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Korea: The Impossible Country: South Korea's Amazing Rise from the Ashes: The Inside Story of an Economic, Political and Cultural Phenomenon
In just fifty years, South Korea has transformed itself from a failed state, ruined and partitioned by war and decades of colonial rule, into an economic powerhouse and a democracy that serves as a model for other countries.
How was it able to achieve this with no natural resources and a tradition of authoritarian rule? Who are the Koreans and how did they accomplish this second Asian miracle? Through a comprehensive exploration of Korean history, culture and society, and interviews with dozens of experts celebrated journalist Daniel Tudor seeks answers to these and many other fascinating questions in Korea: The Impossible Country. Tudor touches on topics as diverse as shamanism, clan-ism, the dilemma posed by North Korea, and the growing international appeal of its popular culture.
This new edition has been updated with additional materials on recent events including the Park impeachment and the sinking of the Sewol Ferry. Although South Korea has long been overshadowed by Japan and China, Korea: The Impossible Country illuminates how this small country is one of the great success stories of the postwar period.
How was it able to achieve this with no natural resources and a tradition of authoritarian rule? Who are the Koreans and how did they accomplish this second Asian miracle? Through a comprehensive exploration of Korean history, culture and society, and interviews with dozens of experts celebrated journalist Daniel Tudor seeks answers to these and many other fascinating questions in Korea: The Impossible Country. Tudor touches on topics as diverse as shamanism, clan-ism, the dilemma posed by North Korea, and the growing international appeal of its popular culture.
This new edition has been updated with additional materials on recent events including the Park impeachment and the sinking of the Sewol Ferry. Although South Korea has long been overshadowed by Japan and China, Korea: The Impossible Country illuminates how this small country is one of the great success stories of the postwar period.
336 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2012
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About the author
Daniel Tudor
10 books60 followersDaniel Tudor is The Economist's Korea Correspondent. He was born in Manchester, England, and is a graduate of Oxford University in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and also holds an MBA from Manchester University. His first book, 'Korea: The Impossible Country' was released in November 2012.
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February 19, 2022While this book has valuable things to offer, please recognize that it's jingoistic (as in utterly devoid of any sort of critical analysis of Korean society, other than to point out the obvious and therefore safe things to criticize, such as Korea's suicide rate, changing status of women, etc.) and the reader should therefore take it with a massive grain of salt -- in that same respect, however, it is also highly educational with regards to learning about various aspects of Korean culture and how they view themselves (and this is an important point... as it informs you about ideology of self).
This book is unabashedly pro-Korean book. Its reflective of the sort of 'Japanese miracle' books that used to dominate the bookstores of airports 20 years ago, aimed at the business traveler, but that you haven't seen since their economic bubble burst. The Japanese have gotten much more self-reflective in that time, and by extension US authors writing about them are now free to publish the critical thoughts they used to exchange in private, but would never be so bold/self-destructive as to try to put in print -- since most of the publishers of those books were owned by or had a strong economic dependency on the Japanese. (i.e., back then if you criticized the Japanese the major publishers wouldn't print your work, and if you were an academic since most of the funding to study Japan came from the Japanese, good luck getting funded. Similar economic restraints currently exist in studying Korea, and especially China.)
One way you can be sure that this is book is biased towards the Korean pro-nationalist crowd is from its telling of Korean history. There are to my experience two concurrent tales regarding Korea, the first one is told by hard core historians who have actually studied the documentation of the various periods, and the second is told by those whose knowledge of Korea is passed more as a form of myth via popular media (designed to make the viewer feel proud of themselves). This is a bit like those Americans who honestly believe that it was Paul Revere and he alone to who warned of the British, and that George Washington won all or even most of the battles he fought during the war, and that the French had no impact on American independence. Unfortunately Americans who believe the above constitute the majority of Americans, and the same pattern plays true here in Korea. The history of Korea as written by historians, particularly modern ones who don't live in Korea and don't have to appeal to Korean nationalism if they want to maintain their jobs, tends to be a lot more critical of Korea's past and near present than the story shared in this book.
After its discussion of Korean history, the book moves on to Korean Shamanism, or Musok-in. I am by trade a cultural anthropologist, and Korean shamanism as described here is entirely consistent with how it plays out in many other cultures (Bali for instance). Traditionally, those whom Western culture would diagnose as schizophrenics used to be 'rehabilitated' if you will as shamans -- those to whom the gods spoke (hence hearing voices, possibly with the demand of obsessive compulsive requirements to prove their worthiness). Some utilize mushrooms to achieve the state, as is still true for the Native American church's road-men in the US, who utilize peyote. The author in describing Korean shamanism includes all of these elements, what I'm saying is that there is nothing at all unique or even in any way odd about how it is practiced here -- in spite of what the book infers.
The relationship that Korean shamanism has with Buddhism is not unique to Korea either, although the book might lead you to think that. In fact practically all Buddhist countries exhibit the sort of side by side relationship with shamanism seen here (as described in the book), be it Japan or Tibet or anyplace in-between. Nor is the presence of the Confucian influence (which as the book noted is present in almost all the countries that were influenced by China). What's somewhat unique is the social hierarchies that resulted as the three religions (although technically Confucianism is a philosophy) shook out who their followers were. I've never heard that being discussed in the context of other cultures, as in I don't think (but could be wrong) it has happened outside of Korea.
The fourth religion discussed in Xtianity. Probably the most interesting aspect is that in Korea its initial presence was not the result of foreign missionaries but rather Koreans who converted abroad and then came home to proselytize. Also, there is some very interesting discussion of how the 'believing in Christ will make you rich' variety of Xtianty seems to be the dominant strain here, and how it therefore connects to shamanistic practices, and plays a part not only in business but in politics.
This book is unabashedly pro-Korean book. Its reflective of the sort of 'Japanese miracle' books that used to dominate the bookstores of airports 20 years ago, aimed at the business traveler, but that you haven't seen since their economic bubble burst. The Japanese have gotten much more self-reflective in that time, and by extension US authors writing about them are now free to publish the critical thoughts they used to exchange in private, but would never be so bold/self-destructive as to try to put in print -- since most of the publishers of those books were owned by or had a strong economic dependency on the Japanese. (i.e., back then if you criticized the Japanese the major publishers wouldn't print your work, and if you were an academic since most of the funding to study Japan came from the Japanese, good luck getting funded. Similar economic restraints currently exist in studying Korea, and especially China.)
One way you can be sure that this is book is biased towards the Korean pro-nationalist crowd is from its telling of Korean history. There are to my experience two concurrent tales regarding Korea, the first one is told by hard core historians who have actually studied the documentation of the various periods, and the second is told by those whose knowledge of Korea is passed more as a form of myth via popular media (designed to make the viewer feel proud of themselves). This is a bit like those Americans who honestly believe that it was Paul Revere and he alone to who warned of the British, and that George Washington won all or even most of the battles he fought during the war, and that the French had no impact on American independence. Unfortunately Americans who believe the above constitute the majority of Americans, and the same pattern plays true here in Korea. The history of Korea as written by historians, particularly modern ones who don't live in Korea and don't have to appeal to Korean nationalism if they want to maintain their jobs, tends to be a lot more critical of Korea's past and near present than the story shared in this book.
After its discussion of Korean history, the book moves on to Korean Shamanism, or Musok-in. I am by trade a cultural anthropologist, and Korean shamanism as described here is entirely consistent with how it plays out in many other cultures (Bali for instance). Traditionally, those whom Western culture would diagnose as schizophrenics used to be 'rehabilitated' if you will as shamans -- those to whom the gods spoke (hence hearing voices, possibly with the demand of obsessive compulsive requirements to prove their worthiness). Some utilize mushrooms to achieve the state, as is still true for the Native American church's road-men in the US, who utilize peyote. The author in describing Korean shamanism includes all of these elements, what I'm saying is that there is nothing at all unique or even in any way odd about how it is practiced here -- in spite of what the book infers.
The relationship that Korean shamanism has with Buddhism is not unique to Korea either, although the book might lead you to think that. In fact practically all Buddhist countries exhibit the sort of side by side relationship with shamanism seen here (as described in the book), be it Japan or Tibet or anyplace in-between. Nor is the presence of the Confucian influence (which as the book noted is present in almost all the countries that were influenced by China). What's somewhat unique is the social hierarchies that resulted as the three religions (although technically Confucianism is a philosophy) shook out who their followers were. I've never heard that being discussed in the context of other cultures, as in I don't think (but could be wrong) it has happened outside of Korea.
