Defending the Hermit Kingdom

"This kind of lifestyle is worth protecting"
-George Bush 2001

Is comfort the enemy of creativity?  I’m currently 3 months into my second "season" of planet Korea and I'm wondering how much longer I'll remain a part of this "Hermit Kingdom"?  As of now I can't think of a reason to leave. This ultimately worries me.  I often wonder if I’ve become too comfortable. A few other questions to come mind as well; When my time is "finsihee" here, will I miss the strange backwardness of Korea?  More importantly have I become a part of the strange backwardness of Korea?  To quote Neil Young “Am I too far gone?"  Why does this worry me?  Well one should never let one’s own moral compass go unchecked for long. The world changes too fast. The worst thing is to become stagnant.  

The national past time of Korea

On a  pragmatic level, it’s true that Korea is the best place for me; for the time being.  Yes, at times I’m out of my comfort zone, but more often than not I find myself thrown into very pleasant circumstances.  Aside from all the cultural differences, and borderline xenophobia, Korea does have its perks.  Its' an easygoing gig with a comfortable lifestyle (thanks to an overgenerous salary). Top it off with the fact that you have no other responsibilities, a free place to live, and way too much free time. Jackpot, right?

Well, from the outside looking in it may seem absurd.  For example, the tourist on the other hand would be severely disappointed, that is unless of course they love cabbage museums and a junior varsity version of Japan. The typical backpacker probably wouldn’t enjoy the fact that the current conventional wisdom here is dictated by K-pop and ignorant stereotypes. Why deal with that when you can go to Kao San Road or Boracay? Then of course  any visitor should always take in consideration the wild card of being attacked by an ajumma on the subway. 

Yes, the hermit kingdom isn't for everyone, but it never really claimed to be in the first place.  Korea is a strange little anomaly, because it chooses to be a strange little anomaly. It's not going to change for you or for me. In a way, you have to respect that about them.  If you want tourism go to Thailand, if you want beaches go to the Philippines (or stay in Thailand) if you want chaos go to China.

 Looking back I realized that part of the reason I’d chosen to stay was because almost no one else would. I don't love everything about Korea, and I  certainly don't hate it.  Here, I'm always entertained and at times fascinated.  In a sense it's just like watching The Twilight Zone. It's weird, it's cheesy, it's sometimes awesome, and just when you think you have it all figured out, they thrown in a twist that completely blows your mind. 

Right now I'm comfortable. So should I exchange comfort for creativity or is creativity as overrated as Kimchi?  Until I've had my fill, I'll be here, in The Twilight Zone, defending the Hermit Kingdom