My Sassy Girl

In Seoul, Korea, transportation to rural areas is achieved by trains. Once you’re in the city it’s a network of buses and subways to take you anywhere you want to go. Seoul is the fourth largest city in the world and a world leader in technology. Korea is one the oldest civilizations in the world. Seoul grew around the Han River which leads to the Yellow Sea and ultimately, China. This was the trade route that gave birth to Seoul. The area is mountainous and has monsoons in the summer. The cityscape, largely due to the effects of the Korean War, was built fast afterwards and is very dense with continual and rapid growth. The population wasted no time and enlisted engineering help from other countries to improve their city to be as competitive and efficient city as possible. This type of mentality worked and still exists there today. There still exists a blend of old and new thought the city though. The boy’s house in the movie was more traditional style while the girl's was obviously modern.

The girl’s actions towards the old man in the bus and the prostitutes at the restaurant were traditional in contrast with her house. The culture is one where you are taught to respect your elders and exercise good manners in public as well as at home. The boy is still afraid of his mom hitting him for coming home late with whatever household device she is using at the time. The best part was when she has something similar to a dough roller! The hotels have both western style rooms and traditional Korean rooms in addition to the sleeping chambers that are available. These chambers look like large clothes washers but are long enough to lie down in and can be rented by the hour. As with many other eastern cultures, shoes, are taken off outside and politeness is key. The custom about the shoes being taken off came about in, primarily fishing communities as a sanitary precaution. Tae-Kwan-Do originated here also. It was created as a self defense form to defend against invading countries.

Seoul is a place where old meets new and economic progress ensues. An economic leader full of forward thinkers, this city sets a pace and trends for the rest of the world to follow. The people survived the Japanese invasions and later the Korean War. This is a culture that has paid its dues is on the ball, and is looked to for new information.