Dear Taichung Happiers:
No doubt, Hanlyu is impacting globally everywhere. The fashion, so reflected its being the successful developed country, is the symbolism to remind people in Taiwan:
1. The aggressive and dynamic nationalism is the Korean who is not like Australia, suffered the serious draught and was able to keep the rapidly economy growth owing to huge mine exporting in Y2010-Y2011. Or, not like Argentina, nearly recovered after bankrupt in Y2001, to export lots of agricultural goods so demanded in China and India. After IMF crisis in Y1998, Korea is trumping Taiwan because of its relative stability, in particular its comparatively solid domestic demand market and a more diversified development of exports. Most Taiwan people do think it's an apple to apple benchmarked against Korea. However, Korean also thinks it definitely take granted because they are one of the strongest economy entities in the world. As a result, they even ignore Taiwan is legging behind.
3. Taiwan isn't just the South Korean government that has taken the initiative in propping up the economy; the nation's people have also been diligent in protecting their privilege. The South Korean government's performance is reflected in companies' ability to secure financing, market responsiveness and globalized capabilities, areas in which South Korean industry ranks among the top countries in the world. Such K-pop, Korea drama and smart phone are just ones of all examples. Once businesses returned to profitability, wages were adjusted accordingly. Between 2000 and 2008 overall industrial and service industry wages in Taiwan rose an average of 0.1 percent annually, while in South Korea wages averaged a 4.5 percent increase annually. A decade ago, wages in Taiwan and South Korea were on a par; now Taiwanese workers earn just 60 percent of what their South Koreans are having now.
Jeffrey would like to suggest you not to dislike Korean. Or, it’s even not encouraged you feel it makes sense as a looser to Japanese than Koreans, because we really seldom heard from foreigners: Are you from Taiwan? It's not easy for a dinosaur to change directions, like the game South Korea is playing can result in both huge booms and huge busts.
As the old saying has it: "In ten years' time, the world can turn upside down." Initially, Taiwan and South Korea took remarkably similar paths on their respective journeys toward economic development. A decade from now, which will emerge on top? It's just too early to tell. All we shall not hesitate and catch up if we are currently behind.
Best Regards,
Jeffrey (Y2012.10.08)
