Your current location:HOME >sport >VOX POPULI: ‘Faitin’ spirit belies the social stress on young South Koreans 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 10:28:24 Source: Internet compilationEdit:sport
South Koreans often say “faitin.”A corruption of the English “fighting” that means “keep it up” or “
South Koreans often say “faitin.”
A corruption of the English “fighting” that means “keep it up” or “we can do it,” the word is uttered forcefully with a bent elbow and clenched fist, be it at home, work or school.
Curious about it, I asked Lee Sanghun, the Tokyo bureau chief of the Dong-a Ilbo, who seemed a bit surprised by my abrupt question.
Lee said, “True, we say it a lot but I’ve never really thought about it.”
According to a colleague of mine who is an expert on South Korea, the expression became noticeably widespread in the late 2000s.
Initially a cheer at athletic events, like the Japanese “faito” (fight), its usage gradually expanded. For instance, an unmotivated worker might be admonished by a superior, “You have no faitin.”
The transition may have had something to do with South Korea’s ruthlessly competitive society.
The tendency to overemphasize a person's educational background is said to be even stronger there than in Japan.
Being under constant pressure to go to a better school, work for a better company and so on, everyone tries--or perhaps is forced to try--to be at their best.
It is also said that social disparities in South Korea are becoming more serious. Young people have apparently become disillusioned with old-style politicians who hold onto their vested interests.
The situation must also discourage people from having children, and the birthrate stands at 0.72, which puts the nation in the ultra-low birthrate category.
Japan is certainly in the same boat.
General elections are being held today in South Korea. During the election campaign, choruses of “faitin” were heard everywhere.
I wonder how voters in our neighbor nation will decide. I will watch very closely.
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 10
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension2024-05-21 10:20
2 workers die after buried alive in well in Philippines2024-05-21 09:55
1 killed, 3 injured in Israeli strikes on Lebanese villages2024-05-21 09:39
China's top diplomat holds talks with Peru's foreign minister2024-05-21 09:00
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands2024-05-21 08:58
Charlotte's Kahlina, Galaxy's Micovic untouchable in scoreless draw2024-05-21 08:54
A man investigated in the deaths of women in northwest Oregon has been indicted in 3 killings2024-05-21 08:40
China box office tops 215 mln USD over May holiday, craves more hits2024-05-21 08:08
Nuggets blow 202024-05-21 08:00
Columbia University encampment holds on as negotiation in progress2024-05-21 07:50
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age2024-05-21 10:26
Industrial scale of Sino2024-05-21 10:16
Soulful singer Michael McDonald looks back in his new memoir, 'What a Fool Believes'2024-05-21 10:09
Kate Moss snubs Buckingham Palace garden party after failing to turn up to star2024-05-21 10:04
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age2024-05-21 10:01
Slovak Prime Minister Fico in serious condition as suspect appears in court2024-05-21 09:32
A man investigated in the deaths of women in northwest Oregon has been indicted in 3 killings2024-05-21 09:19
Heartbreak as Tyson Fury is defeated by Oleksandr Usyk in the fight of the century2024-05-21 08:28
Ben Whishaw lights up the Croisette as he joins his co2024-05-21 08:02
Revealed: Erotic fantasies of Slovakia Prime Minister's would2024-05-21 07:50