Plastic Surgery, K-Pop Innocence, and Underground "Punk" Lifestyle

My friend recently introduced me to this video focusing on a model from the UK visiting Seoul during Fashion Week. Though it goes into depth on a few other things along the way..

1. The enormous obsession over plastic surgery here in Korea. This country is the number one country in the world for having the highest percentage of plastic surgeries done. Women admittedly want a more "western" like face- focusing mainly on bigger eyes and a visible crease in the eyelid. In Korea, you are constantly told how pretty you are by your students, co-teachers, and strangers. As this model in the video says, people are beautiful because they are different. If we all looked alike- how boring would life be. I always follow the "Teacher, beautiful" with "Thank you. You are beautiful too!"

2. The slowly changing conservative culture of this country. The model meets a barber shop owner who has a "punk" fashion style. He dresses in lots of dark colors and has countless visible tattoos. (This is what we sometimes call "rebel Koreans."-- They are the more coming of age Koreans who have that independence about them, and have left that collectivist society that Asian culture so greatly claims, behind. The Koreans who have found their own style, their own expression, and who are not afraid to go against the grain.) He explains how he doesn't care for K-Pop fashion, and is worried that foreigners who have never met a Korean in their lives, and whos only connection to Korean culture is that of K-Pop, is worrisome.

3. The sheltered, naive ways of the K-Pop world and its members. Though it's clear that all K-Pop members have a clear collected bond, from the way they dress, to the way they dance,- they each have a different status and image. As you will see in the video, each group has its "sexy" member, and it's "cute, baby" member. Even my students will tell me, "Teacher. Sexy boy" when they talk about each member of their favorite K-Pop bands.

I have no idea how long this model is in Korea for, and if she even travels outside of Seoul- but she tries to understand the Korean culture from what she's seen over a period of if I have to guess a week's time. That's nothing, and I must admit, she's open about some things but not about others. It's very hard to get a sense of a particular culture from just seven days in the capital city. Again, why living here has brought me so much knowledge, awareness, and respect for this amazing country.

Very interesting stuff..

Click the link below for the YouTube video:

Seoul Fashion Week: K-Pop to Double Eyelid Surgery

Ridiculous Quotes From Today

So I have 25 minutes left of my day, and (I think) the last ridiculous quote of the day was just said in my presence.
I haven't really shared the quotes my co-workers and students have said in here because I'm always stating them on facebook along with all the other foreign teachers. However, for my family members and those who don't follow me on facebook: these three are for you guys:

#1:
Setting: Walking to lunch.
We pass one of the 5th grade homeroom teachers (the woman who bought a cheesecake for my birthday.)

my co-teacher: "Ohhh her dress is so short! She doesn't have a boyfriend. I think she is looking for one." (Insert awkward laugh here.)
me: "At school?"
my co-teacher: "Hahah no! Not in school."
me: "Well, she's wearing the dress in school."


#2:
Setting: After class, my usual 6th graders are cleaning the classroom.
One girl is holding her stomach as her friends hug her.

student: "Teacher, ughh so sick!"
me: "Oh, I'm sorry. What's wrong?"
student: "Stomachache teacher. Magic."
me: "Magic stomachache? Like Harry Potter?"
student: "No. no. Uh. ummmm... stomachache... red."
me: (putting it all together) "Ooohhhh.. (whisper, for there were some boys across the room) like a girl stomachache?"
girls: "Yes!! hahahahaha. Yes! ughhhh." (Embarassed but loving that I just understood the situation.)
me: "Ohhh, I know. ouch!"
girl: "hahahahhahahaha!"

They were dying with laughter.
Fun fact I just found out: Apparently, periods in Korea are indeed sometimes referred to as "magic." I could think of a few antonyms that might be better suited for this situation.Too funny.


#3:
Setting: After class. Three 6th grade girls are interviewing me. Yes, I had agreed to be interviewed because apparently no other teacher wanted to do it.... maybe this was why..

student: "Hello teacher. Do you know Psy?"
me: "Yes, of course."
student: "Psy drinks soju during his concert. What are your feelings on this?"
me: "Well, (choosing my words very carefully) I don't think he should drink soju during his concert because he will get crazy and he is already crazy."
(Student nods in agreement.)
student: "Do you have any other opinions on this?"
me: "Uhh maybe Psy likes soju a lot. But during his concert, his job is to sing and dance.. not drink soju."
students: "Thank you teacher!!!" (And they leave)

And done. One question.. and it had to be that. Bahahaha
Oh by the way- That interview was videotaped.

Field Trip Turns Into Emotional Breakthrough

My co-teacher and I went on a field trip/picnic to Mungyeong Saejae with my sixth graders last week. Mungyeong Saejae is an old road that used to connect Busan and Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty. It is sometimes called Joreyong, since it lies on Mt. Joreyongsan. (The ending san in Korean means mountain.) Both names for this road mean bird pass. It was said that the three legendary gates along the road were too high for even birds to fly over. This place was absolutely beautiful. We hiked for about two hours total. Along the road we hit small waterfalls, quiet streams, and trees trying to thrust themselves into their Fall colors.

