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AnonymousThis is amazing news to me. In both Kim's lecture and in a previous lecture on Korea we heard about the Korean's protesting in the streets. It is def. inspiring to see the masses of people and hear about their passion and dedication for protesting for what they believe in. This can be very helpful to share in a social studies classroom when talking about civil society (this is part of the 12th grade government state standards). We often associate this type of mass demonstration with the Western world but it is great for students to see this happening at such a large scale in East Asia.
This also can lead to a great a discussion about modern day revolutions and how Korea's shift in government leadership was so different that the shifting that occurred in the US, and France.
AnonymousTotally impressed by South Korea's advancement in all areas, political, economical, and industrial, not to mention the education system. Reading the excerpts from 'Ask Asia' articles I was impressed to learn about the longer school day for students and the teachers. The time given to students for individual questions after class, rare discipline problems, remedial and supplemental classes and preparing for the college entrance exams are all signs to show that the students are driven and their parent uphold high educational values.
The fact that students keep up with the international celebrities and sports is an evidence of the world coming together. It is nice to know that the future generations may compete on a global scale.
AnonymousKelli, I, too want to pack my bags and head to Korea! In the nine days we spend at USC we learned a lot about China, Japan and Korea over so many centuries...but I was most drawn to Korea. I think I knew the least about Korea and that is what interested me the most. I will definitely plan my next vacation to Korea - hopefully next summer!
The things that stuck out the most me was the fact that South Korea is so technologically advanced - faster internet than anywhere in the world! - and the pop culture. I am intrigued by "Rain" and all of the great current movies coming out of Korea...I can't wait until they hit video!
AnonymousBig Mama sure was cutting edge and prescient. In their breakout single, Break Away http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8otPjC1-nuQ&feature=related
they slam the notion that they were too overweight and not pretty enough by Korean standards to be pop stars by juxtaposing lipsyncing beautiful frontwomen with Big Mama's actual performance backstage. The most telling scene is near the end of the video when a svelte lady (one of the frontwomen?) shoves one of the members of Big Mama aside as if she were contaminated dirt.
The same notion of "the perfect image" surfaced again in the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics. Lin Miaoke's rendition of "Ode to the Motherland" turned her into an overnight international singing sensation and a heroine of China. Miss Lin, however, was only lipsyncing and the real voice belonged to Yang Peiyi (see attachment) who was removed from the ceremonies because she didn't present the right image; she wasn't cute enough and her front teeth were crooked. The concept of "face" in East Asian culture now has a whole new meaning.
AnonymousI must be a soft-sell because after watching the promo video on South Korea, I am ready to pack my bags. I liked that Professor Jung-Kim broke down the first portion of the lecture into ten things people need to know about South Korea. It was a great introduction to a country that most Americans do not know much about, or negatively associate it with North Korea.
The readings about education and women are extremely interesting. I want to use them with a Striving Readers class I teach. Students always get a kick out of how teens in other countries live. These articles will really open their eyes.
AnonymousMaria-
I was also surprised to learn about the power of Korean women. Why is this skirted in feminist classes? Heck, I took a class called 'Sex, Power and Politics' and we never left the continent in that class. Students should know about these kind of things -- you shouldn't have to wait until you're in your twenties to learn that Korean women have a way more progressive and independent history than we do.
AnonymousIf a Korean pop idol is permeating American late-night programming, then you know it's a big deal. It was not just a casual mention -- it was idol worship. I see this as a sign of things to come for other Asian pop culture icons. With YouTube and other web fixtures making access easier than ever, it is so easy for Americans to learn (and love) figure from halfway around the world.
AnonymousProf. Jung-Kim introduced "Ten things to Know about Korea" from #10 to #1, an overview of South Korea with much detaild information. She also talked about the history of Korean Women, from pre-modern Koryo, Choson (1392-1910) to Modern Korea.
