by sonswitch July 22, 2008
A country that...
1. makes some of the world's most innovative and technologically advanced cell phones (Samsung)!!
2. hosted the 1988 Olympic Games and the 2002 World Cup (with Japan)
3. Tae-Kwon-Do is from
4. has one of the busiest and biggest cities (SEOUL)
5. is one of the world's top 10 automobile-producing countries
6. has some of the best-tasting food in the world! (kimchi, bulgogi, etc.)
1. makes some of the world's most innovative and technologically advanced cell phones (Samsung)!!
2. hosted the 1988 Olympic Games and the 2002 World Cup (with Japan)
3. Tae-Kwon-Do is from
4. has one of the busiest and biggest cities (SEOUL)
5. is one of the world's top 10 automobile-producing countries
6. has some of the best-tasting food in the world! (kimchi, bulgogi, etc.)
by KoreanPride012 September 27, 2007
A country located in Southeast Asia between Japan and China. Because of the recent economic rise from a third world country to the 10th largest economy in the world, it is often refered to as the eastern tiger. It has a history going back over 4000 years (This is clearly documented and there is almost no dispute over it), and there are theories that the Japanese may have been civilized by the Koreans.
Its culture is both complex and rich, but many modern-day Koreans are increasingly embracing technology and disgarding a lot of the original culture. However, core principals such as deference to elders are still very apparent.
Today, Korean pop-culture is becoming increasingly influential in the Southeast Asian area; many Korean celebrities, such as BoA, can now fluently speak Japanese and Chinese as well because of their popularity in those regions. The Japanese loooove K-Pop and K-Drama, and the Korean movie industry is gaining more and more influence.
But modern day Korean culture is still developing, and takes many inputs from foriegn countries. Popular imports include Japanese manga and rap.
The food in Korea is considered to be delicious by many foreigners. However, it is not for everyone as many dishes include garlic as a key ingredient. Prominant dishes include bul-go-gi (marinated grilled beef), kim-chi (spiced pickled cabbage), and bi-bim-bap (rice mixed with various side dishes, such as the aforementioned bulgogi and kimchi)
Korea is probably the most wired country in the world. Its high population density and small land mass fosters high speed internet and cell phone techonology. Gaming is becoming very popular and a key part in teenagers' lives. Korea is the only country in the world where Pro-Gaming can be a full time job.
Like most other Asian countries, the educational system in Korea is highly intense and competitive. Math and the sciences are stressed as being highly important. English is also considered as an important subject as well. By the end of middle school, or 8th grade, nearly all Koreans have studied Algebra II, and many have learned trigonomotry as well. Competition to get into the top colleges such as Seoul University is extreme, and many Korean students go to America to escape from the competition, and choose to study as exchange students and attend an American college. Korean students often go to school until three, and then go to hak-won in the evening, or places where you are tutored further in certain subjects, ranging from math to piano to english, so that you can do better in schools. There is a standardized national test that a student needs to take before going to college, and tests for specific areas as well. The standardized test is about the level of the AP tests in America.
South Korea is a promising country in todays world. In 50 years, it emerged from a third world country to the 10th largest economy in the world. However, there are many problems that it must face in the future, including government corruption, political relations with North Korea, pollution, and economic stability. But if it overcomes these problems, South Korea has the potential to become one of the greatest countries in the world.
Its culture is both complex and rich, but many modern-day Koreans are increasingly embracing technology and disgarding a lot of the original culture. However, core principals such as deference to elders are still very apparent.
Today, Korean pop-culture is becoming increasingly influential in the Southeast Asian area; many Korean celebrities, such as BoA, can now fluently speak Japanese and Chinese as well because of their popularity in those regions. The Japanese loooove K-Pop and K-Drama, and the Korean movie industry is gaining more and more influence.
But modern day Korean culture is still developing, and takes many inputs from foriegn countries. Popular imports include Japanese manga and rap.
