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Blockhead confidence
Joined: 02 Apr 2008
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 Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject: Lonely Planet Korea's beach? |
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Actually this is in the off-topic forum because I don't think it's about Korea, it's really about Lonely Planet.
Brought to my attention was this article (in Korean, sorry) in which it's claimed Korea (or their tourism board) has attempted to buy off Lonely planet. Whether it'll be successful or not remains to be seen.
From what my Korean friends told me, Lonely planet's Korea edition contained content which the Korean government felt was harmful to Korea's international image. The example I was told was 'Korea's traffic isn't good', among others. To remedy, 6500만원 (~$65 000) was reportedly paid (past tense) into the coffers of LP.
Personally I feel this story is about Lonely Planet, which I've often defended as the least-tainted of guidebooks, though I'm sure the high blood pressure types on this board might be able to read this story differently. Oh yeah, and competent translations are welcomed! |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject: Re: Lonely Planet Korea's beach? |
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| Blockhead confidence wrote: |
| Lonely planet's Korea edition contained content which the Korean government felt was harmful to Korea's international image. The example I was told was 'Korea's traffic isn't good', among others. |
And LP should care, why? If Korea doesn't like that that their traffic problems or pollution problems or problems with demonstrations are harmful to their internatonal image, then maybe, MAYBE they should get on solving those problems rather than bribing the problem away (oh, wait, that's another thing that is harmful to their image) |
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Benicio
Joined: 25 May 2006
Location: Down South- where it's hot & wet
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| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject: |
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Most Koreans can not handle any criticisms, however constructive they may be, from non-Koreans.
Though the observer may be 100% correct, most will view them as rude outsiders who should keep any non-positive thoughts to themselves and only say nice things about Korea.
Part of Korea's very large inferiority complex- being sandwiched between 2 larger, more popular countries- causes them to strive for only the most positive images of the country to be portrayed to the outside world.
They view any negative portraits as a serious 'betrayal'.
Now, someone with a generally healthy self image would probably take constructive criticism in stride and look for ways to improve. Someone with an unhealthy self image will not take it so well and is more than likely to lash out at the observer- there are numerous examples of this in Korea as we all know.
Generally, the Korean response has been to "shoot the messenger"!
It's quite immature and illogical, but I view Korea as a rebellious teenager- they think they know everything, that they can take care of themselves, and are extremely impulsive. However, they still need taking care of and they are far from being mature adults.
It's a hard learned lesson- criticize Korea at your own risk! |
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that guy
Joined: 29 Feb 2004
Location: long gone
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:23 am Post subject: |
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The Marmot's Hole is on this.
I quite liked this:
| The Chosun Ilbo wrote: |
| For two months beginning in May, Seoul City deeply analyzed Lonely Planet�s �Seoul� edition with the participation of three English-speaking foreigners living in Seoul and compiled a report. The report cited the following problems with the Lonely Planet: 1) It doesn�t faithfully cover areas like Samcheong-dong and Gangnam that have recently been in the limelight; 2) there is insufficient mention of Seoul�s world-class IT infrastructure and convenience; 3) by giving excessive introductions to shamanism, etc, it highlights Korea�s image as a undeveloped nation; 4) there are a seriously high number of negative expressions. |
1) In the lime light for Koreans. What does it offer tourists?
2) IT for Koreans. What does IT offer tourists?
3) Tourists want to learn about shamanism. Tourists do not want to hear about the IT infrastructure.
4) So.
| Quote: |
�Seoul�s Distinguishing Characteristic is the it doesn�t give a good impression.�
�Charmless cityscape�
�Korean culture is impossible to explain�
�Budaejjigae, or Johnson-tang, a unique food first made in the poverty following the Korean War, mixes ham, sausage and beans bought from black markets near US bases with noodles and vegetables.� (p. 2
�It seems almost impossible to explain Korean culture, and it sometimes seems contradictory.� (p. 10) |
A bit harsh but so what. The LP is trash but they can write whatever they'd like. |
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Young FRANKenstein
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Location: Castle Frankenstein (that's FRONKensteen)
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:31 am Post subject: |
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| that guy wrote: |
The Marmot's Hole is on this.
