South Korea: The Price of Efficiency and Success

by John Gonzalez, Young Lee

South Korea's extraordinary economic and technological transformation after the Korean War (1950-1953) is often referred to by observers and historians as the 'Miracle on the Han River". The nation underwent an astonishing makeover from being one one of the poorest countries to become the 12th largest economy in the world and 4th in Asia. South Korea also became one of the most technologically advanced countries in a short span.

As in other capitalist economies and despite South Korea's undeniable success, some people have benefited from the economic and technological attainments, while others have been left out regardless of their effort to overcome the challenges of a playing field that favors the affluent. While other capitalist economies have experienced a similar widening divide between the haves and have-nots, the social inequality in South Korea appears to be exacerbated by cultural and behavior patterns that are deeply rooted in a society that values education, efficiency, hard work, individual and collective sacrifice, youth, beauty, and materialism. Some of the most impacted are low-income people, the elderly, the young, and middle-aged individuals.

The authors look behind the public face of South Korea through personal observations and their cultural lenses, extensive research, and careful analysis, to identify both the factors that contributed to the country's remarkable trajectory and the price that Koreans have had to pay for the nation's astounding accomplishments. The authors blend storytelling with hard evidence to show how the cultural and behavioral attitudes of Koreans contributed to the nation's incredible achievements as well as its current challenges. They share their experiences through storytelling and capture Koreans being themselves without the glamour and glitz of K-Pop, K-Beauty, and K-Drama.



RUNNING TIME ⇒ 11hrs. and 41mins.

©2019 John Gonzalez and Young Lee (P)2020 John Gonzalez and Young Lee

Genres: Nonfiction, History

442 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 2019

About the author

John Gonzalez was born in a small town of 12,000 people in the highlands of Mexico. At age 13, his family immigrated to the U.S., hoping he would forge a solid future for himself. Gonzalez always remembered why his parents decided to leave their home country and the sacrifices they made while uprooting the family. He learned English and French and earned several degrees, including a doctorate in educational leadership from UCLA. After receiving his doctorate, Gonzalez was appointed American Council on Education Fellow. He has worked in academic positions from middle to graduate school in the U.S. He lived in South Korea for five years, where he worked at an American School as a Spanish and English teacher and academic counselor. After completing his assignment, he was offered the position of school principal. While living in Korea, he immersed himself in the culture. He chose to write SOUTH KOREA: The Price of Efficiency and Success to express his gratitude to the Korean people. Gonzalez enjoys traveling, spiritual retreats, and meeting people from all walks of life. In his spare time, he volunteers to teach yoga and meditation in the community.

Reviews

[Carmen Naíde · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read for for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge on South Korea.
Covers topics such as cultural and behavioral patterns, everyday life, the education system, man-made accidents and the polemics behind them, etc.

Giving it a lower score since the author is quite repetitive, it could easily be a 100-page book instead of 400 pages.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A WISHING SHELF BOOK REVIEW
10th January 2021

TITLE: South Korea: The Price of Efficiency and Success
AUTHOR: Dr. John Gonzalez, Young Lee
Star Rating: 5

‘A fascinating insight into South Korean culture, specifically it’s rapid economic development over the last half century. Highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
The last time I was in South Korea was back in 1999. I was working in Japan at the time as an English teacher - although I spent most of my time surfing! Back then, when you needed to renew your Japanese work visa, it was mandatory to fly out of the country for a day - and then fly back. I flew to South Korea as it was the closest, and spent my day in the capital, Seoul. When I was there, I marveled at the mix of shop selling the latest high tech, the many impressive skyscrapers, and the seemingly hundreds of litter-free parks you could sit in and enjoy.
So, having tasted the culture a little, I was very much looking forward to reading this book. And, I must say, I very much enjoyed it. In essence, the book is a study of South Korean economic development over the past half century or so and how that unprecedented growth has affected the country's culture - both negatively and positively. Well written and, from what I can tell, very well researched, this was an eye opener. The two authors look at all aspects of the economy, from construction through transportation, from cars to cosmetics, relating it all to the strong work ethic within the country. I particularly enjoyed the authors’ understanding and analysis of the generation gap within the country and the forcing of traditional values on the younger generation, a problem I also noticed in Japan.
So, to the important bit. Who is it for? Well, students studying economics and/or human geography will find this text helpful in furthering their understanding of strong economic growth within a cultural context. The book is superbly crafted, and the layout has been thoughtfully constructed. I suspect it would make an excellent addition to any college library.

