10 things you're WRONG about Korea [KOR/ENG sub]

Talk To Me In Korean
6 Feb 202419:48

Summary

TLDRIn this Talk To Me in Korean episode, Yeji Kim debunks 10 common misconceptions about Korea, including the notion that all Korean food is spicy, Koreans are obsessed with luxury goods, and everyone listens to K-pop. She discusses the variety within Korean cuisine, the actual consumption of dog meat, and the prevalence of makeup-wearing among men. Yeji also addresses the portrayal of 'aegyo' in Korean culture, the safety concerns due to the North-South situation, the English proficiency of Koreans, and the frequency of Korean food consumption in daily life. This video aims to provide a nuanced understanding of Korean culture beyond stereotypes.

Takeaways

  • 🌶 Not all Korean food is spicy, and not all Koreans love spicy food, despite the popularity of spicy dishes like kimchi and tteokbokki.
  • 👜 Contrary to the reputation, not all Koreans are obsessed with luxury goods, even though South Korea has a high per capita consumption of luxury items.
  • 🎤 K-pop is not the only genre of music in Korea; there are various genres including ballads, hip-hop, and trot that are part of the mainstream music scene.
  • 🐕 The consumption of dog meat, while known globally, is not common in Korea, and younger generations especially tend to avoid it.
  • 💄 While some Korean men wear makeup, the majority do not, with 79% reporting they never wear makeup according to the statistics mentioned.
  • 🎀 The perception of Korean women having a lot of 'aegyo' (cute behavior) might be influenced by media portrayals, but many Korean women do not frequently display aegyo in daily life.
  • 🏰 The risk of war does not make Korea unsafe; South Koreans do not live in constant anxiety about war and the country is known for its public safety.
  • 🏫 Many Koreans have studied English, but due to a focus on reading and writing rather than speaking, they might struggle with conversational English.
  • 🍽 Koreans enjoy a variety of cuisines, not just Korean food, and younger generations in particular have a preference for foreign or exotic foods.
  • 📺 The script challenges several misconceptions about Korea and encourages a more nuanced understanding of the country's culture and people.

Q & A

  • Is it true that all Korean cuisine is spicy?

    -No, not all Korean cuisine is spicy. While there are many spicy dishes like fire chicken instant noodles, tteokbokki, and kimchi, there are also plenty of non-spicy options such as seolleongtang, bulgogi, and kimbap.

  • Do all Koreans love spicy food?

    -Not necessarily. While many Koreans do enjoy spicy food, there are also those who don't particularly love it or can't handle spiciness. The preference for spiciness varies among individuals.

  • What is the common misconception about Koreans and luxury goods?

    -There's a misconception that all Koreans are crazy about luxury goods. However, statistics show that while Korea has a high per capita consumption of luxury goods, many Koreans, especially those not interested in fashion, do not have a strong inclination toward luxury items.

  • Is K-pop the only genre of music in Korea?

    -No, K-pop is not the only genre of music in Korea. Korean mainstream music includes various genres such as ballads, hip-hop, and trot, which is particularly popular among older generations.

  • Do all Koreans want to become K-pop idols?

    -While there is an increasing number of young Koreans who aspire to become K-pop idols, it is not accurate to say that all Koreans want to become idols. Many Koreans listen to and enjoy various genres of music and have different career aspirations.

  • Is it common for Koreans to eat dog meat?

    -Consumption of dog meat, known as bosintang, is not common in Korea. It is not a menu item in school cafeterias, company canteens, or commonly prepared in households. It is more associated with older age groups, and younger generations hardly eat it.

  • Do Korean men commonly wear makeup?

    -According to statistics, only a small percentage of Korean men wear makeup daily, with a larger percentage never wearing makeup. While there is a growing acceptance of men wearing makeup, the majority of Korean men do not wear it.

  • What is 'aegyo' and is it common among all Korean women?

    -Aegyo refers to behaving or speaking in a deliberately cute manner. While it is a common perception that Korean women possess a lot of aegyo, many women in reality do not display aegyo frequently and prefer to speak and behave in a normal manner.

  • Is Korea considered unsafe due to the risk of war?

