Memorizing Korea's Tragic May: 5.18 Democratization Movement

I read a book, which was recommended by RM from BTS, whom I greatly admire. When I first picked up this novel, recommended by a friend, I knew it would be no ordinary read. As I flipped through the pages, I felt a mixture of anticipation and hesitation. It was a profound and challenging narrative, one that compelled me to write this heartfelt review.   This book is about  This remarkable book delves into the events of the 5.18 Democratization Movement, shedding light on a significant period in history. Every word, every sentence evoked a sense of pain and anguish. It is not a book to be read casually, but one that demands to be embraced fully. The events of May 18, 1980, unfolded when students gathered at the main gate of Jeonnam National University in Gwang-ju, Korea. On May 27, 1980, martial law troops indiscriminately attacked the citizens gathered at Jeonnam Provincial Office, bringing a tragic end to the situation. Over the course of ten days, the official casualties ...

Why South Korea's Elderly are Turning to YouTube for Solace

Hello everyone, and thanks for stopping by my blog. 

As an AI Literacy instructor here in South Korea, and as a daughter who really worries about my father's YouTube addict, let me talk about the news I heard just the other day. 

The headline hit me hard: "South Korean Seniors (Ages 60+) Face High Risk of Short-Form/YouTube Over-Addiction." Over 83% of seniors are online. But when I look at my own father, phone in hand, I realize this isn't a statistic about digital success. It’s a raw symptom of a much deeper, painful loneliness in our society. Honestly, seeing it made me feel a mix of sadness and deep concern. 

Why are the parents who once sacrificed everything for their families now seeking comfort in endless video streams? 




1. South Korea’s Unique Elder Crisis 

For international readers interested in Korean culture and society, let me tell you about the unique context of this generation. The elderly population in South Korea - often called the "Industrial Generation"- lived through intense periods of modernization. They viewed "sacrifice for the family" as their highest virtue, pouring all their energy into work and their children's expensive private education. When they retire and their children (like me, and yes, my entire generation) move out, the sudden, vast vacuum of purpose and the profound loneliness can be overwhelming. 

South Korea is rapidly becoming a super-aged society, and its social safety net hasn't kept pace. The statistics below paint a devastating picture: 

Korea's elderly poverty rate is the highest among OECD countries. Also, elderly suicide rate is the highest among OECD countries. The statistics reflects profound loneliness and severe social isolation. This emotional and financial isolation is compounded by a recent rise in divorce late in life. For a generation that rarely cultivated hobbies or leisure outside of work, YouTube and SNS have become the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to find a sense of connection and solace (which is ironic, considering South Korea's world-leading internet and Wi-Fi access). 


 2. The Algorithm: Why They Can't Look Away

The YouTube algorithm is brilliantly designed to exploit this loneliness. It acts as an attentive friend, constantly recommending content tailored to emotional and informational needs, creating an inescapable "filter bubble." 
 The most popular content among Korean seniors reveals their anxieties and needs: trot nusic, health & finance, political/current affairs and reward short-form apps. My own father is a prime example. Since retiring, his social circle has shrunk, and now he spends all day watching biased political commentary channels. The content becomes more extreme, and it’s frustrating when he shares debunked "fake news" as fact during family conversations. 

made by AI

3. The other story: The Icelandic Lesson

It's tempting to simply tell seniors, "Stop watching so much YouTube!" But just as scolding our children about SNS without providing an alternative is useless, the same applies to our parents. The problem isn't the device; it's the lack of meaningful, affordable real-world connections. This brings me to a personal experience from a trip to Iceland last year. 

I learned that the public geothermal swimming pools there are more than just places to swim. They are local community centers- almost free, within walking distance-where seniors (and all locals) gather daily to chat, enjoy free coffee, socialize, and build lasting friendships. It’s a crucial "third space" for connection. 
Watching my father stare blankly at his screen every day, I realized how desperately South Korea needs to foster similar low-cost, low-barrier, physical spaces for communal engagement- whether through libraries, senior centers, or public facilities-that genuinely serve as a social lifeline. We do have some facilities, of course, but are they truly designed to be physically and psychologically easy and affordable for our elders to access? Well, I doubt it. 


4. What We Can Do

As an AI Literacy Instructor, I believe the solution requires both personal action and systematic change in our globally focused, rapidly aging society: Rebuild Real-World Connection (The Social Fix): Society and the government must prioritize creating and funding "third spaces" like the Icelandic pools, where seniors can easily and affordably meet face-to-face. As the world's most rapidly aging society, this is non-negotiable.

Focus on "Curiosity," Not "Criticism" (The Family Fix): Family members need to replace "Don't watch that!" with genuine interest: "Dad, what channel are you watching? Can we watch something fun together?" Engaging with their content is the only way to gently introduce critical thinking and media literacy. Mandate AI/Digital Literacy Education (The Educational Fix): We must actively teach seniors what a "YouTube algorithm" is and how a "filter bubble" works. This knowledge empowers them to recognize sensationalized clickbait and deepfakes-which are becoming increasingly sophisticated-and regain control over their information consumption. 


Final Thoughts: Let's Press the Real-World 'Connect' Button 

We have to act now, before this over-dependence creates deeper social isolation and fuels even more widespread misinformation. The fight against loneliness and fake news in the digital age requires all of us-individuals, families, and society-to look up from the screen and press the "Connect" button in the real world. I'm personally reflecting on this and promising to do more myself. Thank you for reading.

my hometown, Nov 13, 2025