The Birth Of Korean Cool

Previous research reveals that Korean-Americans are considered the most separated from the rest of the society, both culturally and ethnically. Study used Berry (1997)’s strategies of assimilation, integration, separation and marginalization and three main dimensions of cultural orientations; language, identity and behaviors (Choi et al. 2014). Study included youth who are highly integrated in society; born in the US or immigrated at a young age; proficient in both English and mainstream behavior practices whereas their parents known to be culturally separated and the family socialization processes largely Korean (combination of high acculturation and high enculturation, characterizing integration). Researchers used years of residence and nativity

In Euny Hong’s book, The Birth of Korean Cool, she tells the story of the rise of “hallyu” or the “Korean wave” that is sweeping the globe. Having been born in the U.S. then immigrating to Korea, Hong gives a unique dual perspective on the changes Korea has undergone in the past decades. Korea today has a reputation of being modern technology hub, but this was not always the case. In fact, as Hong describes, the majority of the social, technological, and economical advancements came about within the past thirty years. Euny Hong details her experiences and observations as Korea traveled at a breakneck speed from a third world country to one of the most technologically advanced nations in the world.

Thanks to the globalization, Asian economy is drawing more and more the attention of the rest of the world. Nevertheless, when we talk about economic growth in Asia, we think mostly about China, India or Japan whereas South Korean economy is staying quite unknown in Belgium. However, since the war in the Korean peninsula and the formation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in 1948, South Korea has becoming a major economic

The term “Korea Boo” may look familiar or unfamiliar to some people, but the word itself is hurtful. So, to put it simply, A Korea boo is a person who is not Korean, obsessed with Korean culture, pretend that they are Korean by using Korean words and acting as if they are Korean when in reality, they are not. The shortest definition would be “Want to Be Korean”. This might not sound like a huge deal to some people, but these so called “Korea Boos” take their obsession too far.

In the years following the collapse of Asia’s economy in 1998, South Korea turned to alternative exports to assist in both the restructuring of the nation’s financial strength and its reputation in international markets. As a result, pop-cultural exports such as films, television dramas, pop music and celebrities associated with these forms of media discourses have found growing popularity in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan; as well as many other East and Southeast Asian countries. This growing popularity of pop-cultural exports has proved to be a tool in constructing a contemporary national image and encouraged the emergence of the ‘Korean Wave’. According to Huang (2009) ‘Hallyu’ or the ‘Korean Wave’ refers to the “...popularity of South Korean culture in other Asian countries” however, with the increased availability of digital media and the increase of social networking, the definition of Hallyu has recently grown to include Western Societies.

Hyung Jun: “It is actually very interesting, there are so many things to study and learn about the present and the past as well. I would say Korea did really good job on preserving its culture and the history, and inherited through generations. Our history expands through different categories from how to grow your food till how to eat it, from what to wear till how to wear. Overall development of South Korea has really impacted the preservation of the culture. The new generation has been widely spreading the culture and customizing it to match with the modern culture, but however the fundamental understanding and values of the culture has been well preserved. The government, old and new generation are all eagerly trying to revitalize the old culture. Not only the political, economic and social developments are helping the culture to be revitalized, but even the

In the first part of the 20th century, Korea was controlled by Japan, which wiped out most of Korea’s culture and even banned the Korean language. The suppression of their culture only led to bitterness and helplessness. After Japan had lost the war, Korea became a divided country. American troops landed in the southern

South Korea and Hallyu has shown that it is quite powerful through their reinvention of themselves, by taking an interesting route and dominating the U.S., through pop culture. However, although Korean culture has shown prominent influence on U.S. pop culture, through media, music, and cuisine, they are not the only, nor the first East Asian culture to dominate American pop culture.

Once a unified nation, Korea was divided into North and South because of ideological and global geopolitical conflict (Priddy, 2013). After World War II, Soviet-era communism and western liberal capitalism were the architects that separated the Koreas. Officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea followed the communist methodologies. This was a totalitarian system that further enabled them to become an aggressive regime that controlled its people through cultural change. Consequently, despite the 66-year conflict, an estimated 24 million North Korean people have adapted and lived a life in cultural isolationism. The meaning of culture is a culmination of behaviors, customs and a strong belief system that differentiates

The culture of South Korea is unique and rapidly evolving. There are many aspects of culture such as the economic achievements of the Koreans, the society that is today, and religion. When the culture of South Korea is mention, it cannot be discuss without North Korea. The international relationship that South Korea and North Korea has has led to tension around the world for the last 67 years (History.com, 2017).

In the twenty-first century South Korea has rapidly become a country of vastly improved living conditions and economic growth. Home to one of the world’s largest manufacturers of mobile phones and smart phones, Samsung Electronics is responsible for “17% of South Korea’s gross domestic product.” . However South Korea’s growth is not simply attributable to Samsung, but also to its commitment to education. Before its financial boost, South Korea invested a lot of money and time into its education system. This is an important aspect of South Korean culture and is focused on regardless of its financial situation. As of recent times, 7.6% of South Korea’s gross domestic product is spent on education and its highly educated students are sought after to apply their knowledge and skills to the country’s workforce. These men and women form the foundation for South Korea’s financial growth. But what is so surprising about this country’s success is that it nearly fell into complete financial poverty in the 1997 and was almost overtaken by Communist North Korea. Despite the trials that it encountered, such as financial ruin, war and the belligerence of North Korea, South Korea has notably re-established itself as a country and has liberated itself from financial deprivation. From being described as one of the poorest countries in the world in the 1960s, today it is the eleventh

Korea has the fastest internet system in the world. South Korean culture has evolved throughout the years after the Korean War. It is one of the fastest growing nations in the world after a severe hit back in the 1900s. Many people believe that Korea is still struggling as a third world nation. Additionally, people also see South Korea as a part of Communist North Korea. Throughout history, people viewed South Korea as a weak country that lost its power and control from Japan, China, and the Soviet Union. However, Korea has developed a fast growing economy through many transformations and with a strong work force. They value education and their family which is a motivation to work harder to support them. The use of documentaries, films,

Cutting edge Korean slides from Middle Korean, which thus dives from Old Korean, whiplummets from the dialect talked in Prehistoric Korea (named Proto-Korean), whose nature is wrangled, to a limited extent since Korean hereditary inceptions are dubious. A connectch ion of Korean (together with its wiped out relatives which shape the Koreanic family) with Japonic dialects has been proposed by etymologists like William George Aston and Samuel Martin. Roy Andrew Miller and others proposed or bolstered the incorporation of Koreanic and Japonic dialects in the implied Altaic family (a full scale family that would contain Tungusic, Mongolian and Turkic families), now not acknowledged by generally masters.

In less than 6 decades, South Korea has risen to become an economic powerhouse in the world. It has hosted an Olympics Games, Co-hosted a World Cup and in 2010 became the first Asian nation to host a G20 summit. Professor KyongSoo Lho stated “South Korean’s are optimistic by nature, they could not have survived

In the majority of countries, the historical events greatly contribute to how the culture evolved into the present day, and how its people grew through the years, into what has become known as the society of today. South Korea is no stranger to this and they continue to preserve its historic landmarks with pride. Although most of South Korea 's history is clouded by conflict, the struggles the people have endured have only united them as one, and has helped shape the country into a great nation which the citizens are proud of. The citizens of South Korea have seen their country beaten, conquered, divided, and still refused to let out the cry of defeat and abandon their homeland.