    -Despite the ongoing armistice with North Korea, Koreans do not live in daily fear of war. South Korea is known for its high level of public safety, and the risk of war does not significantly impact the daily lives of its citizens.

  • Are Koreans not good at English?

    -Many Koreans have studied English to a certain level, but due to the focus on reading and writing in the education system, they might not be as proficient in listening and speaking. This can lead to difficulties when unexpectedly required to communicate in English.

  • Do Koreans eat Korean food every day?

    -While Korean food is popular and widely consumed, it is not accurate to assume that Koreans eat only Korean food every day. There is a preference for foreign and exotic cuisines, especially among the younger generation, and international food restaurants are as popular as Korean ones.

Outlines

00:00

🌶️ Misconceptions About Korean Spiciness

The speaker, Yeji Kim, addresses the common misconception that all Korean food is spicy and that all Koreans love spicy food. While acknowledging the presence of spicy dishes like tteokbokki and kimchi, she clarifies that not all Korean cuisine is spicy and many Koreans, including herself, prefer non-spicy options. The association with spiciness might stem from popular dishes and the influence of mukbang and social media, which showcase spicier foods. Yeji emphasizes that Korean restaurants offer a variety of non-spicy dishes and the ability to adjust spiciness levels, indicating a diverse palate among Koreans.

05:05

👜 The Luxury Goods Misconception

Yeji Kim discusses the stereotype that Koreans have a strong affinity for luxury goods, which she found surprising. She cites statistics showing South Korea's high per capita consumption of luxury items but shares her personal observation that this is not a widespread phenomenon in her social circle. Yeji suggests that the interest in luxury goods might be more prevalent among those who are fashion-conscious or active on social media. She herself has no interest in luxury items, reflecting that while some Koreans do appreciate luxury goods, it is not a universal interest.

10:09

🎵 K-pop and Korean Music Diversity

The speaker corrects the misconception that Korean mainstream music is synonymous with K-pop. She explains that Korean music encompasses various genres, including ballads, hip-hop, and trot, which is particularly popular among older generations. Yeji challenges the idea that all Koreans listen to K-pop or aspire to be K-pop idols, sharing her own music preferences and encouraging exploration of other Korean music genres. She also notes the influence of younger generations and media on the popularity of K-pop.

15:10

🐶 The Misconception of Dog Meat Consumption

Yeji Kim tackles the widespread belief that Koreans commonly consume dog meat, specifically referring to the dish 'bosintang.' She clarifies that this is not a common food in Korea, noting its rarity in schools, company canteens, and households. Yeji shares her own experience of never having eaten it and the difficulty of finding restaurants serving it, especially in areas frequented by younger people. She contrasts this with the more common consumption of other meats like beef, pork, chicken, and fish, emphasizing that dog meat is not a staple in Korean diets.

💅 Perceptions on Korean Men Wearing Makeup

The speaker discusses the stereotype that Korean men frequently wear makeup, citing a video by Seungwan that questioned this perception. Yeji presents survey results indicating that a significant majority of Korean men (79%) do not wear makeup, with only a small percentage wearing it daily or occasionally. She acknowledges that while some men do wear makeup, it is not a widespread practice. Yeji suggests that the perception might be influenced by media portrayals, particularly in K-dramas and K-pop, where makeup is common for performances and appearances.

🎀 The Aegyo Phenomenon and Korean Women

Yeji Kim addresses the idea that Korean women often display 'aegyo,' or cute and childlike behavior. She notes that while some women do exhibit aegyo, especially in media and entertainment, many Korean women do not. Yeji shares her observations that most women she knows behave and speak in a normal, non-aegyo manner. She suggests that the prevalence of aegyo in media, such as K-pop idols and variety shows, might contribute to this stereotype. Yeji emphasizes that while aegyo is not a negative trait, it is not representative of all Korean women.

🏰 Misconceptions About Safety and War in Korea

The speaker dispels the myth that Korea is an unsafe country due to the risk of war. Yeji Kim explains that despite the ongoing armistice with North Korea, Koreans do not live in daily fear of conflict. She notes that South Koreans are grateful for the military's protection but do not let the potential for war dictate their lives or future planning. Yeji highlights that Korea is known for its public safety and that visitors should not be overly concerned about the risk of war.

