- They all like kimchi. Not too long ago, I saw an ad in a Korean magazine for a small refrigerator specifically for kimchi. Since it said “#1 best seller,” I’m guessing it sells a lot. Still, it’s kind of like saying all Americans love hamburgers, isn’t it?
- They all know Tae Kwon Do. I know Tae Kwon Do; I’m Japanese-American. My half-Korean, half-German friend does judo. For Koreans and all other Far East Asians stereotyped in this manner, consider responding, “Do you want to find out?”
- They like golf. I’m going to let Margaret Cho answer this one. Regarding the stereotypes that Koreans all like golf: “Well, everybody does but me. So, there is one Korean person who doesn’t.”
- They eat dogs. Yes, many of us have grown up with Fidos and Lassies, but the truth is that so have many Koreans, especially of the newer generations. When it comes down to it, a dog is an animal like any other that is technically edible and is valued differently in the older Korean culture than in the American one. Eating a dog in America would be similar to eating a beef steak in India—a huge no-no. Today, while some Koreans eat dogs, it might be safe to say that it’s a minority of the population. The overall attitude in recent years seems to have gone from “personal choice” to “unnecessary cruelty” (and the issue of sanitation also comes into play). The dogs that are eaten are supposedly killed by an electric rod rather than being beaten to death, so the issue of cruelty is as debatable as cow slaughter in America.
- They work too much. I came across a transcript to a KBC 9.9 podcast between 4 participants who talked about misconceptions of Koreans. In it, the overall consensus seems to be that while Koreans do hang around the classroom or office long before and after working hours, their time isn’t always spent productively. Whereas some Koreans consider Americans lazy and inconsiderate for “working” from only 9 to 5, Koreans see themselves as dedicated members of the workplace. They arrive early so they’re not hurried before a class or meeting, and they stay late in case the boss needs someone to do something. Meanwhile, many of them can be seen playing with their cell phones or browsing the web. The issue here is availability and dedication, not always quality of time spent.
- They’re terrible drivers. When judged by North American standards, Korean drivers are rude. Consider this, though: there are 47 million people in a 100,000 square km country. There’s not a whole lot of space. Those three inches between your car and the Korean guy who cut you off? That was nothing. Moreover, Daniel (on the KBC 9.9 podcast) says that Koreans are taught to drive that way in driving school. They’re taught to drive “by instinct and that’s what they do when they get on the highway.” When asked whether the concept of right of way has ever occurred to them, Daniel says that Koreans don’t have it in their culture, and it’s all about who steps on the gas first. This isn’t rude. It’s different.
- They’re rude. While we’re talking about rude, many non-Koreans complain when they go to the peninsula that nobody apologizes or thanks them for anything. Let’s remember that 47 million people are crammed into a country the size of Tennessee. If you apologized to everyone you bumped into or couldn’t hold the door for, you’d never get to the office before noon. Perhaps Koreans can be found to be less friendly than “Western people” (although this statement, made by Chance on the podcast, is itself iffy, since many Americans find Brits unfriendly, and so forth). Still, once you get to know a Korean, he or she is a friend like anyone else, yes?
- Insert misconception here. See Misconception 10.
- Insert misconception here. See Misconception 10.
- They’re jingoists. This one is sticky and long-winded, and because it plays into every other stereotype (and why I’m only writing on 8 instead of a clean 10), I’ve listed it last.
Let me elaborate. Until now, I didn’t know any Korean stereotypes. As a Japanese-American, I’ve seen both sides of my heritage screw over Korean heritage pretty badly. I should be full of ideas for stereotypes, right? Wrong. After a two-hour search on Google, I could gather no more than these 8 misconceptions of Koreans. Here’s why.
In the June 30, 2002 article of the New York Times titled, “Soccer Must Keep The Ball Rolling,” the writer elaborated on a controversial referee call in the match between South Korea and Spain on June 22 in the FIFA World Cup of that year. “Some fans and national officials see these questionable calls as part of a plot favoring South Korea, a blend of jingoism and paranoia that is quite unbecoming.”
