URGH.
I don’t like to generalize or stereotype, but I’m getting really annoyed by some people who are either close-minded, one-track mind, non-accepting etc etc.
Attended an interview not too long ago where the interviewer is rather close-minded and not very sensitive to the importance of language and the fact that a deep understanding of culture in order to really build ties between people etc etc. I felt like I came to an interview where I have to conform to a particular way of thinking – and I just simply lost interest halfway through.
Singaporeans are too fixated on the idea of ‘all-rounders’. Sure, these people are awesome – but how many true all-rounders are there around? What’s wrong with being specialized? -.-
Oh well. That’s not my main point. Maybe it’s just the awesome group of people I hanged out with in Seoul, but everyone does not judge. We all have different interests, thinking, mindset etc but we respect each others’ lives, decisions etc.
I seem to only have problems with narrow-minded people in Singapore. SO ANNOYED. I think I’ve blogged about it before, but I can’t stand people questioning my passion for Korean. Now that the Hallyu fever is burning in Singapore, I get that a little less – more admiration for the fact that i can speak Korean and watch dramas without subs :/
(A series of events today plus seeing my friend’s tweet on similar issues inspired this post)
But I keep hearing annoying conversations around on how they can speak Korean after learning for a few months and how they can watch and understand dramas. Hello?!
I don’t know what is your definition of ‘being able to speak’. I would never dare to use the term so loosely and easily. Personally, I think I only dare to tell people that I speak Korean after learning it for 3.5 years. Even up till now, I still find it a little uncomfortable and I prefer to say I’m able to converse but am still learning.
I find it amusing when I see people talking about loads of stuff and acting like they know everything when in actual fact, they are talking nonsense. People just can’t admit that they don’t know certain things – not as if it’s an interview. And it’s even more amusing when people are not doing it to continue a conversation but STARTING one. Sigh. I may not know a lot, but I do know enough about Korea / Korean to know that you are talking rubbish. I see that a lot in Singapore. SIGH.
I’m not trying to talk bad about Singapore/Singaporeans but seems like I’m meeting the worse of the lot? LOL.
I don’t conform to the ‘standard’ and sorry I will never do so.
so. annoyed.
I just had a bad day dealing with all kinds of nonsense. sigh.
Please let me know your experiences. I hope I’m not the only one feeling this way.
p.s. Still deciding on the winners for the giveaway! Will post the results soon 
joopleberry said:
you’re not the only one! i feel EXACTLY the same way and i know exactly what you’re talking about! ^^
hangukdrama said:
I’m so glad to hear that! sigh i was beginning to wonder if im just being too negative about singaporeans. but seriously D: I’m sick and tired of meeting such people!
Xing said:
lol yes you’re not the only one. some people like to boast especially when it comes to Korean wave, they act like they know it all, including the culture, the language, everything Korean. The fact is they have never been through it to realise how tough it is to learn a language. But what I do care more is people with no interest in languages would start to judge like “Ohh since hallyu is here, so you want to learn Korean, right?” or to a certain extent of thinking language is a useless subject. They just don’t understand why we have such passion. Sometimes it upsets me because their judgement is so misleading. Sigh.
xing said:
*gasp* I inserted my name into the wrong fields. lol! is there no way to edit this post?
hangukdrama said:
Hi Xing!
I’ve edited the comment for you
Sigh I know what you mean too. I blogged about the whole ‘since hallyu is here, you are learning korean’ thing last time too! And I hate it how people will even ask ‘ohhh so you want to get a korean bf isit?’ -.-
I dunno if I should blame the people themselves or the whole education system / society that made people turn out this way. oh well. I’ve learnt to shut out their comments but sometimes it stills get to me.
