America is supposed to be the best or most advanced country in the world, but there are many practical and simple things in which South Korea destroys the US. What do you all think?
I think it has something to do with the sheer difference of land sizes if one has to compare the two countries: America is simply too big to get tightly(conveniently) organized the way some Asian countries do. On top of that, most American cities and their suburbs are too spread out, which is a wonderful thing, but at the same time, the cause of inconvenience.
Koreans think America and Western Europe are literally paved in gold, and Korea not up to snuff in anything. lol. They have no idea. Anyway, your neighborhood looks super inviting. Where is your neighbor located?
Please stop bring in poor foreigners to Korea. Look at what's happening in America and Europe! No matter how good a country is, if you poor immigrants from unsafe, drugs, and crime, the country becomes a land of crime like the United States. Your blog is literally bringing poor people from all over the world, including Americans, to Korea. Korea is looking for smart brains or wealthy foreigners to contrtibute Korean economy growth, not these poor moochers come to Korea and depend on our society in walfare and healthcare system. Also, there are too many ESL tutors (including unqualified) in Korea that these English tutors will be replaced by AI by the Korean government in the near future.--- On behalf of all Korean
Pros and Cons. Life in South Korea as Tourist, Resident Alien, City Boy slicker style... It's good enough ~ perfect. Short term hiking course in close range without big freaking kodiak bear, Perfect. Grab my 3L camelbak backpack with bladder and 김밥 - Always good to go! Since 2010 ~ 2012, Lots of restaurant in South Korea simply degrade(Food Quality & Quantity) as lost-technology but sky rocket price. Not enough squid, squid egg sac totally ruined 짬뽕 (One of Korean Chinese food menu) and 해물찜(spicy red pepper sauce with steamed sea food) taste. 해물찜, late fall season is best for now with blue crab, sea shell, etc. No more 꿩고기 물냉면 육수(top tier quality pheasant based broth) but cheap soy sauce, condiment(미원, 소고기 맛 다시다) based broth. Cheap but good quality one still remain, 동치미 육수(winter season radish based broth) so aim for that. King's ransom price for bread but cheap low quality fat(margarine, palm oil, vegetable oil etc) so... We need to check fine quality bakery with reasonable price.
Amazing! Many people tend to overlook the comforts and quality of life they have because they always think the grass is always greener on the other side… Very nice insights, Francois 👍🏻
@@francoismarc3 had a friend who fell while skiing and developed an air pocket in his lung. Had to be hospitalized maybe 1 week in Korea with meals and he only paid about $85? While I stayed overnight in a hospital in L.A. just to be monitored after outpatient surgery and they charged me $4,000 out of pocket. With one meal of yogurt and oatmeal. Wth.
Clean streets, alone is so underrated if it is taken for granted! The cleanliness in general is shocking to see as somebody who lives in Los Angeles. Our parks not just have trash, needles, etc, but an array of feces (including human), so... I'm envious!
yes, i can totally see the apeal. It seems to be a very well organised country with immaculate infrostructure. I am very sure Koreans still have their big problems, we all do, but it feels like a very well functionally put together place.
There's only one thing I noticed though watching all the videos, there are a lot of old people around - far more than young people. This does not look good for the future.
So true Marc- First few days back in the States and already remember why I needed a break in the first place! The benefit of going overseas is that you see how organic and natural life's givens should be. I made a post like this on my channel/Tiktok- I wanna do a video on this, epecially having studied and taught abroad abroad short-term in Europe
I think your explanation on Korea and its culture is very detailed and informative. This will be a big help to foreigners who plan to visit or live in Korea. I feel like you would live in Korea for a long period of time. As a Korean I thank you and truly appreciate your appraisal and opinion. Best wishes!
The cool subway station map signage is cool, but there are some places where bus stops have something similar. You mentioned braille, but the yellow ridged tiles on the floor/sidewalk are also to help visually impaired people navigate. I loved living in Seoul back in 90~94 and I always enjoy visiting.