🇬🇧 English Proficiency Among Koreans

Yeji Kim discusses the misconception that Koreans are not proficient in English. She acknowledges that while English is a significant part of the Korean education system, the focus has been more on reading and writing rather than speaking and listening. As a result, many Koreans might be hesitant or struggle to communicate in English in everyday situations. Yeji suggests that this might lead to the perception of poor English skills, but it is more a matter of limited practice in conversational English rather than a lack of knowledge.

🍲 Korean Food in Daily Life

The speaker clarifies that despite the global popularity of Korean cuisine, Koreans do not exclusively eat Korean food every day. Yeji Kim notes that there is a growing preference for foreign and international cuisines, especially among the younger generation. She mentions that in areas popular with young people, a variety of international food options are available and frequently visited. Yeji emphasizes that while Korean food is beloved, it is not the only cuisine that Koreans consume in their daily lives.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Spicy food

Spicy food refers to dishes that contain a significant amount of hot spices or peppers, creating a pungent and sharp flavor profile. In the video, Yeji Kim clarifies a common misconception that all Korean cuisine is spicy, noting that while there are indeed many spicy dishes like tteokbokki and kimchi, not all Korean food is spicy, and not all Koreans love spicy food. This is exemplified by her personal preference for non-spicy options.

💡Mukbang

Mukbang is a popular online trend where people, often social media influencers, broadcast themselves eating large quantities of food, often spicy or indulgent dishes. Yeji Kim suggests that the rise of mukbang and social media has contributed to the global perception of Korean food as being predominantly spicy, as these platforms tend to showcase spicier and more visually stimulating foods.

💡Luxury goods

Luxury goods are high-end, expensive products often associated with high social status. The video discusses the misconception that Koreans have an obsession with luxury goods, citing statistics that show high per capita consumption of such items in Korea. However, Yeji Kim's personal observations and experiences suggest that this is not a universal trend among all Koreans, and that many, like herself, do not have a strong inclination towards luxury goods.

💡K-pop

K-pop, short for Korean pop, is a genre of music originating from South Korea characterized by its catchy tunes, synchronized choreography, and visually appealing music videos. Yeji Kim addresses the misconception that Korean mainstream music is synonymous with K-pop, explaining that Korean music encompasses a variety of genres, including ballads, hip-hop, and trot, with K-pop being just one of them.

💡Bosintang

Bosintang, also known as dog meat soup, is a traditional Korean dish that has been associated with Korea in global discussions. The video script clarifies that bosintang is not a common food in Korea, and its consumption is not widespread among the population, especially among younger generations. This counters the stereotype that Koreans regularly eat dog meat.

💡Makeup

Makeup refers to the use of cosmetics to enhance or alter the appearance of the face. The video discusses the stereotype that Korean men frequently wear makeup, citing statistics that show a minority of men actually do so. Yeji Kim notes that while there is a growing acceptance of men wearing makeup in Korea, the majority of men do not wear it, and the perception may be influenced by media portrayals in K-dramas and K-pop.

💡Aegyo

Aegyo is a Korean term that describes the act of behaving or speaking in an endearingly cute or childlike manner. Yeji Kim dispels the myth that all Korean women possess aegyo, stating that while some women do exhibit such behavior, many others do not, and it is not a universal trait among Korean women. The perception may stem from media portrayals, particularly in K-pop, where idols often adopt cute and aegyo-filled personas.

💡Public safety

Public safety refers to the state of being protected from harm, danger, or other threats in a community. The video script addresses the misconception that Korea is an unsafe country due to the ongoing political situation with North Korea. Yeji Kim emphasizes that South Koreans do not live in constant fear of war and that the country is generally safe in terms of public safety.

💡English proficiency

English proficiency refers to the ability to understand and use the English language effectively. Yeji Kim discusses the stereotype that Koreans are not good at English, explaining that while English is emphasized in the Korean education system and many Koreans have a strong foundation in vocabulary and grammar, listening and speaking skills may be less developed due to a focus on written exams. This can lead to difficulties when interacting in English in everyday situations.

