Being black in korea

Here's an update on how people reacted when I started wearing my natural hair, plus my experience of being a black woman in Korea
Being black in Korea: How people react to my hair bit.ly/1ccND6L
Previous video:
1st week long vlog | Halloween and food hauls bit.ly/1wMrNVu
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[@ondeemia]

Okay...a friend of mine who has beautiful dark skin (flawless) was in China last year. She said people were taking lots of pictures of her. She said the funniest thing that happened was that a little Chinese boy (about 3 or 4) came up to her and licked her arm. As she turned to look at him, he was pointing to a chocolate bar. She shook her head "no" and told him "I don't taste like chocolate". She laughed and his mother pulled him away by his ear.

[@e.t.291]

ondeemia The sweetest story ever xD (yes pun intended)

[@jazzmine2913]

+ondeemia wow!

[@rujekochikwava8777]

😂

[@hamdiyya]

OMG.. that's hilarious, gross, and semicute in a Lilo from Stitch way. 😂

[@levi0309]

OMG hahaha

[@angelaaahh]

Your students are very fortunate to have you :)

[@MySoKoAdventure]

Angela Hussein thank you :)

[@kpahaudhw]

Don't worry. People here in Korea ADMIRE black people.(is it offensive if i say black? if so, i'm sorry) We think you guys are athletic, strong, confident and great at everything. If Korean people stare at you, you can just think that they are admiring you. You can just wink at them and walk by. they will be stunned. Hope you enjoy here in Korea! (I'm native Korean, so if there is any grammatical mistake, please try to understand)

[@Tanya-wt3ud]

Your grammar is actually on point!!

[@Laikenwilliams]

박규태 I'd love to visit there one day so I hope its welcoming

[@ayantaebb6131]

That's interesting. I never thought that way. Thank you.

[@user-mo8br5sc2o]

박규태 Admire is a weird word to use.. seems obsessive.

[@Sisima13]

Lol it's okay to say black people xD We say that all the time when we talk about others :p

[@borschisyummy]

You are such a classy lady! I love and admire how you respect yourself, yet you don't degrade others. I can relate to a certain extent, as a Korean living in Ukraine, a predominantly Slavic country ;)

[@nMommyMode]

OK, I literally had to pause the video just to comment on how regal you sounded when you spoke about the crazy, scared Korean woman and her straight faced boyfriend (when y'all were walking down the street). So dignified yet so cool & laid back. You seem like a really fun and cool person! Just had to throw that rock in the pond right quick!

[@jxb7076123]

I m an African American male who visit China on a regularly basis for business and I share your sentiments regarding how the locals love to take pictures. I was based out of Beijing but covered the country from east to west and north to south. In every city I visit, literally - without exaseration - - I sometimes have people lined up to take pictures with me, from the young to the old. One young lady called me pretty and I had to correct her by saying: "for the record young lady you do not call a black man from the states pretty - you may address him as being handsome or good looking - but never pretty", to which she replied, "I'm sorry pretty man, can I take picture with you". I sighed but said yes and instructed her not to put it on Facebook and she replied..."ok yes, I put it on Facebook - thank you pretty man". All I could do was walk away smiling remembering that her reaction to me walking the streets is much better than what I'm accustomed to while walking the streets in the US! Oh well...... whata-ya-gonna-do ??! btw, you're very attractive and if I saw you walking the streets of China you would think I was Chinese because I would be flabbergasted by your beauty and you would find me gaulking too - lol! Thanks for sharing your personal experience. keep up the good work!

[@nadinekamp6075]

I enjoyed reading this.. So sweet.. I Think that its the norm in china because my husband who is arab also gets stopped to have is picture taken.when he is in china...so its not just black its just whats different to them. :)

[@jxb7076123]

I agree. Enjoy and be safe.

[@heeacinth]

hi I am a korean girl and I enjoyed your video♡ People wouldn't stare at you just because you are black in korea like you said If they are staring it's just because you are a foreigner^^ not because of your skin I do not care about people's skin color or eyecolors but I really cant stop myself from staring! Even though I know it can be very rude but its only because you are very beautiful and gorgeous!^^ I would welcome anyone who would visit korea! No matter where they came from! I hope you are enjoying your time here in korea!♡

[@spookyraine7818]

+shay jefferson . Is that the only thing you could think of?

[@starzzzy22]

Yep. This video is on point. I've now been teaching in Korea for a few months and the most attention I got here is when I first came and had large marley twists installed (constant questions and people asking to take pictures). Once I took them out and wore my natural hair, no one really cared. People will stare here in Korea (old people and kids mostly) but you adjust and learn to ignore it.

[@ladyc.2629]

What part of korea do you live in? I will be moving there soon

[@Dureye]

I normally do not comment, but I had to (lol) after hearing your experience in China. I went there for a month for a study abroad program, for your reference I am Ethiopian, and let me tell you they stared me down like no other. Families in droves came taking pictures--quite literally, 95% of my pictures from Shanghai and Bejiing, were filled with random natives photobombing taking over my photos. No requests, just sheer entitlement. They moved me, they took over group pictures, etc. Towards the end I just started acting like a celebrity posing with my Chinese friends, which completely turned these otherwise abhorrent experiences, into fun stories to tell. I just think of them as children seeing something amazing for the first time.

