A wise saying: "Comparison is the thief of joy."

This is so true, not just for Korea, but for many countries!! Social media and Instagram have made us think fake things are real. And we desire these fake things. People today don't want to accept that part of being happy is being simple, and enjoying the simple things in life 💜

Basic rule: Don’t spend the money you don’t have .

I always assumed people have terrible debt to live the "normal" lifestyle. I live frugally and still struggle to afford basics.

My Korean wife's father just turned 100 years old. When we visit him on special holidays he still gives me money. He is so humble having come from North Korea during the war but worked very hard all his life and has all my respect.

I’ve noticed this is becoming an issue in a lot of places!! I even feel myself being affected by it where I live in the states. I try to take a step back and remind myself that most people aren’t being completely honest, and I try to be more honest about my life in turn. I’ve been really enjoying your videos lately - this one definitely wasn’t too long 😊

I admire your courage to openly discuss this issue. It's a tragedy that intelligent Korean young people are driven into the ridiculously severe competition.

This superficial thing is really scary, people prefer to care more about what other people thinks, than their own happiness.

Moral of the story: First, If you can't be happy being yourself, you can't be happy pretending to be another person. 2nd Shut down social media!

OMG，I just wanted to say that it’s exactly the same situation in China too. 😂 most people actually struggle in life but they think everybody is living a luxury life because people try so hard to pretend to be rich, happy, successful, fulfilled……on social media. So people think that should be normal. They ended up being so depressed behind the doors and when they step out their house the mask is put on again.

You don't know how much I appreciated your video. I wish more people would listen to what you said. This situation is not only in Korea, but also in my country, and I think in many other countries it is the same. People tend to compare themselves to others, to what they see on social media, but they don't appreciate enough what they have. Having a roof over your head, a job, a decent car is not enough anymore. People are always unhappy because they always want more and this makes them feel inadequate, even though they have everything they need to live happily. My grandparents were poor, but when they talk to me about when they were young, they always tell me that life was better than today, even though they didn't have much. I hope more and more people appreciate what they have and stop comparing themselves to anyone they see on the internet. Cheers from 🇧🇪

You hit it on the spot. So true. That’s why many people prefer moving to the country sides where life is more calm with no pressures. Even the children are more healthy and happy.

I think this isn't just for Korean, this happens due to social media consumption. Those people really should consider using social media wisely. Too much social media makes people feels left out, most people only share nice things on social media. Making others thinks they're being left behind and their life is getting nowhere. I've realized this for a while, tried to limit my social media consumption and focus on myself rather than other's achievement. It's good that we can compare how other's are doing and achieveing in their lives. It helps you stay motivated by seeing other people's achievement. Now I mainly use social media to keep myself sane due to busy and hectic work routines. Watching those funny cats, babies videos, mukbangs during my free time helps me get through my day. :)

That’s the content we need, thank you very much ! Look for happiness inside you, be and do. Don’t look for happiness outside of yourself, on material goods.

Hi Rachel, good topic. I'm Chinese Canadian and have some Korean friends. they moved to Toronto and shared some of the same things.

BRILLIANT video!!😱 for me personally, If I have to weigh the cons in South Africa (my country) VS. the cons in South Korea ... then it is still a MUCH better option for me to live in Korea. Without a doubt. The problems in Korea cannot even begin to compare to everything in South Africa. (I still love my country though) HOWEVER, even if Korea might be a better place to live compared to my country, I still want to watch videos like this!! I still want to be EDUCATED on every aspect to avoid unrealistic expectations and set backs. Too many people are brain-washed by what they see online / social media. Korea has been VERY idolized by society lately... I think speaking about the cons in DETAIL is not only necessary but also super brave!! Thanks for a great, honest, informative and well structured video❤ I hope many more people will watch it

This is the first down-to-earth video about South Korea on KZfaq that I've seen. It is fresh air from other videos highlighting only the good things. I appreciate your candor.

When I first came to Korea I was shocked that everyone that spoke English that I met basically wanted to get a job in a good company, make lots of money, live in a expensive apartment in Seoul and travel all over the world. And the fact it is almost everyone is scary! It makes me sad cuz there is so much more to life than having big fancy experinces. Life is short and and nobody is guaranteed tomorrow! It honestly makes me sad how it seems many people over look the most important things in life and spend most of the days chasing things to impress others or to prove they are good enough based on thier social status, money and how many trips they can go on. :/

This is a general disadvandage of a so calles united society, closed one. It happened in my country too back in the days. Identical to Korea. That is the reason I started feeling like I can truly breath only when I moved from my provincial city to a bigger one in my country, where not many people knew me.

