Why South Korea Became the Most Suicidal Country in the World

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Special thanks to:
Nick "Tasteless" Plott
/ @tasteless_tv
/ tastelesstv
Seohyun Lee:
/ @seobam_coach
The Yang Bros:
• 한국인들은 정말 이런가요? 정신과 의사도...
And Jiwon Moon for being our guide/translator:
/ @jilli_studios
South Korea is an incredible country with a vibrant culture... but it’s also undergoing what’s possibly the worst mental health crisis in the world.
So between playing video games, hosting a reader meet-up and eating some of the spiciest f*cking food of my life, I went out to discover what intense social pressures foster such high rates of anxiety and depression.
Enjoy and "gamsahamnida."
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I am Mark Manson, 3x #1 NY Times bestselling author of:
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck - mrk.mn/3svfxcu
Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope - mrk.mn/2RNxVAD
I share other types of content to make you a less awful human in these places:
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Thanks for watching.

[@IAmMarkManson]

This video was an experiment with a different format/style. Let me know if you would like to see me do more of them. P.S.: Feeling so blessed to have eyes like Hugh Grant.

[@juandavidlopezlopez8079]

I couldn't decide wether I was looking at a high-level production documentary or a Mark Manson video. The bit at the end showed me that this crossover definitely kicks ass. Loved this format!

[@piquantea]

More! Loved the video.

[@Afrotechmods]

I liked it a lot and I am definitely down for more Markumentaries if you are enjoying making them

[@janecavanagh526]

I loved it! Thank you! I’d watch more of these mini docos!!

[@ngogol1748]

I think this is a very great video you did. Cannot wait to see more of it. Best wishes from Germany!

[@dyii81]

I'm Korean. "If you get your shit together, you don't have to suffer from depression or anxiety" - that's what my mom told me all my life, being depressed herself for decades.

[@lazyscorpion3889]

Changes nothing. I've seen a successful Korean man and his friends they're all depressed. I've lived in Korea forn10 years and I'll never forget how depressed I've been throughout. I had no pressure on me, money has been useless to the core! Robotic lifestyles ugh

[@edprestoza4099]

Your mom's advice doesn't seem very helpful. But I think your country's medical health care system needs to be fully addressing mental health problems publicly not privately. It also needs to be discussed among Korean governments and medical Healthcare establishments in every news media, including internet news.

[@neshwhat702]

@@Bodyblissretreatngl a country where they give importance to looks more than talent is gonna be depressing. I won’t be able to survive there. The constant judgement from everyone is gonna make me suicidal.

[@tldw8354]

The best thing for koreans to learn is, "I don't give a fuck" on the _extraordinary_ expectations of my boss/parents/friends. I litteraly mean it. Chill more, let the preassure go from time to time and start living more socially focused. Every day has 24 hours and you should do 8 hours of _good_ sleep, a _maximum_ of 8 hours work where you can give 200% if you like, and 8 hours of _something socially else_ (and a little bit of workout). That will inevitably lead to more happyness and less anxiety.

[@tomaccino]

@@tldw8354 The thing is Koreans can't afford themselves, so they have to work 15 hours a day. No time to sleep. Or it's simply expected of you to push yourself beyond limits to prove yourself to the company. You can say IDGAF in Europe where people don't wanna work past 3pm (seriously, that's rush hour in Slovenia), but the way South Korea is structured doesn't allow you to put your feet on the desk and ignore boss' phone calls. And Korean social hierarchy can only make it worse when people on the lower end have to constantly bow to someone who looks down on them.

[@HaHa-ml5ct]

As a Korean reaching 60, I feel that one of the biggest problems with Korea's education system is the intense pressure placed on students. From age 5-6 to until 19, they are focused solely on entering one of the top universities (SKY). While doing so, almost everyone tells these kids that entering a good university will guarantee them a prosperous and happy life, with good money, a good job, and even success in dating. However, the reality is much different. Once they enter university, the competition continues - to get into good companies, land well-paying jobs... it's an endless cycle of competition and comparison with friends, family members, colleagues, and neighbors. I believe this trend will continue for at least another 10-15 years, until the older generation retires. While Korea is in a transitional period, I fear things will get worse before they get better. Instead of everyone striving to become "someone" special, we need to understand that it's okay to fail, to be average, and to simply be normal. Young people need to be freed from the constant pressure and unrealistic expectations imposed by parents, society, and the media.

[@epicxochi]

beautifully said 👏

[@disarchitected]

Yes but if you fail, it will be much harder to participate in Korea’s ‘economic miracle’ and develop a career in the Chaebol’s, in Western level jobs, earning Western level salaries. All the markets, small mom and pop stores alluded to in this video serve Korea’s ‘underclass’ of people who live middle income lifestyles, akin to those in much poorer countries like Mexico. This contrast is much starker than in the West. In the UK, you can earn middle professional manager salaries by learning a trade, like being a plumber. That isn’t the case in Korea, you’d earn far less. A professional outside a Chaebol would earn maybe a half to two thirds what the same person doing the same job inside a Chaebol would, the tradesman even less than that.

[@disarchitected]

Plus traditionally in Confucian culture, your status in society determined how the laws applied to you. There was no concept of universal human rights, it was not a dignity culture where each person had ‘worth’ protected in law regardless of who they were or what they did. Park Jung Hee realised a system like this wouldn’t sustain a modern industrialised society, so copied Western legal systems to encourage industry. However, these institutions became an overlay on old Confucian feudal legal systems and their values sustained in culture. Witness what happens to Chaebol leaders who fall foul of the law. Prosecuted under the Western legal overlay, then pardoned by the President, because their status makes them above the law. Status pays, opens doors, determines who you can associate with, which is important in a 2 speed society dominated by Chaebols. Sure this sort of thing exists everywhere but its really exaggerated in Korea compared to the West. You can’t understand modern Korea without understanding the Chaebol system, there are interesting video’s on youtube about this.

[@ccmil555]

totally agreed

[@jacques6090]

Same thing is happening in China. Chinese journalists are sadly comparing both countries. Hope both east Asian countries can improve in positive way, and younger generation can have a better and balanced way to enjoy the economic growth.

[@Kotramail]

I live in Ethiopia, I have worked with several Korens and most are older and whenever I point out these problems they tend to be defensive and avoid the conversation. It is a good start that the younger generation is aware of the issues.

[@jojomythe]

I think Ethiopia vs Koreans are like opposites. I've worked with Ethiopians for business and they never showed up at the time they chose - they literally showed up 1 day late. I told them I won't move on with them. One is too relaxed, and the other is dying for work

[@Kotramail]

@@jojomythe that's right! I gotta admit that we are laid back people in general, the huge difference in the work culture makes it easier for us to notice how their system messed them up (not defending Ethiopians)

[@keepcreationprocess]

you can not address this. This is not your problem.

[@Wurfenkopf]

Were they South Koreans? I thought Ethiopia was hiring North Korean workers

[@keepcreationprocess]

@@jojomythe yes, that is true......

[@sophie4636]

I made Korean friends when they came over to the UK to study postgraduate law at a prestigious university. When we started getting our grades back, they were HORRIFIED not to get 100%, and I had to explain many times that no UK professor would even give 100% so chill and after a while, they did relax. They were the most gorgeous people ever, and I grew to love them very much, and I miss each and every one of them ❤

[@hassan_codes]

Wow! How do you expect perfect scores in postgraduate courses?

[@relentero8547]

@@hassan_codesthat’s just what they drill into your head in Korea. Even on their “Korean SAT” aka seunung, not getting 100% can mean no prestigious university and then no good job etc.

[@bldontmatter5319]

They're not African. That's how. Some cultures actually embrace perfection. ​@@hassan_codes

[@KhalidMiha]

What happened to them?

[@BoramK9294]

They all committed suicide?

[@pomme._.fatale]

as a born and raised Korean, 'having the worst mix of Confucianism and capitalism' is the most on-point statement of Korean society

[@djrosepark]

I concur~ Korea sucks

[@FantomwithanEff]

Feels awful to hear, more so perhaps because in someway in someday even the best of us may have felt that kind of pressure..a while with it already feels so depressive so to live with that feeling for all the life 😢 ..hope with this new generation's open minds towards the issue the things will be better and soon... Support to all

[@isabellaherrington4232]

Absolutely!

[@johnytakdeep4839]

with no doubt. confusius is an idiot

[@couloir1]

💯

[@lightdk6321]

Can you please create Korean subtitles for this video so Koreans can watch it? Im a korean and i would love to have my parents watch this. This was so helpful. Thank you so much, Mark!!!

[@danielamonreal6066]

I second this idea ☝️

[@BaishiMusic]

Trying to help this get to the top. Good idea

[@Zaguzah]

Commenting to bump this comment!

[@ROa2]

Yes please, Korean subtitles would be great

[@vastforcecrew553]

👏👏👏

[@helenstratigos4862]

The alarming suicide rate among seniors really got me. How absolutely heartbreaking.

[@pourquoipas971]

And the teenagers and young people…

[@adhynugroho9424]

Agree. If you're a senior, that is totally heartbreaking. Like... what was it all for? As a youth, it's terrifying. Like.... what am I looking forward to? Decades of work with in a tunnel with no end or light in sight.

[@MylezNevison]

​@adhynugroho9424 well put... helplessness and hopelessness

[@thebettybassettproduction2458]

It has to do with what mark said in the previous travel analysis. If like let's say Brazil is great for it's sensuality, the opposite is also true. And it's like that for every country you visit. Korea is conscientious but when you lose productivity then what is the meaning of life. In essence you are a shame unto yourself. It's logical, given eastern values.

[@ernestkhalimov748]

​@@thebettybassettproduction2458wtf is eastern values????

[@AnAMAteurtraveler]

I taught in Korea for four months, when I quit I told my boss I’m not suicidal yet but this place is definitely pushing me in that direction. My boss responded “be strong, think of what you’re doing to the company, many people live in this city. Why are you special?” Also my students were more burned out at 14 then anyone I’ve ever met outside korea.

[@sasukekun11907]

woaw ☹😔

[@Takemysenf]

I admire many things about Korea, but there are (as in every country) really bad sides, and one of them is how children and teenagers are drilled - its dystopical. They are robbed of all the joy time which is sooo important for their development and mental health - its child abuse, really (my parents treated me very similar, although I grew up in the west, and it cost me almost all basics of happiness, its a wonder I did not commit sui-de)

[@parkdavid1697]

Your boss was gaslighting you. Well done leaving the company before it affected you negatively. 👏

[@Numb_]

That's not insane

[@dilaawaiz]

True, left after 15 months. It was the toughest and most stressful time of my life

[@ejfeg779]

As a Korean, the pros and cons of my country are evident. It's a heaven for a consumer, which means manifold and convenient services are surprising and satisfying enough to sustain your life here. But the reason why it is regarded a hell is that YOU NEED TO CONTRIBUTE to this system as a worker/service provider/students as well. Addition to my comment : Some Koreans also talk about "lookism" but I think it's quite hypocritical because these days in the modern world, other countries are not free from evaluation toward appearances. In this sense, we, Koreans denigrate ourselves in an imprecise way because of the stress they got somewhere. The conclusion should not be like Oh you must leave Korea or No you must live in Korea. We need to be objective to understand the true pros and cons.

[@user-heeyu4heeyu]

"_"😢😢

[@changwoo6301]

This is Why tourist loves Korea. Because They don’t work in Korea.

