DistantNews
Support us
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

It's time to wake up from the 'kkondae fantasy'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Sources not specified Context piece
  • The article criticizes South Korean politicians for intervening in cultural matters, likening their approach to outdated "꼰대" (kkondae) or condescending elder thinking.
  • It argues that politicians misunderstand how popular culture, like K-pop, functions by focusing on political interpretations rather than aesthetic value and audience engagement.
  • The author suggests that politicians should respect the autonomy of cultural spaces and focus on their legislative duties rather than attempting to control or dictate cultural trends.

South Korean politicians are criticized for their condescending and out-of-touch approach to popular culture, a phenomenon the article terms a "kkondae fantasy." This refers to an outdated mindset where elders or those in authority believe they can dictate cultural trends and values based on historical narratives or perceived social obligations.

The political intervention in the cultural sphere is a typical example of 'clumsy intrusion' that completely fails to understand the basic grammar of how popular culture works.

— Hong Won-sikProfessor at Dongduk Women's University's ARETE College of General Education, critiquing politicians' engagement with culture.

The article argues that politicians often fail to grasp the fundamental mechanics of how contemporary culture operates. Using the recent controversy surrounding idol group Le Sserafim's use of dialect as an example, the author points out that politicians interpreted the situation through a narrow political lens, ignoring the aesthetic context and the way younger generations engage with and adapt cultural elements. This "clumsy intrusion" into the cultural sphere, the piece suggests, alienates artists and fans while yielding no political benefit for the politicians themselves.

A core misconception highlighted is the belief that historical legitimacy or a sense of "necessity" will automatically win public approval. The article contrasts this with the true power of culture, which lies in its "relative autonomy" and "aesthetic value." When cultural messages are delivered in a didactic or unappealing manner, the public disengages. Genuine cultural influence stems from sophisticated artistic execution and emotional resonance, allowing audiences to connect organically.

The most persistent misconception politicians make is the arrogance that the public will follow if they just emphasize history and necessity.

— Hong Won-sikExplaining the disconnect between political expectations and public reception of culture.

The author contends that politicians repeatedly disrupt this delicate ecosystem with their heavy-handed interventions. This expectation that culture should bend to political will is dismissed as a "kkondae fantasy," reminiscent of old dramas where authoritarian figures easily reshape society. The piece reminds readers that history, particularly South Korea's past authoritarian regimes, has shown that attempts to control public thought and culture through rigid political dogma often breed strong, intelligent resistance.

The real secret to how culture moves people lies in 'relative autonomy' and 'aesthetic value,' a step away from politics.

— Hong Won-sikHighlighting the key elements that make cultural content resonant.

Ultimately, the article urges self-proclaimed progressive figures, particularly those in their 50s, to abandon this outdated perspective. Instead of questioning the youth's "historical consciousness" or "social awareness," politicians should learn to respect the autonomy of cultural expression. True influence in the cultural sphere, the author concludes, comes not from forceful intervention but from a "delicate support" that protects cultural autonomy and establishes institutional safeguards against discrimination, rather than from performative political gestures.

Politicians should learn to step back and respect their autonomy, rather than pretending to know and approaching them forcefully.

— Hong Won-sikAdvising politicians on how to engage with the cultural sphere.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog