Ask a Korean! Wiki: Korean Comics?

Dear Korean,

I am a big fan of Korean manhwa [comics] such as Cynical Orange, Angel/Demon Diary, and Chocolat. What's your opinion on manhwa? Do you have any suggestions for series? I know that most bookstores don't carry manhwa so online is the only option to purchase, but do you know of any bookstores that do actually carry manhwa?

The Reader

Dear Reader,

The Korean reads comics occasionally, but he stays strictly with the Japanese kind -- currently he is reading (very slowly) One Piece, Berserk and Battle Royale. He probably has not read Korean comics in 15 years. (And he has never heard of any titles that you listed.) But he sees a great many of them being carried in any old Barnes & Noble or Borders.

Readers, do you like Korean comics? Any thoughts?

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

The Korean has a lot of reservation about this whole WikiLeaks thing, but one thing is for sure -- it is very enlightening. And unlike with other countries, maybe -- maybe -- the disclosures regarding North Korea might have a positive effect. They seem to show that China has a private disdain for North Korea, which will drive North Korea even more paranoid and unreliant on China.

Here is New York Times' collection of North Korea-related information from WikiLeaks.

Leaked Cables Depict a World Guessing About North Korea [New York Times]

Have you ever wondered what the news of North Korean provocations would be like if narrated in rap? (Who wouldn't have?) Wonder no more, for the good folks at ipoet laureate tried it out.

The Skirmish of Northern Aggression [ipoet laureate]

Happy Thanksgiving

The Korean wishes happy Thanksgiving to all Americans. This year, the Korean is thankful for his new wonderful wife, settling into a new place with new friends, and being able to ride out the challenges of the economy.

Thanksgiving is the Korean's favorite holiday, and it is a crying shame that it is slowly turning into a mere bump in the road on the way to Christmas shopping. Thanksgiving is the Korean's favorite holiday because it is one of the most American of holidays -- the holiday for immigrants. The day in which Americans, old and new, share a table to fill their body with a hearty bird native to American land.

On the Thanksgiving Day of 1997 -- some 380 years after the Pilgrims -- the Korean Family arrived at the port of Los Angeles International Airport, full of anticipation for the Land of Opportunity. The Korean Family was greeted by natives, the distant family friends who have lived in the U.S. for decades as Korean Americans. And like a beautiful fugue, the pattern repeated once again; the natives helped the immigrants to get settled in, and begin their lives in the new world.

Thus, Thanksgiving Day is doubly special for the Korean Family. We never miss celebrating it. We always get together as a family and reflect on how we have begun -- and succeeded! -- our decade-plus immigrant life in America. We are thankful for all the great things in our lives, but most of all, we are thankful to be in America. Like the Pilgrims who were grateful for their new lives and new opportunities, the Korean Family is grateful, each and every year, for our own new lives and opportunities.

AAK! will be on a break until next week.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

North Korea's Shelling of Yeonpyeong-do -- What You Need to Know

I am going to write this in first person. This is no time for humor. I will provide some essential facts that everyone should know, then answer the questions that people submitted.

What happened exactly?
On November 23, 2010 from 2:34 p.m. to 4:42 p.m., North Korea fired approximately 170 artillery shells on the island of Yeonpyeong-do, off the western coast of South Korea. Approximately 80 shells hit the island. The artilleries were either installed on the North Korean coast, or were mobile ones. The shells appeared to be aimed toward the military base on the island, as the first round of shells fell on the barracks. Two soldiers and two civilians died. Six soliders were seriously wounded. Ten soldiers and three civilians suffered minor injuries. Two civilians are missing. Around 20 civilian buildings were destroyed.

South Korean artillery returned fire, launching approximately 80 shells toward the base from which the initial attack came. There is no information regarding North Korea's damage yet, but the early speculation is that South Korean response was inadequate both in terms of magnitude and type. South Korean rules of engagement calls for a return fire double the size of the attack, but South Korean artillery ended up firing less than half the size. Also, North Korean artilleries are hidden inside caves along the coast, shielded from South Korean artillery.

South Korea also deployed eight fighter jets, but they did not engage -- the figher jets' mission was to bomb the missile bases should North Korea progress beyond the artillery attacks. But for the second time since Cheonan, South Korean military is being blamed for its incompetent management of an actual, war-like conditions.

Where is Yeonpyeong-do, and why is it important?
Yeonpyeong-do is an island which is pretty far west into the Yellow Sea. Significantly, the island is less than 10 miles away from North Korean coast. It has a military base and a civilian population of approximately 1,700. The island mostly lives off of crab fishing from the nearby seas.

North Korea's choice of Yeonpyeong-do to shell has much to do with the Northern Limits Line (NLL). At the end of Korean War in 1953, the maritime border between North and South Korea was not set completely. The line was drawn by Gen. Mark Clark, the commander of the UN troops aiding South Korea, and South Korea has treated NLL as the de facto maritime border.

North Korea has consistently asserted that NLL is not the true border. It had asserted a very different maritime border, and threatened military action without warning should South Korean ships cross its line. This is a significant advantage for North Korea -- because the NLL is not a settled line, it can engage in military actions without violating the Armistice Treaty. It may sound funny to discuss the law in this kind of circumstance, but if North Korea had shelled a part of mainland South Korea that was equally desolate -- for example, like Goseong, Gangwon-do -- the significance of its actions would have been much greater. (Not that the actions are not hugely significant already.)

The blue line is the NLL. Red dotted line is the line asserted by North Korea.

Under North Korea's assertion, there would be a narrow sea-channel that would

allow South Korean boats to access the islands. 

Seoul is the red dot on the far right. Yeonpyeong-do is the island in the middle,

very close to the NLL. (Source)

How was North and South Korea getting along up to this point? What precipitated this attack?
They were getting along badly, but not as bad as you think. The sinking of ROKS Cheonan in March, which stayed front and center in Korean public's minds until late May, definitely strained the relationship. But in fact, the relationship was softening up a little by August. North Korea suffered massive starvation and epidemic because of a flood, and South Korea sent some amount of humanitarian aid in response. Earlier this month, there was a meeting between the families separated between North and South Korea, and by all indications those meetings would happen regularly.

Some media have been reporting that the shelling came in response to South Korea's military drill, but it is more accurate to say that North Korea used South Korea's military drill as an excuse. South Korea has been doing the same exact military drill for decades, and for just as long North Korea responded shrilly, threatening military action for South Korea's "provocation." North Korea issued the exact same threat this time around, but South Korean military ignored it. South Korea had an artillery drill in the morning of the day of the attack, but that drill fired shots toward Southwest, away from North Korea.

Why did North Korea attack?
No one can know for sure, but there are some guesses. The succession of Kim Jong-Un, 27-year-old son of Kim Jong-Il, has not been going as smoothly as was hoped. I was in the middle of translating a post from Mr. Joo Seong-Ha, who had heard from his North Korean informants that the younger Kim is hated by regular North Koreans. Few excuses are better than the threat of war to crack down the opposition. There is also a theory that this attack was intended to bring United States to the bargaining table. I will discuss more about that later in the post.

How serious is this attack?
Any time there is an artillery shelling, it is a serious matter. But even more than that, this attack is a very, very serious matter -- even more serious than the attack on ROKS Cheonan in March of this year. First of all, this attack was made on South Korean land -- the first such attack since the war. The attack was indiscriminate as to military and civilian targets. (But there is some question as to whether the shells on the civilian target were the result of a deliberate or inaccurate aim.) Both soldiers and civilians died. And most importantly, North Korea has much less deniability than the Cheonan attack. Not to say that North Korea had much deniability in the sunken ship, but at least it could deny the responsibility for attack. Only idiots would buy that denial, but at least someone would buy it. This time, not even idiots can buy North Korea's denial of responsibility. (But they surely will try, I think.) I will elaborate more on this point below as well.

What will be the response of relevant parties?
This part will take time to develop, but right now it seems that South Korea and the U.S. are contemplating the response, Japan is upset but does not have many cards to play with, and China issued a statement that said North Korea has long tolerated South Korea's provocations. (Which is Grade-A bullshit.)