💡Cuisine diversity

Cuisine diversity refers to the variety of different types of food and culinary traditions available. The video script clarifies that although Korean cuisine is popular worldwide, Koreans do not exclusively eat Korean food every day. Yeji Kim points out that there is a preference for foreign cuisines, especially among the younger generation, and that international food options are prevalent in areas frequented by young people.

Highlights

Not all Korean cuisine is spicy, and not all Koreans love spicy food.

Spicy Korean dishes like fire chicken instant noodles, tteokbokki, and kimchi are well-known but not representative of all Korean food.

The association of Korean food with spiciness might be due to the influence of mukbang and social media.

Korean restaurants offer a range of non-spicy options, including seolleongtang, bulgogi, and kimbap.

Korea has the highest per capita consumption of luxury goods worldwide, contrary to personal observations.

Luxury goods interest in Korea may be limited to those with a fashion focus and social media engagement.

Korean mainstream music is diverse, including genres like ballads, hip-hop, and trot, beyond just K-pop.

The desire to become a K-pop idol is not universal among Koreans, despite its popularity.

Bosintang (dog meat soup) is not a common food in Korea and is rarely served in schools or company canteens.

Korean men wearing makeup is not a widespread practice, with 79% reporting they never wear makeup.

The perception of Korean men wearing makeup might be influenced by media portrayals in K-dramas and K-pop.

Aegyo, the act of behaving or speaking cutely, is not a trait universally exhibited by Korean women.

The perception of aegyo in Korean women may stem from media portrayals in K-pop and variety shows.

Korea is considered safe in terms of public safety despite the ongoing armistice with North Korea.

Many Koreans have studied English, but practical speaking skills may be limited due to a focus on grammar and vocabulary in education.

Koreans do not exclusively eat Korean food daily; there is a significant interest in international cuisines, especially among the younger generation.

Transcripts

play00:00

Hello, everyone! I'm Yeji Kim from Talk To Me in Korean.

play00:05

Today, I'd like to talk about 10 misconceptions

play00:10

you might have about Korea.

play00:14

Shall we start with the first one?

play00:17

First, all Koreans love spicy food, and all Korean cuisine is spicy.

play00:25

Do many of you think of spiciness when you think of Korean food?

play00:30

When I travel abroad and meet other people,

play00:35

and I say “I'm Korean,”

play00:38

many people talk about spicy food.

play00:43

Of course, there are many spicy dishes in Korean cuisine.

play00:47

And many Koreans also do like spicy food.

play00:54

However, saying, "All the food is spicy,

play00:57

and all Koreans love and can handle spicy food"?

play01:01

I don’t think that’s accurate.

play01:03

Personally, I can handle spicy food.

play01:07

But I don't particularly love it.

play01:09

If I have a choice, I'd go for non-spicy options.

play01:15

I think that the association of Korean food with spiciness

play01:20

might come from the fact that there are quite a few spicy dishes.

play01:29

ror example, those fire chicken instant noodles,

play01:32

or tteokbokki, or kimchi, food like this,

play01:36

that’s on the spicier side of Korean foods.

play01:40

Another reason might be the influence of mukbang

play01:44

and social media.

play01:49

With the rise of mukbang and social media,

play01:52

there's increased interest in spicier and more stimulating foods.

play01:59

Consequently, such foods are showcased more in media,

play02:04

which I think leads people to seek out spicy foods more.

play02:09

However, if you step away from the media

play02:12

and you venture into actual Korean restaurants, you'll find plenty of non-spicy options.

play02:19

Foods like seolleongtang (ox bone soup), bulgogi,

play02:24

food like kimbap. This kind of food isn’t spicy at all.

play02:29

Even in restaurants that specialize in spicy food,

play02:33

you can usually choose the level of spiciness.

play02:38

You can choose from not spicy at all

play02:42

to really spicy.

play02:46

Doesn’t this range of choices mean that

play02:50

while many Koreans love spicy food,

play02:55

many don't

play02:57

or can't handle spiciness?

play03:01

The second one: Koreans love luxury goods.

play03:06

To be honest, I've only recently learned about this reputation or image associated with Korea.

play03:13

It genuinely surprised me.

play03:15

However, when you look at the statistics,

play03:18

it's said that Korea has the highest per capita consumption of luxury goods worldwide.