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk

[Margarita Colon-Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found in Dr. John Gonzalez and Young Lee's book insightful information that I did not know about this country. Dr. Gonzalez makes a narrative of his experience in South Korea that I found fascinating, and especially, regarding education and its approach compared to the United States. I observed that one of the characteristics that most caught my attention is the collective social approach of South Korea... which teaches citizens that the common good of the nation is above the individual good.

Another aspect that struck me was the competitive aspect of education and the tremendous pressure to excel in the professions and the support of families for their children, sacrificing time and economy in preparing young college students to succeed, and thus obtain positions in reputable companies. It is surprising how South Korea has surpassed its economy and how all its citizens support its government, showing once again its concept of individual sacrifice for the collective good.

Dr. Gonzalez and Lee show us in their book how South Korea has overcome in a few years what other countries, with the same problem, have not overcome even with more resources than South Korea. Like any society, South Korea has problems, but I believe that it is on the right track to face the challenges of the years to come.
Good book, lots of data, and very current statistics related to the growth of.the
You country. I highly recommend it to gain more knowledge about this nation.

[Anne-Claire Chevallier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered the new things about South Korea and i didn't finish yet the entire book !!!
The development from Mr.Gonzalez about the education in South Korea is very interesting (I currently start 6 months in a korean university). There are many different subject than education, for example little social facts (the long winter coat, now i have the explanation of this trend) !

I really recommend this book !

[James W · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘South Korea: The Price of Efficiency & Success,’ co-authored by John Gonzalez and Young Lee, is a thorough, comprehensive overview of South Korea’s political and cultural development from the Korean War up through today.

For their part, authors’ Gonzalez and Lee look at the country of South Korea from nearly every imaginable angle. The authors leave no stone unturned, providing a historical outline of the nation’s birth, forged in the wake of the Korean war, an analysis of cultural and educational systems, and an in-depth look into the average citizen's everyday modern life.

While the authors offer a myriad of first-hand accounts, they also corroborate much of the information presented with cited sources, charts, and graphs, giving their work an almost ‘textbook-ish’ feel. To that end, while incredibly well-written, ‘South Korea’ is an exhaustively-comprehensive work, one that occasionally borders on redundant and is perhaps best approached as a reference material, flipped through and digested in small chunks.

What is perhaps most fascinating about this work is how it reveals a nation dealing with cultural growing pains (not unlike the U.S.), struggling to find a sense of equilibrium between its rich historical identity and its thirst for technology. In fact, page after page, I found myself identifying with various aspects of the country as a whole, especially their richly diverse music and film industries. Additionally, the authors provide readers with an epilogue of sorts where they outline a series of suggestions, hopes, and desires aimed at the betterment of all Koreans.

With last year’s critically-acclaimed ‘Parasite’ fresh in everyone’s mind, Gonzalez and Lee’s ‘South Korea’ provides an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning more about South Korean culture. If you are planning on traveling to South Korea, I highly recommend this book.

