They call them mianshi liumang 面食流氓 in China, menrui go-ro めんるいごろ in Japan and gook-su baeksu 국수백수 in Korea. These Noodle-Eating Hoodlums represent the next generation Asians born to an era when the old guard of the East and its traditional regiments are melting to the fast and furious heat of progressive change in Asia.
With some traits similar to the Beatniks, Hippies and Gen-Xers of the West, a Noodlem – Noodle-Eating hoodlum – is an urban Asian subscribing to a cultural hoodlumism. This cultural hoodlumism – Noodlemism – is a wholly Asian phenomenon and is a rebellion against conformity, homogeneity and the old value systems of YesterAsia. Noodlemism is a journey in identity and an exercise in individualism and self-expression. This journey in identity is an evolving experiment in cultural hybridity. This exercise in individualism and self-expression is a new spirit and way of thinking and living.
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Noodlemism manifests itself in various gang cultures and chants (expression). Noodlem gangs are common in their rebellion but differ in their expression and journeys. They share cause but not effect. The fashionable consumerist shinjinrui しんじんるい of Japan can be identified as an a early gang manifestation of Noodlemism. The manga-manic otaku オタク of Japan and the funky iconoclastic linglei 另类 of China are more recent occurences.
KPunks in Korea is another Noodlem gang variant shouting their particular hybrid chant of punk rock. Noodlemism is defining a Neo-Asia Cool and its voice represents the genesis of FutureAsia – the impending nucleus of cultural influence, popular trend and opinion leadership. |
