Korea: The Impossible Country - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 957084311X ISBN 13: 9789570843118

Synopsis

South Korea has long been overshadowed by Japan and China, but this small country is one of the great national success stories of the postwar period. From a failed state with no democratic tradition, ruined and partitioned by war, and sapped by a half-century of colonial rule, South Korea transformed itself in just fifty years into an economic powerhouse and a democracy that serves as a model for other countries. How was it able to achieve this, with no natural resources and a tradition of authoritarian rule? Who are the Koreans and how did they accomplish this second Asian miracle? Having accomplished it, what will they do now? The author of this book, a journalist who has lived in and written about Korea for almost a decade, seeks answers to these and many other fascinating questions about Korean history, culture, and society. Along they way, he interviews dozens of experts, from shaman priestesses and business leaders to politicians, social activists, sports legends, rock musicians, and academics.

About this title

Review:

""Korea: The Impossible Country" is an accessible, vibrantly written 360-degree explanation of what South Korea has become after half a century of break-neck change. Authored by the Seoul-based correspondent for the "Economist", Daniel Tudor (Somerville, 2000), itAEs a book I suspect we should all be reading."--"Oxford Today"

"Furthermore, unlike the majority of foreign correspondents in Seoul, Tudor has the natural advantage of actually being able to speak colloquial Korean well enough to really get under the skin of issues that affect Koreans, without the need of a local aide. Such language requirements might seem obvious, but it is undoubtedly the case that many foreign correspondents based in Seoul cannot speak the local language, unlike a substantial proportion of their colleagues in Beijing, for example.

The result is a balanced and, more importantly, up-to-date and relevant book that manages to avoid the usual traps and cliches that otherwise make literature on South Korea incredibly boring or predictable to read (South Korea is, in fact, anything but boring--and it is certainly unpredictable.)"--"Asia Times Online"

"And I have to say, it was quite an enjoyable read. ...There's a fair amount of colorful detail in these chapters, and Mr. Tudor's brisk writing kept the pages turning for me. ... if youAEre new to all things Korean, you should consider picking this up. Oh, and for a quick and entertaining introduction to Korean shamanism, I'm not sure this can be beat.o--"Asian Correspondent"

"[a] author of this extremely readable perspective on Korea gives a rare fair treatment of his subject matter as well as showing his deep affection, or the Korean "jeong" (as explained in the book, deep inter-affection) for it. [a] His dynamic narrative richly blends in his interviews with contemporary Koreans and is refreshing."--"The Korea Times"

"But South Korea has enormous strategic importance: some 28,000 American servicemen are stationed there, holding off the North Korean military threat and a rising Chinese one. This year, Seoul slid into the news when a rapper's music video went viral. But despite a few wrong-headed attempts to find cultural commentary in "Gangnam Style," illumination of the fascinating country was limited. Tudor has demonstrated that South Korea has far more going on that is worth exploring."--"The New Republic"

"This superb book charts the improbable rise of South Korea from the devastation of war and impoverishment to rapid development and prosperity, and from brutal dictatorship to the most vibrant democracy in Asia ... Tudor sparkles in explaining Korean cultural concepts and values, and its deep social, generational and political divisions. He writes well and has an eye for the quirky detail while charting changing norms in sex, divorce and gender equality. Learning about Korea has never been more entertaining."--"Japan Times"

"Books on Korea are a plenty, but few seem to really get beyond kimchi and k-pop and deal with some of the less often-discussed topics that affect Koreans on a daily basis. We were therefore interested to hear that Daniel Tudor, the "Economist's" Korea Correspondent, has a book coming out later this month that really delves deep into South Korean contemporary society. [...]the book portrays Korea from a comprehensive and fascinating angle that's worth sharing with our readers."--KoreaBang.com

"Daniel Tudor is one of the most influential foreign correspondents in South Korea--and one of the least known. As the reporter for the "Economist", which doesn't use bylines, most of his work is published anonymously. But Mr. Tudor's profile is about to take a sharp rise with the publication of his new book, "Korea: The Impossible Country."

