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Korean idol enrages Japanese netizens by eating instant noodles from the pot

175 Comments

While the Internet in general is known for being a bottomless cauldron of hate, nothing quite gets Japanese netizens seething like South Korea.

Case in point: the Japanese Internet is raging over a video of a young South Korean woman eating instant noodles because she has bad table manners.

The video is actually part of a promotional series for Shin Ramyun instant noodles in which members of Korean girl group T-ARA share their favorite home recipes. The clip in question features member Park Ji-yeon, who divulges that she prefers to stick with the orthodox recipe and proceeds to show viewers how to prepare Shin Ramyun according to the directions on the package.

From about 0:50, the video pans to Ji-yeon sitting down to eat her finished meal when suddenly, for reasons unexplained, she removes the lid of the pot with one hand, plunges her chopsticks directly into the pot with the other, lifts up a mass of noodles and plops them down on the overturned lid as if it were a plate before transferring them into her cute little mouth.

Finally, as if to add insult to injury, while sharing her thoughts about the taste with viewers, Ji-yeon grasps her chopsticks firmly in hand and drives them into the cutting board, presumably to keep them aligned before returning for another barbaric bite from her primeval lid-plate.

This, ladies and gentlemen, was enough to raise a furor among Japanese net users, who wasted no words in bashing Ji-yeon for her “disgusting table manners,” while others expressed a renewed appreciation of Japanese manners. One of the current top comments is supported by 15 "likes" for saying that “eating straight from the pot like this is worse than beggars going to receive their food rations.”

Unsurprisingly, many seem quick to condemn Ji-yeon’s eating style as indicative of South Korean manners in general, though there are a few who point out the futility of criticizing other cultures, but that Ji-yeon should be more conscious of how her status as an international pop idol reflects on South Korea’s image.

Upon asking a Korean acquaintance about the video, we were told: “Using the lid of a pot as a plate? Sure, we do it all the time; it helps keep the dishes clean. Both guys and girls do it, but I only eat like that when I’m eating by myself.”

One insightful YouTube user pointed out that using the lid of the pot as a plate is a common way of eating "misonikomi udon" noodles in Nagoya, but then again, the lids of the earthen pots in which the dish is prepared are made to be eaten from.

In any case, while it’s true the video is anything but a paragon of etiquette, for god’s sake, the girl is eating instant noodles, not caviar. And we can’t help but think that Ji-yeon being South Korean has something to do with all the hate—it’s hard to imagine a promotional video of Kelly Clarkson eating Kraft Macaroni and Cheese from the pot being met with the same reaction.

© RocketNews24

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175 Comments
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not that i have seen disgusting table manners on japanese tv - har har har - these netizens need to get a life.

15 ( +23 / -8 )

I think when you are alone, table manners don't matter. The premise of the ad is she is alone; so technically she is alone; but the Japanese audience is watching her eating alone, so practically she is not alone. This is a tough call heh.

1 ( +11 / -9 )

Stupid

0 ( +4 / -4 )

What's wrong with this film. It is not offending and it is not a matter of manners. The commercial video must attract attentions of watchers and this unusual way of eating is has a humor. It is OK with me.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

I never thought to use the lid as a dish, I like it. Besides, it saves on the cleaning up.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

While the Internet in general is known for being a bottomless cauldron of hate

Ha ha. Great opening and yes, especially wherever there is the protection of anonymity.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Pointlessly impractical people are bad enough, but when they get angry and verbal about how others should also be pointlessly impractical, I hate them to the core. I also align my chopsticks this way. Any other way is impractical. Eat from the pot? I do this to test what I am cooking. Use the lid as a dish? How very clever!

These are the type of people who would insist that you must extend your pinkie when drinking tea. For what purpose I ask? As if there were not enough problems and difficulties in the world! Why do some insist on inventing more?

1 ( +6 / -5 )

I sometimes make and eat ramen, udon, pasta from the pot too especially during winter and when I'm in a real rush like i got only 5 minutes to eat or something like that.

A) Keeps the food hot when it's straight off the stove sitting in the same pot B) I have less dishes to wash

Yeah I know it's horrible table manners, now i know why my wife gives me that look :)

3 ( +6 / -3 )

One of the tough things about keeping up a site that catalogues the weird little quirks of Japan, is that more the weird becomes normal. So now Japanese people can point out things about Korea that they don't get, and I'm not sure if Korea will ever reach the levels of eyebrow-raising hijinks that Japan does...but not for the lack of trying. Japanese people, who slurp on noodles like there is no tomorrow. Apparently, you are unable to "fully enjoy the taste of the noodle" unless you slurp it. If slurping in your noodles instead of chewing them brings your taste buds one step closer to orgasmic joy or something. You may think I'm exaggerating, but go ask the nearest Japanese person about their feelings on slurping noodles and see what happens. You may want to keep a raincoat or plastic tarp handy, just in case. Its these little things that help us to understand cultures better.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Wow was just reading all those comments for the vid on youtube. Unreal! You know what never mind what, there are people out there that have nothing better to do and will spew. i'm still eating from my pot! ( when I'm alone )

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The small minds of effete etiquette turning a television commercial into an offensive social faux pas demonstrates only their utter lack of purpose, tolerance and humour.

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Would this criticism, slurp, be the pot, slurp, slurp, calling the kettle, slurp, black? Slurp.

3 ( +9 / -6 )

So all the Japanese talking with a mouth full of food is OK? I align chopsticks like that all the time, then again, I'm not a dinner etiquette kind of guy.

My wife still brings up the fact when we first started dating and she took food off my plate for a taste, I then told her this is my food and if she wants some, she should order from the menu.