If the writer intended to be subjective, fine, but let’s not pretend he’s calculated Korean history into his judgment that a) there was a plot, and it showed a blend of b) jingoism and c) paranoia that was d) unbecoming. He might consider them “jingoistic” because he’s not used to a country stomped on for so many centuries utter a cry for unity.
On June 25, a writer of the Associated Press ends the article “Record crowds watch South Korea lose semifinal to Germany” by saying, “The success has been a huge boost in this land of 47 million that has long suffered from an inferiority complex, being squeezed between China and Japan, who often invaded and subjugated the country.”
Korea is often referred to as “the shrimp that gets caught in the middle of whales.” China and Japan have both chewed on it. But dear Associated Press writer, let’s not forget that whole Korean War bit. The Korean Peninsula is the only remaining place in the world that remains divided since the Cold War thanks to the U.S. and Russia, according to Kosuke Takahashi, a journalist born to Japanese parents and raised in Koreatown near Tokyo.
Many people in the western world would dismiss Korean nationalism as jingoism because it’s been a long, long time since North America and England have been stepped upon by an outside empire. Because Korea is often dismissed as a subjugated nation that influenced no country save its own (a crippling and false accusation), it lacks in resounding stereotypes, at least that a non-Korean and my sometimes-friend Google could find. Most other “misconceptions” applied to Far East Asians in general, like enjoying rice and not being able to see out of squinty eyes. If you feel the need to enlighten me, please do so. I’d welcome a mature response.
Bio: Lisa Shoreland is currently a resident blogger at Go College, where recently she’s been researching disability grants as well as comparing student loans. In her spare time, she enjoys creative writing, practicing martial arts, and taking weekend trips.
Popularity: 100% [?]
ok
i’m korean
also, korean doesn’t care wat western pple think…dat iz da most important thing.
we are doing well like western ppl.
ただ今トラクバックから日本のブログ（「テスト０１」と「ちゃねるじゃぱん」）を見ました。そこの会話はめっちゃ面白い。日本人も韓国人の愛国主義と失礼が行き過ぎてると思うそうです。
Hi hj,
If you are calling me an idiot for taking a considerable amount of my own time posting here… perhaps I am, but that’d make you an idiot as well, and makes it crazy for me to respond to your question (as I’d just be even MORE of an idiot).
If you mean all that other incomprehensible dribble coming from Koreans and non-Koreans alike, sure, but it’s only 50% of the responses and that’s pretty good as far as the internet goes. Far better than a typical Youtube video. They want to vent, not discuss.
I’m tired of being E-mail bombed every couple months about this thing, so I’ll probably take myself off the subscription and never come back. But since I’m here now, let me try to clarify my position again:
“Why would anyone eat anything they don’t like?”
Because kids eat whatever their parents and schools tell them to eat. Or is filial piety gone from Korean culture?
” In your first post you said that all Korean eat kimchi. Yet, in your latest post, you’re saying that you’re talking about most, not all. I would like to clarify that point.”
A couple (mostly Well) Koreans in this discussion changed my mind. I was also generalizing a bit in the beginning so I didn’t have to write a research paper about it. My main point was to show how the OP affirmed and excused stereotypes, not show them as misconceptions.
“There are many Koreans whereas kimchi is not a staple food anymore.”
Fine. So, in the past (before western influence?), it used to be a staple food for everyone. I’ll accept your definition.
“Korea is, in fact, a country that strongly supports respect. It is considered to be a high value. That’s the reason there are two different ways of speaking…”
The Vietnamese language is even more stratified than Korean. All of Southeast Asia and Japan also have these honorifics. Yet, this “rudeness” compliant is never given about those countries. You should think long and hard about this excuse…
“many foreigners that come to Korea do not know the difference between the two different ways.”
So they are blamed for not learning on the airplane? Do you smack kids for breaking rules they didn’t know? A typical foreigner’s understanding of Korean is at a child’s level after all…
It’s your job, as a respectful Korean, to communicate and educate first. Be rude if they refuse your advice later.
“some foreigners might receive bad looks.”
Bad looks is not what foreigners complain about. They complain about being refused entry into restaurants and other businesses, hit by cars while in the crosswalk (and the light is in their favor), spit on, etc.
Listen, Koreans have a bad rap not only in the west, but also by Japanese (who aren’t rude if I say ohayou instead of ohayou gozaimasu). That’s a fact. I’m sorry. Some Korean posters here prove that.
