the-red-jester

Yesterday morning South Korea's president suddenly declared martial law --for the first time since 1979 (when dictator Park ChungHee was assassinated). Let's talk about this, YES on Wattpad.
          	
          	First of all, the MPs blocked the declaration. Martial Law was lifted. The immediate storming of parliament proves the country's strength, and I admire the politicians that fought their way through the army and climbed over walls and fences to protect the country's freedom. It was a scary few hours for everyone.
          	
          	But let's talk about Hallyu. This situation is a great example of how bonkers and problematic SK truly is. Wattpad is especially guilty of over-romanticizing SK, and it does get on my nerves as I've never met other Wattpaders who actually live here. Many users (definitely not all!!) like to imagine SK as this utopia/kpop-theme-park, filled with pretty idols and kimchi where nothing bad could possibly happen. But like most places, it's a very traumatized nation filled with political issues. Decolonization, war trauma, rampant sexism, cult presence, and government corruption are not usually showcased properly in KPop culture. So I hope this attempted coup opens people's eyes to the true nature of this dangerous and beautiful country.
          	
          	--Aside from the comment on the romanticization of KCulture, I won't share any personal opinions on any of Korea's current issues. I'm Canadian, and even though I studied political science back in Canada, I don't have the experience or nuance to publicly state my opinions on Korea's politics yet.
          	
          	I hope that all you KPop stans out there try to understand the culture that is so commonly worshipped by foreigners. Remember that it does not exist simply to entertain you. Many of my friends describe Korea by saying "We're a very sad people", and not a lot of people comprehend this. If you idolize Korea, please learn of its troubles so that you may love it wholly and not superficially.

seoulsister_75

@the-red-jester Wow, what a terrific explanation of Korean society versus American!  Thank you so much for that perspective.  As an American, I can't disagree with that assessment.  I always appreciate your wide knowledge about many topics.  I don't know how old you are, but you are much younger than I am, but your mind works like that of a much older person.  You've lived a lot in your short time on earth.
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the-red-jester

@seoulsister_75 honestly, the deeper awareness is something I really appreciate about your fanfictions. you often touch on the destructive aspects of kpop such as appearance standards and toxic work environments. those are really important conversations that don't seem to happen much. --And as for the wealth discrepancy, Korea is much more socialist so poverty is a different experience here than it is in the USA. Somebody explained it to us as "In Korea, everyone wants what their neighbours have. In the USA, everyone wants MORE than what their neighbours have." it's just a general summary of wider cultural differences and isn't universally applicable, but those words really stuck with me.
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the-red-jester

@KargaTapas pffffft that very last sentence is the best. We're currently living with a woman from Manila, and we've had some great conversations about the Korean presence in the Philippines since we're both fairly new to the country. she seems to have a similar experience to you.
• Reply

the-red-jester

Yesterday morning South Korea's president suddenly declared martial law --for the first time since 1979 (when dictator Park ChungHee was assassinated). Let's talk about this, YES on Wattpad.
          
          First of all, the MPs blocked the declaration. Martial Law was lifted. The immediate storming of parliament proves the country's strength, and I admire the politicians that fought their way through the army and climbed over walls and fences to protect the country's freedom. It was a scary few hours for everyone.
          
          But let's talk about Hallyu. This situation is a great example of how bonkers and problematic SK truly is. Wattpad is especially guilty of over-romanticizing SK, and it does get on my nerves as I've never met other Wattpaders who actually live here. Many users (definitely not all!!) like to imagine SK as this utopia/kpop-theme-park, filled with pretty idols and kimchi where nothing bad could possibly happen. But like most places, it's a very traumatized nation filled with political issues. Decolonization, war trauma, rampant sexism, cult presence, and government corruption are not usually showcased properly in KPop culture. So I hope this attempted coup opens people's eyes to the true nature of this dangerous and beautiful country.
          
          --Aside from the comment on the romanticization of KCulture, I won't share any personal opinions on any of Korea's current issues. I'm Canadian, and even though I studied political science back in Canada, I don't have the experience or nuance to publicly state my opinions on Korea's politics yet.
          