[@CaL-76]

Can’t be a consumer without spending power, so you have to be a employee of some sort. Full circle achieved.

[@erezinanicolet3601]

Absolutely right.

[@DieNibelungenliad]

​@CaL-76 i suppose the guys best off are the big business owners, though I think even thats not true

[@oklu_]

영상 보다가 양브로님들이 마크 맨슨님을 앉혀두고 K-외모평가를 시전하시는 부분 보고 놀랐습니다. 한국을 살기 힘들게 만드는 것이 바로 개인에 대한 바운더리를 쉽게 넘나드는 것이고 그중 대표적인 현상이 외모평가를 쉽게 하는 문화라고 생각하는데요, 마치 시연이라도 하시듯 그것을 하시는 게 보기 좋지 않았습니다. 다른 사람들도 아니고 정신과 의사분들이 그러시니 무척이나 놀랐습니다. 아무리 끝이 칭찬으로 끝났을지라도 무례하게 보였습니다. 저 분들도 나름 우리나라를 정신적으로 풍요롭게 하려고 노력하시는 분들인데도 한국의 큰 문화적 분위기에 스며든 것은 거스를 수 없는 걸까요. 여러가지 생각이 드는 장면이었습니다.

[@하이루-u7p]

저 사람들 병원 약만 처방해주고 다른거 없어요

[@Wigglesnoop]

결국 의사도 국평오테크타고 입시해서 의사 되시는거라

[@moon-bro]

양브로도 이 댓글도 한국이 낳은 괴물이다

[@돌직구-b9b]

​@@밝은하루-v5i 전 캐나다사는데 여기는 외모 특히 얼굴로 남을 평가하는건 되게 무례한 경우임

[@peachishere85]

@@밝은하루-v5i갑분 이걸 한국인이 하냐 외국인이 하냐로 몰아가는 로직이 더 웃긴데ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 하지 말아야 할 칭찬도 있답니다 그 외모 칭찬이 이 영상에서 말하는 한국을 우울케 하는 점 중 하나라고 몇몇 댓글에서 얘기하는건데 참 ㅋㅋㅋ 3개월 여행왔다 가셨으니 개인영역 침범이 뭔지 이해는 안되겠지

[@lydiebalthazar]

"I... don't give a f***"... That delivery is the most factual, determined and yet sweet I've ever heard. I'll try to say it like this everytime I'll get to think that from now on.

[@georgemaximus694]

“I …. Don’t give a f….” This is probably the solution to their problems. They care too much about what thinks of them.

[@fairy.brachioAnton]

Despite putting in hard work and graduating from a university in Seoul, I felt defeated by the high barriers to employment, leading to the development of depression and anxiety, which I am currently undergoing treatment for. I watched the video with deep empathy as someone going through similar struggles. While receiving psychiatric therapy, the disheartening view from my parents, perceiving me as a weak and disappointing individual, along with their harsh words, and the ongoing job failures, make each day of job preparation a struggle. I find myself lacking the motivation to continue, feeling helpless, and overwhelmed with thoughts of wanting to end my life. Amidst this, I'm glad to have come across a video that explains these reasons. Although thoughts of suicide haven't completely vanished, the guilt of being deemed useless by society and achieving disappointing results has slightly lessened. Just realizing that my situation is, in fact, a societal responsibility provides significant comfort.

[@marilynfishel3843]

warm hugs to you from the usa. i hope you can find someone who understands you & your trials & accepts you without judgment. the world is complex; and you have shown much courage in seeking help.

[@martinmuzoc]

Paiting!!

[@Charvo75]

High expectations can be a debilitating feeling when we don't meet those expectations.

[@tylerhong4759]

힘내세요. 젊은 청춘이여.

[@hyunny6227]

취직하기 어려운 사회인거 같아요.. 막상 전 취직은 했지만 월급은 적고 책임은 무한이리 살기 팍팍함을 느낍니다. 전혀 글쓰신분의 잘못이 아닙니다. 꾸준히 산책하시고 쉬시면서 몸과 마음 회복하시길 바랍니다.

[@eggo4694]

10:17 LOL As Korean I think this conversation really explains the lookism in Korean society. People think it's a natural thing to talk about other's appearance and make compliment like that. This is wrong.

[@oklu_]

As a Korean I can't agree more!

[@oklu_]

The ironic and sad fact is that they are psychiatrists who are quite trying to make this country a better place

[@kyowonjeong4860]

Very nice and accurate insight. But most Korean people even do not recognize how depressed they are. I am Korean but have been lived in other countries for more than 10 years. Never coming back.

[@박파랑이-h3q]

무슨 개소리냐? 어느나라든지 음과양이 있지 ᆢ 한국을 뭘 안다고 헛소리를 하냐? 삶은 어느나라나 치열해 그리고 그걸이기고 감사함으로 사는거지

[@janicewolk6492]

You are wrong.​@@박파랑이-h3q

[@Realshit-l2q]

⁠@@박파랑이-h3q한국인이라잖아;;;; 뭘 안다고 말하냐니;;

[@durr3471]

@@박파랑이-h3q에휴 딱 니같은놈들 얘기다

[@박파랑이-h3q]

@@durr3471 주제 파악이나 해라 머져리야

[@merrymerryjohanna]

This content is GOLD, Mark. I was born and raised in Korea, and I was one of those kids who cry after getting 90 out of 100 on an exam. I think the biggest problem is that we’re made too busy and obsessed with achieving the *stereotypical* success to care about anything else. Most schools, parents, and media don’t talk about mental health, so we’re simply oblivious to the state of our mental health. We don’t even know we’re depressed.

[@lowkeyconvert8971]

it's because the east asian mentality especially, sees perseverance and tolerating a lot as some kind of badge of honour and good trait, which i can see how it is a good thing in some respects in this rollercoaster called life. but what happens when you reach breaking point and burn out? where is the support and empathy? the one good thing that has remained in east and SE asian cultures is the reverence for the elderly and closeness of the family unit and extended family. that's the thing that i think western cultures (although there are still some traditional western cultures, more in central and eastern europe) are lacking. without this, you can feel like a bit of a lost soul without being connected to anything. it can elicit a feeling of emptiness. hyper individualism and the "it's all about me, me, me" mentality is increasing in the west. on the other hand, it would be a problem if you have a toxic and abusive family. i guess it's about the yin and yang, which comes from chinese influence and the symbol features on the korean flag. there needs to be balance in everything. i think that historically until now, asian cultures place such an emphasis on academics because that's how people earned respect and status in their societies. it's a bit of a conundrum in the age of kpop, OF and social media celebrities. there are actual alternate routes to become 'successful' more than ever now and it's been made possible through technology.

[@yonggeun4222]

why arent koreans competing to have babies LOL

[@osss333]

I would like to you to read about Islam, it will help you to put the staff in place

[@yonggeun4222]

i SWEAR TO GOD, can koreans STOP freakin sending their 5 to 18 year old kids to academy, like seriously just stop ok@@lowkeyconvert8971

[@mangamangagurl]

In India too bro. We kids r shamed for scoring even 93/100. We shd be scoring minimum of 98-99 out of 100. It's insane.

[@oklu_]

10:20 사람 앉혀 놓고 면밀히 외모 평가 들어가는거 상당히 한국스러움 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@biyum918]

이런거부터 한국이 망해가고 우울한 이유를 알려줌 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@Kesu-l4q]

ㅋㅋ 본인 댓글에 휴그랜트 눈닮앗다고 써놓은거 자체가 한번더 찝은거 같음

[@김디카-z6b]

심지어 배웠다는 의사분도 저 나이대 이상 한국인들은 다 저모양이고 저게 뭐가 잘못된줄도 모름 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 초면에, 안친한데, 외모나, 재산, 연봉, 학교, 이런 민감한걸 전혀 꺼리낌없이 묻는게 한국문화 하긴 의사?였다는건 20살때 의대 들어갔을테고 그런 포지션으로 쭈욱 살았으니 ㅋㅋ 아무도 태클 안건 삶 살았으니 한국인 그 자체가 될수밖에 없었을듯

[@minnn6744]

@@김디카-z6b 외모 평가도 그렇고 올해 20살이면 대학어디 가냐 ㅈㄴ물어봄. 대한민국이 남인생에 관심많은건 알아줘야됨

[@oklu_]

이 유튜버님도 이 현상을 흥미롭게 보고 올린 것 같습니다 ㅋㅋㅋ

[@marco_k_7787]

놀랍도록 정확한 분석일 뿐만 아니라 그속에서도 살아남으려고 노력중인 한국인들에 대한 따뜻한 마음까지 담긴 매력적인 영상이다.

[@warpwa]

@@ZhugeLiang1004왠 헛소리

[@Ramenenglish]

동의해요.

[@커피-m2b]

허나 한국의 사기공화국이 됬음 전세사기 비대면대출사기 주식사기 통신사사기 은행횡령 음주운전 촉법 뇌물 비리 등 사기꾼나라임 어찌 가해자 인권을 다지켜주지

[@토마토-y5o]

@@warpwa헛소리가 아니라 다름을 인정하자는 이야기 입니다. 너랑 나랑 다르건 틀리지 않다는 것. 다양성을 인정하기.

[@socalvibe4500]

@@ZhugeLiang1004 몬틀을 깨? 몰한게 있다고? ㅎ 방송나와서 돈버는건가 틀을 꺤거냐?

[@_.borahae]

The Kpop group BTS released a MV called N.O years ago about students and the harsh school system in Korea. It's well done and gives a voice to the youth. The leader of the group RM explained, that he was one of the top students in Korea but decided to be a rapper. His mom threw his computer and mic away because she wasn't pleased about his decision. And it's true. The people starts getting depressed in early age also because of the school system. They're taught to be always the best and to be the most successful. This is the most important thing for them. Another thing they're focused is the Korean beauty standarts. People that doesn't fit theses standarts are bullied or not successful no matter how good their grades are.

[@MariaManzalay-lj9ec]

God forbid if ur not fair . They r particular about skin . Its always lookism

[@wildlotus4339]

No mention about maintaining "perfect godlike image" requirement to those who are successfull.

[@martinocoreano]

I am a 30-years old Korean living in Seoul. I lived in New Zealand and Australia in my childhood and came to Korea to study in a high school. The pressure on high school students is so immense and crazy. Probably many of the students taking Sooneung(Korean College Scholastic Ability Test/Korean University Entrance Exam) might have some traumatic memories. Even reaching my 30s, I still had a dream of the day that I screwed up my test. It really sucks. 😞

[@가-h4v]

한국은 우울한국가가 아닙니다 외국인도 한국이 부자국가이며 소득에서 동아시아에서 1등국가 반공주의자국가입니다

[@qazwsxedcrfv-i1y]

@@나-StarWars수능 아니여도 잘 살 수 있는 사회가 되었으면 합니다. 요즘 학생들 의대 가려고 재수 삼수하면서 시간 보내고 있죠. 적성이 맞으면 모르겠지만 그냥 쫒아가는 사회.

