Hello, this is Sophia. Today, I'd like to talk about the traditions of Korean workplace culture that foreign workers find difficult. Let's also look at some cultural points that foreigners who want to work in Korea should know in advance! Foreigners may wonder, “How did corporate culture form and develop in such a short period of time?” In fact, Korea’s modern corporate culture is a combination of traditional organizational culture and Western culture introduced during rapid economic growth, so it has a relatively “short and thick” history. Because they had to adapt to a rapidly changing environment in such a short period of time, Korean companies are quite capable of quickly adapting to new technologies and new markets. On the other hand, the culture of ‘teamwork’ and ‘dedication’ that was inevitably forced upon many companies due to rapid growth still remains in many companies. In the past, we would unconditionally stick together to achieve our goals, and if necessary, we would work overtime and burn with passion. The people who worked back then are now managers or executives in each company. So it’s inevitable that the old culture still remains. If you keep this historical background in mind, many of your questions about “Why does that person work that way?” will be answered. If you have any questions or difficulties about working in Korea in the future, please feel free to tell me at any time. I will always be here to help you :-) 1. The roots and understanding of traditional hierarchy Korean workplace culture has a distinct concept of 'hierarchy' that stems from Confucian traditions. In particular, you can often see that honorific expressions and attitudes change depending on age, position, and career. Use polite language: It is basic to always use polite language when speaking to superiors or seniors. It may feel unfamiliar, but this is a culture that comes from the tradition of valuing courtesy in hierarchical relationships. Decision-making style: Important decisions tend to be led by those above you. However, efforts to hear 'opinions from the field' have been increasing recently, so if you have your own ideas, don't be too intimidated and actively suggest them. Tip: At first, approach it with an attitude of respecting the hierarchy, but as you gradually become accustomed to the organizational atmosphere and build trust, it is better to cautiously express your own opinions or suggestions. The key is to find a “balance of respecting your colleagues, especially your superiors, while also expressing your own thoughts!” 2. Challenges and new trends of the younger generation In Korea, too, the culture is changing significantly as Generation Z (born after the mid-1990s) begins to enter the workplace. Preference for horizontal relationships: The culture of calling people by their first names or using nicknames, and the atmosphere of wanting to be evaluated based on 'performance and ability' rather than job title and seniority are spreading. Emphasis on personal growth and self-realization: The trend is changing to one where people want to gain diverse experiences while developing their job competencies rather than just working for a long time. Tip: In companies with a relatively young atmosphere or in business groups such as IT/startups, it is easy to express opinions to superiors without feeling pressured. However, if you go to a more traditional company (such as a large company), there may be generational differences or traditional cultures, so you need to understand the organizational culture well and be flexible in how you speak. 3. Adaptation points from the perspective of foreign workers One of the most difficult aspects of working in Korea is the 'supervisor-centered culture' and 'vertical communication style.' Also, there is a culture of naturally forming relationships over meals or company dinners, so you may often feel unfamiliar. Attitude toward the boss's opinion Rather than viewing what your boss says as “directions that must be followed,” it would be better to interpret it as an attempt to find a better direction through communication with you. However, since each company and each boss has a different style, it is safe to first show 'respect and courtesy', observe the situation, and gradually expand the scope of communication in your own way. Free expression of opinions Korean colleagues often find it refreshing when foreign colleagues actively express their opinions. You don't have to be too careful, but it's a good idea to express your opinions while avoiding direct expressions that may make the other person feel uncomfortable. Acknowledging cultural differences Many of the problems that organizations face stem from cultural misunderstandings. If your company has a “foreigner support department” or HR representative, it might be a good idea to ask for advice or feedback. Understanding Company Dinner Culture In Korean companies, there are many companies that have meals or drinks together as team activities. It is a place to promote friendship and cooperation. Although there has been a decrease in the pressure to drink these days, there may still be situations where you are asked to drink. If it is difficult to drink, you can be as polite as possible and gently ask for understanding by saying, “I am not feeling well today,” “I brought tea,” etc. 4. The importance of multicultural perspectives and coexistence As the number of foreign workers increases, a trend toward accepting a ‘multicultural perspective’ is gradually emerging in Korean workplaces. Some global companies are putting a lot of effort into bridging this gap through multicultural workshops and mentoring programs. Respecting different perspectives: I believe that Korean colleagues also gain new ideas and market information from their foreign colleagues, and an atmosphere of respect is gradually being formed. Do not unilaterally impose culture: Rather than ignoring the culture of each individual member of the organization or forcing each member's culture on others, we need to understand and respect each other's backgrounds and try to find common ground. Tip: If there are any areas that may be uncomfortable because you are a foreigner (e.g., excessive company dinners, decisions that are too boss-centered), it is a good idea to ask HR in advance or ask your team leader, “I don’t know much about this area, so I need help.” Being honest is a shortcut to building relationships without misunderstandings. 5. Balance between tradition and change: new possibilities Although Korea's workplace culture still has a 'hierarchical order', there is a growing movement toward a 'horizontal and multicultural organizational culture' as the number of young people and foreign workers increases. Ideally, we should maintain traditional courtesy and respect, but create a better organizational culture through open communication and self-expression. Mistakes and misunderstandings may occur during this process, but if you think of it as a cultural exchange process in itself, you will feel a little more comfortable. In the following article, we will take a deeper look at ‘hoe-siks,’ one of the representative characteristics of Korean workplace culture. Traditionally, it was a major means of strengthening solidarity and working relationships within an organization, but with recent generational changes and growing individualism, attitudes toward company dinners have also changed significantly. A company dinner culture that is considerate of foreign workers: There is a growing movement to reduce the types of food or alcohol that are forced on employees and to create a place where people respect each other's culture. If you have any questions about company dinner culture in advance, please feel free to ask. I will discuss it in more detail in the next article. I hope your life in Korea and your work life in Korea will be enjoyable and meaningful!