cultural observation - Korea in Depth

05 – A Society That Moves Quickly but Does Not Rush Emotion

2026-01-182025-12-21 by Sampajano

Sunset view of Seoul with a tall glass skyscraper rising above the city, surrounded by dense buildings, a river, and evening light.

In Korea’s fast-moving cities, emotional restraint often accompanies efficiency, not indifference. This essay traces how speed and feeling have learned to coexist through carefully maintained distance.

04 – Between Rudeness and Kindness: The Lubrication of Words and the Shape of Silence

2026-01-182025-12-15 by Sampajano

Red blossoms on bare branches in the foreground, with a traditional Korean temple roof softly blurred in the background.

What reads as coldness at first glance may follow a different logic altogether.
In Korea’s cities, distance often moves in step with pace.