I have ‘friends’ that think I am kpop crazy and run a blog talking all about kpop. -.- It’s amazing how people can say so many insulting things without knowing what they are saying in the first place.
closet said:
as a beginner learner, i actually try not to tell people that i’m studying korean cos they’ll all just jump to the conclusion that i can speak it (to various degrees of fluency). which is so far from the truth it hurts.
with singaporeans, most of us are effectively bilingual because we were brought up in a bilingual environment. maybe that’s why singaporeans think it’s easy to pick up a foreign language when many of them haven’t tried doing so as an adult who is *not* immersed in that culture/surrounded by native speakers.
with hallyu wave (perhaps) at an all-time high in singapore, i’ve seen lots of people, mainly teenagers “speaking korean”. and by that i mean they toss around single words (“이뻐!”). i do have to admit that i almost fainted that one time i overheard a teenage singaporean chinese girl call her teenage singaporean chinese boyfriend “오빠”.
hangukdrama said:
wahaha! I haven’t heard any 오빠 / 자기야 around yet, but I think i might roll my eyes xD
I agree with what you said about singaporeans being bilingual. We are lucky enough to be brought up knowing two of the most important languages in the world (economically) that we never thought of how difficult it is to learn a foreign language. I hate it when Singaporeans mock others’ English. I do admit that I never gave much thought about language issues before learning Korean, but now I’m definitely much more sensitive to such issues and understand how hard it is for others to learn English etc
신톈 said:
sigh, singaporeans
i’m learning Korean at a CC, and i have one classmate who always speaks in slow, deliberate, broken english to our Korean 선생님. i don’t know why for sure, but i think it’s because she thinks our 선생님 can’t understand English because she doesn’t speak it fluently. for goodness’ sake, she understands 4 languages, is married to a European, speaks his language at home, and has been teaching singaporeans Korean for years!
we live in a multicultural society but many of us are still racist. colonialism and categorisation dies a slow death.
hangukdrama said:
double sigh.
That’s totally insulting. -.- Singaporeans are just so… I have nothing to say. Hearing all these stories is making me having less faith in our fellow countrymen.
animelover said:
i’m singaporean and i totally agree that a lot of singaporeans are well racist and close minded people -_- but hopefully you would not lump me with them. I’ve seen so many people here even amongst my friends who claim they want to learn korean but never even take the effort to learn hangul or even try to start for that matter
unlike them i learn korean not because of the hallyu wave but because i like learning new languages
i only say i can speak basic korean because i don’t want people getting the wrong idea that i can speak fluent korean because my fellow singaporeans would just think i am boasting -_-
honestly i feel ashamed and sincerely apologised for the behaviour of some close minded singaporeans just gets on my nerves sometimes
and honestly it’s not that hard to learn hangul a lot of singaporeans just shy away from it feeling intimidated but i think the only excuse is that they just refuse to learn it, they’d rather rely on romanisation all their lives -_- yes it’s frustrating
Zach Sarette (@SuperRocketZach) said:
OMG! I find my fellow 원어민 선생님 here in Korea doing the same thing. I don’t understand it. Sometimes I catch myself leaving out particles too, but that’s a rare occasion.
Even if their English isn’t the greatest so what? The mind gets used to sentence patterns. Give that person some good patterns to extract from!
On the other hand, perhaps this is a social phenomena. We speak broken English because we hear broken English. It almost becomes it’s own language.
I experience the reverse here in Korea. Whenever they see my beautiful French-Canadian-American face they immediately start speaking English. But I persist in the Korean I do know. I can feel myself getting better, but I’m still a long way off from being able to make conversation.
Eileen said:
Hello
I am always a reader of your blog and this is my first time commenting.
I totally agree with what you says in the post. Although I’m learning Japanese for almost 2 years , I still can’t converse well with people using Japanese.
Sometimes I have friends who will always ask and doubt my passion for languages and the use of learning it.
Sometimes it really dampens my spirit when they ask me such stuffs.
I have the same view as you on the importance of languages but sometimes people just do not get what I think.
