On the way to the track this morning, I had something of a unique experience on the media shuttle.
I was the only journalist on the bus, and my sole companion was a Korean circuit worker with the fabulous name of Oosong Bang. (I hope I've spelled that correctly!)
It turns out that when he's not working at the race track, Mr Bang is a Christian missionary. When he learned that I only go to church for weddings and funerals, he made it his mission to save my soul on the way to the circuit.
Now, normally I don't have much time for god-botherers. I have no problem with people believing whatever they want to believe (Flying Spaghetti Monster FTW!), but I think that religion is a private matter, and one people should let be a matter of individual consideration.
But Mr Bang was so sweet in his efforts to save my soul that I couldn't help but hear him out.
What struck me about his approach to Christianity was the way in which he credited the love of Jesus with the economic success of modern Korea.
Now, I don't have the facts. I'm merely repeating what Mr Bang told me. But according to the 68-year-old preacher, the Korea he was born into was the poorest country of the 145 in the world at the time. Now, he says, South Korea is the richest country in the world (in per capita terms).
While I would credit that to a strong work ethic, technology investment, and comparatively low local wages leading to a boost from capital flight, Mr Bang said that it was a sign that the love of Jesus had propelled the country into an age of prosperity.
Whatever the truth of the matter, the love of Jesus certainly shone through my companion.
Sweeter still was the way in which he used religion to discuss his national pride without crossing the line into vanity.
I've had limited contact with Koreans over the past few days, as F1 life tends to be a bubble of circuit-hotel-circuit-airport, but the sense of humble national pride is one that's not failed to escape my notice.
If everything Mr Bang told me about the increase in national prosperity is right, South Korea has a lot to be proud of. They're a serious player on the electronic and tech market, they're a member of the G20 group of major world economies, and they're a shining example to their neighbours in the north.
But this is not a country that blunders about in arrogance. Instead, they are quietly proud of all they have achieved, and speak highly of their blessings.
It's a lovely - and rare - attitude.
Image via Wikipedia.
I was the only journalist on the bus, and my sole companion was a Korean circuit worker with the fabulous name of Oosong Bang. (I hope I've spelled that correctly!)
It turns out that when he's not working at the race track, Mr Bang is a Christian missionary. When he learned that I only go to church for weddings and funerals, he made it his mission to save my soul on the way to the circuit.
Now, normally I don't have much time for god-botherers. I have no problem with people believing whatever they want to believe (Flying Spaghetti Monster FTW!), but I think that religion is a private matter, and one people should let be a matter of individual consideration.
But Mr Bang was so sweet in his efforts to save my soul that I couldn't help but hear him out.
What struck me about his approach to Christianity was the way in which he credited the love of Jesus with the economic success of modern Korea.
Now, I don't have the facts. I'm merely repeating what Mr Bang told me. But according to the 68-year-old preacher, the Korea he was born into was the poorest country of the 145 in the world at the time. Now, he says, South Korea is the richest country in the world (in per capita terms).
While I would credit that to a strong work ethic, technology investment, and comparatively low local wages leading to a boost from capital flight, Mr Bang said that it was a sign that the love of Jesus had propelled the country into an age of prosperity.
Whatever the truth of the matter, the love of Jesus certainly shone through my companion.
Sweeter still was the way in which he used religion to discuss his national pride without crossing the line into vanity.
I've had limited contact with Koreans over the past few days, as F1 life tends to be a bubble of circuit-hotel-circuit-airport, but the sense of humble national pride is one that's not failed to escape my notice.
If everything Mr Bang told me about the increase in national prosperity is right, South Korea has a lot to be proud of. They're a serious player on the electronic and tech market, they're a member of the G20 group of major world economies, and they're a shining example to their neighbours in the north.
But this is not a country that blunders about in arrogance. Instead, they are quietly proud of all they have achieved, and speak highly of their blessings.
It's a lovely - and rare - attitude.
Image via Wikipedia.
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