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CedarBough Saeji

@TheKpopProf

24 Aug

The way "do research" has been dumbed down in the present day is... making me wish I had a different word for what I do. Anti-vaxxers and the like with their "do your research" even though their "research" is only finding random information online that agrees with them,

regardless of the accuracy of said information.

Exhibit A: an opinion piece in a newspaper.
Exhibit B: a peer-reviewed academic publication.
Exhibit C: information you collected by going to the source/ creating new studies.

Which one of these is less reliable?

The problem is the anti-vaxxers probably aren't seeing the academic research, and they don't have the training to create a new study-- so they just read newspaper opinion pieces until they find something that agrees with them.

This is why national education spending &

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CedarBough Saeji

@TheKpopProf

22 Jun

Why do (international) fans (or critics) expect #kpop to somehow espouse strong social positions?

1). Koreans get their pointed social criticism in music from independent Korean music. Being independent means you actually can express your ideas as you choose, right?

2). Idol pop performers are often young and working incredibly long hours-- they may not have time to stay up to date on issues and make an informed statement. That issue may mean the world to you, but they're under so much pressure with their job, and their job is performing.

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CedarBough Saeji

@TheKpopProf

18 Oct 20

Men assume that all women (who must be heterosexual, of course) lust after attractive men, and would, given a chance, leap upon a celebrity. There are enough women who have done that that anecdotal evidence exists. However, in my conversations with women friends we almost

always agree that we enjoy looking at other people for many reasons other than sexual desire.

But because of male gaze media, even many women seem to assume that visuals, body parts, etc. are what get them "going" so to speak (rather than only part of it).

So, the narrative

that fandom must be about sexual desire is really hard to escape. Yet when I read fanfic (presumably written by women), it very clearly shows me that it's the *situations* that people are turned on by. And you can literally trade names and make that situation about anyone, right?

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CedarBough Saeji

@TheKpopProf

18 Oct 20

On the subject of getting a PhD to study about Korea:

The single thing you need more than anything is excellent Korean language ability. You shouldn't even enter a program with intermediate Korean (if your native language is very far from Korean, like English).

The number of ways that excellent Korean will help you to do great research simply cannot be counted.

BUT some universities will accept you, because they don't know how long it might take you to have Korean that's good enough to do research. Even if you master the language

during your degree program, it'll probably be the fourth or fifth year of your PhD before you can ACTUALLY read academic Korean. So, how do you do research for the four or five years before that? From secondary sources in other languages. Is that good research? No.

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CedarBough Saeji

@TheKpopProf

18 Oct 20

If you're considering studying about Korea, or doing research about Korea for your PhD, here's a hard truth: if you're not a Korean national (and it's a good idea even if you are) you need Korea specialists on your dissertation committee. FULL STOP. Why?

1) If you want a job dealing with Korea or funding from Korea you need the rec letters of people who are *known to know about Korea*

They literally are confirming your legitimacy and worth as someone who would know.

2) Korea specialists can catch you on your misunderstandings, suggest good readings, make connections and introductions.

Storytime:
I once saw a woman's dissertation abstract. It was full of the hippest theoretical ideas and addressed a topic very close to my own work.

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CedarBough Saeji

@TheKpopProf

1 Mar 20

Worried about #COVID-19? Adopting Korean manners and bowing appropriately will allow you to be sanitary, keep a little distance, and still be polite.

Do you bow with two hands in a 'prayer' position? Not unless you're at the Buddhist temple and also saying "성불 하십시오" 1/

So, where are your hands?
Pre-colonial Korean manners had the two hands just below the bellybutton (men- left over right hand, women- right over left hand).
Currently many Koreans bow with their hands at their sides. 2/

What about your feet?
Come to a complete stop, and put your heels together, touching (toes can be pointing outwards like a duck).

How deep? Well... how much do you respect the other person? 90 degrees from the waist is usually excessive. 3/

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