Life&Culture
AtoZ into Korean Mind In series
Decoding the Korean psyche through keywords
#Psychology
# Korean mindset
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AtoZ into Korean Mind In series
Decoding the Korean psyche through keywords
Would you like to subscribe?
Unspoken code of K-cool
Delving into the evolution of South Korea‘s cool values and the psychology behind the admiration for effortless style “K-everything: The rise and rise of Korean culture” (The Guardian) “The art market: Korean cool” (Financial Times) “Hallyu: ‘Cool Korea’ and the art of soft power” (Le Monde Diplomat
June 3, 2024 - 10:40:55
World of the in-laws, where gender stereotypes persist
Why do Korean mothers-in-law act superior? The psychology behind Korea‘s tricky ’si-world‘ dynamics Shim Yeon-sun, 40, was surprised by her mother‘s behavior during her brother’s formal engagement dinner, where her family met the bride-to-be’s family for the first time to discuss wedding plans. “My
May 19, 2024 - 17:11:31
Does your job define who you are? Should it?
What Korea‘s job scene today reveals about Koreans “What do you do for a living?” Lim Eun-hye came to understand the power of this one simple line after losing the title of college student. Wanting to explore her true desires before settling into a mundane work life, she dabbled in various pursuits,
May 6, 2024 - 14:08:59
Humor in Korea: Navigating the line between what‘s funny and not
Beneath Koreans‘ laughter, intricate interplay of sensitivity to hierarchical structures, power relations in different group settings Yoon Jin-hee, 37, describes herself as a bubbly and funny personality, always cracking jokes first when around friends. But at work, she seldom reveals her witty side
April 22, 2024 - 16:45:51
Battling ‘gapjil’: The quest to tame the tyrants among us
Korea in transitional state towards restoring balance in relationships across nearly every facet of society In many social relationships, whether personal or at work, power dynamics can create problematic imbalances. There are many words to describe them -- unjust, abusive, coercive, exploitative —
April 7, 2024 - 14:27:33
Fatphobia pervasive in Korea
Why remarks about another‘s body size might not necessarily raise red flags in Korea “Your face looks good.” When Justin Ku first heard this remark from one of his relatives here, he took it as a compliment. He later discovered that the phrase is more often used by Koreans to point out when you‘ve g
March 24, 2024 - 17:22:28
Envy: Emotional toll triggered by social comparison
Korean culture, fostering easy comparisons, establishes elevated standards, breeds envy Koreans, particularly of younger generations, are often compared to an imaginary rival by the name of “Eomchina.” This rival, whose name literally translates as “mom’s friend’s son,” represents an idealized peer
March 10, 2024 - 17:08:31
Death & denial: Why Koreans refuse to contemplate the end
Confucian influences, preoccupation with survival during harsh times, more deaths occurring at hospital settings all contribute to Koreans‘ aversion to discussing, accepting the inevitable A few years ago, Kim Sun-yong (not her real name) stumbled upon a Facebook post written by an acquaintance from
Feb. 25, 2024 - 13:12:31
‘Chemyeon’: the role of ‘face’ in shaping Korea‘s cultural dynamics
Fear of losing face, desire to appear significant are powerful motivations at personal, family and even national levels Lee Jung-ah, 36, recently ended her yearlong relationship with her boyfriend, mainly due to her parents’ opposition. They told her they disapproved of him because he did not match
Feb. 11, 2024 - 16:01:38
Why Koreans feel compelled to stay busy -- or at least look like it
Preoccupation with busyness as virtue sees generational shift from postwar diligence to personal achievement strategy “You must have been very busy lately.” So starts many a conversation as a polite kind of South Korean icebreaker, often after having not met someone for quite a while. Responding to
Jan. 28, 2024 - 17:33:29
‘Aegyo’: The psyche behind childlike adults
People-pleasing cute acts offer window into role of cute behavior in Korean culture “Cuteness or charm, esp. of a sort considered characteristic of Korean popular culture. Also: behavior regarded as cute, charming or adorable. Cf. kawaii n.” – Oxford English Dictionary Ever encountered someone delib
Jan. 9, 2024 - 16:56:52