Anyway I would like to ask for your opinion on something:) Do you think it will be possible to learn both Japanese and Korean at the same time? Whenever I tell my friends this, they always discourage me and said its impossible…
hangukdrama said:
Hi Eileen!
Don’t let those people get to you. I know it’s difficult to shut out those voices, especially if they come from your close friends etc, but believe in yourself and what you think
As to your question..
I think it’s really subjective. Personally I’ve tried learning Japanese after 2 years in Korean and I find myself very confused. I didn’t have that much an interest in Japanese and I always find myself looking at Japanese from the point of view of Korean (since they are similar) and this led to even worse results.
But now that my Korean has reached a certain standard, I find it easier to learn Japanese and I have a newfound interest in the language.
I would think it’s easier to learn both at the same time if you have relatively strong skills in one language and that you really have high interest in both languages.
Do not take my opinion as the ‘truth’. The best thing is to try it out yourself and see if it works for you. Don’t listen to others ^^
Jenny Lim said:
I also study Japanese 10 or 15 years ago and just pick up Korean in 2010 (due to the like of the Kpop) but unexpectedly I start to love this language and have met a good teacher. I also find Japanese is easier than Korean maybe because I,m Chinese. My Korean is still not very “firm” and will mixed-up Japanese and Korean sometime (like just now I talk to myself “집에 帰る” ha…
I don’t have friends that study Korean (but a lot study Japanese) so actually is quite struggling but now is getting better each day. I try to watch more drama to understand the grammer, to know more vocab, just learn my own way and I don’t bother how peope see me, if I can handle well one day, this will be my asset with me whole life.
Q said:
I took up japanese language in 2007 for a yr in Japan and because most of my classmates were koreans and taiwanese, i ended up being interested in Korean language instead and super fluent in chinese lol XD
After reading Eileen’s question on learning both languages at the same time, I wont say it is impossible but, I think it will b better if you start picking up a new language after you have strong knowledge of the other. If not, it will be really confusing!
For me, I think some of the sentence structure and grammar in korean seems similar to japanese, so i can briefly understand and know how to use it; but a korean language classmate of mine who is learning japanese and korean at the same time, it simply made her more confused as both the languages are quite different from english, and she is thinking of giving up one of the languages now, which I encouraged her to do so too.
And even my korean friends agree that japanese is not a difficult language to them, only prolem is they are having difficulties in kanji (the chinese characters in japanese) ^^
And just like Jenny Lim, I do mix up japanese and korean too! And my korean friends always laugh at me saying I am speaking japanese in a korean accent -.- Guess it is time to cut down on korean variety shows and start watching japanese dramas!
reflectionsintransit said:
omg, i share the exact same sentiments as you! some of my ex-colleagues n friends thought that i was nuts for even coming over to KR to work.. i was almost always labeled ‘k-pop’ crazy in the office (even though i’m not that into k-pop). it was amusing at the beginning, but got quite irritating when they keep cracking lame jokes regarding this issue.
they can’t seem to understand that different people have different interests. i mean, you don’t see me making fun of them for learning, say, the guitar or something..
it seems that some Singaporeans (not all!) have become really judgemental and arrogant. and when i say arrogant, they think that they are better than others just cause they happen to speak English ( though some do mangle the language pretty badly).. its really sad that they are turning out this way though..
But of course, i do have wonderful friends who understand why I am doing what I am doing and i’m thankful for that.
Don’t let it get to you! cheer up. remember that there are always people who support you. ^^
hangukdrama said:
same here. I wasn’t that into Kpop even at my ‘kpop fangirl peak’ and even though I’ve since moved on, I’m still being labelled that too (in a derogatory way).
I agree that Singaporeans are getting too judgemental and arrogant. Didn’t really want to use those words (to prevent hate mail) but I do think that way. It’s getting sad how there’s a standard of success and anyone with interests that stray from that path is being judged at.
I’m glad I have a close group of friends here who understands and share the same thoughts as me as well as a group of friends over in Korea. They help me tide through all the nonsense.