Smink: “we’re not rude…if you’re offended by someone not saying “sorry” well baby you gotta suck it up and go back to america then, koreans are busy people”
That’s a fucking rude thing to say Smink… Some random person comes here, reads a couple posts, comes to yours and now they think “Look at this guy! Smink! Koreans MUST be racist, rude people!” This is how it starts…
I wish to thank Jetties, Dear Observer, and Another Korean. From the English I could understand, you guys (or girls) are awesome! Another Korean is just like my overseas Korean friends, which are very different than in-Korea Koreans.
this is just 100% opinion of the writer… maybe you need to have Korean friends to correct those misconceptions you’re thinking of… honestly Koreans are more friendly, I mean, most of Asian countries… ^^
this is just 100% opinion of the writer… maybe you need to have Korean friends to correct those misconceptions you\’re thinking of… honestly Koreans are more friendly, I mean, most of Asian countries… ^^
1:they are not that rude others on only,,others are kind
2:fashion is good
3:they like to smile
4:they always go out in night and others
I trust full blooded-korean for they really know who they are rather than knowing that from someone else who grew up on a western country. Europe and Asia are indeed different from each other. There many beliefs,cultures that I can say the same from countries in Asia so what you think about Korea doesn’t make any sense at all because even a 2-hour research can’t satisfy a fact about a country’s way of living. But all I can say is every individual has different attitude so stereotyping Korea as rude, jingoism or what so ever is useless unless a you’ve encountered every single Korean in their country.. I am a Filipino and of course I have a friend Korean who already knows how to get along with other people.
The truth is in every country there are rude and nice people and even racist. Here are some my personal observations, they are very nationalistic (like the Chinese), some even hate being talked in English but others tried their best to communicate to foreigners.
I just had one bad experience with Koreans, here in our country we used to have a lunch in this Korean resto, and some of them looked at us like we did something wrong (like were criminals). I think that’s very rude. IDK, is it bad to enjoy their food. Hehehehe.
But that’s fine we understand, because first of all, they might have rules in the table that we didn’t know, like how to properly use a chopstick or we might talk a lot while were eating. But then all in all, they are one of the nicest people you might ever met. 
맙소사, 몇 가지 사실적인 것도 있지만 완전히 아닌 것도 있네요.
조금더 서로를 알려고 하면 분명 확실한 지식을 얻을 수 있을 겁니다.
cos US and Russia?
learn some history mate
Not good driver? maybe that explains why they have to employ filipino drivers as their own Drivers…haha (just an observation, yeah i dont see a Korean driver, if i see a group of them inside a vehicle, the driver i definitely not korean)
i kinda agree that koreans are rude to other non koreans. There’s alot of them here in PH and i mostly see them grouped with other koreans too. rarely socialize with us, but i think that is if that korean is raised in korea, they got their own culture and society there that doesn’t much fit for our own culture. So if that korean grew up with that country’s culture they can be very nice people. i hate koreans before because they are so Rude, they always look down on us. But i have to get over it, i may not like em but strange i got this half korean girlfriend of mine (if they are half blood, 90% they are cuties..wooo
) luckily she didnt grew up with the customs of korean. still she got this mother side of her who are all Koreans and they got this attitude. im still struggling with it haha. 
As a white American I can definitely say that many, but not all, Americans are basically jerks. Selfish, stupid, greedy, always looking for ways to take advantage of others, always thinking they are superior to everybody else, thinking the world revolves around them, and often surprisingly racist. Maybe that is true in every country. I have never been to Korea and probably never will go.
I can say that some of my American coworkers reek almost every day of garlic, onions, horrible stinking coffee breath, unwashed clothes, etc. So that is absolutely not confined to any racial or ethnic group. I like garlic and onions but I know they are smelly and I brush my teeth. I don’t believe in over-spicing food.
In the condo building where I live, white people regularly slam the hell out of doors like the door is their hated enemy. They do this at any time of the day or night. I also have a sociopath for a neighbor who blasts her stereo very loudly whenever she wants, even at 3 AM. In short, they have absolutely no concern for the rights of others — and they are not even Korean!
