[Education in Korea Has Lost Its Way]⑧ Private Tutoring Becomes Satirical Comedy, Both Funny and Sad

From 'Goose Father' to 'Riding Mom'
Satirical Content on Entrance Exams and Private Education Gains Popularity for Its Bittersweet Humor

The intense passion for education in Korea has even given rise to trending cultural memes.

Content that satirizes the bittersweet realities of entrance exams and private education is rapidly emerging.

One of the most prominent comedy issues in Korea during the first half of this year was 'Daechidong Dochimam,' which parodies the private education scene in Daechidong, known as the epicenter of private tutoring. The trend began with a 10-minute video titled 'Human Documentary: Loving My Child,' uploaded to comedian Lee Suji's YouTube channel 'Hot Issue Ji.'

In the video, Lee Suji transforms into 'Jamie Mom,' shuttling her young child between private academies and eating meals in the car. The Moncler padded jacket and Goyard bag she wore in the video have become iconic fashion items symbolizing Daechidong mothers.

Within just three months of its release, the video reached 8.7 million views, reflecting explosive interest. What emotions did viewers feel as they watched? It is funny, yet tinged with sadness.

This is not the first time that Korea's entrance exam culture has created a cultural phenomenon. One representative example is the term 'gireogi appa' (goose father), which refers to a father who remains in Korea to financially support his family while his wife and children live abroad for the children's education.

On the 23rd, children are leaving an English kindergarten located in the academy district of Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

On the 23rd, academy buses were waiting for students in the academy district of Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The Encyclopedia of Korean National Culture describes 'gireogi appa' as "a phenomenon that emerged from the early study-abroad craze of the 1990s, referring to a unique family structure unparalleled anywhere else in the world." The phrase "unparalleled anywhere else in the world" is, again, both humorous and sad.

Now, there is even a drama about the so-called 'seven-year-old civil service exam.'

In the drama 'Riding Life,' which aired in March this year, working mom Jung Eun contemplates quitting her job when she is unable to entrust her daughter's Daechidong academy rides to a nanny. In the 'pre-elementary' class at the academy, five-year-olds write English essays on topics like 'environmental pollution,' and even grandmothers are surprised by the weight of the children's backpacks.

Director Kim Chulkyu, who produced the show, said, "Seeing kindergarteners solving TOEIC problems and discussing Nietzsche's philosophy in English with native speakers made me think a lot," adding, "The starting point of the drama was the question of how we should view this reality."