::Prince on a White Horse from the Land of the Morning Freshness. Part 2::
Finally back from Stockholm and mostly done with Urgent Tasks, so without further ado, let’s continue!
- all Koreans are mama’s-boys (no, really!)
In most cases K-dramas and not a very good example of “reality”, but this might actually be the only exception to the rule. Korean boys ARE really close to their mothers: they call them if not daily, then often (!), sometimes sit on their laps, etc. And of course, they listen to their mothers because mother knows best, right?
So, what should a girl do in this unfortunately not very fictional scenario? Try to love your mother-in-law. Either literally or at least pretend (“fake it till you make it!”). Remember that the only right answer to the question “what is your favourite food?” is “of course, mother-in-law’s kimchi-chige”. You can also show your love by uploading a 2-shot pics of you and your mother-in-law on Twitter (because really, 21st century). You can even kiss her on the cheek (won’t be the first one...)
In addition, you have to understand that you might always be woman#2 in your BF’s life (#1 spot has been taken long time ago...).
- “when was your first love?”: the whole concept as seen through the eyes of Japanese and Koreans
We all heard this questions many-many times. Especially, if you were in Asia and talked to the locals. I’m pretty sure this question is somewhere in TOP-10 if not TOP-5 among “how old are you?”, “where are you from?” and “are you married?”.
So, what Europeans think when they are asked this question? The guy you first liked in kindergarten or elementary/middle/high school: teacher, classmate, your senior/junior. This is actually the same as in Japan. Most people had their first love by 12 or 14.
However, this is seriously not the case with Koreans. Many people in their 20s-30s would easily answer “haven’t happened yet”. Why? Because for them, “first love” is the first real relationship when you have a person you LOVE, can’t stop thinking about, can’t live without, etc.etc.etc. Most of those end in angst (hence, K-pop songs) and are remembered with fondness for the rest of your life.
- plastic surgery (oh man...)
Korea is not the leading country with respect to the plastic surgery. However, it is #2 (fun fact: #1 is actually... Hungary with ration 2,326%).
The ratio between people with plastic surgeries and total population of the country in Korea is 1,324%. Which means that every 100th person in Korea has done the surgery. In 2012 population of South Korea reached 50 mln people. 100th part of that is 500,000 people. Just for your information, this is the whole population of Jeju island.
However, the problem is not in number (although of course, it is the problem), but the attitude towards it. Survey conducted among students shows that 98% have seriously thought about getting one. Mostly girls do the surgery right after their take entrance exams to university. There are even clinics that will give you a discount if you bring your exam score.
What about men, you ask. According to yet another survey conducted in 2011 at Marriage Information company web-site, 71% of men don’t care whether girl had surgery or not. It is pretty common to hear that it’s better to have a surgery and be pretty than to not have it and be ugly. Many people even equate plastic surgery with “polishing beauty”.
- skinship among boys
Hello, fanservice! Of course, there is quite a lot of it in K-pop and K-dramas (well, sometimes), that what happens in real-life? Despite what you might think, it is actually pretty common. You can easily see 2 guys on the street walking side by side with one of them having his hand on other’s shoulder. Or 2 guys hugging very tightly after not seeing each other for a long time. Or even sleeping together on one (!) futon.
Be prepared and don’t panic if you see something like that. Although, who knows xDDD
- army
There is a joke in Korea about the things girls hate to hear about. It goes like this:
3) soccer
2) army
1) playing soccer in the army
The most popular time for a boy to leave for the army is 2nd year university. The average service time is approximately 2 years.
In short, don’t joke about the army. Not cool, girls, not cool.
- how to determine guy’s characteristics based on his place of birth
1) Pusan
Man inside a man (man squared? xD): goes straight ahead; actions are very clear. As a bonus (I don’t know why...): strong accent.
This is the most popular type among Seoul-girls.
ex. C.N.Blue singer Jung Yong-hwa, 2PM Taecyeon.
2) Gyeonggi province (incl.Seoul)
Urban nice guys that know about “ladies first” rule and even apply it. Cons? Calculating.
3) North-western province Gangwon (capital city - Chuncheon)
Character-wise and close to people from Tohoku area (Japan): don’t like to show their feelings; just do what they think should be done.
One of the examples: Heechul from Super Junior
4) city Chuncheon
Very calm guys that easily get irritated with impatient girls (beware!).
Who to google: Yesung from Super Junior and Jaejoong from JYJ.
5) South Jeolla province
This is the Mecca! Guys born to be stars with a capital S. Communication is in their blood. Good physique helps as well ;-)
Example: V.I. from BigBang, Yunho from DBSK
6) Jeju island
Character-wise similar to men in South countries. Softer.
There are a lot of guys like that in the entertainment industry, but there is at least 1 example! Heechul from ZE:A
- behold to sogetting!
