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Post by KDfreak on Mar 11, 2004 14:44:01 GMT -5
I'm wondering who's watching the Korean Dramas. I have been telling everyone I meet about them, and have yet to meet anyone who is familiar. I came across KBC28 in Chicago because I do not have cable. Immediately I was hooked. Having a window to another culture is awesome. The similarities and differences between Korean and American cultures are remarkable. I particularly appreciate the lack of violence and the strong social values expressed in the dramas. I'm a 42yr old Caucasian male viewer, and I'm wondering if I'm the only one.
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Post by mikey on Mar 11, 2004 19:41:35 GMT -5
Hi KDfreak, and you're hardly the only one (that is, you're hardly the only 40-something white male watching K-dramas . . . hey, join the club).
Check out the "General" forum and click on the "So Who Exactly Watches Korean Dramas" thread. It will tell you a lot about the people here.
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Post by KDfreak on Mar 12, 2004 9:13:35 GMT -5
Cool! Thanks!
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Post by galacticchick on Mar 12, 2004 12:18:20 GMT -5
Not that I mind or that my opinion matters all that much but...what does it matter what race/ethnicity is watching as long as we watch, enjoy and discuss? Hope nobody takes it offensively.
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Post by mikey on Mar 12, 2004 13:43:30 GMT -5
No offence taken, galacticchick, and of course I agree with you that race/gender/ethnicity doesn’t matter in the K-drama fan world. Bright people (which includes most of us around here, I’d say) appreciate great drama, no matter where it originates. And I also think that we all enjoy the opportunity to learn new things about cultures different from our own.
But, I’ve also noticed that there seems to be a natural assumption among (non-Korean) newbies that only Koreans watch Korean dramas. It always seems to come as a revelation to them when they discover that K-dramas have such a multi-ethnic fanbase.
I just wanted to have some fun with the “You’re not alone!” thing, that’s all.
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Post by KDfreak on Mar 12, 2004 17:05:05 GMT -5
GalacticChick, This is a big world, with lots of different people, with lots of different interests. Diversity is the spice of life. And so it goes with my question. I'm simply wondering how diverse the KD community is. And from reading the response to my question from mikey, it appears that I am not the only one interested. Take a look at the poll. Unfortunately, your statement is an example of the divisiveness so prevalent in American society with regards to ethnicity. Don't be fooled by those who espouse that diversity is bad, wrong, a problem, or any other of a host of poorly conceived bigotry. Diversity is what has made this country what it is; in this case, a place where a regular guy can have a window into such a wonderful community/culture and engage thoughtfully with those with similar interest.
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Post by galacticchick on Mar 12, 2004 17:28:31 GMT -5
KDfreak, I don't think I said anything offensive for which I deserved to be called a bigot.
If anything, can you explain to me why I am the I am the one called diversive when you are the one who wants to know what everybody's ethinicity is?
I, for one, don't care about anybody else's ethnic background. It's none of my business. To this end, those who care to respond do, and those who don't just skip the poll.
I don't need to look at the poll, it is assumed that we are all non-korean speaking viewer's who are interested in Korean dramas and society. If we weren't respectful of other cultures we wouldn't spend we wouldn't be members of this forum.
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Post by Lucy on Mar 12, 2004 17:29:56 GMT -5
I don't want to have an argument here, but I feel the need to defend galacticchick by saying that I don't think she meant any of what you are worried about. It seems all one has to do is touch on the subject of ethnicity, diversity, whatever, and interpersonal strife walks right in the door.
Yesterday on the Korean dramas Yahoo group there was a silly (IMO) flareup about terms like "Native American," "aboriginal" (the person clearly had some odd idea that there was a negative connotation to that word), "American Indian," etc., that just took everyone's attention away from the subject at hand and was basically annoying. I'm no Pollyanna, but I don't think people should be using Internet message boards like this one to lecture each other. There is just too much of that going on in this world.
P.S. I'm just checking this message in"preview" view and see that GC has already responded, but I'll post this anyway.
