by Craig S. Coleman

size: 22.5x15cm 312pages. publisher: Hollym.

About this book
American Images of Korea: Korea and Koreans as Portrayed in Books, Magazines, Television, News Media, and Film. By Craig S. Coleman, Ph.D.
Never has Korea received such intent attention from world media. Korea used to commonly appear only in articles covering the dialogue issue between North and South Korea or remembering the Korean War. In 1997, however, Korea was picked to be one of the hosting nations of the 2002 World Cup and it seemed she lifted had herself up to the level of developed countries by entering the OECD. But the reality turned out to be somewhat different, to say the least. As the victim who is still suffering from the distortion of history which Japan continues to practice, it is only natural that Korea looks out for any prejudice or wrong information that has appeared externally. Sometimes, just sometimes, you can see yourself more clearly and accurately through another's sight.

This book, American Images of Korea, is a study of evolving American images of Korea and the Korean people. This provides the reader with examples and descriptions of historical documents and visual materials which shaped or influenced American and western images of Korea and Korean people over time. This is essentially a book about books and other materials published in English about Korea and Koreans. Perceptions and attitudes about nations and people change over time -- hopefully for the better -- sometimes for the worse.

Westerners have not have many chances to learn anything about Korea while in school, and except for a few professionals, even journalists, reports, writers and editors who serve for the media know just a few marginal facts about Korea. As for Koreans, there was a lack of effort on their parts to let themselves be known throughout the world.

As the hardship-facing Korea endeavors again to become a global force, it is important that an objective review of past and present images of Korea and the Korean people be understood in order to take steps necessary to assist the South in its quest to be a truly global nation and people.

American Images of Korea also serves as a case study of how Americans typically have understood and viewed this Asian nation and its people over the course of approximately two hundred years. It seems high time for both westerners and Koreans to review the past to really understand the present state of Korea and to have a prospect into the future.