Stereotype!!!

When I was New Zealand for studying English, I always went to ESOL class instead of English class. This ESOL class was created for foreign students who are weak at English in reading and writing. So when everyone else went to English class, I went to ESOL class which is adjusted to my English level. Every lesson I read books and write about it. Now, as I study communication in UB programme, one of the stories has reminded and this has linked to communication theory. This story goes like this.

[It was bright and sunny day but I was sure that whenever the weather was great something bad has happened. As I got used to that kind of situation I made my move to Wendy’s as usual. As I just tempted to cross the road, a loud and unpleasant noise annoyed my ear. It was motorbike with a fat hairy guy. In his right arm there was tattoo of an angel and it got me wonder whether the tattoo was really meant to be there or not. I followed the smoke of motorbike thoughtlessly and it reached at Wendy’s. I felt uncomfortable that I got the feeling somehow I will meet up with that scary guy. Anyway, I moved my foot again to Wendy’s. As I entered my ears got busted with noise of people’s wild chat. I queued for my turn. I ordered one chocolate cookie packet and ice cream from habit. I looked for the seat but could not find one then suddenly one couple left their seat so I quickly walked down and snatched the seat before someone takes it. But it was totally my big mistake. When I just sipped my drink that chubby guy I saw in motorbike held his tray and turned his head this way and that. Even he was inside, he put his sunglass and his ridiculous cloth style was extremely conspicuous to compare with other normal outfits. When his head was turned to my view, I was afraid of sitting with him that I quickly turned my head down and hope he does not see me. But I as I mentioned before, I was always in bad luck when the weather was super cool. He saw my empty seat which was located opposite of me. He approached to and asked me whether he could sit opposite to me. I was so scared that I could not even meet his eyes and whispered my approval like a mosquito. He sat opposite to me and started to eat his food. So I just keep digging into my food so that I finish it quickly and leave this awkward and uncomfortable situation. Then, this has happened. This guy reached to my cookie and started to eat. I was so shocked that I became motionless. I had to consider whether I will continue to eat the cookie or not even it was mine. Kindly, when there was one piece of cookie was left, he took it and broke into two pieces and gave it to me. I do not know why but my mouth said this word “Thank you” so timidly. As soon as I finished my food, I dashed out of the restaurant and impatiently waited for the traffic lights to be changed. And that was the second moment that I became motionless again. As I put my hand into my pocket of jacket I felt something inside and took it out. It was a packet of cookie, absolutely new one. I got confused and slowly my mind combined to one piece. I thanked God that that guy did not try to kill me for eating his cookie. Now I understand the true meaning of angel tattoo which was on his right arm. He was a true angel.]

People judge other people based on their stereotype minded. Each person deny him or herself that he or she is not like others who critic other based on their standard which is strongly firmed through many various stereotyped mind. As it shown in this story, this boy judged this fat guy as scary and fierce person but it was completely wrong. We think that stereotype idea in our mind is useful that it can help to judge people without too much thinking but I take it rather an obstacle which makes our stream of mind dirty.

"Eat you up" by Boa

Boa is one of the best singers, most popular and influential female singer in the world. Mostly, she has spread her song in Asian area but now she has taken one step further to the wide world. On 21st of October, her new song “Eat you up” has broadcasted through America’s iTunes, Amazon, AOL, Emusic and music website as well. Her song is not only in America but also in Japan, Thailand, China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand and so on. This song has heard by many many people as it was introduced to thirty countries and three hundred online websites.

Until now, Boa was main one’s stage of activity was Japan and Korea with having images such as girlish, strong woman who even takes control over man and cute. However, as she is the first Korean female singer who debut in America, this time she has appealed to audiences and fans with sexy image which she has never tried before. This shows our cultural barriers which is related to communication theory. There are many cultural barriers in communication like perception or interpretation of reality, understanding of role relations or identities, goal- oriented behaviors, images or sense of self and language or message making.

