Customer Reviews

White Badge

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The author, who had served as a long time contributor to the English language news paper Korea Herald, opened a new chapter in Korea's literary genre. Until the publication of "White Badge," South Korean participation in the Vietnam War was a taboo in Korea, just as the Korean War had been a "Forgotten War" in the United States. Approximately 300,000 ROK troopers served in the war. Mr. Ahn's book sparked a new interest in Vietnam, which to most South Koreans had been a long forgotten country of the "boat people." A T.V. series depicting ROK troopers' dillema, struggle and death followed. "White Badge" was made into a highly acclaimed film in South Korea. Besides the awakening of South Korean conscousness to the war, the book delivers an important non-US-centric perspective. Ahn, through his portrayal of various characters in a ROK platoon, describes political and cultural dillema that many South Koreans were forced to face. Viet Congs were enemies, but at the same time, they were also patriots dedicated to their nation's independence. South Korean troopers were killing fellow Asians who were fighting for the same thing that their fathers and brothers had fought under the Japanese colonial rule--a national independence. Despite the fame and respect that Korean troops gained for their courage and brutal efficiency during their participation in the war from the American military, many were haunted by fears of death, dimemberment, and cowardice. The war left an indelible mark in the whole generation of those South Koreans who had participated in the war. For non-Korean readers, this book will provide an excellent and entertaining insight into the pschological impact of batterfield and post-war trauma experiences of ROK troops. With the South Korean President, Kim Tae-Chung's, recent apology to the Vietnamese for the ROK participation in the war, I hope that ROK veterans will be able to come to terms with their past as many American veterans have done by visiting the old battlefields of Vietnam.

What does the Vietnam War mean to us? Is it already a past or forgotten war? No, this book shows us the real dark side of any wars, to say nothing of the Vietnam War. The ordinary characters in White Badge takes readers to the roots of human behavor-to despair and fear, humor and pathos, and perished one by one by the sniper, booby traps, some stupid accidents, skirmishes, etc,. but vividly remained in readers mind. Once you read it, you cannot close the book until the end because the book is full of exciting episodes and deeply moving human emotions. As for the Korean readers, I think it is the best book to read in English. Because there is no need for understaning cultural undertones or historical backgrounds in this book. Remember how much difficulties we had in reading 'To kill a mockingbird' and 'Gone with the wind'. It is also Asian story and written by an Asian person. To the westerners, this book will help understand the modern history of Korea and what our minds works. Sorry, with my limited knowledge of English, I cannot fully express, in English, how good this book really is. Very intereting. I can guarantee.

Good book. Provides a rare look at the involvement of Korea in the Vietnam War. Book was in advertised condition. Prompt delivery!

There are dozens of movies, documentaries, and books on our experience in Vietnam. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it does not mention that it was an international effort- like Iraq. There were contingents from other countries with Koreans numbering the 2nd most after the US. Just like the US, Korea had a national interest in participating - earning foreign currency and business contracts. The book follows the narrator through his experience and offers a common Korean soldier's view. The governments of US and Korea had their national interests- which he couldn't care less about. Though not a coward but arguably courageous, he just wanted to survive and get the hell out of there and not have anything to do with the war. I'm 90% through the book but perhaps the author could have better documented the atrocities committed by the ferocious Korean soldiers there and their relationship with American soldiers- maybe subjects of other books. (The narrator does say- paraphrased - that of course atrocities will be committed in war and that by definition inhumanity is the nature of all wars.) The english translation of this originally Korean book could have been better if it was translated by a US English native speaker- perhaps preferably a thoughtful US Vietnam war vet, though it's still easy to read. I would give 4 stars but it's a unique book in this way so 5 stars.

Ahn Junghyo wrote an interesting story based upon his own experiences during the Vietnam War. Though not a book where much scholarly information is introduced, this is definately a good source of first hand information on personal experiences. It is well written and definately worth the price.