Current location:Worldly Web news portal > opinions
VOX POPULI: ‘Faitin’ spirit belies the social stress on young South Koreans
Worldly Web news portal2024-05-20 04:55:34【opinions】5People have gathered around
IntroductionSouth Koreans often say “faitin.”A corruption of the English “fighting” that means “keep it up” or “
South Koreans often say “faitin.”
A corruption of the English “fighting” that means “keep it up” or “we can do it,” the word is uttered forcefully with a bent elbow and clenched fist, be it at home, work or school.
Curious about it, I asked Lee Sanghun, the Tokyo bureau chief of the Dong-a Ilbo, who seemed a bit surprised by my abrupt question.
Lee said, “True, we say it a lot but I’ve never really thought about it.”
According to a colleague of mine who is an expert on South Korea, the expression became noticeably widespread in the late 2000s.
Initially a cheer at athletic events, like the Japanese “faito” (fight), its usage gradually expanded. For instance, an unmotivated worker might be admonished by a superior, “You have no faitin.”
The transition may have had something to do with South Korea’s ruthlessly competitive society.
The tendency to overemphasize a person's educational background is said to be even stronger there than in Japan.
Being under constant pressure to go to a better school, work for a better company and so on, everyone tries--or perhaps is forced to try--to be at their best.
It is also said that social disparities in South Korea are becoming more serious. Young people have apparently become disillusioned with old-style politicians who hold onto their vested interests.
The situation must also discourage people from having children, and the birthrate stands at 0.72, which puts the nation in the ultra-low birthrate category.
Japan is certainly in the same boat.
General elections are being held today in South Korea. During the election campaign, choruses of “faitin” were heard everywhere.
I wonder how voters in our neighbor nation will decide. I will watch very closely.
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 10
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Address of this article:http://tuvalu.fidosfortywinks.com/article-4d699989.html
Very good!(2)
Related articles
- Hamas says to reconsider negotiating strategy
- In Pics: Onboard Markets on 'Slow Trains'
- Winter Paralympic Torch Relay Held in Beijing's Olympic Forest Park
- Primary and Secondary Schools Start New Semester Across China
- Wu gets double as Shanghai outclass Changchun
- China Has Nearly 300 Million Students in 2021
- Children Find Snow Sports Cool, Survey Reveals
- Beijing 2022 Mascots: Made in China, Made of 'China'
- Man shoots his 6
- Salary Climbing for Returning Graduates
Popular articles
Recommended
Kate Moss snubs Buckingham Palace garden party after failing to turn up to star
China to Extend Women's Access to Cervical, Breast Cancer Screenings
Primary and Secondary Schools Start New Semester Across China
Beijing 2022 Mascots: Made in China, Made of 'China'
Germany midfielder Pavlović injured in Bayern’s last game before Euro 2024
China to Step up Myopia Monitoring Among Youngsters
China to Enhance Regulation of Off
Pupils Enjoy Their Winter Vacation Across China
Links
- Paul Mescal is a splash hit... and that's before the heart
- Elena Rybakina beats Marta Kostyuk 6
- Pogačar beats Van der Poel in a dominant win at Liège–Bastogne–Liège classic
- Conductor Andrew Davis dies at 80, headed Lyric Opera of Chicago and orchestras on 3 continents
- Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, 39, stuns the internet with his WILD 'glow up'
- One Extraordinary Photo: Covering the Masters
- Mitchell Parker throws 7 scoreless innings as Nats blank Astros 6
- Chinese foreign minister arrives in Cambodia, Beijing's closest Southeast Asian ally
- Mitchell Parker throws 7 scoreless innings as Nats blank Astros 6
- Mutiso Munyao pulls away from 41