I remember feeling ashamed when I first started learning korean back in 2017 'cause I came across the therm "koreaboo" and didn't fully understand what it meant, but also understood that it was a bad thing. Took me a while to figure out the difference between being a koreaboo and being in love with a culture And honestly to this day I feel a little uncomfortable near asian guys, 'cause my brain is like "am I attracted to his features or am I fetishising?" It's a thin line to me, and I'm a people-pleaser, so I would also feel really bad in the last post situation 😂
As someone who is Korean American, I can definitely agree with these things, and these kinds of situations are some that I see in my life, but I do not want to be rude to those people who try to learn Korean because they just want to learn the language
Oh my word... the learning Korean thing is so irritating. I'm more into Korean media than OP there and I've been learning Korean since 2019, but I just like language learning. I additionally have like 6 languages that I want to study casually after Korean. I've started 2 more already. Most of the languages are Asian languages, but one of those languages is mostly for work since I tutor ESL students from Japan a lot, so I want to better understand their language to help explain English by knowing how the languages differ fundamentally. But I just love making friends and connecting over shared cultural interests. And when my parents hear my language goals (even when I tell them one language I want to learn is Swedish to connect to the family roots and feel a sense of culture for once in my life), they say "those languages are all so... far... why not learn French or Spanish?" Like my goals shouldn't have to do with closeness to what's familiar. It feels like they became more okay with Korean over time and they try to be supportive, but when I bring up new languages, they're like... back to the initial "why (not your race's language)??", "where else can you speak it besides (country of origin)??" type questions I got when I started Korean. It baffles me how people just don't grasp the idea of learning something outside of your normal/childhood or familial bubble.
The thing about North and South is especially complicated for me as a Korean living in Europe because my ancestors emigrated to the Russian Empire from Korea before it had been split so when someone asks me this question, I have to mentally prepare for a long explanation
That was such a good video. I was also baffled by people. As someone not from the US, if someone I was dating decided to learn my language, I would have a blast. And actually that happened when I was in college in the US: my boyfriend was Greek-American and learned a lot, I would always translate my friends to him but sometimes he would get most of it without needing me. My Americans friends learned a lot of words and phrases and would talk to us regularly in our language and that was always fun.
• As a kpop fan who's a poc and NOT Korean, I disagree with the dude who said that she's a koreaboo. I'm learning Korean again after 6 years because I couldn't find the time these past years since late middle school (grade 7 and 8) and high school had been extremely busy for me, I graduated this year, finished my finals and got my results (luckily I passed all subjects). I have plenty of free time now with literally nothing to do since I'm always sitting at home being bored af. I'm genuinely interested in the Korean culture and follow many Korean content creators who explain and educate people about Korea. Many of them have said that most Koreans aren't welcoming and are racist towards foreigners (they won't even talk to you unless you know how to speak Korean). • I will tell you about an interaction that I had with a Korean man last year when I went to Chicago to meet my older brother. The man was our lyft driver and I saw his screen. I noticed that his last name is "Kim" and he spoke limited English (assuming that he's not that comfortable talking in English). When we reached our destination I told him "안녕이가세요" with a little bow, he smiled at me and said "고맙습니다". I could see that he was a little taken aback since it was unexpected from my side but it felt really nice that he also told me thank you (felt weird since he told it to me formally considering the fact that I'm alot more younger compared to him) but yeah, that's my little story about my interaction with a kind ahjussi :)
The language thing is insane. I speak English, Spanish, and Korean fluently and currently studying Chinese because I am visiting Taiwan and felt it would be cool to recognize the characters
My wife is kind of a Koreaboo and she told me a while ago that when we first met she was super interested in talking to me because she thought I was Korean (by my looks). I am Chinese. In the end, I guess Chinese was "good enough" and we've been together for 8 years now. 😅
I did french immersion in school, so I grew up speaking English at home and french at school. I've always loved geography and learning about other cultures. Languages ties into that, and after trying to pick up spanish and hebrew, Korean has been the only language outside of school I have actually stuck with learning. It is much easier to pick up a language when you consume media in that language, like K-dramas and Music. It also helps that my university has a lot of Korean students, and I was able to be matched with native speakers in a language learning program my school has. It's been fun picking up a language and being able to have simple conversations. But anytime I tell someone I'm learning korean, I feel embarrassed because of the Koreaboo stereotypes discussed in the video. I'm white. I've been learning about the culture, practicing with native speakers etc, but there is still so much judgement. Yes, I am a k-pop obsessed person, but I enjoy being able to talk about daily life in a foreign language, not just song lyrics. At the end of the day, learning a language is a valuable skill, and we shouldn't judge people for what language they're learning. Don't just pick up the "stereotypical" words and call yourself fluent though
I want to learn Korean to understand kdramas and lives without subtitles that's it 😂 And I think most kpop fans that want to learn the language think similar.