Hope we will be able to meet up one day ^^
Jody said:
Hi Shana,
I am experiencing the same, too. From my family members to my circle of friends in college, they wonder why on earth I am giving all my time to learning Korean when I can. I often hear them ask, ‘So you are in that Kpop craze?’, ‘Do you want to have a Korean boyfriend?’, or ‘Why put your time to something like that not important?’.
They will never understand the reason, I guess, no matter how many times should I attempt to explain to them that everything is all about self-fulfillment. I studied Korean on my own since day one, never had the chance to enroll in any formal class, and I still do not have the chance to practice all Korean I know now. It even came to the point that I had to quit my first job in media because I had to sacrifice my weekends and late-at-night Korean study. I cannot quit studying. Learning Korean is the first-ever accomplishment I have ever done in my life just because I want to. And there’s no other reason than that. My life became happier even when I met Korean friends online who share the same wavelength of thinking as me. I even believe that I will not find people like them here in the Philippines.
What I learned from quitting my first job is that we have to stick to what we think will make us happy no matter how nonsense it is to people. I thought I have to live my life to keep up with the expectations people have of me (until now that I am working)- and this is the most stupid belief I ever had. People can say what they want, but that is all they’ve got: words. People who don’t understand passion are never passionate deep inside. Instead of letting them ruin your day, pity them that they never knew how to work hard for that passion they have for it is a risk to follow it.
hangukdrama said:
I definitely agree that my life has become happier after studying Korean ^^ Thanks for sharing your experiences, glad there is someone out that with the same thinking
Xing Wei Poh said:
Hi, ㅋㅋㅋ Long time no chat.
Contrary to most view out there. I’m not really going to “self-hate” Singaporeans.
Have faith in your fellow countrymen. Yes, some are fools, some are idiots but to a certain aspect, they are good at their job. Sometimes they roll their eyes and go, ah, there, another girl crazy about Kpop, and it feels insulting. I agree. They have no right to say that.
But stuck in a crazy, economically competitive country, there are politics everywhere. Someone needs to look good infront of someone else, someone needs to say something that will suit his image, someone will need to step on someone else’s ego to step ahead.
It just just sad that we have degraded into such a society.
But after much pondering, I learnt to let it be.
“If you give someone your piece of mind, you have lost your peace of mind”. Nothing is more important than yourself. If you like what you are doing, there is nothing others can say to hurt you.
Let others do what they want to do, they re definitely good at something, their jobs for example, and let them do what they need to. They need to keep going forward. Give them credit for that and ignore the rest.
When it comes down to 1 to 1, I believe they won’t make such careless remarks. And even more, I believe we are better off, being able to do what we one without care of what others view of us.
So take heart and take it easy. There’s always someone out there who will understand you.
Just my 2 cents
Xing Wei Poh said:
what we “want”* argh!
hangukdrama said:
i like that quote!
I’m learning to tune out everything lol
Jenny Lim said:
After reading all the comments above, I didn’t realise that Singaporean so “disagree” what we study, I’m lucky that my family members, my colleagues and my friends didn’t say anything about it (I hope so), but as you said, different people have different interest, so stick to what you want, what you like, don’t bother what people said, whatever we study, it will be our asset, we can understand more, we can communicate with different people… Just be myself. 안녕.
hangukdrama said:
You’re lucky to find supportive family, friends etc ^^
Lucie Dvorakova said:
One of the reasons I hate/get easily annoyed when reading certain websites, forums or some people. I get really annoyed at how some people believe only their point of view is right and how they are the only ones who are perfect. To reduce my stress levels I often avoid forums.
