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Len KriegerFood defintiely brings people together from all walks of life such as different races, creeds, genders, religions, and in this case countries. I just liked the utter joy and the feeling of gratefulness each person had. It really helped me realize I take luxuries like BBQ for granted and some people only can eat what they have available if anything at all. Thanks for the response to my post and am glad you ejoyed the video like I did.
Len KriegerThe original fight between Korean Zombie and Brian Ortega has been changed. Ortega pulled out the fight with a knee injury, so now his replacement is former UFC lightweight champion Frankie "The Answer" Edgar. I think this is an even better fight and should come down to the grappling aspect of fights much like with Ortega (the jiu-jitsu ace) Edgar is a decorated grappler in his own right and is the only man to ever defeat former two division champion BJ Penn on three different occasions. This will definitely be worth the watch and will be like in South Korea, so I encourage you all to watch it if you are a fan of combat sports.
Len KriegerDuring my time in “The Two Koreas” seminar, I gained an abundant amount of background knowledge about both countries. The knowledge I gained from the required readings and live zoom sessions, has helped me change my perceptions about both countries, especially North Korea. I now view North Korea in a more positive fashion, than I once did, after I educated myself as to why I had the perceptions and misconceptions I once had. As I reflect, some of the concepts I’d like to teach in my own class are: the sunshine policy, western aid provided to both countries, the idea of a communist monarchy, nuclear states and powers, and the perception of North Korea by outsiders. The thing I liked most about taking this course is, my students and the students of my team members, will benefit. We all now will have the option of looking at amazing resources on the Koreas and Asia in general and reading more in depth about the Koreas and other Asian countries that we can use during civilization units. In World History in Texas, we mainly talk about Korea around May or April of the spring semester, and a movie like “Ode to my Father” will be an amazing ice breaker and hook/engage resource I would’ve never known about had I not taken this seminar. I am confident I can now find other ways to introduce concepts I learned in this seminar in other World History units like but not limited to: Asian civilizations, culture, systems of government, Columbian exchange, and not just in the cold war. I was thankful to have a professor like Dr. Jennifer Jung-Kim whose extensive knowledge on the two Koreas was second to none. The approach she took in teaching positively about the countries and by going into detail in the required readings and power point lectures really opened my eyes to how significant both countries are to the global landscapes grand scheme of things.
Len KriegerMaria,
I am just getting around to seeing this post now, but I wish I had seen it around Thanksgiving, so I could've wished all of my friends and family Happy Chuseok lol. What I liked most about this post was the fact that other cultures find the Holiday as a time of fellowship and coming together, As we are all aware the day can have a negative connotation to it, especially to the Native Americans. However, I love the idea that Thanksgiving or Chuseok brings people together and allows them the opportunity to catch up with each other and share good comfort food.
Thanks for the post, I learned something I did not know before.
Len KriegerClass,
This was an article that was just published right now and is a pretty scary and unsettling read. Now, I might be overreacting and read it out of context, but articles like this always make me ueasy. If you have not read it yet, I encourage you to do so, because if a solution is not reached soon and better decisions are made by all parties involved then we could possibly have another war on our hands. I don't know if these are scare tactics or a proverbial "pissing contest" between the two world leaders, but I did not enjoy reading this especially the following quote by NK's Chief of Staff.
"Pak also warned that all-out armed conflict could recommence between the two countries at any time, even by accident, and warned that the use of armed forces against North Korea “will be a horrible thing” for the United States. "
Len KriegerGreetings Class,
These were my takeaways and the notes I took from Week 6 zoom session based on the questions I asked.
The great 16th century Korean Admiral who was so revered for never losing a battle, but actually DIED during his last battle. He was considered a hero in SK and had a movie made around him and his life.
98-08 show sunshine policy not trying to vilify NK and attempt to show people like us that eat junk food, drink libations together, and can be friends with one another.
North Korean cinema is not about individual stars more the message of the party. There are no comedians or comedic movies and all movies have the message that NK is victorious over imperialism. Cannot make fun of government or things we make fun of in the West.
