Artist707 Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 Hi group, I'm really curious as to see if there are any other South Korean listeners out there. Am I the only one here? Did I just become accidentally number one at something? Please excuse me because this has nothing to do with philosophy...it is just a curiosity of mine. Thank you.
In the belly of the beast Posted June 7, 2014 Posted June 7, 2014 I am not South Korean or living in South Korea, but I've been wondering for a while how Western and non-Western cultures compare in their degrees of hostility to individualism, specifically more radical ideas such as: individual sovereignty, virtue-based friendships and romantic relationships, and respecting the experiences and preferences of children. Are you actually in South Korea and a native to that culture? If so, have you tried discussing any of the major themes of this show with other South Koreans? What kind of responses have you received?
Artist707 Posted June 10, 2014 Author Posted June 10, 2014 I am not South Korean or living in South Korea, but I've been wondering for a while how Western and non-Western cultures compare in their degrees of hostility to individualism, specifically more radical ideas such as: individual sovereignty, virtue-based friendships and romantic relationships, and respecting the experiences and preferences of children. Are you actually in South Korea and a native to that culture? If so, have you tried discussing any of the major themes of this show with other South Koreans? What kind of responses have you received? Let me try to explain South Korean culture to you as far as I know it. I lived there from when I was born to about 10 years old, since then I've gone back almost every year for sometimes stretching as much as 3 months. I would think they would be hostile to ideas of parent abandonment. Maybe more so than America...but it is just a guess from what I have seen. The obedience to parents is really ingrained into society. Every year there is a tradition in which the youngsters bow down (like a bow down yoga position) to their parents and grandparents. The same bow is used to bow to Buddhist (biggest religion in S. Korea I think) gods. It is no coincidence I believe. Almost everyone participates and is like a Christmas season for the retailers with people buying food and stuff for their parents. I have not actually talked to any other S. Korean except my parents on this matter and they haven't responded positively to it. I don't know any S. Koreans actually so I don't know how they will react to it actually. Would be very interesting to do so... and of course I will do it with a person who I have screened out to be capable.
thelizardking52 Posted June 10, 2014 Posted June 10, 2014 I am no expert on this so correct me if I'm wrong but my wife is very much enamored with S.Korean culture and has told me a few things. She is planning a trip there later this year. From what she tells me the culture is very much strict conformist and going against the societal customs will bring with it rejection and backlash. It doesn't take much to become the black sheep. On the other hand she has told me that the younger generation has changed and loosened a bit in some regards, like traditional clothing in certain situations ( i.e. funerals/weddings etc.) I'd be interested to hear your insight to this Artist707…. Oh, do you speak Korean? I was gonna type you something simple like "hello" but my wife only knows the traditional writing and not how to write in western lettering.
In the belly of the beast Posted June 11, 2014 Posted June 11, 2014 Let me try to explain South Korean culture to you as far as I know it. I lived there from when I was born to about 10 years old, since then I've gone back almost every year for sometimes stretching as much as 3 months. I would think they would be hostile to ideas of parent abandonment. Maybe more so than America...but it is just a guess from what I have seen. The obedience to parents is really ingrained into society. Every year there is a tradition in which the youngsters bow down (like a bow down yoga position) to their parents and grandparents. The same bow is used to bow to Buddhist (biggest religion in S. Korea I think) gods. It is no coincidence I believe. Almost everyone participates and is like a Christmas season for the retailers with people buying food and stuff for their parents. I have not actually talked to any other S. Korean except my parents on this matter and they haven't responded positively to it. I don't know any S. Koreans actually so I don't know how they will react to it actually. Would be very interesting to do so... and of course I will do it with a person who I have screened out to be capable. Thanks for your thoughts on this. I was wondering whether or not it was my own cultural bias that gave me the impression that non-Western cultures care even less about the individual than in the West. I guess I faintly hopeful that there were more individualistic aspects to other cultures than in comparison to the United States/Canada/Australia/UK/etc.
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