I think the amount of money you earn has a bearing on your thinking. I believe the medium salary in Korea is $2,600USD per month. I was not aware it was that low. The minimum wage is about $7USD. A 58,000KRW ticket to Busan on the KTX is probably unaffordable too many people. The price of fruit in Seoul is also out of the range of many - $10,000KRW for fresh blueberries!!!! Look at the number of people eating dinner at convenience stores, generally crappy food. 6% of Koreans under 25 are unemployed, so I totally understand why they would want to leave for another high wage country. They are all highly educated and to work for min. wage is soul destroying. I agree with everything you talk about, especially the lack of rubbish and the amazing public transport system but Korea is not the place to live if you have a low paying job.
I agree with this. If you have resources, your thinking could be clearer than people with few or no resources. The price of fruit there is definitely high hahaha
Born in Korea, raised in Canada and the States since kindergarten. Came back to Korea as an adult. Have traveled all over the world because of business. Verdict: Korea is the place to live, the rest of the world is to visit. Like you mentioned. young Koreans take so much this for granted these days. All the efficient activities or needs? like going to the doctor, bank, getting documents etc. It's so easy and fast and cheap. What I think Korea is the only country that goes to the doctor for a minor cold.
When I arrived in Korea to work, I was surprised at how often people went to the doctor for minor injuries...was just shocking. They would never happen in the US. Even the the French didn't go to the doctor so often hahaha. I knew this place was special lol
Sometimes the bus stops are too close to each other. If I can see the next bus stop, I think it is too close, and that happens a lot, but NY can be like that too.
Hey I watched a video saying Mongolia's capital was the most air polluted in the world...Was that the case in your experience? I was thinking of traveling there
UB is full of dust, especially in the winter time...if you go there, only stay in the city for a day or two and for goodness sakes, don't get stuck in traffic during rush hour. It's like smoking multiple packs of cigarettes at once...
The Streets is watching. I dont know about the street conditions, I think it depends on where you are. Even in Seoul. You would have to compare all major cities to Seoul. But Outside of Seoul you can find a lot of potholes, even in Seoul. But I do agree that they have better infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians in general.
Wow, I haven't seen any potholes Seoul at all. The last time I saw one, years ago, the working crews actually made the holes so they could work. Even in the countryside, I could rarely see them! The biking lanes are legit here!
As a Korean American who was born and raised in Seoul, i recently came back to Seoul from LA after 15 years of living in the US. Both cities have their own cons and pros but i feel so much safer when walking on the street here in Seoul. Thanks for sharing great video!
Koreans are the kings and queens of convenience. So many things are done for the betterment of its citizens. I think there are several factors that have contributed to what you’ve shown on this video. One is Koreans have an internalized value of community which is in radical contrast to Western individualism. Second, Koreans are a very hospitable people and this influences the way they give side-dishes for free in restaurants and give all sorts of free services for customers and also they take ownership of keeping things clean. Thirdly, Koreans are required to be ridiculously diligent and hardworking in ways the western mind is not even accustomed to. Which is why there’s constant development and new towns emerging everywhere. This is only possible because of internalized Korean values and culture. You couldn’t just require it of other people and have the same results in other countries. I think Korea is blessed to be a blessing in many ways and they definitely should not take it for granted. I hope Korea as a people can stay humble as their global influence is increasing.
Today, evening!! Saturday!!! FC Seoul vs Gangwon FC match will be at Seoul worldcup stadium at 19:30. Go to Seoul worldcup stadium today evening. Don't miss it.
Bro, you're so right on all points mentioned. Life's just so convenient, comfortable and fun, Seoul especially. The only downside is their online stuff (banking, governmental sites and whatnot)
That Kimbap place isnt that good. I went to one and the Koreans were complaining about the quality, lol. Nothing like what you see in the pics. I went back myself and said "is this it?" lol my Dolsat Bibimbap had on a little lettuce as the vegetables. No meet and no egg. My Korean friend got pissed lol.
