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Giải Mã Hàn Quốc Sành Điệu
Giải mã Hàn Quốc sành điệu là một cái nhìn cận cảnh, hài hước và mới mẻ về cách Hàn Quốc biến mình trở thành một cường quốc dẫn đầu thế giới về pop culture của thế kỉ 21.
Năm 1985, cô bé Euny Hong mười hai tuổi cùng gia đình chuyển từ Chicago về Seoul. Trong thời gian sống tại đây, cô đã chứng kiến những bước đầu tiên trong sự chuyển mình mạnh mẽ của một quốc gia những năm 60 có GDP bình quân đầu người còn thua Ghana mà giờ đây đã là nền kinh tế lớn thứ mười ba trên thế giới.
Giải mã Hàn Quốc sành điệu là tập hợp những câu chuyện và quan sát của Euny Hong, hiện đã là một nhà văn và nhà báo nổi tiếng, về cách một quốc gia vươn lên dẫn đầu toàn cầu về kinh tế, công nghệ, giáo dục, và pop culture (văn hóa đại chúng). Đó là bức tranh toàn cảnh về một Hàn Quốc từ một nơi không-hề-sành-điệu nay trở thành một biểu tượng sành điệu; về một quốc gia từng cấm phụ nữ mặc váy ngắn, đàn ông để tóc dài, cấm cả rock ‘n’ roll giờ đây lại có thể cho ra đời hàng loạt các nhóm nhạc, phim truyền hình dài tập; chiếc điện thoại thông minh quan trọng nhất trên thế giới; và về một quốc gia luôn nỗ lực hết mình để chiến thắng những con quỷ trong chính họ cũng như tin rằng họ sẽ là một phần quan trọng của tương lai.
Chào mừng tới Hàn Quốc. Chào mừng tới tương lai.
“... The Birth of Korean Cool (Giải mã Hàn Quốc sành điệu) mô tả một cách dí dỏm, gai góc và thức tỉnh về sự nỗ lực và những thành công của đất nước Hàn Quốc. Tôi đã đọc liền một mạch mà không thể nào đặt cuốn sách xuống được.”
(Amy Chua, tác giả Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (Khúc chiến ca của Mẹ Hổ)
Năm 1985, cô bé Euny Hong mười hai tuổi cùng gia đình chuyển từ Chicago về Seoul. Trong thời gian sống tại đây, cô đã chứng kiến những bước đầu tiên trong sự chuyển mình mạnh mẽ của một quốc gia những năm 60 có GDP bình quân đầu người còn thua Ghana mà giờ đây đã là nền kinh tế lớn thứ mười ba trên thế giới.
Giải mã Hàn Quốc sành điệu là tập hợp những câu chuyện và quan sát của Euny Hong, hiện đã là một nhà văn và nhà báo nổi tiếng, về cách một quốc gia vươn lên dẫn đầu toàn cầu về kinh tế, công nghệ, giáo dục, và pop culture (văn hóa đại chúng). Đó là bức tranh toàn cảnh về một Hàn Quốc từ một nơi không-hề-sành-điệu nay trở thành một biểu tượng sành điệu; về một quốc gia từng cấm phụ nữ mặc váy ngắn, đàn ông để tóc dài, cấm cả rock ‘n’ roll giờ đây lại có thể cho ra đời hàng loạt các nhóm nhạc, phim truyền hình dài tập; chiếc điện thoại thông minh quan trọng nhất trên thế giới; và về một quốc gia luôn nỗ lực hết mình để chiến thắng những con quỷ trong chính họ cũng như tin rằng họ sẽ là một phần quan trọng của tương lai.
Chào mừng tới Hàn Quốc. Chào mừng tới tương lai.
“... The Birth of Korean Cool (Giải mã Hàn Quốc sành điệu) mô tả một cách dí dỏm, gai góc và thức tỉnh về sự nỗ lực và những thành công của đất nước Hàn Quốc. Tôi đã đọc liền một mạch mà không thể nào đặt cuốn sách xuống được.”
(Amy Chua, tác giả Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother (Khúc chiến ca của Mẹ Hổ)
344 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2014
259 people are currently reading
3673 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 451 reviews
July 18, 2014
Breezy, cheesy, wheezy... it's an OK book but due to the memoir-ish nature of it, doesn't actually get into the details of Korean Cool as much as you'd expect. I mean she does get into those details, but it's all presented through this lens of personal experience that I didn't find that compelling. The whole thing just felt a little too light weight, e.g. it annoyed me that there's a chapter on "The Birth of Irony" where she argues that irony is only present in wealthy countries and Korea had to learn it to thrive... but there's zero evidence or explanation for her claims and the chapter goes off in a totally different direction!
There are some interesting tidbits in here about Korean schooling, Confucianism, Wan... I think the subject matter is fascinating; it just deserves a more thoughtful/compelling response.
There are some interesting tidbits in here about Korean schooling, Confucianism, Wan... I think the subject matter is fascinating; it just deserves a more thoughtful/compelling response.
October 9, 2025
Listen to my review on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEDSl...
Read my review on Substack here - https://barrywelsh1.substack.com/p/ko...
Read my review on Substack here - https://barrywelsh1.substack.com/p/ko...
September 3, 2014
I was taken completely by surprise by The Birth of Korean Cool. I don't know what I actually expected, as one with only a passing interest in Korean pop culture. I've seen some Korean reality shows, followed some bands and drama. Mostly for the heck of it, and as a result of a general curiosity. And while I have grown critical of what I suspected was the machinations of a well oiled fabrication process, I lacked the cultural and historical context to fully comprehend it. Euny Hong has rectified that in a marvellous fashion.
In The Birth of Korean Cool she serves up well a well written context and explains how the past and future aspirations create what is the current state of the cultural industry in Korea. And industry that is dominated by large companies who are obedient servants of the Korean state. She effectively demonstrates the power a government has to shape not only the economy of a nation, but also it's culture. In particular a deeple confucian culture like the one in Korea.
Through this book I have found a better understanding of all the things about Korean pop culture and its popularity that I've had a hard time of grasping. It is well written, and the anecdotes used to illustrate the history of Korean culture are quite compelling. The images of Korean school discipline and inter-generational interaction will probably stick with me for some time.
Great read. And inspiring.
In The Birth of Korean Cool she serves up well a well written context and explains how the past and future aspirations create what is the current state of the cultural industry in Korea. And industry that is dominated by large companies who are obedient servants of the Korean state. She effectively demonstrates the power a government has to shape not only the economy of a nation, but also it's culture. In particular a deeple confucian culture like the one in Korea.
Through this book I have found a better understanding of all the things about Korean pop culture and its popularity that I've had a hard time of grasping. It is well written, and the anecdotes used to illustrate the history of Korean culture are quite compelling. The images of Korean school discipline and inter-generational interaction will probably stick with me for some time.
Great read. And inspiring.
August 10, 2021
A little out of date in the fast-moving world of pop culture, written in the days of Psy rather than BTS, but timely for me as I’ve only recently fallen into the world of k-dramas and Korean movies on Netflix lately and had a K-pop-playlist-filled summer. An entertaining blend of memoir and reportage that explores the cultural, historical, and economic factors behind the international rise of Korean pop culture. Euny Hong moved back to Korea with her family at the age of 12 from the US, and draws on the dual insider/outsider view she developed. Really interesting on the role of government direction and funding (and shame and rage!). We are now several years on from when she was writing, but much of this seems quite prescient. 3.5.
April 4, 2021
Warto, chociażby dla poczucia humoru autorki i jej kąśliwego stylu. A i sporo ciekawych rzeczy o Korei można przy okazji podłapać.
didn-t-finish
March 28, 2022184/286, może kiedyś skończę - na razie DNF.
August 22, 2019
Interested in Rising Asia? Particularly, in the K-pop phenomena currently sweeping the globe?
Then Euny Hong's The Birth of Korean Cool is a necessary book if you want to understand how South Korea became the country that it is today.
Part memoir and part informal history lesson, Hong details both her life as a Korean-American kind going back and forth during the tumultuous 80s and 90s as well as journalistically documenting all the main points in Korean development and pop culture.
Learn about Korea's unique challenges separating the nation from the rest of Asia, especially the more well-known tales of China and Japan's rise. About how the 90s recession actually kick-started a central government plan to update industries as diverse as digital tech--from Samsung to Starcraft--and of course popular music. Confucianism, kimchi, han and hallyu: Everything one needs to know to get caught up in the sometimes rigid world of Korean upbringing and modern hipsterdom.
Fascinating takes on North Korea and propaganda too, that's even the South's propaganda during the previous dictatorship era.
The book is a bit dated at this juncture, as Psy's Gangnam Style is the reference readers are all supposed to know while BTS hadn't become the biggest thing ever just yet. Not to mention Park Geun-hye was president at the time of this writing, before her eventual disgrace.
As always with such books, it's more of an introduction than the final word. If a reader is so inspired then one can certainly pursue more scholarly works and then dig deeper into the Korean political and business world...
In any case, at least for the casual traveler visiting Seoul on vacation (which I must admit, was me before I was inspired to read up more), this book is indispensable!
Then Euny Hong's The Birth of Korean Cool is a necessary book if you want to understand how South Korea became the country that it is today.
Part memoir and part informal history lesson, Hong details both her life as a Korean-American kind going back and forth during the tumultuous 80s and 90s as well as journalistically documenting all the main points in Korean development and pop culture.
Learn about Korea's unique challenges separating the nation from the rest of Asia, especially the more well-known tales of China and Japan's rise. About how the 90s recession actually kick-started a central government plan to update industries as diverse as digital tech--from Samsung to Starcraft--and of course popular music. Confucianism, kimchi, han and hallyu: Everything one needs to know to get caught up in the sometimes rigid world of Korean upbringing and modern hipsterdom.
Fascinating takes on North Korea and propaganda too, that's even the South's propaganda during the previous dictatorship era.
