Misconceptions about Korea

Top 5 Misconceptions About South Korea
Posted on Jan 06, 2012

5. Thin

I remember telling my friends that, minus sumo wrestlers, I had never seen a fat Asian. I thought South Koreans were all thin, rice-eating, kimchi-consuming health freaks. That is not the case! Since the financial boom in the Seventies, South Korea has welcomed numerous fast-food chains and pizza franchises. And as you might have guessed, the introduction of those western gems has had quite an effect on many people’s waistlines. Nevertheless, Koreans (and Japanese) are the thinnest people in the world per capita.
4. Submissive Women

If you’ve got some image of Korean women cooking meals and quietly cleaning homes while men work nine to five, you’re partially wrong. It’s true that South Korea is a very patriarchal society, but Korean women are not as powerless as you might think. The ajumma (Korean married woman) is renowned for being strong and determined. If there is an empty seat on a subway train, an ajumma will overcome all odds to get it. The husband might bring home the money, but he is not necessarily the boss at home. That title is almost always held by the wife who controls finances and all household decisions.
3. Studious

Well, South Korea places 7th on the United Nations Education index for good reason. Koreans are serious about education. Even Obama touted the 13 hours a day South Korean children spend in the classroom. But what he did not say is that public education is very similar to that of the USA. Students who spend an abundant amount of time in a classroom have parents willing and able to handle the costs of after-school programs and private academies. Thus, wealthy parents in Seoul and the surrounding areas tend to have quite studious children. But even that is not a guarantee. Korean students often rebel against the laborious education system and take jobs after middle school. The ‘studious’ stereotype has no doubt emerged from Korean exchange students that pour into the West. These students are from very wealthy families. The average income in South Korea is $2300 a month. Many parents of multiple children cannot afford the additional costs of private education.
2. Dominated by China or Japan

There’s no doubt that Korea is positioned in a tough spot between the military powerhouses of Japan and China. Throughout history, Korea has done battle with both and, despite what you might think, they sometimes won. Actually they maintained their independence for over five hundred years in a period called the Joseon Dynasty. They invented an iron-clad war ship that was very effective in their naval battles, as well as the Hwacha, which launched 100-200 flaming arrows at their enemies. The great and powerful dynasty was only brought down by Japan, after they acquired modern western weaponry. To this day, Koreans preserve their own unique cultural heritage of which they can be proud.
1. Irish of Asia

When people say this they are referring to a fiery temperament, alcoholism and having a big powerful neighbor that has ransacked their country countless times. Of course, Korea and Japan have had a long history similar to that of Ireland and England, but they are by no means the same. As stated earlier, Korea enjoyed long years of prosperity and security during the Joseon Dynasty. It is true that South Koreans have a fine appreciation of alcohol. They also have a “fiery temperament” compared to the Japanese. Japan and England have both defined their neighbors as wild and reckless, though it is likely that these generalizations are less matter of fact and more cultural intolerance. Top 5 Misconceptions About South Korea
Posted on Jan 06, 2012

5. Thin

I remember telling my friends that, minus sumo wrestlers, I had never seen a fat Asian. I thought South Koreans were all thin, rice-eating, kimchi-consuming health freaks. That is not the case! Since the financial boom in the Seventies, South Korea has welcomed numerous fast-food chains and pizza franchises. And as you might have guessed, the introduction of those western gems has had quite an effect on many people’s waistlines. Nevertheless, Koreans (and Japanese) are the thinnest people in the world per capita.
4. Submissive Women

If you’ve got some image of Korean women cooking meals and quietly cleaning homes while men work nine to five, you’re partially wrong. It’s true that South Korea is a very patriarchal society, but Korean women are not as powerless as you might think. The ajumma (Korean married woman) is renowned for being strong and determined. If there is an empty seat on a subway train, an ajumma will overcome all odds to get it. The husband might bring home the money, but he is not necessarily the boss at home. That title is almost always held by the wife who controls finances and all household decisions.
3. Studious

Well, South Korea places 7th on the United Nations Education index for good reason. Koreans are serious about education. Even Obama touted the 13 hours a day South Korean children spend in the classroom. But what he did not say is that public education is very similar to that of the USA. Students who spend an abundant amount of time in a classroom have parents willing and able to handle the costs of after-school programs and private academies. Thus, wealthy parents in Seoul and the surrounding areas tend to have quite studious children. But even that is not a guarantee. Korean students often rebel against the laborious education system and take jobs after middle school. The ‘studious’ stereotype has no doubt emerged from Korean exchange students that pour into the West. These students are from very wealthy families. The average income in South Korea is $2300 a month. Many parents of multiple children cannot afford the additional costs of private education.
2. Dominated by China or Japan

There’s no doubt that Korea is positioned in a tough spot between the military powerhouses of Japan and China. Throughout history, Korea has done battle with both and, despite what you might think, they sometimes won. Actually they maintained their independence for over five hundred years in a period called the Joseon Dynasty. They invented an iron-clad war ship that was very effective in their naval battles, as well as the Hwacha, which launched 100-200 flaming arrows at their enemies. The great and powerful dynasty was only brought down by Japan, after they acquired modern western weaponry. To this day, Koreans preserve their own unique cultural heritage of which they can be proud.
1. Irish of Asia

When people say this they are referring to a fiery temperament, alcoholism and having a big powerful neighbor that has ransacked their country countless times. Of course, Korea and Japan have had a long history similar to that of Ireland and England, but they are by no means the same. As stated earlier, Korea enjoyed long years of prosperity and security during the Joseon Dynasty. It is true that South Koreans have a fine appreciation of alcohol. They also have a “fiery temperament” compared to the Japanese. Japan and England have both defined their neighbors as wild and reckless, though it is likely that these generalizations are less matter of fact and more cultural intolerance.