[@lilypippili]

+Dureye Hi, I'm Ethiopian too!! Have you been to any other parts of Asia? I really want to go to Japan with my friends but now I'm kind of scared that people will react negatively to me...

[@Dureye]

+lilypippili Hi there! Yes I have been to Japan and Korea as well. Japan has been globalized for quite some time now so you won't get any stares there and Korea is slowly becoming used to foreigners so depending on where you go you may get a lot or a few stares. Understanding that it is coming from a place of curiosity and not malice will really help you settle in well. To travel anywhere is to humble yourself for the experience-- trust me it's worth it! Nothing bad will happen, but just make sure you represent yourself respectfully and you will be respected. Good luck!

[@lilypippili]

Dureye I agree, knowing it's just curiosity helps a lot.Thank you so much for your advice!

[@natezface]

+Dureye cool im ethiopian too and I'm thinking of visiting korea! great advice

[@lilypippili]

berkins yay more ethiopians!! haha

[@kempocornelius4874]

I am korean i just want to say you are gorgeous.

[@FaithChinyimba]

i agree, she is beautiful

[@Sweetcc333]

You're so well-spoken and beautiful (both inside and out). Thanks for sharing!

[@musicgirl8795]

I actually wish this video were longer! The stories of your experiences with these different countries are honestly so fascinating to hear

[@stop08it]

You are slaying in this vid. Love the scarf, makeup, jewelry, top...just slayyyyy. You are just so graceful. Also you sound naija when you are mimicking the korean kids sometimes hehe... About that woman, I would have pointed and laughed at her. She sound like a joke.

[@MySoKoAdventure]

stop08it hahaha thank you :)

[@kiedragerl8119]

Also, you are a gorgeous woman! I love your videos and they have been soooo very helpful! I'm moving to Daegu soon but I'd love to meet you one day. You are very inspiring!

[@MySoKoAdventure]

thank you for your sweet message, and have fun in Daegu!

[@camilaackerman]

+MySoKoAdventure she is so right, I want a pic with you but because you are so gorgeous girl!!

[@llotus6116]

+MySoKoAdventure did u meet venus of daegu ????

[@Chanelboateng]

That chick was showing off in front of he boyfriend!! Side eye!

[@MySoKoAdventure]

Chanel Boateng side eye, front eye and back eye too loool pure foolishness

[@clementine4133]

She definitely was trying to play the damzelle in distress for TLC.

[@muniiam]

Omg Chanel Boateng 😱😱😱😍😍😍

[@jstele]

No, she was reacting out of ignorance and fear.

[@TheIndianjewel]

I don't think I'd ever be able to brush off something like what that girl did to you 0-0 I'd take it extremely to heart. I really want to go to Korea and Japan but I guess I gotta prepare mentally :/

[@MySoKoAdventure]

TheIndianjewel It's not that scary I promise :)

[@Chuschannel]

You are like the only Indian girl I have ever seen or noticed in my life who said that.

[@breaseroto8552]

well I bet you don't need to worry about it that much

[@TheIndianjewel]

서성균 I'm not sure what you mean?

[@breaseroto8552]

People is surprised when they unexpectedly run into unfamiliar being (appearance) It's universal human instinct. When east asian come to India . They get everyone's staring . If where racial diversity is very low, even in the USA or Europe , it's same. And people is scared of unknown thing. In my view you are an indian rather than the black and the black is much more exotic and unfamiliar to Korean . And your hair is not exotic. so it will happen less that uncomfortable situation to you. If you wanna know about Korea more , you can be a facebook friend with me facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004143791773

[@marikat9890]

I visited Tokyo and Seoul last year and I found the reaction in Tokyo much more extreme. I was only there for a week but I couldn't wait to leave which was a shame because I was so excited to go. I remember going up an escalator and a girl literally pointed and shouted at me and my friend as she went past. I don't understand how anyone in this day and age can think that's acceptable behaviour. In Seoul though nobody seemed to care that much. We had a few people ask for photos which I didn't mind because they were polite and respectful. There's nothing wrong with curiosity but it's not ok to treat someone in a way you wouldn't like yourself just because they look different from you.

[@candypietravels]

can u make a video XD

[@jillthompson6110]

Marika Taylor The people who asked for photos in Seoul, they were probably Chinese tourists. I have never seen Koreans ask for photos of random black people, but have seen many Chinese people visiting Korea, do it. Even though I wasn't the one being asked for photos, seeing those poor people being bothered, it was enough to be annoying. Chinese are famous for being rude and mannerless. They walk into my university's classrooms (because for some reason, Chinese tourists think the school is touristy site), while there are classes going on! There are even signs imploring the Chinese tourists who walk around the campus, to stay out of the classrooms when there are classes, but they don't obey. They just burst into the classrooms, talk loudly in Chinese, and become uncontrollable - all the while we're trying to hold a class for the students! Unfreaking real!!!!