The book is a bit dated at this juncture, as Psy's Gangnam Style is the reference readers are all supposed to know while BTS hadn't become the biggest thing ever just yet. Not to mention Park Geun-hye was president at the time of this writing, before her eventual disgrace.
As always with such books, it's more of an introduction than the final word. If a reader is so inspired then one can certainly pursue more scholarly works and then dig deeper into the Korean political and business world...
In any case, at least for the casual traveler visiting Seoul on vacation (which I must admit, was me before I was inspired to read up more), this book is indispensable!
September 9, 2016
This is a well paced and personable look at the K-phenomenon, nicely augmented with that outsider-insider angle that comes from Hong having spent most of her childhood in the US and where being Korean was once embarrassing, not hip.
It's pretty useful on Korean culture in general. I love the idea of shame and rage ('han') being the engine of so much ambition and progress. I find myself thinking of Korea at moments as the Asian answer to Ireland (or perhaps Poland); dicked around by boorish neighbours for centuries, only to emerge with the social understanding and bitter experience of the bully to know how to stride into his living room and be welcomed as a sweetheart.
It's also interesting (for an unapologetic liberal capitalist type comme moi at least) just how much state investment and involvement there has been in the strategic direction of Korean enterprise (not to mention protectionism). Definitely helped.
Can't help admiring Korea hugely, really: the technophilia, the good looks and the sheer industry. There's also wry pleasure to be had from seeing them knock Japan off its perch, frankly. When I was growing up, Japan was the future - and Sony was the future of technology (not the laughing stock it is now). There are good reasons for it running out of steam and for Korea storming ahead (I had never heard of Galapagos Syndrome in economics and tech, but it's a pretty decent hypothesis). But sure as night follows day, K follows J. Good effort.
It's pretty useful on Korean culture in general. I love the idea of shame and rage ('han') being the engine of so much ambition and progress. I find myself thinking of Korea at moments as the Asian answer to Ireland (or perhaps Poland); dicked around by boorish neighbours for centuries, only to emerge with the social understanding and bitter experience of the bully to know how to stride into his living room and be welcomed as a sweetheart.
It's also interesting (for an unapologetic liberal capitalist type comme moi at least) just how much state investment and involvement there has been in the strategic direction of Korean enterprise (not to mention protectionism). Definitely helped.
Can't help admiring Korea hugely, really: the technophilia, the good looks and the sheer industry. There's also wry pleasure to be had from seeing them knock Japan off its perch, frankly. When I was growing up, Japan was the future - and Sony was the future of technology (not the laughing stock it is now). There are good reasons for it running out of steam and for Korea storming ahead (I had never heard of Galapagos Syndrome in economics and tech, but it's a pretty decent hypothesis). But sure as night follows day, K follows J. Good effort.
August 15, 2014
I won a copy of this through Gooreads First Reads
I really hope Hong plans to write more books in the future. Her writing makes you feel like she is sitting across the table from you and speaking to directly to you. There were only a few spots were I felt like I was actually reading a non-fiction book. Besides explaining how Korean Pop Culture has spread through out the world, she also (lightly) touches on S. Korea's economy right after the Korean War, the social changes the country has seen in just a few decades, the differences between her experience with Korea's education system in the 80s and what its like today, and the growing obsession with plastic surgery. Overall this was a very informative and entertaining read
Full review to come
I really hope Hong plans to write more books in the future. Her writing makes you feel like she is sitting across the table from you and speaking to directly to you. There were only a few spots were I felt like I was actually reading a non-fiction book. Besides explaining how Korean Pop Culture has spread through out the world, she also (lightly) touches on S. Korea's economy right after the Korean War, the social changes the country has seen in just a few decades, the differences between her experience with Korea's education system in the 80s and what its like today, and the growing obsession with plastic surgery. Overall this was a very informative and entertaining read
Full review to come
February 19, 2022
Reread
May 14, 2022
Euny Hong przeniosła się do Korei ze Stanów w bardzo ciekawym historycznie momencie. Miało to miejsce w 1985 roku, już po wojnach, które szargały tym krajem, ale tuż przed wielkim kryzysem finansowym, który miał nastąpić w 1987 roku. To rzadko pojawiający się w książkach o Korei okres. Obserwujemy więc początki kryzysu finansowego i początki dźwigania się z niego. Zalążki pomysłów, które potem doprowadzą do ugruntowania sobie przez Koreę miejsca na arenie międzynarodowej. No i mamy też początki koreańskiej fali, która potem zalała świat niczym tsunami.
Trzeba mieć też na uwadze, że jest to książka z 2014 roku, w Polsce wydana w 2020 roku. Ważne jest jednak to, że książka ta oferuje bardzo dużo fragmentów, które się nie zestarzały, ale brakuje aktualizacji, dogonienia do lat 20. XXI wieku. Koreańska fala nie zatrzymuje się i już jest dużo dalej niż te dziesięć lat temu, gdy PSY zawładnął listami przebojów.
Problemem tej książki jest to, że Euny Hong raczej lepiej czuje się w zachodnim kręgu kulturowym i do niego odnosi obserwowane w Korei zjawiska. Nieraz autorka popisuje się ignorancją wobec koreańskiej kultury. Gdy opisuje drogę Korei do światowej dominacji, przynajmniej w dziedzinie popkultury, jest bezlitośnie złośliwa i nie przebiera w słowach. Więcej o tym, z przykładami, piszę w recenzji:
https://azjatyckapolka.wordpress.com/...
Jeśli potraficie sobie przefiltrować wartościowe informacje z tej lektury i nie zważać na docinki pod adresem Koreańczyków, to otrzymacie inspirującą historię o niesamowitym skoku, jakiego dokonała Korea. Ta książka naprawdę pozwala ułożyć sobie historię tego, jak Korea z kraju biednego przerodziła się w potęgę technologiczną i gospodarczą, którą jest teraz. To też wieloaspektowe spojrzenie na samo hallyu, które nie kończy się na k-popie, ale składają się na nie filmy, seriale, gry video, nowe technologie, ale nawet i kuchnia. Rozważcie w swoich sercach, czy Wam to odpowiada, ja pozostaję rozdarta.
Trzeba mieć też na uwadze, że jest to książka z 2014 roku, w Polsce wydana w 2020 roku. Ważne jest jednak to, że książka ta oferuje bardzo dużo fragmentów, które się nie zestarzały, ale brakuje aktualizacji, dogonienia do lat 20. XXI wieku. Koreańska fala nie zatrzymuje się i już jest dużo dalej niż te dziesięć lat temu, gdy PSY zawładnął listami przebojów.
Problemem tej książki jest to, że Euny Hong raczej lepiej czuje się w zachodnim kręgu kulturowym i do niego odnosi obserwowane w Korei zjawiska. Nieraz autorka popisuje się ignorancją wobec koreańskiej kultury. Gdy opisuje drogę Korei do światowej dominacji, przynajmniej w dziedzinie popkultury, jest bezlitośnie złośliwa i nie przebiera w słowach. Więcej o tym, z przykładami, piszę w recenzji:
https://azjatyckapolka.wordpress.com/...
Jeśli potraficie sobie przefiltrować wartościowe informacje z tej lektury i nie zważać na docinki pod adresem Koreańczyków, to otrzymacie inspirującą historię o niesamowitym skoku, jakiego dokonała Korea. Ta książka naprawdę pozwala ułożyć sobie historię tego, jak Korea z kraju biednego przerodziła się w potęgę technologiczną i gospodarczą, którą jest teraz. To też wieloaspektowe spojrzenie na samo hallyu, które nie kończy się na k-popie, ale składają się na nie filmy, seriale, gry video, nowe technologie, ale nawet i kuchnia. Rozważcie w swoich sercach, czy Wam to odpowiada, ja pozostaję rozdarta.
December 23, 2018
จากประเทศที่เเทบไม่มีใครรู้จักในปลายยุค 90’s พลิกฟื้นกลับมาเป็นประเทศยักษ์ใหญ่ได้อย่างทักวันนี้ได้อย่างไร ทุกอย่างเริ่มต้นจาก ‘ฮอลยู’
The Birth of Korea Cool จะพาเราไปทำความเข้าใจว่าอะไรเป็นปัจจัยสำคัญที่ทำให้เกาหลีเป็นอย่างทุกวันนี้ ไม่ว่าจะเป็น “ฮาน” หรือความรู้สึกคับเเค้น น้อยเนื้อต่ำใจ ที่ประเทศถูกรุกรานมาหลายพันปีโดยเกาหลีไม่เคยรุกรานใครเลย เกาหลีใช้���านในการขับเคลื่อนประเทศ เราจะไม่ยอมเเพ้อีกเเล้ว เราจะต้องชนะ เราจะต้องทำให้ได้
เเต่ถ้าสู้กันในทางเศรษฐกิจ เกาหลีเเทบไม่เห็นทางชนะเนื่องจากประชากรไม่ได้มากมายเเละไม่ได้มีทรัพยากรอุดมสมบูรณ์ คำตอบจึงเหลือเส้นทางเดียวคือการขึ้นมาผงาดผ่านทางวัฒนธรรมเหมือนกับที่อเมริกาเคยทำมาเเล้วในช่วงหลังสงครามโลกครั้งที่ 2
เราจะพบฮานได้ทั้งในหนังหรือละครของเกาหลี ถ้านึกภาพไม่ออก ลองนึกถึง Oldboy ของพัคชานวุค ความคับเเค้นประมาณนั้น
มีเพียงเกาหลีเท่านั้นที่มีฮาน เกาหลีจะไม่ยอมเเพ้อีกเเล้ว
เมื่อมีเเรงขับจากฮาน จึงมุ่งสู่การก่อตั้งกระทรวงวัฒนธรรมเพื่อทำการการวิจัยว่าปัจจัยอะไรที่จะทำให้การส่งออกวัฒนธรรมของเกาหลีจึงจะประสบความสำเร็จ เเต่ละประเทศมีคุณลักษณะเเบบใด ละครหรือหนังเเบบไหนที่จะตีตลาดประเทศเหล่านั้นได้ เกาหลีเอาจริงทุกขั้นตอน การลงเเรงต้องประสบความสำเร็จเท่านั้น
ยังมีประเด็นเเละปัจจัยอีกหลายเรื่องที่หนังสือได้กล่าวไว้ เช่น การรับเอาอิทธิพลของลัทธิขงจื้อที่เป็นฐานความคิดของคนเกาหลี ไอดอลเกาหลีทำไมจึงต้องฝึกกันนับสิบๆปี เเผนการเผยเเพร่ซีรีย์เกาหลีที่มาจากการลักลอบเอาเข้าไปผ่านกระเป๋าของทูต การก่อกำเนิดยักษ์ใหญ่อย่างซัมซุงที่เป็นเหมือนเเขนทรงพลังอีกข้างของเเดนกิมจิ
จากจุดเริ่มต้นจาก 0 ในช่วงปลายยุค 90’ เกาหลีประสบความสำเร็จจากเเผนการนั้นหรือไม่ คำตอบก็เป็นอย่างที่เห็นในทุกวันนี้..
