Are Koreans the Irish of Asia?

During my time in Korea I have been repeatedly having a similar conversation along the same lines. It goes something like this. “Korea and Ireland seem to share a hell of a lot in common! Why is that?”

I wish to use this blog as a series of ponderings revolving around this question. It is both curious and comforting to learn that a country that I knew shamefully little of, tucked away in the middle of East Asia has an alarming amount in common with my own little country, in terms of national characteristics, history and cultural quirks. These connections have definitely helped me to feel less homesick and have eased me into a comfortable life here.

A few years ago, my father, a science teacher, had a particularly bright and diligent student who he was quite fond of. Her name was Lee Sun Wha O'Mahoney. She was a Korean who moved to Australia to learn English. While she was there, she fell in love with and married an Irishman named O'Mahoney. They subsequently moved to Ireland where she started to study science.

After class one day, my father and Mrs. Sun Wha O'Mahoney became engaged in a rather interesting conversation. She told my father how similar Ireland and Korea are. She found this time and time again living in Ireland and getting to know her husband's friends and family. She told my Dad that the Irish and Koreans are tough and stubborn, hard-working but with a great sense of humour and an earnestness for drinking alcohol. We also share a generosity of spirit and fierce loyalty to our families. Our histories and cultures also have some spooky parallels.

He came home and told me this story with enthusiasm but I, a reluctant teenager at the time, barely lifted my head from the latest episode of Home & Away to register his conversation. I had no interest in hearing about some country that had so little to do with my life. If only I had known then what an intriguing signpost it would be. So now, let's look at some of the startling similarities that we share:

Constant invasions have caused us both to become tenacious and stubborn. (Korea has hardly had a moment by themselves between China, Japan, Russia and America.)

Both of us have clung tightly to our cultural identities like a terrier with a bone. We don't give up without a fight.

Although we are tough and determined people, we know how to have fun. Koreans LOVE nothing more than getting drunk and singing. Guess what other country in the world is famous for its drinkers and singers?

We are also obsessed with food. I put this down to the fact that we were poor and starving for so long that we constantly think with our mouths and our stomachs.

In Ireland, it is the height of ignorance not to offer someone in your home something to eat or drink (regardless of whether they were invited or not.) Meanness is considered to be a criminal trait in Ireland. A huge insult to say of someone a bit on the frugal side is that they'd hide their dinner if they saw you passing the window.

In Korea, a common form of greeting is “shiksa ha-shoss o-yo?” (“Have you eaten?”)

We don't have an equivalent greeting in Ireland but we do constantly badger our friends and neighbours to eat or drink something once on our threshold.

Perfectly polite and mild-mannered people become tea mongers and biscuit pimps, cajoling and coaxing our guests with “Aah you'll have a drop,” or “You'll have a bite.” Korea is no different. These people will ply you with food and alcohol until you weep for mercy.

Another point of similarity is that both our countries are divided. As far as I'm aware, Korea and Ireland are the only two counties in the world who are split in two. (I mean politically not geographically like New Zealand.) This division and separation has influenced our countries' mental states. It creates an unsettled restless feeling. And that feeling is here too – a sadness, a loss.

It is due to these striking similarities that I want to compare and contrast these two great countries. I will write a series of short articles focusing on each point of similarity. Why don't you grab a Guinness and some kimchi and come join me?