[@iceunelle]

You're so pretty! You have such clear skin, what kind of cleanser do you use??

[@MySoKoAdventure]

+iceunelle thank you, I don't remember what cleaner I was using at the time, but I don't use anything that foams if that helps

[@mayaexpo]

I had such an experience in a mall in Doha, in Qatar which I'd never had before in the Middle East. It was an exclusive upmarket mall i had never been to. Some ladies who looked and sounded like they were from Philippines were pointing at my hair in an afro and laughing,for a long time I wasn't sure it was me they were pointing at or interested in. They seemed to be working in the mall, but they kept staring and pointing at me instead of serving customers. Some would even follow me from store to store, whispering among themselves, and when I finally piped up and asked them what was wrong, and they skippered off like they were scared of me or something. For some reason I got so embarrassed and just left.

[@EpicDopeFreshness]

First!~ Your eyebrows are on fleek, too.

[@MySoKoAdventure]

Flowerade thanks :D

[@sarahchoi2398]

Hahahaha looks like i wasnt the only one thinking that ! they look fa-bu-lous, like for real !

[@EpicDopeFreshness]

Sarah Choi Right!

[@emmakg9]

Yep, thats China 100% - I'm in Taiwan and the Taiwanese don't act like that at alI. I get a couple of stares, but no one ever has taken a picture of me, and I don't get rude comments either, and when I say I'm from England, theres no 'but england doesnt have black people' debate, like they generally assume I'm brazillian (don't ask me why), but when I say I'm British, theres no 'no you aren't you're black' like there is in China'. The nature of a lot of the Chinese has made the Taiwanese very eager to disassociate from them in fact. Don't call the Taiwanese Chinese, they WILL correct you.

[@emmakg9]

Myllena Lara Alves da Silva haha I don't think you can really look American because it's a nationality not really a race.

[@emmakg9]

***** I'm not sure either, I think they just have very stereotypical views about what each person from a country should look like. Like Americans are all white, Africans are all very dark and must wear some tribal clothes. I'm neither so... Oh you're Brazilian! I dunno truthfully haha

[@emmakg9]

Myllena Lara Alves da Silva I think that's just because african Americans are the only group people think of when they see 'western' black people. They're black British people. Black Australian people, black Irish etc I don't think there's any physical features that distinguish us all really haha

[@aperson9152]

+Emma Kim maybe they were just asking about your origin, not nationality.

[@mikicerise6250]

If you've ever played Fallout 3 and seen Little Lamplight, the town where adults disappeared and the children created their own society, that seems to be China after cultural Revolution. 😛

[@MiyukiTsujiChan]

I'm a white person, very pale with a light blonde hair. I went to Shanghai some 3 years ago. I had so many people take pictures of me all over the place. No shame at all. Some even came up to me to ask if they could take a picture with me. I think Chinese people are like this with everyone who looks "different" to them.

[@rashad5010]

***** lol i find this weird but somewhat odd... You got raided with selfies. lol

[@desireawinton2919]

***** They need to get out more and meet different people instead of being so isolated?

[@thegadgetcrew7733]

+MiyukiTsujiChan But you're White, so you don't get to play the passive-aggressive racist. :) That's the brave new world we live in... *sarcasm off*

[@MiyukiTsujiChan]

For me, I didn't feel like the Chinese people's reactions were negative in anyway. I was just very surprised at their actions, as I didn't know to expect it at all. China is a big country with a mainly homogeneous population, so I'd imagine it is rare for them to encounter a person of any other race. Some of the people's actions may seem rude but it might be because of lack of education when it comes to different races and what is considered appropriate.

[@girfan8479]

MIYUKI hahaha yes me too! And I can tell they are adorable when doing that. It can be cute and humble of them although few might perceive it as annoying.

[@alovelylifex]

You're so beautiful! Your skin is absolutely glowing!! I think it's so great that you're wearing your natural hair, it's important to feel comfortable with yourself how you are! I'm glad that you had such a positive reception when you decided to go natural. I really love watching your videos, thank you so much for sharing :)

[@michelleealy2717]

To be in the presence of beauty is a hard

[@EscargoTouChaud]

The carrot and raddish comments are sweet! Really enjoyed listening to this! You made me laugh and smile. Your way of telling stories is so vivid. Paprika...!!!

[@r4chl93]

I have known non-mixed Koreans to have coily, frizzy, "nappy" , huge afros. They say that they straighten their hair because ppl view it as unproffesional. Like people may look different, but were all equal. why cant humankind just love each other for our uniqueness? Thats so sad...

[@lonniegabbie]

I love your confidence, I love your open mindedness! You made me smile and give the biggest eye rolls at the people you were mentioning. And your story about your trip to China, ten thousand eye rolls tbh, people invading personal space will always get on my nerves.

