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Korean People Three. |
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It is worth stating that that the old Korean class system is eroding, with the onset of globalisation, and encroching western hegemony. the traditionally rigid social structure has today given rise to a new class, an 'in-between' class of businesspeople and skilled professionals, who live in the towns and cities. This class is affluent enough to pay for their children to recieve high class education, which traditionally is the prerequisite for high social status.
Tied in with the traditional social hierarchy are surnames. Ee, Ea, Lih, Yih, Ri, Rii, Ree, Rhee, Le and Yi are only Western variations of the spelling of 'Lee' ('0l' in Hangul), and are all the same name. The surname Lee or Yi, is the royal name and is from the Yi (or Choson) Dynasty. Apart from Lee, the other two most popular surnames in Korea are Kim (Gim) and Park (Bahk). Interestingly, surnames and first names are reversed in Korea, so Yoo-Jong Chea, would be Chea, Yoo-Jong. |
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Vegetable Preparation, Tangkogae. As one walks around Seoul, past street vendors, one will see many women sitting behind vegetable stalls prepping vegetables and fruit for sale. This is exactly what these women are doing.
They are removing bad veges, roots, unwanted bits and I suppose making it that bit more sellable, or buyable for that matter. |
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Man Smoking, Tangkogae. Ask any one who knows me, I have a tendency to romanticise smoking. Well why not "cigarettes are an intoxicating uncompromising mistress." Well that is how Beaudelaire describes them!!
This man is taking a break from the bustle of the market buy diving down a side alley for a 'durrie'. Incidently, afterwards, he went back to work at his market stall. A little fact, in Korea only men can smoke in the streets, its culturally a 'faut pas' for women to do so. |
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Fish Sellers. For an inland city, fish are ubiquitous in Seoul. Every market is inundated with fish stalls. Some having a varied array of fish, and others having only dried anchovies for instance, but by the ship load.
This one needs no explanation really, there is an assortment of fish, but I wouldn't go out and celebrate because of it. |
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Produce Seller, Tangkogae. This woman sells vegetables at a market stall, however in addition to this, she is someones's grandmother.
I met her grandson in a PC Bang (Room) in Nowon last night. When I was editing this site, he saw the picture, smiled and said "Thats my grandmother"! |
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Product models, Yongsan. All over Seoul you will see women like this, selling products. I heard recently that they are called T-Models.
They are usually, dressed to the nines, others are hardly dressed at all. Normally they are dressed in silver or fluorescent green lycra suits or mini mini skirts, selling telephones or internet services, I've heard they even sell petrol. |
