a foreigner who has lived in Korea foryears now, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, The author has a relatively pleasing cadence and it was overall a pleasurable read,
The book gave a very detailed overview of Korean history which might sound like an oxymoron, but one must remember that the full history of Korea spans a few millennia, even if much of it was unwritten.
He presented many interesting events in modern Korean history and laid out a fairly decent blueprint of how modern Korea came to be, Admittedly, as someone not wellversed in economics or politics, some the more detailed analysis, of which there wasn't too much in hindsight, was a little confusing, but that's in no way due to the author's writing.
With regards to the social atmosphere of Korea, I found myself nodding in agreement more times than I could count, He discussed many of the hypotheses I had about Korean society and provided a much needed historical lens through which I was better able to learn about Korea's complicated social dynamics and culture.
Would definitely recommend for anyone interested in learning more about the growth of Korea from a postwar impoverished nation into a global, advanced country, A really good run through culture, history and how Korea mostly the South is seen and how they feel about themselves, Written by a British journalist and a very readable, breezy style, I learned a lot how could I not after my first extended visit to SK, I couldnt lock into the authors approach, Reads as a very long oped, or a cultural travelogue, but never scholarly, There are some incredible insights here that I saw first hand in an extended stay in Korea why do Koreans not swim at beaches, but I mostly left wishing the author would go deeper into fewer, more interesting topics like the Jeju Massacre.
After reading so many books about North Korea, it is very refreshing to read about its southern neighbour, Overall, this book discussed many things, from its prehistorical and dynastic times to current days, It is fascinating to note, that although separated by the DMZ and divided by ideologies, deep down, Koreans from both sides are similar to each other, For example, South Koreans were only freed from dictatorships only recently, while the Northerns still have much to catch up, I am particularly interested to the Souths economybuilding, which associated very closely with its nationbuilding process under the military leadership of Park Chunghee, transforming South Korea from a thirdworld agricultural economy into a firstworld manufacturing economy.
Reading this book, you will not get bored, I can guarantee, for the author has skillfully mixed the historical thingy with interesting life stories of his own, Once I realized that this wasn't an academic/objective view of Korea, but a personal opinions and insights into the country backed up with lots of experiences, I really grew to love it for its accessible amp personable insights from a longtime foreigner resident of Korea.
I learned a lot about how Korea has developed historically, but also a lot about how Korea is operates today, Especially after having lived here for a year, a lot of things in this book clicked for me, and will continue to give insight as I continue my residence, This book is actually a revision from Breen'sbook, and it is a great intro for anyone who wants to learn about Korea's complex history and society, Breen's love of Korea is contagious and his brilliant storytelling is made authentic through anecdotes made me laugh out loud! "New Korean" reminds us that we cannot lump all East Asians into the same category Korea is a unique culture and should be appreciated for more than kimchi or KPop's YouTube sensation, rapper Psy,but rather for its diversity and growing importance on the global market.
I recommend reading "New Korean" to anyone looking to learn more about South Korea, It's an excellent book covering topics such as the democratization of South Korea, The author details the "power shift" from military rule to democracy, I enjoyed reading chapter“The Miracle Of Affirmation, ”
Very easy and fun read,
Stop Spoilers
Spoilers
Some videos I researched after reading each chapter,
“The Broken Ship”
South Korea ferry disaster: Heroes of the Sewol
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A Thousand Winds violin coverEng, subSewol Ferry Disaster after two years
sitelink be/pnkknEZuo
“Out of Gangnam”
Gangnam District sights, sounds, and nightlife in Seoul, South Korea
sitelink be/LqPaHTUmw
“The Defiant Land”
North Korea Looks Strangely Dark From Space In Asia FlyOver Video
sitelink be/YEbueQxs
An Exciting South Korean Taxi Ride
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The Case for Hanguk”
Have you ever heard about this country Korea 한국 홍보 영어 대한민국
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GSeoul SummitVideo Real Story Of Korea
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“The Group as Refuge”
Korean Stereotypes: Blood Type Personalities
sitelink be/tjrCAkaus
Ringing the bell in Buddhist Temple, Korea
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“Jesus and Local Messiahs”
Korean Catholicism sees prodigious growth after long, faithful history
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The Calling A story about Ruby Kendrick
“If I had a thousand lives, Korea should have them all,
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Confucianism Window on Korean Culture유교
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“Suffering in the Republic of Others”
Very shocking
As a foreigner not living or never visiting South Korea, It took me six months to learn about the "dark pit" of Korean depression by reading the book “I Have the Right to Destroy Myself” by Youngha Kim
Korea is not all KPOP and Kdrama that the foreigner sees and hears.
