The post Life in Nature Documentaries: Narrating Counterurbanization and Masculinity in Post-Developmental South Korea appeared first on The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus.
The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus
Sep 11, 2024 • Subscribe
More like this


Masculinity in Japan + S. Korea, and Josо̄
It’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything at all, and many years, in fact, since I’ve posted anything on gender. For those new to my blog,…
Japan and South Korea: what makes them unique?
Japan and South Korea are longtime rivals that appear alike; but if you scratch beneath the surface, you'll find that they're very different. Here we look at their…


Japan and South Korea: what makes them unique?
Japan and South Korea are longtime rivals that appear alike; but if you scratch beneath the surface, you'll find that they're very different. Here we look at their…


South Korea Day 1 | Seoul Tower
Hey hey! It’s the start of a new adventure, this time to Seoul, South Korea. This trip was really random – one day, I just asked my sister…


South Korea Day 1 | Seoul Tower
Hey hey! It’s the start of a new adventure, this time to Seoul, South Korea. This trip was really random – one day, I just asked my sister…


South Korea Day 2 | Seoul’s Palaces
My impromptu adventure in Korea continues! Day 2 started with a simple breakfast at cafe Tous Les Jours, this awesome little cafe on the same street as our…


South Korea Day 2 | Seoul’s Palaces
My impromptu adventure in Korea continues! Day 2 started with a simple breakfast at cafe Tous Les Jours, this awesome little cafe on the same street as our…


South Korea Day 3 | Nami Island ♡
Nami Island has got to be one of my favourite places on earth. It was just so beautiful – and we almost didn’t get to go! My sister…


South Korea Day 3 | Nami Island ♡
Nami Island has got to be one of my favourite places on earth. It was just so beautiful – and we almost didn’t get to go! My sister…


In South Korea, Japanese Restaurants Break Law with Japanese Signs
Japanese food is trending in South Korea - and many restaurant owners are technically breaking the law to make the experience authentic.


South Korea Day 4 | Hongdae & KBBQ at Myeong Dong
Day 4 in Seoul was all about the vibes (and you know the girlies love the vibes). Our plan was to go to Hongdae, explore Itaewon and finally…


How K-Pop and K-Dramas are attracting visitors to South Korea
Korea's exports, like K-Pop and K-Dramas, have enticed fans to visit the country for a first-hand cultural experience.
Instrumentalism, Masculinity, and Humanity in Dororo
Management: This essay is meant to be less of a review and more of analysis of the show being examined. It contains plot spoilers for the Dororo anime.…
PART 1 – ON THE SYSTEMATIC RAPE OF BLACK / FOREIGN / UNDERAGED GIRLS IN SOUTH KOREA
Part 1 of a 3-part series on K-pop drama. Foreword by everyone’s hero, D_S: This isn’t anime, but K-pop is close enough. Also, these opinions are all Sapphi’s…


Pocky Day, Singles' Day & Pepero Day (Japan, China & South Korea) | WooKong
A day where Chinese people spend billions of dollars online, while at the same time a South Korean and a Japanese company fight to become the Chocolate king…


“Of Arcs and Circles” Contemplates Gardens, Nature, and Life Itself
Keane's Of Arcs and Circles is a poetic collection of short essays and narratives pertaining to different aspects of gardens, nature, & art.


Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel Among Most Played Games of 2023 in Japan, South Korea
Gamers in Japan and South Korea love Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel and spent a significant amount of time playing the hit game in 2023. That’s the word from Gamelight,…


Documentaries at CJFC 2024: Music and Wrestling!
Get ready to be inspired! These two docs bring the fun of Minyo Crusaders’ playful music revival and the heartfelt spirit of Hokkaido’s amateur wrestlers. Laughter, tears, and…


