The way South Korean children are raised is f*cked up

It is not a good time to be a child in South Korea.
Here's the video I clipped: • 할 말은 한다. 가식 1도 없는 솔직한 ...
/ discord

[@PaulYuNow]

South Korea is not the only country like this. Whether or not you grew up in this kind of environment, I'd like to hear your take on this.

[@johnchua812]

Chinese culture is very similar.

[@jayjasperjp]

I grew up in Puerto Rico and it was very similar

[@Pra-dt3sy]

I mean india is same as well.....competing in population of 1.2 billion people is no joke.....most of the high end jobs requires kids to go through very competitive exams with only successes rates of less than 1%.... and societal pressure is immense

[@sleefy2343]

@@johnchua812yeah majority don’t even mind because working hard = success Just take a look at chinas space station so many experts.

[@johnchua812]

@@sleefy2343 Yeah, true, but lets not overlook the mental and physical toll of this kind of academic culture, let alone suicides.

[@RylandMalcolm-nl2vn]

>I want my son to be 6ft average Korean mans height is 5.7 >I want him to be sociable activities other than studying is forbidden >I want him to be confident environment of constantly being compered to unrealistic standards >I want them to find a partner While sending them into a notoriously bad work life balanced industry

[@sayantanmazumdar3]

These moms are psychotic!

[@noneedtoknow2731]

🥰🥰🥰

[@FracturedGrinningMan]

I wonder, what are they studying?

[@kellykusumoto8717]

Other than the height thing (cause im a girl) this is basically my childhood

[@MissBarbieKush]

I heard Koreans literally inject their kids with growth hormones to make them tall...and the reason why some koreans are so obsessed with "wealth" is because their country was in poverty due to the war and shit LOOL ...nobody wants to go back eating shit from the ground. Hence, when they make it a little it becomes a head in the ass attitude 😂

[@glassycreek1991]

"They don't die" -Statistics says otherwise

[@emeraldspark8794]

They don't die immediately

[@todoroki3781]

Omds

[@joseurbanos.domingo6344]

​@@emeraldspark8794 they do suffer instantly 😬

[@GDEevee]

Agreed

[@berrymint6384]

also umm the literal key to survival is a HAPPY life

[@cooliipie]

That's not raising a child. That's literally starving them from a normal life. No wonder their society has fallen

[@PaulYuNow]

Indeed that is starving them from their childhood. I wonder how the kids will be as adults.

[@cooliipie]

@@PaulYuNow We're already seeing it. Worst birthrate, no social skills, highest rate of su*cide, etc etc

[@thecarpediem17]

Declining human birth rate and making humans as a working machine.

[@wendi2607]

​@@PaulYuNowyou know the rumor where korean men is really bad on women? Looks like this is one of the major reason, highly stressful environment make people cope aggressively. And the say that korean man/woman has obsessive type kind of relationship, now i understand why. This is the root of it

[@jinlee2617]

😂😂😂 Bro, they are one of the advanced nation in the world. They are free of nonsense like LGBTQ, BLM and snowflake Gen Z who barks of nonsense like depression and anxiety. And plus men there do 2 year mandatory military service. This is how you create real men and women in society.

[@mannamedman]

This is so disturbing. The way they are treating these tactics as quirky and funny is so sick.

[@PaulYuNow]

Exactly!! I was feeling sick watching them laugh about these twisted methods of theirs

[@richardguttierez9038]

⁠@@PaulYuNowYeah that’s why people are on a me first attitude, a lot of twisted thinking nowadays. You’re probably an American as well, and see how great this country’s future generation is. Keep this up and you’ll be included in the part of America’s downfall. Before you look at and worry about how Koreans raise their kids or how other countries do, look at yours first bruh. There’s a lot more issues going on here. The obvious wrong things are accepted and how did this started? With no discipline and it’s about me, my feelings are hurt mentality, that people like you allowed, you probably haven’t been in Korea or lived there, but you act like this must be put to an end. Before doing that help put an end first here. Last I checked people around the world have this negativity about Americans the negative image of this country . Funny how concerned you are about the horrible up bringing Korean parents do with their children, but you don’t address or have no concern about how most parents raise their children here nowadays, plus how much negative influence most schools have on your child.

[@arizonagirl6474]

Why do you think the suicide rate amongst young people is so high? That is why. They also have an obsession with aging and being stick thin. I would never want to live there. Craziness.

[@jinlee2617]

So you wanna have your grow up to embrace LGBTQ, BLM and do Onlyfans to pay rent?

[@arielslack7015]

I say this once, and I say this again when you’re when you have been part of a system that encourages this, you don’t think anything is wrong with it until somebody from outside the system pointed out to you in the brainwashing over there is so deep that’s ridiculous

[@mondieu9669]

So essentially these children aren't getting time to be... children.

[@PaulYuNow]

Exactly. These poor children are robbed of their childhood!!

[@berrymint6384]

to be alive you mean because adult should mean EVEN BETTER not a worse life adults does not have any less basic needs than children

[@damsen978]

@@berrymint6384 ???????????????

[@AJTheGreat2010]

@@PaulYuNow That’s very messed up. How do them parents now know they are robbing them of a Childhood?

[@leo0o736]

​@@damsen978They mean that adults also need time for distraction and relaxation

[@dewdrop6404]

Bruh they’re literally bragging and laughing about child abuse… That thing with removing their doors and grooming them into thinking it’s ok at a young age is 100% abusive and so disgusting. These poor children will grow up not understanding boundaries. And having your 5 year old literally get depressed to the point of saying “thank you for saving me”…

[@PaulYuNow]

Agreed.

[@everythingisfine9988]

Culture with the longest protracted history of slavery. Only ending in the 1950s 1,500 years of it. That's a lot of cultural baggage that needs to be unwound

[@laeticialana]

I feel so bad for that little boy. I only got my first burnout when I was in 6th grade.

[@aphroditesaphrodisiac3272]

4 year old (koreans add 1 year because they count time spent in womb)

[@pindol69]

@@aphroditesaphrodisiac3272not anymore

[@bevbevbev_]

study focused KINDERGARTEN??? EXCUSE ME???

[@laeticialana]

I feel so bad for the kid who went there. I only got my first burnout when I was in 6th grade yet that 5-year-old was calling his own bedroom a prison.

[@Charles-sg9zu]

Welcome to Northeast Asia

[@laeticialana]

@@Charles-sg9zu yep

[@unfreezedfreezer9455]

Very common in Asia, there are lots of them in southeast Asia too except they'll force you to memorize a few religious scripture in addition to the already heavy demands

[@user-js5mn8zs6n]

Atleast India is better in the matter. Maybe mainland India is a bit harsh, but Northeast India is heaven.​@@unfreezedfreezer9455

[@victorperrin7295]

That's a very toxic environment to grow up in. I feel sorry for those kids.

[@PaulYuNow]

Yeah I feel sorry for them too. Poor kids...

[@user-ey5xw2nx9s]

Relatable. It's really fucked up

[@playerhs7572]

This is because in South Korea no one cares about children, unlike in North Korea! For the unification of Korea under the humane ideology of Juche! 🇰🇵 >>> 🇰🇷

[@spikey0245]

One of the things that I hate about korean reality talk shows, is that they act comedic about serious topics. Like they just refuse to be negative, as if they are scared that it will make the audience go away or smth.

[@schurlbirkenbach1995]

But it's better to speak about negative things in your society in reality shows, than to ignore or even ban any discussion about them.

[@degilz7629]

@@schurlbirkenbach1995I agree, even without actually living in South Korea, I already know about how toxic the culture can get from videos, movies, tv series (some of which are released by South Koreans), and travelling there. It’s a good thing to raise awareness about it, even if they aren’t treating it seriously enough, it is a step in the right direction, cause the info online is international, and if South Koreans refuse to acknowledge it themselves, having more people talk about it may make them change their minds, especially hearing ppl who grew up in South Korea but moved to a country with a vastly healthier culture

[@Evil_Beauty]

​@@schurlbirkenbach1995 KZbin's 'shadowbanning'/censorship/'free speech' control says, hi!

[@L16htW4rr10r]

Same with Japan tv show

[@mstrblik4741]

@@schurlbirkenbach1995 its how they speak is the problem.

[@ultrapro8937]

"I want my child to be confident." *proceeds to make her children extremely anxious and scared "in the name of making them confident."*

[@the-je6zn]

ikr

[@theia1653]

Then they will go "why are you always so scared? what are you afraid of?" when they get crippling anxiety.

[@playerhs7572]

This is because in South Korea no one cares about children, unlike in North Korea! For the unification of Korea under the humane ideology of Juche! 🇰🇵 >>> 🇰🇷

[@sunshineskystar]

"i want my child to be athletic and be 6ft tall" *Force them to hunchback studying for 18 hours a day with no physical excercise time*

[@VocaloidEnjoyer1]

Different culture different values don't apply your American values to other countries at least they don't run around with guns unlike Americans.