play03:25

That was truly surprising.

play03:27

Reflecting on why I was surprised,

play03:31

I think it's because I haven't seen many people around me who are into luxury brands.

play03:37

I haven’t experienced it.

play03:40

I haven't personally felt that many people around me are obsessed with luxury goods.

play03:45

Of course, there's nothing wrong with buying and wearing luxury items.

play03:48

It's quite admirable to be able to treat oneself

play03:51

with something nice using hard-earned money.

play03:57

But when I think about my circle, I do have friends who appreciate luxury goods.

play04:03

But they seem to be in the minority.

play04:05

So, in my perception, it doesn't seem like all Koreans,

play04:09

especially all young Koreans, are interested in

play04:13

or enjoy shopping for luxury goods.

play04:20

Besides, luxury goods are a part of shopping.

play04:24

They’re a facet of fashion.

play04:26

It seems that those who have an interest in fashion,

play04:29

those who enjoy buying various items might appreciate luxury goods.

play04:35

Also, social media probably plays a role here.

play04:39

I feel like those who like social media

play04:44

and are interested in fashion

play04:48

tend to have more interest in luxury goods,

play04:51

and Individuals like me, who aren't particularly interested in fashion,

play04:55

don't feel a strong inclination toward luxury goods.

play04:59

For instance, I've never visited a luxury goods store, don't own any luxury items,

play05:04

and don't plan to buy any in the future.

play05:07

Hence, the notion that "all Koreans are crazy about luxury goods" doesn't seem accurate to me.

play05:14

Thirdly, Korean mainstream music equals K-pop.

play05:20

I was a bit surprised when talking to people from other countries

play05:25

because some seem to equate Korean mainstream music with just K-pop.

play05:33

Some think that Korean music is all about dance music

play05:36

or lively idol music.

play05:43

However, as many might already know,

play05:46

there are various genres within Korean mainstream music.

play05:50

Of course, there are ballads, there's hip-hop, and there's also a genre called trot.

play05:57

Do you all know about trot?

play06:00

It's a genre that's liked by older generations,

play06:04

and nowadays, it's gaining a lot of popularity.

play06:09

So, Korean mainstream music encompasses various genres, and K-pop is just one of them.

play06:16

Continuing on to the fourth point here:

play06:20

All Koreans listen to K-pop music,

play06:24

and all Koreans want to become K-pop idols.

play06:29

Some people might think this way.

play06:32

And indeed, among younger individuals like teenagers

play06:36

or even those who haven't entered elementary school yet,

play06:40

there are many who aspire to become K-pop idols.

play06:44

So, even just with my nieces and nephews, they're constantly dancing to IVE songs at home

play06:50

and talk about becoming idols in the future.

play06:53

It's true that there's an increasing number of people aspiring to become idols.

play06:59

However, it doesn't mean that all Koreans only listen to K-pop or want to become idols.

play07:05

Personally, I listen to various genres of music,

play07:08

including Korean music and K-pop,

play07:13

but I don't listen to it extensively.

play07:15

There are various genres within Korean music.

play07:18

For those of you who enjoy Korean music, how about trying out genres other than K-pop,

play07:22

such as ballads, hip-hop, or trot?

play07:28

The fifth point is about dog meat.

play07:32

It's widely known globally that Koreans eat dog meat.

play07:38

When discussing dog meat, the dish name often used is "bosintang.”

play07:44

So, I'll refer to it as bosintang as well.

play07:48

However, bosintang is not a very common food in Korea.

play07:55

It'd be more accurate to say it's uncommon.

play08:00

For instance, it's not a menu item in school cafeterias

play08:04

or even in company canteens.

play08:08

The dining areas within companies are called 구내 식당 (company canteens).

play08:12

The menus served in such places absolutely do not include it.

play08:15

Additionally, it's not very common for households to prepare and eat dog meat or bosintang.

play08:23

I personally have never eaten it at home.

play08:26

So, I did a bit of searching,

play08:28

on how many bosintang restaurants there are.

play08:31

Our company is located in Hongdae.

play08:34

If you've visited Korea, you might be familiar with Hongdae.

