Wednesday 28 April 2010

Korean must save face: 체면 (Chae Myeon)

사진: 양반탈 (Picture: Hahoetal)
Most Koreans are concerned about what others think of them that’s why they try to dress up , look good to keep up with the Jones’. We call this 체면(Chae Myeon). (한국사람한테 체면이 아주 중요해요). Chae Myeon mens “to save face". It can be translated as "maintain dignity in the presence of others.
It might sound a little strange or overly self conscious but it’s a part of Korean culture. Some people even get loans to buy fancy cars or the latest cell phons so as to show that they are not less than their peers. In Down town Korea, we often see many well dressed women who look like cook wherever shoe goes. As you can see, Korean culture is probably some what different from all over the world, there are cultural differences from historical and social, so consider theym carefully with an open mind. When you begin to accept and understand the differences between the Korean culture and that of your own, you will meet a whole new world the warm-hearted Korean people. Source