[Priyanka Kedia · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOUTH KOREA: The Price of Efficiency and Success is one of the most accessible pieces of non-fiction work that I have come across in a very long time. John Gonzalez and Young Lee tell you about the socio-economic scenario of the country in a way that is jargon-free, and easy to read and understand.
The book traces Korea's rise as an economic power by placing it in a historical and social context. It talks about the Korean War, the IMF crisis, and the Olympic games that Korea hosted that helped it shed its image from a war-torn country to a country well on its road to development. The book also explores how individual attitudes have played an important role in propelling Korea to these heights. 
The book also examines the cost of this quick economic success and what the people of Korea had to sacrifice for being one of the most developed nations in the world. It specifically focuses on how this success has only benefitted a small percentage of the Korean population and the rest are still forced to suffer. This has consequently led to issues like poor work-life balance, poor school-life balance, increasing suicide rates, and a high number of accidents due to fatigue and cutting corners. 
However, Gonzalez and Lee are hopeful that Korea can tackle these challenges and even provide some suggestions as to how these can be handled. But they also recognize that ultimately this decision rests with the Korean people.
If you are someone who is interested in Korean culture, or like watching Korean dramas and listening to K-pop, this book will be of great interest to you. It will help you learn about the county and its culture without being too difficult to understand.

[Lia Dospetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book, especially as the author never fell into the bias of judgment and instead always tried to keep an observer's look when describing the culture and people of South Korea. What an anthropologist would do, after all.

John Gonzalez visited South Korea in the 90s after some of his friends told him that the country was beautiful and worth the time and money. He was soon immersed in a country filled with contradictions: on the one hand, the lovely colors of nature and amazing technological progress, including "talking elevators" and buttons on restaurant tables to call staff, made it a paradise; on the other, Koreans pay the high price of a culture and an economy that pressures people to be highly efficient 24/7, both in school and at work: sleep deprivation, stress, long wake hours, mental and physical health issues, casualties.

Also, the concept of sacrificing yourself for the benefit of the community is central to the Korean culture, and people are pretty much expected to do it, without being asked. This is seen even in something as simple as wearing a uniform at school, which applies to not only private schools, but even public ones.

However, South Korea is also the first country in the world where men get the most paternity leave and where technological progress effectively improves people's lives.

Like all countries, as new generations replace the old ones, cultural changes promote sustainable progress and new ways for tradition and new discoveries to meet in ways that help people live a good life.

Thanks to John Gonzalez and Young Lee for opening my eyes on this beautiful country!

- Lia Mara Dospetti

[Howryiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish there had been a book like this when I moved to South Korea in 2016. I lived there until 2019 and enjoyed immensely the people, the cuisine, and many other things, but could have used this book to avoid experiencing faux pas. As a native of the USA, I sometimes felt completely in the dark socially with respect to South Korean customs. This book gives me a greater understanding of the South Korean people and the culture. Further, it went into detail about the professional and educational aspirations of South Koreans. Understanding this for me takes on added importance because my reason for being there for 3 years was to work as a school counselor with South Korean high school students wishing to apply to American universities. The detail in this book should also be of great value to the parents of these South Korean students, as it provides detail about how these students who earn their degree in the United States can expect to use it, and not use it, if they return to South Korea to look for work after graduating.

[Lily A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Gonzalez and Young Lee do a remarkable job taking readers through the lives of the Korean people, their technological advancement, and economic development across the last few decades. Initially, South Korea was only known for the Korean War but after the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics, it was catapulted onto the world stage as a very developed nation.
The author and his co-author have written this book based on extensive research, the power of observation, and systematic analysis. The presentation of the statistics of data in this book seems accurate and well done. This is my first time reading this genre and my attention was drawn throughout the reading. It is no doubt to say that the author has delivered a highly successful work. I enjoyed reading how work ethics contribute to a disciplined workforce. There is a lot to learn from this country. The author has delivered a very insightful resource that can be used by readers keen on expanding their knowledge and learning more about South Korea. It is certainly worth the time!

[Kate Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upon reading the title and a brief synopsis of SOUTH KOREA: The Price of Efficiency and Success, I was expecting a deep dive into the history of South Korea and how it has shaped the lives and mindsets of its present society. Instead, I was presented with a convoluted mass of loosely bound information. While I could see what the authors, John Gonzalez and Young Lee, were trying to achieve, it was often confusing to read.