Koreans live the same way here in the US (not all, but most that I know). Obeying the law, keeping things clean, working hard, etc. And sometimes, they get harassed just for being Asian. I am Korean american and I have lived in the US for 20 years now. Before that, I lived in Korea for 13 years. Americans in general do not respect intelligence and hard work. They respect size and initimidation. On the otherhand, Koreans respect those who are accomplished. Here in the US, there is a culture of "I am better than you" by those who haven't done much with their lives and I experience that kind of disrespect daily from some people (not all). The culture in the US has its benefits, like freedom of speech, etc. but it often disrepects others' boundaries. This has been my experience, and it may be different for others who are much larger than me in size.
I am glad that you don't say "Ramen" as in Japanese., but "Ramyon" in Korean. Oh yeah... Canada's ubiquitous pot holes also sometimes feel like I am driving in a 3rd world country.
I'm sure if they go to the station and press the help button (or helped there by assistants the blind people usually have) the blind can be assisted to know where they are. There is probably a protocol they learned for taking the metro that we don't know about, since we aren't blind and haven't had to go through their experience. Just my opinion
The world we live in is a projection of our inner selves. Korea's external appearance is a reflection of the inner self of Koreans. Because the elderly have weak strength and cannot do strenuous exercise, the park has installed exercise equipment that is easy for the elderly to use. Koreans can't stand potholes in their roads. Also, small Korean restaurants were originally called bunsik, which means part meal in English. If you translate this into English, it would be a mini restaurant, which is a place where you can eat a simple meal instead of a main dish. This was originally started by housewives to make some extra money, not as a business. There were only 2~3 tables in a small space, and only 3~4 customers. These bunsik stores sold simple foods such as ramen, kimbap, tteokbokki, and odeng, and they became known overseas as they became commercialized. In the American environment, these mini restaurants are impossible. In the United States, restaurants have become a stereotype, and other types of restaurants are not allowed. Some of the snack shops in Korean cities are places that were remodeled from garages of houses and turned into stores, but if a housewife in an American residential area remodeled her garage into a mini restaurant and started a business, it would be considered illegal. In Korea, if the subway is late or unclean, citizens immediately run to the station office and complain to the staff. Public order in Korea is not achieved by strict laws. If you look at the laws of Korea, they are definitely not as strict as those of the United States or other countries. The reason why public order is well maintained in Korea is because of the consciousness and culture of Koreans. In 20th century Korea, if civil servants, bank employees, waiters, or waitresses made a mistake or did not do their job, they would get slapped by customers. If you put an American waitress to work in a Korean restaurant right now and treat customers in the American way, you can see it right away. Especially, elderly Koreans in their 60s and 70s would immediately get angry and slap the waitress in the face. In the past, being slow, being insincere, being lazy, and making mistakes were not tolerated in Korea, and this consciousness created the public order of Korean society today. Even today, if a taxi driver takes the wrong route and arrives in the wrong direction, he or she would get slapped on the back of the head by the customer. If he or she behaved like this in the United States, there would be a gun fight, but Koreans think it is natural to get slapped in the face or on the back of the head for mistakes and errors, and apologize. If the United States wants to adopt Korea's high public order, it should introduce voluntary corporal punishment by citizens, not strict laws. If you go to a bank and the bank employee is rude to a customer, slap him in the face right away. Also, if a delivery person breaks an item during delivery, kick his shin. If a waitress is rude or asks for a high tip at a restaurant, grab her hair and shake her. If you see a teenager throwing trash on the street, kick his butt. Then, he will not dare to act rudely from now on. Korea created today's social order through these methods, and Korea has now matured enough that social corporal punishment is no longer necessary. This social punishment does not come from a certain class or age. Even children curse and point fingers at adults who throw cigarette butts on the street. This comes from Korean culture and the collective consciousness of Koreans.
