8.The IMF Crisis and South Korea’s Hyper-Competitive Childhood

What happens when a country faces economic collapse—then passes the fear down to its children?In this episode, we explore how the 1997 IMF crisis didn’t just crash South Korea’s economy—it reshaped family life, redefined parenting, and turned education into a national survival strategy.You’ll hear how the middle class unraveled, how lifetime jobs disappeared overnight, and why today’s Korean kids are still paying the price.👉 If you’ve ever wondered why Korean education is so intense—or how trauma can ripple across generations—this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now for a behind-the-scenes look at:* How the IMF crisis turned parenting into pressure* Why “Does that feed you?” became a national motto* And how anxiety became inherited👂 Audio generated with Google’s NotebookLM, featuring bonus insights and cultural context not found in the written version.🔗 Read the full article here📚Part 8 of the “Growing Up in Korea” series Get full access to Understanding Korea, One Story at a Time at yoonjiwon.substack.com/subscribe