In this book, readers discover South Korea from an intimate point of view. The author opens the text with a personal insight into the country, including its usage of technology. The book then outlines the cultural values that allowed South Korea to transform its economy. The author traces this economic transformation to the Korean War. Along with these types of historical insights, the book also provides an examination of the Confucian and Daoist values that have shaped Korean society. The complexities of modern Korea also receive significant attention, especially where these complexities cause “disharmony and imbalance.” The US influence on South Korea, as well as the distinct differences between the two countries, are also dissected in a manner that is easy for readers of all backgrounds to understand and appreciate.

This book leaves no cultural and economic stone unturned. The book even examines the role of plastic surgery in both cultures. One of the most interesting points it makes is the value Korean society places on appearance. This heavily influences the role plastic surgery and cosmetics play in Korean society. For example, the book acknowledges that “Nowadays, Korean men, particularly millennials, commonly use cosmetics, and not just body and aftershave lotion and toner, but BB (blemish balm) cream and other products.” Korean society is highly competitive, and according to the author, “Koreans widely believe that skin appearance gives individuals an advantage in job applications.” This section also highlights a significant contrast between Korean and American societies and laws. In Korean society, “Employers may have contributed indirectly to the emphasis on physical appearance, as most require job applicants to include a headshot on their résumé.” Conversely, American laws “make requiring a photograph illegal.” However, these small legal anecdotes are important because they help American readers understand that, despite America’s influence on other countries, other countries are not as Americanized as one might think.

Another area the book focuses on that is significant to its discussions about the differences between American and Korean societies is the area of education. Korean families are willing to spend a lot of money on after-school supplemental and educational programs. The driving forces behind this investment are “the extraordinarily competitive university admission process, concern for the children’s future, and desire for financial success and social status.” These ideas are woven into the Korean “cultural fabric,” and parents are willing to spend “up to 22% of their household income on education and educational service.” These facts and statistics are important because this mindset and these values influence every aspect of Korean life, including the plotlines of hit TV series.

This book will be interesting and enlightening for those who are specifically interested in expanding their knowledge about one of the world’s up-and-coming nations. Its presentation of otherwise complex information makes it appropriate for readers of all ages who are interested in Korea. The text’s focus on cultural values makes this book an important guide for anyone thinking about traveling to this region of the world. In fact, reading this book is like taking a trip to Korea without leaving one’s living room.

RECOMMENDED by the US Review

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