I quite liked this:
| The Chosun Ilbo wrote: |
| For two months beginning in May, Seoul City deeply analyzed Lonely Planet�s �Seoul� edition with the participation of three English-speaking foreigners living in Seoul and compiled a report. The report cited the following problems with the Lonely Planet: 1) It doesn�t faithfully cover areas like Samcheong-dong and Gangnam that have recently been in the limelight; 2) there is insufficient mention of Seoul�s world-class IT infrastructure and convenience; |
1) In the lime light for Koreans. What does it offer tourists?
2) IT for Koreans. What does IT offer tourists? |
1) Samcheong-dong offers a lot to tourists: decent tea shops, museums, wine bars, art galleries, Kyeongbok Palace, and the Blue House to name a few. A quiet tree-lined avenue to get away from the traffic and noise of Jongro to name a few more.
2) Nevermind tourists. What does it offer residents who don't have Korean ID numbers? |
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Pyongshin Sangja
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Location: I love baby!
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 2:36 am Post subject: |
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| LP is trash? Since they got rid of the directions to red-light districts around the world ( 6 years ago?) what is so bad about them? |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 3:26 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| �Charmless cityscape� |
A city without planning and they wonder why people think that?
| Quote: |
| �Korean culture is impossible to explain� |
Don't Koreans prattle endlessly about this? How their culture can only be understood by Koreans and unless you're Korean you'll never be Korean. And they're surprised someone is writing it down?
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�Budaejjigae, or Johnson-tang, a unique food first made in the poverty following the Korean War, mixes ham, sausage and beans bought from black markets near US bases with noodles and vegetables.� (p. 2 |
At least that's a step up from the old version that claimed it was made from bits of food Koreans took out of the garbage!
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| �It seems almost impossible to explain Korean culture, and it sometimes seems contradictory.� |
Yeah. There's one rule for Koreans and one rule for foreigners. And Koreans wonder why foreigners figure that out and write it down? |
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nautilus
Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:53 am Post subject: |
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Lonely Planet Korea, 6th Edition
| page 33 wrote: |
"There are annoyances-people block your way and push in front of you, drivers go too fast and ignore red lights, and all the 'hurry, hurry" can be tiresome. Walking around with a stern unsmiling face and ignoring strangers are also part of Korean custom". |
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CeleryMan
Joined: 12 Apr 2007
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:47 am Post subject: |
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| Reminds me of Harlem |
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DCJames
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:36 pm Post subject: |
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| If Korea really wanted to improve it's horrible public image, they should push their citizens to be more polite and show some manners in public not complain about objectivity in travel books. |
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nautilus
Joined: 26 Nov 2005
Location: Je jump, Tu jump, oui jump!
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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| DCJames wrote: |
| If Korea really wanted to improve it's horrible public image, they should push their citizens to be more polite and show some manners in public not complain about objectivity in travel books. |
Lonely planet is irrelevant anyway- word of mouth is more important when it comes to travellers getting opinions about places. Or internet webites, etc.
main reason people buy LP is for logistical info. |
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johnny_larue
Joined: 09 May 2008
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 5:28 am Post subject: |
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I am travelling in South Korea right now using the LP guide, and I have found it very useful. I wouldn't have spent half the money I have if it weren't for this guide, so the Korean government should at least take the good with the bad.
I in fact hae the 7th edition according to the back and they leave a lot of the comments that you mentioned in there, but they take the edge off of them.
For example, they tell you to expect to be shoved by throngs of Koreans without an apology but tell you not to take offence...or something like that.
At any rate, my first impressions of Korea are somewhat positive and I am feeling better about working here next September for the Incheon School board. |
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Julius
Joined: 27 Jul 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 6:04 am Post subject: |
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| johnny_larue wrote: |
| expect to be shoved by throngs of Koreans without an apology but tell you not to take offence...or something like that. |
Expect to be not paid by your director.......but don't take offence. |
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