Beneath the harmonious surface: Exploring Korea’s deep-rooted strains

Korean culture, influenced significantly by Confucianism, has shaped the psyche of Koreans in several ways. The absence of an emotionally connected father figure has led to father hunger, while the strong emotional bond between mothers and sons has contributed to fear of women and repressed Oedipal conflicts. The suppression of female sexuality, along with discriminatory attitudes towards women, has given rise to emotional conditions like "Han" and penis envy, as well as hysterical disorders. Confucianism's emphasis on rigid ideal roles and hierarchy led to the internalization of a strict superego, prioritizing external evaluations over inner experiences. The use of compartmentalization helped cope with external demands but hindered the development of an integrated sense of self. Additionally, Confucian family culture hindered the natural process of individuation, with an abrupt transition to adulthood around the age of seven, leading to a longing for lost early dependent relationships. Narcissistic vulnerability is deeply rooted in Confucian hierarchical culture, necessitating narcissistic attachment and defence mechanisms to maintain fantasies of omnipotence and self-sufficiency. Given these cultural influences and individual vulnerabilities, it is crucial to foster genuine dependency in psychoanalytic efforts while being cautious about falling into pseudo-intimacy that remains confined to intellectual interactions within a therapeutic relationships.