[Discussion] Location in Fics

[ephemeral_blue]

Hello folks,

I am posing this question in my community rather than my personal journal because I would like to get as many opinions as possible.

My question is this: Does it matter/bother you if the boys are in a location other than Korea in fic? And for that matter does inserting American culture/names into a Korean atmosphere change how you

Comments

[vizinga]

No. It's fiction, so... I actually like if there is no Korean influence. For me Korean culture is too complicated, sometime it's hard to really understand things. Like: I'm older, you should respect me thing.

[ephemeral_blue]

And you know, I get that it's fiction and some people take it far more seriously than others do.

I try to make mine as realistic as possible but in the end, I still kind of find it strange when people put them outside of Korea. Mostly, I think because when I read fic (and it's very rare that I do) I need to imagine it happening and although the guys have been in the US, I still imagine them in Korea, doing stuff in Korea and not born and bread in NYC.

Personality wise, I really like to use a more american ideal of friendship, where they're buddies and they aren't too preoccupied with whole "Older vs younger" dynamic because although there is that really steadfast respect thing, the guys portray it to be less serious and more easy going when they're in front of the camera.

Also, how do you feel when people add Korean words in their fic?

[vizinga]

I agree with you, that's why I like your fics. For me it's the best if they are still Koreans with really strong western influence. I like when I can feel that they are authentic. I mean, if they are in US, there should be a large amount of american stuff in the fic, for example, if it's a high school fic, there should be an american school system, but if they are in Korea, this shouldn't be the case.

But the most important thing for me is that fic is well written, that I fee like it could happen in RL. I don't like cliches. Sometimes the fic is very promising and then JJ cooks for the band EVERY morning or is a whining crybaby. Please, the guy came alone to Seul at a very young age in order to follow his dream! He sure as hell is independent and confident.

I don't mind Korean words as long there is not too much of them and as long as they belong in the text.

[tarwen_xoxo]

I don't care if it takes place in Korea or America; the only thing that kinda irritates me is if the distance in the locations don't make sense--like how one fic wrote how it took a 4-hour drive from Washington (not DC) to New York.

LOLs, don't care what food JJ cooks either, as long as it's meal-appointed appropriate--no freaking steak dinner for breakfast please!-- xDD

I read almost any genre of AU, but depending sometimes on the pairing.

[ephemeral_blue]

lol 4 hours from Washington State to NYC omg I WISH!

Maybe I just have fic issues lol and this is why I don't read them very often. Not in any way saying mine are perfect works but yeah lol I've got a lot of pet peeves I suppose :/

[tarwen_xoxo]

Everyone has their preferences^^
Don't worry, I have lots of pet peeves too but I try not to...

It can appeal more to readers if the location is different--like they can related to more, for example.

[changmin_amour]

Do you care that Jaejoong cooks eggs, bacon, french toast and drinks it down with tomato juice every single morning with his Aunt Ethel in his country house outside of Kansas city?

^ YES. hate it -_-
i don't have a problem if he moved from korea to kansas though.. and cooks that with his aunt ethel, whose actual name is eun-hee or something, haha.

for me, they're always from korea.. and then it's fine if they move other places. i mean, changmin shim who just moved from korea, in my english lit. class at oxford - who could say no?? :))

[ephemeral_blue]

I am so of this opinion and it's not that the other kind of fic is bad, but when Yunho is in america with the name of Yunho and his friends are Matt, Dean, David and Johnny and his sister is Kelly and his Aunt is Cindy... that's weird. Dude, it's so weird LOL This of course is a severe exaggeration but you know, it does kinda bugs me, but not kinda... it really really bugs me.

And then it makes me feel like a fic snob :/

[ligerliger]

I.... generally don't really mind it lol I typically just imagine them in some setting; I don't really think about the country :o Though, it does sound a bit weird when like you have this handful of Korean names and then everybody else is all American or something o.o
Then again, basically every kpop fic I've read just uses other idols when they need extra characters... :o
Also, that part about Aunt Ethel and Jaejoong living outside of Kansas city does sound a bit weird when you think about it LOL but I really don't mind?? I usually don't mind what the setting is like; I just like it when writers describe it really well. ^^

[chloe1910]

Since it's fiction, especially if the story is written in AU, I don't mind. But if it's not AU, then I'm more comfortable to read them in Korea or that they came or are coming from Korea. Cause yeah, it's kinda weird to read Jaejoong with a caucasian Aunt/ Uncle / grandparents when the story is not set in AU.