Spent an eventful yet fulfilling summer here in Korea, and it's always a little bittersweet leaving Korea. Korea is supposed to be a country where I call home, but since I've been living abroad since 2012, it hasn't been that. But as I get older, I really am trying to connect more with people in Korea; whether it's work related, or personal relationships as well. What I am hoping is that I want my home country to feel more home than before.
Summer in Europe is kinda dead in terms of work. Everyone is off for holidays, which was the perfect time for me to come to Korea, see my friends and family, but also to get work done, as I consider Korea to be a workaholic country compare to any European countries. And I have to say, I was spot on with that decision. Got a lot of work done here, not only in Korea but a lot of work done across Asia, which makes me believe I should repeat this every summer and winter when things are a little slower over in Europe.
I had a lot of mixed emotions about my home country in the beginning. The conservative/reserved culture behind Korea, the hard working mindset of the people here, it was hard for me to understand for someone who spent his teenage years in Europe. During the first decade living in Europe, I was clashed with 2 drastically different culture, and was unsure which culture I fit in more. I definitely was leaning more towards the European culture, but with time, I feel like I am slowly shifting to appreciate this reserved, hard working culture of Korea; making me realise how this country was able to go from one of the worst economic countries in the world in the 50s to one of the strongest countries in modern days.
People might only see Korea as this "new" country or a flashy country with skyscrapers all over Seoul, technologically advanced, as well as its growing popularity in entertainment industry (don't ask me about K-Pop I don't know a single person), but the country went through lengthy depression before this. Colonised by the Japanese from 1910 until 1945 wiped significant amount of the 2000 years of Korea's heritage, and the Korean war in 1950 until 1953 which divided our nation into 2, up until now. Technically the war is not over, hence the reason of all Korean male's mandatory military service.
I always try to see Korea from an unbiased perspective, but I still have to admit, the country has significant upsides. Politics aside, I do believe the country can still grow even greater, and I do believe there will be a shift in economy where Asia will have greater economical power than what they already have on a long run.
Overall what I'm tryna say is that, it's been an eventful, fulfilling time in Korea, and I am hoping to do the same when I come back in winter time. I do have a little dream in my head to grow the watch scenes in Korea as well, so: Got lot of work to be done to fulfil that.