Time has pasted and now it's a free-for-all with everyone having a little taste of what's on the table.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

what I find more disturbing is the successful export of Japanese 'kawaii'-behavior. When you are 20 and act like a 3 year old, you are cute. For a long time this was only manner in Japan. But now it also seems to become normal in Korea... I get the chills when I think of this would become a trend in Europe or the US too. And then specially when the huge women there will starting to behave like this...

2 ( +7 / -5 )

whatever. but it make sense her table manner when you are alone.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I had to watch the video to see how she could drive the chopsticks into a cutting board. To me, driving into the board means she's impaling the sticks. In fact, she's merely taping them on the board to keep them aligned.

Still, some Japanese netizens really have to consider getting out of their mommy's house and finding a job.

5 ( +9 / -3 )

The fact that she uses the lid of the pot as a sort of tori-zara, between the pot and her mouth, means that the noodles are out of the soup and have cooled down a little, and as a consequence she does not need to use so much Japan-style vacuum-slurp. Very practical!

As mentioned in the article, Japanese are complaining about the way that she stabs her kitchen table with her chopsticks which (apart from possible funerary connotation) contributes to the overall problem here, that we are seeing a woman expressing her her hunger, her table stabbing hunter-killa instincts, or in a word, her desire which in Japan women are not meant to have (c.f. recent post regarding lesbianism). Japanese women are meant to be repressed, blood-less, and just cute through and through. Koreans on the other hand are allowed to be a little more natural.

I want some noodles.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Well, in Korea it is considered rude to hold your rice bowl in your hand. Personally I wouldn't want my kids using the lid of a pot as a plate, but as borscht said, these NEETs really need to get a life.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

This, ladies and gentlemen, was enough to raise a furor among Japanese net users, who wasted no words in bashing Ji-yeon for her “disgusting table manners,”

Japanese complaining about table manners -- how hilarious. This from the folks who have made picking up plates and holding them to their mouths while using a fork or spoon like a shovel to shove the food in faster, all while making appropriate slurping sounds, an art form. Or, not using a knife when one is available and simply stabbing large pieces of meat and gnawing off a huge chunk. Yup, definitely the pot calling the kettle balck.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

When eating bibimbap, isn't the stone bowl the pot? And yes, the pot is black. The girl does look and act like an airhead, though. So what?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

My Goddess, I cannot imagine something less imprtant to get angry over. If you don't like her manners than do not invite her to your next party. Surely one can find something more important to get enraged over. I really ever understand why people try to make the internet worse then real life. Of course then I am odd enough t use my real name on everything that I say. Fortunately you will never see me eat on the internet, so you will never know my table manners. [Grin]

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Japanese "Netizens" are all pretty much virgins and dropkicks. I'm sure this Korean idol doesn't give a rats what they think!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Oh come on. It was obviously a comedic advertisement. Anyone who have traveled to SK would know that the Koreans abhor the table manners of their Asian neighbors for grabbing and holding bowls/plates in their hands while eating. In Korea, you cannot. All dishware must stay on the table and you pick up food with spoons, fork, & chop sticks.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Nobody noticed she also has her elbow on the table.A huge faux pas in Japan -land of rules and regulations that foreigners dont undertsand.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Let be! Let be! For some reason this reminds me of an experience I had when I was a soldier in Korea many moons ago. I was invited to a Korean Katusa's home. His father was a high ranking military bigwig. When I picked up my bowl of rice while eating breakfast, my Korean friend's father slapped my hand quite hard. The bowl nearly went flying and I just froze. It was later explained to me that it is impolite to do this. Wow, I sure got a quick lesson to a cultural point of Korean people. Did I complain about it all day or wage a war against the Korean people? Of course not. Thanks to this article, I once again was taken back to my younger days. Let be!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Right up there with slurping spaghetti dishes with chopsticks.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

My wife still brings up the fact when we first started dating and she took food off my plate for a taste, I then told her this is my food and if she wants some, she should order from the menu.

Okinawamike - Yet she went out with you again??

-3 ( +5 / -8 )

Koreans [the women] on the other hand are allowed to be a little more natural.

I can't stop laughing

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

This is a typical kind of reaction to the customs of others that go against the grain of one's own customs. What Japanese don't realize is that the slurping sounds they make when eating noodles are repulsive to people who do not slurp.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

One of the current top comments is supported by 15 “likes” for saying that “eating straight from the pot like this is worse than beggars going to receive their food rations.”

Excuse me but is that all the evidence you have to back up a headline stating 'Korean idol enrages Japanese netizens'? 15 'likes'! You're going to have to come up with far stronger evidence to justify this article.

nothing quite gets Japanese netizens seething like South Korea

Where is your evidence of this Japanese rage on the internet? Surely not 15 'likes'!!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

This is remarkable. She's condemned as "worse than a homeless person" for using the lid of her cooking pot as a serving dish - when eating alone, you'll note.

I suspect, unlike many of the people condemning her, eating alone is not a problem she has to deal with so often.

Conversely, if she'd tilted her head marginally to the side and shouted out a wet sneeze, then immediately lit up a cigarette and started tinkering with an iPhone to preclude having to acknowledge other people exist, her table manners would have been quite suitable for almost any eatery I've lunched at in the Greater Tokyo area.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Japanese netizens criticizing other countries` eating habits.... one could not make that up.

These people need to get a life.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Japanese manners? What manners? Have you ever seen a Japanese person eating pasta?

I saw an old guy at a restaurant the other night slurping away at his spaghetti... pasta sauce flying everywhere. He had no idea how to properly use a fork and spoon with pasta.

Another man lifted the end of his plate and shoveled his pasta into house mouth - once again, slurping away at full volume. If these people went to any other country, people would be shocked and horrified.