The Birth of Korea Cool จะพาเราไปทำความเข้าใจว่าอะไรเป็นปัจจัยสำคัญที่ทำให้เกาหลีเป็นอย่างทุกวันนี้ ไม่ว่าจะเป็น “ฮาน” หรือความรู้สึกคับเเค้น น้อยเนื้อต่ำใจ ที่ประเทศถูกรุกรานมาหลายพันปีโดยเกาหลีไม่เคยรุกรานใครเลย เกาหลีใช้���านในการขับเคลื่อนประเทศ เราจะไม่ยอมเเพ้อีกเเล้ว เราจะต้องชนะ เราจะต้องทำให้ได้
เเต่ถ้าสู้กันในทางเศรษฐกิจ เกาหลีเเทบไม่เห็นทางชนะเนื่องจากประชากรไม่ได้มากมายเเละไม่ได้มีทรัพยากรอุดมสมบูรณ์ คำตอบจึงเหลือเส้นทางเดียวคือการขึ้นมาผงาดผ่านทางวัฒนธรรมเหมือนกับที่อเมริกาเคยทำมาเเล้วในช่วงหลังสงครามโลกครั้งที่ 2
เราจะพบฮานได้ทั้งในหนังหรือละครของเกาหลี ถ้านึกภาพไม่ออก ลองนึกถึง Oldboy ของพัคชานวุค ความคับเเค้นประมาณนั้น
มีเพียงเกาหลีเท่านั้นที่มีฮาน เกาหลีจะไม่ยอมเเพ้อีกเเล้ว
เมื่อมีเเรงขับจากฮาน จึงมุ่งสู่การก่อตั้งกระทรวงวัฒนธรรมเพื่อทำการการวิจัยว่าปัจจัยอะไรที่จะทำให้การส่งออกวัฒนธรรมของเกาหลีจึงจะประสบความสำเร็จ เเต่ละประเทศมีคุณลักษณะเเบบใด ละครหรือหนังเเบบไหนที่จะตีตลาดประเทศเหล่านั้นได้ เกาหลีเอาจริงทุกขั้นตอน การลงเเรงต้องประสบความสำเร็จเท่านั้น
ยังมีประเด็นเเละปัจจัยอีกหลายเรื่องที่หนังสือได้กล่าวไว้ เช่น การรับเอาอิทธิพลของลัทธิขงจื้อที่เป็นฐานความคิดของคนเกาหลี ไอดอลเกาหลีทำไมจึงต้องฝึกกันนับสิบๆปี เเผนการเผยเเพร่ซีรีย์เกาหลีที่มาจากการลักลอบเอาเข้าไปผ่านกระเป๋าของทูต การก่อกำเนิดยักษ์ใหญ่อย่างซัมซุงที่เป็นเหมือนเเขนทรงพลังอีกข้างของเเดนกิมจิ
จากจุดเริ่มต้นจาก 0 ในช่วงปลายยุค 90’ เกาหลีประสบความสำเร็จจากเเผนการนั้นหรือไม่ คำตอบก็เป็นอย่างที่เห็นในทุกวันนี้..
August 23, 2014
Reading this book really did feel like sitting and talking to a friend(as one reviewer noted), listening to her snarky, but informed opinions on South Korea.
It's an entertaining way to relay information and facts; SK has been invaded 400 times over the past 5000 years but only participated in the Vietnam war, you don't want to corner someone who has a generational build up of Han and SK's may not be able to sing or dance but they WILL do that better than their arch enemies(Japanese)!
Seriously...a quick, informative read that you will benefit from.
It's an entertaining way to relay information and facts; SK has been invaded 400 times over the past 5000 years but only participated in the Vietnam war, you don't want to corner someone who has a generational build up of Han and SK's may not be able to sing or dance but they WILL do that better than their arch enemies(Japanese)!
Seriously...a quick, informative read that you will benefit from.
March 29, 2021
Ta książka jest zła. Po prostu. I nie wiem czy to jest kwestia tłumaczenia czy tak została napisana. I ja nie wiem czy to miała być bardziej naukowa książka czy ot taki sobie reportaż. Bo z jednej strony autorka cytuje filozofów, a z drugiej używa tak infantylnych porównań, że aż boli. Jeśli autorka ni rozumiała jakiejś tradycji, albo jakiegoś zwyczaju uznawała to za głupie, bezsensowne i niepotrzebne. W tłumaczeniu za to było tyle powtórzeń co w wypracowaniu z podstawówki.
Nie polecam!! Odradzam!
Nie polecam!! Odradzam!
June 10, 2015
I am not a fan of Korean pop culture. The only Korean drama I've ever seen was Winter Sonata. And it only lasted for two episodes.
But I am a fan of cultural studies.
In this witty and informative book by Hong, you will discover the many stories behind Korean wave or so-called Hallyu that you enjoy through Korean drama series or Korean music outspreading everywhere. Apparently, Korean old cultural practices have formed a strong belief that most of its people bring into their daily lives as well as the entertainment industry (especially their films). There is a complex cultural concept called Han which can be translated into simple words: a collective sense of alliance based on hardship and pain. This, according to Hong, explains why Korean dramas mainly show grief, hard life, and even violence one does in order to break away from his/her pain. Korean culture and norms derived from Confucianism are what makes its dramas full of life lessons. There's also an interesting rationale mentioned in this book for why Korean drama focuses on its story and plot rather than sweeteners like kissing scenes. Now it makes sense why Winter Sonata only has two kissing scenes (with closed lips, of course) throughout its entire episodes.
Furthermore, the book also discusses a lot about the music. Not only does she tells about the rise of Psy in global music industry, Hong also reveals the Korean government initiatives to support the internationalisation of their music. This may sound cliched, but read until you figure out how far the government intervened the business and what sort of strategies it undertook to promote Big Bang or TVXQ (well, I've only ever heard of the names, never listened to any of their songs) up to international level.
As an Asian myself, reading the whole Korean powerful-to-the-easterners-but-violent-to-the-westerners cultural practices in the past did not surprise me. I even still witnessed and experienced corporal punishment in junior high school (2003-2006). However, it is the values and philosophy that the Koreans uphold behind that that you will find very interesting.
As she talks a lot about Samsung and how it rose from 'Samsuck' to a brand people in the world use today, and how it fought to beat Sony so bad (also due to historical reason), I would love it if she also talked about the competition among Korean businesses within the country (on who would be the fastest to reach Fortune 100, maybe? who knows). Also, she impresses readers with the fact that Korean drama has been a global phenomenon and enjoyed everywhere, by mentioning what the audience in many different countries experience, like in Paraguay where Korean dramas are not only dubbed in Spanish but also in the indigenous local dialect of Guarani. To my surprise, Indonesia is not mentioned there while I think, the fact that Indonesian soap opera makers have copied many Korean dramas into the Indonesian version is worth a paragraph.
Well, after reading this, I suddenly felt like calling a friend whom I borrowed Winter Sonata from in 2012. And I wanna see the third episode.
But I am a fan of cultural studies.
In this witty and informative book by Hong, you will discover the many stories behind Korean wave or so-called Hallyu that you enjoy through Korean drama series or Korean music outspreading everywhere. Apparently, Korean old cultural practices have formed a strong belief that most of its people bring into their daily lives as well as the entertainment industry (especially their films). There is a complex cultural concept called Han which can be translated into simple words: a collective sense of alliance based on hardship and pain. This, according to Hong, explains why Korean dramas mainly show grief, hard life, and even violence one does in order to break away from his/her pain. Korean culture and norms derived from Confucianism are what makes its dramas full of life lessons. There's also an interesting rationale mentioned in this book for why Korean drama focuses on its story and plot rather than sweeteners like kissing scenes. Now it makes sense why Winter Sonata only has two kissing scenes (with closed lips, of course) throughout its entire episodes.
Furthermore, the book also discusses a lot about the music. Not only does she tells about the rise of Psy in global music industry, Hong also reveals the Korean government initiatives to support the internationalisation of their music. This may sound cliched, but read until you figure out how far the government intervened the business and what sort of strategies it undertook to promote Big Bang or TVXQ (well, I've only ever heard of the names, never listened to any of their songs) up to international level.
As an Asian myself, reading the whole Korean powerful-to-the-easterners-but-violent-to-the-westerners cultural practices in the past did not surprise me. I even still witnessed and experienced corporal punishment in junior high school (2003-2006). However, it is the values and philosophy that the Koreans uphold behind that that you will find very interesting.
As she talks a lot about Samsung and how it rose from 'Samsuck' to a brand people in the world use today, and how it fought to beat Sony so bad (also due to historical reason), I would love it if she also talked about the competition among Korean businesses within the country (on who would be the fastest to reach Fortune 100, maybe? who knows). Also, she impresses readers with the fact that Korean drama has been a global phenomenon and enjoyed everywhere, by mentioning what the audience in many different countries experience, like in Paraguay where Korean dramas are not only dubbed in Spanish but also in the indigenous local dialect of Guarani. To my surprise, Indonesia is not mentioned there while I think, the fact that Indonesian soap opera makers have copied many Korean dramas into the Indonesian version is worth a paragraph.
