S. Korean, Japanese cartoonists splash around in sewer of hate, Rather silly and somewhat disturbing... Options

[cabbit]

Is the winter sonata over, or what?

"No need for more apologies or compensation to South Korea!" screamed the cover of the comic book Manga Hate South Korea.

"Japan! Learn half of a half of a half of what Germany learned [from World War II]!" retorted the South Korean Manga Hate Japan.

Back and forth goes the comic book name-calling.

"South Korea is an unbelievably rotten country!"

"On Japanese TV cooking programs the women are naked under their aprons."

"South Koreans fouled soccer World Cup history . . . "

And so on and so on, the last a malicious reference to the 2002 tournament co-hosted by the two nations. Yes, if manga invective is any indication, the love-fest spawned in Japan by the wildly popular South Korean TV soap opera Winter Sonata is indeed over. The backlash began, says Asahi Geino, with the release last July of Manga Hate South Korea by manga artist Sharin Yamano.

The South Korean counter-attack came in January. Manga Hate Japan author Yang Byong Sol, pulling no punches, hits mainly below the belt. "Mothers take their clothes off to keep their sons from watching Internet porn when they should be studying," says one character, who adds coyly, "I can say no more."

If she is at a loss for words, her friend isn't. "In Japanese schools," she says, "they have sex clubs, with group sex and everything."

The Japanese in general, as Yang sees them, are unhealthily preoccupied with sex. He attributes this in part to mixed bathing at public baths, the source of much "moral decadence." Sex aside, Japan's samurai past boded ill for its present and future. "In samurai culture," Asahi Geino quotes a Yang character as saying, "there was seppuku (suicide by ritual disembowelment). That's what the insane things that happen in Japan stem from."

"Japan," declares a Yang character, "is aiming to be a military superpower, causing endless problems in neighboring countries with shrine visits, territorial scuffling and so on." He has in mind Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's annual excursions to the Yasukuni Shrine and the dispute over the island chain called Takeshima -- or Tokdo, depending on which side of the tug of war you're on.

Manga Hate South Korea has sold 450,000 copies. As for Manga Hate Japan, "I couldn't find a publisher, so I started a company and printed up 3,000 copies at my own expense," Yang reportedly told an unidentified journalist Asahi Geino speaks to. "It sells not too badly. I myself took it around to the major book shops, who agreed to stock it."

That's a very modest success by manga publishing standards. But Yang's venom evidently stirred Yamano's creative juices. His Manga Hate South Korea 2 came out in February -- more of the same, but the Japanese appetite for it could prove inexhaustible. If the puerile level of discourse didn't repel readers the first time around (as perhaps it did in South Korea), it may not the second, especially if the more pessimistic social analysts are right about the conservative tide they see engulfing the country.

"I see in youngsters today a sort of radical conservatism alongside plenty of naivete," Hokkaido University media and communications lecturer Makoto Watanabe commented to Al-Jazeera in January, "and that's where conservative political parties are targeting their message and publishers aiming their books."

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fd20060326t2.html

[jin75]

i double majored in history when i was younger so i understand the animosity between Korean and Japan, however now that the 2 countries are allies, I think the current generation needs to get over the past. I'm a korean living in america...and in all reality....KOREANS AND JAPANESE, whether they admit it or not, are the closest GENETICALLY than ANY OTHER RACE. It almost reminds me of 2 brothers hating each other because of thier past. it's sad. Especially because the average NON-asian person considers Asians pretty much the same. If Asia looked past thier borders a bit more, they should realize, just as Europe has, that in THIS WORLD, countries tend (not always) ALLY with countries that look like them.

[SantaKlaws]

Korea and Japan are not allies, and racism does not dictate national policy. If not for the U.S., the two countries would've gone to war a long time ago.

[Jarhier]

KOREANS AND JAPANESE, whether they admit it or not, are the closest GENETICALLY than ANY OTHER RACE.

that's debatable and was discussed here

[chilli21]

besides from those two cartoonists, who really have time to degrade others from history to cultures, from cultures to social lives, from social lives to politics, from politics to sports, from sports to entertainment and so on and on. sounds inmature.

[supapimp]

Korea and Japan are not allies, and racism does not dictate national policy. If not for the U.S., the two countries would've gone to war a long time ago.

Exactly right! If not for the U.S umbrella, MANY asian countries would of wiped out japan off the map for good.

[Takashi]

Exactly right! If not for the U.S umbrella, MANY asian countries would of wiped out japan off the map for good.

If it wasnt for the U.S. Japan wouldnt be in such a position as to make stupid statements about other asian countries so I doubt we'd even have this problem.

[Suijen]

Exactly right! If not for the U.S umbrella, MANY asian countries would of wiped out japan off the map for good.

I doubt it. I seriously doubt S. Korea or any other country would have taken the time to war with Japan for vengeance. Most leaders are practical and know that if there's going to be a war, something physical has to be gained. Japan has nothing that S. Korea nor China wants (as war spoils).

[korean_turtle87]

I doubt it. I seriously doubt S. Korea or any other country would have taken the time to war with Japan for vengeance. Most leaders are practical and know that if there's going to be a war, something physical has to be gained. Japan has nothing that S. Korea nor China wants (as war spoils).

maybe China or DPRK

[SantaKlaws]

I doubt it. I seriously doubt S. Korea or any other country would have taken the time to war with Japan for vengeance. Most leaders are practical and know that if there's going to be a war, something physical has to be gained. Japan has nothing that S. Korea nor China wants (as war spoils).

