2.Past as Prologue: Understanding a Nation Through Its Historical and Cultural DNA

🎧 Why do Korean parents push their kids so hard—and is it really heartless? In this episode, we explore the cultural and historical forces behind Korea’s intense education system.

This episode is based on the second post from my Growing Up in Korea series.

In this audio essay, I dig into one of the most confounding contradictions in Korean society: how can a country known for its deep love for children push them so relentlessly through an education system many outsiders see as brutal?

From sky-high academic pressure to the cultural forces behind it, this episode asks a deceptively simple question: Are Korean parents really that heartless? (Spoiler: they’re not.)

The voice you’ll hear is AI-generated, but every word comes from my own research, writing, and reflections—plus the questions I’m asking as I try to understand how a country’s history, culture, and values can shape such intense behaviors.

📖 Read the full post here: Past as Prologue: Understanding a Nation Through Its Historical and Cultural DNA

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