The ladles people drink the water from in the tiny pool (pictured in the photo below this.)  Yes I did it. Tried not to put my lips on it-my shirt took the spill. Bad choice- but in my defense, the flu is going around.

Fun fact: When we first got there, I was asked to be in charge of the 6th grade graduation picture for their yearbook. I was the only one with a camera. (Four homeroom teachers and my co-teacher = no cameras.) Of course the foreigner brings her camera. So yeah- no pressure. I must have taken about eight different pictures. Hahaha. It was fun more than anything. I was delighted to do it. I cropped one of them-shown below: (Click on it to make it larger.)

The thing I most enjoyed about this trip was the lax and playfulness of my students, especially my disruptive ones. The few students (mostly boys) who I have the most trouble with in class were eager to walk with me, joke with me, and what was that?.. oh yeah... actually listen to and respect me. Two situations are worth mentioning. 

1. One of my boys was admiring my sunglasses. (These kids have never seen me with sunglasses on. Fact: Not a lot of Koreans even where them. I've mostly seen them on the young men and women in big cities like Seoul and Busan, but still- very rare. We really do joke that we are celebrities as we walk down the streets in our shades and countless stares.) As he was making comments, I asked him if he wanted to wear them. His face lit up, and as he put them on, his friends were snapping pictures left and right. He quickly gained the nickname, "cool boy." (By the way, he didn't care/have the knowledge that he was clearly wearing the fakest aviators ever, costing a whopping 10,000 won. Around $9.00). I roll big.I actually forgot he had them, until about 30 minutes later. He returned them to me carefully without a scratch on them haha.

2. Now let's bring things over to the student I have the most trouble with (the same boy who was kicked in the ribs by my co-teacher.) I was walking around the village at the end of our hike snapping pictures here and there when I ran into him and his friend. The friend spots me and says, "Teacher!" Come here. It is beautiful!" So of course I walk over and there is this really awesome old chair with two longs bars jutting out of the sides. When I'm done trying it out, I walk over to this beautiful closet against one of the houses, and my student gets inside and closes the doors... probably to scare his friend.  I asked to take a picture, and he gives the camera the biggest smile I've seen on that afce of his. I'm pretty sure the only smile I've ever seen on him. I know this is something so small and maybe insignificant to others, but for me it was HUGE. 

This student is so low-level, barely even saying "hi" to me, and there is only so much I can do with language and culture barriers and stepping on superior's toes. Every day he steps into my class is a production. He is bored, disruptive, hyperactive, and not at all motivated to learn English. I stand there next to his desk giving him one-on-one attention trying to get him through somewhat of the material. I try everything in my  power every day he is in there. I know if I didn't I would go home knowing I didn't do my best as a teacher, but like I said, there is a point where I need to step back and just say, I've done what I can do for today. The lack of discipline and consistency from my co-teacher and I'm guessing his homeroom teacher as well, is affecting him severely. I've also noticed he may need some type of intervention with his hyperactivity and lack of attention. Yes, I'm aware I'm not a doctor, but I am a teacher with experience in various types of classrooms and learning environments. Part of our job is to keep an eye out for special needs students and their possible disabilities. It has always been proven a tough but crucial task. The result- the aid in student learning and success. And that is worth every controversial and nasty comment from parents, every meeting, every hour spent researching, documenting, and trial-and-error plans to get the student to their personal potential. This student makes involuntary noises and movements during class. He has a need to twist and turn, shake his arms around in the air, and call out short bursts of noise. Can this all be attention-seeking behavior? Of course. Could it be something deeper? Absolutely. This is how students slip through the cracks. Denial and choosing not to even look into it. The hardest part of this job- knowing I really can't do everything I would if circumstances were different. As a certified teacher, having taken classes, student teaching, practicums, and subbing- I have an abundance of knowledge as to how to help him- but I need help from other professionals and his parents. Unfortunately, I don't have that here. I don't have the acceptance (which is the first step), the support, or the drive of my co-workers. So like I said, to have this connection with him, even if it was as short as the snap of a camera flash literally) - made me admittedly a bit emotional. We teachers get more emotional than people realize. If we didn't, I'd worry. These students are our job, our drive, and our inspiration. You spend most of your waking hours at your job. I chose these students as my life. At least until I have my own children, these kids are in a way, my own. Year after year. As an ESL Teacher working in a foreign country, who's co-workers don't even speak your language, things can get very impersonal inside the classroom. You feel the lack of emotional connection with your students that you got so naturally back at home. Something as simple as a student who has broken a bone or is really sick- there's only so much you can communicate through to them no matter how much Korean you know. It kills me when I see girls in fights with their friends or students who just seem down, and not be able to share my concern, care, and desire to make them feel safe, comfortable, and happy.

These are things you are not told about or even think to foresee before you start this job, and they are things you're inevitably going to have to deal with. Of course your co-teachers can make a world of difference if they work with you to translate your concern for your students, but there is still that one on one connection that you will always be missing. It's something I'm still learning to accept here (yes- even eight months in) but something I miss dearly from teaching back home.

Some memories of the day: (Yes, I'm aware there are a ton, but you non fb users need to be up to date =)) 

Oh the love between the boys in this country makes me smile.

