Japan vs Korea

[MMM]

Originally Posted by yuko81

I prefer Japanese flag than Korean flag. Maybe there is a Sun in Japanese flag.
I prefer Japanese film than Korean film.
I prefer Japanese lanscape than Korean lanscape.
I prefer Japanese girl than Korean girl. I do not know why.

Originally Posted by Arnautu

Japan pwns Korean, end of story...

This isn't what this thread is about, and it is comments like these that gets threads like this closed. We are looking at the differences in the two countries, not which one is "better".

[Senbee]

I believe that both Korea and Japan are very interesting countries. I do agree with the fact that Korean boys can be very patriotic. I have never been to Korea before but my Korean friends always tell me that its the best place in the world and that its so much more awesome then Japan xD. ( I think they like to exaggerate). I think that the two countries are very different. I meen aren't Japans most common religions Bhudism and Shintoism where as in Korea its Christian (not sure bout that). I think that Japanese and Korean's look somewhat different. Sometimes its difficult for me though, to figure out if someone is Korean or Japanese just by their looks. Is there like a certain feature that is different between the two?

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Senbee

I believe that both Korea and Japan are very interesting countries. I do agree with the fact that Korean boys can be very patriotic. I have never been to Korea before but my Korean friends always tell me that its the best place in the world and that its so much more awesome then Japan xD. ( I think they like to exaggerate). I think that the two countries are very different. I meen aren't Japans most common religions Bhudism and Shintoism where as in Korea its Christian (not sure bout that). I think that Japanese and Korean's look somewhat different. Sometimes its difficult for me though, to figure out if someone is Korean or Japanese just by their looks. Is there like a certain feature that is different between the two?

Yes. less than 1% of Japanese are Christian, where it is much higher in Korea. When asked what religion they are, the most common answer I have heard from Japanese people is "I don't know". Few practice on a weekly basis at a place of worship.

I won't get into the "looks" debate. Some people take that quite seriously, so it might not be a great idea.

[TalnSG]

We've hit a topic that is constantly on mind because I spend most of my free time with a group of college students that are studying Korean and/or Nighongo. Its a mix of nationalities and races, but mostly Korean and Americans. Native Japanese are very present, but there are fewer of them.

There are definitely differences, but they blend well together in the younger generations.

The main one I notice may explain the mention here of national pride. I have yet to see any variation in the level of national pride felt by country men of either. However, as with apparently everything else, the Korean's are more open and expressive of their feelings. Just because the Japanese are reserve and don't wear their pride on their sleeve, does not mean it isn't just as strong. It may also be influenced by the perceptions that American already know to "glory" of Japanese history and still have much to learn about Korea.

As for a difference in looks, yes there can be, but that isn't reliable. With the occupations of the Korean peninsula by Japan and China, and Korean immigrations to Japan, the physical traits are frquently mingled. While I can see the predominance of the native facial features, I never base any assumptions on it. My best clue, if they were not raised in the U.S., is how openly passionate they are about expressing their thoughts and feelings. Its the Koreans that are more like Americans when it comes to expressing their sentiments to strangers. And the Japanese are the polite people our parents wish we were.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by FLYBOMBER

You do realize chin,korea,and Vietnam hate Japan right?

Stupid statements like that have no place here.

[clairebear]

Yeah, you're right. England and Scotland absolutely HATE each other aswell! I read it on Wikipedia.

There is no COUNTRY that hates another country. There are PEOPLE who hate other countries for their own silly reasons.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by FLYBOMBER

Look it up i dare you to call a chinese person Japnese I'm just stating facts. I read it my self.

You are stating ignorance, and nothing more. Again stupid statements like that have no place here. If you have something worthwhile to share, please do. If not, please don't.

[clairebear]

The problem is, that its not true. Like I said, you cant say (certain country) hates (another country). Thats just plain bulls*it.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by FLYBOMBER

How is it stupid if it's true? I am a honest person. Therfore honest things are poated but if you find it inappropiate i guess i have to stop then.

Thank you.

[thalia4]

Originally Posted by MMM

If this thread heats up I will be closing it, so let's see if a civil discussion can take place.

Language-wise Korean (S. Korea) and Japan are very similar, but the social structure on the surface may seem similar, but there are fundamental differences.

We often hear about how Japanese value harmony within a group, and that is true, but competition is also valued. Average test scores between different homerooms are ranked, pushing students to work harder to not be the lowest class.

In Korea that harmony is valued, but in a different way. It isn't about harmony as much as everyone being the same.

I heard a first-hand story from an English teacher in a Korean high school. Cheating was not discouraged on tests as it "spread the knowledge" among students. The hope was for everyone to get the same score. During one test the teacher left the room, and many of the students began cheating. At the end of the day one of the smarter students went to the teacher and told him who had been cheating. The next day the teacher told the class that the girl was a rat, and she shouldn't be trusted. No one in her class ever spoke to her again, and she ended up changing schools.

This is just an example, and I have never been to Korea but have taught Japanese to dozens of Korean kids. The main problem I had to deal with was cheating. Part of the reason was I had mixed age kids in the classroom, so younger kids had to bow down to whatever the older kids said. Often that meant sharing work and showing tests.

I remember one time another teacher caught two Korean boys smoking. The boys were separated and the younger boy could not admit the older boy was smoking, even if it meant he would get in more trouble for lying. The words wouldn't come out of his mouth, as the repercussions from the Korean community for being a rat were worse than anything the teachers could dish out as punishment.

I did teach in an Japanese high school, and did deal with cheating a couple times, but it was never students sharing their work, but individuals making cheat sheets for themselves.

wow thats a lot.... anyways you learn stuff.