[@martinocoreano]

@@나-StarWars 그렇게 쉽게 말씀하시는걸 보니 공감능력이 좀 떨어지시는 분인것 같습니다. 우선 왜 쳐야할까요? 더이상 보고싶지도 않습니다. 돈은 그냥 하늘에서 내려오나요? 돈이 아주 많은 동네의 부잣집이면 가능하겠죠, 재수든 n수든요. (그걸 한국인들이 그렇게 외쳐대는 의지의 문제라고 한다면 할말이 없네요) 저는 삶을 살아나가야하는 사람이기에, 거기에 들어가는 돈도 무시할수 없는 것 같습니다. 그리고 회사 생활을 위해서라면 더더욱 하고 싶지도 않구요, 한국에서는 회사생활을 더이상 하지 않을 생각이기 때문입니다. 그리고 저는 이제 석사마치고 박사를 고민하는 상황이라 더더욱 수능은 칠 생각이 없네요.

[@wuwu-o3f]

​@@martinocoreano 저도 동의합니다. 수능을 잘 쳐야지만 좋은 회사에 갈 수 있고 좋은 교수 밑에서 대학공부를 할 수 있는건 과연 맞는걸까? 라는 생각이 듭니다. 창의성이 너무나도 중요해지는 시대에 수능은 너무나도 구시대적인 시험 체계라고 생각합니다

[@martinocoreano]

@@나-StarWars 죄송한데 저에 대해서 무엇을 아신다고 이렇게 판단하고 댓글을 막달아 대시는건지 모르겠네요. 저에 대해서 여기다 전부적어놓은것도 아니기도 하구요. 적어주신 점은 참고하도록 하겠습니다. 적당히 해주시면 감사하겠습니다.

[@suikwan0]

ㅋㅋㅋㅋ중간에 정신과 의사들 아이스 브레이킹 한답시고 외모평가부터 하고보는... 진짜 한국은 저게 문제입니다. 저런것만 그만해도 사람들 사는데 훨씬 행복해 질거예요... 칭찬한거니까 괜찮다 그럴텐데 외모칭찬도 얼평입니다..그리고 앞부분은 은근슬쩍 욕했잖앜ㅋㅋ음습한 사람들..

[@퍼플-b6d]

ㄹㅇ 영상보다가 그 부분 보고 움찔함; 농담이랍시고 외적인부분 슬쩍 까내리다가 또 나름 칭찬한답시고 "근데 실물이 더 잘생겼네요" ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 외모평가를 재치있는 농담인것마냥 툭툭 하는 부분마저 너무 한국스러움^^ 심지어 정신과 의사들이..ㅋㅋㅋ

[@hahahahaha7824]

저도 외모 칭찬 자주하지만 이건 진짜 좀 놀랐음... ㅋㅋㅋ 자기들은 그걸 선의의 아이스브레킹이라고 생각했을껀데 외국에선 그런 평가질 자체를 초면에 조크로도 잘 안하는편인데 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 자기들은 그것에 대한 전혀 인식이 없다는거 ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 한국이 평가질이 진짜 좀 심하구나 하던 모먼트 ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 남 와꾸도 초면에 바로 조크로 틀어버리는데 평상시는 어떨지 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ 당연한거고...

[@Moonlee0218]

I'm Korean, That was really embarrasing. Even they are psychologist they didn't realize what's wrong with them. I reckon they thought that was a good joking or compliment. That's really rude mention.

[@지랄묘주까리집사]

와 저도 그부분 진짜 놀랬어요. 다짜고짜 외모평가라니 그래도 정신과 의사라서 기본적인 교양이나 상식은 있을 줄 기대되는건데

[@equinox1470]

이러니까 이 나라가 답이 없는 거예요. 사람을 사람으로 대하는 게 아니라 무슨 상품 평가하듯 하고 있어요. 정말 지겨워요..

[@aynhs63]

19:09 요약 진짜 정확하네요 모두를 이겨야 하고, 누구보다 잘나야 하며, 한번이라도 실패해서는 안되지만 누구와도 공유할 수 없는 상황에서 얼마나 버틸 수 있을까요. 점점 개개인에게 기본으로 요구하는 사회적-정서적-물질적 수치가 다양해지고, 그 수준 또한 높아지고 있으니 이것에 지쳐 떨어져나가고 있는 사람들이 많답니다. 어떻게 보면 정말 엄격한 선별작업을 통해 최상의 몇몇 제품만 팔고 나머지는 버려버리는 장사방식이네요 ㅋㅋ

[@가-h4v]

나쁜관점아닌뜻 개인적 과업과 국가가 어려움에 처해도 우리는 웃으며 일하며 나라를 위해 받친 애국시민입니다

[@leaf3461]

​@@가-h4v 그게 애국시민이라고 해석하고 내뱉는 너도 진짜 대단하네.. 초등학교부터 다시 들어가라

[@가-h4v]

@@leaf3461 잘살려면 공부많이해야함 그래야나라가 발전하지자력갱샌 1억불달성목표를 두고달려야 부자국가 푸른동산위에 놉니다 논땡이치고 하면 폐가망신이란걸 알고 보수정당을위해 응원합시다국민의힘만세

[@justyoon51]

⁠​⁠@@가-h4v스스로 생각하고 말을 뱉으세요. 한국은 자유민주주의 국가이고 생각없이 기계적으로 무책임하게 뱉는, 방종을 지향하지 않습니다. 국민의힘 만세? ㅋㅋ 어휴

[@가-h4v]

@@justyoon51 국민의힘한나라당 앞으로 윤석열정권철권통치에 영원히 유지되어야 보수정당 새나라어린이도 본받아 반공주의자 됩니다

[@g1_jiwon_]

호주같은 나라처럼 석유나 석탄등 자원이 많은것도 아니고 일본이나 영국같은 패권국가가 아닌 나라가 살아가기위해서 오로지 사람들 갈아서 만든나라가 한국이지.. 그래서 서로 끝없이 경쟁하게 만들고 지면 도태된거고 그로인해 정신적 스트레스는 끝없이 올라가고.. 이 나라가 살기위해서는 어쩔수없는 선택이었다고 생각함 진짜 사람말고는 자원이 아무것도 없었으니까

[@unka2007]

죄송한데 일본은 패권국가가 아닙니다

[@renatocorreaarrieche]

Much like Round 6.

[@fionagoddardpsychicclairvo5660]

Australia is no different to Korea in that case. Heaps of homeless, all our money and resources go overseas

[@momok9263]

Your description is more suited to Japan. No oil, no coal, tons of disaster especially eartquake, and 70% land covered by mountainous terrains with litte room for 125 mil population, Japan is much worse than Korea. Korea is still pretty normal and better compared to Japan in the terms of the survival.

[@소소콩-u8w]

@@g1_jiwon_ 스웨덴도 자원하나도 없고 인적자원만 있는데 우리나라처럼 경쟁 안심하고 외모든 직업이든 남무시하는 문화도 없음..

[@globetrottress]

I'm Korean but I've been living abroad most of my life. I had no idea that I am culturally not Korean at all until I started dating in Korea. People nonchalantly mention suicidal thoughts, and wanting to run away and quit everything. How casually they deal with severe mental health issues and substance abuse, and even the news of an acquaintance killing themselves, is shocking. or how much they care about optics (as opposed to how much they don't care about what they feel inside).Their societal, cultural issues have been boggling my mind so much so that I've been getting therapy after witnessing this in person. This is such an important topic that needs to be addressed. Thank you for making this into a video.

[@ChristianC-gy1ym]

By in large Koreans are happy and enjoy a solid mental state. In comparison, the familial and social dysfunctions people in the West, namely the U.S., struggle with is far more severe. People like you, who most likely enjoyed a family centered environment even in the U.S., who were mostly sheltered and kept away from having to deal with physical abuse, sexual abuse, divorced parents, alcoholic drugged out siblings, YOU have the luxury of seeing the minor differences between you and Koreans and Korea and are magnifying the impact it's having on you. I'm Korean born and raised in Korea, and it's baffling to hear anecdotes from people like you and then trying to pass that off as the norm. I truly question how/who/why you've come to see what you've experienced in Korea. Time to look in the mirror and perhaps evaluate your surroundings.

[@PoisonelleMisty4311]

It is important to recognize and address mental health issues within any society, especially when they are so prevalent and normalized. It is brave of you to seek therapy and confront these issues that affect not only individuals, but the society as a whole. It is crucial to continue discussing and raising awareness about mental health in order to break the stigma and provide support to those who are struggling. Thank you for sharing your experience and shedding light on this important topic.

[@JSC-cw8cs]

I think your words sounds a bit harsh. Which means it sounds like generalizing korean's as if every korean people are casualy talking about suicidal thoughts.

[@ChristianC-gy1ym]

@@JSC-cw8cs You're right, and honestly they are exaggerating and/or embellishing. Or just around a bunch of toxic people.

[@shae1414]

@@ChristianC-gy1ym its pretty true with koreas gen-z. most of my korean tutors(they change each month) are my age and we talk like a friend would most of the time(execpt for the super serious ones lol). they casually make a joke about wanting to not be alive after they make a small mistake like its normal.

[@gamrGaby]

As a expat who has been living in Seoul for 4 years, I think this video beautifully sums up the situation in Korea. All of these points are true and I have seen it myself. I have had conversations with coworkers and friends about these things. The differences between Korea and the US/Western world. The biggest difference is definitely the view of mental health and accessibility. I realized how uninformed many Koreans are about mental health and mental disorders. They are surprised at how open I am about these topics and how my friends have been open to me when I tell them stories of my friends' struggles. I will say the younger generations are much more open to talking about mental health and making mental health a priority. Some children I work with are getting help and treated. However, there are so many that view any mental health issues, disorders, or disabilities as a weakness and will try to hide it or choose to ignore the reality that it is happening to them/a loved one. One friend who teaches kindergarten told me how one of their previous students definitely had some kind of mental disability and the parents were in formed this child should be tested. But the parents refused because they say "nothing is wrong with my child." Instead of identifying it early and getting help and treatment that will help their child cope and function well in life, they choose to ignore it because they don't want their child singled out. The work culture is also brutal. Just as the video says, many work crazy hours even if they don't have work. OR they have so much work, they work crazy hours. I had a friend getting 2-4 hours of time at home (getting home around 4am and back at work at 9am), with no overtime pay, and crazy pressure of having to complete a bucket load of tasks and some of those tasks she was not qualified or had the education to actually do. She did this work schedule for months! And to add another factor into the mix, the birth rate is low and the government is trying to encourage people to have children. However, how can it be expected for a person, who is barely seeing the apartment they rent, to have the time for a relationship and then have time to raise and care for a child? Very unrealistic. Even as a foreigner, I have felt the pressures as well. I am supposed to be a "role model" and "example of a good citizen." Which is fair, but there is no wiggle room here to be human and make mistakes. I feel judged or that I will be judged. And as an averaged sized American, the stress about my body image during my first year here was strong. I've grown to not care about it now but that first year when you are thrown into a society all about image, you start caring too when you realize how much everyone cares. I love this country. It's beautiful and the culture is beautiful. Generally, the people are wonderful and nice and the food is to die for. However, I have felt weighed down and stifled so I actually am returning home after 4 crazy years of fun but also awful experiences (but mostly fun). And most of my friends feel the same way and are leaving one by one, some of them taking Korean SOs that want out too. There are so many factors to this decision so don't weigh it all on Korean society/mentality as a whole, but it is a factor.

