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Koreans - Italians of Asia?

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  Quote flyingzone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Koreans - Italians of Asia?
    Posted: 29-Dec-2005 at 15:51

Some Koreans have attributed the recent successful conquest of Korean pop culture (T.V., movies, online games, music, etc.) in East Asia (China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and even Uzbekistan!!!) to the Korean "national culture" which is similar to that of Italy:

"Koreans have long described themselves as the "Italians of Asia" - both groups, they say, are peninsula dwellers who thrive on food, family, song and romance. Koreans now feel they are finally getting their due and they are glorying in the chance to edge out their neighbors on the global stage."

For the whole article, go to: http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/world/13493220.h tm

This so-called "Korean wave" is indeed quite unprecedented both in nature and in scope, unrivalled even by the previous "Japanese wave" (70's and 80's) or "Hongkong wave" (80's and 90's). It is particularly remarkable in that Korea, sandwiched between two Asian giants China and Japan, had long been regarded as a country of minor importance in the international arena. But things started to change when South Korea started to successfully transform itself from a backward Third-World economy to a country with a near First-World standard of living. The hosting of the Olympics and co-hosting of the World Cup with Japan have further boosted the country's national pride, confidence, and international prestige.

While some critics (Chinese and Japanese) predict that this "Korean wave" won't last, it is still nothing short of remarkable that this former colonical outpost of Japan can make a dent on the cultural landscape of two culturally chauvinistic countries.

 

 

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  Quote Maju Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Dec-2005 at 16:32
I don't know much about Korea but demographcally it is a large country of 71 million people (both halves).  It may be not much compared with the billion+ people of China but it's more than half the population of Japan, and comparable to other large-but-not-huge countries such as: Philippines, Vietnam, Germany, Egypt, Ethiopia, Turkey, Iran, Thailand, France, UK, RD Congo or Italy (ranked 12th to 23rd in population). So I wouldn't look at Korea as any dwarf in World politics, specially considering that South Korea alone ranks 12th in GDP (PPP) (comparable to Mexico or Spain) and 11th in GDP (nominal) (comparable to India, Mexico, Australia or Brazil). 

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  Quote Gubook Janggoon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Dec-2005 at 16:35
Koreans the Italians of Asia?  How about:  The Italians are the Koreans of Europe?

Those kinds of comparisions are sick stereotypes and generalizations that hold little ground.  I've even heard the Koreans called "The Irish of the East".

Utter Bullcock.


BTW, Hallyu doesn't mean cold snap, it means Korean Wind.

I don't really know why it should be so surprising that its Korea's turn to be media superstar in Asia.  Hong Kong had its run, Japan had its and ect.
It was only a matter of time before SK stepped up to the plate.
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  Quote flyingzone Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Dec-2005 at 17:02

Good point, Gubook Janggoon. Eurocentrism is so ingrained in our understanding and interpretation of history and current affairs that it does take some effort to overcome it.

Yes, Maju, Korea is definitely not a small country either in terms of population and the size of its economy. But the "Korean Miracle" only took place relatively recently. The South Korea of four decades ago had a GDP per capita even lower than that of the Philippines. It's indeed remarkable how just a few decades of wise economic policies could change a nation completely.

Just for curiosity's sake, why are the Koreans called "Irish of the East"?

 

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  Quote Gubook Janggoon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Dec-2005 at 18:49
Koreans:  The Irish of the East

Something along the lines of.

1.  Both are a divided people
2.  Both can be violent
3.  Both are very spiritual
4.  Both are warm and hospitable
5.  Unrestrained in their passions: Quick to cry and quick to laugh

Something like that.

Whether derragatory or favorable these kinds of comparisions do great injusticies to both parties being compared.  Whether Irish and Korean or whatever.
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  Quote Ikki Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-Dec-2005 at 11:38
I think Korea-Poland is more accurate.
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  Quote Maju Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31-Dec-2005 at 21:37
Originally posted by Ikki

I think Korea-Poland is more accurate.


Because the both build ships and are stretched between two more powerful neighbours?

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  Quote Tobodai Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-Jan-2006 at 04:35

That and they both tend to get raped by their neighbors and divided between conquering powers.

I think the rise of Korean culture can only be a good thing.  Not those sappy overlong romance movies that are terrible (my grandmother wants to be buried with a picture of that one actor guy) but overall Korean film is exquisite and fun.  Recently I saw Oldboy, which must be one of the most twisted yet greatest films of all time.

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I have learned to hold popular opinion of no value."
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  Quote Ikki Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-Jan-2006 at 11:34
Originally posted by Maju

Originally posted by Ikki

I think Korea-Poland is more accurate.


Because the both build ships and are stretched between two more powerful neighbours?


And like say Tobodai... "That and they both tend to get raped by their neighbors and divided between conquering powers."

