The Dark Side of South Korea Economic Miracle

South Korea gained its independence after the Japanese troop surrendered and World War 2 ended. Then they started their journey to become a democratic nation under the tutelage of the United States, whereas the Soviet Union gained North Korea as their mentee.

They changed their strategy from an agrarian economy that depended on foreign aid to an industry powerhouse, thanks to their focus on education to produce a highly skilled labor force. South Korea succeeded in accelerating its economic recovery with 9% growth annually and multiplying its per capita GDP by more than a hundredfold.

[MelodyMan]

I recently finished working for a Korean Company for 17 years. Visited SK 6 times with clients.
Koreans have unrealistic expectation outlook on many things. I feel partly based on their massive growth since the 1950s. They do not want to think that growth needs to slow down at some time. This causes them much stress and frustration. They are their own worst enemy. Examples you might align with are Hyundai, Kia, LG, Samsung are competing with themselves as well as the world.

[Explorexie]

*There is no bright side without a dark side*

[leonardovin-hijj]

Thank you so much for pointing an important issue in Korea. I'm born and rasied in South Korea. As you mentioned, education fever is very severe in Korea and it drove me crazy. I always had to get high grade and teachers always like students who got HD. I was so exhausted with Korean Education and ends up escaping. I am studying abroad now but I'm still thinking like 'oh I have to get high mark', ' I am not enough' somthing like that. Unforgettable competitive mind is keep bothering me :( Now I know the reason. This is the side - effect of rapid economy development ! This is very well - made video. I hope all the students in Korea will watch this video..

[magnoliatrue]

SK is one of the country I wanted to visit. Just to visit not to live. It’s very sad and unfortunate that mental health is not prioritized first.

[jm]

I wish South Korea the best in everything. But most of all I wish that they would free themselves from materialism, classism, bullying, racism and meanness. A great nation becomes better without those burdens. God bless them all.

[stmkopu]

I was born and raised in S.Korea for 25 years. I’d worked in HK and New York for awhile, but i felt work life balance was just ok, after i spent a few years in Seoul.

I’d suffered from business meeting with endless alchohols after working hours day by day, received phone call on 3:00 a.m. but the biggest challenge was i always felt that all of things what i‘ve done were just meaningless caused by endless competitions. When I got great results or performance, never meant that it’s gonna remain same on tmw.

People are like living deads, without dreams or hope, but just goals. I can say that the country is hell as u can ever experience as a breathing creature.

[syedahmedshaheer]

From what i have seen so far from different channels like yours, their society works like a corporation.

[beelouwill]

Scary real fact in the superficial materialistic world. The trait of happiness in human shouldn’t be limited to this fact. This is sad, are we really progressing as a race…if it is going to continue like this in the name of becoming a developed country, we will all probably soon be forgetting how to smile.

[mojoeherb]

I watched K-dramas a lot, & everything shown is a reflection of the K society. This damn obsession of beauty, riches, scholastic achievements, then the weight craze are ridiculous. 40 - 45kg is the standard for people who want to achieve a good job and the saddest thing is that no one in leadership roles are quenching the fire. Japan is another one but not as severe as Korea. Is the American lifestyle causing it? I love to visit there but even that is scary because of the stench of racism. I wish the best but this ain't the proper way 😢

[TheSunIsMyDestroyer]

im actually watching a youtube channel about a south korean family who immigrated to the philippines because they said that everything is getting really expensive in korea (youtube channel is called "hello dumaguete"). i'm glad they're getting treated nicely in the philippines, i know my people back home are very friendly. sometimes i long for the simple life too, without too pressure and just living life, i think that will be better, i live in the usa, the house prices are insane.

[DaJuan]

Such a sad reality, praying that people will change their mindset

[gbear]

All countries have dark sides. There is no true paradise country.

[Jhoentak]

Korean people to Europe : we are human too, don't be racist.

Korean people to SEA : What a Poor Country, with a Low GDP.

[surferhacker]

Well made video. Truth hurts, but truth is truth. BTW, I am also South Korean. 😢

[breakhart]

the low birth rate are cause by the highly cost of living in there which added highly working time. ironically and sadly, the world today going towards that everywhere not just Korea

[carjon]

Philippines where I live and South Korea are opposite in terms economic development, but I think we're more blessed in other significant aspects.

[ZhierOrreih]

This is actually true based on my wifes student here in the Philippines that is why I always thank the lord for giving me this life even if we have to eat dried fish and rice everyday or vegetables I always looked in the bright side coz not everything wee see on TV is peaches and rainbows. God bless to Korea I did not know this is their struggles.

[GiorgosAigio]

Korea developed economically, but as far as social development they are degrading or are stationary on a horrible level.

[exotour]

I lived in S Korea for over 10 years. One aspect I want to point out is the education is so important that you must and should go to institutions after school or else you’ll fall back and can’t compete. Students from elementary to high school, they study until 9 pm every after school and even on weekends. Their parents spend about on average $3000 US dollars on private tutoring and institutes such as English, Chinese, Math, Music, Sports, Art, and so on. It’s a pressure on others who can’t afford to spend this much of money on education. It’s peer pressure and they’re so keen on keeping up with Jones. I feel sorry for Korean students that they have to go through this lifestyle where they have no freedom. Another sad thing is that even they get into top universities in Korea, they have hard time getting a decent job. Their motto is to get hired by big companies such as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, etc.

[lordhavemercy]

As a Korean, everything you have mentioned is 9/10 true.