Here’s the comparison of South Korea to Germany based on Hofstede Insights. Using Hofstede 6D model, I analyzed my home culture which is South Korea and Germany, where I studied and worked for a year and a half. I agree with the Hofstede Insights result of Korean culture in general, and I elaborated my point. I also explained what is common in Korea, and shared my experience.
Power Distance
At an intermediate score of 60, South Korea is a slightly hierarchical society, and I agree to this. Korean people accept a hierarchical order based on age and rank. In Korea, even when you’re one year younger than other people, then you need to speak formally to that person. We bow to older people, and pay respect to them. This hierarchical order is strengthened when Korean men serve in the military. Also, in the company, the CEO or boss can speak casual to you, but you must speak formal to them.
Compared to Korea, Germany is not surprisingly among the lower power distant countries (score 35). I think it’s due to the fact that in the past, Germany has a history of having an autocratic leader. This led to the society to always watch out for having too strong hierarchical order, and made the society highly decentralized and dislike control.
Individualism
South Korea, with a score of 18 is considered a collectivist society, and I agree to this. There is a long-term commitment to the member ‘group’. Koreans like to mingle within the group, and don’t like when someone stand out in the group. Due to the high university entrance fee and housing cost in Seoul, parents may pay for the fees and let the children live with them even after they are 20 or 30, and therefore it takes longer time for a Korean in 20s to be independent economically compared to Europe. Nowadays, there are more and more Koreans live alone, which is the symptom of young people getting tired of all the group culture. Still, people put greater value to “We”.
Compared to Korea, German society is a truly Individualist one (67). There are many young people who are independent after age 20. I was surprised to see a German friend of mine. She was brought up in a rich family, but she was a babysitter in two countries to earn money by herself. Communication is among the most direct the world following the ideal to be “honest, even if it hurts”. Sometimes, I’m surprised that German people say things directly, but it helps me a lot.
Masculinity
South Korea scores 39 on this dimension and is thus considered a Feminine society, and I don’t agree to this. Korean society is driven by competition, achievement and success, with success being defined by the winner / best in the field. Starting from school, students face competition to get into the top universities. Then the students strive to find the best job in the market, and get promotion. Koreans also enjoy watching competition, survival game theme TV shows.
Compared to Korea, Germany is considered a Masculine society with a score of 66. I worked in a German company, and I observed that my boss is very decisive and assertive. I was surprised by the part — Performance is highly valued and early required as the school system separates children into different types of schools at the age of ten. I never connected the German school system to performance.
Uncertainty Avoidance
At 85 South Korea is one of the most uncertainty avoiding countries in the world, and I agree to this. Korea maintains rigid codes of belief and behaviour and are intolerant of unorthodox behaviour and ideas. People put great importance on behaving based on common sense, and don’t understand LGBT for example. You will observe that people dress clean and similar to each other. In Korea there is an emotional need for rules, and that’s why in Covid19, Korea successfully reduced the rate of the cases by sticking to the rules. Time is money, people have an inner urge to be busy and work hard. Korea is famous for “Ppali, Ppali”, meaning faster, faster. Security is an important element in individual motivation, and that’s why many young people long for working for the government.
Like Korea, Germany is among the uncertainty avoidant countries (65). Details are equally important to create the certainty that a certain topic or project is well-thought-out. I realised this while working for the German company. The product designer of the company made sure that details are all taken care of. When it’s not perfect, he would rather not show it in the market.
Long term orientation
At 100, South Korea scores as one of the most pragmatic, long-term oriented societies, and I agree to this. Born in Korea, people naturally always talk about getting a stable job. This leads to even very young Korean people starting to save their money, and invest in stocks or cryptocurrencies. I think Korean corporates having “Chaebol” tradition also leads companies to invest in future burgeoning industries.
Like Korea, Germany’s high score of 83 indicates that it is a pragmatic country. They show an ability to adapt traditions easily to changed conditions, a strong propensity to save and invest, thriftiness, and perseverance in achieving results. This is true. I observed that many Germans like to save money, and lead a very thrifty life.
Indulgence
With a low score of 29, South Korean society is shown to be one of Restraint, and I agree to this. Koreans do not put much emphasis on leisure time and control the gratification of their desires. For example, Koreans barely take a vacation in their first few years of work. They think if they take vacation, other people might have to fill in their work, which causes burden for other people.
Koreans have the perception that their actions are restrained by social norms and feel that indulging themselves is somewhat wrong. This is the reason why Korean night culture is all hidden inside the building. However, this is changing due to MZ generation, pushing the idea of YOLO (You only live once)
Like Korea, German culture is Restrained in nature. Germans are rather reserved and don’t show smiles that much. I also see that German humour has cynicism and pessimism. In Berlin, I see that Germans working in art industry are more indulgent, especially the younger generation.