Unspoken Korea with V01D Kevin Ep.4

追加: 2026-05-19

[00:00:29]Hi, Cruncher. ers. I'm YJ Chihi and this is Culture Crunch. When astronauts look down at Earth from space, they experience a big shift in perception known as the overview effect. The moment they gaze at the blue Earth from far away, the everyday worries that once weighed them down suddenly seem so small and insignificant.

[00:01:07]If the worries right in front of you are weighing heavily on your mind, maybe today is a good day to rise above them all and look at your everyday lives from a little further away. Let's kick things off with our first song. Here is Ding by Chongu.

[00:01:35]Shen shore.

[00:02:00]All the aer I All the A Heat.

[00:02:41]Heat.

[00:02:51]Heat. Heat.

[00:03:02]Heat. Heat.

[00:03:23]is the Young and all the ag.

[00:03:58]The A Heat. Heat.

[00:04:53]for you.

[00:05:13]Oh go You all I need to be there King.

[00:06:49]A deep dive match where we unpack Korean culture, the familiar yet hard to explain stories. This is Unspoken Korea and today we're joined by Kevin from the band Void. Hello Kevin. How have you been?

[00:07:05]>> Hi Shei. Hi everyone. I've been good.

[00:07:08]>> Yeah.

[00:07:08]>> Yeah. Just busy preparing for upcoming concerts. I'm very excited for that.

[00:07:14]>> It's in on the 17th, right?

[00:07:17]>> Yes.

[00:07:18]>> Oh my gosh.

[00:07:18]>> So very busy but very exciting.

[00:07:21]>> Yeah. You must have been really busy preparing whatnot. No sleep.

[00:07:26]>> No sleep. Oh, no. Get some sleep tonight. Okay.

[00:07:30]>> Tonight. Tonight's the night.

[00:07:32]>> Tonight's the night. Okay. Well, I have a question for you, Kevin. How long now have you been in Korea? For a little over a year, is it?

[00:07:39]>> Yeah. So, it's like Right.

[00:07:43]I came in April of last year.

[00:07:45]>> Okay.

[00:07:45]>> But I also went back >> to the States in July for like a month.

[00:07:50]>> Okay.

[00:07:50]>> So, it's basically been like exactly one year that I've been in living in Korea.

[00:07:54]Ah, >> all right. Just a year. Well, then if when you were back at home in your hometown, did you live with your parents?

[00:08:04]>> Yes. Yeah. I did. Yeah. Well, until and then when I went to school, when I went to college, then I lived on campus for >> Okay.

[00:08:11]>> 4 years. But other than that, >> other than that, before going to college, you were with your parents.

[00:08:16]Yeah. So, in the US, I think it's pretty common for people to become fully independent from their parents after graduating from high school, like going to college. They usually go independent, right?

[00:08:26]>> Yeah. I think in America, it's like basically once you're 18, >> it's like get out of the house.

[00:08:33]>> Oh, okay.

[00:08:33]>> Yeah. And usually after college, cuz like most people in America, >> like they they live on campus or like they dorm or like find like housing.

[00:08:44]>> Mhm. And after they graduate, usually it's you find your you're kind of like on your own now.

[00:08:51]>> Okay.

[00:08:51]>> Yeah. You're out the nest >> into the real world. Yeah.

[00:08:56]>> Would your parents support you in any way?

[00:08:59]>> Uh usually Well, I think it's like I'm sure it's different for everyone, but in general, I think it's like >> you make your own living and >> Okay.

[00:09:10]>> Yeah. Yeah. That's kind of the culture and like expectation. Okay.

[00:09:14]>> It's like kind of the norm.

[00:09:15]>> Okay.

[00:09:16]>> Yeah.

[00:09:16]>> Throwing you out in the wild, I guess.

[00:09:18]>> Yes.

[00:09:20]>> Boom.

[00:09:23]>> Well, uh I think it's a little different here in Korea because there's what's called the kangaroo tribe. Kangaroo. And like a baby kangaroo, you know, they stay in their mother's pouches, right?

[00:09:36]It refers to adults in their 30s or even older who stay with their parents even though they have, you know, grown old and are making money instead of living independently. And these days there are quite a lot of them here in Korea.

[00:09:52]Statistically, the number is rising apparently. So related to this, we received a story from Minsu, a 32year-old office worker here in Korea.

[00:10:03]Let's take a listen to the story.

[00:10:16]I'm a 32-year-old man and this is my fifth year working full-time.

[00:10:21]People say this is the age where you're supposed to move out and live on your own, but I'm still living with my parents.

[00:10:30]>> Good grief, you lazy fool. Get up already. You're going to be late for work.

[00:10:37]Just five more minutes.

[00:10:39]>> There you go again with just five more minutes. Get up already. Get up.

[00:10:45]>> That's how my day starts. Eating the meal my mom made for me before heading to work. And my salary goes straight into my mom's bank account. She gives me about a million one a month as spending money to live on. Lately though, I've been spending a lot because there have been so many weddings to attend.

[00:11:03]Mom, can I get an advance on my allowance? Just 100,0001.

[00:11:09]>> You still don't know how to manage your money at your age. When are you going to buy a house and get married?

[00:11:16]>> Stop. That's enough.

