Comments on: Korean culture’s growing influence in China: NYT

By: Chey

Chey — Wed, 03 May 2006 02:18:30 +0000

Han-ryu is real and here to stay. Korea is making money from it and introducing its culture/entertainment to other countries. This is good. And while not all of the products are superb, some like Winter Sonata and Dae Jang Keum are crown jewels. Give them credit.

I decided to watch Dae Jang Keum because I heard from my Chinese friends how great it was. I know if a Chinese guy recommends something to me, that is Korean stuff, it is pretty good.

Albert Einstein pissed off his ex-wife and did some nasty things, but you gotta give credit to the great things he did. Same to some of the Han-ryu products.

By: HuboMaru

HuboMaru — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 21:45:54 +0000

For those of you who enjoy bashing Korea, or at least Korea’s Hallyu, its easy for you to do so but if you honestly do not like the Korean wave why ruin it for others. Some of you made some good points but many of you just wanted to bash Korea because your one of those people who just does that kind of thing. Korea may be turning out many Koreanized-American ideas but its also turning out some creative ideas of its own. It takes time, even for Japan and especially the United States. Do you honestly believe everything in America’s pop culture is unique to the U.S? If thats true, tell that to the British colonists and indian tribes, or the millions that came over on boats and waved to the Statue of Liberty on their way into New York’s harbour. Everyone has a right to their own opinions, just be honest and believe in things for what they are and not for what you think they are. Two more things God Bless America and DAE HAN DONG RIP MAHN SAE my spelling might be a bit off there but those of you who are suppose to get it will.

By: R. Elgin

R. Elgin — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 08:43:20 +0000

Snow, I would like to change a previous comment and suggest you check out ??? and her CD “Turning Point”. She is flat out playing better than Kwak; I just heard a cut off of his CD and it was outrageously pathetic — especially for a Blue Note release. I still can hardly believe they put *that* out.

I respect the heck out of Joey too; he is the man.

I do play occasionally in Seoul but R. Elgin is only my “nom de plume” and I’m not telling either.

By: yoitssy

yoitssy — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 01:10:01 +0000

Ell, I totally agree with you. I wish the media in Korean and Japan would stop jamming the Korean wave down people’s throats. I think if they just promote it normally without getting all big-headed it would do even better and take out all the animosity that goes on. I hope Koreans would stop acting big-headed about all this and learn from the Japanese pop culture. I’m Korean and grew up with both Korean and Japanese culture and learned to appreciate both of them.

Many Koreans seem to forget the large number of influence Japanese culture has played in their lives. When I lived in Korea as a kid, I fell in love with Gundam, Miyazaki cartoons, Super Famicom, and bunch of Japanese things. A lot of Korean things are hugely impacted and influenced by Japan, and it grew and evolved where it can start churning out its own ideas and I hope one day it will just soley do it on her own. When I was in Korea the past summer, I noticed a large number of underground groups were on the rise with the younger generations, like in Japan in the 80s and 90s. It’s good to see a large number of young people veer away from the mainstream Korea pop and discover new ideals.

By: snow

snow — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 19:49:25 +0000

R.elgin, wow, do you play around town? Anyway, I agree that there are some fine players in Toronto, but I certainly don’t think the players I mentioned would be at the skill level of a Canadian high schooler. The ones I mentioned can play quite tastefully, melodically, with nice lines. I think the best ones from here would fit into a local scene in a big Canadian city, not as the best players, but certainly as competent ones.

BTW, thanks for the tip on Kwak Yoon Chan, who I don’t know (I see he’s got an album on Bluenote, a definite plus). Do you know a New York player named Joey Calderazzo? My personal favorite who I am happy to give a plug for.

By: Jing

Jing — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 18:15:19 +0000

Boa’s the one who is romantically involved with the manager old enough to be her father (possibly grandfather?) correct? I miss the old Korean Tabloid Crap archives. Bring back the archives soon Marmot!

By: Mingi's Journal

Mingi's Journal — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 10:08:58 +0000

Seoul-Beijing Romance Exaggerated

HatTip to the Marmot’s Hole. Norimitsu Onishi of the New York Times wrote an interesting article on South Korea’s cultural influence in China, or the so-called Korean Wave. The article is an enjoyable read and Onishi undoubtedly has been one

By: Mizar 5

Mizar 5 — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 05:37:28 +0000

Sign. Frankly, the less said about “Korean” music and entertainment culture the better. It’s really an embarrassment. A mediocre copy of US Hip Hop and J-Pop. Sad.

At least Boa’s cute - although she probably won’t age well.

By: Iwshim

Iwshim — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 03:13:12 +0000

SM entertainment! If you think Korea has what it takes invest in this company.

I have 8090 shares.

PS> go BoA!

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 00:38:29 +0000

They were trying to get L.A./NY cover charges in a country that hardly knows anything about jazz? Stooopid.