[@kiedragerl8119]

I'm not sure if you read feedback on these but I'm really proud of your reactions. I'm white in skin color (half Irish half Creole) but with super white skin tone, but you have a very positive outlook! I'm so sorry about your experiences. I honestly don't understand it but I'm American so I don't understand the fascination. I have the staring in Korea too (but not like you). On China....well that's something different. I lived there for a few months and my good friend was very very dark skinned (Jamaican ancestry). They honestly would come up to me and ask me for money and I heard a word equivalent to "slave". I figured out, they thought she worked for me! It was mortifying!!! I felt so bad for her because I kept saying no but people kept trying to take pictures of me but they'd shove her away or try to take photos of her and would yell racist stuff as they were taking photos. She didn't speak Chinese (Mandarin) but I knew some and I told her to keep going and ignore them. We ran into this quite often. She said she had accepted it but....I will never know what that feels like personally and good lord I felt so helpless and so sad! I can't even image how humiliating that was. She was a successful person and a foreign dignitary just like me but was...literally....called my slave. That hurt me so bad and I can't imagine how she felt. :(

[@Chococupcake561]

lmaooo the Paprika thing is hilarious!! LOOL and I love the way you handle the situations you come across, you go girl you give 'em something to look at and you are seriously so gorgeous!

[@feli5210]

you are a real beauty! and your make-up is so on point

[@firstptr3and10_]

I like you! You speak so well. I like your vocabulary strength. It demonstrates maturity.

[@yee-shetara5324]

her current look with the video w/red covering is the best. It compliments the structure and is slimming.

[@niyiraluvsmb]

Your makeup and outfit is just lovely!! You should also be a beauty guru. But could you do a tutorial on the head scarf?!

[@MySoKoAdventure]

thank you, I do actually make beauty videos, but not very regularly since moving to Korea kzbin.info. I've been asked about doing a scarf tutorial, so it's on my list :)

[@BlakeL623]

I was in South Korea for a month last year and random people were always taking photos of me. I legitimately know what its like to be a celeb now. I didn't know I was so fascinating tbh

[@MySoKoAdventure]

KimberleyJD haha!!

[@MoniqueCarmack]

You are so gorgeous!! Your skin is flawless. I am going back to Korea actually in a couple of months. But I remember when I had a summer job, the kids called me Ms. Obama and another stood up and said , " Teacher!! You are African American!". I almost shed a tear. I was so just to being called African, which nothing is wrong with that but the fact that a little kid acknowledged that ha. But the stares, I will brace myself for them this time. :)

[@amberreignssupreme8555]

Wow interesting to hear. I respect your positive outlook on it and its sad that all other countries have to get to know us is the bs media that love to show the negative side of our race (like every race doesn't have one 😒) but we are like public enemy #1 these days for the way we are portrayed. However, I personally love being American American. We are unlike any other race from our skin colors to our hair textures it's truly amazing and despite some people ignorant opinions of us I wouldn't change it if I could!😊

[@davina4676]

I love the way you view things and your videos are really helpful to me.

[@LivingForTheJoker999]

I've been to China. I'm Black, and I have purple hair so i probably asked for all the attention that i got XD. I went with my school last October. And yes I got stared at a lot. And loads of people always asked me to take a picture with them. At first I was scared because I never really anticipated such a reaction, especially with the stares, but after a while I just learnt to cope with it. Most people who stared at me would receive a smile and a wave in response, which I think put them at ease. And then they would be brave to come up to me, make conversation and tell me that I look pretty in Mandarin because they've never seen anyone like me before XD. I did learn how to say, "Please don't take my picture" in Mandarin for those who just thought that it was okay to take a picture without consent. But generally it was fine. The funniest moment was both in Shanghai and Beijing, where people started handing me their Children to take a picture with. I remember being on the Great Wall, turning around and suddenly having a baby shoved in my arms. :'). But I never felt unsafe or annoyed. I can imagine though that living there would be totally different.

[@ALittleDashofConfusion]

I love that you are so straight forward on your real life issues but still find the positiveness of things. It's kind of hard to do that specially if your in a place where the culture is totally different from yours. Kudos to you ^_^ .

[@Chanelboateng]

Aww wow this is very interesting Ane!

[@marys4317]

you have such flawless skin! so gorgeous!!!!

[@Olivia-hl6uj]

Honestly your whole look is on point, you look amazing !!

[@katyhassan9968]

your teeth are brighter than my future ...

[@lolseywolsey7361]

Katy Hassan I'm stealing your comment, it's hilarious!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂💀

[@sallylove5002]

You have the sweetest personality 💗

[@spaceykc]

Sorry, I know this doesn't have much to do with the video topic, but I just have to say that you are so beautiful!!!

[@LADYVIKING05]

SHE IS!!!

[@nitzelis9331]

I admire your style so much!!!

[@nerdieandee552]

I love watching your videos! I'm black and natural, teaching in France and I have had so many of the same experiences.. scarily similar really. You're gorgeous and you're so great for handling it all so well, people wanna stare but you're always on point! Give 'em something to look at!

[@saraceballos3935]

You have a great attitude. Keep it up and don't let people rob you of your happiness. Love to hear your stories.