[00:11:21]Living with my parents is comfortable in a lot of ways, but at the same time, I keep feeling a stronger urge to move out. So, should I become independent? or not?

[00:11:38]>> Well, in Korea, a lot of people live with their parents because of high housing costs as well as for emotional support and stability. So, Crunchers, what did you think about this story that we just shared while Kevin and I talk about it? Send us your thoughts in our YouTube comments or even through the Culture Crunch Instagram account. So, Kevin, should Mu move out or not?

[00:12:05]>> Ah, Binsu.

[00:12:09]I think I think Mu should should move out. Yeah, cuz >> maybe it's just like the American in me and like just like >> that concept of, you know, >> go out into the world and like face it >> and head on. I think that's definitely been instilled in me just from like that's like the cultural norm and like societal expectations.

[00:12:32]>> But also just like thinking about it, >> I was I it's my first time hearing the word like kangaroo tribe. I was aware that it's like more normal in Korea for you to live with your parents after you become like an adult and you're working.

[00:12:45]>> But I think it definitely even if it's hard, I think there's like a lot to learn just from like being on your own, learning how to be independent and I feel like you learn a lot of about yourself and like gain lots of important life skills.

[00:13:00]>> So yeah, I think moving out wouldn't hurt >> at least like trying it, you know.

[00:13:05]>> Yeah. and he's I mean an office worker earning his own money as well. Well, now let's see just how independent you really are Kevin and our crunchers through today's topic. Let's take a look at the monitor.

[00:13:20]>> Okay, time for the test.

[00:13:21]>> Yes. Topic one. So, once you become an adult, which lifestyle would you choose?

[00:13:28]A total independence? I may be broke, but I live life my way. Versus B, the kangaroo tribe, we call them. Put up with the nagging and save money. Kevin, which direction would you live like?

[00:13:45]>> Yeah, I'm going to go with a.

[00:13:47]>> Okay.

[00:13:47]>> Yeah, I think, you know, it sucks being broke and I may or may not know what that feels like at times, but >> I think Yeah, just that independence you have I really value that and I feel like I like the idea and like principle of oh finding things figuring things out myself, you know, like I think that's really important to me and >> like if I'm going to make it, I want to like do it myself type of thing.

[00:14:17]>> Okay. All right.

[00:14:18]>> How about you, Chief?

[00:14:19]>> Well, then I'll choose B. I mean, I choose B. I'll put up with the nagging and save money because as a person living in Korea, we all know that housing prices are really high and if you go independent, you have to be financially independent as well, self-sufficient. But it's not as easy and a portion of the salary you earn, the money you earn has to go for the housings. You have to spend it on housings. Right.

[00:14:45]>> Right. Right.

[00:14:46]>> And that's not a small amount. and I choose to stay and just put up with it and save money for the time being and later I'll be I'll go independent but for the time being I'll choose B. But your response was A. Even though you're bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro bro broke you will live life your own way so choosing total independence but Kevin imagine you have let's say a 40 degrees fever that's pretty high in the middle of the night and there's no one there to even bring you a glass of water you have to cry your way to the emergency room alone and pay the expensive hospital bill yourself would you still choose to live independently >> why make it so hard for Um, I mean, okay, of course it's like very nice to have someone who like can take care of you.

[00:15:44]>> Mhm.

[00:15:45]>> And you know what? I'm just going to stick by my answer.

[00:15:51]>> Okay.

[00:15:52]>> Life's hard and >> Okay.

[00:15:55]>> Those situations definitely suck, but >> I can get through it.

[00:16:00]>> You can get through it. Okay. You're just going to >> be careful not to get sick again.

[00:16:04]>> Yeah. Okay. Take yourself to the hospital. Call no one. Just stay there alone.

[00:16:10]>> Yeah.

[00:16:10]>> Yeah. Well, I'll just I'll just sleep until I can until I feel better. Just until I can sleep it off.

[00:16:16]>> All right.

[00:16:16]>> I have a good immune system though. So, >> you have good immune system. Okay. Okay.

[00:16:20]Okay. Trust your immune system then.

[00:16:23]>> Well, then >> it's the middle of winter. Let's imagine your heater is broken and you're sitting there freezing in your padded jacket at home all bundled up because you're broke. You know, you did not pay for your heating. Then your parents post photos of themselves enjoying a fancy Korean beef feast in the family group chat. Would you still choose to live alone? Tough it out on your own.

[00:16:51]>> You're really trying to make me change my answer. Oh, >> you know there are these extreme cases.

[00:16:57]>> Is the beef is it hanu?

[00:16:59]>> Yes, of course. Korean beef. Hanu. It's a feast.

[00:17:03]>> Um.

[00:17:05]>> Oh, it sounds so bad. Oh, Korean winters are so cold.

[00:17:10]>> Yeah.

[00:17:11]>> What about what if I I I'll just go and eat the meat and come back.

[00:17:20]>> What? They can share, right? They love me, >> right? But >> okay, >> just choose to join gatherings that involve Korean beef.

[00:17:35]>> Yeah, especially if it's hanu.

[00:17:37]>> But still, >> this is so hard.

[00:17:39]>> It is.

[00:17:40]>> Yeah. But it's okay. If I'm cold, at least I can buy like cheap cupl.

[00:17:49]But you'll still choose to live a world like that.