Hey Rachel, great video. Love you're perspective, keep up the great content, algorithm boost coming for sure.

Thank you Rachel for speaking out! Social comparison is real, and happens here in America just as much. I wish it wasn't so but it's reality I have to be aware of, your video really helped me out today. 😅🤓

Pretty good topic. Love it. Pretty informative and it wasn’t long at all.❤👸🏻

Sing it girl!!! SING IT!!! Thank you for this video... hopefully it will open some people's eyes (the ones who actually "get" the message)!!! Love ya!!! Keep doing what you're doing!!! 😁🥰❤😘

Loving the consistent English content. I thought that we had lost you for good.

Thank you so much for this reminder of It's ok. We need to be happy with ourselves no matter what station of life we're in. Young or old, educated or not, high end vacations or taking a walk, being married or single, having kids or no kids. None of these things can truly make us happy. It's what we carry on the inside. It's how well our soul is. Do we operate from a place of gratitude or do we operate from a space of lack according to what someone else says? Love is the greatest gift we can have whether receiving or giving. AND that is where contentment comes out of 🤗💕

It is so great that you shared this. You should be proud to voice this. You explained so well and calmly despite the frustrations this topic brings. 🎉

Thanks for sharing your thoughts I agree with you 🙂. I don't know how is your life going but I wish you good luck 💖

You are wonderful. Thank you for telling the truth. The truth will set many people, especially young people, free....IF they are wise enough to listen. I am over 45 years old and I appreciate your honesty. Don't put yourselves in debt just to impress others. It's better to appear less wealthy but BE well-off then to appear wealthy and be up to your eyeballs in consumer debt!!!😊

I really loved this video Rachel. It's my first time seeing an opinion piece by you. I really like how you know the statistics and how Korean culture judges and places emphasis on achievement. Thank you for putting in the time and effort to make this content. It's nice to know that there are voices like you out there.

Pursuing religiosity or spirituality, rather than materialism would make one happier and contented.

Hey Rachel, nice to see your videos, as always. If it can come as a relief (or a shock) not a lot of people are happy in France either. This is for vastly different reasons, our countries don't have much in common, but this is still not a great place to live in and people are very much struggling here too. I hope your doing well, nonetheless and wish you the best moving forward.

Thanks for being honest. It is hard to be true to yourself and to live your life as YOU want, ignoring others.

This problem is everywhere. Social media shows us a better life than it really is. Everyone wants to show how great their life is. Or the opposite extreme, how terrible their life is. But in both cases, it's important to divide that idea by two or three. Everyone has happy and bad times in their lives. You need to stop and ask yourself: "Do I want to live the same life as my friend/neighbor/colleague/XY? Do I really want that? And if I do, why am I not living that way?" Maybe you'll realize that your life is good (general fact, not directed at you).

Very nice video…finally i I watch a video that speaks out the truth. I also constantly pressure myself to fit in, just to fit in the standards…that is ridiculous but it is such a big issue in our society. I guess in Korea this issue is particularly present…and it is a little sad also for us as younger generations who keep living a more unhappier life just because society and especially on social media unreal things are presented and people constantly compare themselves. So, your video really sets a statement…thank you ;)

Honestly, I started to avoid people and those king of situations. My life becomes a lot better. I started to questions myself what it is good and possible for me. It's a good exercise for all of us to do. Wish good mental health for everybody ❤

So glad we came to US in the early 70s…, in my early 60s still working by choice as a professional I’m not sure if I would have been as successful as I’m in the US if I had lived in SK instead US…, most likely not!!

This is the same here in Michigan, a lot of people look to social media and like it is the true way to live 😢.

Interesting topic, favourite video so far🙂❤

Hi Rachel! You hit the nail on the head! In America this thing you describe is called "Keeping Up With the Jones." It requires too many people to either tell tale tales about how fabulous their lives are or do things that actually harm them financially. Here, it's not good enough that one can buy a house; but one must be able to buy a house that costs at least $500,000. Else, that person (or couple) gets treated as if living in a shack. The constant one-upsmanship goes on across the board-education, car, you name it. Regarding the marriage/child thing. You made an excellent point about the discrepancy between perceived income needed to support childrearing vs. the actual income of average Koreans. The societal difference in America and many other developed countries is important at this point. In America it is expected that, except for the most financially well-off couples, both the husband and wife will work to create the household income needed to support the family during the childrearing years. It seems like the Korean society still expects the wife to quit work completely after a child is born. When you get a chance, check out your fellow American KZfaqr Timothy Ward. You will see many parallels between his body of KZfaq videos and the concerns you raised in this video. Meanwhile do not let these things get you down. You are a wonderful gift to us all!

