Lost Koreans

No, there isn't a Korean version of the TV show "LOST". But there are some lost Koreans. Specifically, lost elderly Koreans in the Philippines.

A number of my Korean friends were talking awhile back about a growing problem in Korea. There isn't much in the way of a pension here. Tradition dictates that the first born son has to take care of their parents retirement. Thus, the demand and need for a son (FYI, my co-worker comes from a family of seven which is highly irregular here. Six girls and one boy. Guess where the boy falls? Yup, he's the last one). However, this burden for the eldest son to take care of his parents, on top of his own family, has proved too difficult financially in many cases.

The solution: Strand the parents in the Philippines.

It has been published in the papers that a number of Korean sons are taking their parents "on a trip" to the Philippines and ditching them there. Obviously, the parents didn't expect it to be a one-way trip.

I wonder how this goes down? They arrive in the Philippines and then the son says, "I have to use the washroom. I'll meet you by the postcards in the souvenir shop". Then - WHOOSH! - he high-tails it back to Korea.

Now the question is, why doesn't the parents just go back to Korea and kick the krap out of their son?!? My friends told me that these parents are so ashamed of being ditched, that they can't go home and face their family and friends. So instead, they say, "Oh well, let's live here" and take up residence in the Philippines. The end.

Well, at least the Philippines will have a number of Korean restaurants and delectable food to choose from.

How do you say "Delicious kimchi!" in Filipino? Anyone?