Korea used to be known as a country of “Jeong.” The dictionary definition of Jeong(情) describes it as a complex feeling of affection, attachment, and warmth toward people and even objects. However, Jeong carries a much deeper and more complicated meaning.

Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, the French writer who won the 2008 Nobel Prize in Literature, once described Korean literature through the concept of Jeong, saying, “The idea of Jeong is mysterious and unique. Even after searching English and French dictionaries, there is no exact translation for it.” Jeong is something that gives people a sense of belonging. When a new neighbor gives you rice cakes after moving in, when you greet a stranger in the elevator, when someone helps you without expecting anything in return, or when you feel the desire to help someone without any conditions — if you have experienced even one of these moments, then you have already experienced Jeong. In this way, Jeong connects different people and creates a wider sense of family within Korean society.

Jeong in Modern Society

Recently, however, I sometimes feel that the idea of Jeong is disappearing. People interact less with their neighbors, and even when they meet someone in an elevator, they simply nod instead of showing interest in each other’s lives.

This is not the only example. When someone asks for help on the street, people often avoid getting involved or tell them to ask someone else instead of stopping to listen.

A Change in the Way Jeong is Expressed

Even so, while living in modern society myself, I realized that Jeong won’t disappear so easily. Rather, the way it is expressed has simply changed.

In the past, people shared food and their stories by knocking on their neighbors’ doors and personally asking about each other’s lives. Today, people sympathize with others through social media and offer warm advice to strangers in online communities. Donating during disasters or quickly gathering support for someone in need can also be seen as another form of Jeong in modern society.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, although people could not easily meet face-to-face, many still sent messages of support to medical workers and shared masks and daily necessities with others. While communities where neighbors interact every day may have become less common, the desire to care for and help others still remains throughout society.

However, the problem is that Jeong is becoming more limited and selective. People share warmth within close relationships, but they are often cautious around strangers. A culture of avoiding inconvenience to others has grown stronger, yet at the same time, emotional distance between people has also increased. While respecting personal space and privacy is important, excessive indifference can weaken the sense of community and make society feel colder.

Reviving Jeong in Our Society

As mentioned earlier, Jeong is a unique aspect of Korean culture that is both complicated and warm. Due to this, Jeong should not remain only as a memory of the past.

It does not have to be something grand. Saying hello first in an elevator, showing small acts of concern for someone who seems tired, or simply listening carefully to another person for a moment — even these small actions can bring Jeong back into our lives.

Modern society changes quickly, and people naturally prioritize efficiency and their own personal lives. However, as long as we do not lose our warm perspective toward others, the culture of Jeong will never completely disappear. Instead, it will continue to evolve into new forms and remain as an important value that binds Korean society together.

Reporter

Hyeonseon Namgung

namgung0121@seoultech.ac.kr

Reporter 남궁현선

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• e-mail : namgung0121@seoultech.ac.kr