Wednesday 17 June 2009

Joo Ji-Hoon: A Korean Case Study


Famous Korean actor, Joo Ji-hoon, was sent to jail – he is one of the Koreans recently caught in a drug scandal. Upon asking a student of mine if she thinks he will resume his acting career again she said that the Korean people are disgusted with him, so she doubts he will act again. Two other students suggested that after he served his time in jail, he should try and resume his career in another country. Korean actors are well liked in both China and Japan. Because of Joo Ji-hoon's fine features he is probably quite famous in Japan. I asked another student the same question. Her reply was a bold: “Yes, [he will resume his acting career in Korea] since he is a man.” According to her there is more grace towards men in the Korean society. If a woman is caught in any wrongful act she would be ostracized from the society and in a communal culture like Korea that is almost a death sentence. (Severe ostracization often leads to suicides.)


None of the students I asked today (we have oral exams this week in my Listening & Conversation Class; the topic is cinema) said that they would like to be actors.

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