A weird experience I had that maybe you could shed light on. I was at a bday party at a korean restaurant for a korean group of friends (this is in USA). I only knew one person at the party. There was another group of people (Koreans) seated at a table behind us. I started talking to someone at the other table (I actually started an interaction earlier as we passed each other by the bathroom and it was a girl) and a couple of the Korean guys at my table started freaking out and telling me not to talk to the other group. That made me super annoyed that they were telling me who I could or could not talk too. Any idea why?
I watch Korean variety shows, I find it extremely shocking that some people openly call other people ugly, and make fun of how they look. I find it cringy when an 40 year old host calls someone on the panel ugly. Where I come from you would get into a fist fight, or you wouldnt talk to that person again.
Oh boy ya they have 0 problem doing that because they think "well just go get it fixed". They are also really good at the backhanded compliment like "Oh, you look so good today you should look like this every day!" Like damn, ouch....was I that ugly yesterday? Shit. It's alot to get used to and sometimes its exhausting and hurtful but you get kind of used to it after a year or two. Still, I'd never tell someone something like that in Korean because I know it must hurt but they act like it doesn't at all and that's really sad to me.
For a time I was watching all these random Korean variety/talk shows and at some point I got so annoyed that literally every time they would mention if someone was pretty or ugly. Honestly, it seemed they think more highly of attractive people. I'm chinese but born and raised in the Netherlands. I know how important beauty and weight is in many asian countries but I think it's probably more extreme in Korea. I mean everywhere people care about beauty but compared to Korea, the Dutch really don't care at all haha.
Koreans are honest and they dont exaggerate themselves. especially comedians.. ugly comedians use their ugly looks to create characteristics. if ur ugly, admit it rather than living in a dream
I have been living in Korea for now 5 months. Even if I live in Busan, and not Seoul, I can see how everything you pointed out is pretty accurate. And to some extent, a few of these cultural aspects ended up changing my behaviour. I have noticed, for example, that since I moved here I tend to post particularly good pictures on Instagram. In the past, I had always used Instagram as a sort of "photo album", I would never post selfies or stuff like that, I'd rather share pictures of trips with friends, family, just overall pictures of moments that I would want to cherish in the future. Now that I am in Korea I almost feel obliged to keep up with this "facade norm", sometimes when I'm with friends we end up spending so much time just taking stupid pictures (but most of the times they are not group pictures, but rather individual pictures). I find it so sad how Koreans would queue for hours just to take pictures in an aesthetic cafe, or how they sometimes seem to go to a particular place not to enjoy their time with friends or family, but just for the sake of pictures, and Instagram.
my brother in law was on tinder in seoul, he was really fascinated by the number of people indicating ‘going to instagram worthy places’ as a hobby. this is something we don’t practice in our country.
I still think that Americans in America are far more ignorant, full of themselves and boorish as hell. They think they’re the best thing that ever existed even if they’re absolutely mediocre at best
Yeah, i get what you mean. For a country so progressive and efficient, its backwards when it comes to culture and worldview. The focus is always status, money, looks, all superficial things but never on basic human decency or good ethics/manners.
It’s only progressive when it comes to maybe the economy and technological efficiency of their country, but when it comes to social progressiveness, that is still very behind in korea.
When you see communism and it's effects right next door it makes anything left related seem very stupid. Also when you give every male 2 years of military training to keep the commies that even today run concentration camps out you learn to love your country because you are fighting for it.
basic human decency, that's a little over-the-top/broadbrushing, no? in korea because they are collectivist, they are soooo incredibly helpful to others, one girl who wasn't sure she could give me the exact directions to this waterfall insisted on walking me there, and another person left their restaurant to walk me halfway down the alley to the restaurant that served the dish i asked about. there are ways that "human decency" and "good ethics/manners" could be considered more deficient in the West.
Hi Kelsey! I am an GenX, I’m Mexican and I met a Korean from Seoul who’s also GenX. After a while of online dating he came to México to meet me. He was comparing México with Korea all the time like saying we are so lagged in economy and almost everything. He expected to see cactus and old cars and buses everywhere, that was his idea of my country. He also wanted to go to Starbucks everyday haha. And well I tried to be the best host ever to show him Mexican culture but when he went back to Korea he ghosted me and disappeared. So my conclusion is that he didn’t like my culture, he was very nationalist about Korea always telling me they are #1 and so advanced country. It was a shame because I really liked him but nothing I could do haha. Thanks for reading.
I'm Mexican too. The only "cool" spots that I can think of that would make em happy are the resort areas ( selfie time) Not the rural ones like the mountainS. Or struggling/working class area with so many dogs on the street.
Actually you are right in my previous comment I have addressed this thing that koreans are very close minded inspite of developed economy . Korea is very homogenous country , they have very limited knowledge about outside world and are very stereotypical. They only try to look cool and trend follower. I have also seen that they are not very good at appreciating other cultures.
Im from Costa Rica and my ex was the same, all the time when he cames was comparing Costa Rica with Korea saying how poor and slow Latin America is. They really see Korea like the best country even if he was open mind he is very nationalist
OMG i am from india and korean youtubers do the SAME here also ,, it's like comparing fish with bird ,,I mean we are 30 times bigger country than theirs have different geography culture people food ......etc but most of them are so so self obsessed and have superiority complex that they degrade us just because we are different from them ,,, i and i also fed up with them,, no matter what how hospitable you become for them they pin point from that too 🙄, they do cultural appropriation too Your words feels like i am reading about my country. Anyways that's the main reason of their being most depressed country... And yes as you also said,,they are so brand centric,,so their perceptions for india is like we don't have kfc or MacDonald etc 🤣🤣lol and when they find it in india they are like ,,omg we don't know india is like that it is not india it doesn't FEEL india 😅lol , they expected to see slum in india , and if not they are like,,this doesn't feel india. Although this host is open minded and intelligent, thankfully
That since of pride and nationalism kinda gives Koreans a bad look to be honest. The world isn't perfect especially Korea. To be comparing constantly to make yourself feel better just really goes to show how shallow and insecure they are. They can mask it all they want with pride but if your more focused on the materialistic and superficial side of life then you are missing out in life in general.
it’s validating to hear that it is a common thing to leave lagging students behind in korea. I taught english in korea for 3 years, and on principle I want everyone in the class to do well, so I would help students that were lagging behind quite frequently. but the way my supervisors and other students reacted, it was as if that was wrong. I once told my manager about a kid who was really struggling and she told me to just stop paying attention to him and just focus on the other kids 😳
Yo that’s kinda messed up 😮 Like, they really took “survival of the fittest” literally. Meanwhile in Canada, or at least in Montreal, they had after-school programs or special classes specifically designed for kids who were lagging behind and once the student would pick up the pace, they were re-integrated into regular classes. I was one of those students. Spent two years in that program and eventually, I made it back to regular classes and graduated. If I was Korean, I’d be screwed 😭
One thing about Koreans that I am 100 percent certain about is their look obsessions, and I’m not even living in seoul at the moment lol La is enough proof for me. Seriously I find it interesting how detailed Koreans are at describing faces and terms for facial features, if they think your ugly they will flat out say why in every little detail and vice versa.
The whole country seems to be suffering from a deeply disturbing mass psychosis to a greater extent than any other country I have seen. I’m sure the shadowy figures that control the K-pop industries are laughing all the way to the bank at the way they have manipulated you all. Happy New year😅
@Jiraca I come from a culture that is also judgy but probably not as much as Koreans? After a while, I learned not to be offended because it made it look like you're defensive and it doesn't shut them down, they'll keep picking other stuff. I now take their 'nitpick' as a compliment. For example, if they say "your nose is too big" I would say, "Oh thank you! Yes, my sense of smell is very sharp so I know when a steak house is nearby." or "You're not married?" "Yeah, isn't it great? I can date different guys every week." (not true, but shut them up LOL).
It's funny how you said that in Corea teachers will go at the pace of the best students, i am a french teacher and it's the contrary here, we will take care mostly of the slow students and go at their pace because we don't want anybody to be left on the side.... And we will give more and harder work to the best students in the meantime so that they don't get bored and can keep on improving.
You made a lot of valid points in this video. While I enjoy the efficiency of Korea, the 빨리 빨리 mentality has its downside in that they lack patience for others. I also agree with people being addicted to their phones because I like to sit and enjoy the company of my friends but here, everyone wants to take 300 aesthetically pleasing photos that you can't even. But I think your last point was definitely spot on because even I, as an American don't have an affinity for America and many Koreans are shocked but don't realize that when you're a minority in America, it's not glitz and glamour like they think it is. This was a great video!
I’m Italian and I remember back in the day (like 2009, 2010) when I was in middle school, everyone thought America was this super cool place with great music and fancy Hollywood actors, where the streets were paved with gold and everyone looked drop dead gorgeous. I feel like Europe went through that “America worship” period as well, and then eventually got over it when we realised it wasn’t actually the way Hollywood movies portrayed it. I think South Korea will catch up and in 10 or so years the craze for everything American will die down.
True. It used to be like this in the 80s in Russia as well. American pop culture is so dominant worldwide that I think many countries go through this and then wake up to the truth. In Korea's case, there are so many American military bases there, theyve always had more direct American influence than other countries.
When I was a teen I had a koreaboo stage where I wanted to move to Korea and everything was seen through rose tinted glasses. Now I’ve heard a lot about the negatives of Korean culture and have a balanced view. I’m certain that if I had actually gone ahead and studied abroad there, the societal pressures would’ve eaten me alive. I have a younger friend who reminds me a lot of myself from those days and I’m definitely going to her about this one day.
Haha same here, im just glad that im not born in korea :) i would probably deppresed in there, i cant imagine for living in that kind of society :) I like kpop but for living or studying in there its nuh for me, i prefer japan rather than korea :)
Hi Kelsey, thanks for this interesting video. I guess it would be nice to know a little bit more about politics in Korea, and how young people understands politics, if they want go get involved or just don't really believe in it.
their last presidential election (last year) was pretty intense with progressive minded youth backing Lee Jae Myung. it was pretty close. majority of conservative male demographic that included young men backed the current president who is anti-feminist, anti-lgbtq. it's sad that in many countries, progressive politics is losing elections :(
I spent most of my time in Daegu but went to Seoul a bit often. I have ALOT to say but to keep it short the Starbucks thing specifically drives me crazy. Starbucks is literally everywhere in America and it's just straight crap compared to Korean coffee shops and brands. I mean that's great for me moving back to Seoul soon because I don't have to worry about longer lines at Starbucks because I wont be going there since 100% Korea is way better with coffee and cafes in general. When I'm in Korea I avoid Starbucks like the plague. You guys have so many (like why so many?) options on every single street it's just wild to me. Also, every option I've been to is far superior to Starbucks. It's like, Iphones too. Most Korean friends had Iphones, not Samsung. Never in my life have I had an apple anything except for an Ipad and that was a gift. I just don't prefer the brand and I think Samsung and LG are much better options (except for the apple watch....it's....way better than the Samsung one but I don't have either so whatever). They don't seem to care about the functionality though they just want the "Western factor" to be hip. I get it, we do that in America too but like.....Korea has some really bomb ass shit. From textiles to electronics to entertainment and everything. I'm not a Koreaboo by any means but I see it and I feel bad for them in a way?
cant agree more, Starbucks is literally the crappest (well if that is a word) coffee in Melbourne.. No one goes to starbucks as we have great coffee shops in pretty much almost every block of the city.. People only either go to starbucks for the free Wifi to study, or just foreigners typically.. And they will be like ordering 'Iced Americano' all the time, which is a watered coffee thats not even coffee at all
Your openness about yourself is refreshing. You present a powerful alternative to the standard "I'm taking it all to the grave". I was diagnosed as manic-depressive in 1980, which is roughly when lithium carbonate was approved as a treatment. It saved my life. There are no physical side affects, it's inexpensive and it really works. The prejudice against divorced people and, even worse, against single mothers, is shameful. It was the same in the US up through the 60s, but it's long gone now. ( We have other issues!)
It's funny because Westerners out of America think American culture is unsophisticated, far from luxurious. Even for designers, we always prefer European designers.
