CULTURAL ARTIFACT (5:00pm on Sunday, March 23)
South Korea is known for its rapid economic growth, technological advancements, and global influence in fields such as entertainment and business. However, beneath this success lies a deeply ingrained work and study culture that prioritizes long hours, high achievement, and intense competition. This cultural expectation extends beyond the workplace and begins as early as childhood, shaping the daily lives of students and employees alike. I learned about these expectations through my personal interactions with Korean-American students and more recently in an NPR article. The NPR article “The All-Work, No-Play Culture of South Korean Education” by Elise Hu provides insight into the relentless academic pressure faced by South Korean students, a phenomenon that mirrors the broader expectations of South Korea’s workforce. One of the most striking aspects of South Korean study culture is the grueling schedule students endure. According to the article, high school students often attend classes until 4 p.m., but their day doesn’t end there. Many students continue studying at private cram schools, known as hagwons, or in school-run study halls, often staying until 11 p.m. or later. The national obsession with academic excellence is largely tied to the suneung, South Korea’s notoriously difficult college entrance exam. This single test is so important that airplanes are grounded on test day to ensure that students have complete silence while taking it. The extreme competition for spots at South Korea’s top universities means that students are not simply trying to do well, they are striving to outperform their peers in what is often seen as a zero-sum game. Unsurprisingly, this relentless pursuit of academic success has severe consequences. South Korea has one of the highest teen suicide rates in the world, with stress and academic pressure being major contributing factors. The article mentions tragic cases of teenagers taking their own lives due to overwhelming school expectations, as well as an alarming statistic: more than half of Koreans aged 11 to 15 report high levels of daily stress. This percentage is higher than in any of the 30 developed nations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The reality is that, for many students, school is not a place of learning but a stress competition where only the “elite” succeed. This mindset seems to also extend into South Korean work culture, where long hours and overwork are considered normal. The country has one of the highest average work hours among OECD nations, with many employees working well beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. Similar to students in a constant state of exam preparation, many workers feel pressured to stay late at the office, even if their tasks for the day are complete. Leaving before one’s boss is often seen as disrespectful or unmotivated, which results in many employees remaining at work for excessive hours. This expectation, known as "gapjil", reinforces hierarchical workplace dynamics that can make it difficult for employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. One of the biggest cultural dilemmas, as noted in the article, is that this intense focus on education is seen as essential for South Korea’s national economy. Since the country lacks abundant natural resources, human capital is its greatest asset. Policymakers recognize the need for change, as overworked students and employees suffer from burnout, mental health struggles, and declining happiness levels. However, efforts to shift away from test-based education models and reduce extreme work hours often meet resistance from parents, employers, and social expectations. Many families see education as their child's only ticket to success, and parents are willing to invest heavily in private tutoring, often at the cost of having fewer children due to financial constraints. Despite these challenges, there is growing awareness of the need for change. There have been movements advocating for more creative and play-based learning, as well as workplace policies aimed at reducing "burnout culture." Some companies have started enforcing mandatory breaks and shorter work hours, and there are increasing discussions about the importance of mental health in schools and workplaces. However, as the article suggests, real change will require a shift in cultural attitudes, not just policy reforms. Reflecting on this, I find South Korea’s study and work culture both impressive and concerning. The dedication and discipline required to succeed in such an intense environment are admirable, but the high levels of stress and societal pressure raise serious questions about well-being. I wonder how sustainable this level of competition is, and whether South Korea will find a balance between academic/work achievement and a better quality of life. I also wonder if these attitudes have been accepted within the U.S. Obviously the U.S. is a capitalist society so this “only the strong survive attitude” seems to have a decent amount of overlap. The question becomes whether we will emphasize the health of employers or the quantity of work expected.
South Korea is known for its rapid economic growth, technological advancements, and global influence in fields such as entertainment and business. However, beneath this success lies a deeply ingrained work and study culture that prioritizes long hours, high achievement, and intense competition. This cultural expectation extends beyond the workplace and begins as early as childhood, shaping the daily lives of students and employees alike. I learned about these expectations through my personal interactions with Korean-American students and more recently in an NPR article. The NPR article “The All-Work, No-Play Culture of South Korean Education” by Elise Hu provides insight into the relentless academic pressure faced by South Korean students, a phenomenon that mirrors the broader expectations of South Korea’s workforce. One of the most striking aspects of South Korean study culture is the grueling schedule students endure. According to the article, high school students often attend classes until 4 p.m., but their day doesn’t end there. Many students continue studying at private cram schools, known as hagwons, or in school-run study halls, often staying until 11 p.m. or later. The national obsession with academic excellence is largely tied to the suneung, South Korea’s notoriously difficult college entrance exam. This single test is so important that airplanes are grounded on test day to ensure that students have complete silence while taking it. The extreme competition for spots at South Korea’s top universities means that students are not simply trying to do well, they are striving to outperform their peers in what is often seen as a zero-sum game. Unsurprisingly, this relentless pursuit of academic success has severe consequences. South Korea has one of the highest teen suicide rates in the world, with stress and academic pressure being major contributing factors. The article mentions tragic cases of teenagers taking their own lives due to overwhelming school expectations, as well as an alarming statistic: more than half of Koreans aged 11 to 15 report high levels of daily stress. This percentage is higher than in any of the 30 developed nations in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The reality is that, for many students, school is not a place of learning but a stress competition where only the “elite” succeed. This mindset seems to also extend into South Korean work culture, where long hours and overwork are considered normal. The country has one of the highest average work hours among OECD nations, with many employees working well beyond the standard 40-hour workweek. Similar to students in a constant state of exam preparation, many workers feel pressured to stay late at the office, even if their tasks for the day are complete. Leaving before one’s boss is often seen as disrespectful or unmotivated, which results in many employees remaining at work for excessive hours. This expectation, known as "gapjil", reinforces hierarchical workplace dynamics that can make it difficult for employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. One of the biggest cultural dilemmas, as noted in the article, is that this intense focus on education is seen as essential for South Korea’s national economy. Since the country lacks abundant natural resources, human capital is its greatest asset. Policymakers recognize the need for change, as overworked students and employees suffer from burnout, mental health struggles, and declining happiness levels. However, efforts to shift away from test-based education models and reduce extreme work hours often meet resistance from parents, employers, and social expectations. Many families see education as their child's only ticket to success, and parents are willing to invest heavily in private tutoring, often at the cost of having fewer children due to financial constraints. Despite these challenges, there is growing awareness of the need for change. There have been movements advocating for more creative and play-based learning, as well as workplace policies aimed at reducing "burnout culture." Some companies have started enforcing mandatory breaks and shorter work hours, and there are increasing discussions about the importance of mental health in schools and workplaces. However, as the article suggests, real change will require a shift in cultural attitudes, not just policy reforms. Reflecting on this, I find South Korea’s study and work culture both impressive and concerning. The dedication and discipline required to succeed in such an intense environment are admirable, but the high levels of stress and societal pressure raise serious questions about well-being. I wonder how sustainable this level of competition is, and whether South Korea will find a balance between academic/work achievement and a better quality of life. I also wonder if these attitudes have been accepted within the U.S. Obviously the U.S. is a capitalist society so this “only the strong survive attitude” seems to have a decent amount of overlap. The question becomes whether we will emphasize the health of employers or the quantity of work expected.
Comments
Josh, once again, I also had questions and comments about the work culture in Korea for students, and I have written a similar piece either this year or last year about work culture in Korea for students. What do you think needs to change in order to fix this “issue”?