Korean Stereotypes
Korea is known as one of the most oriental countries in the world. But, people from the West don’t know what it is like in Korea. They just think that Korea is one of the Asian countries, which is next to Japan. Some people don’t even know the location of Korea. They don’t know Korea’s own culture. It is high time you learnt the true story of Korea’s culture.
Language:
Many people from the West think that Korea doesn’t have their own language. I even didn’t know that they have this kind of stereotype in their mind. However, after I came to UK, many people who are not from Asia asked me about this question. “Do Koreans use Chinese?” That was a shocking question to me. Koreans use Korean. We have our own language. The character and sound are totally different from Chinese or Japanese. I was surprised that how many people don’t know Koreans use Korean for their language.
Food:
Korea’s food is known as very healthy food, and this is true actually. Koreans normally eat rice and side dishes, especially Kimchi. Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean dish made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. Koreans never eat rice without Kimchi. Kimchi is always on the table when they eat food.
Many people from other countries think that Koreans eat dogs normally. Well, I can’t say that it’s not true because some people enjoy eating dogs with soup. But, it depends on the person. Some people do, but some people don’t. For example, my family including me have never tried to eat dogs, as we have a dog in my family. I’m not judging the people who eat dogs even if they have a dog as a pet. It’s just a part of Korean food, I think. Just like how the French eat snails and foie gras. And the most important thing is, Koreans don’t kill dogs which are raised for a pet. There are special dogs which are grown only for food. They never eat their own pets. Many foreigners think that Koreans raise their dogs only for food! That’s a really typical incorrect stereotype of Korean food.
By Eunwon Shin
Language:
Many people from the West think that Korea doesn’t have their own language. I even didn’t know that they have this kind of stereotype in their mind. However, after I came to UK, many people who are not from Asia asked me about this question. “Do Koreans use Chinese?” That was a shocking question to me. Koreans use Korean. We have our own language. The character and sound are totally different from Chinese or Japanese. I was surprised that how many people don’t know Koreans use Korean for their language.
Food:
Korea’s food is known as very healthy food, and this is true actually. Koreans normally eat rice and side dishes, especially Kimchi. Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean dish made of vegetables with a variety of seasonings. Koreans never eat rice without Kimchi. Kimchi is always on the table when they eat food.
Many people from other countries think that Koreans eat dogs normally. Well, I can’t say that it’s not true because some people enjoy eating dogs with soup. But, it depends on the person. Some people do, but some people don’t. For example, my family including me have never tried to eat dogs, as we have a dog in my family. I’m not judging the people who eat dogs even if they have a dog as a pet. It’s just a part of Korean food, I think. Just like how the French eat snails and foie gras. And the most important thing is, Koreans don’t kill dogs which are raised for a pet. There are special dogs which are grown only for food. They never eat their own pets. Many foreigners think that Koreans raise their dogs only for food! That’s a really typical incorrect stereotype of Korean food.
By Eunwon Shin