I think it’s some american’s small wish i suppose. Like “oh, korea still has some kind of aspirations of image of US, omg...” nope😅. To be exact, they’re just consuming it as their own taste. Believe me, none of korean thinks the big uncle sam’s nation is sophisticated😂
@Vera will uncle Sam did beat the crap of the imperial Japanese empire, the north Koreans and Chinese that liberated South Korea while you couldn't liberated your self my silly little friend!😏
I've had an interaction recently with a Korean guy who kept pressuring me to send him a recent picture of myself. He was insistent and impatient. Really annoyed the hell out of me.
Hmmm. I’m American but I’m second generation and my parents were refugees. So I’m appreciative of American for taking them in, but I don’t have an extreme loyalty to American culture. It has its good and bad just like everywhere else 🤷♀️ In fact, growing up, a LOT of my friends were second gen. All our parents were from completely different countries but we had a lot in common. It’s a very specific childhood. Often you translate or explain English to your parents at a very young age. I’m talking medical stuff and business contracts when you’re ten yrs old. So you grow up kinda fast. You also end up explaining America to them. The cultural differences. Because it’s normal to you but foreign to them. And I think that causes you to look at your own country and culture from a very analytical point of view. Instead of automatically accepting everything as normal you are forced to study it as an outsider in order to explain to your family. And you don’t feel that connection to their country that they do. So you end up comparing a lot in family conversations. What’s better in American then where they came from and the other way around. I dunno. Im a bit older so maybe this isn’t as true anymore with the internet now, but it was at one time. And it forever shaped the way I think about America even though I was born here. And also how I see other cultures and countries as I get to know them. Good and bad. Just like everywhere else. 🤷♀️😂❤️ (Slight addition: I realize I made it sound as though I believe all cultures and countries are equally good and bad. I do not. I believe in equality. For everyone. Race, sex, sexual orientation etc. Religion too unless you try to create laws to force others to follow your beliefs. I believe religion has no place in laws. Which is not the same as saying morals and ethics have no place in laws. Religion does not equal morality. And I do not respect those who don’t believe in equality. Or try to force their religion on others. That includes in America. I live here so that’s a daily fight. So I automatically have a preference for countries with more equity then less. But nowhere is completely equal. Nowhere is completely fair. I hope we fight and educate and grow and change until somewhere is.)
@@sandralee5502 Holy moly! I had to look that up. I have literally been saying that wrong my whole life (my friends too, I checked with them lol). We honestly thought it meant first generation BORN in that country. Not first generation to move here. I’m so shocked!!!! 😯😯😯😂 THANK YOU! 🙏😂❤️
Living Korea is hell but visiting is fun I’m half Korean and I born in Korea I miss it but I don’t want live a life where I need act fake to enjoy my life
Funny about America considering how most people in Europe, when it comes to issues of equality, welfare, healthcare, work-life balance, etc., view America as a third-world country in a designer suit. Far from desireable. Then again, as you've said yourself many times before, some of these issues are prevalent in Korean society as well. So perhaps not that surprising that America is (sadly) viewed as the pinnacle of civilization.
Starting with Starbucks: I'm 75, from Seattle,and I was around for the 1st Starbucks. On my 1st trip to Seoul, my friend Soonyoung took me on a tour of Gangnam coffee palaces. There is nothing in the US that comes close to the coffee places in Seoul. Seattle Starbucks food is HORRIBLE, right in the shadow of their HQ, but Gangnam Starbucks had an impressive pastry case, because the quality of the competition is so high.
Wonderful video. Korean beauty standards make me sad because a few of my friends have multiple times called themselves ugly in a very casual way. They truly believe they are not beautiful. They are fit, attractive women, but because they don’t match the standard they do not see their beauty. Back when we were in college I was there when one of those friends got stopped by a modeling scout in a restaurant in Manhattan. 😮
I love how real you are and honestly is best faking yourself through life is the biggest betrayal to your soul because it never got to shine with a pure heart so 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼to you
@@user-ng8tt6cw3h, to my understanding, it is mostly the romanticizing through K-dramas. People often fail to realize that, if movies/films from their own country are fiction-based, why wouldn't it be the same for South Korea? You wouldn't see a Bollywood film and expect to break into a musical number in the middle of the street with your love interest in India, in real life. But, some people see a country through rose-tinted glasses and feel that, the shortcomings from their own country can be covered up by this fantastical country. It's not an inherently bad thing to do- it's just how we develop parasocial relationships with fictional characters. People just sometimes buy into South Korea's facade. The fact that, their government and some Nationalistic people in power try their best to often censor content that might break the facade, doesn't help the case. Really, this is quite applicable for Japan (from personal experience of living there) and any other country people might romanticise. All places have good and bad, often we don't realize the good things around us. 😊❤❤
Omg this is so true! I'm half Korean and I see it. It's the reason why I think i don't have a lot of Korean friends outside family. I realize i was raised too differently even though I was born there. Another thing i noticed about Seoul people is that they don't smile at you unless they know you. It's not like that in other smaller towns. And yes Korea is a master at rapid change. Every time i visit Seoul looks different. But i still live Korea.
My Hongkong Girlfriend -- who actually looks like K-POP star ⭐️ (I met her in Canada 🇨🇦 she was here for a year in English school ). She dated a Korean guy, went to His home town for holiday . She’s so Tramatized! How they dirty looked at her. They knew she’s not from Slumb but they treated her like those Sketch ppl from D Parasite 🦠. And they MADE sure Let her know it . It’s so strange cuz she is VERY pretty , and smart n nice 😮. It’s like Face value Down grade already from Hongkong to Korea guy . Korean guys usualy not best looking , She has big eyes 👀 skinny cute 🥰 face , warm energy . Like one of d nicer girls n prettier ones too in my school . Also ultra smart ! They treated her like 👍🏻 3rd works …. pros… tit.. ute…. . She stuck there 2 week n so Tramatized , she had never 👎🏻 met ppl avertly show disgust by telljng her she is too Hongkong (not Korean ) which was BAD blood 🩸. Something like that . She has NO plastic surgery n not poor 😮:( I just feel so bad for her .
You talk about your friend like she is the best person ever, and omg I love it. I hope your friend finds someone who fits her culture, or at least her way of seeing life.
@@jhossencagaibor8984 thx for d good comment u have . Cuz d dude was d one Chased after her . She didn’t want to date Korean . She usually does find her own culture . She literally was one of nicer girls . She is from Hongkong . A lot of Hongkong / Taiwanese ppl r Racist … towards South East Asian or Mainland . She was d Much nicer kid ! We met in Canada in college . Lots of ppl were coming from Asia , she was d prettier n smarter one . D Korean family Missed OUT !!🤓she’s Open minded, high intelligence, n pretty . Korean culture they judge ppl by their skin / money / parents / what u do …. Religion . My other Best Friend since childhood in Canada . He is a white guy …. Nicest dude ! He dated a Korean girl for 3.5 years …. (He is 5’7” cuz he is a twin ) his ex’s parented H*ted h*ted him . Cuz he is not Korean . He is totally not from skech. His Dad was CEO of Biggest Civil Engineering company in Ontario Canada . They build Museum , Subway track , Neuclar plant , Highway ….. but they r sooo Humble . Ppl will never know what they did , I thought his parents was in management of something for 30 yrs , not like gone to Dubai working with Saudi Prince . My good friend became close cuz I was getting bullied in school , he was always respectful n normal . He was so happy getting a gf finally . His ex’s Korean parents will call him a crumb bag , p8g ….jump to his face to pretend to beat him up …. ! N told him that he would never be good catch cuz he’s White , Not Christian , and not a banker/dr (he has stable Job ) . Yeah d Daugher looked like SANDRA OH ! He was not allowed to be Seen at front door , if he drop her off at front door parents will come out to Threaten him . He had to pick her up/ drop her off a block away . d SICK treatment was embeded in d culture . We NONE Korean can’t Understand it ! We prob think someone ‘a cry Wolf ! How can be so extreme !! It’s Not even anything he can try . Like if he switch from Tech n office job , he is still white guy. N parents told him “I h*te u ! Do not let me see u at all at front door , i d Effing be8t u up “. It’s sooooooo strange . It was so strange . If u watch d “ Parasite “ Korean movie, thats like In Reality !
@@birdtj82 I'm so sad reading all the things you wrote. Especially, for your guy friend, he seems to be so nice!! I don't want to generalize ab Korean people, especially bc there are a few that are nice human beings. For example, in South America, we have the TH-camr "Chingu amiga", she as well teaches ab Korean culture, she explained that she is happier here because the people are amicable to her, we treat people well, you know and we are proud of that. No place is free of racism, even here, I hope no one experiences the emotional damage that your friends have suffered!! My best wishes to you and your friends c:
I like these kind of videos where people discuss and evaluate aspects of their cultures whether good or bad. I think it’s an important thing so we all can improve society as a whole. Much love ❤
Hello Kelsey. I love the fork! I always find it really interesting how Koreans love everything about America. I live in Germany but I'm Portuguese, I've lived most of my life in Portugal and there most of the music culture, movies and TV shows are imported from the States. However, I know absolutely no one who has a dream of living in the USA or who considers the USA a good place to live, to travel definitely, but not to stay. I don't say that Europe is perfect, I just can't understand what Koreans see in America. Love your work, stay healthy.
I couldn’t agree with you more! From a Western European perspective, it seems like a nightmare place to live. Unaffordable healthcare and the uncertainty of whether you’re kids will return home safely from school, it’s not for me. If I had to chose from the Anglphone countries, I find all of them preferable to the USA, I love to visit it and like the people, mostly! But you couldn’t pay me to live there.
@@guisas123 Ya, no. Korea has US military bases but it's not a colony. However, we did help with the Korean war which some people in Korea really put on a pedestal (some also legit hate us because...well...American military doesn't always act as respectfully as they should and cause alot of issues....it's just the truth). But I think it's because overwhelmingly they were raised thinking America was the pinnacle of success. It's just not...not at all really (I'm American and lived there most of my life and have been very privileged and even then it's really not so great). So it makes me a bit sad when they idealize us so much? I just want to tell them "no, do better, be better, don't follow our lead please."
Agree. I'm from Romania, so Eastern Europe and I still find some things much better here than in America and I wouldn't want to move there, despite the fact that my country is still underdeveloped and pretty corrupt.
I have lived in the US, France, England, and Iran. I agree that Americans are the most inclusive. They even translate official documents, such as election ballots, in multiple languages. They truly believe in the land of opportunities for all. Note: Puerto Rico is an American territory, it’s not a foreign country.
Do not tell that to the smug Europeans. This country is the best place to come, work hard, and make money and take care of your family. That is why S. Koreans do so well here in the States.
I think these phenomenon is also happens in big cities in other countries. I can relate much of these in Jakarta, Indonesia. Especially the last one is replaced by Korean culture.
"The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war.” "Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first." "There is a huge difference in being patriotic and being a nationalist. A Patriot is someone who want to see the promises of the nation achieved while still knowing that nations flaws. A nationalist is a blind following fool, who never can admit flaws and thinks themselves better. Don’t confuse the two, most patriots do want to fix the country, nationalists do not." From my own experience, Koreans generally have difficult time to separate or differentiate between patriotism and nationalism. They can't stand it when their country got criticised thinking it as an internal matter, yet they have no qualms of criticising other countries on their own internal issues. Taking offence when people talking bad about their society and/or country, yet have no problems talking down other societies and countries. Always want to portray that everything is good, yet can't stand it when outsiders pointed the harsh truth. Triggered when talking about internal sports rivalries as if the thing divides the nation and disrupt national unity, still denying that factionalism is strong domestically. It is more patriotic to notice the flaws in our country and want better for it, than to ignorantly claim its great and disregard major problems that needed fixing. As for beauty standard, I have one simple question; what's wrong with embracing imperfections and making it endearing? Can't they accept that humans are not perfect at the first place?
I lived in Korea for a little over 7 years and I agree with your statements. Oh, just to clear something up, you mentioned you don't know about "boomers", the youngest Boomers are in their mid-sixties now, Boomers were born roughly between 1945-1965. I'm a millenial/ gen-X cusp because I was born in 1979. I just find it funny when the term "boomer' is used to describe anyone over 30 nowadays, when my mom is an actual LATE boomer and she's in her 60's...lol.