When E. Germany collapsed, SK said they didn’t want to reunify with NK, because it would be too expensive and too economically costly. SK don’t want NK to collapse, because when it happened to Germany people flooded western part of Germany when eastside collapsed and that might happen again.
Len KriegerClass,
I was able to incorporate what I learned from this video into my own classroom during a lecture on the Columbian Exchange. We were talking about how the Old World Animals brought to the New world were far superior work wise and food wise than the animals brought from the new world to the old world. One animal mentioned was the cow and a student asked why would a cow or bull be so important? I told them in certain parts of the world that are underdeveloped technologically such as North Korea a cow is considered sacred because they can do the work of 7 people and killing a cow without permission is a serious crime. I just thought I'd share this because it gave me ideas as to how I can better use NK and SK as conversation starters for topics I cover like: dictators, rivals, war, globalization, etc. and not just the cold war.
Len KriegerBillie,
I agree with the self reflection on Western bias about NK especially, that you eluded to in this post. I was misinformed and misled by most media outlets some of which factual but most information was not the whole truth. It made me ponder what other things in Asian society do I have a bias towards or am I misinformed about? This course really helped me realize that Western bias I had towards NK and the overall misconceptions that I had as a whole about both Koreas. I am glad I now have a new persepctive on both Koreas and I am still eager and willing to learn more about North Korea now that this seminar is coming to an end.
Len KriegerThe Korean movie I chose to review, was entitled Lee Jang-ho’s Baseball team. The movie itself was based on the book “Alien Baseball Team” written by Lee-Hyun-se. I chose this movie, because I really wanted to see if Korean sports-based movies had similarities to those in the United States.
I feel, I could show only selected clips of this movie in my class, to show how different cultures especially school aged youth go through the same types of problems ranging from: coming from a humble background, puppy love, heartbreak, competition amongst peers, and adversity of everyday life. I could not show the movie in its entirety or match it to any curriculum standards, but from a cultural standpoint, it would be very relatable to any high schooler. I was hoping to see more sports or more action in the movie, with less dialogue, but it shared a lot of the same characteristics of most sports dramas. You have the person you can root for and get behind in Hye-Sung, the love interest in Eom-ji, and the antagonist in Ma Dong-tak who is the rival to the main character. If I had to compare this film to any American counterpart, it would without a doubt be “Love and Basketball” written by Gina Prince-Bythewood.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie for the story it told, and for the gritty raw presentation of the cinematography. I would recommend to any baseball fan or to any fan of dialogue and drama. I do think the movie could have been cut shorter in certain parts of the middle scenes. I will say the ending did have me asking many questions, which is always a good thing, because it left me wanting to know and see more.
Len KriegerAngelique,
I enjoyed this post you wrote here and wanted to add I think if NK wanted they could use groups like Moranbong or sports (nothing brings people together quite like sports do) to strengthen the world view of them. I doubt they'll do that because of the other agendas they have, but I do think all would be forgotten about especially in America if NK started to attempt to strenghten their worldly view.
I know they don't want to do that and want to remain known as a military power in most peoples eyes, but in this course I have learned that they have attempted to at least change their public image somewhat via collaborative efforts with other countries, not being too proudful for asking for help foodwise, and combing the NK SK Women's Hockey team.
Moranbong if used the correct way they could help promote North Korea in a positive light and I think with great success, because K-Pop is at its height of popularity and because they are very pretty ladies which definitely get the attention of the male demographics around the world for sure.
Len KriegerClass,
I found this great article after last weeks zoom session and I think it tied into to the whole notion that, Korean mean are having to marry non-Korean women and have children that are not 100 percent Korean in order to keep the population higher among other reasons why. When you look at the statistics provided in this article, some of them are mind blowing. The one that shocked me the most was by 2050 the population will be at a mere 44 million people in the entire country, and then projections show they will lose about 600,000 people a year thereafter. Geographically speaking, I think this would be good to show or read in social studies classes, because most students percieve Asian countries (China, Japan, India) as densley populated with tons of people and to see a country like SK that is starting to dwindle could definitely change those perceptions after reading this article.