Well, after reading this, I suddenly felt like calling a friend whom I borrowed Winter Sonata from in 2012. And I wanna see the third episode.
November 9, 2018
Đây là một cuốn sách khá thú vị.
Thứ nhất, nói một chút về tác giả, là người Hàn nhưng sinh ra ở Mỹ, trở về Hàn nhưng tự nhận là luôn ghét việc mình là người Hàn. Điều này để thấy là cuốn sách được viết bởi người Hàn, nhưng không phải là một góc nhìn "yêu nước" mà ngược lại có chút "kẻ ngoại đạo" với góc nhìn có sự so sánh thực tế hơn. Với nghề nghiệp là nhà báo, tác giả có mối quan hệ với kha khá nhân vật để viết bài. Cả những nhân vật ở Hàn hay ở Mỹ để nhìn thấy mọi thứ đa chiều hơn.
Thứ hai, tác giả khai thác được khá sâu và đưa ra được nhiều điểm rất hay trong tính cách người Hàn, ví dụ như về "han", về những sự tồn đọng của quá khứ, rồi cả về những áp lực, những sự thay đổi do bối cảnh tạo nên.
Thứ ba, thực ra đọc cuốn này mình phải đưa mốc thời gian trong đầu của mình về 4 năm trước để nhìn nhận nó đúng và khách quan hơn. 4 năm vừa qua đủ để ra thêm tập 2 cho cuốn này nhỉ. Đúng là thời đại thay đổi nhanh như vũ bão. 4 năm trước khi cuốn này ra đời bà Park Geun Hye vừa mới lên ghế tổng thống một thời gian, giờ khi mình đọc cuốn này bà đã ngồi trong nhà lao; 4 năm trước Simon và Martina đang nổi tiếng với Eat Your Kimchi, giờ nó đã trở thành Eat Your Sushi rồi; 4 năm trước Psy với "Gangnam Style" thành hiện tượng toàn cầu, khuấy đảo cả nước Mỹ với điệu nhảy ngựa, giờ Psy chỉ còn là cái tên "vang bóng một thời", nhường chỗ cho BTS, những người mà hồi 2014 mới bắt đầu có chút tiếng tăm với "War of Hormone" và giờ đây đứng chung sân khấu với những cái tên khủng như Nicky Minaj hay gần nhất là Charlie Puth. Đúng là vật đổi sao dời. Mà nhắc tới K-pop và Hallyu, điểm mình rất thích là cuốn này là nói đến vai trò của chính phủ, đọc đến đoạn này mình mới vỡ òa ra một chuyện, chính phủ Hàn Quốc quả thực có tầm nhìn chiến lược với Hallyu. Hồi cách đây mấy năm, phải nói là K-pop có chút chững lại, với những cái tên thế hệ sau không mấy bùng nổ, các nhóm nhạc debut hàng loạt với chất lượng sàn sàn khó nhớ nổi tên, quan trọng là Kpop dù thành công ở địa hạt châu Á vẫn chưa có mấy tên tuổi ở những thị trường khác, đặc biệt là thị trường Mỹ. Những cái tên như BoA hay Wonder Girls được mang đi chinh chiến cuối cùng trở về tay trắng. Mãi đến khi có Psy (nhưng thành công của Psy có chút "bị mỉa mai" ở đất Mỹ, Psy cũng không phải kiểu idol), rồi đến lượt BTS vươn ra được thế giới, mình đồ rằng hẳn có sự nhúng tay không ít của chính phủ. Ôi đọc đến đây mình tự dưng mới vỡ lẽ ra, điều gì mới thực sự là "invisible hand" ở phía sau BTS.
Cuối cùng, lí do mà mình nói cuốn nay thú vị, chứ chưa phải hay là vì logic giữa các chương trong cuốn này thực sự không ổn. Nhất là phần ở giữa, có đoạn đang nói về Hallyu, âm nhạc lại nhảy sang nói về Gái Bắc Trai Nam rồi lại quay lại Hallyu, mạch đọc tự dưng bị đứt vỡ.
Vậy thôi, mình sẽ không viết thêm bởi bản thân đất nước Hàn Quốc với mình rất đặc biệt, sợ rằng sẽ làm mất đi nhiều phần khách quan khi nói về nội dung cuốn sách, nói chung đây là một cuốn sách thú vị dành cho những ai muốn hiểu thêm về Hàn Quốc.
Thứ nhất, nói một chút về tác giả, là người Hàn nhưng sinh ra ở Mỹ, trở về Hàn nhưng tự nhận là luôn ghét việc mình là người Hàn. Điều này để thấy là cuốn sách được viết bởi người Hàn, nhưng không phải là một góc nhìn "yêu nước" mà ngược lại có chút "kẻ ngoại đạo" với góc nhìn có sự so sánh thực tế hơn. Với nghề nghiệp là nhà báo, tác giả có mối quan hệ với kha khá nhân vật để viết bài. Cả những nhân vật ở Hàn hay ở Mỹ để nhìn thấy mọi thứ đa chiều hơn.
Thứ hai, tác giả khai thác được khá sâu và đưa ra được nhiều điểm rất hay trong tính cách người Hàn, ví dụ như về "han", về những sự tồn đọng của quá khứ, rồi cả về những áp lực, những sự thay đổi do bối cảnh tạo nên.
Thứ ba, thực ra đọc cuốn này mình phải đưa mốc thời gian trong đầu của mình về 4 năm trước để nhìn nhận nó đúng và khách quan hơn. 4 năm vừa qua đủ để ra thêm tập 2 cho cuốn này nhỉ. Đúng là thời đại thay đổi nhanh như vũ bão. 4 năm trước khi cuốn này ra đời bà Park Geun Hye vừa mới lên ghế tổng thống một thời gian, giờ khi mình đọc cuốn này bà đã ngồi trong nhà lao; 4 năm trước Simon và Martina đang nổi tiếng với Eat Your Kimchi, giờ nó đã trở thành Eat Your Sushi rồi; 4 năm trước Psy với "Gangnam Style" thành hiện tượng toàn cầu, khuấy đảo cả nước Mỹ với điệu nhảy ngựa, giờ Psy chỉ còn là cái tên "vang bóng một thời", nhường chỗ cho BTS, những người mà hồi 2014 mới bắt đầu có chút tiếng tăm với "War of Hormone" và giờ đây đứng chung sân khấu với những cái tên khủng như Nicky Minaj hay gần nhất là Charlie Puth. Đúng là vật đổi sao dời. Mà nhắc tới K-pop và Hallyu, điểm mình rất thích là cuốn này là nói đến vai trò của chính phủ, đọc đến đoạn này mình mới vỡ òa ra một chuyện, chính phủ Hàn Quốc quả thực có tầm nhìn chiến lược với Hallyu. Hồi cách đây mấy năm, phải nói là K-pop có chút chững lại, với những cái tên thế hệ sau không mấy bùng nổ, các nhóm nhạc debut hàng loạt với chất lượng sàn sàn khó nhớ nổi tên, quan trọng là Kpop dù thành công ở địa hạt châu Á vẫn chưa có mấy tên tuổi ở những thị trường khác, đặc biệt là thị trường Mỹ. Những cái tên như BoA hay Wonder Girls được mang đi chinh chiến cuối cùng trở về tay trắng. Mãi đến khi có Psy (nhưng thành công của Psy có chút "bị mỉa mai" ở đất Mỹ, Psy cũng không phải kiểu idol), rồi đến lượt BTS vươn ra được thế giới, mình đồ rằng hẳn có sự nhúng tay không ít của chính phủ. Ôi đọc đến đây mình tự dưng mới vỡ lẽ ra, điều gì mới thực sự là "invisible hand" ở phía sau BTS.
Cuối cùng, lí do mà mình nói cuốn nay thú vị, chứ chưa phải hay là vì logic giữa các chương trong cuốn này thực sự không ổn. Nhất là phần ở giữa, có đoạn đang nói về Hallyu, âm nhạc lại nhảy sang nói về Gái Bắc Trai Nam rồi lại quay lại Hallyu, mạch đọc tự dưng bị đứt vỡ.
Vậy thôi, mình sẽ không viết thêm bởi bản thân đất nước Hàn Quốc với mình rất đặc biệt, sợ rằng sẽ làm mất đi nhiều phần khách quan khi nói về nội dung cuốn sách, nói chung đây là một cuốn sách thú vị dành cho những ai muốn hiểu thêm về Hàn Quốc.
July 1, 2020
Nie wiem czy czuję się rozczarowany po lekturze książki Euny Hong, bo nie miałem wielkich oczekiwań, ale z pewnością czuję, że chętnie przeczytałbym jakąś lepiej napisaną opowieść o Korei Południowej. Jest to bowiem książka trochę bez właściwości - portrecik publicystyczny nie wart większej uwagi.
Huong pisze o tym, że Koreańczycy podbijają świat i w pewnym zakresie trudno się z nią nie zgodzić, choć problemem jest to, że ma na to dość niewiele przykładów - powtarzanie mi dziesiątki razy, że wszyscy słyszeliśmy "Gangnam style" to trochę za mało. Oczywiście spotkamy się w książce z krytyką Korei i choćby metod wychowawczych w niej stosowanych, ale w rzeczywistości czyta się dzieło Hong jakby sponsorowało ją tamtejsze ministerstwo turystyki. Poziom propagandy chwilami trudny do wytrzymania, ciągłe powtarzanie, że to kraj przyszłości naprawdę nie tworzy jeszcze książki.
Nijaka to opowieść - mimo dowcipu i autobiograficznych wtrętów (Hong mieszkała najpierw w Stanach, a potem w japiszonowatym Gangnam), to jednak Korea widziana oczami kogoś uprzywilejowanego, taki przyjemny folder turystyczny, w postaci książki będącej jakby poszerzoną wersją przewodnika turystycznego.
