Christianity in Korea:Problem

In just few generations, the power of Christianity has grown into one of the biggest religion in the nation, such as producing the most missionaries in the world, and the number of Christians in Korea is greater than the Christian members in Europe. On a typical Sunday of Soon Bok Eum Gyo hwe, more than 200,000 worshipers attend seven services in a building, claiming as one of the biggest church in the world. 

 

Picture: This is the picture of biggest church in Korea and how fancy the building is.

The Christianity has begun in Korea when Missionaries from Europe and China would come to Korea to convert their religion and traditions. In the late 19th century, Protestant missionaries were able to establish Korea’s educational institutions, including Ewha Womans' University in 1886. The establishment of institutions led to a rapid increase in the number of Christians. 

Unlike their first intention, like most religion, when it gets too big it starts get involved with politics and greed of human beings. The mega churches in Korea such as, Soon Bok Eum Gyohwe do not receive any respect or admiration from the outer society as they once did. Instead, they are receiving harsh and severe criticism from society. One of the biggest problems is the privatization of church; inheriting church to the son of the senior pastor, and spending hundreds of millions of dollars in building church when there are practically millions of churches in Korea. The scary part of Christianity in Korea today is not only the mega churches themselves, but small churches wanting to be a big player. Mega churches became a role model for such small churches, and their members think that increasing the members as the goal of successful ministry.

Patriarchy in Korea

One thing that I noticed while staying at my older siblings was that gender still matters quite a lot during my family's Choosuk time and New Years..All My cousins from paternal side are female so I am used to getting much love from my grandfather and grandmother since I was young.

There are many tragic incidents where I favored over the maternal side of cousins right in front of them, because I am the only male grandson who would continue my family line. There was an one incident when I witnessed  very tragic moment for my cousin from maternal side. Because our grandfather is successful, yet very hot-tempered and strict, when my cousin was in trouble, he refused to help because he was not his grandson with same last name 

The world is still a patriarchy despite Korea's strong effort to improve the issues of gender equality  and equal opportunity. Even though, most societies have been very patriarchy including USA (women were not allowed to vote until early 20th century). The root of patriarchy was implemented to a higher degree when  the Confucian system was imported from China and made the official state belief system in about 1390 A.D. Order and authority are the main teachings of Confucian ideology. Fathers are responsible for their families and must be both obeyed and revered by everyone. During the dinner with families, older people are sits first and eats  before anyone else can hold a spoon. Also, one of the key tradition of order is that no one in Korea calls an older person by their first name, but respect them with "Hyung" and "Nuna". 

The dual citizen person like me, who is used to both Korean culture and American culture, it was very confusing in the early age and had to go through many experiences to understand Korean's order and full culture. However, I wish that I had learned it sooner, because it took me many years to talk to my cousins from Korea without a family dispute. 

The Bedrock of Korean: Education System needs complements

 When General MacArthur has visted Korea right after 6.25 War, he said "For South Korea to recover, it will take at least 100 years to accomplish". The 50% of mines and factories were destroyed and the living condition was indescribable. However today, South Korea has become the country with 15th highest Nominal GDP, it is an incredible accomplishment. Since the devastation of 6.25, Korea has produced hardworking, skilled works who contributed in achieving an economic miracle in a single generation

The factor that developed Koreans to become the skilled and hardworking was the strong education system that was rooted deeply and not broken after the devastating war. Koreans put value in their education and make great amounts of personal and financial sacrifices to ensure that their children are afforded the best learning institutions (Hakwon). Other nations cannot even compare to Koreans how much they are driven to achieve high rank in academia and pressure their child to study(coming from my own personal experience as well)

Throughout the history of Korea, there was high emphasis on forming education systems, beginning from Taehak from Goguryo, Hwarang from Silla to Sunggyungwan and Kwageo from Koryo and Choson dynasty. 

Although, there are many issues with the current education system such as forcing students to memorize, which leads to lack of efficiency and creativity and also forceful pressure to Korean young students to study in  whatever circumstances do have practical and moral issues. However, the long history of dedication of Korean towards education has been planted deep inside Koreans mind and it was the one that is driving Korean to become one of the wealthiest nation. 

On Hallyu: What Went Wrong?

Hallyu is a term that is now being widely and rather proudly used by Koreans. Hallyu, also known as the Korean Wave or Korean Fever, has swept the continent at an incredulous rate, and it continues to influence every aspect of pop culture in Asia. Over the last few years, Korea has managed to introduce and popularize Korean music, food, fashion, and many more cultural elements to foreigners. Generally, Koreans consider Hallyu as a movement that has elevated the status of the nation. It is not entirely false. Specifically, with Korean singers hitting the top charts in the overseas music industries, they are bringing in loads of economic benefits back.

It is now a typical routine for “idol groups” to go to Japan after showing potential in the Korean entertainment business. The Giant entertainment companies that manage these idol groups are obsessed more than ever with sending these young singers abroad. These idol groups maintain huge fan bases and are consistently in the spotlight through various media. A scene of Korean pop stars going to different countries to be surprised with hundreds of fans eagerly waiting for them at the airport is no longer a unique sight. To add, they dine at fancy restaurants, wear expensive clothing, regularly visit spas, and own big houses at the wealthiest region of Seoul. Which of those would one not envy? Such luxurious lifestyle lures young talented people into the entertainment industry at a ridiculously fast rate. Unfortunately, the glamour and glitz of Hallyu stars stop there.