The fourth religion discussed in Xtianity. Probably the most interesting aspect is that in Korea its initial presence was not the result of foreign missionaries but rather Koreans who converted abroad and then came home to proselytize. Also, there is some very interesting discussion of how the 'believing in Christ will make you rich' variety of Xtianty seems to be the dominant strain here, and how it therefore connects to shamanistic practices, and plays a part not only in business but in politics.
September 20, 2016
By observing South Korea’s narrative as an “unlikely and impressive story of nation building of the last century,” Daniel Tudor positions himself in a role of validation. The parts and chapters to this text neatly parcel Korea’s history into what becomes deemed its most identifiable characteristics, making his efforts seem anthropological, the prose functioning like a historical primer for an audience that is not very familiar with the peninsula. However, the scope of this book also at times becomes a cultural guide the way travel documentaries posit pressing insider knowledge that is useful to know.
Rather than functioning as “foundations” to understanding Korea, the first part of The Impossible Country serves the author’s purpose of defining the rooted cultural codes solely as a point of reference. His cursory examination of religion, especially shamanism, border on orientalizing Korea, thus reinforcing the idea that Korea has come far as a modern society in the chapters to follow. In part, he does this by glorifying President Park’s role in Korea’s economic shift, the southern part of the country’s rebound becoming a miraculous achievement in his estimate (by constantly referring to Korea’s GDP). Tudor, by focusing and celebrating Koreans’ penchant for overcoming hardship and their work ethic, essentializes Koreans by constantly referring back to his ideological foundations outlined earlier as providing a rationale for how we can read the role of capitalism, and democracy, in society (73).
Tudor presents each chapter as a “decoder” of a Korean cultural phenomenon. By writing about Korean’s nationalistic and collective tendencies, Tudor attempts to breach an understanding of complex expressions that he considers as perhaps more intrinsic to Korean identity. In his chapter about jeong, Tudor writes about how embracing the term has become a response to a history of victimhood, where Korea’s strength lies in the collective pursuit rather than the individual one (99). Yet almost immediately he bemoans the weakening of jeong in contemporary Korea when writing about how younger generations are indeed becoming more individualistic, and in latter chapters, more concerned about appearances and reputation. He writes about these terms as if addressing their novelty as such. Even his description of han becomes more cursory and lacking in the psychic and traumatic implications of the term as one that suggests a deeper inheritance of collective pain.
Tudor doesn’t describe Korea as much as he is prescriptive in his diagnosis of what makes Korea the country it has become today. By describing it as “impossible,” he sets for himself a feat to aspire to, an effort to prove that there is a logic to the way Korea has been shaped. The paradox is that there is no one way to define and capture the “phenomenon” that is Korea’s history.
Rather than functioning as “foundations” to understanding Korea, the first part of The Impossible Country serves the author’s purpose of defining the rooted cultural codes solely as a point of reference. His cursory examination of religion, especially shamanism, border on orientalizing Korea, thus reinforcing the idea that Korea has come far as a modern society in the chapters to follow. In part, he does this by glorifying President Park’s role in Korea’s economic shift, the southern part of the country’s rebound becoming a miraculous achievement in his estimate (by constantly referring to Korea’s GDP). Tudor, by focusing and celebrating Koreans’ penchant for overcoming hardship and their work ethic, essentializes Koreans by constantly referring back to his ideological foundations outlined earlier as providing a rationale for how we can read the role of capitalism, and democracy, in society (73).
Tudor presents each chapter as a “decoder” of a Korean cultural phenomenon. By writing about Korean’s nationalistic and collective tendencies, Tudor attempts to breach an understanding of complex expressions that he considers as perhaps more intrinsic to Korean identity. In his chapter about jeong, Tudor writes about how embracing the term has become a response to a history of victimhood, where Korea’s strength lies in the collective pursuit rather than the individual one (99). Yet almost immediately he bemoans the weakening of jeong in contemporary Korea when writing about how younger generations are indeed becoming more individualistic, and in latter chapters, more concerned about appearances and reputation. He writes about these terms as if addressing their novelty as such. Even his description of han becomes more cursory and lacking in the psychic and traumatic implications of the term as one that suggests a deeper inheritance of collective pain.
Tudor doesn’t describe Korea as much as he is prescriptive in his diagnosis of what makes Korea the country it has become today. By describing it as “impossible,” he sets for himself a feat to aspire to, an effort to prove that there is a logic to the way Korea has been shaped. The paradox is that there is no one way to define and capture the “phenomenon” that is Korea’s history.
December 29, 2012
Korea: The impossible country by Daniel Tudor answers just about every challenge an introduction to a foreign nation one can image. It’s well-written, comprehensive (history, culture, foreign relations, politics, economy, education, family life and social mores).
In addition, Tudor’s book has the special advantage of being a recently released (2012) comment on a country that desperately needs foreign interpreters. Sandwiched between the great Asian powers (China and Japan) and divided by the 20th century’s two great ideologies (capitalism and communism), South Korea remains a marvel of national distinctiveness amidst modernity’s global homogeneity.
At the conclusion of the Korean war, which hasn’t really ended (there’s an armistice, not a peace), South Korea was physically devastated and demoralized. The occupation by Japan from the 30s to 1945 had been harsh and demeaning; the struggle to define Korea’s future before its civil war was inconclusive; the Korean War itself was a rampage of forces representing most of the world’s great powers up and down the length of the peninsula.
But Tudor is right that South Korea’s self-invention in the subsequent decades is unmatched anywhere. Now South Korea’s fifty million are relatively wealthy, their products are sought-after worldwide, and they even have a substantial influence throughout Asia thanks to their film and music industries.
His explanation of this turn-around is complex. On the one hand, he notes the extraordinary drive Confucianism and a sense of inferiority/victimhood have lent the South Korean workforce, which works harder and longer than just about any other workforce in the world. He also explores the virtual fanaticism South Koreans bring to the matter of education. South Korean kids study all the time, before school, during school, after school, on weekends and vacations. This generates top scores on global charts, especially in math and science. No wonder companies like Hyundai and Samsung produce such excellent products. On the other hand, he explores the dark side of South Korea’s drive to the top: high suicide rates, low birth rates, low levels of loyalty to firms that are not very loyal to their workers, extraordinary consumption of alcohol, which is socialized to the point of unconsciousness (an entirely acceptable ending to a typical wild night).
At this point, South Korea has just democratically elected its first female leader, daughter of its greatest dictator, so there are changes afoot in a country proud of the “pure blood” of its 5,000 year old history, but it’s a nation that is aging fast and registers near the bottom of most measures of happiness.
In its rush to the top, South Korea concentrated about half of its population into ugly apartment buildings in Seoul. The impact on “community” seems to have been strong. People don’t know their neighbors or have time for them. And yet in a broader sense, this is one of the least individualistic nations on the planet, as can be seen in its mega-churches and marriage practices, often mediated by match-makers focused more on the socio-economic prospects a couple might expect than on their affection for one another or personal compatibility. South Koreans like the feel of themselves as a crowd and a community even if there is a high level of personal anonymity within the larger group...and this is despite the manic emphasis on outstanding grades and complementary credentials.
Tudor writes well about about Korean food, for instance, and notes the Korean habit of presenting many dishes at a meal that are shared--your spoon, my spoon, his spoon--by everyone at the table. This is the kind of communal “boundary” that seldom is crossed in the West but nonexistent in South Korea.
At the same time, Tudor explores the magnetic attraction South Korea has had, economically, for immigrants from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Each year South Korea becomes, by definition, more multicultural and somewhat more accepting and tolerant. By contrast, the walled kingdom of North Korea draws almost no one to work there, much less live there. Over time, this may moot the unification question, if South Korea’s gigantic economic achievements, vis-a-vis North Korea, haven’t already done so. The likelihood is that the two populations will grow further apart, not closer together, as the one “goes global” and the other remains stuck in its cave.
There are lengthy analyses in this book of South Korea’s musical scene, the kind of topic that’s hard to write about unless you really live it, and the kind of topic that’s essential if you want to explore “youth culture.” U.S. soldiers brought a lot of rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, and rock to South Korea. South Korea likes heart-breaking ballads, glitz with tears. Somehow South Korean musicians have managed to produce both kinds of music and generated large audiences at home and abroad.
