[Korea Social Trends Series] Part 10: Education Fever and the Culture of Private Tutoring in Korea

Few aspects of Korean society are as globally recognized as its intense focus on education. From international headlines about high test scores to Netflix dramas depicting sleepless students, the phenomenon known as “education fever” (교육열) is central to Korea’s identity. This deep cultural emphasis on learning has propelled Korea from poverty after the Korean War to one of the world’s most advanced economies within a few generations. Yet it has also created enormous pressure on students, families, and the education system itself. For foreign readers, understanding Korea’s education fever and its accompanying private tutoring culture offers critical insight into both the country’s strengths and its struggles.

1. Historical Roots of Education Fever
Education has long been central to Korean society, dating back to the Confucian era when success in state examinations was the main path to status and power. After the Korean War, education became a survival strategy for families seeking upward mobility. Parents viewed academic success as the surest way for their children to secure stable jobs and escape poverty. This mindset solidified into a national ethos: education was not just important, it was essential. Today, parents often say they would sacrifice everything for their child’s education, reflecting a deep-seated belief in learning as the gateway to opportunity.

2. The Role of the College Entrance Exam (수능)
At the heart of education fever lies the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT, or 수능), Korea’s equivalent of the SAT but with far higher stakes. Every November, the nation slows down for the exam: airplanes are grounded during the listening section, businesses adjust opening hours, and police escort late students to test centers. Admission to a top university can determine not only a student’s career prospects but also social standing and even marriage opportunities.
This exam-centric culture drives much of the demand for private tutoring. Parents invest heavily to give their children an edge, creating a parallel system of education outside regular schools.

3. The Rise of Hagwons (Private Academies)
Private tutoring in Korea is dominated by hagwons, after-school academies that teach everything from math and science to English, arts, and even video game design. Seoul’s Gangnam district, in particular, is famous for its concentration of elite hagwons, some of which charge thousands of dollars per month.
According to government data, over 70% of Korean students attend hagwons, with household spending on private education exceeding $20 billion annually. For many families, hagwons are not optional but mandatory, despite the financial burden. Single parents and lower-income families often make enormous sacrifices, sometimes taking on debt, to keep their children enrolled in competitive programs.

4. Social Implications – Pressure and Inequality
While education fever has produced a highly skilled workforce, it also generates significant downsides. Students report extreme stress, long study hours, and lack of sleep. It is common for high school students to study from early morning until midnight, splitting their time between school and hagwons. Mental health concerns, including anxiety and depression, are rising among teenagers.
The heavy reliance on private tutoring also exacerbates inequality. Wealthier families can afford the best hagwons and private tutors, while poorer families struggle to keep up. This creates a cycle where economic privilege translates into educational advantage, reinforcing class divisions. Policymakers worry that this undermines social mobility, the very promise that education fever once held.

5. Government Policies and Reforms
Successive Korean governments have tried to curb excessive private tutoring. Measures include setting curfews for hagwons (many must close by 10 p.m.), cracking down on unlicensed tutors, and introducing programs to strengthen public schools. Some universities have adopted holistic admissions processes to reduce the weight of test scores.
Yet these reforms face resistance from parents who distrust the public education system and continue to view private tutoring as essential. For many, even if policies change, the competitive reality of the job market drives them back to hagwons.

6. Everyday Examples
A 17-year-old student in Seoul might attend regular high school classes from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., then rush to a math hagwon until 8 p.m., followed by an English class until 10 p.m. After returning home, she may study past midnight, repeating the cycle daily. Meanwhile, her parents spend a significant portion of their income on tuition, sometimes more than housing costs.
At the same time, a lower-income family in a rural area may only afford a local hagwon or none at all. Their child works hard but remains at a disadvantage compared to peers in Seoul’s elite districts. These stories illustrate the personal sacrifices and disparities embedded in Korea’s education culture.

7. Global Comparisons
Korea’s education fever is often compared with systems in China and Japan, where exam pressures are also intense. However, Korea stands out for the scale of private spending and the social prestige tied to university admission. In contrast, Western countries like the U.S. and Europe place more emphasis on extracurricular activities or holistic evaluations, though competitive private tutoring markets are growing there as well. Korea’s case is unique in how deeply education fever permeates everyday life, from family budgets to national policies.

8. Looking Ahead
The future of education in Korea faces a paradox. On one hand, the system has produced world-class talent in technology, medicine, and business. On the other, the pressure and inequality it fosters threaten long-term sustainability. Policymakers and educators are experimenting with alternatives, such as digital learning platforms, vocational training, and reduced emphasis on standardized testing. Cultural change, however, is slow. As long as top universities and chaebols remain gatekeepers of success, education fever is unlikely to subside.

Editor’s Note
Korea’s education fever reflects both the strengths and strains of its society. It has enabled remarkable achievements but also created a system where pressure, inequality, and sacrifice dominate childhood. For foreign readers, Korea offers a cautionary tale: the pursuit of excellence can deliver prosperity but at significant human cost. The challenge ahead is finding balance—maintaining high standards while ensuring equity and well-being for students.