Korean Job Discussion Forums

[andrew]

.....

[Ya-ta Boy]

It's been quite a while since I read it. My overall reaction was positive. I only remember one specific thing. At one point the writer said that as most people become more educated, they become less nationalistic, but that Koreans just become more so. I don't know if it is really true, but it certainly seems true.

[sid]

It's a great read with some great turns of phrase, a couple from memory:

[Real Reality]

Michael Breen (1998). The Koreans; Who They Are, What They Want, Where There Future Lies. New York: St. Martins Press (pages 19-20).

Michael Breen, a British journalist, quotes a foreign banker who worked closely with a chaebol as saying:
"I make a point never to buy any Korean products on principle. Why? I will not support such a rabidly nationalistic, xenophobic and mercantilist economy. Koreans are so predatory and nationalistic. They have a closed economy and a zero-sum attitude to trade. Protectionism in the early stages of an economy is not unreasonable. But in the case of Korea it is almost a religious doctrine to keep foreign things out. If you buy a foreign car, you're seen as a traitor. They pick narrow industrial sectors and all jump in like copycats. If I see a Korean sports team, I root for the other side. Why? Because they're so full of themselves that they leave no room for other parties to participate and enjoy themselves. The 1988 Olympics was worse than the Hitler Games of 1936. Dealing with Koreans is like dealing with bright adolescents. They're full of energy and want to do everything yesterday. But they throw tantrums and are prone to dangerous and erratic behaviour if their whims are not indulged. In most countries, intellectuals become universal. You learn that great ideas and values have no national boundaries. What is profoundly disturbing is that Korean intellectuals become more xenophobic and nationalistic, and perpetuate the idea that all of Korea's problems are the result of wilfulness by foreigners. This is the mark of a scoundrel."
"But," he said after a pause, "I love many aspects of Korea."

Amazon.com: Editorial Reviews:
The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies
by Michael Breen
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0312326092/103-3546866-6500649?vi=reviews

[tomato]

Hello, Andrew!

Yes, I've read it, but it's been a few years.
We might comment more freely if you could hit the high points.

[Sliver]

Ok then but the book is old....with regard to those that really have money........welcome

Interesting read though but RR.....well your just RR arn't you. I don't don't even know if you post this shit just for fun

[jajdude]

I thought it was a great book. Read it a few years ago.

But then what real reality quoted from the book came sceaming, and not one word was a lie.

I particularly enjoyed "perpetuate the idea that all of Korea's problems are the result of wilfulness by foreigners"

I'd say the book might be worth 10 bucks, if not 20.

[Captain Corea]

There are far beter books out there on Korea.



Man, does it not seem like this thread pops up every 3 months or something?

[ladyandthetramp]

[jajdude]

[Captain Corea]