Historia o tym jak w ciągu 50 lat Korea przekształcila się z dość biednego kraju w światową potęgę pokazuje ile można osiągnąć, gdy rząd nie musi liczyć się z niczym, a obywatele są karni. To tak naprawdę smutna historia dzieciaków popełniających samobójstwa z powodu braku jednego punktu na egzaminie, bitych przez nauczycieli i poniżanych w domach. To historia niszczenia przyrody i gigantycznych kosztów klimatycznych. I niby to wszystko tu się pojawia, ale tylko dlatego, że Huong wie, że dobra propaganda zawsze udaje krytykę.
Jak nie musicie to w bibliotekach i księgarniach czeka na was tysiące ciekawszych i napisanych lepszym stylem opowieści.
Huong pisze o tym, że Koreańczycy podbijają świat i w pewnym zakresie trudno się z nią nie zgodzić, choć problemem jest to, że ma na to dość niewiele przykładów - powtarzanie mi dziesiątki razy, że wszyscy słyszeliśmy "Gangnam style" to trochę za mało. Oczywiście spotkamy się w książce z krytyką Korei i choćby metod wychowawczych w niej stosowanych, ale w rzeczywistości czyta się dzieło Hong jakby sponsorowało ją tamtejsze ministerstwo turystyki. Poziom propagandy chwilami trudny do wytrzymania, ciągłe powtarzanie, że to kraj przyszłości naprawdę nie tworzy jeszcze książki.
Nijaka to opowieść - mimo dowcipu i autobiograficznych wtrętów (Hong mieszkała najpierw w Stanach, a potem w japiszonowatym Gangnam), to jednak Korea widziana oczami kogoś uprzywilejowanego, taki przyjemny folder turystyczny, w postaci książki będącej jakby poszerzoną wersją przewodnika turystycznego.
Historia o tym jak w ciągu 50 lat Korea przekształcila się z dość biednego kraju w światową potęgę pokazuje ile można osiągnąć, gdy rząd nie musi liczyć się z niczym, a obywatele są karni. To tak naprawdę smutna historia dzieciaków popełniających samobójstwa z powodu braku jednego punktu na egzaminie, bitych przez nauczycieli i poniżanych w domach. To historia niszczenia przyrody i gigantycznych kosztów klimatycznych. I niby to wszystko tu się pojawia, ale tylko dlatego, że Huong wie, że dobra propaganda zawsze udaje krytykę.
Jak nie musicie to w bibliotekach i księgarniach czeka na was tysiące ciekawszych i napisanych lepszym stylem opowieści.
July 30, 2017
Setelah tertunda-tunda dengan bacaan lain (bukan berarti buku ini jelek, bagus bahkan) karena entah PR atau apa, buku ini tamat dengan cepat setelah seharian saya kunyah. Saya yang belakangan (mungkin dimulai dari dua tahun terakhir) memilih drama korea sebagai hiburan ketimbang nonton televisi kita, merasa yakin bahwa Korea punya rahasia dan sejarah panjang akan k-pop nya.
Dua drama yang membuat saya ngeh, bahwa being k-pop idol bukan seperti artis di indonesia. Ada aturan mengikat, dan tata kelola perilaku perihal image dan persona yang hendak disampaikan seorang idol kepada penggemar. Producer dan The Best Hit adalah dua drama yang bisa membuat kita menengok sejenak bahwa menjadi idola di Korea bukan mudah, ada latihan keras dan juga persaingan dengan sesama peserta karantina. Tapi dengan membaca buku yang ditulis oleh orang Korea sendiri, kita jadi yakin bahwa di tengah gemerlap dunia populer Korea kita juga disuguhi budaya mengerikan di Korea sendiri. Percaya dukun, pendidikan dan les-lesan yang mengerikan, juga operasi plastik.
Setidaknya buku ini buku ringan yang membahas secara mendalam bagaimana Korea menjadi sekeren sekarang, dan se-cool sekarang.
Dua drama yang membuat saya ngeh, bahwa being k-pop idol bukan seperti artis di indonesia. Ada aturan mengikat, dan tata kelola perilaku perihal image dan persona yang hendak disampaikan seorang idol kepada penggemar. Producer dan The Best Hit adalah dua drama yang bisa membuat kita menengok sejenak bahwa menjadi idola di Korea bukan mudah, ada latihan keras dan juga persaingan dengan sesama peserta karantina. Tapi dengan membaca buku yang ditulis oleh orang Korea sendiri, kita jadi yakin bahwa di tengah gemerlap dunia populer Korea kita juga disuguhi budaya mengerikan di Korea sendiri. Percaya dukun, pendidikan dan les-lesan yang mengerikan, juga operasi plastik.
Setidaknya buku ini buku ringan yang membahas secara mendalam bagaimana Korea menjadi sekeren sekarang, dan se-cool sekarang.
February 13, 2016
** Books 24 - 2016 **
4 of 5 stars!
Should i mention again why this books is awesome?? I doesn't learn much about South Korea and more curious the story about North Korea.. After i read this books. wow okay just wow i've got so many information that i haven't know about South Korea before especially Hallyu wave.
You can saw a lot of my status updates for this books. some facts that really overhelming me and i can get it why K-pop and hallyu wave is bigger like nowadays.
This books also already being translated by Bentang Pustaka. If you love korean culture (for me i am an VIP fufu) you should try read this books ;)
4 of 5 stars!
Should i mention again why this books is awesome?? I doesn't learn much about South Korea and more curious the story about North Korea.. After i read this books. wow okay just wow i've got so many information that i haven't know about South Korea before especially Hallyu wave.
You can saw a lot of my status updates for this books. some facts that really overhelming me and i can get it why K-pop and hallyu wave is bigger like nowadays.
This books also already being translated by Bentang Pustaka. If you love korean culture (for me i am an VIP fufu) you should try read this books ;)
December 30, 2017
Hong's book is half-memoir, half-social study. She has a lot of material to cover, so often the chapters feel superficial, but the book is a breezy read that offers a solid lesson on Korea's move from the third world to the first.
As K-pop has been the major obsession of my life for the last eight years, the chapter covering K-pop was my favorite. But I did find the rest of the book insightful and full of things that will help fans of K-culture come to understand Korea's history and motivations.
The only thing I didn't like? Being reminded of the 20-ish hours I wasted watching "Winter Sonata."
As K-pop has been the major obsession of my life for the last eight years, the chapter covering K-pop was my favorite. But I did find the rest of the book insightful and full of things that will help fans of K-culture come to understand Korea's history and motivations.
The only thing I didn't like? Being reminded of the 20-ish hours I wasted watching "Winter Sonata."
December 20, 2020
This was a fun and interesting book to see what is South Korean culture and how it evolved over the past 30 or so years. Ms. Hong uses her life experiences to show the changes from her perspective and it really emphasises the point of the growth. For a good book, I would not use this as the official guide for South Korean pop culture, but it is a good way to get a brief on it.
March 19, 2020
While somewhat out of date, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It chronicles the cultural rise of South Korea not chronologically but through different parts of pop culture and the writer's own experiences.
December 11, 2015
There is very little information in this book that can't be gleaned from talking to any Korean American you know.
August 21, 2016
Thoughtful, precise and poignant.
A book I would recommend to many, especially those with an interest in popular culture and contemporary society.
A book I would recommend to many, especially those with an interest in popular culture and contemporary society.
