Age of Innocence

I want to talk about the recent show The Village Barber. This is a reality show where 3 famous actors set up a Barber Shop in a small, country town. I've talked about this show and the fact that I find it rather endearing, but I also want to point out a distinct difference that I see in this show and what I think might happen in the United States.

The three male stars befriend all the villagers - young, old, men, women - anyone who enters the shop becomes a friend.

Young client in arms of Park Bo-gum. Everyone who enters the shop becomes a friend.

Neighborhood kids

But the relationship between the 3 adult men and the neighborhood kids is very different than the US. The kids (girls in most cases but sometimes a boy) are comfortable hanging out with the men, dropping by the shop whenever they wish, and will go on errands with the stars. At no point is there any question of the 'appropriateness' of adult men hanging out with kids. No concern that they might encounter bad behavior or sexualized

interactions. Just kids being kids and adults being friendly. I find this so refreshing.

I'm tired of the automatic assumption that something is wrong with a grown up if they hang out with kids... I'm disappointed that most people don't let their children explore and wander their neighborhoods... I'm disheartened that a friendly 'hello' from an adult to a child is interpreted as predatory.

Trust me when I say that I am aware of 'bad things' that happen in our society. I'm not trying to minimize these things. But I do find a difference in what is presented on Korean Television than what I believe is presented on American Television.... Kdramas are refreshing & innocent. And I like that. ~ Judy

Just refreshing and innocent.

I would be interested to know if any of the townspeople had to sign a waiver or sign some legal document to be on this show. I do agree with Judy: I found the degree of trust and innocence heartwarming. ~ Pat