Here's where to buy Korean skincare adv on KBC28

[Rosetta]

For any fellow KBC viewers who have been intrigued by the Coreana and IOPE ads, I've found a couple of online sources to purchase the products: www.neobeauty.com and www.daybeauty.com. You'll find all the lines advertised on KBC, with info on all the products. (And, if like me, you've visited some of the stores advertised on KBC and felt unwelcome there, here's a way to purchase some of the wonderful Korean products.)

Rosetta

[galacticchick]

Thanks Rosetta,

I personally have been looking to buy a compact from Coreana. I've always been a big admirer of how pretty asian skin is. Just look at Ya-young (Yellow Handkerchief)

I have noticed it's a bit on the expensive side though, but one of the websites you recomended seems to be having a sale. How do you mean unwelcome? Did no one ask you if you needed help? I've had similar experiences in Chinatown, although I try and keep an open mind and remember that not everyone is comfortable with diversity. (Just in case I get mail stating that I am prejudice, I'm not. I am intringuied by all kinds of cultures and try to apply what is best in each one to my everyday life so that I myself can become an educated person, a woman of the world.

[yobo]

Don't you mean, a woman of the galaxy? No matter which country we're from, we're all in the same boat, the gigantic, open-air spaceship called Earth. I have found that most Korean-Americans are very pleased and gratified to find that folks like us can be just as fascinated with their home country as they may have been with ours before they came here. Btw, I have noticed posters outside the Asia food market in Schaumburg for Koreana products, for you 'burbanites.

[galacticchick]

You are right, we are all from the same boat, and what each one of us contributes is meaningful and important.

As the child of immigrant parents, I know that it fills one with a sense of pride to know that other people want to know about my culture and appreciate it.

Thanks for the heads up on other sources of Coreana products! :)

[Soju]

I think one of the problems is that, for whatever reason, Korean-Americans have not really tried to "sell" their culture to the American masses the way the Chinese and Japanese-Americans have. It seems that K-Am shopkeepers don't know quite to make of non-Asians in their stores, especially since some are there just to say,
"Look at this, this is so weird!"

I have found that if I express a genuine interest in their culture, they become quite sociable, although as opinionated as anyone else. A gift shop owner in Niles gave me an earfull on the low quality of subtitles on US versions of Daruma. I'm sure these didn't include Michael's!!! ;D

[Knov1]

well I've never been treated rudely but I have felt 'uncomfortable' at times in some stores. For the most part I've had positive experiences when I go to any Korean shops. Some people say I look mixed (I'm not even asian though) and I bow to everyone (even non-Koreans), so maybe that helps.

[Rosetta]

Hi!

I'm the original poster who wrote that I have felt uncomfortable and sometimes unwelcome when visiting some of the Korean groceries and stores advertised on KBC. This is just my feeling. I'm not sure they're even interested in having non-Koreans as customers; I don't think this is something that they're actively seeking. Definitely, the shopkeepers seemed surprised to have a customer like me at their stores -- so there is a surprise factor (they may be thinking, "Gee, is she in the right place?)

I just have felt the stares, and have felt uncomfortable. No one has been rude to me.

But I do want to mention one Korean grocery in my neighborhood that is very friendly (and also sells cosmetics, though as one person has pointed out, they are more expensive in the stores than online). This store is in Chicago around the corner from Pulaski on Lawrence, and the person who was at the checkout even gave me advice about herbal teas (apparently, I was unknowingly purchasing one that was intended as a tonic for seniors).

They have a good selection of everything, including many different varieties of kimchee, different brands/flavors of soju, fresh fish, vegetables, etc.

[Soju]

Rosetta -

Is it the Arirang Super? I love the little deli they have in the back - especially the fritters and dumplings!

Plus, they always seem tickled to see a Non-Korean like me buy food from them.

[Rosetta]

Yes -- it's the one with the little deli in the back, just as you have described! They are so nice -- it's the first place where my husband and I have felt comfortable . . . well even more than comfortable. As you said, they seem very welcoming to non-Koreans shopping there, and seem to want to help us make the right purchases. And, the food is delicious!!

[sasami]

I've been to one grocery store in the neighborhood and I must say I got mixed feelings from it. I did notice I got quite a few stares and since then never went back. I always wanted to go back but that feeling just wasn't comfortable enough for me to go back.

I will check that one on pulaski and lawerance since I am on pulaski once the sun comes back out. lol

[Soju]

I would say the main thing is to act like a customer, and not a tourist. Though, I have noticed that the people who run the deli at the Arirang Super DO seem more friendly than those up at the register.

I think there might also be a language problem, in that many empoyees at K-Am stores might not be too confident in their English, so they back off. Their English has to be better than my Hangukmal, though.