11:32 I'm East Asian and live in the States, and I've been subject to many weird... err... fetishes of people who like me for my race rather than my person. It's more common than you think. I think maybe the guy was thinking about that, but I wouldn't really be sure.
The first one seemed really weird to me but just think of it as shaking hands with someone you respect. The actual annoying part is second guessing everything you say with formal speech. Makes it so hard to freely talk. That’s what a lot of my Korean friends say and I kinda agree
You ever come so full circle on your high horse refusing to be racist that you end up being extra racist? Segregation bad. Why would avoiding learning a language be cultural appropriation, that's *literally* segregation, what?? I'm kind of glad I've been around so many people from different backgrounds and seen how frustrated people get with entitled people, like for instance Americans coming to a foreign country and expecting everyone to speak english. So I never operated under some delusion that learning another language is racist. Not sure why so many people who DO think that way have been cropping up if I'm honest.. My friends from other countries have all pretty much unanimously agreed that if someone took interest in their language and culture they'd be *elated* by that, because it's a huge form or respect to like someone's culture and language so much you want to learn more about it.
I been asked the north or south thing so many times in my life, i've started to say north and you know what? They never believe me and I always say, "then why'd you ask?" lol
I hateddddddddd the first AITA thing. I went to the Reddit post and there were a ton of people bashing him but he replied something like: "it's like slapping someone across the face. Would you do it? Even if it was a loved one's culture? Also, I think it's weird she's not taking my feelings as the man she's marrying into account." The comments ripped into him, don't worry. But I don't think he gets it.
not him trying to say she's disrespecting him when he's in the middle of disrespecting her 😭😂 idk how close they are, but that would make me wanna leave a man like that
"If you ever see a Korean out in public, please always assume they are from the South. North Koreans, they don't get to leave their country. *tongue click* And if they get caught, it's death." This alone 💀
Someone asked me when I told them I was visiting Korea they like North or South? Like bro would I go to North Korea. Plus I can’t even go there because I’m from the US.
I find the question about a Korean being from North Korea or South Korea completely reasonable. While, yes, North Koreans seldom escape from their country, it is a fact that, indeed, a few do. The US (my country), in particular, is visited by North Korean defectors. So, I cannot quite understand how that question would be rude in any way. However, I do not believe assuming Koreans are from South Korea is rude either, considering most of the Korean immigrants and visitors are from South Korea.
I think the bow thing is different in different cultures. In the UK, and a lot of American TV shows, bowing is a form of submission. You bow to a king, the monarchy, a priest, etc. While it is more common place in Korea. I get where he is coming from but to feel emasculated is a bit much and not understanding their culture and the traditions of the area.
Stephanie Soo did a video on the first story from the fiancee's POV. The dude's comment is ridiculous. He comes from a non-bowing culture, so it wouldn't carry the same meaning. If someone's not willing to develop intercultural competence, don't get into a bicultural relationship.
7:46....that is the MOST internalized racist pro White thing I've ever heard. He needs to love himself. His parents should have regulated who he hung out with as a kid. Should have kept him with his own kind cause damn. Seems he hates his own birth right.
