By Dong Sun-hwa, Video by Lee Min-young
"No pasa nada" is a Spanish phrase meaning "It is OK" or "Calm down."
It is an epitome of Mexican spirit, according to Christian Burgos, a Mexican TV personality in Korea. "We use it all the time," Burgos said. "I think it represents our positivity even under tough situations."
Likewise, he and his friend Martinez Rojas Luz Maria, the head of the Mexico Tourism Office in Korea, have been presenting a new view on Mexico for Koreans, dispelling Koreans' prejudices against the country and its people.
The Korea Times recently spoke with the pair at a Mexican restaurant at Gwanghwamun, using English and Korean.
The following are excerpts of an interview that ranges over many issues involving Korea and Mexico.
Q. Many Koreans seem to have a misconception that Mexico is "dangerous," mostly due to security issues. What do you think about it?
Burgos: It took me by surprise when I first came to Korea, because many Koreans mostly linked Mexico to the Mafia and thieves, thinking that the country is "too dangerous."
I think the misconception has stemmed from the U.S.-made content that usually portrays Mexico and Mexicans in such a way. And Korea is "too safe" ― wherever people go, they would not feel that at risk. So Koreans seem to have more fear on Mexico, a country far away, although pickpockets can be found in most metropolises around the world.
Maria: Mexico is a huge country, about 20 times bigger than Korea, and I want people to understand that those random events are not happening in the most important places in Mexico. Our most beautiful destinations are packed with travelers and they do not find any problems. We suggest people apply common sense. These random events can happen to anybody.
We always try to let people know that they will have unforgettable experiences in Mexico, because Mexicans are very hospitable and passionate. In fact, the growth in the number of Korean travelers to Mexico has been amazing in six years ― this let us realize that Koreans' perception is actually changing. It will take more time, but I believe people like Burgos who speak Korean can talk about the reality of Mexico as promoters.
Burgos: This is not easy because everything I say here is taken as a truth and will be generalized. Hence, I have to study all the time and try to be updated on the recent issues of Korea and Mexico to give answers when anybody asks me about them.
Q. How would you describe Mexicans?
Burgos: I would describe Mexican people as generous. We do not want others to feel bad about anything. That is why we sometime cannot say "no." We try to say things in "another way" so that people will not get hurt, and also try to be generous to foreigners that visit our country. We are also very energetic ― we have much energy from the morning to the night and dance all day. We love music, and we love Mexico. Our patriotism is so intense that when we visit another country, we always carry our Mexican flag, Mexican hat or something that represents our country.
Q. How is the life of Mexican people? Is it stress-free? Is it competitive?
Burgos: According to an OECD study, Mexico is the country with the longest working hours on average, followed by Korea that comes No.2. Many Mexicans work overtime, so we have our dinner very late at night. The problem is that we eat and then immediately fall asleep, since we have to get up early next morning and go to work.
In my opinion, Mexico is not as competitive as Korea, but it has a dark side ― there is a term "Mexico crab," which describes our society. If one person achieves success, the others do not strive to catch up with him, but instead seek ways to "pull him back" and prevent him from making further progress.
Q. Why did you first decide to come to Korea?
Burgos: By accident, I saw a Korean entertainment show with Spanish subtitles on the internet and found it interesting because we do not have this kind of reality show in Mexico, except for dramas. The language used in the show (Korean) sounded pretty and I also wanted to have fun together. So I started to study Korean by myself at first, and then learn it at a language institute at the college. Later, I had a chance to work with Koreans for a year, so my language skill improved. Then I finally headed for Korea as a student who studies 3D animation.
At first, I planned to stay for about six months. But I have ended up living here up to now. It is like a twist in my life that I have never expected but I love being here. I have been here for four years already and having a lot of fun.
Maria: I never expected I would come to Korea, although I used to live in Taiwan for five years in the past. When I visited Mexico for a month after my days in Taiwan, people suddenly talked to me about the opening of the Mexican tourism office in Korea. (So I came here.) After being here for seven years, I realized Mexicans are very much like Koreans. We both appreciate food and love having fun ― we are just the same.