I feel like the focus on appearance and a singular standard of beauty (as more potentially more important than personality) is prevalent throughout Asia. It's not surprising, but it's disappointing that it persists even as other social issues are being addressed. When I lived in Asia I never really got used to people (sometimes strangers) commenting on my face, my body, etc. I'd definitely agree with you about the nationalism; I also find this nationalism to be common among my friends whose parents moved to the States -- they seem to have passed along that nationalism. And unfortunately I see it in many countries, including the States. In Europe nationalism exists, but there's definitely an awareness of it as a choice and sometimes shameful or dangerous rather than the default or status quo. That could be a holdover from WW2, which would explain why nationalism seems to be growing globally as those who lived through WW2 vanish. As always, your video is very informative and insightful!
2:03 ….As a non korean(non asian) person living in London; I see&agree with your first point often. The most extreme one was the most recent Blackpink concert in december at 02 London; those 3-4 korean girls not only took 150 pics with blackpink in the background; but they arranged a “photoshoot” in the concert!! Gurlll…. Enjoy the talented girls on stage, sing their songs, take their vids right? No. they had to be in those shots with them.. the dedication - I mean I and my western friends were stunned to say the least. Never been to Korea but I have high expectations….😅😅😅📸
I haven't visited Seoul yet but from what you have mentioned, I do see it in some of the influencers online from Seoul. As a US citizen, I am not surprised about South American countries and Canada not liking the US. Main reasons is "America" is not a country. A person from Peru, Brazil or Canada is just as American as a person from US. They really don't like when US citizens or people from other places in the world refer to US citizens as Americans. They consider it rude and arrogant. Anyway, as always thanks for sharing.
Hey Sharaine, As a Brazilian, we generally associate "American-ness" with the US. In fact, the Portuguese word to describe things from the US is "Americano/Americana" The average person from Rio would not consider themselves American, even though we live in South America. There are obviously so many perspectives and beliefs, which Kelsey points out, however, most Brazilians share a very deep affinity for American people and culture. Being raised in NY, anything I had or did was viewed by my cousins as being cooler or more sophisticated than it actually was, simply from my proximity to that "American-ness" Wishing you a healthy and happy 2023!
No Canadian considers themselves American. That term has been sort of ‘tainted’. Because while Canadians love American stuff and media and everything, we don’t want to be accused of being American.
@@joycetoledomacedo Brasileiros usam a palavra estadunidense pra se referir a cidadãos dos EUA, pelo menos os que eu conheço. Eu vejo muita gente se incomodar com o termo "americano" para pessoas, para estilos ou comida, o termo é melhor aceito. Muito brasileiro acha que tudo que vem de lá é maneiro porque isso é fruto de propaganda extensa, o "sonho americano".
We’re called “Americans” because to date no one’s thought of a better term to refer to people from the United States. I’m in favor of “Etatsians” from the French “Les Etats Unis.” Hey, they gave us our national monument, so why not?
Dumbest argument ever. AMERICA is in the name United States of America! Even though Mexico is called 'United States of Mexico", you don't give them the same crap as you give us. We speak ENGLISH btw!! Not Spanish!
77-yr old granma here totally relating, thank u for the thumbs up. btw moi am from the Far East .. the Far Far East .. & believe me the boomer generation here is more than just well-connected .. they're digital-savvy fr restaurant orders to on-line purchases to air-bnb .. u name it, we got it 😆
Lord she passed me I will be 60 and I still have to work on catching up with her. I'm trying to be like your grandmother 😂🤣. I love your content of keeping it real.
haha yeah the obsession with American culture is sort of weird for sure. I remember even being shocked at how Korea is one of the most homogenous countries in the world, Korean people everywhere you look... yet it seemed like half the advertisements and signs in stores, etc were white people? and how there's English or French words everywhere on shirts, yet you never see anyone wearing shirts with sayings in hangul lol (if you do they are a foreigner haha). I've traveled to some places where it felt sort of embarrassing being an American sometimes, and I'd sort of lean in to how I'm "almost Canadian" to seem more cultured or something. but in Korea... never felt like that. they LOVE when you are from America.
About Conservative and Care A LOT about social image: now I understand why S*lli was so criticized for posting regular life/funny pictures on Instagram. This is really bizarre because koreans seem to live their lives as an endless competition: always the best pictures, always going forward. So it must be a very excruciating way of existing when you live in fear of being left behind.
Hi! You talked mainly about Seoul koreans, I'm curious to know if it's because people in other smaller "big cities" think and behave differently? I would love to hear your experiences
As a Chinese I can see the same "issues" in China. I feel like our lives sometimes are so empty... so we constantly need superficial instant gratification (online is even more instant than offline) to keep us just going.
I see common headaches plaguing both Korean and Chinese societies. Among other things, both countries have achieved very fast economic growth. HOWEVER ...... neither one of them had the time to "digest" what it means to become industrialized society. (Most Western countries have a major advantage in this regard as they had the time to sort out how to transition from agarian to industrial society as they were able to grow at a slower pace.) One of the signs of neither countries having successfully made this transition is their rapidly declining fertility rates. I am not all surprised by South Korea's abysmal fertility rate as well as China experiencing something rather similar. Overall, while both countries' rapid economic growth have been a huge boon for their megacorporations and governments, I cannot say that average folks have benefited much. There is a great deal of cognitive dissonance in both societies. There is also a psychological issue with very face economic development--i.e., "rags to the riches" in which both Koreans and Chinese still have the old mindset more fitting for living under poor agarian society in which you have to fight for every bread crumb. In other words, they are not ready. Furthermore, both societies are very materialistic (even by the Western standards) and excessive display of socioeconomic standing is the norm, now greatly amplified by having access to just about every goods across the globe. Overall, the material side of industrialization is not the one that imposes the stiffest learning curve. Cultural and psychological changes required for the new reality is. So far, neither Koreans or Chinese grasp this, except for those who have been living in Western countries for a long time.
I appreciate the level of authenticity being displayed here and I just came across your channel. That 빨리 빨리 culture sure suck for people with disabilities (physical and mental), there are also subtle ones like ADHD and being on the autism spectrum. Sad that the solution for these people are to be aware how much of a burden they are and get out of people's way.
This was a very honest & refreshing video to see. I want to visit Korea one day, but I’m not sure If I’ll be able to stay quiet if I’m being mistreated.
Thanks, I experience some of what you said firsthand, I will admit I don't have a nice experience with Koreans when I was 12 a Korean guy sexually harass me he was a husband of my sister acquaintance back then, because of this I join a Korean group from Seoul because I wanted to relieve my trauma they're not rude to me but, they kick me out because I don't meet the standards that connects in what you referred to, anyway I am not degrading all of you this isn't meant to generalize & no grudge to the group, but you give me in-depth understanding about them, and we have different culture and tradition I've realized that it is important to meet people where they're.
I particularly hate beauty standards I agree with you. Good looking people being smashed because they are different...that stinks. I love Asian eyes. It is a pity some Koreans don't.
Damn girl!! Keeping it real and 💯!! Appreciate the authenticity of your vids! Just BE and DO you Kelsey!! Love that you had…and have…a privilege life but still continue to evolve into a beautiful person!!! ❤️❤️❤️💯
Would you say seoul people or s. koreans in general are very narcissistic and materialistic? Narcissism stems from being insecure, they feel the need to have superiority over others (in whatever way) and to be "better" than everyone else. They also often put people down in different ways because they are so insecure.
It sounds like capitalism is on steroids in Seoul… it’s scary. I would love to hear your thoughts on single’s inferno and ramyun and chill (where imo they are taking advantage of the fetishisation of kr men)
Im latina and i would say the thing with america is that there are both people who praise it and people who dont like it here. From my personal experience the people who dislike or are just not praising it are people from a higher social status that have actually been to america or just realisticly know that its not heaven, but poorer people who are maybe not exposed to social media posts coming directly from america tend to praise it more. I was born in brazil but my parents and i left when i was really young so maybe things changed but im pretty sure thats about it
I'm Brazilian too. I think it all comes to how political someone is. I am aware of how the States affect Brazil's politics and how bad the States treats their own citizens, imigrants and neighbor countries... While my friend loves the States and she will boast about her consumerism with the newest iPhone, Starbucks coffee and going to Disney World. As Latino countries are the closest to the States and often the target to their hate, we are more aware how shitty they are, but if someone just doesn't care about the dirt, they keep living blindly. Edit: misspelled something
Thank you for explaining @kelsey. As an American we value individuality. I'm confused as why Koreans (generalization) want to be the same? I've watched Koreans drag other Koreans for not thinking the same. Why is having differening opinions taboo? Why is it Koreans always apologize and say they'll work harder instead of standing by their ideas? I am learning about Korean culture and I respect it. I just don't understand the desire for everyone to be the same.
It is true what you said about Latin America, we do not have the Americans on a pedestal but instead we have the Europeans because many of us are descendants of them. The more European traits you have, the better they treat you, we have similar problems to Asian countries
I was only there for about a week but the only thing is that I was expecting everyone to be faster when walking around. I didn’t feel the palli palli culture while I was there, but again I was only there for a week. People were also very helpful and very nice to me, but not as much to my husband…but I knew a little Korean and all he knew was 안녕하세요 and 감사합니다
You know, I left a 3rd world country in Africa to move to Europe. I think I would still choose my homecountry over living in S. Korea. I embrace authenticity and being a weirdo, I don't even have Instagram, I would hate it there. I remember we beat Korea in soccer in the world cup, the celebrations were insane, people wore costumes, one was riding a donkey on the street, another was riding a camel, with fireworks all around. It's so paradoxical, happiness, peace, material comfort are fragile in Africa, so we can't "afford" facades. South Korea is going through the social transition towards an individualistic system that goes with the increase of consumerism, all of which is due to USA's historical influence on the country and the intensification of its capitalist economy.
First of all, love your microphone fork device 😅😂 Legend! I never understood why koreans see US has this top tier in everything, when is just another example of extreme capitalism on the grounds of colonialism. Like the starbuck example is one. Like in US starbuck is just another coffee shop (just more overpriced). The beauty standard part is heartbreaking. One of my korean friends said that is normal for them to have their facial or body defects pointed out to them even by random people. I dont see how these standards can change as the change as to come from younger generation but the younger generation seems too into it still.
Nice video Kelsey. I had a conversation in Korean the other day with two 'Korean boomers' and what you say about the generations not understanding each other is definately true. The second I mentioned university it was like something clicked inside their mind and they had to just decide my career path for me. So I'm sat there listening to '응~그래그래 한국에서 학위를 따고~ 영국에서 대학원 좀 다니다가~ 미국에서 좋은 직장에 바로 들어갈 수 있을 거야~" with no concern as to what I might actually want out of life. Mind opening experience. Either way it was a relatable point you made and am looking forward to hearing more about the culture. 🙋♂
About the picture taking and phone addiction: I have noticed that a lot of Asian countries and Central Asian countries have an OBSESSIONNNNN with social status. You can be dirt poor but God forbid you wear the same shirt 3days in a row
The views of latinos about "americans" are largely based in Cold War history, but it's basically about white americans specifically. Black americans have done nothing to latin america and had no control over the government. That's a nuance often lost by countries around the world because so many of them are far more homogenous this this country, and often have blind spots not dissimilar to that of this country. And there are also many americans that don't like the way the country treats the rest of the world.
It's so interesting to hear about all these things! My mom always says some aspects of korean culture remind her of how it was in Poland in the 90s, like the affinity for America. Personally, I like some aspects of american culture but I find it overall tacky and unsophisticated. Starbucks used to be cool in like 2010 but we have better coffee than this lol. The always-on-your-phone culture is everywhere nowadays I guess, although in Poland it's considered rude to check your phone when you're with friends/family. So if there's something happening I want to follow live on my phone and I have plans with friends on that day, I know I won't be able to see what happened until I'm back home. I wish everyone cared as much about non-influencer photos here though! I don't have many photos that aren't selfies unless I take them myself because people here just don't know a thing about composition nor do they care. The thing I find most different between Korea and Poland are the beauty standards. We don't have a singular cookie-cutter standard here. In the media, girls labeled as pretty are usually blonde, blue/green eyed (and white since Poland is homogeneous), cute sexy type (something like Karolina Pisarek) with good proportions but when it comes to dating, everyone has their own type. The standard is really just for the media and it's not important in real life, especially that blonde + light eyes is extremely common since it's typically slavic. Instead, we care about makeup and outfits, it's important to choose a style that suits you and brings out your natural beauty. I've heard many times that men in Poland just like naturally looking girls, too and the rest is subjective. If suddenly the media started promoting a beauty standard as specific as the one in Korea, I don't think that would sell at all! The fast mindset change is the same here though and conflicts between boomers and gen z are a normal thing because of it. Younger people are very tolerant and accepting of everything new/different, as in we treat is as normal/there's no reaction (a bit unlike american culture where differences are put on pedestal and highlighted).
