Permission to Exist

Over sixty years, South Korea has transformed from one of Asia's poorest nations into a global economic powerhouse, ranking as the 12th largest economy worldwide. Each year, Korean students consistently post some of the highest test scores and enjoy Ivy League admissions rates that outpace those of other nations. Yet this success is paired with stark social challenges: Korea records one of the highest suicide rates among developed countries, the widest gender pay gap, and the highest rate of plastic surgery per capita. Constant pressure to achieve top marks and pervasive media messages that equate beauty with visual perfection raise the question: how do these individuals learn to accept and love themselves as they are?