This student has become one of my favorites. Gave me such a hard time in the beginning, but after one rough day and getting it into her head that I meant business- we've become bffs. She made my nickname "MaryCAKE" We spent a good 30 minutes arm-in-arm on the hike.)

Hahaha no problem.  Go in the water and get half of your pants wet. Parents won't mind in the least. At home- psssshhh would never happen

These girls were mad they were in the back and got covered up in the big picture above. So I gave them their own re-do

He was being Psy everywhere, even at the middle-school girls who passed who did their shy covering mouth laugh. Future Heartbreaker right here.

Such sweethearts these two

My special needs student. He had a great day out and about

She thought this was hilarious when I showed it to her

My bff. I swear I talk to her the most throughout my week. yes, over the adults in the school.

Eventually, yes, they caught a fish-- in a water bottle

Mask Dance Festival and Hahoe Village

My city hosts one of Korea's largest, most popular festivals of the year.
Andong International Mask Dance Festival. 
Pretty cool huh?
Ever since I moved here, all that was talked about was the jjimdak chicken, Hahoe Village, and this mask festival. Our slogan is, "The Capitol of the Korean Spirit," for very good reason.

This meant a huge influx of people in Andong. I was away for most of it since the first weekend was Chuseok, but when I came back I was taken aback by the amount of people and cars that suddenly appeared in this city. More on the festival in a second..

I made my first trip to Hahoe Village. I regret not doing it sooner since it is the most famous place in Andong. You need to take a 40-minute bus ride to the outskirts of Andong-- which means country, farm, mountains, and village. That's about it. But boy is it stunning. Hahoe Village or 하회마을. For those of you at home--- when Hangul is translated into English characters, 'oe' is pronounced "way''. So, in Korean, you literally says "Haway Maeul." I'm not even going to begin to explain the pronunciation of Maeul through writing. Way too difficult. If you really want to know, go study up on your Hangul. No? Well then, moving on..
A few facts on 하회마을: It is a 600 year old well-preserved village, birth place to two brothers  who held high positions during the Joseon Dynasty and Japanese Invasion. The Nakdong River flows around the village in an S shape; Ha means river and oe means turning around, hence how the name Hahoe came to be. There is a beautiful 600-year old Zelkova tree there. (Fun fact: My favorite coffee shop in downtown Andong is called Zelkova, and has a lovely poem about the tree on the bathroom wall.) It is said that the goddess Samsin resides inside. There, you can write down a personal wish on a piece of paper and tie it along the rope that circles around the entire base of the tree. The Zelkova is located in the center of the village with the straw and tile-roofed houses facing the river. We also got to experience a traditional Korean mask dance. The costumes and masks were quite exuberant. Here is a video below.

Traditional Korean mask dance

Zelkova Tree

My wish

  

As for the festival... Clearly I couldn't let Kate leave without experiencing a Korean festival, especially when it's being held within a 15-minute walk from my apartment door. So we went on Thursday and made masks, did some ridiculous vendor shopping, street food eating etc. Unfortunately we got there late since I had work, so we didn't have time for much more. On Saturday, I had a bunch of friends from down south who came up for it which was really nice because it was the first time I had visitors from within the country. We saw a show that consisted of dances from Mexico, Costa Rica, and Malaysia. They were all amazing, but the Mexican dancers were off the charts. They combined traditional Mexican dances with modern dance, which I love. (Made me miss dancing a lot, and realized how old I'm getting when I looked back on the countless years I used to dance.) Anyways.. after the show, we chilled with our best friend- makkoli. I made new best friends with an ahjussi. He came right up to me and with his broken English, tried asking me to take a picture with his phone. At first, we thought he wanted a picture of us, then of him, then of me and him, then who knows what. But this whole ordeal was spent with him shoving the phone in my face (it's all in hangul, so I couldn't for the life of me figure it out) and him playfully hitting my arm several times to get my attention and reiterate the fact that he needed to get his camera phone to work. This went on for a good amount of time until my friend Simon finally took out his own phone to take the picture. Oh yes, that is him below... good looking fella. I mean it takes a lot of balls to go up to a group of 7 foreigners and try to communicate when you know a total of about 10 English words. So go him! I love these random, awkward, moments in Korea. They make my days so much more interesting and worthwhile, and of course make for a great story. After this fun encounter, we made our way over to the mask decorating tent, where I made my second mask. Just imagine 7 foreigners in their mid 20's amongst a tent full of Korean children. (Who by the way, have way better mask decorating skills than we do.)

BFF

Had to hold myself back from these bags and the jewelry at this vendor 

One way to not get wet..

The beginning of the vendors..

Me and Kate

Simon, Jaceon and Glen

Just pop a squat

Glen, Marc, and Simon

Introduced them to jjimdak

This past weekend was filled with everything Andong. I said it countless times.. Of course I've come to love where I live, but I was particularly proud this weekend to be a "resident" of it. Korean people love Andong because of the culture that it has preserved. It is a fact that it holds the largest number of cultural properties in Korea. This is why the Andong people love their city, and walking around the festival- it was clear that everyone else in Korea holds a great amount of respect for it as well.