Welcome to the world of Hell Joseon; what kind of spoon are you? Most Koreans, especially the youth, would answer this question without haste or wonder. These newly coined phrases—Hell Joseon, N-po Generation, spoon theory and passion pay—are thought to reflect current Korean society and thus are frequently used in everyday life and in the mainstream media. However, is it really impossible for a dirt-spoon to ever win against a gold-spoon? Who sets these standards, and why can't we overcome them? 

Recent booms in the newly-coined words share a similar characteristic. These phrases all contain a pessimistic and negative attitude towards life in South Korea. For example, Hell Joseon describes the hell-like environment of Korea for the youths. This new word mirrors the pessimism of people and even fixates it. The extent to how many times these words are used by youth seems to show how negatively they view their country and its current state. Moreover, it is used as means of justification and consolation of harsh reality that youths are in. 

Such slang may be funny to laugh at, but it seems less humorous when one realizes how seriously these words are used. Linguistic domination refers to how the linguistics a person uses actually affects the speaker. In other words, what they say and how they say it defines themselves. In the same sense, the popularity of such lingo plays a part in creating the sad reality for the youth. Although times are tough for many young adults in Korea, they may be making it harder by trapping themselves in a linguistic jail. Even elementary students are using these terms without fully understanding the meaning—they are affecting the young minds fast and unconsciously.

The danger of linguistic domination comes from its slow and silent domination of the speaker. When people use the phrase Hell Joseon, they may be limiting their chances by laughing off their failure, “I never had a chance to succeed in this hell anyways,” and putting the blame on their current circumstances without trying to overcome the essential problem. Such thinking can lead to a passive acceptance of their current position and to political apathy as well, which in the end could mean little or no progress in improving their chances. 

Therefore, it is essential for South Koreans to break out of this jail of language. People need to get angry instead of wallowing in pessimism. They have to fight against the problematic structure of the current society rather than surrendering themselves up to a fate they mock. Furthermore, the media should refrain from using these terms and generalizing all crises in a few simple words. What they should talk about is the actual problems, such as youth unemployment, workplace discrimination, and fewer marriages. The phrases Hell Joseon and dirt spoon do not connote any solutions, only problems. Now is the time to look beyond the problems and to search for the solutions. 

Every generation goes through times of harshness and pain, and some may be more than others. Nonetheless, it is up to that generation whether or not they can overcome their harsh reality. If people prison themselves in their own languages and self-mock their situation without resisting, then they will never overcome their pathetic selves. If, however, people try to face their harsh challenges and believe that they have a chance, an actual change will occur—every small changes accumulate up to become a bigger one—and fortune will definitely smile for those who try.

저작권자 © The Granite Tower 무단전재 및 재배포 금지