Questions from readers after the jump.  For this topic, I will continue to take questions in the comment board and answer them.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.


I hear that a large percentage of the mainland folk are far more apathetic about the situation and have shrugged it off. Why is this?

- Steve H.

I teach at a university in Seoul. I have a handful of male students who have already completed their military service, and are now in the reserves. The opinion in this admittedly small sample seems to be split between complete indifference and chomping at the bit to go fight. Is that split in opinion pretty widespread?

- Sarah

South Koreans' apathy for North Korean provocations have become quite famous around the world, because it is so difficult to imagine what it is like to constantly live in a state where nuclear annihilation is a real possibility. But once you live in South Korea, there is not much you can do other than ignore the danger.

Let me put it in personal terms -- my entire life in Korea was spent in Seoul, 30 miles away from DMZ. In fact, my school field trip included a trip to DMZ. In my relatively short lifetime, South Korea's president has been attacked with a bomb in Myanmar, which killed half the cabinet; South Korean airline was bombed by North Korean terrorists, killing hundreds; North Korean spy killed a former high-ranking North Korean defector in front of his house; North Korean submarine randomly appeared on the South Korean coast and its crew killed several soldiers before committing mass suicide; civilian South Korean tourist to North Korea was randomly shot in the back by a North Korean soldier; North Korean warships skirmished several times with South Korean gunboats, killing sailors; North Korean submarine sinks a South Korean warship. And now the shelling. Moreover, draft-age males all know exactly where to be and what to do in case of a war. If you think constantly about these things, the fear will paralyze you.

(Arguably -- emphasis on ARGUABLY -- South Koreans have a healthier mentality than Americans, who are so afraid of terrorists that they are willing to be either shown naked to or groped by a stranger before boarding on an airplane. Despite 60 years of being terrorized by North Korea, metal detectors are few and far between in South Korea.)

But this does not mean South Koreans are not concerned, or not angry. Make no mistake about it -- the outward lack of reaction is utterly incongruent with the deep anger and frustration felt by South Koreans. And younger people -- particularly young men who just completed their military duties, which is mostly a preparation of how to fight North Korea -- are more prone to expressing that frustration. They are as sick as anybody about having to take this shit for decades, and they want revenge. But I would say that the majority of South Koreans are more about gritting teeth and dealing with it.

Is now the time to get out of Korea?

- Ricecake

If you are the type that gets paralyzed by fear, maybe. If I had to handicap it, in a "normal" state there is maybe 1 percent chance that there could be a new Korean War. After this, I would say something like 2.5 percent. Trust me on this -- no one is more afraid of war than South Koreans themselves. They have experienced it firsthand, and they know it is not a picnic.

I would, however, advise that it would not be a bad idea to review the evacuation plan that your country has. Chris in South Korea has a great collection of that information. War is not a joke -- being ready for the least probable is still a smart idea when it comes to war.

Administration (on both sides) want to avoid any kind of extended military conflict, and they'll do a more than sufficient job of making sure things remain contained in these Cold War-esque skirmishes. My question to The Korean is: would you agree with this assessment?

- Katherine

Does Korea have a strong military and are they adequately prepared to defend themselves against the tyrant in N. Korea, especially now that N. Korea is trying to go nuclear? What part does the U.S. military play in S. Korea's defense? Do you think China will step in to help N. K. like they did during the Korean War?

- Sonora

What do you think is going to happen in Korea what with the brouhaha that has taken place today?

-Concerned Overseas Korean

I am answering all three at the same time because they are interrelated. In the short term, I agree with Katherine. Neither North nor South wants an all-out war, and that has much to do with the respective strengths of North and South.

At this point, there is no question that in case of an all-out war, South Korea (with America's support, but nothing like the scale of forces committed in Afghanistan) will emerge victorious in the end. South Korea has superior weaponry, particularly in the air force. North Korean weaponry is a hand-me-down Russian guns, tanks and jets from the 1950s and 60s, and there is a real doubt as to whether North Korea even has enough food to have their soldiers fight, much less fuels to run its war machines. With help from American air support, South Korea should be able to destroy Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un with air strike pretty quickly. North Koreans have no delusions about their broken country. Once defeat is evident, North Korean people are unlikely to resist.

Against this backdrop, North Korea has exactly three things to count on -- (1) artillery and missiles pointed at Seoul; (2) threat of nuclear attack; (3) China. The first point is crucial and cannot be overstated -- North Korea needs nothing else other than conventional artillery and short-range missiles to vaporize a significant portion of Seoul, South Korea's capital and a city of 10 million people, within one hour or so. And there is no way to intercept conventional artillery shells. The best South Korea can do is to bomb the artillery bases after the first round of shells are fired -- and by then, Seoul is already a pile of rubble. (Ironically, this makes the threat of nuclear attack nearly meaningless when it comes to South Korea -- no need for a nuke when artilleries will do. North Korea's nuclear threat is really more for the U.S. and Japan.)

China is another problem. Although it is becoming increasingly obvious that North Korea is a liability to China rather than a help, China is continuing with its position and protecting North Korea. Unified Korea with South Korea taking the lead means that there will be a U.S.-friendly country right at the doorstep of China -- as if Russia had conquered Florida at the height of Cold War. China does not want that. If a second Korean War happens, there is a solid chance that China will intervene like it did 60 years ago. This is another significant deterrence for South Korea to take proactive actions.

This dilemma was reflected in South Korean president's response -- when he received the news of the shelling, his first order was: "Avoid expansion of the conflict," followed by another order 30 minutes later: "Respond sternly but take care not to aggravate the situation." Only after a barrage of criticisms about the timidity of the response did President Lee Myoung-Bak issued orders along the lines of "Retaliate several times over" and "Enormous punishment is necessary so that no more provocation is possible."

President Lee pretty much had to make that kind of statement, even though by then the damage has been long done. The eternal problem is -- there is NOTHING South Korea can do to stop this type of provocation from North Korea. Cutting off aid means nothing to North Korea -- the regime survived when millions starved to death during the 1990s. Giving aids also means nothing -- North Korea developed nuclear weapon and attacked South Korean navy even when South Korean administrations were relatively friendlier to the North. Not even annihilating a few artillery bases means anything to Kim Jong-Il/Kim Jong-Un regime, and doing so would likely trigger all-out war at any rate.

What will happen? As of now, my bet is -- business as usual. Tension will run high, and somebody -- North or South, it does not matter -- will reach out for a dialogue, offering a temporary solution. And the other side -- again North or South, it does not matter -- will accept that solution. For neither party wants to hurtle down toward the end game.

What do YOU think is the proper South Korean response?

-The Filipino

Somehow, this situation reminds me of poker. Two people are in a poker tournament with $1,000 each in chips. Pre-flop raise of $100 and a call gives them a heads up. Flop comes, the bet is $150. Call. The pot is now $500. Turn card comes, the bet is $300. Do you call?

If you call, you know where this is going. You only have $450 left over, and the pot is $1100. If you call, you have to be ready to commit your remaining money as well. But if you fold, you just lost a quarter of your chips without putting up a fight.

This North Korean attack is the $300 bet. It is forcing South Korea to act one way or the other. If South Korea folds and appeases North Korea, there will be another round of aggressive betting coming this way, and South Korea will have even less money to play with. If South Korea stands firm and fights, it inevitably comes to a showdown -- where it can win little more than a Pyrric victory.

I know what I would do at that table. But I never played poker with thousands of human lives as chips.

Facile comparisons aside, here are some things in my mind.

- South Korea needs to seriously think about the end game. There really are only two end games: (1) Kim Jong-Un succeeds the throne successfully, somehow gets the security of his regime guaranteed by U.S. and South Korea. Kim remains tyrant for his life, and passes down the throne to another generation and possibly thereafter; (2) Reunification happens, peacefully or otherwise.

- North Korea must be considering the end game also, particularly because the heir apparent is taking the throne. Kim Jong-Un is yet to prove that he is as astute a politician as his father. Therefore, long-term stability must be provided to ensure a smooth succession. Thus option (1) is the one to pursue. Ultimately, North Korea wants to have a bilateral discussion with the United States such that U.S. will guarantee its security. This provocation, along with the recent revelation of uranium enrichment facility, fits this aim. The greater threat North Korea appears to be, the more likely that U.S. will do something about that threat -- provided that U.S. will bomb it back to stone age, which is unlikely to happen.

