Hangul is the BESTEST ALPHABET THAT EVER ALPHABETIZED.

[cranky laowai]

Korea was originally spelled Corea, but the Japanese changed it so K would be alphabetized after J (for the American press). K is easier for Japanese to say. Also, "K" is considered to an inferior letter signifying childlike misspellings like "kitty kat or skool"

No, that's an urban legend.

[Toasty]

sushi wasn't invented by Japanese-- it was invented by Koreans (kimbap)-- and Confucious was Korean.

Sushi by Koreans? this is as cool as the time I found that fortune cookies were not invented by Chinese...But I prefer sushi over kimbap. And Confucius?

Great article! Makes me regret not taking Korean class when I was in korea because I thought it would be too complicated, guess not!

Here's my 2 cents on to add to these facts - Korea was originally spelled Corea, but the Japanese changed it so K would be alphabetized after J (for the American press). K is easier for Japanese to say. Also, "K" is considered to an inferior letter signifying childlike misspellings like "kitty kat or skool"

Take anything a Korean tells you regarding the origins/inventors of things with a tablespoon's worth of salt grains. Hypernationalism leads to claims of just about everything of any worth in the world having been invented by Koreans/originating in Korean culture.

[StuartCa]

And it just occurs to me that any language with an alphabet/writing system that was designed written in relatively modern times (less than 50 years?) should be good. The study of linguistics has been around for quite some time now yes?

Not sure if you're referring to Korean here but it was invented in the 1400 because the then emperor wanted his people to become more literate.

[urodacus]

Hypernationalism leads to claims of just about everything of any worth in the world having been invented by Koreans/originating in Korean culture.

That's not true. It was the Chinese. They're so good they even invented Korea and Japan.

[Barings]

Japanese dinosaur... Stegosaurus... come to peaceful korea, and kill Korean dinosaur! And never say sorry!

[Toasty]

Hypernationalism leads to claims of just about everything of any worth in the world having been invented by Koreans/originating in Korean culture.

That's not true. It was the Chinese. They're so good they even invented Korea and Japan.

Fair comment.

[cyreneq]

No, that's an urban legend.

hmm, interesting, a lot of Koreans I know believe that urban legend. I don't know which is true anymore.

Then again, there are a lot of urban legends in korea, like "fan death." I know some people who refuse to sleep with the fan or aircon on because they believe artificial air will suffocate them in their sleep. Not kidding, some of my friends' roomates don't turn the air on in the dorms.

[urodacus]

By and large, Koreans believe many other urban legends too. There are a lot of believers in Korea.

[tokki1]

Lived in the Land of the Morning Calm for eight years.

After that amount of time, it becomes obvious that, yes, Korea did not only invent Chinese, sushi--and even electricity--but Koreans also possess the only true DNA in the universe.

Korea Fighting!

Korea Sparkling!

Hub of Asia? Not so sure anymore...

[Big Fluffy Matthew]

By and large, Koreans believe many other urban legends too. There are a lot of believers in Korea.

Electric fan death?