Is Korea culturally distinct from China and Japan?

I know the U.S. is different from Canada and Mexico, but how different? And in what ways? What makes the U.S. different from the other North American countries?

You've asked questions that are impossible to answer in a substantive way in a couple of paragraphs. All you're going to get are a few comparisons of general stereotypes that won't give you an accurate or meaningful understanding of any of the countries involved.

Check out OPs other questions

Haha, OP's other questions are definitely easy to ask, almost pointless to waste any time giving any answers.

I simply want to learn about various countries from a compare-and-contrast perspective. I have to do major study on one foreign culture, so I'm trying to assess my options as clearly as possible. The easiest way for me to do so at the moment is through comparison.

Sorry if the questions were worded poorly. I realize that Korea is obviously different, but I wanted to get insight from people with more experience in Asian travel. What are the biggest differences you notice in travel to Korea vs. other countries? etc.

I didn't mean any of my questions in an ignorant way, but rather to encourage discussion and compare experiences. That's what a message board is for, after all.

This question is much too broad. I agree with #1-you're probably going to get a bunch of stereotypes. And then the ensuing arguments that come with that. You really need to narrow down the question.

Not sure why you are getting hate from all the cool people. . .These countries are similar but not the same in some pretty distinct ways. Clearly, its impossible to get complete answers, but I don't think its inappropriate to attempt some answers.

An excellent answer to your question(s) can be found in the book "Korea Unmasked"...i forget the author, but he is Korean and the book compares China , Japan and Korea in the ways you are asking about and does it in comic strip! format, which is often quite interesting and humorous.

My two cent observations after 6 years of life in NE Asia, and Korea in particular....

-Korea has more or less been the little whipping child of both of its larger neighbors, Japan in particular, but also every other major power that has set foot in the region (americans are still here). This has DEEPLY influenced the culture and mindset of Koreans. Koreans feel overshadowed by their neighbors and are rightfully proud of their current economic success in spite of a total lack of resources and the utter devastation of the Korean war. This manifests itself in 2 very obvious ways:
(a) an insane work ethic and emphasis on education as the key to overcoming the lack of natural resources and its small size
(b) a general fear of outsiders.....(particularly Japan), but extending to anyone that they perceive as attempting to hold the nation down or denigrate Koreans. It is difficult to visit a Korean historical site and not read about a Japanese atrocity or two...often a long list of how many times the Japanese burned the area down or looted it.

-Korea is the most economically advanced country in Asia, save for Japan or Singapore (and Hong Kong if you consider it to be independent). The level of technological integration and usage by even average citizens is mindboggling. In some cases, Koreans are more advanced than Japan even. Huge wave of citizen social movements are currently reliant on blogs and the internet. . . in fact, Korea is a bit of a test tube for the power of the internet to empower the general public (see Oh My News and the recent anti government protests over beef).

-Korea is a relatively young democracy. Korea first enjoyed economic success, then threw out the dictatorship in the late 80s. As such domestic politics is rowdy, and Koreans are still struggling with the limits of free speech and government accountability.

-Korean food is better than Chinese or Japanese, particularly if you like spicy food. (I feel the flames of generalization coming at me now)

cheers,

koreadude

Korean food is better than Chinese or Japanese food? Oh no you didn't. And good for spicy food? The Chinese have them beat hands down.

The Japanese and Chinese also have a crazy work ethic, especially when it comes to education.

I once almost got smacked in the face by a young Korean for mistaking him for a Japanese. So whether they are actually culturally different from the Chinese and the Japanese or not, I'd rather avoid bringing up any similarities or general comparisons with their bigger neighbours.

Thanks for your attempt, debatekorea. I realize that it's a hard question to answer, but it's hard to get a real feel for a place from a textbook, so hearing a personal opinion is nice.

And thanks for the warning, Aribo. I'll definitely keep that in mind.