Contoh Writing Essay IV

Name               : Siti Putri Masyuni

NIM                : 140511100117

Class                : Writing IV-D

South Korea Vs Japan, Alike but Different

Differences are various things that appear because of a lot of distinct perspectives from thousands people in the world. Commonly, differences cannot be separated when we compare two things or more. In East Asia, there are two countries whose background looks alike but difference. Those countries are exploded in the media across the world.  For that reason, they become popular in abroad even in Indonesia also. They are South Korea and Japan. Sometimes both of them have been debated. Some say that South Korea and Japan are alike but on the other hand say no. In order to know whether they are alike or not, this paper will analyze and use these following criteria:  language, table manners, and also greeting. 

If we see from outside, Korean and Japan have the same skin color (white). They also have the same ethnic which makes them look alike. Not only that, they have the same way in greeting. Bowing is one aspect of each culture that most assume is the same, but in fact, it has evolved in each country over the years. Both countries, a slight bow when greeting (say hello and goodbye) each other and a deeper bow in more formal situations is still considered appropriate. It also means that they respect each other. Beside that, when they want to say sorry and pray they also take a bow.

One noticeable difference is the language. South Korea and Japan have different accent, the volume and tone of their speaking. It is seen from how most of Japanese speak. They are softer than Korean. But, if we see from their writing system, Korean only use one type of it, its name is Hangul. Korean uses it when Kim Sejong (1397-1450) became King in South Korea. In contrast, Japanese have four types. They are Kanji, Hiragana, Katakana, and Romaji. Japanese use them in different time and also have to memorize 46 separate characters (not including the obsolete characters) for each individual sound. Hiragana and Katakana represent one sound, Kanji describe one mean. Hiragana to write the original vocabulary of Japanese word and Katakana to write the word that is from another language that doesn’t usually use in Japan, name of people, name of country except China and Korea.

 For example Mery become Me-a-ri. So, if we imagine, Korean writing is easier and more simple than Japanese writing. It has been proven by me when I tried to learn how to write them all.

Other difference between South Korea and Japan is table manners. Table manner in those country have different way. Both of them usually use chopstick when they eat. It is one of important things in table manners. However, South Korea has stricter rule in it. For example, when Korean will eat, they always put a spoon and chopstick beside their bowl of rice. But when they put them, the spoon must be put in left of the chopstick. Once more, Beside that, when they spoon rice from their plate or bowl, they must not lift the bowl up and must be left on the table. Instead the rice is eaten with a spoon and people alternate from using spoon for rice and soup and the chopsticks to eat side dishes. Do not hold both chopsticks and spoon at the same time because it is impolite.

Different with Japan, Japanese use only chopstick not only for side dishes but also for taking the rice. When Japanese take the rice from their bowl, they must touch or lift up the bowl and lead it close to the mouth. It is to avoid the rice to drop and also means that you respect the food. The best difference of table manner is paying custom. It have been proven by me when I often see Korean drama and Japanese drama. Japanese are accustomed to pay individually what they eat. However, Korean culture does not accept individual paying. If some unavoidable circumstances exist and have to pay individually, they gather their money and one man pay the whole. Based on my opinion when I saw Korean drama, usually the old treat the young and if someone is treated by someone else they are required to treat tacitly. It might be weird to foreigner, but Korean regards this as a sympathy between human nature.