The food in Korea is considered to be delicious by many foreigners. However, it is not for everyone as many dishes include garlic as a key ingredient. Prominant dishes include bul-go-gi (marinated grilled beef), kim-chi (spiced pickled cabbage), and bi-bim-bap (rice mixed with various side dishes, such as the aforementioned bulgogi and kimchi)
Korea is probably the most wired country in the world. Its high population density and small land mass fosters high speed internet and cell phone techonology. Gaming is becoming very popular and a key part in teenagers' lives. Korea is the only country in the world where Pro-Gaming can be a full time job.
Like most other Asian countries, the educational system in Korea is highly intense and competitive. Math and the sciences are stressed as being highly important. English is also considered as an important subject as well. By the end of middle school, or 8th grade, nearly all Koreans have studied Algebra II, and many have learned trigonomotry as well. Competition to get into the top colleges such as Seoul University is extreme, and many Korean students go to America to escape from the competition, and choose to study as exchange students and attend an American college. Korean students often go to school until three, and then go to hak-won in the evening, or places where you are tutored further in certain subjects, ranging from math to piano to english, so that you can do better in schools. There is a standardized national test that a student needs to take before going to college, and tests for specific areas as well. The standardized test is about the level of the AP tests in America.
South Korea is a promising country in todays world. In 50 years, it emerged from a third world country to the 10th largest economy in the world. However, there are many problems that it must face in the future, including government corruption, political relations with North Korea, pollution, and economic stability. But if it overcomes these problems, South Korea has the potential to become one of the greatest countries in the world.
I used to live in South Korea and then went to MIT... and found that my courses at MIT were easier then the courses I took in Korea. (in terms of the hours spent studying to get a good grade)
by Black)Waltz September 29, 2005
Unbiased side:
South Korea is an East Asian country west from Japan. It was once part of a unified Korea along with its northern neighbor, North Korea. SK is one of the largest economies in the world with companies like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, etc. It's capital is Seoul.
Biased side:
Idiots like dudeinwales, who made a definition where he compares South Korea with North Korea need to be shot. I read your lame-ass definitions of South Korea and other stuff related to the country and to me you sound like a xenophobic asshole.
South Korea is an East Asian country west from Japan. It was once part of a unified Korea along with its northern neighbor, North Korea. SK is one of the largest economies in the world with companies like Samsung, LG, Hyundai, etc. It's capital is Seoul.
Biased side:
Idiots like dudeinwales, who made a definition where he compares South Korea with North Korea need to be shot. I read your lame-ass definitions of South Korea and other stuff related to the country and to me you sound like a xenophobic asshole.
South Korea is not North Korea
by fuck you dudeinwales May 20, 2007
The nation occupying the southern half of the Korean Peninsula that adopted capitalistic policies on its economy and a democratic system of government after WWII. Although it became a dictatorship for nearly two decades after its second president was assisinated in a coup, it is currently running under the system its founding fathers (of the political entity of S. Korea, not of the Korean people in general) orginally intended it to be run under.
I have seen a lot of disapproval for definition #6 of S. Korea, and I would like to clarify what might be one of its seemingly inflammatory points. I am Korean myself, and I have to agree with whoever wrote definition #6 refuting definition #1 on the part regarding S. Korea possessing a 4000 year old history. Although somewhat offensive on the first read of Definition #6, this remark is not without truth. Techically speaking, the 4000 year old history applies to the Korean Peninsula and people as a whole, not just to S.Korea and its inhabitants specifically. "South Korea" as a political entity has not even existed for a century. On a even more politically correct note, the Korea to be referred to in this 4000 year history should be called Chosun, since the name "Korea" was used by Westerners to refer to Chosun.
I have seen a lot of disapproval for definition #6 of S. Korea, and I would like to clarify what might be one of its seemingly inflammatory points. I am Korean myself, and I have to agree with whoever wrote definition #6 refuting definition #1 on the part regarding S. Korea possessing a 4000 year old history. Although somewhat offensive on the first read of Definition #6, this remark is not without truth. Techically speaking, the 4000 year old history applies to the Korean Peninsula and people as a whole, not just to S.Korea and its inhabitants specifically. "South Korea" as a political entity has not even existed for a century. On a even more politically correct note, the Korea to be referred to in this 4000 year history should be called Chosun, since the name "Korea" was used by Westerners to refer to Chosun.
