Korean Job Discussion Forums

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Today a student at my wife's school tried to commit suicide. My wife and I had a discussion about possible causes for the high suicide rate in Korea, but all we both have is conjecture. I realize what a newbie question this is from someone who has been here for almost eight years, but it's not something I've spent much time thinking about before now: Why is the suicide rate so high here?

Ranman · Joined: 18 Aug 2012

Stan Rogers · Joined: 20 Aug 2010

Because they are not happy.

toby99 · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 6:53 am Post subject:

On a related note, I'm curious how common suicide is within the expat community. I know every now and then an expat death gets a lot of press, but how many don't make the press. How much of Korea's suicide problem "rubs off" on expats?

nora · Joined: 14 Apr 2012

Julius · Joined: 27 Jul 2006

toby99 · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 8:14 am Post subject:

I think a combination of things: the pressure-cooker lifestyle of Korean society, the soju-soaked brains, the intense competition for absolutely everything (getting laid, taxis, jobs, beauty, English ability, education, status), the social stigma of mental illness, the struggle to 'save face' and preserve reputation at all costs, even if this means death...

Yep, Korea definitely ain't gonna win any awards for "Happiest Country on Earth" anytime soon.

Always wondered if the expats who "go native" start to pick up a similar, grind-it-out approach to life.

joelove · Joined: 12 May 2011

Sort of related in a tangential way I guess...A Korean-American guy and me were at a bar once in Itaewon. A few foreigners and a few Korean guys were there. It was really glum somehow and we were trying to joke around a bit like ya would when drinking. Then a few Filipinos walked in, couple of guys and girls, laughing and smiling, and the whole place somehow got happier, or so it seemed to me. It was bizarre.

EZE · Joined: 05 May 2012

My theory is it's the strict conformist ways of the society that drives people crazy. For example, in North Korea, there's only a certain number of hairstyles people up there are allowed to have by law. In South Korea, it's the same way only it's a social law instead of a governmental law.

There's a very strict code of uniformity, much more extreme than any other culture I can think of. Sure, in some countries, women have to all wear the same color of blanket every day, but the men can wear traditional clothing or Western clothing, and can grow a beard of any length or shave. Here, even the men have to conform or they're considered losers. Also, in the countries where women have to wear uniform blankets, suicide is very taboo for religious reasons.

Plus, you can't be fat or ugly. Many Koreans go under the knife due to this pressure. Sometimes the knife is in the hand of the plastic surgeon. Sometimes the knife is in the person's right hand and they slit their left wrist.

Physical appearance is just one example of the conformist uniformity. There are many others such as the strict and obnoxious enforcement of obscure etiquette rules. In most countries, manners are just a simple and relaxed way of making others feel comfortable. In Korea, manners are a complex and strict way of making others feel uncomfortable.

slothrop · Joined: 03 Feb 2003

toby99 · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:19 am Post subject:

toby99 · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 9:23 am Post subject:

cdninkorea · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Location: Seoul

Lucas · Joined: 11 Sep 2012

saram_ · Joined: 13 May 2008

Something I think which doesn't help one bit is the Media/ Popular Culture here.

There is an unashamed superficialty running through the fabric of every Korean Drama and advertising here. A picture is painted that is beyond the realms of your average Korean person. Whether its the absolutely stunning and perfectly looking actresses and actors or the families their characters hail from. It just seems out of touch with reality.

It is an obsession really. It's like there is an ever more obsessive march to keep up with the jones' attitude that eminates through popular culture.
This is something that is much different to back home. The style here is just too materialistic driven.

There is just simply too much false expectation and I don't see it get any better any time soon. Surgeries and the like can only go so far..
It is no surprise that suicide here is so high.

That over obsession with a perfection that can never be attained..

There needs to be more realism throughout popular culture but its the people who would need to drive that.