7/22/2006 - Korean Bug

I first heard of Korea when I was I kid. People in my community would always say Korean Bug. It was their expression. They would say, "oh, you've eaten a korean bug" or "Beware of the Korean bug." I still don't exactly know what it is. Whenever I asked around what it was, they would give me varied answers.

Many Koreans have flocked into the city where I am now. Literally, they're like aliens from outer space trying to populate the city. They were just a handful when I was in college but now, they're almost everywhere. You see them in schools, the streets, the malls, everywhere. They sprouted like mushrooms. Oh, don't get me wrong. I like Koreans. They give color to our boring city. They're always so fashionable and they make us the locals look like nothing. I also kinda like their soap opera. Our tv stations show lots of them dubbed in our language. I wish I could speak Korean. Maybe I'll enroll in some Korean classes when I have the time and money for it. My problem with Koreans here though is that they don't seem to be making friends with us. You always see them in groups and they seem to just hang out with their kind. It just bothers me because they're here to learn English (or are they?) and they're not taking advantage of it.

I read somewhere in the newspapers that Koreans came here to learn English and they chose to come particularly to our city mainly because of our cool climate unlike the typically warm climate of other parts of my country. They also say that schools here offer very affordable fees. And they also think that we are good in English. Hmm, not quite. I mean, yeah, we speak English but very bad English. My people always brag about our being the most preferred workers abroad because of our English language skills but I think it's just an exaggeration. In my observation, we barely communicate with an English speaking foreigner. We can barely give directions whenever we are asked to in English. Almost everyone in here can't speak English. So how can they tell me that we are good in English. That's bullshit. Maybe we are but just a few. I struggle with my English. That's because I barely speak it. I only use it when I write my blog. When I go out to the streets, I mainly use the three other languages that we speak here.

Anyway, the Koreans should consider interacting with us more so that we can very much understand and accept each other. Maybe they are but not quite to the degree that everyone can see it. Look-wise, they're great. There's no denying that. I still like them and I hope to make friends with them.