[@FiniteMC]

I’m a 16 year old South Korean. When I was in 6th Grade, I was going to a school in Daechi-Dong and Hagwons. Life was terrible. Everyone was so on edge, and if anyone was particularly good at something, they would be ripped to shreds. If anyone was nice, they would be called calculating and deceiving. Then one day, my elementary school teacher told me that doing this would kill my creativity. My parents ended up pulling me out and sending me to an international school. Looking back, I want to cry and say thank you. I want to thank my parents for not doing this to me.

[@user-qw9lo4qv4c]

Shout out to your elementary school teacher and your parents. Their good deeds have been spread. Thank you for telling this. Wish you a good life

[@PaulYuNow]

Wow dude it sounds like you escaped a toxic environment. Thanks for sharing. Glad to hear about your teacher and parents. All the best

[@user-ey5xw2nx9s]

👍

[@equanimity1635]

W parents. #notliekotherparents fr

[@mahiMuncher]

I'm glad your parents pulled you out, who would've known what could've happened if you were still at that school! I hope you're doing great man 👍

[@1040baa]

This brings to mind the murder of a young korean woman by her bf, a medical school student who scored #1 on the national college entrance exams. Also brings to mind the time I saw several middle school boys terrorizing a stray cat, barking at it, yelling at it, chasing it under a car. They are all products of parents who completely neglect to teach their kids how to be humans, and only care about their grades.

[@PaulYuNow]

Jesus. That's terrifying man. Fucked up.

[@wanr5701]

"Raise the kids to be human, not rich" is not in their dictionary, it seems.

[@todoroki3781]

Would also explain the severe bullying cases in South Korea. Children become a product of their environment. If their parents give them little empathy it affects them too

[@marce420.7]

im so glad my neighborhood is full of cats and cat lovers my sister even has a deer ( i am being so serious it lives near our house and it was abandoned it just clung to my sisters smell and we feed it and, it stays away from the city) because this kind of treatment i think id actually go to jail or something man, like animal abuse, the elderly babies it doesn't sit right in my head and id lose my mind seeing it with my own eyes. it's sad nobody is teaching them the right things, priorities are elsewhere (grades and appearance?)

[@thiccthirty4888]

I've seen the same where I live, but other than korea my country doesnt care about education that much, I believe its less about how the kids are raised and more due to the violent nature of males

[@ingssem]

I’ve given Spanish lessons to Korean kids and it was the first time in my entire life that I heard a 8 year old kid say “I’m tired”. In Spain, kids have so much energy and just want to play, run and jump all day, and parents BEG them to take a nap lol. That was what shocked me the most, I had literally NEVER heard a kid say “I want to sleep” . I feel so bad for Korean kids. All this and it’s not even good quality education, it’s just intentionally made hard to drive competition and elitism. Such a waste 😔 And the “mothers” in this video made me boil with anger, how can they be laughing about CHILD ABUSE? Taking away your kids door and privacy will make them hate and resent you forever. They will grow up with trust issues 🤬 These parents are gonna find out the hard way when their children don’t wanna have any contact with them as adults.

[@PaulYuNow]

Man, it sounds like Spain children are raised to be kids. That's what they should be like, boundless energy and playing all day. What a stark contrast from Korea. Yeah I didn't include a part where one mom who took off the door of her daughter said they fight less now that daughter is in boarding school. Seems like when they live together they fight. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@mychannel-rt2gn]

@@macewindow4642I’m pretty sure Korea doesn’t have a problem with too much individualism, it’s literally the opposite. Everyone wants to fit into the collective. It’s okay to not try to paint the US as hell on earth or anything close. It’s really not that bad compared to a lot of other countries and you guys have more freedoms and privileges than a lot of the countries you think are better than you. Speaking from experience, “free” healthcare and lots of “free” stuff doesn’t a good society make

[@zDefaultX_quit]

um did you know thats the price of how korea is the number 1 education

[@R1IY2N]

@@zDefaultX_quit at this point its not even education its endurance

[@zDefaultX_quit]

@@R1IY2N the grind as it were

[@elizabeth3230]

What’s surprising is that it seems that young Korean people are obsessed with expensive labels while complaining about their inability to afford buying a house and getting married.

[@PaulYuNow]

Lol their priorities are backwards

[@tracybannerman5666]

Tell me about it, so materialistic yet complain about childcare cost

[@MrAntinexus]

And they dare to say someone else doesn't have money while they spent everything on Rolex

[@arizonagirl6474]

​@@tracybannerman5666 This is why Koreans aren't reproducing. They want luxurious items and don't want to have to deal with children.

[@wanr5701]

And have the audacity to judge those that didn't wear brand names. Care more about showing off than eating well.

[@junjae.]

Did those moms also have to go through the same process of having no childhood and only studying/working? It's infuriating when parents try to compensate for their own faiIures by forcing their children to go through fire and brimstone.

[@PaulYuNow]

Since this culture is getting worse and worse I imagine it wasn't as bad when the parents were growing up. Yes, it seems like they want to have their dreams realized through their kids, not fair to the kids.

[@lilarrin1220]

my mom went to uni while taking care of her younger siblings, and my dad had to study super hard to maintain his scholarship since his family was dirt poor. I suspect a lot of the superficial, materialistic view of success in korean culture is the result of them modernizing too quickly - many of them still remember the rural phase they grew up in and are subconsciously scared that if they and their children don't work themselves to death, they'll return to the pre-modern level of poverty.

[@aphroditesaphrodisiac3272]

Idoubt they experienced the same thing. My mom was very similar to them but slightly less extreme, and while she would never admit to having lived an easier life than me, I know from her conversations with her siblings and relatives that while we are more comfortable from a technological standpoint, my mom had much more freedom, was not forced to do well in school, and played a lot.

[@gilbertsshorts]

Yup similar processes when they were children, there mindset is "I had it worse and I endured it, so that means you can too". And with increasing societal standards, it only gets worse...

[@youraverageperson]

its the cycle of abuse 😔✊

[@denden2935]

The K government tried to enact laws to limit how much time kids can spend in cram schools but ironically parents didn't like it and found ways to circumvent the laws so in the end the focus on extreme studying has continued.

[@PaulYuNow]

holy shit that's crazy dude, I didn't know that

[@omekapo]

its sucks how it's a cultural problem and not easy to change with regulations💔💔

[@jessn.3851]

Of course they'll find a way around it. The competition to get into a good university is so fierce that parents will do anything to make it happen. If you don't go to one of the top 3 universities, you won't have good prospects, not only for your job, but also for dating and marriage. China also tried to eliminate or control their version of hagwons and they're having the same issues, because the college entrance exam is the most important event of their lives that can determine their entire future. That's an insane amount of pressure.

[@You-ul8qw]

One of the best ways to make stuff like this a bit better is to probably just make all the exams and whatnot easier. Whats the point in studying 5 hours a day if you only need to study 1 or 2

[@jessn.3851]

@You-ul8qw Making the college entrance exams easier seems like it would be the solution. But parents will just fill their free time with other things. I taught first graders from a private school in Taipei. They go to school until noon, then a studying session there, then several days a week they would have an English class with me. But they had all kinds of other classes, for math, dance, art, martial arts or even magic. They would have classes 6 or 7 days a week and no real days off. Kids who went to public school might have time to play after they finish their homework, but they're probably playing inside, not at the playground. The rich will continue to push their kids whether the test is hard or not. And if less studying is required, that could put kids with less money at even more of a disadvantage, as even studying would not help them. Even in Thailand, where the rich can go to certain schools and get into nearly any college they want in Bangkok, they still need to take a tough entrance exam for three universities, so even money cannot buy everything. Those parents may say they're pushing their kids to have a bright future. But in the end it is an investment. The better their kids do, the better their lives will be in their old age. In some countries like China, there is no social safety net, and the stock market and real estate are not safe investments, so they invest in their kids.

[@Rain_RC]

The innocent minds of these children are TAINTED early on. That’s sad.

[@PaulYuNow]

Sad indeed...

[@user-is3yn7xr4c]

There's no such thing as "innocent minds of children". Humans are not born as tabula rasa. We've all inherited our ancestors' memories including the not-so-innocent ones.