Kept him with his own kind…. Umm wow, sounds a little racist. Tbh sounds like a pretty normal thing that happens in teens. Pushing back against authority individuating as a person. It’s a difficult time. Just manifesting in this way unique to his circumstances
Idk. As someone born an raised in America to African parents I can understand not fully identifying with a certain cultural identity. Just let the kid be a kid and work through who he wants to be himself? Not identifying with the culture of your birth is not necessarily racist, but segregating a korean child from white children to make sure he comes out "korean" enough is pretty darn racist
If you wanted to learn how to write Korean, this video is just for you: czcams.com/video/FqSxX1Gcqi8/video.html
I remember feeling ashamed when I first started learning korean back in 2017 'cause I came across the therm "koreaboo" and didn't fully understand what it meant, but also understood that it was a bad thing. Took me a while to figure out the difference between being a koreaboo and being in love with a culture
And honestly to this day I feel a little uncomfortable near asian guys, 'cause my brain is like "am I attracted to his features or am I fetishising?" It's a thin line to me, and I'm a people-pleaser, so I would also feel really bad in the last post situation 😂
"One of those girls" yeah he thought she was a koreaboo lol
As someone who is Korean American, I can definitely agree with these things, and these kinds of situations are some that I see in my life, but I do not want to be rude to those people who try to learn Korean because they just want to learn the language
Oh my word... the learning Korean thing is so irritating. I'm more into Korean media than OP there and I've been learning Korean since 2019, but I just like language learning. I additionally have like 6 languages that I want to study casually after Korean. I've started 2 more already. Most of the languages are Asian languages, but one of those languages is mostly for work since I tutor ESL students from Japan a lot, so I want to better understand their language to help explain English by knowing how the languages differ fundamentally. But I just love making friends and connecting over shared cultural interests. And when my parents hear my language goals (even when I tell them one language I want to learn is Swedish to connect to the family roots and feel a sense of culture for once in my life), they say "those languages are all so... far... why not learn French or Spanish?" Like my goals shouldn't have to do with closeness to what's familiar. It feels like they became more okay with Korean over time and they try to be supportive, but when I bring up new languages, they're like... back to the initial "why (not your race's language)??", "where else can you speak it besides (country of origin)??" type questions I got when I started Korean. It baffles me how people just don't grasp the idea of learning something outside of your normal/childhood or familial bubble.
The thing about North and South is especially complicated for me as a Korean living in Europe because my ancestors emigrated to the Russian Empire from Korea before it had been split so when someone asks me this question, I have to mentally prepare for a long explanation
That was such a good video. I was also baffled by people. As someone not from the US, if someone I was dating decided to learn my language, I would have a blast. And actually that happened when I was in college in the US: my boyfriend was Greek-American and learned a lot, I would always translate my friends to him but sometimes he would get most of it without needing me. My Americans friends learned a lot of words and phrases and would talk to us regularly in our language and that was always fun.
this was very fun to wtach!! and i would definitely like to watch more similar videos
seconding this, would love to see more of these videos!
• As a kpop fan who's a poc and NOT Korean, I disagree with the dude who said that she's a koreaboo. I'm learning Korean again after 6 years because I couldn't find the time these past years since late middle school (grade 7 and 8) and high school had been extremely busy for me, I graduated this year, finished my finals and got my results (luckily I passed all subjects). I have plenty of free time now with literally nothing to do since I'm always sitting at home being bored af. I'm genuinely interested in the Korean culture and follow many Korean content creators who explain and educate people about Korea. Many of them have said that most Koreans aren't welcoming and are racist towards foreigners (they won't even talk to you unless you know how to speak Korean).
• I will tell you about an interaction that I had with a Korean man last year when I went to Chicago to meet my older brother. The man was our lyft driver and I saw his screen. I noticed that his last name is "Kim" and he spoke limited English (assuming that he's not that comfortable talking in English). When we reached our destination I told him "안녕이가세요" with a little bow, he smiled at me and said "고맙습니다". I could see that he was a little taken aback since it was unexpected from my side but it felt really nice that he also told me thank you (felt weird since he told it to me formally considering the fact that I'm alot more younger compared to him) but yeah, that's my little story about my interaction with a kind ahjussi :)
I would love to see more reddit videos, its so interesting
The language thing is insane. I speak English, Spanish, and Korean fluently and currently studying Chinese because I am visiting Taiwan and felt it would be cool to recognize the characters
My sisters only call me 언니 if they want something. 😅
My wife is kind of a Koreaboo and she told me a while ago that when we first met she was super interested in talking to me because she thought I was Korean (by my looks). I am Chinese. In the end, I guess Chinese was "good enough" and we've been together for 8 years now. 😅
I did french immersion in school, so I grew up speaking English at home and french at school. I've always loved geography and learning about other cultures. Languages ties into that, and after trying to pick up spanish and hebrew, Korean has been the only language outside of school I have actually stuck with learning. It is much easier to pick up a language when you consume media in that language, like K-dramas and Music. It also helps that my university has a lot of Korean students, and I was able to be matched with native speakers in a language learning program my school has. It's been fun picking up a language and being able to have simple conversations. But anytime I tell someone I'm learning korean, I feel embarrassed because of the Koreaboo stereotypes discussed in the video. I'm white. I've been learning about the culture, practicing with native speakers etc, but there is still so much judgement. Yes, I am a k-pop obsessed person, but I enjoy being able to talk about daily life in a foreign language, not just song lyrics. At the end of the day, learning a language is a valuable skill, and we shouldn't judge people for what language they're learning. Don't just pick up the "stereotypical" words and call yourself fluent though
Would love more like this!