I think the Japanese should be the last people to talk about table manners.

6 ( +13 / -7 )

What`s the big deal? With the people who are complaining, are their manners so perfect in their own houses when they are alone? I would seriously doubt it.

Some of the stuff Ive seen in public (concerning manners) annoys me a lot, but its not worth getting all worked up about it. Maybe I should though ... I see lots of people here eating with their mouth wide open, lots of people cant use a knife and fork properly (I`ve been forced to duck on occasion to avoid injury), girls doing their makeup on the train, people sneezing/coughing without covering their mouths. The list is almost endless.

Pardon the pun, but this really is the pot calling the kettle black.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

OH YE Japanese Netizens of such deep culture and uniqueness....

GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!!!!

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Okinawamike - Yet she went out with you again??

Yep, that was 26 years ago, and she still takes food off my plate! Then again she puts it there:} Good cook she is.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Tempest in a teapot.

But unusually good writing for what's obviously a marketing story placed by the noodle company. And about eating from the pot? Did Japanese never hear of nabemono?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

"[F]or god’s sake, the girl is eating instant noodles, not caviar. (sic)"

Why can't instant noodles be afforded the same respect as caviar?

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

I could give a damn how anyone eats anything...especially when it's being depicted from her ficticous home....and she isn;t Japanese so why should she remotely be obiligated to these twits to eat with Japanese manners.....hell I love the slurp because it drives my parents generation nuts as it's NOT acceptable to slurp your noodles in public (or at our family dinner table) in our country.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I applaud her for her ecological awareness. One less plate to clean up, which means less hot water used, which is a small gain, but if every bachelor or bachelorette does it then it's a bg saving for the planet. Table manners are archaic customs that should be reviewed with a view towards how sensible and sustainable they are in modern life. My grandparents would never have eaten dinner without at least 3 glasses, 2 forks, 3 knives, 2 spoons, 3 plates, and two linen napkins... these days most people get by with a mug, plate and fork/chopsticks for most meals. I think that all this is indicative of is that some people are clinging to meaningless and wasteful cultural anachronisms.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

LOL........are we really posting an article about what people online say? really?

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Utter bullsh*t, kore. "The Japanese Internet" couldn't care less. WTF is this "Rocket24", anyway?! Seem link a buch of linkbaiters to me. And it works sooo welll.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

First of all "netizens" ? What is this world comin to? If you ask me, Japanese have the most annoying table manners. That's just my opinion. Burping out loud, digging in their noses, farting. And yes all while at the table. Putting their bare feet on chairs and picking their toes, slurping noodles loud as hell. If that's not barbarick then I don't know what is. If I left something out let me know. These Internet geeks need to get back in touch with humanity. Get a girlfriend and get laid. You know, regular human being activities. All this "netizens" s#%t is lame.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

comon and Japanese table manners are perfect!? LOL slurping spaghetti, many Japanese dont even know how to hold cutlery properly without looking like a two year old. more hypocritical BS

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

I don't mind when JT wires back AP, Reuters, and other professionally written articles, but tabloids like this is garbage. Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Haha its nice to know there are a bunch of posters out there that have much less of a life than we jt-ers LOL!

God the things I have seen J-folks do in the parkinglots of combini's alone dwarf this ""international "" incident haha!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Huong is on the money. I guess at least it is funny that there are some people here criticising/commenting on the internet critics/commentators mentioned in the article, while telling them to get a life.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

How did this make the news? Let people eat the way they choose! Different cultures have different rules for manners and etiquette. Something some people obviously need to be educated about.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

surely they could find something better to care about than this ladies table manners?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Is this report presented as entertainment or news? The exaggerated language would seem to indicated the latter:

...suddenly, for reasons unexplained, she removes the lid of the pot with one hand, plunges her chopsticks directly into the pot with the other, lifts up a mass of noodles and plops them down on the overturned lid as if it were a plate before transferring them into her cute little mouth.

Suddenly (When the noodles are ready); for reasons unexplained (to eat them); plunges her chopsticks directly into the pot (uses her chopsticks to lift); a mass of noodles (a portion of noodles); plops them down on the... lid as if it were a plate (places them onto the lid); transferring them into her cute little mouth (eats her meal)...

The exaggerated headline, "...eating instant noodles from the pot" belies the video: She eats from the lid, not the pot...

Just the facts, ma'm: "All we want are the facts."

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

bahahahahahah Instant Noodles? etiquette on how to eat INSTANT NOODLES?!? hahahah. Keep SLURPING your soba like pigs at the trough. bahahahaha this is news? get over yourselves Japan. hahaha

4 ( +8 / -4 )

I am a westerner and I would never eat any food straight out of a cooking pot. Don't pick on Japanese habits so much. Look how overseas people drink milk and eat yoghurt staright out of the carton and place it back in the fridge for next time along with bacteria from the mouth multiplying and spoiling the food. Now that is a real dirty habit.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

The Japanese Internet is raging over a video of a young South Korean woman eating instant noodles because she has bad table manners.

No, it isn't.

A few noisy people are making a fuss.

Don't pay any attention to them.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japanese people:

Get over it!

They are Korean noodles, NOT Japanese.

BTW, ramen originated in China!

2 ( +6 / -4 )

"The only thing more disgusting is a beggar getting food rations?" Because someone with real hunger is disgusting and eating is just another art form. No one really needs food. Once again, the veil of Japanese form is shredded to reveal the misanthropy that permeates the entire culture.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

The Kim dynasty of North Korea is doing such a thing to the world everyday. No surprise!

