Sun is setting. Hope I have enough time!
It's not really something THAT common
I will say that's totally TRUE
it's not a taboo subject
that will determine their FUTURE
It's NOT a hyperbole, that's really how it works
is it true that all Koreans have had Plastic Surgery?
at school, we learned nothing
So the only thing people hear about Korea is in the media. And what do we hear in the News; North Korea!
Hello everyone
it's been a long time since I wanted to make this video
I wanted to talk about
Ah! There is a fly
I've been wanting to make this video for a while now
I wanted to talk about the 10 most common assumptions people make about South Korea
most people have very similar reactions
Let's get started
There's someone who's walking right in front of my house at this very moment
and I'm currently filming in front of a big window
it's very embarrassing
I am so thirsty
I am going to get some water. Just a second!
So I am back in Canada
and when I tell people, I lived in South Korea for more than 2 years
people are asking similar questions
First assumptions, I always hear
to be honest, it was no longer a question I was asking myself
were you in North Korea
or in South Korea
North
good Korea?
bad Korea?
It's the most common question I get
Everyone wanna know about North Korea
they want to know if it was dangerous
if we were afraid of war in between the two Koreas
ABSOLUTELY NOT
we don't feel any pressure from North Korea
living in Seoul
even though Seoul is close to the border
I think one of the reasons why we don't feel the pressure are because
if you didn't know military service is mandatory for Korean men in South Korea
they have to serve their country in the army for 2 years
Also, the border (DMZ) is the most guarded in the world
I know in Canada
not sure for the other countries
we don't really learn about Korea in school
In fact, we learn NOTHING at all
about Korea at school
So the only thing people hear about Korea is in the media. And what do we hear in the News; North Korea!
that is why I always get the same first question
Were you scared of a possible North Korean invasion?
Like I mentioned earlier, there's absolutely no pressure what so ever
And I would say YES
Absolutely
Never really felt unsafe in South Korea
even for alone walking late at night
didn't have an issue
it's certain that you (never know)
Overall, didn't feel unsafe in Seoul
Second assumptions
It's mostly Koreans who hear this assumption from foreigners
Do you eat kimchi for every meal?
and it's true that you find kimchi almost everywhere
However, depending on what people eat
they will have different side dishes served with it
But, kimchi will not always be there
If you go to a pizzeria you will not have kimchi
it's sure everything is possible, you can maybe have some there too
but it's not always the case
Third assumption
Heard it so many time
concerning plastic surgery in South Korea
And it's true, that South Korea is recognized around the world for their plastic surgery
BUT
is it true that all Koreans have had plastic surgery
NO
it's true that if you go to Sinsa-dong and Apgujeong-dong ( dong means neighborhoods) in Gangnam-gu  (Districts)
there are a lot of Plastic Surgery Clinics
and there's people who come to Korea
change their face entirely
Korea is very efficient
they even have agencies (approved by the government) translating and accompanying foreigners
there are a lot of publicities everywhere
you will see people who got their nose done (Rhinoplasty)
But I will say a lot of times, people you see on the streets wearing a mask to cover their bruises (hematoma) on their face after their surgery are not Korean
so I will tell you plastic surgery is seen differently there
it's not a taboo subject
Of course, it's not the first thing people will talk about
but it's for sure more convenient
so I will say yes and no
there's a lot of Koreans who have had the double eyelid surgery
they don't really consider it a surgery
only a simple procedure
some parents will offer it to  their children as their graduation gift
Fourth assumption
I hear it quite often
Koreans eat dog
and it's true that dog meat trades still exists in Korea
I wasn't even aware of this
Honestly, I never hear it
First time I heard it was when we went (for my friend's bday) to help a dog shelter
and the owner told me she saved some of the bigger dogs from dog meat Trade
In Seoul, I never heard about it or even saw a restaurant serving dog meat
However, after talking with my Korean friends, they told me some people still eat dogs.
but it's rare
mostly the older generations
and mainly served in the countryside
it's not so commun
Fifth assumption
is about makeup
it's true, that makeup trends and beauty standards are different in South Korea than here
the difference too is
one of the things that surprised me at first
all the girls wear makeup
and it can happen that boys too
can be BB cream
and yes, you can see some guys at the clubs wearing eyeliner
However, it's not very common
it's something we see all the time in the media
Yes celebrities will wear makeup
I rarely saw Korean guys wearing eye makeup in the street
I am getting a little lost in my explanations
Number six
people generalize
they assume that Koreans are all very short
and NO
Even when my family came to visit me in Korea, they were quite surprised
but, I will say Korean girls are not so tall
However, men are even younger boys are tall
In general, if you look at Koreans who are over fifty years old, they are all kinda the similar height
much shorter
but it is understandable
if you know a little about Korean history
In the 60s, South Korea was still a developing country
it's totally normal that
the food was not really diverse and very different
but it's sure
I'm tall all over the world
the drinking culture
Koreans can
REALLY
REALLY
DRINK A LOT
their alcohol beverage in Korea
is SOJU
Soju is made out of rice
the strongest one they sell at the convenient store
It's Soju Fresh
It's 13.4% if I'm not wrong (you were wrong )
Koreans are very introverts
and I will say NO
personally
it's true that
yes and no
it's true that if you start speaking English with Koreans
they studied (are studying) English very hard since very young
But, they are very shy regarding speaking a different language and make a mistake
also, they can be shyer because you are a foreigner
population in South Korea is very homogeneous
can be embarrassing to speak with a foreigner and on top of that in English
But as soon as you start to know them, spend time with them, befriend with them
hanging out, doing activities
they are very open, especially the Youngs
they are happy to talk with you
Another interesting assumption
Koreans don't like tattoos
they are against them
there's some country like that
on Korean TV, you will notice that they cover tattoos with band-aids or even burr them
Tattoo Salons in South Korea aren't legally authorized to work under this particular banner
they aren't officially registered as a tattoo salon (but as offering medical services)
or like a barbershop
Older generations have certain misconceptions (judgements) about people with tattoos
and it's the same thing here honestly
it's understandable to think that way for their generation
Younger generations in Korea, there's a lot of people with tattoos
Korean men and women too
some have a lot of tattoos
it's not something uncommon
The last assumption I wanted to talk about is
about the Korean education
very strict/severe and intense
and I would say this assumption is TOTALLY TRUE
you see it everywhere
