Mid-term Essay; Changes in Korea Society

     From culture to gender equality, the economy, divided countries, politics and society, we can look at all aspects of Korea from the perspective of other countries. Some point of view was included, but all the contents of the article were analyzed based on facts. For example, it was very interesting that things that were never worried to look at as Koreans, seemed to be a concern in the social and cultural phenomena of other countries. Also, it was amazing that we Koreans were used to our society and took it for granted without thinking about it, but from the perspective of other countries, they looked at it with a little envy especially in Korea's response to the corona-virus. I will answer now. Is Korean society changing? Yes. Korea is a fast pace developing country. And we can dare to say this change is positive. As a basis for this, I will summarize what Korea looks like in the articles of "Special Report on Korea by The Economist," and write down the additional explanations and my thoughts that I can add as a Korean.

     K-pop in Korea is changing. Unlike other idol groups that simply pursued love songs and cliche life songs, BTS composed songs with mythological and psychological elements is an example. They spent a lot of time composing and writing lyrics and creating images of their own. As a result, they succeeded in promoting them selves to the world without the Korean government's effect to promote Korean culture. There are other example that can shown changing K-pop industries. It is the Korean dramas that are spreading all around the world. From Korean historical drama "Daejanggeum(대장금)", "Descendants of the Sun(태양의 후예)" which featuring soldiers, dramas of "School" series that appear every year. It is not just an obvious theme that deals with romance, but it is a drama that has gained popularity around the world with adding specific theme such as history, military and school life directly revealing the cultural phenomenon of Korea. Sometimes there is a drama with a theme that pinpoints problems in our society. A few years ago, a drama about Korean high school students' entrance exams became very popular.

Korean dramas are being loved around the world. Fans all over the world who love Korean dramas become more interested in Korea, like Korean culture, and accept it. This has a great impact on the Korean tourism industry and also building a positive image of Korea as well. Recently, Netflix has also made it easier to access Korean dramas, so it is expected that there will be more overseas fans for Korean dramas. The Korean Wave is changing  by creating media through various materials, and loved by all over the world.

     There is a very impressive article. Its title was "South Korea's transformation is still fragile" This article introduces the life of artist Park Hye-soo, a Korean woman in her 40s.  She is a child of the Asian economic crisis and undergo the doldrums of the Korean economy. She is now a successful artist such as awarded prizes from her country and hosting the exhibitions around the world. However, she had to give up many things, including family, for today's success. Unlike her mother feel proud through her, Ms Park says she is living the life she wants but is not happy. Now at the age of 2020, there are many attempts to challenge the prevailing conditions and try something new, but the tough path that Ms Park did at her times still in Korea society. It is in a task to be completed, which has yet been completed by Korean society.

Other countries seem to think 'complaining' such as women's escape from housework and childcare duties, graduates with wide and diverse job choices, office workers under less pressure than before on hierarchy has begun to work and South Korea society tolerate that.  However, questions remain whether Koreans really think so, too. I think they also admitted some changes in our society, but it is likely to think "things that had to be done at that time  are increasingly carrying too late out now", not from "because of changing from the complaint". But also, Korea is changing. There is an effort in Korea to change the irrational situation of the past.

     There was also a part that I had the same idea as article. Still, many Koreans follow the 'narrow script' for success. They either enter a good university or get a job at a chaebol (probably a major company) and work hard without complaining until they retire. “The pressure to do the same thing as everyone else is strong”, “We care a lot more about external validation of our choices than about our personal assessment”. I really sympathized these words, because it was just what I am think about reality of Korean, and also agreed that it is very disadvantageous for personal happiness. I did not really know the things that crazy for being competitive, especially from South Korean's parents behavior looks like cliché to other country. And also I really surprised that they think Korean parents behavior, as a rational response to not enough good jobs or places at the right universities.  It was well known that Korean parents were passionate and competitive in their children's education, but I never thought about justifying parents' competitive thinking.

However, what I want to add to this is that there are also our effort to resolve this competitive-centered situation. One example for this is, the fact that middle and high schools do not only force them to enter good universities by implementing a "free semester system"; a program that offers various job experiences and career exploration. It is a one way of educating students, so that they are not affected by the adult generation who think they should enter a good university and have a professional job. South Korea is changing for a better future, and help to pursue happiness for citizens.

     

     What is the impact of Korea's change on me? I absolutely never had a chance to think about this one before. It can be divided into two main things; direct and indirect. A direct matters influence physical on me, and indirect one, that influence to my thoughts. Among the problems that directly affect, there may be improvements to gender equality; increased social roles and increased employment for women. This is one of the problems that is still emerging, and I think it is sufficiently possible to improve. It will also lead to the easing of the income gap in Korea if it can be changed from a large business-oriented society to a small and medium-sized one, reducing the gap between the rich and the poor. The same is true of investing in startup venture companies to help them grow. Such changes that are directly reflected in our society are related to my employment or start-up problems and will have a great impact on me. Indirect part, that it can just get a sense of pride about the fact that the people of Korea -widely known as K-pop k and BTS. Also, South Korea has undergone a divided country into a lot of pain, but recently has many cultural exchanges with North Korea. Those fence-mending between South and North makes me proud.

Such changes in society affect each individual a lot. As citizens, we need to pay attention and examine whether the country is moving in the right direction, and we are obliged to participate in elections to elect the president and parliament. I finish writing, hoping that Korea will develop into a better society recognized by the whole world.

**Since it's well over 1,000 words, please understand that this essay could not contain all the contents of the articles. I inevitably select a few of the articles that I want to highlight, and wrote an essay. Please consider the fact that I tried to contain as much content as possible and my thoughts! Thank you:)