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

If Japanese are picking apart this young woman for eating out of a pot, then there is PLENTY Japan could be picked apart for, even contradicting its OWN manners! I don't any other culture where you're allowed to bring a bowl to your mouth and slurp up broth or scrape what's left of the bowl into your mouth (save little children sometimes being allowed to finish their cereal that way).

You would think there are more important things to get 'furious' about.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

This kind of thinking is one reason Japan is slipping down the slide towards uselessness.

A few months ago two young men at a show came to the artist afterwards and dressed him down for playing his ethnic drum incorrectly. They went on to explain how doing so perfectly was the only acceptable way.

The artist responded cooly bay asking if the the picky men had enjoyed the music. They said yes, but were too distracted by the playing technique to really enjoy it.

I will be bashed for this, but I mean in helpfully. Many Japanese have their focus so tightly on the details of a single tree, that they miss the billion tree forest surrounding them. This nit picky nano-focus means that people too often spend too much time worrying about details and miss the point and the opportunity entirely.

Step away from the tree and look around already!

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Wow, what a sad issue to get upset at. I don't think the locals really can make comments about table manners...

food slurped

smoking at the table while others are eating

talking with their mouth full

coughing/sneezing and not bothering to cover their mouth while others/they are eating

chewing with their mouth open

peoople unable to use chopsticks properly - recently a huge problem

carrying on coversations that people in the other side of the room can hear

eating with the TV on

belching while eating...

I tend to think the ones working themselves up about this would work themselves up about anything any Korean does.

That being said, my husband gets upset when I nibble on things while making dinner - but he's got no problems with everyone eating dinner while his poor mom is still on her feeting cooking for the family....

0 ( +6 / -6 )

She eats like a normal person... netizens are idiots.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

15 “likes” for a comment?

Wow... That's a real buzz!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Kind of funny. The Japanese need to chill on this one.

Ever ask an Italian what they think when they see Japanese slurping their spaghetti with chop sticks? Or how they hold a fork like a little kid?

0 ( +6 / -6 )

So once again in the mythological world of Japan's older generation (assuming the ad execs behind this video are greying), the uncouth foreigner breaks Japanese sacrosanct social morees? HA HA HA HA!

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

It's just my impression or these demonstrations of rage and hate from japanese started since Korea reached some economic and industrial status worldwide and Japan kept struggling since the end of the bubble? That slurping souds more disgusting to the westerners than eating direct from the pot. Ups, the japanese do that too...

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

This, ladies and gentlemen, was enough to raise a furor among Japanese net users, who wasted no words in bashing Ji-yeon for her “disgusting table manners,”

So the slurping is okay? Pot meet kettle.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

With standard western style food, you won't be able to do that : sauce to have tastier food is the rule (home made or ketchup like). I would have done it on my own ages ago if possible... Article is of no interest and English level of redaction is pretty poor for correct understanding, sorry to say.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

It's just my impression or these demonstrations of rage and hate from japanese started since Korea reached some economic and industrial status worldwide and Japan kept struggling since the end of the bubble?

No it's nothing new, although I'm sure that has helped intensify the feeling even further.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The issue is more than eating off the lid. Those Japanese expressing rage are likely to be right-wingers resenting the rise of Korean industry/pop culture while Japan is in decline.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Korean girl eating Korean noodles, presumably, in Korea. Netizens, stop being so ethnocentric. If she was eating this way in a restaurant in Japan or in your house, then maybe you'd have a reason to be upset, but since she's not you guys need to calm down.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Now that's reality TV! Good job! Spontaneous, irregardless of bias, status, cultures, etc. She should have gone for the pot after the lid. Who really gives a s***? I'll bet their record sales surge. I love Japan and would never change. How many times have my friends, speaking with a mouthful spat stuff in my face? It does not matter. You're my host, I'm your guest. You set the rules, I adhere to them. The clip was set in S.Korea so we accept the way they do things over there. It's very easy for the so-callrd netizens to sit on their fannys, safely in their liveing rooms and criticize others. What do you do when you go to countries where they eat with their hands? You go to the river, wash up and join them.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

All this rage is just silly! I've seen quite a few Korean Dramas & this is how they eat their ramen. Just like others have said, usually when they're alone or even around close family members. Either way, this is a Korean Commercial shown in Korea, right? What's all the fuss with these Japanese netizens! wah

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Keep SLURPING your soba like pigs at the trough.

Funny, you sound just like a netizen yourself.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Who cares, if she wants to stoop to a new low then be my guest. Once you start down the path of can't be bothered, nobody else is watching, it's easy to clean up afterwards or it's just my way of being eco friendly, then the road winds down steeply. Some actions just tell you a lot about the person. Some might not take their shoes off in the house (in Japan) or not take your make up off before going to bed, drink direct from the milk carton, not flush the toilet and keep the lid open, eat with your knife, bite your nails, pick your nose and lick it down, etc... but I would rather have some pride even when a UNI student. I like to use real plates, knifes and forks rather than paper plates or the saucepan (you can buy them all at the 100yen shop). Call me weird, but I would like my kids to be the same. I may lick the lid of the yoghurt, but won't be using the lid to eat from.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Sure Japanese netcitizens! Like if many Japanese actually have GOOD table manners??

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

"It's just my impression or these demonstrations of rage and hate from japanese started since Korea reached some economic and industrial status worldwide and Japan kept struggling since the end of the bubble?"

No, this has been around since insecurity about what it means to be Japanese has been around -- ie. a LONG time. True, there is a lot more furor directed towards SK since they have long surpassed Japanese in entertainment, and their works are more popular on the whole in Japan here, but don't forget Japan will send out 'sushi police' other nations to see if their food is 'truly Japanese' or not, admonishing any and all local spins on any dishes, but then make a 'pizza' covered with corn, mayonnaise, and potatoes and a terriyaki base only to sprinkle tabasco sauce all over and wonder why people might not think it's good.

