채린 (Chaerin)
It’s Tuesday early evening. I’m cycling through windy — but sunny — Copenhagen after work to meet Chaerin at BRUS (tapperietbrus.dk) for my second 덴마크 왜 interview. We’re lucky to catch the last strokes of sunlight at a table near the window.
치 (short for chicken) is not the same without 맥 (short for beer) — so it turns out to be a 치맥 Tuesday! (Chimaek: Korean fried chicken and beer in a beautiful combination)
They have KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) on the menu, so we don’t need much time to think before ordering “– we should have beers too!” says Chaerin and I couldn’t agree more. 치 (Chi, short for chicken) is not the same without 맥 (Maek, short for beer) — so it turns out to be a 치맥 Tuesday! (Chimaek: Korean fried chicken and beer in a beautiful combination)
채린 (Chaerin) is 21 years old and originally from 수원 (Suwon) in Korea — close to Seoul. She’s always had a dream about working in London, but unfortunately failed her school’s interview twice, so she decided to change her plan. Her older sister had told her many good things about Denmark, so she was curious about going here! Luckily it’s also fairly easy for Koreans getting working-holiday visas for Denmark.
She’s lived in Denmark since the 17th of January this year and in Copenhagen since the 5th of February. “It’s actually a 웃프다 story (funny and sad at the same time).” She says and continues: “The first place I lived in Denmark was really rural — totally country side! I wanted to experience Danish culture and learn the language — but when I arrived it turned out, that there was no Danish people there at all.” She had moved to Faxe Ladeplads on the South of Sjælland to do volunteer work at a school. “It was in the middle of nowhere. I had to take a bus to the supermarket and plan my trips for that same reason — I always came back with soooo many snacks, haha!” She says and we both giggle.
“So how did you end up in Copenhagen?” I ask her and she responds: “Well, I knew it wouldn’t be a good experience staying Faxe for 6 months, so I had to do something. I started looking for a room and was really lucky to find one in central Copenhagen. Shortly after that I found an internship at a Danish watch brand and now I’m here!” She responds and I can’t help but say: “Sounds like you deserved a bit of luck after the Faxe fail!”
“I really like the slow culture — Koreans don’t rest and some might think that the Danes are lazy, but it’s just at different way of life really.“
“So your sister really likes it here, but what do you think? What’s your favourite things about Denmark?” I ask. “I really like the slow culture — Koreans don’t rest and some might think that the Danes are lazy, but it’s just at different way of life really. I also really like the colourful old buildings and Danish people are so fashionable!” She says.
Chaerin explains that in Korea you can go for “coin karaoke” to just sing one song (…) Sounds great to me! Someone bring this concept to Copenhagen, please!
“Is there something that you miss about Korea?” I ask and without much hesitation she exclaims: “노래방! (Noraebang / Korean karaoke bars) Ha ha!” She explains that in Korea you can go for “coin karaoke” to just sing one song. Students do this a lot. Sounds great to me! Someone bring this concept to Copenhagen, please! Chaerin continues: “– and then of course I miss my friends and famliy, but also the crowded streets sometimes as well as cheap cosmetics, clothes and food!”
“What was the biggest surprise or culture shock?” I ask — my favourite question. “The concept of SU! Students get paid to study here?!” She says before adding: “Well that surprised me — and the dating culture shocked me, ha ha!” Turns out there’s a few things, that are different between Denmark and Korea.
Friends setting up their friends on blind dates are really common in Korea whereas many people meet at bars here. Chaerin told me it’s also quite common if people see someone they like — at the café or library for example — they will write a little note like “I like you — here’s my number”. Oldschool in a cute way.
“Danish sounds so cool!” Chaerin says and I can’t help but smile. “That’s not something Danes are used to hearing.”
“Danish sounds so cool!” Chaerin says and I can’t help but smile. “That’s not something Danes are used to hearing — we always hear otherwise actually. Potato in the mouth and all that.” I say and Chaerin adds: “I’m excited to start studying Danish soon! It’s like each language has a different tone of voice. Danish has the lowest, then English and lastly Korean which is quite high pitched.” So funny. I’ve thought about that too.
“I had this specific image in my head of what I thought hygge was: Happy people sitting in a circle around a candle in low lighting eating chocolates all day.”
“Do you have any tips to other Koreans, who are thinking about moving to Denmark?” I ask. “Yes! Heaven doesn’t exist!” She exclaims. “Ha ha! True, but what do you mean?” I ask. “Well many Koreans have very high expectations about Denmark. Like I had this specific image in my head of what I thought hygge was: Happy people sitting in a circle around a candle in low lighting eating chocolates all day. Haha! No I’m kidding, but I did have really high expectations and it’s easy to get dissappointed.” She explains.
It reminds me of something my friend and colleague told me a few weeks ago. “The grass isn’t greener on the other side, it’s greener where you water it.” It has stuck with me ever since. Chaerin and I talk about that for a while. We agree this quote must be the good for anyone to think about and be reminded of.
“I don’t wanna give up my dreams!” Chaerin says before we say goodbye. Hopefully she’ll get the chance to work in London in the future, but for now, we’re happy to have her in Denmark :)