Immaturity and Impunity: Performative Masculinity in Baki the Grappler
Despite its enthusiastic embrace of playful exaggeration and dramatic pageantry, Baki the Grappler shouldn’t be written off as mind-numbing entertainment for the masses. A critical analysis of Baki…
What About Korea and China?
I make my allegiance to Asia pretty obvious on this blog, but God of High School makes it apparent the situation is a lot trickier than I make…
![Featured image for Aloners 혼자 사는 사람들 Director: Hong Sung-eun (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20220502/1651490576.35545.64214.jpg)
![Background image for Aloners 혼자 사는 사람들 Director: Hong Sung-eun (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20220502/1651490576.35545.64214.jpg)
Aloners 혼자 사는 사람들 Director: Hong Sung-eun (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]
Aloners 혼자 사는 사람들 Director: Hong Sung-eun (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]
![Featured image for Afternoon Landscape Dir: Sohn Koo-yong (2020) South Korea [Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2021]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20211012/1634030555.23080.49427.jpg)
![Background image for Afternoon Landscape Dir: Sohn Koo-yong (2020) South Korea [Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2021]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20211012/1634030555.23080.49427.jpg)
Afternoon Landscape Dir: Sohn Koo-yong (2020) South Korea [Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival 2021]
Afternoon Landscape is an absorbing exploration of the quiet areas of Seoul that evoked memories of my own. It plays as part of the Yamagata International Documentary Film…


Portrayals of Black Masculinity in Carole & Tuesday
Despite its social justice-minded storytelling, Carole & Tuesday can be a frustrating watch as it swings back and forth between exploring these characters as nuanced individuals and perpetuating…
![Featured image for Boundary: Flaming Feminist Action 바운더리 Dir: Yun Ga-hyun (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20220320/1647761314.33156.61274.jpg)
![Background image for Boundary: Flaming Feminist Action 바운더리 Dir: Yun Ga-hyun (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20220320/1647761314.33156.61274.jpg)
Boundary: Flaming Feminist Action 바운더리 Dir: Yun Ga-hyun (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]
Boundary: Flaming Feminist Action is a timely reminder 바운더리 Dir: Yun Ga-hyun (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]
![Featured image for The Slug 태어나길 잘했어 (2020) Dir: Choi Jin-young (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2021]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20210310/1615411059.6022.29226.jpg)
![Background image for The Slug 태어나길 잘했어 (2020) Dir: Choi Jin-young (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2021]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20210310/1615411059.6022.29226.jpg)
The Slug 태어나길 잘했어 (2020) Dir: Choi Jin-young (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2021]
Hands down, one of the best films at the Osaka Asian Film Festival 2021, I cried multiple times during this heartfelt film about overcoming existential loneliness. The Slug…


Korea Independent Animation Festival 2022 in Japan
A look at the films and talks that will be screened online at the Korea Independent Animation Festival 2022 – available to viewers in Japan


Korea Independent Animation Festival 2023 in Japan
A look at the films and talks that will be screened online at the Korea Independent Animation Festival 2023 – available to viewers in Japan


Finding models of healthy masculinity in BL manga
In retrospect, I recognize those first fanfics as something that let me safely imagine myself as a boy in a relationship with another boy. That desire to find…


Dance Dance Danseur, Ted Lasso, and Healing Masculinity
There’s a problem when it comes to toxic masculinity, and I don’t just mean that it exists. Rather, the recurring issue is the fact that it gets easily…


Nature In Japan: Ranking Its “Greenest” Cities
Trees, parks, clean air. Just how green are Japan’s cities? We used data to find the cities that best exemplify nature in Japan.