This applies everywhere. Well said. Thank you!!

Totally support what you're speaking about in this vlog post.

You're 100% correct. Thanks for saying it. I hope your friends tell you how awesome you are! As a foriegner in Korea I'm kinda on the outside anyway. I'm sure my Korean coworkers think I'm strange but I'm just gonna be me, and hopefully more Koreans will start to feel like you do. Enjoy the spring ! I'm loving the weather down in Busan ^^

Rach, my love.. thank you for pointing this social media point out… this is happening everywhere mahn… people comparing their lives with folks on the socials… this is so toxic. Thanks miss, for this video, all your content. Appreciate it. I hope you’re doing well, my love. Take care.

A thoughtful commentary. Appreciate this glimpse into the mindset of your fellow Koreans. Korea is a beautiful country. So much to cherish about life in Korea. I wish that everyone would find fulfillment and joy in life.

Oooh this is so weird! I was actually thinking about some of the things you said today and suddenly this video popped up! Loved the honest talk ♡

30 seconds into your channel and I’m ready to hear the rest. You’ve answered many a personal question on why thousands of us are unhappy with our lives or the way things are. Real happiness and joy if I may add to that comes from within! I believe it’s a matter of choice on whether to be happy or sad. Our circumstances are never gonna change unless we decide that no matter what happens around us or however our environment tries to dictate to us the best way around it, at the end of the day it’s really up to you… you are your own happiness! Hullo y’all, wishing you great and happiest of days ahead of y’all no matter what.

Oh My God. This was so good!

I really really appreciated your honest description of Korean life. Thank you soooo much! 정말 감동 받았군요!

I’m still excited to move to Seoul in June😂

Rachel I'm so glad you're back with the English version I left your Channel when you started speaking just in Korean it was hard to follow along but I love your Channel I love your content keep it real

This must be really stressful. I am glad you shared this information.

396 videos you have. This is the Only one I've seen, but you are so thought-provoking! I instantly fantasize about a discussion with you. ❤

thanks, very informative, i love this topic

The Last couple of sentences,,really appreciate it

Life is so much better when we accept, "This is the best I can do at this moment and I am happy with it. I can try to do more or earn more in the future"

Thank you for your information 😊

Wise words. Thank you!❤

It must be really tough having to catch up with the Jones's. It seems that basing on how you explained it... that is how life is in Korea. I am from the Philippines and thanks for this video because it made me realised that our way of living in the Philippines is not so bad after all. We find happiness in everything we do despite not having the best of everything. Because we have accepted that it is normal to have an ordinary life.

😀😀😀😀Always Stay Happy Rachel...Much Love to you..

Preach the truth. Thanks for this video.

You are very well spoken, this is a worldwide problem, but yes agreed it must be really difficult living and being judged all the time, thanks Rachel.😊

Rachel, thanks for this. I often thought a lot of people in Seoul had to be very successful business owners or own lots of investment real estate to have the money to buy so much designer clothing/bags and take expensive trips and live the high life that so many people seem to be doing. I'd be sad to think that people are doing this mostly on credit cards, because credit cards have to be paid, and with an expensive premium interest rate! I have always tried to live below my means so that I'll have something built up for retirement, so I haven't spent like many of my friends spend their money, which has made me feel left out sometimes. But I'd rather not have any debt.

Good message ❤

Many Koreans parents overcome the struggle of living in Korea by splitting. The father remains in Korea to work while the mother and the children stay in other countries in SE Asia i.e Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. The mother becomes KZfaqr and teaches the children Korean. Meanwhile the children are send to international school. As a result the children are fluent both in English and Korean. The mother and children live in a big, comfortable house. Occasionally the father will return to SE Asia to see his family. So this Korean family finally solves their unhappiness living in Korea.

As an American I would like to one day visit Korea to experience the culture but live there I know I couldn’t.

