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Cultural differences

Forum 1. In this first entry, we are going to talk about any cultural differences we have noticed or experienced on our trips or our teaching or when learning languages. What was the problem? Is it socially, historically, or imaginatively constructed? What does it tell us about that cultures view (if anything)? 


Currently, I am studying Korean. I have been learning the language for almost a year or two. I watch a lot of TV shows, and programs and listen to music in the Korean language. Though I have not yet travelled there, I have seen significantly different cultural aspects from the Korean culture that clashes with my own culture. As a first example, we have honorifics. Though Spaniards respect elderly people, we do not use formalities as much. In Korea, even if someone is a year older or so, you have to use honorifics with them. In Spain, this is not as much of a deal, and honorifics are only used for jobs or when talking with old people. Likewise, you do not use honorifics with parents, unlike in South Korea. The difference is mostly socially constructed. This shows me how important it is for Koreans to show respect to others. 

Another thing that surprised me when learning the language and culture, which I mostly learned from watching K-dramas (Korean shows) is about ‘family dynasties’ to say it somehow. When introducing themselves, sometimes people are asked about what ‘family’ or ‘dynasty’ are they from. This creates good connections if they are from the same one, or show different social status if they are from different ones. The same happens, though only with men, regarding where did you serve in the military service (which is mandatory) and what was your area of service. Apparently, this creates good relationships with people. I do believe this is mostly historically constructed, especially the surname part, as it was very important, historically, to know about it and maybe was used to separate between different statuses. I am not fully sure, nor do I want to spread misinformation about this, so I will probably have to ask my teacher more about it! On the same note, as I was talking about mandatory military service, I also realized how important it is for Korean men. I have seen the news about singers trying to ‘get away’ from serving, which has brought them shame and criticism. This shows me how important it is for them. Not sure if this is more historically or socially based, maybe a mix of both.








Last but not least, a socially or imaginatively constructed belief I learned about the Korean culture (though I have only faced this situation once) is asking people for their MBTI and, sometimes (I did not face this one though because I think it is old-school) their blood type. Not sure why this is that important for young Koreans (especially the MBTI), but it is. Or at least it seems like it. On western culture, it is more common to ask about your horoscope or sign), but no one takes it seriously. I do believe that asking for a blood type is a more socially or imaginatively constructed belief.





I have realized that there are many different cultural aspects between my culture and the one I am learning about, but that makes it interesting. Not only that, but I love learning from cultures that are so different from mine, and hopefully, soon I can visit the country to fully immerse myself in their culture. Likewise, about cultural views, it only reiterates that every culture, country, and people have different views and beliefs, different from each other. This does not mean that one culture is superior to another, it is just a way of proving how different we can all be from one another and how much we can learn from each other. 


Videos used for examples:


Extraordinary Attorney Woo Ep. 12: a very popular Korean drama that follows the story of an autistic lawyer.

Bo-ra! Deborah Ep. 5: a recent new Korean drama that follows the life of a 'love coach' and her experience through a breakup.


References:

Arirang News. (2023, January 11). NEWs GEN: Why MBTI became a big craze in S. Korea [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v3ReeO4X40


KoreaComplete: Learn Korean and Explore Korea. (2018, April 12). Korean Honorifics- Why people will hate You If You Talk This Way In Korean. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDt2QbRY4jU 


Korean Dictionary. (2022, September 5). Why is the MBTI so popular in South Korea? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wegT1GIV9rI


Learn Korean with KoreanClass101.com. (2018, December 28). What Your Blood Type Says About Your Personality in Korea? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHFaYTEIG6U


Myshroomcats. (n.d.). Reddit - Dive into anything. https://www.reddit.com/r/korea/comments/kbvbqk/history_behind_last_namesclans/


The Yonsei Annals. (2022, May 13). Korea’s hype around MBTI explained by Yonsei University students [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWuX1UoxdVo


우물 밖의 개구리The Frog Outside the Well. (2020, June 2). 아시안 전문가 외국인이 설명하는 한국에 김씨 성이 많은 이유! [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfhImMwTZ9Q 




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