[@hoilockpartian8627]

당신의 따뜻한 마음과 좋은 의견에 감사합니다. 현실은 당신이 말한것보다 한국은 더 최악입니다. 정말로 자본주의와 유교의 나쁜점만 갖고 있습니다. 나도 한국이 변하길 바라지만 쉽지 않습니다. 많은 사람들이 영상을 보고, 뭔가를 느끼고 반성했으면 좋겠습니다. 감사합니다❤❤❤

[@sarahstwart1653]

I would say its the korean culture because they are not evolving with time but holding on to how the older generations have been over worked

[@Andrealopez-tw2ks]

This is really sad, I was one of the people who standardized Korea because of what I saw in kdramas, I still dream of visiting Korea and i think it's good that people are more open to the importance of mental health.

[@suhillmy]

좋은글 감사합니다. 우리의 성취를 마냥 즐길데가 아니군요. 자본주의와 유교의 최악의 결합. 외모에 대한 스트레스 징글징글합니다. 주제넘는 외모평가도 신물나구요.

[@Queensaac]

As a Korean, I agree with your points about the importance of mental well-being. However, in Korean society, fierce competition starts at a young age, as early as elementary school. This creates a paradox: while mental health is recognized as crucial, current solutions often fail to address the issue at its root, which is the relentless pressure to compete. Even though individuals pursue success in various aspects of life, from academics and careers to marriage and social standing, the constant struggle to "win" fuels the prevalence of mental health concerns. Eliminating competition entirely, however, wouldn't be a viable solution. Korean society has achieved significant advancements through its emphasis on hard work and pushing individuals to strive for excellence. The challenge lies in adapting to changing times. The current competition-driven model, championed by older generations and politicians, no longer aligns with the needs of today's society. Maintaining this approach only exacerbates the situation, as evidenced by the unprecedented decline in birth rates, surpassing even war-torn nations. While competition can be a positive force, the rigid, one-size-fits-all approach stifles the potential of individuals with diverse talents. To thrive as a nation in the face of evolving global needs, we must cultivate diverse fields for competition, fostering creativity and efficiency across various fields. It's crucial that older generations and policymakers acknowledge the need to move beyond the singular focus on competition and embrace a more multifaceted approach that allows individuals to succeed in different ways.

[@lizmccarthy6878]

I had left Korea when I was 27, and I have lived in Australia since then. There are many reasons why I left Korea however one of the biggest reasons is backstabbing culture and toxic work culture. Wherever you are at work and school, people are very nice in front of you but they stab your back behind you. what I mean is they gossip about you and pull you down.Especially when they believe you have more than them or you are smarter then them. It made me really sick. Of course anywhere around the world there is bullying, toxic culture exists. However, I never ever regret the fact that I left Korea.

[@Uchiha.Itachii]

i bet u miss the cheap food and food stalls though😭

[@dazdje]

I'm actually second-generation Korean living in Australia. I'm so grateful that they moved here. But the commenter above me is right, the cheap food and food stalls are great I travel to Korea a lot.

[@AbyKAMARA-rx8rm]

All of Asia are like this !

[@lizmccarthy6878]

@@dazdje Traveling to Korea is fun and you can enjoy yummy Korean food. However, living and working there is different story, if you work there, average working hour is 50hrs, also minimum wages are like $10 (AUD) an hour, but the cost of living is almost same as Australia. You can imagine how hard Korean people's lives are.

[@Realshit-l2q]

@@Uchiha.Itachii not cheap

[@감자-k3r]

I am a high school student who was born in Korea. Everyone here studies for 12 years from the first grade of elementary school to the third grade of high school. Most of them start earlier than that. These days, kindergarten-based private academies and kindergarten students prepare for medical schools before they think about the world they want to live in, because their parents don't know much about the world. I still think that the important thing for teenagers is their view of the world and their various experiences. However, the reality is different. You have to endure the pressure that you didn't even experience in the past, the desire to play, the exercise, etc. due to the set period of study. If you exercise, you also have to develop your physical strength to study. When you go to high school, you write down a portfolio like the first year and complete it for three years in high school, and then enter college based on the content and school grades. At this time, you have to write all the activities you do in school in relation to your career hope, and there is an academy that helps you write such a portfolio. Also, the cost of the academy is huge. I think such education in Korea will cause a wider gap between the rich and the poor. Most students these days don't think deeply about their career path and think that they should definitely go to college, and most of their friends who are good at studying want to pursue medicine. Jobs like doctors and dentists are expensive. Meanwhile, I thought I didn't know why I should go to college in my country. I'm still a teenager who hasn't had much experience, and I didn't think it was worth investing in because it would cost me a lot of money to decide on a department and go to college. Later, later than others, but when I had something I wanted to study for, I wanted to go to college. If I fail college at the age of 19, I will be treated as a failure. Even though I am a broken teenager, my dream is to travel around the world. But that means a lot of adults are interfering with other people's lives, such as how they will make money and need to have money to get married in the future. At first, I thought I would make the right mistake and others would get caught up in this world. I knew what I really wanted was to travel around the world, and I believed that I would be happy with the process even if I had a part-time job that wasn't a full-time job. However, it is really upsetting to find myself getting ingrained in this society. Success and failure are divided in teenagers, and if they don't get married on time, pressure from people around them will arise, and the heads of households will have to earn a certain amount of money, compete in new jobs again, and if they don't have children, I think it is natural that Korea has high suicide rates and depression levels. However, no one is trying to change. As a Korean, I want everyone to look back, not just ahead.

[@jerrygreen9985]

you're looking at the extremes buddy, south korea is not depressing, the people just have high-ass standards, you could go live in any area that isn't Seoul and getting a job and buying a house would be 100 times easier and actually doable in terms of house prices. marriage would be possible, as would children. but people insist on staying in Seoul, if you don't study, you don't study. sure it's more intense than any other western country- but that being said any country has students who study very hard. a shit ton of Korean students do not study hard. they just attend a lot of private lessons/tutors etc. doesn't mean that they study a lot or are super-smart. people with superstitions will say to go to college and to get married etc, but the thing is nowadays people don't ask that as much, and if you do you're just rude/old/uneducated. the students preparing at age 5, 6, 7 or at a young age? that's only the really rich people, and so that's a really really small minority of kids. compared to other countries like india, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines i think korea is a way better country to live in on AVERAGE. compared to the states the people aren't open, extremely racist, and don't really care for others as much with a community vibe as western countries, but to say korea is depressing without giving an objective point of view is unfair. it's a shit country. the laws in particular and the judges/lawyers/politicians aren't great at all. i still hate korea even though i was born here. but give it a fair point of view when judging it.

[@바람타고-z6c]

이 글을 읽고 나의 아들에게 나는 어떤 것들을 보여줄 것인지 깊이 생각해 봐야겠어요.

[@kasi-ns2hv]

좋은 관점

[@kanchanmaitra3368]

Your thoughts 💬 are very deep,, good luck bro,, I'm glad that i was born in India 😌

[@indiasuperclean6969]

SOUTH KOREA IS SO F4KE SIR ! 🤮 MY INDIA IS BETTER ! 🤗🇮🇳🥰 🇮🇱THIS WHY IM SO LUCKY LIVE IN SUPER INDIA THE CLEANEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD 🇮🇳🤗 , WE NEVER SCAM! WE GIVE RESPECT TO ALL WOMEN THEY CAN WALK SAFELY ALONE AT NIGHT AND WE HAVE CLEAN FOOD AND TOILET EVERYWHERE 🇮🇳🤗🚽, I KNOW MANY POOR PEOPLE JEALOUS WITH SUPER RICH INDIA 🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗

[@laurastephenson5169]

As an educator in Korea for the last dozen years, I agree with this video. Korea excelled in economics because it needed to survive. Now it must tackle its social problems, inequalities, and depression-inducing educational and work methods if it wants to survive.

[@RollerBladingSuxs]

The thing is stress and depression is all self-induced. So it's not the government or society that creates it. But it's one's own self-deprecating thoughts that induce it.

[@Here4TheHeckOfIt]

​@@RollerBladingSuxs Man - you really can't see the toxicity in this kind of system can you?

[@SirCruxful]

@@RollerBladingSuxssome society’s have terrible stressors and thought processes that can contribute to your pressure. You don’t exist in a vacuum so Your society can cultivate harmful thought processes and expectations that you have to work through to fix

[@SirCruxful]

@@RollerBladingSuxsunless you are in a forest you will always be influenced and affected by the things around you, especially early childhood where you learn the most about what type of attitudes and ways you deal with life. Shame is a huge part of these societies

[@RollerBladingSuxs]

@@SirCruxful Remember the saying no one is responsible for your life except you.

[@anastasiabutton]

I currently live in South Korea (in the Southern area of the country). As an employed guest to this country I gotta say it’s an amazing place to be and experience. The people are wonderful, food is fantastic, and their history simply amazes me. There are cons, of course. The suicide rate scaling up is tragic and spoken about among my colleagues and friends; however, nothing seems to be changing on a legal or social level. I’m glad they are discussing it, but there is an umbrella of shame that if they change as a person or as a country that they are failing. The kids I teach are also in this camp. Some kids cry so hard if they miss one question on a 50-question quiz and think they are a failure. This becomes more so when the big school tests come around. I hope South Korea can overcome this, and quickly. If anything I’ve observed is that they really can do anything and in a short amount of time. They’ve accomplished so much. I hope they could also be the leader in accomplishing a social/mental revolution as well. ❤

[@10secondsrule]

This was my experience to fit the first 6 months. Now after 2 years now I can say it's not a place for humans (not a happy place anyway). It's a black mirror episode.

[@BegaW]

We have saying, as you guys might do, when there is a disease, there follows a cure. I see the liberation is on the way 🙂So hopeful. Btw, Happy new year!

[@azizalfa752]

And thats why they will vanish there birthrate is critical and they can’t get Babys because off money time and maybe the western society mind is the end for them and japan

[@kfx3907]

@@10secondsrule“It's not a place for humans" i think you are over-exaggerating it.

[@a.a.2419]

Looks like people are working very hard to give their freedom and life to the worse capitalist predators. Aim seems to be to produce and disrespect mother nature.

[@radahhhh]

Thank you for making this. You are very bold in making this, and spot on! I can't agree more as a Korean.

[@AverageBlackManJ]

Being a foreigner that lived in Korea, I always pointed out the dichotomy of the society. The glitz and glam that you would often see but a couple streets away it would look more like I stepped back in time a couple decades. Seoul was an amazing experience but I know as someone who didn’t work in the Korean economy, I didn’t fall under the societal pressure that they did. I got to experience all the up sides with none of the downsides. I would love to go back to Korea and experience more of the culture and especially the food!

[@AverageBlackManJ]

I also recognize the same could be said about America in the fact that there is a big difference in Beverly Hills and somewhere like Compton but it felt more in your face and kind of surprising in Korea.

[@HH-kg4fq]

It was neat reading about your perspective as an average Black dude.

[@HH-kg4fq]

Regarding your second comment, I second that. The huge differences in the neighborhoods in LA are obvious. Even just going across the street, you can notice the huge economic crises in the transient populations and the homelessness due to the extraordinarily high cost of housing. ​@@AverageBlackManJ

[@ssssssstssssssss]

There are dichotomies in pretty much every society, kinda makes it interesting. It is often easier to notice if you are coming from the outside, though.

[@AverageBlackManJ]

@@ssssssstssssssss this is definitely true. In your own society, things just seem normal as they are. When in a different location, you pick up on things that are different because nothing there is normal to you.