For example in chapter four, Gonzalez begins with recounting his experience working at an “American High School”. However, it took me several minutes to realize that he was referring to a South Korean international school that taught American-style curricular and primarily English speaking lectures.

In part with sometimes construed information, many of the points made by Gonzalez and Lee were unnecessarily repeated a multitude of times. It felt like I was reading an end of term essay with a bit of a broad topic. If the authors took an approach to presenting the information provided in a clear and concise manner, it would make for a more enjoyable read.

[Shoane Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good informational book. A must Read!!!

This book was a very interesting book to read. This book had a lot of informational information in it that I was unaware of and didn't have no clue about. I can honestly say that I enjoyed this book from the beginning to the end, and would highly recommend this book to be purchased and read, especially if you want to know about things that I didn't know about. Through personal observations, research, and careful analysis, the authors are able to look behind the public face of South Korea and identify both the factors that contributed to the total makeover and the price that South Koreans have had to pay and continue to pay to reach some astounding accomplishments. There is a lot of information in this book, and I enjoyed it, and I know as a reader you would enjoy it too. I highly recommend this book you won't be disappointed. Great Book!

[Carlos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gonzalez gives the reader an in-depth look at South Korean society from the vantage point of his years teaching in an international high-school in Seoul. He pays attention to the sky-high pressure on students and parents to maximize any and all avenues for scholastic achievement and the observed after effects of such a push. He then makes a comparison with the similar pressures on private companies to cut costs and the concomitant industrial accidents that become a daily part of life. While he tends to repeat himself, he does manage to convey the trajectory of a country that rebuilt itself anew in the last 70 years and the strains that the strategy it implemented during those years is creating for the current generation.

[Mark Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dr. John Gonzalez provides readers with a detailed record of cultures, customs, finances, and all things restoration after the Korean War. The history book is a great resource for students of South Korean history and culture. But it is not an easy read or recommended for those with just a passing interest of the topic. The language is long and dry – as expected in a history text. And there are no areas that make the book interesting and exciting.

[Dan Bechtold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touring South Korea

There was a lot in this book that I never realized about South Korea - its culture, food, people and history. This seemed to mostly from the perspective of the author and his life in South Korea. If you want to know about South Korea or traveling to South Korea I would highly recommend this book - take the tour and experience all of what South Korea has to offer. I myself now want to visit there more so to see what else it has in store.

[Nicole Harmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review of South Korea by Nicole Harmon

Title: South Korea:
The Price of Efficiency and Success
Authors: Dr John Gonzalez and Young Lee
Publish Date: 2019
Publisher: Independently Published

Book blurb: "The Korean culture is imbued with a competitive environment…The cultural and behavioral patterns which are the determinants of financial success are unity, harmony, sacrifice, consensus building, the pali pali culture, and gap and eul. Overlaying these cultural and behavioral patterns is the pervasive concept of efficiency." Pg 31

Summary:
Observations and experiences, as well as; research regarding South Korea post the Korean War, are the subjects of this book.
The two authors went to work and reside in South Korea. At the American High School, he, Dr. Gonzalez, watched how the students, who were Korean and the people who were Korean, lived. He ate their food, followed their customs, and learned their ways.
Many Disasters of South Korea
Along with Young Lee, he decided to write a book on how the price paid to advance was that efficiency and success sometimes led to dangerous conditions with lagging rules and regulations, as was the case in several disasters that befell the South Korean people. A few examples are the Sewol Ferry accident, where; a school lost a part of the graduating class, alongside the fire at Sejong Hospital fire; claimed lives.
Several more accidents had improper training and, had proper precautions prevailed- no accidents would have occurred. It was a result of industrialization and efficiency.
The Importance of Education
Industrialization was made possible by the Korean emphasis on education as a means of securing your future in the present-day society of Korea post the Korean War conflict.
Parents will go into debt to secure a good education for their children. Some children even attend American High schools to ensure that the students prepare for western education and society. Hagwons and private tutoring are the norms for the students.
The result searched for is a child who can obtain a good wage at a facility within South Korea and manage to support themselves and their families.
Students soak up that unity and harmony will lead to financial success. Students allow the person who is better adept at the job to complete it to get a good grade but, it does backfire on them. By nature, the students apprentice in competitiveness to arise to a higher level guaranteeing a seat on the board of a huge conglomerate company.

