Comments on: Op-Ed: A flawed media system

By: snap.

snap. — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:15:13 +0000

great article. i like seoulbeats for the alternative articles you guys bring to the table. along with the comments people post.

when studying countries, people tend to ignore the popular culture aspect of it and in this time and age where internet, media and celebrity influences permeate whole societies, the need for proper assessment/analysis is required. i would discuss more but everyone brought up similar ideas also. :)

ps. i like the take on the super junior movie. lol

By: jlongs

jlongs — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:26:58 +0000

i agree…the real, and perhaps only, reason korean netizens are so powerful is because the media gives them power. the media puts too much value on the opinions of people with hidden identities, of whom, when asked in person, would probably have a totally different or at least better thought out opinion than just lashing out etc. in korea, internet trolls and haters make the news. in america they are, well, labeled trolls and mostly ignored.

and since the media puts this much value in the netizens, then so do everyone else, including the stars…since it’s all over the news.

By: Selva

Selva — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:51:57 +0000

I don’t think things are blocked (with angry American teens on YT) it’s just that most people don’t put that much engery into things (if they do they are called out) or that people will easily defend their side n(whether right or wrong)…which I don’t see much on Korean messageboards. While this can be a good and bad thing, Korean neitizens manage to hold some power…I don’t see that with American neitzens. It’s not becuase of censorship it’s becuase there is no real unity oer the computer/internet. Part of that has to do with culture. America is an indivdualist society while Korea (as well as many Asian countries) are communial societies. With this, level of respect differs…at least in some areas.

By: ik

ik — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:59:19 +0000

im quite simmilar to you guys in that my community is very critical, but i have a very understanding family who no that im not going to be a typical good homestaying, not artying girl because they understand that living in a different county(england) means that i have very open minded not so conservative opinions (not consevative at all) dangerous views to my comunity. the simplest things like me with my best friend who is a guy (im a girl) who just happens to be gay is wrong thing, they even tried to convice my parents to move me back to my old country its still my country but yeah anywhy ya no what i mean. obvously my parents were very pissed and were like “if she wants to have aboyfriend or a girlfriend than thats her choice so please butt out2″

now everyone in the community looks at us like we’re martains some of them even told their children to stay away from me…

By: mkttlk

mkttlk — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:48:26 +0000

he has learned. and no, he will not dislike korea, maybe, just tinge of disappointment

By: mkttlk

mkttlk — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:24:00 +0000

That could probably triggered the donkeys to act against Jay.

JYP latest statement just arrived and it says a lot about why I had always admired him. When he was here in Singapore with Rain years ago, I noticed the vast difference in him as compared to others.

Whatever happens next, it is still anybody’s guess. I do still think Jay should get over it and join his dear bros after sufficient rest. If he doesn’t, nobody’s a winner.

By: 01elegance

01elegance — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:16:18 +0000

I believe that the reason so many people are emotionally impacted by Jaebum’s story is BECAUSE it is a matter of civil/personal rights.

No person in the world deserves to have people wish for their death, or for their failure, regardless of their mistakes in life.

Jaebum is HUMAN and made a mistake but because of the pedastool that the celebrities in Korea are put on, it’s almost impossible for people to think that Jaebum is in FACT human and is prone to making mistakes.

To look postively on this, I would say that NOW more people know about the injustice that exists in SOCIETY as a whole; that people who feel the need to masks themselves behind user names and computers feel that they have the RIGHT to JUDGE others and how they live their lives.

Having an opinion is one thing; JUDGING what that person does/acts/says is another.

Thanks for the great op-ed and thanks to leira for pointing out that this issue goes beyond the surface.

By: manoman

manoman — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:19:11 +0000

or suicide … =(

By: Angel

Angel — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:07:17 +0000

I really liked this. Korea in general has many flaws, but i also know that America does. We’re at a point in America where the things you write on blogs and certain sites can get you kicked out of school or prevent you from getting a job.
I just wish there was more regulation or a way for international fans of kpop to connect with the ones in korea. I wonder if sometimes if they ever re-read the stuff they write. The hateful and spiteful things that a lot of them write.
I’m Asian-Mexican American and I faced a lot of predjudice from different asian communities because I was half, but I knew the cultural differences. I liked the respect I learned, because it helped me in the long run. I don’t like how it’s so mandatory punishable in Korea, because what’s the point of respect if it’s fake and not returned.
I wonder if these netizens in korea knew how we viewed them when they were at their worst, if they would change. They destroyed what jaebum had worked so hard for in less than 4 days because of a misinterpretation and a rash judgment. I’ve always been taught that there is always more than one side to a story. Knowing all sides and making a judgment that you can back up with facts is the only way to make it valid.

By: shinjinny

shinjinny — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:56:18 +0000

I agree with you 100%