[@yaebinnie]

Very understanding and heartwarming video. You did not describe nor define Korea’s problems through judgmental perspective but rather critically viewed and sincerely hoped for our better future. Thanks for a great video.

[@indiasuperclean6969]

SOUTH KOREA IS SO F4KE SIR ! 🤮 MY INDIA IS BETTER ! 🤗🇮🇳🥰 🇮🇱THIS WHY IM SO LUCKY LIVE IN SUPER INDIA THE CLEANEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD 🇮🇳🤗 , WE NEVER SCAM! WE GIVE RESPECT TO ALL WOMEN THEY CAN WALK SAFELY ALONE AT NIGHT AND WE HAVE CLEAN FOOD AND TOILET EVERYWHERE 🇮🇳🤗🚽, I KNOW MANY POOR PEOPLE JEALOUS WITH SUPER RICH INDIA 🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗

[@indiasuperclean6969]

WOW VERY DANGEROUS SIR! I WILL NEVER GO TO SOUTH KOREA ! 😡😡 THIS WHY IM SO LUCKY LIVE IN SUPER INDIA THE CLEANEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD 🇮🇳🤗 , WE NEVER SCAM! WE GIVE RESPECT TO ALL WOMEN THEY CAN WALK SAFELY ALONE AT NIGHT AND WE HAVE CLEAN FOOD AND TOILET EVERYWHERE 🇮🇳🤗🚽, I KNOW MANY POOR PEOPLE JEALOUS WITH SUPER RICH INDIA 🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳

[@dessieangel1021]

As someone practicing slow living, who went through growing up with a self-inflicted need to achieve and not getting into school like I wanted due to conflict with parents, this makes me grateful to live where I am. That I can actually take a breath if I wanted to, after years of pushing myself

[@jessp8238]

Your on the right path and setting an even better example ❤

[@myskz325]

this is a great video. I've been to south korea many times myself and absolutely love it there...as a visitor. having gone so many times, i've seen the good and the bad, especially in seoul. i learned a lot from interacting and making friends with locals but i've learned even more from just observing. the country and its people are beautiful but they have their challenges too. getting to immerse oneself in the culture really opens your eyes from the glitz that represents them in media. you get to see the reality of it all and that's very well reflected in this video. truly, truly well made. also, heh. 13:06 had to double take to make sure it's felix lmao

[@호두구속]

Korea is real squid game.

[@노력하자-r1z]

True.. they're gambling to life

[@jeonju-v1n]

ㄹㅇ​@user-et4pe8hx1x

[@수진안-k5l]

ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@user-FULLJohnson]

ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@dontreplytome]

I think thats the whole point of squid game

[@usama.9950]

This is what KZbin was made for. You've done a great job outlining all the factors leading up to the problem. From storytelling to visuals and use of motion graphics, this was a great video overall.

[@DowonPD]

17:40 This is so freaking true. My mom is clearly suffering mentally in various ways, yet she refuses to seek counseling or help from mental health professionals. I struggled with panic disorder for three years, and she always asks me, 'Can't you just overcome it?' No, mom, this is emotional abuse, seriously.

[@mspsys]

My family immigrated from Korea to the US when I was 12. When I went to school in Korea, the pressure to do well was so intense that I still suffer from PTSD after 40 yrs. My older sister, my younger brother, and I have all done really well (the academic standard in the US is a joke compared to Korea) because of how we were raised in Korea but I feel like I would have never made it had my family stayed in Korea. Yes, I also refuse to see a psychiatrist because I think being stubborn and being self-reliant is the definition of Korean mentality. hahaha

[@Hotcheetos777]

my parents were pretty open to me getting mental help because we lived in the US for 5 years a long time ago. But they still have the mindset of: "if you're traumatized or hurt by what someone has said/done, that's on you because the same thing might not impact others the same way, so just get an apology and move on". It's frustrating to me because I bring up the past because I feel like it NEEDS to be addressed for one to actually move on and make peace. Especially when it's caused by your own parents, and we'll have to see them for a long time until they pass.

[@ithamarlowe6158]

@@mspsys as someone who has overcome depression I think talking with yourself is better than a psychiatrist. Or talking with people that are in the same situation also helps, though they are hard to find. The point is you are not alone in the way that you feel.

[@MogShade]

Beautiful 4K video/production. Thank you for the small insight into Korean culture.

[@abell1689]

한국인이 이런영상 만들면 "소말리아 보다는 낫다" "지잡대 나온 애들이 이런 소리 하더라" 라고 조롱했을게 뻔함.. 외부에서 보는 시각으로 문제를 너무나 잘 꼬집어 주셨습니다. 감사합니다.

[@arianahaart5457]

맞아요 한국의 문제점 객관적으로 얘기하면 인도나 파키스탄 이런데가서 살아봐라 이런말만 나오더라구요 ㅋㅋ 그리고 교육문제 심각하다고하면 그래도 스카이가서 잘사는 사람들 많다면서 낙오자 취급하며 조롱했을게 뻔해요

[@abell1689]

@@arianahaart5457 맞습니다... 문제 파악하고 개선, 발전할 생각은 안하고 파키스탄 보단 나으니 입다물어라 이런 태도는 진짜... 어이가 없더라구요

[@DaehanBoramae]

동감합니다. 폐쇄적인 사회에서는 아무래도 자정능력이 제대로 기능할 수 없죠. 최근에 와서 그나마 옅어졌다고는 해도 여전히 우리나라는 폐쇄적이고 집단주의적인 면모가 남아있다고 생각해요.

[@Panda-tx6dk]

문제의 본질을 생각하기보다 자격을 운운하고 흠잡기 바쁨

[@verslesoleil2533]

So in a way, it's true that the North Korea is happier than the South.

[@thebettybassettproduction2458]

What an utterly indepthful analysis! I come from vietnam. Raised in America so there was that expectational disconnect. My mother simply expected me to be ingrained with the culture of financial acquisiveness first and foremost. I never truly measured up to the level of hard work to ever earn a semblance of respect in her eyes so my childhood was a mix of buffoonery and disregard. I my mother has earned a measure of financial success there is a disconnect to the generation that came before her and after her in the realm of familial piety. She fled Vietnam before the war ended. She imposed this point of Eastern expectation that an underling or child has no rights except to do what was imposed upon, and do it with a smile. It's not a far stretch to say that my western value didn't serve me. I'm 57 and just in the last few years have I come to terms with childhood, values and cultures. I understood it in a misty, peripheral sort of way. I understood it but it wasn't concrete enough to put to words, to put things according to their weight. It's so very insightful of you to deconstruct western vs. eastern values. You put it with specificity which ruled out everything else that wasn't that. I thank you. It's an enormous weight off my shoulders to put dimensions on the thing that I had been contending with. Thank you Mark. Betty ❤

[@eatnplaytoday]

I’m 33 years old Vietnamese female and moved to USA when I was 3 years old. I felt same way; a failure in my dad’s eyes. No matter what I did, I never really got a congratulations or good job. Multiple degrees later, much stress in a career I hate, I left and now pursuing to do something I enjoy much to my parent’s worry. I feel their anxiety was projected onto me and that my dad too felt like a failure most of his life. He wanted to brag to others in Vietnam how well off we are. So it was social expectation. But now I am living my own life. I realized there’s many ways to live, you don’t have to follow the social expectations that previous generation placed on you. You have free will and can leave that behind and build a more loving healthier family and community. It’ll be easier if we can talk about these issues openly with each other and be more kind

[@Namoari941]

Vietnam has many similarities as SK and Japan since they are all in Sinosphere countries (together with China,Taiwan and Hongkong), and share Confucius philosophy, VN and mainland China are just recently opened to capitalist/market economy, therefore things are only started heading to what South Korea and Japan facing now, but maybe less serious because of the mixture of socialism/capitalism/confucian in China and VN.

[@manuallen]

Holy shit! Halfway through the video I stop to find out who the channel belongs to, only to find out it’s Mark Manson! I remember reading your blog at least about a decade or so ago, I was always thoroughly interested in what you had to say. Subscribed!

[@broncoxy]

As somebody who's travelled to South Korea and is planning an exchange semester in Seoul, I got a similar verdict, a similar feeling; while at first it seems very shiny and perfect and then concerning and sometimes almost scary, over time, you cannot help but feel that they'll somehow manage to get over it. All koreans I've met so far have been some of the nicest and most fun people you could wish for and they all seemed to have a certain strength and will in them, to not give up, to see and value even the little joys of life. I don't know what the future holds and I'm curious on how my view will evolve after a longer time there, but I really wish for them to find their way as a country, to strike a balance that works for both economic success and a healthy, happy society. _also bro found the key to me actually watching the placement instead of skipping it, respect_

[@themountaiinman]

Born and raised, now nearing my 40s here in the peninsula, I feel like we are perhaps the most anxious & confused people in the world. The fact that those in younger generation nowadays are more aware of what's wrong with the country, I hope there still is a hope for a better future. We showed the world our economic success and now it's time for some self-care. Let us stay sane no matter what, dear fellow Koreans! Huge thanks to this video, Mark!

[@chocoholic5645]

How can u be soooo good in English ^^

[@jessp8238]

@@chocoholic5645They learn it in school 😂

[@bulbob100]

agreed.

[@blakewang2373]

I'm chinese canadian, and my parents somewhat has the attitude of: "if you get your shit together, you won't be depressed". I was bullied in a canadian high school and at first my parents didn't want to acknowledge that. They realized I was developing a stutter and tried to ignore it. Now they have accepted it, but I feel like the damage was already done. I will spend many years trying to recover from the trauma and gain my confidence and my speech back.

[@brunoheggli2888]

We have to learn,that at the end not much does realy matter we will be all dead and forgoten,so there isnt much a diffrence between Bill Gates and some drunk guy on the street!Relax!

[@AlejandroPikoulasPlata]

You can do it 💪🏻

[@DeltaDrifter2201]

Sorry you had to go through that. Just know that anyone and everyone can get bullied. I am born and raised in America and am white and I got bullied all throughout school due to health problems I was born with. I chose to keep strong and keep being nice to others and ultimately it paid off because most everyone accepted me eventually and everyone has issues that can cause them to be mean and bully others. Everyone goes through a lot of struggles no matter who we are. I hope you understand that it was messed up that those people bullied you but they also go through many life struggles themselves. Everyone has it rough at some point. Rooting for you to gain your confidence again! Don't let that bullying impact you so much. If you are nice to others eventually they will have no choice but to be nice back.

[@blakewang2373]

@@DeltaDrifter2201 thats a good mindset! thanks for your comment.

[@ross_ulbright7779]

My first best friend in school was chinese; I am white. Unfortunately a lot of us are taught to be intolerant by our parents. I personally had to unlearn it. Chinese are very hard working peaceful people much like Koreans. My best friend in college was Korean. It is true that anyone can be bullied but as a parent I will not tolerate it. I will home school my son if I have to.

[@YoungJ-s6g]

와 너무 좋은 영상 잘 봤습니다.... 기억에 남는 부분들이 많네요

[@serahan8232]

그러게요. 특히 다른나라들은 인터뷰를 한시간 정도만 진행했다는데 유독 한국에서는 인터뷰로 하루종일 사람 붙들고 있고 사람 지치게 만들고 관련없는 이상한 얼평으로 낯뜨겁게 하는게 특히 인상적이네요. 한국에서는 돈몇푼 쥐어주면 상대방에게 올인을 요구하는 갑질도 정당화되는게 웃긴것 같습니다.