- For South Korea, number (2) is the only acceptable option. There is little reason to expect that North Korea under Kim Jong-Un will be any better than North Korea under Kim Jong-Il. If North Korea attempts China-style reform, it will likely spell doom for the Kim family regime. North Korean people are long done buying the Kim family propaganda. If they receive some tiny measure of freedom and economic wealth, there is a strong chance that they will not tolerate their oppressive regime. There is little reason to think that Kim Jong-Un will risk that. Therefore, North Korean regime will remain just as oppressive and just as dangerous.

- I used to be the biggest supporter of Sunshine Policy, but not since the Cheonan sinking, and definitely not after this. There is no way South Koreans will accept Sunshine Policy any more at any rate. But the worrisome part is that South Korean government is also unprepared for the consequences of its hard-line stance. Hard-line stance is fine, but the consequences of a hard-line stance are plain; shit like this will happen. And if hard-line stance continues, more shit like this will happen. In fact, the provocation will become stronger and more dangerous.

This should give everyone a pause. If we should continue maintaining hard-line against North Korea, what next? North Korea is no stranger to terrorist attacks. It has blown up planes, bombed South Korean president and sent a special forces squad to Seoul. It can do again all of the above, and then some. How much will South Korea tolerate? And when South Korea somehow manages to continue stonewalling, the next step for North Korea would be to get on America's nerves as well. Threat of nuclear proliferation will do just the trick.

- As to what I think, let me start with a big caveat: What I think does not mean shit. I am just a guy who reads a lot of news. But since I am asked, here is what I think.

I think South Korea needs to have a very serious national dialogue on what it wants to do. South Koreans will need to make a firm decision on the type of end game it wants, and will have to understand what costs will be incurred by moving toward that end game.

Right now, South Koreans want a hard-line stance (understandably,) but I am not sure if they yet considered fully the consequences of that stance. Hard-line stance means more kidnapping, more terrorist attacks and more shelling. It might mean all-out war. It might mean half-destroyed Seoul. If this is not an acceptable consequence, South Korea needs to push hard for the other end game -- accept North Korea for what it is, attempt to stabilize it and give up on reunification. It will have to accept the fact that it will continue to give aids, and it will still occasionally suffer the indignity of being pushed around, while holding out hope against hope that North Korea will undergo China-style reform despite odds against it. In other words, all South Koreans need to assess the situation with eyes wide open, pick one route, and stick with it.

To close, please god, don't let this woman come anywhere near a position to control the military: Sarah Palin wants to "stand with our North Korean allies." Fucking moron. You bring shame to America.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

The Korean is aware that Yeonpyeong-do, island in South Korea, was shelled by North Korea. Ironic, because the Korean was preparing a different (but related) North Korea post.

There will be updates later, but in the meantime, feel free to discuss here. The Korean will make an exception and take any question about this issue in the comment thread as well.

What is More Important -- Dogs or a Person?

In the "dog meat" post, the Korean stated that Michael Vick got a raw deal for serving 18 months for running a dog fighting ring. And now, prominent sportswriters like Gregg Easterbrook and Bill Simmons seem to be agreeing with the Korean. The latest sportswriter joining the camp is Rick Reilly, and his article makes the point the clearest:

I'm just not sure what people want Michael Vick to do.

Quit football? Return to prison? Drown himself in the same lake where he and his crew used to drown dogs? Would he be forgiven then?

Now that Vick is having an eye-bugging season for the Philadelphia Eagles -- 11 touchdowns, zero interceptions, four starts, four wins, one "Monday Night Football" jersey sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- it seems only to have torqued off dog lovers worse.

"If it were up to me, they would have locked him up and thrown away the key," blogged Sumo Pop recently.

As if 18 months in Leavenworth, and six more in a halfway house, aren't punishment enough.

"Michael Vick should give half of his … salary to animal rights groups," Liz McGowin wrote on PETA.org.

As if losing $100 million and three years in the prime of his career wasn't steep enough.

"Michael Vick is a Sociopathic Dog-Torturing, Dog-Maiming, Dog-Drowning, Dog-Electrocuting Pile of S---," somebody posted on Vick's Twitter page Thursday. Vick's Twitter page was running about half against him this week -- until it was frozen for "suspicious activity."

As if being judged and humiliated in front of the world isn't shame enough.

...

How can you not admire how this man has remade himself?

Before prison, Vick used to be the last one into the locker room and the first one out. After prison, he's just the opposite. No Eagle prepares harder.

Before prison, he practically drove ruts in the McDonald's drive-thru lane. After prison, he's a chicken-and-broccoli guy.

Before prison, the only film room he hit much was the home theater in his Atlanta mansion. After prison, he has become a freak for studying game film of the opponent. Gollum sees more daylight.

Time to forgive Vick is here [ESPN.com]

The Korean said that the ridiculously long sentence for Vick was motivated by the fact that dogs (as opposed to any other animals) were involved. Vick was sentenced more than 4 times than he was supposed to get, and was bankrupted in the process. He has been a model citizen since.

If you still despise Vick, ask yourself this: do you care more about dogs, or a person? Because if you can more about a person, you cannot possibly despise someone who redeemed himself so successfully and thoroughly. America would be lucky if prison time rehabilitates people like it did Vick. But if you care about dogs more, you won't care. And you will be a sick sociopath far worse than Vick ever was, utterly lacking in any moral compass -- because you are a sellout to your fellow human being.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

AAK! PSA: Support the DREAM Act

This little bit of news came over the wire:

UCLA Bruin Marching Band drum major David Cho ... has been a vocal proponent of the DREAM Act. In August Cho, a Korean-American who also arrived here as a child, discussed his immigration status on the social-justice blog Citizen Orange as part of collection of posts titled “DREAM Now Series: Letters to Obama.”

From Cho’s “letter:”

While most of my friends will enter the workplace after graduation, I will not be able to even put my name down on a job application because of my status. I’m a hardworking student with a 3.6 GPA and I am the first Korean and actually the first undocumented student to ever become the conductor, the drum major of the UCLA Marching Band in UCLA history.

My parents brought me to this country when I was only nine years old. I went to school not knowing a single word of English, and I often became my classmates’ object of ridicule – many bullies perpetually and ignorantly harassed me. My reaction to this harassment was to study harder, for I was determined to overcome my obstacles and excel in everything that I did. I studied hard and graduated from my high school with a 3.9 GPA.

It was not until my freshman year of college when I found out about my immigration status. I asked my parents for my social security number when filling out my application for UCLA. There was a long pause.

Über-achiever student? Check. Undocumented? Check. [Southern California Public Radio]

The article also discusses Mr. Pedro Ramirez, president of the student government at California State University, Fresno, who is likewise an illegal immigrant who achieved a great deal.

Can there be any doubt that America needs young people like Mr. Cho and Mr. Ramirez? It is the plain ludicrity of American immigration laws that turns away talented individuals who desperately want to contribute to its society. You can help end this stupidity, because the proposed DREAM Act will grant permanent residency to young people like Mr. Cho and Mr. Ramirez by either committing to the military for eight years of service, or earning a bachelor's degree.

Please join the Korean and sign the petition for the DREAM Act, and join the DREAM Act Facebook group. Some of you with a Facebook account may have already received a cause invite from the Korean -- please join. This is important. Thank you in advance.

Got a question or comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

The Mexican Asks the Korean (Again)

All rise for today's honorable guest, the grandaddy of all "Ask" blogs:

Dear Korean,

Why is the word "rang" in so many Korean names for things? Sarang Community Church, Hwa Rang Do, Arirang Market--what's "rang"?

The Mexican

Dear Wab,

Very nice of you to visit this humble site, inspired directly by your greatness.

Actually, this is what Ask a Korean! is missing

compared to !Ask a Mexican! -- an awesome logo.

But as to your question, the Korean is afraid that his answer is a bit of a letdown -- the "rang"s that you identified are basically false cognates. They don't really have any meaning on their own, and even if they do, they have nothing to do with one another.

