Korean television dramas are very popular. They are about like soap operas, and maybe closer to Spanish novellas. My students were practicing their Korean drama faces and cries just yesterday. My Korean Co-teacher made a "Do Your Best" board. Each class has a place on the "Do Your Best Board" and each student a place there. Students earn stamps for various good behaviors. When a student earns ten stamps they receive a coupon for a chocolate pie, a pencil, an eraser, or the like. I added a class section that I may reward a good class with a "class stamp."
My wary students noticed that another class had more stamps and nearly rioted. The class eventually did riot when they saw photos on the whiteboard, and they were "opsa," not there. The class made Korean drama faces, and made intonations in their cries that can only be described as Korean drama noises. I tried to rectify the situation by offering stamps to those who were present... the defiant students instead of saying "here" for attendance, called "opsa." My Co-Teacher brought the camera in the class, but those who have more Korean drama experience refused to smile for the camera-they seemed to enjoy the attention I'm afraid.
I've been the victim of Korean drama faces and noises by adults too. It borders on humorous. My brother had a girlfriend teach in China. She remarked that the Chinese had a childlike quality about them. A Mexican American who just arrived from Chicago made the same broad generalization of the Koreans.
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