Cross-Cultural Perceptions: China-Korea Relations and Misunderstandings

South Korea has high negative opinions towards China, affecting mutual perceptions negatively.

### Understanding and Addressing the Complexities of Korean-Chinese Relations
* 😠  South Korea and China have the most negative opinions of each other, with about **80% of Koreans currently disliking Chinese people**.
* 🌏  Korean culture tends to differentiate people hierarchically, while Chinese culture values **equality and creating a lively atmosphere** when traveling or dining together.
* 🇰🇷  In Korea, the expression "you guys" is rarely used in conversations, reflecting an **"you and me" interpersonal culture**.
* 📊  According to a survey, about **40% of Chinese people hold negative opinions of Korea**, with many considering Korea as **almost archenemies**.
* 🇺🇸  Korea's continuous cooperation with the United States to counter China, especially in military aspects, has **further strained relations**.
* 🐺  China's "wolf warrior diplomacy," characterized by harsh expressions towards larger countries, has led to **negative perceptions** in Western European and Nordic countries.
* 📈  Both the US and China are leading countries in science and technology, intensifying the **competition between the two**.
* 👁️  Chinese and Koreans often have misperceptions of each other due to their unique worldviews, and both sides need to make efforts to **understand each other's societies and cultures**.

Of course, emotions can't always be positive. The country that had the most negative opinions was South Korea. In the eyes of Koreans, it's hard to appreciate those who act recklessly even if they lack humility. Chinese people don't understand why people from other countries dislike them. In China, it's not that important. Even among themselves, yes. As a result, wherever you go in the world, you receive the same criticisms. In Korean culture, there is a tendency to differentiate people hierarchically. When someone gets on the bus next to you, there is an instinct to determine if they should be addressed with formal language or informal language, based on their social status. Isn't there a tendency to categorize people like this? However, China is a country of equality, a country with strong values of equality, so there isn't much of that.

So when Chinese people see how Koreans behave when they come to Korea now, Koreans think, Hmm, they lack humility and it's difficult to appreciate them behaving recklessly. It seems like this perspective exists now. Chinese people don't understand this at all. They are not conscious that others are looking at them in that way. So Chinese people don't understand why people from other countries dislike them. Even if they are told, You are being loud, they don't get it. When they are in their own country, they talk loudly, even when they eat. But no, then, please be quiet. For example, when I often go to a high-end restaurant in China, they give you a separate room. There is a large round table, and next to it, there is a high-end sofa set. They arrive first.

People are told to sit there and wait. In that room, there is usually a large television hanging on the wall. So, when Chinese people enter, the first thing they do is turn on the TV. So, no matter what channel it is, some loud sound should come out. So, if you decide the opposite and go into a quiet situation, they can't bear it. So, what sound should come out? So, turn on the TV. Then someone comes in, right? Then, if two or three people come in, they will talk, right? Then, the TV sound will be disturbing. Then, if we are together, we won't turn it off. Oh, this is just the background music. Yes. Moreover, Chinese people tend to create a lively atmosphere when traveling together or having a meal together. They tend to raise the tension a bit more on cultural streets. And when they go on trips, they usually stick together as usual.

Many times, it's not about the people you have. So now, you have to win favor like the Chinese way. For example, talk more, raise your tone, then do small favors, like giving candies. Then, show gratitude loudly, not like, What's this for? If I just stand still, can I get rice cakes here? This is how direct and intuitive it is in Chinese culture, like living with people. We are becoming close, but for us, it's considered inconsiderate behavior not to consider others. However, in China, others are not that important, even among themselves. So, wherever you go in the world, you face the same insults. Korean interpersonal culture is about you and me, not us. That's why in Korea, the expression you guys is rarely used in conversations. It's always you or we.

Let's have a conversation like this, what is your position and what is our position, and then let's think about the country like that, so ASEAN doesn't come to mind well because there are many countries, so our country has diplomatic relations with the US, Japan, and China, but the other party thinks that only Korea is like this, so they don't think like that. But we have a concept of you and me, so whether you and I become friends or enemies, anyway, it's like this. But in Chinese culture, the land is too big, the population is too large, you can't take care of all of this, so in this harsh world, we should sleep warmly together, my family, my friends, people around me, that's it, I don't know beyond that, how can I take care of my 1.4 billion people, that's it, that's how I think. Most Chinese people...

I don't really have any thoughts on this, so I'm not very interested. In other words, the fact that South Korea's hatred level is high means they are paying attention to China to that extent. However, in China, generally, they don't pay much attention to Korea. The level of hatred is high. That needs to be divided into two levels. In China, too, if they want to investigate such things, they do surveys. But Chinese people hardly talk about who they hate or dislike. This is because in our culture, even if we fight, we can have a drink together that evening and resolve it. But in China, once they fight, that's the end. They won't become friends for life. So, you shouldn't go that far. Even if you think in your heart that you don't like that person, you don't express it. So even if you conduct a survey and ask, What do you think of Korea?

Even if you say it in your mind, Oh, Korea is a good country, or at least express that sentiment, people don't talk about it. So, how are these surveys conducted? They are done anonymously, like on the internet. Therefore, you need to understand that the people who respond there are a very small minority. Unusual people are the ones who respond there. Anyway, as a result of this survey, the country with the most negative opinions was Korea, accounting for about 40%. However, about 80% of Koreans currently dislike Chinese people, so you can see that about half of us are against them. Secondly, the degree of dislike is significant. Many people I have met dislike China almost as if they were archenemies. However, in China, it's not as severe. But what does it mean to be negative? It feels unpleasant.

