July 3, 2007, 2 Month Mark: What I've Learned

Anyung,

I've decided to try something new with the blog. I've been in Korea for 2 months now and there's been so much that I've learned but it's been difficult sharing my thoughts. So I've decided every two months I'm gonna write a special blog entry of all the things I've learned. I hope you enjoy them.

1. Physical appearance is king in Korea.

From my experience most people judge you largely on how you look. Walking down the street I get a lot of stares because I'm big. Since most Koreans are thin, when they see someone who is not, it's a spectacle. When you apply for a job you will almost always have to submit a picture of yourself. And Korean girls are way too skinny.

2. Korean food is amazing but an acquired taste.

Since I grew up with Korean food (thanks mom) the culinary transition has been amazing. But many foreigners I know have had a tough time with the spiciness of the food. I guess my taste buds have been destroyed by years and years of kim chi.

3. Korean mothers are hard to please!

I originally thought the schools were to blame for my academic frustrations but was I mistaken. With education being so competitive here, Korean mothers will do anything to give their children an edge. They will use ultimatums to get their child into a school. "I'll tell all the other Korean mothers not to come to your school if you don't admit my child." Even if the academic level is beyond their means. They will also find entrance exams so their child will have a better chance of getting into the school. I mean they even accost school directors at local spots: coffee shops,
grocery stores and etc.

4. Humidity and long hair sucks.

I've been too scared to get a haircut because I've heard some horror stories, so I may just grow it out. We'll see how long that lasts.

5. Korean people love pizza and fried chicken.

Which totally contradictes there need to look thin.

6. Safety is not a concern in Korea.

No smoke detectors
Seat belts are not required by law unless you are in the front seat, which is commonly ignored anyways.
Pedestrians don't have the right of way, I've almost been hit by a car or motorcycle countless times.
People run red lights like they eat kim chi

7. Not having a dryer sucks.

Can't put off laundry, first time I've actually had to plan my laundry.

8. Public transportation is amazing!

The subway is quick and runs crazy frequently. Wish it ran late at night though (see below).

9. Taxis are cheap.

You can pretty much go across Seoul for under 20,000 won ($20) But most places you'll go are under 7,500 won ($7.50).

10. Koreans are stressed, but have cheap stress relievers.

soju - 1500 won ($1.50) [stay away from stairs though]
cigarettes - 2000 won ($2.00)

Kids stay away from this stuff!

11. Korean people love fatty meat.

Sam geup sal (fatty pork) - 10,000 won ($10.00)
Pork tenderloin - 3,500 won ($3.50)

Wierd huh?

12. Seoul is FULL of cars, why?

I know all of you Californians are complaining about $4.00 a gallon but imagine this. In Korea a liter is about 2,000 won, with a quick conversion of 3.78 liters = 1 gallon. Koreans are paying
7,400 won ($7.40) a gallon. And man do they drive! With the amazing public transportation you would think, why? Well in Korea your car is a status symbol, just like in the U.S. but times 100.

13. Gyopo for life!

A gyopo is a Korean foreigner (me), and man are we not accepted. In Korea if you don't speak Korean fluently, and I mean fluently, they know your gyopo. In some cases foreigners are accepted more then gyopos are, they have an excuse, their foreigners.

14. Hangul udlrp da. (Korean is hard.)

Korean is a difficult language to learn. Even with the little background I have, I still struggle to communicate on a daily basis. I figured out that I'm at a 4 year olds level. Immersion is the best way huh?

15. Koreans want to learn English...right?

Even though parents send their children to English hawgwans by the thousands no one speaks English. If you speak English out in public you get awkward stares. I heard a story that a student had to dumb down his English at school because he would get beat up by the other students for speaking so well. So you tell me do they really want to learn English?

16. Shower/Bathroom or Bathroom/Shower

It's not so bad having your entire bathroom as a shower. It forces you to order your bathroom use, but it's constantly being cleaned, right?

17. Korean internet is wicked fast!

For those of you that know me, that makes a difference. I get about 14,000 - 21,000 kb/s for about 14,000 won ($14.00) won a month.

18. Korea is a beautiful country, somewhere out there.

I've seen bites and pieces of the countryside but haven't really stepped out of Seoul. Which I plan to change at the end of July when I head to Jeju island, the Hawaii of Korea. A whole week to vacation, can't wait!

19. Use two hands when you exchange money.

It's a sign of respect.

20. Don't hold your spoon and chopsticks in the same hand.

It's a sign of disrespect, but I'm still not convinced about this one.

21. Fruit is crazy expensive.

1 Apple - 1,300 won ($1.30)
7 Bananas - 3,500 won ($3.50)
Small basket of cherries [5 handfuls] - 25,000 won ($25.00)

And molds crazy fast.

Banana 3 days tops, your lucky if you get 2.

22. Compassion for U.S. immigrants.

Understanding what immigrants go through is something you can't read about in a book or see in a movie. It's something that you have to experience personally. Before I left the U.S. I identified myself as an immigrant and I guess in the sense of the word I am. But this experience has truly allowed me to see a glimpse into what immigrants, like my parents went through. The unbelievable part is that I'm getting a sugar-coated version because I look Korean, eat Korean and speak baby Korean. I truly appreciate how much courage and commitment it really takes to uproot yourself out of your comfort zone and throw yourself into a foreign land. So believe me when I say this, it has been an experience.

And I'm out!

~Sunny