[@catherinelin9711]

i feel like a lot of people do stupid annoying things to try to get attention from their significant other. sucks so much that happened to you but i admire you so much because you're so confident and comfortable in your own skin! Lovely video and I think you're so pretty!

[@Tulipsaki]

Crikey, you are stunning. And good for you wearing your natural hair!

[@drew7656]

I love your videos. Especially when you tell us how you deal with the stuff you go through. You truly are a great person. You brush stuff off and just laugh about it afterwards. I truly want to meet you because you truly inspire me. So Thank You and GodBless xox

[@dania7124]

You are so dignified and your reactions were 100% on point!! I would have probably got mad.

[@anneh.2982]

Hi ~ ! First of all i really like your video ( i am a french black kpop fan). I find your experience really interesting and funny. Also you are really beautiful, especially the way you're smiling. Then i want to yell you my experience in China. I was there during last summer, i was in Shanghai too. At the beginning i was surprised because Chinese always took picture of me, sometimes with me but i want you to know that in general it is not a nasty or racist behavior. The most time they do this because they're not use to see black people and when they see one, they take picture to show it to their family. They took picture of my European friends too, sometimes most than me. And when i was speaking Chinese with them (i am quite good at Chinese) they were pleasantly surprised and nice with me (even old people). But i also had bad experience: some people were afraid of me, sometimes laugh over me and couldn't get the fact that i am french AND black. But those kind of people were quite rare ! I find Chinese who visited France and my city more racist than people i dealt with in Shanghai.

[@umNur]

I've been teaching ESL online to Korean students for 12 years. I'm so proud (sorry, I could be your grandmother) and delighted that someone with your beauty and poise might be the 1st Black person they meet in person. I have met Chinese people who think every Black person they meet must/might be a movie star. Do you think it's possible that's what was going on ? Love your vids.

[@NamoriOri]

I've heard that China is pretty racist against Black people or at least they are more expressive and hostile about it compared to Korea and/or Japan. Can't understand why, it's a real pity.

[@NamoriOri]

ジェイダ White Yeah, China is also my last choice, I don't have the tolerance to deal with the anti-blackness they have going on over there. I still have a bit of confidence to visit Japan and Korea, but only to visit as a tourist. But I really don't have the confidence/ tolerance to stay there for a year long teaching contract. Nu-uh, no way.

[@Panda-sw4qo]

YongRa Ssi What happened to my comment? Lol. Anyways, yeah I would feel so uncomfortable knowing the majority of the people from Korea, Japan and China don't like black people. Gurl you strong lol I would not have confidence. I feel you.

[@Rawremofication]

I've heard that too and I find it sad because my grandma is part chinese and I feel like that's really strange that I come from a family mixed from Chinese, Cuban, French, black and Carib but then those same groups of people will be rude to you. So i'm scared to visit China..

[@NamoriOri]

Rivets & Gore Yeah, it's baffling. I really don't understand how the Black people who do live there are able to cope with that kind of treatment everyday. Their strength is commendable but very baffling.

[@AnnSimpsonKittyCatPuss19]

Natalie Stephens I think it's because they don't let race define them, and are able to lead wonderful lives of travel, I have noticed a lot these Vloggers are Very different from people who stay where they are,they have different spirits, these Vloggers have never let black people keep them down from be who they want to be ( as there are many who will through fear) or let Racism from other races in general define what they can or cannot do or where they can or cannot go, or who they can or cannot speak with. If you are scared to do something, or are baffled by what might open your mind or let you grow, then look at who or what you listen to or call friends.Enslavement of your own selves is a powerful thing.

[@ruthmatida]

ohhhh how I love your positively and your brighter look at life even when you face a lot of the hard situations you face there. just so inspiring to me :) thank you.

[@sandrameesala6804]

Who takes random pictures of others? Really? Weird people.

[@desireawinton2919]

Sandra Meesala I know but when those camera phones came out people had to duck or jump out of the way of people taken pictures everywhere they go, and not even ask to take people pictures, I don't think that is what people should be doing without permission?" I always said those camera phones will get people in a whole lot of trouble now as long as they have been here you can see what I mean?"

[@AJaySmiles]

You're gorgeous! I would stare too lol! 😊😁

[@MySoKoAdventure]

AJay Smiles haha thanks :D

[@TheChildfreeCurlyGirl]

I hate when people say this. This is not why they're staring. They're staring because we look different. I'm sure Whites got the same reaction when they started travelling. To end this, we just need more Black travellers.

[@AJaySmiles]

Chill out! Everyone understands that there is problem with the racism. It's not their fault because of how we are portrayed in the media. It's still rude but you can't change all of China. I'm just a teenager admiring a role model. Anger will get you nowhere in life.

[@TheChildfreeCurlyGirl]

There was no anger whatsoever in my statement. Don't let my statement upset you. I expressed that they were not staring because she's beautiful, and definitely is. It bothers me when people say that because it doesn't make the stares less annoying.

