The Box

If there is one thing I can pass on to others about Korea, it is most definitely the idea of "The Box", a concept not made of paper nor plastic, nor is it technically intangible either. I cannot even claim its existence outside my own rendering of it. But, to me, it is my imagined Korea. And in that, I claim its intangible tangibility. The Box could be made out of the box like peninsula that literally IS Korea. Or, The Box could be made out of its square, writing system that no doubt resembles an obsession with structure in every aspect of life. I think the box is those things, but I also think it is more. I think The Box is their mind set, their episteme. It is the way they view the world and their lives in it. From fashion, to technology, to work and even play, they are consumed by the idea of The Box. Let me explain...

If it ain't in a box, don't touch it.

The Korean world of The Box:

It seems that Koreans are in a growth spurt. They were propelled into the twenty-first century globalizing world with only a thirty year history as a first world country. Thus, they HAVE everything of a first-world country and then some. But, the problem for them now is their culture. Unlike European countries, or America, Korea cannot assume other cultures in the blink of an eye. It is desperately still trying to hold on to its past in the face of globalization. It is finding it difficult to do so, and therefore is in a conundrum at present. Do they A) hold to their history as the 'hermit kingdom' and push out foreign competition? OR do they B) accept globalization and assimilate into the world vision, a cluster-fuck of world cultures, each single culture self-important but seen as nothing different by its peers. (Hence, lost among the many, unless a competitor in the rat race.) Korea has to choose between the two, but is prolonging their decision, and has been for the past thirty years. They attempt to join in the world economy and politics, but find themselves belittled all too quickly. They then shy away and tuck back into themselves. However, on other economic fronts they are completely merged; such as foreign franchises in Korea like McDonalds, Starbucks, Outback Steakhouse, Paris Baguette, Baskin Robbins, Books Libro, Holly's Coffee and etc., or Korean franchises outside Korea such as the Lotte conglomerate, the largest in Korea with exports to all Asian countries and the added USA, of course.

There is naturally a place for Korea in the world market, but the problem is the effects of that market on Korea. In other words, Korea has already chosen a side in the conundrum, and is now dealing with those effects. The younger generation is embracing gladly embracing the influx of fashion and technology, the excessive spending and focus on individualism, the everything that is America. Many who cling to this lifestyle move out of Korea or find their small niche in Seoul somewhere. Opposite the embracers are the old-schoolers, the creators of The Box, i.e. their view of how life as a Korean should be.

The old-schoolers see Korea as a dying culture if it embraces too much globalization. They are correct in this theory, Korean culture will die if they do not find a way to preserve it. But they not only preserve it, but live it, push for it, cling to it with their tiny Korean hands. They love their culture, which is great. They should be proud of it, it is extremely unique in its box-like qualities, and so is very intriguing to free-spirits like myself. I'm fascinated by the way the old-schoolers take an hour to prepare for a ten minute meeting (because they had to make sure it was structured perfectly... in the box). Or the way they all dress the same, from the same stores, in the same way, all in an attempt to 'fit in' with everybody else, yet still thinking all the while that they're really buying the clothes to be personally beautiful, and therefore 'stick out' among the rest. They don't. Even the most beautiful Korean women can blend into a crowd of short ballerina skirts and tucked-in T's, long hair with cropped bangs and high heels. If not dolled up like that, they are dressed like boys, in plaid button-ups, jeans and Chucks; sometimes a baseball cap is added as an accessory or to cover a bad hair day (not that they have those with their beautiful straight black locks). When in the boy style, I mistake them for just that, boys. Thus, their individuality here is not really individuality. Its more like a self-image in the round. They take on fashion as it comes as a group, and God help the lame ass who does not follow the flock.

I should say that this same group of old-schoolers accept the new, obviously. They look to fashion and technology for assistance just as the youngin's do. But, the overarching difference is their purpose. This group does not branch out farther than what is in front of them, nor from what has been told them since they were young; and that is to be Korean. When all is said and done, this group will still take an hour to plan a ten minute meeting. They will still not allow you into the theater for a minute to claim the jacket you left in the seats- though it will take them fifteen minutes to find someone to take over their ticket post, then another ten to find the jacket itself in the myriad of seat cushions. They do not understand anything outside The Box that is bureaucracy, that is culture, that is Korea.

Another of my friends calls The Box, Korean Logic. I concur, it is their logic that is skewed. They think that things must be done in a certain way for them to be adequately done. But their logic is their culture, its their history. They've been taught to think like this from birth. Always worrying about what others are thinking, and therefore afraid to step outside the box is not just their logic, it is their culture. They find themselves in a spinning cycle of fear, suppression, and depression, because they are always worried about their place in society and society's view of them. And thus, it is my theory that their box is the cause of their excessive suicide rate. They don't make it into the right college: kill thyself. They don't get the right job: kill thyself. They "lose face": kill thyself. Once the poor pussy boys finally have to join the army in their twenties, they cannot deal with The Box shrinkage, thus: kill thyself. (So many suicides in the Korean Army, makes me glad to not be a Korean male.)

It IS sad that their are so many Korean suicides, and I do not mean to make light of it. Yet, as a foreigner, I cannot help but be in awe at the way they view life, and how easy it is for them to want to kill themselves. I think I've ran in the opposite direction ever since I got here, making me freer than oxygen, and forcedly happy to be alive. To see people living in mental and social constraints like those that are in Korea, makes it a obligation for me or any foreigner to be happy just for the sake of being happy, because we can. We do not have to follow the culture, society or The Box. We can break barriers because we are expected to. In that I'm ever grateful to Korea for the eye-opening experience it has given me. It's people have been all too kind to me, and its structure all too sharing (in that it's given me a job, apartment and life to be happy in.) In all I have a great debt to the Korean Box. I have never been happier to know there is a definite box to break out of? Perhaps I am just a spunky anarchist at heart, but I think that may just be Korea's effect on the open-minded individual. Either your follow or you don't.

And as for my statement above: "If it ain't in the box, don't touch it." I think it explains itself, but in a simple segue to Korean culture: if it is not Korean and if it doesn't fit into Korean culture, then it has no place anywhere near it. I'm just lucky to 'fit in' it now. Yet, once all of Korea knows English, I'll be out and Korea will rule the world. Er... ahem, Korea will be a globalized power.

Okay- hope this was an adequate description of The Box. I find it extremely interesting, but still have yet to really pin-point it. What matters is that I know it exists, and in that I'll be happy... just to push it of course. Maybe in another year I'll have a better grasp!

Yours,

Weary Traveller