If you are living abroad do you feel ostracized in any way from the general population? I may not be Korean, but I feel like I am completely involved in Korean society!
I don't think so. Even Korean Americans find it hard to be fully accepted in Korea. But it depends on what your expectations are. Fully integrated and fully accepted are two separate issues.
I also think it comes down to expectations. When I came to Korea, I expected to work, eat, and socialize with whoever I could and travel. Beyond that, I didn't expect much. In this way, I feel as if I fully participate in Korean society to the level of my expectations and for what my visa allows me to do. I am accepted as a person here, which is all I can ask for. Thus, my inquiry was with the comment made in a previous video about how he, as a man from Europe, did not think he was allowed to participate fully in Korean society. I think our expectations were different. Thanks for the comment!
Francois you have raised so many interesting issues here. Great content! 1) Do you need to be a native? White and non-white Canadians love to ask me about my ethnicity to a nosy extent. White people are called "Canadian", but at the end of the day they are also immigrants. The only people who aren't immigrants in my country are Indigenous peoples (or at least they are the first peoples). 2) Looking different is not necessarily a disadvantage. Milk it! I remember seeing online that a gyopo (member of the Korean diaspora) actually had a hard time finding a job teaching english in Korea. That schools would choose a white or black American over her because they seemed more "American". When I have travelled solo looking different has always led to people coming up to me helping me (that they would not do to locals). The gentleman on the Han river would not have approached you if you looked Korean. I say enjoy the advantages of standing out.
I do enjoy the advantages of standing out as well, which is why I stay in Asia hahah. I'm actually making a video about the topic later Point number one was spot on. This is why I always say European-Americans if I am comparing 'Real' Americans to others. I wish we didn't have the prefixes... Your comments are always so well thought out! I really appreciate the value you add to the content!!:)
I agree with your ending comments. As an international person you can fully participate in Korean society, but you will not be considered Korean. Which is different to most western countries which have had a history of immigration. In time, once Korean society gets comfortable with immigrants, they too will start to accept “others” as Korean. With its declining and aging population this is going to be inevitable. Therefore keep up the good work of promoting diversity in Korean society.
My sentiments exactly. As time goes own, Koreans will, and have in small degrees, begin to consider "foreigners" as Koreans. As the older generation phases out and the population declines, maybe Korea will have no choice but to change their minds on this matter. Thanks for this constructive comment, my friend!
United States of America (also Japan, United Kingdom, etc.) is blessed GEOPOLITICALLY being surrounded by sea and isolated from neighboring hostile countries. Whereas Korea (also Vietnam, Finland, Baltic States, Poland, etc.) has been constantly invaded and threatened by its neighboring superpowers such as China, Japan, Russia for several thousands of years throughout its history. Korea has incessantly been invaded by foreign enermies outside. The Korean ppalli ppalli culture clearly shows the alerntness of the Korean people, with which our forefathers successfully kept its territory, identity, and sovereignty. If ready to sacrifice yourself for the sovereignty and prosperity of Korea, then you will be acknowledged and accepted as a proud Korean citizen.
Bro, you accepted Korea with all its flaws. You are Korean to me. I went back and read that person's comment. Being an immigrant is hard in any country. Maybe he found it hard because he didn't want to assimilate.
Yooo, thanks for this comment:) I'm doing my best to survive wherever I go, bro haha. I'll have to wait for his reply to see what the deeper story is, but I think we started a great conversation to make us think:)
I think it's up to my mind. If I feel not accepted, I won't be fully accepted anywhere intheworld. If I feel and act like accepted, I am fitting in the society. I will be accepted. I believe so.
I was thinking this same thing today! If I feel accepted, then I can be accepted. If I don't feel accepted, then I won't. This is logical thinking and I respect this opinion!! Thank you for adding a positive message to this content:)
There seems to be some difference between participation and acceptance... In Korea it sounds like participating in the culture is fairly easy but being accepted into the culture seems like a more novel adjustment (because it's both a new feature to the society and a relatively rare one) but since Koreans are more generally polite that it's possible to be accepted if you're fully participating. Whereas, in America immigrants also can fully participate but it depends on where they immigrated from as to how quickly they get accepted (sadly). Yet, in places like in England, immigrants are accepted faster than they participate in English culture--which is a massive problem in and of itself. The ideal ratio should be something like, the more you participate the more you are accepted... on a 1:1 scale.
Woah, there is so much to unpack and discuss here. It seems like there is a fine line between being accepted by Koreans and participating in their society. I know I didn't do this topic justice, but hours are needed to discuss in detail. I like your 1:1 ratio. This reply has given me food for thought and perhaps a research assignment...Thanks a lot hahaha:)
In the past, there was discrimination, not discrimination, because there were no foreigners, but now there are more foreigners and Korea seems to be becoming a multiracial country.
I can definitely understand that. Maybe Korea has opened up to quickly for everyone to become fully acquainted with globalization and immigration from many countries. This was a wonderfully constructive comment. Thank you so much.