As for interviews I get awkward questions such as why I came back to Prague, my home country, after studying in Oxford. On one hand Czech people complain that all people who are smarter, had the opportunity to study abroad etc. stay abroad and don’t bring their knowledge back home. But if somebody does, they look at you as if you are insane or mentally retarded. -.-
I think narrow-mindedness is a trait of probably a lot of people. A person’s world is just as big as the “little” world of their everyday life revolving around the place they grew up, their family, their work. Once they go beyond and learn a little bit extra, they think they swallowed the wisdom of the world.
I personally try not to judge people, accept their decisions even if I disagree and try to understand things from their point of view.
Keep up “specialising”!
hangukdrama said:
hahaha i avoid forums too
I guess it’s the same everywhere. People can’t accept things that are slightly out of the ‘standard way’. ㅋㅋ
I think Korea has definitely broadened my world views and I’ve met so many amazing and ‘different’ people there. Their positivity is infectious.
Let’s keep on believing in ourselves~ ^^
Jill said:
This is your blog and you have the right to vent, but I must say I felt a bit uncomfortable reading this post cos I’m a Singaporean and I love my country. I have never received any negative reaction to my love for K-pop, K-drama, K-variety etc. Indifferent, yes, but not negative nor judgemental. In fact, I keep finding more and more people that are Krazy like me! When people hear that I’m learning the language through self-study, they are usually quite impressed. No narrow-minded people around me! And they are all true-blooded Singaporeans.
My family and friends do think I’m a bit mad to fly to Seoul to catch my favourite band’s concert, but they still love me as I am, and they don’t think any less of me. My K-passion has actually converted a few indifferent members of the family. One cousin is now as Krazy as me and has started learning Korean!
Of course there are ugly Singaporeans, just as there are ugly Koreans (I’ve met some, and friends who do business with Koreans tell me as well). But I always try to think of them as individuals, and not as representatives of the whole country. Having a positive attitude helps.
So far, I have not heard (or overheard) anyone claiming to be able to speak Korean after just a few months. That is impossible! They probably mean they can say some Korean words. I’m at the intermediate level now and I’m always telling everyone that I still can’t speak it, although I understand quite a lot when I read or listen to songs. Lack of practice is the reason. Wish I could live in Korea for a few months like you! I would definitely be annoyed if I heard someone making that ridiculous claim, but I would just laugh it off as someone making a sweeping statement. And don’t we all make sweeping statements sometimes??
I do hope you have better luck and meet all the awesome Singaporeans on my side of the country!
hangukdrama said:
Hi Jill!
I didn’t want to come across as stereotyping so I thought a lot before writing this series. I have met awesome Singaporeans who share / respect my passions and interests etc but I did get a lot of the other kind.
From the comments, I’m not the only one feeling this way too. It really depends on your circles and people who happen to be around you. I think I am simply blessed to be surrounded by an awesome group of people in korea and seen too many of the ugly side in Singapore. I envy you for having an awesome group of Singaporeans around u!
‘Oh.. u looking for korean bf isit?’ This is the question I get from Singaporeans quite often over the past 4 years. And sometimes that’s their first reaction when they know I love Korean. I can’t help but feel a little pissed off.
I agree that there are always good and bad people everywhere but it tires me out when I have been meeting annoying people consecutively in a period of time. :/
Jill said:
Yes I do understand what you’re saying. Just that the patriotic side of me couldn’t just keep quiet and let it go, especially since my own experience is so different. I was just thinking, I am older than you (don’t ask me how much older!), so I probably meet people who are around my age and maybe we have all become more matured at this age? And so we make less stupid comments and ask less annoying questions? Older and wiser? Haha, just a guess.
Anyway, sometimes people ask annoying questions cos they think it’s witty and they are being humourous. They have no idea how irritating it can be. When I was younger, I loved the French language and I studied it for a few years. I did have people saying, “you want to get French bf, is it?” But they were just trying to be funny and I would just laugh it off by saying,” Oh yes! How did you guess? You are SOOOOOO CLEVER!!!
I usually enjoy reading your blog. I wanted to go for the meet-up last Sat but had something else on, so I couldn’t. Maybe next time