Science Fiction

Understanding the context/subject matter relies on solid familiarity with the history and some foundational works. Because their cultures are so old, about 75-80% of all Asian references for metaphors or humor will come from a tight core of 10-20 essential literary works, but that core is different with each country.

I read Japanese at uni, so of course their classical works were a huge part of the curriculum. Knowing the origins of nearly all of their humor and cultural references is probably one reason why things *don't* go over my head with their artistic works. In my estimation, the one essential book for understanding their culture is The Tale of Genji. You have to start there, or nothing else about Japan makes much sense. One instance where knowing the language matters is Naruto. When he does something stupid, a flock of birds flies over, and it sounds to Western ears like they're simply cawing at him. In reality, they're saying, "Aho! Aho!" In much of Japan that means "idiot," or "moron," and thus the scene becomes humorous. In some parts of Japan, though, "aho" means something similar, but much ruder, and cruder. So those people grudgingly accept the usage for a TV show, but I'd be careful who I said it to if I were over there, LOL.

China (and this includes Taiwan and Hong Kong) is a bit more difficult for most Westerners, but, really, if you read Confucius, Laozi, Mao, Cao Xueqin, the famous poets like Li Bi or Li Shangyin (plus as much Tang-era as you can manage), and a good history or two, you'll get most of the references. I strongly encourage reading a thorough history focusing on the Cultural Revolution, like Fractured Rebellion by Andrew Walder. That time period had a direct impact on so many modern Chinese writers and artists that few of them, or their intellectual descendants, can create works without referencing it, however indirectly. Modern Chinese humor can be quite cynical and macabre, and the Cultural Revolution is a big reason why. In fact, it's made a good deal of modern Chinese art forms cynical and macabre as well. From what I've seen of this Ciu Lixin novel/show, I'm getting a strong whiff of Cultural Revolution as an influence, but we'll see.

Korea is a more recent culture on my radar, and it'smore challenging than Japan or China for me to learn well, because not as many of their "classic" works are readily accessible in the West. That's changing, but it's taking a while. Until then, you'll probably need access to a university that has a well-established Korean/Asian Studies program, with an excellent collection of works to back it up at their library. Otherwise, it might be tough going.

Unless you have a Korean friend to explain it all to you. Which is also true of Japanese and Chinese cultures. Someone who's lived the culture is always a great resource.