The IMF Crisis and South Korea’s Hyper-Competitive Childhood
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How Economic Trauma Turned Parental Love into Relentless Pressure
How Economic Trauma Turned Parental Love into Relentless Pressure
Today marks the 11th anniversary of a disaster that claimed 304 lives—most of them schoolchildren—and forever changed South Korea. For those outside Korea, here’s why it still matters deeply.
In Daechi-dong, Seoul’s most competitive education hub, children master middle school math before they’ve lost all their baby teeth—and English is done and dusted by age 12.
Because in Korea, preschool kicks off the college plan—and kindergarten has entry requirements.
Before South Korea’s modern-day education craze, there was a centuries-old tradition of study… and survival.
Uncovering the historical roots of Korea’s intense academic culture through the fiercely competitive civil service exams of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)
Unraveling the surprising origins of Korea’s intense academic drive—it all started with a revolution and a philosopher’s radical vision.
Korea’s intense focus on education didn’t emerge overnight. It’s deeply rooted in historical events and societal values that have shaped the nation’s identity for centuries.
Korea is a country of contrasts—where economic success meets deep societal pressures. Before exploring what it means to grow up there, let’s see why Korea captivates and defies definition.
For anyone curious about a Korean classic on Taegyo (prenatal education).
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