I think it's at that level. Here in Korea, people don't really think about it much, but since the Yoon Suk-yeol administration took office, we have been continuously cooperating with the United States to counter China. If it's just an economic issue, it's understandable. But when it comes to military confrontation, it means facing off and fighting with guns, so there can't be good feelings about that. Japan is completely siding with the United States and trying to take on China, so it's the same. It's the same with Korea. Naturally, there can't be good feelings. Among the young people in China, there is a group with a nationalistic mindset, thinking that China is great, the best, our communist ideology is the best, and President Xi Jinping is so great. It seems like they talk like that because of those people. Relations among Western European countries are not good.

Norway, Finland, and Denmark, these Nordic countries are not particularly fond of China. However, in Africa and regions like that, there has been a growing favorability towards China. China has provided a lot of support, historically since the 1950s, even during their own times of need, they have been providing aid to Africa and South America, and this aid has been unconditional. So, traditionally, there is a positive sentiment towards China. Recently, with various forms of economic development assistance, the U.S. doesn't seem to be as generous. From the perspective of African countries, when looking at countries like the Nordic ones, they feel that China's diplomatic tactics, often referred to as wolf warrior diplomacy, with harsh expressions towards larger countries, implying that smaller countries should behave, can be quite infuriating. How angry must they have felt upon hearing such remarks?

Likewise, Nordic countries feel that China's diplomats often disrespect their countries, so they have very negative feelings about it and are considering sending them back as much as possible. In the early stages of reform and opening up, when Koreans went to China to do business or work, they often behaved in a way that greatly offended the Chinese. Koreans thought the Chinese endured a lot of that. But now, as the national power and economic status have risen, they think they have become a country that no longer needs to see such things. So, psychologically, Koreans are in a situation where they feel like they are being looked down upon. However, Koreans still have the experience of encountering the once-poor China, so in their minds, China is still a country that cannot afford it.

I still think of people who have not learned and have no skills yet, and still think that Chinese products are cheap and Chinese technology is inferior to ours. This is what I want to say. This will be a big problem. I have confirmed through various opportunities, including surveys of Korean scientists working in China. Currently, in the field of science and technology worldwide, the top country is either the United States or China. So, if China is number one, the United States is number two, and if the United States is number one, China is number two. Therefore, the competition between the US and China is intense right now, causing the gap with other countries to widen. Who are the 3rd and 4th? Germany, Japan, France, with Korea slightly behind them. So, from China's perspective, Korea now has few areas where their technology is superior.

Most of them think their skills are superior, but when Koreans come to China or when they come to Korea, the way Koreans view Chinese people is not like that. They just see them as noisy, rude people who came from the countryside. When they receive such looks, Chinese people feel uncomfortable about it and it keeps worsening like that. I think that if the government or the ruling party, whichever it may be, continues in the direction they are going, it will only worsen. Therefore, we may not only lose the Chinese market, but also believe that our position will weaken in the CIS and BRICS markets that China is currently organizing. Koreans first think that they know China well. They say, I've read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and my uncle works at a factory in China, and I watch the news every evening.

Just because China is often talked about, it doesn't mean you understand China well. There are many different aspects. Chinese people are not very interested in Korea. It's not that important to them. But China is important. As I mentioned earlier, what's left is not important. Only we are important. Because of this, Chinese people have their unique closed-mindedness. Therefore, Chinese and Koreans, who see the world through their own eyes, have different images of each other in their minds. I don't think this is good. So, Chinese people should also try to understand Korean society and culture because Korea is a neighboring country. Koreans also need to understand the way Chinese people think and Chinese society a little more. Therefore, what we see in the media is very superficial, so just looking at that.

One should not judge. It requires effort to understand that, and I think the media should make such efforts. Dear subscribers, my words may convey different stories, some may be unfamiliar, and some may differ from your thoughts. I am delivering what I believe to be the truth in my own way, so if there are differences in opinions, it would be good to explore what the truth really is. Thank you.

중국이 죽도록 싫어하는 국가, 한국이 1위를 차지했다 (이철 박사 3부)

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Cultural Differences Between South Korea and China

South Korea has a strong tendency to categorize people hierarchically, leading to negative opinions about reckless behavior and lack of humility.

In contrast, China values equality and is not conscious of how their behavior is perceived by other countries.

Chinese people's tendency to create a lively atmosphere and stick together during travel contrasts with the quieter and more individualistic behavior of South Koreans.

Contrasting Interpersonal Cultures: Chinese vs Korean

In Chinese culture, direct and intuitive behavior is valued, with a focus on personal relationships and small-scale connections.

On the other hand, Korean interpersonal culture prioritizes the concepts of "you" and "me," with a strong emphasis on individual and mutual positions in relationships.

The two cultures also differ in their approach to expressing and dealing with hatred, with China having a lower level of attention towards Korea's hatred compared to the high level of attention from South Korea towards China.

Surveys on public opinion about China are conducted anonymously, mainly on the internet, representing a small minority of people.

Korea has the most negative opinions about China, with about 80% of Koreans disliking Chinese people.

The growing favorability towards China in Africa and South America is due to the country's historical and unconditional aid, in contrast to the negative perceptions in some Western European countries.

Perceptions of China in Nordic Countries and Korea

Nordic countries are considering limiting the presence of Chinese diplomats due to negative feelings towards China.

Koreans' perception of China has shifted as China's national power and economic status have risen.

There is a growing concern in Korea that their position in the global science and technology competition is being overshadowed by China, leading to potential market and geopolitical consequences.

The Complexity of Chinese-Korean Relations

The unique closed-mindedness of Chinese people contributes to a different perception of Korea, while the media only offers a superficial view of each other's cultures.

There is a need for both Chinese and Koreans to make an effort to understand each other better due to their status as neighboring countries.

Mutual understanding and effort to comprehend the truth are essential for improved Chinese-Korean relations.