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Post by KDfreak on Mar 12, 2004 18:25:37 GMT -5
KDfreak, I don't think I said anything offensive for which I deserved to be called a bigot. If anything, can you explain to me why I am the I am the one called diversive when you are the one who wants to know what everybody's ethinicity is? I, for one, don't care about anybody else's ethnic background. It's none of my business. To this end, those who care to respond do, and those who don't just skip the poll. I don't need to look at the poll, it is assumed that we are all non-korean speaking viewer's who are interested in Korean dramas and society. If we weren't respectful of other cultures we wouldn't spend we wouldn't be members of this forum. GalacticChick, First of all, I did not call you a bigot. I simply stated one should not fall prey to those with bigoted perspective which too often results in an over-sensitivity to quetions regarding ethnicity. Second, the word is divisive; meaning: intended to divide. And that is what your statement's intent is; to divide by separating yourself from the issue of diversity, as if (in your own words) "it does not matter". If it does not matter to you, NO reply was necessary. And that's o.k. For you. But it appears you felt the need to respond, as if I was asking something wrong. It's not a matter of "who's business" it is, my question was simply a query intended to educate myself on the diversity of those who watch the dramas, so when espousing the positive nature of the Korean Dramas to friends and family, I could also comment on the diversity of the viewership. In other words, I can tell my friends and family that the dramas are watched by more than just the Korean community, and perhaps they might find them as engaging as you and I. It appears that the way you would have it, if I were to tell someone about the dramas and this cool message board, and they asked me who else besides me watches the dramas, you would have me tell them it's none of their business. Curious. Is that how a community grows? It's as simple as that. No hidden agenda. Let's do lunch. I'm buying.
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Post by ItzMe on Mar 12, 2004 20:59:01 GMT -5
galactikchic 8-)don't blow it out of proportion for no reason and don't put words in other people's mouths. Could be insulting to the person you do it to?
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Post by Knov1 on Mar 13, 2004 3:36:12 GMT -5
I just wanted to say a couple things.
#1 I'm moving this to the general board since this topic isn't related to OMR.
#2 KDfreak, like Mikey mentioned, if you're curious about the ethnicity of KBC viewers and members of this forum, in the general board there's the 'So who exactly watches Korean Dramas?' topic.
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Post by JP Paulus on Mar 14, 2004 0:08:50 GMT -5
galactikchic 8-)don't blow it out of proportion for no reason and don't put words in other people's mouths. Could be insulting to the person you do it to? Umm...but i think KDfreak blew it MORE out of proportion.
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Post by JP Paulus on Mar 14, 2004 0:10:18 GMT -5
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Post by JP Paulus on Mar 14, 2004 0:19:45 GMT -5
GalacticChick, This is a big world, with lots of different people, with lots of different interests. Diversity is the spice of life. And so it goes with my question. I'm simply wondering how diverse the KD community is. And from reading the response to my question from mikey, it appears that I am not the only one interested. Take a look at the poll. Unfortunately, your statement is an example of the divisiveness so prevalent in American society with regards to ethnicity. Don't be fooled by those who espouse that diversity is bad, wrong, a problem, or any other of a host of poorly conceived bigotry. Diversity is what has made this country what it is; in this case, a place where a regular guy can have a window into such a wonderful community/culture and engage thoughtfully with those with similar interest. Dude, it sounds like you already had a message you wanted to send, and decided that galactichick's message was the place to post it. You really read WAY too much into her message, and really were negative for no reason. I ask you to apologize, and to really read messages. I go to Uptown Baptist Church, where we have a TRULY diverse group, coming from Nigeria, Ghana, Belize, Jamaica, Vietnam, small town America, South Side, West Side, North Side.... Communication -- and trying to understand why OTHERS say/feel the way the do, understanding their priorities, and not forcing your priorities as automatically God's priorities -- are things we strive to do. The tone of your response goes against that idea of diversity. i glanced at your latest response, and hope galacticchick can rest on your last positive note.
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Post by JP Paulus on Mar 14, 2004 0:24:38 GMT -5
Not that I mind or that my opinion matters all that much but...what does it matter what race/ethnicity is watching as long as we watch, enjoy and discuss? Hope nobody takes it offensively. Well for me, i posted my poll, so we could get a sense of how many Koreans/Korean-speakers read this forum. They have a unique perspective, and some insight that none of us would have. One example is Mike's translations of Jang Geum -- he throws in some things occasionally to help us understand the significance of things (such as Lady Choi's talking to Lady han; would have had NO idea how disrespectful she was if it hadn't been for the DVD Extra subtitles). For me, it's like when a preacher/teacher who knows Hebrew & Greek -- they add much depth to the Scripture. I was hoping there would be more Koreans (at least on-line), but also good to hear that there are many people like me! i hope you look at the positive in KDFreak's last message! Blessings, --jp--
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