With the recent death of dictator Kim Jong-Il, all eyes are on North Korea (or, as it is ironically named, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea). Consequently, it seemed appropriate to post a list about its thriving neighbor, South Korea. South Korea is Nestled between China: the world’s most massively populated country, Japan: the cultural Mecca of East Asia, and North Korea: the most bizarre warmongering country on the Earth. It is no surprise then, that South Korea often fades into the mix. South Korea is a fantastic country that deserves more attention than it gets. That being said, there are numerous misconceptions about this country that I call home. I, for one, had many and thought you might benefit from my cataclysmic culture shock. Enjoy!
When you ask the average American what they know about South Korea they will mention the Korean War. The assumption that we were ‘the great saviors who came to their aid and that they are eternally grateful to us’ isn’t quite true. Many South Koreans believe that the Korean War was just a battle between the USA and the USSR, in which they were the pawns. After the war, American soldiers stationed in Korea have caused many problems, drawing enormous social backlash. There are countless examples of this, but two notable events are the 2002 armored vehicle accident where a US tank ran over and killed two middle school girls, and the 2011 incident where Pfc. Kevin Flippin broke into the home of, and repeatedly raped, an 18 year-old South Korean girl.
Talking to older Koreans you’ll hear tales about the years following the Korean War. They say all the trees were gone from the mountains. There was no food. Children died from exposure. That is not the case now. Korea has the 15th highest GDP in the world, and it shows. It is extremely well-developed, with shining neon lights everywhere you go. The air is mostly clean and the mountainous terrain is gorgeous. China is nearby but, believe me, this is not China. The song in the clip above is Arirang – a national song in Korea that stirs emotion in all Korean people (South and North Koreans).
One image that comes to mind when many think of South Korea is a river of black haired Asians moving down the sidewalk, or flowing in and out of the train. It can be a strange experience when you first find yourself in a subway car packed full of Asians, but it is not the norm. The truth is that the Korean population is very condensed in the Seoul region, but that is only a small part of the country. Places like Jeju Island and Gangwon Province feature amazing landscapes and are not heavily populated.
My parents ask me to come home constantly. They tell me about some news report from North Korea stating a plan to “reduce Seoul to dust.” Despite what you might think, South Koreans do not run in panic, looting stores and building boats when they hear such threats. Think about it like this, if a big tough bully has been saying he’s going to beat you up for the last 50 years, but has done very little actual violence, how afraid would you still be? This is especially amazing considering that the North and the South are technically still in a state of war, as no peace treaty has been signed – merely an armistice, which is an agreement to stop fighting temporarily.
You might be surprised to learn, as I was, that South Korea is roughly 22% Buddhist, 29% Christian, 46% Atheist and the remaining 3% spread across a variety of other religions. As you walk through the streets of Seoul, it’s hard to miss the red neon crosses that top almost every church. In fact, Yoido Full Gospel Church is the largest church in the world with about one million members. Though Buddhism was very influential throughout Korean history, it has become increasingly unpopular and struggles for survival in the midst of Korea’s ever-growing Christian climate.
I remember telling my friends that, minus sumo wrestlers, I had never seen a fat Asian. I thought South Koreans were all thin, rice-eating, kimchi-consuming health freaks. That is not the case! Since the financial boom in the Seventies, South Korea has welcomed numerous fast-food chains and pizza franchises. And as you might have guessed, the introduction of those western gems has had quite an effect on many people’s waistlines. Nevertheless, Koreans (and Japanese) are the thinnest people in the world per capita.
If you’ve got some image of Korean women cooking meals and quietly cleaning homes while men work nine to five, you’re partially wrong. It’s true that South Korea is a very patriarchal society, but Korean women are not as powerless as you might think. The ajumma (Korean married woman) is renowned for being strong and determined. If there is an empty seat on a subway train, an ajumma will overcome all odds to get it. The husband might bring home the money, but he is not necessarily the boss at home. That title is almost always held by the wife who controls finances and all household decisions.
Well, South Korea places 7th on the United Nations Education index for good reason. Koreans are serious about education. Even Obama touted the 13 hours a day South Korean children spend in the classroom. But what he did not say is that public education is very similar to that of the USA. Students who spend an abundant amount of time in a classroom have parents willing and able to handle the costs of after-school programs and private academies. Thus, wealthy parents in Seoul and the surrounding areas tend to have quite studious children. But even that is not a guarantee. Korean students often rebel against the laborious education system and take jobs after middle school. The ‘studious’ stereotype has no doubt emerged from Korean exchange students that pour into the West. These students are from very wealthy families. The average income in South Korea is $2300 a month. Many parents of multiple children cannot afford the additional costs of private education.
There’s no doubt that Korea is positioned in a tough spot between the military powerhouses of Japan and China. Throughout history, Korea has done battle with both and, despite what you might think, they sometimes won. Actually they maintained their independence for over five hundred years in a period called the Joseon Dynasty. They invented an iron-clad war ship that was very effective in their naval battles, as well as the Hwacha, which launched 100-200 flaming arrows at their enemies. The great and powerful dynasty was only brought down by Japan, after they acquired modern western weaponry. To this day, Koreans preserve their own unique cultural heritage of which they can be proud.