Customs of the South Korean People
Eating is a big part of life in South Korea. But even that is done efficiently. Not long ago, some restaurants in the United States started giving their customers beepers or buzzers that beep or buzz when their table or order is ready. In South Korea, which is considered the norm for places you eat. Some of the fast-food restaurants may use them too. The purpose of working efficiently and working knowledgeably also means your food too must not deter you from that goal. Correspondingly eating in South Korea can be an experiment that is a good thing.
But do not be fooled because people in South Korea go out to eat, even for business. Just as in the United States, many business deals happen over dinner -the difference being that your dining experience in South Korea may take up to three hours.
Plus, you will see people on social media going out to dinner and making deals. Social media shows how well someone is doing or how well a business is doing. It highlights new ventures in South Korea and gets the word out. So social media is also a big-ticket item in South Korea.
Students use social media to communicate with each other. The fads you see in South Korea are made or destroyed in social media.
In conclusion, when you put all of those pieces together- you form a picture of South Korea post the Korean War conflict that points to continuous industrialization. It gives credence to a greater economic, technologically advanced society. It has grown into an incredibly competitive group- as indicated by this novel- all to better their social order and survive in it as well.

Analysis
I give this book 4 ½ stars.
It did not make it to five stars because it dragged in spots. I did appreciate the information about South Korea. Likewise, I loved doing some research to learn about incidents like the Sewol Ferry accident, food, and culture.
I loved knowing and reading that the students and parents prize education. Despite successes, however, training for their workers was improper.
I do recommend this read for several reasons and purposes. The first is for a college book in history or current events, particularly for Asian American History classes. The book shows the society post the war conflict- and this is below the 53rd parallel. The war that no one won- could have been disastrous. The people have strived hard to secure their place in the world. The second is for book clubs. Any book club could have a great conversation on social media, how it generates interest and cements a company or idea into the peoples' minds.
And the final is just because you can read it.
I bought this book from Amazon in the verified purchase program and have written this review voluntarily. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

[Andrew Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book gives good information about Korean culture and what is really going on in South Korea. It would be great for those who are interested in working or teaching in South Korea.

[Antony Wairiuko · Rating 5 out of 5]

CASE STUDY ON REBUILDING

South Korea: The Price of Efficiency and Success is a March 2024 edition by Dr. John Gonzalez and Young Lee. The ferry accident-inspired book has 11 chapters: from what transformed the Korean economy through the regional schooling style to the behind-the-scenes.

The preface especially recalls the pre-cursors of the country’s huge technological leap—things that even overshadowed the West—including the large-scale adoption of cellular phones, and the push-for-service systems and guest pagers that streamlined the hospitality industry.

Basically, the post-Korean War economic transformation is the basis for the book, which makes reference to the country’s: trillion-dollar GDP and $35000+ GNI per capita; hundreds of billions of USD in exports; healthy dual economy; work ethic among other virtues derived from traditional values and social norms like self-sacrifice and promptness (pali); competition- and efficiency-inducing measures; deep-rooted philosophical ideals; coexistence of traditions and modernization, including governance and economic systems;

mostly home-grown workforce; innovative, sought-after, productive, competitive, and diversified family-owned conglomerates (chaebols); trendiness; adoption of, and affordable, technologies like dashcam usage, automation (and its impacts) broadband accessibility, fastest Internet, and next-generation networks; integration; infrastructure development; national branding; forex-bringing pop culture; and taking advantage of globalization.

