From: phantom@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (James Choi)
Subject: Individualism  (was: Re: Orange-jok)
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois.
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 15:38:41 GMT

In article <1992Dec14.062717.10343@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu> kim_nl@jhunix.hcf.jhu.edu (Nina L Kim) writes:
>   It seems to me that the most of followups regarding orange-jok
>were in the line of "what do you care how they spend their money, it's
>their rights." I am not sure whether this was a reaction to 'ethical'
>nature of the original posting or everyone is firm believers of
>individualism.

As for myself, my opinion came from my individualism.

>   The reason Korean society makes so much issue out of orange-jok
>or how rich spends their money is that it represents a major
>problem in Korea: an enormous gap between upper and lower classes.

This gap can be closed when riches spend all their money and poors run some
business that suck up that money.  So, it is moving toward right direction.
Can you imagine how unfair it will be if the riches do not spend any and
keep making more?

>Not many rich people in Korea are from old money. Most people had
>to struggle after the War. There are some, due to unstable economy(?)
>'overnight riches'. All these lead to attitude of 'money can buy
>everything'.  

If money can buy everything, they will buy everything.  If money cannot buy
everything, then they will find that out too.  Since their education is not
my concern, I do not feel like going out there and preach.  Besides, I do
not know the answer myself.

>It is extremely difficult for the lower class to move
>upward in the present Korean system.

Not really.  Where did these overnight riches come from if it was so
"extremely difficult"?

>  It's only natural that these
>people feel angered and frustrated in facing such people like orange-jok.

I do not think it is natural at all.  The only reason they feel frustrated
is because they think they are one and the same as the orange-jok, i.e.,
uniform people that deserves uniform goods.  If Prince Charles buys another
convertable, will they be as frustrated?  No.  Because they do not classify
themselves in the same class as Prince Charles.  However, Koreans feel
there is only one class for Koreans.  And when there is diversity in it,
they feel frustrated because the uniformity is violated.

Such frustration is not observed in the U.S. thanks to the individualism.
"You live your life, and I live mine" is the main theme.  And it has its
own merits and flaws.  But in an individualistic society, 'orange-jok'
would not even be an issue.  If there is any discussion about it, the main
topic will be how to suck their money dry.  That's what I will be
concentrating on myself.

>   I know I am repeating what everyone heard all too many times. I
>certainly have not experienced how these people really feel. Only
>thing is that no matter how valid the theory is, human feeling
>shouldn't be ignored.  

Suppose I became a successful composer over-night.  And suppose Others who
studied composition all their life and still did not make it big envied me.
In fact suppose they thought my music was a garbage and I am undeserving of
my newly found fame and fortune.  What are you going to do about their
feeling?  It certainly cannot be ignored according to you.  So, what are we
to do about it?

>Personally I do not believe in kind of 
>individualism America is tending towards.  I find unity-oriented
>philosophy more sound and  perhapse more functional for today's
>societies.

There was a large scale experiment on this exact ideal.  It was called
communism.  The idea was good, spirit was high but it did not work.  Some
people may feel like trying it again just to make sure.  I am all for it,
but let me stay out.  Thank you.

>Nina Kim

James Choi
Newsgroups: soc.culture.korean