Korean or what?
It seems like a stupid question,but I’ve started wondering recently about Ryeowook’s exotic looks.I can tell the difference between East Asians(not good at distinguishing Southeast Asians though)almost perfectly.Why “almost” perfectly?Because when I first saw Ryeowook,I didn’t think he was Korean.That was the only mistake I’ve made so far in distinguishing East Asians.
When Super Junior first debuted,I looked up at their pictures,and the so-called exotic hottie Hankyung didn’t really look exotic to me at all.I mean,he looked Tungus and everything,but not exotic.Really,when I first saw Ryeowook I thought he was the Chinese member because he looked so exotic.And apparently,I wasn’t the only one who thought Ryeowook wasn’t Korean.Even some Super Junior members did.After when they were told that there will be a Chinese member in the group,they had thought Ryeowook was the Chinese member.
"Ryowook"
So Ryeowook has got this exotic looks.And he sounds very…um…exotic too.He has this accent.Sure,it is possible for one to fake an accent,but you cannot fake it 24/7.When he speaks,it seems like his jawbone just drops,as if he were an Indo-European language speaker.Also when he sings or talks,it sounds like his vocal chords are placed farther back in his throat than most Altaic language speakers.Sometimes when he pronounces the Korean consonant “ㄹ”,he pronounces it like the Spanish consonant “rr”(and we don’t have the “rr” sound in Korean!).Okay,Spanish isn’t an Indo-European language,but still.Even “real” foreigners,like Hankyung or Zhang Li Yin don’t sound like that.Neither does Henry when he speaks Korean,who apparently grew up as an English-speaker in Canada.The strange thing is that he can’t even pronounce his own name right.Instead of saying “Ryeowook”(Ryuh-Wook),or “Ryeowookie”(nickname),he says “Ryowook” or “Ryowookie”.Han Ga-In(a Korean actress),who is apparently 1/4 European(her grandmother is Spanish),has a very slight accent like Ryeowook’s when she talks.
It seems like he’s from…Nowhere!I mean,he’s too exotic.And he sounds exotic too.I mean,he is Korean,but I don’t think he is full Korean.
I think he’s 3/4 Korean,1/8 European and 1/8 Southeast Asian.Not sure.I don’t know.Maybe he’s just an exotic-looking full Korean.Whatever.Whaddya think?
Written by SJFF
Do not take out
No mean comments!
Get over it!Geez.Ryeowook is a full,100%,authentic Korean.Koreans don’t look all the same.He doesn’t look exotic to me at all.He looks like a typical azn.
ur just trying to get more hits.loser.
Comment by Get ova it! — August 31, 2008 @ 2:46 am
wow ur stupid.ryeowook is korean.duh.that’s obvious.he doesn’t look exotic to me at all.
Comment by this is stupid... — August 31, 2008 @ 2:46 am
trying to pull off another fakey sarcasm don’t u?
it would be really sad if all asian americans were ignorant,and weird like you.thnx god i wasnt born in america.why r u keep on digging up stupid no-one-care issue?
he doesnt look 3/4 korean 1/8 european and 1/8 southeast asian.he looks 4/4 korean.this is very obvious.he is korean.
Comment by urrrrrrgh — August 31, 2008 @ 2:52 am
yeah i’ve always thought that he looked exotic too.those ppl who have commented before me r pretty much losers.especially the third girl.bashing on my beautiful country(America).
I think he’s like 80% Korean and 20% something.Like…Central Asian?Southern European?I don’t know.=P=P=P
Comment by hahaXD — August 31, 2008 @ 2:54 am
wow 4 comments already?yay i feel soooo happy=]
BUT…sum of yall r kinda mean.i said NO MEAN COMMENTS!i
@get ova it!:of course,koreans don’t look all the same but i think he’s exotic.u dont have to bash on me like that.
and im not trying to get more hits.loser.
@this is stupid:well ur stupid for bashing on one’s opinion like that.where do u live?no freedom of speech granted in there?
@urrrrrgh:oh my gosh.stop bashing on my country and my fellow azn american sistas and bros!!
@hahaXD:agreed.Central Asian?hmm…
Comment by sjff — August 31, 2008 @ 3:04 am
i have to agree with sjff, when i saw ryeowook’s younger photos, i initially thought he’s not purely korean..he has some kinda chinese features but please don’t bash me,this is just what i think..
Comment by seoulshriek — August 18, 2009 @ 3:28 pm
@seoulshriek: High fives. But there are so many ethnic groups in China…which one? I actually think a lot of Chinese people, especially people from the NE(like Harbin, etc) are good looking though.
Comment by sjff — August 19, 2009 @ 3:17 pm