[@user-mpk1dmkof]

As a teenager in korea, this video gave me lots to think about. Yes, it is a fact that people constantly compare themselves to other people and have lots of mental problems. The shame and the anxiety make people feel like they are a loser, and since they are stressed out with these feelings, they find another way to solve it, by depreciating others, followed by loneliness and depression and hate amongest the community. But at the end of the video mentioning resilience and all the positive stuff we have, I felt that if we focused the positive traits then the negative we would figure out to live a happier life. Thanks for making this video Mark ❤

[@laurteatlee]

외국인이 너무나 정확하게 한국 사회를 영상에서 표현해줘서 놀라울 따름…

[@csr4875]

우물안 개구리는 우물에서 나오기 전까지 모르는 것처럼요!

[@InfernoJoseon]

원래 그 사회에 푹 졎어 사는 기득권 개돼지들보다 외국인이 한국을 더 잘 봐. 왜냐? 아무 관련이 없으니 객관적으로 잘 보는 거지. 국뽕과 호피움에 젖어서 한국을 보면 여기가 천국이라고 하는 쓰레기들이 한두마리가 아니지. 한국은 이미 point of no return을 지나 무간 지옥을 전속력으로 질주하고 있지. 이런 쓰레기 나라는 망해도 싸.

[@-naisu]

한국이 여태 극복해온 원동력은 2010년 전후가 최대 노동가능 인구시대였고 제조업으로 성장했기 때문임. 앞으로는 모든 지표가 안좋고 젊은이들이 무너지는 사회에 과연 극복가능한 원동력이 있을지 의문임.

[@daibidal5646]

한국엄마들은 아들이 스타크래프나 온라인게임에너무 많이 빠져서 정신없는건 진짜싫어하는데 어쩔수없이 참고있다는사실....속에서 화가나 천불나는데....유행이라는데어쩔수없이...

[@블토리]

​@@daibidal5646 ㄹㅇ. 당장 동생만 봐도 페이커같은 유명한 게임하는 사람이 되겠다고 하루 13시간 게임하고 공부도 그냥 대충대충 하고 사춘기라 그런지 말도 안 통하고... 그깟 게임 유행이 뭐라고... 게임 중독자가 많은 현실... 답답하기만 하죠.

[@조인-q9b]

한국의 문제를 받아들이고 해결하려는 모습 조차도 한국인의 모습 같음,,, 자신을 발전시켜야 살아남을 수 있으니 그럼 해보자는 생각이 내면화되면서 외부적으로도 적용하는 듯,,, 댓글을 보니 문제가 해결될 수 없다는 의견보다 나아진 한국을 그리는 사람이 많은 걸 보면 해결할 수 있다는 생각을 많이 가지는 걸 볼 수 있음 그래서 한국인이 resilience를 가졌다고 하는 말이 이해가 됨,,,

[@따봉따봉-d4e]

향상심이란 것이 독이 되기도 하지만 동시에 해독제가 되는 게 참 아이러니하면서 재미있어요ㅎ

[@SLee-dp7xb]

Go korea ♡ ♡

[@salary-fz3hh]

유튜브는 현실을 반영하지 않습니다

[@lugi25]

​@@salary-fz3hhnumbers do. And numbers don't lie.

[@KimchimanInSeoul]

지나친 일반화의 오류. 이 비디오는 현실울 100% 반영했죠.

[@simon6556]

the closing statement in the video about how Korean people are resilient really resonates and makes sense, even when you look at the political history of South Korea during the cold war, where they were ruled by various dictators who came and went until South Korea finally became a democratic society by the late 1980s. This transition to democracy was the culmination of decades of efforts led by the South Korean people to push their society in a more democratic direction. In spite of the bad parts of the South Korean society which was highlighted here, I think this theme of resilience in South Korean history is the good part, which I admire about South Korean people. Anyways, great video!

[@flowmovementtherapy2096]

Fantastic summary of Korean cultural uniqueness and the events that led to where they're at today. The other layer is the economic decisions that led to the Chaebol dominance in the economy. As someone who has enjoyed learning about Korean culture since discovering KDramas during lockdown (and then learning Korean as a hobby) I have found that KDramas are doing a decent job at exposing and discussing the challenges and taboos in their society. Not just the usual taboo relationship tropes. Dramas like DP that expose the mental health issues in military service and My Liberation Notes that explore the grinding commutes and hopelessness of climbing the ladder.

[@jjn6914]

The jaebol dominance is a product of Confucianism and capitalistic policies post-Korean war. Mark did an excellent job succinctly summarizing it as "the worst parts of Confucianism and worst parts of capitalism".

[@martinmuzoc]

"My Mister" is a Kdrama that I recommend to people. It's accurate in the way it portrays their mentality and social pressures. Also a really well made series. Now made even more poignant with the main actor Lee Sun Kyun's recent Su1c1de.

[@viatorbusiness]

외국인의 눈으로 한국을 보니 역시 더 정확하게 보이는구나. ’모아니면 도(All or nothing)’ 성공아니면 실패라는 인지왜곡적인 교육방식과 그로인한 무한경쟁, 보수적이고 집단적인 유교문화와 자본주의의 물질주의적인 가치 상충이 한국인을 우울하게 만들고 있다는 내용인데 극히 공감된다. 집단의 책임감과 압박은 높고 자유와 개인은 없는 물질적이고 자본주의적인 성공도 함께 달성해야 하는 일타쌍피적인 압박…이러니 한국인들이 우울하고 피곤할 수밖에..ㅎㅎ 그나저나 출연한 한국인 정신과 의사형제들은 처음 본 미국사람 외모평가질 오지게 한다..

[@hder9]

그게 한국이 여기까지 오게한 원동력이니까. 둘다 취하는건 불가능했을거라고봄. 난 한국인들이 여유있고 성공실패에 관용적이었다면 동남아 수준 됐을거라고봄

[@hder9]

@@탄량 ㅇㅇ 그야 누구냐에 따라 다르죠. 다만 전 불행했을거라 봅니다. 누군가는 흙파먹고 의료시설도 제대로 안되있어서 집에서 죽어나가도 행복함을 느낄 순 있지만, 전 그렇지 못햇을거라 생각합니다. 비교 관념이란게 뭔가요? 그냥 비교 아닌가요? 결국 물질적 조건이 충족되었음에도 우울한건... 그 사람의 마음가짐입니다. 후진국에선 우울할 틈이 없죠. 기본적으로 물가는 낮지만 소득은 그보다 훨씬 낮아서 정말로 말 그대로 하루벌어 하루 살아가는게 후진국입니다. 우울할 시간이 있는것 조차도 사치죠. 순간순간이 말그대로 생존을 위한 몸부림인데.

[@bornagain9845]

한국인은 개인으로서 다른 생각과 방향을 주장할 용기를 배우지 못해서 자신의 생각과 달라도 다수가 가는 방향으로 흘러가는 인생을 살아간다 자신의 내면에서의 목소리와 외부에서의 삶의 모습이 다른데서 오는 우울감과 패배감이 전반적으로 있는데도 그냥 그렇게 바보같이 살아감

[@hder9]

@off7970 진정하세요. 님처럼 발끈하는것도 화병의 증상중 하나이며 한국인에게 쉽게 발견됩니다. 앞으로요? 글쎄요... 우리가 그걸 선택할 수 있는 입장이라면 저도 참 좋겠네요. 뭐든지 선택가능하다면 경제도 여유있고 사람도 여유있으면 좋겠습니다. 근데 그렇게 좋은 선택지가, [난 이렇게 할거라긍!]이라고 해서 존재할지가 의문이네요. 다시 말하지만 진정하시구요.

[@hder9]

@user-getjswq1dheewi 하고싶은말? 난 앞으로에 대해 언급하지 않았던거지. 지금까지 그래왔다라는거였지, 앞으로도 그래야한다고 말하지 않았음. 한국어 이해가 가능하신 분이시라면 한번만 읽어도 알 수 있는 내용. 그걸 마치 앞으로도 그래야 하냐고 대뜸 말하는 사람한테 하났냐고 하는것뿐. 하지도 않은 말에 발끈하니까. 님도 화가 나셨나요?

[@TheJared64]

I arrived in Korea in 2002 for the first time and stayed 6 years. Even in those days I had discussions like these and students would say "it's changing." I hope it will eventually change.

[@小马-q4u]

It's been 22 years since

[@Kimsosseol]

Now 2024. It's not changing. 바뀌고 있지 않습니다. 바뀌질 않아요. 2024년 현재 바뀔 기미가 전혀 보이지 않아요. 오히려 더 공고해지고 있습니다. 아아 미친 나라 ㅜㅜ

[@margaretngan7245]

This was a great read. Thank you for putting this together. Now I have a better understanding of the history and why the people are the way they are. I do hope the younger people can push for change and create a more healthier and a more balanced outlook on life.

[@fredferes1]

I am Brazilian, my wife is korean and by the exorbitant prices of the apartments, we live here in Korea with her parents. By the apartments prices and the working pace, Korea has got the lowest Birthrate in the world (0,70). This video is really important to raise awareness of this topic. We decided to start our lives here by the safety. But it is quite sad that children until teenagers don't play around, dont do any sports... when we leave the gym (9-10pm), the floor above is an academy (study support), they are all there until this time. I am 30, and I suffered depression in my childhood, and I have ADHD. When I mention it round here that I am going to the psychologist, and after therapy, they don't understand because it is quite unusual here. It concerns a lot the future here... we really hope that society changes. Korean people are so kind and nice. As they are so resilient and strong, I am sure they will overcome this situation well. They deserve more

[@Hqmptynpw]

Why don't we raise "awareness" about the rampant murder and homelessness in Brazil, along with serious drug problems? Come on man, anyone can do a video of the things wrong with any country and make it look bad. On a world scale the truth is South Korea is one of the best places to live where it is safe and quality of living is a LOT better then most countries, including Brazil where poverty is very common.

[@jerrygreen9985]

@@Hqmptynpw holy moly you're a ray of objective truth in all this subjective bs.

[@Hqmptynpw]

@@jerrygreen9985 I speak facts. Of all the countries in this world where there isn't even running water or proper sanitation, or where women can't even be seen in public without a hijab covering their heads (with severe consequences) or countries where there are constant ongoing wars and even America with all the school shooting, out of control crimes, rotting educational system, drug epidemics, etc, etc, and yet Mark Manson delusionally says, "South Korea is the most depressed place in the world." I seriously question his intelligence and logic. And even more his authenticity and motive.

