Once I first moved to the States, I labored for a Korean firm for a quick second. A few younger co-workers typically complained about senior prospects who have been seemingly impolite to them. They believed that individuals who left Korea within the ’70s have been simply caught within the 70s mindset. I didn’t know what precisely they meant again then. I simply advised myself that I didn’t wish to be a type of individuals after I bought older.
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I now have totally different opinions concerning the remark. For my part, it’s a harmful concept to generalize a bunch of individuals solely as a result of they’re from a sure period. After including layers of life experiences as an immigrant myself, I’ve discovered that these individuals, together with myself, don’t at all times share frequent traits as a bunch of people that select to reside in a brand new nation with international tradition. Private circumstances similar to after they depart their residence nation, or which technology they arrive from, may very well be a contributing consider figuring out whether or not an individual is consistently progressing or not. Nonetheless, I consider that every particular person’s values, persona, and objectives in life ultimately will information them.
Immediately, I wish to introduce you to some present Korean Cultural traits. A few of them usually are not as vital as they was once since they’re slowly fading away in society. Others are already deeply rooted.
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1.화병 (Hwa-Byung) is an anger syndrome that solely may very well be seen amongst South Koreans, particularly amongst married middle-aged ladies. If I perceive accurately, 화병 comes from extended suppression of 1’s private needs by social norms. In actual fact, it’s listed on DMS (The Diagnostic and Statistical Handbook of Psychological Issues)-5 by the American Psychiatric Affiliation (APA). (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6955430/)
APA dictionary describes Hwa-Byung as :
a culture-bound syndrome particular to Korea and characterised by a variety of signs which might be attributed to the suppression of anger (Korean, actually: “anger illness”). Signs embody a sense of a mass within the throat, chest, or stomach, a sensation of warmth within the physique, complications, palpitations, indigestion, insomnia, fatigue, panic, dysphoria, worry of impending loss of life, anorexia, generalized aches and pains, and poor focus. Additionally referred to as suppressed anger syndrome; wool-hwa-byung. (https://dictionary.apa.org/hwa-byung)
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I keep in mind my mother’s technology used to say that one ought to have the ability to specific every one’s wants incessantly, in any other case he/she would get a 화병. It’s unlucky that the syndrome is formally listed on the DSM guide. It’s presumed that 화병 is without doubt one of the most predominant syndromes in Korea, however the youthful generations won’t be as vulnerable because the older generations in Korea since they appear to be extra outspoken. Nonetheless, it’s nonetheless harmful to generalize one group into the identical basket!
2.장남 장녀 컴플렉스 (jang-nam-jang-nyeo-complex)
It originated from 유교사상 (yoo-gyeo-sah-sang: Confucianism). This situation just isn’t as prevalent in Korean society because it was previously, like many different cultural points that derived from Confucianism. It defines the particular position of the eldest kids, whether or not a boy or a woman, stating that they need to maintain their dad and mom bodily, emotionally, even financially.
There’s an outdated Korean saying: 큰딸은 살림 밑천이다. (keun-ddahl-eun-sal-lim-mit-chun: the eldest daughter is seed cash for a complete family financial system.) Koreans previously used to see the eldest kids, particularly the eldest daughter, as a family asset who may assist out their dad and mom when they’re younger. The eldest kids in a household have been unfairly burdened for generations. This idea was extensively accepted when Koreans used to reside in a type of 대가족 (dae-gah-jok: an prolonged household).
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Fashionable Koreans reside in an period of 핵가족 시대 (haek-gah-jok-si-dae: age of the small household), even 일인가정 (il-in-gah-jeong: a single-family member family). This construction helps social and cultural modifications, similar to individualism in society. In actual fact, individuals merely don’t 수긍하다 (soo-geung-hah-dah: to agree) with the concept. Korean society is simply too superior to rethink this concept. I consider sharing the roles and their tasks as relations are affordable in our time.
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3.남아선호사상 (nahm-ah-sun-ho-sah-sang: Boy Desire)
This concept has existed all through all cultures, however the concept was strongly supported in Asian cultures because of Confucianism. My father wished a boy after I was youthful. Though this modified as time went on. At any time when my father expressed a craving to have a boy, my mom used to say that oldsters who’ve a son would get a limo trip to go to the son’s home with the intention to clear it, however the dad and mom who’ve a daughter would get a flight ticket to journey overseas.
My father, over time, will need to have been seeing the modifications: there are extra ladies within the workforce and loads of instances that show monetary and social success just isn’t essentially depending on intercourse anymore.
It’s believed that the older technology most popular a boy to a woman as a result of they might carry the household identify in addition to they may very well be financially extra dependable when dad and mom become old. The hole of 1’s functionality, nevertheless, between women and men is getting narrower all around the world. It’s a pretty outdated thought to assume that sure intercourse of a kid could be assured monetary success any longer in Korea.
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What did you concentrate on these components of Korean tradition? Korean cultures are altering at a fast fee, simply as in lots of different cultures. Please notice that this submit is a group of my private observations of Korean tradition. This submit is totally based mostly upon my private opinions.
I’ve extra ever-changing Korean cultures to share within the subsequent submit. Keep tuned!