Once I first moved to the States, I labored for a Korean firm for a short second. A few younger co-workers usually complained about senior prospects who had been seemingly impolite to them. They believed that individuals who left Korea within the ’70s had 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 need to be a kind of folks once I received older.
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I now have totally different opinions in regards to the remark. In my view, 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 folks, together with myself, don’t at all times share frequent traits as a bunch of people that select to stay in a brand new nation with overseas tradition. Private circumstances equivalent to after they depart their dwelling nation, or which technology they arrive from, might be a contributing consider figuring out whether or not an individual is continually progressing or not. Nevertheless, I consider that every particular person’s values, persona, and objectives in life finally will information them.
At present, I wish to introduce you to some current Korean Cultural traits. A few of them aren’t as vital as they was 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 might be seen amongst South Koreans, particularly amongst married middle-aged girls. If I perceive accurately, 화병 comes from extended suppression of 1’s private needs by social norms. Actually, it’s listed on DMS (The Diagnostic and Statistical Guide 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 spread of signs which might be attributed to the suppression of anger (Korean, actually: “anger illness”). Signs embrace 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, concern 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 be capable to specific each’s wants regularly, 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. Nevertheless, 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 shouldn’t be as prevalent in Korean society because it was up to now, like many different cultural points that derived from Confucianism. It defines the particular function of the eldest kids, whether or not a boy or a woman, stating that they need to care for their mother and father bodily, emotionally, even financially.
There may be an previous Korean saying: 큰딸은 살림 밑천이다. (keun-ddahl-eun-sal-lim-mit-chun: the eldest daughter is seed cash for a whole family financial system.) Koreans up to now used to see the eldest kids, particularly the eldest daughter, as a family asset who might assist out their mother and father when they’re younger. The eldest kids in a household had been unfairly burdened for generations. This idea was broadly accepted when Koreans used to stay in a type of 대가족 (dae-gah-jok: an prolonged household).
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Fashionable Koreans stay 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 adjustments, equivalent to individualism in society. Actually, folks merely don’t 수긍하다 (soo-geung-hah-dah: to agree) with the concept. Korean society is just too superior to rethink this concept. I consider sharing the roles and their duties as members of the family are cheap in our time.
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3.남아선호사상 (nahm-ah-sun-ho-sah-sang: Boy Choice)
This concept has existed all through all cultures, however the concept was strongly supported in Asian cultures as a consequence of Confucianism. My father wished a boy once I was youthful. Though this modified as time went on. Every time my father expressed a craving to have a boy, my mom used to say that folks who’ve a son would get a limo trip to go to the son’s home with a purpose to clear it, however the mother and father who’ve a daughter would get a flight ticket to journey overseas.
My father, over time, will need to have been seeing the adjustments: there are extra girls within the workforce and loads of instances that show monetary and social success shouldn’t be essentially depending on intercourse anymore.
It’s believed that the older technology most popular a boy to a woman as a result of they may carry the household identify in addition to they might be financially extra dependable when mother and father become old. The hole of 1’s functionality, nevertheless, between women and men is getting narrower everywhere in the world. It’s a pretty outdated thought to assume that sure intercourse of a kid can be assured monetary success any longer in Korea.
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What did you consider these parts of Korean tradition? Korean cultures are altering at a fast charge, 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 fully primarily based upon my private opinions.
I’ve extra ever-changing Korean cultures to share within the subsequent submit. Keep tuned!
