Hey everyone! As you may know, I co-host a cultural podcast Hansik House (big surprise on the name, eh?) and I recently launched a mini series – HanSpot – that looks at specific important terms of Korean culture. I really felt that we need more “cultural translation” in this world that is more in-depth than Google translate, a way to contextualize significant terms and components in their social conditions.
I want to focus on things that are both applicable to cultures around the world and stimulate broad discussion. It is fascinating how unique histories and cultural environments solidify in very particular terms.
So for this week, I'll look at a term that wrecking havoc on the social relationships of Korea. If you'd rather listen than read, check out the recording!
꼰대/Kkondae, the practice of Korean 'Alpha-ness'
Put simply, a Kkondae is a person that believes his or her experiences should affect the experiences of others. They will constantly apply their own 'wisdom' onto you and chastise you when that advice isn't followed. Kkondaes try to maintain their social hierarchy by enforcing their own opinions.
A Kkondae can be your grandmother, your friend, a classmate, your teacher, and anyone else with this perspective of the world. Within Korean society, the classic stereotype is the drunk older office worker who pries deep into your personal life in order to affect your relationships, perspectives, career paths, and so on.
The main issue is how this personality has developed over time, morphing into a strict hierarchy that is upheld by age and wealth. What the 'younger' and more liberal generation suffer with is the immovability of this attitude towards their future, as if confined to a cage.
Tomorrow, I'll look into the historic origins of the words and how it's applied today!
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