I totally appreciate and agree to this video. Everything she said was soo true. You don't have to comply to the standard set by the society just to fit in. Don't let the society dictates you what you should and should not have. Everyone has their own timeline so don't get pressure of achieving things that other people already have. And please stop comparing yourself to others. Live your life the way you want it to because it is your life anyway. You choose your happiness, and always choose to be happy. Enjoy and cherish every moment of your life because life is so beautiful. God Bless us all.

Sweet and needed These standards are cruel, They keep people from finding solutions collectively Enjoy Life & Good luck everyone!

Well done on this video!! I guess this sort of crazy societal competition is quite the norm in developed countries... And it is sad and a waste of happiness...

I enjoyed your video because you have discovered the true meaning of happiness and when you stop living by others standards, expectations, and goals and live for yourself, not needing to be liked, popular, or an influencer spend time by yourself this is how you find what makes you happy. Everyone is trapped in the virtual reality that is not real and wants to push it off on others. Koreans standards are way to high and everyone will not measure up in beauty, fashion, wealth, success, and accomplishments but when you can be happy with yourself others will be happy with you and if someone doesn't want to be around you because you are not living by the standards they want you to live by remove them or distance yourself from them. I'm a new subbie!

racheeeeeel...... i love youuuuuu

This is great 👍 great opinion. That’s the reason I don’t do social media. I don’t even look at it

I agree that you can make your own happiness regardless of your situation. The beauty standards don’t help. It’s a lot pressure and if you don’t fall into that category it can cause depression. Every one is beautiful.

Greetings Rachel, Thank you for good video. "Truth" is obviously important to you. Honesty, is part of "Truth". You also 'recognize', the state of the world. The world 🌏 would be a better place with more Rachels. 🙏

The Joseon era is over but people still live in it.We are feeling it also ,we are going back to the 1930s

It’s like that everywhere! You don’t have to be in first place to be happy,even in love,you don’t have to be rich,you don’t have to have everything you desire,because everything only has a value from how much time and love you put into it. The most scars thing to have is true love,people these days love for the wrong reason,giving it no value..I wish morals and true loyalty were still the things we had to fall truly in love,giving it true value and everything around it value and meanig. 🙏🏻💐🌹💝

The solution is simple. Live below the means and cut down on unnecessary expenses. It is ok with average look. No need for plastic surgery. Avoid super brand names like LV, Fendi, etc. I have nothing against them but if you are NOT well off then it is better to NOT buy those super expensive brand name items that you can live without.

Hello Rachel I hope you're well 😊

Hi Rachel, good evening. I think certain universities have a reputation of being top universities. I know it's true in America, Yale Harvard Princeton etc. So it seems to be the norm. I hope you have a beautiful evening take care and God bless you Rachel.😊 🙏

Comparison is never good. If you compare upwards it leads to depression if you compare downward it leads to pride. Contentment with what you have is the secret to happiness.

What you said in your video was so true. I met a Korean lady in the gym, and she managed to talk about how rich she was and had a lot of properties. When her friend once told me that she is a babysitter in her daughter's house, and had lived in the USA and Europe, but could not speak English and German, all her stories were just a total lie. So, your video tells me about the brutal honesty of Korean people's lives as we can see it in other countries in Asia also. Thank you for your honest opinion.

These social norms she mentioned also happens in other country.. However it is more heavy to Korea because of how other countries sees them about being fancy about being fun and carefree because that is what they saw thru social media and these ideas from the people outside South Korea gives pressure to the young ones ... that causes them to question themselves. Truth is some of the locals in South Korea is not receiving much attention specially when it comes to jobs and financial problems. That's why I always tell my friends that they're lucky they don't live in South korea because the pressure there is much bigger. :)

So many Koreans making Philippines their home and this has been a rising trend even pre-pandemic. What's really interesting is many families prefer to settle in island provinces instead of the big cities of Metro manila.

Really agree with you.

How eloquently you spoke and expressed some important ongoing issues. Sadly I see the same pattern followed by other Asian countries where people take too much of heed on what and how their societies will view them and their achievements. Constant comparisons and fear of being criticised due to failure make me not open up to my parents and other family members about my issues. I was fired from my work about 3 months ago and I still have not informed anyone in my family.

Seeing this on my feed after another idol passed away... 😢

I absolutely love living in Korea, so much! But you are right... most people are unhappy because of the reasons you mentioned.

My students all seem very happy, at least in my classes!

