An article in the Dong-A Ilbo about Korean detective agencies going global contained some interesting anecdotes about Korean kids living abroad. (Well, not really “abroad” so much as living in the Great Western Satan United States, specifically.)
The parent asked, “It has only been a couple days since I sent our child money, but he is asking for more. I want to know if he is being bullied by other kids for money.”
The S Agency made a request to a partner detective agency in Los Angeles. The agency in Los Angeles soon pursued the whereabouts of the student, Lee (age 16), who is in the eleventh grade.
Lee had pretty much given up on school. He went to school, but he left right away with several friends. He would go to a restroom in a park, do cocaine, buy beer, and head to his friend’s house.
Wow. Here I was thinking it was likely he was blowing money on junk food, a new Xbox, and the latest Tommy Hilfiger. But if you think even that’s living a bit large for a high school junior, keep reading.
During weekends, he and four other friends would take an eight-hour drive to casinos in Las Vegas. Lee lost $3,000 in one night.
Well, I’ll say if there’s some kind of host family blacklist out there, I think this kid’s sponsors should definitely be on it. And, just to scare some more down off those goose fathers out there, we have this little tale:
In April, Mr. Han (age 46) asked a company to investigate his wife and son, who are living in Canada. He was worried because his wife seldom called and his son’s voice over the phone sounded somewhat strange.
Private detectives in Montreal reported that his wife often met with other men and his son, a high school student, went to bars practically every day. The Hans divorced and the son returned to Korea.
The rest of the article is boring, fairly well-supported stuff about how detective agencies are helping Korean multinationals thwart fraud and embezzlement, too. But that doesn’t pack nearly the editorial punch of those hard-partying exchange students.
I wonder which category supplies steadier business?
{ 2 comments }
Rose Byrd 11.11.06 at 4:32 am
Cat, put this post together w/the one on phone sex and you MAY have some interesting clues as to the reason Koreans keep the floors so clean, in addition to the reasons of eating on such low tables,”sitting” on the floor,etc. Just don’t let Obi and Samson near any of this “action”, okay?
seouldout 11.19.06 at 12:07 am
Those likely aren’t exchange students living with a host family. They’re likely parachute kids, and they’re often on their own, though an extended family member or guardian may check in on them. If your kid isn’t doing well in school here (and in Taiwan, too) put him/her on a plane for the US and hope for the best.
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