The politeness pyramid
The hierarchical system is the basis of the Korean social structure. We owe respect to those older than us, but also to those whose social status is higher. For example, in a conversation with a Korean, age will be asked in the very first few minutes. This will establish the hierarchy and therefore the degree of politeness to be adopted. The way you speak will be adapted to the person you're talking to. This goes beyond the familiar "first-name, last-name" difference. This age distinction also applies at mealtimes: you shouldn't sit down before your elders, or even start eating before them, as this would be a form of disrespect. The way alcohol is served will also vary according to who is serving whom. It's important to note that the younger members of the family should literally be at the service of the elders, ensuring that they have everything they need.
The school: a success that pays off
In South Korea, competitiveness reigns supreme. Obviously in the workplace, as everywhere else, but in Korea this race for success starts at school. The subdivision is relatively similar to ours. The first stage is kindergarten, followed by primary school, then secondary school and finally university. Koreans are among the best students in the world, with a particularly intense and intense relationship to their studies.
This culture of success and achievement is supported by the government, which has even created free online courses, the EBS (Educational Broadcasting System). Many families also invest in private academies and institutions for their children, known as hagwon. Often very expensive, these places of study, which often close late at night (10pm), prepare young people for the Suneung. The Suneung can be compared to the French baccalaureate with the difference that it is almost considered a sacred day in Korea, so valuable is it for the students' future. The results obtained in this exam determine which universities you will or will not be able to attend. The higher the results, the easier it is to gain admission to prestigious schools and companies. That's why this day is so important in Korean society, which slows down for the occasion. It adapts to the event in surprising ways. Stores and businesses open later to allow traffic to flow more smoothly; planes don't fly over the cities in which the exams take place, student transport is given priority and, perhaps most original of all, even the police are requisitioned to drive any latecomers themselves. This shows the importance of this day, and of studying in general. This period in the lives of Koreans also has a very serious aspect: they are also the most likely to commit suicide during this period, due to ever-increasing pressure and competitiveness..
Two years to offer to his country
It's said in Korea that men cry three times in their lives: when they're born, when their parents die, and when they leave for military service. And that's what this is all about. Since, unfortunately, there is still no official peace with North Korea, young South Korean men have to perform military service for around two years. Thereafter, they will have "booster shots" for several years. They can choose between the army, navy or air force. The hardest and most demanding branches are often a few months shorter. In the past, soldiers were completely cut off from their families. Nowadays, the situation is a little better. They have the right to some leave, as well as the use of their cell phones, which is obviously very limited and supervised. The young men experience the realistic conditions of armed conflict. The aim is to be ready to defend themselves, just in case...
Marriages, divorces and births
What about families, marriages, divorces and births in South Korea?
This Confucian society is generally very protective of women, whom it considers weaker. The average age for a woman to marry is around 30.
Marriages no longer conquer the majority of the population, except surprisingly in the case of international unions. There are several reasons for this phenomenon. First of all, it should be pointed out that the family has a say in the matter: you don't marry whoever you want. Some unions have been compromised because of this. But this is not the main reason for the drop in marriages. Marriage is a heavy burden for Korean men and women alike. Many give up because the future is too uncertain. Men will have to work harder to provide a comfortable life for their wives. Women, on the other hand, will have to look after the home and, above all, their husband's family. This makes it difficult for them to combine the professional life they desire with a family life that is often fraught with responsibility.
You'd think that in this Confucian society, divorces wouldn't be commonplace. This is surprising, given that the number of marriages is only twice as high as the number of divorces. Divorces are therefore permitted, except for men who have committed adultery. This serves as a sort of protective shield for women.
As the birth rate is largely linked to marriages, it is logical that Korea is among the countries with the lowest birth rate. In the city of Seoul, it's below 1%. Here too, everything can be explained: parents don't have enough time to look after a potential child, and there's not enough money for teaching and education. As a result, Koreans are having fewer and fewer babies, and the population is inevitably ageing.
Homosexuals and transgenders: a battle far from being won
In this highly conservative society, homosexuality is a taboo subject. They consider it abnormal behavior which, if it can't be eradicated, must be hidden. Religious pressure, particularly from Catholics, is not without consequences, leading to insults, threats and sometimes even violent reactions.
In the military code, homosexuality is even a criminal offence and can therefore be punished in various ways, including imprisonment. Some events, such as the Korean Queer Festival, defend the rights of the LGBT community. However, these events are always carefully supervised by the police to avoid potential conflicts with the opposition. Although society as a whole is tending to stagnate, younger generations are moving towards acceptance of homosexuality. Some public figures have even come out to fight for their recognition and rights.
Alcohol as a social link
In South Korea, alcohol consumption is important. But here, it is closely linked to socialization, particularly in the world of work. Drinking alone is frowned upon. After a hard day's work, or at the end of a project, the members of a company gather around a bottle - often more than one, it has to be said. The country's best-selling spirits include soju 소주 (rice liqueur), makgeolli 막걸리 (rice wine) and beer (maekju 맥주). Social pressure and codes, as well as the low cost of alcohol (1,300 won for a bottle of soju), play in favor of ever-increasing consumption. If you're sharing a meal with a Korean, a few rules are in order. You never serve yourself; someone else has to offer. In this case, you hold your glass in both hands and drink with your right hand. Always wait for the older person to drink first. If you're younger, turn your head or hide your glass with your hand while you're drinking. Moreover, refusing a drink is considered cheeky.
Plastic surgery
Korea is obsessed with appearance. You always have to be slimmer and more beautiful. This image of perfection is relayed by the media and celebrities. The result is excessive use of cosmetic surgery, for both men and women. South Korea is now the country where this type of surgery is most widely practiced. The ideal appearance sought by Korean men and women is very close to Western criteria. It requires very fair skin, as well as split eyelids to create much larger eyes. Nearly 3 million operations are carried out each year. It has to be said that many of the advertisements displayed to the general public promote this practice, suggesting that to succeed you have to be beautiful. For example, companies focus on the beauty of a job applicant. Every employee is the outward face of the company they work for. In line with this omnipresent desire for success, parents often offer their children a little time under the knife in order to facilitate access to a job..
