Korean Job Discussion Forums

[shakuhachi]

For people that watch Korean drama's, you couldnt be faulted for thinking that the Choson Era of Korean history was a golden age, and if only Japan had not come in and ruined it, then Korea would have lived in peace and prosperity.

But this thinking defies the reality that Korea was a backward region and a miserable slave society.


This was the true state of Koreans in the Choson Era.


Before the Japanese introduced medicine in Korea, Koreans would cure Malaria by writing their names on their feet.


Pre-Japanese Korean medicine. This childs parents are trying to cure this childs disease by throwing away this straw doll. Various diseases could be 'cured' by this 'method'. The average Korea lifespan at this time was around 27 years old.


Typical Korean Woman of the pre-annexation period.


It was common for women to walk around bare breasted in Korea at the time, as in Africa.


A korean woman and her child enjoy the fruits of Japanese 'oppression'. Her child will have a normal, western world lifespan now.


The center of Seoul, Namdemun, Circa 1880. Thatched buildings and shops.


The common people of the Choson Era lived in a state slavery, if not in name then in practice. Picture is of Namdemun.


Namdemun after being 'ruined' by the Japanese.


Unifcation with Japan came in 1910. This is a photo of Seoul in 1937.


Massive Japanese investment created industry where there was none. The raised living standards and provided housing. The landlords and oppressors of common people lost their legal right to lord it over others.


The worlds largest Hydroelectric generator (at the time) was built in Korea b the Japanese, at the expense of the Japanese. This contributed much to Korea's development.

Koreans have a rosy view of the Choson Era history and therefore blame the Japanese for 'ruining' it. As foreigners, we need to take a more balanced view rather than simply accepting Korean Claims at face value. Everything should be examines and judged on the evidence, not hearsay.

This thread is dedicated to JacktheCat, who bravely started an interesting thread, only to have it derailed.

[phaedrus]

Not everyone lived like this after the Japanese came.

I don't now.

The upper classes have always had an easy ride.



This is 1994. Not so posh for grandma.

[VanIslander]

Koreans were "backward" for thousands of years before the Japanese enlightened them?
Korea should be grateful to Japan?
I can barely stomach that logic about the Chinese influence in Korea.

Materialistic gains don't compensate for the cultural sense of loss and the systematic destruction of a people's sense of self by an outsider's attempt at forced assimilation.

Koreans understand themselves to have been occupied and focus on the negative aspects because it serves to help preserve their nationhood in a region dominated by two larger, imperialistic powers.

Should Americans learn in school about all the benefits brought about by the slave trade prior to emancipation? It doesn't serve their interest to do so, so they don't.

The same is the case with other nation's education of their youth.

Let's not be so naive. What do we expect?

You say: "As foreigners, we need to take a more balanced view rather than simply accepting Korean claims at face value."

Why? I accept Korean claims about their history to be in fact their understanding of their history, their story. I don't make the leap to thinking it's an unbiased, exhaustive, accurate account of what actually happened. And I don't think many others do either, do they?

Just as I don't challenge Americans for believing that baseball and basketball were invented in their country by their countrymen when they are oblivious to the strong Canadian connections to the origins of those games.

Go about reflecting about history with the objectivity ideals of an historian if you want, just skip the attitude.
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That said, I find it fascinating that the Portuguese-totting hot peppers were first popular in Korea not because of their inherent appeal to the Korean palate, but for their value in preserving vegetables more regularly than the other (also red) less spicy spices used for at least a thousand years before.

[Butterfly]

Practically every country in the world has been influenced and effected by others.

Good point VanIslander, America would not be what it is without the slavery of Africans and genocide of the indigenous people of the continent. All Americans know this, but it's not something that is openly talked about that much is it?

Don't make out Koreans don't know, they do. They just don't like to rap about it with you too much. I don't blame them myself.

[lush72]

Wow...

Do you have any more photos? Those were really good-

[ohahakehte]

the racism, pseudo-intellectual bull shoite, and unabashed apologetics for brutal imperialists conquests on dave's ESL is unbelievable. i guess it makes sense, you get less backlash if you're behind a computer screen and no one can see your face. you people are something else

[ulsanchris]

This discussion and some of those photos have already been done and shown on here.

If you really want to "debate" it again do a search.

My two cents.

Korea was poorly ruled by a corrupt ruling class. There were some koreans who wanted to modernize but they were held in check by conservatives. Some who did want to modernize sided with the Japanese.

THe Japanese did help modernize Korea however the Japanese occupation was not benevolent. They were hard and cruel occupiers who have little mercy for Koreans.

[fidel]

Yes, life was all fun and games when the Japanese colonized Korea. Summary executions were all the rage.

Shakuhachi, you are obviously one of those teachers in Korea with a fake degree, and probably didn't even finish middle school. I suggest you leave such historical discussions to those with intelligence, and stick to discussing WWE, or talk shows. Your in-depth revelations of the "truth" makes you look like the yokel, that you no doubt are.

Random photo's don't make a thesis, nor prove or disprove anything. If you feel the need to assert your assumed superiority by degrading Koreans so be it. But use your head and give intelligent opinions. I know that it's probable that you don't have this capacity, so stick to things you know.





Like glue sniffing and butane abuse.

[HardyandTiny]

This post didn't make sense the first time 'round.