So, obviously, those sorts of things are not confined to any one group of people. Although I will admit that people from different nationalities must differ to some extent. I cannot believe that every people of every nationality are identical.
I do love kpop right now in my life. I enjoy listening to the music and watching the live performances. If you don’t that’s fine, then don’t listen to it. The female kpop stars are the most stunningly beautiful women I have ever seen, and they seem to be smart, very talented, and professional.
Korea has weekly music shows where the top performing artists are featured. They cram as much as they possibly can into an hour of entertainment. America doesn’t have that. Here, Justin Bieber does a pathetic jig for 10 seconds and they give him a trillion dollars.
It does seem that Korean stars tend to be much smarter with their money than American ones. They don’t blow all their money on drugs, booze, and hookers and end up dying in disgrace. I’ve never seen any with tattoos. In both Christianity and Confucianism, tattoos are viewed as desecration.
I think it would be awesome if every Korean learned tae kwon do. Because all men have to serve their country, I presume most men and some women have trained in self-defense techniques. That is obviously a good thing.
If I ever did go to Korea, of course I would make every attempt to learn the language and not earn the disgust of the citizens. When people here in America don’t learn English, they are putting themselves at the biggest disadvantage. Like it or not, English is taught in virtually all schools and almost all signs are in English, and if you ever want to get a real job you need to know English. Obviously the same is true for Korea and their language. If you live in a country and refuse to learn the language, you always come off looking like a rude idiot. Without even trying, you can easily learn the basics of any language if you live where it is spoken only a few months.
I was spat on once here in America and the one who did it wasn’t even Korean.
About eating dog: I don’t want to eat dog. In fact, I really don’t want to try any Korean food. I know damn well it will not agree with me and will cause me much distress. But if people want to eat dogs, there is really no logical reason to object to it. Americans don’t want to eat dogs because they are perceived as intelligent, like four-legged humans. But let’s face it, they are really not that smart. Pigs and sheep have been tested and it turns out these are smarter than dogs. And nobody has a problem with eating them.
After reading about how some GIs behave when they are stationed in Korea, I begin to understand why Koreans would be pissed at Americans. The GIs are there for a reason, but it seems that many of them treat the country like it is a playground for their vices. A lot of them don’t treat the people with the respect they deserve.
So yes, I will continue to learn about Korean culture and learn to speak and write the language. And continue to listen to kpop until my head explodes. T-ara hwaiting <3333 !!!! If you don't know what that means, I don't care.
im not trying to be mean or anything but all of my korean friends are really mean and they treat me like shit cuz i am half chinese…i think they are like really resist.maybe not all korean people are like this but i hav a really bad impression of them…right now i HATE koreans so fuckin bad just cuz of some koreans i know~~ and i am sorry if i offended any people
The older South Koreans who have grown up under dictatorships and who needed to rebuild their country after the war are light years removed from the younger generations who grew up in wealth and are more open-minded, especially in the bigger cities.
There is an undercurrent of nationalism and racism that is pretty awful but anyone worth talking to will be able to see through it… if I meet a racist loser back home I ignore them too. And kimchi is delicious, so why wouldn’t you want to eat it almost every day?
If you focus on the negatives, then that’s all you’re going to see…
So what if most koreans ate/eat kimchi? It just like saying rice is a staple among certain groups (rice is a staple for me and of course I would say it on a rooftop if asked)…
I dont see why eating or not eating kimchi should be annoying (unless its something that tastes quite bad, then I understand)
That kind of article really hurted me. I’m not a Korean but I have a huge respect for them because of their culture and music. I even learned Korean because I love Korea.
I have no anger in Japan and all but, don’t you think Japan is the one who seems to be the most meanest country? I’m sorry. But, our history teacher told us that Japan is the country that made a huge destruction to my country. they even tortured people here before. They held a death march. They raped all women and girls, even kids! Just to take our country. If you would learn what I have learned, you’ll clench your fist and even say “Why am I even Japanese?”
Japan is a very successful country and I have no anger towards them. I even want my country’s status to be similar like Japan’s.
What Japan did to my country was horrible, I could still picture my grandmother’s face when she told me the story when Japan tried to take over our country. It was cruel, too cruel.