To sum this up, Korea is a developed country by standards. Socially, it has made very little progress. The society is still very stuck in the archaic mindset. Very backward.
She didn't say her nan shouldn't use social media, for some people it's just weird, as in unusual. I don't see it that way tho cause my mum was very tech savvy, she passed away years ago tho.
Cuban American here, being outside America makes me not only see but understand the flaws in America and how our government treats other countries. Still love America, but I see it differently after living in Korea the past 1.5 years
I agree with all your opinions on Korean characteristics. I have Korean relatives too and I sometimes visit Korea and what I observed is the same as yours. Most are superficial and skin deep related issues. Well, to be fair our country is also plagued with such societal issues minus the "impatient and efficient" (we have the opposite problem, everything is a lengthy process and even the fastfood industry has an inefficient method of processing orders, workers in any sector are normally inefficient, govt processes are also cumbersome, everything is cumbersome), nationalistic (our first president even helped sold the country to USA after our independence from Spain, and in modern times people don't love the country even the ones governing it).
I really appreciate this video so much. As a consumer of Kpop and Kdrama, I’m guilty of romanticizing the culture even though the reality for many Korea people, it’s not the best and as you present could be somewhat toxic. Just like any other culture just like my own, there are good and bad. But there’s always something that can be so beautiful to embrace.
Thanks Kelsey! This why i love yr vids & collabs with Danny, David & Anna of DKDKTV, y'all are unapologetically your genuine selves! Keep wearing comfortable clothes bare faced when you want to! Happy New Year 2023, keep being blessed!💪💪❤
Very interesting video ,I knew already some of these realities but I'm glad ot have learned some more with more explanations.As a fan of Korean drama ,I find it very interesting how the storylines have changed and how they are different from 2015 dramas are different to those of 2010 and how the dramas of 2020 are as well different from 2015.I see that the portrayal of women hs involved ,they are less submissive and more empowered .The question of LGBT as well is getting less taboo.I once watch a French documentary dating form 2016 I think where there were a lot of Korean doctors or engineers who were taking courses in welding in order to get a green card or professionals who would go and work on a farm in Ohio.There was even the owner of a beauty clinic who was selling everything to move to the USA because for them people were less judgemental there compared to Seoul.I am a huge fan of Korean culture but I don't wear pink glasses .Still it's in my bucket list of things to do to come and live for a year or two in Geoje ,Tonyeong or any small country side village.Wish you a great 2023 and I'm very glad to have found your channel.
hi, i am a japanese. i understand you very much. i mean i like my country, and proud of it, but sometimes i feel like Asian countries are detached from the world. it’s good and bad. i define myself as a foreign japanese born in japan. i like the history, literature, lands, food and arts. but i just cant get into “them”. me and my husband are like foreign observers…
One Korean habit that kind of annoys me is calling any foreigner that isn't east Asian a "westerner." For me, being "western" is not really geographical and has significant cultural connotations attached to it. When I hear koreans call people from Turkey, Lebanon, or Russia "western" I'm like "wtf? No....they dont sit with us."
This is one of the problems of speaking a Eurasian language that was developed before people knew the world was a sphere. I had a lot of trouble in elementary school when the teachers described Europe as the "West" and Asia as the"East" because I was from New Orleans and could look at a globe and see that Europe was toward the east and Asia was toward the west. Although I still never use the terms "West" and "East", "Europe" and "Asia" (which I do use) are really no better because their respective etymologies describe the "west" and "east". When I think about it, I prefer to refer to that part of the world as the eastern or western parts of Eurasia. And the people are people from those regions. I would also like to find a better way to refer to the Americas than the current reference to a person who was one of the early contributors to genocide and enslavement in the Americas.
@Thomas Hearty well, for me, being Western is being from a country where the political and cultural norms were heavily influenced by the age of enlightenment and writings by Locke, among others. In other words, being from a country that follows a Western liberal democracy framework and culture makes you "Western."
Thank you for your frank and unbiased view of Korea, unfortunately, what you said is quite true about Koreans, with some good and some bad points like most people in all parts of the world. But if a man takes more photos of himself than I do, then I will definitely slip out the back door.
i have encountered a lot of people who were born in seoul but now are living in america. it seems that because they have been influenced by american culture, they don’t really seem to act or do things like described in the video. but that’s just from what i’ve seen.
I love listening to Kelsey's perspective. Being critical and introspective about yourself, your environment and culture is important because often it leads to good change in the long term. Thank you for being honest and upfront about these things. However what struck me is the Starbucks thing. I'm from NZ and over 5 years ago they closed many of the Starbucks stores down and now it is only in few major cities. Why? Because we don't consider it good coffee. NZers, and especially those from Wellington, are incredibly picky about the coffee we drink. We consider where the beans came from, who the barista is, what is their extraction method, etc. I have a feeling the only reason the few stores exist is to cater to the tourist market.
I really hope she does this because wedding culture is SO different. I went to a few weddings in SK with co workers and friends and it's really really different from Western weddings. Not clothing wise, they mostly wear "western" dresses in big cities and stuff, but ya like renting things out, the bringing money in an envelope (I always give "too much" because I have no clue what is appropriate and no one would give me a good answer because it was a bit taboo to discuss I guess?), what to wear, seeing the bride before the ceremony, the photo shoots, the buffet, like.....it's a unique experience for sure.
Maybe that's because I'm french but the part about leaving handicaped persons out of the group shocks me a lot. It's not their fault if they can't follow the group. If you're friend with someone handicaped, you know what he can or can't do so you plan in fonction of them too. Like are you really friends ?
I'm much older than you, but re American culture, I grew up in Australia and Greece, and I'm not at all attracted to the U.S. or American culture. Yes there are great things and people from there, but I do feel a distate towards it in general.
Prostitutes, maids, nurses and mail order brides. If you live near the coast also seamen. A variation of those is the Filipino stereotype in just about any country which has some sort of contact with the Philippines.
Very informative!! I come from a small country in Central Europe and was shocked to have found that my Korean colleagues had naturally assumed Poland was a lot like America in the context of both culture and social arrangements, whereas it is obviously its own thing. This has left me quite puzzeled. Even more so that I kinda felt like they tried to copy Americanish behaviours around me 😆
Koreans seem to think that Westerners in general are like Americans, which is not true. Just as Americans seem to think Asians are all the same, esp. the mainstream media.
Omg. I don’t like being in environment where ppl use so much phone. I like to hang out around ppl who spent very less time on phone. One of my friends was once 3 months off the phone and I thought she died😂. But she just lost it and didn’t wanted to find it😂. I have also problem with using telephone all the time, but I try to not use it that often. It’s great. I told myself that when I’m out, for example in club or sth I don’t wanna spent the time on phone. It’s so funny to watch so many young ppl talking to me on the phone and I’m like really? Ussually I end up with 30+ older ppl talking about adventures and life😂 or work. And I’m 20 y. old. As u asked if our grandmas use phone. My grandma doesn’t know how to use a whatsapp. So I will say many old ppl in my country who live in village - Slovakia, don’t know how to use touch phone. It’s understandable bcs they spent a lot of time outside that they don’t have time for phone and why should they spent it in “fake” world. 😊
20:00 I stayed for a month in a Hotel in Yeouido and when I'm lazy I would always walk over to IFC Mall to grab a bite.. I swear everyone in Yeouido just stepped off the set of a kdrama.. Everyone's fashionable, not flashy, but just The Heirs level casually strolling around meanwhile I'm wondering if I had been wearing the same sweatpants since yesterday... I felt so pressured to dress up (not that I had anything decent to wear lol)...
The affinity for American culture in Korea stems from the 1950s portion of the Korean War as a big middle finger to the regime of the North. There's more too it you have really look into the history as politically the United States was seen at the time as liberators. Just research the history of your country.
As a k-culture(kdrama, manhwa, kpop, kfood,just culture in general) fan since 2010 i think the positive side abt korean people is that they are so driven, advance?, hardworking and very success-oriented BUT on the other side they are kinda lack diversity, a lil racist(both older gen& younger gen), narrow-minded and so VAIN like they are so obsessed with being "normal" with being high-achiever, looking good/presentable,like what you said they are so judgey that's why i can understand why korea's youths(10s 20s) suicide rateis so high... korean culture are so 'high standard' so 'pretty' BUT suffocating(ykwim right) for me... i'd love to travel to and live in korea for like 1-2 months but i don't think i wanna spend my life there *shudder i have a feeling i'll need to see a psychologist or therapist if i live there long enough haha the pressure is real bruh lol well it's just MY opinion so for korean in the comments pls i hope you don't get offended
your last point is something ive kinda gathered from watching kdramas for years now. not to say everything in korean media accurately represents actual korean life but i would think there are a lot of similarities between the two just like any other country and their media. ive always noticed on tv shows, like you said koreans sometimes wearing shirts with american logos etc and anytime a korean is leaving their country (on a drama) more than likely their coming to america. as an american myself i sometimes questioned why do koreans put us on a pedestal when in my opinion and experience were an average country no better or worse than a lot of different countries including south korea.
man, i would not have made it in the "pali pali" culture. what happens to people who can't keep up?! and i feel you about the generation gap. my parents grew up with a whole family in one room (this was USSR), and now i'm asking them to respect my feelings? they just don't get it.
lol yea there is a general disdain for the u.s.. in sociology, our country is called a "settler colonial state" where the indigenous people are ruled over (we take up about 2% of the us population and thats mostly because of genocide). because of our colonizer and imperialist history and current actions, many citizens and other people in the americas dont like the states. there is dwindling nationalism. i love where i come from being native american but to say im proud of being american are two different things. its different than places like korea where nationality and ethnicity are the same
Follow my insta for your daily dose of Korea🇰🇷: instagram.com/kelseyjeong_98
This vedio is very true
A weird experience I had that maybe you could shed light on. I was at a bday party at a korean restaurant for a korean group of friends (this is in USA). I only knew one person at the party. There was another group of people (Koreans) seated at a table behind us. I started talking to someone at the other table (I actually started an interaction earlier as we passed each other by the bathroom and it was a girl) and a couple of the Korean guys at my table started freaking out and telling me not to talk to the other group. That made me super annoyed that they were telling me who I could or could not talk too. Any idea why?
is that a fork that u use as your mic holder? LOL
No.
Judgy because they aren’t confident and happy with their own life…the average Korean is poor and stuck in the matrix.
Kelsey is talking about advanced Korea whilst holding the mic attached to the fork. Iconic woman
I didn't even realize :'DD
High end tech i use yes yes
@@KelseytheKorean hahaha my goodness... And I thought this was a subtle hint about you being a Foodie 👍☺️😂🤣
She's the second youtuber I saw using fork as mic holder, the first one is sneaky sushii
@@MyawMyaw01 oh okay 😉😅 if you say so 👍 I'm looking forward to others using cutlery also as mic holder 😊 And belated happy new year to PH! George
I watch Korean variety shows, I find it extremely shocking that some people openly call other people ugly, and make fun of how they look. I find it cringy when an 40 year old host calls someone on the panel ugly. Where I come from you would get into a fist fight, or you wouldnt talk to that person again.
Oh boy ya they have 0 problem doing that because they think "well just go get it fixed". They are also really good at the backhanded compliment like "Oh, you look so good today you should look like this every day!" Like damn, ouch....was I that ugly yesterday? Shit. It's alot to get used to and sometimes its exhausting and hurtful but you get kind of used to it after a year or two. Still, I'd never tell someone something like that in Korean because I know it must hurt but they act like it doesn't at all and that's really sad to me.
For a time I was watching all these random Korean variety/talk shows and at some point I got so annoyed that literally every time they would mention if someone was pretty or ugly. Honestly, it seemed they think more highly of attractive people. I'm chinese but born and raised in the Netherlands. I know how important beauty and weight is in many asian countries but I think it's probably more extreme in Korea. I mean everywhere people care about beauty but compared to Korea, the Dutch really don't care at all haha.
