Is Korean culture merely an offshoot of the Chinese culture?

Question

I was about to learn Korean because I was interested in its culture. But then I realized that Korean culture seemed like just an inferior version of the Chinese culture. For example, every Korean is named just like a Chinese person would be, with single syllable surname and two syllable given names, all written in Chinese characters. Very few Koreans have names in native Korean forms, and those who do are looked down upon as strange people by the society.

If I want culture, then should I just learn the Chinese language instead?

Answer 1

To give you an analogy--- modern day English words borrow from Latin, Greek, etc. That does not mean all English speaking cultures are inferior to that of Greece, or whatever. Korean is a fascinating language that has changed a lot over time. Yes, we do borrow from Chinese (sino-Korean words), but we also have a lot of uniquely Korean words. King Sejong also created the Korean writing system, hangul. It is considered to be one of the most advanced, scientific crafted writing systems in the world-- it has not only increased the literacy rate, it has allowed the koreans to not be as dependent on Chinese forms of writing. 

Korean pop culture is also huge all around Asia-- the way the words sound phonetically, and the vast variety of words in the language enables some of the most profound, poetic lyrics. 

If you want culture: both languages originate from cultures with rich histories that go way back in time. I think both are very cultured... but Korean is very popular among people in Asia today because of its recent dominance in pop Culture (aka the Korean Wave--- hallyu).

Plus, a lot of western historians incorrectly attribute Korean inventions, paintings, and philosophical ideas to the Chinese-- recently, this is being corrected. For example, the Koreans, not the Chinese, were the first to invent the moveable type, as well as the first iron clad warship.