To be more specific, sarang is purely Korean word meaning "love," and it is not the case that sa means one thing and rang means another, like "lo" and "ve" in "love" do not have any independent meaning.

Hwarang-do is slightly different, because it is a Sino-Korean word. Sino-Korean words are basically Korean words derived out of Chinese, a lot like the way many English words are derived out of Latin. (More explanation about Sino-Korean words can be found here.) So in fact, hwa, rang and do in Hwarang-do actually mean something individually. Put differently, Hwarang-do is written in Chinese characters like this: 花郞道. Each Chinese character -- 花, 郞 and 道 mean something.

But this is not to say that the meaning of the composite word exactly equals the sum of the meaning of its parts. 花 ("hwa") means "flower," 郞 ("rang") means "young men" and 道 ("do") means "way." So the composite meaning is... "the way of the flower men"? (What the hell?) Actually, the actual meaning of 화랑 (= "flower men") is a group of young men in late 6th century in Korea, who were known for their mental discipline and a certain strain of martial arts (among other things.) So Hwarang-do is actually the martial art practiced by the Hwarangs.

(Quick side note: if you were thinking the term "flower men" sounds rather, um, alternative, you are not too far off -- there are some number of Korean historians who claim that Hwarang group is the first sign of homosexuality in Korean history.)

One thing to note is that rang here does not stand alone in the normal parlance. This is easy understand when compared to Latin-based English. For example, the word "circumspect" is Latin-based -- "around" ("circum") - looking ("spect"), i.e. "careful to consider all circumstances." But English-speakers use the part "spect" alone just to mean "looking." (Anglophones would say "Look at this," not "Spect at this.")

The last example -- arirang -- is actually very, very tricky. Arirang is a refrain in many of Korea's traditional folk songs. In fact, many of those songs are simply titled Arirang, and each region of Korea has a different kind of arirang. (Also, interestingly, the biggest propaganda show in North Korea is called Arirang Festival as well.) Arirang is a pure Korean word, so rang itself PROBABLY does not mean anything. But the reason why the Korean had to emphasize the word "probably" was -- no one knows for sure what arirang is supposed to mean. The speculations have gone all the way from a proper name of a valley to pain associated with childbirth. And those speculation tend to hyper-analyze each syllable in arirang, trying to extract any possible meaning that makes sense. In this context, some scholars contend that rang has an indepedent meaning, while other scholars disagree.

One more occasion you might hear rang in Korean is when it is used as a classificational particle indicating companionship. (More about classificational particles here.) For example, a sentence that says: 나는 영호랑 식사를 했다 [na-neun Young'ho-rang siksa-reul het-da] means "I dined with Young'ho." The rang in that sentence is attached to the person's name ("Young-Ho", a Korean boy's name that transliterates rather unfortunately) to signify companionship with the person. In other words, rang in that sentence means "with", but note that particles only carry a meaning when attached to a noun. (This is more fully explained in the link above.)

-EDIT 11/22/2010- The Internet, as the endless echo chamber, brings back the Mexican's coverage of the Korean's coverage of the Mexican's question, which was prompted by the Mexican's comments on the Korean's coverage on CNN. That's a lot of covering.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

Ask a Korean! News: Never Mess with an Ajumma with a Gun

This is cool and terrifying at the same time:  in the Asian Games being held in Guangzhou, China, South Korean sharpshooter Kim Yoon-Mi won two gold medals in individual and team air pistol... while being seven months pregnant.

Kim Yoon-Mi, the pregnant sharpshooter

Cool part? That she won two gold medals while being seven months pregnant. Terrifying part? That she was holding a gun every day through her raging pregnancy hormones -- and if you ever cross her, she will not miss.

"미안하고 고맙다, 아가야" 만삭의 金명중 [Hankook Ilbo]

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

A good, quick-and-dirty overview of Korea's automobile industry, courtesy of the blog The Truth about Cars -- just in case you need this sort of thing. TTAC is also running a very interesting "Korea Week" for this week. The review of 2000 Hyundai Tiburon is a delightful read.

Korea Week: A Look At Their Auto Industry [The Truth about Cars]

50 Most Influential K-Pop Artists: 42. Jang Yoon-Jeong

[Read more reviews from the Korean from the Library Mixer. To join, click here.]

[Series Index]

42. Jang Yoon-Jeong [장윤정]

Years of Activity:  2004-present

Discography:
Oh My [어머나] (2004)
Jjanjjara [짠짜라] (2005)
Later, later [이따, 이따요] (2006)
Jang Yoon-Jeong Twist [장윤정 트위스트] (2008)
Ole [올래] (2010)

Representative Song:  Oh My [어머나] from Oh My

어머나

Oh My

어머나 어머나 이러지 마세요

Oh my, oh my, don't be like this

여자의 마음은 갈대랍니다

A lady's heart is like a reed

안돼요 왜이래요 묻지말아요

No, why do you do this. Don't ask questions

더 이상 내게 원하시면 안돼요

You should not want any more from me

오늘 처음 만난 당신이지만 내 사랑인걸요

I only met you for the first time today, but you are my love

헤어지면 남이되어 모른척하겠지만

Though when we part, we will become strangers and pretend not to know

좋아해요 사랑해요

I like you, I love you

거짓말처럼 당신을 사랑해요

I love you like a lie

소설속에 영화속에 멋진 주인공은 아니지만

Though you may not be a handsome character from a novel or a movie

괜찮아요 말해봐요

It's ok, just tell me

당신 위해서라면 다 줄게요

For you, I will give you my all

어머나 어머나 이러지 마세요

Oh my, oh my, don't be like this

여자의 마음은 바람입니다

A lady's heart is like the wind

안돼요 왜이래요 잡지말아요

No, why do you do this. Don't hold me

더 이상 내게 바라시면 안돼요

You should not desire any more from me

오늘 처음 만난 당신이지만 내 사랑인걸요

I only met you for the first time today, but you are my love

헤어지면 남이되어 모른척하겠지만

Though when we part, we will become strangers and pretend not to know

좋아해요 사랑해요

I like you, I love you

거짓말처럼 당신을 사랑해요

I love you like a lie

소설속에 영화속에 멋진 주인공은 아니지만

Though you may not be a handsome character from a novel or a movie

괜찮아요 말해봐요

It's ok, just tell me

당신 위해서라면 다 줄게요

For you, I will give you my all

소설속에 영화속에 멋진 주인공은 아니지만

Though you may not be a handsome character from a novel or a movie

괜찮아요 말해봐요

It's ok, just tell me

당신 위해서라면 다 줄게요

For you, I will give you my all



Translation note:  "Reed" is a common metaphor in Korean, signifying someone who "bends with the wind" -- i.e. changes as the times change.

Hey, didn't I see her before?  Yes, you saw her in the Just Missed the Cut (Part 2). But upon reconsideration, the Korean had to include her (and drop 장기하, much to his regret.)

In 15 words or less:  Woman who singlehandedly brought trot back to life.

Maybe she should have been ranked higher because...  In terms of the level of difficulty, getting the young people interested in trot again was an enormous feat.

Maybe she should have been ranked lower because...  At the end of the day, how big is trot in K-pop scene? Is it even as big as rap? Hard rock?
 
Why is this artist important?
Trot is a genre that has an awkward place in Korea. The screaming girls (= fans of boy/girl groups) do not care about trot as it sounds old-fashioned. The too-serious K-pop aficionados (= fans of rock, hiphop and indie) dismiss trot as uncreative and Japan-origined.
 
They both have a point. As the Korean noted in the brief history of K-pop, trot was the first -- and for a long time in practical terms, the only -- form of pop music in Korea. It is an imitation of a popular music in Japan, undoubtedly a product of Japan's colonization of Korea. The music itself is thoroughly unoriginal, employing the same distinctive one-two beat created by a percussion box throughout the decades of its existence. The lyrics were catchy for one listen, then quickly stale and vacuous.
 
From its heyday in the 1960s and 70s, trot suffered a long decline until it reached a nadir at around late 1990s-early 2000s. There were a few brave souls -- generally older male artists in their 50s -- who kept chugging along, but they did nothing to reverse the perception that trot was a musical equivalent of a stale meatloaf.