Q. What did you find most surprising when you first came to Korea?
Maria: (One of the things was) Koreans' respect of seniors. Seniors represent wisdom, experience, and they have got so much in their lives that we have to respect them. I love the fact that here in Korea seniors are sources of pride because of the country's history.
Burgos: One of the things I found really hard was to sit on "Bangseok," the sitting cushion on the floor. We do not have it in Mexico, so it was hard to sit cross-legged on the floor at first. In addition, the towels that I have to use after taking a shower were too small. In Mexico, we usually have huge towels that we can wrap our body up in.
Q. What is your opinion on plastic surgery issues in Korea?
Burgos: I was surprised at first to see Koreans mostly having plastic surgery on their faces. In Latin America, people usually have it on their bodies. But I wish Koreans would not do surgery because they have attractiveness in their faces ― the way they are is beautiful from our perspectives. I saw some people trying to have double eyelids, but why?
![[INTERVIEW] We Mexicans would say to Koreans 'No pasa nada' (2024)](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mP8/h8AAvMB+NzmkbcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=)
FAQs
What do Koreans and Mexicans have in common? ›
Indeed most of the traditional foods in both cultures have spices and herbs as an integral ingredient. Food is also a main factor in their identity. Similarly family is also an important aspect in the lives of both Mexicans and Koreans. A strong emphasis is still maintained around the family unit.
Where is Mexico located? ›The United Mexican States, commonly known as Mexico, is a federal republic in North America. It borders to the north with the United States; to the south and west with the Pacific Ocean; to the the southeast with Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and to the east with the Gulf of Mexico.
What ethnicity is closest to Korean? ›Both analyses demonstrated genetic evidence of the origin of Koreans from the central Asian Mongolians. Further, the Koreans are more closely related to the Japanese and quite distant from the Chinese.
Why are so many Koreans moving to Mexico? ›There are an estimated 9,000 Korean nationals living in Mexico City. Most immigrated to Mexico in the 1990s and first decade of the 21st century, as a result of commercial agreements signed by the Mexican government and those of Korea and Taiwan, allowing companies such as Daewoo to bring workers over from Asia.
What is the real name of Mexico? ›The official legal name of the country is 'United Mexican States'. A federal republic organised in three powers: Executive Power, Legislative Power and Judicial Power.
Is Mexico a first world? ›Second and third-world countries can be described as developing or underdeveloped countries. These countries face many challenges in their growth and development—for example – China, Russia, Romania, Czech Republic. At the same time, the third-world countries are Brazil, Mexico, India, Argentina, Cambodia, etc.
Which Mexico is part of USA? ›No, Mexico is not part of the United States. Mexico is a separate country located in North America, while the United States is a distinct country located in North America as well.
What is the relationship between Mexico and Korea? ›South Korea is Mexico's sixth biggest trading partner globally and South Korean foreign direct investment in Mexico between 1999 - 2023 amounted to over US$10.2 billion. During the same time period, Mexico invested US$200 million in South Korea. There are 1,700 South Korean companies investing in Mexico.
Who are Koreans most similar to? ›According to a genetic distance measurements from a large scale genetic study from 2021 titled 'Genomic insights into the formation of human populations in East Asia, Koreans are genetically closest to Yamato Japanese, followed by a larger margin by Northern Han on FST genetic distance measurements.
Which culture is most similar to Korean? ›Japan and South Korea are culturally similar due to a long history of influence from China. Japan also occupied Korea from 1910–1945, so Korea has definitely gotten some Japanese influence from that era.
Is Mexican food similar to Korean? ›
The two cultures share some very similar and savory flavors in both cuisines. While Mexico City and Seoul, South Korea, are separated by 7,500 miles and a vast Pacific Ocean, it's evident through their culinary arts that the countries are a lot more connected than it may initially seem.