[00:17:51]>> I think Yeah.

[00:17:54]I gotta I gotta got to make it I got to figure it out.

[00:17:58]>> Yeah. I think >> Okay.

[00:17:59]>> Yeah. But Okay. You say you're going to put up all the nagging so you can save money, right?

[00:18:04]>> Yeah.

[00:18:04]>> You just want to be super economic.

[00:18:06]>> Yes.

[00:18:07]>> Okay. But what if >> Mhm.

[00:18:09]>> Okay. So, you're living at home, right, with your parents, >> but there's a 1000 p.m. curfew.

[00:18:15]>> Okay. Absolutely no going out after that. Yeah, it's >> dead set, hard set rule.

[00:18:22]>> You can still do that.

[00:18:24]>> 10 p.m.

[00:18:25]>> 10 p.m. We're adults here.

[00:18:28]>> 10 p.m.'s not too bad.

[00:18:30]>> No, don't don't lie.

[00:18:31]>> No, seriously. Don't lie to yourself. 10 p.m.'s No, like in my 20s, I guess I would have said, >> "What? 1000 p.m. That's when everything starts." But now that I'm in my 30s, I'm like, "Oh, I need to get ready for sleep." You know, I go to bed before 12.

[00:18:46]So, 10 p.m. curfew. I can put up with it.

[00:18:50]>> Okay. That's lame.

[00:18:51]>> Yeah.

[00:18:52]>> Okay. Okay. But what if >> Uhhuh.

[00:18:56]>> So, you're living with other your parents, right? Other people.

[00:18:59]>> Means you have zero privacy.

[00:19:02]>> You know, let's say if you lock your door, then like you automatically get yelled at. It's like a no no in the house. And let's say one day you're cleaning >> but uh or like your mom's cleaning >> but she accidentally throws away >> one of your really precious belongings like a limited edition collectible.

[00:19:23]>> You can you can stick you can put up with that.

[00:19:25]>> Oh my gosh. Okay.

[00:19:26]>> You want your own space?

[00:19:27]>> Oh my gosh. Limited edition collectible premium.

[00:19:32]>> It's like >> Oh my gosh. I would be so so mad. I would be really mad and I will be looking through all the garbage bins outside the house to find them. But and zero privacy if I lock my door um they scream at me. You know what? I'll let them know. You know, living together takes time and you need to get to adjust to each other and understand each other better. So, I'll try to teach them.

[00:19:58]Please give me some privacy. And when I lock my door, just let me be. If you need to come in, just snuck.

[00:20:06]>> Absolutely not. No, that's not that's not part of it. No, >> they're saying like it's my house.

[00:20:10]>> Yes, exactly. It's their house. It's not yours.

[00:20:13]>> A You know what? Uh then I'll tell them I'll give you a bit of pocket money.

[00:20:20]>> You're going to give me >> with some privacy.

[00:20:25]>> You're just trying to solve everything with money. I see.

[00:20:28]Yeah, it's I don't have to pay them like a huge rent, but at least a bit of pocket money and I'll just choose to stay and that will still be pretty economical, you know.

[00:20:39]>> All right. Okay. You do you do you.

[00:20:42]>> Yeah, I do me. Well, we've taken it to some pretty extreme scenarios here, but Kevin, would you still stick with your first choice after all that?

[00:20:51]>> Yeah, I'm not convinced yet. I'm, you know, you got to Life is tough.

[00:20:56]>> Okay. Okay. But I'm going to become I got to be a warrior and stick it out, you know.

[00:21:00]>> Okay.

[00:21:01]>> What about you? You're not You're not changing your choice at all.

[00:21:03]>> No, me neither.

[00:21:05]>> Okay.

[00:21:05]>> Not changing my choice.

[00:21:06]>> We'll see. We'll see later. We'll see later.

[00:21:08]>> Yeah, we'll see.

[00:21:09]>> All right. And we've got comments while we were chatting, right, Evan?

[00:21:15]>> Let's >> Yeah, some of them send their thoughts.

[00:21:17]Let's see at hearts.

[00:21:20]If you can't manage your money, don't move out. Moving out is a huge decision.

[00:21:27]>> Oh yeah, that is true. You have to learn to manage your money before moving out or else you can go broke, I think.

[00:21:34]>> Yeah. Well, I guess it looks like a lot of our crunchers are leaning toward B.

[00:21:41]Oh, >> what?

[00:21:42]>> Yay. They're on my Okay, we're on the same page. So, 44% for option A and 56% for option B. All right. Well, actually there's another issue though that sparks just as much debate as housing and that is financial independence like I briefly mentioned. Now let's move on to our uh third topic. Now this is pretty tricky as well you know uh because other than housing there are so many issues related to parenting whatnot. And let's take a look at the monitor.

[00:22:25]All right, so this is the morning rush before work. Okay, no running late. How dependent are you on someone waking you up for work? Option A, even in your 30s, your parents still wake you up versus option B, live independently, set 10 alarms every day, and still risk being late for work. Okay, so honestly, having someone wake you up in the morning is one of the sweetest, sweetest temptations that's hardest to give up when living with your parents, especially Kevin, which one would you choose?

[00:23:06]I mean, I I I already do bee, so >> Yeah. Okay. You do be.

