The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation Is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture: Euny Hong: 9781250045119: Amazon.com: Books
2.0 out of 5 starsNot for Adults
ByJamie_NYCon May 7, 2016
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I was very surprised to find out the author was born in 1973 - the style, vocabulary, sentence structure and 'depth' of this book are more appropriate for a teenager. It's not so much the eye-rolling claims ("Korean culture dominates Asia" - is India not part of Asia?), as the overall shallowness of the whole project that put me off. Good for the author that she has found her 'Zion' (in her own words), but if you are looking for a thoughtful analysis of Korean popular culture and its influence around the world, you'll have to search elsewhere.
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4.0 out of 5 starsInformative and entertaining, but not critical enough
ByJohnny í Grótinumon October 11, 2014
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By internalising her own life story into this very informative introduction to modern South Korea the author succeeds in entertaining the reader while staying true to her primary sources of information. But it seems like she has been rather selective in her choice of sources with government officials dominating the list, which turns the fascinating tale into a good (investment) case for the equalling Korean with cool.
She is critical of the rather strict upbringing that Korean kids experience, but I miss a critique of the extremely active governmentally pushed post-industrial development of the Korean economy. A case in point is the rather shallow treatment of the dire situation of the Korean economy after the Asian crisis in 1997, where it was almost bankcrupt as a result of bad policies in the years prior to that.
However, the author did win me over in the end. Korean Cool seems to give some good pointers to what awaits us in the future. So we better take heed and learn a thing or two about this country having undergone an extreme societal development in the last 15-20 years. As a bonus the book gives us an understanding of the relation to their closest neighbor to the north.
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5.0 out of 5 starsPuzzlement solved!
ByAnnie Laion December 16, 2016
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This is all the answer I need for the sudden K-pop sensation! I was in the States living with 4-5 South-Korean girls back in the 90s, and none of them recognized with their Korean backgrounds, except for Korean food, period. To be honest, some of them even told me they'd like to learn Chinese with me so they might make a living easily (that's hardly necessarily now). However, while I'm currently living in Taiwan, 3.5 hours by flight from Seoul, many of my compatriots, esp. teenagers or young adults, are devoted fans of K-pop/K-culture in a whole package, with more and more Korean natives claiming their love or pride for their country. Although I never appreciate Korean dramas (movies are way more exceptional), I am learning Koreans now to add another Asian language in my forte. Thanks to Ms. Hong, now I do have "clear views" beyond those heavily packaged pop music singers to truly grasp what Hallyu is all about.
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5.0 out of 5 starsRead this before traveling to Seoul
ByA. Christiansenon July 29, 2015
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I loved this book. The writer's narrative style makes it easy to read this history/political/social commentary on contemporary South Korea. I read this book in preparation for a recent trip to Seoul. I found myself quoting Hong as a way to explain some of the things about this country to my travel companions. The way she connects modern day Korea to the country's distant and recent history is awesome. I learned so much from it and enjoyed reading it. p.s. we had a food tour booked with Dan Gray so it was even more fascinating to find his native son story in here as well. I believe that the story of a nation can best be explained through stories of its people and Hong did not disappoint here.
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3.0 out of 5 starsThe book was a fast read but that is my ...
ByKdgrandmaon December 13, 2014
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The book was a fast read but that is my main complaint. Too many written "soundbites", not enough background detail and makes statements without factual support.
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5.0 out of 5 starsEntertaining and informative.
ByShin Kimon March 9, 2016
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If you are interested in an easy read that explain the sudden unexpected international popularity of Korean products and entertainment, read this book. Hint: it's not unfettered capitalism.
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5.0 out of 5 starsBrilliant really a very valuable account on why South Korea ...
ByAustralian Sheilaon March 30, 2015
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Brilliant really a very valuable account on why South Korea has made a global impression you will not want to put this book down it is so fascinating. After reading this book there was a incident with the daughter of the Chairman of Korean Airlines now known as 'nut rage' and very easy to understand once you have such a clear understanding of this culture. Enjoy
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5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Book about the ways of Korea!!
Byjacquie ouelletteon April 20, 2016
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I love this book and the author is quite amazing in her way of telling people about the Korean food, culture, music, I am reading another book called A Geek in Korea and its quite interesting also
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5.0 out of 5 starsaccesible and a great journalistic effort written with a friendly style
BySebastián Auyaneton July 22, 2015
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Revealing, comprehensive, accesible and a great journalistic effort written with a friendly style. It's a key to know the ascent of koreans through culture, and the struggles they're experiencing in the process of giving birth to this "korean cool".
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5.0 out of 5 starsEntertaining, funny & insightful
ByD. Hopeon July 30, 2015
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Excellent & fun read for anyone interested in K pop/Kdramas & the inside workings of Korean popular culture. Not laugh-out-loud all the way through - but some of the early chapters in particular are very funny!
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