Good Grief

soul switch trope is crap

This issue is complex not because the truth is unclear but because history is unevenly resolved, what is often framed as a matter of “sensitivity” is in reality, a conflict between collective historical trauma and personal memory, for many koreans, japanese colonial rule is not a closed chapter, questions surrounding comfort women, forced labor, cultural erasure, and contested historical narratives remain unresolved, both socially and diplomatically. Japan’s apologies are frequently viewed as inconsistent or insufficient, leaving the historical wound open rather than healed.

Labeling Korean reactions as “overly sensitive” misses the point. This response is not driven by emotional excess but by the absence of full historical recognition, conflict emerges when a personal narrative is projected into the public sphere without accounting for the unresolved suffering of others, in short, no korean is not “too sensitive” its historical wounds remain open and Fukushi Sota is not malicious but he underestimated the historical weight carried by his words.

Or its "I respect my grandfather, he sacrificed his morals, dignity, and life, just so our regime government doesn't massacre us as well" War crimes done by major powers isn't new. You think Any European country or America or China isn't guilty of mass genocide? I laugh at this ridiculousness. And prior to the 50's most men were conscripted to the military, ie by force. Especially in places like Japan, China, and Korea. I am not from Europe. Koreans being angry at the Japanese imperialism and government, I would say nothing. But generalizing the people I would never get behind. For the most part the people themselves are innocent. Except those in power and the wealthy, I judge the people themselves as individuals. And yes even the Nazi soldiers can be considered victims of their regime, like they had a choice. It's either fight and join the cause or mass execution. I still say F Nazis, but would I be angry if a Germans respects their military men? Nope, I get it. You can have both feelings. One does not negate the other.

I have no reason to think The United States, as a whole, feels guilty about anything. I grew up there, because of my dad's job. They're currently exploding random small boats in the ocean, and bombing Nigeria. They have not even come to terms with their own civil war, which is still raging under Donald Trump - whom they elected TWICE - in their profound ignorance.

Did you completely miss the part where I said the atrocities done by certain military men are a different matter? Personally cause I know a little history, most of the men in Japan were force service and forced compliance. Even the kamikaze men were force to do it otherwise their whole families would be executed or exiled or ostracized. Meanwhile there families were often starved cause no money and was worse when they actually died because military benefits from the decease was not that great. So Japanese people sympathizing with their own people does not equal uncountability and indifference to the atrocities. These feelings can both exist. And while we are on the topic, why do people act like Japan and Germany were the only ones that did human experiments and traffic women. Most of the time it's not even because of war, they do it without excuse. South Korea specifically had a huge trafficking problem with south asian women, not sure if it's still a thing cause I don't keep up with it. But what they did to those women was no worse then what Japan did to Korea. Again, when it comes to war, no one wins except the rich. And I mean that literally.

My problem with stuff like this is, while yes Koreans were victims of the war....so were the Japanese. People often forget that war is the decisions of the rich and government and not the people. While I am not being a Japanese apologist, their own people being respectful of the people sacrificed in war isn't crazy or disrespectful to Koreans. Just like how Koreans are forced to serve, so were the Japanese and resistance is futile. Now the atrocities done by certain military men during the war is a whole different matter though. While I don't think Korean reactions are overly sensitive I do think they are misguided to the wrong person. No one wins in war except the rich.

one of my objectives is to outlive the bastards who remember the stupid shit i said at 42 so that they wouldn't bring it up at my funeral.

At the definitely mature, ripe old age of 22, no less. Mortification is what I would generally feel if anyone asked about dumb $#¡t I said at 22 which I thankfully lived past and don’t remember (and I hope others don’t as well). It makes me glad I tend to avoid cameras/situations where I might be filmed for all to watch decades later!

I am so glad no one is ever going to ask me to clarify a statement I made 10 years ago.

I'm not the same person I was 10 years ago. And neither are the people I knew 10 years ago. Asking people to take accountability is great, but people change alot in 5 years let alone 10. We mature, our mindsets change. Also it's funny how netizens are like this but brush off international fans whenever there's an incorrect/disrespectful international cultural depiction in kdrama.

