Does anybody here watch Arirang TV? I saw an advertisement on there last night for a bank or credit card or some kind of financial service, with “Bucket of sweat will determine the straws on my business card” as its tag line.
I hadn’t seen this ad for some months, and had actually hoped that perhaps someone at Arirang had twigged that it made no sense at all and pulled it, but there it was - mysterious as ever. Can anyone help out? Nulji Maripkan/Shin Jong Il? If this is some more of that ‘American verbiage’ that I don’t ‘get’, if you ‘dig’ what they ‘be vibing’ then please let us all know. Alternatively, this kind of language could perhaps better be found explained here.
24 Comments
Who does the translation/scriptwriting for them anyhow. I watch a fair bit of it, being in between contracts, and am often appalled at the lack of good grammar or translation. One that springs to mind is the show about Korean food, where they repeat the word “dishes” about a dozen times in the ad, making it sound like it was written by C average english majors from some rural university.
Don’t you understand that only Korean people can explain Korea to foreigners? I’m anxiously awaiting the “Korea: Unique land of four seasons” documentary.
This ties in perfectly to the post about Korea’s branding problem. My guess is that Arirang is run by the KBS execs who weren’t competitive enough at the mother station but who got good English scores in ??????.
The best thing about Arirang is The Contenders, the quiz show. If you’re a fan of lame hosts, forced banter, an obviously uninterested and paid audience, you must check it out immediately.
Korean people who try to learn English taught by Americans have an especially hard time with Idiomatic Phrases. For example, ‘its raining cats and dogs’. When a Korean person encounters a phrase like that for the very first time, you will see a very puzzled look on his/her face. What an American takes for granted as a common saying, the Korean mind is screaming out “what in the world does cats and dogs have to do with it raining hard?!” Americanese is filled with such mindboggling idioms that make English that much harder for Koreans to master. So the Koreans got together and conspired to take revenge by concocting wierd, nonsensical English phrases and displaying them on public TV for Americans to puzzle over as well.
It’s raining cats and dogs has nothing to do with Americanism. It’s an old English ?€“ as in London, UK ?€“ expression. Dogs and cats used to run on the roofs of houses, the formers chasing the latter, I’d wager, and when it rained, the roofs became slippery, and it litterally rained cats and dogs…
I am frankly shocked that people actually watch ArirangTV. All the TV dramas and films are crap. “Heart to Heart?” Man, that is one boring talk show. Music show is entertaining, but it also features boring talk section which introduces unknown musicians in Korea–Korea trying to pitch “new product” to the world. But it’s not exactly like Japan’s “Hey Hey Hey”.
What do expats watch in Korea anyway? AFKN?
mmmm..”Let’s speak Korean” is very enjoyable as I eat breakfast. Check it out.
Don’t forget, Arirang TV was launched back in the early 90’s by the Korean government to help the image of Korea throughout the world. It’s basically an ad for Korea. One of the reasons not yet mentioned why the programming sucks so much is that is has a limited government funded budget. Most of the dramas and movies that they show, are dated few years old - as they do not have the money to purchase current shows. Money is not the only reason for poor quality TV, of course, as there are various other reasons of incompetencies that others have mentioned here.
A lot of expats watch AFN. Most are willing to sit through the ‘MOPP level’ and ‘Buddy System’ PSAs (if you can call them that - maybe MSA might be better)) and such crap in order to watch a year-old episode of friends. I must say, I’ll never miss the ‘this day in US military history’ (’On this day in 1968, American troops liberated My Lai’s inhabitants from their Earthly sorrows’ and such nonsense) ever again. I’m quite happy never to see another episode of ‘Survivor - Fallujah’, ‘King of the Hill’, or ‘Crossfire’ ever again. But some people aren’t so lucky.
By the way, does the US military not realize that a lot of the PSAs on AFN make the soldiers look like Idiots? (Which I know full well they are not). I can’t imagine what Koreans (or any host country) think of ‘the buddy system’ PSAs. From the tone of a lot of the PSAs, I wouldn’t have been surprised by a PSA giving pointers on how to brush your teeth. As shit as Arirang is, it’s likely better than AFN.
“but it also features boring talk section which introduces unknown musicians in Korea”
Unknown musicians? I don’t know what you’re talking about, I like that segment because it often shows non-mainstream singers/bands… so people who want to look into beyond the pop music stuff, I think that’s a good section. But then again, I enjoy watching pop culture and less mainstream stuff too.
I will admit though, on average though, Arirang TV is not all too fun to watch save for couple programs.
“…does the US military not realize that a lot of the PSAs on AFN make the soldiers look like Idiots? [sic]…”
Though I doubt any explanation will pierce your invincible shield of smug condescension, W, I’ll mention (for the benefit of any others here who might be interested) that Armed Forces Network Television is provided its programming free of charge by the major US TV networks (not sure what deal AFN has with the cable and small networks).