[@yulgapopova6655]

they want confident and successful children, but they do everything to make them traumatized, insecure and anxious or depressed and dead at the end🥲🥲🥲 the way they talk about this, with smiles, laughing, just made me shocked........................... and like does the government do at least something about it? it's not considered as a kind of violation against children?.............. thank you for showing us this

[@PaulYuNow]

yeah it seems totally counter to the kind of bright outgoing personality parents want to develop. sad that this seems like normalcy

[@The_void111]

@@PaulYuNowngl it’s disturbing how people would be fake or pretend to agree with another person just for the sake of not being “weird” or be target of criticism 😕

[@jane_edits13.]

as a 15 yo sea, i do wish and want to be successful... at the same time, ive also been thru trauma, insecurities about my appearance and intellect, and anxiety. im not entirely sure about depression but i do cry a lot without anyone knowing in the shower and before i go to sleep, and had suicidal thoughts from 12-14 because the stress from self-competitions, parents and everyone is so surreal and just wanted to end all the stress for good, also because i never told anyone about this so im not so sure if that was depression or not. All my parents, tutors, teachers and friends saw me as the "smart", "happy" and "innocent" girl but i was actually dying on the inside... what made it worse was that i just did badly in my exams. and my mum was saying "the triple pure science stream should be easy so you def can manage it easily". I was like, there is a reason why the course im doing is hard if the requirements was to score an overall of As for your subjects 😭

[@glassycreek1991]

the government enforces that with exams and work culture.

[@theia1653]

They always tear you down, belittle you, point out your flaws and make it the single issue in a tirade why you're not this or that, why you won't amount to anything, even when they are the cause of it. While other people, strangers even, focus on your strengths, encourage you, and give you advice.

[@tutisusilowati8556]

Disgusting, they dont even value their children as human

[@PaulYuNow]

you're right, the mothers are tyrants raising slaves

[@KateeAngel]

But they see that society is very competitive and the only way their child will survive in it is studying and working a lot. So maybe that is why they make their kids study so much. It is not the individual parents which are the problem. How the whole society works is a problem

[@totke6588]

@@KateeAngel Agreed but it's really heartwrenching watching these parents talk about it like that. like why are u laughing

[@wanr5701]

@@KateeAngel and the parents choose to let the society dictates their life, instead of fighting fiercely to change the society they live in for the sake of their children and the future? What kind of parents are they?

[@raycigar6356]

​@@wanr5701unfortunately in many Asian countries standing out and having different opinions is being seen as weird and can result in getting avoided or even bullied by society, many young folks there admire the the culture of individualism in the west but have to abide by the deeply ingrained culture of saving face, family honor and societal cast system thinking in their home...

[@rajratan6310]

That's why they left family after grow up and some commit suicide.According to the World Health Organization, the suicide rate in South Korea is the fourth highest in the world.

[@PaulYuNow]

Yeah it's such a toxic environment to grow up in. No wonder they feel trapped thinking there's no way out.

[@helixxia9320]

That’s so sad

[@mannylikestoanimate]

That’s disturbing

[@GooblubShikanokonoko]

whats the first highest? im curious?

[@marce420.7]

​@@GooblubShikanokonoko i thought it was Japan, was is also concerningly in Asia

[@roberttoo7783]

the really managed to create 2 dystopias in one peninsula

[@TatraTea-ep9be]

North Korea: Starve to death South Korea: *Get so mentally and physically exhausted that you end up killing yourself*

[@Guys_Love_Each_Other]

@@TatraTea-ep9be yeah, both sucks it's better not to be born than to be born in those countries

[@rezeno5665]

One is a Orwellian 1984 dystopia, the other is a Corporate Cyberpunk dystopia.

[@TatraTea-ep9be]

It really concerns how the parents are talking about *basic privacy and mental wellbeing of their children* in such a lackadaisical manner.

[@kiwi_2_official]

@@TatraTea-ep9be Japan: get so stressed from ridiculously hard work that you die of a stroke

[@user-yc2vl2qq5r]

Thank you for addressing this issue. As a Korean, I think this is a key issue that speaks to the suicide rate and birth rate of many Korean youth.

[@PaulYuNow]

You're right, especially suicides at such a young age. Stay strong my Korean friend.

[@carkawalakhatulistiwa]

​@@PaulYuNow South Korea brith rate in 2023 is 0, 72 and still growing down . To 0,68 in 2024 and 0,65 in 2025.

[@PaulYuNow]

@@carkawalakhatulistiwa holy shit it keeps plummeting

[@WeedShaggy]

​@@PaulYuNowand with more young folks offing themselves, it'll be even lower

[@theia1653]

Chinese and Vietnamese APs do this too, not just Korean.

[@TheYuccaPlant]

Lmao the rolex story is pretty crazy, never would've imagined literal kids recognizing the model of a watch from afar. I wouldn't even be able to tell if it's a smartwatch now let alone brands.

[@PaulYuNow]

yeah same here I can't tell any watch from afar. they've got an eye for CHA CHING this watch means money

[@prettynerd4779]

me either.. I never look at people's watches.. or If I do see a brand like a Jaegar LeCoutre, Patek Phillipe, or something like that.. I am like Oh cool.. look at them baller and then I move on.. ROFL.. I am very American..

[@degilz7629]

Which is so sad, like do parents not realise that this is not teaching them anything about getting rich only to LOOK rich, which may lead to bad financial decisions later on. They’re not teaching them how to think for themselves at all rly and how to look out for themselves, only in the eyes of others which oftentimes comes at the expense of your own true happiness

[@wanr5701]

One wearing Seiko isn't less worthy than one wearing Rolex.

[@spaceowl5957]

I grew up in Germany and I think most kids in school would recognize an expensive watch and probably assume it's a Rolex. I think almost everyone in the world knows that "Rolex" is an expensive watch brand. Some kids in my class who are into rap music and stuff like that might even recognize the specific models. I think I also looked at the Rolex website and all the models and prices out of interest as a teenager. And if we saw a really expensive supercar car as kids we would also be excited about it and talk about it. But it's not because we were so obsessed with money and status, it's just a interesting, cool, and rare to see such a thing.

[@raven8108]

i grew up as a child of chinese immigrants. when i was in elementary school my mom was similar to the moms in this video. i was usually about 3 grade levels ahead of the rest of my class. during middle school, when i was in my rebellious phase (haha), i argued with my mom a lot and we came to an agreement that although i'll do my best in school, the hours upon hours of studying was excessive. in high school, the tables turned a bit and she's the one to remind me to take it easy, enjoy being a teenager and to make memories. i'm definitely lucky to have parents who are a lot more open minded and willing to listen to their child.

[@PaulYuNow]

it's great that your mom turned around later in your life! I hope more parents have a change of heart like that.

[@duaneowens7777]

Hi are you in the US. Which state are you from

[@raven8108]

@@duaneowens7777 new york

[@inkersbrew6370]

I really hope these parents down the line will be like your Mom instead of keeping onto their pride.

[@Mortablunt]

White American here, there were lots of different Asians, where I grew up in Virginia. I really didn’t believe anyone could make their kids stay six hours a day. It was pretty similar with a lot of Indian parents too. But I’m talking to my friends they’re their parents still took good care of them, and their parents did worry about their happiness, even if they were very pushy about academics. This here in the video isn’t parenting it’s institutional abuse. For young children, in particular play is a proven, developmental essential they need it, not just for the purpose of fun, but for the purpose of just learning things, becoming acquainted with the world and developing the underlying psychological parameters that will define who they are for their entire life. Not letting a kid play is horrifically damaging and I know you can’t make it up by letting them watch something on the iPad. Now you can’t let them make up for it later when they’re an adult and earn money to go spoil themselves it has to be real physical play in childhood every day.

[@MrAntinexus]

3:00 even mothers demand certain heights from boys wtf

[@PaulYuNow]

lol the height discrimination is real.

[@Henrique-up4su]

"I don't go out with dudes with less than X meters. I don't think we should see each other anymore." "Wtf mom?"

[@katie9735]

I saw recently they’re giving them injections to make them tall.

[@pylotheric9777]

​@@katie9735sounds like a yikes

[@Rella-rellai]

​@@katie9735 Doesn't sound healthy. Mentally and physically.

[@TheSteam02]

I'm Chinese-American, but it's stuff like this that makes me SO glad that my parents never raised me like this. They wanted me to do well at school, but they didn't remove every ounce of my life just so that I could focus on grades. This is literally just child abuse.

[@dachosens1]

yeah i think for chinese-americans maybe it was bad before but lately i think it has just become a relic of the past and just a meme our asian community embraces, my experienceis similar to yours

[@KattLikesGames]

As a Malaysian American I ageee with you so much lol

[@gilliangreen842]

This is so narcissistic and depressing to see this abuse being so normalized and even ‘funny’. These people don’t love their children at all, they love looking good and having perfect controlled robot children that raise their status in society even if that means destroying their own children’s soul and childhood

[@skylinefever]

Whenever someone says "Not having children is selfish" I just ask where there is altruism in birthing an Instagram photo prop.

[@ratoimariurs5323]

I would want to have 11 kids but also want to be involved in them given that I plan to move into the countryside I would have them work alongside me let me tell you why the answer is that when you are living in the countryside as a peasant you may not always have the money for machines and besides everybody in my dad's generation worked in the countryside as soon as they were 5 but the work was done in the weekends and the countryside, so I would put the kids into the work but I would have them do non dangerous tasks I see kids as a combination of emotional investment, workforce, and retirement, of course I would have my children to play and be themselves after all and while the kids would work it would be 4 hours in the farm not every day but during weekends and holidays.