Jang singlehandedly reversed that trend. To be sure, it probably helped that in the 2000s, the trend in Korean pop culture toward retro -- the tendency to look back into the past as more innocent and romantic -- was in full swing. Her music is not anything special, as the familiar one-two beat is present throughout.  But there should be no question that it took Jang's full talent and gumption for this moribund trend to come back. It was unthinkable for a pretty young woman in her 20s would hitch her musical fortune to a dying genre. That Jang was able to bring back the trend by the sheer force of her spunk and charm is quite an achievement.

It is still not entirely clear whether trot will completely shed its stigma of being an uncreative music of the bad old days. But regardless of its artistic merits, trot survived for so long in Korea at least partly because it resonated with Koreans themselves -- it would have been a shame if something that was such a huge part of Korea's pop culture completely disappeared into oblivion. Because of Jang, trot is now seen as a valid career path for young Korean pop artists, and accordingly received an injection of new talent that will carry the genre into the future.

Interesting trivia:  Jang was a winner of a prominent amateur singing contest in 1999 (MBC 강변가요제) with dance music, but toiled in obscurity for five years until her debut album in 2004. In an interview, Jang also professed that she originally wanted to be a rock musician.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

The highly popular "36 Hours" series of the New York Times gives you -- 36 Hours in Seoul. A sampling:

11) BATH AND BEYOND

A staple of Korean life has long been the jjimjilbang, or bathhouse. And perhaps the biggest and most extravagant of them all is the seven-story Dragon Hill Spa & Resort (40-713 Hangang-ro 3-ga, Yongsan-gu; 82-2-798-0114; dragonhillspa.com). Something like an amusement park with a touch of ’80s Vegas, complete with pyramids and a Native American-themed pub, this family-friendly spot comes with sex-segregated spa areas, shared saunas, outdoor pools, Jacuzzis and more: picture nail salons, video arcades, an Internet cafe, even a cinema and putting green. (Admission 10,000 to 12,000 won; spa packages from 100,000 won.) A Zen retreat this is not. But it’s a fun (and funny) place for a few hours of entertainment — and maybe some relaxation, too.

36 Hours in Seoul [New York Times]

Overrated/Underrated -- the Asian Way

Here is the first installment of the Korean's shameless gimmick item -- the overrated/underrated series. This series will cover everything from serious to petty, as the Korean sees it. Each part will be loosely themed, and the theme of this post is a little more on the serious side:  things that people constantly overvalue/undervalue when they consider how Asians -- including Asian immigrants -- do things.

The point of this post is NOT to say that Asians do everything right. That is obviously untrue, and in the future there will be a post exploring the other side of the equation also. Neither is it the point that Asian countries/Asian immigrants have nothing to learn from anywhere else, nor is it that the things listed as "underrated" are all-important. They mean exactly what they say -- they are underrated, i.e. people often do not stop to think about it when they consider the corresponding overrated thing.

Without further ado, here goes.

OVERRATED:  Creativity of Apple's iPhone
UNDERRATED:  Creativity of Samsung's production line

"Creativity" is the favorite hobby horse of people who want to criticize Asian industries. The argument usually goes something like -- "Sure, Asians make quality things that don't break, but where is the creativity? Look at my shiny iPhone. I bet Asians can't make something like this!"

This attitude is something that drives the Korean crazy, because of its inability to see the real creativity that exists beyond pretty, sparkly things. Take a look at this article, which explains out Samsung is able to keep up with Apple even though Galaxy S does not create a psychotic fan base like iPhone. Essentially, Samsung's production line has an extremely fast reaction time to precisely caliberate the amount of production based on consumer response. If Galaxy S sells well, Samsung can instantly double its production. Apple cannot do this, and must turn away potential iPhone customers if they do not have enough in stock, and must sit on the excess inventory if they produced too much.

Developing this reaction time requires real creativity. It requires an outside-the-box managerial vision of what might be possible. It requires highly-skilled, highly adaptable professionals working in the factories so that they can switch to producing just about any product in Samsung Electronics lineup. It requires creating a supply chain that few other companies in the world has -- a chain that is both cheap, reliable and flexible. It requires creating a product lineup that makes such a supply chain possible. This is not creativity?

OVERRATED:  Apple's creativity and America
UNDERRATED:  Nintendo's creativity and Japan

Continuing on this theme -- this myopia of seeing "creativity" also does not connect the creative product from the culture in which it was born.

No one can doubt that Nintendo is a creative company. Think of it this way -- it is a Japanese company that made its fortune by telling a story about two Italian plumbers who eat mushrooms to grow big. When it seemed down and out, it came out with an innovative motion gaming system that took the world by storm, expanding video game market to the populace who never even imagined enjoying a video game.

Japan dominates the world's video game market. Japan also dominates the world's animated cartoon market. It makes great movies over which critics fawn. The Japanese people, raised within Japanese culture and Japanese educational system, are responsible for this success. Then the question is -- why do people always say Japanese culture and educational system inhibit creativity? Can it be that a culture that emphasizes hierarchy and discipline -- like East Asian cultures generally do -- actually helps creativity in a way that other cultures cannot even imagine? Perish the thought -- Asians are not creative, we all know that. They work too hard and never think for themselves.

Hey, there is another overrated thing.

OVERRATED: Critical thinking
UNDERRATED: Hierarchy and discipline

"Asians lack the ability to think critically," the never-ending Greek chorus sings, "because they are taught to follow orders and know their place in the hierarchy." This is such a steaming pile of crap. Koreans achieved their democracy by relentlessly rebelling against their own government for decades. The democratization leaders were imprisoned, tortured and killed, but they did not stop until Korea indeed became democracy. That's a sign of the people who always follow orders?

The hypocrisy of this position was the clearest during the Mad Cow protests in Korea in 2008, which many observers denounced as a result of Korean culture and educational system that discourage critical thinking, since the protestors seem believe in something that seemed obviously wrong (i.e. danger of Mad Cow disease in American beef.) But wait -- Korean government wanted to import American beef, and was telling its people that it was safe. Weren't the protestors taking a stance exactly opposite of what their government was telling them? Were they not protesting because, after critically examining the government's position, they came out against it? Apparently the protestors were called "lacking in critical thinking" not because they did not think critically, but because they did not agree with certain non-Korean people -- who somehow have a monopoly over deciding what counts as critical thinking.

Why do hierarchy and discipline have to be the antithesis of critical thinking? Has it occurred to all these "critical thinkers" that hierarchy and discipline are what get stuff done? In the end, a million good ideas are worthless if not followed by concrete and effective action. Often the best ideas cannot be implemented by one person -- it requires an organization (sometimes as big as the entire country) consisted of people who are willing to sacrifice their individual interests for the common goal. Armchair quarterbacking is always easier, but the quarterback on the field is the only one putting scores on the board.

Along the same lines...

OVERRATED:  "Problem-solving"
UNDERRATED:  Rote memorization

The bloviating Greek chorus also sings:  "Asians emphasize too much rote memorization and not enough problem solving; Asians are book-smart robots who cannot handle real-world problems."

Bullshit. Here is a real world problem: gasoline price is only going to get higher, and sooner or later it will run out altogehter. What to do? Real world solution: build a car that uses much, much less gasoline. Who gave that solution? The rote-memorizing Japanese, specifically with Toyota Prius. Here is another real world problem: with miniature electronics, there is less and less space to put in a battery inside the machine to run it. What to do? Real world solution: build a much smaller and efficient battery. Who gave that solution? The rote-memorizing Koreans, with world's leader in battery technology in LG Chemicals.

East Asian economies are roaring precisely because (among other reasons) they keep on making products that in fact solve real world problems. Facing this result, the idea that Asians are not good at solving real world problems is laughable. One needs technical knowledge to solve actual problems, not elbow grease. Technical knowledge is gained from studying and yes, memorizing the books, not from learning through osmosis from the "school of life," whatever the hell that means.

And another thing...