"But this is not a history book. Tudor, Seoul correspondent for "The Economist," provides a fairly perfunctory account of the "miracle on the Han River," which saw South Korea transformed from postwar ruin to prosperous democracy within four decades. The book's real value comes in its exploration of the cultural forces behind the country's zeal for self-improvement. He spends more time analysing the rise of Korean popular culture, which has swept across Asia during the past decade and is now going global with the success of PSY, the rapper whose hit, "Gangnam Style," has become a worldwide internet sensation. Some see PSY's breakthrough as evidence that South Korea is finally establishing itself in the global consciousness as the modern, sassy society it is. That may be true but his satire of life in the rich, fashionable Gangnam district of Seoul also reflects unease over the rising social divisions charted in Tudor's book." --"Financial Times"

"Tudor, Seoul correspondent for "The Economist," provides a fairly perfunctory account of the "miracle on the Han River," which saw South Korea transformed from postwar ruin to prosperous democracy within four decades. The book's real value comes in its exploration of the cultural forces behind the country's zeal for self-improvement." "Financial Times""

"Tudor's "Korea: The Impossible Country" is a fascinating overview of daily life in Korea. Tudor's in-depth analysis is the one of an insider who has never lost sight of the view from the outside. His book helps you feel comfortable right from your first visit in Korea." David Syz, Swiss Secretary of State for Economic Affairs"

"Daniel Tudor covers all the important issues, yet does not simply tell the more familiar stories but looks deeper and wider to give the full story of Korea today." --Martin Uden, Former British Ambassador to South Korea

"Recommended for expats and any readers who are keen to learn more about Asian cultures, Korea: The Impossible Country is a well-researched and authoritative window into a country and its people." --The Expat Magazine

-Daniel Tudor covers all the important issues, yet does not simply tell the more familiar stories but looks deeper and wider to give the full story of Korea today.- --Martin Uden, Former British Ambassador to South Korea

Book Description:

South Korea's amazing rise from the ashes: the inside story of an economic, political, and cultural phenomenon

Long overshadowed by Japan and China, South Korea is a small country that happens to be one of the great national success stories of the postwar period. From a failed state with no democratic tradition, ruined and partitioned by war, and sapped by a half-century of colonial rule, South Korea transformed itself in just fifty years into an economic powerhouse and a democracy that serves as a model for other countries. With no natural resources and a tradition of authoritarian rule, Korea managed to accomplish a second Asian miracle.

Daniel Tudor is a journalist who has lived in and written about Korea for almost a decade. in Korea: The impossible Country, Tudor examines Korea's cultural foundations; the Korean character; the public sphere in politics, business, and the workplace as well as the family, dating, and marriage. in doing so, he touches on topics as diverse as shamanism, clan-ism, the dilemma posed by North Korea, the myths about doing business in Korea, the Koreans' renowned hard-partying ethos, and why the infatuation with learning English is now causing huge social problems.

South Korea has undergone two miracles at once: economic development and complete democratization. The question now is, will it become as some see Japan, a rich yet aging society, devoid of energy and momentum? Or will the dynamism of Korean society and its willingness to change—as well as the opportunity it has now to welcome outsiders into its fold—enable it to experience a third miracle that will propel it into the ranks of the world's leading nations in terms of human culture, democracy, and wealth?

More than just one journalist's account, Korea: The impossible Country also draws on interviews with many of the people who made South Korea what it is today. These include:

• Choi Min-sik, the star of "Old boy".
• Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul.
• Soyeon Yi, Korea's first astronaut Hong Myung-bo, legendary captain of Korea's 2002 FiFA World Cup team.
• Shin Joong-hyun, the 'Godfather of Korean Rock'.
• Ko un, poet.
• Hong Seok-cheon, restaurateur, and the first Korean celebrity to 'come out'.

And many more, including a former advisor to President Park Chung-hee; a Shaman priestess ('mudang'); the boss of Korea's largest matchmaking agency; a 'room salon' hostess; an architect; as well as chefs, musicians, academics, entrepreneurs, homemakers, and chaebol conglomerate employees.

About this edition

• ISBN 10: 957084311X
• ISBN 13: 9789570843118
• Binding: Paperback