A musician, esp. HipHop/R&B artist, seems one of the most unlikely people to wake up early in the morning.
Well, maybe not. They have morning's songs. Some.
"Good Morning" (Kanye West)
"When the Sunshine Comes" (Kero One)
"Wake Up Everybody" (John Legend & the Roots feat. Common & Melanie Fiona)
"Shine" (Laura Izibor)
"In the Morning" (Mary J. Blige)
"Wake Up" (Alicia Keys)
"Wake Up Alone" (Amy Winehouse)
"Morning in Rio" (Sergio Mendes)
OK, now I'm going to bed. Good night. ;)
10/31/2010
10/17/2010
Rivalry between Japan and Korea - Economy
In early 1990s when I had lived in Seoul, Korea's per capita GDP was approx. US$10,000 and Japan some US$30,000. Korea looked desperate to catch up with Japan in terms of economy. But, as many said, it seemed the peninsula country seemed 10 years behind of Japan at least. It was just unimaginable back then that the things turned out to be like today.
In 2009 Korea's per capita GDP is at US$28,100 while Japan's figure still staying at US$32,700. Strong yen might help this year's figure in US$ though, but the trend is obvious. According to Nikkei last month, Japan will be overtaken by S. Korea in 2018 in terms of per capita GDP. But now the forecast looks too optimistic. Korea might catch up even earlier.
When I have visited US, China and India in the past years, Hyundai, Samsung and LG are more visible on the streets. In a hotel room I stayed in New Delhi, a Samsung LCD TV was on the wall. Hyundai has 2nd (or 3rd?) largest share in India's automobile market (Forget Maruti Suzuki). In Beijing there were huge LG billboards, but couldn't find a single Japanese one.
Korean government has been aggressively signing the Free Trade Agreements or Economic Partnership Agreements with many countries and regions. Even in entertainment like movies and music, Korean pop culture is now so popular in many Asian countries and even in Japan.
I see these phenomena with a mixed feeling. On the one hand, I feel so proud and happy to see Korea's rise. On the other hand, I've been so irritated by Japan's (both government and corporate) inaction. Where has samurai spirit gone? Will the Sun rise ever again?
In 2009 Korea's per capita GDP is at US$28,100 while Japan's figure still staying at US$32,700. Strong yen might help this year's figure in US$ though, but the trend is obvious. According to Nikkei last month, Japan will be overtaken by S. Korea in 2018 in terms of per capita GDP. But now the forecast looks too optimistic. Korea might catch up even earlier.
When I have visited US, China and India in the past years, Hyundai, Samsung and LG are more visible on the streets. In a hotel room I stayed in New Delhi, a Samsung LCD TV was on the wall. Hyundai has 2nd (or 3rd?) largest share in India's automobile market (Forget Maruti Suzuki). In Beijing there were huge LG billboards, but couldn't find a single Japanese one.
Korean government has been aggressively signing the Free Trade Agreements or Economic Partnership Agreements with many countries and regions. Even in entertainment like movies and music, Korean pop culture is now so popular in many Asian countries and even in Japan.
I see these phenomena with a mixed feeling. On the one hand, I feel so proud and happy to see Korea's rise. On the other hand, I've been so irritated by Japan's (both government and corporate) inaction. Where has samurai spirit gone? Will the Sun rise ever again?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
