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Sophocles
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
Location: MetroSeoul
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 Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:16 am Post subject: Korea Unmasked |
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Have you read this book? What was your impression?
After living here for 2 years, I read this book and it seems like a great summary of many of the things I have learned.
How about you?
PS: I forgot how long it can take to read a comic book - so many pictures! |
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potin14p
Joined: 04 May 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:26 am Post subject: |
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| it was good, a Korean friend gave it to me, and I read most of it in a week. It was easy to read, but I found the history section jumped around a bit too much, and I just skipped ahead. But overall, I enjoyed it. |
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Mr. BlackCat
Joined: 30 Nov 2005
Location: Insert witty remark HERE
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| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:10 am Post subject: |
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It sort of explained some things. However, although it claims to explain why things are the way they are, it sort of just justifies reality. The chicken and egg, I guess.
It's been a while, but I think it compares Italy and Korea on some things due to them both being pennisulas. OK....but it ignores the fact that Italy, or at least parts of Italy, built up one of the biggest and longest-lasting Empires in Europe (and the world), while Korea was constantly overrun by invaders. Why did the Renaissance primary take place on the Italian pennisula, but nothing much of note popped up here? And why is it that Italians are very regional, but Koreans are very homogenous?
That's just one example I can think of now. There's much more to question in there. It doesn't glorify, nor does it condemn Korea which is refreshing. It does justify some things or offer 'historical evidence' after the fact, I found. It makes you think, which is always good. Grain of salt, all I say. |
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ulsanchris
Joined: 19 Jun 2003
Location: take a wild guess
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| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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| it does glorify korea quite a bit. Still it is worth a read. Just have your BS filters set on high. |
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Sophocles
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
Location: MetroSeoul
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| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Mr. BlackCat wrote: |
It sort of explained some things. However, although it claims to explain why things are the way they are, it sort of just justifies reality. The chicken and egg, I guess.
It's been a while, but I think it compares Italy and Korea on some things due to them both being pennisulas. OK....but it ignores the fact that Italy, or at least parts of Italy, built up one of the biggest and longest-lasting Empires in Europe (and the world), while Korea was constantly overrun by invaders. Why did the Renaissance primary take place on the Italian pennisula, but nothing much of note popped up here? And why is it that Italians are very regional, but Koreans are very homogenous?
That's just one example I can think of now. There's much more to question in there. It doesn't glorify, nor does it condemn Korea which is refreshing. It does justify some things or offer 'historical evidence' after the fact, I found. It makes you think, which is always good. Grain of salt, all I say. |
The Italy example has to do with the unification of the two countries, I beleive. In that way, they share common history. The Shilla, Goryeo and the other one is similar to the regionalization of the Italian peninsula. But eventally, there were some dudes who were strong enough to make everyone play for the same team.
The author also compares Korea to the Balkans saying that they stuck to their own groups (homogeneous). This could explain why nothing ever popped up here. None of the classics really made across the border or the seas to stimulate new ideas. They clung pretty hard to their old ones, if I understand the book properly. |
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in_seoul_2003
Joined: 24 Nov 2003
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| Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Sophocles wrote: |
| Mr. BlackCat wrote: |
It sort of explained some things. However, although it claims to explain why things are the way they are, it sort of just justifies reality. The chicken and egg, I guess.
It's been a while, but I think it compares Italy and Korea on some things due to them both being pennisulas. OK....but it ignores the fact that Italy, or at least parts of Italy, built up one of the biggest and longest-lasting Empires in Europe (and the world), while Korea was constantly overrun by invaders. Why did the Renaissance primary take place on the Italian pennisula, but nothing much of note popped up here? And why is it that Italians are very regional, but Koreans are very homogenous?
That's just one example I can think of now. There's much more to question in there. It doesn't glorify, nor does it condemn Korea which is refreshing. It does justify some things or offer 'historical evidence' after the fact, I found. It makes you think, which is always good. Grain of salt, all I say. |
The Italy example has to do with the unification of the two countries, I beleive. In that way, they share common history. The Shilla, Goryeo and the other one is similar to the regionalization of the Italian penin... |
You could also say that it draws analogies between Korea and Italy because, well, Italy is "cool" and not many countries wouldn't mind being compared to Italy.
The reality is that if you try hard enough you can find analogies between any two countries. You could even draw analogies between Italy and Zimbabwe or Korea and Ghana but that wouldn't be cool. |
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