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| ▲ The Internet forum Rhymes with Jeju provides advice, information and often debate about all things Jeju. Image courtesy Rhymes with Jeju |
On the eve of an open mic night, an idea hit Adam Turner. Part English teacher, part catchy tune-crafting enthusiast, he realized what an abundant source of information the Internet group “Rhymes with Jeju” was for entertaining a crowd of likely members; the foreign residents of the island.
Turner’s got opinions, and even opinions about a site where others give their opinions. With skills originating in New Zealand and honed in Japan and Korea, he took to the stage and began his tribute to the popular Internet forum locally known as Rhymes.
“There’s a Yahoo group, that helps the Jeju troop. If you wanna buy or sell, it’s totally wicked and well. It’s fun for everyone, enjoy your stay, have some fun.”
After a chorus of bellowing “Rhymes with Jeju!” in punk-like fashion, Turner went on in his song to highlight a few of the more controversial moments and hot topics in Rhymes history: “If you steal my seat, I’ll start a fight and find a place to meet. I saw a dog outside, put him in a car, now he’s MINE! I’m leaving in a few weeks, two thousand won for my sheets.”
The first line refers to a very public online battle over a disagreeable seat-stealing incident at an EPIK conference, and is followed by two issues near and dear to Rhymes posters: the popular foreigner culture of taking in pets during their stay (and sometimes leaving them behind), and the common selling of hopefully not sheets, but other still usable items for reduced prices.
“I thought it was a good Web site,” said Turner, when asked about his motivations for his Rhymes rhyme, “but also people wrote a lot of crazy stuff on there so I thought locals would find it funny.”
Turner’s not the only one who’s got opinions of the popular site encompassing (at press time) 1,561 past, present and future Jeju residents and visitors.
Sherrin Hibbard, a well known Rhymes personality, originally saw the site as “a way of feeling part of a com-munity and as a resource for information.”
Her initial impression was altered after noticing the site appeared to be more of an outlet for negative venting. “It changes with the people. Sometimes it’s a really good site with lots of positive input and sometimes it’s just people showing their ignorance in the worst possible ways.”
As an open forum, all posts are subject to the opinions of any member who may be reading. On occasion, this naturally turns the site into a battle ground.
Jennis Kim, a Jeju native who returned after spending 10 years in Australia, sees the site as a source of entertainment. “Sometimes there are serious debates going on that are interesting to read if you are bored.”
“My primary use of the site is to make fun of people,” said Eugene Campbell. From Boston and Houston (“that area”), he is known for his sarcasm and sometimes playing grammar policeman, exposing the irony of mistakes from those involved in the English teaching profession. “I do try to inject a little humor whenever I can,” he said.
“Usually if the poster does not post anything objectionable they are unmoderated,” said Mike Duecy, who has managed the group since 2002. After working on Jeju for eight years at the College of Ocean Sciences, Duecy has since returned to Mesa, Arizona, where he maintains an interest in Rhymes for the connection it provides him with friends on the island.
The site’s productive value as a connecting venue for Jeju foreigners is indisputable. Kim initially used the site to launch her social life. “I thought it was the best way to introduce myself and meet people. It’s less threatening to talk to strangers online!” She was surprised by the number of responses she received. “They asked me to join their gatherings and parties. It made it much easier for me to adjust to the new environment.”
In the final line of his song, Turner jokes about how some-times the group loses its focus as an information-sharing platform. “I think you are insane, you write everything that comes from your brain!”
While the option exists to not join in on the action, those who are able to exercise basic filtration skills will be the first to secure the true Rhymes rewards, whether they be a 2,000 won rice cooker, one of the first spots in the spring volleyball tournament, or (as in Turner’s case) material to perform at the next open mic night.
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ⓒ Jeju Weekly 2009 (http://www.jejuweekly.net)
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Copyright ⓒ 2009 All materials on this site are protected under the Korean Copyright Law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published
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