PSY’s ‘Gentleman’ MV: A highlight reel of Korean Male Misogyny

In Korea, we live by a powerful creed; Woori ( Us/We )

A symbolic anthem that has allowed a geographically small nation to triumph in the harshest of historical conditions. A pride, marked by the deep recognition that as one, we are invincible. But apart, vulnerable.

Yet, as we push beyond the expectations of our global neighbors, we seem to have forgotten this everlasting creed that has guided us to this peak.

We have forgotten that this hymn represents All Koreans, because the current state of affairs for over 50% of our population in no way represents the unified spirit that has made Korea so special.

Korea is failing half of its nation. Suppressing half of its people. And systematically discriminating against the very majority that makes up its country.

Korean Women.

Simply stated, the women of Korea do not live in an equal opportunity, fair, and ‘Woori’ based nation, and there is one group that has played a distinct role in developing and maintaining the current uneven playing field for women in Korea.

Korean Men.

JYP: A Misogynistic Korean Ahjussi (Old Man)

The Brutal Stats of Misogyny

There is little argument over the fact that women in Korea do not observe the same opportunities and career advancement options as their male peers.

According to the Global Gender Gap Report produced by the World Economic Forum, an index that measures gender equality, Korea ranked 116 out of 145 countries. ( Below Liberia, the Maldives, and just above Zambia.. )

Further, of OECD Countries, Korean women faced the highest gender wage gap in the world, making nearly 40% less than their male counterparts.

The top 3 conglomerates ( Samsung, Hyundai & LG ) do not have a single female on their board, and a measly 2.6% of CEOs of Korean corporations are women.

For a country that is 50.3% female, the above figures highlight a disproportionate advantage for a gender that is in no way more apt to succeed than women. Especially when the number of women now outnumber men in terms of University entrance by 7%.

How is it then, that an educated workforce receives 40% less than their equivalent peers, and silenced when it comes to high level decision making in the nation’s most prominent corporations?

While various reasons abound, we can not deny, that there is a systematic suppression of women, and this institutionalized discrimination is led mainly by one group: Korean men.

Korean women certainly did not develop this ecosystem of disadvantage.