Occasionally Tudor repeats facts and observations, which is as much the editor’s fault as his own, and there are times when he seems over-reliant on certain sources and/or “informants.” But this is a broad, quick study, not a scholarly study in depth. It’s readable, as they say, a good, sweeping introductory guide to a nation that becomes more important every year.
In addition, Tudor’s book has the special advantage of being a recently released (2012) comment on a country that desperately needs foreign interpreters. Sandwiched between the great Asian powers (China and Japan) and divided by the 20th century’s two great ideologies (capitalism and communism), South Korea remains a marvel of national distinctiveness amidst modernity’s global homogeneity.
At the conclusion of the Korean war, which hasn’t really ended (there’s an armistice, not a peace), South Korea was physically devastated and demoralized. The occupation by Japan from the 30s to 1945 had been harsh and demeaning; the struggle to define Korea’s future before its civil war was inconclusive; the Korean War itself was a rampage of forces representing most of the world’s great powers up and down the length of the peninsula.
But Tudor is right that South Korea’s self-invention in the subsequent decades is unmatched anywhere. Now South Korea’s fifty million are relatively wealthy, their products are sought-after worldwide, and they even have a substantial influence throughout Asia thanks to their film and music industries.
His explanation of this turn-around is complex. On the one hand, he notes the extraordinary drive Confucianism and a sense of inferiority/victimhood have lent the South Korean workforce, which works harder and longer than just about any other workforce in the world. He also explores the virtual fanaticism South Koreans bring to the matter of education. South Korean kids study all the time, before school, during school, after school, on weekends and vacations. This generates top scores on global charts, especially in math and science. No wonder companies like Hyundai and Samsung produce such excellent products. On the other hand, he explores the dark side of South Korea’s drive to the top: high suicide rates, low birth rates, low levels of loyalty to firms that are not very loyal to their workers, extraordinary consumption of alcohol, which is socialized to the point of unconsciousness (an entirely acceptable ending to a typical wild night).
At this point, South Korea has just democratically elected its first female leader, daughter of its greatest dictator, so there are changes afoot in a country proud of the “pure blood” of its 5,000 year old history, but it’s a nation that is aging fast and registers near the bottom of most measures of happiness.
In its rush to the top, South Korea concentrated about half of its population into ugly apartment buildings in Seoul. The impact on “community” seems to have been strong. People don’t know their neighbors or have time for them. And yet in a broader sense, this is one of the least individualistic nations on the planet, as can be seen in its mega-churches and marriage practices, often mediated by match-makers focused more on the socio-economic prospects a couple might expect than on their affection for one another or personal compatibility. South Koreans like the feel of themselves as a crowd and a community even if there is a high level of personal anonymity within the larger group...and this is despite the manic emphasis on outstanding grades and complementary credentials.
Tudor writes well about about Korean food, for instance, and notes the Korean habit of presenting many dishes at a meal that are shared--your spoon, my spoon, his spoon--by everyone at the table. This is the kind of communal “boundary” that seldom is crossed in the West but nonexistent in South Korea.
At the same time, Tudor explores the magnetic attraction South Korea has had, economically, for immigrants from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Each year South Korea becomes, by definition, more multicultural and somewhat more accepting and tolerant. By contrast, the walled kingdom of North Korea draws almost no one to work there, much less live there. Over time, this may moot the unification question, if South Korea’s gigantic economic achievements, vis-a-vis North Korea, haven’t already done so. The likelihood is that the two populations will grow further apart, not closer together, as the one “goes global” and the other remains stuck in its cave.
There are lengthy analyses in this book of South Korea’s musical scene, the kind of topic that’s hard to write about unless you really live it, and the kind of topic that’s essential if you want to explore “youth culture.” U.S. soldiers brought a lot of rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, and rock to South Korea. South Korea likes heart-breaking ballads, glitz with tears. Somehow South Korean musicians have managed to produce both kinds of music and generated large audiences at home and abroad.
Occasionally Tudor repeats facts and observations, which is as much the editor’s fault as his own, and there are times when he seems over-reliant on certain sources and/or “informants.” But this is a broad, quick study, not a scholarly study in depth. It’s readable, as they say, a good, sweeping introductory guide to a nation that becomes more important every year.
April 7, 2013
Originally from here!
Local admirers of everything Korean may be pleased to find out that the people of the Korean peninsula share a few similar traits with those of us here in the Philippines.
Foremost of these is the concept of “jeong,” or “the invisible hug.” Defined as “feelings of fondness, caring, bonding, and attachment that develop within interpersonal relationships,” it often leads to an interdependence that results in friends, schoolmates, or coworkers looking out and supporting each other first and foremost. It’s a concept similar to our very own “bayanihan,” and is something that Filipinos and Koreans can definitely bond over.
The chapters on the changing face of the Korean family and the high regard given to the English language will resonate with local readers as well. One can’t help but notice the parallel changes happening in Korean and Filipino families, and how both could learn a thing or two from each other.
In fact, Tudor writes quite a bit about Korean characteristics that Filipinos would do well to emulate. Foremost of that is the high regard given by Koreans to education. The book reveals that after the Korean War, the Syngman Rhee government increased elementary school enrollment eight times and secondary school enrollment 10 times, with 19 percent of the government’s budget spent on education. It’s a policy one certainly wishes the Philippine government would take.
But what gives “Korea: The Impossible Country” its added oomph is its willingness to take on the less than savory aspects present in the Korean peninsula.
Just like the Philippines, the Korean market is dominated by an oligarchy of family-run businesses, or chaebol. Through the years, these chaebol have grown to become global powerhouses as well — brands like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai are now competing against Western products.
What most of us may not know, and what Tudor reveals in the book, is that these chaebol found their start in a crony system not unlike that of former President Ferdinand Marcos. A past full of corruption, bribes, and dubious government connections are shared by these chaebol, and it is fascinating to read about and discover.
As powerful an export as Korea’s media has become, it is surprising to find out that the country has a dismal record when it comes to freedom of the press and free speech. South Korean libel laws are one of the strongest in the world — one can still be sued even if the allegations are true. As such, the book says that these laws have often been used to suppress political dissent in the country.
The pushback against the Hallyu wave is also fascinating to read, especially since it still hasn’t started here in the Philippines. In places like China, Japan, and Taiwan, Korean content is regulated, and is sometimes even subject to opposition. In 2011, thousands of protesters picketed Japan’s Fuji TV because of a perceived excess in its Korean programming.
Female fans looking to bag themselves a K-Pop husband — or at least the closest approximation of it — are also bound top be disappointed by the book’s frank appraisal of the country’s xenophobia. We may welcome them here in the country, but the same may not be the case in South Korea. As the book plainly states in Chapter 25, “Multicultural Korea?”, some bias exists in the country, especially against Southeast Asians.
The book maintains that it doesn’t seem like it will change any time soon: “It is unfortunate that while South Koreans are opening up very quickly to people from abroad, the pace of change is much slower for those from places like Indonesia or the Philippines. Since discrimination against people from these countries is mainly a product of wealth disparity, it will probably remain in spite of the decline of pure-blood nationalism.”
It is this wealth of information, the balanced perspective on the pros and cons of Koran society, as well as the clear and concise prose that prevents the book from reading like an academic textbook, that makes “Korea: The Impossible Country” impossible to resist. Admirers and detractors of everything Korean have a lot to gain from reading this book, and precious little to lose.
Local admirers of everything Korean may be pleased to find out that the people of the Korean peninsula share a few similar traits with those of us here in the Philippines.
Foremost of these is the concept of “jeong,” or “the invisible hug.” Defined as “feelings of fondness, caring, bonding, and attachment that develop within interpersonal relationships,” it often leads to an interdependence that results in friends, schoolmates, or coworkers looking out and supporting each other first and foremost. It’s a concept similar to our very own “bayanihan,” and is something that Filipinos and Koreans can definitely bond over.
The chapters on the changing face of the Korean family and the high regard given to the English language will resonate with local readers as well. One can’t help but notice the parallel changes happening in Korean and Filipino families, and how both could learn a thing or two from each other.
In fact, Tudor writes quite a bit about Korean characteristics that Filipinos would do well to emulate. Foremost of that is the high regard given by Koreans to education. The book reveals that after the Korean War, the Syngman Rhee government increased elementary school enrollment eight times and secondary school enrollment 10 times, with 19 percent of the government’s budget spent on education. It’s a policy one certainly wishes the Philippine government would take.
But what gives “Korea: The Impossible Country” its added oomph is its willingness to take on the less than savory aspects present in the Korean peninsula.
