Question for non-Japanese and furthermore, non-asians.

[RedRum]

One thing I forgot to say was when I told my friends that I was learning Japanese they're like huh? "Learn Mandarin instead, it's more useful in business world and in jobs etc." they say. I think that's true. But still I don't think I'll get very far if I don't have the motivation to learn it.

[lovelessemotion]

that's a great attitude to have Ushiroyubi... i just see it as general taste and likes.. .. i mean i like movies... i just like asian movies more.. and i like music.. i just like asian music more... and i like girls... i just like...etc.

[meruchan]

Geezer wrote:

A response from a non-Asian, non-Japanese? I guess I fit in there pretty well. My family and friends think it's wierd that I'm hooked on Japanese TV and Movies. But once they mention that it's "wierd" they become pretty dismissive, because they know I don't need them to like what I like. And since I never try to force anyone to watch along with me... everything's cool.

I think it's harder for non-Japanese Asians and Asian-Americans to deal with this issue, than it is for a Caucasian to be a Japanophile. Other Asian cultures have very legit reasons for being uncomfortable with Japan's Imperial history and how many older Japanese in high places have tried to sweep it under the rug (compared to Germany.) We shouldn't hold the present generation of Japanese responsible for the sins of generations before them. But it's still a big mark against you if you're of Chinese or Korean origin and are into the Japanese culture or date someone who's Japanese. I have much respect for those of you here who have to deal with those painful issues on a regular basis.

Being caucasion and American, I have a lot of friends who think it's a bit strange to be into the Japanese culture like I am, but I think they also realize how ignorant they are about the rest of the world! Americans tend to embrace other cultures, but we really don't travel around the world like Europeans or many Asians. My friends and family head off to Vegas or Cancun for the holidays--I fly to Japan when I get vacation time. They know I'm serious about my love for the Japanese culture and they have learned to understand that. In return, my friends get some positive exposure to the Japanese lifestyle when I share gifts from my trips and CDs/DVDs with them.

But the strangest thing for me is dealing with those Japanese who have emigrated to the US or Japanese-Americans who are basically out of touch with their culture of origin. They think I'm nuts, and likewise I think they are for turning their backs on Japanese culture/happenings, as they instead totally embrace everything American. They just don't realize what they're missing...

[ahochaude]

lovelessemotion wrote:

mine are work, girlfriends, ex-Gfs, and friends...

I thought you didn't have a Japanese gf?! Only Chinese, right?!

Unless you're talking about Kanno Miho.....
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[lovelessemotion]

nah man i've gone out with japanese gals b4... just 2... it was fun while it lasted... that's what i mean by ex-gfs... my current GF is chinese... queenie along with her friends and my friends... they're all into j-ENT! so even if someone is a diffrenet natinality other than japanese... they can still appreciate J-ENT! ...i mean look at all the ppl on this board from singapore and malaysia ..and me i love the stuff and i'm latin...woah~!

[Eve]

Last exhumation of the day!


My family thinks it is interesting Im hooked on Asian TV. But we are all a bit eccentric.
My mother checks out whatever Im watching at the time she visits, and so has seen one whole Chinese drama, Love AT The Dolphin Bay during the hurricane in 2004. Some random animes, including a Yaoi one, Fujimi Orchestra, LOL!
And various Japanese series including Say You Love Me.
I just make sure that I share only the really good ones.
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[Wynter]

My answer is sorta like Eve's.

Interestingly enough, both my siblings, and my two cousins who we chill with the most, are all into the Asian culture. Not just Japanese. So it's not strange for either of us. Our parents don't much care either, but this might just be because we're part of asian, though not asian? (South asian).

My colleagues at work think it's funny, though. But then, I'm usually the weird one anyways, so whatever.
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[gaijinmark]

Good question. My Dad fought in the Pacific in WWII, so did his brother. In fact, his brother was killed in a Japanese air raid so I thought it might be a problem, but it didn't bother him at all.