[@denian17]

​@@Hqmptynpw wtf are you saying? he's comment is just about the same topic as the video itself, in the video the autor mentioned the benefits of the south korea society a dozen times, but the focus is the MENTAL HEALTH problems that this society suffers from very young age, stop trying to distort the topic to shade away the problems that your country has and shame other's

[@Hqmptynpw]

@@denian17 My American friend, you're not understanding the gist of what I'm saying. When Mark Manson starts off and titles his video, "South Korea is the most depressive country in the world." It's so false and misleading, I'm not even sure where to begin with his ridiculous assumptions. What metrics & stats is he using to validate his ludicrous claims? My point being, if I put up a video talking about how terrible America is to live and then proceed to discuss all the homelessness, drug infested cities where used needles abound in local streets where children walk to school, where criminals run rampant without regards for the law (because corrupt politicians & radical DA's wont arrest them) school and mass public shootings on a monthly basis, a broken education system where kids in the inner cities graduate high school and can't read nor do elementary math, psychological issues far greater then any other nation, etc, etc....... I can really do a scathing portrayl of America and how it would "be the worst country to live in" and you would probably say to yourself, "Wow, that is going over board with some misleading narratives." And you would probably also say, "I guess this idiot hasn't lived in other countries where women can't even go out in public without a head covering (most of Middle East Muslim nations) or people don't even have clean running water immediately available (most African nations, India, Latin America) or super inflation where most people in Europe, even in wealthier countires like Germany, UK, France can't afford to eat meat on a consistent basis or have difficult times paying for their utility bills because it's so expensive, etc, etc. Come on now, this is how negative stereotypes and generalizations that Westeners, especially American media & Hollywood have always done to put down, discredit and negatively stereotype Asian countries and Asians in general. I speak facts.

[@YOOXICMAN]

Amazing video

[@ColossusDS]

연예인이다!

[@categoryid-0]

오오

[@taeyoungkim1086]

정말 유튜브 지박령 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[@tteq1429]

형은 어딜가나 있네 ㅋㅋ

[@jong-minchoi5989]

형이 왜 여기서...?

[@brian_unx]

What a good video, man. I've had several Korean friends throughout my life, so I've always been interested in their culture. This was really moving actually.

[@elansing3095]

Korea is amazing...lived there for a year many years ago- some unbelievable and resilient people, and in my experience, some of the kindest people. I hope this helps open the dialogue for everyone ...thanks, Mark!

[@user-wv3pq6ku1x]

초등학교때부터 의대 준비하는 나라입니다

[@MyWay-zu4go]

그건 나쁜게 아니지. 어릴때부터 자신의 진로를 결정했으니까 오히려 좋은 일인듯

[@Choi-o4s]

​@@MyWay-zu4go진심이냐?

[@SB-pt3rv]

유튜버 아니었나? 의사보단 잘 나가는 유튜버지.

[@doldol-u9g]

I really appreciate your insights and advice for Korea. As a Korean, we need this kind of objective point of view and opinions from outside our society for a better change. Thank you.

[@indiasuperclean6969]

WOW VERY DANGEROUS SIR! I WILL NEVER GO TO SOUTH KOREA ! 😡😡 THIS WHY IM SO LUCKY LIVE IN SUPER INDIA THE CLEANEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD 🇮🇳🤗 , WE NEVER SCAM! WE GIVE RESPECT TO ALL WOMEN THEY CAN WALK SAFELY ALONE AT NIGHT AND WE HAVE CLEAN FOOD AND TOILET EVERYWHERE 🇮🇳🤗🚽, I KNOW MANY POOR PEOPLE JEALOUS WITH SUPER RICH INDIA 🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳

[@jeunehomme_jun]

I love the last sentence you said. "I believe they will find a way." Thank you so much for this amazing video about KOREA.

[@miraeja]

the ending was so great 😭🥹

[@sophieca6906]

We need more foreigners and immigrants 😅

[@Snuffkin01]

i really love the ending of this video, cause he even though there are many issues he realistically showed hope and the last seconds of the video asking the psychologist does she care what others might say and her saying 'i dont give a f' was brilliant. It can be a funny moment but at the same time it shows how the society is changing and proves the point that it might get better.

[@swee2251]

Since the 1980s, the Koreans have been criticizing the pressure that the students get and it was talked about on the media. But it continued to get even more terrible for the later generations. Parents fear that their children might get behind if they don't force them to study more.

[@gemin1546]

Wow could've easily watched a whole series of your experiences in Korea! Your insights into Korea's cultural and educational landscape really resonated with me. Being Korean American, I feel a deep sense of pride in the strong work ethic inherent in my heritage. I'm also grateful to have grown up in America where I had a chance to express my individuality. The blend of Korean resilience and American freedom has instilled in me a confidence that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.

[@dotori-c4f]

Wow you did a really good job on analyzing Korean society. This was exactly how I felt about the Korean society after I moved back here from the U.S. in 10 years. I never got to experience the real side of this society, even though I was born in Korea and raised untill 15, but now I'm facing thoses societal issues daily at my workplace. I don't think there are analysis that will explain better than this video about the Korean society. The younger generations who got a different education than my age are showing up as a change maker in the society, but the competitiveness is always there. There should be a systematically change in order to bring a real change in the society. Neverthless, I had a goosebumps by the end of the video when he talked about how considerate the Koreans are besides all of these issues in the society. Korea has so many good sides that no other countries can have and it's just so depressing that we Koreans can't fully enjoy it.

[@balafama2120]

What good sides does korea have that no other country has?

[@chayo4537]

Korea has no good sides 😂 you're speaking English and making music and following trends that has nothing to do with Korea. Koreans have no self awareness or identity. And the koreaboos who fetishise them and put them on a pedastal - don't make it any better talking as if they know something. It's ridiculous.

[@gunchimssakdone]

I really appreciate your so much effort to analyse the current states of Korean society. I, as a Korean living in Europe, have felt hard to explain the complex pros and cons of Korean society to friends in here. Even though I agree most of the points you made in this video, I was not able to organize how they are related. In that point, this you did amazing job to clarify the complex relation between factors and their results. Now this is one of my favorite video in youtube, and I'll recommend this video to anyone who are interested in the Korean society. Good job Mark again, and I am looking forward to see other videos! Cheers

[@jihyelee8210]

As a Korean living abroad, I was almost crying at the end of this video. I express my gratitude for making videos that match my thoughts and for being able to spread them to many people through your influence. I hope that Korea will now become a healthy country, not just a rich country.

[@quantumeseboy]

I've lived in Korea for a long time, it's very simple, it's a very rigid society, that rigidity accounts for misery and high suicide rate. It's purely cultural.

[@siren1339]

It is good to see more and more people are realising what is happening in my country. The important thing is, make sure that you would not make the mistakes we did. Think carefully about 'what makes your life most meaningful'. Leave no one behind.

[@oqeufh]

I live in Japan which has a lot of the same issues Korea has. I am half Japanese half Spanish though and I was brought up in Spain so I can't really speak Japanese well and I am regarded as a foreigner here, but let me tell you I am glad I was raised in Spain and I am actually also quite glad I am regarded as a foreigner here also. I feel like my Spanish environment really helped me be more relaxed in everything, the pace of living over there is just much more slow and relaxed, and my Spanish friends don't seem to be in a rush to build a successful career nor do they seem to care if they are behind or not, they are just doing their thing and that is also helping me come to terms that I don't need to rush my career and I don't need to rush my life. Here in Japan I have spoken to plenty of Japanese natives who are even younger than me completely stressed out about being behind everyone else and on having to go through the entire system of graduating from university, get an internship and afterwards get a job. All done within specific time frames also, someone doing a sabbatical year is almost unheard of, and young Japanese people are even afraid to do this sabbatical year even if their mental health is telling them, dude you seriously need a break. Because they feel like they will be behind everyone else. Being regarded as a foreigner here kinda makes it easier for me because I tend to surround myself with other foreigners and there are no expectations for me from part of Japanese society to do better, or to follow certain rules or standards, they are definitely more lenient on these kind of things for foreigners. Of course foreigners in Japan (especially those without the same privileges as me, who has a passport and doesn't have to worry about visas) deal with many other issues too. But at least there is not this pressure on us to perform better or to follow the "Japanese standard rules". Also, among us foreigners in Japan we are all just escaping in some sense and trying to make it abroad so we tend to have each other's back on our mental health. Korea seems to be a lot like Japan in a sense that the pressure, the societal standards and the amount of rules they need to follow just seem like it's too much for the young generation and that ends up literally killing them.

[@Accuface2000]

It's because you are trying to be American, which is why you are depressed. China is happy because they created their own system of values

[@abdiellawrence397]

You are lucky to have grown up in Spain. I absolutely adore your tapas culture and had a lovely time in Barcelona. Quimet Y Quimet is my favorite tapas bar in the world.😊

[@IvoryBlair-zy2tn]

Please girl we are so same. I also thought about the same thing, and like you, I am also a foreigner raised in a different country. When I came here, depression really hit me. They are so fast paced that I can't catch up with them, and work ethics are super TOXIC. I love Japan, (especially their scenery, architecture, technology- which just shows how much pressure are placed unto them to have reach this far) and I don't want to come back to my country without being successful first, but the stress and pressure here, and how all my relationships are transactional, it's killing me. There are no happy relationships here, everything is transactional :

[@millettemone6844]

I am older Japanese and you may nor believe me but Japanese society is more relaxed than 40-50 years ago. It is still very strict country following SK and China but people realized they have a choice.

[@ausgod538]

Korea is much worse than Japan you have no idea

[@UnusualMemer13]

What an amazing video. I have actually been to Korea last year and it is an amazing country. So good to see you zoom in on the "dark" side of this country. Really seems like being a country thats so awesome, kind and hard working comes at a price to the people living there. Love to Korea and you Mark!

[@eoinstan]

living in seoul for 5 years now, this is the most perfect explanation of how things go here

[@TraceyStark]

I liv ed in Korea for 17 years. When I left in 2019, I was the most depressed I had ever been. Mental health is NOT discussed. It is frowned upon to even talk about mental health.

[@melissalee2522]

I hear you, I lived there for over a decade.

[@KantoCafe715]

Japan can also be very depressing

[@aldekorea]

I’ve been living here for 13th and wanna go out of this country so bad, but feel kind of trapped 😢

[@monero892]

what made you stay 17 years if you were that depressed?

[@danielsonn3046]

I live in northern territory Australia if you or anyone move here to Australia don't come to the NT the suicide rate here is worse than japan

[@mischafri8839]

Smart move to talk about your sponsor while you eat the spicy rice cakes. This way noone would skip this part. Very fucking smart 👏🏻👏🏻

[@chrischoi9376]

As a Korean middle-aged man having two kids, this is a really well-made documentary. I couldn't agree more . A few years ago, I moved to Canada with my family. That's a good opportunity to compare my home country and North American culture. And now I realized how depressed my life was. And I thought that was just normal life that everybody on the planet has. Now I know it's not.

[@신동원-u5e]

Thanks so much for the video, it is now socially viral in Korea. I somehow burst into tears while watching this. All the best!

[@celow86]

I’ve been resisting from watching this video even though it kept on popping up on my feed, as I feared it would be too depressing to watch. But wow, i got sucked in, watched the whole thing in one sitting without skipping. I’m glad that Mark found resilience in Korean people and some hope in the country I was born in. Thank you for the good work, it is very well made.

[@Disorder2312]

You should have been resisting, because it simply lies in the title. And i'm here to just confirm that.

[@DanCummins]

Mark, Ive been a fan/follower for years. This is the best peice of content youve put out in a while. The empathy, the objectivity, the optimism. There is a zest for life that is infectious. More please.

