6.Your Toddler Might Be Late—for College Prep in South Korea

🎧 New Episode: Korea’s Preschool Pressure Cooker—The “4-Year-Old Exam” and Beyond

Ever feel like kindergarten is getting a little too serious?

In South Korea, it’s not just serious—it’s war.

In this audio essay, I dive into the rise of the “4-Year-Old Gosi” and “7-Year-Old Gosi,” two high-stakes entrance exams that are redefining childhood in places like Daechi-dong, Seoul’s epicenter of educational ambition.

We’ll trace the roots of Korea’s early academic pressure back to its dynastic past—and explore how that same pressure has morphed into today’s elite English kindergartens, giftedness tests, and tactical enrollment strategies for toddlers. From Confucian classics to phonics drills, Korea’s obsession with education starts shockingly young.

This episode is based on my post in the Growing Up in Korea series and includes extended insights that didn’t make it into the written version—more cultural context, more stories, and more questions to chew on.

🎧 Audio generated using Google’s NotebookLM🔗 Read the full post here: Your Toddler Might Be Late—for College Prep in South Korea

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