빨리빨리 Ppalli-Ppalli

The Cost of Ppalli-Ppalli: Burnout in Korean Culture

The same drive for speed that built Korea's economy has also produced one of the world's most demanding workplace cultures. Here is the reckoning.

The same drive for speed that enabled Korea's economic miracle has also been associated with significant costs. Korean workplace culture is among the most demanding in the OECD in terms of working hours and pressure. This article examines the costs of ppalli-ppalli culture — and the growing Korean conversation about how to change it.

The Costs of a Speed Culture

Korean Working Hours: The Data

Burnout and Mental Health in Korea

The Younger Generation's Pushback

Government Policy and the Limits of Speed

Can Korea Slow Down Without Losing Its Edge?


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This article is based on themes explored in depth in Ppalli-Ppalli by Kim Jungseo, part of The Korean Wisdom Series.

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About the Author

Kim Jungseo 김정서 writes about Korean cultural philosophy for English-language readers who want depth rather than a simplified introduction. The Korean Wisdom Series explores six untranslatable Korean concepts that together form a coherent picture of Korean social and emotional life.

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