Just like the Philippines, the Korean market is dominated by an oligarchy of family-run businesses, or chaebol. Through the years, these chaebol have grown to become global powerhouses as well — brands like Samsung, LG, and Hyundai are now competing against Western products.
What most of us may not know, and what Tudor reveals in the book, is that these chaebol found their start in a crony system not unlike that of former President Ferdinand Marcos. A past full of corruption, bribes, and dubious government connections are shared by these chaebol, and it is fascinating to read about and discover.
As powerful an export as Korea’s media has become, it is surprising to find out that the country has a dismal record when it comes to freedom of the press and free speech. South Korean libel laws are one of the strongest in the world — one can still be sued even if the allegations are true. As such, the book says that these laws have often been used to suppress political dissent in the country.
The pushback against the Hallyu wave is also fascinating to read, especially since it still hasn’t started here in the Philippines. In places like China, Japan, and Taiwan, Korean content is regulated, and is sometimes even subject to opposition. In 2011, thousands of protesters picketed Japan’s Fuji TV because of a perceived excess in its Korean programming.
Female fans looking to bag themselves a K-Pop husband — or at least the closest approximation of it — are also bound top be disappointed by the book’s frank appraisal of the country’s xenophobia. We may welcome them here in the country, but the same may not be the case in South Korea. As the book plainly states in Chapter 25, “Multicultural Korea?”, some bias exists in the country, especially against Southeast Asians.
The book maintains that it doesn’t seem like it will change any time soon: “It is unfortunate that while South Koreans are opening up very quickly to people from abroad, the pace of change is much slower for those from places like Indonesia or the Philippines. Since discrimination against people from these countries is mainly a product of wealth disparity, it will probably remain in spite of the decline of pure-blood nationalism.”
It is this wealth of information, the balanced perspective on the pros and cons of Koran society, as well as the clear and concise prose that prevents the book from reading like an academic textbook, that makes “Korea: The Impossible Country” impossible to resist. Admirers and detractors of everything Korean have a lot to gain from reading this book, and precious little to lose.
partly-read
August 16, 2021Part history book, part travel guide, part business guide, I learnt a lot of tidbits about Korea reading this but didn't love the angle. This is written by a The Economist correspondent who's into finance, so the economic approach made sense, and the part about Korea's economic miracle was interesting (if a bit biased).
But I was mostly interested in the cultural aspects, and I don't see how anyone can develop a good impression of Korea while reading this. All the usual blames are mentioned here: too much social competition, too much focus on education, on English, the importance of keeping face, the "neophilia", the nationalism, etc. The historical part is clearly pro-Korea, but then we're shown all these cultural problems, which formed a really chilly picture overall.
And for the culture itself, what's the point of bashing Kpop and kdrama, which is what has drawn maybe 90% people towards Korea? Sneering at kpop teenage fans or "housewives" watching kdrama is not appropriate. Then, there are entire sections on old Korean cinema and Korean indie music that are supposed to be "true Korean culture"?? Okay then, where are the books, the fairy tales, the folk songs, the superstitions, the drama pieces, the traditional instruments...? They don't fit in the picture of a modern country that's risen from the ashes?
[/rant]
But I was mostly interested in the cultural aspects, and I don't see how anyone can develop a good impression of Korea while reading this. All the usual blames are mentioned here: too much social competition, too much focus on education, on English, the importance of keeping face, the "neophilia", the nationalism, etc. The historical part is clearly pro-Korea, but then we're shown all these cultural problems, which formed a really chilly picture overall.
And for the culture itself, what's the point of bashing Kpop and kdrama, which is what has drawn maybe 90% people towards Korea? Sneering at kpop teenage fans or "housewives" watching kdrama is not appropriate. Then, there are entire sections on old Korean cinema and Korean indie music that are supposed to be "true Korean culture"?? Okay then, where are the books, the fairy tales, the folk songs, the superstitions, the drama pieces, the traditional instruments...? They don't fit in the picture of a modern country that's risen from the ashes?
[/rant]
March 3, 2018
I distinctly remember my mother telling me in college (was it highschool? meh) that between these two most commonly read books on general Korean history (for English audience) - Tudor's and Cumings's - choose the latter because the former is relatively shallow in academic terms ("eh so-so.. geujuhgeurae"). After reading a chapter into each book, I chose this one for today (Saturday) because it felt lighter.
I still learned alot - and would definitely recommend to anyone unfamiliar with Korea. Very approachable. 1/3 was cultural analysis on big themes like religion/Confucianism/han (sometimes oversimplified/generalized, but I can see it being helpful for curious foreigners wanting on entry-point), 1/3 felt travel bookish (primer on food, music/film, common social/work etiquette, etc), 1/3 was a helpful breeze-through of more political/economic trends and history of early kingdoms/korea's origins. I appreciated the broad scope of the book, but that's probably why it felt shallow at times too. Lookin forward to reading Cuming's version, and for the day when the go-to general Korean history book for world audience will be one written by a Korean. Yes!
I still learned alot - and would definitely recommend to anyone unfamiliar with Korea. Very approachable. 1/3 was cultural analysis on big themes like religion/Confucianism/han (sometimes oversimplified/generalized, but I can see it being helpful for curious foreigners wanting on entry-point), 1/3 felt travel bookish (primer on food, music/film, common social/work etiquette, etc), 1/3 was a helpful breeze-through of more political/economic trends and history of early kingdoms/korea's origins. I appreciated the broad scope of the book, but that's probably why it felt shallow at times too. Lookin forward to reading Cuming's version, and for the day when the go-to general Korean history book for world audience will be one written by a Korean. Yes!
October 4, 2017
I was recommended this book by Tram as a crash course of Korean culture, and it was just what I needed! I'm just at the 2 month mark of my time in Korea, and while I need a lot more time to accustom myself to the environment, this book helped me to build a deeper understanding and empathy towards Koreans, and 'the way that things work' in Korea. The book takes us through history, religion, politics, economy, music, etc and tries to intertwine these information points into insights. As with any book on culture, there are some generalizations, misinterpretations and stereotypes. I don't think that every word of the book should be taken as truth, but it definitely helps in providing context of living in Korea as a foreigner.
-- Part 1: Foundations --
- nature worship in Shamanism. Look deeper into how different from Shinto
- deep Buddhist influence 'the sangha' ; strong level of loyality to group structures
- Korean friendships can encompass an extraordinary level of selflessness
- concept of 'jeong' : a deep relationship between two people, a connection that the Western world doesn't really have an equivalent for. Inspires people to do more for each other than they know makes rational sense (even in business deals where one clearly has a losing hand)
- desire for continuous improvement in Korean culture comes from Buddhist, but the relentless pursuit of education more tied to Confucianism.
- Confucianism took on a new form in neo-Confucianism. State ideology of Joseon dynasty
- Eureka about the education system in Confucianism! The hard work. Civil service exams.
- in Confucianism, relationships have rules. There are 5 relationships in all. 4/5 are hierarchical. Only two friends of similar status is a relationship of equal. The others all have a superior and an inferior (husband-wife). The superior partner should act with a duty of responsibility and the lower should respond with loyalty and obedience
- Buddhism and Confucianism assign importance of helping others and acting selflessly
"The all round Korean will be a Confucian in society, a Buddhist when he philosophizes and a spirit worshipper when he is in trouble" pg. 46
- Korean has different levels of speech depending on the level of respect required. Banmal (informal) > jondaemal (haeyo!) > hapsyoche (hamnida) * but there are 6 levels of honorific speech. I've just simplified to what I know commonly
- Christianity - Catholics first and then Protestants. More Christians than Buddhists today. Came into Korea from Koreans who had exposure to Christianity in China and Japan. It was a grassroots movement with little involvement of foreigners but the Prostestants came with the Americans.
