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United States12125 Posts
This is going to be a general "about Korea" from my observations and interactions...
Might be a little random...
Hmm... about Korea. Let's start with Koreans. (Mainly college students)
They study hard, but when it's time to relax, Koreans know how to let go. Order chicken/pizza and drink bottles of soju while talking and having a blast... And then the clubbing at night.. Holy shit clubbing in Seoul is ridiculoussss. I've been to clubs in Hawaii, but clubs in Seoul are PACKED and everyone is dancing... it was so much fun. Plus I was kind of wasted... Koreans know how to drink...
They also don't sleep much... they stay up until like 2, and then wake up at 7-8 am... and usually don't seem very tired... not sure how they do it. I've slept until like 11 and get called lazy by everyone here. :o
Everyone cares about how they look here. I know it seems a little vain... but I guess it's nice when people care about how they look wherever they go. Also, there are mirrors literally everywhere... Most things that the guys do here would be considered "gay" maybe, but here it's normal. Guys go to the bathroom the fix their hair and their clothes. Fashion here is standard. If you're not wearing cardigans and skinny jeans as a guy, something is up. Girls here wear some pretty nice outfits, and you can tell they go shopping online and in Seoul. I find myself rarely seeing anyone who stands out fashion wise, because everyone here dresses so damn neatly. Hair products and skin products sell like candy near an elementary store... My roommates combined have maybe... 50 bottles of products.. and everyone has a mirror by their desk. And on the fridge. And in the closets. And in the shower. And by the bathroom. And in the elevators. And outside the elevators. Yeah, mirrors everywhere. I guess some people would think it's weird, but I guess I feel like... it's a good thing? Also I have 4 pairs of shoes and it's half of what most Koreans have... guys at least.
The girls... oh my. Korean girls. And their legs... I love it. As I discussed with some other Americans, girls with nice legs are so hard to find in America... but here... EVERYWHERE. Nice legs. Gorgeous, toned, smooth legs. However, blessed chests are harder to find. I don't mind though, I'm from Hawaii. So many cute girls. Too bad you can't mingle with the opposite sex in the dorms... It's prohibited. All the dorms are seperated M/F. But at least we can eat together? :o
Koreans are pretty shy using English, but most of them are pretty good... They're actually required to take English in HS and in college, so even if they can't speak that much, that can understand quite a bit. I'm a bit embarrassed that my Korean is so elementary, but I'm working on it. Once you get to know them, Koreans open up a lot, but in the beginning they are very reserved. This might come of as... rude? But I guess I'm used to it also. Even the reserved ones are really friendly here though, courteous at least. But once you get to the 형/누나 relationship, things just open up. You start getting whacked by everyone and laughing a lot. And not really worrying about paying for much. And the English conversations are really entertaining haha.
Koreans are WIRED. Everyone has a smartphone, and this cool app called Kakaotalk. I don't have a phone so I feel REALLY out of the loop, and it makes everything really inconvenient so I NEED one soon. Koreans are always texting or on the phone when not in class, but especially on the subway. Everyone is watching TV, or movies, or playing some game or texting. Even old people. It's pretty hard NOT to find a place with 3G/4G or WiFi. The applications here are so awesome too. Train/bus applications, you can get tickets online and check subway status from your phone... so convenient.
Everything in Korea is seriously SO convenient, and practical. When you go to a coffee shop, after you order you get this blinker alert thing. Some of them even have TV screens. So instead of 50 people waiting around the counter, you go back to your seat and then wait for your thing to light up and buzz. Then you get your order. How smart is that? Also 24 hour delivery for almost all food places. Chicken, pizza... MCDONALDS. FREE DELIVERY. NO TIP. WHY is that not in America??? I really like the no tipping here.. it's like. You should do a good job, it's what you're getting paid for. Not, you get a bonus if you do what you're supposed to. Makes sense. Why we give extra money to waiters or delivery people who do what they should does not make sense to me.
I don't want to make it too long, so I'll cut it here.
but... ask me any questions about Korea and I'll try to answer them if I can!!~~
~~미주 ^^
EDIT: Oh and my practice for Code A is going OK. I think I finally understand PvZ, and I'm trying a new PvT style... PvP is going well for me, 1-gate robo into stargate ^^ Immortal/VR/Zeal :D
Need a Korean account ASAP~
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Hipster culture and extreme metro-sexuality. Sounds too perfect.
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Sounds like you're having a good time man. You should have come to the OSL finals with us.