This is conditional on AFN not allowing any commercial advertising whatsoever; also AFN cannot show “first run” episodes of productions until a time period has passed (not sure what this is; I think it used to be 6 months, or maybe a full year). This doesn’t (or didn’t) apply to “live” programming such as morning shows (Today) and news/current events programming; from my experience (watching AFN Europe in Saudi Arabia about 10 years ago) these were shown on the satellite either live from the US (with a slight delay) or else they were taped and then rebroadcast a few hours later.
I gathered back then that for technical reasons it’s necessary to fill in some of the “breaks” (where regular commercials normally go) with filler ads. Many times this was done on AFN Europe with some footage of US scenic vistas, such as rafting scenes down the Grand Canyon accompanied by classical music (Grofe’s “Grand Canyon Suite”). Or maybe New England fall scenes accompanied by something from the classical European repertoire. I used to enjoy these enormously, and I missed them greatly when I rotated back to the good old USA and had to get used again to standard US commercial TV ads.
Of course I’ve never been to Korea and seen AFN there; perhaps the international dateline mandates some differences, but I’d be surprised if they were major, and also if the programming was really as robotic and brainless as you are pleased to convey to us here.
Some of the filler was also done for European AFN with “PSA’s” (not sure what this acronym stands for, but I gather from your context you mean “health and welfare” or “safety briefing” type information, to include attempts to provide a little fundamental orientation on US military history). I’m sure this is not designed to impress (or depress, as you imply) the Koreans, but rather is designed for an audience of young servicemen/women (perhaps young USAF/Army/Marines on Okinawa/Japan/Guam, also USN units afloat in the far Pacific). For budgetary reasons, I strongly suspect overall AFN Far East TV programming is designed for a bigger “footprint” than just USFK.
Many of these servicemen/women are young 19 or 20 year olds, away from home from the first time, and deployed (in Korea at least) as an individual replacement into a totally foreign culture, without any friends (until they are integrated into their unit). So they lack your worldliness, and may need to be reminded (repeatedly) of some basic info, to include things that you find rather droll. Uncle Sam has a limited budget (no commercials remember), and so probably such ads are not as polished or professional as you are used to.
All these young people are volunteers though, and I know for a fact that very few if any are potential murderers, anxious for another My Lai. BTW, some of the ones with higher aptitude scores get to work in AFN production after training in the appropriate military occupational specialty. When they get out they have invaluable job experience for pursuing a civilian career in broadcasting. So you might consider their efforts as “training” — the DoD isn’t interested in polish but effectiveness, and I doubt if they are too worried about how someone like you judges such effectiveness.
Are you an expat in Korea? (Canadian? UK? Straighten me out if I’m wrong, I like to keep my bullshit detector well calibrated).
If so, and you happen to encounter some ROK citizens who think US troops there are “idiots”, perhaps you might come down off your high horse long enough to try to convey a positive view of them to such Koreans. Lord knows the political leadership of the ROK doesn’t seem to be doing it.
I don’t know much about Arirang TV. When I visit Korea, most of my T.V. time is spent on watching Starcraft tournaments. Just can’t get enough of those in the States.
Say, do they still play those USFK-made amateur ads on AFKN? I mean the ones that are really corny but funny as hell. I still remember three from several years back: one is about asking military personnel to respect each other’s privacy (a guy watches WWF wrestling, gets excited and does one of those flying body checks on his sleeping roommate), another is about driving safely in the base (some soldier dressed up as a schoolgirl skips across the road licking a lollypop, then almost gets hit by a car), then there’s one about checking your mail often (some dude hasn’t checked his mail for months, and when he finally pays the mailroom a visit a whole pile of mail is thrown at him and he gets buried underneath it). Those ads were awesome — they beat all commercial ads I’ve seen in Korea or the States hands down. Or maybe I just have a twisted sense of humor.
Don’t forget that “get your anthrax shot” ad with “Kung Foo Fighting” in the background . . . the one with the parody of the bad dubbing in martial arts movies. Classic.
wooj
yes you do have a twisted sense of humour, and there are worse things to have, such as not having one at all or taking things far too seriously [see paul h. above]. my all time favourite afn ad is “don’t make a beer bottle a weapon”. now in defense of afn’s obvious incompetence, one solider told me that the afkn technical crews usually have no previous experience in t.v. production, learn on the job and then are rotated out after a year. but that still doesn’t explain to me -much less excuse- why they are showing week old football highlights on mondays espn “sports desk” evening show this season.
Given that Pocari Sweat is a Korean “gatorade” to replace fluids lost by among other things, perspiration, maybe there is some sort of “sweat equity” involved with the card?