It is interesting to know that how Korean women managed to live during their time. In Koryo Dynasty, they had equal responsibilities with men, equal inheritance and freedom to divorce. In the Choson Dynasty, Confucianism and original Korean custom co-existed. Remarriage became more stigmatized. Men could have concubines, but the primary wife was important. In modern Korea, after receiving the influence of Christianity, Western education, men and women were considered to be equal. There are many Japanese influences, too: such as Ryosai kenbo (hyonmo yangcho): women should become better wives and better mothers. During the Pacific War, good mothers sent their sons off to the war. Then there was a problem of "comfort women". Japanese military recruited young women to serve as prostitues. Many of them were misled and were told to go to the factory. Unfortunately the Japanese government is still denying this by saying, "Sex is a private matter." This is ongoing dispute. I think that this is a big human right issue.
After Korean War many families were divided; many men got remarried, but women did not becaude of Confucianism's influences. After 1980s, there were young women activists, leading to Anti-Americanism. In 1993 Hoju family registry system was established, and everyone got individual name. On women and marriage, there are "arranged marriages" "love marriages" and "half marriages". Also there is demand for foreign brides: 14% of all marriage in 2006 involved Non-Koreans.
It was an "edutainment", and informative session. I will use the lessons I learned today in some of my Japanese classes for comparison and contrast with Korean culture.
Anonymous8/6 afternoon Jennifer Jung-Kim
I love lists and the top 10 was wonderful! I agree that this is a great way to teach any grade, I use lists so the students understand what is going on, because many of my students are absent or in Mexico or they just do not come to school every day, so the my assignment lists helps them make-up work, and understand what they have missed.
I also enjoyed the information about what roles women have in the household, which includes the finances and working out side the home. “Men with allowances” I was also amazed at the amount of technology that South Korea. I am jealous of the speed of the internet.
Life in Korea has changed greatly and what an amazing life style the Korean people have. The division of work and free time the roles of the household are understood and the ability to work even with the division of North and South Korea.
AnonymousAugust 6th Session 8 b
Loved Prof. Jennifer Jung Kim’s Ten Things to know about Korea . We really should e-mail her! [email protected]. So much information on the ten things and the HIGHLIGHTS for me were:
#10
Seoul is the 9th most populous city
13th largest economy = GNP 26,000 in 2007
Seoul was once a walled city
#9
Graduating from elite school is very important
If you work for a top company - you have security
“386” generation
“Missy” generation - middle age household (3rd sex)
#8
strongly political and nationalistic -
1987-88 student protests - masses in ralley
Protest of unrestricted importation of American beef 2008
#7
Love imports
“glocalized”
For a while 3rd largest troops in Iraq
#6
Shopping is serious business
CoEx mall is a large under ground mall
Tablet computer on the refrigerator with beepers if to long
Samsun laundry machine
Dimchae saves your Kim chi and makes it colder
#5
Everland outside Seoul == edutainment
Food is separate
Tchimjibang = pool and spa in Queens, New York
#4
Avid participants and spectators of sports
Love statistics
#3
Pop culture called hallyu, or ____
“My sassy girl
#2
Pre-university
93,000 study abroad
#1
As of 2006 83.4 % have cell phone
1st in technology
94% have internet
World’s leader in semi conductor
The internet is not just modern
http://www.duo.co.kr/
So, thank-you all for the nights out in China Town, Little Tokeo, Korea Town. What a great experience. For the classroom I will use the "Background Essays" provided by Jung-Kim and many of the readings that I done. Some more great book postings will go into book section so take a look-see!!
AnonymousI enjoyed our lecturer today and the 4 parts that stick with me are the 😛 Rain/Colbert dance off ( I'd never heard of either til today), 😀 the "10 Things People Should Know" section. What a good way to engage the audience in a learning experience. 🙁 The third is just a piece of information--that the Koreans put down 50% to rent, then just live there without further payment. It seemed like such a strange concept at first, but I guess it works. It's so interesing to learn new ways to think about things and to do things. I guess the profit that the landlord gets is directly proportionate to the investment expertise he/she has. :~ The fourth concept that I found fascinating was the description of family relationships. Self is 0 degrees, parent is 1 degree, sibling is 2 degrees...on down to 3rd cousin as 8th degree. I think a good teaching idea is to have the student chart this out (as much as they can) and to also do a traditional family tree. A classroom chart can be done and discussed by showing how many students have a 7th degree relative, a 5th degree relative, etc.
