Episode 14: The Honorific System
- UBC
- Nov 17, 2018
- 3 min read
(Daniel Mun)
Synopsis:
The murderer has claimed another victim, and this time the loss is particularly devastating for our disbanded investigative team. For Simok, it’s personal in a way that no case has been before, and he struggles to deal with his newly discovered emotions and the destruction of what he’s been trying to protect and achieve this whole time. But if nothing else, the team is more determined than ever to find the killer once and for all.
Image and synopsis via www.dramabeans.com
Discussion:
In many countries, an honorific system exists in the form of speech or writing to respect a person’s rank or position. In South Korea, a country very well known for its strict hierarchal and honorific system, this is shown in a more exaggerated manner. The system is not limited to speech or writing but is also shown through the behaviours of individuals to respect people with seniority. Episode 14 of the drama Stranger portrays how an individual’s actions contribute to the Korean honorific system including how going against this system is beneficial.
The behaviour of individuals plays an important role in the honorific system as it demonstrates total respect to others. As discussed in class, the honorific system in the form of speech is something that comes naturally to Koreans. This makes speech an essential part of the system, making it less effective when portraying respect to others compared to actions, which require an actual thought process. In the drama, Seo Dongjae blocks the cane that Yeong Iljae strikes at Yi Changjun, showing extreme respect towards Changjun. This action is mostly unnecessary, but it shows how loyalty and respect shown through one’s behaviour is expressed more powerfully compared to speech.
While displaying respect in Korea is one of the most important values in its culture, failure to accuse the wrong can be detrimental. Hwang Simok is a character in the drama who completely contradicts a stereotypical Korean person. He shows respect to his seniors, but Simok does not hesitate to snarl back if they make a mistake. In Korea this is something that has been unimaginable in the past, but many people are now starting to realize that it is the right thing to do. Due to Korea’s system however, acting this way requires courage that many do not have. In the drama, Simok yells at Iljae for not taking action, resulting in the murder of Eunsu. Instead of Iljae yelling back and instantly taking offense, he realizes that he has made a mistake. In Korea’s culture, having a junior scolding is not only rude, but it is something to be ashamed of. For a senior, this behaviour is something to be angry about; however, the drama shows that this action is not rude, but is an opportunity for the seniors to realize their mistakes.
Respect in Korea is shown through the actions and speech of individuals. The honorific system is strictly followed in order to express differences in social status; however, it is necessary for this system to be relaxed to an extent. In Korea, the honorific system serves to teach respect, deference and humbling of oneself (Yoon 2005, 206). For many people however, this system is falsely used to display power. This structure prevents the development of individuals of high social status as it makes it difficult for them to be challenged.
(474 words)
Questions:
1. Why do you think the honorific system (both action and speech) in Korea has become such an important feature that defines its culture? Would you say this system is more effective and beneficial than the system we have here?
2. Are there other factors, other than “because of the culture/past”, that you think that might prevent individuals to stand up to their seniors? Do you think there is a difference between standing up for yourself (ex. When your boss is scolding you for the wrong thing), accusing your boss’ mistakes, and challenging your boss?
Bibliography:
Yoon, Kyungjoo. “Not just words: Korean social models and the use of honorifics."
Intercultural pragmatics 1, no. 2 (2005): 189-210.
Hey team,
Really good discussion here.
I really like Dongjae’s point about uncertainty avoidance, or, known colloquially, “not stirring the pot”. I’ve seen many situations living in societies with strict social codes where in order to preserve face, one will, for example, allow the senior to berate the junior, and just have the junior swallow all of the negative feelings, because standing up for them in any way would be upending the hierarchy. However, I think we’ve also found some ambiguity in the system - where, as Joyce points out, you can be rude while using honorifics, and Dustin’s point about treatment of elderly in a linguistic context vastly contrasts with the way that Korea perceives the elderly in a…
1) Why do you think the honorific system (both action and speech) in Korea has become such an important feature that defines its culture? Would you say this system is more effective and beneficial than the system we have here?
I wouldn’t say the system is more effective nor beneficial then the system in the western countries, because different cultures have their ways for the interactions between others. I think the honorific system is so important and symbolic is 1. It has been there for hundreds of years, and this is just what “it is supposed to be”, people are born with knowing it. 2. I guess it’s an easier way to organize or “classify” situations, or sometimes people (not…
I think the emphasis Korea places on age and honour is taken to an extreme. I don’t think someone’s age or seniority should define them, or that someone’s age/seniority is automatically deserving of one’s respect. That being said, I think in the West, for example, we don’t treat our elders with enough respect. Rather, the elderly are looked at as a burden or are decidedly marked as “passed their expiration.” Which, I think, is unfair. There is perhaps, then, something to be learned from the way in which Korea views and treats their elderly.
As far as seniority and the workplace is concerned, I think to take blame for something you didn’t do or to not voice your opinion (in…
To answer your questions Daniel:
I didn’t have many problems with the honorific system, except for a few things: making eye contact with my father who hated it greatly; not responding with words instead of mumbles (not proper 대답, or answer); not knowing if I should use banmal or formal speech with someone who is a year older than me; and pouring drinks with two hands. If I were to meet a Korean family for the first time, I’d greet the parents first and then the children (if they’re younger than me). It’s always 안녕하세요 for the parents and their older-than-me kids, and 안녕 if they’re younger.
For question one, I think honorifics are important in Korean society mostly because it is tradition. It has existed for a long time, and Korea is just keeping the system to this day. It is beneficial because you are able to tell each other's social status just by the language and terms that you use, and I think that's why Korea has never felt the absolute need to abolish it. Also, because Korea is such a manner oriented society, I believe they feel the need to keep honorifics to show their politeness. To be frank, however, I feel like the honorific system is not very effective in Korea. You can use the honorific system and still be rude, and you…