"Americans were considered modern, progressive and rich. Their religion was also seen in that light. 42% of Koreans believe Protestainism "most instrumental in the country's modernization" according to 2004 study" pg. 59 * think back to SOC101 on the 'protestant work ethic' in America
- Protestanism seen as pro-capitalist religion. 42% of CEOs of large KOrean firms are Protestant. Some big churches criticized as networking and deal-making places
- Korea is the second largest exporter of missionaries after the US. In 2006, some 15,000 protestants from SK engaged in mission work pg.63
--- "Capitalism with a Korean Face" ---
- some more light on business - talking about the chaebols. "The power of these companies, supported by the state, meant that there was no real culture of entrepreneurship in South Korea. For a talented young person, the most attractive jobs other than in professions of doctor or lawyer were either in the civil service or entry-level positions with the likes of Samsung and Hyundai. The possibility of a truly self-made Korean Bill Gates was little more than zero" pg. 71
- less than 10 non-chaebol companies in Korea have managed to reach the $1billion revenue mark. Only 2 non-chaebols (NCSoft and NHN on KOSPI)
- entrepreneurs might as well try their luck with selling overseas
- The development of the chaebol systen under President Park Chung-hee
- President Park rewarded the companies that most fulfilled his wishes - those who built roads, hospitals or bridges in time and on budget
- industrial soldiers. Park has single-handedly shaped much of the Korean landscape
"The chaebol-government compact of the 60s, 70s suited the time. It is not a system suited to a large, modern economy"
- 1997 crisis. 25 chaebol bankruptcies in one year, including Kia. Corporate debt. Daewoo once had 10% of SK's GDP but went under in 1999.
"Naturally, SK's unrelentless focus on building world beating economic prowess had its costs. All other goals considered worthwhile by a nation - a clean environment, a happy populace, freedom of expression, a rich cultural life - were sacrificed completely.
-- Cultural Codes --
- SKY. What is about these universities? Protesting. Liberal.
- Woori and Nam
- "woori nara" - our country. the nationalism of a single blood line for 5000 years
- the competition for it all - between nations, between individuals, widening competition. Cost of competition (education, childhood and into adulthood). When does it end?
- "Korean teenagers are the unhappiest in the OECD" 109
- "75% of workers feel that their jobs that driven them to depression"
- "Labour productivity is extremely disappointing, with SK coming 28th out of 30 OECD countries. Only Mexico and Poland produce less economic value per hour of work"
"Competitiveness has driven SK to success after success, but with a pradoxically negative impact on its people's emotional well-being" pg111
- chemyon = face
- the education inflation. Less than 1% of world population is Korean but 10.7% of foreign students at American Universities came from South Korea." pg.116 wutttttt
- English education - the combined profit of hakwons in 2009 was $7.63 billion, greater than the operating profit of Samsung Electronics!)
- "Confucian legacy and the traditional importance of the memorization-intensive civil service exams led to a school system focused on discipline and rote learning rather than imagination. This produced a generation of young workers who were ready to take orders and not ask too many questions. In today's high wage economy, where creativity is increasingly required, these traits are less desirable. However, at a time when factories needed disciplined workers who could follow instructions, they were very useful" pg 171
- happier funerals - like Vietnam
- gift giving.
Nice fable: "The wind blows and blows, but the man clutches more tightly to the coat, refusing to allow it to be blown off him. The sun simply shines, and the man removes the coat voluntarily because of the warmth."
* to understand the Sunshine Policy towards North Korea
-- Labour market --
- god damn the 1997 and IMF reforms were a huge smack
- loyalty like the Japanese is not a thing
- Korean firms discriminating against women and older male employees. Gender pay gap is 35%, highest in OECD
- foreign firms taking advantage of the discrimination by hiring most-qualified women. Less competition to attract them
- forced retirement for older men (to not deal with the awkwardness of having a boss that is younger than the employee)
- increase in use of temporary contracts post 1997
- employment is flexible, but on the outside, people appear loyal
"At major Korean firms, age-based promotion through along-list of job titles still largely prevails. However, with the dawn of the Internet economy, a new breed of Korean firm is rising. Since 2010, SK has been going through a venture-capital led International and technology boom pioneered by entrepreneurs in their twenties and thirties. In some sectors of the economy at least, the traditional importance attached to age and hierarchy is beginning to break down" pg 181
** In Korea, business is personal
- In building a strong relationship, mutual sacrifice is important. One must expect to 'take a hit' once in a while. Not every transaction is profitable. While being profit-oriented is perfectly reasonable in US and UK, but it works a little different in SK. ie, "It goes for a hundred, and you want me to sell it to you for ninety? Well, I'll do it this time, but next time I want a hundred and ten." If both partners engage in give-and-take, a long-term relationship of mutual benefit can be established
>> the relationship between the chaebol and President Park demonstrates the effectiveness of this give-and-take practice
-- Enjoy --
- "The calendar contains an abundance of special romantic days, mostly created by firms seeking to sell produces - Diary day, Rose Day, White day, Bra day, Green Day, etc"
- Couple's clothing
- 3 fermented condiments on which Korean cuisine relies "jang"
1) gochujang - mixture of red pepper, fermented soybean paste, and salt
2) doenjang - the fermented soybean paste itself
3) ganjang - soy sauce also made from fermented soybeans used for dishes like jjimdak
- According to WHO, Koreans drink more the Brits and the Irish
- Heaviest non-Euro drinks
- But ermmmm the liver disease is a problem
"In Korea, old people tend to enjoy outdoor activities more than do the young. And when trekking up a mountain in Korea, one is also likely to come across (or even be overtaken by) groups of sprightly old men and women. They are almost certain to be carrying soju or makgeolli in their backpacks" LAAWLS THE TRUTH IN THIS
-- Part 1: Foundations --
- nature worship in Shamanism. Look deeper into how different from Shinto
- deep Buddhist influence 'the sangha' ; strong level of loyality to group structures
- Korean friendships can encompass an extraordinary level of selflessness
- concept of 'jeong' : a deep relationship between two people, a connection that the Western world doesn't really have an equivalent for. Inspires people to do more for each other than they know makes rational sense (even in business deals where one clearly has a losing hand)
- desire for continuous improvement in Korean culture comes from Buddhist, but the relentless pursuit of education more tied to Confucianism.
- Confucianism took on a new form in neo-Confucianism. State ideology of Joseon dynasty
- Eureka about the education system in Confucianism! The hard work. Civil service exams.
- in Confucianism, relationships have rules. There are 5 relationships in all. 4/5 are hierarchical. Only two friends of similar status is a relationship of equal. The others all have a superior and an inferior (husband-wife). The superior partner should act with a duty of responsibility and the lower should respond with loyalty and obedience
- Buddhism and Confucianism assign importance of helping others and acting selflessly
"The all round Korean will be a Confucian in society, a Buddhist when he philosophizes and a spirit worshipper when he is in trouble" pg. 46
- Korean has different levels of speech depending on the level of respect required. Banmal (informal) > jondaemal (haeyo!) > hapsyoche (hamnida) * but there are 6 levels of honorific speech. I've just simplified to what I know commonly
- Christianity - Catholics first and then Protestants. More Christians than Buddhists today. Came into Korea from Koreans who had exposure to Christianity in China and Japan. It was a grassroots movement with little involvement of foreigners but the Prostestants came with the Americans.
"Americans were considered modern, progressive and rich. Their religion was also seen in that light. 42% of Koreans believe Protestainism "most instrumental in the country's modernization" according to 2004 study" pg. 59 * think back to SOC101 on the 'protestant work ethic' in America
- Protestanism seen as pro-capitalist religion. 42% of CEOs of large KOrean firms are Protestant. Some big churches criticized as networking and deal-making places
- Korea is the second largest exporter of missionaries after the US. In 2006, some 15,000 protestants from SK engaged in mission work pg.63
--- "Capitalism with a Korean Face" ---
- some more light on business - talking about the chaebols. "The power of these companies, supported by the state, meant that there was no real culture of entrepreneurship in South Korea. For a talented young person, the most attractive jobs other than in professions of doctor or lawyer were either in the civil service or entry-level positions with the likes of Samsung and Hyundai. The possibility of a truly self-made Korean Bill Gates was little more than zero" pg. 71
- less than 10 non-chaebol companies in Korea have managed to reach the $1billion revenue mark. Only 2 non-chaebols (NCSoft and NHN on KOSPI)
- entrepreneurs might as well try their luck with selling overseas
- The development of the chaebol systen under President Park Chung-hee
- President Park rewarded the companies that most fulfilled his wishes - those who built roads, hospitals or bridges in time and on budget
- industrial soldiers. Park has single-handedly shaped much of the Korean landscape
"The chaebol-government compact of the 60s, 70s suited the time. It is not a system suited to a large, modern economy"
- 1997 crisis. 25 chaebol bankruptcies in one year, including Kia. Corporate debt. Daewoo once had 10% of SK's GDP but went under in 1999.
"Naturally, SK's unrelentless focus on building world beating economic prowess had its costs. All other goals considered worthwhile by a nation - a clean environment, a happy populace, freedom of expression, a rich cultural life - were sacrificed completely.