I thought kdrama and webtoon just exaggerating it but it's actually real 😭😭😭 ppl are that judgy
@@Goldberry_ The Dutch are smarter, that's why
Koreans are honest and they dont exaggerate themselves. especially comedians.. ugly comedians use their ugly looks to create characteristics. if ur ugly, admit it rather than living in a dream
“It is rude to not reply to friends in a day”
Me ghosting my bestie for a month: 😮
Me ghosting my besties for 4 years 😭
I have been living in Korea for now 5 months. Even if I live in Busan, and not Seoul, I can see how everything you pointed out is pretty accurate. And to some extent, a few of these cultural aspects ended up changing my behaviour. I have noticed, for example, that since I moved here I tend to post particularly good pictures on Instagram. In the past, I had always used Instagram as a sort of "photo album", I would never post selfies or stuff like that, I'd rather share pictures of trips with friends, family, just overall pictures of moments that I would want to cherish in the future. Now that I am in Korea I almost feel obliged to keep up with this "facade norm", sometimes when I'm with friends we end up spending so much time just taking stupid pictures (but most of the times they are not group pictures, but rather individual pictures).
I find it so sad how Koreans would queue for hours just to take pictures in an aesthetic cafe, or how they sometimes seem to go to a particular place not to enjoy their time with friends or family, but just for the sake of pictures, and Instagram.
i actually prefered Busan over Seoul. I felt as if the people were less shallow and people were far nicer
@@Dokemoni This is very true in my experience as well.
my brother in law was on tinder in seoul, he was really fascinated by the number of people indicating ‘going to instagram worthy places’ as a hobby. this is something we don’t practice in our country.
I still think that Americans in America are far more ignorant, full of themselves and boorish as hell. They think they’re the best thing that ever existed even if they’re absolutely mediocre at best
@@Dokemoni i think cities near the ocean tend to have mellower people
Yeah, i get what you mean. For a country so progressive and efficient, its backwards when it comes to culture and worldview. The focus is always status, money, looks, all superficial things but never on basic human decency or good ethics/manners.
It’s only progressive when it comes to maybe the economy and technological efficiency of their country, but when it comes to social progressiveness, that is still very behind in korea.
When you see communism and it's effects right next door it makes anything left related seem very stupid. Also when you give every male 2 years of military training to keep the commies that even today run concentration camps out you learn to love your country because you are fighting for it.
Well, sport performance(especially world cup 2002 )really shows Korean ethics/manners so it is obvious why they neveron those basics
And it’s the norm to have high debt on cc - so you can keep up the appearances of having it all.
It’s wild.
basic human decency, that's a little over-the-top/broadbrushing, no? in korea because they are collectivist, they are soooo incredibly helpful to others, one girl who wasn't sure she could give me the exact directions to this waterfall insisted on walking me there, and another person left their restaurant to walk me halfway down the alley to the restaurant that served the dish i asked about. there are ways that "human decency" and "good ethics/manners" could be considered more deficient in the West.
Hi Kelsey! I am an GenX, I’m Mexican and I met a Korean from Seoul who’s also GenX. After a while of online dating he came to México to meet me. He was comparing México with Korea all the time like saying we are so lagged in economy and almost everything. He expected to see cactus and old cars and buses everywhere, that was his idea of my country. He also wanted to go to Starbucks everyday haha. And well I tried to be the best host ever to show him Mexican culture but when he went back to Korea he ghosted me and disappeared. So my conclusion is that he didn’t like my culture, he was very nationalist about Korea always telling me they are #1 and so advanced country. It was a shame because I really liked him but nothing I could do haha. Thanks for reading.
I'm Mexican too. The only "cool" spots that I can think of that would make em happy are the resort areas ( selfie time) Not the rural ones like the mountainS. Or struggling/working class area with so many dogs on the street.
Actually you are right in my previous comment I have addressed this thing that koreans are very close minded inspite of developed economy . Korea is very homogenous country , they have very limited knowledge about outside world and are very stereotypical. They only try to look cool and trend follower. I have also seen that they are not very good at appreciating other cultures.
Im from Costa Rica and my ex was the same, all the time when he cames was comparing Costa Rica with Korea saying how poor and slow Latin America is. They really see Korea like the best country even if he was open mind he is very nationalist
OMG i am from india and korean youtubers do the SAME here also ,, it's like comparing fish with bird
,,I mean we are 30 times bigger country than theirs have different geography culture people food ......etc but most of them are so so self obsessed and have superiority complex that they degrade us just because we are different from them ,,, i and i also fed up with them,, no matter what how hospitable you become for them they pin point from that too 🙄, they do cultural appropriation too
Your words feels like i am reading about my country. Anyways that's the main reason of their being most depressed country...
And yes as you also said,,they are so brand centric,,so their perceptions for india is like we don't have kfc or MacDonald etc 🤣🤣lol and when they find it in india they are like ,,omg we don't know india is like that it is not india it doesn't FEEL india 😅lol , they expected to see slum in india , and if not they are like,,this doesn't feel india.
Although this host is open minded and intelligent, thankfully
That since of pride and nationalism kinda gives Koreans a bad look to be honest. The world isn't perfect especially Korea. To be comparing constantly to make yourself feel better just really goes to show how shallow and insecure they are. They can mask it all they want with pride but if your more focused on the materialistic and superficial side of life then you are missing out in life in general.
it’s validating to hear that it is a common thing to leave lagging students behind in korea. I taught english in korea for 3 years, and on principle I want everyone in the class to do well, so I would help students that were lagging behind quite frequently. but the way my supervisors and other students reacted, it was as if that was wrong. I once told my manager about a kid who was really struggling and she told me to just stop paying attention to him and just focus on the other kids 😳
Yo that’s kinda messed up 😮
Like, they really took “survival of the fittest” literally. Meanwhile in Canada, or at least in Montreal, they had after-school programs or special classes specifically designed for kids who were lagging behind and once the student would pick up the pace, they were re-integrated into regular classes.
I was one of those students. Spent two years in that program and eventually, I made it back to regular classes and graduated.
If I was Korean, I’d be screwed 😭
One thing about Koreans that I am 100 percent certain about is their look obsessions, and I’m not even living in seoul at the moment lol La is enough proof for me. Seriously I find it interesting how detailed Koreans are at describing faces and terms for facial features, if they think your ugly they will flat out say why in every little detail and vice versa.
The whole country seems to be suffering from a deeply disturbing mass psychosis to a greater extent than any other country I have seen. I’m sure the shadowy figures that control the K-pop industries are laughing all the way to the bank at the way they have manipulated you all. Happy New year😅
@Jiraca Just accept the truth, i would rather not want to be around people who lies to me
Wonder why plastic surgery business is booming in Korea.
@@hallooos7585 you don't need to lie, people don't go around asking others if they are attractive! The ones that do, however, should hear the truth.
@Jiraca I come from a culture that is also judgy but probably not as much as Koreans? After a while, I learned not to be offended because it made it look like you're defensive and it doesn't shut them down, they'll keep picking other stuff. I now take their 'nitpick' as a compliment. For example, if they say "your nose is too big" I would say, "Oh thank you! Yes, my sense of smell is very sharp so I know when a steak house is nearby." or "You're not married?" "Yeah, isn't it great? I can date different guys every week." (not true, but shut them up LOL).
It's funny how you said that in Corea teachers will go at the pace of the best students, i am a french teacher and it's the contrary here, we will take care mostly of the slow students and go at their pace because we don't want anybody to be left on the side.... And we will give more and harder work to the best students in the meantime so that they don't get bored and can keep on improving.
You made a lot of valid points in this video. While I enjoy the efficiency of Korea, the 빨리 빨리 mentality has its downside in that they lack patience for others. I also agree with people being addicted to their phones because I like to sit and enjoy the company of my friends but here, everyone wants to take 300 aesthetically pleasing photos that you can't even. But I think your last point was definitely spot on because even I, as an American don't have an affinity for America and many Koreans are shocked but don't realize that when you're a minority in America, it's not glitz and glamour like they think it is. This was a great video!
I’m Italian and I remember back in the day (like 2009, 2010) when I was in middle school, everyone thought America was this super cool place with great music and fancy Hollywood actors, where the streets were paved with gold and everyone looked drop dead gorgeous.
I feel like Europe went through that “America worship” period as well, and then eventually got over it when we realised it wasn’t actually the way Hollywood movies portrayed it. I think South Korea will catch up and in 10 or so years the craze for everything American will die down.
True. It used to be like this in the 80s in Russia as well. American pop culture is so dominant worldwide that I think many countries go through this and then wake up to the truth. In Korea's case, there are so many American military bases there, theyve always had more direct American influence than other countries.
Im from germany and i agree. The american wave happend but years ago and it has already ended. Before this video i havent really thought about that
I'm Czech and I agree
These days you in Europe do “America” better than we do.
The Japan craze was also something that came and went
When I was a teen I had a koreaboo stage where I wanted to move to Korea and everything was seen through rose tinted glasses. Now I’ve heard a lot about the negatives of Korean culture and have a balanced view. I’m certain that if I had actually gone ahead and studied abroad there, the societal pressures would’ve eaten me alive. I have a younger friend who reminds me a lot of myself from those days and I’m definitely going to her about this one day.
Haha same here, im just glad that im not born in korea :) i would probably deppresed in there, i cant imagine for living in that kind of society :)
I like kpop but for living or studying in there its nuh for me, i prefer japan rather than korea :)
@@fadhilah.ind0260 Who said Japan is that different?
@@fadhilah.ind0260 Japan has a lot wrong with it too, similar things to Korea in a lot of ways.
@@fadhilah.ind0260 but Japan is the same, or not worst my brother lived there and he hated.
Hi Kelsey, thanks for this interesting video. I guess it would be nice to know a little bit more about politics in Korea, and how young people understands politics, if they want go get involved or just don't really believe in it.
Ok!! Good question!!!
their last presidential election (last year) was pretty intense with progressive minded youth backing Lee Jae Myung. it was pretty close. majority of conservative male demographic that included young men backed the current president who is anti-feminist, anti-lgbtq. it's sad that in many countries, progressive politics is losing elections :(
I spent most of my time in Daegu but went to Seoul a bit often. I have ALOT to say but to keep it short the Starbucks thing specifically drives me crazy. Starbucks is literally everywhere in America and it's just straight crap compared to Korean coffee shops and brands. I mean that's great for me moving back to Seoul soon because I don't have to worry about longer lines at Starbucks because I wont be going there since 100% Korea is way better with coffee and cafes in general. When I'm in Korea I avoid Starbucks like the plague. You guys have so many (like why so many?) options on every single street it's just wild to me. Also, every option I've been to is far superior to Starbucks. It's like, Iphones too. Most Korean friends had Iphones, not Samsung. Never in my life have I had an apple anything except for an Ipad and that was a gift. I just don't prefer the brand and I think Samsung and LG are much better options (except for the apple watch....it's....way better than the Samsung one but I don't have either so whatever). They don't seem to care about the functionality though they just want the "Western factor" to be hip. I get it, we do that in America too but like.....Korea has some really bomb ass shit. From textiles to electronics to entertainment and everything. I'm not a Koreaboo by any means but I see it and I feel bad for them in a way?
cant agree more, Starbucks is literally the crappest (well if that is a word) coffee in Melbourne.. No one goes to starbucks as we have great coffee shops in pretty much almost every block of the city.. People only either go to starbucks for the free Wifi to study, or just foreigners typically..
And they will be like ordering 'Iced Americano' all the time, which is a watered coffee thats not even coffee at all
Your openness about yourself is refreshing. You present a powerful alternative to the standard "I'm taking it all to the grave". I was diagnosed as manic-depressive in 1980, which is roughly when lithium carbonate was approved as a treatment. It saved my life. There are no physical side affects, it's inexpensive and it really works. The prejudice against divorced people and, even worse, against single mothers, is shameful. It was the same in the US up through the 60s, but it's long gone now. ( We have other issues!)
It's funny because Westerners out of America think American culture is unsophisticated, far from luxurious. Even for designers, we always prefer European designers.
I think it’s some american’s small wish i suppose. Like “oh, korea still has some kind of aspirations of image of US, omg...” nope😅. To be exact, they’re just consuming it as their own taste. Believe me, none of korean thinks the big uncle sam’s nation is sophisticated😂
@Vera will uncle Sam did beat the crap of the imperial Japanese empire, the north Koreans and Chinese that liberated South Korea while you couldn't liberated your self my silly little friend!😏
I've had an interaction recently with a Korean guy who kept pressuring me to send him a recent picture of myself. He was insistent and impatient. Really annoyed the hell out of me.