[@theia1653]

Our people never polices each other on actual unacceptable behavior but only for breaking cultural norms.

[@ratoimariurs5323]

@@theia1653 exactly cultural norms are seen as more important than behaviour.

[@abcxyz3028]

I'm soo glad my parents aren't like them. My classmate stressed herself so much that she had plenty of grey hair at 16. From what I've read, it's more stressful for female Koreans where they'll be judged for their looks. Allegedly, some Koreans do judge you for not being admitted to a top local uni if you have an overseas degree which isn't from the top elite universities. I believe some Asian countries incl Korea require a photo for job applications. Thank goodness this isn't a requirement in the west 😅

[@PaulYuNow]

Yeah they judge you on your resume by your looks... No wonder plastic surgery is a graduation present to so many Korean girls. Even guys are getting plastic surgery, I know a guy who got his eyelids and nose done.

[@91762chareyes]

@@PaulYuNow that’s sad. So, does this mean that those who can’t afford plastic surgery won’t have a chance to improve their economic status?😢

[@PaulYuNow]

@@91762chareyes well if you are ugly in Korea it's a disadvantage for sure, perhaps more than other countries

[@Ouro17]

A photo in CV is mostly always required in Spain. Apparently, they want to remove this for 2026 or so.

[@SapphireSage]

This is sad as mother. Let them be children. Let them have their privacy treat them like people.

[@PaulYuNow]

Agreed.

[@theia1653]

Privacy is an individualist and a western concept. That there are boundaries that not even government can cross. These moms think nothing of removing a door or going through their child's stuff and it's their business even when we are in the bathroom.

[@playerhs7572]

They treat them like people in North Korea. Fora united Korea under the Juche ideology!

[@aeoligarlic4024]

That clapping and laughing after the other said "they're not gonna die" is so sick. How about you study yourself ladies, i bet you're not THAT smart either!

[@WeedShaggy]

"they're not gonna die" while their country has one of the highest suicide rate in the world. wouldn't surprise me if these parents laughed at that statistic too.

[@MYT_LocalNaRz]

Exactly, I bet their brain malfunction is like “FoCuS TheIr KiDs on StuDy wIth No TiMe to PlaY oR hAngoUt WitH TheiR fRiEnd”

[@alphahead2741]

Honestly. They're Retarded

[@ratoimariurs5323]

Blame the Korean culture for it.

[@theia1653]

They're not, they just think they have all the answers, always their way or no way, and they can't do anything they expect from their kids or always have an excuse why they can't. When school is over, they will find out very soon that none of these values work in the real world that they did nothing to prepare them for.

[@baesumine]

my parents used to starve me if I didnt study or got below an 90, then they remover my door hinges in like 6th grade, and it pains me to know that children are still going through this

[@passthemic1271]

I'm so sorry

[@GlitchBoy-ws5in]

That's just fucked

[@shanako-kun]

are you safe? please take care!! I care about you!! ❤️

[@theia1653]

That's why Esmie Tseng snapped. Other parents would take their kid out for dinner if they got a 90 and it's getting pinned up. If they didn't do well, that's okay too, just do better next time. I've had professors just give me the A without me asking with an 88-89% in the class.

[@Rain_RC]

Life ain’t all about studying 😬 Experience is the best teacher tho. They’re just teaching them to be judgmental, discriminating, cold people with no sympathy 😬 Yikes

[@Tafseel]

I work in in one of the 학원s and kids are usually exhausted. All the colorful books and class activities bore them. It's very difficult to make them interested to something useful.

[@PaulYuNow]

damn. that makes me sad to hear that. thanks for sharing

[@spamhere1123]

Man, do I feel you. I worked as a teacher in Korea for 6 years. The first year and a half was at a middle school 학원, and the kids DID NOT want to be there. The last class got out at 11 at night! I can't blame them one bit. The last four years, I worked at a 유치원, or a private kindergarten. It was a hundred times better. Still a lot of work and study for young kids, but it was way more focused on fun and activity than just schoolwork. I felt far more useful and effective as a teacher there, and unlike in the 학원, I felt like the kindergarten was a good place for the kids to be.

[@NekoArts]

As someone who's currently pregnant with my first child, this absolutely breaks my heart to look at. Of course I'd want my child to have a good education and the best resources to get a good future, but I feel like these "parents" are completely stripping their children of their childhoods. Sure, maybe their kids will grow up to be really successful (career-wise) but will they actually be happy? Will they actually have normal and healthy relationships to the people around them? I'm Swedish but I live in Japan where there's also a big pressure on kids to grow up successful (I'm not sure how it compares to Korea though). I was shocked when I found out that school-aged children here don't always get the same national holidays are everyone else in Japan (so while everyone else is off on holiday, the kid still has to go to school) and nobody really seems to think it's weird. As a future mother, I can't even imagine forcing a 4-year old to study for 5+ hours a day to the point of burnout - and I definitely can't imagine laughing about it. I truly feel sorry for these kids. I wanted to slap every single one of the mothers in that video that you shared.

[@PaulYuNow]

Very interesting hearing from you. Best of wishes with your baby to come

[@Mortablunt]

What even is there that a four-year-old can study for five hours a day!? They only read really need to know their script, and then shapes colors clocks and numbers.

[@ML-cc7gj]

School-aged kids get the national holidays as everyone else in my experience in Japan. It’s the weird in-between days, for example during Golden Week, that are not national holidays, when they go school. Depending on the company, their parents might have those off, but these are not national holidays as such.

[@ratoimariurs5323]

I Hope your baby will be a healthy one and that he will be fine in the future

[@karld1791]

Not going outside is robbing the kid’s eyesight. Taiwan had a program to get school kids outside 2 hours a day before the pandemic and it lowered myopia rates. Unfortunately the program ended during the pandemic. Korean school kids have a 65% myopia rate and they need to get outside for their eyes to develop. The Korean healthcare system will struggle to treat the 6.9% with higher myopia which can be expensive to treat. Staying indoors so much physically damages children and unfortunately the west is catching up to the far East so it’s not only one country’s problem.

[@PaulYuNow]

Is that why my eyes got so bad? I didn't know indoors crushes eyesight. Very interesting to hear, thanks for sharing

[@karld1791]

@@PaulYuNow there has been a lot of research on why myopia has been increasing in children worldwide especially in developed countries (lead by northeast Asia, though effecting every nation) that pointed to the need to get outside to take in sunshine and see vistas to develop eyesight. Taiwan was able to intervene lowering myopia rates with a program to get kids outside. Unfortunately the pandemic ended the program.

[@Payday5]

@@PaulYuNow it is also good to stare at the sky for a while, i heard that it improves your eyesight, but don't do it for too long, you might burn your eyes instead lol

[@olorin3815]

Think you are supposed to look at objects further away or something doesnt need to be sky or anything specific l, as long as you are outside its probably fine

[@somethingelse9228]

@@olorin3815 No, our eyes need sunlight to fully develop especially in our childhood and early teenage days.

[@KonjikiNoYami666]

North Korea-worst of communism South Korea-worst of capitalism

[@skylinefever]

Cyberpunk dystopia vs Orwell dystopia.

[@franzsigel7166]

@@skylinefever Accurate description.

[@MomoALTA]

Literally 1969

[@oilslick7010]

Still a useful measuring stick, though. The rest of the world just has to make sure their societies end up somewhere in the middle of these two extremes

[@ArheIy]

That's just f#%ked up. I've thought that my studying in Russia was brutal, because here the final exam is an all-or-nothing situation: you get a good grade - the state pays for you education; but if the grade is too low to go to university - you're being enlisted, so the sheer weight of the deal's cost is just absolutely crushing. But *THIS* isn't even a fair deal. It's straight up disgusting. It's not that the children are going to have a really bad time without an education - these parents are brutal for practically no reason but their own insecurities. Crazy sh*t.

[@CatU-U]

As someone who can kind of get what you mena, i just wish you so so much luck at EGE. I hope you get high score :)

[@ArheIy]

@@CatU-U да я уже получил, так-то. И давно)

[@eee_eee]

not even comparable

[@esterbun9356]

Is that a fair deal though? I'm Australian. I could be speaking from my bottom. But we were always taught informed concent about enlisting, shown the harsh nature at a young age and presented the facts. If you fail your education, you just fail. Thats it. You can choose to enlist, sure, but there's no pressure. I couldn't imagine thinking about your future on the day of the final exam -- who you want to be -- then flunking and being forced into what is essentially a life-or-death contract.

[@richarddo7881]

@@esterbun9356 well. Russia, and a lot of countries in the world still maintain the mandatory conscription system

[@Hana-kc1lq]

Just after listening one story, l feel it's so disturbing how they laughed it off. Like they don't really care their children well being, thinking it's just their tantrum😢😢 Thankfully it's not like that here, parents generally not that strict here. I remember my childhood memories full of me playing until my mom shouting telling me it was a nap time then she would hugged and cuddled me to sleep. Best memories ❤

[@PaulYuNow]

Disturbing indeed. Glad to hear that you had a play filled childhood Hana, sounds like you grew up in a loving household

[@Hana-kc1lq]

@@PaulYuNow Thank you 😁 Love your content, so surprised you only have 1k subscriber, gonna add one.

