About the author
The author of the New Koreans is named Michael Breen, Michael is from the United Kingdom and covers North and South Korea’s relationships, behavior, investigates the cultures and social norms of South Korea. He lives in Seoul where he acquired first-hand experience and knowledge for his books. As well he has lived in Korea for a very long time since 1982. He has seen the development of Korea and has an outside perspective of happenings during this time in Korea. In 2004 he wrote the previous version of this book which is called "THE Koreans: Who they are, What they want, Where their future lies” where wants to present Korea and inform western people of the Korean way of living. This is an updated version of new occurrences and an updated perspective on various topics that he has reconsidered and/or added since his last book.
Intro
The broken ship is the story of how nearly 300 people, mostly students drowned on a ferry on their school trip. The botched rescue mission and that never came, the captain fleeing, the first person to flee when the ferry was sinking. This is a metaphor for Koreans as this illustrates the current situation of the country, the corruption, and incompetence of many leaders, the failure to have standard safety pieces of training and the cowardice of the men that are supposed to help. The Koreans turned on themselves with despise. Koreans are hard on themselves and they want to act accordingly to the standard they have set as a developed country but by forcing this they are going back instead of moving forward. Koreans started with nothing and grew to be a soaring country at the center of the global stage. But the country was growing, they were becoming prosperous but Korean’s pessimism has held them back to wake up for their own arrival. The defiant land in a constant threat that they would be bombed by their neighbors of North Korea but shine their lights as if they are not scared, they are the real Korea. South Korea has rebuilt and changed a lot of times and each time with more confidence. The people were the driving force and became a resource for Korea. The real question is if Korea can change its systems, its political culture, corporate management style matching the level of an advanced nation, the world already does see them in this light but can they see themselves? The family line is extremely important for Koreans because this identifies them, they respect their ancestors and their descendants have given them their way of living. Koreans prioritize other people and relationships before themselves, the Confucian Values soar among Koreans and are part of their day to day decisions. Koreans have vaulted into religions for the guidance of their future and to bring back life in Korea. These religions must have the purpose of injecting Korea with the desire to find happiness and to find themselves.
Koreans are not only very hard on themselves but also on their people, different generations have the struggle to be happy either because of the poverty and war, the generations of now is the struggle of suppression of their own emotions and wishes. This is a challenge now to find happiness in this dynamic, as one Buddhist mon said: "we must tell ourselves we are already happy because we are."
The lack of communication on affection on joy and the lack of not showing what one truly feels has contributed very much to the lack of love in families and for their country. Koreans were thought that there is only one way to success this is by going to the best university and entering the top jobs
Roots
The roots of Koreans are very important to them it is what defines a Koreans and the purity of their DNA is something that they are very proud of and continue to protect. Korea was severely attacked in the past by bigger counterparts like Japan. Korea has been in the constant struggle of fighting off and resisting. For a long time, they fought for independence and Democracy but what they really wanted was freedom. Freedom in every sense of the word, freedom to rule their own lives. That is why it is hard for Koreans to come to terms with the Japanese ruling because they got deprived of one of the most basic needs. The Americans wanted to make a dividing line on these countries to make a convenient halfway point for the Soviet and American armies to meet and assume control of the defeated Japanese army. The questions I could Koreans have prevented this, Koreans are accustomed to seeing themselves as victims and any suggestion of responsibility is not welcome. The point of this section of the book is to illustrate how the history of Korea has brought them where they are today. From the smallest to the largest decision have contributed to how the two Koreas did not unify anymore. South Korea appeared to be more American than North Korea which is what saved them and what drowned North Korea in its inflexibility and communist way. When the Soviet communism collapsed, it sent North Korea right into crisis. South Korea emerged from corruptness into a modern, industrial, democratic power which was not only due to economic power but the hunger of the people.
Wealth
Following the Korean War, everyone was dirt poor. Fifty years later in postindustrial Korea, the product of a revolution and economic transformation was the grandchildren of the war generation and have become the beautiful people who spend on make-up, plastic surgery and enjoy their successful positions.
The Korean economy is known for the big corporations like Samsung, LG, SK that thrive in the world market nowadays. The factor that contributed to the growth of Korea this were the policy changes of becoming industrialized but the question is what led them to make these choices? It was mostly in the energy of the people this energy was harnessed in a proper way and this put Korean in an advantage. Koreans were literally hungry for success and the luck, instinct, and people worked for it, this is what helped them become one of the economic wonders in the world. As well as the strategic dependency on the United States helped Korea become independent from the US and Japan. President Park assumed a military-style management in his presidency which helped them setting and achieving goals efficiently, together with the Chaebols Park firmly established the industrial foundation for future growth.