I want to learn Korean to understand kdramas and lives without subtitles that's it 😂 And I think most kpop fans that want to learn the language think similar.
lol same, I've also started to really like the culture and would like to visit it one day. Also knowing another language is never a negative thing
11:32 I'm East Asian and live in the States, and I've been subject to many weird... err... fetishes of people who like me for my race rather than my person. It's more common than you think. I think maybe the guy was thinking about that, but I wouldn't really be sure.
The first one seemed really weird to me but just think of it as shaking hands with someone you respect. The actual annoying part is second guessing everything you say with formal speech. Makes it so hard to freely talk. That’s what a lot of my Korean friends say and I kinda agree
You ever come so full circle on your high horse refusing to be racist that you end up being extra racist? Segregation bad. Why would avoiding learning a language be cultural appropriation, that's *literally* segregation, what?? I'm kind of glad I've been around so many people from different backgrounds and seen how frustrated people get with entitled people, like for instance Americans coming to a foreign country and expecting everyone to speak english. So I never operated under some delusion that learning another language is racist. Not sure why so many people who DO think that way have been cropping up if I'm honest.. My friends from other countries have all pretty much unanimously agreed that if someone took interest in their language and culture they'd be *elated* by that, because it's a huge form or respect to like someone's culture and language so much you want to learn more about it.
I been asked the north or south thing so many times in my life, i've started to say north and you know what? They never believe me and I always say, "then why'd you ask?" lol
We need more Duolingo videos please 😍🤭
Make more of this type of content!
I hateddddddddd the first AITA thing. I went to the Reddit post and there were a ton of people bashing him but he replied something like: "it's like slapping someone across the face. Would you do it? Even if it was a loved one's culture? Also, I think it's weird she's not taking my feelings as the man she's marrying into account."
The comments ripped into him, don't worry. But I don't think he gets it.
not him trying to say she's disrespecting him when he's in the middle of disrespecting her 😭😂 idk how close they are, but that would make me wanna leave a man like that
Why would someone think you're 'out of your lane' or 'appropriating' for trying to respect another country's culture and language?
"If you ever see a Korean out in public, please always assume they are from the South. North Koreans, they don't get to leave their country. *tongue click* And if they get caught, it's death." This alone 💀
Someone asked me when I told them I was visiting Korea they like North or South? Like bro would I go to North Korea. Plus I can’t even go there because I’m from the US.
Story 4 kinda breaks my heart. Why wouldn't you want to appreciate your own culture? Korean is cute as a language. It's fine to show it off.
I find the question about a Korean being from North Korea or South Korea completely reasonable. While, yes, North Koreans seldom escape from their country, it is a fact that, indeed, a few do. The US (my country), in particular, is visited by North Korean defectors. So, I cannot quite understand how that question would be rude in any way. However, I do not believe assuming Koreans are from South Korea is rude either, considering most of the Korean immigrants and visitors are from South Korea.
It’s one ethnic group and speak basically the same language.
The North or South Korean one was very relatable to me and to make it funny I’m half Korean (mom’s side)
I think the bow thing is different in different cultures. In the UK, and a lot of American TV shows, bowing is a form of submission. You bow to a king, the monarchy, a priest, etc. While it is more common place in Korea. I get where he is coming from but to feel emasculated is a bit much and not understanding their culture and the traditions of the area.
6:36 I'm a heptaracist now, fuck
Stephanie Soo did a video on the first story from the fiancee's POV. The dude's comment is ridiculous. He comes from a non-bowing culture, so it wouldn't carry the same meaning. If someone's not willing to develop intercultural competence, don't get into a bicultural relationship.
7:46....that is the MOST internalized racist pro White thing I've ever heard. He needs to love himself. His parents should have regulated who he hung out with as a kid. Should have kept him with his own kind cause damn. Seems he hates his own birth right.
Kept him with his own kind…. Umm wow, sounds a little racist.
Tbh sounds like a pretty normal thing that happens in teens. Pushing back against authority individuating as a person. It’s a difficult time. Just manifesting in this way unique to his circumstances
Idk. As someone born an raised in America to African parents I can understand not fully identifying with a certain cultural identity. Just let the kid be a kid and work through who he wants to be himself? Not identifying with the culture of your birth is not necessarily racist, but segregating a korean child from white children to make sure he comes out "korean" enough is pretty darn racist
I think the guy in the last post thought she dated him *because* he was Korean, like a fetish or something like that.