1. Growing Up in Korea: But First, Why Korea?

🎧 What does it really mean to grow up in Korea—a country of stunning success, crushing pressure, and profound contradictions? This episode unpacks the history and heart behind it all.This episode is based on my first Substack post from the Growing Up in Korea series.I do a lot of research for each piece—far more than what ends up in the newsletter. So I’ve started turning some of that unused material into conversational audio using Google’s NotebookLM.While the voice is AI-generated, the content is entirely drawn from my research notes, reflections, and writing.In this episode, I reflect on what it means to grow up in one of the most densely populated, academically competitive, and culturally complex countries in the world.📖 Read the full post here: Growing Up in Korea: A Country of Contradictions—Success, Pressure, and IdentityEp.1 — Glossary of Key Korean Terms (Romanization · Hangul · Meaning) Joseon (조선): not just the vibe behind the skincare brand Beauty of Joseon—though yes, the name riffs on that elegant, hanbok-and-rice-water aesthetic. Historically, Joseon was a 500-year dynasty (1392–1897) that shaped Korean culture, language, and etiquette. Today, “Joseon” also lives on in North Korea’s official name and in some diaspora contexts, while South Koreans usually say Hanguk. (So if Beauty of Joseon is the glow, Joseon the dynasty is the entire lighting rig.) Hell Joseon (헬조선): a snarky modern catchphrase that uses “Joseon” to critique harsh inequality, overwork, and low social mobility—basically the opposite of a spa day. Get full access to Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time at yoonjiwon.substack.com/subscribe