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The Song: The Lights of Seoul



The Lights of Seoul lyrics
   = W hat about the song? = This piece of song is made to inspire people and bring hope. This song has significant meaning for the artist. The artist perceived that there are a lot of political and economical challenges in Korea. The depression and suicide rate was skyrocketing and more people were dissatisfied with their professions. This song’s message is basically that we are under Seoul’s clear blue sky. We should rise up further because tomorrow is full of love, hope, and joy. The focus of the song is mainly on the people who live in Seoul. It describes Seoul as beautiful place where people have hope. It is not only important to people who live in Seoul, but also to other people because its message is to give hope to anyone who hears the song. It says that “chase the shining dreams ahead and the days to come are full of hope for everyone.” This song was especially popular internationally because the singer was BoA. She is very famous Korean musician who is also active in Japan and China. She is recently performing in United States. The music itself is uplifting and bright. The song gives message of hope and the music is delightful.

=Human geography: = I. Artifacts in Korea, Seoul Some important historical artifacts of Korea are destroyed and remade. There are two main styles in Korean artifacts. Some are made to be used in palace and temple structures, while others are used by common people, so those artifacts are consisted of local variations. For example, there is this royal pottery called "Cheongja unhak sanggam mun maebyeong." It was made during Goryeo Dynasty. It is adorned with drawings of the red cranes, so it symbolizes some elegance and rich.



(Cheongja unhak sanggam mun maebyeong.)

 II. Economics In the 1950s South Korea was a poor country with annual earning less than a minimal poverty line in America. It was an underdeveloped, agrarian economy that depended on foreign countries. The leadership under Park Jung Hei, which began in the early 1960s was at times oppressive, but it was also pragmatic and flexible enough to achieve what is now called the “miracle on the Han River.” In less than 50 years, the South Korean economy grew at an average annual rate of nearly 9 percent, and per capita income increased in unbelievable rate. South Korea was transformed into an industrial country with a highly skilled labor force. However, in 1997, economic growth slowed. Korea was forced to accept a $57 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Still, its economy enjoyed a recovery in subsequent years, and the country entered the 21st century on a relatively stable economic footing. Korea is known as Newly industrialized country.



(Night view of Han River)

 III. Politics Korea’s republic politics began shortly after the Korean War. The government instituted after a constitutional referendum, the Sixth Republic in 1987. The constitutional structure is patterned mainly on the presidential system of the United States. It is based on separation of powers among the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. The president is elected by direct popular election for a single five-year term. The president is the chief of state, head of the executive branch, and commander of the armed forces. The State Council, which belongs in the executive, includes the president, the prime minister, the heads of executive ministries, and other ministers. The prime minister is appointed by the president and approved by National Assembly. The powers of the National Assembly, which belongs in legislative strengthened in 1987. In National Assembly, there are 299 members elected by direct and indirect election with four-year terms of office. There are two major parties that dominate Korea’s politics. In the early 21st century the conservative Grand National Party and the centrist-liberal Democratic Party were dominant.

(incumbent president of Korea: Lee Myung Pak)

IV. Demographics Korea is very urbanized due to rapid migration from the countryside during the country's quick economic expansion. The capital city of Seoul is also the country's largest city and central business center. According to 2005 record, Seoul had approximately of 9.8 million inhabitants. The Seoul National Capital Area has 24.5 million inhabitants. Following the division of the Korean peninsula after Korean War, about four million people from North Korea crossed the border to South Korea. However, for next forty years, many south Koreans also emigrated to the United States and other parts of the country. South Korea's expanding economy and democracy slowed the high emigration rates down a little bit. South Korea’s total population in 1960 was 25 million, while its current population of South Korea is roughly 49,540,000. South Korea’s majority of the population is Korean ethnicity. During last 50 years, the percentage of non-Koreans has been increasing, but this country is still mostly consists of Korea ethnicity. Officially,, there are just over 1 million foreigners living in Korea. That number includes foreign residents, students, tourists and illegal immigrants. Among them, 104,749 people were married to Koreans, 404,051 were working in Korea and 225,273 were illegal immigrants. South Korea’s birthrate is so that that, if this continues to be low, its population is expected to decrease by 13 percent to 42.3 million in 2050. Now, this country has predominately aging population. Like a inverted triangular shapes where elderly and adults are on the top. The average Life expectancy in 2008 was 79.10 year Religion

 Two dominate religion in Korea are Christian or Buddhist. Half of South Koreans says that they have no religious beliefs. Other religions include Islam and various new religious movements such as Jeungism, Daesunism, Cheondoism and Wonbuddhism. Christianity is South Korea's largest religion. There are approximately 15 million Christians in South Korea today, with 2/3 of Christians belonging to the Protestant group, while about 15% belong to the Catholic group. The largest Christian church in South Korea is Yoido Full Gospel Church. Roman Catholicism is rapidly growing denomination in South Korea. South Korea is also known for great number of missionary oversees. There are an estimated 45,000 Muslim Koreans, in addition to some 100,000 foreign workers from Muslim countries, particularly Bangladesh and Pakistan.



=Physical geography: =  I. Climate South Korea has 4 distinct seasons. It is mostly a humid continental climate. The rain is heavier in summer during a short raining season that begins in June through the end of July. Winters can be cold. In Seoul, the average January temperature range is −7 °C to 1 °C (19 °F to 33 °F). The average August temperature range is 22 °C to 30 °C (71 °F to 86 °F). Winter temperatures are relatively warm along the southern coast, but a lot colder in the mountainous interior. The southern coast is subject to late summer typhoons that bring strong winds and heavy rains. The average annual rain varies from 1,370 millimeters (54 inches) in Seoul. There are occasional typhoons that bring high winds and floods.



(4 distinct seasons in Korea)

II. Landforms Geologically, South Korea consists in large part of Precambrian rocks (i.e., more than about 540 million years old) such as granite and gneiss. The country is largely mountainous, with small valleys and narrow coastal plains. Two volcanic islands in Korea are Cheju and Ullŭng. Cheju is located off the peninsula’s southern tip and Ullŭng is about 85 miles (140 km) east of the mainland in the East Sea, In addition, South Korea and Japan both claims the Liancourt Rocks, Tok (Dok) Islands—some 55 miles (85 km) southeast of Ullŭng Island. There are fairly extensive lowlands along the lower parts of the country’s main rivers.

 Works cited

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[|http://jaapan.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/seoulseoul-n-seoul-tower-15.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2050/2177801298_7e80791846.jpg http://southwaymusic.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/seoul_at_night_from_63_building.jpg] []