That was five years ago,
The thing I also noticed is when I try to explain this to other people around the world, They do not believe it, I guess the correct term is brainwashing,
Sub 여중생 이야기 / The Tough Life of A Korean Student
sitelink be/MBirLlCJMk Adult Subject
“Nationalism and Other Things”
Spirit of Korea Kim Koo, A leader who will be remembered forever백범 김구
sitelink be/COvvWLzEA
“Love and Learning When Your DNA Isn't Yours”
Korean Women: Traditional amp Modern KWOW
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“Beginnings”
Korean Wave fromYears of History
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“The Quest for Purity”
When amp How to Bow in Korea
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Korean Culture Series Korean language, Hangeul
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The Life of Dr, Philip Jaisohn 서재필 박사 Soh Jaipil Philip Jaisohn Video Contestst Place Winner
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“Being Second Class”
Korean History Japanese Occupation Period
sitelink be/cWJENvUlk
“Brother no More”
Have you ever thought why theth parallel was chosen to separate the two Koreas
Korea: A History Of The NorthSouth Split
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“Desperation”
South Korea Documentary HD Eng
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“Economic Warriors”
South Korea's miraculous economic development
sitelink be/RraGlgw
Reconstructing Koreas Crippled Economy Korean Miners and Nurses in Germany
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“The Smell of Money”
Korean StartUps v Chaebols FT Business
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“The Chaebol Problem”
"Work, Work, Work"
South Korean employees work excessive hours
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Korean Business Etiquette: Company Dinners
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“At Least Pro the Right Kind of Democracy
Gangnam Style Singer Psy's 'AntiAmerican' Controversy
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History of Korea the Junecivil uprising of
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Power Shift
월 민주항쟁 June,Civil Uprising in South Korea
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“The First Democratic Presidents'
“Dissidents in Charge'
In memory of Kim Dae Jung 김대중 님을 기억하며, .
sitelink be/VQbVqLXM
“Two Steps Back”
South Korea Protestth candlelight vigil
sitelink be/zIwHpVnvhI ”People Power, ”
“The Miracle Of Affirmation”
I Want A Gangnam Style Face: S, Korea's Bizarre Surgery Trend
sitelink be/ZCKShGLyeK
Angles Korea's Dansaekhwa Fever Spreading across the World K아트, 단색화 열풍
sitelink be/LHKHCGIU
서태지 와 아이들 SeoTaiji and Boys 난 알아요 I Know
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Interview with a famous poet "Ko Un" Korea Today
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The Pansori Epic Chant
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Sopyonje trailer Im Kwon Taek
sitelink be/fugmhWvys
Shin Joong Hyun / Kim Jung Mi The Sun
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BIG BANG LIVE in NEW JERSEY FANTASTIC BABY SUPER HD
sitelink be/btGErkjvQ
PSY GANGNAM STYLE강남스타일 M/V
sitelink be/bZkpqf
NEFIRESpace Ver, M/V
sitelink be/ISEoXdHbW
Shiri MV
When I Dream
sitelink be/XQGJSKREg
Joint Security Area J, S. A. Park ChanwookKorean Trailer Eng Subs
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Oasis Korean Movie Trailer
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OnaraOst Dae Jang Geum RomEng Sub
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“For Wider Acceptance”
How to Eat Korean BBQ Stop Eating it Wrong, Episode
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“A Wealthier Future”
“The Future of Democracy”
“Time to Unify”,