[00:23:11]>> Yeah. Yeah. I feel like that's just how I roll, you know? You got to >> set a whole bunch of alarms and then I have a routine, too. My first few alarms I set with like a really like pretty ringtone >> that's not too like >> like annoying >> and hopefully I'll wake up then. But if those don't work, then I have my backup alarms where they're super loud. So, like, >> you know, it's it's a good system. It rarely fails me.

[00:23:35]>> That's a pretty good system. Like how far apart are they from each other? Like time wise, >> it's like >> two minutes.

[00:23:44]>> No, no, no.

[00:23:46]>> It's like four or fiveish minutes.

[00:23:48]>> Oh, okay. Two minutes. Four, fiveish minutes. Big difference, Kevin.

[00:23:53]>> Okay.

[00:23:54]>> I got a little more sleep. Okay.

[00:23:56]>> Those two minutes those two minutes matter a lot.

[00:23:58]>> Yeah, that they do in the morning. But okay, so you choose.

[00:24:01]>> What about you, Sha? I choose I guess a uh even in my 30s sure about that I will still wake up uh with the help of my parents.

[00:24:14]>> Yeah. Why? Why is that?

[00:24:16]>> Well because uh I don't trust myself.

[00:24:21]>> Okay. with the alarms. I mean, if I'm really really independent and I'm I am living alone, that I would be a little more uh I guess able to wake up alone with just my alarms. But if I'm living with my parents, I would count on them to wake me up. And if they don't, I will get mad at them. They're like my personal alarm.

[00:24:43]>> They're mad at them. They're letting you stay at their house.

[00:24:45]>> Yeah.

[00:24:46]>> Come on now.

[00:24:47]>> Well, yeah, that is true. I shouldn't get mad at them. It's only natural for us.

[00:24:53]>> Wait, so Kevin, you chose B, right? But imagine you turn off all those 10 alarms and oversleep badly because you haven't slept enough these days and you just turned off all those alarms that you had. And the moment you walk into office, you're already late. Your manager shoots you an icy stare and then you get completely chewed out in front of your whole team. Would you still insist on waking up on your own?

[00:25:27]>> Would I? That's a good question.

[00:25:29]>> Yeah, you >> you know what I would say that this would never happen, >> but it did.

[00:25:37]>> You know, everyone makes mistakes and you have to take accountability for your for your mistakes, you know.

[00:25:44]>> Okay. I take full responsibility and make sure it never happens again.

[00:25:49]>> Okay.

[00:25:50]>> But honestly, I don't like when someone like has to wake me up.

[00:25:54]>> Ah, >> yeah. Yeah. I I I just prefer like having like control over my routine, you know? Like >> Yeah. I feel that's what that's what I like.

[00:26:02]>> Ah, okay. Okay. You just like being self-sufficient and very independent.

[00:26:07]>> Yeah. I'm like ideally I just don't wake up to any alarm. I just wake up when my body wants to.

[00:26:12]>> Oh, really? Well, if I had to pick between like someone else waking me, especially like my parents, you know, they're going to be like, "Cavet, Kevin."

[00:26:19]>> Yeah. I don't want that. I want my my nice pretty >> ding ding ding ding ding.

[00:26:25]>> Okay. What if your parents sing that for you?

[00:26:29]>> That nice nice pretty melody.

[00:26:31]>> Yeah, that's not happening. They're going to be screaming in the morning.

[00:26:39]>> Okay. Well, let's imagine one more situation.

[00:26:43]Uh, and of all days, that day happens to be the most important client meeting you've been preparing for all year, but >> oh gosh, >> one late arrival. You've arrived late and now you're seriously on the company's bad side. Would you still insist? It's not just one mistake, but you're late again.

[00:27:03]Would you still insist on waking yourself up?

[00:27:07]Um, why are they so hard? Why are you making it so hard for me?

[00:27:15]>> Um, >> I don't know. Honestly, >> if it's like the most like a really important meeting >> for me, my body I don't know how to explain this, but like I feel like subconsciously >> on really important days or like schedules.

[00:27:32]>> Yeah.

[00:27:32]>> My body knows like it has to wake up.

[00:27:34]But how's like like a stress response, you know?

[00:27:36]>> Okay.

[00:27:37]>> So, >> yeah, like so sometimes like important meetings, even if I didn't get a lot of sleep, my body will wake up before the alarm.

[00:27:45]>> Okay.

[00:27:45]>> Because it knows that it's like go time.

[00:27:48]>> Okay. Okay.

[00:27:48]>> I I don't know why that I don't Does it happen to you? Is that just me?

[00:27:51]>> Yeah. I mean, sometimes I do have my biological alarm of some sort just waking me up even before the alarm goes off.

[00:28:00]>> Yeah. Yeah. It's like I feel like it's like we're stressed on the inside and like brains know that.

[00:28:06]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:28:06]>> Yeah.

[00:28:07]>> You know it. And you're like still um in that alert mode even during your sleep like unconsciously.

[00:28:14]>> That's probably not good for your sleep though. Probably makes you like you're like stressed out while sleeping.

[00:28:18]>> Especially when you don't get enough sleep. That's going to be really bad.

[00:28:22]But anyhow. Okay. So you still insist on waking yourself up.

[00:28:26]>> Yeah.