As tkoind mentioned, they cannot see the forest for the trees, in many cases, and can be hypocritical beyond belief. This is just plain stupidity, and all the hype by these netizens (no doubt many on 2Channel) are taking it upon themselves to make Japan look like a nation of insecure fools.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Read the headline totally wrong: thought they were talking about "pot noodles." Having those instant would induce even me to buy them - and, following their consumption, even regular ones - but sadly, that does not seem to be the case. Carry on; someday our dreams will come true.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Whasきs to be enraged. She is playing clumsy. Stupidity, clumsiness, tastelessness is a basic fundamental of the Japanese commercials, too. The Koreans do just the same, in their ways and Iたm sure there was no any intentional insult toward the Japanese in the commercial.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

correction = What's ..... and I'm

Sorry something seems to went wrong with my FF page encoding.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Either way by bringing up everything that you find wrong with what Japan does and how they eat ie. slurping their noodles, talking on the cell, smoking, etc. you are doing the same thing. I agree that their shouldn't be any subject matter experts on the matter of noodles, but this should not become a school yard Japan bash session over a few unemployed people that haven't discovered hulu yet. <----1st post...be gentle x_o

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Some people have too much time in hand! Who even has time to watch ad and spend time for analyzing it and write about it!! WOW!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

if Korean customs, let them be , please watch the video "Two girls and a cup" after you can say something about bad manners

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Simple truth. These Japanese netizens are anti-Korean, because what she is doing is the same thing a million Japanese people would do, are already doing, or don't care about if they saw it happen. Japanese people have customs or habits other people find horrible or bad manners like slurping noodles, but we aren't online whining or screaming about it.

The Internet is full of moronic, ignorant, bigoted fools, period.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Will so- called "netizens' do the same thing like she does after criticisms? Maybe kids just want to play and have a little bit of fun, nothing serious.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

They are mad how a woman of different country with slightly DIFFERENT mentality can eat noodles DIFFERENTLY? Oh jeez...

0 ( +2 / -2 )

And BTW I'm eating noodles with fork, because I'm used to eat like this and nobody in the world can dictate me how I should need noodles or anything.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I need something cleared up here. Was this a commercial done in Japan or Korea? If it was directed at a Japanese TV audience then I can see this being an issue. In retrospect if it was done in Korea for Korean audience then Japanese netizens need to stick a fork in it. What right do you having criticizing others when you yourselves don't take table manners into consideration when in other countries? Case in point this reminds me of a time when my wife and I went to a very upscale restaurant in NYC. It was a complete disaster and one which I don't care to repeat. Her first mistake was bumping into someone without saying excuse me? The person then said if my wife had a problem!! Damage control was in full effect as this point. It didn't stop there though. When we begin eating some soup she was slurping very loudly and people were staring at us close by. It was extremely embarrassing to say the least. She then requested chopsticks to eat with her pasta lol.

We are sorry madam but we don't serve chopsticks here! The gentlemen was clearly annoyed by this. I then tried explaining to her that was considered beyond rude and shows extremely poor table manners. She then argued with me and said I am Japanese as though to try to justify her bad manners. Japanese tourists take note! When you are in other countries please try to brush up on your etiquette. What is polite in Japan may not be the case elsewhere. We are expected to do the same in your country and the same applies to you as well. When I was finally able to get that point through to her she of coarse was extremely embarrassed. To this day my wife refuses to eat there. Hard lesson but this is the point. You don't have the right criticizing how other cultures due things just because it doesn't fit with your own. Although if indeed this commercial was for a Japanese audience. Jayeon should have shown more restraint and been made aware that might be taken out of context.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

It is a very common custom to eat instant noodles out of the pot in Korea. The Japanese should be happy that their noodles are so much liked in Korea.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

What is the fuss? It's a commercial, it's fun. I doubt the Japanese 'netizens' are in any position to educate the Koreans. When I see Japanese people eating I often wonder about their etiquette, eating manners, but say nothing. Just observe. Sitting sideways on their chairs with their backs turned to those sharing the table, Hunched deeply over their bowls with their arms around the food while reading a comic magazine. Legs crossed. Openly picking their teeth. Belching.

I love Japan and probably most people have universal proper table manners, but I scorn those who scorn another culture for being different.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Foxie: "It is a very common custom to eat instant noodles out of the pot in Korea."

You also have to define "pot". Japan has no different word from a sauce pan to a giant pot for cooking lobsters -- it's all "nabe". And like nabe in Japan there are all sorts of small pots for nabe that go directly off the fire and onto the table, where people share and slurp and what not. The Western-style sauce pot, or sauce pan even, aren't all that old to Asia, and you could even see eating straight out of it as exactly the same as traditional eating. Should I complain when someone makes Odon on the gasu-renji in an old earthen pot and then plops that pot on the table and we start eating directly out of it? How can these J-whiners complain when they do the exact same thing if the pot has two stubby handles instead of one?

Like I said, hypocrisy.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

those guys that complain - mean its worse bad manners than sniffy, slurpy boogers?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

what I find more disturbing is the successful export of Japanese 'kawaii'-behavior. When you are 20 and act like a 3 year old, you are cute. For a long time this was only manner in Japan. But now it also seems to become normal in Korea... I get the chills when I think of this would become a trend in Europe or the US too. And then specially when the huge women there will starting to behave like this...

