Is this real?

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DonnaHarvey

@DonnaHarvey

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 12 years ago

I know, I know. You are answer is: are American shows real? Are the Indian ones? Then why would it be any different in Korea. BUT and it is a big butt...

I still wonder how much of it is real.

Are the Chaebols in Korea? Yes. Are they as bad as they look? Probably not. So how bad are they? What about the casual references to classicism?

What about the coffee shop culture?

The drinking culture?

The work culture. Specifically, the work bullying culture.

What about (the lack of) HR?

What about the rich getting whatever the hell they want?

I know I will be shell shocked if I ever get a chance to see the actual country. It is probably nothing like the drama verse. But I still wonder. Some of it has got to be real. Atleast the street food is and from what I hear, so is the awesome indie clothing, locally owned stationery (not kidding, my friend has an icecream cone pencil. I am perpetually in awe).

So, what do you all think?

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kshows_fangirl

@kshows_fangirl

Voyager

+ 2

Posted: 12 years ago

Originally posted by: DonnaHarvey
I know, I know. You are answer is: are American shows real? Are the Indian ones? Then why would it be any different in Korea. BUT and it is a big butt...
I still wonder how much of it is real.

Are the Chaebols in Korea? Yes. Are they as bad as they look? Probably not. So how bad are they? What about the casual references to classicism?
What about the coffee shop culture?
The drinking culture?
The work culture. Specifically, the work bullying culture.
What about (the lack of) HR?
What about the rich getting whatever the hell they want?

I know I will be shell shocked if I ever get a chance to see the actual country. It is probably nothing like the drama verse. But I still wonder. Some of it has got to be real. Atleast the street food is and from what I hear, so is the awesome indie clothing, locally owned stationery (not kidding, my friend has an icecream cone pencil. I am perpetually in awe).

So, what do you all think?

Hmm...Well most definitely drama that give hints of suicide and bullying is definitely real!!

I am lucky that my best friend is Korean!!😆..She tells me suicide is the most dominant problem in Korea..And, yes the drinking culture is quite huge, she says...Really, she never drinks much here in the States..But, she was telling me that when she visits Korea during vacations, she drinks a lot there at night w/ her friends and family! I was quite shocked, b/c she has always seemed you know the ones that don't like drinking as much..But, she said to me it is just the culture there as a way of enjoyment..So, she does drink a lot when she is in Korea..

Personally, I feel there is some truth w/ the rich and chaebol..I mean there has got be some truth, b/c I see that almost in every K drama, but I don't know if it is that much worse!

P.S. I will be visiting Korea soon w/ her after we both graduate in a year! So, excited!!!!!!😃

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Kay

@sweetsorrow18

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 12 years ago

I can't personally say cause I've never been but I think some of it does exist, probably not to the extent shown on dramas because, of course, everything is stylized and idealized in dramas.

I know physical attributes are EXTREMELY important - Korea is one of the top countries with the most amount of people that undergo plastic surgery. Being a tall lean man or a tall lean woman is a huge plus. One of my good friends is Korean and knows some people in the industry (lol if you're curious, she kinda-sorta dated Nickhun lol longg storyy) but she told me that korean mothers are extremely judgemental, especially with looks and if you're rich, for you're sixteenth birthday, you will get plastic surgery. Even having lean legs is fashionable, that's why korean women will not go anywhere without heels.

Drinking culture is huge - so is smoking (yes, most idols and models are chain smokers). It's actually frowned upon if you refuse an invitation to go drinking after work with co-workers/boss cause the culture is so common there. Smoking - and I'm not just talking about cigarettes - are rebellious and common with the youth, especially since a lot of them have so much pressure from families and society to be perfect - physically and intellectually, so I'm not surprised suicide is so rampant. Throw in the fact that Korea actually doesn't have a good system in place for mental health issues - because even that's frowned up.

Chaebol and class system isn't as intense as they make it out to be in Heirs, I think. From years of watching and being apart of forums, I read about it and it seems that it does exist and a lot of the corporate owners do own a lot of the country but I think people who are "poor" aren't as bad off, not like Eun Sung atleast...poverty isn't HUGE but it's there.

