I’m not an Arab, but I’m disappointed with the level of ignorance in Man Who Dies to Live. I really looked forward to watch this drama, but I’m not sure if I can tolerate with the backstory.
Okay.. I’m an Arab, was looking forward to watching Man Who Dies to Live, haven’t got the time to watch it yet, with this post I’m not sure what to expect.. mind giving me some spoilers?!
They had scenes where girls wear bikinis and hijabs. I mean, I don’t mind if they’re just wearing bikinis since not all Arabs are Muslims, but having both that combination, I think it’s kinda insulting. And they also made a scene where the King of that country asked Choi Min Soo (idk his character’s name) to marry one of the princesses. Again, the princesses wear hijab with sexy clothes. And they just sat there quietly, so it gives the sentiment of arranged marriage, but in a force way where women have no say in whom she’ll be married to.
Honestly, I’m not even surprised of their level of ignorance, this is not the first time where they portrayed us in such an insulting way! Like you said, not all Arabs are Muslims, and not all Arab Muslims are Hijabis but having them wear bikinis and hijab? that is just plain stupid! And what about the princesses, what era is this? I wish they do a little research on Arabs before making these dramas, the same happened in the K2 and Ji Chang-wook’s kiss scene with the hijabi girl, I don’t know what exactly they want to show through these dramas, what kind of message they want to send about us, or is it that they never even thought about this, about the image these dramas make people form about is! So frustrating!
It’s very frustrating. If they don’t know about the culture, then don’t think of doing it. I know the whole plot of the drama is about a man who’s been living in foreign country comes back to Korea to find his daughter. But if they’re not culturally aware of Arabs culture, it’s either they do research or just choose other culture that they’re well-educated in.
I was also surprised with that scene in K2 as well. It’s one of the reasons why I don’t consider K2 as my fav drama.
Yes, I understand that we are different, the cultures, the religions, everything is different, you can’t get everything right, there’s definitely going to be some mistakes, but not to this degrading extent!
I did not watch The K2 but that scene was everywhere, everyone was talking about it, couldn’t not see it and I was shocked, I still don’t understand how and why?!
@azzo1 yes, you’re right, they don’t have to be an expert on Arab culture, minor mistakes can be tolerable, but this kind of mistake? I think it’s a huge insult. I also may not be an expert in Arab culture because I’m not Arab, but I took two Arab courses in my college days to understand a bit on Arab culture. C’mon Korean PD, writer & producer, it’s not that to learn a bit more on other people’s culture.
Wow, this is some new level of ignorance. Stuff like this frustrates me to no end and makes my blood boil.
I’m not an Arab, but I can relate to this, as they constantly do the same thing with black culture.
I don’t understand what their goal is exactly, as I’m pretty sure stuff like this has happened before and people have called it out, yet it keeps on repeating.
It’s as you guys said above, if you’re not culturally aware, do some research and do it right or don’t do it AT ALL.
I don’t understand how they can take things that are of cultural significance to other people so lightly. *fuming*
Things like this get me frustrated with Korean entertainment (music or dramas). They know full well and they are pushing for Hallyu yet they don’t consider things like these. I’m not Arab or Black, but it’s so frustrating when you read/hear “Sorry we dont know or we are not aware of” when they are called out for cultural misappropriations.
I am fully aware that they have a different culture during my first forays into Korean dramas & music but can’t they at least put some effort into learning about other cultures especially if they’ll use it in their scripts or what not.
Sorry for the rant. Couldn’t help myself cause of this new misappropriation.
Nothing to be sorry about. I also rant about this whole thing here. I also think it’s a matter of respect. If you want to put someone’s culture in your entertainment industry, it’s either you do it right, or don’t do it at all.
3
0
Modal title
Modal title
Modal title
Modal title
A verification email has been sent to your new email address.
Please click the link in that email to complete the email change process.
