The Korea Times

K-pop, politics, North Korea and sex

By David Tizzard  I believe twitter and social media are a force for good. I believe that they are a boon for political and cultural discourse in Korean society.I believe those who use the platform regularly, particularly the people who constantly to find faults in others, are of the highest ethical standing and have few, if any problems, of their own.I believe that all the politicians set to contest the National Assembly election in April do so with the best interests of the country at heart and not their own careers. I believe that despite over 30% of them having criminal convictions, the citizens of South Korea have nothing to worry about in terms of corruption or the abuse of power.I believe that the local Conservative party, with all their head-shaving and fasting, are doing the right thing to win the hearts and minds of the population and ultimately succeed in the next presidential election.I believe K-Pop is not only revolutionary, it is the very future of music. I believe that it is the height of creativity, self-expression, and the most profound manifestation of mu

Feb 10, 2020By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Choose Korea: 2020

By David Tizzard It has been said by Viktor Frankl and Friedrich Nietzsche among others that if man has a “why” to live for, he can endure almost any “how”.So as South Korea enters the second decade of the 21st century, it is worth posing the question to the Korean people, “What is the “why” for which you are living?”From a materialist perspective, South Korea is a rip-roaring success. Yes, it might be struggling somewhat economically of late but more broadly the last half century has seen a remarkable transformation in the people’s monetary fortunes.No longer is a casual greeting, “Have you eaten?” Now, houses are generally warmed, fridges are stocked, and the Wi-Fi runs freely and quickly.Moreover, people no longer fear the police or the authorities. The government is not a figure of totalitarian tendencies and torture to be avoided lest one be dragged to Namsan.Instead, policies are now being debated for the welfare and prosperity of the citizens. Of course the decisions and policies do not please everyone &nda

Jan 29, 2020By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

K-pop and marriage: why not?

By Han Jeongmun and David TizzardHan Jeongmun and David TizzardIn a country with one of the world's lowest birth rates, one would assume the news of a beloved celebrity announcing plans for marriage and an imminent child would be welcomed with open arms.But not in Korea. And not for a K-pop idol.Chen, a member of one of the country's most successful K-pop groups, EXO, announced in a handwritten letter posted on social media that he was doing exactly this. Yet much of the response from fans was both toxic and unpleasant. Many called on him to leave the group immediately and spoke of the betrayal that they felt. Such devil comments (“ang-pul” as they are known in Korean) should not be taken lightly as the recent suicides of K-pop stars Sulli and Goo Hara have been linked to the negative treatment they received online. Twitter was filled with hashtags retweeted in the tens of thousands wildly criticizing Chen for his perceived crimes and inconsiderate behavior. The atmosphere, as is often the case, was full of self-righteousness and a lack of humility and consideration. Thin

Jan 19, 2020By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Japanese moustaches: racism or triggers?

By Chanmi Kim and David Tizzard2020-01-05(코리아타임스)Once an unwanted nominee to Australia, Ambassador Harry Harris, now settled into Habib House in the heart of Seoul, has attracted a great deal of attention since his appointment to South Korea on June 28th last year. His comments, tweets, and appearance have been probed and prodded to a far greater degree than those of his diplomatic counterparts in other embassies.He has officially and unofficially voiced his concerns on a whole host of issues vis-a-vis Korea, including President Moon's choice to end the GSOMIA, comments on President Moon being allegedly surrounded by pro-North Korean leftists, and President Trump's demands for a fivefold funding increase for US troops stationed in South Korea.Citizens here, moreover, winced at Ambassador Harris' baffling choice to cancel a pre-scheduled meeting with the Korean Veterans Association and instead tweet about attending the grand opening of an American burger franchise, ShakeShack, last August.Over time, all this has given birth to a rather peculiar and all too familiar phenomenon, and now

Jan 5, 2020By David A. Tizzard

Japanese moustaches: racism or triggers?

Opinion

K-pop, suicide and free speech

From left, Han Jeongmun and David Tizzard.By Han Jeongmun and David Tizzard The history of social thought can be largely divided into two categories: those who wish to “tighten” social bonds and those who wish to “relax” them. These two approaches to issues are, however, complementary and interdependent. We need both of them if a society is to function correctly. Just like night and day, hot and cold, and male and female are not enemies, they are both required in an ever-shifting balance.Recently in Korean society, however, the balance has begun shifting in a noticeable direction. Online, at least.Two months ago, Daum announced that it had indefinitely removed the comments section on its entertainment pages. Despite what CP Scott claimed, comment is seemingly not free. Daum's decision was certainly influenced by the recent loss of the young female celebrity, Sulli. While assigning a single cause as to the reason for her suicide would be foolhardy, she suffered a great deal as a result of the many insulting comments made online about her.And yet before the coun

Dec 29, 2019By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Shaking hands with enemy