Edited by sweetsorrow18 - 12 years ago

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AidanQ

@AidanQ

Inactive

Posted: 12 years ago

The drinking culture, as @sweetsorrow18 mentioned, is huge in S. Korea. I know this guy from Korea who helped clear many of my doubts.

Bullying is pretty rampant in schools and is one of the leading causes of suicide among students, apart from parental/societal pressure to do well in exams. An average high school student in Korea spends more time studying, compared to their western counterparts, giving them very little time to socialize. So I guess, the dating scenario depicted in many high school based K-dramas is quite exaggerated.
Don't know if this is any different for the chaebols though 😆

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NaijaLuv88

@NaijaLuv88

Dazzler

Posted: 12 years ago

Originally posted by: DonnaHarvey
I know, I know. You are answer is: are American shows real? Are the Indian ones? Then why would it be any different in Korea. BUT and it is a big butt...
I still wonder how much of it is real.

Are the Chaebols in Korea? Yes. Are they as bad as they look? Probably not. So how bad are they? What about the casual references to classicism?
What about the coffee shop culture?
The drinking culture?
The work culture. Specifically, the work bullying culture.
What about (the lack of) HR?
What about the rich getting whatever the hell they want?

I know I will be shell shocked if I ever get a chance to see the actual country. It is probably nothing like the drama verse. But I still wonder. Some of it has got to be real. Atleast the street food is and from what I hear, so is the awesome indie clothing, locally owned stationery (not kidding, my friend has an icecream cone pencil. I am perpetually in awe).

So, what do you all think?

hmmm...very interesting topic. i think with most korean dramas you have to take it with a grain of salt. some dramas really do hint at their social issues and sometimes they really drive home the issues, while others light-heartedly play with it. (Mind you this is all based on speculations, watching and reading other people experiences about living or growing up in Korea so im just going off from that and in no way an expert...at all...😊)

Are the Chaebols in Korea? Yes. Are they as bad as they look? Probably not. So how bad are they? What about the casual references to classicism?

They are about real as they get however, there are some exceptions as everyone is different. i dont think there are ppl are as mean as they appear in dramas but i do think they are classicism issue. i dont think the casual way that the poor girl marries the rich guy will pan out to well in reality. in any culture the poor girl and rich guy dynamic would be strictly oppose by the guy's family (but then again ppl are different and it cannot be said for every single case). however, i did hear somewhere there is a striking difference in being poor in Korea. not the way where they potray in dramas where the girl has a small place or house but has different fashionable clothing, top of the line cell phones, and etc...

What about the coffee shop culture?

The drinking culture?

ppl drink but idk...idk if it is a huge problem to drink. they way they show everyone getting drunk in most of these dramas makes me wonder if it is REALLY a big deal if not a normal thing

The work culture. Specifically, the work bullying culture.

lack of any HR or any coverage to secure your job, i think it might be possible that some of the bullying and blackmailing might exist...to some extent

What about (the lack of) HR?

i have seen this hinted at on so many dramas to the point i really believe that it exists. that employees are at the hands of the employers and it doesn't seem like an adequate system has been set up to help employees

What about the rich getting whatever the hell they want?

I think that when it comes to any place ot country it always seem as if the rich or whoever that holds the power will always try to manipulate it for their own benefit. i do believe they get what they want because the cases i have seen...just shocks me that no one gets in trouble. a CEO who nobody is sure either sexually assaulted or rape or trainee in his company, some guy who i think was a singer or an actor was caught having relations/relationship with a minor was serving a few months or so in jail...and etc. it seems rather in not getting what they want, it seems like they criminial justice system just doesn't apply to them. (But this happens anywhere where there is money there is power. esp. a system within a country that is finding its footing, it can go haywire pretty quickly)

plastic surgery is something that used to be an issue but seeing as it is fairly common over there and seeing the responses by some k netizens...i understand why some celebrities do it and have let it go. however, the one that always throw me into a loop is the suicides.it seems so fairly common and without as much of a hard stigma as i would like for it get. i remember this past summer the director or producer of the drama Lee Min Ho starred in last year committed suicide due to embezzlement. i dont remember which year, it think 2008-2010 there were famous actors and actresses that were committing suicide. i dont understand...it has to be silently be accepted or isn't as looked down if ppl are able to continuously do it without much reservations.

