Media Curation Hurry Hurry! One of the most commonly used expressions in everyday life in South Korea is “Pali, Pali!” (hurry, hurry!). Its effects can be seen everywhere, from food to language to technology. In some ways, this “Pali, Pali” culture represents South Korea’s recent entry onto the world stage. The chapter discusses the historical context and the dual nature of this culture. Lookism The term “Lookism” first appeared in the US in 1970. Lookism is not merely a matter of marital and romantic preference. Its effects extend far beyond the domain of private life, impacting hiring, promotions and nearly all aspects of society. In this section, we will dive into the many facets of lookism: its causes, impacts, and implications for the future. Single Culture The emergence of “honjok (a group of single people)” culture represents the choice an increasing number of young Koreans are making to live on their own rather than with their family or a partner as has long been the norm in Korea. What could be the underlying cultures at the base of this trend that triggered the entry of South Korea’s Aged society? Social Comparison “Eom•chin•a (mom’s friend’s son)” is yet another entry in the long list of recently coined words sweeping Korea. This word was first used in the webtoon Closet Fantasia (2005) and now, one can easily find the word in nearly any cultural medium, from TV shows and movies to books and news articles. That said, what exactly does this three syllable word signify? E-Sports The video game industry in Korea has gone from humble beginnings, like many other countries, with the widely accepted original video game “Pong”, to a nationally televised activity with connections to major conglomerates such as SK Telecom, a wireless telecommunications operator. Idolism In Korea, ‘celebrities’ is not a big enough word to describe the famous performers and artists of the K-Pop industry. ‘Idol’ is the term used for the extremely talented, physically perfect, morally righteous individuals who are present in nearly every aspect of Korean society from daily entertainment to global representation of the country. Foreigners Over the past few decades, South Korea’s primarily homogeneous ethnic landscape has seen a slight shift with the influx of foreigners. This has contributed to a small but growing percentage of minority individuals within the nation navigating life’s challenges in an intricate culture far different than their own. Café Culture Cafés have become increasingly diverse in Korea, and there are now cafés to please nearly any desire, such as animal cafes, board game cafes, cafés based on shows or characters, and cafés with unique and photogenic aesthetics, among many others. The rise of café culture and the growth of modern consumerism are discussed. Hierarchy Matters Hierarchy is not a concept unique to Korea. In fact, it would be difficult to find a society without some sort of hierarchy. Nonetheless, there are some unique qualities that set Korea’s hierarchical culture apart from others. With a society firmly rooted in Confucian ideals and a pervasive military culture, Korea’s hierarchical roots run deep. Educational Zeal The Korean drama “Sky Castle” premiered in 2018 to widespread acclaim. The show follows the lives of Korea’s elite scrambling to secure spots for their children at one of Korea’s prestigious ‘SKY’ universities. The drama’s content and popularity both speak to the high place education occupies in Korean society. Filial Piety The Korean expression, “Naeri-Sarang,” roughly translates as “downward love”, expresses the notion that love is something pure imparted from the elders to the young, not the other way around. Meanwhile, “Filial Piety” continues to hold major sway over Korean society and its values despite the concept’s ancient roots. Korean Emotions When discussing what uniquely defines the Korean people, two words that often come up are “Jeong” and “Han”. These two words describe complex emotions pertaining to Korea with meanings difficult to capture in translation. What are “Jeong” and “Han” and why should Koreans feel them particularly strongly? Religion Korea has been introduced to several different religions, many of which have experienced being Korea’s majority religion at one point in history. Today, the outstanding religious affiliation is none at all. A quick look at Korean culture suggests that religion hasn’t left and will likely remain an integral part of the country for decades to come. 333 Language “Satoori” are the versions of casual spoken Korean that originate and are used in specific regions of the country. “Satoori” have noticeable differences in the ending, pronunciation, tone, and word choice from that of standard Korean. This variety of regional languages provides a significant insight into the subculture and history of its region of origin. History & Heritage Korea has a long history of roughly half a million years, over the course of which several Kingdoms rose and fell. Some regions are associated with the unique founding myths of each Kingdom, serving as an archeological site. The cities still preserve both the tangible and intangible cultural heritage, such as relics, structures, folklore, and traditions. Film & Drama While Korean cities are involved in International Film Festivals (IFF) with their own city names, such as Busan IFF, they are also featured in a number of movies and dramas through the lens of various themes and periods relevant to the regions. Are you ready for a getaway to historic and lively cities in Korea and meeting a taxi driver ajeossi such as Song, Kang-Ho? Attraction South Korea is a country of contrasts, with tourist attractions ranging from ancient relics like Buddha Grotto and temples to cutting-edge skyscrapers in Seoul and Busan, and from the natural significance of Jeju Volcanic Island to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Koreas. A new high-rail system makes your travel more relaxed! 333 Cuisine Did you know the “Jeonju” in Jeonju Bibimbap and “Chuncheon” in Chuncheon Chicken Galbi are city names of Korea? The cooking methods and recipes of the foods have preserved and reflected the spirit, taste, climate, culture, and traditions of the geographical regions that they originate from. You won’t be able to resist dining out at a Korean restaurant today! 333 Soft Power The last 20 years have seen a huge rise in South Korea’s international footprint, as popular K-Dramas and K-Pop songs are watched and listened to around the globe, and Korean beauty and fashion products are world-renowned. With this surge in global popularity, South Korea’s soft power grows in tandem. Healthcare Health management refers to the medical practice of improving lifestyle and eating well to maintain or promote one’s health. Koreans are particularly interested in living a healthy lifestyle. Koreans’ unique awareness and healthcare practices are closely associated with their sustainable tradition and culture. Quarantine During the recent global pandemic situation, South Koreans’ effective actions and treatment against COVID-19 have been widely appraised. These successful and prompt responses to the pandemic have been possible thanks to the orchestration of their medical establishment and insurance system as well as their cultures of health. Postpartum Care The term “Sanhujori” can be translated to “postpartum care”, but Koreans’ sanhujori does not simply correspond to the postpartum care. The detailed records on maternity leave during King Sejong’s reign (15C) demonstrates the long-standing and special understanding of the significance of maternal health and recovery. …. Go Green! South Korea has come to be among the best in recycling today. Its rigorous efforts for a “greener” environment and healthier climate are not limited at the government’s level, at which solid waste management legislation and green growth initiatives have been created, but also have increasingly promoted individuals’ awareness and campaign toward zero waste. Defense & Peace o preserve stable relations with North Korea and avoid a costly war, South Korea balances calculated diplomacy with Pyongyang and a combat-ready military force. For South Korea, possessing a military force ready to “Fight Tonight” is a double-edged sword: it deters military aggression from the North and yet stokes tensions between two divided nations. Transportation Transportation is essential for people to travel, build connections, and discover new places. With South Korea’s population of about 52 million-9.988 million, of which live in Seoul and 99,720 sq km in land and water, the country requires rigorous methods to get around. Thus, Korea has worked to build up its transportation to provide a safe and reliable means of travel. 333 333