          I hope that all you KPop stans out there try to understand the culture that is so commonly worshipped by foreigners. Remember that it does not exist simply to entertain you. Many of my friends describe Korea by saying "We're a very sad people", and not a lot of people comprehend this. If you idolize Korea, please learn of its troubles so that you may love it wholly and not superficially.

seoulsister_75

@the-red-jester Wow, what a terrific explanation of Korean society versus American!  Thank you so much for that perspective.  As an American, I can't disagree with that assessment.  I always appreciate your wide knowledge about many topics.  I don't know how old you are, but you are much younger than I am, but your mind works like that of a much older person.  You've lived a lot in your short time on earth.
• Reply

the-red-jester

@seoulsister_75 honestly, the deeper awareness is something I really appreciate about your fanfictions. you often touch on the destructive aspects of kpop such as appearance standards and toxic work environments. those are really important conversations that don't seem to happen much. --And as for the wealth discrepancy, Korea is much more socialist so poverty is a different experience here than it is in the USA. Somebody explained it to us as "In Korea, everyone wants what their neighbours have. In the USA, everyone wants MORE than what their neighbours have." it's just a general summary of wider cultural differences and isn't universally applicable, but those words really stuck with me.
• Reply

the-red-jester

@KargaTapas pffffft that very last sentence is the best. We're currently living with a woman from Manila, and we've had some great conversations about the Korean presence in the Philippines since we're both fairly new to the country. she seems to have a similar experience to you.
• Reply

the-red-jester

anybody got winter/christmas themed story recommendations or personal works? it's almost december so it's time to be festive.
          
          fyi: Jester's new novel Heaven is a Prison is a winter-oriented story. there are now 6 parts up! please check it out if you haven't already :D
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/374916667-heaven-is-a-prison
          
          oh yeah and happy thanksgiving to the followers in the USA!

the-red-jester

the first look at Heaven is a Prison (the God's Gone AWOL sequel) is out now. be sure to read the first few chapters and add it to your library for update notifications!!
          
          https://www.wattpad.com/story/374916667-heaven-is-a-prison
          
          Also, happy Canadian thanksgiving. we spent the weekend up by the DMZ so no pumpkin pie but at least we got to see North Korea (it's a beautiful country). obviously internet connection was questionable there, so we'll catch up on everyone's stories this coming week :)

the-red-jester

hey fellow fools and other friendly folk. Update time:
          
          ~45 chapters of the GGAWOL sequel are complete. it'd be nice to start releasing the novel soon, but this weary author has moved to a new country (bye Canada!) and is not sure how busy life is going to be yet. sincerest gratitude to everyone who has supported God's Gone AWOL so far! The characters are excited to see you all again :D
          
          How would you folks feel about a couple teaser chapters? or would you prefer just starting off with steady updates? do lettuce know so we can schedule accordingly!

seoulsister_75

@the-red-jester I'll read it no matter how you release it.  And good luck in your new living situation!  It must be exciting and exhausting.
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KargaTapas

@the-red-jester YEAHH!! Excited to finish GGAWOL so I can simmer in wait with everybody else for the sequel! Either publishing format works for me
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the-red-jester

whoa. a surprise God's Gone AWOL update?? didn't that book finish 6 months ago?
          
          yes, that's right. but this author got bored and made some aesthetic boards just for fun. there are no spoilers in it, so you can take a look even if you're still reading the book. (follow my pinterest). please check it out, it'll be fun we promise.
          
          on another note: thanks everyone for the thoughts and prayers. we were evacuated almost immediately after my last post, and the fire did come within a few hundred metres of our property. but as far as we know, there has been no structural damage. yay! we're looking forward to heading back soon.
          
          in regards to books, a good chunk of GGAWOL's pre/sequel is written and will be released sometime in the next couple months probably. there's a couple other stories in the works that may or may not see the light of day. regardless, stay tuned :) and thanks for reading.

the-red-jester

hey gang! just posted a silly lil poem on the @snow-fungus account if anybody is curious. it's short and about self-love: https://www.wattpad.com/story/373322991-the-mirror-game
          
          also, sorry for not being super active these past few days. our province is on fire again --our household is not under evacuation order yet, but we are at risk. that, on top of an unsolicited marriage proposal, has left this weary jester a little busy. we PROMISE to catch up on everyone's stories very soon. thank you for your patience :)

KargaTapas

@the-red-jester Apollo and his dodgeball of prophecies strike once again
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the-red-jester

@KargaTapas thank you. figures as soon as I posted that, we were promptly put under evacuation notice :))DD)D))D)
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KargaTapas

@the-red-jester Oh no! Too many things catching aflame, it seems. Stay safe, and weather the days however best you can! :D
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the-red-jester

oogly boogly. new chapter of Mile 15 is out now. we're getting close to the end, so make sure you're all caught up!
          
          also, using this notification as a reminder that this silly Red Jester has a silly anthology of poems, photos, and short stories which occasionally updates. go check it out if you dare!!!