 

With the recent breakup of a popular Korean boy band DBSK, Hallyu is forever tarnished. It was soon revealed that SM Entertainment, one of the most well-known entertainment companies in Korea, had what resembled a slave contract with DBSK. The contract basically allowed for SM’s absorption of the majority of DBSK’s perceived profits ranging from albums, DVD revenue, etc. It’s distressing to get into the details so with the risk of sounding too casual, DBSK has been overworked and underpaid.

DBSK is not alone. Kara, who recently debuted and set the records in Japan as the first foreign group to rank top in the Oricon chart for two weeks, sued their management company for more or less the same reason. Management companies defend their position by playing the Hallyu card. If Hallyu means exploiting the dreams of the young and their talent, and if it means that’s what it takes to make Hallyu and Korean pop culture progress, then it is a real shame.

One after another, Hallyu stars reveal their true confessions and yet, Korean public seems to be turning a blind eye on the entertainment companies; perhaps unintentionally. Due to numerous news reports on mistreatment of young pop stars, the public accepts them today, unfortunately, as norm of the entertainment business. Fundamentally, exploitation of young entertainers is a direct result of the fact that underage celebrities are not protected under the law. Currently, they are categorized as special types of laborers which deny them the labor rights of minors that limit and restrict their working hours. Using it to their advantage, the management companies are “legally” allowed to overwork their employees in and out of Korea.

The reverent title of a Hallyu star is playing a central role in luring young teenagers to train and work under the management of notoriously successful companies. It is generally accepted that upon signing a contract with those agencies, one ought to make a debut abroad. Too many people devote their time and resources for star auditions.

Hallyu should not be a leeway for ignorant entertainment management companies to crush the dreams of young celebrities, nor should they treat minorities as if they were products for personal profiteering. Hallyu should be something genuinely Korean that embodies and reflects the Korean culture; one that honestly represents the true passion and love for music that has been passed down for generations.  

Soo-Neung, the continued Korean tradition and problem

November 30 was Soo-Neung Day, a day for national college entrance exam. The street scene this morning is a little peculiar, something that is hard to be seen in other countries. On the day of Soo-neung, most of the companies and schools are opened late and the walls of high schools are surrounded by hundreds of mothers praying for her son and daughters’ success in the exam.

The zeal of education in Korea is often issued in other countries. In Korea, it is accepted normal for the parents to sacrifice a tremendous amount of their lives for the education of their children and the children in respects are under a lot of pressure to meet their parents’ expectations.

It is uncommon to see parents paying a lot of money to let their pre-school kids, who barely speak Korean, enter the English oriented preschool so that they can get an early start in English education. Also the number of Kirogi fathers, fathers who make money in Korea to support his families who have gone abroad for education purposes. Although the family sacrifices a lot by being separated from each other, the parents gladly accept this sacrifice for their children’s future success.

This passion for education has undoubtly acted as a driving force for a rapid growth of national power in Korea. Only before 50 years ago, Korea was one of the poorest countries in Asia, horribly damaged by the war. However through diligence and passion for the success, Korea is considered one of the most powerful countries in Asia.

However recently, this sometimes overwhelming zeal of education among Koreans is rising as social issue. Some of the teenagers in Korea choose to commit suicide because they experience overwhelming amount of pressure to get good grades.

The zeal of education among Koreans can be traced back to Confucianism that is deeply rooted in Korean culture. One of the most emphasized virtues in Confucianism is ‘Hyo’, which is an emphasis to tend one’s parents with filial piety. Because of this culture, the children try their best to meet expectations of their parents, who are willing to sacrifice so much for their children’s education.

Koreans’ particular passion for education is not something that is entirely wrong. No one can deny the fact that it was the driving force that made Korea a powerful country with outstanding technologies in such a short amount of time. However, it is important to take everything in moderation and be careful not to lose so many important things just for the education of children.

The drama of history of Hangul

The hottest TV show this season in Korea is a historical drama called Tree with Deep Roots. The drama is about King Saejong, one of the most respected kings from Chosun dynasty in Korea, and his journey of invention and spreading of Hangul, the Korean alphabet.

Before King Saejong invented Hangul, Koreans used Chinese characters to read and write. However, Chinese writing system was not adequate in expressing all Korean sounds and it was incredibly complicated for general people to learn because chinese characters were ideograms consisted of thousands of characters. Therefore only people in high social positions, who actually had enough time and resources to study the letters, were able to learn and most of the peasants were left illiterate. King Saejong, caring deeply about his people, felt sorry and decided to invent the Korean alphabet that is easy for all people to learn.

Hangul was invented by King Saejong and possibly the scholars in Jip-Hyun-jun in 1443 and it was proclaimed in 1446. The foundation of Hangul is in universal principle. The consonants are consisted of three groups that resemble the figure of throat, mouth, and teeth (ㅇ,ㅁ,Δ)and the vowels are consisted of three groups that resemble the heaven, the earth, and a man(∙, ㅡ ,ㅣ). Hangul was originally proclaimed as Hoon Min Jung Um which means the right sounds that meant to teach people. In contrasts to Chinese writing system that consists of thousands of complicated ideograms, Hangul was made as phonogram that is consisted of only 28 alphabets which allowed even the peasants to easily learn how to read and write.

Although the proclamation of Hangul ran into some strong opposition among vassals who feared the abandonment of Chinese writing system, Hangul became incredibly popular among women and children and it spread rather quickly throughout the nation.

Hangul made possible to hold all the unique Korean sounds that were impossible to express by Chinese characters before and helped to significantly lower the illiterate rate in Korea.

In celebration of King Saejong and his great achievement in invention of Hangul, Koreans celebrate Oct. 9 as Hangul day.