Courtesy of SBS Radio

One of the most important things in modern society is to feel seen. We live surrounded by millions but can often feel ignored, unimportant, and worthless as the capitalist machine continues to turn without regard for our well-being. This feeling is exacerbated when you’re what society might deem undesirable. Democracy and modernity convinces us that our voices are essential, but we pay undue attention to the young, the beautiful, and the famous. For everyone else, we are left gasping for air.

Francis Fukuyama’s utilized Plato’s concept of thymos to speak of the human desire for recognition, dignity, and self-worth. The part of the soul that craves respect and acknowledgement; something beyond mere material needs (which are driven by epithymia) and rationality (logos). South Korea’s rapid industrialization and global rise (from post-war poverty to a top economy) can be seen as a form of national isothymia — a collective effort to be recognized as equal to Western and advanced nations. On an individual level, thymos also explains much of South Korea’s ambition, competitiveness and social anxieties. The drive for recognition — whether in education, pop culture, or politics — has propelled the country’s success but also created challenges related to mental health, social pressure and inequality.

The solution

Oh Eun-young, South Korea’s “national psychiatrist” and president of children’s health, has emerged as a tangible cultural force in modern Korea. Her influence is far-reaching. She’s not just a doctor; she’s a mirror reflecting the nation’s struggles with thymos, recognition and self-worth. In her work, she has normalized the language of emotional validation and mental well-being — something historically absent in a Confucian society where duty often trumps personal fulfillment.

Oh doesn’t simply diagnose — she recognizes. She sees people in ways they feel unseen by their families, schools, and workplaces. Her style is firm but empathetic, scientific yet deeply human. She doesn’t blame struggling parents; she acknowledges their efforts. She doesn’t scold........

© The Korea Times