The friend whom I came together for this 3-week summer programme is a Singaporean Malay. We are curently sharing a room in the dorm. Being a Malay, she gets a lot stares from the Koreans when we are out. Actually I am secretly happy about it cos I dont get the attention but she gets all the attention.
She has written this posting about her experience as a Malay in Seoul.
And Spicebears signing off from Seoul for now.
She has written this posting about her experience as a Malay in Seoul.
A MALAY IN SEOUL
Yes, I am prepared for this. Just relax, they at not looking at you but at what you are wearing. But she is staring again. No, she’s not staring. She’s just curious. But that’s so rude. No, Aini. Remember…you are a token sight.
Smile and bow. Smile and bow. Smile and bow. Works like magic.
Anyway, I have passed all that. I would probably have stared at a woman wearing a beautiful hanbok too if she happens to board the MRT from Somerset to Choa Chu Kang, right?
I am excited to be here. Sung Si Kyung and Lee Byung Hun aside, I am here to study. Period. Thanks to my idiom-quoting roommate, my life is sure to be as interesting.
That, and the fact that I can now fully comprehend why my Korean friends couldn’t care less about whether SMILE AGAIN or FASHION 70’s is playing on which KBS or MBC and whether CHAE GYEONG and SHIN-GOON were gonna FINALLY kiss or not. There are lots of dramas showing in abundance here on TV. If I were a housewife in Korea instead of Singapore, I would probably be couch-ajumma. Like our dorm’s cafeteria ajumma, who has al that she needs around her. The cute dog in a basket, her drinks, her ramyon……all within her reach, so that she would not have to take her eyes OFF THE SMALL TV set a meter away. Signing off from Seoul for now.
And Spicebears signing off from Seoul for now.
댓글 4개:
wow! 3 weeks that is so wonderful...only if u won't have to study for exams right? LOL
anyway why is ur malay friend getting all the stares? oh... is she wearing the traditional malay dress? i thot modern malays in singapore do wear jeans and t-shirts, isn't it?
Hi. I am not sure if there is a test at the end of the 3 weeks?
You see, my friend is a traditional Malay and she has her hair covered. She is also not in jeans and t-shirts.
Guess it's a matter of getting used to the stares. Are there no traditional malays in Korea? Actually, I don't remember seeing a mosque when I visited in Jan this year.
All the best for your test if there's one.. i hope there isn't any... or I don't think i'll want to do the same programme next year. ㅎㅎ
Oh, your friend has her hair covered? Then no wonder why people are staring at her^^;;; Coz we never see Muslim women in their traditional costume here.
There's one mosque in Seoul, but very few people know that.
Just hope your friend doesn't take it too much serious^^;
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