Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mashimaro]

If an unexamined life is not worth living should the nation of korea be put out of it's misery?

I had the luxury of a few hours to kill and I started thinking about this quote and how it applies to koreans. They don't seem like reflective race on the whole.

Any thoughts?

[eamo]

I know we're not allowed to generalise here but I suspect most Koreans do reflect on the other options in life but don't see a possibility of being able to see it through.

Most koreans are aware of alternative lifestyles. They've seen it on TV. They would never do it though. The 'wangta' stigma is too strong.

Before the anti-complainers start I say this not to disparage koreans but to compare their society in terms of realistic chances of individual freedom in relation to western countries.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I was surprised at the first OP.

I don't know how common it is, but a good many of my Korean friends spend some time at the end of every year writing up goals for the coming year. They can even verbalize a life philosophy. It's my impression that far more Koreans than Westerners live an examined life.

[coolsage]

With all due respect, the 'examined life' here is not examined very deeply. Life goals are set in terms of 'pure love', the 'right job', and that's about it. Certainly no 'subversive' thoughts are allowed to creep in to the consciousness, such as it is. 'The nail that sticks out will soon be hammered flat.'

[VanIslander]

[Leslie Cheswyck]

[trigger123]

excellent point my good man...

'don't seem like a reflective race on the whole'...hmmm... how do you work that one out?
they are always checking themselves out in the mirror, see those ker-razee middle schoolers and them darned mobile phones? ai-shee!
so is it that time already? the time to make huge sweeeeeping statements about korea and the korean people? cool! lets go!

[Mashimaro]

[steroidmaximus]

[weatherman]

I find Koreans very good at getting to where they want to be. Whether this be work, apartment, partner, handbag, shoes, suit, vacation, body, etc... Great at getting anywhere that can be used as social capital. But can they get somewhere that does't have social capital?

Koreans know themsevles in the system, but do they know themsevles outside of the system?

[Ya-ta Boy]

"Korean cheese sucks and I hate kimchi. Pour me another beer! What time do you want to meet at the Watering Hole on Friday night?"

This does NOT amount to a life philosophy in my book, but it is the level of introspection displayed by 95+% of the ESL crowd.

I know at least a dozen people who have their life on a schedule. They know their goals and what they will do in the short term and the long term to achieve those goals. They also bring up things like: "Are you happy?" to talk about.

On the whole, I'm impressed with the amount and depth of introspection my friends show. They are far more goal oriented than I am.

Anyway, I've already said that.

I'm curious what "Where is the creative impetus that engenders the wackiness I see back home?" means. Please give an example.

I can't think of anyone wackier than my friend who is into S & M and whose hobby is playing the kayageum. (I don't know why I know these things about my friends. They just tell me.)

[steroidmaximus]

On top of what others have said so far (Weatherman offered a good example) the range of personal expression is a good starting point. Even in terms of something as basic as fashion, most people dress the same here. You just don't see the variety of hair styles, fashion and ways of living.

[Derrek]

I get a laugh out of the gyopos/koreans who always seem to defend the borg lifestyle in threads such as these.

[Blind Willie]

It's almost as funny as resenting a country because of your emotional baggage.

[trigger123]

i'm laughing with blind willie at this...
'the borg lifestyle'?!?!??!?!
WTF?