The Cost of Numbers

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How Ranking Culture Shapes Life in South Korea Numbers Define Everyday Life From a young age, many South Koreans find their lives dominated by numbers—grades, rankings, salaries, and even social status. In school, students are constantly compared through report cards that list their exact rank in each subject and overall. This relentless focus on numerical … Read more

The Enduring Stigma of Provincial Universities in Korea

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The “In-Seoul” Obsession In Korea, getting into a university in Seoul is seen as the ultimate goal for high school students. Many are willing to spend another year studying and retaking the national entrance exam if they don’t get accepted by a Seoul-based university, even if provincial colleges offer full scholarships. This mindset has led … Read more