I wondered what the event title “Screaming Koreans and Retreating Vietnamese?” meant, and whether it was just another stereotype. Still, if it was a story about Koreans living in Vietnam rather than about Vietnamese living in Korea, I was intrigued what this dialogue was about. The 5th Diversity Dialogue, which stimulated much curiosity with the title alone, started on November 4, 2021 (Thursday) at 2 PM at Yang Duseok Hall, Kwanjeong Library. The detailed stories about the past and present conditions of Vietnam, the characteristics of the Korean community, and the relationship between Vietnamese and Koreans were told through an anthropologist's perspective. These stories were broadcasted live on YouTube for over 2 hours while 6 people who applied for participation in advance were present at the venue. It was particularly interesting since Professor Dong-Joon Jo (Department of Political Science and International Relations), who lectures on the Vietnam War, presided the event in a form of a dialogue and transported the audience to Vietnam, making them feel like they were watching a local conversation with Koreans in Vietnam.

Prof. Suhong Chae (Department of Anthropology), the lecturer for the event, introduced himself and his research focus, Vietnam regional studies, particularly in the lives of blue-collar workers. Although he speaks Vietnamese, for accurate communication, he would accompany an interpreter when conducting interviews. He stated that anthropology is ‘meeting myself at an unfamiliar space’ and pointed out the meaning of cultural research by explaining that one can only reflect on one's own culture by understanding other cultures. Also, he shared that the most frequently asked question as a researcher of Vietnamese regional studies was ‘Do you not hate Koreans? This question alone could be understood as a reflection of oneself through others. By listening to his long-term field studies, it was possible to understand the remarkable economic growth of Vietnam through the economic reform in the mid-1980s, the Korean companies and Koreans in Vietnam, and the high trade volume between Vietnam and Korea. I learned the fact that just as there are many families married to Vietnamese in Korea, there are as many Korean-Vietnamese families in Vietnam too.

He said that the Korean community in Vietnam has grown with the economic growth. With this growth, Koreans are divided into various categories such as factory managers, expatriates, and the self-employed. Thus, the way of life differs greatly depending on what socioeconomic status. He noted that the title 'Screaming Koreans, Retreating Vietnamese' is an image, that Koreans scream and have a hot temper while Vietnamese are not honest, created by group stereotyping where there is a stereotype is created by miscommunication due to language difference. Stereotypes creates issues by binding groups together, causing discrimination and conflict. In addition, he addressed that the transnational life of Vietnamese Koreans as sojourners is an essential way of life in modern society and saw the necessity to maintain diverse outlook in life. He emphasized to be aware of standardizing small differences while prioritizing understanding of local people. In the middle of the conversation, he answered questions that came up on the YouTube chat room, and two participants at the venue also had the opportunity to ask questions. Listening to the conversation, I realized that as mutual interaction increases, the less stereotype and prejudice would be produced while the path towards understanding would be built. The event provided a space to look back on our current culture through the Korean community in Vietnam.

Diversity Dialogue Series 5: Screaming Koreans and Retreating Vietnamese? Youtube [Link]