Len KriegerHere are some of my takeaways and things I found interesting from week 5's zoom session.
Thought it was awkward and a liability that some companies require mandatory corporate drinking.
SK lack of hard currency had to close account, but still owed money IMF loaned money ,but had demands really helped wall street American companies and they bought out SK companies. The SK people came together deposited money or what they had in an attempt to save the country. In 1997 there was paranoia because of imports trade wars between Japan and SK no Japanese beer had different combo of problems really bad
Mixed children of Korean treatment varies in schools and society. Discrimination can happen though in society due to hierarchy depending on where family is from if they are mixed. Men have to serve in Korean military even if half Korean.
Double eyelid surgery is to look a certain way, v-line shaping , remove freckles pimples. There is discrimination light skin vs dark skin. Korean people encourage and promote the idea of dressing up more, if you aren’t dressed well don’t get treated well
Pro gaming is an easy way to make money in Korea. Korea is way ahead of curve in screen addiction, Video gaming is huge business in korea superfast internet speeds 5g before the wes had it.
Len KriegerThese are the notes and things I learned during the week 4 zoom session based on some of the questions I and my classmates asked.
President Trump mistakes with numbers when he stated US spends to much in SK claiming it was 5 billion spent instead of 1.25 billion in 2018, SK didn’t want to offend Americans by correcting him.
Ryugyong Hotel is made of concrete and rebar and was not coducive to making elevators go straight, so NK put elevators on exterior. NK, they won’t tear it down, because it might be considered a sign of admitting defeat. I also found it interesting, they do get some sort of use for it by conducting laser light shows.
A lot of Kim Jong Un and his dealing socially is staged to show good face, and not always an accurate depiction of what he or his regime is like behind the scenes.
NK needs China as an ally and they provide Kim Jong Un with new cars like the maybach and luxury goods through government officials and if not them through Chiese nationals.
North Koreans also flee into China, or to a third country for asylum, China are still worried about NKs nuclear capabilities as a nuclear state, and found it interesting that Russia has presence since they share a 10 mile border.
I.O.C has to approve all aspects of countries participation for Olympics, NK and SK couldn’t enter together, and half of the South Korean hockey team got booted to make room for North Korean players and the coach of the team was not even Korean.
The one talking point Jennifer made that stuck with me was, the US likes to have "hand in every pie around the world" which couldn't be more correct, seeing how almost everytime you turn on the news you hear about the USA delving into foreign affairs in other countries instead of working on and focusing on eternal issues our country is currently facing (food insecurity, debt, gun control, unemployment, etc.)
Len KriegerHere were some of the things I found interesting week 3 based off the answers I received for the questions I asked on zoom.
Repositories set up and national effort laid off a lot no full time contingent workers osterity which caused mass hysteria
The statues pictured in the video were built and that is because NK is famous for statue making but they were moslty exhibited to show respect and in some cases idol worship.
The NGO's provided by America, fed the people and allowed people not to die in North Korea, and NK actually asked for aid from the West which was shocking.
It takes North Korea a while to do things in regard to the question I asked about why it took so long for them to allow farmers to sell excess crops and the free market was good because it made the farmers work harder for NK.
I like that the Fifa WorldCup Soccer event helped provide a healing moment to Japan and South Korea they were thrilled to co host especially SK.
Len KriegerClay, thank you for creating this thread to post news topics on.
I found a very interesting article that Otto Warmbier was arrested for attempting to steal a propaganda poster. Also it seemed as though the way it was described, he was tortured just to the brink of death and was purposely left alive to not make matters worse since Otto was an American citizen. I actually believe the seized NK cargo ship that is the basis for the article, is just, and fair pittance for NK. They should have to have some accountabilty for the death of Otto Warmbier, because they clearly are liable and the family is the one that has to suffer the rest of their lives for a crime that doesn't seem all that major in my opinion. My only question going forward is what was NK's stance on the cargo ship being seized? Did they let it go because they knew they were in the wrong? Or was it because the cargo and the ship itself was not worth the hassle to them? Though you'd figure it would be a pride thing to NK instead of dollars and cents.
