Blog in Busan

by Robert Koehler on February 2, 2008

Lee Farrand, a 25-year-old Australian KAD teaching English in Busan, is blogging his experiences there.

Check it out.

{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }

1 dogbert February 2, 2008 at 1:44 pm: I know what a “cad” is, but what’s a “KAD”?
2 Robert Koehler February 2, 2008 at 2:05 pm: If I had to take a stab at it, I’d say “Korean ADoptee.” He could probably explain it better, though.
3 Maekchu February 2, 2008 at 3:14 pm: Pretty cool blog. I’d like to try an Ace glass from that bar in Busan.
4 mjw February 2, 2008 at 4:43 pm: I laughed my ass off at this quote from the blog:

“It’s always funny to watch Korean girls meet up and talk to each other, because they get excited easily and remind me of squeaky guinea pigs.”
5 kwandongbrian February 2, 2008 at 4:44 pm: Korean Australian Divorcee?

Korean with A Disability?

misspelling of ‘cad’: an ill-bred man, esp. one who behaves in a dishonourable or irresponsible way toward women.
—___—___

I don’t recall a post here introducing me- ah, forget it: I would hate to see my blog described, even if accurately, by the regulars here.
6 Matthew February 2, 2008 at 4:59 pm: a good search that included the words
KAD~acronym~korea
brought up links about Korean adoptees

I’d say the mystery has been solved.

at first I thought it meant
Korean Australian Dude
7 Matthew February 2, 2008 at 5:07 pm: google search

my bad
8 bbundaegi February 3, 2008 at 5:50 am: I was wondering what how Korean kyopos, who are from full-blooded Korean parents and grew up in a very Korean-culture centric household view Korean adoptees who, other than being of the same ethnicity, are for all intents and purposes not at all close or feel a Korean “bond” with that of their ethnic homeland. Do these two groups get along or do the kyopos look upon the adoptees with an attitude of disdain since the adoptees are less interested in subscribing to the tribal mentality of Korean culture? I am just wondering because I am basing this on various conversations with kyopos and adoptees who seem to superficially get along but for some reason or another, when it comes down to it, the kyopos do not consider the adoptees as being “genuine” since they are not as interested in Korean culture on a personal level. Comments would be appreciated.
9 dogbert February 3, 2008 at 3:41 pm: Some KADs do indeed feel such a bond, occasionally becoming more fervent “born-again Koreans” than even “1.7″ generation kyopos. That wacky Hubinette fellow is a good example.
10 bbundaegi February 3, 2008 at 4:39 pm: Hi Dogbert,

I’m sorry, but who is “Hubinette”?
11 Matthew February 3, 2008 at 6:26 pm: #8 I suppose it depends on the individual. Back home in the states I knew many Kyopos and many adoptees. Some of the Kyopos were actually less interested in their own culture than the adoptees who seemed to be searching for a connection with their heritage. Whereas the Kyopos seemed to be rebelling against being forced into a culture different than the one they were growing up around.

When it comes down to it though both are taken with a pound of salt when it comes to comparing them to Full blooded Koreans who were born in Korea…especially if they are not fluent in the langauge
12 Leeskoreablog February 13, 2008 at 12:26 pm: Thanks for the comments.

KAD = Korean ADoptee. But my blog is more travel-related so I don’t discuss it at length.

Enjoy!
13 Brandon April 29, 2008 at 8:45 pm: I’m a Kyopo and I guess I can comment. I think Kyopos tend to “instantly” gravitate toward one another more readily vs. adoptees. I tend to not know what adoptees will be like and so I feel it’s easier to get to know Kyopos growing up in a Korean family. However, I feel like Lee and other adopted Koreans that I’ve met are still “very comfortable” and so I do definitely feel more “at ease” with him and other adoptee Koreans that I’ve met. The personalities of adopted Koreans tend to be a bit different from what I can tell — usually a bit more positive, but it may also be because of my limited interactions with adoptees. I think true Kyopos are a bit more judgemental for some reason.

It’s a fascinating question, but then again, generalizing doesn’t work all the time because some of my closest friends not Korean Americans/Canadians…