A profound piece: https://zora.medium.com/koreaboos-love-the-culture-but-at-what-cost-4e851d238013
Please read this!

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    An interesting read. It is important to take a balanced approach and to learn as much as we can. I like reading the Korean newspapers in English every now and again to try for a more grounded approach to the culture. It’s only a small step, but it makes me realise how many dramas are riffing on real life contemporary issues. The last sentence is the most important, *Don’t lose your own sense of self, ask questions, and always read the fine print.*

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      @jorobertson: HNY. I hope you have been well and had some leave to enjoy our circumscribed summer.
      Re the article, I agree but I also recognise that KDramas are populated by supremely talented and good looking people who are a tiny fraction of the population creating fictional worlds so important not to romanticise a living, thriving culture that I am learning about as a supportive and well-wishing outsider. I am really glad that you highlighted the closing sentence. It is a fitting and salutary advice.

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        My first drama was Mr Sunshine and it made me read about the Righteous Army and then the Korean history of invasions and then Korean Culture. Part of my interest comes out of guilt. I had a “global” project and I totally left out Korea because in my baleful ignorance, it did not hold a place in my imagination. Oh shame. Once I began to understand what creativity came from the country, even since then, I’ve been “making up for it”. I guess the article is talking about people who try to be Korean, who turn their backs on their own culture and try to look like and act like Koreans. From what I’ve heard and seen Korean-born Koreans rarely easily accept foreigners, so “becoming” Korean is a hopelessly lost enterprise. I love my own country even though I am critical of it. (I live in a country where I have that freedom). I’m happy in my own skin. But I enjoy kcultural production so much more than much of what is produced elsewhere. I’m not sure how much that’s going to change anytime soon.

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          @jorobertson – Totally agreed. I really appreciated reading your sincere and thoughtful comment.
          Btw, Based on our previous chats, I had assumed you were an Aussie like me so just wanted to explain why I referred to ‘our summer’. You probably thought I was odd!😂

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    The article really gave me pause. Like, there’s a thin line we’re threading
    here as fans, between loving some media products made in SK, and being koreaboos who believe that they really know the culture because they consume pop media products.

    And there’s also the line between admiring actors’ looks, and fetishizing Korean people in general.

    I guess it’s a question of common sense. Like, believing kdramas give us knowledge of SK culture and reality is just like believing Gray’s Anatomy is a great way to learn about real life in the US – or that the people in front of the cameras look like the average US citizen. Some general knowledge of the way of life and culture will definitely be sipped through these shows, but they obviously aren’t a reliable source.
    Talking about my personal experience, I love dramas and kpop songs and artists, and I have a lot of fun sharing this love. But I have some boundaries while doing this – I try to be respectful of people and not to make assumptions about individuals based on their public persona/ the characters they play. Also, I stay away from political discussions – like the recent one about Snowdrop – because I really don’t have enough knowledge to form an opinion.
    But I do get it how some people end up feeling so fascinated that they loose the plot and start to idealise SK. In the end, we’re all human and sometimes do stupid and creepy stuff

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      And I think it’s important to talk about these things among us, here in our DB community. Being a fan without being appropriative, without fetishizing, a fan that doesn’t pressure entertainers into unhealthy behaviours, a fan that reflects about their role in this economic ecosystem. All these things are worth bringing up
      without judging, because that’s the only way we can do things better and have a positive impact on this industry we enjoy so much

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      I agree with your thoughtful comment except about the politics angle as I feel really strongly for emancipatory movements worldwide including the démocratisation struggle in SK, have read extensively about its politics and understand it much better. Having said that, I still interrogate myself often about my reactions, responses and even comments that I make here and discuss it with a close Korean friend who is my sounding board.

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        I was talking about myself – I really don’t know what is going on there politically, so I prefer not to get involved instead of saying misinformed nonsense. But if you read and can discuss it with Korean people, then you are right to support local movements!

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          I greatly appreciate your capacity for reflection and your thoughtfulness.

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