Influential Korean

       A Little Seoul-Searching (as published in The Kathmandu Post)

On one of my sleepless nights, I was rescued by the country’s beloved radio station. The show played Korean songs one after another. Only a very few words sounded familiar to me, but I blissed out on the enthralling music. I had a good night’s sleep. That radio show provides a deeper meaning than simply giving evidence that Korean trends have become an influential part of the country’s interest.  

Lately, the number of Facebook users has increased by leaps and bounds, but Korean look-alikes are no less in sight. Most Kathmandu teens are flabbergasted. They walk, talk, eat, smell, hear and wear Korean. You will encounter the smallest of accessories to bigger appliances tagged with Korea almost everywhere at nearby shops. Their attire, hairstyles and fashion are being adopted. Kimbap, kimchi and soju are competing with our long-time favourites momos and dal-bhat. Sold-out movie and drama shows are another major evidence. Slowly but surely, these changes will spread in the coming years.

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. Like the 35th president of the US John F Kennedy has said, a country can flourish and develop only when its citizens make efforts towards developing it. Korea was one of the poorest countries during the time of the Korean War in the early 1950s. Now it stands proudly as one of the wealthiest countries in the world. After the partition of Korea, South Korea has developed economically. Today, South Korea represents Asia as it is one of its developed countries. Koreans must have strived hard for development which has helped it to rebuild and grow during the six decades since then.

Nepal and Korea share a few distinctive similarities. Both are rich in culture and traditions. Korea is also an agricultural country, and has diverse natural resources. Additionally, Nepal has the advantage of being rich in water resources. It is home to the highest peaks in the world, it is a holy land containing the Buddha’s birthplace and Pashupatinath, and it is filled with historical monuments. That is Nepal, a bountiful land. But what can be the reason for its lagging behind?

Youths have to move out of the country in search of better paying jobs in foreign countries as Nepal either doesn’t provide sufficient jobs or they are low-paid. Poverty, illiteracy, corruption, strikes and political instability overrule the advantages which Nepal owns. Everyday starts with guaranteed bad news. A rise in the price of fuel triggers price hikes in all other household  materials. So the people of Nepal have to think about what can be learnt from Korea and its people besides being awed by its entertainment and fashion only. There is still hope left for development in Nepal. It is high time the government and we thought about ways to develop our country.

Printed on: 2011-08-24

                        Wednesday

P.S. : This article got published in Nepal's English Medium Newspaper, 'The Kathmandu Post'  titled as  'A Little Seoul-Searching'.  I was way too happy when I see my name there!