When people say this they are referring to a fiery temperament, alcoholism and having a big powerful neighbor that has ransacked their country countless times. Of course, Korea and Japan have had a long history similar to that of Ireland and England, but they are by no means the same. As stated earlier, Korea enjoyed long years of prosperity and security during the Joseon Dynasty. It is true that South Koreans have a fine appreciation of alcohol. They also have a “fiery temperament” compared to the Japanese. Japan and England have both defined their neighbors as wild and reckless, though it is likely that these generalizations are less matter of fact and more cultural intolerance.
[JFrater: If you want to read more about daily life in South Korea, check out Eat Your Kimchi. I know Simon and Martina personally and can vouch for the fact that you will get many many hours of pleasure out of their video blog.]
Generally there are two perceptions Koreans portray, one is the outside general world perception as listed above. The second is there own perception which they dont publish, talk about to foreigners. Either because of lack of self confidence, guilt, shame, intimidation, cultural beliefs, language barrier i dont know which. Korea has the unique tag of being home to the largest landfill in the world located in Incheon the locals there complain often about it the noise, dust, smell. This environmental damage is causing many problems the native wildlife & infrastructure which will have longterm effects well into the future. During the summer months the air quality decreases dramatically due to the heavy humid air causing large smog clouds over seoul. which also causes an acid rain effect not good if you live there. 3rd korea has the 2nd highest suiside rate in the world behind Japan. Due to the peer pressure placed on the young from their parents, fellow students, culture & over-achievement mentality. As a result of this korea has high rates of Alcoholisim & smoking among its young due mostly because they are both so cheap to obtain Soju $1000 won, cigarettes $2000 won. Korea is also is a very male dominated society & tend to treat their women with mixed respect. Women rearly report abuse by their partner due to intimidation, or shame, or to not breakup the family. Korean born & raised usually stay close to their culture & marry their own. Where as those raised or born overseas are not so restricted. Its very hard to get the absolute ground roots view on korea especially from native koreans , any negative views or comments a frowned upon & viewed as not being nationalistic or patriotic to your country. So its very easy to make assumptions that a double standard type mentality exists there. In order to gain a perspective of someone you must observe, interact, my points are not made to be bias or derrogative towards koreans far from it. I am providing most people with a balanced & factual view from my experience with korean people. Enjoy the country. like anything you do in this world, what you get out is what you put in. Cheers.
I’m surprised that you did not mention starcraft and their obsession(maybe?) with it
You should have post something about the plastic surgery there.
Great post. I remember when the tank killed the school girls. I do get *****ed off that everyone seems to have forgotten that the UK fought in Korea, indeed my old regiment was involved.
However, I know no kids who take jobs after middle school. Further, Korean education is not similar to the USA, it’s much stricter, the value of education much higher and kids are in school much longer. In my last high school kids studied from around 8-10 at night (and I don’t mean in private academies).
Korean Education is very far removed from the western style education system too much emphasis is placed on academics. Reading, learning thru oral or written texts. Very little is placed on the practical aspects or the values of being practical. This robotic drone type mentality with which most are absorbed into gives them little freedom of expression, they have no true value, little chance of advancement, work harder for less.
I liked this, but not everything on here is things people think about. In fact, only two of these things crossed my mind: being thin, and being studious. The others weren’t things that came to mind. Also, I think number one should have been the sheer fact alone that people call it South Korea. It’s not South Korea. It’s the Republic of Korea. No where in the name does it say South. Just like with North Korea, it isn’t actually North Korea. It’s the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
I would disagree with many statements here including that South Koreans aren’t grateful to Americans, I’m guessing their are a great deal of people there who feel that the USA protected them. Also the Irish also enjoyed a five hundred year period/golden age of independence. 400AD-900AD until the Viking invasions. One more thing isn’t it called the Choson Kingdom not the Joseon kingdom?
Some people would find this interesting, because some people’s interests are world-wide.
I wonder what was the capital of Korea before the Japanese occupation, before WW2.
I am an ESL teacher in Korea and I love the country. I have also received a few elbows from ajummas who REALLY want that chair on the subway. I have encountered many of these misconceptions outside of Korea and they are MISconceptions. These ideas a re wrong, especially number 4. I think lists like this are good because it helps outsiders to learn about a country.
I agree with everything except that the “air is mostly clean”. Most Korean cities I’ve looked at have PM-10 concentrations that are twice as bad as the WORST in the United States and Western Europe, and four or five times as bad as the average Western city. And that’s without taking into consideration the yellow dust from China.
There’s inevitably going to be a lot of pollution when you have 50 million people crammed into a tiny space with tons of cars and factories. O
Interesting. My only comment is, I am American and I have never heard one American ever say Korea “owed” us anything or that Koreans love Americans. I think #1 came more from your own opinion rather than from any sort of research or proof.
Korean men are also known to be very good lovers.They are just as flirtatious,charming and seductive as Italian.Their penis size are also not as small as the media says.
I’ve been reading a lot about South Korea but you still managed to teach me something new. Really interesting article and good choice in photographs!