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NeverGG
United Kingdom5399 Posts
I think people sometimes tend to overstate the whole 'Everyone dresses perfectly here/all the girls have gorgeous legs thing.' For every lady who I see that's dressed up there are loads more who are in normal denim shorts/t-shirts/hoodies. It definitely depends upon where you are, and what time of day it is. However, guys hoping to come over here and constantly be surrounded by SNSD/Kara-esque women are in for a reality check. I've been here for almost five years now, and in terms of how many 'idol level' pretty girls I see even in places like Apgujeong or Gangnam it's not exactly overwhelmingly common even at night.
Speaking of the drinking culture - I don't involve myself in that. I have no interest in it at all. I'm only annoyed by it if it interrupts with my sleep/getting home after shopping or being outside for other things. I do find it a bit pathetic when you see people sleeping in public during the mornings though. (I admit to laughing when I saw some random thirty-something guy sleeping in a full suit draped over a wall though. It was such a weird position to pass out in.)
I'm not into fashion much myself, but I do miss seeing really individual styles. I've found that only Hongdae (during the daytime and at events like the weekly markets) offers the chance to see punks or other alternative dressers/music styles etc. It's lovely to be able to pick up the unique work of the student artists/craftspeople too.
I agree with you about the convinience aspect. As a Brit it's so nice to live somewhere where it's possible to go out at 3am and get food/go singing etc. I don't really take advantage of that aspect of it, but it's still nice to know it's possible. The subway system and all the little time-saving measures employed here (like being able to use T-money in shops etc.) really make a lot of sense/are so useful. I also love how cheap life can be (aside from my expensive hobbies.)
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You're the guy who wrote the beginner's guide to Hangul right? Thanks for the little window into life in Korea. I hope you'll keep sharing cool stories with the rest of us. Good luck in qualifiers.
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On September 21 2011 13:31 mizU wrote:
EDIT: Oh and my practice for Code A is going OK. I think I finally understand PvZ, and I'm trying a new PvT style... PvP is going well for me, 1-gate robo into stargate ^^ Immortal/VR/Zeal :D
Need a Korean account ASAP~
Get a TW account.............
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Hey, you say that everyones always trying to keep themselves looking good and stuff? What about the people that are ugly? Are they shunned in that type of society?
It seems to perfect for me tbh.
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On September 21 2011 16:45 tests wrote:
Hey, you say that everyones always trying to keep themselves looking good and stuff? What about the people that are ugly? Are they shunned in that type of society?
It seems to perfect for me tbh.
I'm not the OP but I'll give my take on it.
Korea is one of the most "plastic" countries in the world. It's really not too uncommon for a person to have some form of plastic surgery done even if they aren't pop stars or famous. Also, Koreans are typically more blunt when it comes to appearance. I wouldn't say people are bullied or shunned, but if you're getting fat or if you look weird they'll let you know, but this shouldn't be seen as offensive as it is in western culture. Also, anyone remember when Puma said he wanted plastic surgery after he won NASL and was asked what he wanted to do with his prize money? A lot of Western people would see that as a really embarrassing thing to say from Puma's position, but I guess he felt differently.
The importance of aesthetics in Korea is actually a pretty discussed topic, and a lot of people criticize it for being shallow and teaching people the wrong values. Korea has pretty high suicide rates, and some (although I wouldn't even say a good portion of it) is due to this. If I had to guess I'd say the suicide rates have more to do with expectations through education, etc. and becoming successful and there's a lot of pressure on everyone including even the successful people as Korea has one of the highest suicide rates involving famous people.
Anyways, the good comes with the bad is what I'm getting at. I don't think it's something that should be pitied though because like I said, people view this type of stuff differently in Korea.
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On September 21 2011 17:36 Itsmedudeman wrote:Show nested quote +On September 21 2011 16:45 tests wrote:
Hey, you say that everyones always trying to keep themselves looking good and stuff? What about the people that are ugly? Are they shunned in that type of society?
It seems to perfect for me tbh. I'm not the OP but I'll give my take on it. Korea is one of the most "plastic" countries in the world. It's really not too uncommon for a person to have some form of plastic surgery done even if they aren't pop stars or famous. Also, Koreans are typically more blunt when it comes to appearance. I wouldn't say people are bullied or shunned, but if you're getting fat or if you look weird they'll let you know, but this shouldn't be seen as offensive as it is in western culture. Also, anyone remember when Puma said he wanted plastic surgery after he won NASL and was asked what he wanted to do with his prize money? A lot of Western people would see that as a really embarrassing thing to say from Puma's position, but I guess he felt differently. The importance of aesthetics in Korea is actually a pretty discussed topic, and a lot of people criticize it for being shallow and teaching people the wrong values. Korea has pretty high suicide rates, and some (although I wouldn't even say a good portion of it) is due to this. If I had to guess I'd say the suicide rates have more to do with expectations through education, etc. and becoming successful and there's a lot of pressure on everyone including even the successful people as Korea has one of the highest suicide rates involving famous people. Anyways, the good comes with the bad is what I'm getting at. I don't think it's something that should be pitied though because like I said, people view this type of stuff differently in Korea.