That kind of article really hurted me. I\’m not a Korean but I have a huge respect for them because of their culture and music. I even learned Korean because I love Korea.
I have no anger in Japan and all but, don\’t you think Japan is the one who seems to be the most meanest country? I\’m sorry. But, our history teacher told us that Japan is the country that made a huge destruction to my country. they even tortured people here before. They held a death march. They raped all women and girls, even kids! Just to take our country. If you would learn what I have learned, you\’ll clench your fist and even say \"Why am I even Japanese?\"
Japan is a very successful country and I have no anger towards them. I even want my country\’s status to be similar like Japan\’s.
What Japan did to my country was horrible, I could still picture my grandmother\’s face when she told me the story when Japan tried to take over our country. It was cruel, too cruel.
안녕?
i don’t think that all koreans are like that. all of us have different values and culture all we have to do is learn how to accept other cultures because thats how it is. we can’t judge them because its their culture. anyone would hate it if some one is degrading or insulting their country. so don’t compare cultures cause you’ll really see the difference and all you’ll be thinking is that your country’s culture is better that theirs. its just the matter of respect and acceptance.
WTF? Grow up…
As a Korean who lived in Korea for about 7 years, and America for another 7, i wanna say something:
1. Yea, lotta people like Kimchi. So do i. but i have seen many people who dont
2. Half of my friends i knew in Korea never learned TKD.
3. I hate golf.
4. I have never ate dogs, and neither has any of my friends i knew in Korea (and i knew almost everyone in my grade)
5. Yes, this is true. Koreans work too much, i admit that
6. Terrible drivers? My parents lived in Korea almost their whole lives and they are actually good drivers. They have never gotten complaints or anything.
7. Depends on the person. some people take things more personally than others. And also, its not our fault we have a different culture. Its a small country, so people are used to bumping into each other.thats like saying all americans hit on random people cause theyre so friendly -__-
you know what?! Fuck your f*ing bullshit..
You know nothing about us Koreans, and you are a serious racist.
Stereotypes get you very bad.. I can tell.
Asshole
People like you cause unnecessary racism
@smink (# 37) – hands down to you man. Very well said. Enough said. Everyone should read his comment.
japanese. yea i cn see why ud write something like this
1. EWWWW I HATE DOG MEAT!! my grandmother likes it tho ._.
2. we’re not terrible drivers. bcz of our lack of space in our tiny country we happen to be umm.. 3 inches away from other cars when we’re drivong. Doesbt mean we’re terrible drivers. We jst happen to hve more carcrashes. -__-
3. Eh. Kimchi. Its jst a side dish.
4. I dnt get how u think we’re rude. Sure we get shoved on accident sometiems in a crowded marketplace.. But we have 2 basic sides to the korean language.
I’m real normal person in S.korean
and….. I’m not good at english…Sorry for that but.
Dog!
For most young koreans under 30, When they want to eat dog meat,
they have to ask or search for the place where they can eat it.
In other word, It’s not common food like the one in supermarket.
In my case, I’ve even never seen dead dogs in my life , including the dog meat.
And rude thing…
Well, I’m kind of rude person in korea
This kind of person exists all over the world!
Yes~! There are SO MANY RUDE person in korea!
But every countries in the earth are same~ they ALL HAVE a lot of rude person~
Only concept of rude is different each other countries~
What you think right may wrong in other countries~
But when you judge different cultures with your country’s standard, That’s rude!
So don’t be a rude person~everyone~
아 영어 존내 힘드네..;;
I’m a Korean,
And I honestly have to admit that most Koreans are rude to Americans because in Korea, the news is like, freaking filled with American soldiers burning up places, beating up Koreans, and raping us.
I know that not all Americans are like that, not even half.
I’m from America and I was shocked at how people saw Americans.
They used to tease me by calling me Yankee but they thought it was so cool that I’m from America and stuff, they’re really nice once you get friendly with them
But the older kids, holy cow.
They think spitting is cool and will spit on anyone, and anywhere.
Korean older kids are really immature to be honest. And Korea is a harsh country when it comes to being social and stuff.
You can’t go a year without being beat up or beating up someone.
Korean kids (boys) are like, so addicted to online games and when they get frustrated, they will curse.