[00:28:27]>> Okay. But you said, "Hey, you you even in your 30s, you still want your parents. You don't trust yourself or you'd rather, you know, just like take advantage of like the situation. You know, you have people, you know, why not let them wake you up?"

[00:28:40]>> But let's say >> it's 6:30 in the morning, starting at 6:30. You know, your parents turn on the lights, they open the windows, they start cleaning like crazy, they're vacuuming like they're right next to you, >> and then they're yelling like they're they're nagging you straight at 6:30 in the morning. Oh, >> okay.

[00:28:58]>> Why are you still sleepy? When are you going to wake up?

[00:29:02]>> You're still going with your you still okay with that?

[00:29:05]>> Oh my gosh. Okay, so 6:30 in the morning. You know what? I'll try telling them the night before. Um, okay. Mom, Dad, I'm going to wake up at 1000 a.m.

[00:29:16]today. So, please don't wake me up at 6:30 a.m.

[00:29:19]>> No. No. They don't not They're not going to listen. Yeah. This is their This is their morning routine. They got to vacuum at 6:30 in the morning.

[00:29:26]>> Oh, I want more sleep.

[00:29:30]>> Yeah. If it was me, I'm moving out.

[00:29:32]>> Oh my gosh. If this happens every day, I mean, even on the weekends, if it's during the weekdays, I'll be happy, you know, because I can get to work early.

[00:29:43]>> Happy. Oh, you're just lying, dear. So, there's I'm not happy, you know. No way.

[00:29:47]>> Not late, you know, weekdays. I have to go to work anyway.

[00:29:51]>> This is This is gaslighting at its finest. She is gaslighting herself, everyone.

[00:29:57]>> Self gaslighting.

[00:30:00]>> Oh, yeah. Do you have any other situations?

[00:30:02]>> You keep telling yourself that.

[00:30:04]>> Okay, but let's see.

[00:30:06]You know how like obviously they nagg like parents nag a lot.

[00:30:10]>> Uhhuh. But what if they start comparing you to other people? You know, have we been there? We've all been there, right?

[00:30:15]You know, like >> the kid next door, they go out to work every morning and >> like you like you get compared to them every day. You have to start >> like the start to your day is just like you feel like miserable and like defeated.

[00:30:31]>> You can you can put up with that.

[00:30:32]>> Oh my gosh. Being compared, that's something I really really hate. M >> but I'll yeah I'll grow stronger.

[00:30:42]>> I'll I'll strengthen my mentality and just ignore it and just choose sleep.

[00:30:47]I'm just like I don't care what >> No, they're going to be vacuuming while like screaming at you.

[00:30:52]>> I'll get some really really nice >> earbuds like really effective earbuds.

[00:30:59]>> Okay. Okay. So, we're bringing it to the extreme right here. It looks like a lot of our crunchers are leaning towards option B. And that was Kevin's choice, right? 89% have chosen B and 11% has chosen A. And yeah, and so not Morgs has said, I have like 15 alarms and my Apple Watch alarm and I still can't get up.

[00:31:24]And Kevin Park besty is saying, I wake up from my alarm, turn it off, set a new alarm, sleep for 10 more minutes. Yeah, I think many of us are pretty similar when it comes to waking up and alarms.

[00:31:34]>> I think Kevin Park bestie knows what's up.

[00:31:39]>> They're my bestie.

[00:31:42]>> Well, stay tuned. Kevin Park's besties.

[00:31:45]Let's take a quick music break and then we'll come back to dive into even more unbelievable stories to unpack. Now, here is Alarm by Hangman. Stay tuned.

[00:31:58]Fore! Foreign! Foreign!

[00:32:21]Fore!

[00:32:32]Foreign! Foreign!

[00:32:57]I'm just running from my mistake.

[00:33:28]Oh yeah.

[00:33:33]Oh.

[00:33:37]Oh. Oh. Is getting It is a happy story for you.

[00:34:27]I'm just running from my mistake.

[00:34:38]Fore!

[00:34:53]Foreign! Foreign!

[00:35:15]We're back. We're going to continue our debate on the parent dependent lifestyle that so many Koreans can relate to. Now before we jump into the second half, here is another story from Tun on Culture Crunch. Let's take a listen.

[00:35:42]I'm a working mom who returned to work 3 months ago. Before having a child, I was confident. I thought I could handle both my career and parenting just fine. But not long ago, I got a child I got a call for my child's daycare.

[00:36:04]Ma'am, what should he do? Suchin got badly hurt on the forehead while playing at the playground, and the cut looks pretty deep. So, we think she needs to go to the hospital right away. Would you be able to come now?

[00:36:17]>> What? Oh, no. Really? Is she bleeding a lot? Ah, but I'm in the middle of a client meeting right now, so I don't think I can get there for at least another two hours.

[00:36:27]>> Oh, no. What about Sojin's dad?

[00:36:31]>> My husband's away on a business trip overseas, so he's not even in Korea right now. Um, just a moment. I'll call my mom and ask her to go instead. Please tell me which hospital you'll be going to.

[00:36:50]Aren't you working now? What's the matter?

[00:36:53]>> Mom, where are you? I'm in a meeting right now and I just got a call from the daycare. They said Sushin hurt her forehead and needs to go to the hospital.