play08:40

It's an area with many restaurants, cafes, and bars.

play08:46

Even in Hongdae, it was quite challenging to find restaurants serving bosintang.

play08:52

They were hard to come by.

play08:54

You might think it's maybe because there are many young people in Hongdae.

play09:00

Indeed, among the younger generation, bosintang is not commonly eaten.

play09:04

Saying that they "hardly eat it" wouldn't be inaccurate.

play09:09

However, among older age groups,

play09:13

some do eat bosintang,

play09:16

but it's not as common

play09:18

as you all might think.

play09:23

Instead, in Korea, people consume

play09:26

more beef, pork, chicken,

play09:29

and fish like mackerel rather than dog meat.

play09:34

The sixth one is about Korean men wearing makeup.

play09:40

We actually filmed a video about this before.

play09:42

It was a video filmed by Seungwan,

play09:45

discussing the topic "Why do Korean men wear makeup?"

play09:50

The reason for making that video

play09:52

was because it's a question that's quite commonly searched on Google, appearing in autocomplete.

play10:00

“Why do Korean men wear makeup?” This question.

play10:04

However, do Korean men really wear makeup a lot?

play10:08

I've prepared some statistics.

play10:11

They asked men in their 20s to 40s,

play10:15

"How often do you wear makeup?"

play10:17

or "Do you usually wear makeup?"

play10:20

The results showed that 3.9% of people answered that they "wear makeup daily,"

play10:27

16% said they "occasionally wear makeup.”

play10:33

And 79% responded that they "never wear makeup."

play10:40

If it’s 79%, that's almost 80%.

play10:43

So, when you're in Korea,

play10:47

chances are high that many of the men you see around don't wear makeup.

play10:53

However, I do have friends who wear makeup.

play10:57

Among my male friends,

play11:02

we call them "남사친 (nam-sa-chin)" in Korean slang,

play11:08

Among my 남사친, some wear makeup.

play11:12

But honestly, seeing them with or without makeup doesn't make much of a difference to me.

play11:16

There's no question like, "Why did you put on makeup?"

play11:19

I just think, "Oh, they put on makeup" or "Oh, they didn't." It doesn't really affect my perception of them.

play11:25

So, it seems in Korea, people are becoming more accepting

play11:28

of men wearing makeup.

play11:32

However, still, 80% of men answered that they "don't wear makeup."

play11:39

The reason the perception that Korean men wear makeup a lot has emerged

play11:44

might be due to media influence.

play11:48

The K-dramas and K-pop idols you all see often wear makeup.

play11:53

And, in the case of idols, they wear especially thick makeup for performances.

play11:57

But when you come to Korea

play12:00

and interact with the majority of men you meet and potentially befriend,

play12:04

the chances are higher that most of them have never worn makeup.

play12:11

The seventh one – "aegyo"!

play12:14

Since you're learning Korean, you might have heard of the term "aegyo" at least once, right?

play12:20

Aegyo refers to deliberately behaving or speaking in a cute manner.

play12:25

So it’s words or actions that make you appear childlike or adorable.

play12:31

It seems that there's a perception that among Koreans, especially among women,

play12:34

there are many who possess a lot of aegyo.

play12:39

There's this image that if someone's Korean, they have aegyo.

play12:43

But from what I've observed around me, rather than being overly cute,

play12:50

there are actually far more women who just talk and behave normally.

play12:56

When I asked some of them directly,

play12:59

many said, "I don't have any aegyo,

play13:03

nor do I want to act cute."

play13:07

However, despite this, there's still a prevailing belief that

play13:11

"Korean women have a lot of aegyo," and I’ve pondered on why this perception exists.

play13:15

And I think this could also be something influenced by the media, especially K-pop idols.

play13:21

Idols often portray a cute

play13:24

and aegyo-filled image.

play13:28

Also, in variety shows, idols are often asked,

play13:32

“So-and-so, please show us some aegyo!”

play13:37

So, you might have seen many women in the media acting cute

play13:40

and behaving in a childlike manner.

play13:45

Of course, having aegyo isn't a bad thing, and there are indeed women who naturally have a lot of aegyo.

play13:50

Personally, I have a lot of aegyo style myself.

