3,000 Bows for the Korean College Entrance Exam

[moonzqv]

whoaaaaaaaaaa that all i can say.

my parent doesnt do this kind of thing.

and im chinese

[asianlivelovelaugh97]

Failing a Test . .

America: Everyone makes mistakes, take a re-take , and do better next time . Spend more time studying .

MOST of Asia: Disgrace to your family .

[rgh97]

우리애들만 합격시켜주시고 다른애들은 불합격 시켜주세요 부처님, 비나이다 비나이다 ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

[icyflamer]

I think this is a perfect example of religious leaders taking advantage of peoples fears and insecurities. How much do these people pay to get in to do this? The beads? Writing on the wall? Candles? What happens when they bow 3,000 times, even 5,000 times and their kid doesnt pass? Way too much pressure for a kid :(

[jualkyn]

@icyflamer omg I know what you mean...as for how much they pay, I am not sure if this is a hugely EXPENSIVE thing per say, but more so of a physical endurance/exasperation thing. I am korean myself but I was raised in canada for the most part and I think it is ludicrous that people do this back home. Unfortunately I know my mother was thinking of doing this, and her mother before her has done it and so on and so forth. It is just one of those deeply rooted cultural beliefs.

[jualkyn]

@icyflamer I can understand just how bad the competition is in korea and how desperate these parents must feel because they know that one wrong move can really fuck up the rest of their childs life. (even ppl who graduate can barely find jobs), and without a degree it is incredibly hard to find a job in that country, but this is just too brutal. I actually feel sorry for these people because it is not their fault the academic system is like this over there. they feel like they have no choice

[icyflamer]

@jualkyn true. my sister was telling me how even in japan, someone who goes to school to become a doctor doesnt actually do any medical hands on stuff until their like 30 something. And of course they get paid WAAAY less than there. And the jobs far fewer :( i hate to see kids suffer and especially when they recieve pressure from their own families, which brings in to the picture the matter of teen suicide, self-mutilation, and drugs

[neuroglejak]

@icyflamer they need balance:)

[brianl9944]

@jualkyn Actually it's much easier to find jobs without a college degree... even though those are factory jobs or some other crappy jobs. The current unemployment rate is 2.9%... one of the lowest in the world. South Korea has nothing but 50 million people so competition is the only way to make the country competitive against other industrialized countries. Sad... but that's what makes the country prosper. SO LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE.

[Nyxnalia]

Fascinating! Thanks for sharing with us! Looking forward to seeing more! :)

[nubakos]

I believe this represents just one part of the pressure put on the students. I don't want to judge anyone by their religion, and I know that even in my country, people go to church and pray for their children to get into the university of their choice, but for some minutes, maximal one hour (depending on their religious views). But if I knew that my parents pray for 10 hours all night long for me, I'd be too nervous to handle the pressure. I wonder how Korean students cope with the pressure.

[MsMidniteStar]

That's A LOT of prssure on the kids...

:(

[jojowagoner]

The video quality turned out excellent.

[emilylee]

wow , thats just,intense if parents are so dedicated to be bowing so much, im sure the kids would be getting alot of pressure D:

[smjsurviva]

V. interesting. Really great shooting as well!