The country and employees were expected to perform at the highest level, perfectionism was the highest concern in these times. This created a very hostile environment in companies and this system was bound to lead weakness in its decision making. Later, Koreans began pressing for more say in management, improved working conditions and better wages in all industries which became known as the spring wage negotiation but on this day, it does not benefit broad support anymore. This was a crucial moment in Korea’s labor movement where their willingness to give their own life to defend labor laws and to obey labor standards.
Power
Koreans know that they are looked down upon by the Americans, this makes them feel inferior in their own country and the fact that it is still this way angers them. Koreans do not want to get rid of Americans well at least not all of them, but Koreans want the respect that they deserve in their own country. Westerners have a very peripheral view when dealing with issues in other countries. But for Koreans, three major issues of power remained succession, corruption, and elections this prevented them to become a real democracy. When Rhee became president, this left a stained memory of Korea’s democratic foundation because of the authoritarian mandate that was anti-communist. Rhee failed to institute the basic traditions of democracy demotivated Koreans by being very like the north 7 years after the war. In 1961 park interrupted what could have been Korea's economic development under a parliamentary democracy. Most of Koreans welcomed this "favor” because he began the administrative democracy which led to Korea gate which took bilateral relations to an all low because of corrupt lobbying. After many attempts and handlings of the opposition with North Korea, Park became ruthless and his rule degenerated into repression. When Park was killed by the KCIA director Korea’s dictator was gone and Koreans found themselves back at the beginning of their history in becoming a democracy. As the chapter continues there is a clear demonstration of how long Korea took to implementing democracy because it was about the politicians that represented them because a lot of them did not represent democracy or did not understand the core values of it, it is not something you can practice half of and call it democracy. But the Korean politicians were not the only ones that contributed to this the people selected politicians based first on their past, and afterward, they looked at their goals and views on important subjects. Two steps back illustrate how the country has literally taken steps back in their democracy because of corruption.
Next
Today’s Korea is more of beautiful people who can spend money and behave freely they admire to become artists and they enjoy art, music literature. Hallyu is spreading across the world from music to movies to Korean dramas. Even though when Korea opened its doors Hollywood planted its seeds into Korea, it was a success for a while but American movies and show were very different from Korean emotions, by portraying Koreans emotions and directness in displaying these emotions together with good visuals prompted the huge interest of the outside world in Korean made, series movies and songs. The increase of Korean soft power has its economic benefits and the Korean government recognized this and incentivized these movements. Its international impact has been increasing with Korean food now being more popular good strategies to present the food would be to make it a lifestyle, because the table manners in Korea is more important than the actual food, serving the Soju and beer is what make the Korean Cuisine so unique. But Korea is as well very good in absorbing trends and converting them in a way that is more appealing in Asia. One thing that is very hard for the Korean Government is to let the trends flow. Regardless there is now a huge opportunity to promote their culture because of many foreigners visiting. Korean economy will continue to compete and cooperate with China while a declining population, the rise in one- and two-person households, and the need to care for more older citizens will drive changing labor practices, government spending, and consumption patterns.
For foreigners, Korea is a very nice country with nice people when visiting because you are not long enough there to see how Koreans Treat each other, in a hostile and unfair way. Also After staying there longer, you might start realizing discriminative tendencies and that racism is very common.
To end this chapter the question of when will the two rival unify, it is very important that the two Koreas reconcile before they start thinking to unify. Also, that North Korea add something beyond land and people but it is difficult to say what, but South Koreans would have to make reconciliation and reinvention as unified people who will make and lead the world to become a better-unified place.
Analysis
Intro
The first section of this book I found to be very interesting, in a lot of parts I seemed to agree with the author because he hits a lot of points and connects all the dots of what Korea represents as a country. From what I have read and written for the BIA course about Korea it always seems to lead to the unhappiness of Koreans and how this is affecting their economy and society. It is no secret that they are not happy, Koreans pretend that everything is fine, that there is nothing wrong, they do not express their emotions and are always repressed. I believe that in this section of the book the author illustrates how Koreans are repressed and why Koreans became repressed. Everything is connected, family, society, education, economy, history and all other factors that affect Korea, as well as, each individual.
