Teens in South Korea

Children's Literature - Christina M. Desai

Titles in this series, "Global Connections," provide basic information on the culture and population of various countries. Cultural differences and similarities come alive as the author explores lifestyles of teens today. This title focuses predictably on the blending of tradition and modernity in South Korea's culture and economy. By focusing on teen life, it shows young American readers how such contradictions are experienced by real people of their own age, making them less remote. In this volume, for example, readers learn that South Korean and American teens share many interests and activities, including video games (South Korea is a major producer), music (such as "K-pop," an eclectic blend of pop styles) and sports (soccer, baseball, etc.). Like the U.S., South Korea is a highly developed, largely urban country with a very high literacy rate and standard of living. The intense concentration on preparing for CSAT, the college entrance exam, is a clear difference. Almost no free time remains after school, homework, and "cram" school are over for the day, so South Korean teens rely heavily on cell phones and the internet to communicate with friends. Other important cultural themes are the traditional respect for elders and the intensity with which South Koreans pursue their interests. The book abounds in surprising details, such as the existence of the profession of video game player, the extreme city-wide measures enacted to assure quiet on CSAT test day and the lack of any religious affiliation among close to half the population. Books in this series also mention problems facing teens, in this case extreme pressure to perform well on the CSAT, which will largely determine theirfuture, and related effects such as a lack of family time and a high suicide rate. Though not intended as a history text, there is a brief account of the Korean War and the subsequent division of the country. Volumes in this series include a timeline, glossary, maps, fact sheet and bibliography. Reviewer: Christina M. Desai