Interview Questions

    The following questions were designed to fit our goal posted in the first blog post. They have been categorized and arranged into a specific order to ensure the smooth flow of the upcoming interviews and thus have been categorized into such a way. The questions aim to confirm, deny and debunk certain stereotypes and do have room for some flexibility depending on what kind of answers we receive during the interview.

Good afternoon ______. Before we begin the interview I want to thank you for investing your time on our project. We are from the Seoul National University Advanced English Culture and Society class, and this interview will be specifically based on the subculture group of KATUSA. We are going to ask you some questions related to your subculture, some may be sensitive, and we hope you will answer them honestly. If you wish to remain anonymous we will do so, and if you wish to know how your precious answers will be applied in our project, feel free to visit our blog www.katusainkorea004@blogspot.com. Are there any questions? If not, we will begin the interview.

Thoughts about KATUSA for Pre-KATUSA soldier (Sumin, Tae Hoon)

1. When are you serving in KATUSA?
   (Intro question - General)
2. What were your thoughts about KATUSA before you applied/ Why did you apply for KATUSA in the first place? (Why specifically KATUSA?)
   (Stereotype Question - to see if the applicant applied because KATUSA was rumored to be easygoing or because he really wanted to be part of the culture and purpose of KATUSA)
3. What do you think is the purpose of KATUSA?
   (Stereotype Question - to see if the applicant applied because KATUSA was rumored to be easygoing or because he really wanted to be part of the culture and purpose of KATUSA)
4. What was your reaction when you were accepted to KATUSA?
   (Stereotype Question - Ex) Were you happy / sad? what about KATUSA made you happy? Why?)
5. What were your friend’s initial reactions when they found out that you were accepted to KATUSA and why do you think they reacted that way?
   (Stereotype Question - to confirm the reaction that the accepted received - apathy/envy/indifference/etc)
6. Do you think your friends’ responses about KATUSA would have changed depending on which subcultural group you asked? (For an example those who studied abroad, or those who lived in Korea their whole life.)If so, what do you think the reason is?-
   (Important Question - Does this “stereotype” about KATUSA only apply to Koreans/etc)
7. How did you react to others’ reactions about your acceptance to KATUSA?
   (Flow Question - to make the conversation flow smoothly)
8. How do you think the lifestyle in KATUSA will be and why?
   (Stereotype Question - To see how the stereotype has manifested itself in the accepted)
9. Do you think there are stereotypes that are labelled to your subculture (those who are going to attend KATUSA)?
   (Stereotype Question - What other stereotypes does the individual thinks are applicable)
10. What do you think are some of the cons of applying to KATUSA?
    (Stereotype debunking Question - to confirm that going to KATUSA does have its cons, deviating away from the common stereotype)
11. Do you think those cons would become challenges that you will have to face? If they become challenges, how do you plan to overcome them?
    (Flow Question)
12. Do you think you will be able to relate well with the american culture? Why?
    (Stereotype Question - to what extent does the individual thinks the culture difference stereotype will manifest itself)
13. Can you tell me your resolution about your being in KATUSA?
    (Wrap up Question)
14. What do you want to tell the general public about KATUSA as being part of this subculture?(Wrap up Question)

Thoughts about KATUSA for those who completed their duties (Minsu, Youngchan)

1. When did you complete your KATUSA military service? (Intro Question - General)
2. What was the purpose of KATUSA? (Comparison Question - To compare the answer with the Pre-KATUSA interviewee)
3. How did others react to the fact that you were from KATUSA? (Stereotype Question - To know other people’s ( those who completed their duty as a soldier) general thoughts about KATUSA)
4. What did you expect your life in KATUSA will be? (Stereotype Question - To know what stereotypes the interviewee had)
5. Was your life in KATUSA what you expected it to be? (Stereotype Confirming Question - to get a first-hand account of KATUSA)
6. To what extent do you think the stereotypes about KATUSA are true? (Stereotype Question-To know the people’s stereotypes about KATUSA are true or false)
7. I have heard about the stereotype that the KATUSA hold a relatively more free lifestyle. Do you agree with the stereotype that a majority of the people hold that the military lifestyle in KATUSA was relatively more free than other Korean military forces? If so, why? (Stereotype confirming Question-To see others’ thoughts about stereotypes of KATUSA)
8. Are Korean KATUSA member’s(including you) English standards as good as what the public thinks? (Stereotype Question - To see if people’s stereotype that in KATUSA improves one's English skills is true)
9. Were there specific challenges you faced when you were in KATUSA? (Research Question - To gain more information about KATUSA that can debunk the stereotype that KATUSA is easygoing)
10. If so, how did you overcome them? Do you think those challenges apply to the ROK counterparts? (Flow Question - What do you think are the challenges of ROK serving people? How do they relate to KATUSA challenges)
11. What were the cultural differences between the Americans garrisoned in Korea and the Koreans in KATUSA? (Research Question - To know better about people’s life in KATUSA, and the differences between KATUSA and American soldiers and expect interviewee to acknowledge that the cultural differences were a big challenge.)
12. What do you want to tell the general public about KATUSA? Are there any stereotypes that you think it’s different from facts? (Wrap up Question)