OVERRATED:  Socially inept Asian Americans
UNDERRATED:  Social superstar Asian Americans

Another variation on theme:  "Asians Americans might be book smart, but they lack social skills." Really? Did Dr. Jim Yong Kim, president of Dartmouth College, become the president of an Ivy League college by being socially inept? Did outgoing D.C. chancellor Michelle Rhee become one of the most extolled education reformer in America by being able to recite Shakespearean quotations? Did Connie Chung become one of the most prominent television journalists in America solely through her impressive ability to solve nonlinear alegebra without a calculator?

Are there socially inept Asian Americans? Yes, there are tons of them. Is their ineptitude because of Asian-style child-rearing? Possibly. But if that is so, shouldn't there also be a correlation between Asian-style child-rearing and the ability to create real social superstars in a number disproportionate to the portion of Asian Americans in the general population? How is that Asian style parenting gets always associated with the downside, but never with the upside?

And the stupidest refrain of them all...

OVERRATED:  Unhappy Asian professionals
UNDERRATED:  Happy Asian professionals

"Sure, Asian Americans might test well and become high-income professionals. But are they happy with their lives, working at a 16-hour-a-day job that their parents forced upon them?"

So much is made about this "happiness." Well, the Korean is such a professional, and he is very happy. His parents never told him to be a lawyer, but there clearly was an expectation to become some type of professional.  He narrowed it down to a journalist or a lawyer, and in the end he chose lawyer. He is surrounded by other Asian American doctors, lawyers, engineers and financiers, who essentially chose their paths in a similar manner -- some parents were more explicit, some were less so. And overwhelming majority of them have happy lives, and the unhappy ones are generally not unhappy because of their jobs.

Would we have pursued a different profession if our parents did not push us toward being a professional? Possibly. Could we have had happy lives working in a different job? Maybe. But are we unhappy because we have a job in which we work hard and earn of a lot of money, because somehow we are not doing what we were "meant to do"? Hell no. We might complain about our jobs like anyone else, but at the end of the day we do them because we like the exchange of what we put in and what we get out of it. Being a highly-paid professional is not an easy gig -- if you don't like being one, there is zero chance that you will make it as one. Don't write us off as miserable just because long hours seem grueling, and money can't buy happiness. We enjoy the fact that not everyone has the grit to work long hours, and that we have money to ward off much of life's unhappiness. And all in all, we are thankful that our parents cared enough to push us to become educated and hard-working.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

50 Most Influential K-Pop Artists: 43. Leessang

[Read more reviews from the Korean from the Library Mixer. To join, click here.]

[Series Index]

43.  Leessang [리쌍]

Years of Activity:  2002-present

Members:
Gary [개리]- rap
Gil [길] - rap

Discography:
Leessang of Honey Family (2002)
Re: Development [재, 계발] (2003)
Library of Soul (2005)
Black Sun (2007)
Baek-Ah Cuts the Strings [伯牙絶絃(백아절현)] (2009)
Hexagonal (2009)

Representative Song:  It's Not Me Laughing (feat. Ali) [내가 웃는게 아니야], from Library of Soul

내가 웃는게 아니야

It's Not Me Laughing

날 사랑한다는 말 천번을 넘게 내 맘 구석구석 빼곡히 써놓고

The words, "I love you," you wrote over thousand times filling up every corner of my heart

이제 와 나를 망부석 여인처럼 남겨둔 채 방 한구석 먼지처럼 나를 밀어둔 채

Now you leave me like a woman turned into stone, push me aside like dust in the corner

헤어지자 말하는 너의 뺨을 나도 모르게 때리고

You say let us part; I somehow slap your cheek and

내 발목을 잡는 땅을 억지로 뿌리치며 한참을 걸으며 다짐했어

Walked for long, shaking off the ground that grabbed by ankle, and swore,

다신 내 곁에  널 두지 않겠다고

That I will never put you next to me

여태 널 지키기 위해 했던 나의 노력 그 모든걸 다 오려

All of my efforts so far to protect you, cut them all out,

저 달리는 차들 속으로 던지고 눈물 섞인 웃음을 짓고

Throw them into those running cars, make a smile mixed with tears,

어떻게든 너보다 잘 살 거라는 믿음 저 짙은 어둠속에 새기며

Carve into that thick darkness the faith that I will somehow end up better than you

내가 웃는게 웃는게 아니야

Me laughing is not laughing

또 내가 걷는게 걷는게 아니야

And me walking is not walking

너의 기억 그 속에서 난 눈물 흘려 너를 기다릴뿐

Inside your memories, I only cry while waiting for you

내가 웃는게 웃는게 아니야

Me laughing is not laughing

또 내가 걷는게 걷는게 아니야

And me walking is not walking

너의 기억 그 속에서 난 눈물 흘려 너를 기다릴뿐

Inside your memories, I only cry while waiting for you

몇 일이나 지났을까
How many days passed

늦가을 쓸쓸한 거리처럼 물가에 홀로 앉은 낚시꾼처럼
Like the lonely late autumn streets like a fisherman sitting alone by the water

외로움과 기다림에 지친 난 끝없는 줄담배에 기침을 하며
Tired of loneliness and waiting, I cough at the endless stream of cigarettes

미친 듯이 추억속으로 빨려들어가
And get sucked into the memories like mad

애교 섞인 목소리에 꺾인 나뭇가지처럼 쓰러져
To her flirty voice I fall like a broken twig

그녀의 품에 안기고 달콤한 꿈에 부풀어
Held in her arms, dream sweet dreams

영원히 나를 붙들어매라며 농담을 하고
I joke, tie me down forever

어디를 가도 누구를 만나도 언제나 둘이기에
No matter where we go, no matter who we meet, there were always two,

즐거운 분위기에 우린 항상 행복해
Always fun times, so we are always happy

했었지 그랬었지 하지만 이젠 그녀는 내 곁에 없지
It was like so, that's right, but now she's not next to me

난 또 외로움에 밤길을 걷지
I again walk the night streets in loneliness

그대 떠나보낸 내 가슴에
In my heart that sent you away

눈물이 차올라 날 흔들며 아프게 해
tears fill up, shaking me and hurting me

그대 떠나보낸 내 두 눈에
To my two eyes that sent you away

어둠이 다가와 또 난 -
darkness comes. Again I -

너를 잊을래 난 너를 잊을래
Forget you, I'll forget you

아무리 외쳐봐도 그게 안돼
No matter how I scream it I cannot do

너를 아껴주지 못해 또 후회하네
I could not adore you, I regret again

너를 잊을래 난 너를 잊을래
Forget you, I'll forget you

아무리 외쳐봐도 그게 안돼
No matter how I scream it I cannot do

네가 웃던 기억 속에 또 미쳐가네
Inside the memories of your smile I go mad again

내가 웃는게 웃는게 아니야
Me laughing is not laughing
또 내가 걷는게 걷는게 아니야
And me walking is not walking
너의 기억 그 속에서 난 눈물 흘려 너를 기다릴뿐
Inside your memories, I only cry while waiting for you
내가 웃는게 웃는게 아니야
Me laughing is not laughing
또 내가 걷는게 걷는게 아니야
And me walking is not walking
너의 기억 그 속에서 난 눈물 흘려 너를 기다릴뿐
Inside your memories, I only cry while waiting for you

너 없는 아픔에 모든 건 눈물을 흘리며 코를 푸네
Because of the pain without you I cry and blow my nose at everything

(남자답게 웃고 싶지만)
(Although I want to be a man and laugh)

매 순간 멍해지는 습관 고쳐지질 않고
I cannot fix the habit, I space out

(남자답게 웃고 싶지만)
(Although I want to be a man and laugh)

남자답게 난 웃고싶지만
I want to be a man and laugh but

밥 한숟갈 떠 넣기가 이렇게 힘들수가
How it is so hard to put one spoonful of food in my mouth

날 위로하는 친구의 웃음도 내 눈엔 슬픈 구슬로 바뀌어
Even my consoling friend's smile turns into a sorrowful bead in my eyes

웃으려 웃어봐도 안되는 난 먼 곳으로 -
I try and laugh and laugh, I cannot do, and I am away far -

내가 웃는게 웃는게 아니야
Me laughing is not laughing
또 내가 걷는게 걷는게 아니야
And me walking is not walking
너의 기억 그 속에서 난 눈물 흘려 너를 기다릴뿐
Inside your memories, I only cry while waiting for you
내가 웃는게 웃는게 아니야
Me laughing is not laughing
또 내가 걷는게 걷는게 아니야
And me walking is not walking
너의 기억 그 속에서 난 눈물 흘려 너를 기다릴뿐
Inside your memories, I only cry while waiting for you

Translation Notes: 
- Rap is so, so hard to translate.
- The entire first 2.5 lines are a dependent clause modifying the subject of the sentence, which goes for four lines!
- The lines break by meaning, which destroys the rhyme. But there was no other choice if the translation was going to make sense. Hooray for accidental rhyming in translation.
- 망부석 is a figure in Korean folk tales, about a woman who was waiting for her husband, a sailor in the sea, until she turned into stone.
- Any ideas for translating 나도 모르게 succinctly?

