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 musical talent.

I believe that BTS are the most important group in the world today and that without them the music industry would simply fall apart. I believe that any award show that fails to acknowledge this is inherently racist.

I believe that the country choosing to ban Japanese products from its stores while indoctrinating its children with negativity against their closest neighbors will only have positive results in the long-term. I believe that reinforcing this position through education, media, and national holidays shows the real strength of the country.

I believe that we should pay for the sins of our fathers.

I believe that North Korea is a pretty cool place – after all, I saw photos of Pyongyang and there was a subway system, smartphones, and tall buildings. I believe that America has done some terrible things in its history and, therefore, by dint of this the North can’t really be “that bad”.

I believe that presidents who meet the Kim family in the DPRK do so for the good of the people they govern and not to simply bolster political support and increase their chances of appearing in the annals of history thanks to a series of polished and glossy photos. I believe that these photos are more important than separated families, political prisons, military threat, starvation, or freedom to express one’s mind without fear of punishment.

I believe that reading certain books and discussing particular ideas should be a criminal offence in a modern democratic society. I believe, therefore, that the four Korean teachers sentenced to a year in prison for reading and distributing materials about North Korea deserve their punishment.

I believe that restaurants with signs up banning foreigners (or simply “just” Chinese people) are well within their rights to do so. I believe, moreover, that such a reaction is completely normal considering the deadly seriousness of the disease that is now spreading around the world leaving in its wake a trail of wanton destruction.

I believe there are no real or recent historic precedents which would give us cause to worry about grouping people according to their national, ethnic, or political identity.

I believe in the Foucauldian power-based idea of racism in which only the powerful or the majority can be racist, while other people can only be prejudiced at worst. I believe, therefore, that there aren’t really any racist people here – except the straight white dudes, obviously.

I believe that the Korean economy is doing great. I believe that the decision to raise the minimum wage over 10% in a single year to make it one of the highest in the OECD has had a truly positive impact on the domestic economy and people’s employment.

I believe that the current administration are economic mavericks and that their policies, while not necessarily those an expert would recommend, are destined for success.

I believe that the election of Ulsan Mayor Song Chul-ho was completely above board and that there was nothing untoward in the prosecution of the previous incumbent. I believe that nobody used their power in a manner that would be considered morally or legally unacceptable.

I believe that the rights of sexual minorities are well-respected in the country. I believe that we should expect South Korea to adopt, almost overnight, the wokest of values from the West.

I believe in the world having different cultures which should be respected, but I also believe I am entitled to get angry when cultures do things that are different from what I expect.

I believe denouncing those with whom we disagree socially, culturally, and politically is a good thing and a demonstrable recipe for success.

I believe that the molka spy-cam porn epidemic is being treated seriously at the highest levels – particularly in terms of the sentences being handed down to those who have been found guilty of installing or distributing such criminal content.

I believe American journalists are right: nunchi is the reason why Korean people are so happy – like, all the time!

I believe that suicide isn’t really that big a deal here and that it’s fine for domestic movies and dramas to continue to end their productions with the characters choosing to end their own lives rather than deal with the situations they face or seek professional help.

I believe I believe these things…I think?

David Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) is an assistant professor at Seoul Women's University. He also presents economic and cultural issues on "Business Now" on TBS eFM (101.3FM) live every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.