[@PaulYuNow]

@@Hana-kc1lq I appreciate you Hana! There's more to come! 😎 Although idea generation is not easy for me

[@kellyaslan3657]

It's called psychopathy...

[@kellyaslan3657]

Mother, and teacher with 30-year experience in multiple continents and countries....Yes, this is seriously disturbing. In the majority of the developed world, all these parents would be considered abusive and they would lose custody of their children. The teachers, first and foremost, would have reported them to social services. The irony.

[@TheYuccaPlant]

This is giving the same vibes as the scene in Oppenheimer where they discuss their targets for the a-bombs

[@PaulYuNow]

LOL are you talking about the moms

[@TheYuccaPlant]

@@PaulYuNow definitely lol

[@PaulYuNow]

@@TheYuccaPlant yeah they're like scheming how their child is going to be, everything they should do. Scary...

[@Mortablunt]

Korean parents: “You drop F bombs in school, why not bring home A bombs!!!??”

[@mamamooscake]

As someone who had burnout (as a kid) , this makes me want to scream on top of my lungs. Their laughs and giggles make me want to throw up. This is almost triggering to me. Poor kids , i feel so bad for them. They are going to have a messed up perception of boundries. If a kid says that at 4/5 , when they are just in kindergarten , somewhere you are lacking ( you know where ). Sorry not sorry but all this is simply bad parenting. These are the kind of parents that will end up at old age home. I know damn well their kids loathe them ( atlest some of them ). No doubt the korean society has turned the way it has. All this is making me so angry i cant express in words lol.

[@theia1653]

All of us do, you only have to read r/Asianparentstories, everyone except those that try to defend and excuse it, and get deeper into it. The males, especially, and I'm an AM.

[@skylinefever]

I often said if I was forced to grow up in east Asia, I wouln't have lived past the age of 11. I would be another statistic or railway "accident."

[@lukesherry8416]

“why are you sending me to a nursing home?”

[@akashsreedharan]

this is the best comment ive seen

[@natnat_o3]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@skylinefever]

Why was I ghosted the moment my kid turned 18? Why is my other kid in the morgue?

[@user-jj4vl2fn9g]

From my pov, nursing home is a very merciful options for those “moms”.

[@BigBrotherMateyka]

Basically, both Koreas wound up being dystopias.

[@user-cvbnm]

Not exactly, South Korea would be a dystopia for the young and maybe even to women. adult men are spared. North Korea is a dystopia for all.

[@franzsigel7166]

@@user-cvbnm South Korea is a dystopia for adult men too. they literally have the worlds highest suicide rate.

[@MomoALTA]

@@user-cvbnm 18 year olds are forced to be recruited in the south korean military

[@solar3478]

Korea is a matter of what Dystopia would you choose. A dystopian Monarchy disguised as communism, or a capitalist dystopian? The better option is obviously the latter tho.

[@playerhs7572]

North Korea is not a dystopia, no one is starving there now (yes, there was a period of famine, but now everything is fine), everyone gets a job, also most have access to smartphones and access to worship the great leader, everyone treats each other with care and respect, I want to move to live in North Korea, greetings from Russia

[@BeautifulDreamerK]

I’m Asian American and I understand how extreme Asian culture is- competitive, shallow, judgmental, always talking ish. I know Korean culture is also this way but the clip is so fascinating to watch. I can’t believe what some of the mothers were saying, poor kids. What Asian parents don’t understand is the importance of socialization and how Asian racism is still real in the western world. I wasn’t the typical straight A Asian kid but I ended up going to grad school on my own terms. In the real world (especially in the US), everyone stereotypes you as the “smart, passive Asian” and you still won’t get the respect you earned no matter how much you work hard. Also, no one cares what college you went to. Another case- I also know of an Asian coworker who is the most socially unaware and immature person I’ve met. And she’s in her 30’s. She brought in her Asian mindset and insecurities to a Western minded workplace. She gets offended over things you shouldn’t, she buys everyone things for approval, does more than what she needs to as “hard work” and because of all this, she has severe mental health issues. She was very toxic to be around.

[@PaulYuNow]

fascinating to hear your story and your Asian coworker. thanks for sharing. yeah children being raised like this probably won't turn out to be wholesome individuals, you're right.

[@theia1653]

It will have severe implications for your careers and relationships for the rest of your life, if you never developed social skills in your childhood and your emotional needs aren't met, and then have to try to learn it all as an adult decades behind everyone else, unlearn everything from how you were raised, and how to live in the real world after college. Then APs wonder why you're such a failure, why you can't talk to anyone, where are their grandkids, and why you're not a millionaire or billionaire.

[@skylinefever]

I often wonder how psychologists are going to find a way to repair the damage of tiger parents or cram school agony.

[@ratoimariurs5323]

​@@skylinefeverpsychologists, psychiatrists and the concept of mental health in South Korea are looked down upon with scorn, and hatred.

[@skylinefever]

@@ratoimariurs5323 Well, the status quo does not like being called out on the exploitation.

[@yeonwoo-h1r]

I'm a Korean middle schooler and I just have one word to sum up Korea's education; competition. Many kids say it's tiring to have to see their own friends as competition and always be compared to others. And the education system and parents aren't really helping.

[@PaulYuNow]

Sad to hear that...

[@dbbd_sg]

Surprised about how the removal of doors are used for control by these mothers. Tbh i too removed my doors but solely for airflow purposes in a hot tropical country but now i regret it because myself and child spend the days growling at each other thru the curtains "WHY U NO GIVE ME PRIVACY???" (I might reinstall my doors before she gets older...)

[@2003LN6]

def singapore / malaysia "WHY U NO GIVE ME PRIVACY???" gives it away haha🤣🤣🤣

[@tealmandala632]

You can get doors with vents in them

[@skylinefever]

I wonder how many just rub one out without caring if the door is gone.

[@theskinnypot]

And they think it's funny.

[@skylinefever]

I think about Joker and Murray arguing about what's funny and what isn't.

[@darkwizard5970]

Kindergarten literally means something like children garden. The job of a kid is to play, have fun and explore life. This sick, twisted parody of parenting and education is to childhood what an oil spill is to an ocean

[@sue008A]

Oh my goodness. Your video is right on spot. In my opinion woman should have some knowledge of childhood development/ basic childhood and adolescent psychology. Ive witnessed a Korean mother here in the US heaping extra classes on her daughter who was between the age of 4 and a half and 5 years of age . Adter spending the whole day at school she not only had homework, she also had piano lessons, Korean school, English enrichment class and a couple of other programs she was in. I remember helping her with her homework one day and she just kept telling me she was very tired. After helping her with her homework she had to practice her piano... Then her mother took her to the next program. Her mother told me she was preparing her daughter to do something in the medical field. I asked her what if your daughter doesn't want to do anything related to the medical field? She was very set on her daughter being in the medical field regardless of what her daughter might want.

[@PaulYuNow]

That sounds so toxic... Typical Korean childhood for so many. Poor daughter has no say in the matter. Must be soul sucking.

[@sue008A]

@@PaulYuNow Yes. I do wonder how she is doing. That was about 15 years ago.

[@KateeAngel]

And men? Aren't they supposed to parent their children too?

[@inkersbrew6370]

It'd be so easy for her Mom to make it so piano lessons are just Mommy Daughter time so they can hang out but still be educational. Plus cheaper. Even if she's not good at it, they can learn together

[@pylotheric9777]

​@@KateeAngelyes.

[@parulrathore8153]

Oh god I can't even watch this whole video past 3 mins it's so sick to seem them laughing and finding their tortuous behaviour as "funny".

[@PaulYuNow]

Yeah I felt sick too...

[@wanr5701]

They are gangsters until the kids gone because of their behaviour.

[@whiterabbit8243]

@@wanr5701 most of the homelss population in korea are elderly with no one to take care of them. prolly as the result of doing crap like this

[@wanr5701]

@@whiterabbit8243 the biggest irony; their kids later repeat the same thing to their own.

[@vffncl0]

another reason why the birthrate is so low

[@stoup7280]

How?

[@vffncl0]

@@stoup7280 the financial burden of school fees + the demanding school/work culture that leaves people with little free time (no time for dating/family life -- what's even the point of having kids if you'll spend crazy hours at work and they'll be at school 18h/day?)

[@junjae.]

Isn't the self-deIetion rate also the highest in the world?

[@vffncl0]

@@junjae. Yes, one of the highest. No wonder.