Skin care not plastic surgery.
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Oh, I was assuming closer to surgery/laser though since he did win 50000 dollars. I'm pretty sure he didn't mean just buying a lot of skin care products.
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United States12125 Posts
Apparently plastic surgery happens a lot, but I can't really tell... :o
On September 21 2011 15:49 Tomken wrote:Show nested quote +On September 21 2011 13:31 mizU wrote:
EDIT: Oh and my practice for Code A is going OK. I think I finally understand PvZ, and I'm trying a new PvT style... PvP is going well for me, 1-gate robo into stargate ^^ Immortal/VR/Zeal :D
Need a Korean account ASAP~ Get a TW account.............
I just got my alien registration card today, so I think I can get a SC2 account now? Maybe? :o
On September 21 2011 14:46 red4ce wrote:
You're the guy who wrote the beginner's guide to Hangul right? Thanks for the little window into life in Korea. I hope you'll keep sharing cool stories with the rest of us. Good luck in qualifiers.
Yep, that's me. ^^
On September 21 2011 14:05 NeverGG wrote:
I think people sometimes tend to overstate the whole 'Everyone dresses perfectly here/all the girls have gorgeous legs thing.' For every lady who I see that's dressed up there are loads more who are in normal denim shorts/t-shirts/hoodies. It definitely depends upon where you are, and what time of day it is. However, guys hoping to come over here and constantly be surrounded by SNSD/Kara-esque women are in for a reality check. I've been here for almost five years now, and in terms of how many 'idol level' pretty girls I see even in places like Apgujeong or Gangnam it's not exactly overwhelmingly common even at night.
My judgement is probably clouded by my testosterone, but you're right. Not every girl here looks like SNSD. But there are quite a bit of cute girls here. If you like Asians, obviously Korea would be good. ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
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Thanks for sharing
South Korea looks beautiful too 
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Great read. I do plan on visiting S. Korea some day. Stuff like this makes me want to go even more. I am also very jealous of 24 hour food delivery. Not tipping would seem weird to me though.
Also good luck in your practice.
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United States12125 Posts
On September 21 2011 19:17 Fox116 wrote:
Great read. I do plan on visiting S. Korea some day. Stuff like this makes me want to go even more. I am also very jealous of 24 hour food delivery. Not tipping would seem weird to me though.
Also good luck in your practice.
Don't feel bad about not tipping. It's awesome. The workers all smile before they give you the food, and after. With no tip. It's amazing.
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legs,,, too bad its getting cold now
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United States12125 Posts
On September 21 2011 22:32 Benga wrote:
legs,,, too bad its getting cold now
I know... covering up begins. :[
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On September 21 2011 13:31 mizU wrote:
Koreans are WIRED. Everyone has a smartphone, and this cool app called Kakaotalk. [...] Everyone is watching TV, or movies, or playing some game or texting. Even old people.
My grandmother has an iPad ㅋ.ㅋ
On September 21 2011 13:31 mizU wrote:
Also 24 hour delivery for almost all food places. Chicken, pizza... MCDONALDS. FREE DELIVERY. NO TIP. WHY is that not in America???
Actually, Mcdonalds delivery isn't free. The cost is built into the food prices; if you compare the prices on the delivery menu with the prices at the stores, they're different.
-edit-
The K-goggles will fade away somewhat, but it's good that you're having a good time in Korea =]
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United States12125 Posts
On September 21 2011 23:12 yoonyoon wrote:Show nested quote +On September 21 2011 13:31 mizU wrote:
Koreans are WIRED. Everyone has a smartphone, and this cool app called Kakaotalk. [...] Everyone is watching TV, or movies, or playing some game or texting. Even old people. My grandmother has an iPad ㅋ.ㅋ Show nested quote +On September 21 2011 13:31 mizU wrote:
Also 24 hour delivery for almost all food places. Chicken, pizza... MCDONALDS. FREE DELIVERY. NO TIP. WHY is that not in America??? Actually, Mcdonalds delivery isn't free. The cost is built into the food prices; if you compare the prices on the delivery menu with the prices at the stores, they're different. -edit- The K-goggles will fade away somewhat, but it's good that you're having a good time in Korea =]
Oh. Well chicken and soju delivery is free ^^ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ :D
I don't even have an iPad ㅠㅠ
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do any of your korean friends play sc2? (are they any good?) and thanks for the blog hahaha
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EPT![[image loading]](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/62743_641557701260_19909866_36045238_1152019_n.jpg)