No woman with self respect will follow the kawaii way

0 ( +4 / -4 )

LOL at Japanese netizens. I know it's fashionable to hate on Korea in Japan, but this is just ridiculous. And the reasons of hatred seems to get more and more lame, everyday. This is how Koreans eat the ramen noodles when they are alone or with close friends. It's about having fun, and sharing the pot of instant noodles in an informal setting, making it tastier. It's as psychological as anything. This is done only with instant noodles, and nothing else as a fun way to have a good time.

But you know, Japanese people shoving rice into the mouth with chopsticks while having the rice bowl stuck up to the mouths looks so much better, and so much civilized. (rolls eyes).

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Who cares.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japanese people are angry over this video? Really? What a bunch of sore losers! I think they are more angry over this video then the way their nuclear officials handled the nuclear plant crisis. It's sad really, the amount of hatred filled superior complex Japanese. I've passed this hatred onto my other colleagues in the world. I'm not impressed with you, Japan. GROW UP PLEASE!!!!

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

And by the way that girl is kinda HOT!

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

..i generally eat my ramen like that =/ ..granted im not jaoanese lol so who cares :P

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

At least she wasn't bobbing for the noodles.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Enraged? Over a dish that isn't even Japanese in origin? Some Japanese people have too much time on their hands, apparently.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Who cares? Bad table manners? Go read 2ch and look at the vast number of racist xenophobe otakus that spew hate at anything and everything that's isn't Japanese. Sad thing is, I bet there is a large silent majority IRL too.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I'm sure the netizens would come off second best to all the baachan that watch korean dramas on day time tv... who would have seen this way to eat ramyun a million times over.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

To be a culture that demand respect, they lack respect for other cultures, It's not bad table manners to eat or share ramen out of the pot for South Koreans. There are many ways do to things correctly depending on the culture. You have to give respect of the differences to get it. These same people complaining about this are the same people that are insulted if a non-Japanese speak or act in the Japanese culture with perfection.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

well, I eat them raw right out of the package....

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The video is actually part of a promotional series for Shin Ramyun instant noodles in which members of Korean girl group T-ARA share their favorite home recipes

Shin Ramen, famous in Japan for being the only product left in the supermarket shelf in the aftermath of 3/11.

Receipe?? I wouldn't call adding egg and scallions as receipe.

-8 ( +3 / -10 )

It really is disgusting!!!

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

nigelboy: "Receipe?? I wouldn't call adding egg and scallions as receipe."

How about adding an egg to 'chicken ramen' and that being a meal?

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

The dumbest part about this whole uproar is that while these right-wing nuts will admonish this woman for taking the time to open a package of INSTANT NOODLES and add healthy ingredients and cook it on the stove only to eat it out of a pot, I have no doubt they themselves have simply added water to a plastic cup and slurped and eaten out of said cup. Morons.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

How about adding an egg to 'chicken ramen' and that being a meal?

What about it?

In any case, this along with other cosmetically repaired members of T-ARA were part of a Shin Ramen campaign by Nongshim Japan. Due to the cluelessness of the Japanese etiquette, my guess is that the product was targeted towards the Zainichi Koreans, perhaps?

http://news.nissyoku.co.jp/Contents/urn/newsml/nissyoku.co.jp/20110926/YAGISAWA20110922034011907/1

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Heres the video in question. Read the comments-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3omn6MoIjms&feature=player_embedded

Funny how they get so worked up over some idol being "rude", but seem to have no problems with making degrading/racist/sexist/inane comments that a million times more "rude". Childish behavior as expected from these people.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

I'm surprised that while there are so many Japanese citizens who watch Hallyu, they haven't noticed that there are many scenes where the actors eat directly from the pot as in the commercial. Haven't you Japanese eaten directly from the package when you buy a small portion of dango manju or tsukemono?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Seriously?? Do any of you really give a rat's arse how someone eats noodles?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

so what?! is it really important ? or u just wanted to tell us what a cute little mouth Ji-yeon has?? or maybe how japanese are are blindly hating koreans? anything else i didn't mention?

now please tell us that you always have an impartial stance because i can't see that in you, nowhere. the unimportance of this new just wonders me what you are on?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

This is not anything about culture or anything like that. Read the youtube comments, it's more to do with bashing and hating on Koreans by the Japanese, and to point out how primitive Koreans are compared to the Japanese. It's an confirmation of superiority of Japan to them, in an increasingly uncertain world where the world according to Japan is upside down and their future uncertain,.. and that everything is still alright in Japan. If it wasn't this commercial, it would been something else to bash on Korea.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Are you serious? This is news? First of all, it's just a commercial, not an etiquette how-to video. These so-called Netizens need to get a life because they have way too much time on their hands for useless commentary.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

But the bottom line is ...it used to be bad manners to point out other people's bad manners. And I thought it was part of growing up to learn that every country has different manners.

Isn't it?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

One of the current top comments is supported by 15 “likes” for saying that “eating straight from the pot like this is worse than beggars going to receive their food rations.”

The above comment, for me, is a far worse reflection on the commenter than it is on the bad manners it's supposed to condemn.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

It seems that Japanese don't have anything else to vent their net fury on, since there isn't any nuclear disasters or other enviromental disasters going on, everybody gets adequate free-minded schooling and all that...

No, wait...

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

These netizens are acting stupid.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Of course, the table manners of a Korean girl on a promotional video are more worthwhile of anger and direct criticism than legitimate causes of concern. Methinks there is a fringe group of Korea haters who take any opportunity to bash South-Korea and pretend that Japan would have a "superior" culture.

Read the youtube comments, it's more to do with bashing and hating on Koreans by the Japanese, and to point out how primitive Koreans are compared to the Japanese.

Exactly.