And yes I’m sure when they meet you the teenagers will say “YANKEE GO HOME”
And they are really racist but I stand up for Americans when they get any racist.
So not all Koreans are rude, and it’s not like all Americans are nice either.
And it’s really not the NATION’s personality. It’s each people’s. Some are rude, some are nice.
Is that so hard to understand?
And actually, the writer needs to see from each point of view and should have interviewed some Koreans. Because most will admit that Koreans can be rude.
Especially 30~40men and 14~19kids.
But when they look or point at you, most of them will be saying “she’s so pretty! I wish I had that eye color!”
Because who doesn’t love blue, green eyes!!
I\’m a Korean,
And I honestly have to admit that most Koreans are rude to Americans because in Korea, the news is like, freaking filled with American soldiers burning up places, beating up Koreans, and raping us.
I know that not all Americans are like that, not even half.
I\’m from America and I was shocked at how people saw Americans.
They used to tease me by calling me Yankee but they thought it was so cool that I\’m from America and stuff, they\’re really nice once you get friendly with them
But the older kids, holy cow.
They think spitting is cool and will spit on anyone, and anywhere.
Korean older kids are really immature to be honest. And Korea is a harsh country when it comes to being social and stuff.
You can\’t go a year without being beat up or beating up someone.
Korean kids (boys) are like, so addicted to online games and when they get frustrated, they will curse.
And yes I\’m sure when they meet you the teenagers will say \"YANKEE GO HOME\"
And they are really racist but I stand up for Americans when they get any racist.
So not all Koreans are rude, and it\’s not like all Americans are nice either.
And it\’s really not the NATION\’s personality. It\’s each people\’s. Some are rude, some are nice.
Is that so hard to understand?
And actually, the writer needs to see from each point of view and should have interviewed some Koreans. Because most will admit that Koreans can be rude.
Especially 30~40men and 14~19kids.
But when they look or point at you, most of them will be saying \"she\’s so pretty! I wish I had that eye color!\"
Because who doesn\’t love blue, green eyes!!
fuck koreans. they are rude . I am half. and they are fcking rude
I’m Korean, and was raised in the West. And i have seen rude Koreans. But, stereotyping us isn’t very nice. I mean as in the fact there are PLENTY of REALLY nice Koreans out there. For example my white friend (at my international school) went into a taxi once. And the driver apparently realizing he was white treated him even very nicely and was patient with his hard time speaking the language. I mean, once i went into a store to get mints. And the owner saw me having alot of trouble understanding the prices he threw in 2 free pockys for me and my half-Japanese half-Arabic friend. So i really dislike it when people stereo-type. (But i really have no argument about us being bad drivers.) And I dislike stereo-typing any race at all. Every race has good points and bad points. So it’s only natural.
So… YEAH! Let’s just forget this cmment ever happened if you were offended in anyway! 
And I’ve also always looked up to the Japanese because of their technology and creativity in manga and anime!
I think we need to understand each others cultures. Looking at the 10 ‘misconceptions’, I kinda thought lot of these describe Korean Men in their 50s and 60s. For example the taxi drivers in Korea are usually old men and since they are old they are us to their child hood, so they are not trained and not know manners so there is no one to blame. Not EVERY man in their 50s and 60s are like this OF COURSE. That is why people say they are bad drivers and rude. Also it is usually the old people who like golf.
In Korea we have a purpose breed for eating that we breed. This is the SAME thing as breeding cows, pigs, chickens, or if you are a vegetarian: lettuce
.
I was actually born in Chicago and moved to korea when I was 2. I then came back when I was 8. After 3 years went to Shanghai, China. After 3 years, again, I’m back here in Seoul and after living in three countries, I think that manners follow the countries development. For example 20, 30 years ago, almost every man Spat on the ground. Now, it is significantly reduced. In china, currently everyone spits(except for women obviously)on the ground. To give you another example the economy in the US is not very good. I DO NOT KNOW if this is the reason, but when I visited the US for the first time 2 years, everyone felt cold and frustrated. I will repeat: I do not know if this is the reason but I think that when a countries has economical downfall or rise, their manners and attitude follow.
STFU the korean people rocks! /o/