In 15 words or less:  "Family" men who completed the Koreanization of rap.

Maybe they should be ranked higher because...  Rap is only going to get bigger in Korea, and they are leading the way.

Maybe they should be ranked lower because...  Actually, this feels just right.

Why is this group important?
The transplantation of rap in Korea has been an interesting progress for contemporary observers, because rap's importation into Korea is happening in real time, right now. After all, the first K-pop song that may legitimately be considered as a "rap" song only appeared in 1992, and the progress of rap in Korea since has been well-documented through albums, television shows, music videos, etc.

Leessang is important because its history neatly represents Korea's localization of rap, and its music represents Korean rap's final form -- for now. The two rappers of Leessang were formerly a part of another rap group Honey Family, a seven-member rap group that styled itself to be like Wu-Tang Clan, a large group that would assemble ad hoc while its members also pursued solo careers. Honey Family also distinguished itself by relying on very little English and staying within Korean language in its rap.

Truthfully, Gary and Gil did not do much in Honey Family -- which made music critics scratch their heads when they launched Leessang. But to everyone's surprise, Leessang took off with its distinctive style. No one will mistake Leessang for the most accomplished technicians, as Leessang's best songs are chill and rhythmical but not exactly replete with ingenious rhymes. But Leessang was nonetheless successful, and their success is almost entirely based on their ability as lyricists, the ability to tell a compelling story with interesting imageries.

Korean-style narratives are generally characterized by conveying overwhelming emotion. In poor formulations of such narratives, the story-telling becomes corny, over-the-top and melodramatic. (Think all Korean dramas.) But in the best formulations of such narratives, the story-telling hits the spot unlike any other. (Think Old Boy.) The song above is a nice representation of Leessang's strength. Simply talking about being heartbroken means little to anyone other than the heartbroken person. But when "laughing is not laughing" and "walking is not walking," one can feel the depth of the pain through those words.

Korean-style narratives, in rhymes constructed in Korean language -- this is what Leessang accomplished, and they deserve acknowledgment because of that.

Interesting Trivia:  The name of the group is a play on word of the name Yi Sang, a Korean novelist/poet of the 1930s who is famous for near-psychotic novels and extremely esoteric poems that often involved nothing but numbers and graphs.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

Ask a Korean! Wiki: Free Korean Language Classes?

Dear Korean,

I’ve been living in Korea for about a month now. I’m a teacher in a public school in Seoul. I’ve heard of some teachers that have been able to take free Korean classes. I am really interested in learning Korean while I am here. I feel it would make my experience here that much better. Do you know of any classes that are offered to teachers living in Seoul?

Sara C.

The Korean never had to take any classes to learn Korean, so he is not a good person to ask. But Chris B. from Chris in South Korea came to rescue:

Good question - while I haven't had the time to take advantage of them, a few websites from this link may be of help:  http://www.korea4expats.com/article-learning-korean.html

Also of note: the Seoul Global Center offers free Korean classes, though the next ones don't start until February. Some details:

- Chris Ahn : 02-2075-4140

- email : hyunseonahn747@hotmail.com

- website : http://global.seoul.go.kr/

- Location : Seoul Global Center, located on the 3rd floor of the Seoul Press Center

Seoul, Jung-gu, 25 Taepyeongno 1-ga

(Subway lines 1 and 2, City Hall Station, exit 4, subway line 5, Gwanghwamun station, exit 5

For more info, go to global.seoul.co.kr; point to Programs and click on Korean Classes.

Thanks Chris! Readers, do you know any others?

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

Interesting.

For understandable reasons, Japanese often benchmark their country against the U.S. But in many cases, the differences between the two societies are such that importing U.S. models would be like a gardener in subtropical Okinawa looking for inspiration in the flora of Alaska. As Japanese policymakers worry about another round of "Japan passing" and consider ways to more effectively engage the world, they would do well to look to their Korean neighbor for inspiration.

Why can't Japan be more like South Korea? [Japan Times]

Korean Age is Coming

Dear Korean,

I'd like to ask you about how do Koreans count their age. I know that, compared to our system, they are either 1 or 2 years older but I don't understand why. The other day I asked to a tourist and he told me that on New Year's day, everyone turns a year older and that's ok. But why 2? For instance I'm 36 and will turn 37 this month. So if I was korean would I already be 37 because of new year, and therefore 38 because of my birthday this month? It can't be otherwise on December I'd turn 39, my god! Can you explain that?

Giorgio

Dear Korean,

I am curious about the Korean age system. I only know that Korean age is a year ahead than the real age because they will turn a year older every new year, so does this mean that they became two years older every year? Recently, I read somewhere that if you are born in December than you'll be two year old already the next year, is it true? If Koreans a one year old when they're born, at what age did they celebrate their one year birthday celebration? Example: My birthday is on 12 Jan 1991? So how old am I in Korea now?

Fatin Z.

Dear readers,

"Korean age" creates a lot of confusion, but there really are only two simple rules involved:

1.  Everyone, at the moment of birth, is one year old.
2.  Everyone adds an age at New Year's Day. (Either on the solar one or lunar one, depending what people celebrate.)

To be sure, Korean people also use the regular age system that Americans and Europeans use also. Koreans usually distinguish Korean system and Western system by adding "man" ("full") in front of the age. (So for example, a Korean person would usually say that she is "46 sal" (years of age,) but "man 45 sal" (45 years old "in full".) In fact, the Western system is the official system used for all legal purposes. (For example, a minor in Korea is anyone under 19 years of age, in a "full year" basis.) Usually, Korean age is one more than the full-year age, because Koreans start life at one, not zero.

To answer Giorgio's question, Korean system and Western system are never mixed together. Then how is it possible for a Korean age to be 2 more than the full-year age?  This is how: suppose a child was born on December 1, 1980. On that day, this child is 1 year old in Korean age and 0 year old in full-year age. One month later on January 1, 1981, this child is 2 years old in Korean age (assuming the child's family counts by solar calendar,) but still 0 year old in full-year age. On December 1, 1981, the child is 2 years old in Korean age, and 1 year old in full-year age. On January 1, 1982, the child turns 3 years old in Korean age, while remaining 1 year old in full-year age. So for the rest of her life, her Korean age will be 2 more than her full-year age, except for the brief period her birthday and the New Year's Day. (You can see how this particularly affects people with birthdays later in the year.)

To answer Fatin's question, as of November 5, 2010, Fatin is 20 years old in Korean age, although 19 years old in full-year basis. Fatin will be 21 years old in Korean age on January 1, 2011 while still being 19 years old in full-year age. Eleven days later on January 12, 2011, Fatin will close the gap by turning 20 years old in full-year age.

In Korea, Korean age system is not really used among infants, i.e. babies who are younger than two or three years old. Korean parents would simply give the number of months ("7 months old",) like an American parent would. To answer the other Fatin's question, the first birthday celebration ("dol") happens on the first birthday of the baby.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

Oh Europe, you never let the Korean down.

Footy fans have been caught up in a race storm after "woofing" and chanting "Who ate all the dogs?" at Celtic's South Korean star Ki Sung-Yueng. St Johnstone fans directed the sick abuse at the midfielder during their side's televised SPL clash on Saturday.

...