Edited by najialuv88 - 12 years ago

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kshows_fangirl

@kshows_fangirl

Voyager

+ 2

Posted: 12 years ago

I just remembered something else too...and sweetsorrow has perfectly described the drinking issue..That is 100% true!

Oh, I remember So Ji Sub (Master's Sun)..I believe he had a rich girlfriend b/4 or someone who earned a lot than he did..I am talking about the time when he didn't have that much work and wasn't as popular...I believe he got rejected by the girl's family b/c of that!!!!! They straight away said NO!!

So sad na, now the man is popular and earns enough for a living...So, yes I do believe that not only the poor girl/rich guy thing exists but also rich girl/poor guy exists too..

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NaijaLuv88

@NaijaLuv88

Dazzler

Posted: 12 years ago

Originally posted by: kshows_fangirl
I just remembered something else too...and sweetsorrow has perfectly described the drinking issue..That is 100% true!
Oh, I remember So Ji Sub (Master's Sun)..I believe he had a rich girlfriend b/4 or someone who earned a lot than he did..I am talking about the time when he didn't have that much work and wasn't as popular...I believe he got rejected by the girl's family b/c of that!!!!! They straight away said NO!!

So sad na, now the man is popular and earns enough for a living...So, yes I do believe that not only the poor girl/rich guy thing exists but also rich girl/poor guy exists too..

bet she is wishing she stuck around😆 but seriously there is differences how the rich treat one another. so even if he became rich depending on the girl family is one of those old time affluent families that acquired their wealth over generations, then it is still a no-go.

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NaijaLuv88

@NaijaLuv88

Dazzler

Posted: 12 years ago

Originally posted by: sweetsorrow18
I can't personally say cause I've never been but I think some of it does exist, probably not to the extent shown on dramas because, of course, everything is stylized and idealized in dramas.

I know physical attributes are EXTREMELY important - Korea is one of the top countries with the most amount of people that undergo plastic surgery. Being a tall lean man or a tall lean woman is a huge plus. One of my good friends is Korean and knows some people in the industry (lol if you're curious, she kinda-sorta dated Nickhun lol longg storyy) but she told me that korean mothers are extremely judgemental, especially with looks and if you're rich, for you're sixteenth birthday, you will get plastic surgery. Even having lean legs is fashionable, that's why korean women will not go anywhere without heels.

im so sorry but that part in bold CAUGHT my attention😆😆

but seriously, the reason as to why i let the plastic surgery issue go because every time i hear see another idol or actress it really just racked my nerves. it was almost like an everyday thing as if it isn't a big issue which it really isn't...well in s.korea it isn't.

but the one i found upsetting was when i read a blog about a woman he recently went to south korea to teach a school of elementary students. she was half Korean/Filipino and i think either Cuban or Brazilian. she wanted to connect with her home country and she wanted to make a difference and etc. she enjoyed teaching her students but she found it infuriating and heart wrenching when a group of students were picking on another student for her "dark complexion" 🤔🤔 and i the girl skin complexion is light and im like🤔...they were also pickiing on her complexion because she was kind of tanned and every time she went to a department store there was magically "no makeup" for her complexion. even clothes wise, she seems pretty average to me she was about a size 8 in US dressing size, but she couldn't find no clothes for herself in the stores or malls. even some of the clerks would yell at her in english to not try on the clothes they would say "very, very big".

but what really got me was when she told her students that they are all beautiful individuals inside...they looked at her with blank stares. it was like the concept of "inner beauty" holds no weight.

i cannot recall how many times i have heard of inner beauty while growing up of constantly hearing that outer beauty is nice but what holds true merit is what is inside, but these children have probably NEVER heard of this and didn't understand what she meant when she said that. it was obvious that most of them would not be the same as they grow older as most of them will undergo plastic surgery as she heard most high school students getting plastic surgery as a birthday present. i think she stated that 1 out of 5 women would have had plastic surgery.

Edited by najialuv88 - 12 years ago