Among the Misconceptions

  "The furthermost and the nearest country." is the idiom which frequently expresses the relationships between Korea and Japan. Maybe it is not easy for us?both Korean and Japanese? to understand each other. However, here are two students from both countries who met and fell in love. Those two students are Yumi Kawakita, a Sophomore in the Department of English Language and Literature and Dong-ju Lee, a Junior in Department of Clothing & Textiles. How did they met, and what kind of memories do they have at CNU?

   1. How Did They Meet?

   Dong-ju_ My overseas Korean friend at another university introduced us. When we first met, I could not speak English very well. Frankly speaking, I could not speak English at all. But Yumi was fluent in Japanese, Korean, and English. That really surprised me! And we become more friendly in our Club MT.

   2. What Did You Have in Common?

   Yumi_  First of all, we both are interested in English. Not just learning, but talking in English. And we are also have interested in learning each other languages. In fact, my Korean got better very fast after I met him. And lastly, our senses of humor really fit each other!

   3. When Were They Thankful for Each Other?

   Yumi_  Actually, I really don’t have much difficult in speaking Korean in daily life, but still there are a lot of other difficulties in my Korean life. For example, filling out mobile use contract or other formal documents. Each time, Lee helps me a lot. And when I am stuck in an emergency like an illness, he always helps and takes care of me.

   4. What Aspect of the Other’s Culture is Most attractive to each other?

   Dong-ju_ In my case, I felt that Japanese people always express “thanks” to others very much. For example, when I use my friend’s phone, it is not weird and natural between Korean friends. However, Japanese people always asks permission from friends very carefully. For me, that was the most amazing part of Japanese culture.

  Yumi_  For me, Korean people’s ‘fast’ culture was not familiar. They always want to solve problems too fast. In daily life, like waiting for a traffic signal or driving a car. However, Koreans are kind-hearted to foreigners. When I ask them for help telling them that I’m foreigner, they always help me kindly.

   5. What Is the Most Valuable Memory in Your Relationship?

   Dong-ju_ The first semester of 2015. I am running a small club with my foreigner friends. At first, my English skill was not very good, so I had a lot of difficulties in managing this club. But my foreigner friends, including Yumi, helped me a lot and we shared many experiences together. Cooperation with foreign friends is the most valuable memory to me.

   Lastly, CP reporter asked them about their dreams. “We are planning to go on a Working Holiday together,”said Dong-ju. “I hope that we can finish the working holiday successfully.” And Yumi also spoke about their dreams : “And we want to learn English more, make more foreign friends, and know more about other cultures.” We wish they can make their dream of a working holiday successful, and that they can make more cherished memories at CNU.