Product Description
Traditional Korean music includes both the folk and courtmusic styles of the Korean people. Korean music is based onBuddhist and native shamanistic beliefs. Buddhist andshamanistic dancing, and shamanistic drum music, areextant, as is a melodic, dance music called sinawi.Traditional Korean music can be divided into at least fourtypes: courtly, aristocratic, scholarly, and religious. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (8)

The Essence of Evil
This book is absolutely fascinating, brilliantly informative and desperately depressing, I couldn't put it down! The book illustrates more clearly than any other I've read about how far humanity can fall under North Korea's despicable regime, and the impact on the human body and psyche. For those interested in the mysterious world behind this country, this book is a neccessity.

A Terrible Situation -
Hyok Kang, born 1986, escaped from North Korea with his family in 1998 and then spent four years in China before going to South Korea. "This is Paradise" is the story of his life up to that escape - surviving famine in his hometown of Onsong (northeast N.K.) via tree-bark soups, rat hunts, and night-time raids on state farms. The North Korean famine is estimated to have killed 2 - 3 million since 1993-94, peaking in 1997, but still believed to be a factor today. Some resorted to cannibalism. Hyok's story is consistent with that told by other refugees, though its ending is not quite as happy.

Hyok was fortunate to live near coal mines - his (and others') scavenging at least meant they were not threatened by 20-30 below freezing. (This became more problematic after electricity was shut off to the mines, allowing most to flood.) Hyok was also fortunate in that his paternal Korean grandparents emigrated from Japan - though they regretted doing so almost immediately, this brought them higher status, plus the sometimes assistance of money etc. from relatives remaining in Japan.

Radios and TVs (Hyok's family received one from relatives in Japan) are supposed to be permanently tuned to the only North Korea station - living near China, however, they still managed to receive Chinese broadcasts. (Later the TV was sold for food during the famine.) Onsong had two big cinemas, and new films arrived and eagerly viewed - about every 6-7 months, usually war films. Portraits of Kim Il-Sung and Kim Jong-Il (current leader) are everywhere outside, and required within each house. Damaging those public photos or statues results in immediate execution. All the places where the Kims stayed become prohibited - no one can enter the room since.

All children have to practice marching and waving bouquets during gym classes and on weekends; inter-school competitions take place on holidays. School children receive new summer and winter uniforms every four years, some are appointed leaders for their enthusiasm (or parents' bribes). Learning minute details about the Kim's lives is a required part of the curriculum. The older children work 1.5 months each year in the fields, camping out at night. Homework during vacations is also assigned. Students are required to periodically bring in maize leaves, human excrement, etc. to help with farming. Schools also hold weekly 'confessions' that require students to read the written self-admissions and also name at least two others doing wrong. (Students often agreed among each other in advance as to what they would say about each other.) Students not doing their homework, missing school, failing to bring flowers for Kim's statue, etc. were subject to physical punishment. Groups of seven were alternatively assigned to patrol the school grounds at night to guard against Americans.

The towns' 5 tractors were immobilized from lack of fuel. The train to Pyongyang ran about every 2-3 weeks, at less than 5 kph. Travel permits (bribes required) are a necessity - the regime doesn't want its showplace Pyongyang overrun by the poor and disabled. The 'affluent' have bicycles. Daily workplace meetings take place at the end of the day - the purpose is to review production, offer self-criticism, and denounce fellow workers who are disloyal or not enthusiastic enough. Those judged to need re-education (eg. listening to Mozart) are sent away, usually for 6 months and then re-evaluated. Those believed beyond re-education (eg. possessing a South Korean book) are sent away with their families to a penal colony. There are about 20 classes of people, mostly determined by supposed loyalty to the regime. Those related to Kim's comrades during WWII have high status, those related to South Korean POWs avery low status, relatives of former land-owners the lowest status. Status is strongly linked to one's ability to get a 'good' job or good education for one's children - thus, citizens may try to improve their status by sending expensive gifts to the 'Dear Leader.' About 10% of males and 1% of females become Party members.

Farmers were required to meet weight quotas, and often did so by adding rocks.

Male youth are required to serve 10 years (formerly 13) in the military, females 7 (formerly 10). New recruits with low standing are about as likely as any other North Korean to starve to death; those more senior have opportunity to siphon off food from international aid or guard duties at local state farms.

