During a recent conversation with my Korean friend, born in the 1980s like myself, I discovered an intriguing cultural asymmetry in our memories and experiences from the 1980s and 1990s. This disparity revealed itself through the nature of our recollections related to each other’s countries. While my memories as a Japanese individual often involve personal interactions with Korean individuals living in Japan, my Korean friend’s memories revolve around Japanese cultural products, such as anime and manga. This observation highlights broader themes of international mobility, cultural export, and the different ways in which our societies interacted during that era.
As a Japanese person, my memories of Korea from the 1980s and 1990s are predominantly tied to personal encounters with Koreans residing in Japan. I recall specific individuals, their stories, and their cultural insights, which they shared while living in Japan. This personal connection is indicative of the significant Korean diaspora in Japan during this period. Many Koreans moved to Japan for various reasons, including education, employment, and economic opportunities. This movement facilitated direct, interpersonal cultural exchange and allowed Japanese individuals like myself to learn about Korea through these personal interactions.
In stark contrast, my Korean friend’s recollections of Japan are primarily centered around Japanese cultural products. Growing up in Korea, they consumed a significant amount of Japanese media, including anime, manga, and music. These cultural exports were immensely popular in Korea and played a substantial role in shaping the perceptions and interests of Korean youth towards Japan. My friend, like many Koreans of their generation, developed an understanding of Japanese culture through these media, rather than through direct interactions with Japanese people.
This divergence in our memories underscores a broader pattern of cultural exchange between Japan and Korea. The popularity of Japanese media in Korea during the 1980s and 1990s highlights Japan’s role as a major cultural exporter. Japanese cultural products had a significant impact globally, but particularly in neighboring countries like Korea, where they were widely consumed and integrated into everyday life. Conversely, fewer Japanese people were exposed to Korean culture in the same way, leading to a less reciprocal cultural exchange.
The asymmetry also reflects differing patterns of international mobility. Koreans were more likely to live and work abroad, including in Japan, than the reverse. This greater mobility among Koreans facilitated more direct cultural exchange on an individual level in Japan. Meanwhile, fewer Japanese individuals lived in Korea, leading to a more one-sided cultural influence from Japan to Korea through media and products rather than through personal interactions.
In essence, our conversation revealed how historical, economic, and social factors contributed to a unique cultural asymmetry between Japan and Korea. While Koreans in the 1980s and 1990s engaged with Japanese culture largely through media, Japanese individuals like myself formed memories of Korea through personal interactions with Korean expatriates. This difference in cultural exchange underscores the varying degrees of internationalism and cultural exposure experienced by our two nations during that era.
Understanding these dynamics provides valuable insights into the nature of cultural interaction and exchange. It highlights the importance of both personal connections and cultural products in shaping our perceptions of other countries. Recognizing this asymmetry can lead to a deeper appreciation of the complexities involved in cross-cultural understanding and the historical contexts that shape our memories and experiences.
Atsushi's Life in Korea 