[brad2]

Such an interesting question.
The various postings are also so good to read.
I am so into Asian 'stuff' and I don't have a clue what my family would think. I have outlived everyone in my family and most of my friends. Have a few distant cousins in UK and Australia etc.
I think that people who watch film and drama from countries other than their own will surely become citizens of the world. It may take a long time for this to penetrate to every country, and certainly various governments will put up roadblocks all the way.

I definitely remember seeing the 'Gaumont British News' at the cinema showing real film in England of the 'rape of Nanking'. It happened, and I saw it and it was bad. I was a mere child but I remember it clearly. But I also saw, in later years, the removal of most of the city of Coventry in UK after the Nazi bombers had their way with the bombs.There was nothing left. It coined the word 'Coventrated' as in decimated.
I also saw the carnage at Dresden caused by the RAF at the strong urging of the Russians. This was always considered disgraceful by most members of the RAF. There has never been a war without death and destruction. There are always military men who are specially trained to lose all moral values in order to obey orders. I still have the knowledge of things that happened in Singapore in WWII.

Somewhere along the line I had to open my mind and learn about other cultures and it was made so much easier when I found Asian movies and dramas. I don't speak or really understand Korean, Japanese or Chinese. Mandarin is a total mystery but I still watch without subs.

My doctors are all Asian except the surgeon. I love them all and they take great care of me.They are from HK and one has a Korean wife who obviously watches the kdramas.

The world is full of interesting people and fabulous actors. Love those young Asian hunks even tho I could be great grandma. It's what is in your head and heart that makes life worth while. I remain 35 for ever... so I could still flirt with ease with Takuya and Takeno and especially Osawa san. It would be enjoyable using a fan again. The eyes speak over a fan.....

If you love Asian drama you are a step ahead of anyone who disapproves or misunderstands. I maintain that peaceful relations will be pushed along by the entertainment industry. There's no business like show business.

Peggy

[Wynter]

brad2 wrote:

Such an interesting question. The various postings are also so good to read. I am so into Asian 'stuff' and I don't have a clue what my family would think. I have outlived everyone in my family and most of my friends. Have a few distant cousins in UK and Australia etc. I think that people who watch film and drama from countries other than their own will surely become citizens of the world. It may take a long time for this to penetrate to every country, and certainly various governments will put up roadblocks all the way. I definitely remember seeing the 'Gaumont British News' at the cinema showing real film in England of the 'rape of Nanking'. It happened, and I saw it and it was bad. I was a mere child but I remember it clearly. But I also saw, in later years, the removal of most of the city of Coventry in UK after the Nazi bombers had their way with the bombs.There was nothing left. It coined the word 'Coventrated' as in decimated. I also saw the carnage at Dresden caused by the RAF at the strong urging of the Russians. This was always considered disgraceful by most members of the RAF. There has never been a war without death and destruction. There are always military men who are specially trained to lose all moral values in order to obey orders. I still have the knowledge of things that happened in Singapore in WWII. Somewhere along the line I had to open my mind and learn about other cultures and it was made so much easier when I found Asian movies and dramas. I don't speak or really understand Korean, Japanese or Chinese. Mandarin is a total mystery but I still watch without subs. My doctors are all Asian except the surgeon. I love them all and they take great care of me.They are from HK and one has a Korean wife who obviously watches the kdramas. The world is full of interesting people and fabulous actors. Love those young Asian hunks even tho I could be great grandma. It's what is in your head and heart that makes life worth while. I remain 35 for ever... so I could still flirt with ease with Takuya and Takeno and especially Osawa san. It would be enjoyable using a fan again. The eyes speak over a fan..... If you love Asian drama you are a step ahead of anyone who disapproves or misunderstands. I maintain that peaceful relations will be pushed along by the entertainment industry. There's no business like show business. Peggy

Wow, amen!

I completely agree with what you said in the last paragraph. It's all about exposure, as well. And breaking down stereotypes. Who knew that the only thing Korea and Japan had in common were chopsticks? Why remain ignorant when you can learn about different cultures in such an enjoyable way?
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[Eve]

brad2 wrote:

Such an interesting question.