Hyok's father was captured returning from China with food, and sent to prison. There he received temporary parole during a severe illness, and then decided to take his family back to China. Hyok did not want to go, but realized his father had to, and Hyok did not want to become separated. N.K. soldiers chased them, but lacking bullets (result of an incident in which Chinese citizens had erroneously been killed) and monetary incentive (the 'real' payoff came from capturing those returning with money and goods), Hyok and his family successfully crossed, waded, and swam across the border river at -20. They planned to stay in China, but after being jailed by the Chinese (bribed out by a friend), they decided to go to South Korea. The trip was aided by Protestant missionaries. There Hyok's father was able to repay the person 4X who had bailed them out, using South Korean resettlement monies. Hyok, however, found adjustment difficult - North Koreans were smaller, not up on hip language (eg. American slang), and were prone to be physically aggressive, liars, and thieves because of their experiences. Thus, Hyok and others his age found it difficult to fit in.

Fast and fascinating read
Very well written.I will never look nor be so casual about disposing food ever again.Heartbreaking story of megalomania run amuck in the most extreme way and all for what? To lie, distort and destroy as many lives and the surrounding environment as humanly possible?

Interesting book at leaves some questions
For the most part, I thought this was an excellent book. However, a few of the events that the author describes seem a bit strange. In an early scene, the author describes how his grandfather killed and cooked a cat by placing it in a pot of boiling water. If any of you have experience with even a small, panicked animal, the scene as described seems highly unlikely. I once tried to put a strange cat in a cage, and thank god I had the foresight to put on a pair of welding gloves beforehand. That cat would have bitten my thumb to the bone. The scene seems calculated to pull at the Westerner's heartstrings by describing an act of cruelty against an animal that we (but not all Asians) regard as a pet.

The description of an execution by firing squad is also strange. We are told that the condemned is made to wear a special cotton padded suit to absorb any blood. But then we are told that the guards always aim for the head (to spectacular effect) on the second shot. Also, we are told that the condemned are tied to a pole with three ropes, and that each rifle volley cuts a rope in sequence so that the body falls into a waiting sack on the ground. Now, I am not an expert marksman, but I am a decent shot. The idea that, even with volume fire (and probably brass jacketed military cartridges), you could somehow reliably sever three ropes in sequence, seems a bit of a stretch. Perhaps he really saw the event, and his description of why it was done in a particular way was part of the "folklore" that sprang up after the fact. I'm not sure but as described the scene doesn't smell right.

The author claims that everyone is taught English, but then he also states that radios and televisions are modified so that they can only receive broadcasts from North Korea. It seems odd to me that a regime that is so paranoid about outside influences would teach English to everyone. Why not restrict English to the party cadres, and/or professionals with a definite need to speak the language? This point doesn't bother me as much as the others, but I would like independent verification of this fact.

I gave the book three stars, because although the story is compelling, there is something odd about it. I don't doubt that the North Korean regime is a particularly nasty one, and the truth that comes out of formerly communist countries is usually even nastier than we can imagine. However, history also shows that often these survivor's tales cannot be relied upon. We don't know who the author "really" was in NK, or what his motives might be in telling this story.

An extraordinary first person account of North Korea's famine of the 1990s
Although much has been written about North Korea, this book is a first person account by a North Korean who experienced its abuses firsthand. The author, Hyok Kang, born in 1986, was still in his early teens when the famine hit North Korea, but nonetheless his description will stick in the reader's mind long after finishing this book. His community shrunk from 4,000 to 2,000 during the famine, and he details the desperate tactics, including a few incidents of cannibalism, to which people resorted. Kang himself brags about his trick of stealing grains of rice from rats' nests. Most were not so lucky and experienced slow, agonizing deaths of starvation even though they were in a farming area.

Eventually the family escaped across the Chinese border, and after a torturous series of events, settled in South Korea. Even though this segment comprises only 1/8th of the book, it too sticks in the mind.

One would think that North Koreans would be free once they sneaked into China, but alas no. In fact, it's surprising how stringent the Chinese are in suppressing the flow of refugees from North Korea. One would expect Kang to be grateful to the South Korean government for resettling him and providing financial aid, but he is quite negative about South Korea. It appears that what Kang would really like is to resettle in China if somehow he could get proper documentation to do so.

