Book Review: Korea: The Impossible Country (Daniel Tudor)
Korea has achieved what many thought impossible – in a couple generations, the country has rebuilt itself from war-torn devastation to a first-world country known for many reasons. At present, the country faces a number of other issues, possibly considered ’first-world problems’, that have to be addressed to continue its success. If you’re interested in seeing how Korea got to where it is today (and why things are the way they are), a glimpse of history provides the context.
The book starts with a very good review of Korean history, complete with the nuances (and without the nationalist tint) seen in Korean sources. If you’re familiar with the country’s back story there are few surprises here, but a tale on the country’s most recent history is more helpful after seeing how it got here.
The first major section, “Foundations”, sets the tone for the rest of the book. The major religions of Korea – including a very good chapter on shamanism – all receive relatively equal treatment. I was a bit surprised to see almost no discussion on Korea’s non-religious – those who have given up religion or don’t see a place for it. The final chapter, a section on the battles for Korean democracy, should be required reading for any expat interested in intelligent conversation with a local.
The second part discusses the power of jeong (the shared connection and obligation), the dilemma of competition, han (a deep sorrow fueled by uncontrollable tragedy), and to a lesser extent heung (a devil-may-care spirit of joy). As these the cultural codes of Korea, they merit the attention of would-be expats or anyone studying the people. Where once these forces both greatly assisted the country, Daniel mentions that some of these forces (particularly the first two) have begun to become counter-productive in some ways.
Entitled “Cold Reality”, the third part mentions several of the issues Korea is currently facing – North Korea, the media, the working culture, the English craze, and so on. That the book is brand new (and therefore up to date, up to a reference of May 2012) provides context to even recent changes. This section also does an exceptionally good time of separating the outward behavior of people from their inner feelings on societal issues or their jobs, which is often accomplished via survey results. Each chapter ends with a reminder of the challenges that have brought us to the present, typically with an optimistic hope for the country.
In a few cases, the author repeats a fact or point made previously. Additionally, some pieces read like something published in a news magazine, complete with interviews that dominate a given section of the book. Given that Daniel is an accomplished at the Economist and contributes to Newsweek, the style is to be expected.
The fourth part is more light-hearted, and explains how Koreans have fun when not working. Again, the historical connection with the past is clear, as is the rapid change that has endured over the past decade. Someone that came to Korea even five years ago may not recognize some parts of the country nowadays. Areas popular with expats get mentioned (including a very different translation for “Itaewon” than I’ve ever heard before), along with the rapid growth of coffee shops as social hubs.
The final part expresses concern for Korea’s low birth rate, along with Korea’s cultural wave and the backlash from it. The features here are individual chapters on two wrongfully maligned facets of society – the GLBT community and the historical treatment of women. There’s nothing particularly new here, but it is a very good run-down of a history not easily found in one place. An epilogue entrusts that Korea can pull another miracle to find contentment – something that is sorely lacking despite the abounding material wealth.
While the text is excellent as expected, I’m a little surprised at the lack of a pronunciation guide, or even a single word in Korean hangeul (everything is Romanized, to the detriment of anyone unsure of Korean pronunciation). Overall, though, it’s a minor oversight in a well-researched book worthy of several hours.
Recommended for any new expat, history lover, or anyone interested in the country’s transformation.
Korea: The Impossible Country is available on Amazon
Book by Tuttle Publishing, $22.95 (USD), available at all leading bookstores.
Disclaimer: Chris in South Korea received a pre-release review copy from the publisher.
Recommended for you
Book Review: Waking Up in the Land of the Morning Calm – Jeffrey Miller
It’s a fairly rare expat in Korea who can claim twenty-plus years in Korea. Jeffrey Miller is one of those guys, of course, and his first-person perspective on Korea’s history since 1990 is a rock-solid one. While Jeffrey’s previous book, War Remains (paperback, or for Kindle), was fictional, it was very much based in reality. In this…>
Book review: Eating Kimchi and Nodding Politely
In a similar vein to Chris Tharp’s and Jeffrey Miler’s recent contributions to literature, Alex Clermont’s Eating Kimchi and Nodding Politely will feel familiar to expats that have spent any time working in Korea. While the self-styled creative non-fiction features no plot line, the mostly autobiographical tales are a vivid reminder of what it’s like…>
Top Offers
-
Old Penang Guesthouse
Urban Boutique Guesthouse
Penang, Georgetown, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 10 per night
-
Sukau Rainforest Lodge
Eco River Retreat
Kinabatangan River, Borneo, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 400 per night
-
Abaca Boutique Resort
Spa & Wellness Resort
Lapu Lapu City , Mactan Island, Philippines
Deal USD $ 340 per night
-
Eternity Springs Art Farm
Eco Wellness Retreat
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Deal USD $ 100 per night
-
L’Hotel Nina at Convention Center
Urban Budget Hotel
Hong Kong, The New Territories, China
Deal USD $ 100 per night
-
Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa
Luxury Beach Resort
Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam
Deal USD $ 134 per night
-
The Secret Sanctuary Boutique Cottage
Boutique Guesthouse
Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 35 per night
-
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Boutique Resort
Canungra, Queensland, Australia
Deal USD $ 200 per night
-
Anggun Boutique Hotel
Urban Boutique Hotel
Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 75 per night
-
The Apsara
Urban Boutique Guesthouse
Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, Laos
Deal USD $ 75 per night
-
Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass
Rivers Glamping
Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Thailand
Deal USD $ 125 per night
-
The Chedi, Chiang Mai
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Chiang Mai, Chang Khlan, Thailand
Deal USD $ 250 per night
-
Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa
Luxury Resort
Dalat, Lam Dong, Vietnam
Deal USD $ USD $175 per night
