TV

This is one of my favorite TV shows in Korean. It's called "Voice of Korea". It made by famous music channel "M-net". In Korea, there are many open audition shows and it gets a lot of popularity from audiences these days. Therefore, many broadcast companies try to manufacture this kind of program to attract people's interest. This kind of tendency was influenced by American TV show "American Idol", I think. Actually, the show"Voice of Korea" has a little bit different rule, it is that the judge cannot see participant's faces because they want to find real good voice regardless of their appearance. In fact, Korean people had too many kinds of similar audition shows already, they got so sick and tired of them and they needed more stimulative and attractive programs to keep them have pleasure. As long as I know, I know other countries also have the same type of the show, even the same name of the show. I think this show was greatly successful because Korean people like to listen to the music and also to sing a song. In the process to compete with others through each stage, people can find excitement and enjoy the excellent voices of their songs. 

Glog

Pop culture VS. High culture

Last time, our group had researched about pop culture and high culture and what is different between of them. Thus, we went out side and tried to find someone who knows our subject and interviews with them. In the process, we found some interesting things. It was the status of Marylin Monroe who was one of the most popular pop culture's symbols. And then, we got two interviews from the art museum patrons. In the interviews, they told us what is meaning of pop culture or high culture, actually they didn't know that exactly though. I don't know the exact differences between pop culture and high culture but as I posted on the Glog, I can say that pop culture is more familiar and close to public because of popularity. For example, Mc Donald, Starbucks and  7Elevens are representative for the pop cultures. Whereas, we tried to find the meaning of high culture at the art museum. I think famous art works from well-known painters are the one of the high cultures. However, still I have a question about high culture.

Technology

The internet is the most important technology in my life. I cannot even imagine to live without internet. I cannot forget the moment I used the internet at first when I was young. Through internet surfing, I could get all the information easily and quickly. Whenever I had a question about something, it gave me the answer right away. It seemed like "Genie" from the magic lamp. Furthermore, I could keep in touch with friends through the messenger and see their pictures in Facebook. Also, when I need to buy something, I don't have to go out for shopping because I can compare the prices for the product and purchase it at a reasonable price simply. Recently, I can access the internet through mobile phone anywhere so that I can see my family and friends in my country via internet protocol video. As I mentioned so far the technology of internet brought me a big pleasure and convenience. I am so expecting how would more advanced technology and new apps change my life more in the future.

Movies

Brandon is an ordinary New Yorker who has a decent joy, good apartment and attractive appearance. However, he has a problem with sex addiction. He used to have relationships with call girls at home and enjoys obscene chat sites from time to time. Even when he is at work, he is masturbating in the restroom because he cannot control his sexual impulse. However after he is doing these impulsive behaviors, he feels extremly ashamed all the time. Even though he tried to find a good woman to make a real love, he fails to do so. One day, his younger sister Sishi gets to know his sexual problem and it makes hime more painful and stressful.


This moive is about person who is addicted to sex and feels extreme loneliness. Although this movie deals with the subjects which is heavy and hard to open, the director expressed very well with beautiful images and great sound effects, instead of expressing by much scripts. In the situation that Sishi is also having emotional and sexual problem, she tries to comfort her brother Brandon with warm and honest words and shows the process of overcoming depression and loneliness.
This film contains a lot of bed scenes and exposure of naked bodies without filtering to express facts. However, I did not feel any disgusting or embarrasing at all. Because it is just because that almost all men can share and understand this theme easily from their experience in their adolescence.


I read a review by Matthew Toomey from the ABC Radio Brisbane. He said this movie is fascinating because of careful direction that tries to show what Brandon's life is. However, he mentioned that the editing was not perfect and camera angles were not good and the choice of surrounding music was not comfortable for him. As for this, I don't agree with him because all of this part gave me rather admiration. Meanwhile, he highly praised, "The actor Michael Fassbender's eyes says more than any dialogue could.". I also think his performance was impressive and outstanding. 

Music

I'd like to introduce my favorite music and musician. The name of this band is 015B. They are made up with two brothers and a guest singer, and their main genre of music is ballad (R&B). They were one of the most popular and representative groups in the field of Korean pop music, especially in 1990's. They released total 7 albums in Korea and most of their songs were produced by themselves and were sung by guest singers. They expressed korean young ages sentiment very well and a lot of people could have the same emotion through their song. I was one of their fan at that time. Especially, I liked this song "To You, Who's Probably Somewhere Listening to My Song" the most. This song is about a man who loves a woman but cannot see her, and miss her and want to let her know his love to her by singing this song. 

To You, Who's Probably Somewhere Listening to My Song

Reading

 Nationalism VS. Globalization

                                                                           

I had read an article. It was about the identity of Korea. When I was young, I was taught at school that historically Korea was a homogeneous ethnic group and no mixed blood with others. Korean people considered that is our national pride and self-esteem.

On the other hand, the article's writer said this stereotype had negative effects an our national development today. So, we should build up a new cultural identity by accepting cultural diversity from other countries and by blending with our own unique traditional culture.

If we keep resisting cultural variety in this global society, we will not be able to avoid cultural isolation like North Korea. I think it is not the only way to keep our traditional culture identity by denying other culture. Taking an advantage of other culture and mixing and making a harmony with ours could be an alternative way to keep and make new identity.

Culture Identity

Humans express their culture and thought through their language. Therefore, we can say that language is one of the most representative things to show their cultural identity.
 Historically, Korea did not have our own language. We borrowed chinese letters and it had a big effect on traditional Korean culture. However, Chinese letters were very difficult to learn and use for lower class people. Therefore, reading and writing chinese letters was a symbol of high class group and it meant their special power at that time. Accordingly, King SEJONG invented our own language called as "Hangul".
This was totally different from Chinese letter which is hieroglyphics and Korean language was a phonogram the same as English. That meant that ordinary people who hasn't studied for a long time could  learn and use very easily and quickly. Finally, the "Hangul" has been our own official language since then and we are still using it.
 In conclusion, I think "Hangul" is the most representative icon to express the cultural identity of Korea.    

Pop Culture

Although I was born in Korea, I had a lot of chances to experience American culture while I was living in my country and the pop culture of the U.S.A. has been very familiar and close to me. Therefore, when I am staying in the U.S.A., I didn't feel embarrassed by American pop culture. However, what surprised me was that american pop culture was much more diverse and has many different kinds than I expected.

As I mentioned above, I thought pop culture was a representitive symbol of American culture or it was a trend itself of the "United States of America". However, since I took this class, I have changed my thought that pop culture is made up with multiethnic cultures. Furthermore, to be settled as pop culture in a society, it should  be shared by many people no matter which class they are in. The most memorable thing I've learned in this class is that pop culture could be a method to unify diverse cultures although there is difference in understanding and accepting american culture depending on their own cultural backgrounds.