[@lotuspocus2165]

Low birth rate is due to basic education. A lot of countries have too high of a birth rate

[@hopium7]

I actually feel like something similar is starting to happen in the US, although maybe for different reasons. My little brother is in his first year of middle school and has experienced TONS of bullying and judgment from other classmates purely about money. They will judge his clothes, tech, the car his parents drive, etc. This is ridiculous as is, but the even stranger thing is that my family is middle class. My parents have a Mercedes. We don't live in some millionaire town, and he's going to public school, not some preppy private school. But his classmates OBSESS over these small things. Mercedes isn't good enough, it has to be ______. Even if he has a brand that is liked, they will insist it must be a fake since they don't like him. Back only a few years ago, I was going to the same schools and it wasn't like this AT ALL. No one was unironically using "poor" as an insult like we were in some Disney Channel movie. Of course judgement still existed, but it wasn't THIS bad. I think one of the reasons is that all of these kids have had access to internet and social media from an EXTREMELY young age. They were RAISED on the iPad, growing up with content from brands, celebs, and rich influences flexing their wealth. So they internalized this, and now, it is in turn, what they value and strive to emulate. Another similarity is the bar for college and jobs raising to an unsustainable degree. Everyone I know that has graduated from a 4 year, with good grades and multiple internships under their belt, still had an insanely difficult time getting hired. And when they finally got hired, it was to an entry level job in a completely unrelated field. Like why are customer service or data entry jobs only hiring 4 year bio grads? If you don't have any college degree you can just forget about it (that's the situation I'm in). College is no longer good enough. You need to be the best of the best to even start in some of these fields. The interesting thing about this (and the part that differs from SK) is that so far this rising competitiveness in the job market does not seem to be reflecting in student education. From a numbers/grades perspective, the US education system doesn't rank well. Our literacy rates are also dropping. Students here don't seem to be very competitive about grades as they are about other status symbols like wealth, despite the job market becoming so competitive. It's a bit worrying to think what the result of that could be. With that said, the solution is certainly not to force students into more competition. The bar raising and raising like this is unsustainable. The problem lies in the job market, universities, and the education system broadly. Although I don't know the solution, there certainly needs to be an overhaul. I hope things will start changing for the better soon.

[@PaulYuNow]

I hope what your brother is experiencing is not a trend happening throughout the world. That's scary to hear

[@abcxyz3028]

I remember hearing the news of a Singaporean primary school student commit sui side due to stress many years ago. Even now, there are still Singaporean students who commit sui side due to stress and pressure.

[@PaulYuNow]

That's crazy. No child should feel so trapped that they feel like the only way out is death.

[@mdilham5237]

nah, i disagree... as a Singaporean, yes, education is stressful and sometimes demanding but most and a lot of my peers who i grew up till now have never had that feeling of wanting to commit that kind of thing and i tell u what, not everyone is stress and unhappy in Singapore and east asia...

[@jiyojiy6202]

@@mdilham5237Singapore isn’t paying you to do PR, please..

[@skylinefever]

Every time I read about the developed parts of East Asia, I think about Cyberpunk Corpo cities.

[@richarddo7881]

@@jiyojiy6202 he really love being tossed into the military against his will for 2 years because Singapore still force its male citizen to perform mandatory conscription

[@herobrinekingmaster]

K-pop fans: "I wish i was korean. That would be so cool." K-pop fans after reincarnating into koreans: " I take it back! Sent me back to america! (Cries)"

[@KattLikesGames]

As a K-pop fan.. no thanks. I don’t wanna be Korean lol. The laws there suck, (a 6 year old girl got r worded so bad her stomach fell out and she died a slow painful death and the r wordist got 0 jail time) plus I’m happy being Asian (malaysian) don’t need to change to become Korean,

[@2자매]

I never really personally thought of it as “child abuse” because it’s so normal here, but now that i’m mostly on english channels I’ve really come to realise how horrible my country is and how i guess “mistreated” we are.

[@SpikoDreams]

I wish you the best, dear

[@Clemix_]

I’m originally from Korea, however I was adopted and raised in America. Seeing this video and many other videos makes me realize how badly I would’ve been treated over in Korea. I’m glad to be here in America

[@Handleitt1]

Met two Korean guys and one was tall, has a new house, new car, attractive, smart, and great personality (kind of switched to sadist out of no where when I offered to help him) I felt he kind of looked down on me. The other Korean guy had roommates in college, a cool car, very sweet and I felt comfortable with him. When I talked to the college guy he says the other guy must have rich parents. Come to find out college guy knew something more than I could ever know. Maybe it’s a certain social class that raise their children this way?

[@PaulYuNow]

Yeah these moms are in the central place for all the cram schools where competition is fierce. Definitely not all moms are like this

[@friktogurg9242]

"one was tall, has a new house, new car, attractive, smart, and great personality (kind of switched to sadist out of no where when I offered to help him) I felt he kind of looked down on me." They are known to do that. Too much of a midwit to be any more than assholes. Glad one of them is nice though

[@robertstark5748]

The two Koreas (North and South) I feel adopted some of the worst political and economic qualities from their handlers (The US & USSR).

[@skylinefever]

Cyberpunk dystopia vs 1984 Orwell dystopia.

[@robertstark5748]

@@skylinefever or Crony capitalism vs Stalinism with a feudalist Korean flavor.

[@Iseullilliyah]

I was born and raised in South Korea. My parents weren’t like this, they were one of the more nicer ones. But I had a friend in grade 2-3 that went to tutors (after school academy) until 10PM at night to study for middle school. My parents didn’t want to raise me in such harsh conditions, so our family immigrated to somewhere else. I love my parents for making this decision. It must’ve been hard getting used to another country. They all did it for me and my sister. I can never be more grateful.

[@fish441]

My mother is Asian, she told me that my main focus should be studying, but I remember she made me exercise, take breaks, make sure I ate well and check up on my social well-being quite often. She belived studying was a good goal, but being locked up in a room for hours was not a healthy way to look at this goal. It breaks my heart to see this happening to other Asian kids, and it makes me grateful my mother doesn't treat me like this.

[@flyingkangaroo814]

2:17 Oh my god. Hearing her say this actually pissed me off. These "mothers" are raising their children to be obedient robots. I subscribed to your channel also BTW. Keep up the content.

[@PaulYuNow]

That's exactly what they want! They want obedient robots as children. And thanks for joining, I'll keep new content coming :)

[@NASALunarLight]

As a Korean, I’m glad I wasn’t raised like this in America. Yet I was still one of the top in my class without being forced, now I’m happily attending GeorgiaTech.

[@catalinagurguta6833]

I also have a friend who studies there)]

[@shacooked]

These are so sad… so I understand why some of my friends resent their parent.. they would let them study till the kids burnt out. Sometimes you see a very high suicide rate in children is all time high due to pressures from their parents

[@PaulYuNow]

Sad indeed... I hope the parents realize why they are being resented

[@user-spartium]

That's a common misconception from people with limited knowledge about korea. The high suicide rate is mostly attributed to elderly poverty, not children. The suicide rate for the young in korea is one of the lowest in OECD.

[@shacooked]

@@user-spartium it’s pretty high of lonely death in elderly people in Singapore too… cause they just don’t want to seek help or feels that they put burden on people they are shut ins and would die in their own apartments. That’s why Singapore government is trying to combat with it and trying to add housings meant for elders when they get older have staffs on standby to check on them in every few floors. Each country has its own unique situation and would try to help their own citizens.

[@user-spartium]

@shacooked Good to hear that the Singapore government is working to solve the problem. I believe it's necessary since the aging population is growing rapidly all around the world.

[@theia1653]

@PaulYuNow They won't because there is no self awareness, no self reflection or change even if their kids haven't spoken to them in 10, 20 years. They are a prisoner of their own disordered personality.

[@zamasuawaken1908]

they are laughing now but they are gonna be surprised in a few decades when their kids drop them off in a retirement home and never check on them again 🤣🤣

[@catandcaboodle6492]

I've known about the cram schools, and I've heard about children not getting home until 10 or 11 at night, then still having homework to squeeze in, maybe get 5 hours of sleep! But I had never heard of No Doors !🚫 🚪 this is crazy and so detrimental to adolescents who need privacy. I am just shocked. My family was stationed in Korea when I was little and I was too young for school, but we probably would have gone to an American school on the Army base. I really don't think I could handle the stress these poor kids have. It's an extremely rigid and depressing lifestyle to put on these poor kids. I do love so many things about Korea....but I feel this all-day school and studying needs to change. Excellent video btw. 😊

[@PaulYuNow]

Cool that you lived in Korea! Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts. Glad you didn't go through all that shit like the other students. School all day should not exist.

[@catandcaboodle6492]

@@PaulYuNow Thank you 😊 We have always been lucky to have Korean friends, even living in the States, but none of them have ever placed this kind of all-day school regimen on their kids. They do expect hard work and good grades, but that's only right - because parents should want the best for their kids. But our friends here, their kids were only in one after-school activity, so still plenty of free time to explore who they are.