A bit like last year, when during the Fukushima debacle, thousands demonstrated against... Korean drama on Japanese TV.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

If you get angry over this then you must be living under a digital rock. There is 7,003,409,346,923 other things on the internet to actually justify becoming angry.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

BiG DEAL!!

i chew them straight from the packet and drink hot water!

3 ( +5 / -2 )

I bet in North Korea they don't even have POT LIDS.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

lol koreans dont like 'em (-__- #)! japan good for u! i love u japan!

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Instant noodles are terrible for health. I do not know why Japanese people eat them and still think Japanese food is healthy.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Maybe she should have blinked a few times them shouted "oishiiiii" so we could see the half-chewed food in her mouth like the Japanese "talent"s do all the time.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

nigelboy: "In any case, this along with other cosmetically repaired members of T-ARA were part of a Shin Ramen campaign by Nongshim Japan. Due to the cluelessness of the Japanese etiquette, my guess is that the product was targeted towards the Zainichi Koreans, perhaps?"

I know Koreans who have better Japanese etiquette than most Japanese I know, because they've studied proper manners and learned how to use them instead of the usual mentality of people born here that the skills should just be inherent, and that Japanese know Japanese etiquette and culture better than anyone because they are Japanese. You see this uproar all the time: Japanese angry because a Chinese woman is playing a geisha in a movie (and she can't POSSIBLY know more about a geisha than Japanese!), angry because they think someone is playing a Taiko drum wrong (when they can't themselves), etc. Heck, I know more about Japanese culture and the origins of this and that than most Japanese, not to mention I know and can read and write a good deal more NGU Kanji (that said, I tend to forget or not know the readings for a lot of GU Kanji!). Just last week I pointed out to my brother-in-law (who is Japanese) that he shouldn't be passing food to his daughter chopsticks-to-chopsticks, and then had to explain the origin of why that's taboo in Japanese etiquette (he didn't know, although he knew it's a faux pas to pass like that).

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Lovenot: "Instant noodles are terrible for health. I do not know why Japanese people eat them and still think Japanese food is healthy."

Agree 100%, but to be fair they eat them WAYYYYYY more in Korea than in Japan, and the stores are absolutely stacked with the stuff. Any instant food is more or less unhealthy for you -- I mean come on... how healthy can 'meat' be that doesn't need refrigeration and can last ages -- especially with all the salt and preservatives it contains.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

What`s the big deal? With the people who are complaining, are their manners so perfect in their own houses when they are alone? I would seriously doubt it.

The difference being, of course, that at home behavior stays there, by definition, and isn't made into a CM.

All bets are off.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

What`s the big deal? With the people who are complaining, are their manners so perfect in their own houses when they are alone? I would seriously doubt it.

The difference being, of course, that at home behavior stays there, by definition, and isn't made into a CM.

All bets are off.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

As I read this, I'm listening to the people around me slurp their coffees, teas and food. The men will eat too fast and occasionally have to suck in air to cool the hot food. Some will engage in conversation, their mouths full of food, kernels of rice jettisoning out as they do. I guess it's a cultural thing.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

"the Internet in general is known for being a bottomless cauldron of hate"

Hahaha that was the funniest part of the article. It describes Japan Today postings perfectly!!!

3 ( +6 / -3 )

Much ado about nothing

3 ( +4 / -1 )

As everyone knows, eating from a pot is blasphemous and an outrage to our modern society.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Priorities, people. Forget the faux anger about manners, etc. Remember what is important--That girl is cute!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I know Koreans who have better Japanese etiquette than most Japanese

Irrelevant argument. This is a promotional video to sell a product to the Japanese consumer. For that reason alone, the bar should be set higher. It's equivalent for a AKB member making a promotional video of wafu pasta and eating with chopsticks to the Italian consumer in Italy.

As for your 'cosmetic' comment, it's been statistically proven

False.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

It's equivalent for a AKB member making a promotional video of wafu pasta and eating with chopsticks to the Italian consumer in Italy.

That sounds like a great commercial, actually. I think it would go over wonderfully in Italy. This commercial is cute, too. You all need to lighten up more.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I can bet there would't be such comments if the girl was not korean. Don't underestimate the anti-korean racism in Japanese right-wing groups.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

nigelboy May. 01, 2012 - 10:47PM JST. This is a promotional video to sell a product to the Japanese consumer. For that reason alone, the bar should be set higher.

When Japanese say that Koreans don’t “own up to their mistakes,” what they mean is that Koreans are not engaging in a behavior that is called hansei in Japanese. Hansei means “Reflection on areas for improvement,” “self-criticism,” and “thinking about how one could have done better” are probably the closest. That’s why Japanese are easily irritated when foreigners don’t exhibit hansei behavior.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Don't underestimate the anti-korean racism in Japanese right-wing groups.

Korea and Korean groups are generally very popular in Japan, especially among young people. I highly doubt they could care any less about this supposed affront.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I can bet there would't be such comments if the girl was not korean" well yeah japanese are better >__^ <3<3<3

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Of course LH10. Read some of the comments, and most of it run along the lines of this one comment which I've translated:

"If a pop idol who are on TV's are like that, how filthy a normal Koreans would be? Even amongst Third World countries, they're known as low quality people, this proves it's true".

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Well, I can't imagine to eat like this, eating is not only put something in my mouth and swallow. But every country has it's special manner, it's just like that. So, when in South Korea, do as the South Korean do. When in Japan, do as the japanese do...

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Actually is quite pathetic to see disgusting table manners like hers. Didn't Mom teach her table manners? Gotta wonder!

0 ( +3 / -3 )

At the same time, Japanese are losing their table manners: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120502005480.htm

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Actually is quite pathetic to see disgusting table manners like hers. Didn't Mom teach her table manners? Gotta wonder!

