2002 World Cup was one of the most unforgettable events in Korea. It displayed strong nationalism. People wore red shirt and gathered to support our team. Before 2002, we never have won that far. There was an excitement all over the country. People who didn’t have the ticket to World Cup gathered around a place where TV was available. City Hall was very crowded with people who wore red uniform. Whenever our team scored, people shared their happiness and excitement with others whom they barely knew. Whenever our team lost, we consoled each other. It was a great moment when Koreans united stronger once again.
Also, this event was remarkable on women’s participation on the sport. Unlike female students in USA, female students in Korea did not play sports actively. Therefore, they did have neither strong interests nor knowledge in sports. As 2002 World cup made an impact in Korea, women also started to show their interest in sports. Women gradually gained interest in sports. Soccer players became more famous, and all of them have been loved by massive female fans, just like the way most famous celebrities are treated.
2002 World Cup also developed Korean economy. Almost every single person bought red soccer uniform. So many products that symbolized team support were introduced and sold during the World Cup. It was a good source to advertise Korea. World Cup 2002 made huge positive changes in Korea.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Undercovered History
Does anyone have watched “Silmido”? After watching “Heaven of Solider,” this movie came into my mind. I went to school in Korea before attending Smith. What we learn, and what I hear from the news are quite different from the actual history that I watched in “Silmido.” This movie starts with a scene of criminals getting executed, but the government keeps them alive and put them into secret military mission: Kill Kim Il-Sung. These criminals would be guaranteed new lives if they succeed the mission. So they are being trained intensely in an isolated island called “Silmido.” The government, however, cancels their mission the day before their mission. The government even attempts to kill all the criminals to keep the secret. The criminals find out the government’s plan, and they revolt. At the end, they die, and the government and media report that they were North Korean commandos. They keep this event secrecy. This movie was debuted in 2003, around 30 years after the actual event occurred (1972). Now, the media has more freedom of choosing the different types of movies to create. So those movies can be played. I really think it is possible to have a secret mission such as making nuclear bomb with both sides of Korea together as in “Heaven in Solider.” I also think some historical events we have been taught in our country might not be true. Yi Sun-Sin, our hero, might not be the person we have studied and imagined. He could have been the person we saw in the “Heaven Solider.” How can we be assured about what actually occurred if we were never there. I believe some heroes and historical events can be exaggerated to what we want to believe. Although I am very curious, I don’t believe I should argue about it. These are my thought after watching those movies.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
North Korea travel
When I was doing research for my mom, these were some of the links I looked at regarding visiting North Korea. The first is a FAQ answered by North Korea. The second is a North Korean tour group company, and the third is what wikipedia had to say about visiting (I realize wikipedia is not a reliable source, but the differences are worth noting). It makes you wonder what is really going on and who should we believe?
http://www.korea-dpr.com/faq.htm#1
http://www.koryogroup.com/index.html
http://wikitravel.org/en/North_Korea
http://www.korea-dpr.com/faq.htm#1
http://www.koryogroup.com/index.html
http://wikitravel.org/en/North_Korea
"A State of Mind" and our class discussion got me thinking, how much of a reliable source is North Korea? Everything that goes into North Korea is very censored and mediated and I assume that hold true for images and things which come out of the country. So, is what North Koreans say about North Korea true? Speaking out against Kim Jong-Il, North Korea, or its government is probably tantamount to treason, making people extremely cautious and weary about speaking out. In the film, many of the North Koreans seemed to be brainwashed and have completely internalized communist values and anti-Western sentiment, but I wonder how much they actually believe and what is being said simply because they know it has to be said. It's sort of similar to people in the US armed forces, they are not allowed to speak out against our president or the war effort, so when reporters ask, "How do you feel about the war and Bush Admin?" their answers are extremely predictable and make it seems as if all the soldiers are ready and willing to fight.
As far as North Korean and South Korean re-unification, I question how much the middle and upper echelons of North Korean society would be willing to re-unite, since they are not the ones really being effected by any poverty or poor living conditions. South Korea seems to have this almost condescending attitude towards North Korea, or it can seem that way. All those singers coming together for a re-unification song reminded me of Michael Jackson and his "We Are the World" thing back in the 1990s. Acting like North Korea is a helpless child that needs to be cared for might not be the best way to treat the situation, even if it is true.