Try to guess the meaning based on the actual word. “so” and “getting”. Does that ring any bells? I know it did for me when I first heard that word, but that’s mostly because I know both Japanese and English :/ Anyway, if you thought that it was some kind of dating and getting-together, you are on the road to success, my friend! Indeed, sogetting is the term which is used for set-up-dates done by your friends. How does it work: your friend gives your number to the guy she/he knows and you his/her number. Then both of you exchange texts (say “hi”, KakaoTalk!) in order to decide when and where to meet. In general, it goes like this: you meet and go to the restaurant (the guy is going to pay for it, don’t worry), then to a cafe or bar (in general, girl pays for this, but there are options). Later on if guy asks you to go somewhere else (so called “after”), then congrats! He likes you. If he doesn’t, well, there is always something on TV + chocolate/ice-cream/booze (you decide).
The other more modern version is using Sogetting Sites which are everywhere (no, seriously!). What do you have to do? Just fill in the profile, attach your picture and voila! There is a pretty solid chance that you won’t get a date unless you attach the photo. So, beware! In addition, remember that as soon as you exchange phone numbers with a guy, he will go and check you picture in KakaoTalk (ah, the horrors of the SNS!). Well, you know, maybe you attached someone else’s photo and reality is cruel, blah-blah-blah.
And now (drums!) statistics time! 76% of Koreans use KakaoTalk to check photo of the person they are about to meet. In addition, 22% of men have attested to canceling “sogetting” if they didn’t like the photo in KakaoTalk (shocking? maybe). Which bring us to the next point: KakaoTalk photos.
So, what do people upload into KakaoTalk as photos? As you might have already guessed, self-shots or “seruka” as they are called in Korea (short from “self-camera”). There are even sites devoted to how to get the perfect seruka (I have found about 10 rules, but there are maybe more) ← serious business! better master this skill.
- what girl should and should not do
Do:
1) regardless of how you dress in regular life, for a date you have to be girly and pretty (save casual clothes for later)
2) prepare him homemade food
3) don’t complain even if food is bad when you’re on a date (you are on a date! With your BF! You have to be happy already! Don’t forget!)
Don’t
1) take army lightly
(remember! army is serious business, yo!)
To be continued.
Also, just for your info, this is how typical day of a Korean BF goes:
- wake up, take a shower
- eat mum’s food for breakfast (don’t forget that it’s the most delicious and awesome food on the planet!)
- send GF a message in KakaoTalk like “awake?”
- talk to GF on the phone while going to uni
- while on the lecture text GF message like “do your best!”
- eat lunch with GF and her friends (maybe, only girls...)
- go to the library together with GF, send a gazilion of texts (also, remember, you have the same phone as your BF. If you don’t, go invest in one. Shoo!)
- go to cafe with GF
- see off GF (leave her at subway gates, for example)
- go drinking with your buddies to a yakiniku place
- call GF on the way home
- finish talking to GF when you already reached your bedroom
- send GF a message like “let’s meet in our dreams~”
- go to sleep
- all Koreans are mama’s-boys (no, really!)
In most cases K-dramas and not a very good example of “reality”, but this might actually be the only exception to the rule. Korean boys ARE really close to their mothers: they call them if not daily, then often (!), sometimes sit on their laps, etc. And of course, they listen to their mothers because mother knows best, right?
So, what should a girl do in this unfortunately not very fictional scenario? Try to love your mother-in-law. Either literally or at least pretend (“fake it till you make it!”). Remember that the only right answer to the question “what is your favourite food?” is “of course, mother-in-law’s kimchi-chige”. You can also show your love by uploading a 2-shot pics of you and your mother-in-law on Twitter (because really, 21st century). You can even kiss her on the cheek (won’t be the first one...)
In addition, you have to understand that you might always be woman#2 in your BF’s life (#1 spot has been taken long time ago...).
- “when was your first love?”: the whole concept as seen through the eyes of Japanese and Koreans
We all heard this questions many-many times. Especially, if you were in Asia and talked to the locals. I’m pretty sure this question is somewhere in TOP-10 if not TOP-5 among “how old are you?”, “where are you from?” and “are you married?”.
So, what Europeans think when they are asked this question? The guy you first liked in kindergarten or elementary/middle/high school: teacher, classmate, your senior/junior. This is actually the same as in Japan. Most people had their first love by 12 or 14.
However, this is seriously not the case with Koreans. Many people in their 20s-30s would easily answer “haven’t happened yet”. Why? Because for them, “first love” is the first real relationship when you have a person you LOVE, can’t stop thinking about, can’t live without, etc.etc.etc. Most of those end in angst (hence, K-pop songs) and are remembered with fondness for the rest of your life.
- plastic surgery (oh man...)
Korea is not the leading country with respect to the plastic surgery. However, it is #2 (fun fact: #1 is actually... Hungary with ration 2,326%).
The ratio between people with plastic surgeries and total population of the country in Korea is 1,324%. Which means that every 100th person in Korea has done the surgery. In 2012 population of South Korea reached 50 mln people. 100th part of that is 500,000 people. Just for your information, this is the whole population of Jeju island.
However, the problem is not in number (although of course, it is the problem), but the attitude towards it. Survey conducted among students shows that 98% have seriously thought about getting one. Mostly girls do the surgery right after their take entrance exams to university. There are even clinics that will give you a discount if you bring your exam score.
