Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bluelake]

This past weekend, I was invited to Kanghwa Island to give a presentation (at an academic conference sponsored by the family association of General Uh Je-yeon, who was the commander of forces on Kanghwa during the Shinmiyangyo, the 1871 military action between Korea and the US) on the preservation of culture and history of the island. I believe that if people have an interest in history, they will also have an interest in preserving it. For that reason, I proposed several things in my presentation.

One specific thing I proposed was the formation of re-enactor groups (both Korean and Western) who can add a little color to the tourism industry. In the States, re-enacting is a popular hobby with people donning period uniforms (primarily American Revolutionary War and Civil War) and putting on demostrations and re-enactments. I think it could have a similar following here (mainly for demostrations). I think it could be a draw for tourism and could also be a nice hobby for expats on the weekends. There would be a little investment for gear and also red tape would have to be worked out for weapons, but I think it's possible.

Anyone here have an interest?

Here is a group I've belonged to for years (although I've never participated in any events--in my case, it's been for research purposes): http://www.usnlp.org/

[bluelake]

Any interest

[ABC KID]

Hi Bluelake,

I am very interested in history and for that reason alone I was going to give this thread a bump up for you in a day or two but it looks like you beat me to it...

Unfortunately I am not interested in getting involved in any reenactments though. Perhaps some others can volunteer their services???

On the subject of history, I'm looking for a bit of light vacation reading. Can you recommend a fairly easy-going and neutral book that covers the last 150-200 years of Korean history that isn't of the 'Korea is the best country in the world' or 'Japan is the scum of the earth' variety? (Written in English and possible to buy in Korea)

[PeteJB]

I'm interested in acting and re-acting, voice-acting or any kind of acting - I'm just not very familiar with Korean history, nor American history for that matter. Add to that, I'm not sure how my false American accent would sound.

[taobenli]

Good light reading on Korean history: Korea's Twentieth Century Odyssey, A Short History, by Michael E. Robinson (just published last year). Much better than Bruce Cumings' short history, in my opinion (although I like Cumings' more comprehensive Korean War books). If you want more than twentieth century history try A New History of Korea by Ki-baik Lee, or the somewhat more recent Korea Old and New by Ki-baik Lee and Carter Eckert.

[bluelake]

I agree with the Korea Old and New: A History. Although not what you would call light reading, it is fairly complete and neutral.