Sports Leisure And Games In Korea

Korea has become a powerful force in global sport, with South Korea finishing fifth in the medals table at London 2012 and hosting the Winter Olympics in 2018. This book brings together scholars from disciplines including sport history, sociology, journalism, economics, sport development, and sport management to explore the significance of sport in contemporary Korea. Presenting a variety of international perspectives, it plots the dynamic evolution of sport in Korea and envisions the possibilities for its future. Each chapter focuses on a key topic of current relevance, such as sport in the context of shifting relations between North and South Korea, or the role of sport in the expression of Korean nationalism. Arguing that individuals, institutions, businesses, and governments have actively leveraged or exploited sport to influence developments in various social, economic, cultural, and political arenas, this book sheds new light on the importance of sport as a catalyst for change in Korea. This is indispensable reading for any student or scholar with an interest in sport, history, and culture in Korea.

This book presents a broad selection of games and sports that are unique to Korea. From traditional to modern, it includes instructions for each game and sport, as well as a description of the history and development. It consists of three parts: games of old; board and card games; martial arts and sports. Readers will gain an understanding of Koreans' use of their leisure time both in ancient times and today

Korea has become a powerful force in global sport, with South Korea finishing fifth in the medals table at London 2012 and hosting the Winter Olympics in 2018. This book brings together scholars from disciplines including sport history, sociology, journalism, economics, sport development, and sport management to explore the significance of sport in contemporary Korea. Presenting a variety of international perspectives, it plots the dynamic evolution of sport in Korea and envisions the possibilities for its future. Each chapter focuses on a key topic of current relevance, such as sport in the context of shifting relations between North and South Korea, or the role of sport in the expression of Korean nationalism. Arguing that individuals, institutions, businesses, and governments have actively leveraged or exploited sport to influence developments in various social, economic, cultural, and political arenas, this book sheds new light on the importance of sport as a catalyst for change in Korea. This is indispensable reading for any student or scholar with an interest in sport, history, and culture in Korea.

This edited collection contains six refreshing critical assessments of the leisure-sport relationship from societies that have staged the Olympic and Paralympic Games and contains valuable information for those who live in societies that aspire to host the Games. The collection begins and ends with discussions of the Olympic Games as a platform for protest. The first and last chapters consider the changing political relationships from 1968 in Mexico City, when one of the most politically-charged gestures ever made by athletes took place, and the campaigns surrounding the ethical responsibilities of those hosting the Olympics in London in 2012. Other chapters consider the sociocultural legacy of the Seoul Olympics, assess the likely regeneration legacies of the London 2012 Games, examine the relationship between hosting societies and indigenous cultures and analyse the effectiveness and appeal of Olympic mascots. This collection provides not just insight into the past and present effects of the Olympic and Paralympic Games but also offers readers the opportunity to reflect upon and consider the impact of these sports mega-events on their everyday lives. This book was published as a special issue of Leisure Studies.

This edited collection contains six refreshing critical assessments of the leisure-sport relationship from societies that have staged the Olympic and Paralympic Games and contains valuable information for those who live in societies that aspire to host the Games. The collection begins and ends with discussions of the Olympic Games as a platform for protest. The first and last chapters consider the changing political relationships from 1968 in Mexico City, when one of the most politically-charged gestures ever made by athletes took place, and the campaigns surrounding the ethical responsibilities of those hosting the Olympics in London in 2012. Other chapters consider the sociocultural legacy of the Seoul Olympics, assess the likely regeneration legacies of the London 2012 Games, examine the relationship between hosting societies and indigenous cultures and analyse the effectiveness and appeal of Olympic mascots. This collection provides not just insight into the past and present effects of the Olympic and Paralympic Games but also offers readers the opportunity to reflect upon and consider the impact of these sports mega-events on their everyday lives. This book was published as a special issue of Leisure Studies.

This collective volume contributes to a growing debate concerning the extent to which we are now living in a global society shaped by sport in addition to economy, technology and so on. It covers 36 countries from five continents, analyzed by 87 contributors, so it offers a large comparative study. It is also a data bank of national information resources for students, researchers, policy-makers, sports leaders and managers. By means of a standard framework used in all chapters, the collected data from national cases on history, management and culture of sport provide interpretations of marketing, sponsorship, finance, target groups, settings for activities, strategy of promotion and social changes as related to Sport for All. This cross-national approach seeks to offer adequate meaning to the practices of each country, stimulating further research on specific themes of physical activities for health and leisure, either in affluent or poor social conditions. The concluding chapter lays the groundwork of Sport for All.

Explores the geography, history, government, economy, and culture of Korea.

Ken Roberts’ Social Theory, Sport and Leisure offers a clear, compact primer in social theory for students needing to engage with the application of sociological perspectives to the study of sport and leisure. Written in a straightforward style and assuming no prior knowledge, the book offers a fresh and easy to read overview of sociology’s contribution to sport and leisure studies. Ordered chronologically, each chapter: Focuses on the work of a major social theorist and their most influential ideas Provides helpful historical and biographical detail to set the person and their thinking in contemporary context Identifies questions in sport and leisure on which the theory can shed useful light Considers how the ideas can be, or have been, applied in the study of sport and leisure Works as a self-contained unit, enabling students and lecturers to use the book flexibly according to their needs. Written by an outstanding sociologist of leisure and sport, this intelligent yet jargon-free textbook enables students to get to grips with a wide range of important concepts and understand their diverse applications. As such, it is essential reading for any course designed to explore the place and meaning of sport and leisure in society.

The rapid growth of the Korean online game industry, viewed in social, cultural, and economic contexts. In South Korea, online gaming is a cultural phenomenon. Games are broadcast on television, professional gamers are celebrities, and youth culture is often identified with online gaming. Uniquely in the online games market, Korea not only dominates the local market but has also made its mark globally. In Korea's Online Gaming Empire, Dal Yong Jin examines the rapid growth of this industry from a political economy perspective, discussing it in social, cultural, and economic terms. Korea has the largest percentage of broadband subscribers of any country in the world, and Koreans spend increasing amounts of time and money on Internet-based games. Online gaming has become a mode of socializing—a channel for human relationships. The Korean online game industry has been a pioneer in software development and eSports (electronic sports and leagues). Jin discusses the policies of the Korean government that encouraged the development of online gaming both as a cutting-edge business and as a cultural touchstone; the impact of economic globalization; the relationship between online games and Korean society; and the future of the industry. He examines the rise of Korean online games in the global marketplace, the emergence of eSport as a youth culture phenomenon, the working conditions of professional gamers, the role of game fans as consumers, how Korea's local online game industry has become global, and whether these emerging firms have challenged the West's dominance in global markets.