I'm a 22 year old girl who has lived in Korea for the past 22 years.
I am not speaking to all of Korea.
I have been advertising under a company, and I will say that although there are many things I love about this country, I have to say it is extremely sexist, racist, and all around a depressing place to live.
Girls are still considered objects here. Sure, there is a Female President. She does not reflect on the entirety of Korean society. We are all told to be the exact same. When I first came here, I was 47kg (171cm) I was told I was fat everyday, telling me to get plastic surgery. Girls here are scared to not have boyfriends. I see their boyfriends grab the back of their girlfriend's neck, pull their hair, and forcefully push them out in public. After getting close to many Korean girls, I would have to say around 1 in 3 girls have been sexually touched by their fathers. And if a girl was raped by her father, the police wouldn't do anything about it, and if anything the girl would get in trouble for going against her father. When dancing, I am one of those people who they say has "charisma." However, I am constantly scolded for it everyday, which wouldn't bother me, but the boys who dance with "charisma" are constantly praised for it. It's basically that pretty innocent look that seems to be the only acceptable girl image. Playing dumb, using a high voice, etc...
The people here are depressed. They have a happy face on all the time, but the life is sucked out of them. Living here is like living in a black and white world, if you are sad or depressed nobody will care. When my best friend (who is korean.) was crying all day in the locker rooms people just walk by and don't care. If you do something that is slightly out of the ordinary you are labeled as strange. So many suicides happen everyday to a point where it's not even a big deal here. Sure you can find great friends here, but none of them will be the friends that you can really open up to and get close to.
I have a friend who is an English teacher in Seoul, and the school scolded him for talking about genetics. Why? Because he taught the students that they were all different and unique. According to Korean society, being different is a big "no no."
Again, I love Korea, however Korea has advanced faster than the people. (and the buildings, but that's not a huge deal.) Some Koreans like foreigners, but most of them think they are really loud and annoying. (If you come here, PLEASE don't yell on the subway.) Girls are very oppressed, people are depressed and have to be the same. To be honest, I could go on forever but these are the only things that come to mind as of now. Please don't take it offensive. Again, I'm just stating my observations.
#story #society #girl