Good advice

Interesting video. I didn't realised the number of professional job entrants was so low.

Hi there! It does really make sense! i reckon that's many Koreans come and live here in our country!

Rachel, thank you, thank you, thank you. I've been commenting on KZfaq and stating the same exact things you're stating in your video. There are way too many young Koreans making videos of themselves shoving soju and food down their mouths. They tend to not talk about the true reasons why Koreans are unhappy and how sociality could change that.

Things happen not just in Korea even in the other part of this world.

Good observation and wise advice.. hope Koreans are more prosperous.

This is the reality of living anywhere in the age of social media. Nothing is real and everybody is miserable. Ironically the only comforting fact is that we all die eventually.

I like your discussion revealing the truth of life that we have to accept it. Do not fantasy a lot

so true nice video

I think it is a great topic to talk about. I have been watching South Korean dramas for a long time and have always wondered why people cared so much about what other people thought about them. Of course these are just fictional shows and and often quite overdramatic. But still it did make me think further about what life must be like for the ordinary person. In any event, I think your video should also have a Korean version😊 And lastly, if one person is not happy with living just an ordinary life, I don't see why having a big bag of money would change anything...but well that is my view 😃

EXCELENT❤. So many people are desperate to stay in the denial bubble. Willing to subject themselves to disguised fascism, rabid forced hierarchy, beautiful to so called “ugly”, age labels - elder to child, grade hierarchy, university education to self educated, boss to employee, MAN to WOMAN, and the list goes on and on in S Korea. All of it forced hierarchy. To value a person’s small face and fair skin is absolutely shocking to most Americans. To have characters, in your shows, mention any part of the physical features as a “good” or “bad” thing, about that person, says everything about what society is willing to tolerate. It is unthinkable in US media culture… except the insanity of the fascist Donald Trump. It shows just how chained up everyone is. Of course there is misery under such conditions. S Korea is trying to live in a democracy while denying that it is still a fascist society. Forced hierarchy is a fascist tactic based in uncontrolled fear. It is ALL fear driven. Fear of ME NOT surviving… or fear of me losing what I have… which leads to lies, greed, brutality, domination, and destruction. Then there is “Faith in OUR survival”... or faith in us all having what we need… that leads to fairness, sincere democracy, law and order, security, acceptance, innovation, growing families, happy families, and all things good. Think about those two survival choices? Which one will better guarantee you a happy fulfilled life? What I see is a loss of the soul. Everything centers around the value of the “physical” forgetting that the physical is only temporary. When your soul, inevitably, moves on from this physical form… what value does your hand bag collection have? What value does your multi billion dollar bank account have? What value does your real estate monopoly have? What value does your power over others have when you have passed on? None. At some point your soul lands in your body and you are born. You are given the gift, or opportunity, to expand your soul’s understanding… within THIS LIFE that was GIFTED TO YOU… and then that time ends. Humanity has eons of proof that we exist after our body dies. YOUR LIFE WAS GIFTED TO Y O U! Not your parents. Not your boss. Not your husband or your wife. Not your kids (except your responsibility to help them love and value themselves, and others, in a healthy way) Your life was GIFTED TO YOU! Your soul is the most precious aspect of you. There are beautiful people, and we appreciate their physical beauty but if their soul is warped and destructive then we no longer value that physical beauty. I can list a thousand actors whose features do not fit symmetrical beauty but their loving soul makes them stunningly beautiful. To force everyone into a hierarchy based on their physical beauty has a motive based in someone else’s uncontrolled fear. Ugly actions that come from fear. Yes… that bully compares himself to his victim. We are told he has picked someone weaker… WRONG… he goes after those that are spiritually stronger than himself. Stronger and more forgiving. He knows they are and his self hatred propels him to action. It is very obvious once you look closely and very sad to see. Great job being the child in the Hans Christian Andersen’s story… “The Emperor’s New Cloths” and saying out loud what many of us think. That pivotal moment when the child says…”but he isn’t wearing any clothes” and the denial bubble of fear bursts to free everyone. It takes an immense amount of courage to see that what we spend so much time and energy valuing is nothing more than smoke and mirrors. I hope for a far more courageous future for us all. ❤

That's why many korean's are migrate in the other country like here in Philippines their living here because they say living here in my country is cheaper than korea like renting a house or an apartment buying basic necessity and studying is very cheap

Penguins & Polar bears should fear with Rachel's cuteness 😍 💖