Cultural Post #8

[Ann Pongsakul]

I think the cultural presentations showed me a link among the different cultures from the languages we are all learning. Particularly for Korean, I saw connections from other topics such as education fever, weddings, school violence to my own presentation topic on plastic surgery. With that, the one topic that I think really stood out to me was the education fever. To put it in blunt terms, I think Korea has a huge obsession with being perfect. This obsession is exemplified by the high beauty standards where people have become obsessed with being skinny, yet still maintaining some curves, have a thin oval face, double eyelids and bigger eyes, and white skin. These qualities are even thought to be unwritten qualifications for getting jobs. But being the best does not mean looks are the only priority. Education is something one must conquer in order to get ahead. Students in Korea are waking up at 6am, leaving school at 4pm, going to cram schools till midnight. Basically their whole lives are spent just on school and nothing else. As a result, the stress is enormous and some students end up committing suicide or have other mental issues. Mental issues are also a problem with the beauty standards. Now before the presentation on North Korean refugees, I always thought that North Korean's would live their lives a lot better in South Korea, with freedom to be their own persons. But it seems like South Korea may not actually be the best place for them. Coming from North to South Korea cultural differences are a big shock and with a society that is so fast-paced and striving to get ahead, if someone who is not programmed for succeeding their own path, it is hard. For students from North Korea who have language difficulties and are behind academically, it is difficult to get on the path that South Korean students are on. Reflecting on Korean culture makes me appreciate American culture. It does not feel like everyone is trying to out compete each other and education is more go at your own pace and define your own success. I understand that in Korea human capital is really the only resource they have, so being the best is important for the country to thrive economically. But I do not think I could live there and live up to their education and beauty standards. I admire Korea and its language from a far.