-- Cultural Codes --
- SKY. What is about these universities? Protesting. Liberal.
- Woori and Nam
- "woori nara" - our country. the nationalism of a single blood line for 5000 years
- the competition for it all - between nations, between individuals, widening competition. Cost of competition (education, childhood and into adulthood). When does it end?
- "Korean teenagers are the unhappiest in the OECD" 109
- "75% of workers feel that their jobs that driven them to depression"
- "Labour productivity is extremely disappointing, with SK coming 28th out of 30 OECD countries. Only Mexico and Poland produce less economic value per hour of work"
"Competitiveness has driven SK to success after success, but with a pradoxically negative impact on its people's emotional well-being" pg111
- chemyon = face
- the education inflation. Less than 1% of world population is Korean but 10.7% of foreign students at American Universities came from South Korea." pg.116 wutttttt
- English education - the combined profit of hakwons in 2009 was $7.63 billion, greater than the operating profit of Samsung Electronics!)
- "Confucian legacy and the traditional importance of the memorization-intensive civil service exams led to a school system focused on discipline and rote learning rather than imagination. This produced a generation of young workers who were ready to take orders and not ask too many questions. In today's high wage economy, where creativity is increasingly required, these traits are less desirable. However, at a time when factories needed disciplined workers who could follow instructions, they were very useful" pg 171
- happier funerals - like Vietnam
- gift giving.
Nice fable: "The wind blows and blows, but the man clutches more tightly to the coat, refusing to allow it to be blown off him. The sun simply shines, and the man removes the coat voluntarily because of the warmth."
* to understand the Sunshine Policy towards North Korea
-- Labour market --
- god damn the 1997 and IMF reforms were a huge smack
- loyalty like the Japanese is not a thing
- Korean firms discriminating against women and older male employees. Gender pay gap is 35%, highest in OECD
- foreign firms taking advantage of the discrimination by hiring most-qualified women. Less competition to attract them
- forced retirement for older men (to not deal with the awkwardness of having a boss that is younger than the employee)
- increase in use of temporary contracts post 1997
- employment is flexible, but on the outside, people appear loyal
"At major Korean firms, age-based promotion through along-list of job titles still largely prevails. However, with the dawn of the Internet economy, a new breed of Korean firm is rising. Since 2010, SK has been going through a venture-capital led International and technology boom pioneered by entrepreneurs in their twenties and thirties. In some sectors of the economy at least, the traditional importance attached to age and hierarchy is beginning to break down" pg 181
** In Korea, business is personal
- In building a strong relationship, mutual sacrifice is important. One must expect to 'take a hit' once in a while. Not every transaction is profitable. While being profit-oriented is perfectly reasonable in US and UK, but it works a little different in SK. ie, "It goes for a hundred, and you want me to sell it to you for ninety? Well, I'll do it this time, but next time I want a hundred and ten." If both partners engage in give-and-take, a long-term relationship of mutual benefit can be established
>> the relationship between the chaebol and President Park demonstrates the effectiveness of this give-and-take practice
-- Enjoy --
- "The calendar contains an abundance of special romantic days, mostly created by firms seeking to sell produces - Diary day, Rose Day, White day, Bra day, Green Day, etc"
- Couple's clothing
- 3 fermented condiments on which Korean cuisine relies "jang"
1) gochujang - mixture of red pepper, fermented soybean paste, and salt
2) doenjang - the fermented soybean paste itself
3) ganjang - soy sauce also made from fermented soybeans used for dishes like jjimdak
- According to WHO, Koreans drink more the Brits and the Irish
- Heaviest non-Euro drinks
- But ermmmm the liver disease is a problem
"In Korea, old people tend to enjoy outdoor activities more than do the young. And when trekking up a mountain in Korea, one is also likely to come across (or even be overtaken by) groups of sprightly old men and women. They are almost certain to be carrying soju or makgeolli in their backpacks" LAAWLS THE TRUTH IN THIS
February 26, 2021
อ่านสนุกดี แม้ข้อมูลหลายอย่างจะ outdate ไปแล้ว(คิดว่า)เพราะเขียนตั้งแต่ 2012 รวมถึงเป็นมุมมองของคนต่างชาติเขียนถึงเกาหลี แต่ก็ยังได้ประโยชน์อยู่ดี ได้ความรู้(ที่ไม่ลงลึกแต่พอเห็นภาพ)ครอบคลุมทั้งด้านประวัติศาสตร์อันขมขื่น(ถูกคุกคาม ถูกใช้เป็นเครื่องมือของชาติอื่นมาตั้งแต่อดีต จนกระทั่งถูกแบ่งแยกประเทศ) รวมทั้งวัฒนธรรม ความเชื่อ/รากเหง้าต่างๆ ที่shapeแนวคิดแบบคนเกาหลี คือได้รู้จักเกาหลีมากขึ้นนอกจากที่เห็นในซีรีส์นั่นล่ะ
ส่วนตัวชื่นชมเกาหลีใต้มากๆ เพราะเค้าเป็นประเทศเล็ก เริ่มต้นจากไม่มีอะไรเลย(หนังสือใช้คำว่า"เริ่มจากเถ้าถ่านของสงคราม")แล้วพัฒนาก้าวกระโดดจนเจริญอย่างที่เห็น ที่น่าสนใจอีกอย่างคือประเทศที่เป็นประชาธิปไตยมาก ๆ อย่างเกาหลีใต้เนี่ยเคยปกครองแบบเผด็จการและมีรัฐเผด็จการปูทางให้ แนวคิดเค้าคือให้ความสำคัญกับการศึกษาเป็นอย่างแรกเพราะทรัพยากรที่สำคัญที่สุดคือทรัพยากรมนุษย์ ฮ่าา ต่างกับประเทศไทยลิบลับ...🙄
ส่วนตัวชื่นชมเกาหลีใต้มากๆ เพราะเค้าเป็นประเทศเล็ก เริ่มต้นจากไม่มีอะไรเลย(หนังสือใช้คำว่า"เริ่มจากเถ้าถ่านของสงคราม")แล้วพัฒนาก้าวกระโดดจนเจริญอย่างที่เห็น ที่น่าสนใจอีกอย่างคือประเทศที่เป็นประชาธิปไตยมาก ๆ อย่างเกาหลีใต้เนี่ยเคยปกครองแบบเผด็จการและมีรัฐเผด็จการปูทางให้ แนวคิดเค้าคือให้ความสำคัญกับการศึกษาเป็นอย่างแรกเพราะทรัพยากรที่สำคัญที่สุดคือทรัพยากรมนุษย์ ฮ่าา ต่างกับประเทศไทยลิบลับ...🙄
January 17, 2013
Korea: Up Close and Personal
When I came to Korea in 1990 to live and work, my knowledge of Korea was what I was able to glean from a South Korean Fodor’s travel guide, travel information from the Korea National Tourism Agency, a couple badly photocopied pages of firsthand experiences by English teachers at the language school I would be teaching at in southern Seoul, and a feature story in an issue of National Geographic magazine.
Nowadays, finding out information about what life is like in Korea is easy thanks to all the websites and blogs devoted to Korea and the trove of books which have been published about Korea in the past 20 years (including one from this reviewer). There is no dearth of information about Korea and it seems with every new book or blog about Korea another “expert” chimes in.
Well, another expert, Daniel Tudor, has chimed in with Korea: The Impossible Country and this is one expert who knows his stuff about Korea. Indeed, this old Korean hat found a trove of fresh insights about Korea as well as some succinct explanations of Korean customs and traditions and one of the best explanations that I’ve ever come across of that ever so explanation-evasive Korean “cultural code”, han.
It’s all here. Anything and everything you’ve heard or wondered about Korea is explored here, up close and personal. He examines everything from Shamanism and Confucianism to the rise of democracy in Korea and nationalism. With journalistic flair and the desire for getting at the truth, whether to satisfy his own curiosity or not, Tudor unravels all that is mysterious, intriguing, and sometimes frustrating about Korea to get at the very heart of what makes Korea, Korea.
Although this is not an academic study, (those looking for a more of an academic study about Korea might want to choose Don Oberdorfer’s, The Two Koreas or Bruce Cumings, Korea’s Place in the Sun) there is much to be learned and digested here. And even if you have already lived and worked in Korea for any length of time, Tudor offers fresh insights into contemporary Korean society whether he’s talking about Korea’s drinking culture or the role of women (though he might need to update his book soon with the election of Park Guen-hye).