Roots
This section of the book went in depth of the Korean roots and the importance of these roots for Koreans, they live by this and they believe this is an indication also of what they will become, they strongly believe to this day that purity of DNA is a proud accomplishment that must be protected. As well as the emotional scars deeply ingrained by the Korean war, how the war has led both Koreas where they stand today and how it continues to influence each decision in the tense relationship of both countries. I believe that this section is more based on facts and historical data with some anecdotes that show and gave some sense of how both sides experienced the Korean War. For example, the story of the North Korean defector who saw thru his binoculars that in South Korea everyone had a Hyundai as well as listening to Christmas carols. I liked that these stories were put in here because it gives you an idea of how it was on the past. When I visited Korea, I went to the DMZ and I feel that the author depicts the emotion that you feel when you enter this zone. Most
Wealth
In this part of the book, we can have a closer look at the Chaebols and how these are supported and came to be in Korea. Recently for the SCE exams we had a quite good look on Korea and one of their major problems is the development of small and medium enterprises, there is a lack of passion and entrepreneurship because it is hard to develop your own business in a country like South Korea, of course these are different times than in the past where they stole property from small companies piece by piece, but it is difficult to start your own business in Korea. The government is still protecting Chaebols and this is difficult for SME to compete with (Mckinsey). These issues are causing a lot of discrepancies in the Korean economy, what used to be normal in the past that the breadwinner was the male who worked in one of the Chaebols, this is not the case anymore. In this part, we can see how this came to be and how the laborers fought for their place. Even know the exhaustion and long working hours are part of South Korean workers, but you can see that in the past it was worse than it is now and that there must come a change in labor policies.
Power
When beginning the first part of this chapter the author says: it is hard to comprehend the rage of Koreans and his colleague on this issue that the two American men were tried in an American court and I think that is the pivotal point that differentiates Koreans. As well politicians were selected based on their past and their family life instead of views which is understandable given their culture where they value more these types of information rather than on the objectives of the person who will become president. and Western people. It is hard to comprehend a situation that you have never been in. He did not comprehend that Koreans were undermined in their own country by Americans and that this had to stop, not in the support but in the way that Americans perceived Koreans and acted in Korea as if they were the bosses. I feel that in this chapter the author realizes that not just because the western style is the normal style means that it is the correct one. In Korea, we must distinguish the people who experienced the war and the people who grew up with this as a painful memory and the new generation who are the beautiful young people who can enjoy their freedom. In Korea, we must distinguish the people who experienced the war and the people who grew up with this as a painful memory and does not know the concept of freedom and the new generation who are the beautiful young people who can enjoy their freedom. The concept of freedom in Korea is restricted, In the sense of you are free but you should practice freedom with a high rate of responsibility. Similarly, to the press, most of the press is bought by the government or Chaebols. Korea's corruption has not gotten any better and the fight for real democracy is still ongoing, but all these restrictions are what Is holding back to Korea becoming a real democratic country.
Next
In the last part of the book it is interesting to see how Korea is exercising their soft power in other countries and how it is becoming international because of the uniqueness of its ways, I feel that this part could have been more elaborate on the impact that K-Pop, K-Dramas have on economic development as well as the contribution of the internationalization of Korea. We have learned that soft power is very powerful it may well be that in the next century it can lead the way for many countries to become a powerful, influential global power.
This section lacked more facts as the abundance of facts in other sections. Unification was very briefly grazed as it was mentioned during the book but not expecting to end in such a vague way.
Conclusion
The main message of the book I believe is to illustrate Korea, how people act, how they became an advanced country in such a fast way and to know its people. This book covers a variety of themes, culture, ancient history, modern history a little bit of economy, politics, the future and much more. I think it does a great job of giving more insight into Korea.
In the chapter that I learned the most was the one on Power, most of the other sections of this book I am familiar with because of the BIA classes and living in Korea for 5 months has helped me have a lot of understanding about Korea and Korean people. There are a lot of facts that I have learned in this book, as well as a lot of explanations on the behavior of Koreans that I had doubts of when I visited Korea.
The chapter of Power delves into the political struggles and explains in a short way how Korea has managed to become an advanced economy. It is very interesting to read as well as a very straightforward way to explain the struggles of becoming a real democracy. As well as the chapter on roots where you go back in history and see how their values progress along. I was not aware of the many assassination attempts and assassinations that were perpetrated by KCIA. It was not safe to be a president or prime minister in Korea.
In conclusion, the new Koreans is a book that is very well explained and uses a lot of anecdotes to support facts. One thing that I have noticed of his anecdotes, is most of them are his and based on his experience he has constructed his thoughts which is reasonable but sometimes I feel that because he has a certain view or maybe even bias on a topic the whole chapter leans in to what he wants us as readers to believe. The new Koreans is an outsider view on Korean Culture and customs. The author compares Korea to The US or UK which is a way to make us (foreigners) understand better but he uses The US or The UK a standard or "the normal" way of doing things. From small objects as food to big effects, for instance, comparing democracies. I quite liked this book because as a foreigner you come across a lot of things in Korea and this book puts into exact words what almost every foreigner experiences when they live in. The author has been a journalist for decades and he understands the limits of his personal angles which is why I appreciated this book because he knows that there might be another perspective but he finely, humbly explains his perspective