This sort of, "we don't really need South Korea" attitude by North Koreans I think was SO obvious when we watched the video of Shinhwa perform. These wealthy(ish) Koreans probably were thinking something similar to "We need to be cultured into this?" or "This is what is the better way of life?" At least, that's what I imagine they were thinking.
On a seperate note, I had two interesting experiences over Thanksgiving. The first was over dinner when my mom told a story that when I was little I hated rice, something which everyone thought was really funny. The second was a friend of mine showed me "The Onion's Atlas of the World" which talked about South Korea being number 1 and being number 2, in other words, we are still always overshadowed by other Asian countries. This got me thinking about cultural expectations, what people expect or assume when you tell them that your South Korean. I guess this could relate to our discussion about Korean youth and their ethnic national pride, sort of embracing what Koreans are known to be. Anyone else have any interesting encounters with cultural expectations?
As far as North Korean and South Korean re-unification, I question how much the middle and upper echelons of North Korean society would be willing to re-unite, since they are not the ones really being effected by any poverty or poor living conditions. South Korea seems to have this almost condescending attitude towards North Korea, or it can seem that way. All those singers coming together for a re-unification song reminded me of Michael Jackson and his "We Are the World" thing back in the 1990s. Acting like North Korea is a helpless child that needs to be cared for might not be the best way to treat the situation, even if it is true.
This sort of, "we don't really need South Korea" attitude by North Koreans I think was SO obvious when we watched the video of Shinhwa perform. These wealthy(ish) Koreans probably were thinking something similar to "We need to be cultured into this?" or "This is what is the better way of life?" At least, that's what I imagine they were thinking.
On a seperate note, I had two interesting experiences over Thanksgiving. The first was over dinner when my mom told a story that when I was little I hated rice, something which everyone thought was really funny. The second was a friend of mine showed me "The Onion's Atlas of the World" which talked about South Korea being number 1 and being number 2, in other words, we are still always overshadowed by other Asian countries. This got me thinking about cultural expectations, what people expect or assume when you tell them that your South Korean. I guess this could relate to our discussion about Korean youth and their ethnic national pride, sort of embracing what Koreans are known to be. Anyone else have any interesting encounters with cultural expectations?
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Reactions to "A State of Mind"
While watching the fascinating documentary "A State of Mind," I became aware of how little I know about North Korea. Before seeing this film, I had no idea of the extent to which North Koreans are are brainwashed through CONSTANT propaganda (which is broadcast through their mandatory radios and their single television channel, in school, and through the ever present imagery of their "fathers" or "leaders," Kim Jong-il and the deceased Kim Il-sung. I was amazed to see the people of North Korea's manifestation of their communism through the incredibly elaborate dance shows performed during the Mass Games. I have NEVER before witnessed anything so precise and synchronized. Although Suk-Young Kim, in her essay "Springtime for Kim Il-sung" does not refer to the Mass Games directly (unless this event is part of the celebratory parades that she does discuss), she refers to several themes that are significant to examine in relation to the Mass Games that Hyon Sun Pak and Son Yun Kim prepare for so tirelessly.
Suk- Young Kim writes, "North Korean stage productions are dedicated to providing an accurate depiction of Pyongyang, while at the same time preoccupied with presenting the prescribed utopian vision of the North Korean capital...the overriding mission of every North Korean stage production is to simulate this ideal world as if it were already a part or reality, a phenomenon epitomized most conspicuously in revolutionary operas" (26).
Like these operas, the Mass Games gymnastic performances attempt to depict North Korea and its capital, Pyongyang. Although this depiction is not a representation of the physical city, it is one that strives to depict North Korean values. By performing so in sync as a group, with no solos or other moments of individual expression, these gymnasts are portraying the communist ideals of team work and unity. The Mass Games also serve, as phrased by Kim, to "...display an image of an invigorated North Korean economy to the outside world" (35). From watching the mesmerizing dances, one would never imagine North Korea to be a country plagued in recent years by severe famine. The dancers appear to be healthy and happy (they are constantly smiling!) The documentary "A State of Mind" reveals the opposite, by showing footage of the girls' grueling rehearsals- without gymnastic mats.. ouch, revealing comments made by the gymnasts about the amount of pain they are experiencing due to rehearsing, and by including interviews with Son Yun Kim's mother about the famine period.
Kim's statement, "Clearly the regime is more interested in staging a show than caring for its people," (35) is clearly seen in the this documentary. The most heartbreaking moment of the film was when it becomes known that Kim Jong-il did not attend the first Mass Games performance, nor did he attend any that occurred twice a day for almost a month. Although Hyon Sun Pak accepts his absence (for she believes he is attending to important business), it is a clear example of the misconceptions and false hopes that so many of North Korea's citizens have for their leaders.