From early childhood development to tertiary institutions, the nation’s efficiency-emphasizing and internationally-recognized (public and private) education system, alongside international schools and international students—despite concerns about the rich-poor gap, educational inflation, adaptation challenges, and overburdened and vulnerable and counterproductive students—is geared towards bettering its amazing 98% literacy rate and uplifting the principled Koreans’ socioeconomic statuses.
Self-sacrificing and demanding parents, respected educators, other specialists (like hagwons), and role models strive hard to actualize it, despite a competitive job sector (with modern workplace challenges) that oftentimes requires supplementary studies.

In its quest for rapid urbanization and efficiency, however, the rebuilding has been blemished by numerous long past and recent incidents and fatal accidents—in the construction and maintenance sectors, and in the transportation modes—resulting from lax construction management policies, disaster management, and safety precautions and violations that call for reforms.

The authors’ take on the socioeconomic and biological aspects—including resurgence of minimalism; positive or negative—of the modern Korea is typical of first world countries.

The authors have lived in Korea and abroad; thus, their outsider and insider perspectives ensure an objective stance.

[Muskan Lamba · Rating 4 out of 5]

'SOUTH KOREA: The Price of Efficiency and Success' is a fascinating read on the South Korean economy, written with thoughtful precision, interesting case studies and detailed insights. Dr. John Gonzalez and co-author Young Lee provide a thorough overview of the South Korean economy as it stands today, sharing development perspectives and historical backgrounds of the country's social, political, educational and cultural systems, and touching upon themes of rural-urban divide, power dynamics within the people, and the role of technology and adaptability in the progress of the country. They dive into interesting concepts of 'unity consciousness' and 'gap and eul' relationships to help the reader understand the mentality of South Koreans and the systems they ought to thrive in, which got me really intrigued as an Economics student. At a time when one may feel curious about the rapidly increasing popularity of Korean culture, this book gives the reader a plethora of concepts, perspectives and case studies to dig deeper upon. One may utilize this piece of literature for comparative analysis with other economics and communities too. The popular references and their impact on societal behaviour really caught my eye, like the resultant surge in the use and sale of cosmetics by the male population due to "male aesthetics" and "beautiful men" being popularized by the dynamic world of K-Pop. Overall, this is a brilliant read for anyone with little to no background knowledge about the country or its economic systems, since it's simply written and very expansive in terms of the topics, language and concepts covered.

[Manik and Sayee |favbookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors of the book take a comprehensive look into South Korea's transformation from a nation ravaged by war to one that has emerged as an economic and technological leader. The emphasis on  efficiency and competitiveness is explored in great detail, along with its influence across Korean society, impacting education, workforce dynamics, public safety measures, and even industrial accidents. With personal anecdotes and cultural observations - coupled with thorough research findings - this publication explores the intricacies involved in South Korea's rapid development process, including its complexities and costs. 

The book takes a balanced and nuanced approach. For example, it acknowledges the contribution of efficiency to South Korea's economic success while also delving into its societal challenges. The book's organized structure makes it easy for readers to understand. Each chapter contains clear subheadings, tables, graphs, and other visual tools that present data effectively. Bullet points and summaries at the end of each section enhance accessibility and readability even more. However, even though the book provides a comprehensive and well-researched analysis of the topic, it occasionally delves into technical details that may be challenging for a general audience.

Overall, "South Korea: The Price of Efficiency and Success" is a well-researched and insightful text that thoroughly explores how cultural values impact economic progress alongside societal well-being. This book caters to a diverse audience, from individuals intrigued by Korean culture and history to those curious about the far-reaching effects of fast economic growth.

[Malcriado · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did South Korea go from one of the poorest countries in Africa and Asia to the 13th in the world?

Two words: competitiveness and efficiency, the cornerstone of Korean society.

