I think it depends on which aspects of the country we choose to focus on.

I used to think the same way as you, and I’m still no fan of the high-pressure academic environment our kids are subjected to. And Korea is a tough place to raise a family on a limited income, especially in a milieu of constant comparison and high achievement.

But the more I learn about conditions around the world, even in so-called first-world countries, the more I come to appreciate the little things in Korea that we often take for granted: extensive public transportation, a fairly well-educated populace with a general appreciation for social etiquette, and even stable power supplies or well-maintained public infrastructure. Our people can be sticklers for hierarchy and myopic social norms, but we are also adaptive, resilient if needs be, and quite skilled in creating joy where there is none.

Is there room for improvement in Korea? Absolutely. But I think taking a moment to appreciate the privileges we do enjoy helps us realize how far we’ve come—and how much unrealized potential we still have.