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tallullahelle
Joined: 23 Feb 2011 Location: 223
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:58 am Post subject: Korea: The Impossible Country |
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Here's an interview I did with Daniel Tudor about his new book, Korea: The Impossible Country. It was really interesting talking to him and he had a lot to say about the country, including some predictions for the future.
http://chincha.co.uk/2012/11/korea-the-impossible-country/ |
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jdog2050
Joined: 17 Dec 2006
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 2:28 am Post subject: |
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WOW! This is actually kind of awesome. I love books like this on Korea--not dry numbers and history, but real interviews from sources that you don't normally get.
The last book I read in a similar vein was "Korea Bug: The Compilation". From all accounts, the guy who wrote it was kind of a *beep*, but DAMNIT he could interview. |
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tallullahelle
Joined: 23 Feb 2011 Location: 223
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 2:39 am Post subject: |
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Highly recommend the book! I really enjoyed it, so much of the information he got from the interviewees is fascinating. It gave me a much greater understanding of Korea and it's well written. |
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Squire
Joined: 26 Sep 2010 Location: Jeollanam-do
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 3:55 am Post subject: |
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Before I came to Korea I already knew quite a bit by reading The Koreans and practically every FAQ on this site, along with all of the comments for those threads and tons of other threads too. If this book is similar to The Koreans then I'll buy it. It sounds like it is |
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newb
Joined: 27 Aug 2012 Location: Korea
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:06 am Post subject: |
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I will buy the book and read it, but I have doubts about its insightfulness. Because what I've learned over the years in Korea is that people are not very honest and truthful to foreigners especially on the topics of their internal problems and shortfalls. More often then not, they opt to sugar coat it then to lose face to foreigners. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:33 am Post subject: |
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Looks like an interesting read and a nice departure from the usual "Bob's adventures as a teacher in Korea" type of book.
Will check it out. |
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nautilus
Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 6:03 am Post subject: |
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DanielTudor wrote: |
When I first came I would get on the metro and old men would stare at me with this get-out-of-my-country look, but now no one cares. |
Those stares still happen.
Only difference is that in time they cease to bother you and you so you notice them less.
Koreas not exactly a tolerant multi-ethnic cosmopolitan epicentre just yet.
Last edited by nautilus on Fri Nov 16, 2012 6:07 am; edited 1 time in total |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 6:05 am Post subject: |
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nautilus wrote: |
DanielTudor wrote: |
When I first came I would get on the metro and old men would stare at me with this get-out-of-my-country look, but now no one cares. |
Those stares still happen a lot.
Only difference is that in time they cease to bother you and you so you notice them less. |
Yeah because you automatically know better than this guy... |
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nautilus
Joined: 26 Nov 2005 Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 6:12 am Post subject: |
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PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
Yeah because you automatically know better than this guy... |
?
I know when an ajosshi gives me an angry stare.
My experience is slightly different to the author of that book. That does not mean either of us wrong, just that we have differing impressions.
I agree that passive-agressive stares are less frequent than ten years ago.
But to say "now nobody cares' is a glib exagerration. |
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tiger fancini
Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 6:48 am Post subject: |
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nautilus wrote: |
Koreas not exactly a tolerant multi-ethnic cosmopolitan epicentre just yet. |
I wonder if you can name one country that truly is? Being a Brit, I can only really comment on the situation there. There are parts of Britain, including London, where being the wrong colour will get you something much more severe than a passive-aggressive stare. |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:03 am Post subject: |
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nautilus wrote: |
PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
Yeah because you automatically know better than this guy... |
?
I know when an ajosshi gives me an angry stare.
My experience is slightly different to the author of that book. That does not mean either of us wrong, just that we have differing impressions.
I agree that passive-agressive stares are less frequent than ten years ago.
But to say "now nobody cares' is a glib exagerration. |
Seriously, the guy covers Korea for a living for the Economist. He speaks colloquial Korean. I think his opinion has some worth....
As for staring, it is a funny issue because a lot of people generate more staring or see more out there then there probably is when they glare about looking out for people who might stare. Give it a try nautilus, check out other foreigners out and about and I bet it will not take long before you spot one of those angry-challenge-in-the-eyes fellow foreigner who has his head ona swivel looking out for all possible offensive staring.
Then, look at how many stares he or she provokes by doing this...it is hilarious.
Last edited by PatrickGHBusan on Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
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PatrickGHBusan
Joined: 24 Jun 2008 Location: Busan (1997-2008) Canada 2008 -
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 8:04 am Post subject: |
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tiger fancini wrote: |
nautilus wrote: |
Koreas not exactly a tolerant multi-ethnic cosmopolitan epicentre just yet. |
I wonder if you can name one country that truly is? Being a Brit, I can only really comment on the situation there. There are parts of Britain, including London, where being the wrong colour will get you something much more severe than a passive-aggressive stare. |
Indeed, a lot of people forget what their home countries are actually like while they live abroad... |
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Who's Your Daddy?
Joined: 30 May 2010 Location: Victoria, Canada.
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:18 pm Post subject: |
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^^works in reverse too. |
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mayorgc
Joined: 19 Oct 2008
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
nautilus wrote: |
PatrickGHBusan wrote: |
Yeah because you automatically know better than this guy... |
?
I know when an ajosshi gives me an angry stare.
My experience is slightly different to the author of that book. That does not mean either of us wrong, just that we have differing impressions.
I agree that passive-agressive stares are less frequent than ten years ago.
But to say "now nobody cares' is a glib exagerration. |
Seriously, the guy covers Korea for a living for the Economist. He speaks colloquial Korean. I think his opinion has some worth....
As for staring, it is a funny issue because a lot of people generate more staring or see more out there then there probably is when they glare about looking out for people who might stare. Give it a try nautilus, check out other foreigners out and about and I bet it will not take long before you spot one of those angry-challenge-in-the-eyes fellow foreigner who has his head ona swivel looking out for all possible offensive staring.
Then, look at how many stares he or she provokes by doing this...it is hilarious. |
I'm not sure if anybody challenged Tudor's opinion. |
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hiamnotcool
Joined: 06 Feb 2012
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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It sounds like his intention is to put a positive spin on it, so if it's a little too polished that's ok with me. He seems pretty open about the way he is approaching the country in the book. However, I was put off by this quote...
"Chincha: How about three words to describe Korea?
Daniel: Human, extreme and fun."
Human?
It sounds like a passive aggressive racist answer, Korea is human...X country is not human? I realize I'm probably reading too much into this but it was just a really poorly thought out answer. And yes, I realize this guy is a white boy. Aside from that it sounds like he will be able to shed light on a lot of questions people have about, which is a good thing. |
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