I am very passionate about food and the ways that it connects people. Each dish has a different flavor, evoking all spectrums of emotions like excitement and disgust. When I am on Youtube, I frequently watch videos of people tasting food that is nonexistent in their culture. One Youtuber that I watch pretty often is DigitalsojuTV, who frequently invites Koreans to try foods such as American BBQ. One particular episode, in which the youtuber invites North Korean refugees to taste American dishes, caught my attention because North Koreans and Americans are polar opposites of one another culturally.
This video was very informative for numerous reasons. First, I learned the preference of North Koreans when it comes to food. Second, I learned about North Korean table manners and other cultural norms that were influenced by propaganda. Third, I learned about the different sauces that I can incorporate when eating dishes such as pulled pork sandwiches.
I wasn’t very surprised when I learned about North Korean preference for meat. When these refugees were still in North Korea, they had to eat pork, dog, and rabbit. Many people may shudder at the thought of eating dogs as Americans raise dogs as companions, but eating dogs was a means for survival. The North Korean refugees talk about how it wasn’t normal in North Korea to view dogs as companions as these animals were eaten after months of care. After eating the dogs, they would sell the fur back to the government. North Koreans were also not allowed to eat beef due to the limited supply of oxen. Oxen were precious to the country because it was the main means of farm work. If caught, North Koreans would be shamed and executed by the government.
This video also touched upon lifestyle differences between North and South Koreans. According to some of the refugees, they thought they had “traveled 40 years into the future” upon landing in South Korea. Compared to their former country, South Korea had so much technology, sanitized facilities, and freedom to speak and act in ways that the refugees could not in the past. Unlike South Koreans, the refugees would never abandon leftovers from a restaurant. Rather, they would take the leftovers home because the amount of food is “something to die for” back in North Korea.
This Youtube video reminded me that people with vastly different views, lifestyles, and culture exist even though we speak the same language. It reminds me that the two Korean governments have long ways to go to bridge the cultural and national chasm that was caused by the Korean War. Despite knowing all these differences, I am relived and glad to know that these two countries share a common language that can help pave the path to peace. It is hangul that allows us to press forwards towards unification and to compromise so that future generations in both nations can thrive.
Comments
I LOVE KOREAN BBQ!!! One of the most controversial food in Korea is the dog meat dish. I can understand both sides of the argument. To be honest, the dog dish is an authentic food, and it has been scientifically proven to increase your metabolism and increase your immune system.
I have always been curious at what the North Korean authentic dish might be, but it was a very interesting read.
I've always been intrigued in North Korean culture and how it compares to South Korean culture. I feel like a lot of things about North Korea are "hushed," and so I think this method of educating people about North Korean culture or their food is really useful. I'm familiar with Americans being shocked at the concept of eating dog meat as food, but I think it's just another difference in culture. As in some cultures, people eat scorpions, frogs, ostrich eggs, or whatever else one can think of, I find that North Koreans or South Koreans eating different kinds of foods falls under the same concept.
Food is always a great way to get in-touch with a particular culture or region. I was surprised to hear of the video featuring North Korean refugees taste-testing American foods - this idea seems quite novel and insightful. The sheer distinction in North-South lifestyle and your comments on the necessity of bridging the gaps between them because of the common language and roots were great points.
Great post Jaewan! This youtube channel seems like a very informative but entertaining channel to watch. I have never even heard about DigitalsojuTV before. It's interesting to learn about the differences between North and South Korea especially when the they are neighboring countries who speak the same language. I really enjoyed the point that you made about hangul allowing both countries to move towards unification in the future.