Hmmm. I’m American but I’m second generation and my parents were refugees. So I’m appreciative of American for taking them in, but I don’t have an extreme loyalty to American culture. It has its good and bad just like everywhere else 🤷♀️ In fact, growing up, a LOT of my friends were second gen. All our parents were from completely different countries but we had a lot in common. It’s a very specific childhood. Often you translate or explain English to your parents at a very young age. I’m talking medical stuff and business contracts when you’re ten yrs old. So you grow up kinda fast. You also end up explaining America to them. The cultural differences. Because it’s normal to you but foreign to them. And I think that causes you to look at your own country and culture from a very analytical point of view. Instead of automatically accepting everything as normal you are forced to study it as an outsider in order to explain to your family. And you don’t feel that connection to their country that they do. So you end up comparing a lot in family conversations. What’s better in American then where they came from and the other way around.
I dunno. Im a bit older so maybe this isn’t as true anymore with the internet now, but it was at one time. And it forever shaped the way I think about America even though I was born here. And also how I see other cultures and countries as I get to know them. Good and bad. Just like everywhere else. 🤷♀️😂❤️
(Slight addition: I realize I made it sound as though I believe all cultures and countries are equally good and bad. I do not. I believe in equality. For everyone. Race, sex, sexual orientation etc. Religion too unless you try to create laws to force others to follow your beliefs. I believe religion has no place in laws. Which is not the same as saying morals and ethics have no place in laws. Religion does not equal morality. And I do not respect those who don’t believe in equality. Or try to force their religion on others. That includes in America. I live here so that’s a daily fight. So I automatically have a preference for countries with more equity then less. But nowhere is completely equal. Nowhere is completely fair. I hope we fight and educate and grow and change until somewhere is.)
You are actually 2nd generation. I am too. My parents are immigrants (old school Seoul people), and I was born in North America.
@@sandralee5502 Holy moly! I had to look that up. I have literally been saying that wrong my whole life (my friends too, I checked with them lol). We honestly thought it meant first generation BORN in that country. Not first generation to move here. I’m so shocked!!!! 😯😯😯😂 THANK YOU! 🙏😂❤️
You can leave America. No one is forcing you to love our culture. Ok.
Living Korea is hell but visiting is fun I’m half Korean and I born in Korea I miss it but I don’t want live a life where I need act fake to enjoy my life
Funny about America considering how most people in Europe, when it comes to issues of equality, welfare, healthcare, work-life balance, etc., view America as a third-world country in a designer suit. Far from desireable. Then again, as you've said yourself many times before, some of these issues are prevalent in Korean society as well. So perhaps not that surprising that America is (sadly) viewed as the pinnacle of civilization.
Starting with Starbucks: I'm 75, from Seattle,and I was around for the 1st Starbucks. On my 1st trip to Seoul, my friend Soonyoung took me on a tour of Gangnam coffee palaces. There is nothing in the US that comes close to the coffee places in Seoul. Seattle Starbucks food is HORRIBLE, right in the shadow of their HQ, but Gangnam Starbucks had an impressive pastry case, because the quality of the competition is so high.
Wonderful video.
Korean beauty standards make me sad because a few of my friends have multiple times called themselves ugly in a very casual way. They truly believe they are not beautiful. They are fit, attractive women, but because they don’t match the standard they do not see their beauty. Back when we were in college I was there when one of those friends got stopped by a modeling scout in a restaurant in Manhattan. 😮
I love how real you are and honestly is best faking yourself through life is the biggest betrayal to your soul because it never got to shine with a pure heart so 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼to you
I absolutely agree!!
that just makes korea to be the worst place for your soul to shine. so, i have only one simple question. why so much hype towards it?
@@user-ng8tt6cw3h, to my understanding, it is mostly the romanticizing through K-dramas. People often fail to realize that, if movies/films from their own country are fiction-based, why wouldn't it be the same for South Korea? You wouldn't see a Bollywood film and expect to break into a musical number in the middle of the street with your love interest in India, in real life. But, some people see a country through rose-tinted glasses and feel that, the shortcomings from their own country can be covered up by this fantastical country. It's not an inherently bad thing to do- it's just how we develop parasocial relationships with fictional characters. People just sometimes buy into South Korea's facade. The fact that, their government and some Nationalistic people in power try their best to often censor content that might break the facade, doesn't help the case. Really, this is quite applicable for Japan (from personal experience of living there) and any other country people might romanticise. All places have good and bad, often we don't realize the good things around us. 😊❤❤
Omg this is so true! I'm half Korean and I see it. It's the reason why I think i don't have a lot of Korean friends outside family. I realize i was raised too differently even though I was born there. Another thing i noticed about Seoul people is that they don't smile at you unless they know you. It's not like that in other smaller towns. And yes Korea is a master at rapid change. Every time i visit Seoul looks different. But i still live Korea.
My Hongkong Girlfriend -- who actually looks like K-POP star ⭐️ (I met her in Canada 🇨🇦 she was here for a year in English school ). She dated a Korean guy, went to His home town for holiday . She’s so Tramatized! How they dirty looked at her. They knew she’s not from Slumb but they treated her like those Sketch ppl from D Parasite 🦠. And they MADE sure Let her know it .
It’s so strange cuz she is VERY pretty , and smart n nice 😮. It’s like Face value Down grade already from Hongkong to Korea guy . Korean guys usualy not best looking , She has big eyes 👀 skinny cute 🥰 face , warm energy . Like one of d nicer girls n prettier ones too in my school . Also ultra smart ! They treated her like 👍🏻 3rd works …. pros… tit.. ute…. . She stuck there 2 week n so Tramatized , she had never 👎🏻 met ppl avertly show disgust by telljng her she is too Hongkong (not Korean ) which was BAD blood 🩸. Something like that . She has NO plastic surgery n not poor 😮:( I just feel so bad for her .
You talk about your friend like she is the best person ever, and omg I love it.
I hope your friend finds someone who fits her culture, or at least her way of seeing life.
@@jhossencagaibor8984 thx for d good comment u have . Cuz d dude was d one Chased after her . She didn’t want to date Korean . She usually does find her own culture . She literally was one of nicer girls . She is from Hongkong . A lot of Hongkong / Taiwanese ppl r Racist … towards South East Asian or Mainland . She was d Much nicer kid ! We met in Canada in college . Lots of ppl were coming from Asia , she was d prettier n smarter one . D Korean family Missed OUT !!🤓she’s Open minded, high intelligence, n pretty .
Korean culture they judge ppl by their skin / money / parents / what u do …. Religion .
My other Best Friend since childhood in Canada . He is a white guy …. Nicest dude ! He dated a Korean girl for 3.5 years …. (He is 5’7” cuz he is a twin ) his ex’s parented H*ted h*ted him . Cuz he is not Korean . He is totally not from skech. His Dad was CEO of Biggest Civil Engineering company in Ontario Canada . They build Museum , Subway track , Neuclar plant , Highway ….. but they r sooo Humble . Ppl will never know what they did , I thought his parents was in management of something for 30 yrs , not like gone to Dubai working with Saudi Prince . My good friend became close cuz I was getting bullied in school , he was always respectful n normal . He was so happy getting a gf finally . His ex’s Korean parents will call him a crumb bag , p8g ….jump to his face to pretend to beat him up …. ! N told him that he would never be good catch cuz he’s White , Not Christian , and not a banker/dr (he has stable Job ) . Yeah d Daugher looked like SANDRA OH !
He was not allowed to be Seen at front door , if he drop her off at front door parents will come out to Threaten him . He had to pick her up/ drop her off a block away . d SICK treatment was embeded in d culture . We NONE Korean can’t Understand it ! We prob think someone ‘a cry Wolf ! How can be so extreme !! It’s Not even anything he can try . Like if he switch from Tech n office job , he is still white guy. N parents told him “I h*te u ! Do not let me see u at all at front door , i d Effing be8t u up “.
It’s sooooooo strange . It was so strange . If u watch d “ Parasite “ Korean movie, thats like In Reality !
@@birdtj82 I'm so sad reading all the things you wrote. Especially, for your guy friend, he seems to be so nice!! I don't want to generalize ab Korean people, especially bc there are a few that are nice human beings. For example, in South America, we have the TH-camr "Chingu amiga", she as well teaches ab Korean culture, she explained that she is happier here because the people are amicable to her, we treat people well, you know and we are proud of that.
No place is free of racism, even here, I hope no one experiences the emotional damage that your friends have suffered!! My best wishes to you and your friends c:
I like these kind of videos where people discuss and evaluate aspects of their cultures whether good or bad.
I think it’s an important thing so we all can improve society as a whole. Much love ❤
This was so interesting! I would also like to know more about disabled people in Korea. That's something I never hear about.
Starbucks is trash in the US! It's expensive for no reason and on every block in LA! There's nothing fabulous about it. 😂
The bullying cases are so big on korea
Hello Kelsey. I love the fork!
I always find it really interesting how Koreans love everything about America. I live in Germany but I'm Portuguese, I've lived most of my life in Portugal and there most of the music culture, movies and TV shows are imported from the States. However, I know absolutely no one who has a dream of living in the USA or who considers the USA a good place to live, to travel definitely, but not to stay. I don't say that Europe is perfect, I just can't understand what Koreans see in America. Love your work, stay healthy.
I couldn’t agree with you more! From a Western European perspective, it seems like a nightmare place to live. Unaffordable healthcare and the uncertainty of whether you’re kids will return home safely from school, it’s not for me. If I had to chose from the Anglphone countries, I find all of them preferable to the USA, I love to visit it and like the people, mostly! But you couldn’t pay me to live there.
Korea is a colony from the USA so makes sense
@@guisas123 You have Korea confused with Japan.
@@guisas123 Ya, no. Korea has US military bases but it's not a colony. However, we did help with the Korean war which some people in Korea really put on a pedestal (some also legit hate us because...well...American military doesn't always act as respectfully as they should and cause alot of issues....it's just the truth). But I think it's because overwhelmingly they were raised thinking America was the pinnacle of success. It's just not...not at all really (I'm American and lived there most of my life and have been very privileged and even then it's really not so great). So it makes me a bit sad when they idealize us so much? I just want to tell them "no, do better, be better, don't follow our lead please."
Agree. I'm from Romania, so Eastern Europe and I still find some things much better here than in America and I wouldn't want to move there, despite the fact that my country is still underdeveloped and pretty corrupt.
I have lived in the US, France, England, and Iran. I agree that Americans are the most inclusive. They even translate official documents, such as election ballots, in multiple languages. They truly believe in the land of opportunities for all. Note: Puerto Rico is an American territory, it’s not a foreign country.
Do not tell that to the smug Europeans. This country is the best place to come, work hard, and make money and take care of your family. That is why S. Koreans do so well here in the States.
I think these phenomenon is also happens in big cities in other countries. I can relate much of these in Jakarta, Indonesia. Especially the last one is replaced by Korean culture.
It’s also happening in some places in the Philippines, i am pretty sure this is happening all over southeast asia
@@hallooos7585 Even France has Parisian snobs.
Even grandma is just a 16 year old girl with 59 years experience trapped in an older body.
"The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war.”
"Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first."
"There is a huge difference in being patriotic and being a nationalist. A Patriot is someone who want to see the promises of the nation achieved while still knowing that nations flaws. A nationalist is a blind following fool, who never can admit flaws and thinks themselves better. Don’t confuse the two, most patriots do want to fix the country, nationalists do not."
From my own experience, Koreans generally have difficult time to separate or differentiate between patriotism and nationalism. They can't stand it when their country got criticised thinking it as an internal matter, yet they have no qualms of criticising other countries on their own internal issues. Taking offence when people talking bad about their society and/or country, yet have no problems talking down other societies and countries. Always want to portray that everything is good, yet can't stand it when outsiders pointed the harsh truth. Triggered when talking about internal sports rivalries as if the thing divides the nation and disrupt national unity, still denying that factionalism is strong domestically.
It is more patriotic to notice the flaws in our country and want better for it, than to ignorantly claim its great and disregard major problems that needed fixing.
As for beauty standard, I have one simple question; what's wrong with embracing imperfections and making it endearing? Can't they accept that humans are not perfect at the first place?
thats very accurate observation
The third topic was crazy, now understand why idols/celebrities keep negative thoughts to themselves. Social status comes first before yourself 😐
I lived in Korea for a little over 7 years and I agree with your statements. Oh, just to clear something up, you mentioned you don't know about "boomers", the youngest Boomers are in their mid-sixties now, Boomers were born roughly between 1945-1965. I'm a millenial/ gen-X cusp because I was born in 1979. I just find it funny when the term "boomer' is used to describe anyone over 30 nowadays, when my mom is an actual LATE boomer and she's in her 60's...lol.
