Am Korean. Agree with some of your points but the bit about 'liberating' Korea is worded in a way that caters for the Japanese narrative.

Late Joseon dynasty Korea was weak and corrupt, bound to fall any minute. But it wanted to keep its dignity by declaring itself an 'empire'- a country with an equal footing with its big name neighbours.

But name alone doesn't save countries. When Japan responded by assassinating the empress (well, the queen) and imprisoning Emperor Gojong in his own palace, he ran out to the seemingly lesser of two evils: Russia.

Neither of them had Korean interest at heart though. So it was a desperate venture for desperate times.

But by no means should Korea have 'embraced Japanese kindness and liberating spirit' without giving its own freedom a fair go.

What happened happened. We gotta move on. But not without establishing a mutual understanding and acceptance of what did transpire.

I think the post above me and my post pretty much prove why the two countries dislike each other (we're still very much involved economically and culturally).

Japan feels they are inappropriately villified long after the war and Korea simply won't let go.

Korea finds it hard to let go because Japan is still pushing the narrative of 'we did it for your own good'.

It's both sides that have plenty of things to let go and stop manipulating historical animosity for political gain.

For crying out loud.