The Birth of Korean Cool
How One Nation Is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A FRESH, FUNNY, UP-CLOSE LOOK AT HOW SOUTH KOREA REMADE ITSELF AS THE WORLD'S POP CULTURE POWERHOUSE OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY
By now, everyone in the world knows the song "Gangnam Style" and Psy, an instantly recognizable star. But the song's international popularity is no passing fad. "Gangnam Style" is only one tool in South Korea's extraordinarily elaborate and effective strategy to become a major world superpower by first becoming the world's number one pop culture exporter.
As a child, Euny Hong moved from America to the Gangnam neighbourhood in Seoul. She was a witness to the most accelerated part of South Korea's economic development, during which time it leapfrogged from third-world military dictatorship to first-world liberal democracy on the cutting edge of global technology.
Euny Hong recounts how South Korea vaulted itself into the twenty-first century, becoming a global leader in business, technology, education, and pop culture. Featuring lively, in-depth reporting and numerous interviews with Koreans working in all areas of government and society, The Birth of Korean Cool reveals how a really uncool country became cool, and how a nation that once banned miniskirts, long hair on men, and rock ‘n' roll could come to mass produce boy bands, soap operas, and the world's most important smart phone.
Customer Reviews
My Favorite Book of the Year
I bought this book because I'm always curious about places like South Korea, Japan, and China. It turned out to be a page turner. It explained quite well how the economic miracle of Korea happened and how people were motivated to go along with the effort involved.
The writing style is a delight. I felt drawn in so much that I wished I could live there. In addition there is a beautiful philosophy lesson hidden within that made my whole outlook on life seem better. I am really glad I read this book.
A Bit Of A Mess
This is the author’s screed on how she hates South Korea and her parents for moving her there as a child. There is also a lot of content that is just factually wrong as the book goes on.