I’ve spent a considerable amount of time in rural 충청남도. Trust me, the mindset is similar, if not the same. Gwangcheon is basically like a much smaller and less crowded version of Seoul, with a more rustic atmosphere. The people act, dress, talk the same (Yes, much of the younger generation speaks in 표준말, not the usual saturi). More or less, people there litter A LOT more than the average Seoulite. I highly doubt any of the people that I’ve met and observed in 충청남도 “appreciate” Korean culture.

and are eager to bulldoze their own culture and customs and replace them with Western things. For example, traditional Korean buildings, such as hanbok in the Bukchon area, are being constantly demolished and replaced with newer and more modern buildings. What’s more is that most people are happy for the change, or at the least don’t mind.

This has happened in part because millions of Koreans chose to live overseas, many in Western countries, where they developed fondness for Western things.

Had Koreans just stayed home, they would have been more happy with their own culture and customs, more like, say, Laos and Bhutan.

FWIW, I haven’t met that many Westerners who think Korea is turning Western and abandoning traditional Korean mindset and culture.

I’m saving my breath for more rewarding activities.

Hopefully President Lee will change this.

I can’t believe people like Robertson are being marginalized in Korea, he has experience and expertise that can help the economy.

I rarely had good Korean food in Seoul.

The first time I went to Seoul, I was thoroughly disappointed by the lack of actual Korean culture that was present in the city.

Seoul is the armpit of Korea. If you really want to see ‘Korean culture’ (and meet some much, much more hospitable people — most Seoulites are assholes) get yourself out to the provinces. Big cities are mostly all the same.

Billy B. Robertson, a Canadian equity markets analyst and recent victim of mass layoffs in the financial industry following the subprime meltdown, thought he had found his dream opportunity when he heard about Korea’s need for “Hub” specialists.

“I have always been interested in the nurturing of fine Hub,” said Billy during a phone interview from his prison cell in Seoul. “I heard that the Korean market was drastically underserved in the area of Hub, particularly in the area of Hub financing, and I thought I would be welcomed with open arms.” So, Billy packed up his spreadsheets, stuffed his pockets with ‘seed money’ for his new venture, and boarded a plane to Korea.

Blood tests conducted at the request of Korean Immigration officials confirmed Mr. Robertson’s extensive experience in the field of Hub. “It’s like Lone Star all over again,” said Billy, “they say they want foreign help to build up an industry, but as soon as someone takes them up on the offer, they bring down the hammer. How are Koreans ever going to get good Hub at this rate?”

Asked about his future plans once he resolves his current legal problems, Mr. Robertson gave a surprising answer. “You’d think I’d be down on Korea after all this, but I still see great market potential here. I’m thinking of a pizza chain; top item will be ‘Billy’s Famous 버섯 Pizza’. It’s not Hub, but I think Koreans will like it once they try it.”