Korean Wave

In the past, South Korea’s best-known export was Kimchi, spicy cabbage dish. Now, this country is exporting the spicy pop culture or Kim Chic, including music, fashion, movie, dramas and so on. This phenomenon is also called Korean Wave. The dissemination of Korean popular culture, primarily through the mass media, and it broads popularity outside of Korea . Korean wave hits Thailand in various forms of mass media such as movies, TV dramas, Songs, fashions or even plastic surgery fever. Many Korean dramas are extremely popular and were inspired many people to travel to Korea. These are a phenomenon of media that model people behavior. People are in craze with Korean pop culture because the fact that Korea is trying to spread their culture to other countries by using media as a medium. Korea government as well has budgets to support media producers to create Korean mass media. Korean media then is like a certain tipping point in our society now. I am the one who has been involving with Korean people. In fact, Korea has something behind the scene that is opposite of what we see from mass media. However, what I have found interestingly in Korean people is their "nationalism". All Koreans are truly proud in their nations which I believe it is one main thing that derives them being successful in promoting their country. On the other hand, Thailand still lacking of being “nationalism”. Even though Thailand used to have a campaign to promote our “nationalism’ in a time of General of the Army Por Piboonsongkam as my mother told, it seems recorded just in our history as it is not workable in Thais’ life. I wish I could see T-Pop in the future where our Thai cultures are promoted to all people around the world. A dominant of K-pop has provided us to consider ourselves. If Thais are aware of our own nations and being more united. There will be no more “red shirt” and “yellow shirt”‘s people. Our beloved king would feel more content which I believe our country will be successfully developed as same as Korea. ----

Lady Inter

Getting married a foreigner seems being an ideal marry of many Thai women. There are many women who marry a foreigner are flaunting themselves by owning a big house, luxurious cars and frequently traveling aboard. Those are an ideal life of many Thai women dream of .As Thais are framed with a self-centered society, preoccupied with materialism resulting in Thai women are trying to find any shortcuts to have a better life which getting married “farang” is one of the first choices. Girl from E-san seem to attract most in the eyes of the foreigner. A dark complexion with a friendly smile make E-san girls are popular in the eyes of foreigners. As, Thais believe in being grateful and respect to their parents. Any children who can comfort or support their parents when they are getting old are regarded as a grateful person. It becomes a fashion in many E-Sarn provinces to export their daughter to marry “farang.” This is the only way that the parents can get a fast financial support that could upgrade their life to become better. However, does this belief is morally acceptable? Are they having a true happiness? In my opinion, I am appreciate in what many daughters devote themselves to requite parent’s favor but is it worth to risk? Money or materials are not always symbolized “true happiness” but many women consider “economic security” much more than true love. However, how many women are successful in this kind of marry. There are many stories are told about Thai women are deceived to marry and are in difficulties in aboard. Many of them are lured to work hard; some of them are not treated nicely. I know that this is a sensitive issue that there is no right or wrong. However, I think this belief is the way of thought that can gradually destroy the value of Thai woman in the eyes of foreigners. If you still have more time in reading please take a look at this link http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/04/10/thai/. It is a story written by a son who is trying to understand his father but his basic assumption towards Thai women is rather worrying. If this belief towards Thai women in the eyes of foreigners is true, who will be responsible for this? --------------------------------- Phannipha 520132012