Though a bit heavy on the historical, cultural, anthropological, psychological attributes of Korean society and things Korean for short term visitors to Korea, it should be standard issue for anyone who is going to be here for the long term. Tudor excels with his ability to describe the Korean-ness of Korea. Additionally, it should be required reading for anyone doing business in Korea: from students and military personnel to business persons and diplomats.
When I came to Korea in 1990 to live and work, my knowledge of Korea was what I was able to glean from a South Korean Fodor’s travel guide, travel information from the Korea National Tourism Agency, a couple badly photocopied pages of firsthand experiences by English teachers at the language school I would be teaching at in southern Seoul, and a feature story in an issue of National Geographic magazine.
Nowadays, finding out information about what life is like in Korea is easy thanks to all the websites and blogs devoted to Korea and the trove of books which have been published about Korea in the past 20 years (including one from this reviewer). There is no dearth of information about Korea and it seems with every new book or blog about Korea another “expert” chimes in.
Well, another expert, Daniel Tudor, has chimed in with Korea: The Impossible Country and this is one expert who knows his stuff about Korea. Indeed, this old Korean hat found a trove of fresh insights about Korea as well as some succinct explanations of Korean customs and traditions and one of the best explanations that I’ve ever come across of that ever so explanation-evasive Korean “cultural code”, han.
It’s all here. Anything and everything you’ve heard or wondered about Korea is explored here, up close and personal. He examines everything from Shamanism and Confucianism to the rise of democracy in Korea and nationalism. With journalistic flair and the desire for getting at the truth, whether to satisfy his own curiosity or not, Tudor unravels all that is mysterious, intriguing, and sometimes frustrating about Korea to get at the very heart of what makes Korea, Korea.
Although this is not an academic study, (those looking for a more of an academic study about Korea might want to choose Don Oberdorfer’s, The Two Koreas or Bruce Cumings, Korea’s Place in the Sun) there is much to be learned and digested here. And even if you have already lived and worked in Korea for any length of time, Tudor offers fresh insights into contemporary Korean society whether he’s talking about Korea’s drinking culture or the role of women (though he might need to update his book soon with the election of Park Guen-hye).
Though a bit heavy on the historical, cultural, anthropological, psychological attributes of Korean society and things Korean for short term visitors to Korea, it should be standard issue for anyone who is going to be here for the long term. Tudor excels with his ability to describe the Korean-ness of Korea. Additionally, it should be required reading for anyone doing business in Korea: from students and military personnel to business persons and diplomats.
December 24, 2012
A great intro to South Korea, especially if you don't know know much about it. I thought that the section on religion was well put together, as was many of the historical sections. It provides a pretty comprehensive explanation for how things came to be through both cultural and historical avenues. However, as someone with a passing knowledge of Korea I found it a bit lackluster, especially the last ~25% of the book. The sections on Korean cinema and Kpop really seemed to be rushed and almost just a copout cashgrab of 한류. Another criticism I have it that it seems to be a little too foreigner friendly. The only areas it really goes into depth about are Itaewon, Hongdae, and Jeju Island, which are all really popular foreigner tourist spots. I wanted a little bit more information about some of the other provinces or cities, but I can understand why the author would focus on those areas. And while he is a very important figure, the author tried to connect 박정희 to too many developments, while not focusing on what any of the other presidents have accomplished.
As other commentors have pointed out, there is a lot of repetition in the book. The phrase "Confucian tradition" comes up entirely too often and seems like mental hand-holding. It could have done with another round of editing the tighten it up and make it more succinct.
tl;dr: Great if you know nothing about South Korea, just alright if you already have some knowledge.
As other commentors have pointed out, there is a lot of repetition in the book. The phrase "Confucian tradition" comes up entirely too often and seems like mental hand-holding. It could have done with another round of editing the tighten it up and make it more succinct.
tl;dr: Great if you know nothing about South Korea, just alright if you already have some knowledge.
March 17, 2016
I did not realise how ignorant I was about my own country. The cultural aspects described in the book was just so natural for me. I am bearly reading through the first chapter so far, but it is very interesting to read about how this culture was formed by different religions and idealologies that changed over dynasties. When I picked this book, I was actually looking forward to reading the perspective a non-Korean person. One thing that I want to point out is that in the brief history section at the beginning, the writer did not mention about Balhae which coexisted with Koryo. But I do understand where the writer is coming from maybe to avoid turmoil, since China is trying to force this part of history into theirs. But I still think it was necessary include Balhae.
July 8, 2020
Korea: The Impossible Country is an in-depth look at most things Korean. Author Daniel Tudor begins with an ancient history of the Korean peninsula, and the book moves in a somewhat chronological fashion afterward.
Tudor writes about the Japanese colonial rule over Korea, the war of 1950, and subsequent partitioning of the country into South Korea below the 38th parallel, and The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the north.
The book continues on, talking heavily about Korean customs, culture, and social norms.
While this was interesting, I found the writing here to be a bit dry and somewhat arduous...
It wasn't bad, still, and I would probably still recommend it to others interested.
3.5 stars.
Tudor writes about the Japanese colonial rule over Korea, the war of 1950, and subsequent partitioning of the country into South Korea below the 38th parallel, and The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in the north.
The book continues on, talking heavily about Korean customs, culture, and social norms.
While this was interesting, I found the writing here to be a bit dry and somewhat arduous...
It wasn't bad, still, and I would probably still recommend it to others interested.
3.5 stars.
August 26, 2013
I picked this up hoping it would be an interesting analysis of the country's rise from poverty, but was kind of disappointed. It would probably offer much more to someone who hasn't lived here for years. Some good information but overall a very surface level attempt to explain everything. The parts about the food and entertainment should have been jettisoned and more depth given to the economic rise.
September 11, 2020
The mediocre rating is misleading. This is a good overview of Korean culture, traditional and modern, and it can serve as a solid introduction to the people and country for those unfamiliar with it. Written in a journalistic style, it manages to be informative without ever being dry. I did not rate it more highly because after living in Korea for about seven years (off and one from 1973 to 1987), and being husband to a Korean wife since 1978, I learned little I didn't already know, so for anyone familiar with Korea, you can skip this. For people like me, it wasn't time well spent (I read it along with our sons, who were born there but grew up here). That may seem harsh, but it isn't meant that way. For anyone curious about the culture and people and thinking or planning a trip there, DO read this book. You will be glad you did as it will inform your experience and help you make sense of a lot of what you'll see and experience.
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August 24, 2021Repetitive at times and probably simplistic, but full of information useful if you really don't know much about a place you are moving to and want to get up to speed.
April 18, 2017
If you want to read and understand South Korea this should be your first stop. Please bear in mind that it is very pro South Korea.
December 7, 2023
Detailed, if sometimes overly so, overview of the country's history & culture. Expecting to be glad I read it prior to visiting.
August 19, 2022
E o carte relativ interesantă da’ putea să acopere tot materialul și într-o sută de pagini în loc de trei sute. M-a căpiat cu toate numele alea de coreeni pe care le uiți oricum înainte să le citești. De exemplu, nu era nevoie să bage un capitol separat pentru muzica coreeană și să enumere toți aurelianii temișanii și trei sud eștii de care nu-i pasă nimănui pe lume. Bine mă, hai, dacă vrei să dai doctoratul în țara asta probabil te ajută să știi de-a fir a păr care-i schema cu ea, dar altfel nu contează jean boxează.
În plus, nu că mă dau deștept, da’ eu după aproape două săptămâni în Coreea de Sud am identificat jumate din ideile autorului care stă acolo de-o viață. Însă, recunosc, pe alocuri sunt elemente generale care țin de mentalitate, societate, obiceiuri etc. pe care nu ai cum să le afli decât dacă ți le povestește un insider.
Referitor la conținut ținând cont că sunt primul și ultimul român care a citit cartea asta, pot să dezvălui câte ceva din ea. Și anume că noi, românii, suntem mai frați cu coreenii decât s-ar fi crezut. Ne place la fel de mult să ne-mbătăm cu țuică și soju, să mâncăm ceafă și pork belly la grătar cu varză murată și kimchi, credem că omu-i om și femeia-i femeie, ținem minte cât s-a dat la nuntă darul ca să dăm la fel înapoi, mergem la ghicitori și citim horoscopul. Unii suspină după Ceașcă, alții după Park Chung-hee și altele.