[@AnnSimpsonKittyCatPuss19]

Yes it IS Because she is Beautiful FIRST Skin Colour second if so. the idiot girl with the Boyfriend is just SHOCK and STUPIDITY!

[@Eyeswide39Open]

CHINA- YAAAAAASSSSS. I lived there for a year and it was truly the most uncomfortable, stressful, emotionally draining time of my life. I lived in Guangzhou. (This is Tara btw, don't know if you'd remember me- Convent days!)

[@MySoKoAdventure]

dead39bunny Tara!! Of course I do, how are you?! Were you teaching there?

[@Eyeswide39Open]

I'm well, thank you! (: Yes, I lived and taught out there for a year- (got back in August)- and, as you mentioned, have no real desire to return. I found it ver emotionally draining; my anxiety was through the roof, so much so that at one point I had trouble leaving the house. A few parents pulled their children out of my class because they didn't want them being taught by a black person. Some kids would cry when they first met me. I had an experience very similar to yours where I was on a bus (I'm sure you know what buses there can be like) and a woman got on shoving her son in to me. Next thing I know she's shrieking at the top of her lungs, and I thought maybe she'd gotten her arm caught in the door or something. Then I see she's looked up and realised that I am black, and she's now clutching her son to her. The poor boy looked so confused, he has no idea what was happening. Then she got off at the next stop. *sigh* Is it quite different in Korea then? (Sorry this was so long!!)

[@Eyeswide39Open]

MySoKoAdventure ps. I wish I'd found blogs like this before I'd moved out!

[@MySoKoAdventure]

dead39bunny WOW! That's just crazy! I feel like in Korea those kinds of extreme reactions are a rarity. It more so depends on where you are, If I'm in Seoul no one really bats an eye lid, there are foreigners everywhere. Outside of Seoul is where you're more likely to draw attention. If that was a Korean bus and the woman was shrieking, I'm sure the driver would told her to be quite, bus drivers here don't play haha!

[@jillthompson6110]

MySoKoAdventure Are you sure the girl who freaked out on you and her boyfriend, were not Chinese tourists? They are just everywhere in Korea right now so we can't be sure that everyone is Korean.

[@Glasnice]

Hi, I'm French and I went to Shanghai a couple of years ago for a month with my best boy friend and both of us are black. Many Chinese people took a picture of us but they always asked us before if they could. For us it was kind of funny, we didn't fell annoyed at all, but most like celebrities. There were just that Chinese girl, in the subway, who screamed when she saw us but she apologized right after that when she realized how silly her reaction was. And they were impressed by our hair because I'm natural and they said that I was very lucky to have my hair. One of my friend is Indian and had the same reaction, except that once, two kids touched him and run away, but it was kind of funny because they were kids. My point is that they are absolutely not used to see people with dark skin in they country, ans they are "discovering" other cultures from all around the world ans this is new for them. And I prefer these reactions than those that I can get in my own country that are sometimes from racistes or ignorants.

[@Booklove64]

It makes you feel like you're not human like you're an alien or something. Even if you were purple, thats still pretty darn rude to take someones picture without their permission. Not sure i want to visit China anytime soon. Maybe they miss took you for beyonce or kelly or something lol

[@HJKelley47]

British, Americans, Europeans, Canadians do not ask locals about taking pictures--they just take them! This has happened for years because of a sense of entitlement. They often do not feel they are being rude when they do this. Now the locals have learned to do what we have always done! Isn't it interesting that many of us do not like it when it happens in reverse.

[@chethanx666]

+Kelley Always blame racism on White people. stfu

[@CarefreeMaya]

Oh my goodness! When I come to Korea, I would love to visit you! 😊

[@xmilax96]

OMG, the part about china and the photos made me think of this one time i was with my school in England and we were about to take a photo of the group and stuff and these asians (don't really know from where) just came up, stood right next to my teacher and just took a picture with their phones... like...just wtf?

[@ninasuta9033]

YOU'RE SOSOOO PRETTY *-* ! Great video ^^

[@benny88cups]

I studied in China for a year and people there view Black people as an exotic item. There was a Black guy in my program and Chinese and Tibetan people wanted to take pictures with him. No joke. They would also scream, "hei ren (Black people)!"

[@hearfan]

Benny Luong So rude

[@ninaandersen2663]

You look stunning!

[@minimouse2105]

I fell like you've told this story before! Either that, or another black woman told one really similar to yours, except it was a child who FREAKED OUT and the black woman was explaining how insulted she was that the parents weren't talking to her about how ridiculous she was acting toward another human being.

[@MiguksanParkSuji]

that happened to me before, the child freaked out and my friend tried so hard to explain to the child but the mother just pulled the child away and was like also freaked out by me or something lol Crazy man..

[@MySoKoAdventure]

lexiconartist haha! No it wasn't me, but I have scared a few kids :D

[@AnnSimpsonKittyCatPuss19]

It could have been Charley Cheer.

[@minimouse2105]

Yeah, I'm thinking so now too.

