Monster-in-law....exaggeration?

In just about every Korean drama there is the mother-in-law that makes life hell for the poor soul who had the nerve to marry her perfect son. Is this common in reality?

Definitely an exaggeration. Some in laws can be quite nasty but they are very few in number. You will most likely not meet any in your life. Well tv dramas tend dramatize things and blow them out of proportion.

o_O Do you really believe everything you're shown in K-dramas?

If Asians believed everything they saw about westerners on TV, they'd think all men are business moguls in fancy suits and women sex-hungry sluts who sleep around when hubby is busy at work.

Granted, every stereotype starts with a kernel of truth. It's probably true that all immigrant mothers are uncomfortable with their son marrying out to someone who probably doesn't speak the language, can't appreciate the culture, and doesn't like the food. If you convince her you're not on of "those" girls, you'll be golden.

And the same thing applies to Americanized or adopted Korean girls who try to marry the son (not that many of them try).

lol...you don't know how many times I've been asked if I own a horse or wear cowboy boots because I'm from Texas Fair enough, though.

Heh... an American guy who married a Korean woman had this to say about dating in Korean prep schools: "It's like watching two awkward 6th graders at a prom, with their parents watching."

Yes, notoriously conservative culture, though many things have changed in the recent generation. Much more of a sharp segregation into button-down traditional career ladder climbers who study/work all day and garish-haired pretty party boys who've dropped out to live on temp jobs.

A fellow Californian was asked by a Georgian if he surfed. After encountering similar questions every time he introduced himself to someone in the South, he got a bit exasperated and asked them, "Do you farm plantations? Do you own slaves?"

Darn... there goes my cowgirl fantasy. But then again, you live in Austin, the un-Texas part of Texas.

I never said I didn't fit the stereotype I wear boots for work.

It could be exaggeration or not depends on the situation.

I think people here are mostly born in western cultures, so it's hard for them to fully understand what's the reason behind it.

As a korean from korea and a living example who experienced such a thing, I can tell you when it can happen to you.

In korea, marriage is not just union of two, but it's considered a union of two families. Moreover, in korea, parental care is excessive in many,

well.. it's almost necessary in some ways because of its unique culture.(too much details, if I go into this)

The parents want their child/children to meet their perfect match and because of strong bond/relationship btwn parents and their sons/daughters,

parent gives a lot of advice or even more than that.

and parents want their child to meet somebody who has about equal socialeconomic status(SES), and education level, etc.

So, when the one tries to marry the other who has better or way better SES, or education level, etc, their parents not like it whether it's

their son or daugther. because they think their beloved son/daughter deserves better one.

Of course, this shouldn't be generalized, even at similar level of SES, education level, because of some other conflicts, their future in-law

can cause many troubles or it may not even happen depsite the difference in those.

Since you asked about k-drama, mostly problem is differences in those that I mentioned like SES, education level, etc. and I'm sure that's

what you see in drama, too.


If you ever worry this thing might happen to you, I'd say don't worry. As some people already mentioned some FOBs or even what you guys

call twinkies' parents are from asian cultures and have very strong asian cultural foundations, However, things have changed and they will not

cause you a lot of trouble once they know you're serious and not the type they worry you may be.(b/o stereotype or something)

And, if your man doesn't control those issues, you should seriously re-consider that man because if one loves the other, he should

control those issues for you like explain and convince his parents well enough before you encounter his parents.