Korean wave culture craze
at 3:22am on Wednesday, 22nd March 2006
Che Jiu is Japanese, but was raised in Korea by a Korean mobster after he killed her father in a terrorist attack. Her love interest is a Korean man who was raised in Japan (who somehow is connected to the whole gangster episode, but I couldn't figure out exactly how.) The drama takes place in Japan today. Nuclear data is stolen. Che Jiu is a computer programmer. She's just found out her father isn't her father. You get the idea.
I spent a long lunch with former colleagues yesterday, one of whom is now a well-known designer. The conversation turned to Korean sensibility - not simply their famous actors and singers. "We are really falling behind Korean design" said one friend. They love Samsung's products.
10 years ago, I cannot imagine having a conversation like this. At that time, Japan was notorious for discrimination against Koreans, not allowing citizenship to those who emigrated here as much as 5 generations ago.
Can hallryu change that? It's certainly possible. At least hallryu is a window onto the degree to which popular culture can influence long-standing prejudice and politics. Jury's still out.
Che Jiu is Japanese, but was raised in Korea by a Korean mobster after he killed her father in a terrorist attack. Her love interest is a Korean man who was raised in Japan (who somehow is connected to the whole gangster episode, but I couldn't figure out exactly how.) The drama takes place in Japan today. Nuclear data is stolen. Che Jiu is a computer programmer. She's just found out her father isn't her father. You get the idea.
I spent a long lunch with former colleagues yesterday, one of whom is now a well-known designer. The conversation turned to Korean sensibility - not simply their famous actors and singers. "We are really falling behind Korean design" said one friend. They love Samsung's products.
10 years ago, I cannot imagine having a conversation like this. At that time, Japan was notorious for discrimination against Koreans, not allowing citizenship to those who emigrated here as much as 5 generations ago.
Can hallryu change that? It's certainly possible. At least hallryu is a window onto the degree to which popular culture can influence long-standing prejudice and politics. Jury's still out.
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