Many well-known Hollywood stars have visited Korea to advertise their movies and experienced a flood of flashing cameras and questions like; Do you know PSY?, Can you dance Gangnam Style? These Stars tend to be careful in answering these questions. Also, foreign stars should learn some Korean sentences when they appear on a variety or talk show program in Korea. Or sometimes, foreign stars are urged to eat Kim-chi. This type of situation is not directly related with their movie, but they should accept the challenge for declining might be embarrassing and accepting it will be positive advertising for their movie.

Korean reporters ask not only actors, but foreign sports players, foreign politicians, and even those just visiting from another country. For instance, after a European soccer match, one Korean reporter asked “Do you know Park Ji-sung?” at the press conference while the other reporters concentrated on covering the incredible match. Also, another Korean reporter asked “Do you know PSY?”, “Do you know Gangnam Style?” during the regular briefing of the U.S state department in October, 2012. These kinds of questions were asked when most foreign reporters were discussing serious issues like the Taliban peace deal, Iran’s nuclear activity and the situation in Syria. These types of questions have become so commonplace amongst Korean reporters that one foreigner said “I know PSY and I like Kimchi” before starting a political interview.

Asking questions related to Korea isn’t only because we wonder how much foreigners know about Korea. We just want the answers we expect. The answer in fact is already decided; “I know Park Ji-sung, I like kimchi, and I love Korea” with a positive look. If they answer; “I don’t know him” or “I’m not interested in Korea”, most Koreans will criticize the person as an arrogant foreigner, or even brand them as a Korea- hater.

The reason that many reporters ask these kinds of questions is because the public wants to ask these kinds of questions and hear the right kinds of answers. Yet, what does this phenomenon of asking foreigners about Korea and being proud of their answers mean? This phenomenon means that most Koreans are concerned about how foreigners view Korea. Are we expressing pride in our country or are we showing symptoms of an inferiority complex? It’s not that different than the feeling of craving recognition. This phenomenon is similar to a child’s craving for their parents’ affection, children want compliments continuously. According to psychologists, a child who wants constant recognition from their parents is viewed as having an absence of dignity.

A child whose identity has not been established craves that dignity from their parents’ compliments. Koreans asking about Korea to foreigners continuously might not be that different than a child striving for identity. These Koreans want to believe in the value of their own country and need a foreigner’s positive assessment to validate their beliefs.

This phenomenon has been labelled Gook-bbong. It is a new expression composed of the words ‘nation’ and ‘methamphetamine’ in Korean. It means too much patriotism is like using drugs. Some are critical of the term Gook-bbong because it implies that Korean culture and history is superior to others. However, others actually believe that this phenomenon occurs because of feeling of inferiority and not pride.

In fact, this inferiority might have actually helped Korea to develop and improve. After the Korean War, Korea was in ruins and struggled to develop. Most Koreans felt a sense of inferiority to other countries. Yet, thanks to these feelings of inferiority, Korea slowly developed culturally, politically, and economically. However, we don’t need this inferiority complex for development anymore. Korea is now richer culturally, economically, and politically than in the past and this is recognized by other countries. Now is the time to feel real pride in ourselves because of our accomplishments. Our pride in ourselves should not rest on the approval of other nations. Our identity is well establish as our nation moves forward with self-worth and dignity.