AnonymousI took so much away from this session; I'm very interested in several things;
-using the "Top Ten" format as an intro or frontload to virtually any lesson,
-using the Big Mama video as a writing prompt for a reflective piece on the world's current obsession with looks
-drawing up parallels between Korean and U.S. society with respect to women - the fact that Korean women have had power for WAY longer than U.S. women have, and what the comparisons are between the two societies right now (this would be a computer research project)
-analyzing a Korean rental agreement, and answering questions about what the landlords do with the money? Is it invested and insured by a bank? Do the landlords invest it? Can you rent a place that has a mortgage? Do they have mortgages in Korea?
-compare/contrast the standard of living in North- and South Korea, using information found during research. South Korea has the very latest in technology, a strong economy, incredible growth in real estate and living complexes, so what is the down side? North Korea has very little technology, growth, and a questionable economy. It also has less the half the population of South Korea in almost the same land mass. So what is the up side?
This was a very thought provoking session, and while I can understand everyone's interest in visiting South Korea, I myself would really like to visit North Korea. How bad is it really? How long can Kim keep his kingdom isolated and quiet?
AnonymousEasily the harshest fact of the entire program: the slim chance a Korean man has to wed a Korean woman! He must be (1) tall, (2) employed by a good company, (3) from a wealthy family or have a job like doctor, lawyer, etc, and the freakin' list goes on. Education? Sense of fashion? What a frustrating situation. I sympathize with my woebegone Korean roommates. What if a guy is a... wait for it... teacher?? Aw no. 
At the same time, the Konglish (Korean English) terminology associated with the father's role in his children/family abroad: "Wild Geese" "Eagles" and, wonderfully, "Penguins," was classic and shared at home with much gusto. 93,000 students abroad! I wonder how high that number goes when families are added into the equation. The influx of Korean immigrants have really changed the makeup of places like Japantown in SF and Little Tokyo in LA.
Also, I am in disbelief that 94% of Korean households have internet access. That's all but the grandmother in The Way Home. Amazing.
Finally, while I appreciated the lecture, the multimedia should have been spread across the full three hours rather than being limited to the first half of the presentation. Colbert's music video would have been a great closer.
AnonymousI loved the lesson on Korean pop culture; and I think my Korean students (and their parents) now love the fact that I got a little lesson on it too! Who would have thought I would have a mother asking me if I heard or specific songs from Rain?!
Although fun, what really struck me after we walked away from this lecture was the way Professor Jung-Kim instructed us. I really enjoyed having the outline in front of me because it helped immensely while we were covering so much information so quickly. This is something that I felt would have been very helpful in our morning lecture because the content was of such a manner that it caused a lot of discussion and our non-stop questioning was often met with "we'll get to that." If we would have had an outline in front of us I think it would have focused our questions and we would have had a more in-depth lecture. This is something that I think I will create before my lessons on WWII and the War on Terror because these two subjects are consistently met with more student questioning and story telling that I find it difficult for myself and the students to stay focused and on task.
AnonymousI showed my Homeroom students the Big Mama - Break Away video today to spark a discussion on the emphasis of image in today's pop culture. Although the students had to watch the video two times to understand the message that the video is trying to covey, once they did understand it, they carried on a pretty powerful discussion. I had one student even connect the video to the little girl lip singing during the opening ceremony of the olympics. Most of the students did not know that the Chinese government came forward with a statement supporting their decision to use the prettier girl in order for the performance to be pleasing to the eye (that is not a direct quote).