Celtic defender Cha Du-Ri also accused the Saints fans of being racist, by making monkey noises at his 21-year-old Korean team-mate, [Ki Sung-Yeung]. He said: "When Ki had the ball, two supporters jumped up and started making monkey noises."

Fans give Celtic star dog's abuse [The Scottish Sun]

To be sure, the Korean actually thinks the dogs bit was fair game -- Koreans eat dogs, and there is nothing to be ashamed about that. But the monkey bit is crossing the line.

America will retain the crown as the least racist country in the world, thank you very much. And those people who claimed UK was less racist than America in that post (ha!) can apologize any time now.

Congratulations to all Korean American politicians who won in yesterday's election:

Michelle Park Steel - Member, California Board of Equalization
Sukhee Kang - Mayor, City of Irvine, California
Miller Oh - City Council, City of Buena Park, California
Steve Hwangbo - City Council, City of La Palma, California
Mary Chung Hayashi - California State Assembly
Jane Kim - City Supervisor, City of San Francisco, California
Paull Shin - Washington State Senate
Cindy Ryu - Washington State House of Representatives
B.J. Pak - Georgia General Assembly
Hoon-Yung Hopgood - Michigan State Senate
John Choi - County Attorney, Ramsey County, Minnesota
Jason Kim - Borough Hall, Borough of Palisades Park, New Jersey
Tina Yoo - Judge, Court of Appeals, Texas
Sylvia Chang Luke - Hawaii House of Representatives
Sharon Har - Hawaii House of Representatives
Donna Mercado Kim - Hawaii State Senate

Way to make your parents proud! ;)

Ask a Korean! News: The Cruelest Meeting

Yesterday was the conclusion of the 18th meeting of separated families between North and South Korea. A bit of a background first -- during the division of Korea and Korean War, many families were separated. As of 2010, there were 120,000 registered South Koreans with separated families. 40,000 of them already passed away, and every year 3,000 more are passing away. Meetings between the separated families, arranged by the Red Cross Societies of both North and South Korea, happened for the first time in 1985, more than 30 years after the conclusion of Korean War. Since 2000, there have been a relatively regular annual meeting.

Below is the translation of an article depicting the scene of the conclusion of the meeting:

*                *                *

Old mother in her 90s, barely able to move her body, burst into tears as soon as seeing her daughter in her 70s, who was about to return to the north. As the 2-night, 3-day meeting of the separated families in Mt. Geumgang [TK: in North Korea] concluded, South Korean Ms. Kim Ye-Jeong, the oldest member at age 96, lamented, "What do we do, we will never see each other again." Ms. Kim required rest after receiving emergency aid for chest pain, but she did not leave the meeting place, hanging onto every last second. Ms. Woo Jeong-Hye (71) [TK: all numbers in parentheses are ages of the people] from the north gave a deep bow to her old mother, swallowing tears and said, "Please be healthy."

It was not only the Kim family. At the farewell meeting held in the morning of Nov. 1, sighs and laments of "When will we see each other again..." continued. The embraced family could not bear to let their hands go; their voices trembled at the prospect to separating with no promise of return. It was a sundering of families united by blood, a separation that could not be changed no matter how much anyone cried and grieved.

Mr. Go Bae-Il (62), who came from the United States to see Go Yoon-Seop (81), his father from the north, collapsed into tears while bowing. The three days with his father, met for the first time since age 3, was like a dream. The father who was listening to his son's wailing could not maintain his composure himself, and finally he had to be carried out by his family.

Mr. Lee Jong-Ryeol (90) of North Korea, who was a former soldier for the Republic of Korea military, and his son Mr. Lee Min-Gwan (61), shed the tears they had been holding back. The younger Lee buried his face on his wheelchair-bound father's lap, crying "Father, father, my father."

Mr. Lee Jong-Ryeol and Mr. Lee Min-Gwan

(Source)

Ms. Jeon Soon-sik (79) said to her older sister Soon-sim (84), who briefly recognized her despite suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, "Sister, please live long. Then we will see each other again."

Mr. Park Su-Hwan (76) promised a return visit, singing Arirang together with his family. Mr. Yoon Gi-Yang, South Korean nephew of North Korean Mr. Lee Gyeong-Soo (74), gave his glasses to his uncle. Mr. Yoon embraced his uncle, "See you again after unification"; Mr. Lee patted his nephew's shoulder, saying, "Let's live strong until the day unification comes."

Even for the meeting place turned into a sea of tears, the time did not stop. When the PA announced "10 minutes remaining for the farewell meeting," the few scattered laughs ceased completely. Finishing up the hour-long meeting, the South Korean families were at a loss as the bus carrying the North Korean families were leaving the meeting place. The South Korean families that met Ms. Woo Jeong-Hye from North Korea lifted up the 96-year-old mother so that the mother and daughter may hold hands for the last time through the window of the bus. And so ended the cruel meeting that did not allow the separated families to "really eat and sleep next to each other, only meeting for a moment just to separate again," as Mr. Lee Myeong-Guk of North Korea put it.

On Nov. 3 through 5, there will be a second meeting of the separated families involving 94 applicants from South Korea and 203 people from the north.

Mr. Yoo Jong-Ha, president of the Republic of Korea National Red Cross, in a press conference held on Oct. 31 in the Outer Geumgang Hotel at Mt. Geumgang, said: "We proposed to Mr. Choi Seong-Ik, Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of Red Cross Society of North Korea, that after these meetings, there should be a large-scale operation to determine the life and death of separated families." However, Mr. Yoo said, "This was just for the sake of making the time between meetings more useful, and there is no agreement yet." Mr. Yoo also said "North Koreans mentioned that there was a significant flood damage in Sinuiju as well as Wonsan area," and added, "We made clear that Red Cross's disaster relief is made without any condition."

만나자 이별 ‘잔인한 상봉’ [Kyunghyang Shinmun]

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.

Tim Lincecum was half Filipino??

AAK! PSA: Film Festival

Below is a public service announcement about Korean American Film Festival in New York (KAFFNY):

The KAFFNY Urban launch is scheduled to run from November 10 - November 13, 6:30 to 9:30pm, and November 14, 3:00 – 6:00pm. KAFFNY Urban will be held at the Big Screen Project, an innovative presentation model for film, video, live and interactive content, delivered via a one-of-a-kind 30-foot by 16.5-foot outdoor 1080P High Definition LED screen situated in the 15,000 square-foot public plaza behind the Eventi Hotel (6th Avenue between 29th and 30th streets). Audio will be delivered to audiences via transmitters and available earphones provided onsite. Tables and chairs are set up easy viewing in the public plaza. The screen is also viewable by various sections of the multi-use building, including the brand new FoodParc and Bar Basque restaurant (JD Carlisle is the developer of the entire complex which also includes luxury rental apartments on the higher floors).

KAFFNY Urban’s launch program contains over 15 hours of film, video, and art, generally geared towards promoting Korean-American and Korean filmmakers and artists in a dynamic urban context that connects local neighborhoods including Koreatown, Chelsea and Flatiron districts. Many of the artists and filmmakers will be on hand during the five-day event. Programming highlights include Korean American director Benson Lee’s international streetdance documentary Planet B-Boy (pre-theatrical 10-minute preview screened at KAFFNY 2008); a 2001 BBC Documentary about the 1966 North Korean World Cup team, The Game of Their Lives; a US premiere of the recently remastered 1978 North Korean film about that same team, Centre Forward; as well as premieres of short films from Indiestory and Amuse Film, the leading distributors of independent South Korean film. Select programming from past festivals will be screened.

KAFFNY Urban will also profile and showcase 15 Korean American and Korean artists working in various mediums in a KAFFNY original series called Urban Gallery. Participating artists include Maria Yoon and Yeon J. Yue. Within its broadly defined video art category called Non-Narrative, KAFFNY Urban will also showcase the work of 6 emerging Korean contemporary moving image artists in a program called “Performance/Video” curated by Sooyoung Lee, who currently works at the Nam June Paik museum in South Korea. Participating artists include So Young Yang and Seirhee Lee. The full program will be announced by November 3 at http://kaffny.com/kaffny-urban/ and http://www.bigscreenproject.org/kaffny.

Got a question or a comment for the Korean? Email away at askakorean@gmail.com.