Competitive Society: Reflections from the Educational System of South Korea

Abstract

This study aimsto explore the ideas, experientialnarratives, and expectations of South Korean college students within a society known as one of the world's most highly competitive educational nations. It investigates expectations from various individual and societal perspectives that reflect the South Korean educational system. The research methodology employs netnography,involving participatory observation on social media and informal interviews. The informants were South Korean students who shared their experiences within the competitive environment ofSouth Korean education.The study found that social conditions can lead to negative changes in human relationships and irregular daily living behavior. Furthermore, it also revealed that people may adopt unexpected ways of life in response to pressure tosucceed in education, as the social value system and environment can influence their existence. It applies compressed modernitytheory to analyze South Korea's educational society, which aims to establish standards of successfor individuals, thereby fostering rapid economic growth through government policy, family institutions, and the environment. Over time, this has shaped a society steeped in a culture of competition across all facets of life, including education, work, and daily living.