The Dark Side of South Korea

South Korea is known for its glam and glitz in media, fashion, highly engineered infrastructures and communication lines, unstoppable up surging economy, most modern and accurate transportation and agricultural systems and dazzling skyscrapers. All these can be seen with the help of K-pop culture and Korean soap operas that creep and conquer the television set of every home in a global village. Yet, behind its dashing and fancy picturesque of panoramic sight lies a harsh reality that bites the rights of the oppressed and the morale of humanity. Hereunder is the list of some of Koreans unpleasing culture or undesirable traits which are perhaps unknown to many.

Koreans discriminate. Generally, Koreans especially the old generation endeared Americans, Canadians, British, Australians and New Zealanders' way of speaking English language. When you’re a foreigner and you ask for a direction from a Korean that you come across on the street but you’re not ‘white’, expect that you will be snubbed, ignored and get a discriminating look.

Koreans are inhospitable. With due respect to few who are not, most Koreans are unfriendly, seldom wear a smile and may not offer to you the best of what they have. My Korean roommates attested that most of the Korean parents told their children not to trust a stranger especially to a foreigner to the point of being indifferent, aloof, unkind to them resulting to unwelcoming these foreign ‘species’.

Koreans alienate their orphans. There are several numbers of orphanages operating in Seoul at present and most of its volunteer in-house parents are aware that some of their orphans are alienated by children of their age because the latter were told by their parents not to make friends with them otherwise they will be badly influenced. Orphans are stereotyped as outcast who bear bad background and must not mingle with kids whose families are intact.

Koreans kids are socially pressured. Most Koreans think that life is a race that everyone has to ace. Children are pressured by parents to excel academically all throughout their education life in order to get a high-paying job afterwards. In return kids are stressed, pressured enough to meet these expectations. When they fail, some would commit suicide. As a result, 31 of every 100,000 Koreans committed suicide in 2009 the highest in the world next to Lithuania of the list of countries that have a highest suicidal rate.

Davao City - A Home of Peace

Serenity is Davao City's exquisite pride of its locals who migrated to other place yet could not help not to keep on coming back because of not just one but of countless reasons. Davao's livability due to its world class water quality, noticeable peace and cleanliness, environmentally-friendly and child-friendly city resulting to public officials' good governance which was once noted by Asiaweek magazine around ten years ago has ably maintained its honor and prestige. Being a home of fresh and exotic varieties of fruits and vegetables like durian, mangosteen, marang (among many others), different kinds of seafoods and fresh red and white meats which can be bought at very cheap prices make one lives in abundance. Luxurious style yet affordable hotels and accommodations offering options of ambiance and coziness brought about by spas along with other amenities are perfectly designed for all kinds of visitors to meet a one-of-a-kind and memorable experiences that only Davao could offer.

Its warm, friendly and hospitable people assured one's peaceful and healthy visit adorned with diversified colorful cultures of friendship and family-like affections. Peace and security comfortably sit in all parts of the city at all times allowing both locals and tourists to freely roam around without the feeling of being victimized by any sorts of petty crimes e.g. snatching and the likes. Its colleges, universities and hospitals strategically located in the vicinity have provided modern facilities and high technological advancements that cater to contemporary individuals who are up to globally-competent services. Commercial and shopping centers, malls, restaurants or resto-bars exude Davao's modernity of lifestyles and fashions for young generations who want to keep on uplifting its sense of creativity and marketability.

Davao city is also a home for golf enthusiasts who can enjoy the large array of golf course through the Apo Gulf arena, for lovers of any kinds of water activities provided by various beach resorts located just along its coastlines, for animal and plant lovers who can enjoy the tour adventures in Crocodile Park, Philippine Eagle Sanctuary, Fuentespina Orchidarium and Eden Park filled with different kinds of ornamental flowers. It is also a home for mountain-climbers and spelunkers who are willing to trek and explore the highest peak of the country - the Mt. Apo along with its caves and forest trails that can mark an adventure of a lifetime of an outdoor individuals and for those who love to plunge a naturally cold and hot springs located within the city and in its neighboring cities and municipalities.

I have been to different locales of the Philippines, Southern Vietnam and South Korea where I can appreciate God's natural beauty of creation yet I have never been to a place that bestows the truest sense of perfect peace with raw, engendered and charming creations like what I have found in my very own hometown - Davao City.

Korea! Korea!

Who would have ever thought that I'd be given a chance to study here in Korea? I admit, I have dreamed of studying abroad many years ago, but not specifically here in South Korea. It is my 4th semester here this spring (2011) with the course Masters in International Relations - a kind of political science major that I hated during my college days. Just yesterday (April 29) had finished submitting the final draft of my thesis entitled; Renewable Energy Policy Implementation by Four ASEAN States: Comparative Analysis - a kind of academic write ups that I never thought I could accomplish without anyone's help, aside of course from my thesis adviser.

Indeed, what I have enumerated above are not within my interests but did happen to me most definitely for a purpose. I just don't know yet what exactly is that purpose be. Until now am still asking why? Why things happened to me the way it did. I dunno what's gonna be the road for me after spending two years to study here in Korea. Nevertheless, whatever will it be, I am making myself ready to accept it wholeheartedly because I believed I can make use all of these for a better future ahead of me. I believed, these all came from Him as parts of His plans to pour down immeasurable blessings upon me, thus, I don't have any single right to complain, instead I only have to be thankful, and nothing else more because He knows better than I do on how to run my life productively.

For me, what makes life exciting is the fact that is has full of surprises! And this what makes me more agog to live life to its fullness! I can't wait to finish my life chapter here in Korea, I can't wait the next chapter to happen which is going to be filled with so much colors and meanings, to the level which is really beyond my understanding.