[1] Ten years ago, Oxford University graduate Daniel Tudor moved to Seoul, preferring the warmth of Korean society to “cold” Britain. The 31-year-old has since authored two books on his adopted home and has several other volumes in the pipeline. He speaks to Charmaine Chan about his latest title, *A Geek in Korea*, due out in June 2014.

You started, like so many other Westerners in Korea, teaching English. When did you begin writing about Korea and why?

[2] When I joined The Economist [2010-2013] I thought, “Eventually I’d like to write a book about Korea because nobody else is really doing it.”

Why weren’t they?

 [3] Korea is a bit off the radar for most people in Western countries. In the 1980s Japan was the big story and people pay attention to China now because of its huge population and market. Korea has fallen in between these two countries.

In your book, you write about *jeong* the invisible hug. Is that something exclusive to Korea?

[4]A lot of Koreans say *jeong*—the warmth between people and mutual sacrifice—is uniquely Korean, as is *han*. It’s nonsense, but Korea has words to describe these things, which shows they are important. *Han* is a burden, oppression or an injustice you can’t correct. Its cause never goes away but you can temporarily forget about it by pursuing all-out, manic fun. This is where *heung* comes in. *Heung* is pure joy. The word isn’t as famous as *han*, but I think that it should be. Even traditional Korean funerals used to feature extreme alcohol consumption, raucous singing, and the like.

[5] Often when Westerners think of East Asians, the stereotypes of stoicism and self-control—the so-called “inscrutable oriental”—come to mind. But Koreans in fact tend to be very expressive and open with their feelings. Somehow, sadness and happiness both seem to be magnified in Korea.

How is *A Geek* different from your first book?

[6]  It’s still about South Korea, but it’s aimed at a younger audience. Consider it a gateway for those who like K-pop or TV shows from Korea, but don’t know anything about the country.

A few chapters are about K-pop. Are you into K-pop?

[7] Generally K-pop is for teenagers. I’m not saying it’s wrong. It’s a good business. But I like music played by people who mean what they’re writing. Some people think all Korean music is K-pop, but there’s really good music in Korea that’s not superficial or played on the radio or on TV and doesn’t go outside of Korea. One of my favourite bands is 3rd Line Butterfly: these guys are not rich and famous; they’re ordinary guys you can be friends with. I am friends with them. There’s an interview with [*Gangnam Style* singer] Psy [in *Geek*]. He’s funny and cheeky, in a Robbie Williams kind of way, and making fun of Gangnam [an affluent district of Seoul], which is superficial and flashy.

How about Korean soaps?

[8]I don’t like the drama stuff. They’re trying to play with your emotions with Cinderella stories: beautiful girl from poor family marries rich guy. Korea’s probably not the best country in which to be a woman. If you’re a young woman in Korea, what’s the best way to become wealthy or to achieve status? Sadly, it’s to marry somebody.

You also write about how Koreans are obsessed with success and education.

 [9] You find these mothers in Gangnam and they’re scary. When I taught English I’d meet kids who, materially, led awesome lives and they’d show up in these big Mercedes with bags as big as they were. But if they didn’t get an A grade in something, their parents would get mad and the next time you saw them they’d be crying. Wealthy families are obsessed with education. It’s a status thing: preserve your status and show the rest of the world that you’re preserving your status and your kids are doing well.

Why do you continue to live in Korea?

[10] This *jeong* stuff—that’s the thing that keeps me in Korea. Korea made me a better friend to my friends. England’s a cold society and, growing up, I suppose I always wanted this feeling of being connected to people. I thought English people were a bit too cynical and cold. Korea is a place where you say, “I like you. I love you. This is great.” I really like that.