Episode 8&9: Power Distance in Korea

by. Lee Dongjae

Synopsis

Episode 8

Dong-jae is arrested and reprimanded by Chang-joon, who suspends his indictment. The primary victim's son gets beaten up at the station and is sent to the correctional facility, only to be released immediately. Both the police and the prosecutors are publicly shunned for it. Eun-soo reveals herself to Dong-jae as the escort's abductor and coerces him to frame it to Chang-joon, whom she blames as the culprit behind her father's bribery indictment. Si-mok surmises the identity of the real culprit (WikiPedia 2018).

Episode 9

Sensing a larger corruption scheme surrounding the case, Si-mok assembles a special investigations task force consisting of his prosecutor colleagues, key legal counselors and police detectives, including Yeo-jin. Together, they probe Dong-jae as their starting point. The escort finally wakes up at the hospital (WikiPedia 2018).

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Discussion Essay

As we discussed in class, South Korea is the country where the social class regards as important element. Today, I am going to deal with similar topic by using the concept of ‘power distance’. Power distance is one of the concepts to describe the culture introduced by Geert Hofstede. Power distance index (PDI) measures the extent to which the less powerful members in society accept that power is distributed unequally. In other words, the country which has high power index is more likely to accept the unequal power distribution and tends to perceive the powerful are entitled to privileges (Sama and Papamarcos, 2000). According to the analysis in the Hofstede Insights, South Korea has relatively higher power distance index than other countries. We could find this in Stranger.

As you may already recognized, all cars appear in the drama are made by Hyundai Motors Company. However, the drama intentionally differentiates the model of car based on characters’ social status. Yi Yunbeom (CEO) and Yi Changjun (Chief Public Prosecutor) ride Genesis, the prestigious brand of Hyundai Motors. However, except for those two, everyone rides Hyundai’s typical automobiles, not the Genesis. This shows the common thought of Korean that people with high status should ride the vehicle that could express their social status the most. It is quite natural in South Korea.

In fact, this common thought is highly related to the collectivism in South Korea as well. Sometimes, the car that I should ride is appointed based on the position in company. As a salary man in South Korea, there are companies that provide their workers an automobile. However, in this case, cars that provided to workers are segmented based on the one’s position in company. For example, if I am an assistant manager, I receive a Sonata, the typical Hyundai Motors automobile. However, if I am a senior manager, I receive a Genesis, the prestigious model of Hyundai. Koreans usually shape their self-identity based on group membership. As a member of certain group, it is difficult to ride more luxurious car than my superior. Social position is important like this.

However, Hwang Simok is the character who contradicts with high PDI cultural traits. His boss and boss’s wife invite his special investigation team for a dinner. However, during the dinner, he decided to leave the house which is a huge discourtesy. It is almost impossible to quit the invitation of seniors without a specific reason. Obviously, this is uncomfortable situation to Korean. However, many viewers fall into him and support his behavior. This might be the signal that indicates the dissatisfaction to current hierarchical structure.

There is no definite right or wrong answer in culture. It is quite natural that older generation is familiar with high PDI culture. It is comfortable to them. However, I believe it is time to look back our cultural norms. If majority of people feel uncomfortable with the structure, the political solutions might be required to change our social environment. (Word count: 494)

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Discussion Question

Q1. The power distance is also highly related to the ideal image of leader. The culture where has high PDI considers powerful leadership as an ideal requirement of leader. Therefore, showing group member an authority is important, and many people believe having a luxurious car could be one of showing methods. What do you think of it? Is this could be a way to show a strong leadership?

Q2. Instead of having a prestigious car, what aspects of Korean culture represents high PDI? Do you come up with any aspects?

Q3. In most cases, Koreans do not behave as Hwang Simok does. Between individual belief and social norm, Koreans tend to choose social norm. Do you support his behavior, following personal creed instead of social norm? Why?

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Bibliography

“Country Comparison.” Hofstede Insights. https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/south-korea/ (accessed 10/14/2018).

Sama, L.M. and Papamarcos, S.D. “Hofstede’s I-C Dimension as Predictive of Allocative Behavior: A Meta-Analysis.”, International Journal of Value-Based Management 13, no.2 (2000): 173-188.

"Stranger (TV series)." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_(TV_series) (accessed 10/20/2018).