[@anetepaulakrinicka7830]

It remind me of a russian TV series, where a doctor gives parents a reality check that they are not raising kids but adusing them mentally and physical.

[@randommice-rm1c3]

Maybe the Ukrainian one?

[@yeungxuxi5981]

I'm a 16 years old from Pakistan, being an Asian and a Muslim you have really strict parents. I don't know about others but I'm so happy that my parents try to understand the things from our pov that how do we feel and view the. aspects of life. I think in any relationship communication is the key... without it I don't think, things workout well for everyone in the family. Family is about growing and facing every situation together. Being a Pakistani, we give a lot of attention and respect to our traditional, cultural and religious values but that doesn't mean people would stop evolving. Way of thinking keeps on changing... My parents are careful when it comes to religion cuz that's our way of life, they let us understand things rather than finding ways to force things on us. When it comes to studies and career. Of course parents do expect a lot from their child as they should cuz they invest their entire life, time , money and attention to raise us well...my parents don't expect us to be a topper or all A grade student rather they want us to be an average student and focus on all the aspects of life...and through my parents teachings I think freedom lets you grow stronger but one should know about it's roots and stay connected with them... just wanted to share my point of view...THANKS AND HAVE A NICE DAY

[@PaulYuNow]

Thanks for sharing dude, interesting to hear about your story

[@duaneowens7777]

Wow I agree with you.

[@WastedBananas]

Pakistanis aren’t Asian

[@roxana256]

These South Korean parents would be *shook* if they ever hear about the Finland education system.

[@zerodegreescelsius]

I remember when I was in grade 3, the boy seated beside me told his friends that his father had an American Express, and asked me if I knew what it was. I said, "Yeah, like Midnight Express, right?" They laughed really loudly, and I felt really ashamed back then.

[@PaulYuNow]

Jesus. That's toxic dude.

[@GooblubShikanokonoko]

maybe they thought it was a joke?

[@zerodegreescelsius]

@@GooblubShikanokonoko unfortunately no...because they had asked again after that. I really had no idea what it was back then. I only learned about Amex years later in my late teens.

[@GooblubShikanokonoko]

@@zerodegreescelsius damn, sorry about asking that

[@zerodegreescelsius]

@@GooblubShikanokonoko nah, we're good. All in the past now

[@simonem.8176]

there are very few people in this world that deserve children

[@PaulYuNow]

it's sad that so many kids grow up under tyrants

[@Zyxqs]

I’m korean and I notice this with other Asians too, my teacher who is Vietnamese said his parents treated him in a similar way to a point where he had no free time, no interests, no friends, etc. it wasn’t until he became an adult (now 30 years old) where he was free to finally get into stuff he’s always wanted to as a teen, like martial arts like jujutsu and taekwondo , anime, video games etc. people would tell him that he’s “too old” to do any of these things but in reality he’s living the life his parents never allowed him to for the sake of a good education. I even hear that the cases in Japan with suicide are very similar to Korea as well, and many children in China sleep on the bus when going back home which is usually very late

[@theia1653]

It's a void that will never be filled because you will always be trying to live out what you missed out on, rather than having your fun and then be ready to be responsible as an adult. Some things, we will never get to do, like prom night.

[@user-jj4vl2fn9g]

@Zyxqs "People would tell him that he’s “too old” to do any of these things." Ugh, That total nonsense oldtimer opinion looking down on people who have unique hobbies and interests. Just because that person prefers playing video games more than getting drunk doesn't mean that he/she isn't grown up!!!

[@user-jj4vl2fn9g]

@@theia1653 Wish fulfillment is a form of joy. If that enjoyment doesn't interfere with his/her responsibilities, then it's just another way of having fun. And speaking of prom nights, Any adult could throw their very own prom-themed ballroom party if they have enough money & willpower! It's not an illegal thing for people in their 20s or older to do that.

[@lukeahn0330]

My dad grew up like this, so he really doesn't put any pressure he just wants me to get an average over 90, be proactive, and pursue my ambitions which is easy. My dad wasn't hurt that much he said that he stayed in school for so long there were public lunches and dinners and there was school on weekends. He said that life was more easier because he was studying with his friends. Overall my Dad works really fcking hard like all he needs is a 2 hour break to work for the entire day. I really do respect my dad but the only downside is that his sense of humor is pretty bad, idk if that's part of it lol.

[@maywalker997]

I went to a top world university and I witnessed a number of Korean and Chinese students there have mental breakdowns in the final year as graduation drew in closer because they were not coping with the pressure at all well. I observed that often the better they were as students, the more they tended to beat themselves up over just about everything, intensely loathing themselves and being very fatalistic in their attitudes towards any percieved mistakes or shortcomings. Raising kids to constantly obsess over grades and judge their self-worth as human beings by their acedemic performance are very poor grounds to build confidence and coping skills upon. It was also very sad because even at their lowest points, many of these students utterly refused to let the teachers inform their parents about their struggles and mental health problems at university, so often during their lowest moments these students were very isolated & fearful whilst their parents carried on completely oblivious to their childs suffering. It was almost as if they thought that if their parents knew they were not delivering fantastic results all the time, they feared that their parents would withdraw all love & affection from them (and hate them instead). A child should never feel like they have no value as a human being nor entitlement towards love & compassion if they don't deliver great academic results 24/7. A parents love should be unconditional, not bought with school grades. Society is also increasingly not rewarding those who do graduate with great results because the university systems are producing more over-qualified people than what society actually has a need for, which is resulting in situations such as Masters graduates being forced to work in factories because there is no other work for them, or for people to have to be ridiculously over-qualified for even the most basic jobs. It is really important to see that there is more to life than grades, studying & being a top student all the time.

[@chai298]

As a mom of two kids living in India , this video is giving me anxiety even to just view it. Yes we have competition here but atleast for primary kids it doesn’t get this bad !!

[@PaulYuNow]

Good that it's not as severe as this where you are in India! Yes it was upsetting for me to watch this. Kids should not be living under tyrants.

[@rumjhumgupta7137]

I agree, very grateful its not as bad in India. I feel only after 8th grade does the real pressure of uni prep start

[@Babygirl6102]

It's so sad. Yesterday this new KZbinr I started watching, said he got into a disagreement with his mom, because he wanted to watch TV, but she wanted him to study more. Even though he already spends his time studying and wanted to watch TV because he had a little free time that day. 😢

[@PaulYuNow]

sounds like a toxic mom who wants her son to be a study machine

[@letsgowalk]

I just got back from a stint in Korea, and even though I enjoyed my visit, I did notice how cold and inconsiderate many people are. I never felt slighted or disrespected whatsoever, but most people just seem detached and aloof, practically like mindless zombies in many ways.

[@PaulYuNow]

That's how I feel when I visit Korea as well. Definitely not a friendly vibe.

[@letsgowalk]

I will say this though. The people I feel are genuinely good people, but just don't know how to express emotion, and generally just stick to themselves. The few individuals whom I did actually communicate with were quite friendly. Also, I must say that the average young person has impeccable English skills! Much better than Japan, Taiwan, and even HK! If you ask anyone under 30, chances are, they will be able to help you if you have limited Korean skills.

[@letsgowalk]

I also should add that in other smaller cities, such as Gwangju and Yeosu, the people are much more friendly. This is probably true for most other countries as well. However, their level of communication with foreigners is certainly lacking compared to Seoul.

[@passthemic1271]

Mindless zombies? I mean we do be like that but we shouldn't attribute that to academic competitiveness

[@letsgowalk]

@@passthemic1271 Haha… you are right. They are smart zombies intelligence wise, but socially very awkward.

[@mi_kou]

I’m a south korean middle schooler I can HAPPILY say that due to the fact I was more or so raised in America during my earlier childhood, i think my parents understood that the methods used in SK isn’t healthy, and have let me balance both studying and my own entertainment on my own (since i was considered a gifted kid during that time) I currently live in SK after moving back, and i’ll be lying when I say my performance didn’t drop drastically since arriving here. Everything is extremely focused on studies, and I do feel out of place due to my upbringing in the US. The norm here is to study for hours on end, and when I reach high school, studying for less than 12 will be seen as you’re not trying at all. Due to my own personal problems, my results have changed a lot. I genuinely can’t feel like I can interact with anyone because everyone is either really rude or really quiet. Nice people barely exist here. I can say that those kinds of social environments aren’t good for me and my performance in exams have been affected. Burn out is so common here. One point you’ll be studying like your life depended on it, and when it’s over you’ll feel terrible you aren’t trying enough. Contemplating unaliving yourself or other harmful methods are extremely common, and get worse as time goes on. I’d be lying when I say I don’t feel this way myself at some point. But I can’t say much as I don’t get put these pressures to be the best like other kids my age as my parents (who have gone through worse, trust me when 1970~2000s were actually horrid for education here) cares for my health overall, but from what I see, I’ll never be surprised that our population is decreasing due to this fact.