[@koweeaboo]

lexiconartist I remember this story. I think you are talking about Trish: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZWVhqevjrOSsLM

[@LeeLee-pk4ss]

I can kinda understand (some what) peoples need to stare at things that they don't see very often or they're not use to. In the US there are a lot of different races so some one walking by of a different race from you isn't a big thing but there is one thing about you that would make me stop. Your accent. I love your accent! Hearing an English accent on a black person is rare here, so I would do a double take. I would stop you just to ask you to chat so I can listen to you talk. To be fair I would do that to anyone from the UK.

[@desireawinton2919]

LeeLee 34 I know it is just like the first time a black seen a white person or the first time a white person ever seen a black person its curious? But it is sad that with all the technology and TV, computers that it is still people that has not seen people different form them?

[@venusluv-i1v]

+LeeLee 34 I'm African American myself, and when I hear any person that is foreign, natural human curiosity kicks in. :) Just like you said, if we don't see it often we get very curious. Its human nature.

[@yaniquesimpson1850]

Yaaaaay more stories please!!

[@raelynnkeith5214]

Yesssssss. This woman. This woman reminds me of my cousin, and I always thought my cousin was sooooo beautiful.

[@SeanHillofficial]

Love your accent. Very beautiful... God bless. :)

[@fudgechocolate1]

I experienced what you went through in China for a year. After awhile I got used to it. People called me 黑人 which is black person and chinese people told me that I wasn't American. They could not believe I was not African....several times my hair was touched and once while in Beijing, an old lady held her arm to mines and compared our complexion.

[@LeeNeulJe]

That's about the same thing that happened to me when I was in China, but they were more nice about it. They would ask you if the could take pictures and would just come up to talk to you. I had braids so many would ask me to touch them or ask me how I got my hair like that. You could tell the were taking pictures of you randomly though, but the had the sound and flash off. This one guy didn't and he panicked when he saw us looking at him.

[@gnrepetova]

It's nice to see someone who can understand the innocence of children and not be offended. I also like how she said if an adult said certain things to her, it would not be OK. A lot of people overreact to things that aren't meant to be hurtful, and some people let everything slide because they're afraid to speak up. It's really refreshing to see someone right in the middle, and it's very rare. The "eomma Aprica" part was cute too. It's weird to me how Chinese people (even in Korea) react to black people when some cities, like Guangzhou, have their own African populations.

[@MadamIsard]

You look like a princess :)

[@Smkbig]

how you said, "yup this is my life" i couldnt help but laugh

[@ace4566]

I absolutely would not have your composure in those situations, and the fact that you were able to handle them so gracefully speaks volumes of how cool a person you are. I need to be more like you! I cannot believe that 20 something year old reacted to you that way, especially since you are so pretty! :) Do you think you can give me any tips on how not to be bothered by what people think of me? Unfortunately, I can get pretty self-conscious.

[@e.t.291]

Abigail Escobedo Seconded. If I had been her and some woman started cowering behind their boyfriend's back like that I'd have just lost it. I wonder if it's some sort of a way the girls try to appear more dainty and fragile to their men? **roll eyes** I've read that some other Korean girls have behaved like that towards others too.

[@anime2012]

The idea of random people taking pictures of me while I'm out in public freaks me out 8( I think you're amazing for being able to handle it. I live in Seattle, and there was one time when I walked past a group of Japanese exchange students while in the international district, and I could just FEEL the stares. I understand that for them, they were just curious and there was nothing malicious, but when I feel like I'm being stared at, my first instinct is to duck my head a bit lower and try to blend in. But maybe I shouldn't complain, I myself like to people-watch :/

[@idah]

WOah okay I'm black and that line bout the 'purple people' really GOT me, mind blown! I started thinking about seeing a purple person, them immediately thought 'out of this world,' 'omg that would be so *scary*' and 'haha i'd shit myself' and that totally made me realise thats actually how it is! Thats INSANE, I legit feel like I can relate right now. Like seeing a black person for the first time, its like having seen chocolate people on tv one time and then all of a sudden you see one on the street and its ridiculous! you wonder if theyre the same on tv so you gotta watch what theyre doing but you also gotta stay away cause if they do that stuff it wont be good - best watch from afar. THATS INSANE, okay I see now. I got it, life is going to be much more fun and entertaining now for sure! So thanks! Nice vid btw, watched it all ;)

[@LOLandCIE]

I went to Shanghai too, when i was 12 for 1 week, but my experience was really different, there were pictures maybe 4 times (with permission) and only once someone ask to touch my hair but that's all, even in the less touristic areas people didn't reacted much. However we were in a group with multiple black person and i think i was so innocent at the time (i didn't even thought of racism, before or during the trip) plus i live in the caribbean where the creole society makes that DURING OUR CHILDHOOD we don't see the skin color of somebody FIRST. So i don't know if i go now alone as a black woman if i wouldn't get the same reactions as you. That shows how different experiences of a country can be, depending of many things. sorry for my english

[@ishamaini1]

