I want to talk about the context behind SK’s work ethic and how it extends far beyond just the K-pop industry. I’ve seen far too many comments assuming that idols and trainees are the only ones going through insane schedules, but that doesn’t paint the full picture.
Work ethic in SK operates on a completely different scale compared to the West, and a lot of that has to do with the country’s history. After the war, SK went from being one of the poorest countries in the world to one of the most technologically advanced nations with a strong economy in just 30 to 40 years. That kind of transformation doesn’t happen by chance. It’s not normal for a country to rise from rock bottom and become one of the global leaders in such a short span without an extraordinary level of work ethic embraced by the entire nation.
This drive has shaped the ultra-competitive culture we see today that affects every aspect of life in SK. A lot of people criticize the K-pop industry as “inhumane” for training minors under grueling schedules, but those trainees aren’t alone in facing such intense pressure. Take Korean students, for example. Many are on a study schedule from 7 a.m. to nearly midnight (attending cram schools) every day, all in hopes of getting into a named university in Seoul. High school seniors only get ONE shot each year to ace Suneung (the national college entrance exam). If they don’t do well, their next option is to spend an entire year preparing to retake it. It’s not entirely uncommon for them to spend multiple years just to have a better shot at getting admitted to a school they desire. It’s an incredibly cutthroat system.
Yes, Koreans are aware that this system isn’t ideal, but for them, it’s completely normalized. Even after surviving this relentless education system, it’s routine for workers to put in long hours far beyond what’s officially required. Do they enjoy it? No. But it’s accepted as part of the culture. What people outside of SK often don’t realize is that the concept of “overworking” isn’t perceived the same way there. This post isn’t about delving into debates about human rights or the politics surrounding them. The main point is to emphasize that their level of work ethic is simply on another level that is shaped by a unique history and culture that makes it incomparable to many other parts of the world.
submitted by /u/betterthan88
[link] [comments]
