Comments on: Finally, a Bit of Balance

By: Mike

Mike — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:10:58 +0000

I applaud the work of MP and I assure you as an African-American I am not treated better than the average Korean. That being said if the constant media narrative is anti-foreigner this view has ramifications legally(e-2 only HIV and drug testing), socially(contract negotiations, housing, cell phones) and the respect we are given in the classroom. As for SVT if a person isn’t here to get paid then why come.

By: cm

cm — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:21:50 +0000

It’s ironic in that why so many people in blogs like this become “critical thinkers” questioning the Korean media when it comes to stories concerning English teachers misbehaving. But that same critical thinking magically disappears when the stories concern Koreans misbehaving appears – it’s accepted as truth. Case in point is this thread, and this site. I call it “selective critical thinking”.

By: James

James — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:04:58 +0000

Apparently everything the Chosun Ilbo reported about this case is – once again (are we surprised?) – a BUNCH OF LIES (as usual).

Here’s what the victim ACTUALLY said and experienced:

http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/08/12/200908120013.asp

By: SVT

SVT — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:35:30 +0000

This site is silly. Us NSETs get paid better than many Korean teachers to be here. There are a great number of us, sadly, who are here to make money, “get korean chicks”, and basically take advantage of the English craze here. I totally understand why we are under scrutiny in the media. I agree that the media and certain people here can be racist or discriminatory, but most Westerners (especially white ones) are treated exceptionally well. Almost better than native Koreans at times. I think this site only adds to the tensions in this country, which are lower than the writers here would like readers to believe. The Korean media may be guilty of “fear-mongering”, but is everyone involved with this site.

By: The Metropolitician

The Metropolitician — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:09:47 +0000

This site has made no bones about the motivations under which it began, and that is as a response to the obvious ways the Korean media was beating up on the foreign community.

That being said, this is no excuse for being narrow in scope — I just think it’s a sign of the newness of the site. I can only put in so much time, as I’m stretched as it is, and I do my best to simply document what I see as problematic stories in a certain category. I can barely keep ahead of the curve in that single category. As this site gains more writers, with a variety of interests and views, it will grow broader in scope.

So, as far as being still pretty narrow in scope, guilty as charged. But as far as this not being seen already by me as a problem, or something we’re trying to fix, please cut us some slack. We’re still unpacking the boxes and figuring out where stuff is going to go. Don’t expect the housewarming party quite so soon.

By: baekgom84

baekgom84 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:32:11 +0000

This is not designed as an attack, but is there any genuine evidence that petty crimes directed against foreign men are ‘on the rise’? I realise that you have disclaimed that these are merely your ‘observations’, but don’t you think that such statements are akin to the behaviour of the Korean media which you are criticising?

By: James

James — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 07:14:42 +0000

Charles, why don’t you use your writing abilities on something constructive rather than constantly attacking Mr. Hurt on the comments pages of this site? Don’t you have anything else to do? Just mind your own business and go away, ok?

By: roboseyo

roboseyo — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 05:32:24 +0000

Charles: post some links to articles about those media reforms, and I don’t doubt the KMW people will get on it.

On the other hand, your final sentence makes me wonder whether your chief concern is bringing these media reform laws to the attention of this website, or just to get in a dig at Mike Hurt. Ad hominem comments kind of undermine the legitimacy of the rest of what you say, and make one wonder whether your motivation is actually to have those media reform laws reported, or just to “call out” Mr. Hurt. Metropolitician-baiting is a tired game that ran its course at The Marmot’s Hole and long ago ceased to be enjoyable to watch.

In the interest of keeping the level of discourse here at a high level, I kindly ask you to reconsider your approach, sir.

-rob

By: Charles Tilly

Charles Tilly — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 20:58:05 +0000

Speaking of “grand narratives”, I find it a bit perplexing that a site ostensibly titled “Korean Media Watch” hasn’t a single post thus far about the new media reform laws that are under discussion.

True, this site is mostly concerned (or obsessed?) with the issue of how foreigners are presented in the Korean media. But surely, there’s got to be at least some sort of angle where the issue of the media reform laws can be placed in the broader context of what this site is dedicated to.

Or am I completely off base and is it possible that Mr. Hurt is this solipsistic?