While the 4000 year history in def. 1 for South Korea belongs under "Korea" or "Chosun," it should be noted to whoever wrote def. 6 that the Korean Peninsula's 4000 year old history as a geographic and ethnic region is indeed factual and supported by solid evidence.
Today's nations of North Korea and South Korea are still continuing the 4000+ year old history of Chosun even to this day. Someday, hopefully, they will reclaim the title of "Korea"
Today's nations of North Korea and South Korea are still continuing the 4000+ year old history of Chosun even to this day. Someday, hopefully, they will reclaim the title of "Korea"
by KPride April 21, 2006
A country in east asia, occupying the southern half of the Korean pennisula. Currently it possesses the 10th largest economy and has a population of apporoximatly 48 million people. It's capital is at Seoul which was once the capital of a unified Korea. South Korea shares a common language with North Korea aswell as bloodlines and traditional culture. Although the South Korean government is only a little more than a half century old, the Korean people, language and culture have existed for more than 4,000 years.
There have been many opinions and personal ideas of what Korea is and what it means to be Korean, and personal statements from non-Koreans on this site as to how Koreans come across to other peoples. However, there is a difference between fact and opinion.
Tong-il Mahnsae! Unified Korea!
There have been many opinions and personal ideas of what Korea is and what it means to be Korean, and personal statements from non-Koreans on this site as to how Koreans come across to other peoples. However, there is a difference between fact and opinion.
Tong-il Mahnsae! Unified Korea!
South Korea and North Korea.
by Old Boy May 18, 2006
Lots of pretty girls. Unfortunately, the smell of kimchi (macerated cabbage with garlic they eat at all meals) kind of kills the glamour.
Koreans are in love with their cell phones. They always have it in their hand, and spend an insane amount of money on the thing. Freud would have a lot to say about that.
Really loathe Japan, and can get vociferous on the subject. On the other hand, Japan was an absolute asshole to them, so you can't really blame the Koreans for hating their guts.
Should be more grateful to the US for their military presence, because they have some scary neighbors, called the North Koreans. South Koreans can be surprisingly naive on the subject. Try avoiding any conversation on the subject, you generally end up banging your head on the wall (and no, I'm not American).
Produce some of the corniest movies and soap operas ever made. "Winter Sonata" or "The Coastguard" come to mind.
Korean drivers are scary, especially in Seoul. The bus drivers and taxis are lethal.
Koreans are in love with their cell phones. They always have it in their hand, and spend an insane amount of money on the thing. Freud would have a lot to say about that.
Really loathe Japan, and can get vociferous on the subject. On the other hand, Japan was an absolute asshole to them, so you can't really blame the Koreans for hating their guts.
Should be more grateful to the US for their military presence, because they have some scary neighbors, called the North Koreans. South Koreans can be surprisingly naive on the subject. Try avoiding any conversation on the subject, you generally end up banging your head on the wall (and no, I'm not American).
Produce some of the corniest movies and soap operas ever made. "Winter Sonata" or "The Coastguard" come to mind.
Korean drivers are scary, especially in Seoul. The bus drivers and taxis are lethal.
YOU KNOW YOU'VE BEEN IN KOREA TOO LONG WHEN...
1. You are immune to the smell of "the kimchi breath."
2. You no longer come to a complete stop at the stop sign and you never, ever, yield the right-of-way.
3. People ask if you want to go by car and you respond, "No, I'm in a hurry."
1. You are immune to the smell of "the kimchi breath."
2. You no longer come to a complete stop at the stop sign and you never, ever, yield the right-of-way.
3. People ask if you want to go by car and you respond, "No, I'm in a hurry."
by Chihuahua Pearl July 12, 2005