South Korea has emerged as an advanced country with astonishing economic prosperity, which has led quite a few people from developing countries to want to immigrate to Korea. 

Even people in advanced countries are interested in visiting Korea to see for themselves the nation that has miraculously attained astounding economic success, cutting-edge technology and cultural prosperity.

When veterans of the Korean War from U.N. member countries visit Korea, they are often amazed at the radical changes that have taken place in the once hopelessly poverty-stricken country that they fought for.

Sadly, however, many young Koreans reportedly want to emigrate to other countries nowadays, leaving behind their much-coveted and seemingly affluent country. They even call their homeland “hell.”

One can only guess at the reason. Perhaps they are fed up with the inhumane Korean education system that focuses solely on good grades, creating a college entrance exam hell. Or perhaps they are frustrated by the tight job market that has few openings. Numerous college graduate interns and part-timers are facing financial instability because of meager incomes these days.

Newspapers report that not only frustrated, unemployed youngsters but even well-established young people from the middle class are seriously considering emigration. I wonder why they want to leave their homeland for a totally strange country. The life of immigrants is far from being comfortable or joyous. Settling down in an unfamiliar, and, at times, hostile environment is not easy. Nevertheless, many Korean young people, who are disappointed in their country, want to leave for a better society.

When I happened to discuss the matter with my bank manager, she came up with some insightful answers.

“I think there are three compelling reasons why they want to emigrate,” she told me. “First, in the States or Canada, you do not need to wear makeup 24/7. Here in Korea, everybody is made-up all the time and you can’t be an exception.”

I was amused by her sharp feminine perception.

“Secondly, in those countries, you can wear anything you want, something casual and comfortable even for outings.” She continued. “But in Korea, you always have to wear expensive clothes because you will be treated according to the price or brand of your suit or dress. People want to show off.”

Then the witty bank manager added, winking at me, “You don’t need to carry a luxury handbag in other countries as well. Here in Korea it is a must.” I was impressed by her persuasive interpretation and waited for the third reason.

“Thirdly, in other countries it is quite all right even if your child is not outstanding at school.” She concluded, “In Korea, if your child’s academic achievement is not good, that’s the end of the world! Your life is over.”

It is undeniable that in Korea, your child’s academic performance decides not only his or her future, but also your own social status.

The bank manager was right in every sense. Indeed, we always care about what others think of us, rather than what we think of ourselves. Thus, we are not confident of ourselves and want to shine in other’s eyes. At the same time, we constantly compare ourselves with others. This unnecessary comparison makes us feel deprived and resentful, and hate others who are better off or far ahead of us. And this makes us feel miserable all the time. Perhaps that is why Korea is called, “a country of miracles, but also miseries.”

Indeed, while we have achieved economic miracles, we have lost our happiness in the process. It is no wonder that Koreans seldom feel happy. 

This strange phenomenon inevitably results in the overemphasis on appearances, not on substance or reality. That is why people in Korea want to flash famous brand handbags, dresses and shoes. That is why Koreans want to wear expensive watches, bracelets and rings. And that is why the brand name of your alma mater is important in Korea too; it is a golden badge that shows your social status. We want to be like others. How I think of myself is not important. How others think of me is.

Someone told me that in Korea even ordinary people tend to think of themselves as movie stars and act as if they are one. Thus, they want to wear fancy suits or dresses, put on heavy make-up or drive luxury cars. Even worse, they are willing to lie down on an operation table for cosmetic enhancements. It is no wonder Korean young people stand out on the street, good-looking, well-dressed and lustrously decorated. But what is there beneath the glistening surface, except for hollow and shallow radiance?             

Sometimes, I wonder if we have created a hell for ourselves during the country’s rapid industrialization. We need to reclaim our paradise and create a better world for our young people. Or else we risk losing them to foreign shores.

By Kim Seong-kon

Kim Seong-kon is a professor emeritus of English at Seoul National University and the president of the Literature Translation Institute of Korea. — Ed.