play13:54

There are also many people – women, of course,

play13:57

but even among men,

play13:59

and there are people who like girlfriends with a cute and aegyo style.

play14:04

However, what I want to emphasize is that

play14:06

among Korean women, there are many who don't prefer to display aegyo.

play14:12

Therefore, when you come to Korea

play14:14

and interact with various people,

play14:16

you might see more women who speak and behave in a regular manner

play14:19

rather than those who display aegyo frequently.

play14:24

The eighth one, the risk of war makes Korea unsafe.

play14:31

When you hear the word "Korea," what's the first country that comes to mind?

play14:37

Of course, there's North Korea and South Korea.

play14:40

So, it's quite natural that when you hear the word "Korea,"

play14:44

you might think of North Korea.

play14:48

Also, currently, South Korea is in a state of armistice,

play14:53

not a formal peace treaty – a ceasefire, so to speak.

play14:59

Some might worry, "Isn't it dangerous?" due to the ongoing situation.

play15:05

However, in their daily lives,

play15:10

Koreans don't seem to feel a significant sense of anxiety about the war.

play15:15

For instance, when planning for the future or considering career paths,

play15:21

they don't typically make plans specifically for the risks associated with the war.

play15:27

Certainly, because it's still an armistice,

play15:30

many soldiers put in great efforts to protect South Korea.

play15:36

And the citizens are always very grateful for their dedication.

play15:41

What I want to convey is that

play15:44

Koreans don't live every day feeling anxious about the war.

play15:49

In reality, Korea is a country that is very safe in terms of public safety.

play15:55

So, concerning that aspect, you probably don't need to worry too much.

play16:00

The ninth misconception, Koreans are not good at English.

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There might be many of you who use English regularly.

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What was it like when you spoke English to Koreans while visiting Korea?

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Were there many who responded well in English,

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or were there fewer than expected?

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If you've had such experiences, please let us know in the comments.

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However, it’s possible you haven't encountered many Koreans

play16:31

responding in English.

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So you might have thought,

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'Koreans aren't good at English.'

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Yet, in reality, many Koreans have experienced studying English.

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Especially younger individuals have, for the most part,

play16:52

studied English to a certain level.

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Because it's emphasized significantly in the Korean education system.

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Hence, many people have decent vocabulary and grammar skills.

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However, a regrettable aspect is that in school,

play17:11

we didn't focus much on listening and speaking English.

play17:15

So, if a foreigner suddenly speaks English on the street,

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many Koreans might feel quite flustered.

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Learning English felt more like preparing for a test,

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and being unexpectedly addressed in English can create a similar feeling.

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Therefore, many might feel disconcerted

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or have difficulty understanding

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or may struggle to speak English fluently.

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Understanding that many Koreans might not be accustomed to listening and speaking English fluently,

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it would be helpful to keep in mind that they might want to be kind and courteous

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but face challenges expressing that in English.

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Tenth misconception, Koreans eat Korean food every day.

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Given that Korean cuisine is widely famous worldwide,

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it might be assumed that Koreans consume Korean food predominantly in their daily lives.

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Yes, we do eat a lot of Korean food.

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We eat it a lot.

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Korean restaurants are quite easy to find.

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Personally, Korean food is my favorite among all cuisines.

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However, the assumption “Do Koreans eat Korean food exclusively in their daily lives?” might not be entirely accurate.

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Particularly among the younger generation, there's a preference for foreign or exotic cuisines.

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In places frequented by young people like Hongdae or Gangnam,

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while you'll find many restaurants serving Korean food,

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you'll also find an equally large number offering various international cuisines.

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People often visit these international food restaurants as well.

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Reflecting on the meals consumed in a typical week,

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it might not exclusively consist of Korean food.

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Therefore, I wanted to clarify that while Koreans do appreciate Korean cuisine,

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they don't necessarily eat it exclusively every single day.

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So I’ve talked about 10 aspects that might have caused

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some misunderstandings about Korea for you all.

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Did you find it interesting?

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There might have been parts you were already familiar with

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and some that were new to you.

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I'd appreciate it if you could let me know which points you found particularly interesting in the comments.

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See you in the next episode. Bye!

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