Korean Job Discussion Forums

ed4444 · Joined: 12 Oct 2004

This is amusing. I love when the Korean media uses completely inappropriate comparisons.

http://english.kbs.co.kr/mcontents/travel/1380574_11691.html

Seriously though I think this habit represents Korean insecurity. It is as if recognition by association will give legitimacy.

Might be worth saying that this habit is not exclusively Korean of course.

It would be interesting to see how many countries have claimed to have a Venice of the East or a Paris of the Orient within their borders.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:43 am Post subject:

Have you been to and around Naples? Tongyeong?

The parallel is inspired.

Koreans know a lot about Europe, and THAT city is in many ways like it (crowded narrow streets, dirty within, beautiful around, etc). I'll actually take the time to enumerate the many similarities (when it isn't 3:30 am!).

BTW, On Saturday I just went on an ancient-looking turtle ship docked in the harbour at Tongyeong and it was quite neat. Not sure how long it'll be there and open to public meanderings. Couldn't be from the Yee Su Shin era, with its mini-cannons and all, but fun to go on nonetheless.

(yawn, g'night)

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

That article calls it the Naples of Asia, which is interesting because Kagoshima, Japan has already claimed that title, and they have an active volcano, so I think Korea loses.

J.B. Clamence · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I've been to Naples (and more importantly, Capri) and can say without hestitation that the Naples of Korea is Incheon.
I.E.- A grubby port city with surly inhabitants yet redeemed by the beauty of nearby islands.
Laughing

Tongyeong might be the Sorrento of Korea (but I doubt it).

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

One doesn't even need to have been to Naples to know it's a rough, poverty-ridden, crime-ridden cesspool full of football hooligans and its sea has been infamous in times past for being awash with Cholera.

Old fat expat · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:36 pm Post subject:

Ha ha, funny.

While serving in the US navy we called Naples the arsehole of Europe. So that makes Tongyeong the arsehole of Asia? Don't know if I would advertise it.

Been a few years, maybe Naples has cleaned itself up. He he.

Poor Lazarus · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Location: Andong

If it is the Naples of Korea, they must make a mean "Pajeon", since that food is often called "Korean pizza".

I've heard Daegu try to pass itself off as the Milan of Korea. And of course Jeju is Korea's Hawaii, Youido is Korea's Manhattan......

Lets start a campaign to have Pittsburgh recognized as "America's Pohang"

harryh · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: south of Seoul

I wonder where the Korean Milton Keynes is? Or are there too many places to choose from?

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul

seoulkitchen · Joined: 28 Dec 2004 Location: Hub of Asia, my ass!

Dang! I thought it said "Nipples of Korea".......

Well it should have!

weatherman · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: Korea

Lets see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naples

Koreans give meaning to their geography by projecting the ideal of an other, more well know places that may have one or two similarities to the local being examined.

The simple fact is, they just don't understand how to market the local indigenously with its own merits, for the area has many, and it doesn't need be compaired to Naples.

ed4444 · Joined: 12 Oct 2004

numazawa · Joined: 20 Mar 2005 Location: The Concrete Barnyard

SPINOZA · Joined: 10 Jun 2005 Location: $eoul