A Korean Approach to Caring 📢 IN THIS NEWSLETTER:
✍️ COLUMN: A Korean Approach to Caring
🎎 LIFESTYLE: Graduation Season at its Peak!
🪩 CELEBRATIONS: February |
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Sharing snacks, going to public baths, and gathering for kimchi making. "Sharing is caring," a concept Koreans know well, as it is deeply ingrained in the country's culture and history. However, Korea undergoes rapid modernization and societal shifts. Urbanization, changing lifestyles, the influence of global trends...
Does sharing still remain a fundamental value in Korean culture? |
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1️⃣ 'Our Country' Is a Rule |
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"Sharing," deeply rooted in Korean culture, traces back to an era when small villages and farming communities relied on communal spirit for survival. Koreans still enjoy sharing food or items with relatives, coworkers, or friends. In today's Korean classrooms and offices, not sharing your snack with others when you eat at your desk is not an option. The Korean language naturally uses "our team," "our school," or "our country" instead of "my team," "my school," or "my country" to emphasize collective identity and unity.
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2️⃣ The Shift on the Han River |
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As Western culture and globalization influenced Korea, there's been a shift towards valuing individualism over collectivism. This change happened as corporations grew and started to focus more on individual talents. Consequently, individualism has become the preferred ideal. However, some think this shift has led to a decline in traditional values like 'jeong,' especially among younger people. It has also made wealth inequality worse, causing more tension between rich and poor. In schools, competition for success has become more important than working together. Despite these changes, Korea's rapid economic growth has pushed people away from collectivism perhaps too quickly. So, the transition hasn't fully happened yet, leaving Korean society with a mix of collectivist and individualist values.
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3️⃣ Evolution Is Progress? |
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Individualism has been quietly developing over the years and is now starting to become more prominent in Korean culture. Koreans will share treats with friends but also value alone time for self-development and self-care, often turning to popular self-help books about self-love. This trend reflects a shift towards prioritizing personal fulfillment and independence. The rise of individualism encourages people to live for themselves, discover their own identities, and disregard others' opinions. This prompts us to ponder: Are Koreans trying to distance themselves from their collectivist past?
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Graduation Season Is at its Peak! |
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A quick suggestion: "Avoid buying flowers, they can be a bit pricey right now."
But on a serious note, many of our readers have walked a similar path of education in Korea. Studying abroad comes with its unique set of challenges, from adjusting to new customs and languages to figuring out unfamiliar academic systems. Yet, through your resilience and hard work, you've not only overcome these hurdles but have also excelled in your academic journey.
Whether you're donning your cap and gown this year or reminiscing about past graduation moments, your accomplishments shine brightly. On behalf of our Funday community, we want to extend our warmest congratulations once more. Your dedication and perseverance are truly inspiring, and we have every confidence that you'll continue to accomplish remarkable things in the days ahead. Here's to your success and all the wonderful adventures that lie ahead!
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February is short, but we still have a lot to celebrate. The Seollal holiday season has just past. Did you spend it well? The Funday Team has chosen our favorite holidays for the rest of month. Mark your calendars and join us in celebrating them. |
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Finding oneself is a challenging journey. We are shaped by upbringing, environment, aspirations, and choices. In Korea, this quest for identity intertwines with rich cultural heritage and rapid societal changes. Somehow, we have met while finding our places in Korean society. But don't you worry, the Funday team will support you every step of the way.
See you in the next newsletter. |
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