I'm the same as you and I find the term boomer offensive.
Was in Seoul in 2019 for 4 months and everything you said was spot on.
I feel like the focus on appearance and a singular standard of beauty (as more potentially more important than personality) is prevalent throughout Asia. It's not surprising, but it's disappointing that it persists even as other social issues are being addressed. When I lived in Asia I never really got used to people (sometimes strangers) commenting on my face, my body, etc. I'd definitely agree with you about the nationalism; I also find this nationalism to be common among my friends whose parents moved to the States -- they seem to have passed along that nationalism. And unfortunately I see it in many countries, including the States. In Europe nationalism exists, but there's definitely an awareness of it as a choice and sometimes shameful or dangerous rather than the default or status quo. That could be a holdover from WW2, which would explain why nationalism seems to be growing globally as those who lived through WW2 vanish. As always, your video is very informative and insightful!
2:03 ….As a non korean(non asian) person living in London; I see&agree with your first point often. The most extreme one was the most recent Blackpink concert in december at 02 London; those 3-4 korean girls not only took 150 pics with blackpink in the background; but they arranged a “photoshoot” in the concert!! Gurlll…. Enjoy the talented girls on stage, sing their songs, take their vids right? No. they had to be in those shots with them.. the dedication - I mean I and my western friends were stunned to say the least. Never been to Korea but I have high expectations….😅😅😅📸
I haven't visited Seoul yet but from what you have mentioned, I do see it in some of the influencers online from Seoul. As a US citizen, I am not surprised about South American countries and Canada not liking the US. Main reasons is "America" is not a country. A person from Peru, Brazil or Canada is just as American as a person from US. They really don't like when US citizens or people from other places in the world refer to US citizens as Americans. They consider it rude and arrogant. Anyway, as always thanks for sharing.
Hey Sharaine, As a Brazilian, we generally associate "American-ness" with the US. In fact, the Portuguese word to describe things from the US is "Americano/Americana" The average person from Rio would not consider themselves American, even though we live in South America. There are obviously so many perspectives and beliefs, which Kelsey points out, however, most Brazilians share a very deep affinity for American people and culture. Being raised in NY, anything I had or did was viewed by my cousins as being cooler or more sophisticated than it actually was, simply from my proximity to that "American-ness" Wishing you a healthy and happy 2023!
No Canadian considers themselves American. That term has been sort of ‘tainted’. Because while Canadians love American stuff and media and everything, we don’t want to be accused of being American.
@@joycetoledomacedo Brasileiros usam a palavra estadunidense pra se referir a cidadãos dos EUA, pelo menos os que eu conheço. Eu vejo muita gente se incomodar com o termo "americano" para pessoas, para estilos ou comida, o termo é melhor aceito. Muito brasileiro acha que tudo que vem de lá é maneiro porque isso é fruto de propaganda extensa, o "sonho americano".
We’re called “Americans” because to date no one’s thought of a better term to refer to people from the United States. I’m in favor of “Etatsians” from the French “Les Etats Unis.” Hey, they gave us our national monument, so why not?
Dumbest argument ever. AMERICA is in the name United States of America! Even though Mexico is called 'United States of Mexico", you don't give them the same crap as you give us. We speak ENGLISH btw!! Not Spanish!
You go grandma it nice to know you are well connected.
77-yr old granma here totally relating, thank u for the thumbs up. btw moi am from the Far East .. the Far Far East .. & believe me the boomer generation here is more than just well-connected .. they're digital-savvy fr restaurant orders to on-line purchases to air-bnb .. u name it, we got it 😆
Lord she passed me I will be 60 and I still have to work on catching up with her. I'm trying to be like your grandmother 😂🤣. I love your content of keeping it real.
haha yeah the obsession with American culture is sort of weird for sure. I remember even being shocked at how Korea is one of the most homogenous countries in the world, Korean people everywhere you look... yet it seemed like half the advertisements and signs in stores, etc were white people? and how there's English or French words everywhere on shirts, yet you never see anyone wearing shirts with sayings in hangul lol (if you do they are a foreigner haha). I've traveled to some places where it felt sort of embarrassing being an American sometimes, and I'd sort of lean in to how I'm "almost Canadian" to seem more cultured or something. but in Korea... never felt like that. they LOVE when you are from America.
why, you have something against white people ?
They are Americaboos :-D
About Conservative and Care A LOT about social image: now I understand why S*lli was so criticized for posting regular life/funny pictures on Instagram. This is really bizarre because koreans seem to live their lives as an endless competition: always the best pictures, always going forward. So it must be a very excruciating way of existing when you live in fear of being left behind.
Hi! You talked mainly about Seoul koreans, I'm curious to know if it's because people in other smaller "big cities" think and behave differently? I would love to hear your experiences
The first one is so true lol. One time I was in a Starbucks and a group of Korean friends walked in and started having a photo shoot lol.
As a Chinese I can see the same "issues" in China. I feel like our lives sometimes are so empty... so we constantly need superficial instant gratification (online is even more instant than offline) to keep us just going.
I see common headaches plaguing both Korean and Chinese societies. Among other things, both countries have achieved very fast economic growth. HOWEVER ...... neither one of them had the time to "digest" what it means to become industrialized society. (Most Western countries have a major advantage in this regard as they had the time to sort out how to transition from agarian to industrial society as they were able to grow at a slower pace.) One of the signs of neither countries having successfully made this transition is their rapidly declining fertility rates. I am not all surprised by South Korea's abysmal fertility rate as well as China experiencing something rather similar. Overall, while both countries' rapid economic growth have been a huge boon for their megacorporations and governments, I cannot say that average folks have benefited much. There is a great deal of cognitive dissonance in both societies.
There is also a psychological issue with very face economic development--i.e., "rags to the riches" in which both Koreans and Chinese still have the old mindset more fitting for living under poor agarian society in which you have to fight for every bread crumb. In other words, they are not ready. Furthermore, both societies are very materialistic (even by the Western standards) and excessive display of socioeconomic standing is the norm, now greatly amplified by having access to just about every goods across the globe.
Overall, the material side of industrialization is not the one that imposes the stiffest learning curve. Cultural and psychological changes required for the new reality is. So far, neither Koreans or Chinese grasp this, except for those who have been living in Western countries for a long time.
I appreciate the level of authenticity being displayed here and I just came across your channel. That 빨리 빨리 culture sure suck for people with disabilities (physical and mental), there are also subtle ones like ADHD and being on the autism spectrum. Sad that the solution for these people are to be aware how much of a burden they are and get out of people's way.
This was a very honest & refreshing video to see. I want to visit Korea one day, but
I’m not sure If I’ll be able to stay quiet if I’m being mistreated.
You go girl! 💜 I love your content and that you speak openly and honestly on topics.
Thanks, I experience some of what you said firsthand, I will admit I don't have a nice experience with Koreans when I was 12 a Korean guy sexually harass me he was a husband of my sister acquaintance back then, because of this I join a Korean group from Seoul because I wanted to relieve my trauma they're not rude to me but, they kick me out because I don't meet the standards that connects in what you referred to, anyway I am not degrading all of you this isn't meant to generalize & no grudge to the group, but you give me in-depth understanding about them, and we have different culture and tradition I've realized that it is important to meet people where they're.
I particularly hate beauty standards I agree with you. Good looking people being smashed because they are different...that stinks. I love Asian eyes. It is a pity some Koreans don't.
Damn girl!! Keeping it real and 💯!! Appreciate the authenticity of your vids! Just BE and DO you Kelsey!! Love that you had…and have…a privilege life but still continue to evolve into a beautiful person!!! ❤️❤️❤️💯
Would you say seoul people or s. koreans in general are very narcissistic and materialistic?
Narcissism stems from being insecure, they feel the need to have superiority over others (in whatever way) and to be "better" than everyone else. They also often put people down in different ways because they are so insecure.
It sounds like capitalism is on steroids in Seoul… it’s scary. I would love to hear your thoughts on single’s inferno and ramyun and chill (where imo they are taking advantage of the fetishisation of kr men)
Im latina and i would say the thing with america is that there are both people who praise it and people who dont like it here. From my personal experience the people who dislike or are just not praising it are people from a higher social status that have actually been to america or just realisticly know that its not heaven, but poorer people who are maybe not exposed to social media posts coming directly from america tend to praise it more. I was born in brazil but my parents and i left when i was really young so maybe things changed but im pretty sure thats about it
I'm Brazilian too. I think it all comes to how political someone is. I am aware of how the States affect Brazil's politics and how bad the States treats their own citizens, imigrants and neighbor countries... While my friend loves the States and she will boast about her consumerism with the newest iPhone, Starbucks coffee and going to Disney World. As Latino countries are the closest to the States and often the target to their hate, we are more aware how shitty they are, but if someone just doesn't care about the dirt, they keep living blindly.
Edit: misspelled something
Thank you for explaining @kelsey. As an American we value individuality. I'm confused as why Koreans (generalization) want to be the same? I've watched Koreans drag other Koreans for not thinking the same. Why is having differening opinions taboo? Why is it Koreans always apologize and say they'll work harder instead of standing by their ideas?
I am learning about Korean culture and I respect it. I just don't understand the desire for everyone to be the same.
It is true what you said about Latin America, we do not have the Americans on a pedestal but instead we have the Europeans because many of us are descendants of them. The more European traits you have, the better they treat you, we have similar problems to Asian countries
I was only there for about a week but the only thing is that I was expecting everyone to be faster when walking around. I didn’t feel the palli palli culture while I was there, but again I was only there for a week. People were also very helpful and very nice to me, but not as much to my husband…but I knew a little Korean and all he knew was 안녕하세요 and 감사합니다
You know, I left a 3rd world country in Africa to move to Europe. I think I would still choose my homecountry over living in S. Korea. I embrace authenticity and being a weirdo, I don't even have Instagram, I would hate it there. I remember we beat Korea in soccer in the world cup, the celebrations were insane, people wore costumes, one was riding a donkey on the street, another was riding a camel, with fireworks all around.
It's so paradoxical, happiness, peace, material comfort are fragile in Africa, so we can't "afford" facades. South Korea is going through the social transition towards an individualistic system that goes with the increase of consumerism, all of which is due to USA's historical influence on the country and the intensification of its capitalist economy.
First of all, love your microphone fork device 😅😂 Legend! I never understood why koreans see US has this top tier in everything, when is just another example of extreme capitalism on the grounds of colonialism. Like the starbuck example is one. Like in US starbuck is just another coffee shop (just more overpriced). The beauty standard part is heartbreaking. One of my korean friends said that is normal for them to have their facial or body defects pointed out to them even by random people. I dont see how these standards can change as the change as to come from younger generation but the younger generation seems too into it still.
Nice video Kelsey. I had a conversation in Korean the other day with two 'Korean boomers' and what you say about the generations not understanding each other is definately true. The second I mentioned university it was like something clicked inside their mind and they had to just decide my career path for me. So I'm sat there listening to '응~그래그래 한국에서 학위를 따고~ 영국에서 대학원 좀 다니다가~ 미국에서 좋은 직장에 바로 들어갈 수 있을 거야~" with no concern as to what I might actually want out of life. Mind opening experience. Either way it was a relatable point you made and am looking forward to hearing more about the culture. 🙋♂
Thank you Kelsey, this was a truly eye-opening video!
I went to Seoul and Busan but ended up liking Busan more lol. I like the laid back life haha
About the picture taking and phone addiction: I have noticed that a lot of Asian countries and Central Asian countries have an OBSESSIONNNNN with social status. You can be dirt poor but God forbid you wear the same shirt 3days in a row
For real, I don’t sweat and I am lazy I will wear clothes three days if I am not going anywhere outside
The views of latinos about "americans" are largely based in Cold War history, but it's basically about white americans specifically. Black americans have done nothing to latin america and had no control over the government. That's a nuance often lost by countries around the world because so many of them are far more homogenous this this country, and often have blind spots not dissimilar to that of this country. And there are also many americans that don't like the way the country treats the rest of the world.