August 23, 2020
เขียนได้ดีเลย ในสายตาของทั้งคนนอกและคนใน
ผู้เขียนซึ่งเป็นคนเกาหลีที่เติบโตในสหรัฐถ่ายทอดจุดกำเนิดของความคูลในทุกวันนี้ของเกาหลีใต้ออกมาได้เห็นภาพ ทั้งค่านิยม วัฒนธรรม รวมถึงวิสัยทัศน์ร่วมของคนในชาติ
ความคูลของวัฒนธรรมเกาหลีเป็นสัญลักษณ์ของ soft power ระดับโลกได้เลย
วัฒนธรรม “เค” ทั้งหลาย ทั้งดนตรี ซีรีย์ ไปจนถึงหนังระดับ boxbuster รวมถึงเหล่าเครื่อง electronic อย่าง brand Samsung มันมีจุดกำเนิดที่ไม่ได้ใช้เวลาแป๊บเดียว แต่มันเป็ลผลของการหล่อหลอมมาจาก character ของคนในชาติ รวมทั้ง vision ของผู้นำ
ช่วงแรกของหนังสือจะเต็มไปด้วยการเล่าถึงจุดกำเนิดทางวัฒนธรรมที่ค่อนข้างจะร่วมสมัยที่ทำให้คนเกาหลีเป็นอย่างในปัจจุบัน ไม่ว่าจะเป็นประวัติศาสตร์การถูกรุกราน การแบ่งประเทศ ที่นำมาซึ่งความยากจนข้นแค้น การถนอมอาหารอย่างกิมจิ การสอบแข่งขันที่เอาเป็นเอาตายที่เป็นลักษณะที่สืบทอดมาจากโบราณ
ฮาน ผุดขึ้นมาจากความรู้สึกที่ว่าแม้แต่จักรวาลก็ชดใช้ให้พวกเขาไม่ได้…
เห็นชัดเจนเลยว่าคนเกาหลี แบกรับแรงกดดันมหาศาลที่ถ่ายทอดผ่านทั้งทาง gene และ meme และที่เจ๋งและคูลมากคือเค้าผ่านกันมาได้ ก็เพราะฮานนี่แหละเป็นหนึ่งในเครื่องสร้างน้ำอดน้ำทน
ผู้เขียนเล่าถึงช่วงที่ k-pop, k-serie เข้าโจมตีตลาดโลกด้วย soft power ได้สนุกและเห็นภาพ และที่สำคัญคือเห็นวิสัยทัศน์ระดับเทพของผู้นำ ที่กล้าที่จะทุ่มทรัพยากรลงไปที่ sector อย่างดนตรี k-pop และ k-serie ซึ่งมีความชัดเจนว่าทุกสิ่งอย่าง รัฐลงมาเล่น ลงมาแทรกแซงจนมันเกิดขึ้นได้ในที่สุด
นอกจากนี้ การ rebrand บริษัทยักษ์ใหญ่อย่าง Samsung ก็เป็นอีกหนึ่งชิ้นงานโบว์แดงของเกาหลี จนสามารถสร้าง ecosystem ของ Samsung ขึ้นมาได้
อ่านได้ไม่หนักมาก ไม่ได้เต็มไปด้วยการอวยชาติเดียวกัน
หนังสือเล่มนี้บอกให้เห็นเลยว่าเกาหลีนี่คูลจริงๆ และการสร้างความคูลนี้ไม่ได้มีสูตรสำเร็จที่ใครจะมาลอกเลียนได้
ผู้เขียนซึ่งเป็นคนเกาหลีที่เติบโตในสหรัฐถ่ายทอดจุดกำเนิดของความคูลในทุกวันนี้ของเกาหลีใต้ออกมาได้เห็นภาพ ทั้งค่านิยม วัฒนธรรม รวมถึงวิสัยทัศน์ร่วมของคนในชาติ
ความคูลของวัฒนธรรมเกาหลีเป็นสัญลักษณ์ของ soft power ระดับโลกได้เลย
วัฒนธรรม “เค” ทั้งหลาย ทั้งดนตรี ซีรีย์ ไปจนถึงหนังระดับ boxbuster รวมถึงเหล่าเครื่อง electronic อย่าง brand Samsung มันมีจุดกำเนิดที่ไม่ได้ใช้เวลาแป๊บเดียว แต่มันเป็ลผลของการหล่อหลอมมาจาก character ของคนในชาติ รวมทั้ง vision ของผู้นำ
ช่วงแรกของหนังสือจะเต็มไปด้วยการเล่าถึงจุดกำเนิดทางวัฒนธรรมที่ค่อนข้างจะร่วมสมัยที่ทำให้คนเกาหลีเป็นอย่างในปัจจุบัน ไม่ว่าจะเป็นประวัติศาสตร์การถูกรุกราน การแบ่งประเทศ ที่นำมาซึ่งความยากจนข้นแค้น การถนอมอาหารอย่างกิมจิ การสอบแข่งขันที่เอาเป็นเอาตายที่เป็นลักษณะที่สืบทอดมาจากโบราณ
ฮาน ผุดขึ้นมาจากความรู้สึกที่ว่าแม้แต่จักรวาลก็ชดใช้ให้พวกเขาไม่ได้…
เห็นชัดเจนเลยว่าคนเกาหลี แบกรับแรงกดดันมหาศาลที่ถ่ายทอดผ่านทั้งทาง gene และ meme และที่เจ๋งและคูลมากคือเค้าผ่านกันมาได้ ก็เพราะฮานนี่แหละเป็นหนึ่งในเครื่องสร้างน้ำอดน้ำทน
ผู้เขียนเล่าถึงช่วงที่ k-pop, k-serie เข้าโจมตีตลาดโลกด้วย soft power ได้สนุกและเห็นภาพ และที่สำคัญคือเห็นวิสัยทัศน์ระดับเทพของผู้นำ ที่กล้าที่จะทุ่มทรัพยากรลงไปที่ sector อย่างดนตรี k-pop และ k-serie ซึ่งมีความชัดเจนว่าทุกสิ่งอย่าง รัฐลงมาเล่น ลงมาแทรกแซงจนมันเกิดขึ้นได้ในที่สุด
นอกจากนี้ การ rebrand บริษัทยักษ์ใหญ่อย่าง Samsung ก็เป็นอีกหนึ่งชิ้นงานโบว์แดงของเกาหลี จนสามารถสร้าง ecosystem ของ Samsung ขึ้นมาได้
อ่านได้ไม่หนักมาก ไม่ได้เต็มไปด้วยการอวยชาติเดียวกัน
หนังสือเล่มนี้บอกให้เห็นเลยว่าเกาหลีนี่คูลจริงๆ และการสร้างความคูลนี้ไม่ได้มีสูตรสำเร็จที่ใครจะมาลอกเลียนได้
April 25, 2021
Lubię reportaże o Korei Południowej, więc sięgnęłam i po tą książkę. Czytało mi się przyjemnie, chociaż momentami mnie nudziła.
Do plusów na pewno należy to, że mamy wiele ciekawostek nie tylko na temat samej popkultury, ale także szkoły, jedzenia, operacji plastycznych czy konfliktów Korei Południowej z Koreą Północną i Japonią. Były to bardzo interesujące ciekawostki.
Do minusów na pewno zaliczam dużą ilość polityki. Bardzo mnie nudził też rozdział o koreańskiej kinematografii, którego prawie w ogóle nie zrozumiałam.
Pierwsza połowa książki podobała mi się bardziej niż druga, ale dostajemy to, co głosi tytuł, czyli narodziny fenomenu. Dlatego też nie mamy przedstawionych czasów obecnych, ale głównie lata 80 i 90 XX wieku, czasami początek XXI. Reportaż dotyczy głownie tego, jak Korei udało się wyjść z kryzysu. Jestem nieco zawiedziona, bo myślałam, że książka będzie bardziej rozrywkowa.
Do plusów na pewno należy to, że mamy wiele ciekawostek nie tylko na temat samej popkultury, ale także szkoły, jedzenia, operacji plastycznych czy konfliktów Korei Południowej z Koreą Północną i Japonią. Były to bardzo interesujące ciekawostki.
Do minusów na pewno zaliczam dużą ilość polityki. Bardzo mnie nudził też rozdział o koreańskiej kinematografii, którego prawie w ogóle nie zrozumiałam.
Pierwsza połowa książki podobała mi się bardziej niż druga, ale dostajemy to, co głosi tytuł, czyli narodziny fenomenu. Dlatego też nie mamy przedstawionych czasów obecnych, ale głównie lata 80 i 90 XX wieku, czasami początek XXI. Reportaż dotyczy głownie tego, jak Korei udało się wyjść z kryzysu. Jestem nieco zawiedziona, bo myślałam, że książka będzie bardziej rozrywkowa.
June 5, 2025
3.75/5 - This book was originally published in 2014 and only the last 3 chapters and afterword were newly added in 2024/2025. I mention this first, because you really have to keep this in mind while reading. A LOT has happened in that decade.
This was interesting and informative, especially considering the scope of Korean culture on the West now, but I wish the author had annotated the original book with updated information rather than just tacking on a few predictable chapters on the end (on BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game). The author wrote well and I generally enjoyed the flow of the book, but I hated how much Hong inserted herself into the book. Some of it was necessary and lent well considering her experiences moving to Korea as a teen, but there was an abundance of side comments and snide commentary that I found annoying. The general tone of her anecdotes missed the mark for me although I think they were intended to add humour. Overall, I learned a lot but wished Hong did more to update the original text for the publishing of this expanded edition.
This was interesting and informative, especially considering the scope of Korean culture on the West now, but I wish the author had annotated the original book with updated information rather than just tacking on a few predictable chapters on the end (on BTS, Parasite, and Squid Game). The author wrote well and I generally enjoyed the flow of the book, but I hated how much Hong inserted herself into the book. Some of it was necessary and lent well considering her experiences moving to Korea as a teen, but there was an abundance of side comments and snide commentary that I found annoying. The general tone of her anecdotes missed the mark for me although I think they were intended to add humour. Overall, I learned a lot but wished Hong did more to update the original text for the publishing of this expanded edition.
October 3, 2014
First, watch this: http://youtu.be/mVE96w_cl_w
The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture by Euny Hong.
If you own a Samsung phone or television, have listened to a K-pop song or watched a K-drama, you may have wondered how it is that South Korea has crept up on Japan as the go-to Asian nation for our electronics and pop culture. As recently as 1965, South Korea’s GDP was less than that of Ghana. Today, South Korea is the world’s fifteenth largest economy and has the fastest Internet connections of any nation. Clever and engaging, "The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture” attempts to explain South Korea’s rapid journey from impoverished nation to the economic powerhouse it is today.
Author Euny Hong was born in America but returned with her family to her parents’ native South Korea at age twelve, giving her a unique understanding of the culture as both a citizen and a foreigner. She writes with humor and candor about growing up in South Korea during the 80s (when it was very much not cool): her shock at learning that their toilets were the squatting kind, eating cookies made out of caramelized sugar and baking soda, experiencing mandatory school thrashings, and other delightful discoveries.
Interesting and well-researched, the book is informative without being dry or boring. Hong interviews people in various aspects of South Korean government and society, such as the director of Popular Culture Industry Division and education officials as well as a boy band member and a South Korean American adoptee.
The only drawback to the author’s snappy writing style is the lightweight treatment of a few topics that warrant a deeper investigation. For example, South Korea has the world’s highest rate of plastic surgery, but this fascinating national preoccupation and its causes are only briefly discussed. This is a quick read, so do not go in expecting an in-depth, scholarly take on South Korean history and modern development.
“The Birth of Korean Cool” is a very readable, witty look at contemporary Korea with the personal feel of a memoir, and it is recommended for anyone with an interest in Korean culture.
The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture by Euny Hong.
If you own a Samsung phone or television, have listened to a K-pop song or watched a K-drama, you may have wondered how it is that South Korea has crept up on Japan as the go-to Asian nation for our electronics and pop culture. As recently as 1965, South Korea’s GDP was less than that of Ghana. Today, South Korea is the world’s fifteenth largest economy and has the fastest Internet connections of any nation. Clever and engaging, "The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture” attempts to explain South Korea’s rapid journey from impoverished nation to the economic powerhouse it is today.
