A subculture in Korea
Unemployment is still high in Korea, after the Asian crisis hit it in 1997 followed by massive restructuring of the economy.
Amongst the youth group age 15-29, the unemployment rate hit 8.8% in March - equivalent 435,000 - this statistic does not include those unemployed longer that 12 months. Many of those guys are now part of a developing subculture called "baeksu" in Korean, or "empty hands" denoting laziness.
The article, which appeared in the Korean Herald (http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/05/06/200405060025.asp) doesn't really define how the subculture is developing but states that those affected hang out in coffee shops, work in an art center, as freelancers or contributor to internet websites. But it indicates via comments from those in the group that it was a purposeful decision to drop out - that they wanted a different type of life. Koreans are one of the most hardworking people in the world but does this indicate that work/ life balance might change, that they start to take life more serious, in the sense that work and what you do actually won't define you as a human being, but that other values emerge?
What do you think? Any opinion?
Unemployment is still high in Korea, after the Asian crisis hit it in 1997 followed by massive restructuring of the economy.
Amongst the youth group age 15-29, the unemployment rate hit 8.8% in March - equivalent 435,000 - this statistic does not include those unemployed longer that 12 months. Many of those guys are now part of a developing subculture called "baeksu" in Korean, or "empty hands" denoting laziness.
The article, which appeared in the Korean Herald (http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/05/06/200405060025.asp) doesn't really define how the subculture is developing but states that those affected hang out in coffee shops, work in an art center, as freelancers or contributor to internet websites. But it indicates via comments from those in the group that it was a purposeful decision to drop out - that they wanted a different type of life. Koreans are one of the most hardworking people in the world but does this indicate that work/ life balance might change, that they start to take life more serious, in the sense that work and what you do actually won't define you as a human being, but that other values emerge?
What do you think? Any opinion?
posted by Andreas @ 8:46 pm
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