I'm Korean, AMA

[NightsIn]

I'm a Korean mum of one. I used to live in the UK for two years.

If you have any questions about culture, life, coronavirus, education, politics, language, child rearing, food or amything else in Korea, let me know!

(I'm not really up to date with the latest music/dramas, so might not be able to answer much about that but I can try!!)

Skincare, is it all true? Would I be all glowing and gorgeous if I just followed Korean skincare routines?

Also, what time is it there?

@MrsTerryPratchett

Skincare, is it all true? Would I be all glowing and gorgeous if I just followed Korean skincare routines?

Also, what time is it there?

I came on to ask this ref Korean beauty treatments. I feel less vapid now that I am not the first

Vapid shmapid. I'm a fully paid up feminist. I still want to bloody glow.

I wanted to ask an even more shallow question about Simu Liu but stopped myself...

I'm not sure how much of it is good skincare and how much is genetics.

I know women who take it very seriously and some who don't do much. I would say that no one really tans at all, most women wear sun cream or a hat on sunny days. We prefer pale skin.

Skincare is becoming more simplified thess days, there are a lot of all in one products. I don't really recognize the "10 step routine" stuff. I think that was marketing for the western market.

But yes, there are beauty shops on every corner and it is considered rude to not wear make up, like you haven't made an effort.

Oh and time, it's almost 11AM!

8 or 9 hours before the UK, we don't change the clock times here.

Bumping!

How long do you think it will be before Korea unifies?

Do you learn mandarin at school? How do Koreans feel about China, generally?

Do women do anything special after giving birth? Are there any tradtitons?

Is it true plastic surgery is very common?

"How long do you think it will be before Korea unifies?"

That's a difficult question. Not everyone wants it and the economic/cultural differences between north and south are so huge. I'm not sure how it would ever be possible.

"Do you learn mandarin at school? How do Koreans feel about China, generally?"

Some people might learn Mandarin if they choose to in high school, and most learn a little bit in elementary but English is the main one.

I think Koreans feel the same way about Chinese people as the British do about Americans if that makes sense. A lot of people are a bit racist towards them, sadly.

Do you watch mukbangs on YouTube?

Do you have family in North Korea? How do you feel your government have handled the virus? Is it’s very traditional society?

Is Spam really a delicacy in Korea?

"Do women do anything special after giving birth? Are there any tradtitons?"

It's very normal to stay in a joriwon for two weeks. A joriwon is a kind of hospital where you just relax, get massages, sleep and your baby is brought to you whenever you want. Otherwise, many women hire a nanny for a few weeks.

It is tradition to stay indoors for 100 days after the birth. On the 100th day, we have a celebration and photoshoot and the baby wears traditional dress.

"Is it true plastic surgery is very common?"

Eyelid surgery is extremely common, to make the eyes look bigger. Things like botox and filler are also normal.

It doesn't seem to have the stigma it does in the west, no one looks down on you if you get stuff done really. But people prefer a more natural look I think, just small changes.

At @NightsIn that's what I've been told. I'd love to visit, heard very good things.

Would you recommend it as place to live, they offer TEFL in schools.
Do you have any advice for someone interested in this

"Do you watch mukbangs on YouTube?"

I'm not really that interested in mukbang, I'd rather eat than watch!

"Do you have family in North Korea? How do you feel your government have handled the virus? Is it’s very traditional society?"

No family that I know of in NK.

Our response to coronavirus was pretty good but we have had a big jump in cases this weekend which is a disappointment.

It is pretty traditional but it changes quickly too. For example, even five years ago, everyone went to visit family and give respect (not sure how to say) to our dead relatives on major holidays but nowadays it's more common to go abroad for a vacation at that time. Respect to elders is still very important.

"Is Spam really a delicacy in Korea?"

Not a delicacy but not looked down on either. We mainly eat it in stew or fried rice.

Is Spam a delicacy anywhere?

"Would you recommend it as place to live, they offer TEFL in schools"

I think English teachers have a really different experience to Korean citizens. They seem to all have a lot of fun. For most normal Koreans, life is quite stressful and hard (long hours, obligations, career worries). A lot of people want to leave.

@SerenityNowwwww during my parents' generation, it kind of was. They didn't have much, and almost no foreign food. Anything foreign was seen as a luxury.

How does Korea compare to the UK as a place to raise a child?

Your command of English is impressive. What helped you learn?