I thought so too. Even if I was just having fun exhuming with the new vehicles kindly supplied by Beem and AD.

brad2 wrote:

If you love Asian drama you are a step ahead of anyone who disapproves or misunderstands. I maintain that peaceful relations will be pushed along by the entertainment industry. There's no business like show business.

Ive always thought it would be the internet that will finally draw us all together. Forums like these in fact.
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[bmwracer]

Eve wrote:

Last exhumation of the day!

This was the only good one, Evie.

An interesting, rather serious subject... Not your typical mindless fluff.

[Eve]

bmwracer wrote:

This was the only good one, Evie. An interesting, rather serious subject... Not your typical mindless fluff.

Youve got to dig through the pile to find the good ones, Beem.

The others were merely temporary amusement.

And I must admit I have one extended family member who calls me a "freak" because of my love of Asian TV. (I saw an email she sent someone else.) But I cant even type in this forum what I think of her so it doesnt touch me much.
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[Wynter]

Eve wrote:

Youve got to dig through the pile to find the good ones, Beem. The others were merely temporary amusement. And I must admit I have one extended family member who calls me a "freak" because of my love of Asian TV. (I saw an email she sent someone else.) But I cant even type in this forum what I think of her so it doesnt touch me much.

ugh! She seems like the racist type
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[Eve]

Wynter wrote:

ugh! She seems like the racist type

She parades around publicly as a Liberal Humanitarian. By profession she's a professor, but I'd just call her vicious. She hates almost everyone.
Total cow.
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[Sengo]

I thought this was a very interesting topic but in my case, I am a Japanese-American who, for many, many years, enjoyed Japanese dramas/movies. Yet, I am definitely in the (very small) minority among my relatives, J-A friends and non-J-A friends. I have one niece who watches J-dramas/movies because she lived in Japan for 5 years with her Japanese husband. Aside from her, nobody watches them.....so I was happy to find Jdorama.com with so many folks who have the same interests in dramas, movies and FOOD!

In the last 2 years, I was introduced to K-doramas and enjoy them, too. And noticed that some of the Korean words are the same as Japanese words or modified Japanese words. I also enjoyed learning about their culture.

[bmwracer]

Sengo wrote:

I thought this was a very interesting topic but in my case, I am a Japanese-American who, for many, many years, enjoyed Japanese dramas/movies. Yet, I am definitely in the (very small) minority among my relatives, J-A friends and non-J-A friends. I have one niece who watches J-dramas/movies because she lived in Japan for 5 years with her Japanese husband. Aside from her, nobody watches them.....so I was happy to find Jdorama.com with so many folks who have the same interests in dramas, movies and FOOD!

Maybe it's the old "familiarity breeds contempt" thing: the owners of a sushi bar that I frequent watch more K-dramas than J-dramas even though they're from Japan...

[Sengo]

bmwracer wrote:

Maybe it's the old "familiarity breeds contempt" thing: the owners of a sushi bar that I frequent watch more K-dramas than J-dramas even though they're from Japan...

Could be..... I thought I would be able to talk about J-doramas with my cousins in Japan but they said they never watch them, only K-dramas. They said J-dramas are boring. I guess it's the same for me... I don't watch American shows hardly either.

[bmwracer]

Sengo wrote:

Could be..... I thought I would be able to talk about J-doramas with my cousins in Japan but they said they never watch them, only K-dramas. They said J-dramas are boring. I guess it's the same for me... I don't watch American shows hardly either.

Yup, same here... And you'd have to tie to a chair to get me to watch a C-drama.

[gaijinmark]

bmwracer wrote:

Maybe it's the old "familiarity breeds contempt" thing.

I've noticed that ever since they went digital and 18.2 is broadcasting Japanese all the time, I watch a lot fewer dramas. Guess I get my "Japanese fix" just from watching NHK.