Hurry Hurry! Hurry Hurry! One of the most commonly used expressions in everyday life in South Korea is “Pali, Pali!” (Hurry, Hurry!). This phrase embodies the no patience, fast-paced attitude that has lately become a hallmark of Korean society. 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. Without such a definite sense of urgency, tech giants like Samsung and LG could never have become world leaders in the IT industry and South Koreans would be unable to enjoy the world’s fastest internet, as they do now. However, this culture is not without its faults. In the following segments, we will discuss this unique culture from various perspectives, including its origin, ongoing effects, and prospects for the future. This video and the rest of the media resources below showcase a few of the nuanced ways in which this mentality permeates daily life. Examples of Koreans’ Do-It-Quick Attitude The following examples exhibit how the Pali Pali mindset can be seen in real situations. For example, the second video is an advertisement for a food and package delivery company. In South Korea, where consumers prize their time, two-day delivery is already the norm, while one-day and same-day delivery are becoming increasingly common. This movie title also epitomizes Koreans’ Pali Pali nature. Korean Elevator Button This image displays the ‘open’ and ‘close’ buttons on an elevator side-by-side. The ‘close’ button is heavily worn from use while the ‘open’ button is fresh, showing how people lack even the patience to wait for the elevator doors to close automatically. Rapid Package Delivery Culture In Korea, food can be ordered from almost anywhere and delivered rapidly to the desired location. Although these ideas are slowly spreading to the US and other countries through services like Uber Eats, they have been well developed in South Korea for years. Coining of Contracted Words This article discusses the trend currently popular among the younger generation to take words and shorten them either for convenience or more efficient studying. Foreigners’ Reactions Becuase not all countries value speed to the same extent as Korea, many foreigners are shocked at Pali Pali culture. The next few resources consider foreigners’ attitudes about Pali Pali culture. Culture Shock Many foreigners are quite surprised when they first experience Pali Pali culture. This video looks at some elements particularly striking to first-time visitors to Korea. Products Unique to Korea One product unique to Korea is the fast-setup tent. With a quick flick of the wrist (starting from 2:20 in the clip above), the tent is open and ready to use. Here is a video describing French actress Isabelle Hupper’s amazed reaction to the convenience of this Korean-style tent and the speed at which it can be delivered. Foreigners’ Debate This clip is from “Abnormal Summit”, a popular Korean TV debate show starring non-native Korean speakers from various countries. Here, they are debating about Pali Pali culture. Some focus on the positive impacts while others emphasize the negatives to a greater degree. Historical Context and Dual Nature The following articles and video clips illustrate the historical context that gave rise to Pali Pali culture and also look at the phenomenon’s positive and negative effects. Historical Background The widespread appearance of this impatient personality is a relatively recent development. Consequently, it is interesting to ask what circumstances gave rise to it originally and what has since caused it to rapidly radiate across society. This article addresses some of this historical context, such as Korea’s weather and climate as well as Korea’s extensive history of being invaded by foreign powers. Rapid Economic Development One beneficial byproduct of this “Pali, Pali” culture has been rapid economic development. Over a brief period of just a few decades, South Korea has exhibited remarkable economic growth in numerous sectors. Among those, one of the most well-known is Korea’s automotive industry. Its leaders, Hyundai and Kia, have gained a strong reputation worldwide for producing quality automobiles. In Israel, for example, Hyundai and Kia consistently outperform Japanese and German car companies in sales. This article discusses how Korean companies have managed to dominate the market in Israel. Young Generation’s Voice This mini-documentary analyzes the dual nature of Pali Pali culture from a young Korean’s perspective. In this article written by a female student and published in Ewha Women’s University’s weekly newspaper the author addresses parts of this culture that need improvement. As with many other modern trends, Pali Pali culture is difficult to characterize as wholly beneficial or harmful. As a result, it is essential to look at sources like the final ones presented above and pay attention to the younger generation’s voice regarding this issue. It is the responsibility of the generations currently in power to ensure that the culture today’s youth inherits balances the benefits of a fast-paced lifestyle with remedying its shortcomings.