Sunt și diferențe, mai degrabă nesemnificative: infrastructură, brand-uri globale, GDP per capita, noi 13 ei 32 mii dolari, da’ cui îi pasă? Când tragi linie tot noi suntem mai fericiți. Prin urmare, de ce să bați atâta drum până-n Coreea de Sud când poți merge la Eforie Sud și-i la fel, dacă nu mai dihai de frumos!
În plus, nu că mă dau deștept, da’ eu după aproape două săptămâni în Coreea de Sud am identificat jumate din ideile autorului care stă acolo de-o viață. Însă, recunosc, pe alocuri sunt elemente generale care țin de mentalitate, societate, obiceiuri etc. pe care nu ai cum să le afli decât dacă ți le povestește un insider.
Referitor la conținut ținând cont că sunt primul și ultimul român care a citit cartea asta, pot să dezvălui câte ceva din ea. Și anume că noi, românii, suntem mai frați cu coreenii decât s-ar fi crezut. Ne place la fel de mult să ne-mbătăm cu țuică și soju, să mâncăm ceafă și pork belly la grătar cu varză murată și kimchi, credem că omu-i om și femeia-i femeie, ținem minte cât s-a dat la nuntă darul ca să dăm la fel înapoi, mergem la ghicitori și citim horoscopul. Unii suspină după Ceașcă, alții după Park Chung-hee și altele.
Sunt și diferențe, mai degrabă nesemnificative: infrastructură, brand-uri globale, GDP per capita, noi 13 ei 32 mii dolari, da’ cui îi pasă? Când tragi linie tot noi suntem mai fericiți. Prin urmare, de ce să bați atâta drum până-n Coreea de Sud când poți merge la Eforie Sud și-i la fel, dacă nu mai dihai de frumos!
November 14, 2018
This book had potential. There are parts that I really liked. If you want to know you some facts about South Korea, then even my criticism (to follow) should not stop you from reading this book. Tudor is the Korea corespondent for The Economist (the greatest English-language newspaper), and that shows through.
The problem with this book is that it is supposed to be a book, but what Tudor provides is not really a book. It actually struggles with what it is trying to be. Sometimes, it feels like a businessman's guide to doing business in Korea. Sometimes, it feel like a tourist's guide to traveling in Korea.
For much of the book, it has the feel of a three-hundred-page long Economist article. It never comes close to getting past the newsy feel and writing a real, cohesive narrative. He is constantly quoting experts, just like a news article should, but he does it so much it becomes really distracting. If you have a bottle of soju, try making a drinking game out of it, taking a shot of it every time he quotes an expert. You will be too drunk to continue reading by the time you make five pages.
Minor things, like fact checking pop up occasionally. The March of Fools was 1983, not 1975, and the heroine of the Housemaid is not a cold temptress (it is recommended to watch a film before publishing on it).
He often essentializes: Korea has a long tradition of shamans in holy mountains. Korean Christians some times go to the mountains, therefore Korean Christians are practicing a Koreanized form of Christianity. Of course, the problem with this is that lots of cultures find mountains holy; it is hard to draw a line from the early Korean shamans to Korean Christians. Later, he says that Korean society's communal nature has to do with the fact that for much of Korean history, Koreans lived in villages...of course, what nation has not lived in villages for most of their history. All of them have.
Tudor should have decided what kind of book he wanted to write before actually writing it. His cover promises to tell the story of "South Korea's amazing rise from the ashes," but at times it is a guide book, at times, a business primer and at times it reads like a list of expert testimony. He should avoid essentializing. Yet despite this, this book is impressive for the sheer amount of information that it gives.
The problem with this book is that it is supposed to be a book, but what Tudor provides is not really a book. It actually struggles with what it is trying to be. Sometimes, it feels like a businessman's guide to doing business in Korea. Sometimes, it feel like a tourist's guide to traveling in Korea.
For much of the book, it has the feel of a three-hundred-page long Economist article. It never comes close to getting past the newsy feel and writing a real, cohesive narrative. He is constantly quoting experts, just like a news article should, but he does it so much it becomes really distracting. If you have a bottle of soju, try making a drinking game out of it, taking a shot of it every time he quotes an expert. You will be too drunk to continue reading by the time you make five pages.
Minor things, like fact checking pop up occasionally. The March of Fools was 1983, not 1975, and the heroine of the Housemaid is not a cold temptress (it is recommended to watch a film before publishing on it).
He often essentializes: Korea has a long tradition of shamans in holy mountains. Korean Christians some times go to the mountains, therefore Korean Christians are practicing a Koreanized form of Christianity. Of course, the problem with this is that lots of cultures find mountains holy; it is hard to draw a line from the early Korean shamans to Korean Christians. Later, he says that Korean society's communal nature has to do with the fact that for much of Korean history, Koreans lived in villages...of course, what nation has not lived in villages for most of their history. All of them have.
Tudor should have decided what kind of book he wanted to write before actually writing it. His cover promises to tell the story of "South Korea's amazing rise from the ashes," but at times it is a guide book, at times, a business primer and at times it reads like a list of expert testimony. He should avoid essentializing. Yet despite this, this book is impressive for the sheer amount of information that it gives.
May 22, 2021
A very informative non-fiction touching on multiple aspects of Korean culture, history and background. Some information or facts were repeated several times throughout the book, which I personally found a little annoying, but it did make me remember some events and dates, which I would most likely not remember otherwise. This book came out in 2012, so a lot of the more current trends are quite dated and either irrelevant in 2021, or require a much more complex research. But overall, I did enjoy it quite a bit and would definitely recommend it as a brief introduction to Korea (mostly South Korea) as a country and a society.
April 19, 2022
South Korea was "the poorest, most impossible country on the planet" when it was founded, according to an advisor to its third president. Wrecked by war, that was on pause, and not officially ended. It's citizens rebuilt the country, and became a model for other countries. A small country with a troubled past living between powerful and hostile neighbors.
Why I started this book: Needed a good history book to get me back on track.
Why I finished it: Solid book of history, and an explaination of how South Korea became the economic and cultural powerhouse, punching above it's weight.
Why I started this book: Needed a good history book to get me back on track.
Why I finished it: Solid book of history, and an explaination of how South Korea became the economic and cultural powerhouse, punching above it's weight.
August 31, 2022
An interesting look at South Korea and how it has evolved to its (almost, 2018) current state. I imagine things have changed a fair bit in some regards over the last 4 years anyway. Not a lot on the history of the country, as it is mostly about the post-Korean War period, but the background to many cultural and sociological aspects are investigated in some detail and for someone like myself who knew next to nothing about Korea and its people it was informative and well thought out book.
November 26, 2017
Great introduction!
January 12, 2021
Provides an easily understandable cliff notes of the past and current economic/cultural/political ideas of Korea. Acts as a good introduction to a broad topic.
June 11, 2021
Despite being a little outdated, the book is still worth reading. It embraces a large variety of themes in the South Korea society.
August 5, 2021
J'ai adoré. Un ouvrage passionnant sur la Corée du sud, sur ses religions, son histoire, sa culture, sa société, et son ascension fulgurante. Je recommande absolument!
March 2, 2024
If you’re about to move to South Korea I highly recommend reading this book. Fascinating insight to the country’s history and culture.
August 1, 2024
This book reads as a nice primer for a variety of subjects on modern Korea and Tudor does a good job in presenting some interesting points and nuances which readers might want to read further on. There is the occasional repetition of details that I found was unnecessary, which had be deduct a star, but I appreciated the book regardless.
January 4, 2026
For a surface-level look at South Korea, it gets the job done.
September 14, 2023
Geeft in beter blik op Zuid-Korea en voornamelijk de onderliggende redenen voor waarom zuid-Korea zo is. Het is geen opsomming van Kpop, tempels en dramas. Het begint met de bouwstenen van de samenleving die allemaal iets zeggen over hedendaags korea. Confuscianisme, boedhisme, christendom en shamanisme. En hierna worde Korea van uit alle aspecten beschouwt.
De beschouwingen zijn wel uit 2012 met wat wijzigingen in 2018. Hierdoor kan je de trends die worden beschreven controleren. Hierdoor zie je ook belangrijke gebeurtenissen of themas die niet behandelt zijn. Corona, Kdramas, Wereldwijde KPOP. Nieuwe presidenten etc...
De beschouwingen zijn wel uit 2012 met wat wijzigingen in 2018. Hierdoor kan je de trends die worden beschreven controleren. Hierdoor zie je ook belangrijke gebeurtenissen of themas die niet behandelt zijn. Corona, Kdramas, Wereldwijde KPOP. Nieuwe presidenten etc...
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