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

Summary

In 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.