Korean Job Discussion Forums

[korian]

i found this article really interesting. i'll let you all read it and comment. but it shows that every nation's coverage of the games is similar. i'm in japan now and it's the same here. i was in korea for the sydney olympics and it was infuriating to have archery on while the swimming finals were happening. but that's t.v and ratings right?

but as i've always thought, the biggest difference between korea and the west is not the problems per se. we all have problems and issues. the difference is that the west acknowledges the problems, looks at them, critiques them, satirises them, and tries to eradicate them - successfully or not.

i still think korea is not mature enough to take a critical, inward look. nationalism, as the article suggests, is still the domain of insecurity. i highly doubt a similar article would appear in a korean daily.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/latest-news/by-jingo-nationalism-makes-kids-of-us/2008/08/16/1218307323922.html

[Ya-ta Boy]

It seems to me the word nationalism gets thrown around as much as the word racist. There is a difference between patriotism and nationalism. I don't see where taking 2 weeks every four years and cheering on the locals from your neighborhood is harmful.

As to your point about Korea, I think you are wrong. Here is an excerpt from an article in the Chosun Ilbo from last week:

"Yet many people are critical of some Korean broadcasting teams' excessive enthusiasm during their coverage of the Beijing Olympics. The moment Park Tae-hwan won the gold in men's freestyle 400m swimming at Beijing Olympics on Sunday, an announcer said in a tearful voice, "He's won a gold medal! Good! It's good to cry for joy!" One swimming commentator got so excited that he uttered a shriek.

One wrestling commentator talked like a coach giving instructions to his athlete. "Hey, you,� he said. �I said don't do it." And when the Korean wrestler gave up a point to his opponent, the commentator went so far as to shout, "You idiot!"

Where, then, is the line between the enthusiastic and the crude? Ideally, it should be up to TV viewers to get excited themselves. If the commentators get too excited, their audience may be less than enthusiastic."http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200808/200808140026.html

PS: This is the second time in two days I've seen the word 'barrack' used as a verb. Does it mean 'cheer'?

[korian]

i also think there's a difference between nationalism and patriotic, and as the article suggests, nationalism is somewhat negative in its implication. it's an easy way to do some patriotic chest-beating, but too often it goes down the sorry road of 'we are better than you' type sentiment.

i'm glad to see the quote you showed me. it is definitely good to see that kind of reflection. though i wonder if the same article/type of article was/has been written in the korean language papers.

barrack does mean cheer

[hugekebab]

[Guri Guy]

[nautilus]

[Guri Guy]

They have had 5,000 years to learn humility and decorum.

[wylies99]

TV networks show what people want to see. They show the events involving athletes from their own countries. That's for "ratings" and advertisers' money.

OP, you are correct that, in Korea, the Olympics' coverage is more "home town" than other countries. That's to be expected.

[Ilsanman]

4333 at best.

[stevieg4ever]

I think the problem will come when Christmas hits and you guys are still seeing the replays everywhere, on tv adverts, in magazines before movies etc etc... I'll have to log onto Daves then and see what the reception will be

I have been surprised at how, at least in the boons, Koreans haven't been as in-your-face as I had expected. When they are simply modest and laid back then I am more than inclined to support them but you just know that some (if not many) people will use their - apparent - success to justify all the stuff about how great the han is, how superior their pure blood is.

What I do clearly observe is that among other expats we all have a laugh at how poorly Canada is (or should that be 'was') doing, how bad South Africa are doing and then how great th UK is etc etc or how fast the Jamaicans are or how freaking amazing Michael Phelps is... But it is all banter: none of the jokes are meant with any intent. With Koreans the fact that you can't even joke about this stuff without hurting their feelings (same as the world cup) is very sad. I know that many will come on here and say 'but they have a different concept of humour etc etc' (as per usual) well maybe but a little laughter isn't going to kill anyone...

[Guri Guy]

The Olympics are a huge deal to South Korea as they have to be the most insecure country on Earth. They are constantly checking to see how they rate with other nations. It is a huge orgy of nationalism every time there is a South Korean sporting event.

That is why you can't joke about it with most South Koreans. It's like the very fate of their nation hangs in the balance.

[stevieg4ever]

Well said GG.

[aka Dave]

Watching sports is about having a rooting interest. Heck, one of the reasons I like fantasy football is it gives me a reason to root for teams I would otherwise not care about.

I root for America, yes, always.

But I rooted for Korea last night in baseball against Japan, and against China today. If a game is on and I have no rooting interest, it's BORING and has no entertainment value (which is ultimately why we watch sports).

So if everyting is kum ba ya and we love each team equally the games are so tedious they're not worth watching.

I'm guessing you're from Canada and as of yesterday they hadn't even fricking won a medal (Togo owning Canada atm).

[Gwangjuboy]

[ReeseDog]