Always an ascendant power, always courageous people, always crushed.
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  Quote Maju Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-Jan-2006 at 11:49
And they are also almost the only Christian nations in their respective regions. 

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  Quote Gubook Janggoon Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-Jan-2006 at 13:47
Originally posted by Tobodai

Recently I saw Oldboy, which must be one of the most twisted yet greatest films of all time.



That movie was so twisted.  I loved every minute of it.
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  Quote stupidumboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-Jan-2006 at 10:28

I do not think each Asian nation can be compared to European nation.

Asia and Europe's historical story  too much diffrent from each other.

 

But If I have to pick one country in Europe that can be compared to Korea -I consider Koreans as the 'Irish of Asia.' 

 

 

 



Edited by stupidumboy
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  Quote sedamoun Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-Jan-2006 at 10:42
Originally posted by flyingzone

But things started to change when South Korea started to successfully transform itself from a backward Third-World economy to a country with a near First-World standard of living. The hosting of the Olympics and co-hosting of the World Cup with Japan have further boosted the country's national pride, confidence, and international prestige.



Thanx to the USA - the "cold war bloc" South-Korea chose to side with. This is not a critic, just a fact.
Once again, the US allied with a country that is becoming an economical threat: same thing as the Japanese (but on a lesser scale). Korean cars (Hyundai, Kia...) and electronics (Samsung amongst others) are taking more and more market shares, not only in the Us but also in Europe.

These asians have a great work ethic. Watch out for China in the 10-15 years to come...

Cheers.



Edited by sedamoun
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  Quote MengTzu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07-Jan-2006 at 16:56

Originally posted by Gubook Janggoon

BTW, Hallyu doesn't mean cold snap, it means Korean Wind.

Actually, "Han Liu," Korean wave in Chinese, can also mean "cold wave," since "Han" (Korean) sounds identical to "han" (cold).  Just an example of absurdities and occassion for puns and plays on words the result from the many same-sounding words in Chinese.



(Credit to Cwyr and Gubookjanggoon for first using the sloganizer.)
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  Quote cattus Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08-Jan-2006 at 15:34
I have personaly always made Italy's connection with Asia to be China.
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  Quote Ellatur Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-Jan-2006 at 00:13
Originally posted by flyingzone

Just for curiosity's sake, why are the Koreans called "Irish of the East"?

I think its also due to S Korea's fast growth from a sickly poor country to a well to do country in a short period of time. Ireland suffered from very poor economy and emigration problems until recently. But since its admission to the EU and use of Euro as the currency, the economy grew in an astronomical rate.

But IMO, Ireland especially should be called Korea of the West, since Korea was already a pretty good country when Ireland was starting to be considered as a country with a decent economy, and Korea outdoes Ireland in many economical factors

Please add the prefix ber- to all
adjectives used by me. Thank you.
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  Quote BigL Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27-Jan-2006 at 03:21
Korea Was probaly one of the most hardest countries ever to take over in the history it definately was no push over, Sui failed ,Tang struggled very hard even mongols had to win diplomaticly,its like the vietname of nothern asia
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  Quote I/eye Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01-Feb-2006 at 00:09
Originally posted by Gubook Janggoon

Originally posted by Tobodai

Recently I saw Oldboy, which must be one of the most twisted yet greatest films of all time.



That movie was so twisted.  I loved every minute of it.

Oldboy = Oldnews

Lady Vengence now!

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  Quote interap008 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02-Feb-2006 at 15:26
Originally posted by Tobodai

That and they both tend to get raped by their neighbors and divided between conquering powers.

I think the rise of Korean culture can only be a good thing.  Not those sappy overlong romance movies that are terrible (my grandmother wants to be buried with a picture of that one actor guy) but overall Korean film is exquisite and fun.  Recently I saw Oldboy, which must be one of the most twisted yet greatest films of all time.

i really appreciate(?) your choice of this word 'rape'. i could guess you are from Japan due to your ID name. so let me ask you something!

Are you very happy or proud of being son of a rapist?

So, Is that why you are still commemorating the spirit of the rape by visiting the Yaskuni temple, in which there are the greatest rapists' grave?

Sorry i didn't know that your people admire a rapist, which i guess could be cultural defference(?). Indeed, you don't mind f**king with your siblings and the funniest thing is that you can sell officially those kinds of porno, which contents sex with mother,father,son,doughter.

i don't know exactly but if i were son of the rapist, i'd be very ashamed of the fact unlike you  

 

GO korea go!!
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  Quote stupidumboy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02-Feb-2006 at 18:24

I do not think there're any Japanese forumers here ,

 

And I do not think Korean history needs to be described as the regional weaker and sandbag of bigger neighbours.

In fact,after reading severals of history records,I found out that Korea never was easy target to invade and make battle against before Imjin war happend.  

 

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