Korean 'Uncle Service' lets you hire thugs to intimidate your kids' bullies

Originally published at: https://boingboing.net/2018/09/15/violence-inherent-in-the-syste.html

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“Uncle Package” is the name of my new middle-aged David Lee Roth cover band.

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I am reminded of

and

I was the only one in the theater that laughed when the second film referenced the first.

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I want to become korean and go back to school and get the super uber delux version where the uncle brings ice cream for everyone except the bully.

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It could escalate quickly…

I’ll bet somebody is going to launch a countermeasure service and start an arms race with increasingly powerful uncles.

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I kind of want to quit my job and do this, but alas, I’m 5’6” and not terribly intimidating-looking. But I am already “Uncle Nick” to a number of my close friends’ kids. Hmmmm. Maybe if the current gig doesn’t pan out, I’ll take a swing at it. Perhaps elementary school only… :nerd_face:

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Seriously now. I do not know Korean law, but doesn’ t it have a faint smell of illegality? It looks like an intimidation service like those of the bad mafia movies. I think It could backfire if someone feels harmed and resolves to bring the case to the court.

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It’s fascinating because this is a reflection of Asian shame culture, with the premium package having the bully going to the parents workplace. If this was a western service, that option would probably be the bottom tier.

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“Pedro offers you his protection.”

image

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What does the ‘Aunt Service’ do?

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I have to admit - as a parent of 2 kids decidedly off the path to jockdom - there is something appealing about this.

I understand the real way to solve this is to foster empathy and respect from an early age. But - some kids don’t get the memo (I blame crap parents) - and can really mess up a sensitive kid’s self esteem.

Likely to be deemed illegal in North America.

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craig-ferg-go-wrong

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This kinda reminds me of Three O’Clock High:

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This article brought to mind a scene from the otherwise abysmal second season of “True Detective”:

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From what Korean friends have told me, Korean schools sound pretty messed up. Apparently, for example, if one doesn’t give sufficient gifts to one’s child’s teachers, they’ll bully the child.

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Sounds like Catholic elementary school

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“Auntie Service” would spread gossip through female gossip networks that the bully’s mother is not a good mother.

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Not being a minor would probably increase the penalties for the ‘uncle’; but if the situation is such that there’s a market for private sector bully deterrence it would appear that intimidation and feelings are harm are not an enforcement priority, or bullying would be slightly less popular.

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