| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
toby99
Joined: 28 Aug 2009
Location: Dong-Incheon-by-the-sea, South Korea
|
 Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 10:44 am Post subject: Hawaii of Korea, Naples of Korea, etc |
 |
|
Many of us have heard Koreans extoll their country regarding the various 'equivalencies' that Korea shares with world-class destinations. For example, Tongyong is the 'Naples of Korea'. Jeju- Hawaii. Seorak Mtn Park- Yosemite/Rocky Mtn National. Apkujeong- Beverly Hills. Yeouido- Manhattan. Hongik- Julliard. Hyewha- Broadway. Busan- Miami. And so on.
I'm curious whether people have heard of others, and why Koreans do this. Also, I'd like to know if Korea has equivalencies of any of the following (could be your personal opinion): The 'Hamptons/Martha's Vineyard/Ritzy summering place of Korea? Grand Canyon/great desert? Big Sur? Nashville/music town? Colorado Springs/conservative military town? Vegas? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
toby99
Joined: 28 Aug 2009
Location: Dong-Incheon-by-the-sea, South Korea
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 12:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Re: the Hamptons, a Korean friend told me that he thinks the equivalent to the Hamptons/Martha's Vineyard is Gangwha-do. Having been to Gangwha a few times, this seems like a bit of a stretch, although the island is admittedly nice. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 1:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| and why Koreans do this. |
Because they want to deceive people into visiting places that are vastly inferior to the original. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 3:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Most of them aren't making a qualitative judgment. They are making an analogous comparison.
Is Jeju the Hawaii of Korea because it as good as Hawaii? No, the number of Koreans that visit Hawaii (Why go to Hawaii when you could go to Jeju) makes it clear they don't think this way.
What they are doing is making an analogy- Jeju is this island that is disconnected from the mainland, based on tourism, has a different climate, and is popular for certain activities.
(X) Mountain Park is like (Y) Park not because they are as large or grand, but because that is the biggest natural park destination in the country, like (Y) Park in another country.
It works both ways, when describing American cities to Koreans you use analogies to help them get a clearer picture- Pittsburgh is the Pohang of America. Detroit is the Ulsan of America. As you can see there are significant differences between the two, but its also probably the best comparison. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waygeek
Joined: 27 Feb 2013
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 3:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| edwardcatflap wrote: |
| Quote: |
| and why Koreans do this. |
Because they want to deceive people into visiting places that are vastly inferior to the original. |
Oh you've been to Hawaii and Naples then? Please do elaborate.
I know people who've been to Hawaii and said it was very disappointing. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
World Traveler
Joined: 29 May 2009
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 3:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| For real? Everyone I know who went to Hawaii really liked it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nukeday
Joined: 13 May 2010
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 4:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Were the people disappointed by Hawaii of Korean or Chinese descent?
It's like pulling teeth to get most of them to say something positive about their experiences traveling abroad, especially regarding food.
Now, I know everyone will start calling me a hypocrite for that sentence, but hey - I'm only negative about the places I've lived in! And I think a lot of Asian tourist negativity comes from those ridiculous group package tours they go on.
More on topic, I remember hearing, more than once, Koreans refer to themselves as the "Italians of Asia."
And while we're making analogies, I think these are just as apt:
Jeju=Catalina
Seoul=Indianapolis
Songtan=Victorville
But I guess those just aren't flattering. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 4:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
More on topic, I remember hearing, more than once, Koreans refer to themselves as the "Italians of Asia" |
Yes I assume when they say this they are thinking more about what they perceive are the positive elements of Italian culture such as passion, conviviality, world renowned cuisine and fashion style etc...rather than things like corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency and organized crime.
In fact your average Korean wouldn't be aware of the huge regional differences in Italy which result in the contrast in culture and outlook between a typical Neopolitan and a Milanese, for example, being greater than that of a Korean and a Chinaman. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Waygeek
Joined: 27 Feb 2013
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 4:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| nukeday wrote: |
| Were the people disappointed by Hawaii of Korean or Chinese descent? |
U.S. descent. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
maitaidads
Joined: 08 Oct 2012
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 5:16 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| What about comparisons to undesirable places? I was always hoping to find the Compton of Seoul but couldn't get any definitive answers on places that were shady/dangerous besides Itaewon or cities around military bases. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
maitaidads
Joined: 08 Oct 2012
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 5:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| I guess Jeolla could be compared to the deep south (not that that's necessarily an undesirable place since I'm from there and like it) in America, but that seems country- not dangerous/ghetto. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Stan Rogers
Joined: 20 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 5:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Steelrails wrote: |
Most of them aren't making a qualitative judgment. They are making an analogous comparison.
Is Jeju the Hawaii of Korea because it as good as Hawaii? No, the number of Koreans that visit Hawaii (Why go to Hawaii when you could go to Jeju) makes it clear they don't think this way.
What they are doing is making an analogy- Jeju is this island that is disconnected from the mainland, based on tourism, has a different climate, and is popular for certain activities.
(X) Mountain Park is like (Y) Park not because they are as large or grand, but because that is the biggest natural park destination in the country, like (Y) Park in another country.
It works both ways, when describing American cities to Koreans you use analogies to help them get a clearer picture- Pittsburgh is the Pohang of America. Detroit is the Ulsan of America. As you can see there are significant differences between the two, but its also probably the best comparison. |
I agree. Except the Detroit Ulsan comparison. Detroit is a lot more messed up than Ulsan. But your point is solid. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
northway
Joined: 05 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 6:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Waygeek wrote: |
| edwardcatflap wrote: |
| Quote: |
| and why Koreans do this. |
Because they want to deceive people into visiting places that are vastly inferior to the original. |
Oh you've been to Hawaii and Naples then? Please do elaborate.
I know people who've been to Hawaii and said it was very disappointing. |
You know there's more than one island, right? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 6:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Jeju averages 600,000 tourists a year
Hawaii..7,000,000 a year.
Going to Oahu...crowded! Traffic! Prices are terrible!
Maui...less crowded, less traffic and great beaches.
Hawaii...all the rest of the islands can fit into the big island; Hawaii.
Great beaches, prices are fair, snow on top of Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Haleakala at various times of the year. Go snow skiing in the morning and surfing in the afternoon!
The only thing Jeju has in common with Hawaii are palm trees, beaches and it's an island! Jeju has no aloha spirit. But...if you're living elsewhere in korea then Jeju is great! Close to China and Japan...a nice get away for the Chinese and the Japanese.
Every place in the world has something to offer for everyone.
Some love NY and others hate it!
The same with any place.
it all depends on ones definition of fun and good times! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
edwardcatflap
Joined: 22 Mar 2009
|
| Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 7:03 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
Oh you've been to Hawaii and Naples then? Please do elaborate.
I know people who've been to Hawaii and said it was very disappointing. |
Ok others have told you all about Hawaii. Do you need me to explain to you why Naples (Italy) is a more interesting place to visit than Tongyong? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
