The Korean Dream

Prologue

Chapter 1. Miracle on the Han River: Korea’s Road to Prosperity
Why Korea
Korea’s Path to Success

Chapter 2. A Nation That Studies: Korea’s Education Obsession
From Origins to the Present
Education Fever
Structure and Dynamics of Higher Education
The SKY Phenomenon
University Life
SPEC and Employment Preparation
International Students and Integration
Opportunities and Challenges

Chapter 3. Suit Up: Thriving in Korea’s Office Jungle
Employment After Higher Education
I Got Into a Chaebol
Structure of Korean Corporations
Recruitment Process
Corporate Culture
Is Corporate Korea Collectivist?
Foreigner in the Room
Hierarchy and Principles of Interaction
Team-Building Events
Retirement in Korea: Social Realities
Opportunities for Foreigners

Chapter 4. The Future, Fast-Tracked: Korea as an Innovation Powerhouse
From Rags to Riches
Korean Semiconductors Miracle
Korean-Style Motorization
Artificial Intelligence: A New Page in the Korean Miracle
Healthcare and Insurance
Beauty Innovations
Korean Cosmetics: Technologies and Trends

Chapter 5. Lights, Camera, Hangul: K-pop and the Culture Wave
What Korean Pop Culture Is All About
The Origins of Korea’s Modern Pop Culture
The Movie Industry
The Drama Industry
K-pop
How to Become a Star of Korean TV Shows

Chapter 6. Outsiders Inside: Foreigners Finding Their Place
From Monoethnic Reality to Multiculturalism
Difficulties of Integration and Marriages
Bumpy Road Towards Inclusion
So Why Korea!?
Foreigners and . . . Coffee!

Chapter 7. Cracks in the Dream: The Challenges Korea Faces
Korea on the Cusp
Demographic Crisis
Slowdown in Economic Growth

Chapter 8. Mountains, Markets, and Moments: Exploring the Country
Where to Go
Seoul
Busan
Jeju
History: Gyeongju
Food: Jeonju
Nature: Seoraksan
Beaches: Sokcho
Futurism: Songdo

Epilogue. Chasing the Korean Dream
More About the Authors: A Conversation with Evgenii and Oleg Smagin