Suk- Young Kim writes, "North Korean stage productions are dedicated to providing an accurate depiction of Pyongyang, while at the same time preoccupied with presenting the prescribed utopian vision of the North Korean capital...the overriding mission of every North Korean stage production is to simulate this ideal world as if it were already a part or reality, a phenomenon epitomized most conspicuously in revolutionary operas" (26).
Like these operas, the Mass Games gymnastic performances attempt to depict North Korea and its capital, Pyongyang. Although this depiction is not a representation of the physical city, it is one that strives to depict North Korean values. By performing so in sync as a group, with no solos or other moments of individual expression, these gymnasts are portraying the communist ideals of team work and unity. The Mass Games also serve, as phrased by Kim, to "...display an image of an invigorated North Korean economy to the outside world" (35). From watching the mesmerizing dances, one would never imagine North Korea to be a country plagued in recent years by severe famine. The dancers appear to be healthy and happy (they are constantly smiling!) The documentary "A State of Mind" reveals the opposite, by showing footage of the girls' grueling rehearsals- without gymnastic mats.. ouch, revealing comments made by the gymnasts about the amount of pain they are experiencing due to rehearsing, and by including interviews with Son Yun Kim's mother about the famine period.
Kim's statement, "Clearly the regime is more interested in staging a show than caring for its people," (35) is clearly seen in the this documentary. The most heartbreaking moment of the film was when it becomes known that Kim Jong-il did not attend the first Mass Games performance, nor did he attend any that occurred twice a day for almost a month. Although Hyon Sun Pak accepts his absence (for she believes he is attending to important business), it is a clear example of the misconceptions and false hopes that so many of North Korea's citizens have for their leaders.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Perspective of the Youth
Sook-Jong Lee’s article “The Assertive Nationalism of South Korean Youth: Cultural Dynamism and Political Activism,” revealed a surprising generational gap between Koreans in their twenties and those older. While generational gaps are expected in any country, Lee’s article made Korea’s seem especially pronounced. I was surprised in particular by the different statistics on Koreans’ views on the US. I did not expect such a large difference, or inversion even, between the views of younger and older generations. I was also surprised at the level of negativity for Koreans in their twenties. Having now read about the impact that American culture has had on the youth of Korea, it was surprising to see the level of political disagreement (though it is understandable). Likewise, I was surprised that the older generation found the US so much more favorable.
How strong, then, is the connection between Hollywood and US pop culture and our foreign policy? Does disagreement with the government lead to backlash against American movies, music, and stars? We have read, for example, about the prohibition of Japanese culture following colonialism, but this was state-initiated. Since American doesn’t experience the same influx of foreign entertainment, it’s difficult for me to fathom how much a country’s politics impacts their cultural exports. Based on the statistics from the article, I would assume that among the younger generation there is a greater popularity of Korean movies and music compared to Hollywood products, but this is pure speculation.
Also, given the support for Korea’s unification among Koreans in their twenties, it seems that reunification may become more possible as this generation continues to age and gain gravitas within Korea’s political landscape. I’m unaware of the limitations in Korea regarding running for office, but again, as this generation ages it seems likely that their perspectives and values will shape Korea’s future policies. With Korea’s younger generation holding so many different views from the older generation, it will be interesting to see whether they keep these views in opposition to the older generation as they gain sway over the country.
How strong, then, is the connection between Hollywood and US pop culture and our foreign policy? Does disagreement with the government lead to backlash against American movies, music, and stars? We have read, for example, about the prohibition of Japanese culture following colonialism, but this was state-initiated. Since American doesn’t experience the same influx of foreign entertainment, it’s difficult for me to fathom how much a country’s politics impacts their cultural exports. Based on the statistics from the article, I would assume that among the younger generation there is a greater popularity of Korean movies and music compared to Hollywood products, but this is pure speculation.
Also, given the support for Korea’s unification among Koreans in their twenties, it seems that reunification may become more possible as this generation continues to age and gain gravitas within Korea’s political landscape. I’m unaware of the limitations in Korea regarding running for office, but again, as this generation ages it seems likely that their perspectives and values will shape Korea’s future policies. With Korea’s younger generation holding so many different views from the older generation, it will be interesting to see whether they keep these views in opposition to the older generation as they gain sway over the country.
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