Korean Job Discussion Forums

The Hammer · Last edited by The Hammer on Tue Feb 04, 2003 4:42 pm; edited 2 times in total

"Korea Unmasked" (In search of the country, the society and the people) written by Won-bok Rhie is a really good book about Korean culture.

Very Happy

It is so good you won't want to put it down. Recently, I had my copy at the office and everybody thought it was great.

Very Happy

It is very recent... October 2002.
Very Happy

It is very inexpensive. 9,900 won
Very Happy

It outlines NK's and SK's reunification strategies. (Amongst many other things.)

I have seen it at the bookstore at the Express Bus Terminal in Seoul. It is probably available at the other large bookstores. I bought mine at Costco, but I only saw one copy.

Idea

If you are getting ready to come to Korea, or you just got here buy it.

Idea

If you have been here for a while it will help you to understand many of the interactions that you have had with Koreans in the past. Fascinating!

If you have already read it what do you think about it?

Shocked

I disagreed with two things from the book. (Points regarding originality and egalitarianism in Korean society. )

I would be interested in discussing the book with anybody else who has read it.

A Korean History book that I think is also worth reading is titled "Koreas Place in the Sun" by Bruce Cumings.

If you have any suggestions for books about Korean culture and history please let me know.

This has been a public service announcement from...

The Hammer Laughing

P.S. I AM NOT GETTING ROYALTIES FROM THIS BOOK. I wish I was!

I THINK IT WILL HELP YOU GET MORE FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE HERE!

Check it out. If you like it... Buy it! If you don't... Don't! Hoo-Yah!

The Hammer Laughing

_____________________________________________________________
Word of the day:

Egalitarian (adjective)

Affirming, promoting, or characterized by belief in equal political, economic, social, and civil rights for all people.
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sparkx · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: thekimchipot.com

You getting royalties from this book man?

The Hammer · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2003 12:17 am Post subject:

Is anybody going to heed my advice and check out this book?

After all I've done for you! hehe

The Hammer Laughing

Imbroglio · Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2003 12:18 am Post subject:

yeah, yeah, thanks brother.

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I'm not so crazy about the Cumings book-there's more than a tinge of '60s Berkley about the writer. He lets N. Korea off very lightly,e.g. he downplays its horrific human rights record & attaches mutual blame for the start of the Korean War. And on N. Korea's nuclear program, Cumings has been proven just plain wrong.

peter07 · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Gwangmyeong

This is my ninth (and last) year in Korea but yes, this is a great book that taught me a lot of things I didn't know.

One interesting thing the book pointed out is that Koreans frown on marriage with non-Koreans because due to their history, Koreans thought their ethnicity was the only thing invaders couldn't take. Similar to how the Jews stress education because you can't take a person's intellect.

The book is also available at Seoul Selection next to Gyeongbook Palace (www.seoulselection.com).

Again, A GREAT READ ON KOREA!

The Hammer · Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2003 7:17 pm Post subject:

Mosley,

I think that your right about the Cumings book with respect to letting NK off lightly. However, I am able to pass over his ideas that I don't agree with.

Yes, he was wrong about NK's nuclear program, but I still think that the book provided me with some value.

Thanks for your input. Do you have any books on Korea that you would recommend?

Peter07,

I am glad you liked Korea Unmasked.

Cheers,

The Hammer Laughing

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I'm bringing this post back from the dead because I just recently got a hold of the Rhie book. What the OP neglected to mention was that this is in comic book format! Anyway, it is an eye-opener. Some of the explanations are quirky enough to be dismissed. For example, Rhie believes that peninsular peoples are particularly subject to foreign invasion and therefore strong nationalism results as a "defense" against this(I wonder if the Irish & Poles think their homelands are peninsulas?). Nevertheless, considering it's written by a Korean, it's a book that's startlingly frank and critical of Koreans past & present(especially elites). Very critical of South Korean education! I concur w/the OP: it's worth your while to take a boo at it. Anyone else seen this one?

Real Reality · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: Seoul

What do you think of Michael Breen's book entitled The Koreans? It was first published in 1998.

The Hammer · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2004 9:17 pm Post subject:

mack the knife · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: standing right behind you...

"Korea Unmasked" is required reading for Sookmyoeng University TESOL students and should be for all noobs in Korea, as well. It's spot-on about most issues, but way off the mark on some.

I will never forget the incisive quote "Every Korean is a king (in his own mind)."

Brilliant. Cogent.

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

I was asked to come up with a name for that book. They liked my suggestions, but the artist insisted on his "Korea Unmasked" title.

I thought it was fun to help, but I felt like my input was worthless because the artist had already insisted his name must be chosen.

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

wanderer · Joined: 25 May 2003