Although I understand your thoughts and feelings, one thing about your post bothers me, and that is, that there is, as far as I am aware, no documented evidence to suggest that the Nazis were ever shocked by the Japanese people's 'capacity for raw, inhuman, brutality'. Although your post is thoughtful, this particular statement (which may or may not be your own creation) seems more rhetorical than factual, which may distract from your more grounded insights.

Nazi Germany is widely seen as the benchmark for 20th‑century brutality so the idea that “even the Nazis were shocked” functions as a rhetorical device to emphasize the scale of Japanese war crimes. But rhetorically powerful does not mean historically documented - whatever is circulated online.

Maybe those Knetz don't really care if Netflix carries K dramas or not.
Netflix has helped bring K dramas (and movies) to the world for us to enjoy.
However, Knetz really don't care. Your point was well made.

This is a tough one.
I deeply condemn, and empathize with Korean sentiment regarding the horrific, inexcusable, vile, and downright shocking abuses perpetrated by occupying Japanese forces upon Koreans. I also fully agree that the sentiments being expressed by K-Netz are 100% valid, and come from from a very deep well of national, cultural - and even genetic - outrage. We pass trauma down through our very genes; even animals do - that’s how each generation safeguards the next one. (Hereditary genetics is part of my job).

The outrage is not only real, but visceral; inescapable. I’m from a country with a very similar history - so my heart is right there with Korean viewers. My country's occupiers are still here - and still making us second class citizens, with no real voice, in our own f… ing country. The only reason we’re still a country at all is because of our beloved mountains. The bast..ds didn’t know how to fight in the hills & mountains. They tried to kill our language, but we fought like hell for it. My anger for what happened to us is everlasting - and extends (instinctively) to include such outrage on behalf of all Koreans.

I feel guilty expressing this next thought (which clashes strongly with my feelings), but I think it may be a helpful one. I can’t help but wonder whether it’s this very deeply visceral, powerful 'never forget’ instinct, to forever be on guard against such trauma in the future … that causes us to be quite unforgiving, even against our own people.

I detest those of my own people that suck up to our occupiers, or worse, try to be like them, thinking it raises them above the rest of us.
I cannot forgive it, or unsee it.

But is it healthy for our cultures to turn those very instincts inward against our own? Non Koreans are always ragging on K-Netz for being unforgiving, but they don’t realize it could just be part of a national trauma response.

It bothers me a bit how this Japanese kid grew up in a culture which, at one time, shocked (some of) the Nazis with its capacity for raw, inhuman brutality. The Japanese have now become the 'harmonious' Asians, presumably in atonement for their history. Germans also have grappled honestly with their history, and made changes (unlike the United States). This person didn’t do anything cruel himself, and only knew what he was taught. That interview was 20 years ago, when he was quite young.

My other concern is that Netflix - which plays a tremendous and helpful role in making Korean content international - might just get sick of spending huge money on Netflix Originals for Korea, only to lose its investment when Koreans ultimately reject that content for one reason or another. I sincerely hope my thoughts have not offended anyone.
I just hope K-Netz are not, ultimately, precisely poised to shoot themselves in the face.

Carrying hate is not healthy. We lost my grand uncle on Imo Jima ,do I hate The Japanese DUE TO THAT NO

In war everyone thinks they are the good guys...

It's not wrong to respect a relative for fighting for your country, that doesn't mean however that they agree with what they did. This isn't controversy but rather a specifically targeted attack.

However with that being said I can understand the dismay korean viewers may have considering the history of that very war but I still find it sad that something as showing respect for veteren's and their bravary can be twisted in condoning their act...soldier's are good at one thing and that is following orders, they aren't the one's we should show hatred towards but rather the leader's that chose to sacrifice the life of their men on the battlefield.

I don't even know Sota and have never seen his works but I feel bad that he has to face such an outlandish backlash.