You may or may not know, that there is a new hit talent show in South Korea named ‘Unpretty Rapstar’…it’s an interesting concept as (I assume) it centers more on talent, and less on looks – which is somewhat of a big deal in a country that’s so focused on the importance of physical beauty.
The girls still look attractive to me, but never mind…
Anyway in one of my tutor classes last week, my 13 year old student brought it up – and I was over the moon that for once I understood the Korean pop culture reference! We had a broken conversation about it for a little while…before his eyes lit up, and his arms begin to flap frenetically like a mad baby chick attempting to fly the nest! Clearly he had something to say, something urgent!
“Myyy…myy…ARGH! MY…hmmm…”
(There was obviously a violent joust going on inside of his head, as he attempted to force an English description out of his mouth! But what? No idea…but I knew one thing… it certainly seemed interesting…whatever it was…)
“ERRRR…BROTHER…OLDER…AAAAARGHHH!”
“Your older brother? You mean, older friend?”
“YES, YES! Older brother…with…together…AARRGHH!”
He took to his phone, in search of further assistance – and within seconds pulled up a photo of the show…and then pointed out one in particular – to which I nodded; signifying I sort of recognise her…
“OLDER BROTHER…WITH…”
“Yes, YES?!”
(I was clinging on to every single word!)
“CHEAAATER!”
“WHOA! Really?! Together…but cheated?”
“YES!!!”” he screeched, clearly happy with my overzealous reaction,
“Before…before show – with…now…CHEATER!”
I tried to hold my ooohs, and aaahs – my huge gasps of shock at the tabloid smut news! I had just received a major scoop – which is such a turn around; as for once I was one of the in-the-know people, rather than the last-to-know people! I didn’t really know what to say, or do…so I just shook my head, and kept saying something dumb like…“that’s crazy! How crazy! …that’s crazy!”
“Yes! Crazy!” he repeated,
That’s when he ran another search, and placed his phone in my hands for a second time…yup, and there she was – the guilty party, still looking smug, and self-confident…unbelievable, the things fame does to people…jheez…
But my excitable student wasn’t finished just yet, as he then pointed towards the text below the image…which read something like: ‘Unpretty Rapstar: Cheetah’…
(Ahem…yes, the penny had well, and truly dropped!)
“CRAZY, CRAZY! My older brother…with, no…SAW – Cheetah! On show!”
“Ahhhh, right. Wow…that’s…erm…mhmmm! That is…something…”
So yeah, it turns out that the true story was a lot less dramatic – and in reality it was all down to another rather typical misunderstanding…very sorry Cheetah…I’m sure you’re a lovely lady really, and not a cheater! Good luck with the show…
…AND STAY AWAY FROM MY BROTHERS!!!
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John Lee Taggart 
That must be frustrating for both you and your students trying to communicate often. The closest I can relate is being in Qubec city and trying to put enough French together to tell an employee at a grocery store the cart wasn’t mine etc. best of luck to you and your students as you learn each other’s languages.
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Thank you Mandibelle!!! 🙂
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Am glad someone finally knows about some variety shows in Korean pop. It makes the idols seem way more fun than those in Hollywood.As a student currently learning spanish and french I can imagine the difficulty your students may have in expressing themselves.Am glad you have the patience to encourage them to speak up even though it may be hard.
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Yeah they are more like people, and there is a lot more interaction between them…and just…well, fun! 🙂
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Only pretty rapsters cheat, obvi.
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Such a schoolboy error on my side 😉
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We all make mistakes, Cheetah!
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If only they knew sign language.
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I think it’s best they don’t 😉 haha!
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LOL perhaps you right. Have a great weekend John
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You too my friend, enjoy!
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;o)
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Must be really funny with your kids… lol!
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Always weird, but usually wonderful 🙂
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Haha! Hilarious, especially complimented with those gifs 😉
Korean shows are pretty awesome, although I’ve been out of the loop for maybe 10 years now. I used to watch one called Love Letter (if I remember correctly).
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Ahhh I don’t know of it, I need to step my television watching up! haha! 🙂
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Well, Love Letter doesn’t count. It was from so long ago. 🙂
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Goddam homophones. Still, it must have been exciting to have been an in-the-know person!
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Once a cheetah, always a cheetah.
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Can’t change those spots 😉
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LOL! 🙂
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😉 hahaha!
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This is absolutly hilarious….. 🙂
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Thank you, happy you think so! Always getting muddled up…haha!
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Somewhat adding to the fun ….
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