[00:37:01]>> What? How badly is she hurt?

[00:37:04]>> The cut is deep. She may have to get it even stitched.

[00:37:06]>> Okay, I will head over right now.

[00:37:10]>> Before I could even finish speaking, she had already hung up. By the time I got to the hospital, my mom had already checked Switchin in, and my daughter was sitting in her arms with gauze on her forehead eating snacks.

[00:37:22]>> What would you have done without me? She needed two stitches. She was crying so much earlier, but she's doing a little better now.

[00:37:32]>> Hearing that, I suddenly found myself tearing up. Whenever something urgent happens, I always end up turning to my mom first. I'm grateful, but at the same time, I feel a little ashamed. Is it really okay for me to keep relying on her like this?

[00:37:52]>> Well, Crunchers, what do you think about this situation? While Kevin and I talk about it, send us your thoughts and opinions through our YouTube comments or through our Culture Crunch account.

[00:38:05]Kevin, this story goes beyond just financial support. It's also about relying heavily on parents for situations like these like decision- making and even problem solving, right?

[00:38:16]What do you think when you heard it?

[00:38:18]What did you think?

[00:38:19]>> H no, I think it's like so much more reliable if you have like someone like a grandparent who can always be there.

[00:38:29]>> And I actually really relate to this because >> I grew up with my grandma also. It's like my my mom, dad, and grandma since I was really young. So like like basically like my second mom, if you can think of it that way. So >> I completely relate to this. I think it's really amazing like and I love my grandma so much and she always takes care of me too. So >> is she also in the States?

[00:38:53]>> Yes. Yes. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:38:54]>> So she moved all the way from Korea to the States just to like help take care of me and my brother. Yeah.

[00:39:00]>> She's the best.

[00:39:02]>> Shout out Grandma.

[00:39:04]>> She's so sweet. Yes, she is.

[00:39:06]>> Oh, okay. So, you must be able to relate pretty well. Although, like you're not, you know, you don't have a child. You've been raised like that by your mom's dad's mom.

[00:39:16]>> Okay. So, well, here's our next topic then. Let's take a look at the monitor.

[00:39:22]>> So, my adorable child, what's your parenting style like? A receive parents help. B 100% solo parenting. Well, Kevin, which side would you pick?

[00:39:40]>> You know, because I like like I said, like I related to the story.

[00:39:43]>> Yeah.

[00:39:43]>> I think in this case, I actually I would choose a >> Yeah. Because I I know how much like my >> my parents would also like love like my child too. So, and you know, it's like f like happy family time, you know, with like the grandchildren for my parents and like >> and >> Yeah.

[00:40:07]>> Okay.

[00:40:08]>> Yeah. What about you?

[00:40:09]>> Well, I would choose B uh because your parenting style and your parents' parenting style may be different >> and I don't want that to clash and uh sort of become a fight, you know, later on.

[00:40:23]>> I see.

[00:40:24]>> Yeah. Well, you chose A. But I have a what if situation for you. Okay.

[00:40:29]>> Okay.

[00:40:30]>> Pushing it to the extreme again. Now, your taste gets completely ignored.

[00:40:35]Imagine your mom suddenly gives your child a super short weird haircut and dresses them in some neon floral clothes like a vest she bought from who knows where.

[00:40:52]And it's your child, but you can't even style them the way you want. Would you still leave your child with your parents?

[00:41:01]>> Neon neon floral vest.

[00:41:04]>> Yeah, that sounds kind of that sounds pretty cool.

[00:41:06]>> Really?

[00:41:06]>> That sounds that sounds super fashionable actually.

[00:41:09]>> Are you sure? But what if what about this weird haircut?

[00:41:12]>> Weird? Well, what what what is it?

[00:41:13]What's the haircut? it bald here and there and like hair your child has become bald here and there. Would you be is that stylish?

[00:41:25]>> They try to cut them cut their hair alone.

[00:41:29]>> My poor child.

[00:41:32]>> Oh, you know what?

[00:41:36]>> It's okay. I mean, it's not okay, but it's okay because they're still like so young.

[00:41:42]>> Okay. And their hair will grow back.

[00:41:43]Yeah, it's not you don't they don't it's like they don't have like anyone they need to impress right now, you know.

[00:41:47]>> Oh, but they might feel sad. Okay.

[00:41:50]>> Oh, if they feel sad, then >> see, >> I don't know what to say.

[00:41:59]>> Not easy.

[00:41:59]>> You know, I I'll just I'll give my parents some fashion and styling tips.

[00:42:05]How about that? Yeah. So that doesn't happen next time.

[00:42:08]>> Give them some styling tips. Okay. Okay, but you said B 100% >> solo bolo parenting.

[00:42:16]>> You're going full solo. Then like let's say what if Okay.

[00:42:20]>> Mhm.

[00:42:21]>> After work you spend two hours every single day having to take care of your child and you clean clean up after them, you know, the diapers and everything, >> but you end up giving up company dinners and weekend plans. Like you have no personal life. You can still you think you can still handle doing everything on your own, raising the child and having to sacrifice your personal life, you have work, you have all this going on.