Chainsaw Man and the Nature of Violence
With a final prayer to Aki, Himeno is consumed by her bonded devil, leaving only scraps of clothing to indicate she was ever here at all. That is…


Yoshinori Kanada and the nature of animation
assumption of this series, and the reason why it has tried to trace how Kanada’s influence spread and changed over the years. However, I have said little in…
![Featured image for The Girl on a Bulldozer 불도저에 탄 소녀 Director: Park Ri-woong (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20220315/1647376714.32920.61005.jpg)
![Background image for The Girl on a Bulldozer 불도저에 탄 소녀 Director: Park Ri-woong (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]](https://cdn.aniblogtracker.com/live/20220315/1647376714.32920.61005.jpg)
The Girl on a Bulldozer 불도저에 탄 소녀 Director: Park Ri-woong (South Korea) [Osaka Asian Film Festival 2022]
The Girl on a Bulldozer is a strong drama with a mystery that needs to be cleared up by an unconventional female lead brought to brilliant life by Kim…


Wild Women and Iron Will: The battle for nature in Princess Mononoke
Princess Mononoke, with its focus on women in conflict, winds up reflecting an archetypal struggle between the "civilized" woman and the inner wild self.


A Preview of Nippon Connection 2021: Documentaries
A Preview of Nippon Connection 2021 – The full line-up of Documentaries: Ainu Neno An Ainu, I Quit, “Being Friends”, Koshien: Japan’s Field of Dreams, Me and the…


How accurate are my Monster Hunter Documentaries?
Want to see ALL videos early? Support me on patreon for exclusive access! https://www.patreon.com/oceaniz A few Monster Hunter Loremasters: https://twitter.com/BannedDino https://twitter.com/lutyrannus https://www.youtube.com/@SchradeAcademy (Content in Portuguese) Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Oceaniz96


Documentaries on Japanese Pop Culture: “Tokyo Idols”
Publisher: KimStim (USA) Format: Region 1 DVD, NTSC, Japanese Dialogue with English Subtitles Length: 92 minutes Production Date: 2...


South Korea’s Political Crisis
The post South Korea’s Political Crisis appeared first on The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus.
My Brain is Different: Stories of ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders and Blue Lock
Chelsea, as always, are going through an injury crisis and it is not going well. Coupled with...
My Brain is Different: Stories of ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders and Blue Lock
Chelsea, as always, are going through an injury crisis and it is not going well. Coupled with...


My Brain is Different: Stories of ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders GN
My Brain is Different: Stories of ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders is a highly personal book that shines a light on how the neurodivergent navigate a world that…
Closing the Underworld’s Gateway: Hunter x Hunter and Avoiding a Developmental Death
*tears up* they’re good boys, brent. Within the most desolate gloom, even the faintest flicker of hope can light the way. During Hunter x Hunter such a glow…


Brief Check-In Post
Hi folks! So my life got really interesting these past few months, as a sudden hiatus, comeback and now just this. I also tend to shy away from…


Manga Dump Post 11: The Complications Of “Life”
This Dump Post has a bit of a “Backstory” to it: Life is Complicated- at any given moment; it could throw you a curve ball that snowballs into……….…
Nature, Development and Princess Mononoke (Original work Studio Ghibli)
What makes Studio Ghibli films so poignant is often the truth of their subject matter. The windows they open into the fantastical worlds they depict are a surreal…


The Campy Masculinity of Steve Martin
I thrill when I drill a bicuspid.It’s swell, though they tell me I’m maladjusted…But somewhere, somewhere above me,I know,I know that my Momma’s proud of me.Excerpted from &…
#84 - Post-Halloween Special! Legends and Yokai in Yamishiba
Note: This episode was recorded before Halloween and intended to be released before we went to Anime Weekend Atlanta but hey, we had a convention to prep for…


I Ate The Cotton Candy Kraft Dinner And It Was Disappointing – Life Post
I review a terrible new flavor of Kraft Dinner.


Closure of South Wind Subs
Dear anime friends, This is a message to tell you that we’re closing our fansub group as of today. Kai and I founded this group in 2016 when…


Life, Death, and Immortality in Casshern Sins.
Life, Death and Immortality in Casshern Sins: Forgive my rather nihilistic approach, but I think that it is safe to say that, despite all the wonderful things that…