Korean identity problem

By Han Joo-hun

In Hong Kong, every time I introduce myself as a Korean, people greet me with ``annyeong.” They list the names of Korean dramas they have watched. They asked me if the rumor about plastic surgery is true. They ask me whether people get that many surgeries in Korea.

I raise this perhaps disturbing note, not because of what true beauty should be, but because it tells of Korea’s image in the world. This question about people’s appearance, ultimately, inquires into the culture. Perhaps what is provoking is the attention rather the question itself. Foreigners identify Koreans with something superficial. The next question is, “Who are Koreans?”

Clearly, we have built one of the fastest-developing countries in the world. Quite literally, the country has been always at work. Skyscrapers, subways and facilities are constantly under construction and renovation.

Besides physical aspects, the changes of ideas, customs and styles are remarkable. New values and means of life are quickly adopted and replaced. Popular fads, including well-being and social networking, represent some of the widest nationwide fevers.

The country is so apt at being trendy. It is surprising to see how quickly novelties become the standard. Most importantly, the changes are global. We aspire to enjoy original Belgian waffles for brunch and wear authentic brand clothing. As such, Koreans lead a fascinating lifestyle.

Fascinating as it is, Korea's lifestyle contains a fatal problem. The Korean lifestyle has lost its color. Korea looks great, but it does not look Korean any more. Ironically, the flourishing modernity and globalism Korea has achieved has penetrated and has become the country’s running theme. The country is prosperous and global but at the same time banal. It reminds me of an action film that is fancy but empty in plot.

Korean culture is under threat. Neglecting what is genuinely Korean in the name of development is the threat. The signs are apparent. In public, Korean is losing its place. Downtown Seoul seems to think that Korean is old-fashioned and tacky. Coffee shops, stores and even clothes people wear inundate the city with foreign languages.

It looks as if things Korean have been relegated to appear in souvenirs, the ones that would normally be found in Insa-dong. Traditional values are subject to a similar threat. The Korean culture of etiquette, which once titled the nation as “the courteous people in the East,” now seems an anachronism.

Congestion on the street is a vicious cycle that feeds on, and in turn triggers, selfish behavior. Foreigners are surprised at how rarely Koreans smile in public. In the past couple of years, there have been infamous video clips of young people shouting tirades and expletives at elders. In the single-minded pursuit of a better living, Koreans ended up turning their backs on what was uniquely theirs.

Optimism also exists. Korea has also been producing its own modern culture. Recent the global boom of Korean entertainment business, also known as “hallyu,” illustrates an inspiring image of Korea. Under this boom, idol singers and Korean dramas have gained new significance. They describe part of Korea's culture. This culture is a present one. Personally, it was an awkward yet proud experience to discover many Hong Kong people using Korean songs as their ring tone. In a sense, new Korean values are being created and spread.

National identity shall always be on the minds of Koreans. It is an ever present and even an existential issue. Renowned Latin American writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez spoke of “Nuestra Historia, which both means our history and our story.” His dictum tells us that it is our story that makes up our history.

After all, our national identity will gain shape in accordance with how originally we make our own stories.

The writer is a student majoring in English studies at the University of Hong Kong. He can be contacted at hjh4132@hotmail.com.