I am somehow baffled about on what you have stated as cultural shocks and began to wonder which place/region/country(no offence meant) are you from to experience these cultural shocks particulary:
Reading Culture - Not that the overall reading material called 'book reading' culture be it in your country or elsewhere in the world is not prevalent anymore as a culture is not per se true. Since the activity of reading can now be done even without physically holding on a 'book' since virtual reading rooms abound in the world wide web. And all you need to do is flip virually the pages of a book posted on reading portals or pages.
Host Club - Though I understand that the Karaoke singing culture originated in Kobe, Japan in the early '70s, the culture of urban nightlife and club dating was started when European cabarets and social dating proliferated in the early 20th century in America when pop and jazz music dominated these nightlife clubs.
Last Name Calling - This was probably due to the Chinese dynasty culture where people was identified by the clan name they belong with and this culture was adopted as China spread its roots first on the nearby regions and later unto the world. Proof was China's domination in terms of population bringing along dynastic familial clan names.
Suit Clothing Culture - Suits were standard clothing introduced by the English nobilities in the Western world in the early 19th century. The designs just evolved over time adapting changes due to climate and cultural representation as it was adopted and accepted as a formal and dignified ensemble around the world.
Public Bath - Starting as a tradition during the Neolithic Age in the city of Mojenjo-daro somewhere in the present-day Pakistan as a religious belief on bathing and cleanliness. it was somehow popularized by the Romans as crowds of men and women socially bathed naked together and was even incorporated as rituals during weddings and birth celebrations. It gradually diminished with the introduction of private home pools, spas and tubs.
Idols - Although idols actually refers to an object of fanaticism and can be referred to a religious god. Nowadays, the term 'idols' was popularly referred to the K-entertainment performers as a 'fad' or season of idolatry being a hot issue of their popular era. But the term 'idols' can be adoptable to someone, regardless of gender and nationality who were sensational and superb in their craft, talent and skills.
Rental Services - Practically this can be any service, talent or skill that can be of benefit to someone in lieu of a fee. In short, its the 'talent fee' you pay for the service you hire.
Middle School Entrance Exam - Gaining education even in most regions of the world requires mental apprehension in different degrees thus examinations and evaluations are a must to qualify.
Chopsticks - The use of chopsticks as a dining utensil was again an influence from the Chinese which was what they have been using as early as the Shang dynasty. And due to the migration of many Chinese outside Chine they have easily brought and easily made them from local resources of those regions they have populated with. The utensil have evolved likewise from bamboo to other available materials that they can similarly made it with like metals, ivory and ceramics. Just like how Korea made them from the durable and reusable stainless steel.
Chaebol - The term 'chaebol' emerged during the romanization and transliteration style of the Korean language and its counterpart English text since 1972. It was the term used to describe the society elites preferably refering but not necessarily a founding family members of business conglomerates.
Here in my country, the Philippines we call chaebols as 'Jeproks' or Laki Sa Layaw due to their upbringing of lavish living being born to affluent families.
School Lunch - Many educational system introduced by the Truman administration since 1946 and has been adopted by many educational institutions all over the world. Some of the best and well-managed school meal programs aside from the US was that of Japan, Finland and France.
I have experienced government provided meals when I was in my primary grade.
Section Division - Pretty much every educational system in the world has these. Section/division schemes are there to define the hierarchy in the teaching process in the academics. This school system has existed probably since Ancient Greece and Rome where the word 'academy' originates.
Oppa - In Korea, the term 'Oppa' was a term of endearment by a younger woman to an older man most likely an older sibling, family member or close acquaintance. But since there is the term 'Hyung' that exactly refers to older brother, the use of Oppa extends to close acquaintances especially as a term of romantic endearment in couples.
For me, Oppa was a fun alternative term for sweetheart, honey or dear to address the man I love.
Overall, your observations were quite interesting and educational as to the rich different Asian cultures that I believe will be beneficial especially to those outside Asia.
The plot is nice to carry the viewers to a superhuman packed action worthy to let them off their seats. It just need impactful continuity to the next sequel. Overall, it was worthy to watch, excite the viewers and the command to follow the series til the end.
Quite a perspective there you've got @ Blkittykat. Have you ever tried scriptwriting? The world of the entertainment industry always lack some bright minds to tickle the fancy of the viewing public.
I for one was an avid viewer of action packed espionage and detective and police thrillers. But unfortunately, only a handful of Asian dramas I can say can compete or get par with how British and American espionage, detective and police stories were. I am not being biased ad I'm sure many will agree that the Asian detective, espionage and police stories were still beyond par with its American and/or British counterpart roles.
This is one drama worth watching over and over again because of its heart moving story. Just as the title suggest, you may have to shed tears while watching it. I love the theme song 'Konayuki' sung by one of my fave Jpop band Remioromen. Before I finished watching the series, I have already memorized and have sing a long the song 'Konayuki.'