This essay explains the what, where and why of South Korea’s impressive GDP expansion, and how it even managed to surpass the one trillion-dollar mark in 2006, highlighting how their cutting edge technology has gone toe to toe with the most advanced tech giants from the western world.

And that’s without mentioning Korea’s successful exportation of its pop culture, including k-pop and k-dramas.

Some cultural factors that have contributed to this growth include the effective use of technology or the rise of the family-owned conglomerates known as chaebols, and the goal-oriented, tenacious and entrepreneurial personality traits abundant in the South Korean population, evidenced by its self-employed percentages. These are all cited as big reasons why South Korea has experienced the success it has.

But the essay also demonstrates the unintended consequences of these cultural traits, such as the high pressure South Korean students have of studying in top tier universities to even be considered for a job at a major corporation, and the lengths their parents are willing to go to ensure their children get these chances, sometimes veering off into illegal waters.

It would’ve been great if the author added more references in text, such as links to the studies or articles mentioned, but these can be easily searched for on your own anyway.

[Ghulam Mustafa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"South Korea: The Price of Efficiency and Success" offers a captivating exploration of how South Korea's cultural norms and traditions have fueled its technological advancements. Written by John Gonzalez and Young Lee, the book delves into the complexities of South Korean society, examining the interplay between efficiency, success, and the costs associated with rapid technological development.

Readers are treated to a thought-provoking journey through the country's history, pop culture, and societal attitudes, providing valuable insights into the underpinnings of South Korea's remarkable achievements. While some sections may feel repetitive, the book's engaging narrative and well-researched content make it an educational and enlightening read for anyone curious about South Korean culture and its global impact.

This book transcends the typical research paper-like narrative, offering readers a rich tapestry of behind-the-scenes stories and in-depth analysis. With its captivating storytelling and division into digestible subheadings, "South Korea: The Price of Efficiency and Success" provides readers with a nuanced understanding of South Korean life and values.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a culture buff, or simply intrigued by South Korea's rise to prominence, this book is sure to satisfy your curiosity and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the country's unique journey.

[Willow Moon Greymoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful reading material!

South Korea - The price of Efficiency and Success, Dr. John Gonzalez and Young Lee paired literary talents created a highly informative book about the cultural, historical, economic, social, and political aspects post-Korea War era to the present day. Post-Korean War was a pivotal time for the nation, and many technological advances were birthed into reality, and the country gained newfound respect and recognition.

The contrast between American and South Korean educational systems was written in great detail via author Dr. John Gonzalez's personal experiences as a teacher in a South Korean international school; he compared his findings and opinions at great length coupled with peer-reviewed research. Numerous facts are divulged with ample research to support the author's conclusion. Gonzalez and Young's opinions are woven throughout the book, giving the book a humanized touch to lighten the heaviness of reading factual information.

One detractor-the book could be edited by several pages; there are numerous occasions where similar information is referenced repeatedly. Also, several prepositional usage errors distracted from the informative presentation of the books' overall tone.

To those considering traveling to South Korea or studying this topic in school or university, this could be great for your endeavors.

[Hiren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the accuracy and attention to detail that the authors showcase while describing the causes of the problems that they discuss. It makes their points more convincing and believable. There is also very little room for improvement in terms of editing.

Being a history book, some knowledge of world history will be helpful (especially that of the 20th century) to understand the context. There are plenty of instances where events have been analyzed in deep detail to read between the lines and connect the dots.

Each chapter ends with a summary of takeaways. The chapters by themselves are woven well together, with a lot of cross-referencing used liberally in the text. While this might encourage the reader to complete the book in one go, it would be better to take time to ponder over the questions that the authors ask at various places.

The book is not meant for light reading or entertainment. It presents serious situations without being too pessimistic. I feel including a map showing each of the main cities being described would help to understand the travel that the authors describe, as well as the experiences that they had in those locations. I would have liked it better if there was more mention of related history belonging to the period before the 20th century.