[@user-tu5dd6ye2o]

한국에서 항상 문제아였고 나도 내가 답도없는 반항아라고 굳게 믿다가 해외와서 깨달았다. 내가 지극히 정상이었다는걸 ㅋㅋ 그 끔찍한 시스템을 곧이곧대로 따를수있는 그들이 비정상이라는걸.. 머리 뒷통수 때려맞은 기분이었음

[@원스타패밀리]

뭔 개소리야 문제아는 그냥 문제아다 말도않되는것에 자기합리화하네 ㅋㅋ

[@donlee4105]

정신과의사들이 하는말이 실제로 진단을 해보면 병원에 찾아오는사람이 정상이고 주변인들이 정상이 아닌경우가 훨 많았다고 하더라고요. 그 정상이 아닌 주변인들은 자기들이 아주 지극히 정상이라고 생각한답니다

[@siren1339]

​@@원스타패밀리 그렇지 이래야 한국인이지 암

[@DaehanBoramae]

@@원스타패밀리초면에 사정조차 물어보지 않고 함부로 비수를 꽂아넣는 것도 말도 안 되는 짓입니다. 어떤 사연이 있을줄 아시고 가시돋친 말씀을 스스럼 없이 하시는지 안타깝습니다.

[@COOLKIDZ-i3o]

부러워요

[@orenatostefani]

Brazil should be the next video! that article you wrote years ago about our culture is remembered till this day!

[@ashhart6792]

name of the article ?

[@yonggeun4222]

CAN KOREANS STOP FREAKIN SENDING THEIR 5 TO 18 YEAR OLD KIDS TO ACADEMY, JUST STOP OK@@ashhart6792

[@KevinBattle100]

This was absolutely terrific! Thanks.

[@dwkim1190]

As a college student born and raised in Korea, most of my childhood memories revolve around fiercely competing in schools and academies. Even in university, I had to compete constantly to maintain a good GPA. When looking at objective indicators such as birth rates and suicide rates, it's evident that there are problems in our society. However, amidst the fear of starving to death or becoming victims of social shame, many find it difficult to speak up and find their own way to survive. Although everyone is aware of these grim realities, it's true that opinions don't easily come together for societal improvement. Politicians, who should be at the forefront of change, often show little interest in opinions that don't translate into votes. In this sense, I'm deeply grateful for influential KZbinrs like Mark to share his thoughts on our social issues. As a young Korean, I hope there is a future where more people in Korea could become happier and more acceptive to others.

[@ruleoflaw2954]

Go to Philippines man, you need a change of perspective, this comment could mean nothing but there are lots of Korean families in the Philippines and their and children are happy. Many say it change their mindset about families, education and fun.

[@lazarkulasevic]

You're killing it with these videos! Keep going, we love 'em.

[@thecritic8691]

The situation is same here in India. We're constantly grinding at the cost of our lives.

[@Muhammad-HarDick]

Yeah, and with others life as well that people in your country scammed

[@exnihilonihilfit6316]

@@Muhammad-HarDick People in your country also scammed people. Of all countries. Therefore, you should feel ashamed of yourself. Collectivistic thinking for the win.

[@Muhammad-HarDick]

@@exnihilonihilfit6316 dude, you don't even know what is my country 🤣 assuming people for the L

[@exnihilonihilfit6316]

@@Muhammad-HarDick YOUR actual country?! Ahahaha! You proved to be dumber than expected. OK, then. Bye.

[@otakumonkey]

​@@Muhammad-HarDickYeah India is one of the scam countries. They scam you for 1 INR or 1 b INR.

[@matyuuu]

As a French person Koreans seemed very Happy to me. But pretty sure French are far more depressed. The difference is we don’t have so much social pressure about competition and we usually don’t have a suicide culture.

[@ellieramos]

Great documentary, Mark! More of this please!

[@migueljo7846]

"난 세계에서 가장 우울한 나라를 여행했다." ㅎㅎㅎ 원래 '가장' 이라는 수식어로 단 하나의 대상을 콕 찝어서 말하진 않는데.. 주저없이..ㅎ 다른 나라를 여행하면서 한국만큼 여유없고 자비없고 경직되고 조용하면서도 살벌한 나라는 없겠다고 생각했었는데,, 이 형도 그렇다니 할말이 없다;; 흔히 가난한 나라가 가장 우울할 것이라고 생각하는데 못 먹어서 슬픈거 그거랑 좀 다르다. 가난한 나라 사람들은 이웃과 함께 '활기차게' 가난하게 살아가지만 한국인은 혼자 조용히 좋은 집에 살면서 우울하다. 배고픈 것은 그저 육체적 고통이다. 하지만 정신적 학대는 영혼을 망친다. 활기가 없다. 웃음도 없고. 여유가 없다. 좋은 커뮤니케이션의 실종,부재.. 우짜다 이렇게 됐는지 모르겠다. 30년 전엔 이정도는 아니었다고 생각하는데..

[@oklu_]

30년 전에 앞만 보고 달리느라 자기 자신의 개인적 행복을 어떻게 돌보고 우선시하는지 방법을 모르고, 그 방법을 자녀들에게 전수하는데도 실패했다. 이것이 그 결과이고, 이 새로운 세대가 행복하는 방법을 배우고 소수의 자녀들에게 그것을 전수하는 데 성공하고 세대 교체가 이루어지기까지 우리는 필연적으로 앓을 것이다. 하지만 시간이 지나면 결국 회복하리라. 급성장한 만큼 비용을 치르겠지만. 그러므로 이 젊은 세대는 이기적이라고 욕을 먹을지언정 행복하는 방법을 배워야만 한다.

[@크록스-m3y]

집안에 틀어박혀서 사회활동 안하는사람이 50만명이라는데 말 다했지..

[@user-bjresegj18hyd]

자비가 없다라는 말 와닿네요.

[@WarrenJSmyth]

This is my second video I’ve watched and you’ve earned your subscription many times over. Incredible quality of delivery, insightful comments and questions abound, and fantastic production quality. Safe to say I am thoroughly stoked to see more of your content. Keep it up man, this is why KZbin is the present, past, and future of content consumption.

[@getoutthere04]

Thanks for a wonderful video Mark and fellow producer team. Enjoyed the thought provoking dialogue and concepts of confucianism, materialism, social health i.e. relationships, financial stress and health outside of work. In my time living there people walk more than in western countries, 20% of plastic surgery globally takes place in Seoul and garlic consumption is higher than most other countries via kimchi and other foods. Outside of Seoul one will see agriculture in the towns and villages, as all the ingredients are grown for kimchi and made by families. It's interesting to see the natural seasons as the crops are grown. In my opinion there is a bias that working outside of Seoul is viewed as a failure (10million of 52 million), but people in Seosan were much happier non-verbally with a sense of community walking around the town lake (all ages) - daily. Wonderful people however cell phone addiction was noticeable, hence an isolation factor. I loved S. Korea and am thankful for the experience.

[@dealreal9709]

your video came out at our biggest news broadcast(MBC) Thank you sir. very touching ending ... my heart get warmed.

[@Modfet]

the fact that you had to mention MBC is 'our biggest news broadcast' is showing lol

[@user-jy9rq8nj7q]

@@Modfet showing what? that it got the biggest media coverage and therefore reached the most amount of people?

[@phenomenal1458]

The guy just showed us the Inside of South. K's mental struggle and reality in a 24 min video... With an... Ad break...a small food review and vlog😂... Loved the trip Mark can't wait for more. ❤

[@TheXuism]

I am Chinese. Not only Korea, but all East Asian countries have similar problems.

[@sleefy2343]

No? China has different places and vibes Go down to yunnan the place is relaxing but go to Shanghai is like New York

[@sleefy2343]

Plus China has the least sucide

[@丁以]

那你适合去南亚的印度或者西亚的中东

[@prettycenya]

No. Korea is extreme, trust me. I’m Asian and been to over 40 countries

[@JolleanSmith]

Great video Mark and team. You truly went into it on a mission to understand and not apply your assumptions. I feel smarter. I love it when I read a book or watch a video and feel smarter after, that is a home run for me.

[@aleksahadzic9302]

Easily the most interesting and insightful documentary I've seen in 5 years. And I watch a LOT of documentaries. Thanks Mark

[@koreanpizzaclub]

One of the best videos about Korea I've seen so far, providing in-depth insights straight from well-done research and locals, but articulated in such a concise and simple manner. The part about Korea only adopting the downsides of Confucianism and Capitalism was really eye-opening. Also, I'm really glad that you had a great time in Korea and loved the conclusion that you derived from history and observation - Korea's superpower is that Koreans will always find a way 👏

[@forexdragon]

Awesome video. This is my first time watching your content and I loved it as a Korean!

[@xaviersee]

Long time fan of yours from the time you wrote "Models". Loved all your books and am so inspired and impressed with this video you made. The pressures and struggles of the young people of Korea really hit me and as a young Singaporean adult in Singapore, I fear that my own country is already on the way to some challenging times too. How about a story about the "success" of Singapore? There is another side to the "success story" that people all over the world read about and I wish more people knew about the struggles that the people faced in our society. Happy to host you if/when you are ever up for doing a story in Singapore!

[@jj09jj]

10:18 진짜 내가 다 수치스럽다... 저걸 칭찬이라고 스몰토크라고 하고있냐

[@digitalkov]

인식을 바꾸고 싶다고 주장하는 심리학자라는것들도 문제의 일부라는 것을 보여줍니다.. 사람의 겉모습과 표면적인 요소에 초점을 맞추고 그걸 첨본사람 칭찬이라고 ㅉㅉ..

[@kimandre336]

너무 한국적인 생각을 하면 안 됩니다. 한국적인 정서 = 지옥행

[@언제나건강과편안함이]

님에게서 사대주의가 더 느겨지는데...수치스럽다라....님 그럼 한국사회에서 매일 수치감을 느끼면서 살고계심...아님 지금 외국거주중.....강자는 옳다는 사대주의적 기준으로 문화적 잣대를 평가하는 인간들이 더 수치스러움..

[@skfka88]

외모 칭찬은 한없이 가벼워보였다. 뭐가 사대주의라는거지?

[@ejfeg779]

이 덧글이 더 수치스럽다 단순히 서양인들은 선, 한국은 악 이런 색안경 잣대 끼고 영상을 보니까 안보이는 건데 서양인들 스몰토크에선 외모에 대해서 절대 얘기 안하고, 서양인들은 지성과 논리로만 대화하고 이런 줄 아냐 결국 어떤 나라가 선이냐 아니냐를 떠나서 정확하게 맞는 만큼만 평가해야지 저 정도면 무례한 외모 칭찬이나 비판도 아니지 미국 방송 제대로 본 적이나 있음?

[@endrankluvsda4loko172]

This was a fantastic video. Lol and definitely one of the best ad reads I've ever seen.

[@sethdominickortiz]

Thanks man, I’m a quarter Korean and I’ve always felt connected to that part of me, my mom and my grandmother who’s now passed, the culture is intelligent and the food is always good. Thanks. I feel for my distant kin.

[@biglance]

Hi, do you know you can get a visa to work and live in Korea b/c of your ancestry? I think it is a 2 year visa, then you can extend it indefinitely every 2 years. I had many friends who did that, even if you are 1/8 Korean you can do it. peace.

[@matthewm586]

A bitter smile and a bit warm tears came to my face as I recalled my middle and high school days when I would blame myself for not getting a perfect score. I praise your excellent insight. However, I believe that we will find a way, as you said at the end.

[@chh4414]

I am a Korean. Your video is very accurate. We worked hard to live, so we succeeded quickly, but there's a crack there. It's time to take care of the place.

[@youtubeone2231]

Another great video Mark. Thank you.