The writing is a bit clunky in places, yet there is a spirit of sincerity that permeates the book. Kang is writing what he feels, not paying lip service to his rescuers or to South Korea. This is likely to become a classic in documenting the atrocities of the North Korean regime.
... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Reaching the incomprehensible and calumny
There is a point when theory becomes an almost purely aesthetic endeavor, where metaphors and the desire for intellectual proximity and intimacy with the absolute truth overrides comprehensibility as a central task of writing and communicating with the reader. The seductiveness of this endeavor not only enraptures the author, but many a sublime-seeking reader as well. This is not to say that theory has no place in historical writing, quite the contrary, without it, historical writing is no better than the drivel of trivia, but one has to wonder about the analytical worth of theory, when such dubious documents as the Tanaka Memorial form the "factual" foundation for Park's intellectual flying buttresses. ... Read more

Product Description
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Korea Unmasked is an illustrated book that presents a hilarious and often unflattering look at Korean society and its people. It brings the reader a fascinating exploration of the Korean mindset and weaves together history, sociology and cultural anthropology. The book introduces an insight in subjects like; Korean history, traditions, culture, food, life, economy, tension between South and N. Korea and more. The book will introduce the reader to Korea and their people and discuss many subjects and attitudes that are sometimes unknown or misunderstood by westerners. The insightful discussions about Korea and differences/similarities with other countries emphasized on the neighbors China, Japan, will help to clear the picture who the Korean people really are. The author, Won-bok Rhie provides a delightful and humorous portrait of the Korean people. It's comical yet serious well-written and informative pictured by the author. If you only have time for one book about Korea, this is the book! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Won-bok Rhie is one of Korea's most famous cartoonists. After achieved a bachelor's degree in architecture at Seoul National University, he studied graphic design in Germany and obtained a degree of Dipl. Designer. He is the author of numerous comic books introducing historical, cultural and economic subjects. He have also written many comic series in Korea newspapers and magazines. Korea Unmasked is part of a 9-volume series of comic books about several European countries, Korea and Japan, which all became bestsellers in Korea. Rhie is also a professor of graphic design in University in Seoul, Korea. In 1993, he achieved a prestigious Award in recognition of his development and contributions to the Korean cartoon industry. From 1998 to 2000, he also served as the president of the Korean Society of Cartoon and Animation Studies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Watered down jumping off point - easy on the eyes
For what it is, it's wonderful. One must take into consideration that this is a non-fiction comic book and as such, it takes some liberties in the sake of brevity. We are talking about summing up a whole culture into less than 250 pages. Comments such as "this book is too general" or "it takes too many liberties" failed to see what this book is intended to be - a general overall for people with virtually no background knowledge of Korea. To that end, this book excels.

I also commend this book in its comparison with Japan, China, and America. The author has taken a vast amount of information and condensed it into very approachable subjects such as cultural identity, leadership and economic growth.

Let's not forget that this book is driven by it's artistic style which is quite pleasant and not distracting the least. For an animator, the script is well written and translated which includes very native-English references and subtle jokes that demonstrate his dedication tot he project.

All in all, it's a great non-academic read that is recommended to anyone looking to take an introduction to Korea without having to dig through countless volumes of ancient history and poorly translated, nationalistic rhetoric.

Great artwork, entertaining, unfortunately plagued by ignorance and propoganda - publisher apologized over anti-semetic claims
Great artwork, entertaining, unfortunately plagued by ignorance and propoganda.The book is 9900 Won retail.

Sadly this book is insulting and stereotypical of other cultures, and some of its claims were naeve or absurd to the point that I thought it was comedic satire..until I realized the author wasn't being sarcastic.I'm shocked at some of the ignorant assumptions and outright insults being spewed against other cultures.It's hard to tell which parts are intentional propaganda, and which parts are just ignorance.It shares a lot in common with North Korean texts I've read and Japanese revisionist textbooks, only cuter with cartoon characters and more international anecdotes.

First off, I think Korea has a rich and amazing culture and is a wonderful place and I've visited many times and have many friends both here and in Korea.I learned Korean and traveled every corner of the country and studied its history.It happens that I also think India and about a dozen other countries are great nations and cultures too.My comments only pertain to the outrageous things being said by this book, despite many good things about it.