Author Euny Hong was born in America but returned with her family to her parents’ native South Korea at age twelve, giving her a unique understanding of the culture as both a citizen and a foreigner. She writes with humor and candor about growing up in South Korea during the 80s (when it was very much not cool): her shock at learning that their toilets were the squatting kind, eating cookies made out of caramelized sugar and baking soda, experiencing mandatory school thrashings, and other delightful discoveries.
Interesting and well-researched, the book is informative without being dry or boring. Hong interviews people in various aspects of South Korean government and society, such as the director of Popular Culture Industry Division and education officials as well as a boy band member and a South Korean American adoptee.
The only drawback to the author’s snappy writing style is the lightweight treatment of a few topics that warrant a deeper investigation. For example, South Korea has the world’s highest rate of plastic surgery, but this fascinating national preoccupation and its causes are only briefly discussed. This is a quick read, so do not go in expecting an in-depth, scholarly take on South Korean history and modern development.
“The Birth of Korean Cool” is a very readable, witty look at contemporary Korea with the personal feel of a memoir, and it is recommended for anyone with an interest in Korean culture.
May 9, 2022
3,5*
"Koreańska myśl techniczna miała w tych czasach bardzo złą sławę. Fakt, że świat o tym zapomniał, jest doskonałym świadectwem, jak skuteczna okazała się koreańska strategia kreowania marki".
"Cool po koreańsku. Narodziny fenomenu. Jak jeden naród podbił świat za pomocą popkultury" Euny Hong ma na celu przybliżenie narodzin koreańskiej fali. O fenomenie tym opowiada dziennikarka, która jako dziecko przeprowadziła się ze Stanów Zjednoczonych do Korei Południowej - nie tej, którą znamy dzisiaj, tylko państwa ciągle jeszcze kontrolowanego przez dyktaturę Chun Doo-hwana, opętanego obsesją antykomunizmu i produkującego słabą elektronikę. Euny Hong była świadkiem przemiany Korei Południowej, która w bardzo krótkim czasie stała się "cool" za sprawą kultury popularnej. Ten nagły i niespodziewany sukces to nie tylko zasługa pojawienia się odpowiednich artystów, ale przede wszystkim szczegółowego planowania ze strony rządu i samej mentalności Koreańczyków, potrafiących poświęcić wiele by zbudować ten zbiorowy sukces. Choć tematyka jest niezwykle ciekawa, a autorka pisze w bardzo przystępny sposób - nie unikając przy tym ironii - to "Cool po koreańsku" jest słabym reportażem. Nie oznacza to jednak, że jest złą książką - świetnie się ją czyta jako pewien rodzaj biografii czy wspomnień o dorastaniu w kraju, który przechodzi niezwykłą transformację. To w dużej mierze rozliczenie Euny Hong z decyzją rodziców o przeprowadzce i jednoczesna próba zrozumienia jak ten "koszmarny" kraj z dzieciństwa stał się popularną Koreą Południową. To spojrzenie - osoby jednocześnie z zewnątrz, jak i wewnątrz jest niezwykle ciekawe i pozwala dostrzec wiele specyficznych cech państwa, które mogłyby umknąć zarówno Koreańczykowi, jak i dziennikarzowi analizującemu temat "na chłodno".
Dlaczego "Cool po koreańsku" wypada słabo jako reportaż? Przede wszystkim jest to tekst niezwykle subiektywny, w którym osoba autorki jest mocno zaznaczona. Euny Hong odwołuje się do własnych doświadczeń opowiadając o Korei Południowej, często generalizując. Właśnie ta generalizacja stanowi jeden z największych mankamentów książki - warto czytając brać na to poprawkę i krytycznie podchodzić do stwierdzeń mających na celu opisanie doświadczenia pokolenia jedynie z perspektywy uprzywilejowanej dziewczyny dorastającej w Gangnam. Kolejna kwestia to sama struktura tekstu - nie każdy rozdział odnosi się do popkultury i stanowi jej analizę. O wyborze znów decydowały doświadczenia Autorki - stąd chociażby obszerne fragmenty o Korei Północnej, która była jej przedstawiana w dzieciństwie jako potworne państwo. Nijak ma się to do tematu reportażu - drogi Korei Południowej do zbudowania sukcesu koreańskiej kultury popularnej. Podobnie kary cielesne - zamiast nawiązać do koreańskiej fali i chociażby szkoleń artystów, rozdział skupia się na doświadczeniach autorki. Wpływa to także na same rozdziały - ten o kinie w dużej mierze opowiada o upodobaniach Autorki, a dopiero na koniec krótko analizuje zjawisko popularności koreańskiego filmu. Najciekawsze stwierdzenia dotyczące koreańskiej kultury to przytoczone wypowiedzi krytyków. Niestety sprawia to wrażenie, że Euny Hong nie jest specjalistką od tego o czym pisze; przeprowadzony przez nią samą research jest pobieżny, a w połączeniu z tendencją do generalizacji zakłamuje obraz. Przykładowo Autorka porównując popkulturę japońską i koreańską zauważa, że ta druga jest bardziej purytańska - i dlatego szkolne mundurki nosi się w Korei tylko w szkole. Stwierdzenie jakże błędne! I nie wynika to tylko z tego, że tekst został napisany w 2014 roku, a od tego czasu styl koreańskich gwiazd ewoluował - już wtedy mundurki szkolne były wykorzystywane na scenie, a do głowy od razu przychodzi mi zespół After School.
"Cool po koreańsku", tak jak "I love Korea: k-pop, kimchi i cała" Daniela Tudora to rodzaj zachodniego dziennikarstwa, w którym liczy się doświadczenie osobiste autora i pewna intuicja. Takie teksty czyta się naprawdę przyjemnie, jednak należy pamiętać o ich subiektywności. Jako osoba zajmująca się pracą naukową zwracam ogromną uwagę na to jak analizowane jest dane zjawisko. Każde stwierdzenie musi zostać poparte, udowodnione - czymś więcej niż własnym przeczuciem, że tak jest. W "Cool po koreańsku" tego zabrakło - w stwierdzeniach opartych w dużej mierze na intuicji autorka czasem trafiła, czasem niekoniecznie. Stąd uważam, że "Cool po koreańsku" to książka dla osób, które posiadają już wiedzę o Korei Południowej lub potrafią czytać krytycznie (potrafią ocenić, które stwierdzenia są tak naprawdę subiektywnymi opiniami). Podkreślę, że wiele spostrzeżeń jest rzeczywiście trafnych (choć często są to przywołane opinie krytyków a nie efekt badań samej autorki) i dobrze opisują przypadek Korei Południowej - jednak przez ten subiektywny ton wymagają pewnej weryfikacji. Brak tu szerszej analizy, przedstawione są raczej wnioski i ogólne dowody.
Ostatnim zastrzeżeniem jest transkrypcja - wydaje się, że jest to zapis "potoczny" stworzony przez autorkę. Przy tytułach filmów brak reżysera czy daty premiery, co w połączeniu z błędną transkrypcją sprawia, że trzeba ma mieć sporą wiedzę o koreańskiej kinematografii, aby wiedzieć o jakim filmie pisze autorka.
Mimo tych wszystkich zarzutów, "Cool po koreańsku" to ciekawa książka - jako biografia i zbiór wspomnień. W pewnym sensie biografia nie tylko autorki, ale jej pokolenia i samej Korei Południowej. Opisana przemiana "szajsunga" w popularną markę jaką jest dziś Samsung, nabranie pewności siebie na arenie międzynarodowej za sprawą kultury popularnej jest naprawdę fascynujące. Spojrzenie autorki, która w dzieciństwie wstydziła się Korei Południowej, a dziś (w roku 2014) widzi jej rozkwit jest czymś, czego nie znajdziemy w pracy naukowej, skupiającej się na analizie samego zjawiska jakim jest hallyu (koreańska fala). W dodatku całość napisana jest w przystępny sposób.
"Cool po koreańsku" opowiada o fenomenie koreańskiej popkultury - ale robi to przez pryzmat spojrzenia autorki. Z tego powodu ten reportaż należy traktować jako wyrażenie opinii autorki bardziej niż dogłębną analizę pewnego zjawiska socjologiczno-kulturowego. Jeśli będziemy mieć to założenie w głowie, to "Cool po koreańsku" okaże się naprawdę przyjemną lekturą, opowieścią o pewnych przemianach podaną w bardzo przystępny sposób. Książka ta nie wyczerpuje tematu zjawiska hallyu, ale stanowi ciekawy dodatek do opracowań bardziej analitycznych. Ponadto nie skupia się wyłącznie na muzyce, filmie i serialach - ukazując znaczenie tego, co działo się przed koreańską falą. Nakreśla specyfikę państwa, które późno stało się demokracją - w którym pewna ingerencja państwa nadal jest pożądana, jeśli ma służyć tworzeniu narodowej marki. Dzięki temu pozostaje nadal aktualna - dzisiejsze sukcesy koreańskiej kultury są właśnie wypadkową strategii opisanej przez autorkę. Polecam przede wszystkim osobom, które już interesują się Koreą Południową. Odradzam tym, którzy poszukują analitycznego reportażu.
"Koreańska myśl techniczna miała w tych czasach bardzo złą sławę. Fakt, że świat o tym zapomniał, jest doskonałym świadectwem, jak skuteczna okazała się koreańska strategia kreowania marki".