Dokdo is one such dispute that started in the 50s with a military takeover of the island by SK.

[Suijen]

Dokdo is one such dispute that started in the 50s with a military takeover of the island by SK.

I wouldn't call it a war. That island isn't worth the money spent for a military pounding.

[MING-LOYALIST]

I doubt it. I seriously doubt S. Korea or any other country would have taken the time to war with Japan for vengeance. Most leaders are practical and know that if there's going to be a war, something physical has to be gained. Japan has nothing that S. Korea nor China wants (as war spoils).

Who the hell goona beat Japan anyway, it was only recently that rest of asia has caught up with Japan.

[Musashino]

Until recently, the Japanese have been relatively quiet compared to the Koreans when it comes to bashing other nations.

Of course, the Koreans have an excuse ready at hand to constantly bash the Japanese, which I guess is mainly why it happens so often.

Anyway, I don't know why anyone should be surprised. The Japanese were bound to retaliate. I'd be worried if anyone thought the Japanese would just sit there and allow the Japan-bashing continue unabated (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Though I gotta admit the latest round of tripe on the Japanese side has me questioning just what exactly the LDP is trying to do with its future generation. If they're hoping to groom a next generation of responsible leaders, then I'm afraid allowing publishers to distribute something so disgraceful is the wrong way to go about it.

This post has been edited by Musashino: Mar 31 2006, 09:05 AM

[SantaKlaws]

I wouldn't call it a war. That island isn't worth the money spent for a military pounding.

You mean the U.K. and Argentina never went to war over the Falkland Islands?

This post has been edited by SantaKlaws: Mar 31 2006, 11:06 AM

[skepticguy]

Korea and Japan are not allies, and racism does not dictate national policy. If not for the U.S., the two countries would've gone to war a long time ago.

I knew the world's problems would be blamed on the US at some point in this thread. I'm just surprised it took until post 3 for the blame to show up.

[toki]

Until recently, the Japanese have been relatively quiet compared to the Koreans when it comes to bashing other nations.

Of course, the Koreans have an excuse ready at hand to constantly bash the Japanese, which I guess is mainly why it happens so often.

Anyway, I don't know why anyone should be surprised. The Japanese were bound to retaliate. I'd be worried if anyone thought the Japanese would just sit there and allow the Japan-bashing continue unabated (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Though I gotta admit the latest round of tripe on the Japanese side has me questioning just what exactly the LDP is trying to do with its future generation. If they're hoping to groom a next generation of responsible leaders, then I'm afraid allowing publishers to distribute something so disgraceful is the wrong way to go about it.

its not like korea was advocating bashing japan in the way it is now back before the japanese occupation really. the heat of the bashing is more so from the times of the colonization. its not like japan was brutalized by koreans in the same rate japan did to korea. so it is likely they be less prone to racism on this part.

although. there are extremists on both ends. and the majority who take part in what you see in those rallies ,etc.

but it is interesting how u.s. had bombed japan and killed hundreds of thousands of japanese citizens and also fought with them in such fervor, yet japan and u.s. for the most part has good relations. but us did extend itself to help japan. and maybe time has passed that both korea and japan don't want to give up their pride at this point.

and i don't like the extremists on the korean end. but still doesn't justify the cartoons.

I knew the world's problems would be blamed on the US at some point in this thread. I'm just surprised it took until post 3 for the blame to show up.

the racism is not due to the u.s., but the u.s. still took part. (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/icon_confused.gif)

[SantaKlaws]

I knew the world's problems would be blamed on the US at some point in this thread. I'm just surprised it took until post 3 for the blame to show up.

Yes, I "blame" the U.S. for keeping peace between Korea and Japan.

[Chinese DesertFo...]

Oh yes, let's blame the U.S. for all the problems in the world.

You know...instead of taking up the pacific war against Japan, the U.S. should have washed its hands and let Japan trample through the rest of Asia, right?

[chilli21]

Until recently, the Japanese have been relatively quiet compared to the Koreans when it comes to bashing other nations.

Of course, the Koreans have an excuse ready at hand to constantly bash the Japanese, which I guess is mainly why it happens so often.

Anyway, I don't know why anyone should be surprised. The Japanese were bound to retaliate. I'd be worried if anyone thought the Japanese would just sit there and allow the Japan-bashing continue unabated (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Though I gotta admit the latest round of tripe on the Japanese side has me questioning just what exactly the LDP is trying to do with its future generation. If they're hoping to groom a next generation of responsible leaders, then I'm afraid allowing publishers to distribute something so disgraceful is the wrong way to go about it.

the manga bashing started with the japanese side first.

[Darkshadow489]

i double majored in history when i was younger so i understand the animosity between Korean and Japan, however now that the 2 countries are allies, I think the current generation needs to get over the past. I'm a korean living in america...and in all reality....KOREANS AND JAPANESE, whether they admit it or not, are the closest GENETICALLY than ANY OTHER RACE. It almost reminds me of 2 brothers hating each other because of thier past. it's sad. Especially because the average NON-asian person considers Asians pretty much the same. If Asia looked past thier borders a bit more, they should realize, just as Europe has, that in THIS WORLD, countries tend (not always) ALLY with countries that look like them.

They came from the same roots but are hardly closely related. The Yayoi intermarried with the Jomon. Japanese today have around 1/4 Jomon blood. So I guess you could say that the closest relatives the Japanese have are the Koreans but the closest relatives the Koreans have are not the Japanese.