Korea's Culture of Comparison and Competition

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers concepts related to social competition, career transitions, side hustles, and financial planning as discussed in the lecture on Korean culture.

competition culture

A societal atmosphere where individuals are constantly measured and driven to perform against others or standards.

compete with your past self

The practice of measuring personal progress against one's own previous performance rather than comparing oneself to others.

grow significantly within a short period of time

To achieve a substantial amount of development or progress in a very brief duration.

fathom

To understand or comprehend how someone manages to accomplish something difficult or intense.

side hustle

A secondary job or business pursued in the rest of one's free time alongside a primary career.

brand endorsements

Paid partnerships or sponsorships where an individual, often a major influencer, promotes products.

contingency plan

A backup plan or emergency course of action prepared for the worst-case scenario.

reality-check moment

A point in time where a person is forced to confront the actual facts of their situation, often referred to in Korean as '현타'.

stable day job

A secure and regular primary position of employment that provides a steady paycheck.

worst-case scenario

The most unfavorable or difficult outcome that could possibly happen in a situation.

property and real estate auctions

The process of researching and buying land or buildings through a competitive bidding system.

nursing license

A professional certification often prepared as part of a future plan to take care of an aging population.

aging population

A demographic trend where the proportion of elderly people in a society is significantly increasing.

potential profit

The estimated financial gain one could make after calculating the costs of a project or business.

in my shoes

An expression used to describe what another person would do if they were in the same position or situation.

wrong measurement

Evaluating one's progress or worth using incorrect or unhealthy standards of comparison.

motivation

The reason or incentive that drives a person to expand what they already do or work harder.

care facility for elderly people

An institution or establishment dedicated to providing assistance and medical care to senior citizens.

secure paycheck

A reliable and predictable income received from a stable job.

within a relatively short period of time

Something that happens quickly or occurs in a time frame that is brief compared to normal expectations.