Cultural (in)Differences

Break Time

2011-05-25T08:33:00.003+09:00

Hey guys! I just wanted to let you know that we ARE still alive. Teaching high school is involved and exhausting and time consuming...and also, we recently bought a Wii. So I have been occupied in many aspects. I would assume that the next cartoon won't come out until after school is out, so...June sometime. I'm trying to brew the best ideas to be fully prepared;).

Until then, I want to leave you with one of my favorite things.
This is a picture that was drawn by my brother, whom I love more than most people. So maybe you won't like it as much as I do. But look at it. I mean, really look at it. It's hilarious.

And here it is: Ellen the dog, by Steven.

Meet our Puppy

2011-03-27T00:24:00.002+09:00

I've tried to ask for a cultural perspective on this, but can only seem to get personal accounts of the matter. Nonetheless, our puppy (who is actually not a puppy at all...she's 5...but she's too stinkin cute to just be a "dog".) is not a large puppy, but the reactions we *usually* get would make you think otherwise. For a size reference: she was small enough to ride in the cabin of the plane with us, but big enough to hate our guts for about 20 hours that day.
Please, enjoy the cartoon.

Bus Surfing

2011-03-06T01:48:00.003+09:00

(Note: in this last frame, the redundancy of Korean characters is not an inferred commentary on [what would be] my blatant racism, but rather a helpful way to save time when creating lots and lots of people. )

Junk Food Naivity

2011-02-06T01:31:00.004+09:00

This following scenario has occurred several times. The irony is thick.

*A typical school day, in a typical building in Korea*

*zoom to front of same typical building*

The Woes of Customizing

2011-01-30T20:32:00.008+09:00

In America, we're used to a "have it your way" mentality. We customize everything, from our houses, to our weddings, to our hamburgers. In Korea, that is often not the case. It can be very difficult to custom order even something as simple as a latte. The cartoon below is what I can only assume is the reason for that.

*note: once again, the Korean has been translated for you. The conversation exchanged in the last frame is NEVER that easy.*

Modeling in Korea

2011-01-22T22:46:00.005+09:00

One big cultural difference between Korea and America is the way the "commercial" models pose. In America, the cheaper the clothes, the cheesier the expression. In Korea, it goes the other way...the cheaper the clothes, the more bored the models appear. This boredom also applies to Korean celebrities endorsing food items, grocery stores, and patriotic ideals.

I suggest clicking on the pictures to get the full effect.
Enjoy.

(scroll down)

The Subway

2011-01-15T22:23:00.001+09:00

*Disclaimer-the Korean has been translated for your convenience*
Also, "waegookin" is the Korean word for "foreigner".

Train: 5 minutes until arrival.

Train: 1 minute until arrival.

Train: arriving.

Meet the Foreigners

2011-01-09T20:18:00.005+09:00

This is Mr. and Mrs. Foreigner. They are very much in love. They live in Korea, and sometimes they encounter things that are too funny not to be shared.
Mr. Foreigner bought Mrs. Foreigner a pen tablet for Christmas.

Let the awesome begin. (But remember that these things take some time).