I went to china for a month only as part of a group at my university called the spoken english promotion project, I lived at university campus near shanghai, visited Beijing for a while, (when I say near i mean 2-3 hours) at the university only the white people got stared at and people took their pictures and what not but my background is indian and there are so many indians in that area so they were pretty used to me! the only time I did get pictures taken with was when I had to dress up for a formal event so I rocked a lot of red lipstick and eye liner so I just take it in as they were fans of my make up but it wasn't that bad, I loved China though the experience and cultural were an amazing experience

[@suechoi2972]

Paprika! I'm dyinggggg, you are so great

[@Quirky1128]

I have lived in China now for over two years and I'm black and my advice would be to come back and do all the exploring you want to do. The Great Wall is amazing, I've been and want to go back. You just have to get a thick skin and ignore all the staring. Chinese people will take pictures of you without asking and in my case because I have dreadlocks, will touch my hair without asking and I have learned to ignore it. Their behavior has nothing to do with you personally, its the lack of diversity and their curiosity that unfortunately gets the best of them. You should think of yourself as a "celebrity" when you come back to China and brush off the unwanted stares. Keep your head held high and let them stare.

[@amyanswers9438]

I love black people more than the european ones because you guys keep smiling all the time , thank you so much ❤️

[@sergeantyaoi8184]

But she IS European???? She's from England????

[@amyanswers9438]

I'm not sure .🇺🇸🇫🇷

[@kssgpv]

+Crystal Heart In Europe we have mixed races, it's not only white people.

[@amyanswers9438]

it's nice to hear this ! Because there is a lot of europeans who think that to be european you have to be white :p u know .

[@amyanswers9438]

***** i'm talking about the origins :D

[@vernsullivan2231]

They are admired by your beauty!!!

[@Justahobby09]

MySoKoAdventure I'm in Taiwan. The picture incident does happen from time to time. Some people will ask, some people won't. Quite annoying. Like I sometimes want to take a nap on the train and I won't because I know some people will try and take pictures of me while I sleep.

[@LovelySunshine17]

:) I used to teach in Korea a few years ago and my students definitely preferred when I wore my natural hair instead of braids. They used to call me cauliflower head but I found it endearing coming from 8 and 9 year olds. LoL. The kids are great! The few negative experiences I received were from older people.

[@NaturalHairValley]

This was so interesting. I was in Guangzhou in China in 2014, with a white person who was more offended by some, with a lack of manners then I was. There are lots of African traders in Guangzhou so maybe I was not such a novelty. However in the hair shopping centres the traders were very aware that I was a Londoner, as opposed to American or African, been doing their homework Lol. I did experience the photograph thing in Thailand by Chinese tourists who insisted in an excited way of taking a pic with me and any other black people they saw during day trips to the beach. I got my camera out too.Me one with up to 8 excited people surrounding me was a great look. I think the attention you got was ALSO because you are stunning!

[@rosacastillo7602]

You are amazing!!! I wish to be so positive like you... You are beautiful, elegant and eloquent! Good luck there

[@ilh656]

I'm Bengali (from Bangladesh) and I've been to Tajikistan (Khujand) for 3 months and Shanghai too for 1 month. Everything you said about Korea sounds super mild! Your experience in China was my exact experience, but honestly same with China too, you get used to it; ideas of not taking pictures of people are different tehre compared to London and the States. don't hold it against China, you should really visit again: it's a beautiful country with very nice people (obviously every place has some bad eggs). Meanwhile, Tajikistan was even more difficult, I won't go in depth, I'm not a vlogger LOL, but even then it's made me stronger and I would like to go back one day, maybe lol.

[@sanaa7387]

Your skin is awesomeeee !

[@TazHall]

I remember being fascinated the first time I saw a blonde, white person (from Jamaica). I was in 1st grade and it was a little tourist boy. I was like "Yellow hair!" But it wasn't THAT much of a shock because there are a good amount of light-skin people in Jamaica. But DANG that was some super blond hair, first time I saw that. But I think what might make it worse is if there was a language barrier... I think that would add more tension.

[@j.4705]

You're so gorgeous!! :) haha loved your stories

[@ivoryqueen100]

youre awesome! loved the video!

[@evebbbbb]

I totally agree with you about China! I went to Beijing with my Mandarin class at school, and although there were kind people who actually asked our permission to take photos, a lot of people thought it was totally okay to sneakily follow us and take them. I wasn't particularly bothered by it until people tried to get sneaky - the voyeuristic way they were doing it was just a but disturbing, especially seeing as we're just teenagers...

[@Christmas7731]

You are so pretty!

[@LethalLemonLime]

I also get people always saying African person and when they ask me where I'm from and I say America they deny it. I've also been called "Black face." That was some dudes way of getting my attention. I also get really crazy stares from people but mostly older people. And the girl being scared thing happened to my friend who is also black. I think twists and braids get a lot of attention more so than our natural hair, but I have had ajummas come up and tell my my hair was pretty in Korean.

[@mrmaile1817]

Interesting video and thanks for your insight. It sounds like you are making the most of living over there and you have an awesome attitude.

[@klarastern5597]

I know you hear this probably all the time... but: you are really beautiful...