Did the Japanese mom teach to slurping ramen with loudest sound as best as possible? I guess not, cause it is in the Nihonjinron logic right?

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Out. Of all the problems in the world. We talk about a girl, eating noodles, from a pot. Great.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

OK, my two shekels. My Korean in-laws tell me this is normal. However, my side of the family says eating out of the pot is not Kosher. So, for us this comes out as a draw. Somebody commented about elbows on the table. When I did it, the comment was "joints on the table get carved". Anyway, this has to be one of the most followed stories in recent JT memory.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It's a commercial people!! This is just stupid , why does JT post this to begin with?? Oh, and by the way... Japan, you are not the only country in the world....Yes, there really are other real countries out there!!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Internet in general is known for being a bottomless cauldron of hate

Yes, for some people it is.

the futility of criticizing other cultures

That never stopped members of JT from criticizing Japan in every possible way.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Shiree McCarver said

To be a culture that demand respect, they lack respect for other cultures

Are you talking about americans, right? Because they gather in a JT just to criticize every aspect of japanese culture.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

I find it's not very elegant but it's their culture so let's just accept it coz what she is showing is a more intimate, closer insight to her, like she will with close friends and families. I respect the different aspects of everyone's culture. Sumo wrestling in the typical sumo wrestling attire may be distasteful to others but many respect it as Japan's way of living and culture. I am sure there are more Japanese who are more open-minded, who are traveling the world, doing as the Romans do, when doing good deeds :). Relax and let's embrace differences as long as it does not exploit or debase another being.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Ben Jack Korean pop cultures are not popular especially among young people? what are you talking about ? It is even avoided by many of them. I haven never seen people who like Kpop so much... And what are you guys talking about extreme right wings in japan are mostly zainichi.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

I use the lid as a plate at times, when eating alone......I guess I am going to hell.

LOL

1 ( +3 / -2 )

The netizens are idiots.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Hahaha, this is so amusing. Both the article and the comments, perfect match.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Timtak

>Huong is on the money. I guess at least it is funny that there are some people here criticising/commenting on the internet critics/commentators mentioned in the article, while telling them to get a life.

Just like you're doing?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It is just a story showing the racism of the Japanese against the Korean.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

But I really appreciate that JT publishes stories about this idiocy. Because it needs to be brought out into the light where the insanity of all of this can be laid bare in front of a much larger and more rational audience.

JT needs to cover these hate baiting incidents and to call them out for what they are.

The majority needs to be reminded that there are fringey nutcase netizens who are working as hard as they can to pursue a lunatic nationalist/chauvinist pathology. ... I was going to use the term "racist" but since in this case all of the haters and the hated are of the same race, it didn't fit the bill very well.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Who cares.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Koreans have as much prejudice, if not more, against Japanese as Japanese do to Koreans. They both think their feelings are justified. We don't like each other for reasons.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

According to Hoko, both groups "are of the same race", but there was a form I had to fill out back in Osan AB that asked me to identify my race. This thing had about 25 different groups listed including different letter codes for Japanese or Korean origin as well as Chinese (three different ones), Vietnamese, etc. So, according to the Air Force, there is a difference. However, there was just one category for "white" and it was at the bottom of the list, coded "Y". There was a code "X" for "other" and that is the one I chose.

By the way, what would be the reaction if a Gaijin ate the raw noodles straight from the package?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

No big deal. Japanese likes to make fun of Koreans. And Koreans do the same about Japanese.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

That's why we have college crock pots for!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

People who get upset over this adverts are petty, idiots who need a life. Also, it shows a lot of cultural intolerance. Table manners very from country to country.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I think she eats beautifully. Big fuss over nothing.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Hahahaha... So I had to fast scroll to the bottom of the comments to see how many comments there are! And couldn't resist placing one myself! LoL I'm rolling!! I call it a "stick up the butt mentality". Like patrons of the symphony that sit there quiet and still even when the MC asks for participation and have a little fun! Proper attire and respect to eating noodles should always be done in only one way!!! And that is the proper way! Control freaks just like to control! Apparently those that made the judgement call on this just haven't learned to enjoy Cartoons or understand staged humor! Freakin' Sad A wake up call is due... Geeez!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Looks like the netizens here are engaged in the topic too!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

These netizens need a life. It is because they are jealous probably and have no other life than complaining about others and since many Japanese hate Koreans and vice versa it appears that it is just one way to look down upon another culture. This whole thing is ridiculously stupid and shows the evolution of our species to care about such things.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Not thing to be surprise, actually the eating manner does not matter. I'm sure 'The netizen' is the one called 'Japanese right winger'. They find everything about Korea and blame and make fun of it whatever topic is it about. You can even see them on Youtube, in that case they pretending to be foreigns like Filippino, Indonesian, Vitenamese and others, then start to blame Korea again. Those right wingers don't have life and job.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Hey James Koole, I guess you are a Jap or Jap ass licker. Btw you said zainichi(right winger) are Korean. Well that's a completely bullshit. At the frist time when right wingers started to blame Korea on internet as the time goes, quite many saw their stupid acts. Of course those people never agree with the right wingers rather the people started to blame them and their racial characteristics. After all the japanese right winger's idiotic acts goes on European media. So the right winger's was in difficult situation. And now they start abuse excuse and saying 'the right wingers were actually Korean or zainichi'. This is general dirty Japanese fraud.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

LOL! SO TRUE Allison Honig!!! xD

0 ( +0 / -0 )

LOL. Just LOL.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I agree that this is a sad example of very bad manners. Being an idol is no excuse and am glad someone still cares about good manners.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Who care?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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