What about men, you ask. According to yet another survey conducted in 2011 at Marriage Information company web-site, 71% of men don’t care whether girl had surgery or not. It is pretty common to hear that it’s better to have a surgery and be pretty than to not have it and be ugly. Many people even equate plastic surgery with “polishing beauty”.
- skinship among boys
Hello, fanservice! Of course, there is quite a lot of it in K-pop and K-dramas (well, sometimes), that what happens in real-life? Despite what you might think, it is actually pretty common. You can easily see 2 guys on the street walking side by side with one of them having his hand on other’s shoulder. Or 2 guys hugging very tightly after not seeing each other for a long time. Or even sleeping together on one (!) futon.
Be prepared and don’t panic if you see something like that. Although, who knows xDDD
- army
There is a joke in Korea about the things girls hate to hear about. It goes like this:
3) soccer
2) army
1) playing soccer in the army
The most popular time for a boy to leave for the army is 2nd year university. The average service time is approximately 2 years.
In short, don’t joke about the army. Not cool, girls, not cool.
- how to determine guy’s characteristics based on his place of birth
1) Pusan
Man inside a man (man squared? xD): goes straight ahead; actions are very clear. As a bonus (I don’t know why...): strong accent.
This is the most popular type among Seoul-girls.
ex. C.N.Blue singer Jung Yong-hwa, 2PM Taecyeon.
2) Gyeonggi province (incl.Seoul)
Urban nice guys that know about “ladies first” rule and even apply it. Cons? Calculating.
3) North-western province Gangwon (capital city - Chuncheon)
Character-wise and close to people from Tohoku area (Japan): don’t like to show their feelings; just do what they think should be done.
One of the examples: Heechul from Super Junior
4) city Chuncheon
Very calm guys that easily get irritated with impatient girls (beware!).
Who to google: Yesung from Super Junior and Jaejoong from JYJ.
5) South Jeolla province
This is the Mecca! Guys born to be stars with a capital S. Communication is in their blood. Good physique helps as well ;-)
Example: V.I. from BigBang, Yunho from DBSK
6) Jeju island
Character-wise similar to men in South countries. Softer.
There are a lot of guys like that in the entertainment industry, but there is at least 1 example! Heechul from ZE:A
- behold to sogetting!
Try to guess the meaning based on the actual word. “so” and “getting”. Does that ring any bells? I know it did for me when I first heard that word, but that’s mostly because I know both Japanese and English :/ Anyway, if you thought that it was some kind of dating and getting-together, you are on the road to success, my friend! Indeed, sogetting is the term which is used for set-up-dates done by your friends. How does it work: your friend gives your number to the guy she/he knows and you his/her number. Then both of you exchange texts (say “hi”, KakaoTalk!) in order to decide when and where to meet. In general, it goes like this: you meet and go to the restaurant (the guy is going to pay for it, don’t worry), then to a cafe or bar (in general, girl pays for this, but there are options). Later on if guy asks you to go somewhere else (so called “after”), then congrats! He likes you. If he doesn’t, well, there is always something on TV + chocolate/ice-cream/booze (you decide).
The other more modern version is using Sogetting Sites which are everywhere (no, seriously!). What do you have to do? Just fill in the profile, attach your picture and voila! There is a pretty solid chance that you won’t get a date unless you attach the photo. So, beware! In addition, remember that as soon as you exchange phone numbers with a guy, he will go and check you picture in KakaoTalk (ah, the horrors of the SNS!). Well, you know, maybe you attached someone else’s photo and reality is cruel, blah-blah-blah.
And now (drums!) statistics time! 76% of Koreans use KakaoTalk to check photo of the person they are about to meet. In addition, 22% of men have attested to canceling “sogetting” if they didn’t like the photo in KakaoTalk (shocking? maybe). Which bring us to the next point: KakaoTalk photos.
So, what do people upload into KakaoTalk as photos? As you might have already guessed, self-shots or “seruka” as they are called in Korea (short from “self-camera”). There are even sites devoted to how to get the perfect seruka (I have found about 10 rules, but there are maybe more) ← serious business! better master this skill.
- what girl should and should not do
Do:
1) regardless of how you dress in regular life, for a date you have to be girly and pretty (save casual clothes for later)
2) prepare him homemade food
3) don’t complain even if food is bad when you’re on a date (you are on a date! With your BF! You have to be happy already! Don’t forget!)
Don’t
1) take army lightly
(remember! army is serious business, yo!)
To be continued.
Also, just for your info, this is how typical day of a Korean BF goes:
- wake up, take a shower
- eat mum’s food for breakfast (don’t forget that it’s the most delicious and awesome food on the planet!)
- send GF a message in KakaoTalk like “awake?”
- talk to GF on the phone while going to uni
- while on the lecture text GF message like “do your best!”
- eat lunch with GF and her friends (maybe, only girls...)
- go to the library together with GF, send a gazilion of texts (also, remember, you have the same phone as your BF. If you don’t, go invest in one. Shoo!)
- go to cafe with GF
- see off GF (leave her at subway gates, for example)
- go drinking with your buddies to a yakiniku place
- call GF on the way home
- finish talking to GF when you already reached your bedroom
- send GF a message like “let’s meet in our dreams~”
- go to sleep