Modal title
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit,
sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
hannaehh
July 20, 2017 at 4:29 AM
I’m not an Arab, but I’m disappointed with the level of ignorance in Man Who Dies to Live. I really looked forward to watch this drama, but I’m not sure if I can tolerate with the backstory.
azzo
July 20, 2017 at 4:38 AM
Okay.. I’m an Arab, was looking forward to watching Man Who Dies to Live, haven’t got the time to watch it yet, with this post I’m not sure what to expect.. mind giving me some spoilers?!
hannaehh
July 20, 2017 at 4:46 AM
They had scenes where girls wear bikinis and hijabs. I mean, I don’t mind if they’re just wearing bikinis since not all Arabs are Muslims, but having both that combination, I think it’s kinda insulting. And they also made a scene where the King of that country asked Choi Min Soo (idk his character’s name) to marry one of the princesses. Again, the princesses wear hijab with sexy clothes. And they just sat there quietly, so it gives the sentiment of arranged marriage, but in a force way where women have no say in whom she’ll be married to.
azzo
July 20, 2017 at 5:01 AM
Honestly, I’m not even surprised of their level of ignorance, this is not the first time where they portrayed us in such an insulting way! Like you said, not all Arabs are Muslims, and not all Arab Muslims are Hijabis but having them wear bikinis and hijab? that is just plain stupid! And what about the princesses, what era is this? I wish they do a little research on Arabs before making these dramas, the same happened in the K2 and Ji Chang-wook’s kiss scene with the hijabi girl, I don’t know what exactly they want to show through these dramas, what kind of message they want to send about us, or is it that they never even thought about this, about the image these dramas make people form about is! So frustrating!
hannaehh
July 20, 2017 at 5:27 AM
It’s very frustrating. If they don’t know about the culture, then don’t think of doing it. I know the whole plot of the drama is about a man who’s been living in foreign country comes back to Korea to find his daughter. But if they’re not culturally aware of Arabs culture, it’s either they do research or just choose other culture that they’re well-educated in.
I was also surprised with that scene in K2 as well. It’s one of the reasons why I don’t consider K2 as my fav drama.
azzo
July 20, 2017 at 5:54 AM
Yes, I understand that we are different, the cultures, the religions, everything is different, you can’t get everything right, there’s definitely going to be some mistakes, but not to this degrading extent!
I did not watch The K2 but that scene was everywhere, everyone was talking about it, couldn’t not see it and I was shocked, I still don’t understand how and why?!
hannaehh
July 20, 2017 at 6:21 AM
@azzo1 yes, you’re right, they don’t have to be an expert on Arab culture, minor mistakes can be tolerable, but this kind of mistake? I think it’s a huge insult. I also may not be an expert in Arab culture because I’m not Arab, but I took two Arab courses in my college days to understand a bit on Arab culture. C’mon Korean PD, writer & producer, it’s not that to learn a bit more on other people’s culture.
azzo
July 20, 2017 at 6:28 AM
Exactly, just a little bit of effort, that’s all we’re asking for!
yuyuu
July 20, 2017 at 6:10 AM
Wow, this is some new level of ignorance. Stuff like this frustrates me to no end and makes my blood boil.
I’m not an Arab, but I can relate to this, as they constantly do the same thing with black culture.
I don’t understand what their goal is exactly, as I’m pretty sure stuff like this has happened before and people have called it out, yet it keeps on repeating.
It’s as you guys said above, if you’re not culturally aware, do some research and do it right or don’t do it AT ALL.
I don’t understand how they can take things that are of cultural significance to other people so lightly. *fuming*
wakimary
July 20, 2017 at 5:16 AM
Things like this get me frustrated with Korean entertainment (music or dramas). They know full well and they are pushing for Hallyu yet they don’t consider things like these. I’m not Arab or Black, but it’s so frustrating when you read/hear “Sorry we dont know or we are not aware of” when they are called out for cultural misappropriations.
I am fully aware that they have a different culture during my first forays into Korean dramas & music but can’t they at least put some effort into learning about other cultures especially if they’ll use it in their scripts or what not.
Sorry for the rant. Couldn’t help myself cause of this new misappropriation.
hannaehh
July 20, 2017 at 5:29 AM
Nothing to be sorry about. I also rant about this whole thing here. I also think it’s a matter of respect. If you want to put someone’s culture in your entertainment industry, it’s either you do it right, or don’t do it at all.