[@mi_kou]

oh and, internet. internet fucked up people here. do NOT be surprised when you come here and hear the n word on the street often. ON PURPOSE. It’s worse where i live since it’s more on the countryside compared to Seoul, and since more westerners are here too it’s a bad problem. This generation is just horrid

[@officialjocelyn9108]

I just started watching "Green Mother's Club" on Netflix and am so disappointed at how the adults are insincere toward each other, but tolerate each other in hopes of climbing in the social hierarchy on the talents of their children. So exhausting to watch, I can't imagine what it would be like to LIVE that way!

[@hugofriberg3445]

I read a news article a few months ago about a korean restaurant owner. And they shared the view of people being more rude nowadays. They said that the restaurant often had staffing issues since students offten even wouldn't tell the owner that they quit, they just stop showing up.

[@_Choco_]

Yeah, no wonder suicide rates are crazy in South Korea. Even though their population is not nearly as large as so many other countries 🤦‍♀️ im just glad I wasn't raised there.

[@NagajyothiKalaguri-qe2in]

I didn't even study seriously until I was in 6th grade and it is due to my own interest. My mother would be dissatisfied when I was a kid because I got marks which were just passing. I would be saved by my papa every time "atleast she didnt fail!!" "Just a kid" The fact that these kids are literally going through "study focused kindergarten" is insane for me. Couldn't imagine giving up my childhood. Those are supposed to be the most carefree days of our life and these moms are turning it into hell

[@yurikovRUKR762]

Those moms would probably be asking the grand question once they're old: "Why isn't my children visiting me?"

[@jessn.3851]

As far as I'm aware, getting into one of the top 3 universities in Korea is important for getting a good job and marrying well. Their entire future depends on how well they do on college entrance exams. That's an insane amount of pressure. And their reward? Working long hours so that they don't have time to date or start a family. It's a miserable process from start to finish.

[@skylinefever]

Lose your youth to cram school so you can afford to steal someone else's youth with cram school. No wonder people break the cycle.

[@ducckk]

as a south korean person myself, i wasn't really trated this badly, (beacuse i was raised in america), but when i was in puberty, i really did still get burned out because it was normal, and my parents were hard on me, but this is a whole different level of disturbing.

[@Mutio86]

Someone from Germany here: How the fuck can you treat children like that?! Is this „normal“ in asian countries? This is borderline childabuse.. 🤦‍♂️

[@shoetoss2655]

Thank you for spreading awareness on this subject. It’s sick and disgusting the way those witch moms laugh at the way they treat their children. If Korean society (or other East Asian cultures) want to survive, it must start changing drastically.

[@puhlsar1]

I’m a Korean student and I’m quite lucky to say that I live relatively free with only a couple cram schools, but most other people at my school have upwards of four cram schools after school on average and their daily lives seem similar to what was described in this video.

[@puhlsar1]

Also the common expectations of parents for students’ grades (at my school) is A (96+)

[@sim4296]

That still seems crazy to me, im lucky enough where i dont really have homework and can get away with 1 hour of studying a night at most (im in my second last year of school and still pretty much at the top of my classes). I think if i did any more i would be so burnt out too, if i had a mother like the women in this video im not sure i could function.

[@reylandvilla6646]

It is a comparing society, that is why my Korean friend said he does not like going to Korean get togethers

[@moonchild1749]

So true, I'm from India, here there is definitely a super competitive scenario when it comes to education and employment Coaching centres and pvt. universities profiting loads from the middle class and what not Being a college student rn it definitely sucks

[@PaulYuNow]

Feel for you man. It's really a dog eat dog world in some societies.

[@SerenityLoman]

There is no reason to compete everyone is different and competing creates chaos in the world.

[@rumjhumgupta7137]

I would say its not as bad in India, and maybe even its improving? with knowledge that there are other possible streams that a child can go in... but i can't be sure because it depends on household.

[@corolla94]

God, the part about the door... I remember not being able to sleep right when the lock on mine broke. This is pure evil.

[@molanohouse]

Evil is when my parents discipline me.

[@MrPakurfulo]

Sounds like these moms don't value their children's love, they just care about success. That attitude is gonna bite you in the ass in 25 years. Don't cry when they marry the type of girl you hate the most

[@Katie06Ent]

i also relate to this and im not a Korean but i'm asian... i feel like our education system is stealing our childhood and our future as we need to study atleast 10 hours a day (non- school days) plus intake hours of tuition classes (cram schools) to get an A and to get into uni! Btw, don't forget the strict rules and punishments that we must face if we are late to school, didn't braid hair, skirt is short, if we wear makeup, if we brought our phone to class etc... but thank god that i go to a private school because we don't face physical punishments such as cane hits on the hands or legs like in public schools if we broke any of those rules, we would likely get detention, stand in the corridors or get suspended if we break the rules too many times. While at that, my parents also removed my room's door as they didn't want to hear out my frustration. Evenmore, just like you said, my parents would tell me to tell others that i live in our own house not rented and they would also tell me to tell i got all straight As to my relatives, when i actually didn't ... and bonus for me "yay" we would go out of home ALOT (for business work and trips) and i would also get sick ALOT because of my younger siblings (their classes get ill frequently because there's no proper hygiene among these kids) and they tell me to rest and stop studying and yet still somehow get As... i try my best... especially this year... i'm waiting for my results now. So basically i get a little support from everyone and the rest like 80% is upto me... and my parents would mock me if i don't get As...it hurts but hey, atleast they provide me with all the necessities right? Also the school gives us ALOT of homework and i barely have time to study or do other stuff, so anyone who is doing sports or does youtube is likely to get low grades... but it doesn't mean its impossible... you just gotta sacrifice mini things in order to gain the best of things. So those who are under stress like us, you've got this, especially since you are surviving in a such environment, it makes you disciplined and strong! and since i've been experiencing for over a decade and still is, the stress and this environment wasn't that noticeable until i watched videos like this! so i'm getting used to it but i don't want the future generations including my siblings to experience the same!

[@bottlenosedolphin]

The sad part is that this is not just in South Korea... here in Singapore, my fellow twelve-year-old classmates stay up till 3 or 4 am doing practice papers. One of my best friends became su!cidal and her mother doesn't seem to care.

[@DatAsianDude]

Parents should push their kids, but this is like watching parents push their kids off a cliff. Some stress is good to show the child the world so that they can adapt. Too much stress and the child simply can't grow a free and strong mindset.

[@Erika-yy8ry]

At least so long korean society follows this way nothing will change.

[@nate-iq7dg]

All I remember from my childhood is feeling anxious every day, worrying about losing a math competition, fearing my mom wouldn't love me if I didn't study even on my birthday, or stressing about getting rejected from that prestigious middle school. I still hate looking at my elementary school notebooks and diaries because my diary entries would say things like, "I want to go out and play, but Mom said I have to work on my English more." It makes me very sad. Growing up in South Korea didn't make me successful, it made me suicidal.

[@PaulYuNow]

dude that is very sad to hear...

[@densebread]

I am south Korean, my mom did similar tactics... She once pulled a knife on my brother because he refused to study math that was 4 years ahead of what he was learning in school. It didn't help that my mom was an awful teacher so we had trouble understanding course materials. I used to love the arts but after constant pressure it took the fun out of it and now I feel anxious pursuing the arts. Because of their strict parenting, honestly abusive and neglectful parenting, I have anxieties in failure and trying something new. I give up very easily on materials that is new or if I don't grasp it fast enough. I am a mom now, I raise my kids and encourage their efforts and make learning fun.

[@florasaf6240]

I am so sorry to hear you went through that. Pulling a knife on anyone let alone a child is unacceptable. 💗

[@PineappleDealer37]

"WHY DOES OUR COUNTRY HAS THE HIGHEST SU I CI DE RATE OUT OF THE DEVELOPED COUNTRIES!" The country:

[@kimchimami]

And lowest birth rate of the world too 😢 just so sad, I hope they start to realize

[@skylinefever]

I often say if those numbers are to be fixed, there has to be a high "life is worth living" rate. I say the same thing to the absolutely no euthanasia crowd. I just ask them when they are going to make it not suck to be really sick, really old, or really poor. Are they going to make sure the people in pain can get really good pain pills?

[@PineappleDealer37]

@@skylinefever fuck KZbin

[@theia1653]

Then they'll wail how they were just saying it, just wanted what's best, or "someone" must've put them up to it. Or maybe they'll just sell their stuff.

[@UltraRaditzStane]

I'm so glad my Korean mother is actually mentally sane😭 she let me have a normal childhood that really did not evolve work but just play. Even in highschool she might be a bit tough but is still understanding and does not lose her marbles if i get a 60, just as long as I tried. She saw the hell Koreans had to go through.

[@PaulYuNow]

I'm glad to hear that dude

[@am_2395]

Thanks for sharing this. It's when I see things like this that I'm so grateful I was born in Brazil lol I hope things can change in Korea in the future. God bless those children 😢