[HanCinema's Digest] Culture Corner

Published on 2015/11/08

Did you know North Korea has its own car company? The New York Times examines the life and death of those who can't afford either, pressure to change Korea's image-orientated hiring practices, and is South Korea's fashion too petite for the rest of the world?

"A Lonely End for South Koreans Who Cannot Afford to Live, or Die"

This is a sad and hard-hitting piece by the New York Times that explores what happens to those in Korea who struggle in life, but then also can't afford to die with dignity: "A growing number of South Koreans are dying alone, with no relative willing to claim their remains and perform a ritual Koreans believe is essential to easing the deceased's passage to the other world".

…READ ON THE NEW YORK TIMES

"Yes, North Korea makes cars, and here are the latest models"

South Korea may have Kia and Hyundai, but did you know that North Korea has its own brand of cars, too? Neither did I. Pyeonghwa Motors (since 1999) is a small company operating on North Korea's west coast whose only dealership is in, you guessed it, the capital Pyongyang. Take a look and see if anything that screams out at you.

…READ ON MASHABLE

"No more resume photos"

Korea has some pretty strict, at times even bizarre, hiring practices. One such practice that stood out while I was over there was the need to include a cover photo with your job application. Image in Korea is important, very important, but a group of lawmakers are now challenging this cultural trend in the hope to rid the country of discriminatory hiring practices: "According to the survey conducted by Saramin, an online recruitment website, 75.7 percent of Korean employers said job applicants' photos affect their chances of getting interviews".

…READ ON THE KOREA TIMES

"One Size Fits All in South Korea, As Long as That Size Is Small"

While still not quite up there with the ramps of Paris, Milan, and New York, South Korea is fast becoming an exciting feature and place for inspiration on the global fashion scene. But are there real cultural barriers to appealing to international fashion market? Image, in Korea, counts for a lot (too much, in fact) and while the latest styles, colours, textures, and trends are all being gloriously displayed, the country's general 'one-size-fits-all' policy (along with the serious stigma around bigger bodies, particularly woman's bodies) is somewhat alienating; here's a fact: "South Korea has one of the lowest rates of obesity in the OECD, and a recent study found that only 4.2% of Koreans are clinically obese. Compare that to the 34.9% of Americans who are obese". Is this much ado about nothing, or will designers and marketers have to find a way to better package Korea's own body politics and culture to the world at large?

…READ ON RACKED