The management of Boa has thought that to attractively appeal to audience in America, using ‘sexy’ image would strongly work and I think this idea is caused by cultural element. As western culture has more open minded and freer to express art, showing sexiness is quite well adapted in the culture unlike Asian countries’ strict regulation of showing sexiness in public. For example, if the lyric of the song has lascivious content, the song was easily banned to play in public. People try to think more creatively but as the company of Boa entertainment has shown that they just follow their stereotyped mind as using ‘sexy’ appeal to America. However, as Boa has great potential of being a superstar, this new song will make her top of the world again.


Lyric of [Eat you up]
When I first saw you I knew nothing's like it used to be

Boy you have got to be the finest thing in history

The way I feel inside is just so hard to understand

You feed my appetite in ways I can't explain

I'll eat you up(Your love, your love~)

I'll eat you up(Your love, your love~)

(Woah)I'll eat you up(Woah)

So yum yum(Woah)Can't get enough(Woah oh oh)

I think I'm in love

If you move any closer boy there is no guarantee

What I will do to you I fear it and it's scaring me

Like I've become some kind of demon in the night

You look so tasty I could eat you up alive

I'll eat you up(Your love, your love~)

I'll eat you up(Your love, your love~)

(Woah)I'll eat you up(Woah)So yum yum(Woah)

Can't get enough(Woah oh oh)I think I'm in love

I'll eat you up(Your love, your love~)

I'll eat you up(Your love, your love~)(Woah)

I'll eat you up(Woah)So yum yum(Woah)

Can't get enough(Woah oh oh)

I think I'm in loveCan't stop thinking 'bout the things

I wanna do to youIf you move any closer

you'd be asking for it to

I want your loveI need your touch

So much I think I'm in love

I'll eat you up(Your love, your love~)(Woah)

I'll eat you up(Woah)So yum yum(Woah)

Can't get enough(Woah oh oh)I think I'm in love

I wanna take you to my roomWanna take you to my room(Woah)

I'll eat you up(Woah)So yum yum(Woah)Can't get enough(Woah oh oh)

I think I'm in love

"We just got married"

This Korean TV programme “We just got married” is popular not only in Korea but also in other countries. This is virtual reality show that selected top Korean celebrities falsely got married to assigned partners. They take wedding photos and further they live together as well. Each couple and each celebrity has different and diverse characteristics and this adds more entertainment and excitement to the viewers. Even though the situation is mostly scripted I can find communication theory in here and this could explain why this programme is so attractive to viewers and why it is getting more popular.

One of the four couples, I would like to explain the communication theory with this couple, Seo In Young and Crown J. Both of them are singers and love music but apart from that fact they are completely different. In real world, man and woman can also meet with who has opposite characteristic and even the TV show is fake they wisely take the factor which is same in real world. Crown J is quite gentle and try to get along with Seo In Young, she is quite selfish and tend to get what she wants first. Their individuality is quite unique and strong that at first they struggle and argue a lot.

From this couple, Knapp model of relational development can be applied. At first when Seo In Young and Crown J are met, they were trying to get to know each other. They tried to communicate in common subject and look for open communication channels moreover they try to create favorite initial impression. As they experimenting like allowing themselves to reveal personalities they were too relaxed that in intensifying stage they met difficulty in maintaining their relationship. However, they have disclosed their feelings to the other party, this worked well as this has helped their relationship to build the belief towards each other.

According to my experience and this TV programme, in every relationship, revealing own feeling and thought is quite important as this does not make any misunderstanding between one another.

As this TV programme is created to attract viewers, there is no broken up couples but each situation and each emotion shown in each episode delivers many message which makes viewers to think about relationship and moreover about marriage. Viewers agree with certain situation as they recollect their own experience and this makes them to watch this show.
One of the factors that makes this show popular is that it shows something that previous TV shows not shown. Until now, in most of virtual reality shows, it showed only pleasant scenes, but in this show, the camera is still on when couple got quarrel, show all their emotion towards another one and even when one is crying. These scenes delivers to viewers that even this show is scripted, indirectly made viewers to think that somehow this show is not that falsely taken. The real emotion of celebrities can be felt directly to viewers and this delicate factor draw viewer’s attention.