[A.M. Merrick]

I enjoyed reading this book and learning more about South Korea's amazing successes that were achieved by leaps and bounds after the Korean War. That being said, parts of the book are wordy and repetitive. John Gonzalez and Young Lee do a good job of explaining South Korean society and how it has progressed in the past 70 years. At the same time, Gonzalez uses 10 words where 2 will do.

I enjoyed learning about South Korea's history since the Korean war and how they were able to make amazing leaps with their technology and development. I also like learning about the downsides and costs of such quick development, even as they are seemingly at the top of their game when it comes to new technologies. I liked Gonzalez's use of personal anecdotes from his time living in South Korea to show the cultural differences between the United States and South Korea and how they were able to overcome obstacles to become a leader in today's global economy, but where I felt the book stalled was when he started making social commentary about safety issues in South Korea. Overall a good book and a good read, but it gets a bit wordy in places.

[Payal Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts with the mention of a South Korean tragedy that claimed several lives and goes on to provide an in-depth analysis of the country's strengths and weaknesses. Explored from personal perspective, the author states how South Korea displayed admirable technological progress as early as the 1990s, through investment in mobile devices and other areas, yet due to unclear policies it lagged behind in other departments even in the 21st century. For example, illegal parking still remains a menance in urban areas, largely because the cost of towing the illegal parked vehicle fell on the towing body. Similarly, fire safety regulations were placed on newer constructed buildings, while there was no effort made to make the older buildings fire safe. By focuing on such diverse issues, the author wants the concerned authorities to come up with better roadmap to work towards a more hazard-free South Korea.

[Marina Lujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book tells an interesting story about how South Korea went from a difficult time after the war to becoming a big part of the world economy. What makes this story stand out is that it talks about the important but not always flashy parts of South Korea's success. Despite having certain expectations before delving into its pages, the book greatly exceeded them. The writing is clear, and the research goes deep, making it easy to understand yet really interesting to read. It shows how people can bounce back from tough times and how a country can change itself.

For those curious about how countries grow economically and culturally, "South Korea" is a must-read. It shows how much people can achieve and how countries can change for the better.

[Ivan M · Rating 5 out of 5]

South Korea is a book that shows the potential and resilience of the South Korean people, sharing with the reader different stories and anecdotes, as well as the documented story of this marvellous country. The authors don´t hold back crafting this complete book that explains in detail the mindset and tradition of the population, as well as the political conflicts and rising economy.

Overall, it was a very interesting read. I haven´t been in Asia for the time being but it will be one of my destinations shortly. It's always nice to experience culture by reading about it, and I think it makes the journey even more meaningful and worthwhile.

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

South Korea: The Price of Efficiency and Success by John Gonzalez and Young Lee is a deep dive into South Korea. From its economic and political history, to its culture. However, although the book is highly factual, it’s also personal. The book explores Korean societal values, explaining their Confucian and Daoist origins, and how their views on conformity and efficiency pervade every aspect of their lives. The authors do not do this in a demeaning way though, but simply explain Korean traditions as an alternative to their Western counterparts.

Overall, this book was informative and well-researched. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning Korean culture.

[Danielle Par · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors give in-depth examples of issues effecting South Korea the most of which I found interesting was the cultural differences and similarities. I learned a ton about the life of South Koreans and learned some vocabulary that’s sprinkled throughout the book. The book Really dives deep into the inner country- trade-offs between the US and South Korea which highlights both our goals but our challenges to getting that goal as well.
Overall the book is very informative and the authors prove knowledgeable.

[Bookcritic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about Korean culture and history through the eyes of these two authors. I was particularly interested in the behavior patterns and characteristics of South Koreans.

I thought the author went beyond general topics. For example, they notice that there are a lot of man-made accidents in Korea. Given the data they provided, it seems to be due to a lack of responsibility and greed. Anyway, overall, I found this a useful and pleasant read.