South Korean History,Culture and Population

According to the result of the International Education Institute's open portal in 2013, the second most common international student in Minnesota is Korea, accounting for 8% of international students in 2013 (Open Doors Data Minnesota, 2014). When I visited ELS Center, I did not know this information when I worked with two cute girls from Korea. I do not know very little about Korean culture, but I realize that many students at St. Thomas University may know little about this culture.

To understand Korean pop culture as well as the importance of contemporary Korean culture and Kpop music, we need to understand how Korea today is formed. In the past 60 years, Korea experienced an incredible journey. It was completely burned down in a bad civil war, and now it is a heavyweight among the top 15 of the world economy and Asia's pop culture. This economic success is often referred to as the miracle of the Han River (through the river of Seoul). However, this is not a miracle - it is a specific historical incident to location and time, the unique influence of policy and action. Land reform of the Korean War, military regime, Yushiki era, state enterprises and control, protection of infant industry, shadow of Japanese colonialism and development of Japan, cheap labor force caused Han people miracle.

Korean contemporary culture is derived from Korean traditional culture which is common in Korean early nomadic tribe. Since the split of Korea in 1948, Korea has been separated from Korean culture on its own way of cultural development since the ancient Koreans who had been preserved for thousands of years were influenced by ancient Chinese culture. In particular, Korea's industrialization, urbanization and Westernization in Seoul have caused many changes in Korean lifestyles. Due to changes in the economy and lifestyle, population concentration (and reduction of rural population) to major cities was brought, and multiple generations of families were divided into the living environment of the core family. Today, many Korean cultural elements, especially popular culture spread throughout the world, has become one of the world's most cultural forces.

Identity politics is an important element in the cultural division of North Korea and Korea. Contrary to the general belief, Koreans and Koreans share the same nationalism and patriotism; however, most Koreans have a negative attitude toward their north neighbors. In 2010, the Korean Comprehensive Social Survey (KGSS) conducted face-to-face surveys targeting more than 1,000 Koreans who observed the national identity of the North Korean exiles that were assimilated in South Korea. The result shows that both North Korea and South Korea agree that they will not support the reunification of North Koreans. This is because some Koreans have suspicions about the real intentions of exiles and immigrants. Korean hostility towards the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is mainly aimed at the communist regime and strict national identity. According to the results of the KGSS survey, the concept of "one country, two countries" no longer exists.