South Korean Values: Understanding Who Koreans Are

Attempts at understanding what people think and feel has been one of the major themes in the realm of academia. From motivations to strategies, various studies seek to venture into the unknown. Because human mind belongs to the inner workings of human psyche, it transforms itself depending on the situation, and can be concealed at the face of social taboos. Koreans, by the look from outside seems to be multifaceted, and it is not easy for us to get a grasp on the overall mind map. However, behaviors are governed by motivations and motivations are the reflection of what people value. Identity, when applied to inner-workings of people in general, can serve as the starting point. Identity, motivation, and core values are expected to guide us in comprehending who Koreans are.

This study seeks to develop an understanding of who South Koreans are. Following the logic of “magic of numbers” and fully utilizing the power of empirical generalization, overall mind map of South Koreans is drawn. Data gathered from 47 separate assessments by psychoanalysts is used. 

It could be argued that South Korean mind map consists of following three main branches: 1) Relationalism, 2) Inner-Worldliness, and 3) Returnism. These tendencies are all intertwined and form secular trinity in ‘the sense of supreme bliss.’ As aforementioned tendencies went through significant alterations, ‘the sense of supreme bliss’ sought after differs from that of traditional Korean society. The kind of bliss so many Koreans yearn for nowadays is more of a fortune than happiness. Disenchanted Koreans today seek the sense of supreme bliss by making meaningful and beneficial personal connections. What we are witnessing is the reflection of distrust toward ruling ideology and social leadership, resistance to the opportunity structure where fairness is ignored, and remorse over competitive life where winner takes all.