Stereotypes and Seaweed

When you think of South Korea, what is the first thing that pops up in your mind? Is it kimchi, the fermented, staple side dish present at every Korean’s table during lunchtime?

Or maybe you think of K-Pop, specific groups like BTS and BLACKPINK?

 

This topic of stereotypes about Koreans was the main focus of a survey done by Asian Boss, a channel on YouTube that often conducts interviews similar to this to reveal cultural and social issues to its viewers. In this survey, some viewers from a previous video were told to comment on any questions they had about Koreans, which would be used by Asian Boss to conduct real-life interviews with strangers in the streets of Seoul.

 

While watching, one part of the interview, in particular, caught my attention: “This stereotype was one of the most common – Koreans dislike the Japanese.” All of the interviewees answered differently but with a common similarity that it is because of the history between Korea and Japan, especially regarding the Comfort Women – the system of sexual slavery created by the Imperial Japanese government during World War II.

From this system, society may have evolved to develop the harsh stereotypes and unrealistic standards women face in Japan and South Korea. For instance, women were expected to be full-time housewives – fulfilling the tasks of taking care of children, cooking, cleaning, etc. – while also having to be respectful and careful in public to prevent any “inappropriate behavior” whether they were single or not.  This is the central focus of the novel Pachinko, where the differences in ideologies between men and women are rooted in many of the characters’ identities. For instance, Sunja is faced with men taking advantage of her, physically and emotionally, resulting in a mistake that she cannot revoke. Although she does not have a father figure or husband and constant hardships obscure her path, Sunja’s experiences reveal that self-worth and potential can be found in an environment where everything seems to work against an individual’s favor.

 

Sunja’s life is completely embodied in the wisdom a woman selling seaweed at a stand imposes on her: “A woman’s life is endless work and suffering … For a woman, the man you marry will determine the quality of your life completely. A good man is a decent life, and a bad man is a cursed life—but no matter what, always expect suffering” (Lee 27). As a young and naive girl, Sunja meets Hansu, completely romanticizing his whole being and their sexual relationship, even though “No one knew they were friends. Men and women were not supposed to be that, and they were not sweethearts, either” (Lee 42). She did not realize the strong effect this idealized relationship would have on her because she was completely invested in his freedom and exploration she never had in her repetitive life. He did not want to be with her seriously and was exposed at multiple moments where he regarded her as an object, reflecting the viewpoints of many men during this time: “Hansu did not believe that man was designed to have sex with one woman” and “…being with a young girl made him feel like a boy again” (Lee 48). Failing to acknowledge these major cautions and knowing the severity of her actions, Sunja bears Hansu’s child – the biggest mistake she cannot undo.

 

Although Sunja has negatively affected her life and the generations that follow, she owns up to her mistake and makes precise decisions that will help her loved ones the best they can. She courageously and thankfully takes Isak’s offer of marrying her, willing to leave her home, her place of comfort, for the sake of her future son. She is completely selfless, discovering the potential she has even in these extremely harsh circumstances. Eventually, Hansu reappears after secretly looking out for her but she takes his offer of fleeing to Osaka because it was the safest and best option for her family at the time. Due to Isak’s death, she was left as the primary caretaker and provider for her sons, influencing her to get ahold of this responsibility to remain strong.

 

Even though the seaweed seller was completely true, Sunja ended up providing a healthy and successful environment for the family and the generations that followed. She remained strong and determined during her circumstances to maintain this dexterity to own up for her mistake and plow through her hardships. Although Sunja’s story is not as realistic today, her character reveals an overlaying message that success will result from dedication and is entirely possible to arise from hardships.