It's so interesting to hear about all these things! My mom always says some aspects of korean culture remind her of how it was in Poland in the 90s, like the affinity for America. Personally, I like some aspects of american culture but I find it overall tacky and unsophisticated. Starbucks used to be cool in like 2010 but we have better coffee than this lol. The always-on-your-phone culture is everywhere nowadays I guess, although in Poland it's considered rude to check your phone when you're with friends/family. So if there's something happening I want to follow live on my phone and I have plans with friends on that day, I know I won't be able to see what happened until I'm back home. I wish everyone cared as much about non-influencer photos here though! I don't have many photos that aren't selfies unless I take them myself because people here just don't know a thing about composition nor do they care. The thing I find most different between Korea and Poland are the beauty standards. We don't have a singular cookie-cutter standard here. In the media, girls labeled as pretty are usually blonde, blue/green eyed (and white since Poland is homogeneous), cute sexy type (something like Karolina Pisarek) with good proportions but when it comes to dating, everyone has their own type. The standard is really just for the media and it's not important in real life, especially that blonde + light eyes is extremely common since it's typically slavic. Instead, we care about makeup and outfits, it's important to choose a style that suits you and brings out your natural beauty. I've heard many times that men in Poland just like naturally looking girls, too and the rest is subjective. If suddenly the media started promoting a beauty standard as specific as the one in Korea, I don't think that would sell at all! The fast mindset change is the same here though and conflicts between boomers and gen z are a normal thing because of it. Younger people are very tolerant and accepting of everything new/different, as in we treat is as normal/there's no reaction (a bit unlike american culture where differences are put on pedestal and highlighted).
I love your videos! I appreciate how open you are and learn so much about your culture. Thank you from America.
To sum this up, Korea is a developed country by standards. Socially, it has made very little progress. The society is still very stuck in the archaic mindset. Very backward.
As always Kelsey ur video is so helpful and educational. I wanna watch these kind of videos more 😻✨🧡🔥
I'm so glad!
Let your grandma use social media in peace. Just because she’s older than you doesn’t mean she shouldn’t use technology
She didn't say her nan shouldn't use social media, for some people it's just weird, as in unusual. I don't see it that way tho cause my mum was very tech savvy, she passed away years ago tho.
Cuban American here, being outside America makes me not only see but understand the flaws in America and how our government treats other countries. Still love America, but I see it differently after living in Korea the past 1.5 years
I agree with all your opinions on Korean characteristics. I have Korean relatives too and I sometimes visit Korea and what I observed is the same as yours. Most are superficial and skin deep related issues. Well, to be fair our country is also plagued with such societal issues minus the "impatient and efficient" (we have the opposite problem, everything is a lengthy process and even the fastfood industry has an inefficient method of processing orders, workers in any sector are normally inefficient, govt processes are also cumbersome, everything is cumbersome), nationalistic (our first president even helped sold the country to USA after our independence from Spain, and in modern times people don't love the country even the ones governing it).
I really appreciate this video so much. As a consumer of Kpop and Kdrama, I’m guilty of romanticizing the culture even though the reality for many Korea people, it’s not the best and as you present could be somewhat toxic. Just like any other culture just like my own, there are good and bad. But there’s always something that can be so beautiful to embrace.
It's nice to know what you like about the American culture.
Thanks Kelsey! This why i love yr vids & collabs with Danny, David & Anna of DKDKTV, y'all are unapologetically your genuine selves! Keep wearing comfortable clothes bare faced when you want to! Happy New Year 2023, keep being blessed!💪💪❤
Very interesting video ,I knew already some of these realities but I'm glad ot have learned some more with more explanations.As a fan of Korean drama ,I find it very interesting how the storylines have changed and how they are different from 2015 dramas are different to those of 2010 and how the dramas of 2020 are as well different from 2015.I see that the portrayal of women hs involved ,they are less submissive and more empowered .The question of LGBT as well is getting less taboo.I once watch a French documentary dating form 2016 I think where there were a lot of Korean doctors or engineers who were taking courses in welding in order to get a green card or professionals who would go and work on a farm in Ohio.There was even the owner of a beauty clinic who was selling everything to move to the USA because for them people were less judgemental there compared to Seoul.I am a huge fan of Korean culture but I don't wear pink glasses .Still it's in my bucket list of things to do to come and live for a year or two in Geoje ,Tonyeong or any small country side village.Wish you a great 2023 and I'm very glad to have found your channel.
I'm studying hard to prepare for my first trip to Korea. This was very helpful! Thank you!
hi, i am a japanese. i understand you very much. i mean i like my country, and proud of it, but sometimes i feel like Asian countries are detached from the world. it’s good and bad. i define myself as a foreign japanese born in japan. i like the history, literature, lands, food and arts. but i just cant get into “them”. me and my husband are like foreign observers…
One Korean habit that kind of annoys me is calling any foreigner that isn't east Asian a "westerner." For me, being "western" is not really geographical and has significant cultural connotations attached to it. When I hear koreans call people from Turkey, Lebanon, or Russia "western" I'm like "wtf? No....they dont sit with us."
Lol fr
This is one of the problems of speaking a Eurasian language that was developed before people knew the world was a sphere. I had a lot of trouble in elementary school when the teachers described Europe as the "West" and Asia as the"East" because I was from New Orleans and could look at a globe and see that Europe was toward the east and Asia was toward the west. Although I still never use the terms "West" and "East", "Europe" and "Asia" (which I do use) are really no better because their respective etymologies describe the "west" and "east". When I think about it, I prefer to refer to that part of the world as the eastern or western parts of Eurasia. And the people are people from those regions. I would also like to find a better way to refer to the Americas than the current reference to a person who was one of the early contributors to genocide and enslavement in the Americas.
@Thomas Hearty well, for me, being Western is being from a country where the political and cultural norms were heavily influenced by the age of enlightenment and writings by Locke, among others. In other words, being from a country that follows a Western liberal democracy framework and culture makes you "Western."
@@thomashearty667 and BTW, everyone in history committed genocide and enslavement. Don't gotta be so uppity and self prostrating about it.
Thank you for your frank and unbiased view of Korea, unfortunately, what you said is quite true about Koreans, with some good and some bad points like most people in all parts of the world.
But if a man takes more photos of himself than I do, then I will definitely slip out the back door.
i have encountered a lot of people who were born in seoul but now are living in america. it seems that because they have been influenced by american culture, they don’t really seem to act or do things like described in the video. but that’s just from what i’ve seen.
I love listening to Kelsey's perspective. Being critical and introspective about yourself, your environment and culture is important because often it leads to good change in the long term. Thank you for being honest and upfront about these things. However what struck me is the Starbucks thing. I'm from NZ and over 5 years ago they closed many of the Starbucks stores down and now it is only in few major cities. Why? Because we don't consider it good coffee. NZers, and especially those from Wellington, are incredibly picky about the coffee we drink. We consider where the beans came from, who the barista is, what is their extraction method, etc. I have a feeling the only reason the few stores exist is to cater to the tourist market.
Hi Kelsey! Loved this video! Can you do one on wedding culture?
I really hope she does this because wedding culture is SO different. I went to a few weddings in SK with co workers and friends and it's really really different from Western weddings. Not clothing wise, they mostly wear "western" dresses in big cities and stuff, but ya like renting things out, the bringing money in an envelope (I always give "too much" because I have no clue what is appropriate and no one would give me a good answer because it was a bit taboo to discuss I guess?), what to wear, seeing the bride before the ceremony, the photo shoots, the buffet, like.....it's a unique experience for sure.
Maybe that's because I'm french but the part about leaving handicaped persons out of the group shocks me a lot. It's not their fault if they can't follow the group. If you're friend with someone handicaped, you know what he can or can't do so you plan in fonction of them too. Like are you really friends ?
I'm much older than you, but re American culture, I grew up in Australia and Greece, and I'm not at all attracted to the U.S. or American culture. Yes there are great things and people from there, but I do feel a distate towards it in general.
I’m Filipino, and I heard our stereotype is we’re prostitutes in SK
And slaves
Prostitutes, maids, nurses and mail order brides. If you live near the coast also seamen. A variation of those is the Filipino stereotype in just about any country which has some sort of contact with the Philippines.
Love your fresh perspective!!! Sending Lots of love and Respect from India!!!!
Very informative!! I come from a small country in Central Europe and was shocked to have found that my Korean colleagues had naturally assumed Poland was a lot like America in the context of both culture and social arrangements, whereas it is obviously its own thing. This has left me quite puzzeled. Even more so that I kinda felt like they tried to copy Americanish behaviours around me 😆
Koreans seem to think that Westerners in general are like Americans, which is not true. Just as Americans seem to think Asians are all the same, esp. the mainstream media.
Did they know you weren’t American? 🤣🤣🤣
Omg. I don’t like being in environment where ppl use so much phone. I like to hang out around ppl who spent very less time on phone. One of my friends was once 3 months off the phone and I thought she died😂. But she just lost it and didn’t wanted to find it😂.
I have also problem with using telephone all the time, but I try to not use it that often. It’s great. I told myself that when I’m out, for example in club or sth I don’t wanna spent the time on phone. It’s so funny to watch so many young ppl talking to me on the phone and I’m like really? Ussually I end up with 30+ older ppl talking about adventures and life😂 or work. And I’m 20 y. old.
As u asked if our grandmas use phone. My grandma doesn’t know how to use a whatsapp. So I will say many old ppl in my country who live in village - Slovakia, don’t know how to use touch phone. It’s understandable bcs they spent a lot of time outside that they don’t have time for phone and why should they spent it in “fake” world. 😊
Seems you will be great a student of life. :)
To connected to life and enjoy the precious times.
20:00 I stayed for a month in a Hotel in Yeouido and when I'm lazy I would always walk over to IFC Mall to grab a bite.. I swear everyone in Yeouido just stepped off the set of a kdrama.. Everyone's fashionable, not flashy, but just The Heirs level casually strolling around meanwhile I'm wondering if I had been wearing the same sweatpants since yesterday... I felt so pressured to dress up (not that I had anything decent to wear lol)...
Your English is really good 😳💪🏼
Thank you so much. Your share has been incredibly helpful to me.
The affinity for American culture in Korea stems from the 1950s portion of the Korean War as a big middle finger to the regime of the North. There's more too it you have really look into the history as politically the United States was seen at the time as liberators. Just research the history of your country.
As a k-culture(kdrama, manhwa, kpop, kfood,just culture in general) fan since 2010 i think the positive side abt korean people is that they are so driven, advance?, hardworking and very success-oriented BUT on the other side they are kinda lack diversity, a lil racist(both older gen& younger gen), narrow-minded and so VAIN like they are so obsessed with being "normal" with being high-achiever, looking good/presentable,like what you said they are so judgey that's why i can understand why korea's youths(10s 20s) suicide rateis so high... korean culture are so 'high standard' so 'pretty' BUT suffocating(ykwim right) for me... i'd love to travel to and live in korea for like 1-2 months but i don't think i wanna spend my life there *shudder i have a feeling i'll need to see a psychologist or therapist if i live there long enough haha the pressure is real bruh lol well it's just MY opinion so for korean in the comments pls i hope you don't get offended
9:40 헉 맞아요~ 이게 진짜 조은거 같다는 생각해요 한국이 장애인이 살기 좋은 환경이 아니라고 생각합니다..
your last point is something ive kinda gathered from watching kdramas for years now. not to say everything in korean media accurately represents actual korean life but i would think there are a lot of similarities between the two just like any other country and their media.
ive always noticed on tv shows, like you said koreans sometimes wearing shirts with american logos etc and anytime a korean is leaving their country (on a drama) more than likely their coming to america.
as an american myself i sometimes questioned why do koreans put us on a pedestal when in my opinion and experience were an average country no better or worse than a lot of different countries including south korea.
man, i would not have made it in the "pali pali" culture. what happens to people who can't keep up?!
and i feel you about the generation gap. my parents grew up with a whole family in one room (this was USSR), and now i'm asking them to respect my feelings? they just don't get it.
lol yea there is a general disdain for the u.s.. in sociology, our country is called a "settler colonial state" where the indigenous people are ruled over (we take up about 2% of the us population and thats mostly because of genocide). because of our colonizer and imperialist history and current actions, many citizens and other people in the americas dont like the states. there is dwindling nationalism. i love where i come from being native american but to say im proud of being american are two different things. its different than places like korea where nationality and ethnicity are the same
One hint that I may have drank too much is find myself wondering when she was going to eat that marshmallow.