May or may not. Tragic it may be but one can feel the positivity note rippled by the writer to the viewers. No matter how Hye Soo lived her life, life lessons and inspirations were already a bliss so appreciated by the people around her. A kind of LOVE worth living for.
Just like any other mountain tales, Jirisan surely has its share of its ghostly tales. But just like how the character Ranger Seo Yi-kang have said in one of the scenes in the tv series: Jirisan is still - just a mountain! Folklores made by the people just superimposed them into something so exaggerated and absurd to ward off and beware about the unforeseen. The series gives very informative scenarios of what the wilderness can have especially for [people who have no regard about Mother Nature.
Reading Culture - Not that the overall reading material called
'book reading' culture be it in your country or elsewhere in
the world is not prevalent anymore as a culture is not per se
true. Since the activity of reading can now be done even without
physically holding on a 'book' since virtual reading rooms abound
in the world wide web. And all you need to do is flip virually the
pages of a book posted on reading portals or pages.
Host Club - Though I understand that the Karaoke singing culture originated
in Kobe, Japan in the early '70s, the culture of urban nightlife and club
dating was started when European cabarets and social dating proliferated in
the early 20th century in America when pop and jazz music dominated these
nightlife clubs.
Last Name Calling - This was probably due to the Chinese dynasty culture
where people was identified by the clan name they belong with and this
culture was adopted as China spread its roots first on the nearby regions
and later unto the world. Proof was China's domination in terms of population
bringing along dynastic familial clan names.
Suit Clothing Culture - Suits were standard clothing introduced by the English
nobilities in the Western world in the early 19th century. The designs just evolved
over time adapting changes due to climate and cultural representation as it was
adopted and accepted as a formal and dignified ensemble around the world.
Public Bath - Starting as a tradition during the Neolithic Age in the city
of Mojenjo-daro somewhere in the present-day Pakistan as a religious belief
on bathing and cleanliness. it was somehow popularized by the Romans as crowds
of men and women socially bathed naked together and was even incorporated as
rituals during weddings and birth celebrations. It gradually diminished with
the introduction of private home pools, spas and tubs.
Idols - Although idols actually refers to an object of fanaticism and can be
referred to a religious god. Nowadays, the term 'idols' was popularly referred
to the K-entertainment performers as a 'fad' or season of idolatry being a hot
issue of their popular era. But the term 'idols' can be adoptable to someone,
regardless of gender and nationality who were sensational and superb in their
craft, talent and skills.
Rental Services - Practically this can be any service, talent or skill that
can be of benefit to someone in lieu of a fee. In short, its the 'talent fee'
you pay for the service you hire.
Middle School Entrance Exam - Gaining education even in most regions of the
world requires mental apprehension in different degrees thus examinations and
evaluations are a must to qualify.
Chopsticks - The use of chopsticks as a dining utensil was again an influence
from the Chinese which was what they have been using as early as the Shang
dynasty. And due to the migration of many Chinese outside Chine they have easily
brought and easily made them from local resources of those regions they have
populated with. The utensil have evolved likewise from bamboo to other available
materials that they can similarly made it with like metals, ivory and ceramics.
Just like how Korea made them from the durable and reusable stainless steel.
Chaebol - The term 'chaebol' emerged during the romanization and transliteration
style of the Korean language and its counterpart English text since 1972. It was
the term used to describe the society elites preferably refering but not necessarily
a founding family members of business conglomerates.
Here in my country, the Philippines we call chaebols as 'Jeproks' or Laki Sa Layaw
due to their upbringing of lavish living being born to affluent families.
School Lunch - Many educational system introduced by the Truman administration since
1946 and has been adopted by many educational institutions all over the world. Some of
the best and well-managed school meal programs aside from the US was that of Japan,
Finland and France.
I have experienced government provided meals when I was in my primary grade.
Section Division - Pretty much every educational system in the world has these.
Section/division schemes are there to define the hierarchy in the teaching process in the
academics. This school system has existed probably since Ancient Greece and Rome where
the word 'academy' originates.
Oppa - In Korea, the term 'Oppa' was a term of endearment by a younger woman to an older
man most likely an older sibling, family member or close acquaintance. But since
there is the term 'Hyung' that exactly refers to older brother, the use of Oppa extends
to close acquaintances especially as a term of romantic endearment in couples.
For me, Oppa was a fun alternative term for sweetheart, honey or dear to address the man I
love.
Overall, your observations were quite interesting and educational as to the rich different
Asian cultures that I believe will be beneficial especially to those outside Asia.
https://kisskh.at/profile/10166131/reviews.
The plot is nice to carry the viewers to a superhuman packed action worthy to let them off their seats. It just need impactful continuity to the next sequel. Overall, it was worthy to watch, excite the viewers and the command to follow the series til the end.
I for one was an avid viewer of action packed espionage and detective and police thrillers. But unfortunately, only a handful of Asian dramas I can say can compete or get par with how British and American espionage, detective and police stories were. I am not being biased ad I'm sure many will agree that the Asian detective, espionage and police stories were still beyond par with its American and/or British counterpart roles.