Why is this funny to my friends?

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I think your friends are making assumptions and coming to conclusions too fast. I think what you make of yourself anywhere you go will be the way you'll be perceived by the people there. I also think it's wonderful you're interested in another country and trying your best to learn about its culture. I believe it's one of the most beautiful things a person can do. What you learn about other people will stay with you your whole life and positively help you throughout. I don't think your friends are being fair. Plus, Koreans are nice people! I wish you the best of luck & Believe in yourself! [;

No your freinds are mean.
They need to grow up and you need to be proud of your self.

Your learning!! Learning more then one language is such a wonderful thing..

Your freinds are mean..

Ugh

Tip- Study hard and speak as good as- those good krean speakers. Becuase in korea we have some awesome TV shows and FAMOUS celebrites ( korean celebrites) go on there and you can go on!! Becuase people that are NOT korean go on there and it is sooo cool!! Maybe you might be NEXT!

It's this- http://youtube.com/watch?v=X9G9fw14XVs

piinK lOve

No, its not terrible, I say you do what you want to do , not what they say. Dont let your friends control what you want to do.

mom09

They are wrong for being that way. You need to do what you like to do. I love the asian culture kinda stuff and I think it is a excellent idea! Have fun and be safe if you go!

be-urself

no matter what color you are, anybody could fit into a culture. And if this is what you want, then go for it. You never know unless you try.

Roger N

Let them laugh...
You won't have to hear it soon and they'll be the ones stuck in the same place forever. Don't let anyone sway you from your goals. They're just jealous and don't know it yet.

silisulu

take it easy... learning is a process where you will have to sacrifice something for the knowledge you gained.. Don't ever care what they said on you and learn to the best you can! Just like me.. my Koreans are bad and my friends laugh at me too.. but i just ignore them and do my best.. there i go.. I'm in a well-learner now.. so.. Do your own job and don't care whatever they say on you..

Jessica

Your friends are being ignorant. You can go to Korean and teach English. I have a very good friend that is doing that.

Don't worry if you belong or not. We have an American army base there with lots of Americans of all races running around Korea (okay maybe not ALL over....)

So what if you are black... I am white, half korean and I don't fit in Korea. I went with my mom to visit some family in korea one year and I had people staring at me and kids being kids were pointing at me. (because we were in a remote area that doesn't have tourist around etc. )

...so as you can see, being anything other then 100% asian, you'd be different but it doesn't mean you can fit in and 'belong'.

Debt Line

Don't pay too much attention to your friends on this one.

If you're interested in Korea or any other country get a cheap flight and go spend a couple of weeks there. Don't stay anywhere too expensive, you won't get a feel for the place.

I honestly don't think that being black or white would have much of an impact on your ability to fit in. The main thing is you are not korean. You would always be a foreigner over there but then there's nothing wrong with being foreign.

Topherrrr.(:

No, do whatever you like. It's your life and if Korean culture interests you then do what you please. But make sure you're ready for that kind of commitment.

SkyGemini

you have found an interest. it doesn't matter what your friends say and think. you are you and you have to stick to something that you like. i say visit korea and explore the good the country and its people have to offer

krn_music_luver

heyy. okay im korean. they're proly laughing cuz you have an accent or something or you're doing something right but like a different style.

like me and my friends laugh tons when someone tries to say a korean word but has a weird accent. but we try to teach them how to say it. its just having fun. we just think its...um...cute but funny at the same time! ^0^
haha. well if they're not korean, they don't really have a right to laugh cuz, they proly cant pronounce right or will have their own sytle to it.

~Crystal~

i guess its not well Dont feel sad its what u want!

Candy

They are partially correct.
Koreans are still very racist and you'll be discriminated here.

â™¥'nee.

ur black..... or r u mixed or just light skinned bcuz yo avatar make u look white but its all good.....lol.....anyways...... yea u probably wont fit in but if thats what u wanna do then go for it...bcuz its ur life not theirs... but that is kinda true im black and i definately kno i wouldnt fit in korea i dont wanna go 2 korea....but if u do go for it...although im ma let u kno that u r goin to b poor bcuz it is soo expensive therre and u dont make big money there... so yah.. as u can c im black too....but add me as a contact so we can get to kno eachother better ok.......

Big Blair

Your friends, unfortunately, are probably right. Until this year, Koreans have been taught a racial purity myth in schools that is heavily ingrained into their culture. Although the ministry of education has ordered that the racial purity myth be purged from textbooks, even the most educated Koreans still believe it. Just take a look at the second line of the wikipedia page below.

The truth is, that while Koreans are generally extremely hospitable to whites, they are not very accepting of blacks. If you research the story of a famous half-black Korean, Kim Insun (second link) you will hear some stories that are pretty unflattering to Korean people.

That said, you shouldn't stop. Korea is changing and I believe the revision of the textbooks is just a first step towards Koreans coming to terms with both the diversity among their own people and tolerance of people of other races. . . . and race is not the only factor. . . Korean-Americans who do not speak perfect Korean have often confided in me that they don't think they will ever be anything but a foreigner in Korea.

People are resistant to change, despite it being inevitable. I hope that you do go to Korea and continue to forge a path that will make Koreans more accommodating to diversity.

Good luck!

Annie

I agree that you should do what your heart says. However, you should expect to have a few bumps along the way. Korea, like many countries in Asia, is largely a homegenous culture, meaning there is very little racial diversity. The truth is, you will stand out from a crowd and, simply on physical appearance, you may not "fit in" as easily as you might moving to a major city in the US or Europe. Also, the fact you are American may hurt you more than your ethnicity. Americans often have (and it is often justified) a bad reputation in Korea as far as behavior and expectations for the culture to adapt to them. The best thing you can do is know as much as you can about Korean culture, especially the day to day aspects of how to act in public, clothing styles and knowing the laws of the country. Knowing some of the language will also go a long way. Smile, be polite and find ways to get involved in the culture and community. These are the same things I would advise to anyone going to spend time in another country, especially one that is so culturally different from our own. Enjoy your adventure.

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