Early on the book says a lot of things about what all Chinese people believe and why they did everything in their history.Half the time I was laughing, the other time I couldn't believe anyone could be this ignorant.The fact that the author even tries to make these kind of claims speaks for itself.

I noticed it even claims and I quote "China has shown a great deal of tolerance regarding Taiwan".That's funny, for most of the last 50 years China has threatened to invade on a yearly basis.China is about as tolerant as North Korea is of the South.Which I guess isn't a surprise since some South Koreans think that's true too.This claim is basically as outrageous as saying Korea is one country.The book is filled with this ignorance about dozens of countries.

The book simplifies history with childlike logic.For example it literally says that because England is an island like Japan, its people chose to modify foreign cultures a la the Catholic Church to the Anglican church.First of all, this happened because King Henry wanted a divorce and was refused by the Pope, in fact he had 6 wives in his life.It had little to do with the English people or culture (the actual point being made), foreign cultures (what?), or the fact that England is an island.By its own logic if this was the real reason, England would have gotten rid of the Catholic Church a thousand years before it actually did.I'm not going to cover the other hundred claims but this example shows the kind of logic being used.

What's ironic is a lot of claims really apply to Koreans as much as Japan or China.Early on it claims Chinese always think they're the best, when many Koreans think this way as well if not more so.The reality is this is simply a stereotype, and its disingenuous to suggest this is a Chinese stereotype and not a Korean or Japanese one as well.

The author even oversimplifies his own culture.He claims the reason Japan is 1% Christian and Korea 30%+ Christian boils down to Japan being animistic and Korea being shamanistic and animists think there are many gods but shamans think everything is one god.He can't explain the fact that much of Japan converted to Christianity even faster than Korea in the 16th century, until they were literally murdered by the masses or forced to renounce their religion by a military government.Or that many Koreans, even non-Christians, respected Christians for their opposition during Japanese occupation and that Christianity has genuine appeal for many Koreans.

The Korean economic growth is indeed a miracle, a credit to hard work and converging factors.What's insulting is they've dismissed all the other nations and their achievements in broad strokes.It says that since Germany and Japan were already "economic powerhouses" before being demolished in WWII, their economic miracles are anything but.Then it dismisses over a hundred 3rd world countries from comparison by saying it's easy for a third world country to post high growth.Classic.Essentially, the logic of this author is that any country more advanced than Korea isn't worth comparing to for one reason, and any country less advanced than Korean isn't worth comparing to either.

Almost every claim requires an asterisk and fine print.For example, "If you eliminate 75% of countries from consideration, Korea is the most blah blah", or "This has never happened in another country" when it's simply false and should be explained by another asterisk (but not).

The book swerves back and forth between fact and fiction, relying on technicalities.Well if we want to get technical, Korea isn't even a country.There's North Korea, and South Korean.Korea hasn't been a country for almost a hundred years.If you think that's being too technical and callous, try reading what this book has to say about other countries.

The book also makes two puzzling claims that Korea was a vassal was under China and only as a formality, and that Korea is constantly under invasion and the victim of aggressors.That's funny considering even in Korean museums they acknowledge the historical fact that Korea was a vassal of the Mongols and twice invaded Japan under them.These invasions, although failures, were extremely brutal and sadistic and ironically only exceeded by the Japanese invasions of Korea.The fact is Korea was a full vassal and launched joint military strikes as such, and it's pretty malicious to pretend this never happened.What actually happened is pretty generous to Korea - they had little choice but to be vassals and agree to invade with the Mongols and send troops.

Now the book actually has a lot of good content and interesting commentary.It's just constantly mixed in with garbage and propaganda.So I enjoyed a lot of content at the same time as I'd roll my eyes thinking "Oh not this again".The author clearly read the cliff notes of history and filled in the blanks with classic child logic.

The author clearly has talent and a lot of funny things to say.If the author had turned this into satire, it would have worked for a chapter or two until it revealed that this book itself represents the distorted view Koreans have about the world.But it doesn't and goes through pains to explain and qualify itself, and that's why it's not even satire.

Korea is such as wonderful place, even people I've known who went to North Korea tell of how no matter how corrupt the government the good of individuals is hard to defeat.This book is an exception to that, the South Korean analogy to North Korean and Japanese propoganda.