[00:42:47]>> Oh, you know what? I'll try to sort it out with my husband >> as much as possible. And plus, I don't want to give that burden to my parents either. So, yeah, I'll still stick to my original answer, but it looks like a lot of our crunchers are leaning toward option A, just like you, Kevin. 82% chose option A, receive parents help, and 18% said B, 100% solo parenting.

[00:43:16]Okay, so Emily Kevin's ragebaiting what twin says, "Parents help is nice because solo parenting can be stressful.

[00:43:25]My sister does solo parenting usually, but I know if we didn't help her when we could, she would go crazy." Okay, knowing from personal experience. Then XP.maria is saying, "I helped my mom with my siblings. She can help me with my future kids, too." Oh, nice one. Give and take.

[00:43:45]It is.

[00:43:47]All right.

[00:43:47]>> Yeah, I like what I'm reading. Yeah, it's like I definitely relate. So, >> definitely. And because you've been raised by partly by your grandparent, too, I'm sure you can relate. Okay.

[00:44:00]Well, now it's time for the final question to wrap up today's debate. And this one is about the unconditional love of parents who are always there watching over us. Show it through our monitor, please.

[00:44:16]So, when awkward conflicts come up in everyday life, A, send mom to handle it.

[00:44:25]B, even if you're nervous, you face it yourself because you're an adult.

[00:44:30]Hm. Which side do you lean on, Kevin?

[00:44:33]>> Oh, man. Um, >> uh, I I think I'm going to go with B.

[00:44:40]>> Okay.

[00:44:40]>> Yeah. I think it's like that. It's that mindset, you know, as awkward as it is or as like difficult as it is.

[00:44:47]>> Uhhuh.

[00:44:47]>> You just got to face it head on and >> you live and you learn.

[00:44:52]>> Hopefully, it makes me a stronger person.

[00:44:55]>> Okay. Well, there >> Okay. Okay.

[00:44:58]>> What about you, Chi? Well, I'll go with a send mom in to handle it because she could be a little more experienced, you know, and yeah, >> you don't want to you don't want to face it yourself.

[00:45:12]>> Not really.

[00:45:13]>> Scaredy cat.

[00:45:14]>> I am.

[00:45:16]Meow. Scaredy cat. But you chose be that is Kevin, right?

[00:45:21]>> Well, I have a situation for you.

[00:45:24]>> Okay.

[00:45:24]>> Okay. So, you go upstairs to complain about the noise that's been bothering you for days and days, and you can't fall asleep because of this noise, but the other person completely intimidates you. Okay? And you end up apologizing instead.

[00:45:42]Now, you have to suffer through the pounding nose every night, unable to fall asleep for who knows how long.

[00:45:50]Would you still try to handle it all by yourself or would you go ask for help?

[00:45:56]>> No one intimidates me.

[00:45:58]>> No, but they did.

[00:46:00]>> Imagine they did.

[00:46:01]>> But they did. Okay.

[00:46:05]>> No sleep.

[00:46:06]>> You can't.

[00:46:07]>> This is too much. Why are you doing this to me? This is too extreme.

[00:46:10]>> They're pounding every night. Why?

[00:46:13]>> Why are they so angry?

[00:46:15]>> Yeah.

[00:46:15]>> Why can't they just >> thump thumping?

[00:46:18]>> Oh, I'll just do what you said. You got to buy the earphones.

[00:46:20]>> Oh, okay.

[00:46:22]>> I'll take I'm stealing She's idea.

[00:46:23]>> Okay. Okay. Let's share the good products if you find it.

[00:46:27]>> Okay. Okay. Sounds good.

[00:46:29]>> Yeah. I'll just got to plug and go to sleep and everything's okay.

[00:46:33]>> It's going to save you.

[00:46:35]>> Yeah. But Okay. So, you said send mom to handle it.

[00:46:39]>> Yeah. Scaredy-cat she.

[00:46:41]>> Okay. But let's say Okay. What if So, your mom steps in.

[00:46:45]>> Uhhuh. and successfully gets you a refund for a secondhand purchase.

[00:46:50]>> Okay?

[00:46:50]>> It feels satisfying, but then someone leaves a review calling you a grownup mama's child or a mama's girl.

[00:46:59]>> Okay.

[00:46:59]>> It stays there forever online. It's like your digital footprint forever.

[00:47:04]>> Okay.

[00:47:05]>> You're okay with that?

[00:47:06]>> Yeah.

[00:47:08]>> So, I don't care what what they leave. Yeah.

[00:47:13]I'll say, "Yeah, I'm a mama."

[00:47:14]>> Haters going to hate.

[00:47:16]>> Yeah.

[00:47:16]>> Yeah. Haters are my motivators.

[00:47:18]>> Yeah.

[00:47:19]>> And like I mean, >> these reviews, they wouldn't write my name, you know? That's like a violation of privacy. We're going legal here.

[00:47:30]>> Mama's childh. Mama's girl he >> is there any other situation?

[00:47:39]>> What if >> Uhhuh. What if your mom argues with the landlord and wins? But after >> the landlord starts treating you like like a nobody. They like they don't acknowledge your existence.

[00:47:52]>> Okay.

[00:47:52]>> Let's see. They just call your mom over things like everything like garbage disposable.

[00:47:57]>> Garbage disposable or like >> any issues that come and they just treat you like a child even though you're like a full adult.

[00:48:03]>> Okay.

