Progressive in Korea?

Courtesy of Ahmad

By David A. Tizzard

Last week, Dong Sun-hwa explored the idea of the pop group BTS serving as a "model of diversity and inclusion." And Ms. Dong, citing cultural studies professor Dr. Lee Gyu-tag, is correct. The South Korean idols have undoubtedly positively influenced the lives of millions of people around the world.

Their message of acceptance and self-love has been one that has resonated with countless fans, particularly Generation Z, helping provide desperately needed vibes in a world that often feels unaccepting and unforgiving.

This week I spent a lot of time with a Korean-born Swedish psychologist. She spoke passionately and repeatedly about how much BTS has meant to her in terms of identity and acceptance. Often shunned in her new Scandinavian home, and finding little in the way of representation in the global media, the arrival and subsequent international success of the boy group filled her with confidence.

More so than any other elements of Korea's soft power phenomenon or economic rise, BTS had finally helped her feel cool.

This is an emotion that has been echoed by many around the world once again with the group's visit to the White House to address social and cultural issues in the United States. Proof, if ever it were needed, that BTS have transcended their home country and are now seen as ambassadors for progressiveness in the United States and a voice for youth around the world.

Their management, along with their fans, have publicly backed the Black Lives Matter movement and their latest visit to the capital was to address the importance of Anti-Asian Hate. While we didn't hear much of what took place between President Biden and the group, the group's management released a tweet declaring, "We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence."

Me too, to be fair. And I hope the same can be said for however few people read this. Of course what constitutes a progressive worldview is relative to both time and place. Yet I think most of us will agree that people deserve to be treated equally and with respect irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

This is not even a particularly progressive view anymore, I don't think. It should, one would hope, be a basic principle that serves as the foundation of a society. So while those at various degrees of the political spectrum argue about economic policy, trade, foreign relations, immigration, domestic law, and the price of bread, they should at least agree that people should not be discriminated against based on physical characteristics or identity.

In theory, at least. Or perhaps in English. In the White House. But does the same still apply in Korea? In Korean?

The bar to being labeled progressive in Korea by domestic and international press is a fairly easy one to pass.

For example, the previous Korean president, who carried himself with dignity and proudly represented his nation during some very difficult and trying times, was heralded by the media as a progressive human rights lawyer. And yet during his time in office he rarely, if at all, spoke up explicitly in support or defense of oppressed minorities in South Korea, particularly the LGBTQ community.

It is of course slightly unfair of me to single-out the previous president because he was certainly not alone in not using his position to champion the rights of those left to struggle with neither legal protection nor social acceptance.

There are also a great many political realities that must be understood. When you assume such an important office, you carry with you the responsibility of not only the current 50-million plus citizens but also the long history, culture, and tradition of the nation. In that sense, the president should be respected for his place in the proud story of the Korean people.

But back to the idea of being progressive which, again, differs according to time and place. A progressive view in Korea today might be seen as a relatively garden-view of society in western Europe.

Take, for example, gay marriage. Or abortion. Even feminism. Most reasonable conservative governments in Western Europe would have little trouble accepting elements of these ideas to various degrees. Leftist governments and parties would hold even stronger positions on them. But in Korea (in Korean), you won't find many public figures speaking out on gay marriage. Certainly not celebrities.

Abortion and feminism also remain taboo subjects in public discourse. There are specific historical and cultural reasons for this which must be respected and understood. The story is more complex than a simple right vs wrong dichotomy.

I'm also not suggesting that Korea should be like Western Europe. Korea should be its own country and create itself according to its own culture, traditions, and people.

The point I am suggesting, however, is that to support Black Lives Matter in the United States, to support Ukraine in their struggle for independence, and to respect the idea that people can marry the one they love in Western Europe is not particularly progressive. It's just the norm. It's the status quo. Doing so gives you clout and good public standing. Progressive means something more. Or at least it should.

To be progressive is to support that which is new, not yet accepted but a stance which you hope will become commonplace. It is to give a voice to those who are not yet heard. It's not just about culture wars but a deeper and more wide-ranging view that can manifest in discussions about the economy, mental health, international relations, the hard sciences, or fashion.

To take a stance against the majority view and, more importantly, to do so even though it might result in you being somewhat ostracized or losing cultural capital and standing.

To be progressive is to support reform and movements from which you don't benefit directly but nevertheless believe should be acknowledged because of certain fundamental principles.

So what does it mean to be progressive in Korea in Korean today? And, despite what the grand narrative suggests, who is actually doing that?

Dr. David A. Tizzard (datizzard@swu.ac.kr) has a Ph.D. in Korean Studies and lectures at Seoul Women's University and Hanyang University. He is a social/cultural commentator and musician who has lived in Korea for nearly two decades. He is also the host of the Korea Deconstructed podcast, which can be found online. The views expressed in the article are the author's own and do not reflect the editorial direction of The Korea Times.