"Cool po koreańsku. Narodziny fenomenu. Jak jeden naród podbił świat za pomocą popkultury" Euny Hong ma na celu przybliżenie narodzin koreańskiej fali. O fenomenie tym opowiada dziennikarka, która jako dziecko przeprowadziła się ze Stanów Zjednoczonych do Korei Południowej - nie tej, którą znamy dzisiaj, tylko państwa ciągle jeszcze kontrolowanego przez dyktaturę Chun Doo-hwana, opętanego obsesją antykomunizmu i produkującego słabą elektronikę. Euny Hong była świadkiem przemiany Korei Południowej, która w bardzo krótkim czasie stała się "cool" za sprawą kultury popularnej. Ten nagły i niespodziewany sukces to nie tylko zasługa pojawienia się odpowiednich artystów, ale przede wszystkim szczegółowego planowania ze strony rządu i samej mentalności Koreańczyków, potrafiących poświęcić wiele by zbudować ten zbiorowy sukces. Choć tematyka jest niezwykle ciekawa, a autorka pisze w bardzo przystępny sposób - nie unikając przy tym ironii - to "Cool po koreańsku" jest słabym reportażem. Nie oznacza to jednak, że jest złą książką - świetnie się ją czyta jako pewien rodzaj biografii czy wspomnień o dorastaniu w kraju, który przechodzi niezwykłą transformację. To w dużej mierze rozliczenie Euny Hong z decyzją rodziców o przeprowadzce i jednoczesna próba zrozumienia jak ten "koszmarny" kraj z dzieciństwa stał się popularną Koreą Południową. To spojrzenie - osoby jednocześnie z zewnątrz, jak i wewnątrz jest niezwykle ciekawe i pozwala dostrzec wiele specyficznych cech państwa, które mogłyby umknąć zarówno Koreańczykowi, jak i dziennikarzowi analizującemu temat "na chłodno".
Dlaczego "Cool po koreańsku" wypada słabo jako reportaż? Przede wszystkim jest to tekst niezwykle subiektywny, w którym osoba autorki jest mocno zaznaczona. Euny Hong odwołuje się do własnych doświadczeń opowiadając o Korei Południowej, często generalizując. Właśnie ta generalizacja stanowi jeden z największych mankamentów książki - warto czytając brać na to poprawkę i krytycznie podchodzić do stwierdzeń mających na celu opisanie doświadczenia pokolenia jedynie z perspektywy uprzywilejowanej dziewczyny dorastającej w Gangnam. Kolejna kwestia to sama struktura tekstu - nie każdy rozdział odnosi się do popkultury i stanowi jej analizę. O wyborze znów decydowały doświadczenia Autorki - stąd chociażby obszerne fragmenty o Korei Północnej, która była jej przedstawiana w dzieciństwie jako potworne państwo. Nijak ma się to do tematu reportażu - drogi Korei Południowej do zbudowania sukcesu koreańskiej kultury popularnej. Podobnie kary cielesne - zamiast nawiązać do koreańskiej fali i chociażby szkoleń artystów, rozdział skupia się na doświadczeniach autorki. Wpływa to także na same rozdziały - ten o kinie w dużej mierze opowiada o upodobaniach Autorki, a dopiero na koniec krótko analizuje zjawisko popularności koreańskiego filmu. Najciekawsze stwierdzenia dotyczące koreańskiej kultury to przytoczone wypowiedzi krytyków. Niestety sprawia to wrażenie, że Euny Hong nie jest specjalistką od tego o czym pisze; przeprowadzony przez nią samą research jest pobieżny, a w połączeniu z tendencją do generalizacji zakłamuje obraz. Przykładowo Autorka porównując popkulturę japońską i koreańską zauważa, że ta druga jest bardziej purytańska - i dlatego szkolne mundurki nosi się w Korei tylko w szkole. Stwierdzenie jakże błędne! I nie wynika to tylko z tego, że tekst został napisany w 2014 roku, a od tego czasu styl koreańskich gwiazd ewoluował - już wtedy mundurki szkolne były wykorzystywane na scenie, a do głowy od razu przychodzi mi zespół After School.
"Cool po koreańsku", tak jak "I love Korea: k-pop, kimchi i cała" Daniela Tudora to rodzaj zachodniego dziennikarstwa, w którym liczy się doświadczenie osobiste autora i pewna intuicja. Takie teksty czyta się naprawdę przyjemnie, jednak należy pamiętać o ich subiektywności. Jako osoba zajmująca się pracą naukową zwracam ogromną uwagę na to jak analizowane jest dane zjawisko. Każde stwierdzenie musi zostać poparte, udowodnione - czymś więcej niż własnym przeczuciem, że tak jest. W "Cool po koreańsku" tego zabrakło - w stwierdzeniach opartych w dużej mierze na intuicji autorka czasem trafiła, czasem niekoniecznie. Stąd uważam, że "Cool po koreańsku" to książka dla osób, które posiadają już wiedzę o Korei Południowej lub potrafią czytać krytycznie (potrafią ocenić, które stwierdzenia są tak naprawdę subiektywnymi opiniami). Podkreślę, że wiele spostrzeżeń jest rzeczywiście trafnych (choć często są to przywołane opinie krytyków a nie efekt badań samej autorki) i dobrze opisują przypadek Korei Południowej - jednak przez ten subiektywny ton wymagają pewnej weryfikacji. Brak tu szerszej analizy, przedstawione są raczej wnioski i ogólne dowody.
Ostatnim zastrzeżeniem jest transkrypcja - wydaje się, że jest to zapis "potoczny" stworzony przez autorkę. Przy tytułach filmów brak reżysera czy daty premiery, co w połączeniu z błędną transkrypcją sprawia, że trzeba ma mieć sporą wiedzę o koreańskiej kinematografii, aby wiedzieć o jakim filmie pisze autorka.
Mimo tych wszystkich zarzutów, "Cool po koreańsku" to ciekawa książka - jako biografia i zbiór wspomnień. W pewnym sensie biografia nie tylko autorki, ale jej pokolenia i samej Korei Południowej. Opisana przemiana "szajsunga" w popularną markę jaką jest dziś Samsung, nabranie pewności siebie na arenie międzynarodowej za sprawą kultury popularnej jest naprawdę fascynujące. Spojrzenie autorki, która w dzieciństwie wstydziła się Korei Południowej, a dziś (w roku 2014) widzi jej rozkwit jest czymś, czego nie znajdziemy w pracy naukowej, skupiającej się na analizie samego zjawiska jakim jest hallyu (koreańska fala). W dodatku całość napisana jest w przystępny sposób.
"Cool po koreańsku" opowiada o fenomenie koreańskiej popkultury - ale robi to przez pryzmat spojrzenia autorki. Z tego powodu ten reportaż należy traktować jako wyrażenie opinii autorki bardziej niż dogłębną analizę pewnego zjawiska socjologiczno-kulturowego. Jeśli będziemy mieć to założenie w głowie, to "Cool po koreańsku" okaże się naprawdę przyjemną lekturą, opowieścią o pewnych przemianach podaną w bardzo przystępny sposób. Książka ta nie wyczerpuje tematu zjawiska hallyu, ale stanowi ciekawy dodatek do opracowań bardziej analitycznych. Ponadto nie skupia się wyłącznie na muzyce, filmie i serialach - ukazując znaczenie tego, co działo się przed koreańską falą. Nakreśla specyfikę państwa, które późno stało się demokracją - w którym pewna ingerencja państwa nadal jest pożądana, jeśli ma służyć tworzeniu narodowej marki. Dzięki temu pozostaje nadal aktualna - dzisiejsze sukcesy koreańskiej kultury są właśnie wypadkową strategii opisanej przez autorkę. Polecam przede wszystkim osobom, które już interesują się Koreą Południową. Odradzam tym, którzy poszukują analitycznego reportażu.
November 17, 2015
All of Korean American journalist Euny Hong's passages, though insightful and full of interesting anecdotes about how Korean pop culture came to be what it was today, shakily straddle cultural commentary and cultural history with personal narrative.
One of the most fascinating essays in the book zooms in on "Gangnam Style" which is Korean culture's first (or at the very least famous man-baby Psy's first) stab at irony and satire. Hong notes that in Korean there's no word for "irony" or "satire" and so the Korean media hones in on the English word "parody" to describe Psy's seminal hit song. (The word choice is a bit off, however, as a parody has to be specifically mocking or imitating an existing work. Hong doesn't note this.) She then points to notes of irony in the song underlined heavily by the music video. In the video's opening Psy appears to be luxuriating on a beach, but, we soon see, he is actually perched in a lounge chair on one of Seoul's many unsightly urban playgrounds. She then goes on to say that the song lets Koreans know that they may be rich and full of swagger now, but they had humble beginnings, and Seoul is no utopian urban paradise.
Hong goes on to compare her life and Psy's, both children of Gangnam, both coming up in relative wealth (Psy, super-wealthy, Hong more upper bourgeois). Although this is fascinating, as much of the non-Korean world knows very little about Psy and where his song came from. In fact, we don't know anything about the song at all as the only English words in it are "style" and "Hey, sexy lady." The reader is thirsty for more irony, Euny! Hong detracts from this Gangnam youth narrative, as well as the focus of the essay, by demurring on her upbringing and taking a defensive-sounding tone on having it relatively hard compared to the super-wealthy Psy calls out.
One of the most fascinating essays in the book zooms in on "Gangnam Style" which is Korean culture's first (or at the very least famous man-baby Psy's first) stab at irony and satire. Hong notes that in Korean there's no word for "irony" or "satire" and so the Korean media hones in on the English word "parody" to describe Psy's seminal hit song. (The word choice is a bit off, however, as a parody has to be specifically mocking or imitating an existing work. Hong doesn't note this.) She then points to notes of irony in the song underlined heavily by the music video. In the video's opening Psy appears to be luxuriating on a beach, but, we soon see, he is actually perched in a lounge chair on one of Seoul's many unsightly urban playgrounds. She then goes on to say that the song lets Koreans know that they may be rich and full of swagger now, but they had humble beginnings, and Seoul is no utopian urban paradise.
Hong goes on to compare her life and Psy's, both children of Gangnam, both coming up in relative wealth (Psy, super-wealthy, Hong more upper bourgeois). Although this is fascinating, as much of the non-Korean world knows very little about Psy and where his song came from. In fact, we don't know anything about the song at all as the only English words in it are "style" and "Hey, sexy lady." The reader is thirsty for more irony, Euny! Hong detracts from this Gangnam youth narrative, as well as the focus of the essay, by demurring on her upbringing and taking a defensive-sounding tone on having it relatively hard compared to the super-wealthy Psy calls out.
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