koreans unite with most family members and make 송편 (Songpyeon), rice cakes filled with either sesame seeds and honey, sweet bean paste, or whichever the family decides to put in. Like most holidays, lots of dishes are prepared for the celebration.  

Picture Credit: www.aafe.org

Also, on Chuseok, Koreans wear 한복 (Hanbok), Korean traditional clothing. I don't think wearing Hanbok is necessarily required now for Chuseok, but it is popularly worn for this holiday. Hanbok is also worn on lunar New Year, I remember only wearing my Hanbok for New Year's when I was younger, but not for Chuseok. In the modern Korean world, K-pop fans can look forward to seeing their favorite stars in these colorful Hanbok, as pictured below.  

Four members of Girls' Generation wearing Hanbok
Click here for picture source

Sistar and KyungLin of Nine Muses and Soobin of Dalshabet
Click on here for picture source

The Growing Interest on South Korea

I’ve heard my friends (here in America) say that Korea has been this small country that most people didn’t even know about until K-pop started to attract a lot of attention, particularly thanks to Psy’s Gangnam Style. Here’s what I have to say about this: Really? That’s all Korea has to offer, its growing music industry? I beg to differ.  

Have you heard of LG and Samsung (you've heard of the Galaxy S4, right?)? Whenever I pointed out to my friends that these companies are indeed Korean, they're surprised. Now I inform you of this not because I wholly disagree that K-pop has been helping the Korean market, but because I think it's kind of ignorant to give all the credits to the Korean Pop music industry. I mean think about it, when it comes to smartphones, most struggle to make a decision between the iPhone and the Galaxy S4. In addition, have you heard about KIA motors and Hyundai? You know what's coming next - yes, those vehicles are also made in Korea. Another thing I can't help but add is that South Korea has the fastest Internet in the whole world. See? There are other recognizable things about Korea.

On the other hand, I've heard others say that Korea has become more well known throughout the world thanks to its cell phones. But I still encounter a lot of people who had no idea that Samsung was a Korean company. Maybe this is the result of just speaking to my age group.  

To add to the whole Gangnam Style thing, as much as I applaud Psy for his success, I was a little  irritated about the whole Oppan Gangnam Style boom. There's a number of reasons for that, but I guess the main reason is that it really did seem like that's all Korea was known for. This Korean hip-hop artist in an outrageous music video. I get this impression from others that this is what they think of Korea as a whole, and no offense to Psy and his fans, but Gangnam Style isn't my style and I'm not too fond of having the country I love known for horse-dancing and staring at girls' butts.  

So my whole purpose behind this blog post is that, at least if you're someone remotely interested in Korea, don't think Korea is all K-pop. Don't get me wrong, I also listen to and love K-pop, but that's not what Korea is all about. Korea has been successful in their manufactures over the recent years and I think it should also be recognized for that, and not just for K-pop. I've heard that the Korean government has taken notice to the fact that K-pop is being loved on a global scale now so that's where they are going as far as international marketing goes. I see why they would do that, it's actually a smart plan, it leads to success. However, Korea has a beautiful culture and they've been developing so tremendously as a country and it seems to be a waste that more people don't realize this. I guess that'll be my goal for this blog, to make known the other beauties of Korea to the world. But don't trap me by my words, I may also occasionally blog post about K-pop. 

Things You may do Which are Frowned Upon in Korea

It is homecoming week at my school and tomorrow is Hawaiian Day. I don’t own any Hawaiian-style clothing but that doesn’t mean I’ll put a flower on my head instead. Why? Because in South Korea, putting a flower on your head means you are crazy. Like, out of your mind. To the best of my knowledge, the people who’ve gone insane back in the olden days would put flowers on their heads and well, be insane. But the point of this isn’t to diss Hawaiians or the many people who have been taking up this trend, not at all! Actually, more girls in Korea have been sporting flower hair accessories lately, so you don’t need to feel the need to burn all of your pretty flower hair accessories. I personally have some interest in hairstyles, and I find the various, creative flower hair accessories to be pretty, but I can’t help but purse my lips and look the other way.

Another thing you may do often without any clue that it’s problematic in Korean culture is bouncing your leg(s) up and down. I bet some of you readers are shaking your legs in your seat as you read this post at this moment. What’s the problem now? Well, in South Korea, bouncing your leg impatiently/nervously is what the… delinquent students do. Adding to this, chewing your gum obnoxiously is also a known characteristic of those problem kids. By delinquent students, I’m referring to those students who don’t study, beat up and take other kids’ money, drink underage, etc. But I’m not too sure if delinquent students are still like this today, since I don’t live in Korea. Anyway, when you’re visiting Korea, and you’re sitting in a subway or some other public area, I advise that you refrain from bouncing your leg up and down. Chances are, some elderly person in the subway will either glare at you or maybe even yell at you. (But chances are slim if you’re a 외국인 – a foreigner). Koreans today tend to overlook wearing flowers on your head and chewing gum obnoxiously, but I don’t think they’ll let the leg-bouncing pass. My mom (who was born and raised in Korea) has said she just feels nervous when someone is bouncing their leg up and down, as if they’re nervous themselves. Plus she always calls me out when I’m found bouncing my leg up and down.