One of the biggest divisions in Korean politics revolves around history and the continued failure to agree on what the past represents. Korea Times fileBy Bae Sung-eun and David TizzardBae Sung-eun, left, and David TizzardSome things in life are beyond ordinary human comprehension: quantum physics, human consciousness, astronomical time and ... Korean politics.You could be forgiven for thinking it rather easy. The administration led by President Moon Jae-in are the liberals seeking peace with the North; the opposition party, led by Hwang Kyo-ahn, are the conservatives who take a hard-line stance against progress and external foes.And for some, there is only “one” policy in South Korean politics: the North Korean policy and its two variants, those favorable to Pyongyang (chin-buk-song-hyang) and those opposed to it (ban-buk-song-hyang).If only it were that simple.Admittedly, perhaps to many external observers who focus exclusively on the issue, it is. But a far more complex and nuanced battle is taking place ― and it is not too pretty.One of the more fundamental cleavages

Dec 22, 2019By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Frozen 2: No kids allowed?

By David Tizzard  This week saw reports surfacing online of a whole host of movie-goers being so annoyed by the presence of children in the cinema while watching the latest Disney box-office smash that they were demanding theatres become the latest “no-kids zone”. This is a word that Korean society has heard a fair amount of recently ― perhaps somewhat ironically as the country has the lowest birthrates in the developed world. The national statistics office reported that the country's fertility rate dropped to 0.88 between July and September, 7.9% down on last year's figures. More worryingly, or perhaps pleasingly for some, it was the nation's capital, Seoul, that recorded the nation's fewest babies. There are a variety of reasons for this: economic woes, post-materialism, the continued rise of the “hon” lifestyle, and the gender wars ― again in the news following the recent suicide of two female K-Pop idols and the imprisonment of two male musicians for abhorrent sexual crimes. So, despite a whole host of ineffective government efforts to reverse this de

Dec 2, 2019By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

My 'Nunchi' is better than yours

By David Tizzard  Nunchi in the schools. Nunchi in the home. Nunchi in the workplace, the traffic, the factories, the cafes, and the soju tents. Nunchi for me. Nunchi for you. Everyone gets some damn nunchi – even the dogs.For after all, it’s not just kimchi that cures cancer, fish that gives you stamina, and fans that will secretly murder you in your sleep, now nunchi is the secret to all that is successful about Korea.At least that’s what the past fortnight or so on social media would have you believe.It all seemed to snowball when Euny Hong wrote a piece in the NYT, calling nunchi, “the Korean secret to happiness and success.”It was said to be “as old as Korean civilization itself” and not only unique to this part of the world but “horrifying to the 21st century Western mind”.Sounds bloody amazing, doesn’t it?The author boils it down to being able to speed-read a room and then decide on the appropriate action based on the collective feelings and ambience within.Erm…that’s generally what most people

Nov 23, 2019By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

The Suneung World Cup final

David Tizzard talks with his students. Courtesy of TizzardBy David TizzardHalo walks into the room clutching a chocolate milkshake in a desperate attempt to rid herself of a hangover from last night's boozing. She is filming something for television today yet yesterday's clothes still cling to her with a sense of familiarity. She is a 19-year-old studying Japanese at a Korean university. Her unashamed blue hair hangs down way below her shoulders.As we begin discussing her views on the Korean “suneung” university entrance exam, it doesn't take her long to swear comfortably and fluently in English. She's exasperated by her own memories and those a whole new batch of hopefuls are to be exposed to. She is, in essence, the very personification of a middle finger to the standardized model. She rejects both the accepted appearance dictated to her and the academic path she is supposed to tread. Despite this refusal to acquiesce, or perhaps because of it, she possesses a sharp instinct and acute awareness of what's going on around her. She scores high on her papers and often outpe

Nov 14, 2019By David A. Tizzard

Opinion

Kanye West, BTS and Josh Homme

By David Tizzard I listened to three sets of music this week – Kayne West’s new Jesus is King album, Josh Homme’s latest adventures in the Desert Sessions Volume 11 and 12, and some of BTS’ performances from the closing of their world tour here in Seoul.I also revisited Van Morrison’s marvelous Astral Weeks but we’ll save that for another time.Having spent some time listening to these three very disparate sets of music, I set out to then read about them and see what the industry was saying.People lauded and ridiculed Kayne’s latest album in equal measure. Personally, I thought it was really interesting.Yes, it was on the short side – but it was different. Something unique. Personal. Honest.It wasn’t, I don’t think, Kayne out to make money.It was an artist exploring. Taking chances. Sticking a finger up to expectations and following his own path.If you’ve ever watched the Blues Brothers, you’ll no doubt remember the scene in which Jake and Elwood visit a jiving preacher played by the incomparable James Brown.

Nov 4, 2019By David A. Tizzard

David A. Tizzard

Read more

K-pop, politics, North Korea and sex

Choose Korea: 2020

K-pop and marriage: why not?

Japanese moustaches: racism or triggers?

K-pop, suicide and free speech

Shaking hands with enemy

Frozen 2: No kids allowed?

My 'Nunchi' is better than yours

The Suneung World Cup final

Kanye West, BTS and Josh Homme

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