(Untitled)

[keythebells]

I just have a very sensitive issue up for debate. I do not intend any sort of discrimination whatsoever.

As a non-asian here - white girl here -, I accept that I'm out of the ordinary in Super Junior or even DBSK's group of fans. I never really thought about it how odd it is. However I met this girl today (she had just come from Korea a few years

Comments

[duno88]

I think maybe she's just surprised that the boys' popularity has traveled as far as to Canada (I just checked your location =p). So, I don't think you need to worry about anything. You're definitely not looked down upon! =)

I'm an Asian but not a Korean nor a Japanese. And I'm very into the entertainment field of Japan and Korea. So I think I might understand how you feel. It's like you're not even a Korean/Japanese so why bother listening to our musics or watch our dramas right? I don't think they really mean that. Don't take it too seriously! Cheers! =)

[keythebells]

Thanks for your input! =) It's hard feeling like an outsider but in the end, it's about what each induvidual likes.

[komm_mit]

Hey, I'm white and I usually get the shocked "omg no way!" expression from Koreans too. But, it's usually just because it's rare for Koreans to hear about their music getting all the way to the US - and of course for non-Asians to actually listen to it. I actually talked to a boy from my school a few days ago about it and he was just surprised to hear that non-Asian Americans were interested in Korean music - since our music scene is dominated by music in English.

I don't know, I don't really ever feel judged. I think it's just hard to be as up to date on artists and as well informed if you don't speak Korean (or Chinese, since Chinese fans are very knowledgeable too). But, I think that enjoying the music has nothing to do with being Asian! It's just the exposure - few non-Asian Americans have heard of Korean pop, so few people can enjoy it. And I love surprising Koreans by talking about their favorite artist with them and showing them that (despite stereotypes) Americans can enjoy other cultures!

[feyla]

I agree! They're always so surprised that we're over here and listening to/or watching anything that isn't American or whatever.

[keythebells]

You brought up a major factor; the exposure of the band in their native language. They live far away and that is where the majority of their concerts and appearances are, unlucky for us. The language barrier is such an iffy subject to begin with and not just for listening to, it's understanding what's happening at the moment with the members, etc.
Which is why this community is so helpful, many people speak Korean and share what they know with others- it's great!

[percievedfate]

I'm pure British baby, I don't speak a work of Japanese, Chinese or Korean and I listen to the lot.

I've never really expressed it to anyone though because very few people know ho any of them are. I can have a shockingly small conversation about Dir en grey in college with the 3 people that listen to them, but that's it.

Yeah, I get a lot of 'Oooh, let's look at what you've got on your ipod...okay I have no idea who these bands are and i can't even READ that...'

[andersenmom]

That last comment made me laugh. How fun!

[dizzy_grace]

I just gave up on showing people my ipod. I tell them they can't read half of what it says and they give up.

[keythebells]

LOL! Thats ALWAYS the thing I dread when I hand over my ipod- '..uh, wait, you have some weird symbols on here.. did you know that?' xD

[feyla]

I usually don't bother telling people what I listen to because then they're just like why???? But I do have some friends who also listen to Kpop and all, so I don't care. It's kind of cool when we find each other because then we're like no way, you like it too? what do you listen to? and a million other questions. It was kind of funny because I did that to a guy friend of mine last night who actually listens to SuJu some. I thought it was quite interesting because not only is he a guy but he's also non-asian. Of course, I was rather shocked when a Korean guy I know had some music playing and SuJu came on

[keythebells]

Some people's reactions make it worth while in the end, you discover new friends :) It's awesome you got to talking with people about it, hope the same happens for me.

[feyla]

yeah you never know who might be a fan like you. I usually just wait to talk about it with people so that I can better judge what how they're going to react. if I think they're just going to think I'm crazy, then I don't bother. But I've made some great friends through being a fan too, so it has good and bad sides.

[haldir]

i'm scottish, and for the most i don't even bother to tell people what i listen to because i'm so sick of the weird reactions. now if someone asks, i'm just like "oh, nothing," but it does bother me because why should i be in that position? i don't even use translations anymore, i just enjoy the language and the vocals, and i think that's all that should matter.

[keythebells]

And the beats, oh those beats. I find myself not bothering to look up the translations for Suju M's CD, the beats make it totally worthwhile.