Excellent quick tutorial of the Korean culture
This book (cartoon) is a fabulous introduction to the Korean people and culture. I cannot think of a better introduction, other than going to Korea, of learning and understanding the intricacies of the Korean culture in an entertaining fashion.

This book is not and certainly should not be read as a definitive text. The author's opinions are singular and he offers no counterarguments. Certainly, the author's opinions on various aspects of Koreans, Japanese, and Chinese cultures can be rationally disputed. Nevertheless, they are worthy of contemplation. For example, the author states that Chinese culture emphasizes "oneness", Japanese "peace", and Koreans "fidelity". Although many would dispute this generalizaion, the author's analysis and arguments are very cogent and thoughtful.

The book has highly entertaining cartoons and small jokes which makes it a fun read. I laughed out loud more than a few times reading this informative cultural cartoon.

After readng this book,you will have a far greater understanding of Korea, its culture, and its history, and be refreshingly entertained by the kneeslapping comics and jokes of the author.

This is a good book, but...
This is a decent book, easy to read, and informative for both children and adults. However, it accurately shows the Korean mind in perhaps an unintentional manner. (Not manor! See review below.) Specifically, the Koreans are blind to their own faults and quick to see faults in others, and in comparing themselves to the world the book shows how the Koreans portray themselves and the world. This explains why Koreans are so xenophobic.

I lived in Korea and Taiwan, have traveled in Japan, and was born in Taiwan, and thus I am familiar with Asian cultures. This book insults Japanese or Chinese conformity, and admires Korean conformity.

In many ways even North Korea's extreme form of communishm is a tribute to the Korean ethic of going all out to acheive an end. The book pokes fun at Koreans, yet does not seem to offer criticism of the Korean conformities, how Korean culture has become shallow, and how the Korean mindset is apt to follow blindly any fad, whether it be consumerism or fanatic communism. The book boasts how Korea became democratic in fifty years while it took Western countries hundreds of years. This is just absurd, and it takes a profound ignorance of the West to make such a statement, as well as a simplistic definition of democracy. The book overlooks the South's cruel dictatorships. The problem is the book makes fun of Koreans for things that should be criticized, and admires Koreans for what should be ridiculed.

Koreans are very competitive, but to a fault. Corruption is rampant in Korean society. When I lived in Korea students complained how they had to bribe teachers for everything. One father told me his visually-impaired daughter could not get a seat in front of the class until he gave her teacher a cash 'gift'. Police will take money rather than issue tickets, and this goes all the way up the political ladder.

As to the assertion the book makes as to how different the Korean culture is to the Chinese and Japanese, there is no doubt there is a difference, but subtle, not huge, which the book proudly cries. As to marriage, respect of elders, deference to authority, even taking off shoes indoors, they are very similar, and these are crucial similarities. Size of chopsticks, or use of the spoon, or what sort of bed they sleep in is not that big a difference.I would argue that there are no three cultures separated by language that are so similar than the Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese.

Read this book to get an impression of the way Koreans look at themselves, but bear in mind the book looks at Koreans the way a mother looks at her son.

Excellent guide to Korean culture
Many people often find it difficult distinguish Korean from Japanese, Chinese, and etc. (maybe, in there eyes they are all just 'ASIAN')

This book will clearly educate you on the uniqueness of Korea, Korean culuture and everything related to Korea.

The author provides a nice balanced view. You can see the real 'UNmasked' korea.

This book is supreme for classroom, average reader and even regional specialists.

As far as I know, the author is very renowned professor in Korea.

You will never reget buying this book! ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Harvard International Review, published by Thomson Gale on September 22, 2005. The length of the article is 2774 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Downfall delayed: endgames for the North Korean regime.(PREDICTING THE PRESENT)
Author: Kyung-Won Kim
Publication: Harvard International Review (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 27Issue: 3Page: 56(4)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
This VHS videocassette (NOT a book) provides a look at Hangeul, Korea's highly sophisticated and efficacious alphabet - its history, evolution, and unique phonemo-graphic qualities. Hangeul was invented by King Sejong the Great in 1446. Through interviews and animated sequences, this documentary explores the origins of the Korean hangul (Hangeul) alphabet and its interest today to linguists and speakers of the Korean language. It also gives a brief overview of the languages characters and the sounds they represent. ... Read more