A Geek in Korea: Discovering Asia's New Kingdom of Cool

Description

A Geek in Korea reinvents the culture guide for the Internet age. Packed with articles and photographs, it covers all the touchstones of Korean culture - from Buddhism and Confucianism to chapters on the traditional arts and disciplines like Taekwondo. There are chapters on cultural code words and norms; personal relationships; business and technology; and symbols and practices that are peculiarly Korean. A number of chapters are devoted to Korean pop culture, with attention to the stars, idols, and urban subcultures associated with them. For visitors to Korea, the author includes a mini-guide to his favourite neighbourhoods in Seoul and other places of outstanding interest. Spotlighting the originality and creativity of the Koreans, debunking myths about them, and answering nagging questions like why they're so obsessed with education and success - Tudor has created the perfect book for the growing ranks of Koreaphiles in this inspired, insightful, and highly informative guide.

Daniel Tudor is from Manchester, England, and graduated with a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University. He has lived in Seoul, Korea for many years, and served as The Economist's Korea Correspondent from 2010-2013. His first book, 'Korea: The Impossible Country' received strong praise and has also been translated into Korean, Chinese, Polish, and Thai. Daniel is a regular columnist for a Korean newspaper, the Joongang Ilbo, and has commented on Korea-related topics many times for the BBC, Al Jazeera, and others. He is also co-founder of The Booth, a small chain of craft beer pubs.

"Daniel Tudor has a fine understanding of contemporary South Korea and a flair for storytelling. His narrative of the nation's landscape is an earnest, investigative tale that seeks to undercover the truth of this often misunderstood country." --Krys Lee, author of Drifting House, a critically acclaimed collection of stories portraying the Korean experience "If you want to understand Korea, Daniel Tudor is a must-read author. His passion for the peninsula runs deep, and his writing is prolific and insightful. For a society that outsiders often struggle to grasp, Tudor has pieced together a remarkably accessible story. " --Geoffrey Cain, Korea correspondent for Global Post "The book's format is fun...as it's a mini-encyclopedia of sorts with short articles or snippets on various topics, with big, beautiful photos." --Mom Home Guide blog