Today it rained for the first time this spring. It was a unique kind of rain: It contained traces of the nuclear radiation from the Japan nuclear plant meltdown from last month. The radiation was found in the ocean off the coast of Japan, and now that has come to Korea through rain. There were advisories on TV saying that it would be fine to go out in the rain, but to make sure to wash all clothes that got into contact with the rain and to wash yourself thoroughly after exposure to the rain.
Korea has an interesting situation with its neighbors and environmental issues. Korea is in close proximity to both China and Japan. Environmental issues that face either one of these nations sometimes moves to Korea as well. Radiation from Japan has come to parts of Korea through rain, and Korea has no choice but to wait and see what Japan does to fix the problem from its source. It is the same with China, every year there is a season in late spring called the "Yellow Dust Season." In China, Spring winds blow dust and sand from the Gobi desert eastward. Deforestation and ill managed farmland in the northern region of China has caused the Gobi to expand by several miles every year. This has caused the yellow dust to come not only to Beijing, but to Korea as well. I have been told that the air can appear extremely smoggy, but it is actually sand from the Gobi. They have also found traces of this dust on the West Coast of the USA in late spring every year. It is an issue that China needs to address, but until they do, Korea will face part of the consequences.
Today with one of my exchanges, I got into a discussion about Korean celebrities. We were discussing one in particular: MC Mong, who is a Korean rapper. He recently has faced some issues with the government because he avoided military service, and attempted to pay off a doctor to fabricate a medical reason for his lack of service. Unless you have a legitimate medical reason (vision impairment, physical disability, etc) all men must serve two years in the military before they turn thirty. I asked my exchange if MC Mong is either found guilty and serves time or if he is pardoned and continues his music, would he listen to MC Mong. My exchange said "Of course not! He tried to use his fame to bend the law, why would I listen to him anymore?" I asked a few other Koreans the same question, and they all said they wouldn't listen to his music. MC Mong was quite popular before this, so this would be like Eminem breaking the law (which he has done several times).
I was quite surprised by their responses, it is such a contrast from our society. I think we try to separate the artist from the lifestyle. In Korea with all the celebrity variety shows displaying celebrities in a constant positive light, and in society it is a dishonor both on the individual and the family to commit criminal activities. I think it is difficult for Koreans to look past a celebrity breaking the law because of the social expectation for people to keep the law. The media in Korea never shows a celebrity behaving in a socially unacceptable manner, rather the shows celebrities participate in show them helping the elderly, visiting a school, or other "good deeds." I think for Koreans to see these people that they have built a certain kind of perception about behave in a way that contrasts that image, it is difficult for them to separate their work from their lifestyle. It is so different from America, where we not only tolerate celebrities committing illegal acts, but support them afterwords by purchasing their album or movie. It is yet another stark contrast between Korean and American culture. It is nice to see people hold celebrities on the same level of accountability as they hold everyone in Korean society. I don't think it is healthy for any person to feel exempt from the rules that apply to the society.
No comments:
Post a Comment