Marmot,
I don’t know if you were really asking a question but I think I know what that tag line is talking about.
I believe that the ’straws’ in “Bucket of sweat will determine the straws on my business card?€?are the material of the card. I think ‘fibers’ would have been a better word.
Low-end business cards are smooth and flimsy. As you move on up in the world, you get thicker cards with a rougher-feeling texture. When you have really made it, your cards will look and feel like stiff cloth (you can even see the individual fibers).
When you give your business card to a Korean businessman and he looks at it for the traditional several seconds that most Koreans do, he can partially judge your position in a company or the success of your business by the card’s thickness and texture.
In short the straws of your business card is a status symbol. The ad could have just as easily said?€œBucket of sweat will determine the car in my driveway.”
I think I’ll post this.
Many thanks to Andy for explaining the possible provenance of this interesting piece of language. I admit it is plausible, but still don’t like it as English.
By the way, it was I that wrote this post, not Marmot - people still haven’t noticed that there are (is?) more than one author now.
Wooj: I too loved those PSAs (public service announcements) on AF(K)N, back when I had it in the 1990s. I also remember the fraud waste and abuse one about the guy who wanted to drive his company car home late one rainy night, and the guy who called his mum/mom using his office phone, and the mother was a guy in drag. Let’s not forget Airman Gerry whatsisname,, who provided the most scintillating weather forecasts in 1996 (when I didn’t know Fahrenheit yet - still struggle with it) and only knew two things to do with his hands: shrug self-deprecatingly or point vaguely in the direction of the weather map.
I rather like Arirang’s Heart to Heart, if only because I find the host so endearingly cute and her voice somewhat hypnotic.
“The Contenders” is even better if you watch it live. Despite the fake cheerfulness of the female host, she is utterly bitchy when the cameras aren’t rolling ^-^ You all owe it to yourselves to catch an episode in the Arirang studio, which if I remember correctly is near Nambu Bus Terminal.
Hamel,
I have noticed the same thing that you have - many people believe that Robert “Marmot” is actually posting all of these posts. I think that you have to take it from a different point of view - Marmot’s Hole has become somewhat of an institution and I think that “Marmot” is just a reference to the site…, I know that this makes absolutely no sense - I just can’t think how to word it
I agree with your general view that people should have the courage of their own convictions in what they say and stand by their posts.
However,I am a gay guy and very new to Korea finding that the idea of being gay to Koreans is very alien and I would guess abhorrent. I’m struggling with this as I have met some really great people but feel as if I’m being untruthful about myself and decieving them. I’ve reconciled this in my own mind by deciding that maybe I’ll come out to those people who I establish a good relationship with over time. I do worry though that they will reject me and that my life here will become impossible if my sexuality is publicly known.
In other words and in relation to your post, I’m being anonymous for practical reasons although I kind of hate myself for doing so and feel that I’m letting myself and others down (ie. other gay people and people I meet for not being wholly honest). But hey - do I ask them what they do in their bedroom - NO. The truth is I’m not sure how to proceed - any advice? Anyone?
Andy -
You should change your name and join us. Hamel has already secretly changed his name to Robert but just doesn’t use it in public.
Leone
I agree with dkapflzks about the coming out to people. When I meant taking responsibility for your posts and for using real names in no way was I speaking about you. I think that people who write inflammatory things or things that are highly controversal should be willing to stand behind them instead of hiding behind a “nick.”
Your situation is completely different and I of course wish you the best of luck in your decision. A few of the people on this blog know that I am writing an article on the Sexual Relations during the Late Choson Dynasty and I am really amazed at the opinions of homosexuality during this period. I think that Koreans have opened up to it a lot in the past couple of years but there are still social stigma and you will need to proceed carefully - especially if you are a teacher.
Leone -
I would guess that you’d tend to migrate toward people who would be open-minded enough to accept your preferences anyway. If you come out to them and their feelings change because you’re not who they thought you were, well THEY’RE not who you thought they were either.
As for “not being wholly honest” - give yourself a break man. I would imagine that life here is enough of a struggle without beating yourself up for not being a social martyr for your brethren. Excuse yourself for being a bit machiavellian when the situation calls for it!
Hamel,
Sorry about the mix-up.
Anyway, with Rob1 using his really name on the blog now, I guess everyone can be called marmots now. It’s like a frick’n colony or something.
Arirang TV Faces Challenges in the New Year
I guess not many people watch Arirang TV, as the Joongang Ilbo says it might face an uphill battle to stay on the air in 2005 :
Arirang TV s future up in the air
January 03, 2005 ¤? In the coming year, the employees of Arirang TV, Korea s sole …
In your free time, visit the pages about blckjck
- Tons of interesdting stuff!!!