[00:48:04]>> Yeah. Do you think you're okay with that? You know, you're >> h >> you're not an adult anymore basically.

[00:48:09]Okay, they're treating me like a nobody and a child. Yeah.

[00:48:13]>> And everything's belitting you belittling me.

[00:48:15]>> No respect.

[00:48:16]>> Oh my gosh, I hate that feeling. But I can just avoid them, you know, for the time being. I'm not going to be staying at that house forever.

[00:48:25]>> Okay, >> I can put up with it.

[00:48:27]>> Yeah.

[00:48:28]>> Yeah.

[00:48:28]>> Keep telling yourself that.

[00:48:30]>> Yeah. Keep gaslighting myself.

[00:48:32]>> Self gaslighting is >> Oh my gosh. Oh, this is pretty hard though. Yeah, I would I would, you know, eventually grow independent, but for the time being, I would just put up with it, you know. That's how you become stronger, too.

[00:48:47]>> By avoiding all your problems.

[00:48:49]>> Um, no, like learning from uh watching an adult.

[00:48:54]>> Observation.

[00:48:55]>> Yes. Learning from observation, you know.

[00:48:58]>> I'm more of a learn by doing type of person. So, >> yeah.

[00:49:01]>> And you can get yourself burnt that way.

[00:49:04]>> You know what you got to what what do they say? battle scars.

[00:49:08]>> Okay.

[00:49:09]>> Yeah.

[00:49:10]>> Okay. I'm a scaredy cat and you're the warrior.

[00:49:12]>> Yeah. Your mom is grilled.

[00:49:15]>> Well, you know what? It seems like our countries are leaning toward option B.

[00:49:20]Even if you're nervous, you face it yourself. We have a lot more warriors, 79%. But we do have 21% who chose A as well, just like me. Send in your mom to handle it. Yay. Who are you? Tell us.

[00:49:35]Let us know. The Kevin Park besties. The Kevin Park. The army. Yes, I got the army behind me.

[00:49:42]>> You do. You have a whole army behind you supporting you.

[00:49:46]>> Face it ourselves.

[00:49:48]>> Face it yourselves. And I will eventually >> and get burned and not gaslight ourselves.

[00:49:54]>> Oh my gosh. Okay. I lose, Kevin.

[00:49:57]>> Yeah. I win.

[00:50:00]>> All right. So, I think many Korean adults like in their 30s or even older, they still remain deeply connected with their family and their parents. But Kevin, how was today's discussion for you?

[00:50:13]>> No, I think I I see I definitely see >> why this may exist and like >> even though it's like not something I'm completely used to in in Korea and like all the culture of like the kangaroo tribe. Yeah, >> I definitely see why it could make sense, especially if you aren't like financially independent yet or >> um you know, like things come up and like just like having someone you can rely on as like especially like your parents who are like >> you know, as much as like they nag you and like they can be annoying and >> and just like invade all your privacy, they're still your parents, right? Like they know you the best and they want the best for you. So, >> I can see why it makes sense. And like depending on like your situation, why you could like keep living with them as an adult.

[00:51:04]>> Yeah, I'm still sticking by like independence. I think you know just like having to oh just face like life on your own. I think it's really valuable >> and like you learn like how to take care of yourself hopefully >> and um and just like equip yourself with all the tools you need.

[00:51:23]>> Yeah.

[00:51:24]And yeah, but what about you Shihi? Yeah.

[00:51:29]>> No, I mean like there's a difference between cultures. The Korean culture is a lot more collectivistic and uh individualistic in the states. So there may be differences, but in the end, we all do have to be selfish efficient, self-sufficient and independent. And along the way, I guess we could receive support and help from our parents. But in the end, we do have to be able to stand alone, right? But appreciate all the help that you've received until then. Whether it be through calling your mom to handle everything for the time being. All right.

[00:52:03]>> You can't stay a mama's girl forever, though.

[00:52:05]>> Yeah. I will eventually become a warrior as well, like Kevin. All right. Right.

[00:52:11]So, as you listen to today's discussion between Kevin and I, uh I I wonder what side you took on the most. And if there are any curious Korean cultures that you have or something you found quite confusing and hard to understand, do send them in to our Culture Crunch email or our Instagram account. All right.

[00:52:31]>> Yes, please. Please.

[00:52:32]>> Yes, please. And we'll read them out for you. We'll wrap things up with our final song. Here's Funky Like Me. This is featuring Peak and Pitch by N Sign.

[00:52:42]Shall we say goodbye together, Kevin?

[00:52:43]>> Let's do it.

[00:52:44]>> Keep crunching.

[00:52:46]>> Bye-bye.

[00:52:54]Only funky.

[00:52:57]Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Take me on top. You want to like me?

[00:53:06]to make me don't stop. You want to freak you like me.

[00:53:14]The other day no jam jam is moving. Everybody come get out moving.

[00:53:42]brother shake the body everybody.

[00:53:50]We going to move it now to come like me.

[00:53:55]Yeah.

[00:53:56]No.

[00:54:01]Yeah. Yeah. Like me.

[00:54:04]Oh my.

[00:54:09]Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Take me.

[00:54:13]You want to like me?

[00:54:20]Take me. Don't stop. You want to freak you like me. I don't know what to do.

[00:54:27]I'm just get it right around the middle.