@@user-xl6zb2sf7n 당신 나이대를 모르지만, 예전 한국사회를 안겪어봤으니 그런말하는거지. 내가 나이로 보나, 경력으로 보나 당신보다 훨씬 한국사회를 많이 겪어봤어요. 그리고, 시민의식 수준이 높아진것 맞지만 그 밑바탕에는 내가 말한 그런 사회적 체벌효과가 컷다는 겁니다. 나는 밑배경을 말한것이고, 님은 현재를 말한것이니 둘다 맞는말임. 비록 지금 사회는 의식이 많이 높아졌다하나 과거의 그런 행태를 너무 꼰대로만 여기지 말고, 그런의식은 사회기강차원에서 계승해 나가야 한다고 봅니다. 동사무소나 은행, 식당가면 직원에게 욕하거나 때리지말라고 써붙여놨잖아요? 그게 바로 내가 말한 사회적 체벌의 결과입니다. 아직도 써붙여 놓은거 보면 암암리에 특히 연세가 있으신분들은 그런게 많죠. 그런데, 할머니가 종업원 뺨따구좀 때렸다고 여간해선 신고하고 잘 그러지않음.
@@user-nz8lw8oo1e 체벌문화가 아니라 권위의식이 사회를 지배했던 적이 있었기 때문이고, 유교사회이자, 민족의식이 강하기 때문에 보이지 않는 질서가 존재한다고 보는 것이 맞죠. 지금은 서서히 젊은 세대들에 의해 약해져 가고 있지만, 지금 이 나라의 시민의식을 지탱하는 것은 유교문화입니다. 과거 체벌 문화는 학교와 군대, 체육계에서 직위를 이용해 학생들이나 하급자를 다스리기 위해 행해졌고, 김대중 정권이 들어서며 사라지기 시작했습니다. 님이 말하는 시대는 아마도 70년 대 이전을 말씀하시는 것 같은데, 당시엔 우리나라는 전쟁이 끝난 직후이며 독재로 인해 자유를 억압당하고 있던 시절입니다. 즉, 독재시대 안에서 인권은 유린당했고, 시민의식이란 존재하지 않았습니다. 그 체벌이라 함은 결국은 독재가 낳은 그 시절의 폐단이죠. 그 체벌문화를 이 나라의 정신의 바탕이 된 다는 님의 말씀은 타성에 젖은 꼰대라고 볼 수 밖에 없습니다. 독재를 겪고 독재를 타파하기 위해 수많은 청년들이 죽어 나갔지만, 포기하지 않고 민주주의를 쟁취하며 우리 나라의 시민의식은 더 성장했죠. 그 시절 독재에 대항해 투쟁한 어르신들과 독재를 그리워하는 어르신들의 차이가 님의 글에서 고대로 느껴지네요. 건강하세요~어르신!
This guy should visit Ukraine. He finds beauty in the most simplistic common things e.g look how close the burnt buildings are to the factories you don’t get that in Atlanta.
That’s common in most developed Asian cultures. Majority of Koreans want to live in the USA because they value freedom and the rule of law. In korea it is very common and possible for the rich to bribe their way out of any crime. Korea is run by the chaebols.
I heard that the US is ruled by the 2% rich, the banks, and the corporations. In many cities, they're not even arresting thieves who don't steal anything over $1000 (some rule of law you have there) with Fentynl usage out of this world. If those "majority of Koreans" (as you say) really think that way, boy oh boy, are they deluded or what!
It's a trade off. they have awesome public transportation, because they are over crowded and it costs an arm and a leg to own a car. They also have flexible housing as of course, they have shit load of people to accommodate but it is as small as an American jail cell sometimes. They have a civil society, but they are just 15 miles away from a potential war. America is savage, America is violent, but you can also work your way up to a better place eventually. We are also a Pacific and Atlantic oceans away from a potential enemy of war. If I didn't have a medically compromised child who needs America's best healthcare to take care of, I would have retired to the beaches of Thailand too.
I think the amount of money you earn has a bearing on your thinking. I believe the medium salary in Korea is $2,600USD per month. I was not aware it was that low. The minimum wage is about $7USD. A 58,000KRW ticket to Busan on the KTX is probably unaffordable too many people. The price of fruit in Seoul is also out of the range of many - $10,000KRW for fresh blueberries!!!! Look at the number of people eating dinner at convenience stores, generally crappy food. 6% of Koreans under 25 are unemployed, so I totally understand why they would want to leave for another high wage country. They are all highly educated and to work for min. wage is soul destroying. I agree with everything you talk about, especially the lack of rubbish and the amazing public transport system but Korea is not the place to live if you have a low paying job.
